Missing.

Taking a moment to read posted signs, ads, and leaflets can be one of the quickest ways to connect with the soul of a city.

It gives you an instant tap into the triumphs and heartbreaks of its residents. We're having an art show. Our cat is missing. We're economizing-- come buy the stuff we can't afford to keep.

Abbot Kinney in Venice may be one of the few places I can imagine seeing a $350 chair being advertised on a hand-drawn flyer.


Come home, Whiskers. No questions asked.

Sunny in Silverlake.

Silverlake is one of the best Los Angeles neighborhoods for strolling around. There are cafes with amazing coffee, interesting independent shops and vintage outlets, and most importantly, lots and lots of beautiful people dressed amazingly well. It's a great area for people-watching and style spotting. We headed over yesterday for the Farmer's Market, where we picked up some delicious berries and heirloom vegetables, and kept an eye out for stylish locals.

Sometimes, I can't stand how much great style everyone has.

It does help, at least, that one of the best dressed gents out was my husband.

< 6 Mo.

A lot can change in six months.

In January, we gave up our sedate life in beautiful, sun-soaked Cape Town.


We crossed the Indian Ocean for a shopping trip on the steamy streets of Bangkok.


Then continued on to spend a winter month in Taiwan.


On our way out of Asia, we detoured through Malaysia, for a strange few days in the dense jungles of Borneo.


And swung by the peninsula, for a few days of good eating and old wreck gazing in Melaka.

In South Africa, we found ourselves in a different wilderness, on a stay in Kruger National Park.


Then returned to the US, where we found that we very much love the charming city of San Francisco.


From there, we stayed awhile in New Mexico, where we enjoyed quiet spaces, small towns, and spicy food.


Upon leaving, we passed through Southern Utah, a surreal nature-scape of red cliffs, barren deserts, and shaded forests.


And, finally, we arrived in Los Angeles, the greatest city on earth, a feeling which even the last six months around the world had not dissuaded me from feeling.

We'll only be here for a few days before we leave again, but it's nice to be reminded that such a city exists.

Below the surface.

Images from the Albuquerque Aquarium.

It's almost summer;

have you filled your popsicle molds yet?

Style Souvenir: Tropical Miami with The Golden Girls.

Bring the style home with you.

I've long been a fan of the Living In feature on Design*Sponge, in which Amy Merrick dissects the style elements of different movies. I'd been curious to adapt a version to Primitive Culture, focusing on style inspiration from different cities, places, and geographically situated movies, books and TV shows-- but I couldn't think of a good starting point. Then last night, while watching The Golden Girls, I started thinking about interior style (that's the gayest sentence I've ever typed), and got a nostalgic craving for the tropical pastels of the late 80s and early 90s. So I began to think about how you could pull a few of the best elements from their style into a Golden Girls inspired lounge.

Set in Miami, the Golden Girls lived in a world of seaside pastels: seashell pink, bamboo green, seafoam blue. With domestic activity focused around their palm-draped lanai, there was an attractively tropical element to their lifestyle. There was also just a slight touch of Grandma-glam bling that really made them fun-- it showed up in their outfits in giant sunglasses and purses, and in their home through dramatic Palm Beach decor, like the banana paper wallpaper and stacked crystal block lamp below.

So slip a flamingo print on the wall, pour yourself a long drink, and relax on a chaise lounge like the girls.

Clockwise from top left: martinique wallpaper, flamingo print by Etsy seller Orange Willow, martini pitcher, macau armchair.

Flamingo print from Etsy seller Chloe Croft London, potted traveller's palm, white coral, Robert Abbey Minerva Eggshell table lamp, Jonathan Adler Lacquer Table Tray, Jonathan Adler Zebra Pillow.