The Superior Standard

Lobby, The Standard Hotel, DTLA

On Sunday afternoon we drove downtown to see the Sparrow Mart exhibit. It's on the second level of the Standard Hotel. There has been tons of publicity about this fab exhibit of a convenience store where every single item is made from felt by artist, Lucy Sparrow! Maybe too much publicity, because there was a line around the block to get in! 

Felted grocery products by artist, Lucy Sparrow

It was super hot on Sunday. We weren't about to wait in the boiling sun, so instead we stepped into my favorite sunny hotel restaurant in Los Angeles, The 24/7 Restaurant. It's always open and always bright yellow. The sun shines in this spot even during a rainstorm! 

The 24/7 Restaurant at The Standard Hotel

We'd had a late breakfast, so all we really wanted was something cool to drink. The ginger lemonade is excellent! Dig that cool 70's yellow bar!!

Ginger Lemonade

The menus have photos of different YOUNG celebrities on the back

Even the textured wallpaper in this restaurant is perfect. Really, I could live in this room!

Textured Vinyl Wallpaper

While we were enjoying our lemonades and people-watching, this young woman sat down at the lemon yellow bar in her tight, lemon yellow sun dress! If only she was drinking a Lemontini cocktail!

Lemon Lady at the Lemon Bar, 24/7 Restaurant

I do love this building. Originally, it was home to the Superior Oil Company. It is built in the corporate moderne architectural style, 1955, Claud Beelman, architect. In 2002 the interior of the  building was completely rehabbed into The Standard Hotel by the Konig Eizenberg Architectural Firm.  

The Standard Hotel, photo courtesy of  Architectural Resources Group

I really want to make plans to re-visit The Standard for an evening with drinks in the rooftop bar and then dinner at 24/7.

SOME B-Day Highlights

It was a whirlwind week for my stay-cation birthday celebration. It was extremely hot in Los Angeles, so we tried to minimize our time outside and in the car. Movie theaters are an excellent respite!

Larry, pretending to be Mr. Rogers at "Won't You Be My Neighbor" screening. Click on photo to view larger.

On the actual evening of my birthday, Friday, the 20th, Larry, Mom and I had a wonderful dinner at Da Pasquale in Beverly Hills. I just really like this place! The atmosphere is friendly and casual. The staff is welcoming and the food is YUMMY! An added plus, you can park in the easily accessible Beverly Hills lot right next to the restaurant. 

Da Pasquale, Beverly Hills

Ellen and Roz, Beverly Hills

We started out sharing the mozzarella caprese. Larry ordered pasta with shrimp. I order the special risotto with tiny meatballs and mozarella. Mom ordered the vegetarian lasagna. We were all thrilled with our meals! A glass of Pinot on the side and a divine flourless chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream - sformatino al cioccolato!

Dinner at Da Pasquale

Birthday Cake at Da Pasquale

There were MANY delicious meals before and after my birthday. Lunch at Sage Bistro in Culver City with Joan. Lunch at The Sycamore Kitchen on La Brea with Amie. Lunch at Carnival Restaurant for Lebanese food in Sherman Oaks with Marilyn and Carolyn. Lunch at Langer's Deli for the BEST pastrami sandwich in the United States with Larry. Another lunch at West Jeff To Go for divine brisket pannini, again with Mr. Larry. Yummy Salvadoran and Mexican food at El Baron in Culver City with Rhoda and more!

Ollo, Malibu

Top: Natalie and Mary Jo. Bottom: Darcy and Ellen

On Sunday my besties treated me for brunch at Ollo in Malibu. Sadly, Brit is still in Florida. We missed her! Darcy, Natalie MaryJo and I had a fab time, laughing, eating and drinking!  We all ordered breakfast-y dishes and beverages.

Eggs with various ingredients. Check out MJ's Tater Tots!

My birthday gifts were off-the-hook! Thanks to Mary Jo for recording my various expressions of delight!

My friends are all so clever and fun! THANK YOU!

I had a great time at ALL events. Thank you to my friends and family for helping me celebrate!  I'm happy to be back at the office chillin' in corporate air-conditioning!

Pussy Cat - Fashion

The original Pussy-Cat Bow

The pussy bow is back! Just in case you don't know what the pussy bow is, here is a description from Wikipedia:

A pussy bow or pussycat bow is a style of neckwear often associated with women's blouses and bodices. It takes the form of a bow tied at the neck similar to those tied around the neck of kittens, cats, and the like.  While bows at the neck had been worn since at least the 19th century, the term "pussy bow" or "pussy cat bow" took hold in the 20th century. In 1934, the St. Petersburg Times offered a pattern for an Anne Adams dress featuring a convertible collar which could be worn in four different ways, including as "an intriguingly feminine pussy cat bow tied high under your chin." In 1947, pussy cat bows were part of the look inspired by Gibson Girls and 1890s fashions created by designers such as Omar Kiam.

By the 1960s, pussy bows were a fixture in American fashion having been incorporated by top designers like Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

During the 1980s, the pussy bow blouse became a key part of Margaret Thatcher's political image after she became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979, and became closely linked with her. Thatcher reportedly said she thought bows were "rather softening" and "pretty," and at her funeral in 2013, the then Prime Minister's wife paid tribute by wearing a pussy bow blouse. The Thatcher look was imitated by other female politicians.

I remember vividly, during the 1970s, when women were taking on higher positions in the world of business, that this type of blouse was worn with a suit to mimic the professional look of men's ties. I even sewed a few pussy bow blouses myself. Below, is a photo of my Mom, wearing a blouse that I made for her. During the 1980s, we paired these blouses with shoulder pads for that "Dynasty" look!

Roz in her Pussy-Bow Blouse

British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher wore this type of bow ALL the time!

Margaret Thatcher

The bow softens the look of a harsh suit jacket, but maintains a look of professionalism with a bit of fluff. At one time, these were called "Secretary Blouses." I must admit, during my many years as a secretary, I wore a few of these. I like the look!

Then, there's a whole 'nother story about the Pussy Bow which gives it a different connotation!

Ingrid Bergman, 1942

Last night Larry and I attended a birthday celebration / screening at the invitation of hometown friend, Fredde Duke. I've known Fredde's family practically my whole life. We grew up in the same neighborhood. Her older brother, Alan and I used to work together. Previously, Fredde made a film about her father, film producer Maurice Duke. Last night Fredde showed us a short documentary about her life with cats. It was a memoir of sorts about all of the cats that she has owned. It was hilarious, heart-warming and refreshing. In Fredde's honor, I wore my scarf tied in a pussy bow!

Many of Fredde's friends had on adorable cat-ear bandeaux. Fredde's daughter, Augie outdid everyone by actually dressing as a cat!

Augie and Fredde

Sewing Jag

Sonya Philip's Design. Photo from 100 Acts of Sewing

I'm on a roll. I've been sewing little dresses like crazy. Once I found the perfect dress pattern that can be shortened to tunic length, I went bonkers. I happen to have a nice little stash of fabric that has been sitting in my project room for decades. I'm finally using up some of this lovely cotton. I was also fortunate that one of my old friends sent me a few hunks o' fabric from her stash since she has abandoned sewing for now.

Yes, I know I keep making the same dress over and over. I do the same with crocheted and knitted sweaters, scarves, afghans, shawls and such. Once I happen upon a pattern that works for me, I stick with it. Of course, I always change up the color, texture and accents. If the basic pattern fits, why switch?

My latest tunic is from this beautiful cotton blend fabric with small, appliqued squares of color. This is my best tunic yet. The fabric is soft and drapes beautifully. 

I seem to have plenty of Hawaiian / Tiki designs in my stash, along with a few other cotton prints. Next, I'm going to concentrate on finding some warmer knit blends. Many, many years ago I used to sew tops out of double-knit fabric that resembled chunky yarn. I sewed my own sweaters instead of knitting them! I'll have to search the fabric shops one of these days.

I have less yardage of these prints. I will have to piece them with other fabrics to make a tunic.

ALOHA!

Below is another fabric that my friend sent me. The colors are glorious! I think it has a Scandinavian look to it. This fabric is a heavier cotton. I'll have to wash it in conditioner to soften it up.

Scandinavian Look Print

So, that's how I've been spending my Sunday afternoons. Hibernating inside the house and sewing. Glorious!