twisted sister

Due to an extremely busy couple of days, I'm not quite ready to do a full fledged re-cap of Saturday's joint-birthday party festivities with my friend (and fellow Gemini) Miss Bean.  I will tell you, I was forced to do this...

I look like a deranged unicorn in this last shot ;)

That's right, folks... two person twister with about a dozen or so on-lookers.  I personally blame the masses of cupcakes and pink lemonade/champagne punch consumed. back with more once I get my act together!

xdjrd

"with ships the sea was sprinkled far and nigh..."

a few days back I went with my friend BethJean to Long Beach where "The Brit" had a show. We wanted to get dinner beforehand and explore a bit - somehow we ended up going to the HMS Queen Mary...which a very strange place indeed...

The Queen Mary used to take people back and forth across the Atlantic. It even looks a bit like the Titanic though it was built about 15 or 20 years later.  That just adds to the fact that the ship is supposed to be haunted by many different spirits.

There are actually a few places to eat on board. We went to the Chelsea Chowder House...

After eating we went off to take a look at the rest of the boat. Despite my photos there were actually a fair amount of people on board.

 

We discovered a display case of toys that belonged to one-time passengers of the ship. Allegedly a few of the ghosts seen on board are children so I was a bit creeped out by these little dolls in particular.

It is a really interesting place to visit but I don't think I'd stay at the hotel - yes, they rent out old passenger cabins as hotel rooms.  While I did not get to look inside an actual room, the hallways gave me goosebumps and reminded me a little too much of The Shinning...

 

If you happen to find yourself in Long Beach I think it's worth going to have a look at the Queen Mary for yourself.

post title from William Wordsworth

Happy Sunday!  

mama, don't take my kodachrome away

First off, I wanted to give a warm welcome to all of you new readers! Thank you for following and please feel free to introduce yourselves.  I love to hear about who you all are and where you are from - so do tell!

Meanwhile, I thought I would share just a few more photos from my recent visit to Cornwall (England)...

 

 adorable little vintage shop

coyly trying to photograph the ornate ceiling of an antique shop and missing

 an English shop specializing in Russian dolls (quite curious but I love them so I was happy)

"the Brit's" real true love...chocolate.

no umbrella

Should you please, there are even more to be found on my flickr. We also went to London for a few days but I've yet to begin going through those pictures yet. 

Back with regularly scheduled programming very soon! xdjrd

musical notes:
paul simon - kodachrome

sympathy for the summer

This photo shoot - it's colors, lighting, beautiful location - just screams summer to me and as we approach the warmest of seasons, I thought now would be a good time to share it.

Summertime and I have had a tempestuous relationship.  You see, I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada (a true "desert rat") where summers are dictated by the scathing heat (115+ in the dead of summer). As a result most of our summers revolved around hanging out by our (or some family member's) swimming pool or just lazying around inside with the central air cranked.  I loved the pool when I was very young and I don't think I even noticed the heat. Then began a phase, one I expect many adolescent girls go through, of not wanting to a) wear a bathing suit or b) go near a pool for fear my hair would go all curly and unmanageable.  As a result, I don't think I even owned a bathing suit (or shorts for that matter) for a good 6 or 7 years and was quite content to wear jeans in July because I was never outside much anyhow.

I have to say, I'm quite glad to be over that phase and able, once again, to enjoy my summers to their fullest. Sadly, I don't know anyone here in LA that even has a pool! but then, I suppose that's why god invented beaches.

 photographer: elizabeth toll
for Hockney

horsing around...

I'm over at The Clothes Horse today with a little guest post while Rebecca is traveling...

I am thrilled to bits! I'm sure most of you are aware of her wonderful blog but, if not, then you definitely must go have a look right now!

see you soon!
xdjrd

in the graveyard

Revenge of the formerly deleted post! Let's try this once more since the last time Blogger was pitted against us!

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been in England for a wedding and to muck about in the counrtyside (& the city) for a spell.  I spent most of my nights in a small village where "the Brit's" parents live near Par in Cornwall.  I've been there many times but we are always so busy with day trips and other happenings that there are still a few unexplored areas in their village I have wanted to investigate. One of the being...the graveyard...

They technically call it a "church yard", as I understand, referring to particular the type of grave yard/church combination.

Sadly, I don't know much about the history of this place, other than it being the site a priory which dated as far back as the 1500s - the church was erected in the 1800s, I believe.

It was spooky being there as the sun went down.  As we left the bells started chiming. very eerie timing.

outfit details:
dress & scarf: h&m
cardigan: american apparel* (note: if you buy one do NOT put it in the dryer! it has since pilled itself to an early death)
belt: primark 
shoes: urban outfitters

photos of me by:"the brit"

musical notes: tori amos - happy phantom

peek-a-boo (aka: hello from abroad)

I'm still here! though apparently Blogger was not yesterday and it subsequently decided to eat a lovely post I had ready for you.  I hope to reconstruct it soon but it will take a bit longer as I am still traveling. I do hope you will bear with me!

 For now, I figured I would share a few images from my trip - specifically, photos of the wedding I am in England for the very purpose of attending (that of "the Brit's" brother).  "The Brit's" family all live in Cornwall which is in the most southwesterly region of England.  His brother's wedding was held at an incredible old estate called Pencarrow House and I only wish I had more time to take photos because it was just a beautiful place...

Alas, "the Brit" did not get my shoes in this shot but I forgive him ;)

Gorgeous, non?! and that was only a glimpse. I wish I had more for you but it will have to wait -- I must get some sleep!  xdjrd