Monster Children

Afternoon coffee break brought to you by this dapper gentleman.

After the awesome guy to girl ratio at last night's MC launch party in LA, I though it only appropriate for another installation of Dude of the Day.

Los Angelenos, make sure to catch the Blank Tapes perform at the Satellite, Friday, May 31st, as they celebrate the release of their latest record, Vacation, which after having a listen to the groovy tunes makes me want to pack up the van and do just that. The evening also brings you sets from fellow favorites The Abigails and Jeffertitti's Nile. 

$8 bones. Get at it.

On a brief hiatus but back by popular demand, I bring you this tall glass of water.

This past Tuesday night, Stance Socks hosted an intimate preview of their Fall and Holiday 2013 collection at the Smog Shoppe in Culver City in celebration of the brand’s “Punks and Poets” program as well as a fresh face to the Stance family with the addition of mega babe Bambi Northwood. In proper Stance style, there was good food, good drinks and good friends with familiar faces such as Kassia Meador, Troy Elmore, Turkey and Chase Stopnik and model Natalie Suarez. Check out the event photos and make sure to grab yourself a pair or two to up your sock game.

Drinks provided by Peligroso Tequila and ONE HOPE wine. 

He looks like he's in need of a first mate.

I'm happy to see two of my favorite brands and our northern neighbors, Lifetime Collective and Poler, combining forces to bring us a collection fit for any and all excursions, camping trips and adventures worth taking.  To celebrate the launch of their collaboration, Lifetime has released a photo essay, “County Line Beach Camping”, as part of Poler’s “Adventures” photo series, which takes us on a trip to one of our favorite local spots in Malibu. Do yourself a favor and get the goods.

Take a drink of this with your morning coffee.

I'm a day late and a dollar short but you can't go wrong with a bearded gent.

I'm surprised this weekly feature is still alive and kicking, obviously some of us are enjoying it.

Dudes with beards, win win.

Added bonus, he can cook.

I know you've been waiting seven long days for the second installment of Dude of the Day so here you have it. Meet Mateus.

Yes. It's a dude. A fine looking one at that because we can appreciate good looking specimens of both genders.

Enjoy ladies...and gents.

Brick and mortars are popping up all over town but they are not all created equal. One of our favorite spots to grab the latest goods including some of our most prized possessions -- Levi’s, Brixton, and Generic Surplus -- is UNIV, the Encinitas storefront located right on Highway 101. With plans to expand to international lands, an epic online store and a loyal following, UNIV is here to stay. The shop’s go-to Commodore, James Addonizio, tells us a little bit about the UNIV way.

Most interesting customer experience:

Steve Nash bought some UNIV t-shirts, Hulk Hogan asked for directions and someone brought us free beef

Top 5 favorite items in the store right now (besides MC of course):

UNIV mascot items, Reigning Champ sweatshirts, our own selvage denim, Levi's Vintage Clothing and Vans Syndicate

What’s on the UNIV playlist rotation:

David Bowie, Nancy Sinatra, Gordon Lightfoot, New Order, Henry Rollins podcasts

Best lunch break activities?

Surfing at the world famous Swamis just down the street

UNIV motto?

To cater to what you may or may not need

Check out UNIV here and give them a visit if you’re ever in the area.

The newest kid on the block to pump out quality goods from the Golden State is Hotel 1171. The brand, founded by California natives and produced for those with travel on their mind, brings you all the essentials for your next jet-setting mission – my personal fave, the Black Leather Travel Collection. Peep the line in its entirety here. 

Getting into the holiday spirit can be tough in a city where sometimes the most red and white you see is during your commute on the 405, but those of you on the eastside of LA can change that with the Winter Solstice Recital by the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. The non-profit foundation providing music lessons, instruments, and education to youth and the community was co-founded by Red Hot Chili Pepper’s infamous bassist, Flea, and friends as well as supported by the likes of Tracy Chapman, Eddie Vedder and Patti Smith to name a few. Their annual holiday program is this Wednesday at Bootleg Theater, get your tickets here and say goodbye Bah Humbug.

The legendary fashion icon, Grace Coddington, who was thrust to the forefront after stealing the show as the triumphant underdog to her Vogue EIC counterpart, ventured to the West Coast last night as part of a press tour for her recently released memoir. She successfully managed to squeeze every fur coat and fashionista within a hundred mile radius into Bing Theatre at the LACMA for an intimate conversation with The September Issue producer, R.J. Cutler. This woman is not only a brilliant creative director with an epic head of red locks, she is someone you feel you could casually sit around with while sipping a cocktail and shoot the shit. Despite her casual vibes, she still makes you feel like a small child the night before Christmas with the excitement of sharing the same room with such a legend. The model-turned-editor has a presence of genuine kindness with a side of sass. Whatever your opinion on that, her life story is far from boring and you can delve into all the details about her serious cat lady tendencies and quirky demeanor in her book, Grace: A Memoir. Did I mention I was sitting behind Cindy Crawford, gulp.

Some may say the dynamic foursome are the sweethearts of Los Angeles with their smooth sounds and casual cool demeanor, but don’t let them swoon you with just their babe like ways because Warpaint is backed by some serious talent. Having seen them in all environments from a friend’s intimate living room to a packed out festival, they still have the same effect on me – enchantment. Last night the ladies of Warpaint charmed the local crowd at downtown warehouse and gallery space Dilettante for an evening that surely did not disappoint. The chemistry between the long time friends Emily, Theresa and Jenny and drummer Stella is apparent and no one in the room was able to peel their eyes away from their dreamy recital.  The girls have a way of making it all seem so natural and effortless as they played seven new tracks for the eager crowd and although they aren’t set to play in the area anytime soon, you can check the rocking quartet out here and join me in the wait for their next album to surface.