reading my thoughts on things my editors like.
currently available for assignment at cashleelee@gmail.com.
Recent posts:
College Candy: Tyler Perry Writes Letter to 11-Year-Old of Penn State Scandal — December 2011
“Dropping Acid” — May 2011
Occasionally, innovative improvisation seizes the stage of the music industry, breaking the boring and predictable rhythm of monotony with something refreshing and new. Decades ago, DJ Gilles Peterson dug through crates of vinyl to sample ’70s jazz, soul and funk grooves at a British nightclub, sparking a new subgenre: acid jazz, loosely defined as jazz mixed with funk, soul, hip-hop, electronic and disco, with beats and bass at the forefront.
“On the Rise: Catching Up with Fashion Designer Jonathan Cohen” — March 2011
San Diego native Jonathan Cohen was on pins and needles until he was accepted to New York’s Parsons School of Design, where he worked alongside Oscar de la Renta, Doo-Ri Chung, Ashleigh Verrier and Patricia Field. Yet Cohen’s debut collection caught the attention of Women’s Wear Daily and Harper’s Bazaar for his bold use of color and texture, inspired by his Hispanic background and childhood in La Jolla.
“Bo-beau Kitchen + Bar Opens in San Diego” — March 2011
After months of waiting through a $250,000 revamp of the venerable Thee Bungalow, feast your eyes on Bo-beau Kitchen + Bar, the new Ocean Beach eatery paying homage to Bohemian style and classic French beauty. To evoke the spirit of the Parisian “Bobo,” a bourgeois-bohemian who struggled in art to success, David Cohn enlisted Philippe Beltran, who drew from his European childhood to design romantic dining spots like Kensington’s Bleu Bohème and Vagabond in South Park.
“Against All Odds” — February 2011
Heart disease. It’s the single largest killer of women in the world, taking more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined — including breast cancer. Leslie Giesemann knows this grim reality well. She was diagnosed with heart disease and underwent surgery at only age 24. Against all odds, she is not only alive, but also a trauma care surgeon, a wife to husband Michael Giesemann and a mother.
“What’s New: Couture Events” — February 2011
“A girl should be two things,” said iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel. “Classy and fabulous.” These words inspired a Couture Events wedding photo shoot dripping in diamonds and pearls at the Andaz Hotel. From peep-toe heels to place settings, the event coordination company ensured that each detail evoked the indulgent simplicity that Chanel always wore well.
“Surfer Girl: Maya Gabeira is Making Some Serious Waves” — December 2010
Though she currently carries the crown as the best female athlete in this sport dominated by men, Gabeira’s goal is to be the best ever, period. Her perspective on successful surf competition as being against the water itself instead of the other female athletes aiming to catch waves as well, is quickly turning her into a promising role model for young women.
“A Conversation with My 10-Year-Old Self” — August 2011
I know you think he’s attractive right now – spiked hair, blue braces, strategically placed pimples along his smooth-and-absolutely-hairless chin – but boys actually look even better in a few years. I mean gorgeous, as if all the Backstreet Boys and Leonardo DiCaprio and the two older Lawrence brothers were all rolled into one.
“Roommate Contracts: Friendly and Completely Necessary” — July 2011
And don’t forget the best part: pillow talk with your new roommate/BFF/future-maid-of-honor-and-godmother-of-my-children. Because everyone always gets along perfectly with their new live-in “sister from another mister” and doesn’t end up sippin’ haterade all year like Sammi and JWoww did back in Miami, right?
“Why I’m Happy I Didn’t Grow Up as a Celebrity” — January 2011
As if it isn’t hard enough to find a decent guy to take home to Mom and Dad for Thanksgiving weekend, playing the field as a celebrity must be hard work if a successful couple is as rare as a Top 40 song without AutoTune. Not only do we have a wider selection of prospective candidates, but we also aren’t widely scrutinized for every bad blind date or every mate that we think is actually good for us when they actually aren’t.
“Stop Hating on Liberal Arts Majors” — November 2010
But it’s not as if they’d even reach college in this new dream world anyway – there’d be such a shortage of teachers, novelists, artists, musicians, and journalists that the elementary school system wouldn’t be able to provide enough primary lesson plans or extracurricular activities to churn out well-rounded students fit for any kind of secondary education. No ecosystem works if every member aims to serve the same function – didn’t we all learn that back in biology class?
“In Honor of Tyler Clementi” — October 2010
We all know the positive points of social networking very well: the ease of staying in touch, the ability to video chat with friends in other countries without pay, and spread good news to everyone you care about with a single 140-character update. But technology has also made it way too easy to give anyone a hard time, encouraged and accessible behind the falsely secure mask of a computer screen.
“FASHION NEWS: ‘Desigual Inspired by Cirque du Soleil” debuts at WWDMAGIC!” — September 2011
Since the MAGIC tradeshow visits this city twice a year, it was only a matter of time until fashion dabbled with an unofficial Vegas trademark: creative circus geniuses Cirque du Soleil. And who better to collaborate with but the most bold and daring Spanish fashion brand, Desigual? It’s a match made in trendsetting heaven, and it’s here to stay for at least five years!
“FASHION INSIDER: Krista Treide, MADE FOR GOOD” — August 2011
Let’s be honest: in comparison to its counterparts, fashion is a pretty expensive hobby. But despite the high cost, today’s trends are worn best when benefitting others as well, no? Think about it: gold, glittery TOMS shoes and burlap FEED totes…giving back is the new black, and both stay in style all year long.
“MAGIC Exclusive: Andrea Linett, eBay Fashion’s Creative Director” — August 2011
From giant prints of Betsey Johnson’s smile and Diesel’s “Be Stupid” campaign to stunning displays from up-and-coming contemporary lines, this tradeshow is not only a field for a Fashionista but also a feast for the eyes.
“STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Watch Out!” — October 2010
Back when we were all in middle school, it was incredibly trendy to have a cell phone – and we loved them so much, we would take it out of our Jansport backpacks every few minutes to simply “check the time.” Ever since then, our generation of Fashionistas carry cell phones as the ultimate accessory, and has completely ditched the watch as the default timepiece.
“DESIGNER OF THE WEEK: Molly Goforth, Molly B Bikinis” — October 2010
A studio space in Ocean Beach houses Molly B Bikinis, where Molly Goforth stores her inventory of coveted coastal armor. She calls it “California Couture”, because not only does her brand promote classic, flattering cuts and nostalgic patterns and palettes, but each suit wears quality and attention to detail since entirely made by hand.
“STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: ’90s Style Revival” — October 2010
Start scavenging the closets of your older cousins because the gear of grunge is back! That’s right, dust off the faded denim, press the plaid shirts and borrow a bowler hat – it’s yet another runway resurrection in the fashion world, and it’s here to stay for fall.
“DESIGNER OF THE WEEK: Kelli Murray Larson, Jedidiah Clothing” — August 2010
From a small team of optimists working in a San Diego warehouse, humanitarian-based fashion brand Jedidiah designs clothing as an opportunity to take a stand: five percent of the company’s sales benefit a different philanthropic organization every season, including Surfing the Nations, World Vision, Compassion International, Invisible Children and many others.
Jobacle
“Identifying Your Skills to Revamp Your Résumé” — August 2011
Let’s say you’re craving something. Something more interesting, more challenging, more lucrative…just, more. Because YOU are capable of handling more, of pursuing more, of achieving more. You’re worth more, and you know it. Maybe you’re not sure what the next (realistic) step on your personal career ladder is, or maybe you’re debating switching paths altogether. Either way: how can you know what you want if you have no idea what you already have?
a creative writer typing from LA & SD.
