PHOTO COLLAGES

I recently realized that I have always been drawn to photo collages. Whether its in an story in an editorial magazine, an advertisement, or family photos done well...its just a cool way to visualize a story or family. These are a few that I have done recently and I call them the poloroid collages. I shoot family photos, convert them into poloroids and make a 12x16 print on special arty linen fiber archival paper. See the most recent one I did of Carla Hassan, a client in San Diego. I also took a photo of one of my hallway's in my apt to show you a cool way to put some photos in an old box to good use. Cut them up, collage them up, and frame them.


Definitely a great way to display family photos in a hip apt.

MAC LAPTOP

If you laptop are in the market for a new laptop, I found "the one".
I used to have a fancy Sony PC laptop but it was such a nightmare, that I finally switched over to the MAC BOOK, and its been a hasslefree and less frustrating!

Check out this affordable laptop, that is a designer's dream. Its paper thin, and light for those plane rides. The design is gorgeous and for an impressive price of $999, you can't go wrong.

Check it out by clicking on the title above.

JEN'S LIST

So, my friend Angie Zupan from Orange on Beverly told me about Jen's list. I don't have a kids, but I shoot kids and she told me to check her webstie out cause she was amazing and it would be good to get in touch with Jen...so I did. Her website is FANTASTIC for mom's in LA. Also, she is the mother of FIVE Boys...my god.
JEN'S LIST is a free daily e-mail newsletter and website and its basically a guide is the mom's guide to undiscovered and hot baby news and items. Great baby products, fun things to do for the family, and realistic things you can do and afford. Not quite like GOOP.COM, but not all of us are A list celebrities with a couple of mill in the bank. CHeck her website out. Here are some photos of her that I just took recently.

HAMPERS

Another thing that i have been looking for lately, is a good clean modern hamper. I have searched so many websites, and quite frankly, this is a good market to go into business. There was very little out there. I found these ones, and my favorite one is the grey one from cb2.com for $79.99. You can get it it by clicking on the title above.

The white one is from Kmart called Redmon Diamond Pattern Vinyl Hamper - White With Silver Trim and its $49.99. The dual colored one is from the Martha Steware Collection called "Closet Shop" Pop-Up Hamper for $29.99 at Kmart.com,a little conservative, but thought it was nice for a beach house. Finally the Whitney Designs Resin Wicker Hamper w/lid is from Sears and that one is only $29.

CRATE AND BARRELL'S PASTA BOWLS

I did an apt swap last month with a woman named Stefanie Karp who lives in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. She stayed at my place and she said she quite liked what I had done to the apt and she enjoyed her stay in LA. When I asked if there was anything that I could have done to the apt, she randomly said that I could use some good basic pasta bowls and some non-crystal wine glasses.
As soon as I could turn my computer on, I have been searching for the perfect white pasta bowl...villeroy and boch...cb2.com...conrans...martha stewart...mudd...but I have to say, the simple white bistro style bowls are what I liked the best with a rim. I found these at Crate and Barrell which is strange cause I never shop there but I like these ones. They are $8.95 each.

SHARON'S NEW KITCHEN

So, its been what now...three months since I checked in. I have been a bit preoccupied between my new photo business, going back and forth to New York, and redesigning my new kitchen. Its finally done and here are the photos. It probably took me about a year to decide what my budget was and the design that I could afford, but for under $10,000, this is what I came up with. (this includes the appliances!)

THE FOODINISTA

I have a thing for design, food and fashion.

I am a serial blog reader. I love reading them more than magazines now, and best of all,the links in each blog that takes me to more genius.



Recently, one that I read regularly is THE FOODINISTA BLOG.

Heather John-Fogarty who I used to work with at Bon Appetit has created a BRILLIANT blog that unites food, fashion and design. She is a senior editor that covers food, wine and travel at Bon Appetit, but was also a fashion editor at the LA Times before that. We called her the WINE FAIRY at work. Her knowledge about each genre and also her, to the point, and witty way of writing makes me want all of you to read her blog. Its just cool, not to mention that she gives shout outs to many other amazing blogs or small business owners that are also, very talented. ALSO, every Friday, she has as guest blogger and one of my other favorite blogs is DESIGNWATCHER.COM, who guess blogged recently. DESIGNWATCHER and THE FOODINISTA unite. Its pretty cool.

Check it out and bookmark Heather's blog, by clicking on the title above. THEFOODINSTA.WORDPRESS.COM

P.S. Sorry for the lack of blogging and as I call it...the Houdini the last two months. Starting a new business and crazy travelling has made me a bit lazy to write and all I want to do is read. I am staring up today!

FREE CITY

Free City Supershop in Malibu is what Fred Segals was in the early 90's. Owner Nina Garduno, who was affiliated with the Men's Division at Ron Herman is the mastermind behind they overpriced and ridiculously expensive store for those who have far too much money for their own good.
A tee-shirt retails for $168. Ridiculous...but very chic.
Vogue and New York Times have already done special mentions of the items. Sadly, celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow and Jake G. are sporting some of the tee's along with all the Palisades mommies, which has given this store that has been around since April 2005 and donated $90,000 (so they say) to artists a hit. I love the simple design and all that, but I am not that bad a fashion victim to pay $200 for a sweat shirt that cost $6 to make in China.

Check it out by clicking on the title.

THINK SPACE GALLERY

Artist Audrey Kawasaki curated this amazing show at Thinkspace Gallery in Silverlake. (California). She is quite an amazing artist,I will have to blog just about her work next. The show which is called The Drawing Room, and she chose 2 pieces 25 different artists...most of which are her close friends . I heard about the show from a friend named Eveline Tarunadjaja. I collect her work. She two amazing pieces up at this gallery and I had to attend to purchase one of them.

I also found new artists that I really like. Amy Earles, Audrey Kawasaki, Travis Louie, Fumi Nakamura and Brian Viveros. Check out the show which is showing from Nov 7th-Nov 29. For more information, click the title above.

SHARON SUH IN KOREA!

I just returned from another international vacation..two week in Korea. My sister, mom and I went for two weeks. My mother had a Seoul University Reunion, so she invited us to come along and Shel and I travelled on our own to many different parts of Korea. I don't think that I have been to so many places in my life in that time frame, very unlike me to be the diligent tourist, but I thought it was a once in a lifetime trip and so I pushed through. It was quite fascinating. Here are a few visual highlights, but the most memorable places...cheonjiyeon waterfalls, Jeolmui Forest, Andong, JeJu Island and of course the cosmopolitan city of Seoul.
I had so much rice and kimchee, I have a new friend named Stella which I brought back from Korea. Its my new little pot belly. I like her alot, but being back in the states now, she may not last very long.
If you want to see more photos, you can go into my facebook album which you can get to clicking on the title above.

QUERCUS

Christmas is coming and Lucas left a scribbled note of this cologne with the website link on his bulletin board...which makes me think he was leaving it for me as a Christmas gift hint.
We found this cologne wandering the streets in Paris and we walked into the Pentihaligan's store. Based in London has been around since 1870 and its the "distinguished man's" cologne. They have a great shaving kit as well, but in general, its a fanastic store. I actually really like the scent so if you want to get something for your pops or your brother or boyfriend, check it out. I actually have never had a boyfriend wear cologne before, but if its going to be one, this is the one. Its subtle.

Check it out by clicking on the title above.

COMME des GARCONS at H&M!

Comme des Garcons, one of the great fashion labels of our time, has a designed a inexpensive line for H & M. I can't see these items lasting too long in New York, but in LA and other cities, you may have a chance. Check out the line...its pretty affordable and its fashion forward even for H & M. I am going to go tomorrow to check out the materials, but for all you fashionista's...run.

Check out the designs by clicking on the title above. This jacket shown runs for $129. There is a cute scarf too for under $50.

LISA ROCCHIO'S KIDS

I just shot the most adorable kids a few days ago, I had to post the photos. Sara, Jack and Wil Rocchio in Brentwood California. These kid are the most well-behaved kids I have ever met. I also liked this shoot because Lisa had one of the coolest homes in LA that I have seen. Amazing interior design. Three snaps for Lisa. Sorry for the tease, I don't have photos of her home, just the kids.

PAULETTE'S MACARONS IN BEVERLY HILLS

After spending so much time in Paris a few weeks ago, I love Macarons. I have been looking for some in LA, and I think I found the perfect Macaron!
Paulette’s. These are hand-made daily Beverly Hills, inspired by master pastry chef Christophe Michalak. They are delightfully bright and bold with the perfect amount of chewy that I like in a macaron. A mini-box of two cost $4...great for a party!
Viennese architect Andrea Lenardin Madden received the City of Beverly Hills Design Award for the concept and design of their shop. Paulette Beverly Hills was also recognized by prestigious I.D. Magazine, earning the 54th Annual Design Award for the Environment...a very cool place to check out if you are in LA. You can purchase their yummy macarons on line. Click on the title above!

CRATE & BARRELL

This is the perfect gift for anyone. Its so affordable, and everyone needs one of these I think. Holiday gift for the mailman, doorman or super, or people on your Home Owners Association Board? Its a 6-Way Opener that opens bottle tops, jar lids, bottle caps, pull tabs, safety seals and snack bags. (leave one in your car for emergencies...you never know when that big earthquake is going to hit). I like the green one.
Its only $7.95. Check it out by clicking on the title above.

GLOBAL KNIVES

While I was in New York, I stayed with my friend Christina again. She is also an fabulous cook, and so we cooked in alot. She made the most amazing bolognese sauce which is when I first noticed her amazing knives.
We did a few stories on Global when I was at Bon Appetit Magazine so I knew of the brand, but I had never used one. I had the Wusthof brand from Culinary School so never really shopped around for knives. The next evening when I was cooking for the group, I have to say that once you use a global knife, NOTHING IS EVER THE SAME! You have to try these knives!!!!!!!!!!Especially if you are a cook. LIfe changes. I can't recommend these knives more. I just ordered a set. They are on sale!

There are four series of Global knives, G, GS, GF and GSF. The only difference among the series is that the G and GS knives are lighter in weight than the GF and GSF knives. Global knives are manufactured by Yoshikin in Niigata, Japan. They were designed in 1985 by Komin Yamad and using the best materials and the latest manufacturing techniques, they were perfected to professionals and now the mass market. Best perk... Lifetime Warranty.

Check them out by going their website or you can click the title and it will take you to a link where I purchased them on sale!

DISH TOWELS

Hello!
I just got back from New York a few days ago and I have been a bit crazy lately trying to book the a bunch of people for my personal work, watching the debates, and doing some fall cleaning.
While I was trying to get organized and I realized that I needed to do a makeover on my kitchen. Rather than tear out the cabinets and the countertop, I decided instead to do a minor makeover due to debates scaring the pants off of me and making me think twice about my kitchen resdesign.

I decided, the new makeover...Dishes, towels and color scheme. Its a quick fix.
The first thing I did was throw out all my old dishtowels and purchase new ones. I have attached three different ones I was chosing from but I decide to go with the Grey William Sonoma Towels. Classic.
WILLIAM SONOMA come in a set of Four for $18. The colorful ones are from ANTHROPOLOGIE and the set of 3, sell for $24. Lastly, the white ones are from SUR LA TABLE. I like the all white...reminds me of a Paris kitchen. Set of 4 are only $9.95.

You can to to WILLIAM SONOMA's LINK by clicking on the title!