This is gonna be huge.

Been on a bit of a "journey" the last couple of months, and time has flown...

So here's a big catch-up.

Artisanal LA

A showcase of food vendors who share a passion for healthy, local and sustainable ingredients, this community event held in Santa Monica in April allowed us to taste the best caramel popcorn, chocolate, cheeses, and teas around.

Six weeks of partying at The Forum.

Fell in love with Prince 5 times....4 times in Inglewood and once more at The Troubadour. And tattooed the symbol on Mr. Moth.....who went 11 times!!

Rediscovered The Getty

This place always takes my breath away. From the stunning views of West Los Angeles and the ocean, to the glorious gardens and architecture...and that's before we even talk of the collection. It's impossible to take a bad photograph here, and it's not that far to get some serenity!!

LA Pride March

We feel so lucky to live in West Hollywood. We have a great community around us.

The one and only Johnny Weir, figure skating champion - Eddie's mate.

Made new friends

 Brutus and his pal had a meeting at Fat Dog on Fairfax. 

Belly rubs in Santa Monica...

 

...on a long-haired English Mastiff.

This one I call "Bertoia Chair with sweet Frenchies".

Not a dog, but one of our local hummingbirds, resting on the jacaranda - so TINY, the size of two thimbles.

 Snoozy Fiona.

 Stanley loves food trucks as much as I do.

 Nash the big Airedale.

Lucy being lazy and thinking about something...

 And finally, favourite film dog so far for 2011, Cosmo, who steals the show in the touching and beautifully human "Beginners". Go see it! Here's the director giving him direction for the next scene.

And finally walked Runyon Canyon

 ....saw hawks scoping for food,  but no rattlesnakes yet. 

The nag who lives at the top of the hill - a nice relief after slogging it up the canyon!

But never forget, this is the city where you can gaffer tape your car and it's still considered "road worthy".

And where The Pointer Sisters play at The Roxy the day after Vegan Beer Fest.

 

Gotta love LA!!

Escuela Taqueria - BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE!!

There's a new little gem in the neighbourhood - and we stumbled upon it the other night while driving through the streets around The Grove area. It's only been open 2 weeks, and my goodness, it's a goodie!

The new labour of love of Steve Arroyo, Escuela Taqueria is the cutest little taco place. Gorgeously fitted out with patterned tiles, timber paneling, zinc and iron tables, all complemented by the suspension of a huge bunch of vintage chairs from the ceiling - this is a very special place.

But it's not big. It only seats 25, with a couple of extra tables out the front. And the menu is well curated, with offerings of the taco variety dominating. The flavours, however are HUGE! As soon as were seated we were immediately served fresh corn chips, guacamole and the zingiest, most delicious fresh salsa ever. Then we had our tacos - me the fish (branzino), lightly grilled, with a slaw filling and beautiful dressing, he had the slow cooked beef taco. Both of us were thrilled. Because this was more of a "late-night-snack" treat, we were very full after that. But we will definitely return soon to also try the rice and beans, Mexican-style corn on the cob, and of course the churros. The menu apparently will rotate a bit, as according to what is seasonally available from local producers.

The service was awesome - such friendly and cute waitresses - the prices very good, and the playlist fantastic. Eating tacos while listening (and singing) to The Smiths' "This Charming Man"? I bloody love it.

But I almost don't want to tell anyone about Escuela Taqueria. This teeny place will be packed soon enough, queues down the street....better start being a regular quick smart!!

Escuela Taqueria

308 North Stanley Avenue, 

West Hollywood 

323-939-8226

Escuela Taqueria's salsa, guacamole and chips.

My yummy fish tacos!!

The open kitchen - love those hexagonal tiles.

Looking to the ceiling.

The walls feature an eclectic art collection. Who doesn't mind a bit of Fairey?

Opening tonight @ Congregation Gallery, May 14th 2011

From 9pm tonight the next installment of Congregation Gallery is open to all comers. It's a triple bill, featuring work from Dan Harding, Larkin and Patrick "Star 27" Deignan. Here's a sneak peak of what's on display - the show will be up until June 5th at 7569 Melrose Ave in Hollywood. Just look for the "Forgotten Saints" sign.

Dan Harding, "Thirteen"

Dan Harding, "Slow Burn"

Deignan's "Bad Obsession"

Deignan's "Suck You Dry"

Larkin, "Babyface McBastard"

Larkin, "Corona"

Larkin, "The First Born Son"

Larkin, "Saint Aloysius and Chumpchange"

Larkin, "The Iceman"

Larkin, "Recoil"

Larkin, "Abbey Badland"

Larkin, "Saint Gus and Pilot"

Lanie Lane @ Hotel Cafe, Hollywood

Last night we got to see a red-hot little Aussie chick doing her very awesome music stuff. Remember this name - Lanie Lane!! 

Because I think you will be hearing a lot of her very soon.

Lanie singing her sweet songs.

With Marc Orrell on guest harmonica!

And she digs Count Basie - what's not to love?

Lanie (rhymes with "flanny") was here in LA on the way to Nashville to record with Jack White - yes, THAT Jack White. Her sound was sweet, her voice smoky, and her musical style is drawn from the likes of Muddy Waters, The Andrews Sisters, but with a twist of sassy soul. Rather than just be a nostalgic retro trip, Lanie Lane imbued her performance last night with enough modern cheek to hook us into her world. My personal highlight was her "Vampire Blues"....plus Marc Orrell's lung-bustin' harmonica cameo. Gold!

After recording, Lanie is doing a show in NYC then onto London - if you are over that side of the US or the pond, please go see her, you will have a new sweetheart. Don't worry Aussies, you'll get her back in time for "Splendour In The Grass" at the end of July. To read more about Lanie Lane, go to her website, and keep an eye out for her new record, due mid-2011.

Safe travels Lanie, and go get' em girl!

Photograph by Benjamin Fraser.

R.I.P. The Arthouse, Melbourne.

I'm way too bummed to talk about The Arty finally closing in my home town on the weekend. So please read Tom's story here.

So sad I wasn't there.

Well done, Victorian bureaucracy, another home for independent musicians bites the dust.

New material from Erich Origen.

The Daily Good has sent a "heads up" about Eric Origen's new project - to create an "Encyclopedia of Gratitude: From Abba to Zamboni." And we can all contribute to the online version through his blog with our own ideas of what we are grateful for. Origen's future book will serve as a reminder of what it feels to be alive, and of how all of those seemingly frivolous moments, objects and human connections enrich our existence and make it more beautiful.

Listing such things as "climbing trees", "Stevie Wonder", "the invention of glass", "miniature golf", there is a lot of sweet humour in the encyclopedia. Check it out for yourself, read one item a day with your kids - I dare you not to smile. Better still, write a contribution and it may make the final book! Now that's something to be grateful for.

Flowers for a pin-up girl.

It's "Viva Las Vegas" weekend coming up, and friends from Melbourne have been in LA on the way through. I got to do a nice pair of lilies on Sarah's shoulder to add to her sweet rockabilly look.

Imaginary map of LA.

Click on the image above to see Geoff McFetridge's fictional interpretation of Los Angeles, commissioned by GoodLA for their current online issue. 

Love a bit of line work. Check out more of his stuff here.

Everyone loves a (royal) wedding!!

Not long to go now before we have a bit of royal hoohah to watch on the telly....I myself have found myself reminiscing on the last major one - yes the Lady Di/Prince Charles nuptials, and that ENORMOUS, very princessy, train!! I watched as a child at my English grandparent's house all those years ago, and that is one of the images I will never forget...all I could think of was the poor buggers who had to sew the bloody thing.

Methinks that this time around, young Kate will wear something far more sophisticated and tailored. I know there has been a concerted push to have her choose an Alexander McQueen piece - in a tribute to him and the British fashion industry, and to make a bold statement on her path as future (possible) queen. Let alone the fact something from that fashion house would surely blow everyone's socks off!!

But, we still have to wait a couple more weeks...in the meantime, some fun has been had in West Hollywood with the windows of Agent Provocateur on Melrose Ave. In a fittingly sexy, bawdy and cheeky tribute to the new royal couple is a reminder of what will lie beneath layers of fabric and hours of needlework - a good pair of knickers!!

Cheers!!!!!!

 

"Art In The Streets" @ MOCA, opening tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing what looks and sounds like a HUGE survey of graffiti and street art here in Los Angeles, covering the movement from the 1970's onwards to today's international superstars. For a taste, have a look at this slideshow.

One of the works I am keen to get up close to is the late Margaret Kilgallen's installation of carnival style lettering and folk inspired scenes.

“I believe there need to be women visual in our every day landscape, working hard and doing their own thing, whether you like it or not, whether it’s acceptable or not…I especially hope to inspire young women because often I feel like so much emphasis is put on how beautiful you are, and how thin you are, and not a lot of emphasis is put on what you can do and how smart you are. I’d like to change that, change the emphasis of what’s important when looking at a woman.” 
Margaret Kilgallen 

Here's the link to MOCA's webpage, to get more exhibition details and to also check out what else is going on there. I'll report back when I get to go check it out myself.

Retro spacegirl FUN!

A girl in a space suit with a ray gun and rocket and I'm in tattoo heaven. Thank-you Flint, and many best wishes to you and your real-life hottie for your day on Saturday....weather looks good too!!

Baby bulldog getting lots of love.

A good friend of Forgotten Saints has been passing on the tale of a little fellow called "Dexter". He is a wee baby bulldog who was "surrendered" to the Southern Californian Bulldog Rescue at 4 weeks of age with some major physical issues - he wasn't able to stand (what they call a "swimmer puppy"), his lungs were very weak and prone to pneumonia, and was so young to be away from his mum. But this amazing group of volunteers have taken him under their wing and into their hearts 

to get him thriving and literally "up on his feet"... and look at him now! 

With lots of rehabilitation, and around-the clock feeds 

and attention, he's so much better. 

Look at that FACE!!!!

Day one, at the vet.

With his new foster-mum.

Dexter's hobbled legs, to help him learn to stand. Look at that belleh!

Time for a kip.

A week later, and he is getting stronger!

Look, standing!!

Like all dog rescue organizations, the SoCal Bulldog Rescue dedicate themselves to rescuing and re-homing English Bulldogs that have fallen out of favour with their owners, or been the victims of abuse and circumstance. There are some lovely stories on their site about beautiful animals who have found new love and a good life after enduring illness and homelessness. It's been especially tough on many welfare groups due to the US recession, with both a dramatic increase in animals being abandoned as owners lose homes or funds to feed their pets, and as supporters of welfare groups reduce their donations.

So please, have a look at their website to not only maybe help, but if you are a bulldog-curious, they provide a tonne of information on the care of this magnificent and charming breed.

"Folk will know how large your soul is, by the way you treat a dog"

Charles F. Doran 

Seen on Melrose Ave.