My Happy Place An online repository of all things good.

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when we remember the incomparable Kirsty McColl, and the beautiful harmonies she made with The Pogues’s Shane MacGowan. Here is quite possibly one of the most beautifully heartbreaking songs ever written. It’s been done over many times, but no one so co

The Spanish seem to have it all figured out: Devastatingly gorgeous, incomparably stylish, and quietly cool creative visionaries with excellent food, wine, public parks, and footwear. If there were any way Ryan and I could make a decent living by moving to Spain, we’d do so in a heartbeat. For now,

I’m rapidly falling in love with Fab.com. It’s like a well-curated Etsy, where you don’t have to wade through hundreds of macrame friendship bracelets before you find the cool wrist cuff you were looking for. Every day I get my email update from Fab.com and every day I’m introduced to new, excellen

“I believe in using your best set of dishes – everyday. I’m also a fan of comfortable shoes.” – Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, Designer, Silvercocoon I meant to do some advanced Christmas shopping. I really did. I booted up my laptop with so much holiday cheer you’d swear I smelled of pine needles and ha

“I believe in using your best set of dishes – everyday. I’m also a fan of comfortable shoes.” – Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, Designer, Silvercocoon I meant to do some advanced Christmas shopping. I really did. I booted up my laptop with so much holiday cheer you’d swear I smelled of pine needles and ha

Happy Halloween, from the Keymaster and the Gatekeeper. It’s an understatement to say that I’m a fan of Halloween. I’ve dressed up all by myself during a snowstorm, while I nursed a sick roommate, just for the sheer joy of inhabiting a different character for a few hours. A deep dark secret of mine

I’m not normally one to hold pop culture icons on a pedestal but, the truth is, I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Evan Dando. As a teenager, The Lemonheads were my gateway drug to becoming a music junkie. Without Evan Dando, I might have had ended up with a decent selection of [...]

I know the minimalist movie poster design thing is sort of old news, but I still love seeing fledgling designers doing more with less. I’m a little overstimulated these days. My boyfriend edits movie trailers, and I cast reality TV shows. It seems like we’re both charged with cramming as much story

A couple of weeks ago I had dinner with a dear new friend, at my favorite Hollywood wine bar, Lou. I’ve been to Lou a bunch of times, and have gotten to know bits and pieces here and there about the owner and namesake’s impeccable taste for unusual wine varieties, and his deep culinary convictions.

If you told me a week ago that I would end up obsessed with Palm Springs, I would have looked at you like you showed up to work in your underpants. But after a recent weekend getaway, obsessed I am. Save for a quick downtown burger stop on our way back from Joshua Tree a [...]