Joon Fotoschute

Yesterday was a day of inspiration; beauty, the sun, the earth.
I decided to create - the perfect energy and sun made it impossible not to do so outside.
Kate and I decided to go for a walk in Griffith Park. To capture the magic of this blonde enjoying the earthly delights of nature on a beautiful June day. It has been a while since I have consciously and actively approached a photoshoot, but my visions had to be put to the test.
Here are some of the photos.
This is how I saw Kate, this beauitful earth angel in a fairy tale - full of emotion and ready to share a story.
Enjoy.
ps. I love my life.

Boom. Love.

Four months ago

It started out like any other morning leaving for work when I lived in the hood. Driving, smoke in hand, loud music, sun shining....
I had a few routes that I took depending on how badly LA traffic wanted to kick my ass. I took Fountain, one of my most trusted routes for a quick commute. The street and sights were familiar, the curves in the road and the people on their morning walks. I past the bend in the road that told me I was close to my destination. On this particular morning, after the bend in the road I saw a young man unloading his Jeep Grand Cherokee in the lot of a small and cool building I always took note of. He was beautiful, radiant. Immediately I thought "pull over, yell out the window, do something..." instead I continued to work and made the note to pay attention and when my day took me that way again, to be aware in case he was thrown in my path again.

Last week

My girlfriend Hannah who also works for me met this great guy, he came into the Waff and they immediately connected due to her open and eager spirit overhearing him and his guy friends conversation about universal truths and love. They chatted and exchanged info... and hit it off. After meeting his friends, Hannah came to me and said "he has a friend I think you would really like." A personal note, I have been on a couple not so great dates ... its impossible to connect with someone once you've had this sort of enlightenment if they have not done the same. Its like a cement wall - you just wont get through.
I decided to use the internet as my spy and did a little checking out of this soon to be "set up." Immediately I noticed we shared something huge... we both let love be the groundwork for everything, big or small that was in our lives. Yes. Yes. Yes.

When we met, it was as if we were meeting again, or...not meeting...but that we had been looking for something that was just found. Hit over the head, love consumed every part of me.

The next night, Hannah and I were walking to their house for his birthday dinner... we got some goodies and walked up to the building. As we walked to his street we turned the corner and followed the bend in the road. Hannah said, "that's their building..." I looked up and stopped.
Without knowing it, we were on Fountain, standing in front of this very familiar building.
I burst out into laughter, looking at the stars and joyfully acknowledging the gift that was just given.

Since last week I don't think one second has gone by that he hasn't been on my mind... truthfully, he has been on my mind for years. I have been sending him energy and messages that were delivered as promised by that which guides me, and gives me undeniable strength. It was him I saw; his building, his parking spot, his Jeep...

Nothing is by chance. Nothing is coincidence. This is something that once you know, is continually shown to you with each day you embrace. Proven time and time again by way of the Universe and energy.

"The words have been lost through time and ignorance but we will find them and give them life...for this feeling over love...sublime bliss I feel with and for you."

Embrace today, and always love.

Candy Stripper Bromance

It was one of those afternoons with my new best boyfriends that I knew had the potential of getting completely out of control. It started on a patio with a bbq, and an amazing view. As the day turned to night, everyone agreed that it was definitely going to be taken to a whole new level.

A quick car drop off/the only girl out with four guys wardrobe change and we were on our way. A little drunk already, and high on the fun (ok ok just high) we went to Tiki T's for some down right amazing cocktails. I have never been there before, but my new boyfriends were familiar faces. Most drinks are very complex and have a bunch of ingredients. The atomosphere was party ready, people hootin' and hollarin which of course added to the already beaming energy the night was producing.

I am sure you can imagine that upon leaving Tiki T's we were pretty toasty... then, someone (obviously I have no recollection as to who) mentioned that Jumbos Clown Room, a local dive bar/weirdo strip club was right down the street. Boom. Done.

We get there, and it was pretty awesome. I cashed in for some singles and I found myself sitting right up at the floor making it rain. A few shots later, a few after that... my boyfriends bought me a lapdance. I sat there, proud, smiling, hands behind my head and sitting like a dude. It was a proud moment. I complimented my stripper a few times during the dance, pretty legendary. We stumbled out a few later and as much as I would like to go into details I really cant remember, I know there was Tommy's Burger involved... and a hangover the next day.

Anyway, the moral of this story is don't be a stripper, enjoy every moment you have to the fullest, and make it rain...

The Speech

My sisters wedding was this weekend, and it was perfect.

Beautiful, inspiring, fun.... my sister was glowing and the whole thing was a blast.

Here is a copy of my speech, which came from the heart. Obviously there was a little improv throughout but this was the gist of it.

All you need is Love... and I believe that.

My Speech:

For those of you who have known Jenn from the good old days, my place at parties used to be locked in Lorie's room with the dog.. so this is definitely a huge thing for me.
I want to first say how happy it makes me to have everyone here today, in celebration of love.
Jenn has never admitted that she’s a believer in true love stories; she probably won't even admit it today.
I knew when she got me to New York, we were starting an amazing journey together. I could tell a thousand great stories from our fabulous life in the big city, but the most important thing about all of them is we were there with eachother and for eachother.
In the non stop years of parties,red carpets, and late late nights...Jenn found herself and opened herself up to the possibility of love… and I only take a LITTLE credit for that.

We moved to a slummy building in a bad neighborhood, this was our fork in the road.

A girl living with her kid sister..
and a boy, living in a studio with another man.

Adam would chainsmoke out on that dirty ole stoop just to get a chance to talk to Jenn in on her way home from work, I immediately knew things were changing. His charm, humor and creativity diminished her barriers, and she was in love.
It was obvious that she had found what another part of her had been looking for.

I was the only person to bear witness to their connection, their constant desire to spend time together and build something meaningful... I'm lucky for that.

Along the way life will continue to bring change, whether good or bad you need to realize that the one person made to keep you strong is sitting right beside you... and with that you will see that all of the crap that comes your way just doesn't matter. Love matters. Exercising it, building it, keeping it strong.
I hope from now on, you both tell your love story, and believe in it… because it keeps people like me knowing it is possible.

Here's to your happiness, and to love... because that's what all of this is about.

Cheers!

Big Time Birthday

My 21st - Started at the bar at the W in NYC. Drinks with sister, cousin and a another friend. Drunken cab to Hiro nightclub, dancing, drinking... lapdance? No man in my life, home alone in bed that night.



22nd -Get Fuckin Fancy. A dress up party, hosted by my boys Brady and Bernie at Stereo, the big time club in NYC that week :) Pre party of cocktails and laughs leading up to magnums, cakes, and tons of people. Good times. Bailed with the B's after 4 and slumber partied. Once again, no mans.



23rd - The Matches play for mine and Shoshana's birthday, at the Cutting Room. Heavy drinking, torches, badass people followed by late night NYC bar hopping, followed by me bailing out early (before 4AM) and heading home, alone..



24th - Singing naked baby telegram. Solemite. Then planned a big drink thing downtown NYC. Me, Shosh and a few other friends. Nothing exciting. Drunk dinner followed by a long uptown cab to Elaines, where we polished off some bottles and the night with Steve, Susan, Amby, Mason Reese and Chip. I went home with Shosh that night, but only because we lived together, and I love her.



25th - Few friends in the city of Angels. Just had moved back to the West coast. All I wanted to do was dance. Went to a club with my sister and our friends to shake my tail feather, left after three drinks alone in a cab... sister stayed and partied till 2.



26th....Big Time - Although my past few birthday nights have still been completely wonderful, this year I want to make it just down right awesome. Dinner and drinks at Shangri-La , afterparty at a Hills Mansion, my closest friends that are able to make it, laughter, love, joyful moments, and sex toys. Ahhhh, this is going to be fun. A short, classy dress and big heels are being called to order. I am really looking forward to sharing this with the people that have been so close to me lately, I feel that we are all strenthening ourselves and our bond and to share such a great moment of celebration with those closest to me makes me feel great, and thats all this is about!



stay tuned for The Birthday...

Home Improvements

I've been in my new spot for about 3 weeks, and loving every minute of it.

My first order of business was to pretty up the shared yard. I figured if I created a lovely, comfortable space my neighbors would utilize it, and it could open the door to new friends. Boom, done.

I had a great BBQ on Easter and in the process met my new neighbors from #107 -Christiana and Derek. A couple weeks ago I had been whining about desperately needing a hair cut, and how my whole life I would always have a friend or connect to do hair but since LA, I have been without (hence my split ends.) And what do you know, Chris is an amazing stylist and working from her studio... just across the hall from me! My hair was in her hands last night and might I say, fine work. I would love to refer her to anyone that reads this and is need of a talented hair stylist.

The "man" in my life, a dear friend, has been helping me suspend things from the ceiling, pimping out my decor with track lighting, and offering his valued opinion on functional yet unique improvements he can do for me.

I have noticed since I moved I am spending more time then ever on creative projects. I think it is important for everyone to take some time for themselves, to create an environment that is inspiring and motivating. Its hard to be angry when you are responsible for all of the things around you, and even moreso, beautiful things that came from inside of you.

I have been in the process of painting my cabinet doors, as paintings, pieces on their own. I want my space to be lovely, comfortable, and my place for solace. As you can see from the photos, its on its way!

Because of the wonderful people in my life helping with the special touches, and my non stop energy being put into making it wonderful... my little Hollywood studio is becoming a home.

Until next time..

The Connected

The Universe definitely has a sense of humor when it comes to connections... people you meet along your journey that keep popping up, or other signs that put those people to the forefront of your mind. Energy has everything to do it, you send it out thinking about people or situations and if you are aware, awake... you see what comes your way, sometimes its unavoidable!

Here are a couple examples of personal connections, reconnections, encounters, willing energy...
amazingness.


Background: When I was 17 I saw a band play at The Bottom of The Hill in SF, the band was 30 Seconds to Mars. The Leto brothers and I chatted a bit, nothing special.
A few years later I was working for Elite Model Management, staying at The Maritime Hotel in NY with a bunch of new models ready for fashion week. My first evening there I was walking down little west 12th when BOOM, Jared Leto walked past me. We both stopped, turned and hugged. He met all my girls to give them their first celeb encounter, and we hung out a few times throughout the next couple weeks. Then Gone.
I have a tattoo, A Beautiful Lie - this has nothing to do with the title of their album, however interesting in hindsight. The meaning of this branding is deep rooted, and hits home for so many aspects of my life... but that story will come in time. Back to connections.
I moved to LA, and started running the Waffle in Hollywood, a choice spot :) After being here about 6 months I came down the stairs one morning, coffee in hand and BOOM, Shannon Leto. We looked at eachother, and did the "woah" and caught up. Who knows why I keep running into these boys, but its important to pay attention to.

Background: I once dated a singer from a band, a beautiful man with eyes that would stop any girl in her tracks. Throughout the last nine years we have stayed friends, through emails and kissing sessions when he toured through. It has been over a year since I saw him, or spoke to him. Until Monday, when we reconnected with a "hey how ya doing..?"
Yesterday I was looking for shoes for my sisters wedding, I walk into the store and am greeted by the salesgirl. I turn and say hello and what do you know... its his sister. Last time she and I saw eachother we both lived NY and neither of us knew where one another ended up. We are having drinks in the near future.

Background: Helen and I met when I hired her as a waitress at the Cutting Room 4 years ago. We spent countless hours together in the most magical and inspiring environment. Although always friendly, Kate and I spent little time outside of work together. As The CR was closing, we were unified on a deeper level. On the last night, I looked at Helen and told her "our paths will cross again." I moved to LA, and over the course of the year I would always check in on my family I had left... all of them, but always keeping a close eye on Kate.
One day in November I got an email from her, letting me know she was coming to LA to follow her dreams. I immediately became her biggest supporter, as I knew this was our reconnection. Kate is on her way in LA, she is beautiful and strong, we spend as much free time (and work time, as she is working for me again) together as possible. She has quickly moved right next to me spiritually, and become one of my very closest most adored friends. The other day I was having drinks with my other closest friend, my sister Jenn. We laughed and talked and caught up. As we were walking back to my new casa there sipping cocktails was Kate, randomly with a big happy smile. We both exclaimed "Hey, my best friend!"

Background: Kyle and I grew up together, smoked weed for the first time together, drank for the first time together...etc. We were kids in the same group, hanging out all of the time, getting into trouble. When we were 16 Kyle got in a lot of trouble, big fish small town mentality :)
Over time our paths took us on completely different courses. We didnt speak.
About a month ago Kyle and I reconnected on Facebook, and it quickly became clear that our paths were merging again. We both had such opposite paths but along the way we learned the same thing, the importance of love and universal consciousness. Since then we have hung out, tons... I love Kyle, and I know he and I will never lose eachother again.


I am so sure that this is all meant to happen, that the people I am going to need by my side are gravitating towards me and vice versa.

When the time comes, you find me.