♔ “Sleep, those little slices of death — how I loathe them.”

Kyler By Joy O: Mixed Metals

Close up of Anode collar necklace in mixed metals

Underside of Anode collar necklace in mixed metals

As those around me will be quick to agree, I'm all about anything and everything BUT simplicity. Packed into this absolutely ahhhhmazing necklace by San Francisco-based jewelry brand "Kyler by Joy O" is an intricate design that seems so futuristic yet reminiscent of the interlocking pattern found across many styles of architecture. I was so very excited to have won this necklace because this piece is not just structurally beautiful, it is also created in conditions that try to limit any negative impact on the environment.  

Additionally, this necklace really reminds of the style of Gustav Klimt, one of my favorite painters.  Though best known for his painting The Kiss, you can see from the painting above that this abstract style, almost like a mosaic, permeates many of his works.  The fact that my new Kyler necklace is so thematically similar is just the icing on the cake! 

You can find your own dream necklace here. 

Up Clothes and Personal: Street Fashion

Walking up to someone to take their photo can always be a little nerve-wracking. However, since I moved to Davis, every person I have approached has not only let me photograph them, but has been super friendly as well. Today's featured King of Fashion was no exception. I loved his preppy "I'm ready to hit the books at anytime" look. 

Holding Onto Summer

I'm a little picky when it comes to choosing my favorite season. It can't be so hot that when I go outside my head bends like a sad sunflower. Then again, it can't be so cold that it forces me to pile on clothes waddle around. But what I am sure of is that I always crave my Vitamin D. But as much fun it can be in the sun you do need to protect yourself from el sol and sunglasses are a fun way to protect your beautiful eyes. 

And sunglasses don't have to be just sunglasses. As the fiercely beautiful and alluringly strange Grace Jones said about her own look, sunglasses can serve as makeup on the go. With retro wing-tipped sunglasses or John Lennon circle shaped sunglasses, there are styles for every kind of woman or man. 

Let's just say I have erhmmmm....10+ sunglasses. These are my current favorite. These are the least inconspicuous shades of the bunch and I think they express my zest for fruit accessories superbly. 

No matter how high the sun decides to pull the cover's over herself to conceal her shine, I'll always have these kooky sunglasses. I've said this before, but I like to think it's sort of a "retro gangster" thing to wear your shades both at night and in your house. Why not? 

I feel that when it's cloudy and especially when it's rainy, you should always wear your brightest colors to brighten your mood. The sun will always be in and out of our lives but no matter what, I always try to cheer myself up through my clothing and accessories. It's the least I can do. 

Some songs I listened to while making this post: 

Island in The Sun - Weezer

Sweet Transvestite - Rocky Horror Picture Show

Chica Chica Boom Chic- Carmen Miranda

Nowadays - Chicago Soundtrack 

Feeling Good - Nina Simmone

SQ Visits Vacaville Art Gallery

I absolutely love my hometown! Too often Vacaville is under-appreciated by the people that grow up there. When I was younger, I admit I was one such student who thought Vacaville was SOOOOO boring, and I thought I'd die if I saw another cow or picket fence.  Thankfully, I now realize it "ain't that bad." Besides great food (which I'm sure I'll discuss in another post), I personally love the little galleries that Vacaville has to offer, such as the nonprofit Vacaville Art Gallery. 

What first inspired me to check out the place were the outside sculptures. I'm not ashamed to admit I just had to copy one of their poses. Because I often think of metals as more masculine materials,  this quite feminine sculpture provided a sharp contrast that I really enjoyed. Although her exposed features might be taken as conveying vulnerability, both the material and her pose made it evident that she is a strong and proud woman!

When I first walked in, I walked as fast as I could without running (it is a gallery you know) to this little donkey by student Katherine Marino, who showed that youth and artistic talent are certainly not exclusive. I felt that this "donkey bust" was perfectly aligned in the illustration. When a figure is places to one side of the painting rather than smack dab in the middle, it always makes for a more dynamic piece. But why I really loved this donkey was her usage of texture.  I could practically feel the shaggy hair on this donkey! 

I am normally never drawn to watercolors. However, I found this painting titled "Madonna and Child" by Nancy Lorenzo to be both wonderfully colorful and stylistically intriguing. I especially love the way the artist selected bold prints for both the blanket the baby is wrapped in and the skirt the mother is wearing . It made for a great contrast with the silky water below. 

 I also hardly ever like boat paintings, but this gallery was certainly full of "firsts" for me! In my experience, boat paintings are usually just too small. However, I truly found this acrylic painting by Rodger Kientz to be very pleasing because he cleverly included a lot of water and sky. By sandwiching the boat in a delicious blue, the artist has truly created a feast for the eyes! 

In what seems such a small gallery on the outside, once you step inside it quickly becomes clear that they showcase many excellent exhibitions with a diverse set of themes and mediums. Admission is always free, so if you ever happen to be driving by Vacaville and have some time to spare, come support local artists and have a blast doing it!

Vacaville Art Gallery

718 East Monte Vista Avenue  Vacaville, CA 95688

(707) 448-8712

King of Fashion: Marc Jacobs

This is one of those posts that doesn't need words. I'm just going to shut my mouth and let you soak in the Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2013 collection. I'm so into the stripe hype aren't you?

The mixed patterns he used in his clothing are very hypnotizing. 

I would love to drown in these patterns! What a psychedelic death it would be. 

Call A Spade A Spade

Hello Queens and Kings! I went to Santana Row in San Jose a couple of months ago and saw that a Kate Spade was opening soon. Good news! I finally got around to swooning my way into the store and I fell in love with it. So today I am going to pour my heart out and explain why designer Kate Spade is one of my all time fav designers. 

 There are some stores I could stay in for 4+ hours like Barnes & Noble or perhaps an art store. However, there are some stores I wish I could set up a little tent under a table and live in. Kate Spade is one such store! The San Jose store is 2,319 square feet of happy color, design and creativity! I think I could deal with living within "the confines" of the store. Not bad eh?

I'd probably use their awesome little mirrors in the morning to get ready :P.

So while I adore the fab bright colored walls and exquisitely simple stationary, I love Kate spade because of her genius clutches and their cute themes. For example, look at the fun clutch I have in my hands above! As I always say, fashion should be fun and this is fun times a zillion! Being an art history major, as soon as I saw it I ran to it, petted it and begged my friend to take my photo! :P. But my favorite will forever be the pool party clutch. And actually, that was the first Kate Spade I've ever seen (kinda late but so glad I discovered it!) 

After seeing that pool party clutch I can confidently say Kate Spade clutches are my ultimate favorite. Kate Spade is no "one hit wonder"--I drool over each and every clutch!  I mean take a look at these babies! How could anyone turn their noses up to them?

I think Kate Spade's philosophies such as the one below are what attracts and delights me about the store.

I may not have as much time as I want to go shopping (and who does?), but I can guarantee you, my readers, that you'll definitely see me back at that dreamy store sometime soon.

Sun Queen: Cool on Hot August Nights

I am completely obsessed with cat eye sunglasses so it is no surprise that I stopped this wonderfully dressed lady. Not to mention the comic book umbrella rhymes so well with her shades. Sunglasses have been historically cool by characters such as The Fonz and Snoopy as Joe Cool. 

I loved this Sun Queen's in particular because they are two toned with my favorite color: mustard yellow. Mustard yellow is a specifically vintage color such as Tiffany blue. 

I asked her what she likes to do for fun and she said " I dance tango with my husband...I'm kind of shy about it but why not!? It's fun!" I really enjoyed her fun presence and it reflected in her clothing. 

I love how the texture of her jewelry was abstractly repeated in her rust colored fishnet stockings. It is difficult to make fishnets look great but this color was phenomenal facet of her outfit.

The Courage of 'Davisites'

I really shouldn't bike so fast because my breaks are really getting worn down from stopping every five seconds for another "photo-op". It is soooo worth it though!

It's so motivational right? :P

While I wasn't allowed to "know" what was going on here (they couldn't "say" when I asked them)...I think I will just assume that this is how these three go out on a Friday night. I mean what's your spirit animal? I'm pretty sure mine is a bird of some sort.

I therefore decided to bring out my inner animal when I got home because I want to play too. 

I decided I am a hummingbird. Nice to meet you.

Let Them Eat Cheesecake!

Let me start off by saying descriptions of European dinning of the extremely wealthy from the 16th to 18th century sound like heaven to me. Of course, while I would probably be unable to finish a 15 course meal, I do indulge every once in a while...or erhmmm ....every other day...Shhhh

Did you know that two days ago, July 30th, was National Cheesecake day? In honor of Marie Antoinette I decided to dine at the Cheescake Factory in Sacramento. While the ever so famous Marie Antoinette was King Louis XVI's wife (Not our King Louis but his successor's) I thought I would throw a reference since it was quite apropos. 

Luckily this post includes three purty pictures of three quite purty cheesecakes (Thanks to my husband and brother in-law!) 

First of all, I was so thrilled when my husband chose the Pineapple Upside-down cake because of its vintage look ^_^. It never fails; every time I see this kind of cake it conjures images in my mind of a 1950's housewife in a scalloped apron proudly holding her cake up for her guests. This modern twist on a traditional cake recipe was SWELL!

Vintage Betty Crocker Pineapple upside-Down cake advertisement.

*FUN FACT:

Canned Pineapples were not available until 1903.

Whenever I go eat out with my brother in-law, I can always count on him buying anything Oreo-related. Whether it's the new ridiculously beautiful and huge Oreo Sundae at Baskin Robbins or any of the new Oreo products (like the Ice Cream Oreos) he just can't resist. After I saw his cheesecake order,  I snapped my fingers in regret that I didn't choose the masterpiece. Isn't it a beauty?

Oreo cookies advertisement circa 1924.

FUN FACT: Oreo cookies have been around since 1912! (I thought they were decades younger than that!)

Since I thought I'd be "fancy" I chose a delectable Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake. Now, this may sound icky but I ate this in about ten forkfuls. The richness was  just right and each forkful went down smooth. Now, there is no "FUN FACT" for this because the history of it is so contested! One thing is for sure, of the three yummy foods that influenced the delicious cheesecakes eaten that night, mine was certainly the oldest.  According to the website Gilt Taste, red velvet dates back to at least 1873.