Summer Cocktail Party

Now that the weather is getting warmer, our thoughts drift to cocktails outdoors. We have the perfect thing to kick up the glamour quotient of your party.

Dating to the 1930's, this cocktail shaker set with five glasses is in beautiful condition. Both the shaker and the glasses are stepped and ribbed, highlighted with painted stripes of red and white. The paint is strong after all these years, and the glasses don't have a single nick or chip. The top of the shaker, aluminum, which was the fabulous new miracle metal of the time, has a few little dents. Otherwise, perfection. This gorgeous set is just $150.

Now sit back on your chaise and sip your martini.

1950's custom-made dogbone chairs for sale

We have furniture, lots of it, and clothing, 7000 pieces. So we're going to post it here once in a while and offer it for sale.

These chairs had been custom-made in the 1950's, and we purchased them from the original owner in Chicago. She had them reupholstered sometime in the 90's. We've never seen anything quite like them before, and only wish there was a cherished spot in our home. They swivel a full 360, and have high backs with dogbone cutouts. They are incredibly comfortable and swanky glamorous. The upholstery is slightly nubby-textured tan color, likely cotton/rayon, with black piping. The chairs have been in storage for a while, and have a few surface smudges that should be cleaned, otherwise these are exquisite.

The pair of chairs can be sold for just $1500. Yes, yes, if you saw them in one of the high-end design showrooms, or on 1stdibs, they would be many thousands. We'd love to see them go to a cherished home.

Call us 818.980.1055

Fleurings - flowered jewelry

OK, I've discovered something brilliant. There is a brand-new line of jewelry called Fleurings, which allows you to wear live flowers as pendants or earrings. Conceived and made by Samantha Lockwood, it's one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that items. Fleurings are made of gold or sterling silver, with small containers which hold water, like mini vases. You add a dramatic flower and gather rave compliments.

Here is Samantha wearing Fleurings earrings:

The website claims that Fleurings are made by mermaids, but we have to inject a cautious note of scepticism. I do know that Samantha, an actress whose parents are both actors, has a brilliant idea, and expect to see them all over Hollywood very soon. They are shown in most of the photos with orchids, but I can imagine lots of other flowers being just as easily worn - daisies, roses, hibiscus, or even some of the ornamental grasses.

We've shown you some photos from the website, http://www.fleurings.com/

Botaniscapes by Mark Venaglia
in celebration of Earth Month

New paintings from nine feet tall to four inches by four inches

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 6-9 PM at CISCO HOME

Noted Manhattan art critic Maria Pavlovich McCarthy: "The truth is- a viewer doesn't only observe and behold Mark's flowers, one actually encounters them. To meet a flower in this show is to be seized by its anthropomorphic power and to accept its near-humanity. In as much as the finest portraits of humans possess a visual endowment of spirit and life to be considered a cultural experience, so do Mark's floral images. They possess an inner substance which belies the mere beauty of their painted forms.

To insure an abundance of sulfite free wine and organic munchies, it is very important for you to

RSVP (626) 584-1273.

Every Earth lover is welcomed to the artists' reception 6-9PM.

CISCO HOME
474 South Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 584-1273

www.ciscohome.net

Mark Venaglia Handbags

With our guidance, the brilliant artist Mark Venaglia has painted a most amazing line of vintage handbags. Each one is a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of art you can carry. Recycled vintage handbags from the 1950's and 60's are so much better made than the bags of today, the ultimate in eco-consciousness recycling. Each bag is completely unique, signed by Mark. Here is the "Koi" handbag, of black patent leather:

The bags are just released, available only through marcjoseph. Here they are featured in Los Angeles Magazine, April 2008.



Following are a few more photos of Mark's handbags.




"The Spirit of Transportation"



"Pop Sensation"



"Deco Face"



"Sunflower"



"Pomegranate"


Prices for the bags range from $1450 to $1750, available only from marcjoseph.

Town Square - The Power of Social Networking

Town Square is coming. The most important thing I've learned in my 40-something years of life is that almost every business interaction comes as a result of social networking. Yes, who you know is more important than anything else. I've spent the past couple years daily introducing people to each other. And magical things happen. A clothing designer needs a photographer. A photographer needs a stylist. A stylist needs a magazine editor. A magazine editor needs a printer. It's amazing what can happen when people meet and discover how important their businesses are to each other.

I've decided to use that skill in connecting people to make an actual event. It just came to me one day recently, and now Town Square is born. Yes, there are meetings for networking, like local Chamber of Commerce groups. But, please, how fun is that? It's like torture to stand around grudgingly trying to talk to someone and exchanging business cards. Town Square is a fun cocktail party people are going to enjoy. We're also bringing in some very creative live entertainment. And every month is going to be creative and fresh.

The first Town Square is taking place in downtown LA, the hub of new creativity. Businesses are opening every single day, and these people all need to meet each other. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is generously providing a beautiful venue, and we're going to make great things happen. Join us and see.



From the website:
Harness the power of a grand room full of people, all there to meet you and learn of your business. Town Square is the perfect forum to promote your business to others, and make important lasting contacts. We recognize the most effective way to promote your business is through people who know you, like you, and trust you.

At the elegant Biltmore Hotel, Town Square is a fun cocktail party, with drinks, appetizers, art, and live entertainment. Each month we gather to network and make social contacts to grow our businesses.

As development in downtown Los Angeles explodes, new businesses and new opportunities are popping up daily. Make the most of your marketing strategy by meeting the people who make your business succeed.

Guests pay $20 to attend, which includes free appetizers. A limited number of four foot tables are available, so your business will have a visible presence with literature and information, at an investment of $50. One representative from your company is included with each table purchase. Your business name and contact information is also included in the directory which is given to each guest.

Sign up at www.marcjoseph.com/townsquare