The Roaring Weekend

My friend, Amber's wedding is this Sunday, which means I'm going to be M.I.A until next week! It's been a crazy month. Things are finally starting to settle down and come into place for her.  Right after the bachelorette party, I had the worst cough imaginable.  Bronchitis as it turns out! Luckily I got some meds and should be in tip top shape by the ceremony. Believe me, I was super worried. Being sick has had some advantages.  I was able to finish reading Bukowski's "Women", watched all season one of Boardwalk Empire (um hello Michael Pitt!), and started reading "Century Girl" about the long and glamorous life of Doris Eaton Travis. She was the last living Ziegfeld Folly and was 106 when she passed away in 2010! All these wedding details are making me think of my own future wedding (someday *crossing fingers*).  I hope for a little classic glamour for sure, and thank goodness for the internet because there is just so much eye candy at my fingertips! Can't wait to reveal Amber's dream dress and spill wedding details!  In the mean time, enjoy this car porn by Kenneth Anger. Speaking of eye candy, this is seriously one of my most favorite films I had the pleasure seeing while attending CalArts.  Enjoy.  ;-)

your friend,

ava

LOVE & Marriage

We clean up nice don't we? Top & pants are both from H&M. Clutch was a gift from my dear friend Stefani. To top it off, MAC lipstick in Russian Red!

This is the one and only image from the wonderful wedding of our two college friends, Jeff & Michelle.  It was taken with my fuji instax, which I brought intending to take way more "artsy" shots that you wouldn't normally see at a wedding.  However, upon arriving, I realized that I just wanted to take a deep breath and be in the moment.  Enjoying the love of friends is a truly magical experience. It really takes no effort at all to be happy at these kinds of gatherings, and seeing so many people from art school was just the icing on the cake. 

I have another wedding to attend in less than a week and that is the wedding of my lovely friends, Daniel Levitch & Amber Clark. This time I'm  in the wedding as her Maid of Honor. It's been a huge responsibility and I don't consider myself the most organized of people, but I've managed to pull it off some how. Phew! So happy I can do this for her. We have been through a lot of ups and downs together, which in turn has made our friendship very strong. I'm so happy I can be there for her. I love you Amber! 

Here's a teaser...THE DRESS!  I know it's in poor taste (not to mention bad luck) to reveal her wedding dress, so I blurred it out in photoshop. I will reveal the untouched photo soon after the wedding. It is beautiful and very Elizabeth Taylor circa "Father of the Bride". 

Mysterious no?

Our friend and fellow bridesmaid, Emylie, took this wonderful picture of us during the bachelorette party.

This has obviously been my "go to" outfit of the summer. Isn't she cute?!  :)

Still tried to be glamorous. Little did everyone know that I was coming down with a cold. I reserved a private Karaoke room later that night at Soop Sok Karaoke! ( If you haven't been, I recommend. I discovered this place after attending my pal, Michele's, epic birthday there. )  I think it was after performing "God Save The Queen", I shot my voice and now cannot speak without it hurting. I sound like a little boy during puberty. It's tragic.

Time for some hot tea with honey and a little R&R.

xo

your friend,

ava

Amber

It's been a while since I've worked on my portrait site, but today, I felt inspired. It was also a good excuse to avoid doing laundry. Here are the images of Amber, pre Gillian. 

From her marriage to Daniel, and now the arrival of their newborn, life has been blowing my mind.

I had to share these images of her, taken with my Yashica Mat-124 G. I'm going to get that camera repaired very soon. Marek, at General Camera, told me that my camera is the last model, made in the 80s. That's a 30 year old camera! Vintage.

all images © Ava Alamshah

your friend,

ava

Premiere Night!

Me and my gorgeous friend, Bethany, at the grand reception!  We've known each other for about 14 years and recently had our 10 year high school reunion (that we never went to).  Lovely photo courtesy of Emylie! 

I'm so glad to finally be writing about my friends and the exciting night they had two Saturdays ago.  The day after this night, my cold ended up resurfacing, and I'm just now starting to come out of my funk.  So here it is....Premiere Night!  


My good friend Daniel is the director of a little three part feature titled Swine.  Swine has action, Sci-fi battles with lazer guns, hot babes, great locations with vast desert landscapes, ghost towns, abandoned country sides...the best thing of all, a lot of close friends got to work on this and make cameos!  I didn't make a cameo, but I got to work a bit on props, painting some guns! 

some detail work on this huge machine gun/cannon...I think this was 2009

a perfectly good photo...bomb

Amber and I had great coats that day.  Her coat, red and mine, pink!  That's Emylie right above us looking sassy.  There's Daniel!  This was truly his night.  Our friend Koren was the executive producer and he managed to get the Premiere shown at the wonderful Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena.  It is truly one of my most favorite theaters ever and there is always something interesting playing there.  If you are ever in need of a good indie film and inexpensive prices, the Laemmle is the place to go. I mean, bargain prices are 8 bucks and that's how much it would have cost to go to the movies in the 90s!  Sigh...the good ole days.  It was a midnight showing and the cast, crew, friends and family all had the theater to ourselves. We all met up beforehand for free pizza at Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana.

See, free pizza! 

I don't know about those yelpers, but I have to be honest.  I'm very picky when it comes to pizza..very.  I mean my mom's a New Yorker for cryin out loud!  I've had pizza in New York, Chicago, and Italy.  I have to say,  New York takes the cake. Those immigrants sure new what they were doing.  I'm sad, because I can't eat pizza all the time, but this night was special.   Though the pizza at Settebello, not very good.  The dough was soggy and flimsy, and it was just mediocre.  But it was free, so I ended up having three slices.  I know, beggars can't be choosers.  I do have to say, the staff was great for having us there and they kept the pizzas coming, and fast!  Major props guys!

Jeaux snapped this one right before we left. It was a chilly night, which made me happy because I finally got to wear my coat!

The serious director, Mr. Levitch.

Here's Beth and I being groupies in the parking lot.  This was around 2am and we had to get to our cars fast, or else the Pasadena Parking Police would have given us major tickets.  Oh, Pasadena and your crazy meters.  We are holding our very own copies of the film.  My boyfriend designed the illustrations that are on the cover!  Check them out!  I know he worked very hard on them, and is very proud of his contribution.


My friends want to turn this small trilogy into a feature length film one day.  If you can, please take the time to donate here.  I know times are tough in our country right now, so if you can't afford to donate, please help spread the word to the masses!  Here's their official facebook page. 




your friend,


ava

31

Just a few things...

©Ava Alamshah

these flowers while hiking

©Ava Alamshah

this tree

these women

Taken earlier this morning at Cliff's Edge in Silverlake, celebrating my 31 years of being alive. I am now officially in the midst of my 30s and there is no turning back. It is crazy to think about all that has happened in an entire year. This time last year Amber and I were here. A lot has happened since then... some good things, some sad things, and I am so grateful to have these women in my life. They have seen me at my worst, and at my happiest, and I truly felt the L O V E today. Thank you, my lovelies! xx

your friend,

ava

Wedding Bliss

Notice the classy red cups to the right? Filled with the finest champagne

       

Feeling very Audrey. Dress by Calvin Klein, urban outfitters lace oxfords, Mac russian red lipstick, vintage necklace & bag (the best hand-me-downs from my very stylish mother)

It's really happening!

Besties

Timeless

Amber's brother, Colin (to the right), photo bombing

Kyle was one of the lucky groomsman. He's really tall & makes cool videos for time warner cable

Feeling fancy

There was a lightning storm later in the evening. A truly magical night

Halloween Tour, 2012

  Remember when I wrote how I couldn't wait to tell you about our plans for actual Halloween (which fell on a Wednesday)?  Well, this is what we ended up doing!  Above, Jeaux is wearing his fancy diy Halloween tee.  This is before we went on our walk down Meridian, so we could see the old Myer's house.  Still looking ominous, even with the blue paint and red trimmings.

  The film's location is set in the fictitious Haddonfield, Illinois.  It was cool to find out that all the filming was done in the beautiful South Pasadena and Hollywood.  Nerding out!

 

  Below, are the stairs inside the Myer's house.  It's a chiropractic office now, and we weren't really suppose to go inside, but....

  The door creaked as I let myself in.  Gave me the chilly willies.  The building is a historical landmark, along with the hardware store, which use to be a hotel.  Jeaux also talks about our day here.

The hardware store, once an old hotel (now a restaurant)

A walk down Meridian Ave.  The trees are amazing there.  It doesn't feel like Los Angeles.

These tracks were right by the old Myer's house and the hardware store, in South Pasadena.

  I stopped to capture this rose.  Very American Beauty.

Vintage amber reminds me of fall.

  Finding the hedge was probably my favorite part of our adventure.  Who is that creep and why is he just standing there?

  The last three photos is where all this took place.  You can see why I am so scared!

  We are so fascinated by this low budget, independent film, and how everyone who made it were so young at the time, including John Carpenter.  After our tour, we ended up watching it twice.  The second time with commentary.  Happy Halloween!

your friend,


ava


© 2012 Ava Alamshah

Unexpected Treasures

While shopping for bridal shower goodies for my gal, Amber, I found this cute little picnic basket at World Market for 25 bucks! I had to treat myself to this little gem, and as you can see below, I was very excited.  It's insulated, comes with cute, blue gingham napkins, silverware (for two), and best of all, matches my outfit! 

I suggest you all make a run to your nearest World Market. I always loved going there when I was a younger, less responsible adolescent. I would buy candy, or check out their vintage toys (which, btw, would make great party favors). Now that I'm in my late 20s, I find myself looking at kitchenware, & pillows. There comes the realization that this place is a real gem. 

Later on, we found ourselves at the local mall. Here's Jeaux hanging out with his bored homies. Por Vida! 

your friend,


ava

Coachella Bound

This weekend will mark the end of my 20s.  A lot of mixed emotions go through my head ranging from excitement, to pure dread.  There are still so many things I have yet to discover, and I thought I'd have it figured out by now. 


Ah well, I will embark on a short journey to Coachella Valley and watch Thom Yorke do his lotus flower dance, while I leave my youth behind me.  It has been wonderful, so far. 


Amber and I will make a few stops along the way. 


! ! !

source

source

I really wish I could say this photo is one of mine, but alas, it belongs to this guy.  Straight out of a Rodger Corman movie!  

your friend,

ava

LA County Fair

P H O T O B O O T H

 

2 0 1 2

2 0 0 7 
This was my American Apparel phase

  Amber and I went to the fair this September.  The last time we were there together was around 2007.  The county fair has the best classic photo booths, with real chemical processing and rad, fabric curtains.  Before the booths, we bet on some horses at the race track.  I won 4 buckaroos with my favorite horse, "Party with Brando"!  Horses have the best names. 

  This is an aura portrait of me taken in 2005.  I love that it is a real polaroid.  I was really stressed out then, hence the large fire cloud above me. It was the road trip before my college graduation and thesis show.  Looking back, those were some of the best times of my life.

  Down below is my latest aura image I had taken at the fairgrounds.  I got a "psychic" reading (still skeptical), and then they take a photo of you with your aura.  I didn't like the quality of the digital image, but it came with a chart!

  Apparently, I will have many adventures and live a pretty long life.  She also said that I should be pursuing my passion in the arts, particularly photography.  I agree, and that is why I will be working on my website in the near future. Thanks psychic lady!

C H A K R A   K H A N

  Looking forward to the future.  Lots of creative endeavors, good company, yoga, and...  

  !H A L L O W E E N!

  Images from my bay area trip coming up!  

your friend,

ava