April Ordonez in San Diego

San Diego featured in Design*Sponge

America's Finest City in America's Finest design blog.

Hello, stranger!

It's been a while since I've blogged, but here I am!
I've been busy with lots of things, like the Iron Girl competition in Del Mar, which I did with my mom, and training for the America's Finest City Half Marathon and 5K (doing the 5K, of course!).

Funny how your goals change as you grow older.

My priorities are still the same, and I'm living by the words of Gandhi, being the change I wish to see in the world.

Sometimes it's hard because  I get tired, physically, mentally, but there are still so many things I want to do in the world.

Here's Batman and me. Drawn on the wall of the La Jolla Athenaeum by Jim Lee.

Not that it has anything to do with me being the change I wish to see in the world, but it's just me, enjoying art in my hometown. Maybe I wish to see more art appreciation? I think there will be lots in San Diego this weekend...

::sigh:: Thank goodness it's Friday!! I'm going to keep listening to The Association and The Guess Who and I'm going to enjoy this time between now and the actual weekend...

xoxo

Project Analogue

San Diego rock band alert........
Here's an interview with Project Analogue's Joey Tan:

How did the band form? Well one day I decided to move the drumset from my parents house to my house and then Patrick came over and we made the song "Blind Skeleton."  Tuan started coming over and then later Rolando came over as well. for a while we a 3 piece with 4 people so there was a lot of switching instruments around for different songs.

Who is the band? Joey (I play guitar and try to sing), Patrick (drums), Rolando (bass) and Tuan (lead guitar)

How do you all know each other? I met Tuan in 6th grade, Rolando in college and Patrick after college. 

Sounds like? Simple, melody driven rock with a heavy 90's influence?

Musical influences? Can't speak for the other fellas but personally, I'm a big fan of Radiohead and the [Smashing} Pumpkins, primarily those are the two biggest. 

Where is the band at right now? Excited? Frustrated? We're currently playing around SD at various venues and are in the midst of recording our first full length studio album.  I'm pretty excited, we've come a long ways from when we first started :)  It's encouraging to see the progress and I'm looking forward to playing more shows!

What do you think of the San Diego music scene? Are you the answer to what it's lacking? The answer to what it's lacking?  Haha by no means.  I think we are a piece in the collective puzzle.  Some people like some pieces more than others and I just hope we're able to connect with those people.  Music is very subjective and I think our goal is more to have fun and to make music that we like.  If other people are into it as well, then that's really cool.

How do you utilize social networking sites to promote your band? How has it helped your fanbase and connection to fans?  Currently we're up on myspace (www.myspace.com/projectanalogue) as well as facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Analogue/5824739613).  We've put up our demo's on both sites so people can get familiar with our sound and there's also concert information on there. 

Any plans to do shows in other cities other than SD?  Eventually yes, but currently think we're concentrating more on getting ourselves known more in San Diego before playing in other cities.

Sustainable Design - fifty07

Check out my new line of sustainable jewelry.  Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, made of materials such as coconut, olive wood, seed, recycled glass and shell.
 

San Diego Restaurant Week!

Yay, it's that time of year again!
I think we're going to try Mille Fleurs.

Anyone else going?

Green is the New Black

Hope to see you at my trunk show:

Random, unusual, visual inspiration

Boyfriend's shirt.  Portable heater.  Water bottle.  Henri Bendel candle.  Buddha.

 

Eric Elegado @ Vons. Riding on the conveyer belt!

Click to enlarge.  There he is!

Ending the year with a molecularly gastronomic belch!

Oh, dear.  I have to admit, I haven't been blogging as much because...

...I've been eating too much (and drinking too much Vietnamese coffee)!  I guess it doesn't help that the BF and I not only eat out often, but we cook and bake at home often, too!  Add all the holiday parties, the Pampered Chef party, the family feasts, and the friend fiestas... that's a load of food.

HAPPY NEW YEAR & HAPPY EATING!

Start your year off with a bang and head over to Nobu in the Gaslamp Quarter.  You won't be disappointed.  Everything from the Toro to the Yuzusicle (white chocolate sake cream enrobed with yuzu gelee and coated with toffee crunch) is absolute heaven.  The Napa Cabbage Steak with Summer Truffles was UNBELIEVABLE and I loved the Tuna Tataki with Tosazu.

 

Here are some images of my nourriture et boisson, end of year '07:

Holiday Shop Shop Shop

My Black Friday was more like Black Friday/Saturday and I tried my best to avoid the malls.  I did end up going to Fashion Valley to buy some pretty gift bags (did anyone see the crazy traffic guard by Bloomingdale's?  She was off her rocker, basically directing traffic into a potential crash!), but most of my shopping was done at local boutiques.

I recommend:
Akia on Kettner for one-of-a-kind vintage rock shirts (and lame-yet-funny shirts that say things like Why Can't I Be Rich Rather than Good-Looking?)
Steady in Little Italy and Unsteady Downtown.  LOVE LOVE LOVE Steady.  My boyfriend bought me the cutest milk & honey dress there.  Awesome Cheap Monday jeans and raw Nudie denim.  Beautiful Sessun sweaters.
I do plan on going to The Assembly to check out their awesome Skunk Funk and Boxfresh threads.
Check out Magpie for awesome clothing and accessories (and my holiday cards!)
And for the sneakerheads, Blends on Market.
Oh yeah, I got my wrapping paper and some cards at Blick on India.

Happy Shopping!!

fifty07 + soixante sept holiday cards are here!

Order them here.
A portion of the sales of your purchase benefits the Scleroderma Foundation.

So much fun at Subtext

I had a good time with my cousin, boyfriend, and sister at the Kokeshi show at Subtext in Little Italy tonight.  Everyone looked happy, the music was good, and the art was AWESOME.  I want EVERYTHING in that store!  I especially liked the $500 Joy Ang doll and the 2008 Jeff Soto calendar.

Subtext

Kokeshi group show at Subtext.
Opening reception : Saturday, Nov. 3rd, 6-10pm

"In celebration of Bunka-no-hi – a Japanese national holiday promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour – Subtext and guest curator, Christina Conway, have carefully selected over 75 artists from 13 different countries to customize traditional Japanese Kokeshi dolls. The Kokeshi doll is a traditional folk art form of Japan, dating back to approximately 1830. Originally made by craftsmen during the winter months for sale to tourists, they have come to symbolize Japan to people around the world."

7am sunrise by Summer Ordoñez

My sister is so talented.

Soixante Sept, fifty07 by April Lynn Ordoñez, & the Red Cross

Help San Diego fire victims by purchasing an original piece of art on a soft cotton shirt. These shirts are limited in quantity. 50 percent of sales benefits the American Red Cross.

Visit fifty07.com to view shirts.

You can also make donations directly on the American Red Cross website.

San Diego Fires - Picture from my co-worker's backyard

Taken this morning...click on picture for a larger image.  I believe she is safe at her mom's house.

San Diego Fires - Donate @ The Rubber Rose

From The Rubber Rose:

"hey loves,

we hope that you, your family and friends are all safe and well tonight.

the city seems to be upside down right now and unfortunately it doesn't look like we're in the clear just yet.

we know that many of our customers and friends have been affected by this, directly or indirectly and we would like to help out in any way we can.

we're also pretty sure that this beautiful and ever growing community around us is looking to do the same.

for that reason and many more, lea and i would like to offer the rubber rose gallery as a gathering center for donations that can later be taken to qualcomm, to goodwill or wherever they are needed most.

donations can be dropped of during our open hours three days this week:

2 pm to 10 pm - tuesday, october 23rd
2 pm to 10 pm - thursday, october 25th

and saturday, october 27th from noon to 5 pm.

below you will find a list of what seems to be needed most at this time -
we will do our best to update it as community needs change.

for those of you out there with trucks - please contact us directly if you can help us haul donations out once we have gathered what we can.

* * *

list 'o stuff needed:

- cat and dog food (canned)
- pet carriers (all sizes)
- blankets, pillows and towels
- Prepared Foods (not homemade, sorry - no love muffins for this round...)
- prepared VEGAN and vegetarian foods - clearly labeled as such!!
- Water
- Tents
- Cots
- Sunscreen
- Canopies for Shade
- games, coloring books, toys, journals and markers, etc. for the kiddos
- unopened boxes of tampons, pads and general toiletries
- books! lots and lots of books!
- magazines, playing cards, etc. - people are gonna get bored!

and last but not least - cash. it's not as fun as running around looking for crayons and kitten food - but it's the best way to pay for all of the extra needs people will have at this time.

we will keep you posted on how much is gathered and wish to thank you in advance for your help!"