Bringin Burlesque Back

Isn't she fierce? The self-named Miss Dirty Martini is an international burlesque sensation. Apparently there is a burlesque revival happening as we speak. This reincarnation has been coined Neo-Burlesque and is more about the teasing than the stripping. There are a quite a few dancers out there. Who knew? The Pontani Sisters are also fabulous.

Kitty Coutour

In response to the previous post somebody sent me to Miss Glamour Puss. Holy moly, there is a whole website dedicated to cat costumery. This is really amazing to me. If I tried to put a sweater on my cat she would rip my face off in 2 seconds.

Doggy Warhol

This week's cool find is Noisy Dog Studio. Leigh Jackson, a dog lover and artist, will create an original painting of your dog for a fee. The paintings are acrylic on wrapped canvas and start at $175 for an 8x8. All she needs is a clear photograph of your boo boo bear (yes, I said boo boo bear). Some of you that know me are probably wondering why I would feature dog portraits when I am a borderline crazy cat lady. Well I like Leigh Jackson's style. ArtPaw.com also has interesting custom pet portraits but your photo is actually adhered to the canvas and then they paint over the top (see below). And then there is Jessica from Maxine&Sophie.com who paints pet portraits in more loose, modern style. And her work starts at $150 for an 8x10 acrylic on canvas.I'll stop here because I'm beginning to sound like an eccentric pet freak. Plus my cat just told me that she wants to do the NY Times crossword together. Of course I know cats don't talk, sillypants. She told me with mind waves...

Make Photos Not War

I am so used to pointing my camera at others that I forget what its like to be the subject. Today I had the pleasure of working with Augie Chang, a very talented wedding and portrait photographer. We started out at his studio and then walked around downtown Walnut Creek. You didn't think there was graffiti in Walnut Creek, did you? Augie has a great eye for interesting backdrops and puts his clients at ease. I was having such a good time that I didn't realize that he shot over 300 images! I have assisted him at several weddings and know firsthand that he is passionate about capturing moments. Thanks for the fun day, Augie!

Naughty and Crafty

For all of you wicked women trapped in the body of a 1950's housewife there is Subversive Cross Stitch. Get your anger out and make a nice keepsake for Aunt Pearl at the same time :-)

Barbizon Model of the Week

In Joseph's own words:
"I was born in 1985 but I'm a renaissance man. I loves me the older women. The older the better. Cougars, if you want to have fun then look me up."

Eddie Darling

"Sweetie, darling!" You may not know her as Jennifer Saunders because to most people she is Eddie (Edina Monsoon) from Absolutely Fabulous. She was interviewed in the latest issue of BUST and is a very likeable lady. Some facts:

She and Dawn French are the co-creators of AbFab and they disliked eachother intensly when they first met.

Jennifer has been big on the British Comedy scene since the late 70's early 80's.

She did the voice-over for the Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2.

She is the recipient of both a Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award and British Comedy Award.

She has three daughters and lives on a farm in Devon, England.

Oh yeah, and if I haven't said it before, I highly recommend BUST magazine.