Category Archives: Hollywoodtimez

My So-Called Barber

Dear Self,

Are you ever like “Hey, this is the worst day of my life and I feel like a moldy thrown-away tortilla on Seis De Mayo”? Well there is one sure-fire way to cheer yourself up on days like these. All you have to do is go to the nearest barber or hair salon and ask them to chop of all of your hair. There is nothing more therapeutic than running into a chic salon and screaming “CUT IT OFF ME!!!!” with tears streaming down your withered face, bony face.

The other day I was feeling like an ugly Rumpelstiltskin. The best thing to do when you feel like a disgusting hogface is to get a haircut. I guarantee it will always make you feel better. If you have the right stylist that is. If not it will ruin your life. This is why I go to Shane at The Cut By Barbershop. He looks like this:

The Cut By Barbershop is kind of like a speakeasy. There is no sign outside. When you make an appointment you are given the top secret location. Then when you get there you’re like “where am I?” Then you walk in the door and you’re like “What? How is this amazing barbershop still such a secret?” And then you feel super cool for knowing about a place that is so secret even the owner hardly knows it exists.

The exposed beam ceiling is pretty cool. Shane has added a lot of lighting to this place to make sure you can see your perfect new haircut and dazzling white teeth.

Have you ever been like “I want a giant mirror!” and then you look for giant mirrors and realize they cost more than a brand new Mercedes? Mirrors are ridiculously expensive. Which is why I love this totally clever idea Shane implemented in his shop. He used vintage brass closet doors as mirrors. It not only looks industrial chic, it also gets points for being so inventive.

I love this vintage Mobil Pegasus. His actually lights up. And that dog is so adorable I want to put it in a glass cage and stare at it forever.

The shop is filled with cool object, including these horns.

Percentage of times I’ve had a drink whilst getting a haircut: 0%
Percentage of times I’ve wanted a drink whilst getting a haircut: 100%

I love the design of these Hudson Whiskey labels. I like whiskey, but seeing that bottle makes me like it ever more.

One time when I was little our next door neighbor used to wear a helmet while she raked the yard. She did this because she was scared an acorn would fall from high above and end her life. Her fear of acorns did not stop me and my siblings from making fun of her every day. Fast forward to me seeing this helmet at Shane’s shop. Would it be weird if I started wearing a motorcycle helmet, even though I don’t ride a motorcycle? I hope not because I want to wear this one every day. To the gym, to the movies. To your wedding. Everywhere!

There is nothing more American than barbershops, so I was happy to see this American flag on the wall.

Why do I not own this speaker and/or fully understand what it is? It is so beautiful.

If you find yourself in Hollywood and look up to see this sign in a window, run inside immediately and get a haircut. Hurry!

A strange truth about this place is that as soon as I started going I found out all my stupid friends go there too but never told me about it. It was like some weird secret society that no one invited me to. Meanwhile I was outside laying on he pavement eating a whole cake by myself. Not really. But I felt so left out of this barberglamour. Which is why I am telling you about it now. Because I am such a good person.

Look how cool this mid-century barber chair is. Looks kinda like an Eames chair…

I’m pretty sure Shane has a trunk hoarding problem, because there are a lot of trunks at The Cut By.

That damn speaker again. Mine.

And here’s me with a fresh new haircut. No longer a moldy tortilla, I feel like a hot tamale!

Thanks for the glamourtimez, Shane. I’ll be back soon.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Beauty, Bodytimez, California, Hollywoodtimez, Men's Grooming, Whut Glamour!

My So-Called Apartment Building

Dear Reader

In an old apartment building in Hollywood, not covered in vines, lived twelve little gay guys, in two straight lines.

…Well, not really, but you get the picture. I live in this crazy apartment building where a lot of my friends happen to live and as you can imagine, it is filled with titillating gay drama, glamourous rooftop parties, and devious boyfriend stealing. I moved here last year after admiring the building for years. Mainly because it’s the best color ever, mint green, which totally goes with the mid-century style of the building. It was built in 1949 and hasn’t had much updates since, which probably endangers my life greatly, but is sure pretty to look at. The building sits near the border of West Hollywood, but is technically in Hollywood. This is good because it means it’s just fancy enough that I can walk around without getting stabbed (hopefully) but just gritty enough that I can tell people I live in Hollywood and they will be a little scared and wonder if I am a drug dealer and/or thief (Sidenote: I am neither, unless you count stealing America’s heart as thievery). I know most people don’t aspire to live in kitschy apartment buildings, but I must say I’m thankful for my place every day. It’s very warm and inviting and feels like home.

My favorite thing about the building is its palm trees. One sits right outside my window and greets me every morning.

Strangely, I also love the power lines outside. Even though they are probably, like, giving me cancer as we speak. Rude.

I love all the original railings on the building. So simple and geometric.

The cathedral windows look slightly strange from the outside of the building but are a dream on the inside because they provide floor-to-ceiling light. It’s illegal to install them now because they kill you instantly in an earthquake. Or something. I think I just made that up.

Don’t you love the lush landscaping combined with the crazy power lines?  Like Hannah Montana, it truly is the best of both worlds.

My street, nestled at the base of the Hollywood Hills, is pretty cute too. Lots of mid-century apartment buildings and vast green lawns (which by the way are native to Los Angeles and not at all a disastrous waste of water).

Everything is minty aqua green, just like in my complexion every time I hear that Gotye song that they are totally playing into the ground right now. Gotye, your song is somebody that I wish I used to know.

This is our pool, where daily drama occurs. Usually involving someone accusing someone else of stealing his boyfriend, which is followed by a martini being thrown in someone’s face and the other one getting thrown in the pool screaming, “You’re dead to me!” Actually that never happens but I would be so much happier if it did.

This is my upstairs neighborfriends’ deck. They had custom stripe cushions made in classic black and white. Luxury.

Because California has some of the prettiest sunsets on earth, our rooftop provides the perfect place for a nice glass of wine at dusk..

I hope you enjoyed these images of my apartment’s exterior. A wise person once said not to judge a book by it’s cover. But in the case of my apartment, I’m glad I did.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under California, Californiatimez, Hollywood Diary, Hollywoodtimez, Real Estate

Why It’s Okay To Be Sad About Whitney

Dear Diary,

I was in the car on Sunday after the Rose Bowl Flea Market and a Whitney medley came on the radio. At which point tears started streaming down my face. I was a little confused as to what I was so upset about. After all, it’s not like I was besties with Whitney Houston or that I was one of her biggest fans. Quite the contrary, I made fun of her crazy antics along with everyone else. But upon further investigation I’ve decided what bothers me so much about her death is the loss of something so beautiful, a gift so incredibly rare and wasted.

When I think of Whitney, I think of her in the 80s. She was blessed with such an incredible gift and it came in such a beautiful, exuberant, youthful package. Her performance in the video for “How Will I Know” (which is maybe my favorite song alongside “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”) is the essence of vitality. She just drips with beauty and talent in this video.

Here’s the video:

I also love these images of Whitney in the 80s and 90s. They are photographs of somebody who could have (and did at times) had everything. Sure, she was hardworking and ambitious, and that counts for something. But she was born with an innate gift, an unparralleled voice, that ultimately went wasted. That seems kind of harsh, given how many songs she created over her life, but she could have created more. When you love an artist, you just can’t get enough of her work and I definitely think we didn’t get enough of Whitney.

The sadness about her death, aside from the tragedy of someone with a family dying so young, is for me about a lost opportunity to create beautiful things. When she died she was no longer the youthful, vibrant siren she was in her 20s, but I always had this subconscious hope that she would clean herself up and somehow get her voice back so that she could continue to create beautiful songs to share with us. When someone talented dies too early, it feels like a robbery and a waste (recently deceased artist Mike Kelly and incredible talent Amy Winehouse come to mind).

With all these thoughts in mind I’m not going to feel weird about mourning the death of a stranger. With Whitney we’ve lost not only an American icon. We’ve lost something beautiful, an artist who created wonderful things that made us happy and, in ways small and large, enriched our lives.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Hollywoodtimez, Sad

Hollywood Diary: Katy Perry

Dear Diary,

One time, my friend Johnny took me to see a Katy Perry concert. This is what Johnny looks like. Yes, he’s hot. Duh.

Johnny is Katy Perry’s stylist. Which means he dresses her for events and often custom designs her wardrobe for music videos and public appearances. He also does a ton of other celebs like Nikki Minaj, Zooey Deschanel, and Rachel Bilson. And pretty much every other big name out there. He’s a huge deal, he’s super talented, and he’s super sweet.

Johnny and I were talking about mustaches the other night and I’m digging this picture of him with the ‘stache. He can totally pull that one off. Whenever I grow a moustache I look like a weirdo Peeping Tom freak.

As much as I love Johnny, this post is supposed to be about his contributions to the amazing Katy Perry concert I attended on Wednesday. So I’ll stop celeb stalking him for now. Like the adorable uberfans below who screamed “Johnny! Johnny! Can we take a picture with you?!?” (He obliged).

Johnny, got us backstage, where they like eating candy to stay in line with the “Candyfornia” California Dreams Tour.

These are some of the gingerbread costumes, later to be worn by the cutest 19-year-old dancers on the planet.

And by “cutest 19-year-old dancers,” yes, I am referring to myself. Because I am 19, plus or minus ten years.

They threw these beach balls out in the audience at the end of the show for everyone to play with whilst Katy sprayed them with foam.

How much do you love these CatHeads? I want one.

The stage design was totally candy. Lots of pastels and neons. Basically the colors I’d like to wear every day if it didn’t make me feel like a member of New Kids On The Block gone wrong.

Katy playing guitar on a giant floating cloud. Double yay!

I’m a sucker for confetti. So beautiful.

Oh, and here’s a Secret From A Stylist I never knew. There’s a fake Hyde Lounge INSIDE the stupid Staples Center! Who knew? It’s like up in the boxes where rich people sit.

This is the conversation that happened when I realized the club we were at was Hyde:

Me: Wait, we’re at is “Hyde”?

Friend: We’re not at the Hollywood Hyde, but yes, we’re at Hyde. You know we didn’t leave the building, right?

Me: I realized we hadn’t left the building, I just didn’t realize there was a fake mini nightclub inside Staples Center based on the place Lindsay Lohan used to hang out in in 2006.

Friend: I hate you so much. I wish you were never born.

…Anyway, they had some crazy lighting in there. They look prettier in real life. I think.

The tour (which has been going on for over a year) ended with this concert, so the purpose of the Hyde party was to let the tour crew have one last hurrah. It was actually pretty awesome to see how much the people who work on that tour (lighting guys, dancers, makeup artists, stylists, set designers, etc) love their work and love Katy.

After the show was over, Katy had to film some additional close up shots for a 3D concert film being produced about the tour. It was kind of crazy, everyone else got to go party and homegirl had to keep working for two more hours. You can tell she’s a totally driven, hardworking person. Something that doesn’t always come across as her persona makes everything seem so effortless.

Here’s Katy and her dancers recreating one of their onstage dance moves (in which Katy is lifted above their heads).

It was a really educational, inspirational evening for so many reasons. Firstly, Johnny is an incredible artist, stylist, and designer. It seems like the artistry that goes into creating performances like the California Dreams Tour often goes overlooked. They are designed to seem flawlessly plastic, perfectly produced. But it takes a team of incredible people to create the outrageous costumes, the beautiful sets. Johnny has an eye for candy colors and iconic imagery (cupcakes, dot candies, whipped cream) that is definitely pop-art inspired.

For example, I can’t look at this dress…

…Without seeing this Damien Hirst painting:

Or this moment…

…Without thinking of this Takashi Murakami sculpture (parental discretion advised):

I mention this not to get off on a crazy tangent about how art influences popular culture, but just to note that a there is a connection between the two and I definitely sensed it seeing Johnny’s work and hearing him talk about it. That and seeing the book of Tim Burton drawings at his house paired with a big art collection. The moral of the story is that it was refreshing to see all the imagination and brilliance that goes into creating one of our country’s biggest pop acts. It’s an absolute inspiration to see someone like Johnny making such lovely, interesting, challenging, and fun creations.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under California, Hollywood Diary, Hollywoodtimez

Dear Party People,

I threw a party for my friend Erika on Friday. Erika is one of my oldest, most-cherished friends. I am a terrible picture taker at parties, so the images of the night are scarce. For the party, we forced everyone to wear hats. Here is Erika in hers:

For some unknown reason, I decided to dress like it was 1990. I know you’re envious of my Garfield shirt that reads “Nap Attack.”

Midnight brought a rooftop champagne toast, naturally.

I was too lazy to clean up after the party ended at 3 AM, so I left my apartment dirty and disgusting. I know it’s kind of weird, but I actually like waking up in the morning and seeing all the evidence of the previous night’s party. There’s something sort of glamorous and decadent about all the cocktail glasses and pieces of cake everywhere. Especially because I always make my maid clean everything while I go out to brunch with my huge group of friends. Just kidding, I don’t have a maid. Or friends. And also, I’m rarely allowed at brunch because I don’t like potatoes (Why does no one acknowledge that they’re so mealy and bland?!?).

I’m a fan of the handmade “Happy Birthday” sign. My mother used to say, if you love someone, you must make her birthday sign by hand. If you don’t you’re a terrible human being that should be burnt at stake like the witches during the Salem Witch Trials.

I used this giant painting as a backdrop for the table of hors d’œuvre, which were delicious but look disgusting in this morning-after image. Sorry.

The cake was purchased (don’t tell my mother) at Magnolia Bakery. I have a rule about Magnolia. If you are in New York it is unacceptable to go there because it’s for dork “Sex and the City” wannabes there. But if you’re in LA and you only have one hour to find a readymade cake, you’re allowed to go there (You can change this rule to suit your needs if you want. I do). The cake I chose was a delicious chocolate cake with French buttercream frosting. The reason the cake is so delicious is that it’s made of 98% butter (The frosting is literally just butter with sugar in it…. MMMMM!).

And now for the real party pleaser, the signature cocktail. Naturally I turned to Martha for this because I love her so much and she’s always has the best advice for throwing parties. I don’t know why but I’m obsessed lately with the idea of drinking punch out of Victorian punch bowls. No one drinks punch anymore. Why!?! It’s so festive and reminds me of grammar school dances. Except I suppose I wasn’t getting trashed on gin at grammar school dances. My life would have been so much more fun if I had. Regrets…

This cocktail is called Apple Cider, Cranberry, and Ginger Punch (recipe here). It is absolutely festive and the flavor is perfect for fall/winter parties. It’s also full of sugar and delicious  spicy flavors that distract you from the amount of gin in it (sidenote: this is actually a great drink to make sans-alcohol for the non-drinkers in your life). I’ve decided the key to most great cocktails is fresh citrus juice, so however much the recipe says to use, multiply that by two and your cocktail will taste way fresher. You’re welcome.

Since Martha’s site showed the cocktail in the Marta Glass from CB2, I decided mine must be served from the same glasses so I ran out and bought some (CB2 is one block away, dreadfully convenient).

All in all, Erika’s party was a smashing success. Fun people, great food, lots of hugging, and a lot of punch-induced confessions of how much everyone loves one another. Only good things. Except when I awoke the next morning wanting to, like, gauge my eyes out with a vintage brass letter opener because I’d had one too many specialty cocktails. It was worth it though, the party must go on!

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under California, Hollywoodtimez, Marthatimez

Trick? Or? Treat?: Robyn

Dear Robyn,

I went to your concert last weekend and it was totally fun. That being said I had little choice in whether or not I went to the concert. Gays are obligated by Gay Law to attend Robyn concerts, even if they don’t want to (which, to be honest, I kind of didn’t). I have gone to all of your (seemingly monthly) LA concerts for the past few years and I have never paid for one or planned ahead. For some reason there are ALWAYS extra Robyn tickets at the last minute that people are just dying to give away. The scene at a Robyn concert is always the same: Hot Model Gays Wearing Neon Tank Tops, Cute Straight Girls With Asymmetrical Hair and Long Feather Earrings, and their Agreeable Straight Boyfriends, just along for the ride. Robyn is one of those performers you kind of forget about until you see her live. She is truly an excellent performer and her songs are catchy and absolutely danceable. Also, she usually wears totally fun clothes that make you laugh, like floral stretch pants or a dress made out of Koosh Balls. The show was at the Hollywood Bowl and my friends and I had nosebleeder seats, way in the back of the amphitheatre. There are no bad seats at the Bowl, in my opinion, because if you’re way in the back you can dance your face off and there aren’t any snobby rich people wearing monocles to look down on you. For those of you who don’t know Robyn’s music (read: anyone who isn’t a Hot Model Gay Wearing Neon Tank Top or a Cute Straight Girl With Asymmetrical Hair and Long Feather Earrings), here is my favorite of her music videos:

In other news, only slightly Robyn-related, I still have no idea what I want to be for Halloweekend (which starts in less than 48 hours!). Thus, I’m turning to Robyn for costume ideas. Here are a few inspirations I found:

Bossy School Teacher/Nerd/Giant Hand Lady. Why not?:

Demolition Tracktor Uni-Arm:

Sexy Bee, Always a Crowd-Pleaser!:

Pastel Paint Can Explosion Victim:

Giant Hands Boxer:

Snotty Princess:

Sexy Parisienne:

1990z Computer Screen Pixels:

Killer Astronaut:

Green Bean With Sour Cream Dollop Head:

Thanks for all the costume inspiration, Robyn. I’ll be spending the next few days FREAKING OUT about what to be, then just settling for my original costume idea, “Bone Didion” (a skeleton version of Joan Didion). My life is, like, SO hard.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Fashonz, Halloween, Hollywood Diary, Hollywoodtimez, Homme Videos!, Hommegirls, I Love LA

Cinespia: Outdoor Cinema & Fashion Show

Dear Cinespia,

Why did you have to leave me? It’s too soon. Oh how I loved ye… For those of you who don’t know, Cinespia is a seasonal film series that plays each weekend over the romantic summer months in Los Angeles. What sets it apart from other film series is that it takes place in the beautiful Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This year, Cinespia celebrated its 10th year and played a bunch of classic crowd pleasers. The final screening of the season was ET, which, like Oprah, everyone is morally obligated to love. These film screenings are see-and-be-seen events, filled to the brim with creative clothing and ugly sweaters. Everyone who attends dresses like it’s 1991 and they are getting ready to audition for the original 90210. It’s pretty much my dream world.

All photos by Cinespia’s adorable photographer Kelly Lee Barrett. 

I can’t believe this picture was taken this year. There is nothing current about these lovely looks. Radical.

I like this dude’s sweater.

Oh, to be these people. So aloof and thin. I hate my life.

Left to right: Perm? Check! Fun colorful t-shirt? Check! Hairband? Check! I love these people.

Not sure what I like more, those awesome hats or that lovely patterned blouse. Totally gorgeous girls.

Who let these bozos in? (My shirt is totally unbuttoned! Loser).

I like that guy’s red sweater. And by “red sweater” I mean face.

I’m scared of these people. And that makes me happy.

These cuties were in front of us in line. I knew I loved them when I saw her awesome stonewashed denim jacket.

Naturally, Drew Barrymore introduced the movie. People in Los Angeles get annoyed when they go to a movie and it isn’t introduced by a celebrity.

I’m pretty sure Drew Barrymore is the cutest person in the world. If I were to kidnap any celeb and keep it in a cage so that I could stare at it forever and make it tell me jokes, that celebrity would be Drew Barrymore.

This is how the films are shown, projected onto the side of a mausoleum.

How fun is this girl? I want a glowing hula hoop!

These kids totally escaped from a Hedi Slimane fashion shoot. Their life is more fun than yours.

The moral of the story is that if you go to Cinespia, you better bring your fashion. Because no one actually goes to watch the movie. They go to watch your outfit. Which is really how it should be.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under California, Californiatimez, Hollywood Diary, Hollywoodtimez, Homme Movies, I Love LA

The Anatomy of a Gay Pool Party

Dear Straight People,
I was walking down the street the other day, thinking about how commonplace Gay Pool Parties are on hot summer weekends in Los Angeles, when I realized that there were probably people in the world that had never attended a Gay Pool Party. Thus, I’ve decided to write a shocking exposé on the world of gay pool parties. All the deepest, darkest secrets (from a stylist) will be revealed. Here we  go:

1. The first thing to know about Gay Pool Parties is that they are all sponsored by a high end alcohol brand. I imagine this is because Gay people are rich and their friends are all executives at high end beverage companies. Also, rich people like to save money whilst promoting their rich friends. Or whatever.

2. The second thing to know about Gay Pool Parties is that the boy bartenders are always beautiful. And straight. So single ladies, find yourself a Gay and make him take you to a party. The bartenders will be so relieved to see you that they will fall in love with you even though they are most likely out of your league. This is Los Angeles after all, where every waiter is an actormodel.

3. Every Gay Pool Party is at a ridiculous house in the hills that cost more money than the GDP of most countries. These homes are usually decorated in the contemporary style by a young interior designer with no skills who happens to be really hot.

Some houses (like the one where these photographs were shot) are decorated tastefully. Modern/stark/contemporary isn’t really my thing, but for that style I must say this house was done impeccably.

4. If you go to a gay pool party do not A) Expect to know the host or B) Expect to meet him. Try as you might to find him and thank him for having you over, he will evade you for the entirety of the party. The host only shows up (standing right behind you) when you say something rude like “where’d they get that AWFUL vase!?!” Thus, if you are just dying to know who the owner of the house is, scream something loud and objectionable.

5. Every gay person that is rich enough to host a Gay Pool Party has met the president. It’s just a fact of life.

6. Every Gay Pool Party house is decorated in ridiculously expensive original artwork. Like these signed Lichtenstein silkscreened prints (valued at $150,000).

7. Gays love houses with a view. So if you’re at a Gay Pool Party and there ins’t a view, it is important that you leave immediately.


8. Gays don’t like square pools. So if you attend a gay pool party expect a nontraditional pool shape. Don’t be afraid, the water is still warm and inviting. In fact, the water at Gay Pool Parties is, on average, 12 degrees warmer than the water at straight pool parties. Gay people hate cold water.

9. An important thing to note about Gays is that none of them have body hair and they all smell like coconuts. They are also impeccably clean and don’t need to wear sunscreen, because their Ken Doll skin tans naturally in the sun, protecting them from the sun’s harmful UV rays.


10. Gays love angles and drama, and design their houses accordingly.

11. Finally, gay pool parties are really more like a swimsuit competition than a party. Everyone has 4% body fat, a brand new brightly-colored swimsuit, and perfect “Talented Mr. Ripley” hair. It’s like being trapped in a colony of models that have no idea there are people out there who aren’t models. Which is “fun”(?) right?

I hope you have enjoyed all the deep, dark secrets I just revealed to you about Gay Pool Parties and are excited to embark on your own safari into the wilds of your first Gay Pool Party before the summer ends. I know I am!

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Amazing Gays, Californiatimez, Haute Hommes, Hollywoodtimez, I Love LA

Homme Videos: Jeffery Self

Dear Jeffery Self,
You’re hilarious. I love your new “Eirik” videos. Check them out!

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Amazing Gays, Great Humans, Hollywoodtimez, Homme Videos!

Cinespia, Sweaters, and Sweethearts

Dear Los Angeles,

My two favorite things about you in the summer are: 1. The Hollywood Bowl and 2. Cinespia (AKA cemetery screenings). I found out about the screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery just after moving to LA and it was love at first sight. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of attending a Cinespia screening, it’s a series of films shown in the cemetery throughout the summer. All the films are good ones (Last week was Harold and Maude and I had to miss it. So sad). People bring wine and food and picnic while the movie plays and half the time they’re not paying attention to the movie but rather to their captivating friends. Which is okay with me because I love being captivated by my friends. Anyway, here are some pictures of how pretty and fun the screenings are:

I love my friend’s sweater. Don’t you? I guess it’s Club Monaco from a few years ago.

But my sweater is even more exciting:


When the sun sets it get’s crazy pretty:

I highly recommend a Cinespia screening to anyone who likes movies, fun, people, wine, food, or being outside. If you don’t like any of those things I’m worried about you.

Love,
Orlando

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Filed under Californiatimez, Hollywood Diary, Hollywoodtimez, Homme Movies, I Love LA