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Persephenie

Earlier this year we stayed at Caitlin’s Agave House in Ojai. While there, I had a chance to use Persephenie’s Nanu Lei Fizzy Mineral Bath Powder and was intrigued not only by the gorgeous scent, but also by its Old World black & white packaging. Her Body Care products use wild-crafted, organic and certified organic essential oils and absolutes, distilled directly from flowers and plants such as neroli blossom, jasmine, camellia, linden blossom and more.

I got a chance to meet with Persephenie at her studio here in Los Angeles where she handcrafts her scents and found out about the other things that keep her busy including her fabulous line of jewelry.

D*BP: Tell us about what you do?

P: I’m a perfumer specializing in botanticals and custom perfume. I’m also an Aromatherapist. I formulate body care, make jewelry, and during those rare free periods, I love to paint. I think of myself as a closet painter who earns a living in the world of aromatics.

I’m also mama to a beautiful nine year old and house full of animals.

D*BP: Where is your studio and how long have you had it?

P: My studio is on Edinburgh Avenue, a side street off West Third, one block West of The Grove.
I’ve been in my space for seven years this summer. My original intention for the studio was to make art and teach art to children. With love and enthusiasm for botanicals and scent, it quickly evolved into an aromatics studio..

I teach botanical perfumery privately and to groups. This year I took a step back from open classes to focus on my body care, perfumes, and jewelry.

D*BP: I really LOVE your jewelry. What kind of materials do you use?

Thank you! Recycled 14 and 18 kt gold, sterling, leather, fossilized tusk, feathers, macrame’, semi-precious and precious gems, rose beads that I hand roll, and anything that is beautiful to incorporate.

D*BP: What inspires you?

P: Almost everything, especially my son.

D*BP: What’s your philosophy?

P: Taking care of myself by loving the people and creatures close to my heart, working hard, surrounding myself with beauty, and having fun.

Thanks Persephenie!

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Cumulo Lights


The best part of my job is discovering and then being able to use beautiful pieces like these hand blown glass light pendants.

These pieces use dollops of glass over a central core. The hot bits are blown out to diffuse the color and create a bulbous cloud-like shape. Designed by Caleb Siemon + Carmen Salazar. Made in California. Signed. Available here.

Caleb Siemon will be at the DWELL on Design Event on June 24-26th @ the LA Convention Center. If you are planning on going, be sure to check them out.

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Crystal Head Vodka


Went to a really great party last Saturday night to celebrate a friend’s birthday at his FAB home. It was pretty hard to peel me away from the caviar and Crystal Head Vodka table.

Dan Aykroyd and John Alexander created their “perfect vodka” using a quadruple-distillation process thus making Crystal Head Vodka as pure as vodka can be. The head bottle design was inspired by the archaeological mystery of the 13 found crystal heads, said to be between 5,000 and 35,000 years old and the spiritual qualities and enlightenment they behold and given to those who possess them.

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Jimmy McBride…


Phone Home. Design*ByProxy loves your intergalactic handmade quilts.

they say in space, “no one can hear you scream.” well, they can’t hear the low drone of the internal power generators kick on again when you’re half way to nowhere. i can. i work for a shipping company called “intergalactic transport.” i travel back and forth from rock to rock carrying those two all important gems- salt and vinegar. there’s a lot of time to kill up here so i downloaded a grandma program and she’s been teaching me how to quilt. there’s no “log cabins” or “poinsettias” around so i just stare out the window until something catches my eye. it’s nice every once in a while to shoot the shit with a fellow traveler, or get caught up in the new dawn celebrations in the outer rim, but mostly it’s just me; with a lot of time on my hands.~jimmy @StellarQuilts

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Kismet Tile







Excuse me for being M.I.A., but I’ve had a late start to 2011 (and I like it). Just spent a FAB long weekend in Ojai at Caitlin’s Agave House. I highly recommend it if you want a chillax getaway that’s not to far from LA. Inquire here.
Caitlin told me to check out the tile she started installing in her back yard while I was there. And WOW, this stuff is RAD!
Kismet Tile by Tracey Reinberg, is Moroccan-made cement tile crafted according to traditional materials and methods, but with bold, modern motifs which highlight the beauty, materiality, and geometric harmonies of these classic tiles.
I love this tile so much I just wanna rip up my kitchen and use it right now.

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BAXTER FINLEY – Barber & Shop









Just before the holidays I took my little guy to get a hair cut from our friend Shane @ Baxter Finley Barber and Shop on North La Cienega. This was the 1st time I had been there and well, I was pretty impressed. The attention to old school details was spot on and the porcelain chairs kinda blew my mind.

B F:
CONCEPT: We see guys trending to tradition, so whether we are talking fashion, or choice of barber, guys are looking for simple and traditional surroundings. The shop is NOT a lounge, or place to get spa services. We want to keep it simple and build a reputation for excellence in barbering and service.”

LOOK: The aesthetic is certainly masculine … and the elements used were specifically chosen to create a traditional look, but also to blend textures (such as fine leather, and porcelain chairs + rough cut reclaimed Douglas fir flooring) allowing the space to be usable and comfortable.

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Alicia Lawhon











I’d like to introduce you to Alicia Lawhon from RECLAIMED IN LA. She is a good friend of mine and one of my favorite local designers whose unique clothing I’ve been wearing for a quite a while now. Because I love her style, I’ve asked her if we could get a peek into her home and find out more about what she does and what influences her designs.

D*BP: Tell us about what you do and how long you’ve been doing it?

A.L.: I execute wardrobes in every way. I envision them, create them, and produce them. I work with commercial and personal wardrobe needs. I deal with desires. I produce desires. RECLAIMED IN LA is a collection of wardrobe stories solely utilizing existing and found materials. The concept was born out of a love for vintage, re-purpose and discover beauty in old items made new. I practiced this concept when I was a child in Mexico and then again 20 years ago for a collection for Ron Herman called ‘A.L’ and now.

D*BP: How long have you worked from your space..is it at home? What part of town is it in?

A.L.: 10 years. I have a home studio in Silver Lake on top of a hill.

D*BP: Describe your style?

A.L.: Earthy elegance well traveled with a sense of humour.

D*BP: What inspires you?

A.L.: Right now it rebellion, necessity, nature, integrity, tact, desire, music, food, Made in the USA, the past and talent: Zoe Crosher, Bari Ziperstein, Simon Story, Dee Dee Cheriel, Charles Krubian, Roger Herman, Nick Lowe, Sage Vaughn, Tracy Wilkinson, Jessica Kerwin-Jinkins, and David Huffman

D*BP: What do you love most about your space?

A.L.: It is an anti-depressant. I don’t get visual anxiety. Its a positive reflection. A meditation and mood altering.

Thanks Alicia!

Watch RECLAIMED IN LA for CHURCH boutique

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the gift of giving :: Part I





A little something for everyone.
I’m excited to share with you my curated collection of holiday gift ideas. I’ve been working on it for a while now. Watch for Part II on Wed.

row 1: Joy Division book by Kevin Cummins, Duller Colored Pencil Set, Malfi IPhone Skin by Friends With You
row 2: Vintage Pendelton Blanket, Succulent Wreath by Flora Grubb, Wood Cutting Board
row 3: Hudson’s Bay Queen Cashmere Scarf, SIGG Water Bottles Adults and Kids, Leica VLUX 20 Digital Camera
row 4: Comme Des Garcon Wallet, Donate to Africa School House Foundation-help children in remote parts of Africa gain access to life-changing education, Little Owl Lost Children’s Book