Monday, December 10, 2012

Interview: Patty Cake$

Patty and I go waaaay back, back about 6 years ago. I met Patty through a mutual friend and since became good friends and biggest supporters of one another. I asked Patty to be one of my featured artist/vendors at the first ever Collective Souls Flea Market in 2007 and went on to be a staple vendor during the years past. Patty first showcased her artwork, plush toys and screen printed tees, which I was a big fan of and even bought one of her paintings and now hangs on my wall at home. As years past and we grew up I noticed Patty had taken an interest in Nail Art. Now nail art was just starting to hit big in the underground and mainstream scene so I asked Patty to set up a nail art booth for the last collective souls flea market. And the rest is history... Present time Patty has been featured on numerous nail art blogs and press, commissioned to be a pop up nail art shop for amazing boutiques and stores, has gained mentions from celebrities and currently is Rye Rye's nail artist go to person in Los Angeles. All while being a mother to two! 
 Here's my interview with the very talented Patty Cake$

Lisa Frank Nails by Cake$ Nails
KL: Where did Cake$ Nails originate and how long has it been in business

PC: I originally started off as a vendor at various events in LA back in 2007 I used to sell printed tees with my art work on them, canvases, handmade plus dolls, jewelry boxes…I’ve dabbled in lots of creative outlets but my love for nail art started after I had my second child. Mom life took over and I had to take a break from vending. After having a baby you go through this weird stage where you’re stuck in the house catering to this little bundle of gas and joy sometimes with no time to even shower and maybe I’m speaking for myself but I felt so gross and just not cute I remember one night just saying fuck it I’m painting my nails…I just got in the zone and started doing designs on my nails and after I felt refreshed and super cute so it became a new ritual and sparked a passion. I looked into a manicurist course only to find that they were rare so I settled and enrolled in cosmetology fast forward a year and I was back doing events but with my nail art.

KL: Looking ahead to the future what directions are you looking to take Cake$ Nails in?

PC: There is so much I want to do. I really want to have a nail art studio preferably in LA, I want to work on set and do more photo shoots and just collaborate with other artists, I love being around other creative minds.

Kieth Haring Press-on nails by Cake$ Nails
 KL: Do you have a muse? Where do you draw your inspirations from?

PC: I don’t necessarily have a muse but I look up to and admire lots of my peers and I’m inspired when I see them making moves. I’m very inspired by music and I’m a thinker so I can just put on some good music, zone out and sketch and by the end of one song Ill have 10 new project ideas.



KL: What sets you apart from other Nail Artists?
PC: I wanna say first off that I love my fellow nail artist sistas and I feel like we’re a big family. We all have our own flare and specialty that we bring to the nail game and I respect each and every one of them. It’s hard to say cause there are so many talented ladies out there and I don’t wanna be set apart from them can’t we just be one big room full of bad bitches doing nail art? Haha I guess the fact that I’m a HUGE dork might set me apart though.
 Ghostbuster Nails by Cake$ Nails
 KL: The beauty world has gone green aka using green materials, do you see Cake$ Nails moving in that direction? And How has the "going green" movement affected you?

PC: It’s so sad that being green is so costly, I’m not gonna say I’m team green just yet because to be honest I can’t afford making all the changes right now but I have been looking into more environmentally friendly products and I will be doing more to reduce my environmental footprint with my business and life in general. I feel that as an earth resident it’s my responsibility to do as much as I can. Being a mom it has affected me a great deal because I know the choices we are making right now will affect our children in the future and it’s kinda scary but a harsh reality we have to face.

KL: What's the philosophy behind Cake$ Nails...

PC: I want to break down walls and let it be known that anyone can rock nail art. Race, age, gender, social status, I want it all out the window. Just sit in my chair and lets get creative with your nails. I love being responsible for the smile on a person’s face when I’m done with their nail service. It’s such an amazing feeling.

KL: Can we be expecting Cake$ apparel anytime soon?
PC: I’ve been trying to get CAKE$ apparel up and running again for the longest time. I have tons of ideas and I feel that everything is about to fall into place and hopefully by spring/summer CAKE$ will be back and better than ever. For now I’m working on a few custom items to add to my online shop I’m always creating something it keeps me sane.Shoe Design by Patty Cake$
 KL: Does your personal style have a mission statement?

PC: My mission is to be comfy lol my personal style is really chill and I live in hoodies and tees. I always say I’m gonna try to dress more like a girl but it’s rare that I get past the front door wearing heels or a dress. I’m kind of a tomboy but I’ve been feeling a little more daring lately and I wanna start expressing my inner girly girl a little more.

KL: Cake$ Nails has blown up! Like I thought you would... What press have you received?
                                                                                             Patty with Rye Rye
PC: I still don’t feel like I’ve blown up but people tell me that I’m way too humble and that I need to own it when it comes to press I’ve received. I’ve been very blessed the past 2 years and I’ve been featured in women’s wear daily, Nicole by opi’s Life in lacquer blog, OC weekly, mtv style blog, a few online magazines as well. I’m most proud to be Rye Ryes go to nail artist when she’s in LA, I love working with her and her glam team. She really surrounds herself with amazingly talented down to earth people and she herself is just a fun person to be around. I’ve really been putting myself out there more which has       been a huge deal for me cause I’m such a shy person but I’m breaking out of that box being shy can really hold a person back and I’m done being held back.

KL: Where can readers stalk Cake$ Nails...

PC: Website. Under construction but www.cakesnails.com

Twitter: cakes_nails

Tumblr: cakescreations

Instagram: cakes_nails
Shop: www.etsy.com/CakesWasHere
Youtube: coming soon maybe once I get over being camera shy

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Pretty in Radness


Last week Matthew Hensley and I got to collab style on a shoot for Nikko La Mere. I love, love the pink wall and all the pop color we had going on. 
More photos and info coming up on my style portfolio. 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Holiday Event


If you wanna feel some holiday cheer make sure to come out this event!

Who: Rad + Refined with celebrity stylist Jacqueline Rezak

When: Sunday, December 9th
10am-4pm

Where: The Ashton Westwood
10700 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90024

RSVP: rsvp@radandrefined.com

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Road Trip: Arizona/New Mexico



The best time is when being spontaneous comes over you and empowers you to do the most random/amazing things and in this case it empowered me to take a trip to New Mexico! A few of my friends and I took a surprise road trip... final stop New Mexico we rented an SUV, rented a hotel in Albuquerque and stayed in the small city for about 2 days. 15 hours later we arrived at hotel suite. The best way to travel on a road trip is with good people, the best of music, practical jokes in mind and positivity. I say practical jokes because laughter makes the time go by faster and you need faster time when you're in an SUV with 5 people for 15 hours straight.

Day 1: day one was mostly spent inside the car as I said before we drove for 15 hours to get to New Mexico... Gasp! Once we settled into our hotel room we mustard up so energy and headed into town. I have to say Nob Hill in Albuquerque is one of the cutest towns I have ever visited. Reminded me of SF but with a little more Mexican feel to it. Stop into a Buffalo Exchange just before they closed, bought a couple hats a looked through tons of vintage at amazing prices.

Day 2: We woke up at ummmmm.... 5:30am got dressed ran downstairs for our complimentary breakfast at then we hit the road to Roswell, New Mexico. After a 3 hour drive we finally got to the town that was built after the 1947 UFO crash. What can I say about this town other than... I was an automatic awe about it. Everything was driven by Aliens. The McDonald's was shaped as a UFO, the street lamps had the shaped eyes of an Alien, Alien figures everywhere, boutiques selling nothing but Alien artifact ahhhh! It was so much fun!

Day 3: it was time to go back home but before home we made a last minute decision to head up to the Grand Canyon. Now the Grand Canyon is unexplainable, you just have to make a trip there and take it as your own.

I had the most #smashingbirthday ever!!! 
 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Life Should Be Organic


I found a lovely package in front of my door steps yesterday. As we all know opening a package is just as exciting as opening a Christmas present. Opening the box I pulled out this beautiful cream long sleeve tunic from the beautiful people over at Indigenous fair trade + Organic clothing. I'm huge fan and supporter of clothing that come from fair trade organizations. If your not familiarized with the fair trade movement then please read this link here: http://revolverworld.com/2010/03/what-does-‘fairtrade’-really-mean/

As soon as I pulled out my tunic I knew exactly how I was going to style it. I bought this velvet burnt orange cardigan at a local thrift store a few months back and I didn't have anything to pair with till I received this gift. To keep it simple and bold I paired the tunic with my cable knit tights from Hue, vintage leather mini purse, vintage hat I found at a flea market in New Mexico and my Jeffery Campbell heels. I couldn't resist putting this outfit together and taking photos just as the sun went down. I seriously love this tunic top, the comfort in the soft knit sweater screams FALL!!! Special THANK YOU to the awesome people at Indigenous.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

50's Future


Random photos from Dripped this past October. 
My outfit was inspired my Back to the Future/1950's style and 1990's style can you tell?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Eryn Woods






Got to style recording artist Eryn Woods earlier last week. I had so much fun working with photographer Nikko LaMere and make-up artist Crystal Cao. Special THANK YOU to Rojas, Zalez Studio and Dimepiece Designs

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

SSUR

Got to visit the opening reception of SSUR exhibit on Melrose. These are some outfit photos of the night.

wearing vintage Minnie Mouse sweater, vintage high waist pants, wing platform shoes from EBay and vintage cascade gold cuff necklace.