Leisure

It's amazing what good company, good food and a little browsing will do for my outlook on life.

Sunday: Lunch with Mr. G. Stomp at The Filling Station in Orange - fun conversation, laughs, fries, fruit, etc., then browsing antique stores, looking at furniture and jewelry I couldn't possibly afford. Fell in love with a 1940s mahogany and pink velour (?) couch and chair set. Pristine condition - comfortable, elegant...aaah...even dreaming about it is nice. Of course, I would need my own apartment to truly enjoy it...details, schmeetails! But, I ask you (whoever you are), is it possible to fall in love at first sight with an inanimate object? Yes, yes, I think it is. I also tried on a $2,000 art deco diamond ring and spied a $100 pink 1950s chiffon prom dress at the same store. (Yes, I love pink. I am a girl. Fuck off.) Oh, how I long for more disposable income! But Mr. Stomp was a great browsing companion, so that made all the longing worthwhile. He's always drawn to the most unusual things...like a giant "Dutchboy" head that could be used as a footstool...which I find to be quite entertaining.

Last night: Douglas asked me to dinner at the Gypsy Den at The Lab in Costa Mesa after a frustrating day at work. He entertained me with his impression of his idea of a French Canadian hipster, which turned out to be more like, as he said, "Bruce Springsteen doing a French Cheech Marin." I had a delicious plate of nachos, then we browsed Urban Outfitters. I know the company is run by conservative Republicans, which baffles me when I look at their imitation-bohemian merchandise, but I can't resist the pull of the store. I mean where else can I get Miranda July's Learning to Love You More, a plastic Hello-Kitty-in-a-box (Which one will I get? Surprise!), a unicorn necklace, a pair of cowboy boots, and a one-of-a-kind pinafore all in one place? Nowhere else I know of, aside from my imaginary Princess Town store (which would also have a puppy play area/petting zone). I do find it amusing that the Barack Obama mugs and t-shirts they're shilling will indirectly fund the Republican party, but it's amusing in a "Ha, ha! The world sucks!" kind of way.

I did buy a book last night, which is The Cheap Date Guide to Style. It's so fun to read, and has interviews with Vivienne Westwood, Chloe Sevigny, Dita Von Teese and more. With how much I've been thinking about fashion lately, it's great to come across a publication (Cheap Date is a British mag) that encourages thrift store shopping and developing your own style, rather than trying to live above your means. (NOTE: It was also featured in the latest issue of Bust.)

Distracting myself with beautiful things and nice people makes me feel like there's more order and sweetness in my life. I don't think that's necessarily the healthiest way to cope with stress or dissatisfaction with my present circumstances, but it's better than drinking myself into oblivion (however fun that may be). My roommate, Dahlia, does crafts, puts together gorgeous outfits and choreographs burlesque routines to add more beauty to her life. She inspires me to be more productive.