CUT COPY…and Paste

My favorite Aussie electronic band Cut Copy played a sold out show at 4th & B this past Friday night. Their third and newest album Zonoscope dropped earlier this February 2011. Crank up the volume to “Corner of the Sky” and “Take Me Over” for a non-stop dance party. I first saw them back in April with Hayley Gordon in NY at Terminal 5 and in August as the headliner at the Pacific OC Festival in Oak Canyon Ranch. Seeing them play for the third time felt like the first time. Their upbeat rhythmic and exploratory tones got my feet moving and shaking the entire show. I just love the wave of energy that zips in and out of the crowd with everyone chanting lyrics, soaking up the aura until hearts content. Cut Copy is now jetting off to Brazil and Europe to finish up their world tour. Catch them if you can…

AVALON

To celebrate another flame on the birthday cake this year we hopped the Catalina Express from Long Beach to Avalon. We hiked due north 1.5 miles to Hermit Gulch campsite with luggage and all. I pull out the tent poles in a seemingly large (but rather small) burgundy bag…oh crap. Where’s the actual tent bag? I’m quite the over packer thanks to mom and brought just about everything but the kitchen sink, but happen to forget the actual tent. Luckily, at the HG site you can rickshaw your way to and from the ranger station to rent-a-tent for 10 bucks a night.

What’s there to do on Catalina? Helicopter rides, zip lining, snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving and much more. We planned on doing several activities over our three-day adventure but ended up just enjoying the simple things.

Just up the road from our campsite was the Wrigley Memorial and botanical gardens. It’s a must see if you ever make it to this southeastern portion of the island. Exotic desert plants and cactus blanketed the grounds with photo-ready paparazzi tourists.

Our 1.5 mile hike back into downtown Avalon (J and Steve played b-ball catch the entire trip) looks just like the movie set of Pleasantville and The Truman Show. A picturesque of picketed white fences, small quaint cottages (I found mine) and smiling friendly faces buzzed around town. I’ve never seen so many decked out golf carts in my entire life. Pimped out all black with flames to red 50’s style perforated leather with white trim to luxurious treatments of silver and forest greens.

We ate in a rad nugget of a cave at Luau Larry’s and chomped on 8-inch burgers dripping with teriyaki sauce and grilled pineapple rings that were delish. My bf J and his buddy Steve decided to play running Frisbee in the chilly 60 degree something water off the dock provided non-stop entertainment for us. We hiked to the other side and were greeted by the beautiful Descanso beach, kicked back and threw back mouthwatering mai tais, strawberry daiquiris and vodka sodas. To top it off, old fashion coffee and pistachio ice cream on a fresh waffle cone never tasted so good.

At Antonio’s Italian fare, eat tasty garlic bread and throw peanut shells on the floor. You can request oldies like Magical Moments (think of the Sandlot when Michael ‘Squints’ Palledorous had his poolside dream) and for 50 cents you’ll request will be blasted over the loudspeaker.

Only go to the Chi Chi club if you’re four drinks in. I’ve never seen such cougar hunting like that before. If you’ve never been to Catalina, be sure to check out the day and night adventures of Avalon. Let the simple things in life take full effect (with a cocktail) in hand.

Native to eastern Peru, the Ruby Glow Passion flower graced my presence from J’s father’s hands yesterday. Its rich dark maroon oval leaves and leathery green leaves unbosomed an enticing nutmeg aromatic scent. Grown off the vine this rare find was a sight for sore eyes with its magnificent disposition.

SPY Presents: Behind The Scenes w/ Alana Blanchard + The Fiona

SPY® and photographer Chris Straley made their way out to the North Shore for a photo shoot with Kauai girl and surf industry bombshell Alana Blanchard. Check out this short-but-sweet behind look into how it all went down.