Diverting Doppleganger: James Worthy vs. Lana Del Rey

Listening to: Social Distortion's "Don't Take Me For Granted"

Stacey Rozich, Kobe Bryant's Chiseled Cheekbones & How I Became an Insta-Whore

Quick Update:

• Found a place in Orange County that sells gouache paints finally. Aaron Bros on Newport Blvd. Can't wait to test those babies out. I can only hope to achieve an end product as epic as Stacey Rozich, whose work inspired me to try this medium out in the first place (see above). (Finders fee to Chris Steblay.) She is am-ahhhhzing. (Any "Happy Endings" fans out there? I want Penny to be my friend so bad.)

• I've decided that my next painting will be a portrait of the NBA's leading scorer, and forever reigning MVP in my heart, Kobe Bryant! Is he not the most handsome man in the NBA, not to mention one of the greatest to play the game eva'. But that last part is a given. Everyone knows he's got game, but how many take note of his perfectly chiseled cheek bones? Not enough, I tell you. As a tried and true Lakers fan, I plan to pay homage to both his beauty and his braun. It will be a lovely addition to my growing portrait wall. 

• Somehow I managed to accumulate 735 followers on instagram (shameless plug: @amyhoodlum) merely by posting pictures of my outfits. And now I am a monster. A monster who's only goal is to make it to the popular page. Seriously, it's an addiction! I'm not the only one. I have many a friend yearning for the honor (it ain't gonna happen Zach Hendrix). Someone call Dr. Phil. I got a record 102 likes on my pic today and yet STILL did not make it! What does a girl have to do? Anywho, here are some of my ensembles from the past few days. I'll get you Popular Page. *Sinister Laugh* 

Skirt: F21, Top: Old Navy, Hat: UO

Pants: Mossimo, Top: H&M, Leopard Heels: Steve Madden, Bracelet: H&M, Watch: Nixon, Bag: Moda Viajando.

- Amy

Listening to: "That Is What Makes Us Girls" by Lana Del Rey

Elvis Costello Look-A-Likes, Dive Bars, & The Inspiring Mickey Smith

I was chit chatting with this hilarious New Yorker who looked like Elvis Costellos' long lost twin (horn rimmed glasses, hair, teeth and all) the other night at this local dive bar I like to frequent. We were talking with this other couple, who were also sharp-tongued New Yorkers, about Ireland and England and how beautiful they are. Then somehow the conversation jumped randomly (as typical incoherent, hard-to-follow bar conversations often do) to surfing. It reminded me of a video my friend had posted a while back from Cornish surf photographer, Mickey Smith called Darkside of The Lens. [Finders fee to the talented Chris Steblay.] I was raving to these New Yorkers about how beautiful this short film was and how they had to go home and google it. I was only one heffeweizen in, but Elvis was on his 3rd Merlot and the lovebirds were each on their 4th Lemon Drop, so whether or not they followed my eager recommendation I will never know. But I am here telling you dear readers now - who I assume are sober, reasoning adults/tweens/chillun' - that you should watch the below video. It has passion, beauty, danger, and the deep reveries of an artist recited in a thick Cornish accent. All the elements that make for inspiration.

Be inspired. 

-Amy
Listening to: The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York"

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Bodacious Babes, Epic Breaks, and Brahs

TODAYS INSPIRATION: Morgan Maassen, Photographer

Morgan Maassen is an Aussie photographer of bodacious babes, epic breaks, brahs and boards. His photography embodies the beauty of the surf culture and it's breathtaking oceanic playground. Did I mention he's only 20? When I think back to four years ago and my body of work, I had nowhere near the impressive portfolio this guy has already amassed. I mean not even close! He's worked for Billabong, Quicksilver, Volcom, Nike, Swell, Verizon, Corona, and the list goes on and on. I am now a proud follower of his blog, humorously named bogustard.blogspot.com. Here are a few of my favorite pics from his blog and website. 

- Amy

Listening to: The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?"

the smiths - how soon is now..

A Lakers 3-peat, The 3 Stooges in Miami, and Trevor Ariza 2.0

[I read the news today: My twin sister Jen (left) and I celebrating the morning after the Lakers won the NBA Championship last season.]

Basketball season is hereeeee!!! Who else is pumped?! Kobe (cue "Nothing Comes Close To You"), Pau, Ron-Ron, Fisher, Odie "the long arm of the law", Go-Go-Gadget-legs Shannon, and some frsh new faces. Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff, Steve Black, Derrick Caracter - and the one I'm really excited about - the new Trevor Ariza look alike.

 I never quite recovered from Ariza's departure. What a handsome thief he was. Hopefully Ariza 2.0 (Christian name Devin Ebanks) proves his rookie self to be worth while. Lakers 3-peat here we come! I just hope I can make it through the whole season without suffering from chronic eye-roll syndrome for all the talk there's going to be about the Three Musketeers of Miami. Gagggg.

[ And there's a lot more where this came from.]

-Amy
Listening to: Bright Eyes' "Hot Knives"