More from Japan: Pagodas, Candyland & Feng Shui

$2600 for the set of three antique pagoda bird cages

Ever wonder why buildings with pagoda roofs have turned-up eaves? According to the ancient principles of feng shui, they are intended to trick the evil spirits who are coming down to cause mischief, and deflect them back up. Mirrors placed above doors in strategic locations serve the same purpose and streets and pathways in China and elsewhere in the world were designed to be as crooked as possible to slow down bad spirits.

If your visiting San Francisco consider a stay at the Hilton Hotel located across the street from Portsmouth Square, a one-block park in Chinatown - it was built sideways, so that it would not cast a shadow over the park (shadows, of course are bad feng shui). And, don't forget to drive down Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

At Auction

I am not a huge fan of Beatles' music, but I love this psychedelic artwork by Richard Avedon created at the height of the Fab Four's fame in the 1960's. From top left are John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.

My New Color Wheel

How do you like my new template? I love the stripes.

It's That Day of the Week Again

Dining with Horses

Dinner for eight served in the barn. Unfortunately, the only
utensil that's visible resembles a hoof pick.

Who Wore It Better?

Needless to say, sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton can afford not to borrow each other's tops. Paris gets five stars, tho her bag looks a little chunky - maybe she has another puppy in there.

The Alta Mira Hotel

Quel Dommage! This beautiful old hotel was a few minutes walk from my mother's and my apartment in Sausalito and a favorite spot to take out of town guests. In addition to dining on the lanai, which was legendary for it's view, the hotel had a seldom used small wood panelled dining room with pink table cloths and cozy fireplace (the perfect spot on a cold, foggy San Francisco day). The food on the terrace wasn't really good, but the frothy white Ramos Fizzes, made with orange flower water, gin, cream, lime, egg whites and super fine sugar all served up in a Tom Collins glass were delicious. Click to enlarge post cards.

Another Vintage Book Cover by Dell

I think this should be a status category on Facebook.

Fun with Photo Shop

My clam shell filled with M&Ms rests at the seashore on Harbor Island.

Never Tea to the Water

Preparing tea is an art for which the English are immensely proud. First of all, the pot itself must be preheated to the correct temperature. Then, one teaspoon of tea leaves is placed into the pot for each cup to be poured, plus a teaspoon for the pot itself. Then the hot water is added. Water is always added to the tea ... never tea to the water! Let the tea steep in the boiling water precisely five minutes, no more, no less. Now the tea leaves release their true aroma and bouquet. Combine with a biscuit and enjoy.

Lily Sutter on her Wedding Day

My Sister, the glamour-puss, in her satin wedding dress & veil. 

Click photos to enlarge.

Love on a Vespa. The Get-Away Car.

Trellises, Garlands & Little Girls

Bracelets & Bands

Cheap Design

A giant clam shell makes a nice vessel for some white colored M&Ms. I snapped this

picture while working at a designer show house on Singer Island in Florida.

Who Wore it Better?

The heiresses go toe to toe. Woe to the person who faces

off with Paris, particularly, Tori Spelling.

Who Wore it Better?

Who's the princess now? The Princess of Monaco & Katie Holmes go toe-to-toe.

Who Wore it Better?

I'm not sure who Kim Kardashian is exactly, but she's no match for 15 year old Brooke Shields shown posing here in the famous 1980's blue jeans ad.

Don't Feel Like Dressing For Church? You Don't Have To In Florida

This Daytona Beach church's website invites you to "come dressed as you like." For all they care, you can show up in a red silk kimono or your Jonas Brothers pajamas - it makes no difference here.

At the First Christian Church of Daytona Beach, situated on an old drive-in movie lot, worshippers have the option of pulling the family car up to the speakers (long since defunct) where they tune into the word via the radio or worship in the church's little chapel located inside Friendship Hall, also located on the property. Should the car become too warm there are outdoor seating areas for the heat-stricken or prostrate to worship in the shade. Lucky for that.

I wonder where the refreshment stand is? If you squint you can see the pastor (or is it a minister?). Click on the photo to enlarge.

Heart Rock Sushi

Heart Rock Sushi
Like I told my friend Glenna, owner of Salon 230, go to this restaurant if you're going to be in Fort Lauderdale. You won't be disappointed. Afterwards, walk up the block to the Gateway. It's the city's oldest theater (c.1951). If you go, make sure to leave your movie comments on the theater's bulletin board.

What is Perfume

Evidently, it's the only thing Marilyn Monroe wore to bed. And Coco Chanel, ruler of Parisian haute couture for six decades, said a woman who didn't wear it had no future.

Here's a Chanel No. 5 advertisement starring Nicole Kidman. If it all looks vaguely familiar it's because the two minute film is the work of Baz Luhrmann, the director of Moulin Rouge (starring none other than his muse, Nicole Kidman) and Strictly Ballroom, Mistress Quickly's all-time favorite flick.

For her part, Nicole Kidman became the world's highest paid actress in a commercial, pocketing a whopping $3 Million (approximately $1 for every tulip planted in Holland last year). The dress, of course, was designed for Chanel by Head Designer & Creative Director, Karl Lagerfeld. Total budget of the commercial: $102 Million. That's a lot of parfum!

Flashback: Young Malibu Barbie's Medical School Days

She's still paying off her student loans.

Pensive Barbie: No one's remembered my 51st birthday.

Recipie Archives: Davidian's Pilaf

Miss Jackie Pratt who is a student at Westmoor makes this pilaf and after making and tasting it, I recommend it to you.

1/2 cube butter

1/4 cup vermicelli, broken

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup rice

2 cups clear chicken broth

NOTE: The canned chicken broth doesn't quite make the two cups, so just add enough water to complete the measurement.

In a skillet melt half of the butter, add the fourth-cup broken vermicelli and brown over medium-low heat. Add the two cups chicken broth, the cup of rice and the half teaspoon of salt and the rest of the butter. Cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook for 10 minutes; stir, cover again and cook 10 minutes longer. Twenty minutes total cooking time. Serves 6.

My Pick: Kentucky Derby Fashion & Southern Tradition

Shame about the dangling feather, but I still love this racegoer's hat. Hope she didn't get caught in the downpour at Churchill Downs earlier. It's sure to be a sloppy track.

A Study in Seaweed: Part II

From my holiday in the Bahamas, where I photographed, among other things, seaweed.

Dog in Masquerade

Dell Vintage Bookcover: If Only it Were True

Mistress Quickly Officially Names Her Mustang Goldfinger

The inspiration for the Mustang's colour perhaps?

Pink Sand Beach: A study in seaweed

This patch of 3 mile pink sand beach is tucked away on Harbour Island, one mile off the north shore of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

If you go, check out the accommodations at the Rock House. The best meal were the pork chops & plantains at a dive called Avery's -reputedly where the owners of the hotel do take-away.

Churning up the pristine ocean bed with my goggles on, it looked as though I had been transported to a sea of Chanel No. 5 dusting powder.

Birdseed Picnic

from a Token of Friendship by Barbara Milo Ohrbach

BIRDSEED PICNIC

This is a gift for our friends, the birds and is also a nice gift for nature-minded friends. This mixture will attract most varieties, including cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, gold and purple finches, and sparrows.

8 OUNCES STRIPED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

6 OUNCES OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS

14 OUNCES SMALL CHICK CORN

6 OUNCES MILLET

2 OUNCES THISTLE

4 OUNCES PEANUT HEARTS

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Divide into small paper bags.

Tie each bag with ribbon or green garden twine.

Makes 2 1/2 pounds bird-feed mixture.

At 16 years old, June (Angel) was the wisest 15 year old I knew. My mom once said June was as pretty as Farah Fawcett.

A REASON TO SERVE ARTICHOKES AGAIN

ROBIN LEIGH WORTLEY'S SECRET ARTICHOKE DIPPING SAUCE

Robin was one of my best friends in college and, already a gourmet cook at the tender age of 22. We didn't call it dipping sauce then; but this was her recipe & it is delicious.

All measurements are to taste and depend on how many people you are serving.




Mayonnaise
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Minced garlic
Worcestershire Sauce (use sparingly & taste)

Mix all ingredients together in bowl.
Serve chilled.

GO FISH

I bought my brother one of these fish bowls (together with a wooden nail brush, loofah and sea sponge) for Christmas.

Ingredients: Whale-shaped cheese crackers, assorted rice crackers, spicy wasabi peas, and honey toasted peanuts; No tasteless fillers in the mixture, which is more than can be said for the perennial favorite, Chex Party Mix. Available at The World Market for $8. Delicious.

Chalk Chess: A few of my favorite things

I bought this chess set, made of chalk, while in Amsterdam at Christmastime. Designed in the UK, the chess pieces are elegant looking enough, especially, the soot-colored black ones. The cardboard packaging is cool - very high quality designed to last. I think it would be fun to take on a picnic or play on the porch stoop, unless of course it starts to rain. Bring something to blot your fingers with.

WHAT WOULD YOU PAY FOR A TULIP?

I paid 6 euros ($9.00) for this tulip from the Netherlands. Certainly a bargain by Dutch standards during Holland's Golden Age.

For tulips were once one of the most sought after luxury items of the 17th century. Tulip bulbs were a type of currency unto themselves, with their value fluctuating wildly day to day. This "tulip mania" caused a major market crisis in 1637 with speculation ruining a good many traders.

The Turks were the original tulip lovers and it was from them the Dutch acquired their first bulbs in the late 1500s. By the early 1700s, it was the Turks who were importing bulbs from Holland.

An early 17th century bill of sale recorded the following transaction for one single tulip bulb:

two loads of wheat
four loads of rye
four fat oxen
eight fat swine
twelve fat sheep
two hogsheads of wine
four barrels of beer
two barrels of butter
1000 pounds of cheese
a marriage bed with linens
a sizable wagon to hall it all away
"and a partridge in a pear tree"

Now largely associated with the Netherlands, Holland produces over 3 million tulip bulbs each year.

Yippy Ky Yo Ky Yay: Vintage Palm Springs Motel

Palm Springs Hotel, Ruby Montana's Coral Sands Inn Palm Springs, California
Someday, I hope to see this little, vintage 1950's motel. Ruby Montana's Pinto Pony was a favorite Seattle store. Miss Ruby closed it; moved to the dessert and bought herself a motel.


A hired hand or guest demonstrates a tiny tv screen displaying a bucking bronco

I did adore the red colored Indian inspired party dress...

"Good sir, I heard you are a poet ........ But a poet of no words?"

Goodbye Christmas

The Christmas tree inspires a love/hate relationship. All that time spent selecting and decorating, and a week after, you see it by the side of the road, like a mob hit.... Jerry Seinfeld

I COULD SURE USE SOME PIN MONEY

Today, we do not give pins a second thought. This was not always the case. In the 1800's, every woman cherished her thimble, her set of scissors, and her set of pins. Pins were such a luxury it became a custom to give brides money for pins; hence, the term pin money.

Forget Uggs: I want a pair of these Christian Diors for Christmas