Seattle Bound

So, I embark on a journey through the pacific northwest come Tuesday. I've never thought about visiting Seattle, until Ari moved there and has since talked about how wonderful it is. I wish I had more plaid in my wardrobe. I'd like to channel Bridget Fonda in Singles. I loved her style, and I just saw that that film came out in 1992 (I was ten). Now it seems like a 90s parody, with it's capitalization of the grunge music scene, Mtv era...casting Pearl Jam, and Matt Dylan's hair...GAH...90s!  People tell me that I am going there at a really sweet time (80 degrees, slim chance of rain), so I won't need plaid, but I am bringing a fuzzy sweater.  

I'll be taking the Coastal Starlight all the way up. I believe it's about 32 hours on the train. I won't have wifi, but plenty of time to explore. I cannot wait to photograph the epic scenery. Bringing my twin lens in the photo below.

I've been packing here and there. I am the worst packer and always take way too much. I need to really scale it down and don't know how. I only want to bring two bags. One containing all my toiletries & clothes, and another containing my wardrobe. 

I already got rid of the white button down, maybe I should lose the shorts, too. Not leaving behind the fuzzy sweater, though! 

I still need to fit two novels. Hollywood Babylon / The Invention of Everything Else (given to me by Gilda). Speaking of Gilda...

©Joanna Williams

P O W E R /// T W I N S

I swear we didn't plan this, guys! It was great to see you, G! 

This was earlier in the afternoon at Casbah Cafe. Had the pleasure of meeting up with G, Joanna, & Stef for a girl's date. It was lovely to finally meet Joanna in person. Stef & Gilda did a great interview with her on A Collection Of, and ever since I've had a girl crush. Her company is inspiring & I've been following her blog off & on, but it wasn't until Claire Cottrell's BOOK CLUB (more on that magic later), where we finally met face to face. Thank you for the photo, Joanna! x 

+ That list of things to do in Portland! 

Check out Joanna's shop <3

Before I finish packing, I wanted to leave you with some things that inspire me here, at home, in Los Angeles. I'm really going to miss my plants. 

...and the details that make my apartment feel like home

all images ©Ava Alamshah (image of Gilda & I, ©Joanna Williams)

Also, that book from Gilda, I had no idea what it was about until I just read the synopsis on Wikipedia. 

"a fictionalized account of the last days in the life of Nikola Tesla, the Serbian-American electrical engineer."

Um...I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THIS

Speaking of Tesla, I leave you with Drunk History. Watch it, it's hilarious AND infuriating. You'll see. 

Also, you're welcome. 

When I write next, I'll be in Seattle! Until then...

your friend,

ava

Los Angeles, I'm Yours

Okay.
It is July 4th, and I am typing this entry from Casbah Cafe, in Silverlake. I've always loved the beauty of this place, with it's Moroccan flair. Almost like being there (well, not really....I wouldn't know, but I can only imagine). My friend's independence day bbq was canceled, and I haven't had internet, so I almost went there with a huge watermelon in hand (sort of like that scene in Dirty Dancing!) I wonder if the bbq would have ended up with all of us gyrating our hips? One can dream, right?

It's been an overwhelming couple of months. Sad/new/tragic/wonderful/weird/lonely....I have been feeling somewhat out of place, going through a transitional period. May was a very hard month. It would have been three years together for Jeaux and I if we decided to stick things out. I went through a dog attack (a scar remains just inches below my left eye), and early last month, I moved into my own, little apartment. I've been adjusting alright to living alone for the first time. I've had maybe one or two little crying spells, which is pretty good considering I cry a lot, even when I'm really happy, or during a really good orgasm. Yes, it is true, I like a good cry. I'm happy to take this time to write again, and I am being awfully candid, but I haven't had this outlet in two weeks! 

Some positive things I'd like to share...

This photo of Katie

Katie, I hope you are not mad at me for putting this up, but I think you look stunning! Fun fact about Katie: I met her through my friend, Angie. Stef and Gilda blogged about her...AND through facebook, I found out that she is good friends with Mari Naomi. Cool thing is that I got to meet Mari in person for the very first time after being internet friends since 2010! Her and her husband moved to LA from San Francisco. I shot this photo of Katie at Mari's housewarming. Awesome small world! 

Palm trees at the reopened Echo Park Lake, which I live very close to. About a five minute walk!  Some friends and I had a picnic there a couple of weeks ago. It looks beautiful and I can't wait to take more photos of it.  I want to be there every day. My friend Taylor and I talked about that scene in Chinatown, which I think about every time I visit the lake. 

Some dear friends had babies...

 

 

plants in my kitchen window, an Assyrian rug from my aunt Violet, and the first tea at my new home...

 Lydia

Last Friday, we finally went to Ooga Booga together and got to meet DEATH! Look how happy we all are! More on that later, but I couldn't wait to show you. UGH..it was so much fun. Such cutie pies. Those pearly whites. MAGIC. 
Check this out. And this! And THIS!! Also this!!! 

xx So much love xx

That's me holding a signed 7" from their very first band, "ROCKFIRE FUNK EXPRESS"! They were a funk band. 

all images ©Ava Alamshah

Also, this blog is pretty great. And the song of the same name, by The Decemberists. That song came on the radio while driving to my apartment, and guess what? Yep..... I cried. 

your friend,

ava

Raclette Party

Last night, I went to Angie & Will's Silverlake bungalow for an intimate dinner party.  It was a raclette party to be exact.  I had no idea what raclette was until I arrived and saw the grill captured in the image below.

It's also a delicious cheese!  So basically, it's a type of grill and a cheese indigenous to Switzerland.  A further description here.  It was really fun and reminded me a bit of Shabu Shabu.  For our raclette feast, marinated mushrooms, asparagus, and onions cooked on the grill.  Directly underneath, in those little trays, we melted different types of cheese (gruyere, raclette...) onto bread and sliced potatoes.  Oh man, it was SO GOOD. 

Oh, hey dudes...

 Oh, hey ladies...

 <3

 Meet Roxy & Lucky!

Good friends = pure happiness

your friend,

ava

2 0 ! 3

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R

  

  Felt so loved and happy, ringing in the new year with my friends. For a few years now, we've all been together and I hope we can keep that tradition alive.  Last year, I had polaroids.  This year, my cool cam checked out early (crossing my fingers that it was a bad batch of film and not my beloved camera).  Gilda was kind enough to let me use her glamorous photos from the evening. Thanks, G!  Check out that fancy back drop (shhhhh....red towel) !

  Also, I want to give a shout out to my friend Tamika!  Before this evening, it had been about four years since I've seen her.  I cherish these moments.  x

© 2013 Gilda Davidian

your friend,

ava

Arts & Sciences

My friend, Brian Baughn, is having a birthday party.  

The theme is all about the battle between artists and scientists (sure, it happens). 

Two pursuits of truth. Two different kinds of knowledge. Two halves of the brain. They have competed, there has been friction– but also mutual support, even harmony. But they've coexisted for too long. Tonight only one will survive. Come dressed in support of the arts (as a favorite musician, painter, embalmed shark) or of the sciences (professor, mutant) and fight to obliterate half of human achievement. Brian,  2012

I'm thinking about going as this eccentric "artist" below. (Which one, you ask?)  I'm absolutely obsessed with her and think everyone should go out and grab a copy of Grey Gardens, stat!  Just glorious. 

Brian is a cool dude.  My friends at ACO did a great interview with him.  Check it out here. 

Stay tuned for photos from the party!  WHEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeee! 

your friend,

ava

I N T E R V I E W numero dos!

My boyfriend has been on fire this year!  He is, after all, a dragon.  


I'm so proud of him for working hard and stoked that two of the coolest sites have featured him.  A Collection Of and Chubstr.  C H U B S T R  is an online fashion resource for stylish men of all sizes.   If you don't already know about ACO, I suggest checking it out.  You will not be disappointed. 


Here is the handsome Jeaux Janovsky and some of his beautiful art.  I almost forgot to mention that he was featured on Chubstr once before. Click here to see, its pretty awesome. 

This photo was taken by yours truly at The Madonna Inn!  Click here to see more images.

your friend,




ava

I N T E R V I E W

Jeaux was featured on A Collection Of!  He answers some interesting questions, and got to create this portrait of Stef and Gilda as Simpson characters.  Here are some more of his Daily Dohs. 

Thanks to my friends!  The most lovely ladies on the planet. 

Click here to see the interview. 

your friend,

ava

2 0 ! 2

Y E A R  of the  D R A G O N

 I hope everyone had a happy and safe celebration.  I was elated when my good friend, Stefani, invited me to her annual New Years Eve soiree.  This particular gathering was really special for me, for it has been a really long time since I have seen my art school friends.  One of my resolutions is to make more art, and I feel inspired already.  It helps when you have creative minds around you.  Speaking of creative minds and feeling inspired, I suggest you take a peak at A Collection Of.  This blog is run by Stefani and our friend, Gilda.  These ladies are super women.  They make jewelry, take breathtaking images, cook interesting dishes, D A N C E  to awesome music, and they always manage to look put together in the process.  Also, their blog features some really rad interviews with all kinds of movers and shakers.  They are sweethearts.  Thanks ladies! 

Alex made this beautiful meringue pie!

 My boyfriend and Britt hovering over the treats.  D E L I C I O U S

Serge being a model as usual.

 Awkward prom photo of the evening courtesy of Alex.  Aren't we cute?  Jeaux always makes this face.

You did it!  Japanese puzzle completed by my man and my pal, Alex Lewin.  They are even flashing the peace symbol like little giddy school girls.

Retro image by our very own hostess, Stefani.  The gold balloon is just the perfect touch!

These last two images by the lovely Gilda.  I'm definitely channeling a 60s vibe here.  

h&m pants

all black lace oxfords

urban outfitters faux fur 

vintage top from my ma

I like shiny things

H A P P Y   N E W   Y E A R  ! ! ! 

your friend,

ava