She's a hawk? (L.A.-proper wildlife sighting)

She actually looks more like a red-shouldered hawk than a falcon of any sort. If anyone can identify her correctly, please do.

I know why the caged bird sings...

What was that line from Jeff Goldblum's character in the first "Jurassic Park" movie? Ah, "Nature finds a way." Why yes it did, Jeff Goldblum. It found its way up a tree next to my Miracle Mile apartment. And "nature," a magnificent falcon (or hawk), was ripping the feathers off of a pigeon.

Having felt bad for the pigeon for a split second, I realized that I was witness to and am a by-product of "The Circle of Life," and that in the best of earthly situations, that would be the only kind of violence---timely and necessary. Birds of prey don't have it the easiest in the wild and for it to be eking out a living like the rest of us in the big city, I had to take my hat off to my winged neighbor.

So, yet another reason that I love L.A. You do not have to go too far to encounter nature, and I'm not even talking about Whole Foods or Runyon Canyon. This little, what looked to be a peregrine falcon, was right outside my door and though she may not have been too pleased that I took her picture (paparazzi don't ask either), I could not help but to think that this meeting was a good omen. Nature made...my day.

For millenia, flora and fauna have been a tremendous source of inspiration for artists. Catherine Michiels (http://www.catherinemichiels.com/) has called upon nature's intrinsic life-giving energy to intimate our place in this life cycle. The results are beautiful and powerful little talismans that truly protect and serve the wearer. [STYLES PICTURED: Le Lotus (18K rose gold), The Pod (sterling silver & champagne diamonds), Lily de Paris (18K rose gold), Maximillien (18K yellow gold & diamonds), La Figue (18K white gold & champagne diamonds)].

Bucking the trend

I've never been much of a trend follower. Actually, I swore it off in high school. Went on the wagon. The problem is that I felt so invisible, so style-less compared to the other girls at my school. They seemed sexy and sophisticated and I, well, I was 14 which is right where I should have been.
One day I came to school in white stretch bell bottom pants, black suede platform sandals and a body-skimming, black sleeveless tunic with a mock turtle-neck. Oh, I got looks from the boys, the red lipstick that I put on in the girl's bathroom might of helped too), but I felt like an impostor. Sorry Express. I never wore that outfit again, though I tried one other like it and felt equally as ridiculous.
Ever since I've been catwalking to the beat of my own DJ, sometimes trend-withstanding and sometimes outright rebelling. My cherry red Dr. Maartens and wide leg jeans didn't go over too well in my predominantly black, Washington, D.C. school, but frankly I didn't give a damn. Instead I celebrated on my own little "Island of Style" in the middle of an ocean of fashion sea monkeys.
So now it is 2007 and the venue has changed---the world of equestrian sports. Horse people fashion, especially in the English tradition (a style of riding) , has traditionally been very conservative. If you wore rust colored breeches in the hunter show ring in the mid-90's, you probably got some funny looks. Recently, equestrian style arbiters such as Ariat (http://www.ariat.com/) have been stepping up to the fashion plate with a more trend-bending, innovative, and colorful selection of rider and horse gear. When low-rise breeches first came out, retailers were reluctant to stock them and now, they are the most popular fit among female English riders.
When competing nowadays, still one must stick to a stringent style profile, yet when you're schooling (a.k.a. training or practicing), the individual is almost expected to have some fashion sense in addition to horse sense. Rhinestones on protective headgear (GPA striping kits, http://www.tackroominc.com/riding-helmet-striping-kits-p-3331.html and http://www.gpa-sport.com/) and spurs, quilted saddle pads with cutesy applique (http://www.chevalcouture.com/) with ornate trim, and candy-colored polos (http://www.joulesclothing.com/) are just a few of the more fashion-forward items one can find at most English barns and tack shops such as Dover Saddlery (http://www.doversaddlery.com/) in Massachusetts and DaMoor's (http://www.damoorsfeedandtack.com/) just outside of Los Angeles. Still there are lines that are not to be crossed because traditions run deep and often in the riding world form follows function.
For instance, knee-patch breeches and full-seat breeches. Hunter and jumper riders, those horsefolk who jump obstacles of fences, wear knee-patch breeches (referring to the suede, leather or suede-like patches on the inside knee of the breech) for grip as well as freedom in the saddle. Dressage riders, those who take their horses through graceful paces and steps, sport full-seat breeches (referring to the suede, leather or suede-like bottom and inner thigh of the breech) which enable them to have more grip in the saddle since their horses' movements are done while sitting deep in the saddle through his paces, walk, trot, and canter.
Forever expanding my street and barn wardrobes, I found a beautiful pair of Neddy's (http://www.neddys.com/) low-rise, full-seat breeches in mint green. Mind you, mint green in the English riding ring is still pushing the envelope. As a jumper rider, I don't have much business wearing full-seat breeches, yet I'll be wearing them anyway. If they carried a knee-patch, which is more appropriate for my discipline, in mint green, would I wear those? I have to say that bucking the trend is far more alluring and despite my inner debate, I've chosen to step out of those invisible boundaries and into new territory.
If asked 'why,' my reply will be, "Why not?" Since this isn't high school anymore, I highly doubt that there will be much if any "horse whispering" behind my back. I think my trainer Sandrine Seifert, who is also a *stable fashionista,* would applaud my efforts.

'Little in the middle.....got much back.'

Okay. So, I don't have the long and lithe body for boy jeans, so I have never been compelled to "make it work" until Alessandro Tomassetti, of All Purpose and Filius, revealed his collaboration with fellow Canuk and graphic designer, Marian Bantjes. These limited edition, overdyed denim have artfully embroidered back-pockets, a la Bantjes, that would read "will you miss me," if all four styles were lined up together. Tomassetti's design, which in itself makes any male's rear appear present and/or sculpted, will hopefully improve the appearance of my "ending." I have yet to go fishing for compliments.

www.shopallpurpose.com

Taxidermy: A dying art form

IN or OUT? People having their deceased companion animals preserved and stuffed -OR- replicating their likenesses in diamonds, sapphires, and gold? I'd say that the latter is "IN." Immortality is a mere aspiration and while scientists (cryogenesis) and Michael Jackson (hyperbaric chamber, seemingly ageless body) make a living off of convincing the rest of us that it is attainable, jewelry designer Andrea Levine is putting it all into perspective with her classy pet-jewelry-for-humans (www.andrealevinejewelry.com).

The reigning queen of breed-specific jewelry gets right down to the specifics and creates pendants in the shapes of your dog, cat, or horse. Worn as either a "Memorial Maltese" necklace or as cufflinks to show-off your "Living Labs," Andrea promises jewelry that is 'to die for.'

As of now, her designs are even more attainable----for pockets deep, shallow, and hole-ridden. Restaurant listings editors would put a single '$' next to Andrea's fashion jewelry collection "Best of Breed" and a few '$$$' next to her fine jewelry collection "Best in Show." INclusive is the new "IN."

Talk about only taking up the space you need!

A new neighbor just moved in next door. Actually, Hedwig doesn't have a door because she's a hummingbird. Her tiny body, which is just an inch or so longer than her cousin the Cuban Bee hummingbird, and her tiny eggs (she'll probably have a clutch of 2) only need a...you guessed it...tiny nest. One creature in mind could learn a lesson from Hedwig and her kin, especially those that find Hummers useful. Tank you very much!

Some of those creatures are quite clever with their use of space. Sabine and Christian Pound of ECSOTYPE (http://Ecsotype.com) bags live and work by the motto "use your space wisely." They design strikingly *smart* carry-alls that can be configured for different uses. The geniuses at ECSOTYPE will also work with you on color customization of your bag and since there are several detachable and interchangeable parts, the permutations number in the hundreds. Why have 50+ bags when you can get an ECSOTYPE, saving precious dividends and hard-to-come-by space. My favorite styles are "For," "Book," "School," "Bare"...............okay, all of them.

Burton, are you ready to ride?

Shred it up! This isn't a real dogboard, however, if Burton would like to work on one and co-sponsor Robert, I would not object.

[Dogboard inspired by the Andrea Levine Jewelry signature "Paw Print" design; chrome goggles by Doggles; silver parka with detachable sleeves and hood & snowboard "bindings" (black suede mocassins) by Kwigy-bo]