Vegas might be the biggest growing urban city in America but it's still really a cowboy Podunk town to me.   I was greeted at the LV international airport by this billboard.  Nothing like a little equal opportunity.    I was amused and terrified.  

One of my favorite restaurants downtown is Bottega Louie.  Romantic and airy with a New York feel.  This huge room has a cafe, Italian restaurant and wonderful food and atmosphere.  My favorite is the Carpaccio.  The brick oven pizza is also delish.  Downtown hipsters co mingle with business men and artists.   
700 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90017 http://www.bottegalouie.com

I love Kelly Wearstler's design style.    Love the hotels, the houses, the energy, the balance of family, the whole package.   She's awesome.

I adore this film by Elio Petri.   The Tenth Victim stars a sultry Ursula Andress and the always elegant Marcello Mastroianni.   Nothing like shooting a victim with a bullet bra.  You gotta love crime mixed with campy comedy and great fashion.  Elio Petri made films around the same time as Antonioni.   Not as prolific, but just as iconic.  Graphic, elegant and inspirational.   Highly recommend.  Here is the trailer and the bullet bra scene.

I was so excited to be in the Vista las Palmas neighborhood so I could be near the iconic  Kaufmann House.   The Kaufmann house in Palm Springs, California, was designed by Richard Neutra in 1946.    One of Neutra's most famous domestic projects.  I stopped to take a picture and a few others stopped as well while I was there.   So beautiful

I stayed in Vista Las Palmas in Palm Springs for a few days.   Once the stomping ground of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin this desert retreat is uber cool.  This is my favorite Mid Century neighborhood in Palm Springs and one of the few places in the world that you can view so many incredible architectural gems.  You can walk everywhere and every house has character.  Quiet, friendly(all the neighbors walk their dogs at dusk) and so lovely.  My dream homes with dream landscaping.   I was in heaven.  The Kaufmann home is here and the others homes are mostly Eichlers and Alexanders. 

Here is some info on the Alexander builders. (courtesy of Palm Springs historical and http://www.vistalaspalmas.com/)  During the 1950's & 1960's, George Alexander and his son Robert Alexander were co-owners of a development firm that built more than 2,000 homes in Palm Springs.  The father-son team capitalized on the need for mass market housing to the upwardly mobile interested in Modern Architecturehe original Alexander homes were built on a concrete slab with no insulation, for a cost of $19,500.  Alexander construction included:  post & beam construction, clerestory windows, center halls and large lots.  The architectural style became known as Southern California Modern.   I am also including a video on the bottom from HAVERKATE Blog a great real estate resource that shows a drive through the hood.

The holidays are approaching and this year I don't want to go far.     I do want to get the hell out of dodge so Palm Springs is a great option.    Warm, balmy, quiet and a two hour drive.   Room Service's John and Taryn make great furniture and have exquisite taste.  Here is their cute little house the Pink Door.    All their homes are elegant, modern, pet friendly and reasonable.    room service  I have done a few shoots there and I always have a blast.    You can book their homes through VRBO which is also a great resource for all vacation rentals.

Not meant for walking much, but these are some lookers.  For bedroom or sit down dinner only.  I love Paris.   These Baldini heels pay homage to the Eiffel Tower.   A little out of my price range at $1800.00 but I can admire from afar.  

Mameg designed by Johnston Marklee & Associates.    Run by Sonia and Ari.   One of the best curated stores in Los Angeles.    Maison Martin Margiela is next door.  How great is that?  Kill two birds with one stone.

 LA-based designer William Stranger has his  Second Life Collection on exhibit at Fifth Floor Gallery in LA.  Made from recycled bowling alley pieces.