le petit doodler

Supply and Demand

2012-01-31T23:15:00.001-08:00

i love olive with all that i have and will do anything for the munchkin, but i can't help but dread feeding her. (i breast feed via a breast pump. more on my experience with breast feeding and breast pumping to come.) olive's demand for milk is insatiable - frequently exceeding my supply. i live in constant fear that i can't provide for her... to think she's only a month old.

am slowing getting over my issues and am coming to realize that formula is a totally decent alternative to breast milk, but i can't help but feel like a loser when i'm unable to satisfy my kid. just sayin'...

Milestone

2012-01-30T11:41:00.000-08:00

Olive reaches a month today. She'd like y'all to know that she's officially a big girl :)

Great Expectations

2012-01-29T07:28:00.000-08:00

Supermodels seemingly have it all. Post-partum figures that money can't buy, yummy over-achieving hubbies, and beautiful children whom they breastfeed effortlessly. See Exhibit A:

Exhibit A - VS angel Miranda Kerr feeding her son before strutting her shit on the catwalk in lingerie.

WTF.

Having never had a baby before Olive, I had no idea that photos like the one above, and blogs like this one, do not depict the norm. Glossy, doctored images of highly-disciplined freaks of nature in perfectly-staged settings paired with edited blog entries about their fancy at-home, glitch-free, successful natural births to chill babies are bound to make any "real" mom feel like a failure - myself included. Olive was a challenge from day one, and it's important to note that ours was not a relationship based on love-at-first-sight. See Exhibit B:

Exhibit B - Me and Olive hanging out at the hospital when she was first born. Feelings were mutual. She was pissed at me for starving her (my milk supply hadn't let down yet), and I was frustrated with her for chewing up my nipples (seriously, ow-wee).

Fast forward to today. My weight is at an all-time high, my home is a war-zone, and I continue to struggle with breastfeeding my colicky baby. Unlike Miranda Kerr, I am not strutting around in diamond-covered pasties and a thong. I am a fat ass, running on empty - sleeping any moment I can, anywhere I can. See Exhibit C:

Exhibit C - Reality bites.

Though Olive and I didn't hit it off from the get-go (our relationship problems stemmed from the difficulties I encountered when breastfeeding), our mother-daughter relationship has developed into something pretty darn sweet over the course of a month. (Olive turns 1 month old tomorrow!) My insides melt like butter when the little one stares at me; I swear, there's nothing I wouldn't do for my bossy munchkin... Exhibit D:

Exhibit D - Who ya' callin' bossy?

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! As we enter the year of the Dragon, Olive has but one thing to say. Chime in, munchkin.

Olive: Dragons are cool, but rabbits are cuter.*

Little one has a point.

* Olive was born in the Year of the Rabbit. She barely made the cut-off, so I like to remind her that she's a rabbit butt.

Cowabunga

2012-01-22T05:08:00.001-08:00

Avery is proud of her gifted milking cow*. Olive is ashamed of hers.

Olive confesses to Avery: My moo-moo sees a lactation consultant...
Avery to Olive: *gasp* Wanna borrow mine?

*cow = mom.

There's a Puppy in the House

2012-01-22T03:13:00.000-08:00

Olive: Daddy, daddy, Beans did it.
Le Hubby: *skeptical* (Rightfully so.)

Olive: Why won't you believe me?

Olive: Mommy?

Some of you have been wondering whether or not Beans and Olive have been getting along. Yes, folks. They have been. Royally. Beans understands there's a new puppy in the house and has been incredibly accommodating since her arrival. He sniffs Olive's belongings and tiny feet, but is fully-aware that everything munchkin-related is off-limits to him. We are very proud of him. The dynamic in our household has certainly changed - with the baby being priority one - and we're all learning to adjust. Le hubby and I try our best to let him know he's still very-much loved. At the same time, we uphold strict house rules for him.

Like us, Beans is scared of the baby. Especially when she cries. I don't blame him. I hear you, Beans. Olive's cry can be deafening. If I could fit under a chair or curl up and fit in a doggy bed (like Beans), I'd probably do the same...

I'm New Here

2012-01-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Le hub mocking our master, Olive.

Never in a million years did le hubs and I think that we would become THOSE people. You know, gushers. I find myself plastering Facebook, Twitter, and all email correspondence with Olive's face. Apologies, friends and acquaintances. Apologies, Olive. But it's like that old Whitney Houston song. "I get so emotional, baby... Every time I think of you ooh-ooh-OOH... Ain't it shocking what love can do..."

With the arrival of the munchkin, our world has been turned upside-down, inside-out and round and round. The house looks like it imploded (empty Amazon boxes formerly filled with baby gear are scattered everywhere, not to mention used Kleenex from wiping her spit up), le hub's car is in the process of getting switched out for a larger, safer vehicle in which to transport the kid and all her gear, and oh, I should probably point out that I am physically ruined. Since Olive's delivery, I've been walking about with hard and heavy melons for tits paired with ravaged nipples from breast feeding, sporting 24 extra pounds from the uber-rich Chinese post-partum "diet" of fatty soups, and have worn nothing but high-waisted sweatpants since my return from the hospital. I fit nothing else and could not be more unattractive. But I don't care.

Baby girl, you are the Master of our Universe (He-Man reference!). You may have the entire household running on empty, but daddy, Beans and I all love you. (Cue Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely")

Favorite Things

2012-01-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

Olive may only be 10 days old, but she's already exuding some mayjah personality.

She's already got "LIKES" - or so I've decided. Breast milk aside, pipsqueak digs...

1) Secrets with daddy.

2) Eskimo kisses

3) Froggy rattle from Uncle Jon (my brother)

Olive, you're my favorite thing.

Priceless

2012-01-08T05:19:00.000-08:00

An excellent replication of Olive's cry is the sound Donald Duck would make when being slaughtered.
Nurses at Good Samaritan Hospital acknowledged that she was the loudest baby on the floor.

But every so often, our munchkin tires herself out.
And when she does, she'll shoot us a smile.
Those moments are priceless...

Here she is with her very patient and loving daddy.

What's up, Doc?

2012-01-07T11:54:00.001-08:00

Hello world.

Olive Harper Huang.
Born 7 lbs 7 oz at 11:40 a.m. on December 30th.
Just in time to ring in the New Year.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

2011-12-28T07:17:00.000-08:00

This is what I envision our baby girl is going to be like (all diva) seeing that she's making a fashionably late appearance into this world.*

But this is what I envision our baby girl is going to look like (geeky) seeing that she will possess genes from both me and Josh.**

Yeah, I'm going mad. I've been popping up in bed awfully early for the past few weeks in hopes of greeting a slimy coneheaded baby girl, but gosh, it's three days past her ETA, and still no contractions (false o real). Friends and family (and strangers, for that matter) keep asking, "Is the baby here yet?!?" But my answer (and Josh's answer) up until now has been a resounding, disappointing "NO." I'd be lying if I were to say I weren't disappointed that the kiddo didn't arrive early or on time on Christmas Day. It's not that I mind housing her. But with each day that passes, she's just getting more and more massive. Kiddo needs to check out of my "Four Seasons womb" (as my friend Rebecca likes to put it) asap because I'm going to feel like such a failure if I can't squeeze her out.***

I really do understand that good things come to those who wait, but must le cub and I start greying before our baby girl's appearance?****

Baby girl, everyone's excited to meet you. We promise you'll love life outside of the womb. There's so much to do and so much to see.

See? Yes, well... I truly hope we get to meet sooner than later, kiddo. You have no idea...*****

* Caption that would best enhance this pic: "Have your people call my people."
** Childhood prereq. Hair cut that consumes over half of their head.
*** I'm really proud when I make a big doo doo. For some odd reason, I've decided on my own that giving birth to a baby is going to be similar, and I'd love to experience the satisfaction of "dropping off" a package as large as an infant. I know. I'm demented.
**** A somewhat irrelevant side note: Old folks in love make me happy. And sad.
***** All photos plucked from Pinterest or FFFFOUND.

HOHOHO

2011-12-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright...

Performance Anxiety

2011-12-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

With only 2 days to go til her eta, I think the womb raider is experiencing performance anxiety.

Growing Pains

2011-12-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

Went in for a check-up with the doc yesterday afternoon, and it's starting to look like our baby girl may be arriving later than her ETA of Christmas Day. With each day that she chooses to delay her appearance, her cranium's just getting bigger and bigger! Dammit. She's probably gleefully polishing her massive head this very moment. You know. The head I have to squeeze out of my little bits? Am starting to feel anxious. Perhaps it's time to start reasoning with her. Extra presents if she arrives early or on-time. Lump of coal if she arrives late?

It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

Our 7 foot tall noble fir. Smells so good...

Womb Raiders

2011-12-21T23:25:00.000-08:00

Olive consults Avery on the subject of post-birth head shape.
Olive: Avery, will my vajayjay-squeezed cone head ever go away?
Avery: Olive, I was born with a unibrow and hair on my back. Now look at me! Have your people call my people.

When Life Gives You Lemons

2011-12-21T19:38:00.001-08:00

According to my friend Robby Puro, the difficulty and pain involved in squeezing a full-sized baby out of one's female bits can best be equated to squeezing a Sunkist lemon out of a dude's urethra. It's stuff like this that keeps me up at night...

Help!

2011-12-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

I could Pinterest all day. That's how I found this panda. May be in need of an intervention...

Follow me HERE. *teehee*

Occupy Movement

2011-12-21T18:35:00.000-08:00

Have been trying to entice the face of the Occupy movement in my belly to surrender herself in time for the holidays. Marching about with a 36 lb beer belly is exhausting. Does pineapple work?

He Knows When You Are Sleeping

2011-12-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

He knows when you're awake... (creepy much?!)

Christmas tree is all decorated, and my favorite ornament of 2011 is our one-balled santa. Tah-dah! I rescued him from the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea...

Beans' favorite ornament is our booby santa. Also rescued from the Rose Bowl Flea. Needless to say, le hubby and I are collectors of homely ornaments.

Hot Bath

2011-12-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

Beans has been an angel in the presence of my in-laws. We had warned him that Grandpa Huang would turn him into soup if he weren't well-behaved. Goofy pup took our advice to heart and has steered clear of the pot. Whew.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-11T14:27:00.003-08:00

What's the difference between snowmen and snow women?

Snowballs.

Doodling while on maternity leave!

Fleas

2011-12-11T14:27:00.001-08:00

Spotted at the Rose Bowl Flea.

Awesome.

Training Baby

2011-11-22T19:54:00.001-08:00

women-to-be need training bras.
mamas-to-be need training babies.

ooh, credit needs to be given where credit is deserved. my hubby built that bassinet :)

Others

2011-11-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

Salon of Beauty from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Tah-dah! A look at Rice University Art Gallery's current exhibition "Salon of Beauty".
LA-raised artist Ana Serrano loves cardboard more than I do!
Love her charming color combos.

Old Maid

2011-11-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

I am strangely comfortable being one.

Spent my 32nd birthday indoors, rotting at the St. Regis at Dana Point with le hubby. (Thank you, cub.) T'was a most divine weekend filled with good eats. Michael Mina lobster pot pie, root beer floats, warm chocolate-chip cookies. My hubby knows how to treat a fat lady. Sure beats the meals of McNuggets I'd been ingesting the week prior!

Le hubs and I imagine we won't be able to easily pick and go for spontaneous getaways once the womb raider decides to make her much-anticipated grand appearance. That said, we've been savoring each and every minute of alone time we could...

Fluff

2011-11-11T16:38:00.001-08:00

in celebration of my 32nd birthday, le hubby bought me the robe of my dreams.

it's completely age-appropriate.

baby-blue goodness covered with smiley clouds.

i wish i could wear it to work.

Nice View

2011-11-07T15:08:00.001-08:00

i don't care what the doctors say.
my baby is peeking at all of you through my belly button.
fyi, my belly button is at crotch level.

more doodles from my crash-course birthing class.

Crash Course

2011-11-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Because le hubby's work schedule is very demanding, we have not been able to attend couples' birthing classes that so many other concerned, caring parents do. Luckily, the hospital at which we plan to squeeze our peanut out at had the option of a one-day "crash course" birthing class... We attended it last weekend with glee and left having learned way too much, yet still not enough.

Not wanting to miss out on the gems dispersed by our teacher, Magda, I took a copious amount of notes. Ahh...

Yes We Can

2011-11-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

Um, believe it. I just ordered these crazy-cute leggings online for Ankle-Biter Huang. Baby girl needs Stella McCartney pants. STAT.

Monster Mash

2011-10-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Oh-em-geeeeeee. Our new (actually old) Paul McCobb nightstands have arrived! They were selected because they resemble grouchy monsters...

Next Year

2011-10-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

I LOVE little people in costumes and am really looking forward to dressing Munchkin Huang for Halloween next year.

Speaking of munchkins, my bff, Hammy welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world last Sunday! Ever the punctual baby, Avery came early - four weeks early to be exact - and emerged from Pammy's uterus with a head covered with hair AND a back covered with fuzz. Hahaha. Hammy and I have been referring to Avery as "Hairy" ever since. It's probably a good thing Avery's incapable of reading this blog...

Am two months away from my due date. My how time flies...

Boo.

2011-10-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Carved pumpkins alongside fellow animators (Jeff, Alexis and Mary). SO MUCH FUN!

The dim lil' guy (bottom left) is the work of my talented hubby. His first jack-o-lantern ever...

Bow Wow Wow, Yippee Yo, Yippee Yay

2011-10-19T08:48:00.000-07:00

Commissioned the uber-talented illustrator Happy Menocal to paint a portrait of my cousin's "puppy" Max for her birthday, and look how great it turned out! So whimsical! So cheerful! So EVERYTHING WONDERFUL! (Um, Max is a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a sprinkling of Dane. Just in case you were wondering. And if you weren't, disregard the line you just read.) Imagine this baby framed...

Happy Feet

2011-10-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

Woke up and bought myself a new pair of sneakers this morning. Good-bye silver Toms, and hello Chuck Taylors! Ones encrusted in JOY, I might add! Haven't worn heels very often these past 7+ months and am hoping the sparkle from these sneakers will up my pregger-lady glam factor.

WANT

2011-10-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

40 "beans" stickers with which I can label 40 non-bean items. Available HERE. Must have.

Ooga Booga

2011-09-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Why hello, stranger.

Alas, it's true. I have been an awful blogger these past few weeks... and while it isn't the least bit fair, I'm going to blame the lack of updates on the lil' munchkin who has yet to arrive. (She doesn't mind taking one for the team. What a sweetheart. Mommy owes you one.)

So much to share, and intend to post scans and photos of EVERYTHING.
But one step at a time.
Baby steps.
First things first.
UPDATES.

(genichiro's other highly-educational books are available via amazon.)

My pregnancy bod. Everyone around me is fascinated by my ginormous belly. Yup. I'm looking like a total tub o' lard. But what I find most fascinating are my newfound breasts, er, UDDERS. I've gone from an A-cup to a C-cup, and no, my boobies aren't the least bit sexy because my areola have expanded to the size of large pepperoni slices and the actual nips stand erect like No.2 pencil erasers. Eew, eew, eew. I disgust myself. But you know what? It'll all be worth it when the munchkin arrives. Anything that can pull of the following look can't be that bad...

(romper available via www.smallable.com)

Patience

2011-09-15T07:05:00.000-07:00

drop-dead-gorgeous embroidery by jazminberakha

Starry Night

2011-09-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

Was hunting down items to stage a LocalConstruct property earlier today when I spotted these amazing light fixtures in the window of my go-to vintage furniture haunt, Casa Victoria. I gasped when I saw it. Turquoise bakelite pieces dangle surround a cloud of lit beads hanging a little over three-feet long. So very unique, so very whimsical, and priced kindly for the discriminating (WEIRD) buyer. Without hesitation, I seized one of the two pieces for our munchkin's room. We'll hang it in a corner! Like a Yoshitomo Nara creation come to life (see Dizzy on Wheels, 2002-2004 and Guitar Girl, 2003)... without having to pay the price.

While You Were Sleeping

2011-08-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Munchkin,

Babies incubate for 9-months because that's exactly how long it takes for mamas and papas-to-be to get their "caca" together.

Over these past 2 weeks, I have been researching all sorts of baby "caca." CRIBS, for example. We got you this one. With the most important baby item down, your pop and I are now gearing up to plan your munchkin sleeping quarters. Though usually partial to a muted palette of grays and beige *yes, your parents are boring* we hope to offer you, munchkin, something brighter, bolder, and happier. A little color never hurts anyone. While you were sleeping, I saved a couple of reference images. Baby girl, I hope you "likee" the direction we're going...

Le color palette: a little bit of everything. Was inspired by the suite we stayed at last weekend at The Parker in Palm Springs:

I'd like to bring some much-needed color into your soon-to-be big life. Baskin Robbins' Chocolate Mint green could make for a delicious wall color. Wouldn't you say?

(laybabylay)

Not feeling it? How 'bout a calming sky blue?

(dwellstudio)

Now, in order to keep your space edgy, we'll need to incorporate RED. HOT PINK. BLACK. Check out this shot of the Kate Spade store in San Francisco. Fierce, huh? *Beans nods head*

(architizer)

I'll be posting a mood board soon...

(Ooh. Letterpress print featured above is by Sycamore Street Press available via Etsy.)

My Big Boy

2011-08-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

A Very Merry Birthday to my beloved puppy, Beans. You're five today, buddy! Somebody's getting an extra-helping of peanut butter... *wagwagwag*

Seems like it was just yesterday when I brought our little farter home. *LOVE*

Neapolitan

2011-08-26T07:35:00.001-07:00

Gah! I want these. Like a Neapolitan ice-cream sandwich, these Pierre Hardy kicks are perfection. But since getting knocked-up, I've worn heels a grand-total of 2 times. Will have to admire from afar...

LOLIHAZAPROBLEM

2011-08-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Le hubby and I are gifting two sets of friends who recently became new parents with these fantastically amusing knit "coveralls", er in plain English, knit hats. I first spotted them HERE and ultimately followed through and purchased them HERE. Do you feel the force? Of cuteness, that is...

She Works Hard for the Money

2011-08-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Have finished restoring yet another old Spanish complex. This one's in Atwater Village - an area in Los Angeles, conveniently sandwiched between Glendale and Silver Lake. Two beds, one bath. Fantastic light and a lush yard put in by us good folks at LocalConstruct. It's got a kick-ass avocado tree at back that will make you gasp. (I'm totally staging that baby with a tree swing.) It's not yet listed on the MLS, but here's a lil' preview of what's to come...

Bad Mama Jamma

2011-08-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

Watch THIS before reading the rest. Just 'cuz. It'll make your day. I promise.

So uh, yeah. Le hubs and I have been looking into cribs and strollers for our unborn weirdo. It's hard to believe that something so little needs so freaking much! Anyhow, Our crib choices have been narrowed down, and we've been considering this over-priced jail house by Stokke:

The Caravan Crib by Kalon Studios is another fab and funky option:

And then there was THIS:

Faux fur sweatshirt by Talc available at Smallable.

It's shit-in-your-pants adorable, no? Yeah, I think so.

Buga-What?

2011-08-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Beans feigns interest as I consult him on the thrilling topic of baby cribs and strollers. He prays super-duper hard that he will receive a peanut butter filled pretzel in exchange for his services.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

2011-08-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

Beans is jealous of my plump physique.
Beans thinks, "She must have performed lots of tricks to earn lots of treats."

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

2011-08-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

Sugar, spice and everything nice.
Well, everything but a wiener.
That's right Sherlock.
We're having a healthy baby girl!

Macho Macho Man

2011-08-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Everyone should be so lucky to have a pop like mine.
Happy Chinese Father's Day, Daddy.

Great Minds Think Alike

2011-08-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

if picasso were still alive, i think we'd be great friends.

Belly Nice

2011-08-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tah-dah! Le cougar and cub's rehabbed kitchen and breakfast nook! We've since plopped this-and-that here-and-there (think pillows, rugs, mats and bowls) so it's no longer looking so stark. But wah-lah. The finished product. Much thanks to Tim (of Shepphird Associates) for helping us bring our vision to life :)

Sources: Indulgent faucet from Dornbracht, cabinet hardware from Restoration Hardware, backsplash tile from Waterworks, magnetic chalkboard paint from Magnamagic, vintage glass pendant in nook from Homme.

I've Got the Power

2011-08-05T16:16:00.001-07:00

So um, my pop emailed me the top photo earlier this week. It's a snapshot of him with his siblings. He's the chubby one seated in the middle.

Pictured below is well, a photo of two photos. To the left, my pop. To the right, yours truly. Spitting image, much?

The Chow family genes are pretty damn powerful, wouldn't you say? Those worried "what'd-I-do" brows can even be seen on our dog, Beans. I hope le husband knows what he's getting into...

Feelings

2011-08-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

Folks keep asking whether or not I have a "feeling" about the sex of the baby. Truth of the matter is, this "feeling" that some mamas-to-be get has yet to hit me. Kinda' like growth spurts at puberty. Look, all I know is that I've been indulging in boat loads of lemonade and hickory smoked gouda like no other. (So I exaggerate.) Perhaps this child is part mouse?

Whatever. Beans likes that I indulge in gouda. He gobbles up the waxy edges. I cut 'em off with the world's most beautiful cheese knife by Georg Jensen. Yup. I binge in style.

State of Affairs

2011-08-01T22:52:00.001-07:00

Me, 19-weeks pregnant. Yes, I'm glowing.

True Dat

2011-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I "heart" this. Get it HERE.

Baby Cakes

2011-07-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes to be incorporated into a logo for a friend's "cupcakery" in Taiwan. Will post finished results when I see them for myself!

sigh CY...

2011-07-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Ferragosto

Cold Stream

Cy Twombly is dead.
A piece of me dies with him.
RIP, old man.

Playing House

2011-06-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

One of the properties we've been restoring at LocalConstruct is nearly completion, and I've begun to stage the joint. Check out my work-in-progress. It's still in need of color via hung artwork, potted plants and cut flowers... not to mention a good scrub-down (we haven't mopped down the floors as of yet), but hey, you get the idea. Hope you likee...

Take Note

2011-06-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

hands-down the most fantabulous business card i've ever laid eyes on.

Beans Too

2011-06-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

Baby resembles a healthy bean.
One that is the now size of a peach!

Working Girl

2011-06-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

Life beyond the cozy confines of UCLA's School of Theater Film and Television is a tad scary... but then again, so am I.

See me, second weirdo from the right. Yes, I am special. I was busting out sex robot moves.
See me, at the UCLA Festival of Animation. Yes, I am battling my friend, Natalie with a 6 foot long submarine sandwich.
(Thank you, Hedy, for both shots.)

First day at my new job.
Baby thought it was fun.

Gradumacation

2011-06-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Dear all, yesterday, I gradumacated from UCLA with my MFA from the School of Theater Film and Television. It took me a while, but I made it. Yay me :)

Floored

2011-06-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

Our yummy new (actually really old) living room rug from Woven Accents.

AWE-some

2011-06-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

Waterworks' Brickworks tile line is effin' amazing, no? Wait til you see this room with all the appliances, cabinet faces, hardware fixtures............... omigosh, omigosh, omigosh.

Once Upon a Table

2011-06-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Table is Hong Kong's first secret supper club that takes place bi-monthly within the comfort of the homes of Hong Kong foodies. One of the founders and chefs behind the totally awesome-pants idea is my advertising-exec pal whom I've known since middle-school, Angie. More about the club and more importantly, the delish eats served, HERE. Doesn't it sound like fun?!?

I was asked to create a brand/logo visual for the group, and this was my first go (in two colors because I couldn't decide which I liked better). Will share more creations with y'all as they come.

Summer, Summer, Summertime

2011-06-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

Summer sales have begun, and amidst all the school year-end frenzy, I've managed to fit in some online shopping last week.

While perusing the web for steals, I spotted the insightful words of Marc Johns.

Celine Wayfarers. Rayban Wayfarers don't fit properly on my fat face, but Celine's I'm-hipper-than-a-hipster version, do. Mine are navy. Couldn't possibly pull off this fashion-forward pair in nude. Who do you think I am? Giovanna? I think not.

And gaaaawsh. Isn't this sno-cone truck adorable? Why must it be a Baltimore thing? California needs a fresh and fruity sno-cone alternative. Did somebody say road trip?!?

Friends

2011-05-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't get the hint I dropped a few days back, allow me to make a formal and uncryptic announcement.

I'm not fat, I'm pregnant! (With an alien baby whom Beans wishes to name "Little Dog." Well, it's either that or "Beans Too.")

And guess who's knocked up with me? My BFF, "Hammy"!
She's a whole month (and maybe another half) ahead of me.
Yep, we're going to look like moose (meese?) together.

Am nauseous and tired.
And have massive boobies.

This calls for another visual.

Sniffle.

2011-05-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

A beautiful animated short by Luiz Lafayette Stockler.

My Kind of Art

2011-05-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yoshitomo Nara's "Long Long Time Ago" (acrylic on canvas, 1991)

Yoshitomo Nara's "Kaputt Pup" (acrylic and wax crayon on formica wood panel, 2000)

I want it all.

Uterus Bomb

2011-05-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Lightning strikes twice. BFFs Sweet Pee & Dee find out that their uteri have been bombed. OMG, indeed.

Vacation

2011-05-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

Proust has said that "People do not die for us immediately, but remain bathed in a sort of aura of life which bears no relation to true immortality but through which they continue to occupy our thoughts in the same way as when they were alive. It is as though they were traveling abroad." I agree and like the thought of that.

Testing, Testing

2011-05-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

With the help of my pal, Jeff, I was able to record the David Brainard, my narrator for "Hunks" this past Thursday. Animatic with temp-track should be ready for post on Thursday. EEEEEK! More from my boards. Sorry they're fuzzy. Photos taken in dim lighting with my flash-less ancient iPhone. (Scanner's upstairs, and I'm feeling like lard.)

* I've since replaced my awful iPhone photos with actual scans. Ahh... much better.

One Man's Trash...

2011-05-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

is another man's treasure.

Behold! My booty from the Long Beach Flea Market! Well-deserved, mind you, as le hubby and I had to venture out of the house at 6am in order to get first dibs on all this "junk". (Unpictured is an entire Danish modern dining room set I purchased on behalf of a friend. $300 for a gorgeous walnut table and and four lovely matching chairs. You gotta' love a good flea.)

A framed limited-edition lithograph of "Bouquet dans Latelier" by French artist Alfred Defossez for $40. Looked the fellow up the moment I go home. The exact same lithograph (unframed) us running for nearly $400 online. *fist-pump*

An assortment of totally rockin' handmade 60s ceramics and a neato wood cutting board - all for $15!

A fat bear we've named "Barry" for $15. He will be greeting all future guests of our Silver Lake home. And as you can clearly see, Beans totally digs him.

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right

2011-05-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling nauseous, and as a result, have been bedridden for the past two days. Beans and visiting pal Molly have been keeping me company while I lay on the couch like lard. Puppy love makes everything better...

Kitchen

2011-05-11T23:14:00.000-07:00

Switched out the original Malibu Tile choices for shades that are a tad more neutral. Renovations are on track. Should be done by end-May and moved in by June. EEEEEK!

Born This Way

2011-05-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

A peek at my storyboards. (Excuse the poor quality. This is what you get when you pair an old iPhone with poor lighting. My bad.) In this scene, the parents are on a testimonial couch - think reality tv. Don't suppose any of this is making sense to you, but I don't want to spoil the surprise... Wait to see the animatic! It'll be finished in a week...

* I've gone ahead and replaced the iPhone photos with actual scans. Yay!

This Drink's On Me

2011-05-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the bar cart owned by THIS famous blogger, I have been on the hunt for le perfect bar cart for the hubby's man cave, er, den at our new home. Scored the perfect cart this morning at Mohawk General Store - a well-curate little shop in Silver Lake. Our cart may not be as as shiny as Joanna's, but it's definitely got its own offerings! This handsome lad is Danish, made of teak, and get this, has removable trays. Looks and brains?!? A rare combination indeed.

Eat Your Heart Out

2011-05-04T21:16:00.001-07:00

Bits and pieces of our new kitchen cabinets are in, folks. (What you see is not the final paint job. It's just the primer.) Giving you a lil' taste of what's to come. Gaaaaah. So excited. Inspiration board for the kitchen below...

Master of the Universe

2011-05-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well, our universe...

Le hubby and I have decided on a king-sized headboard from Nickey Kehoe! Love that it is simultaneously minimalist (the color, the lines) and boho (the tufting, the brass).

Also including two inspiring shots of a master bedroom designed by Amy and Todd (of Nickey Kehoe) for Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo. Gaaaaaahhh... *drool*

Face Lift

2011-05-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Le hubby and I invested in a new home not so long ago but have yet to move in. The place is under construction (repairs and renovations to make the place more "us"), and well, take a peek at what's been going on in the cougar household...

A look at our guest bath. (At this point, the entire bath's been tiled and the tub is patiently awaiting its top and side slabs... talk about progress!)

Top: Original 1920s deco tile (Sure it was cute, but several tiles were cracked, the fixtures were old in a bad way, there's no insulation, and the telephone booth shower - unpictured - was just darn scary. DEMOLISH!)
Center: Demolished bathroom. (Ahh...)
Bottom: New herringbone carrera tile. Oui. Shwanky!
Very Bottom: Our inspiration board

And They Lived Happily Ever After

2011-04-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

William and Kate are adorable...

Missing in Action

2011-04-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

Have been out of touch for several reasons... one of the smaller ones being my thesis project, "Hunks"...

Because He Can

2011-04-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

Swiss Cheese Elevator Doors by Roy Litchenstein (circa 1985). Dude. Why?!? Because he can, folks... because he can.

Design Within Reach

2011-04-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

Le cub and I have purchased a pair of kick-ass vintage Kittenger wingbacks dating back to the 1940s for our formal living room. They are uber-comfy (Josh approved), and uber-chic. The carved details on the chair are SICK... love, love, so much love.

Take a Seat

2011-03-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Cardboard couches are awesome because they're cheap. Yet another peek at one of numerous work-in-process sets I'm working on for "Hunks."

Floored

2011-03-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hand-painted wood flooring for a scene in "Hunks." (They're made out of cardboard!)

Sweet & Sour

2011-03-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

Le hubby and I received the keys to our new (actually very old) home in Silver Lake two weeks ago, and have been working hard towards repairing it ever since. Though we've yet to move in (and probably won't be doing so until mid or end-May), we have been visiting her (yes, it's a "she") every other day. She's the biggest purchase we will probably ever make, and the most important one as well, for it is there that we hope to plant the roots of our lil' family of three. (Beans makes three.)

On a much less pleasant note, I found this chilling image online of a Japanese home that'd be swept away by the tsunami. I can only hope that its owners (family of three?) managed to escape safely.

My heart breaks for Japan...

Source: Reddit. Image taken by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord.

The Illusion of Life

2011-03-13T03:51:00.000-07:00

"Animation is about creating the illusion of life. And you can't create it if you don't have one." - Brad Bird

Yes, well.......... I'm trying to storyboard a woman giving birth to hunks. Since I've yet to squeeze a big head (or heads for that matter) out of my vajayjay, this is all I've got.

Baby, Baby, Baby

2011-03-13T03:37:00.000-07:00

Sculpting a dozen average-looking babies for my thesis film, "Hunks". Wait til you see the hunky ones...

Hunks

2011-03-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Thesis film, take two. I've gone back to the drawing board. Snails out. Hunks in. (Two-headed ones, no less!) Nearly finished with the first draft of my script. Much more to come...

Speechless

2011-02-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

The week before the Oscars, le hubby and I caught a showing of The King's Speech. The story wasn't as hoity-toity-heavy as I imagined it would be - much thanks to brilliant lines delivered by the immensely talented Geoffrey Rush - and like many others, I adored the heartwarming, uplifting tale. But story aside...

How frickin' amazing was Logue's room?!?
How stunning was that peeling wall?!?

Eve Stewart, the film's Production Designer, used 33 Portland Place for Logue's speech therapy room. The Guardian article described it as "... an unusual vaulted room with large leaded windows at one end, reminiscent of a Venetian palace, and roof lights that make it look a bit like an artist's studio and allow some light in on the pervasive gloom. This room also has extraordinary walls, decorated in distressed browns and oranges like an exotic damaged fresco, if in autumnal colours. When the team arrived, one area was covered in wallpaper infused with oil, which had then been half-scraped, half-burned off. Eve Stewart, the production designer, loved the mottled, peeling effect so much that she decided to reproduce it across the whole wall. The room became so striking that very little furniture was required, and the almost empty set gives the actors space..."

And not just any space. A spectacular, drool-worthy space.

Le hubby and I receive keys to our new home in Silver Lake this coming Friday. I told him I've been inspired by the interiors of The King's Speech. Pieces from Galerie Half would do it... * evil muah-ha-ha laugh *

Illustrations plucked from an ICG Magazine interview with Eve Stewart HERE. (So charming, no? Reminds me of the sort of concept art generated by Wes Anderson's brother, Eric Anderson. Love.)

Bottom photo plucked from HERE.

Room with a View

2011-02-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

View from our new crib in Silver Lake. Snow-capped Mt. Baldy paired with a faux lake. Not too shabby, huh?

LOL

2011-02-23T15:02:00.000-08:00

Found a lil' something taped to my work desk :)

Let There Be Light

2011-02-22T22:21:00.000-08:00

Picking out a chandelier for le cub and cougar's future home... Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Source: All are vintage pieces plucked from 1stdibs with the exception of the asymmetrical bubble piece which is by lindsey adelman.

Fleas

2011-02-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

I looooooove a good flea market and finally hit up the Long Beach Flea earlier today. Like the Rose Bowl Flea, the Long Beach one takes place only once a month. So it's that much more meaningful to me when le hubby and I actually catch it.

Hubs and I arrive at Veterans Stadium around 7:30am to make sure we'd get our pick of the good stuff. After browsing the Stadium for 2 hours, we left triumphant. A beautiful new (I mean old) Danish modern coffee table is going to look frickin' fantastic in our new home in Silver Lake, and a near-perfect condition copy of Lloyd Goodrich's beautiful Edward Hopper book now has a new home.

Fever

2011-02-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

sick on valentine's day. boooooo. le hubby is sick as well... guess we're not going on a romantic deeeeener tonight. neither of us can taste!

Grammys

2011-02-13T17:33:00.000-08:00

Yes.

photo: la times blog

Beiber Fever

2011-02-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

OMIGOSH. Check out what Lil Miss Sherman made me! Click HERE. LOL times a million. Best gift ever!!!

Color Me Bad

2011-01-27T23:33:00.000-08:00

Base coats are being applied. Wait til you see this baby in its final state...

My Happy Place

2011-01-25T01:04:00.001-08:00

Fabricating stop-motion sets relaxes me. I suppose this is a good thing, as my thesis film is in dire need of speed. GO-GO-GO!

Behold! One-third of the cardboard tower to be featured in "Gustave and Claude". I hope to finish the construction by Wednesday evening, and once that's done, we'll paint... boy, oh boy, oh boy...

le petit doodler

Supply and Demand

Milestone

Great Expectations

Happy New Year!!!

Cowabunga

There's a Puppy in the House

I'm New Here

Favorite Things

Priceless

What's up, Doc?

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

HOHOHO

Performance Anxiety

Growing Pains

It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas

Womb Raiders

When Life Gives You Lemons

Help!

Occupy Movement

He Knows When You Are Sleeping

Hot Bath

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Fleas

Training Baby

Others

Old Maid

Fluff

Nice View

Crash Course

Yes We Can

Monster Mash

Next Year

Boo.

Bow Wow Wow, Yippee Yo, Yippee Yay

Happy Feet

WANT

Ooga Booga

Patience

Starry Night

While You Were Sleeping

My Big Boy

Neapolitan

LOLIHAZAPROBLEM

She Works Hard for the Money

Bad Mama Jamma

Buga-What?

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

Macho Macho Man

Great Minds Think Alike

Belly Nice

I've Got the Power

Feelings

State of Affairs

True Dat

Baby Cakes

*sigh* CY...

Playing House

Take Note

Beans Too

Working Girl

Gradumacation

Floored

AWE-some

Once Upon a Table

Summer, Summer, Summertime

Friends

Sniffle.

My Kind of Art

Uterus Bomb

Vacation

Testing, Testing

One Man's Trash...

It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right

Kitchen

Born This Way

This Drink's On Me

Eat Your Heart Out

Master of the Universe

sigh CY...