Song of the Day

This Phantogram track gets lodged in my head for days on end. It sounds oh-so good coming out of a booming system...like my mom-wagon speakers. The video is palatable, but doesn't necessarily enhance the experience (though, my kid says, "I think it's mesmerizing!"). Feel free to hide it behind another browser window while you listen and get your shoulder bounce on.

Song of the Day

It's been two years since I last checked in on Lianne La Havas. Since then, she's been kicking it with Prince, showing her love for Little Dragon and collaborating with London-based Tourist on this here new track. It's a less organic sound than I'm used to hearing from her, but the track totally works. Her voice is soaring over this house-infused track and I approve.

Wantables — Yoda Vans

Aww! Look at that coy little Jedi Master peeking out from behind those hibiscus flowers. So delightfully random, right? These ladies' Era lace-ups are part of the new The Vault by Vans x Star Wars collaboration. The full line of shoes and accessories hits stores June 1.

Funny enough, I'm not drawn to this print based on any particular love for the Star Wars canon (I don't even recall watching any of the films all the way through). No, when I first saw these, I was reminded of another film entirely.

In The Coen Brothers' 1987 classic, "Raising Arizona," the exceptionally quotable Nathan Arizona spat out one of my favorite movie lines of all time, one which I'd have to fight the urge to shout every time I wore these sneakers...

Cop: What did the pyjamas look like?

Nathan Arizona: I dunno...they were jammies! They had Yodas 'n' shit on 'em!

Not for nothing, Star Wars fan or no, I could also see the case for these totally '80s AT-AT Walker Slip-Ons. They make me wanna rock an OP crop top and an acid wash denim skater skirt over biking shorts.

L.A. Escapes — Ezra Jack Keats at the Skirball

From Ezra Jack Keats' "Whistle For Willie."

The iconic artwork of children's author/illustrator, Ezra Jack Keats is now on display at the Skirball Cultural Center, a fact that I'd nearly missed if not for an ad I flipped past in Los Angeles Magazine.

The Westside museum has more than 80 artworks, including original sketches, paintings and collages. Why I haven't spied pennants and billboards to this effect is a mystery to me. Keats' vibrant pinks, oranges and reds hanging from lampposts would easily cheer up commuters cursing cross-town gridlock.

I've loved his books since childhood and, as an adult, I was quick to cop a version of "The Snowy Day" the minute I knew I was having a child of my own. I even have a snapshot from "Whistle For Willie" as my phone's lock screen image (and have secretly harbored a longing to get an EJK-themed tattoo...shhh...don't tell).

"Goggles!", 1969.

For me, Keats' images evoke innocence, simplicity, urbanity and humanity, all while putting sweet little brown faces in the spotlight for a change. Looking through his pages, you can almost hear strains of be-bop, inner-city horns honking and kids laughing. (Growing up, I always just assumed Keats, himself, was a black illustrator. I later learned he was actually a Brooklyn-bred son of Jewish immigrants.)

This exhibit has me wanting to grab a knapsack and go full-on "Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler" (much like I wanted to during the museum's Gary Baseman exhibit).

Check it out before the September 7 close date. Admission is FREE on Thursdays.

Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (***there once was a 405 exit that dropped you off right on the front steps, but you have to exit at Getty Center Dr. and back-track, the last time I checked.)
LA, CA 90049

Fashion Flashback — Esprit

In the late '80s, all I wanted to do was eat Cinnabon, read The Baby-sitters Club books and watch "The Cosby Show." That last bit's an understatement. I didn't want to merely watch "The Cosby Show," I wanted to be "The Cosby Show" (but, would've settled for being a walk-on extra). At the very least, I figured, I could look the part. Enter Esprit...

Art I Heart — Doggie Wonderland Art Show/Benefit

This Saturday, May 10, adorable emporium, Leanna Lin's Wonderland, will host Doggie Wonderland "Fun Adventures With Your Best Friend," an art benefit for Ken-Mar Rescue.

Ken-Mar is an L.A-based non-profit that gives refuge to "last day" small dogs (the sweet little photos on their site will break your heart). Buy some twee, pup-related artwork (all priced under $100) and you'll be doing your part to help a small rescue dog spend its last days in secure, spacious, butt-sniffing comfort.

But wait...I haven't told you the best part!

Watch This — I Wanted Her To Fill In For Letterman, But This'll Do

Either I've been living under a rock, or NBC's done a piss-poor job of advertising the fact that Maya Rudolph is debuting her own variety show on May 19. This clip is a pretty slapdash promo, but I'll take it!



I have loved Rudolph since the Destiny's Child-parodying "Gemini's Twin" sketches on SNL (why, oh why aren't there live links to those on YouTube?). I cried while watching "Away We Go," cried laughing at "Idiocracy" and "Bridesmaids" and cried on the inside when her talents were squandered on "Up All Night."

The way I see it, NBC owes her one for that last debacle. "The Maya Rudolph Show" is set to feature reliably funny folks like Chris Parnell, Craig Robinson and Andy Samberg, plus musical guests like style goddess, Janelle Monae. Also, Raphael Saadiq is set to be the show's bandleader. If you only remember him from Tony! Toni! Toné!, do yourself a favor and get updated. Even if there weren't a host of awesome names attached to this venture, I'd tune in just for Maya. She's long-since deserved to get the Carol Burnett treatment. With any luck, this hour-long special will fair well enough, ratings wise, to spark a weekly show.

Fun fact(s): Back when my daughter was a toddler, I used to kick it at the playground with a friend of Maya's who told me my kid was the spitting image of the actress as a child. Also, when I wore white flowers in my natural locks on my wedding day, folks told me I looked like Rudolph's mom, Minnie Riperton. (After consulting Google Images, I guess I can kinda, sorta agree on both fronts.) But, wait. Are these "fun facts," or delusional ramblings? I can't decide. Either way, don't worry....I'm just a fan, not a stalker, I swear.

Whew! I got off track there. Pretend it never happened and watch this instead. Skip to 2:44 to see her do a Gwen Stefani impression that makes me giggle with delight.