Bohemian-chic art, music, fashion, design and vegan lifestyle.
A trip to our local record store to support RSD
Just a little after opening, we arrived to CD Trader in Tarzana, CA. It was amazing to see a record store so busy! And it wasn’t just people waiting in line for the special releases, it was a scene where people were sifting through all sorts of vinyl, cd’s and even cassettes.Continue reading…
A behind the scenes look at our Lawn Boy shoot
After a week of prep, it all came down to one day…making the perfect set to best depict the iconic image of Fishman on the Lawn Boy album. Being artists and photographers (and of course crazy Phish fans) Justin and I were stoked to learn of the Lawn Boy photo contest.
Our prep: My Fishman bikini I made for last summer’s tour (yes, I bedazzled each crystal individually); our vacuum tube that Justin found at a local vacuum shop in Sherman Oaks which we spray-painted; me painting an ocelot on a specially cut out piece of wood to recreate Trey’s Languedoc; my make up items to transform me into basically a female Hulk—MAC cosmetics Chromacake and Free People hair chalk.
Justin was so tedious with the set pieces…using his domestic sewing skills (thanks middle school Home Ec)! He even brought out the big guns and set up an 8×8 silk to diffuse the lighting in the ever-so-sunny city of Los Angeles.
As Justin and his parents worked on the set (I have the best to-be in-laws), I was busy turning green! And yes, I actually emerged from the bottom of the set, this was a time I was very thankful for my yoga practice;)
And the shoot begins…a wide angle of our set-up.
The true under workings of our set! No photoshop here, baby!
Photos by Justin Zangerle
Impossibe Project’s pop-up shop at space15twenty
Living in a creative household filled with music, art, video and photography, we were stoked to find out that the Impossible Project was setting up shop at space15twenty in Hollywood! In honor of MOPLA (month of photography LA) space15twenty is hosting some pretty rad events this month of April. 
In 2008 Impossible Project started to invent and produce totally new instant film materials for traditional Polaroid cameras. In 2010 Impossible saved analog instant photography from extinction by releasing various, brand new and unique instant films. Justin (my super creative and amazing photographer boyfriend) has been purchasing this film since the beginning of production…he’s been the hit of so many parties with his mass collection of Polaroid cameras thanks to the production of this new film.
The walls were lined with Polaroids of Los Angeles, even Polaroid cameras themselves. A nice selection of vintage cameras and accessories too. The main reason we went, however, was to get a portrait taken with Impossible’s new 8×10 peel-apart polaroid film! At a mere $190 for a pack of 10 pictures, $40 for the portrait session was definitely a deal.
Above is the camera that uses the 8×10 film, Justin in front of the disco backdrop and the processor that instantly printed our portrait. Josie of Impossible’s team is an incredible photographer and took an amazing shot of us! I must say it was a little nerve-racking that we only got one shot…
Looking forward to more and more awesomeness from the Impossible Project!
Recircle Matter makes affordable recycled art
Another Sunday at the Melrose Trading Post…how could you not stop to check out this colorful set-up of handmade chalkboards, bookshelves, and other wall art? This shop is run by a couple out of the South Bay who makes every item that they sell. Called Recircle Matter, they believe “art can capture time, and release it again.” Their projects start with random objects and recycled materials and become works of art.
With every color and size imaginable, there’s definitely a chalkboard or wall piece that will fit your home. With such amazing prices, it would cost me more to make one myself. (Which was actually what I was planning until I found this shop). They even changed the placement of the wall mounts on my chalkboard for free!
While I was drawn to the colorful selection of chalkboards, there’s so many more items that can be custom designed in this shop. And they’re at the Melrose Trading Post every Sunday so you can’t miss them! My chalkboard fits perfect in my house…such a treat to come home after tour to beautiful flowers and a sweet note:)
Las Vegas first and only 100% cruelty free kitchen
Another hidden vegan gem in sin city is a quaint little restaurant called Pura Vida. Chef Mayra specializes in vegan and organic breakfast and lunch. The vibe is very pro-vegan; the walls are even lined with turkey adoption papers!
This was my second visit to Pura Vida…I loved what I ate the first time so I ended up getting it again. The “Jace” salad and the pumpkin-butternut squash chipotle chili. I must say, even after just eating the chili I was completely stuffed! Definitely enough food for two full meals. The spices in the chili are to die for, and the homemade tofu in the Jace salad is spectacular.
There are probably 10 tables, and even if the restaurant isn’t full it’s highly advised to call ahead and put in a reservation, even place your order! Since everything is made so meticulously it sometimes takes a while…up to over and hour to get your food. The staff is always aware of that and you get fair warning before you sit down. If you’re in a rush, I suggest getting a small dish like the chili; it comes out fast and is definitely filling enough for a meal. Hopefully soon Pura Vida will expand their 7 am-4 pm hours. I would love to see what would be on the dinner menu!
The Lotus of Siam is easily considered the country’s BEST Thai restaurant. It’s pretty obvious when every table is occupied and continues to be occupied the entire night with a long wait list, even on a Wednesday night! This little gem resides in an unexpected strip mall in Las Vegas, completely off the beaten path.
I always get the jackfruit curry. There’s not too many restaurants that have jackfruit on the menu, so I order it whenever I can. Jackfruit is similar to the texture of artichoke hearts and takes on the flavor of whatever spices it’s cooked in. I always get it with either tofu or extra veggies:) Also, you can’t leave without ordering mango as a dessert. I’ve eaten my fair share of mangoes and have never eaten any fruit that comes close to the quality of mangoes that Lotus has.
The walls are lined with awards, magazine write-ups, and autographed photos of celebrities. The lighting is a little brash and the tables are set in a cafeteria-like atmosphere (they don’t score high in mood-setting points) but it’s definitely over looked with the quality of the food and fantastic service. Coming straight from a work-out, Mandy and I couldn’t miss out on a night with friends at Lotus.
Giving flirty spring dresses an edge
At my recent Free People binge, I picked up this super cute drop waist St. Tropez dress. And how is the best way to wear it? With a Free People vegan leather jacket on top of a vintage 1970’s Moto Guzzi, of course! I wear this jacket way too much, but I especially like it paired items that are super girly.
The dress is super lightweight, but very sturdy and NOT sheer. I love the back detail with two straps that run across the upper back. This dress leaves so many options for shoes…boots, booties, sandals, espadrilles. I just paired them with my little Clark’s black cowboy booties.
And where, might you ask, did I come across this amazing selection of bikes? Parked backstage everyday before our shows, I always admire the row of perfectly shined Harley’s and vintage bikes. With the assistance from my bandmates, we did a little impromptu photo shoot before our show. Thanks to our crew for letting me rev up your bikes!
Finding my yoga sanctuary outside of Los Angeles
It’s hard enough to keep any type of regularity when you’re out of town…especially regular exercise. I’ve found a fabulous yoga Bikram Yoga studio in Summerlin (Las Vegas area) that I frequent when I’m here in Vegas for weeks on end. Thinking Bikram Yoga is mostly a NY/LA scene, I was surprised that they’re are actually a handful of Bikram studios here in Vegas! And to top it off this studio ALWAYS offer amazing specials and deals….20 classes for $160–what??!!! And it doesn’t expire! That never happens.
The inside of the studio is super cute…eastern decor in soothing tones set the mood before you walk into class. Plenty of clothes, towels, mats, coco water, etc. for sale in case you forget anything too. The instructors are very involved in creating community; they offer a free class to first timers every first Saturday. When I was here during Halloween, they kept advertising a class that you had to wear full costume and bring food for a potluck after. I would have LOVED to see that, haha!! This Halloween for sure.
In case you aren’t familiar with Bikram Yoga, it’s known as THE hot yoga. Anywhere between 105-110 degrees, you basically sweat your mind out. Mat, towel, water and as little clothing as you can wear without having a wardrobe malfunction. This is me right after class yesterday sporting my “yoga high” face. Looking like I just stepped out of the shower (yep, that’s all sweat) I try not to catch anyone in the elevator at the hotel when I make my way back up to my room. Namaste, Vegas:)
Whole Foods in Las Vegas Town Square has the BEST ready-to-eat vegan fare
Who would of thought? Living in Los Angeles, there are TONS of vegan options…restaurants, organic health food stores, smoothie bars. As far as serve yourself, ready-to-eat options, Las Vegas Whole Foods does it right.
Being vegan, you would think I love cooking and trying new recipes. Ha, completely wrong. I have an amazing boyfriend who cooks for me! He’s actually the one who researches, experiments, and prepares dinner every night. I’m a lucky girl!! So when I’m on tour or out of town, I have to fend for myself. Thankfully the most amazing hot and cold vegan food bar exists at Whole Foods in Vegas. One box of food for lunch, one box for dinner…yup everyday! The hot food bar that is set up is inspired by Kris Carr, a cancer survivor and chef of plant-empowered recipes.
The salad bar has so many colorful items…shredded everything (broccoli, beets, acorn squash, zucchini, carrots) and countless options of beans, quinoa, greens, and anything else a vegan could ever wish for. They even have options behind the counter to make vegan sandwiches, burritos, and burrito bowls (no carbs, please!) I hope LA will catch on to how amazing this selection is and I’ll soon see my favorite salad bar in Sherman Oaks:)
