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The Golden State: 1960s

Dear Reader, It’s time for more vintage images of California, this time from the 1960s. These are some of my favorites. The fashion, the glorious matte colors, the oppressed look in everyone’s eyes. Since I love quoting Joan Didion, here’s what she has to say about California: “The apparent ease of California life is an illusion, and those who believe the illusion will live here in only the most temporary way.” – Joan Didion Of course my family doesn’t necessarily believe this illusion – we’ve been in California for generations. All these old photos express a carefree, glamourous lifestyle lived…

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Extreme Makeover: Chris Crocker Edition

Dear Chris Crocker, Most people know you from the “Leave Britney Alone” Youtube video you made a few years ago. What most people don’t know is that you had been recording video performances for a long time before you became instantly famous, and that many of those videos are genius. There is a new documentary about your life coming out soon and to go along with your new movie you’ve got a new look. While I loved your playful genderambiguous look before, you look great now. Below are before and after pictures. Before: After: And here is a preview of the…

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The Golden Campuses

Dear Diary, If I could do one thing over again, it would be to go to college again. But this time, instead of just going to one college, I’d go to every single college in America for just one day. College campuses fascinate me because they become design museums of sorts. Most older universities are a collection of beautiful old buildings, starkly modern mid-century buildings, enthrallingly ugly 80s buildings, and 90s buildings (that always look like they are made from Legos). Colleges campus designs are meant to reflect the values of higher education: learning, community, safety, history, romance, and so on….

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Images I Love: Vintage Surf Photos

Dear Frank Scherschel, I love your vintage surf pictures! I found them on the Olasul blog. They make me want to transport myself back in time and be a hunky surfer. Dreams… Thanks, Orlando

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Enjoy The Scenery: ‘A Single Man’

Dear Movielovers, Of all people on a film set, those who work in the art department are the most underappreciated. Production Designers, Art Directors, Prop Masters, Set Decorators, Set Designers, etc, have to show up before everyone to make sure the scene is set and have to stay after to wrap everything out. If an actress knocks over a glass of wine or a curtain falls down, the art department is summoned by a shrill “ART DEPARTMENT!” screech from the Assistant Director. Then, when the film comes out, no one even notices what you did. The whole point of designing…

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Cocktail Etiquette: When to Bring What to Where (And Why)!

Dear Etiquette-Obsessed Readers, I’ve noticed lately that it seems like people have no idea when to bring wine and/or another beverage to a dinner party or gathering. It is confusing, so here are my tips on when you should and shouldn’t bring booze to a party or social event. Oh, and a note to my readers under age 21: I didn’t drink until I was legal (seriously) because I’m perfect, so neither should you. Here are my Do’s and Don’t’s: DO! ♥ As a general rule, always bring a bottle of wine or champagne with you when you’re invited somewhere. This…

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Whut Glamour: Floor-to-Ceiling Shelving

Dear College, I hate to admit it, but lately I’ve turned into one of those people who thinks about my college days a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not yearning for parties or lusting after a life of carefree fun. What I miss most about college is the library, where I spent my free time in lieu of having a social life. I was lucky enough to study at some of the prettiest libraries in America. This is my favorite library from my undergraduate years (Cornell’s Uris Library): And this is my favorite library from my years in graduate…

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Haute Hairstyles for Hommes: Pompadours

Dear Diary, Anyone who has seen the Secrets From A Stylist opening credits knows I like to change my hair all the time (I have three different hairstyles in the 15 second intro). Lately, I’ve really been wanting to get a flat top. But every picture I’ve seen online is totally gross, so I’m going to wait until I find the perfect inspiration picture to show my barber. I go to Shane at Baxter Finley in Los Angeles and Elisa at Grasshopper Salon when I’m in San Francisco (sidenote: she’s my sister, and she’s awesome). I think I may give up…

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The Golden State: 1950s

Dear Reader, Sometimes, whilst I browse for furniture and accessories at flea markets, I find myself attracted to the mysterious old photographs that some vendors are selling. I think the fascination comes from the beauty of old photographs. They have so much warmth and history to them. I’m still up in the woods right now, visiting my parents, and I discovered some old family photos I thought I’d share. I love looking at how everyone is dressed in these old photos (so formal!) and how stark some of the interiors are (true mid-century minimalism). I myself am obsessed with photographs…

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Fashiontimez: Olasul

Dear Olasul, I was browsing your site recently, and I couldn’t help but be blown away by your beautiful lookbook. The bright colors, the tropical landscapes, the skinny surfer dudes. Such glamour. If I could live in any world, it would be this one, where the weather is always inviting, the water is always warm, everyone knows how to skateboard/surf, and there are always tons of amazing swimwear options. YAY! I want this sweatshirt. What gorgeous color! And yes, I’m talking about his tan (jealz). I like this guy’s bangs. Isn’t it weird how he looks super cool on the…

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Fake Joan Didion Quote of the Week: Cream Cheese

“So I kept piling it on, scoop after scoop, until my bagel weighed, like, a pound. And then I realized it wasn’t cream cheese. It was butter! I ate it anyway.” – Joan Didion * Joan Didion never said this (I did). 

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I Regret My Life Before Austra

Dear Austra, I have so many regrets in my life, but what I regret most is not hearing your music until yesterday. It’s so good it makes me want to jump on a trampoline whilst wearing an Austra tee-shirt, Austra cut-off jeans, and Austra face paint. I especially love the music video for “Lose It,” which is completely ridiculous and reminds me of a typical Saturday night in the life of Orlando Soria. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJtMrhb558&ob=av2e] Anyway, keep up the good work! I can’t wait to find you and trap you in a cage and force you to sing for me at…

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Collecting: My Parents’ House

Dear My Mom, During this glorious visit to Yosemite, I have been enjoying ogling all the tiny items you’ve collected over the years. I admit to thinking some of them were cheesy in the past, but now that I’ve entered into a world of object-seeking, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the nuance of your collection of artworks and objects from around the world. Let’s get started with your crazy sheep collection. Who could resist these cuties? I’ve always loved this old tansu that grandma got while you guys were living in Japan (sidenote to readers: my mother spent her…

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Homme Cooking: Food in Bowls

Dear Diary, I don’t know why more meals aren’t served from bowls. Really, eating things out of bowls is so much more comforting than on a cold, commonplace plate. Last summer I discovered beanbowls. I know this sounds like hobo-food, but if you use the right (fresh) ingredients this can be a delectable dish. Recipe (serves 1, multiply by number of guests): 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 cup freshly cooked pinto beans 1 cup freshly cooked black-eyed peas 1/4 cup grated cheese (Monterey jack or mozzarella) 1 1/2 cups heirloom tomato, chopped 1/2 avocado, thinly sliced cilantro, sprinkle as garnish…

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Whut Glamour: Salon Walls

Dear Diary, The other day I was perusing Apartment Therapy when I came across something so delightful that it filled me with desire, jealousy, and bitterness. It was this photograph of a home in Hollywood: The home is owned by these three hunks: Seeing their awesome salon style living room made me want an entire salon style house. For those of you not familiar with salon style galleries, this is where artwork is hung all the way to the ceiling, in order to fit the most art possible into a space. Graduates of art school are familiar with this style…

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Californiatimez: Yosemite, Childhood, and Posters

Dear Self (Age 16), Right now, being that you’re 16, you’re probably sitting in your room reading “The Andy Warhol Diaries” whilst counting the days until you can move to New York to become a high-powered lawyer. As you know, Self, I grew up in Yosemite National Park, and totally didn’t appreciate it until I was older (approximately last month). When you grow up with Yosemite Falls visible from your bedroom window, the last thing you care about is nature. Fast forward to now. After a whirlwind year of shooting a TV show and attending fancypants Hollywood parties with the…

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Whut Glamour: Amy Winehouse by Hedi Slimane

Dear Amy Winehouse, I’m always weirded out when I get sad that a celebrity has died. It’s not like I knew you or anything. I guess what I found so disturbing was the absolute waste of it all. Someone with such an incredible gift who threw it all away for reasons I don’t fully understand. You died and that sucks for everyone, but I just came across these beautiful images taken of you by Hedi Slimane: Just more evidence that you went too soon. RIP, Amy. Love, Orlando

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Glamourtimez: Green Street Tavern

Dear Green Street Tavern, Emily and I have a tradition that we visit you after every Rose Bowl Flea Market. Or any other time we are shopping in Pasadena (which is surprisingly frequent – Pasadena is home to a ton of awesome vintage stores). We love this restaurant because it is quite and secluded (unless it’s Mother’s Day, in which case BEWARE). Recently I noticed how awesome your banquet room is. I love the beautiful curved walls covered in illuminated patterns. Someday, when I’m a respectable homeowner, I’ll do something glamorous and warm like this: Well done and totally gorgeous….

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Fake Joan Didion Quote of the Week: What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?

“…So I said to him ‘Would you like it if I interrupted YOU for an autograph whilst YOU were enjoying a Klondike bar on a hot disgusting afternoon?’ And then he left crying. It was a hoot!”  – Joan Didion* * There is no “evidence” that Joan Didion ever actually said this.       

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Images I Love: Gregor Wynnyczuk

Dear Gregor Wynnyczuk, Emily and I have been finding a lot of vintage landscape paintings at flea markets to use for the show. Every time I see them I think of the work you included in a Boffo exhibition I was in a few years ago. You give these old paintings voices. Funny ones. Your work is witty and thought-provoking. Thanks for making it! Love, Orlando

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5 Haute Things for the Homme: Striped Duvet Covers

Dear Diary, This week, Emily and I are busy prepping for a bedroom makeover next week. It’s for the adorable April Bowlby, for those of you “Drop Dead Diva” fans out there. All this bedroom researching has me thinking about my own bedroom (I’m in desperate need of a new duvet cover). It’s hard t find bedding that is masculine enough for a dude’s apartment. Most of it is all flowery and obnoxious. Thus, I tend to fall back on stripes. Anyone who knows me knows I love stripes. While simple, stripes are so beautiful: Now, onto the the duvet covers I…

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LA Street Art: Buff Monster

Dear Buff Monster, I like the gross/delightful ice cream art you plastered outside my gym. It makes me happy every time I see it: Love, Orlando

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Haute Thing: Table Calendar

Dear CB2, I’m totally a sucker for adorable little calendars that I can put on my desk and then forget to update. Thus, I was totally excited when I found this piece the other day whilst shopping for this week’s episode of SFAS. I’m going to stick this on my desk and just pretend it’s my birthday every day, leaving the calendar stuck on July 5. Love, Orlando

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