Sherlock Is the New Sexy

Michael Chabon and Laurie King will be at the Main Library on Wednesday to discuss the impact of super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes on their work. I'm currently immersed in Chabon's magical The Amazing Adventures Kavalier and Clay, which interestingly enough pulled me away from last night's Masterpiece Theatre presentation, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking. It was difficult because, as the London Evening Standard says, "Was there ever such a brooding, handsome and strangely sexy Sherlock Holmes as this...?" But my eyes kept glancing at the book on my nightstand and I couldn't resist its siren call any longer. I had to know what was going to happen to the equally handsome and brooding Joe Kavalier...

From the KimSaid Archives: "Crafty Cliffhanger," "A Bit of a Crush, Actually"

From the Romancing the Tome Archives: Amy's "Before CSI"

The Dark Arts

The Guardian reports on The Tate's upcoming exhibit Gothic Nightmares: Fuseli, Blake and the Romantic Imagination, which will feature works such as William Blake's The Night of Enitharmon's Joy (pictured) and Fuseli's The Nightmare. ("Sex and the Supernatural," The Guardian UK)

Fear Factor

Diane Arbus' haunting Twins is hanging in the newly reopened DeYoung Museum. The accompanying placard explains that the photograph inspired the twins in Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Steven King's The Shining. Read more about the photograph and hear a report from NPR's Madeleine Brand here.

Les Filles Chez Maison 140

Pink is the New Blog

I worship at the altar of Pink daily--it's my favorite guilty pleasure. So I'm THIS thrilled to see that Trent gave my What's Haute column (that "work" thing I do) props in today's post. It's like I'm totally famous only without the Scientology pregnancy...or Josh Hartnett.

Today in Literary History

"It was on this day in 1900 that Henry James wrote his first letter to the budding novelist Edith Wharton, beginning one of the great friendships in American literature." (from today's Writer's Almanac)

"To be born a Longford..."

A tangential interview with Lady Antonia Fraser, author of Marie Antoinette: The Journey (on which Sofia Coppola's film is based) and wife of Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter

Arabian Nights & Antique Scents

Amy, Nicki, and I found the little book Eat.Shop.LA to be an excellent resource for discovering new and out-of-the way places. The Casbah Cafe and Truth & Beauty (both in Silver Lake) were particular favorites from this weekend. The former is straight out of Arabian Nights and serves delicious snacks and fresh mint tea alongside exotic clothing and home decor. The latter is stocked with beauty products, including the divine-smelling Hamadi line and my new favorite perfume, secretly commissioned by Catherine de Medici in the 16th century.

7 Days in L.A.

I returned last night from a fantastic trip to L.A. where I covered the Spring 2006 shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and got to spend some quality time with friends. We managed to pack in several movies (What the Bleep Do We Know?, Lords of Dogtown, The Squid and the Whale, Umbrellas of Cherbourg), a few wonderful meals (Violet, Al Gelato, Casa del Mar's scenic sushi brunch, the delightful Alcove), Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles), glamorous drinks (The Otheroom, Ortolan, Maison 140, Arsenal) and even some shopping and culture. More on those last two items later...

Image: Ortolan Restaurant
From the Archives: 48 Hours in L.A.

Oh, That Explains Everything....

I was tagged by new blog-o-sphere pal Just My Cup of Tea and now I must share 5 Random Things About Me.

1) I have Hall & Oates: Greatest Hits on my iPod. For times when the latest White Stripes single just won't do it for me.

2) I've ridden a camel twice; once when I was small and once when I was tall.

3) In high school I briefly had a part-time job driving an ice cream truck.

4) I used to be deathly afraid of karaoke but, unfortunately for my friends, that's no longer the case.

5) I loathe ham and green beans.

Linda, you're it.

The History Painting

Christine U'Ren's wonderful play Improper Ambitions provides insight into the importance of history paintings and their impact on the fine arts community, particularly female artists. For more on this tradition and the Royal Academy in Paris, read this article about an exhibit being held by the Princeton Art Museum and the Dahesh Museum.

Today in History

In 1555 two English bishops are burnt at the stake, Marie-Antoinette is beheaded in 1793, and in 1916 Mrs. Margaret Sanger opens her first birth control clinic. (details, The History Channel)

Making It Happen

Current, future, and armchair entrepreneurs simply must check out Lauren Cerand’s latest project. Architect Alane Ebner is launching her own business and she’s pulled together a team of bright, talented professionals, including Lauren, to help her make it happen. The best part? It’s all documented on her website. If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of starting your own business, you’ll find the posts by the various team members quite fascinating. From determining Alane’s brand identity to pinpointing her potential clients, all aspects of the burgeoning business will unfold online. Clever and educational!

This Wknd: A Choreographed Romp with Goats

I'm looking forward to seeing the EmSpace Dance Fifth Anniversary Performance tomorrow night at the Dance Mission Theatre. In addition to the world premieres of How To See Red and New Monster Avenue the program will include last year's Songs For You performed to music by the Mountain Goats. New Monster Avenue features an exclusive, unreleased Mountain Goats song, written especially for choreographer Erin Mei-Ling Stuart's dance company. (via Flavorpill)

Saturday night the much-anticipated Litquake Pub Crawl kicks off in The Mission at 5pm. Don't miss Michelle Richmond and Michelle Tea reading at the Make-Out Room.

You've Made Your Bed...

Well yes I have and I like lying in it, thank you very much! If my metaphorical bed were a real bed, it might look something like this:

Why the satisfaction? My office is on the same block as the brand new Cody's bookstore. Plus, I'm right next door to the always abuzz Mac store and a bit too close to the delightfully tempting Citizen Cupcake. Anyone who came to visit me at my office in L.A. will understand why I'm so thrilled with my current digs.

Image: The Paris Apartment

Romancing the Tome

This week on Romancing the Tome: Amy and I share our least favorite adaptations ever on The Happy Booker, plus find out which Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel Harry Potter director Mike Newell is bringing to the big screen and give us your picks for who should portray Satan in the upcoming adaptation of Paradise Lost.

Plastique Mystique

Here is the most recent object of desire (first observed in the latest issue of UK's Elle Decoration). Apparently in addition to being a perfectly charming coffee table, the transparent urquiola usame table can be employed as a breakfast tray. Do you think that I could then qualify it as a practical purchase?


From the Archives: That (not so) Obscure Object of Desire: Triptych

God Save the Queen

This weekend my sister and I finally happened to walk by the British specialty food store You Say Tomato (1526 California Street) while it was actually open for business. We got to talking movies and then Netflix queues with owner and fellow cinephile David Kidd after I noticed he was watching a trailer for the BBC's new Dr. Who series, which he reports is fantastic. We picked up some bangers and a shepherd's pie as a surprise for Chris's boyfriend (he hails from Brighton) as well as some Twinings Specialty Tastings Assam tea particularly recommended by Kidd. You Say Tomato has a fairly large array of sweets and other yummy-looking items, but we somehow managed to escape without buying any. (Possibly because we'd just had pastries at our favorite bakery?) According to the website you'll be able to purchase items online soon, but if you can make it to the shop it's a lot more fun!

Tilda Swinton

The Observer has an interesting profile on actress and Viktor & Rolfe muse Tilda Swinton (Orlando, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe) whose Scottish lineage can be traced back to the ninth century. An excerpt:

The year after Jarman died, Swinton lay asleep in a glass box in the Serpentine Gallery for eight hours a day. The performance piece, called The Maybe, was conceived by Swinton as part of a show by Cornelia Parker, which included the relics of illustrious ghosts - a cushion from Freud's couch, Churchill's last cigar. An eerie take on Sleeping Beauty, and a beautifully posed question about mortality, The Maybe included a small sign next to the display case. 'Matilda Swinton (1960-)'.

Southern Comfort

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring the gorgeous Liz Taylor and Paul le sigh Newman is playing at The Castro Theatre on Monday Night. (via Flavorpill)

From the Archives

In case you were wondering, here's Library Envy Part 1.

Library Envy Part II

Hint Mag profiles The Accompanied Library, a private after-hours party venue for New York's literary intelligentsia and Bono or rather "the SoHo House of the East Side."