Blog – Page 14 – Orlando Soria

May / 3 / 2013

Living La Vida Habra

Dear Lady in Nebraska That Reads My Blog, When I’m not running off to DC to design makeovers for senior citizens with Emily or driving around LA looking for the perfect props for a photo shoot, I can sometimes be found designing spaces for my own clients. Lately, I’ve been concentrating on a family that lives in La Habra, a beautiful little town outside of Los Angeles that features mountains, trees, and happy families with adorable children that run around saying endearing things all day. I haven’t gotten to the styling part, so there is still a lot to be…

Apr / 24 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Around The Apartment: Everything Must Go!

Dear Diary, Have you wondered where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to? Me too. Most of my time has gone to decorating houses with Emily Henderson, pulling my hair out over taxes, and daydreaming about my boyfriend running on the beach in a Speedo. We have a big West Elm photo/video shoot coming up in our apartment, so things are changing daily here. As you may remember my apartment was shot for Refinery29 a few months ago. Here are a few of those shots: Spring is a time for refreshing change, so I bought a few new books…

Mar / 27 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Changing Your Profile Pic Is Not Activism

Dear Gays, A few days ago, I was sitting next to my boyfriend playing with his beautiful hair, thinking about the future, and looking at facebook when I noticed a few of my friends were changing their profile pics to pink equal signs that look like this: I didn’t really know what it was, but assumed it had something to do with the upcoming Supreme Court cases about gay marriage. Cut to this morning when, slowly, my entire facebook feed turned pink and red, a collage of people changing their profile pics in support of gay marriage. This changing wave…

Mar / 19 / 2013

Whut Glamour: Art by Tessa Neustadt

Dear Diary, Most of the time when we think of fancy artists we think of people in a faraway place. I tend to imagine them standing, tortured, in front of a blank canvas in their downtown LA studios, wearing tight black jeans and huge white t-shirts. People don’t often imagine that they could be sitting RIGHT NEXT TO an artistic genius. I was recently made aware of this when I found out Tessa Neustadt, my colleague at Emily Henderson Design, makes awesome photographs I want to put all over my body. I mean all over my apartment. Here they are:…

Mar / 15 / 2013

Blast From The Past: 5 Trends I Didn’t See Coming Back So Soon

Dear Diary, Sometime last year, I remember hearing that camo was back. “Camo” as in camouflage. I found this news infuriating, as I had just thrown away my camo thermal shirt the week prior, having decided it had its heyday in 2007 when I bought it, and I was over it. But this is the thing with trends, one minute everyone is all about them, the next they’re over it and you look like you’re wearing something totally lame and outdated. And now that information spreads so quickly, trends leave us and come back and leave us come back faster…

Mar / 14 / 2013

Much Ado About Nightstands

Hey There, Are you freaking out about the fact that your nightstand sucks and looks garbagey?Check out my post on Emily’s blog today about how I styled mine. You’ll be happy you did. Read Post Here. Love, Orando

Mar / 12 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Forgiving Those Who Take Forever To Come Out

Dear World, I came out of the closet when I was 15. At the time, I lived in a house right under this waterfall: I worked here: And I went to this gross high school: I’ve actually always hated that phrase, “coming out of the closet.” It implies you’ve been lying about something your whole life, when in reality you’re just a kid trying to figure out who you are. As much as I resented that term, however, I decided it was important to come out because I thought it would be beneficial for the kids at my isolated high…

Feb / 28 / 2013

How I Learned to Stop Hating The Grove

Dear Reader, In cities all over the world, there are shopping districts where urban dwellers flock to meet up with their friends, stare at beautiful things, and perhaps even buy something they want (or, GASP!, need). Paris has Les Champs-Élysées. Tokyo has the Ginza. And here in Los Angeles, we have The Grove. But what exactly is The Grove? Is it a shopping mall where we find the newest treasure? Is it a community space where you take your children to play? Is it a terrifying dystopia where every childhood fear I had about the future comes true, in vivid…

Feb / 25 / 2013

I Want To Crawl Inside This Music Video

Dear St. Vincent, I’m in love with your music video for “Cheerleader” directed by Hiro Murai. According to Yatzer, the video was inspired by the art of Ron Mueck, an artist who makes enormous sculptures of humans in awkward positions. Annie Clark (AKA St. Vincent) looks beautiful. Like a giant porcelain doll. The whole thing is amazing. Enjoy! [vimeo 36052867 w=657 h=318] Love, Orlando

Feb / 21 / 2013

Deliver Me To Hedi Land

Dear Hedi Slimane, You are my favorite photographer. Everyone knows that. You have a wonderful fashion diary I look at all the time. It brings me great joy. But lately every time I look at one of your photographs they make me want to be an active participant in the awesome world you document because everyone looks so cool and aloof and glamorous. Below is a list of things your photos make me want to do: 1. Sit on the ground and contemplate my feelings. 2. Play a guitar on a diving board whist wearing skinny jeans. 3. Stand with a…

Feb / 21 / 2013

Where’s My Wallet?

Dear Diary, I lost my wallet last weekend, which was totally annoying and devastating. Not really, but it did get me thinking about wallets. Because as much as I miss my California drivers license and the five different business/personal credit cards, I also miss my Salvatore Ferragamo wallet, a gift I got from a friend a few years ago. They don’t make the particular credit card sleeve I had anymore, so it’s time to move on. Wallets, like watches, eyewear, phones and other items you use every day are the one place I feel comfortable splurging. I believe that if…

Feb / 20 / 2013

Glamourtimez: The Vanity Fair & Baxter of California Party

Dear Baxter of California, I attended the Vanity Fair/Baxter of California Oscar party last night and had a great time acting like the weirdo from American Beauty who goes around taking video of everything. Do you ever go to a party where you don’t know anyone, thinking to yourself that it’s a great way to meet new people? And then you get there and you’re the only one alone and it makes you realize you should have brought someone? So then you just awkwardly wander around taking pictures whilst eating (delicious) mini-hamburgers? Yeah, that’s pretty much what I did. I’ve…

Feb / 19 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

The Do’s And Don’ts Of The Gay Gym

Dear Gym Lovers, Did you know there is such thing as a “Gay Gym”? I did. A Gay Gym is like a regular gym except everyone is more attractive, there is a disproportionately male clientele, and there is 57% more body dysmorphia than at your traditional Straight Gym. Gay Gyms are normally located in homosexual neighborhoods in major cities. Two great examples include David Barton Gym in Chelsea in New York and Equinox on Sunset in Los Angeles. These gyms aren’t officially Gay, but the majority of the members are (some just don’t know it yet because I haven’t told…

Feb / 15 / 2013Mar / 6 / 2013

What I Wish To Want To Buy

Hi There, Curious what sorts of ugly and/or disgusting stuff I’ve been looking at while shopping? Check out my shopping post on Emily’s Blog. The End, Orlando PS: Read Shopping Post Here.

Feb / 15 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Instagramtimez

Dear You, You should follow me on Instagram. It will be totally fun for the whole family. Here is what I have been looking at: This delightful Japanese panel, which now hangs in the bathroom. This amazing vase I saw on a home tour. This smarmy couples-themed cover article in LA Weekly. These überglamourous espresso cups from Rose Bowl Flea Market. Now if only I had an espresso machine… This gorgeous artichoke at Clementine Floral Works at Sunset Junction. This lovely bakery in kindagloomy Salt Lake City. The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, where I attended a conference…

Feb / 14 / 2013

Whut Glamour: Art by Andrew Salgado

Dear Andrew Salgado, A few months ago, I was waddling around a holiday party hosted by Ken Dolls when I stumbled upon one of your brilliant paintings (“It’s Not About Love”) in their living room. I spent the rest of the party scheming how I would fit the painting under my winter coat so I could take it home. Sadly, I left without it. But I was happy to discover your work because I find it completely inspiring. When I see something done in a new way, such as a figure rendered in a way never before seen, it reminds me…

Feb / 13 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

15 Vintage Gay Couples You Need to See

Dear Gays, With Valentines Day upon us, many of us have couple-hatred on the mind. However, there is one type of couple it’s impossible to hate. Vintage Gay couples. Not only is their style totally unique and exciting, the fact that they were forced to love each other in secret makes these photographs all the more titillating. Sure, there’s no proof that any of these guys are actually couples, but what is the point of looking back on history if you can’t mold it to fit your modern-day agenda? Thus, for the purpose of this post I will be assuming…

Feb / 12 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Objects of My Affection

Dear Diary, Over the weekend, I spent a good amount of time doing my favorite thing in the world. Ogling. First, I ogled my boyfriend while he slept (Don’t worry it wasn’t creepy at all [Yes it was {No it wasn’t}]). Then, I ogled the view I have of downtown LA out my bedroom window. Then, I ogled the collection of garbage with which I’ve filled my home, trying desperately to convince myself that it’s all treasure. My man picked up these awesome side tables from Pepe’s. $250 for the pair. Emily bought this for me while we were shooting…

Feb / 12 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Vote For My Homie!

Dear Reader, Most days of my life these days are spent working alongside Emily Henderson. We decorate houses. We talk about guys, shopping, and the mall. We write for her blog, stylebyemilyhenderson.com, which just underwent a totally glamorous makeover. We also do the following: 1. Laugh whilst drinking lattes. 2. Pose with our daughter, Bonnie Sue. 3. Stare out the window, looking for peeping Toms. All photos by Kimberly Genevieve for The Everygirl. (Yes, I was in a publication called The Everygirl. [I’m every woman/It’s all in me]). So what does this have to do with you, you ask? Everything. Emily’s blog is up…

Feb / 11 / 2013

The Best T-Shirt In The World

Dear LAEX, Yesterday I went to the flea market with my boyfriend and a couple friends. I wore a hoodie, jeans, and my favorite new shirt from LAEX. When it got warm and I took off my hoodie to reveal the t-shirt underneath, everyone looked at me in disgust and worry. “Didn’t you wear that shirt last night? And the night before?” Yes. Yes I did. I can’t seem to take off this white t-shirt. It’s everything I want to be. It’s soft and drapey and comfortable. My inspiration for wearing simple white shirts comes from my obsession with 1950s…

Feb / 8 / 2013Feb / 8 / 2013

Whut Glamour: Art by John Monn

Dear John Monn, I love your beautiful art. It’s filled with texture, color, and an undercurrent of unease. Read your artist statement here: I am exploring the differences between the hunter and hunted, and ultimately, what is sacred and what is disposable in our society. In this latest series in my body of work I am attempting to navigate a path for viewers to look back to simpler times. Maybe some illumination of the present can be found along the way. Drawing has always been the immediate way I make art. Years of pointillism, with slow deliberate accumulation of detail,…

Feb / 7 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Why Everyone Hates Couples

Dear Couples, The other day I looked at my boyfriend and asked him what he wanted to do for Valentines Day. “Nothing, I’m not big into Valentines Day,” he replied. At which point I burst into tears and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind me. Just kidding. No I didn’t. Because I also hate Valentines Day. Because I have been single for my whole life, this holiday conjures up images of me sitting alone on my bed watching The Great Mouse Detective and drinking Diet Coke out of a liter container, thinking about the fact that if…

Feb / 6 / 2013Oct / 12 / 2013

Do You Have A Staring Problem (I Do)

Check out the delightful accessories I stare at all day on my Guest Post on Emily’s Blog.

Feb / 4 / 2013

Leathertimez: Ten Jackets I Wish To Want

Dear Marlon Brando and James Dean, You two were the first dudes to successfully rock leather jackets. As hunky movie stars of the golden age of Hollywood, you knew the leather jacket was the must-have clothing article. Here is Marlon in what is perhaps the most adorable outfit a man ever wore: And nobody beats James in these luxe leather jackets: I know smoking is bad, but he makes it look so cool. Because it is kind of like the desert, Los Angeles gets chilly at night, even on sunny summer days. Thus, I have been fantasizing about buying a new…