Ameoba Music is Marvelous.

Amidst my errands today, I noticed this super groovy-looking building. I had the time, so I stopped to check it out. 
Where was I? Ameoba Music, the world’s largest independent record store. 
And it was RAD!

Check me out with this beautiful painting of Jenny Lewis on the outside of the building!

Ameoba reeks of originality and makes you feel really cool by just being there. The selection of music, movies and more was wall to wall and the staff all (brace yourself!) know what they are talking about. There are concert posters, vinyls and new and resale CD’s everywhere. This is definitely any music buff’s heaven on earth.

Not only can you buy awesome stuff in here, you can meet awesome characters too. Rock on, Mister TopHat!

Ameoba hosts concerts too! I'll be back sooner than later to check one out...

Have you ever been to this musical emporium? Better get to it, because even though music has no expiration date...YOU DO!
#OverlyMorbid?
#RockNrollNeverDies
 
XOJP

Big Girls Do Cry. Especially On Holidays.

 

Breaking traditions sucks.
Holiday weekends can get really tough in a new place, especially when you have traditions that are broken for the first time.
 
This year I DID NOT complete the following 4th of July traditions:
attend a block party
burn my hand with a sparkler
wear a genuine thrift-bought (no, not American Apparel) Honky-Tonkin’, I-Luv-‘Murica t-shirt alongside my childhood pals

But after a(nother) good cry, a long call to Mama and perseverance to slap on that bright red lipstick (no matter how nude-matte I felt), I enjoyed the 4th of July weekend with my new LA homies.  Not saying it was easy or pretty, but determination to focus on the fabulous can really go a long way.

I took a moment to recognize that I had NEW things to celebrate:
Great friends with California-sun-shining personalities
Unparalleled outdoor shopping on Main Street
A beach trip to settle my newly earth-quakin’ soul

 

Instead of focusing on all the things I was without, I took a trip to Gratitudeville and you know…the lack of sparklers didn’t leave me feeling so broken after all.

I'm counting each blessing at a time. And having Mom ship me my dorky I LOVE AMERICA t-shirts so I can continue my homestyle tradition, just from another coast next year…

#countyourblessings #brightred
XOJP

Condiment Queen

This 4th of July weekend is off to great start but I want to make sure the typical get-together doesn’t start feeling like the same ol’ thang. So let’s add a little spice, eh?

Lord knows this weekend will host grill-outs galore, so I’ve decided to share with you my favorite BBQ bring-a-longs to zest up the ever-predictable "burgers and dogs" menu.

Share with your friends and you’ll be the coolest kid at the 'cue in no time...

Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa

 

 NOT for the spicy-intolerant. Start with a tablespoon or two and work your way into it. If you like hot, hot, HOT, you’re in for a win.

 

Trader Joe’s Organic Ketchup

 

This has a thicker, more natural-tasting consistency that I love. 

Silver Spring Peppadew Mustard

 

This tastes awesome on beef/ chicken/ turkey/ tofu weiners with its zesty, sweet and spicy kick.

Grilled Pineapple

 

Throw this bad boy on your sandwich and the sweetly crisped edges will add a crunch you’ll love to munch.

Which options tickle your firework-ing fancy?
XOJP

Flaunting on the Fourth

Happy 4th!
Everyone knows the 4th of July is a time for crop tops, short-shorts and flip flops. But are you staying classy or looking trashy this homeland holiday?
Before you leave the house, here are some tips to celebrate with sass AND class.

REFRAIN FROM:

Too Much Boobie.

Lack of Pants.

This.

PARTICIPATE IN:

Sparkles.

An adorable top that covers cleavage.

A mini dress that's not TOO mini.

Stay classy, America. 

What will YOU be wearing to today’s BBQ?
Cheers!
XOJP

I hate you. I love you. Happy 1 Year Anniversary.

There’s nothing like a good old cross-country move to excite, challenge and thrill the bejeezus out of you. One year ago, I moved to LA from the Windy City of Chicago.
It’s been a whirlwind of excitement and a storm of emotion, but I’m still kickin’ baby.
For any gals thinking about making the westward leap (especially my fellow Midwestern mamas), I’ve listed my: 

Top 6 Thing to Know Before Making the Cali Move. 
It ain’t always pretty, but nobody said it would be..

1) Dirty is the new clean. Torn jeans and messy hair can be symbols of immense wealth. OR homelessness. Take your best guess. Or wait until they walk to their car.

2) Read the signs. 2 words = Street. Cleaning. ($$$)

3) Be cool, be cautious. Work on your road rage issues before you move, kay? Cus no one knows where they’re going. And neither do I. 

Sometimes you just gotta get out and enjoy the view I guess.

4) Stretch. Because if you haven’t gotten into yoga yet, you’re about to. 

5) Practice your pronunciations. You’re about to meet people with names you never knew existed. Tinder is a nice introduction to this concept and will blow your mind.
#OwNowBrownCow

6) Keep your eyes peeled as you pick your produce. You never know who you’ll run into at Whole Foods.

Well, there you have it, a few tips from a Chicago transplant. 
Have you made the move too? What have you found hardest to get used to?

#IloveLA + #DaBears =

XOJP

Sparkle from the Inside Out: Carole Shashona

Ohhhhhh Carole Shashona. Where do I even begin with this Feng Shui-gone-stylist sweetheart?!

Behind the sparkle of her Asian-meets-Art Deco designs of the Black Diamond Collection is a deeper meaning: living in positivity and empowerment.

“What cred does Carole have to stake such a claim,” you ask?
How about becoming a Grand Master of Feng Shui after 16 years training in Hong Kong? 
(…How dare you doubt me.)

I recently checked out Carole’s Black Diamond Collection for myself and learned from her that choosing a piece is more about “answering to the need within yourself, visually” versus simple ol’ shopping. Carole believes the beauty of jewelry not only radiates outward, but sends beauty, balance, and serenity back inward to the wearer.
#Deep.

Some of her soul-soothing designs:

 

Notice that Carole’s designs feature a signature coin as a personal amulet, fashioned to assist with meditation at home or “on the go.” 

“It’s about centerlocking the senses to fully become your force of energy.” 

It’s impossible to walk away from Carole without feeling radiant- whether you’re in her presence or wearing her designs. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to look AND FEEL truly magnificent.

Rediscover wellness as you become your true “you”…at her site or at Barney’s near you ;)

XO JP

Sassy, Classy Oscar Styling: Michael O’Connor

We all enjoyed the Oscars. The style, the sparkle… and oh yeah…that whole awards thing was cool too.

Award shows wouldn’t be the same without the behind-the-scenes stylists responsible for the glitz that give us a face-freezing glaze (no botox required).

Enter jewelry and style expert, Michael O’Connor. Michael has worked with Oscar-worthy dazzlers like Amy Adams, Elisabeth Rohm, Gabourie Sidibe, Allison Janney, Debra Messing, Minnie Driver, Stockard Channing and so many more. (Can you say street cred?)

I had the pleasure of meeting with this super-sweet gentleman at an Oscars StyleLab Suite where the FABULOUS was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. See below and you’ll get it:

Don’t let Michael’s sweetie-pie smile trick you. Michael is also a television style commentator. A repeated guest on Joan and Melissa Rivers’ “Fashion Wraps,” Joan coined him “one of the most dangerous men in Hollywood.” See why…

As a stylist, Michael has the ability to give a red-carpet glow or a tragic look that screams “oh no!” As a commentator, he can trash talk you all the way home. On broadcast TV. So as Joan would advise: Watch it!

What’s next for Michael? Practicing his craft in head-turning, breaking traditional Hollywood molds and making you drool over your favorite celebrities’ duds.

Who wins your “Best Styled Celeb” award? You may just be giving kudos to the lovely Mister Michael… who totally rules!

Shine on,

XOJP