Storyopolis: The Kind Of Bookstore & Art Gallery You Find In Fairy Tales

If you read a lot of "Best of Los Angeles" lists, you may already know that Storyopolis, once located on Robertson in Los Angeles and now located on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, is one of the greatest children's bookstores ever. What you may not know, is that the Gallery at Storyopolis is home to several fine art pieces as well... and not only fantastic original illustrations from children’s books by world-renowned artists.


Above: an original John Marciano (illustrator of the original Madeline books)


Above: an original Geral McDermott

While a large selection of their artwork lifts the stories off the pages and onto the walls of children’s rooms or those of the nostalgic adult who never wants to grow up, they also have works by several of todays' hottest lowbrow artists and hippest illustrators. And several you can purchase online.


Above: Ana Juan's Leo DiCaprio, available to buy here


Above: Gary Baseman originals can be purchased online at their site
buy them here


.... as can sculptures by Jim Bauer, buy them here.

Their editorial art includes such amazing portraits of rock icons by Sterling Hundley, fashion illustrations by Chesley McLaren and the surreal images of Joe Sorren. In addition, they have an extensive selection of lithographs and serigraphs bound to appeal to both the beginning and experienced art collector.


Above: Sterling Hundley's painting for William Henry Harrison


Above: fashion illustrations by Chesley McLaren


Above: Nicoletta Ceccoli's beautiful, ethereal illustrations

Their artists work in various mediums including oils, watercolor, gouache, pastels, ink, etc. The collection includes many different dimensions and styles that will compliment a range of decors and personal preferences.


above: Eric Joyner's The Usual Suspects is one of their many original lithographs

Decorators, designers and style consultants find them a wonderful resource for their clients looking for traditional fine art or for those seeking out the hottest, most edgy pieces not found anywhere else.


above: two of several original New Yorker cartoons in their gallery

And they carry one of my longtime beloved items, vintage Odille Ousley book pages, featuring the work of the well-recognized illustrator for the Dick and Jane books:

Buy them here

Between their books and their art, there's something for everyone.

They have a wonderful selection of well designed and compiled gift baskets of all types. Never again will your kids whine "books for christmas?...yuck".


Above: the 'Things That Go' Basket, available in 3 sizes


Above: the Hanukkah basket available in various sizes

They even have baskets that feature award winning books like the Caldecott and Newbery shown below.



Shop for their gift baskets here.

Every Thursday at 12:30, they have their own storytime readers regale the children with fabulous tales and sometimes even a surprise guest.



Above: Actress Hayden Panetierre gives a reading at Storyopolis


The gallery is open seven days a week 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday.

Visit their website at www.Storyopolis.com to see and shop from their huge selection of fine art, original illustratons, lithographs, scultpures, gift baskets and more. Or take yourself and the kids there for an equally enjoyable experience for all.



14945 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
U.S.A.
(818) 990-7600

The Hippest Gingerbread Houses Ever! April Reed's Farnsworth House & More

This gingerbread version of Farnsworth House — Mies van der Rohe’s modern masterpiece in Plano, Ill. — is a (deep-pocketed) design lover’s dream. It took the elves at April Reed Cake Design several days of photo research and about 25 hours to construct the fondant-covered walls, poured-sugar ‘‘glass’’ windows and sugar-paste I-beams and staircases.

Give Him A Porsche For Christmas. Well... Everything But The Car.

Okay, so he'd really like a Porsche for Christmas, but it's just not within your budget. So why not something from the Porsche Design Studio instead? With highly styled products ranging from usb keys, pen knives, home and kitchen accessories to luxury watches and cuff links, there are a lot to choose from. The large selection of design products includes several fun children's toys and a four nicely designed 2009 calendars.




Here are some of my favorites:

Zumbotel Desk lamp:

detail:


Their newest fragrance, Essence:


Long slot toaster, coffeemaker, and kettle:


Mobile phones:



Desk Top Clock Radio:


Porsche Designs Studio's collaboration with Adidas brought the recently awarded Adidas Bounce S:

detail:


Writing tools:





Cufflinks:





And from their Porsche Driver's Selection:


Four espresso cups with matching saucers, each numbered:



Foldable USB key:


Aluminum Sledge:

detail:


Ultra lightweight polycarbonate luggage:


'Porsche 1' Travel bag and toiletries bag:



Pocket knives:



Golf bag and trolley:


Children's Push-along bike:


Children's Bobsled:


Electric drill:


To fit in with the Christmas celebrations, Porsche Design has added a golden accent to several of their men's accessories this holiday season. The designs add the precious metal in yellow and rose to some select sunglasses and watches.

P´8440 Sunglasses:

The P’8440 sunglasses in Light Gold Matt were designed with a definite nod to the “Exclusive Sunglasses” from 1978 – a true Porsche Design classic. The design of the lens attachments and bridge is a direct quote from the original.

For the first time, two models from the Porsche Design Dashboard series feature a rose gold case with a rubber and titanium layered bezel.The rose gold numbers and indices are featured in all three variants of dial and are partly displayed with superluminova.

This also applies to the hands, which for the first time are pointed to make it possible to tell the time more precisely.The rose gold and sapphire glass black reveals the Porsche Design rotor system and the ETA 2894-2 automatic mechanism.

P´6750 Worldtimer, now in rose gold




P´6612 Dashboard PGC with rose gold, white hands:

P´6612 Dashboard PGC with rose gold, black hands:

P´6612 Dashboard PGC with rose gold, white hands and face:


Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is once again offering a varied selection of calendars. Customers have the choice of four unusual wall calendars and a date planner.






The four calendars and the date planner can be ordered over the Internet at www.porsche.com/shop and will also be available from Porsche centers. Some of these products may be available only in certain countries.

US Porsche Design online store

Items from Porsche Design Driver’s Selection are available at Porsche Centers and - with the exception of the watches - on the Internet at www.porsche.com/shop. Other items may be available at select Porsche Design Studio stores. Some of these products may be available only in certain countries.

About Porsche Design:
Porsche Design is a luxury brand with particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and since then its products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design. The product portfolio includes classic men’s accessories, a sport and fashion collection as well as electronic products and a men’s fragrance range. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and sold worldwide in own stores, shop-in-shops, high quality department stores and exclusive retail outlets.

Britney Is Back. She is SOOOO Back.

She may be a mom of questionable capability. A trashy dresser. And have an addictive personality. But she's still one hell of a pop star.


credits:
•The song was written and produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco, released December 2008.
•The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence who previously directed the video for “I’m A Slave 4 U” as well as the 2007 film “I Am Legend”.