Piewacket

About Charley

2010-03-09T13:00:53Z

DesignerTodd Oldham rediscovered the wonderful world ofCharley Harper, in 2001 and began to reintroduce him to a new legion of fans. An American born artist fromCincinnati, he optimizes the whimsy and style ofmid century design. While visiting one of my favorite stores last week,Heliotrope, I snatched up a set of coffee cups from the collectible (and quickly disappearing)dinnerware line.

I also could not resist this s&p set for mycollection made with his signature cardinal.

Be sure to check out this fantasticbook a must for all mid century coffee tables.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Tin Drum Yum

2010-03-08T13:00:51Z

Japanese Chicken Katsu with Yellow Curry & Basil Roll

Tin Drum Cafe is a hip chain of restaurants inAtlanta that serves up an eclectic mix of Asian dishes and even some Indian. I seriously love this yellow curry dish and everything else I have tried has been excellent. I am not their only fan, there was a line out the door when I visited last week. They serve it up fast though and have sixlocations across the city.

Oh and after 4pm you get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree!

photo & content © Lara Rossignol

Sunny Side Up

2010-03-05T12:40:42Z

I discovered a new and superkawaii kids store on my travels through L.A.,Eggy onWest 3rd Street. Stocked with unique children's clothing like the sweater above byKico Kids and shoes byFoxpaws all set against a bright orange backdrop.

Owner Jenny An opened her doors just about a month ago and has hand picked her inventory with great care. Raised in NYC, she brings a definite east coast style to her west coast store. By catering to children from newborns to age six, she is able to keep the quality high and focused.

Flowered romper byClover New York and these adorable hair clip holders are byGiddy Giddy.

She also includes a small selection of toys, like these beautiful handmade rag dolls. Made byJess Brown Design, they are like little art pieces and no two are alike. Not in L.A.? Don't despair,Eggy has an online store and by using the promo code piewacket you can get 20% off from now through the end of April

Portrait of Jenny An taken with theLeica M9

Pie is coming up on 100,000 hits in less than a year! We may hit it this weekend. Thanks to everyone for all the amazing support!

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Plum Pretty

2010-03-04T12:36:40Z

Not just pretty, these delicate french butter cookies fromPlum Island Cookie Company are also delicious. Handmade by owner/bakerDawn Marie Shay who trained withJulia Child. They are available for mail order. and at select retailers.

I love the whimsey in her designs, notice the worm has eaten some of the apple!

She was drawn to my blog because of the name, also a fan of themovie it came from and even makes aPiewacket cookie, the cute black cat on the right. She offers lots of other holiday & specialty shapes including ladybugs, bunnies and eggs.

How can you not love these little Penelope piggys?

Plum Island has been generous enough to offer up a gift certificate for a box of their famousSand Dollar cookies (above) as Pie's first spring giveaway! Just add a comment and tell me about your favorite cookie experience or recipe. Be sure to enter a valid email with your comment so I can contact the winner. It is kept private, I am the only one that can see it. One winner will be chosen viarandom.org on March 18th... you never know you may get lucky!

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol entry

window for entry closes at midnight pacific time March 17th

Back to School

2010-03-03T13:00:57Z

While on my last trip to Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to go visit my alma mater,Art Center College of Design and meet with the new photography department head,Dennis Keeley. I have not visited the campus in at least 20 years. It is amazing how much has changed but even more amazing how much hasn't.

Art Center still teaches film processing and printing in both b & w and color. Which I personally think is essential to creating a strong technical foundation. Many schools have abandoned this medium completely. They also offer state of the art computer labs, multiple studio shooting spaces and a vast amount of camera and lighting equipment students can check out at no cost.

Same bench was there when I was student, however not all the fancy vending machines. We had to walk all the way to the other side of the school if we wanted a soda or cup of coffee. Funny how it's the little things you remember most sometimes.

An impressive gallery of student work is stationed at the main entrance. Art Center also offers degrees in other art related areas including; Graphic Design, Fine Art, Advertising, Film and Transportation Design.

I am excited to be featured onSteve Huff's blog this week and in the interview, I discuss my thoughts on attending art schools and my experience atACCD.

All photos for this story were taken with theLeica M9

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Old School Treasure

2010-03-02T13:00:47Z

In a city like Los Angeles it is hard to keep a secret. Yet few of the hip, Grove shopping, Whole Foods buying Angelinos probably know of the hidden gem just inches from their parked BMWs.

My Mom discoveredAndre's when we first moved to L.A., so I have been eating there since I was about 8 years old and very little has changed, including the prices. It is simple, fast, cafeteria style and super cheap. Two of us had pasta (I always get the 1/2 ravioli 1/2 spaghetti), salad, bread & a drink for less than 17.00!

No, it is not the best pasta in town but for the price it is pretty darn good. While their salad dressing remains one of my all time favorites, ever! It is so popular they sell it by the bottle and when possible, I buy it and ship it back to Atlanta, it's that good.

b/w photos for this story were taken with theLeica M9

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Period Piece

2010-03-01T12:30:34Z

The1920's were an era of revolution for women andfashion. As they emerged from the retraints ofVictorian times to discover a new freedom of body and soul. Lately I have been inspired by this remarkable era, which still influences fashion today.

Hints of vintage can be found in new items, like this bright gold beret or polka dot halter both fromTarget.

More new retro inspiration fromTarget in thisbowler style hat above paired with a true vintage coat and earrings I inherited from myGrandmother. Below is a sweet chemise byGilligan & O'Malley.

Hair & Make up byFaith Brooks, Models Hannah B. and Mera W. both withFactor Model Managment, Atlanta.

All photos for this story were taken with theLeica M9

For more period inspiration look for a copy ofArt Deco Graphics ...out of print but worth hunting for. Great films to add to your queue,Bonnie & Clyde and the silent classicDiary of a Lost Girl. Finally, I have been listening non-stop to the album above byErin McKeown who brings new life to some retro classics.

Small Subjects

2010-02-26T12:30:59Z

I could not fully test out any camera without photographing the world's most challenging of subjects, the toddler. Madison Lea, the 18 month old daughter of my friendsBob &Betty, was definitely up to the task.

I can't tell you how much I love the quality of this lens. These were shot at 2.8 at 125, and 400 ASA with natural light. Sharp where they should be while maintaining a sweet, dreamy quality. Using arangefinder with a fidgety child is not as difficult as you might think, once you become use to the focusing.

This image was converted from theDNG file into b&w with just a slight bit of red and yellow added. Another small subject below & the promise of spring (please!). Next week, I will have a few moreLeica posts and a sweet little giveaway so till then...

All photos for this story were shot with theLeica M9

Shooting in Black & White

2010-02-25T13:00:25Z

TheLeica M9 has the unusual option to alter the color saturation while shooting. It even allows you to shoot in black and white. I experimented, shooting a few portraits in this mode. Above with my friend and futureWPBA starAmy Chen and below with another friend, David, a recent NY refugee living in L.A.

I felt like these images had a wonderful, unique quality right out of the gate. I did little to enhance them though I did throw in a green filter to the top image. If you choose to shoot DNG files at the same time as jpeg, then you will be covered with a color version. On occasion it is interesting to see the world in shades of gray.

My Sister's House

2010-02-24T13:00:10Z

My sister lives in one of those beautiful L.A. bungalows, built in the 30's, when Hollywood was filled with starlets and glamour. Glass knobs adorn her built in vanity and beautiful maroon tiles decorate her bathroom and kitchen.

All photos for this story were shot with theLeica M9.