Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Mydols at Tempermill

Last night the Mydols recorded at Tempermill Studios in Ferndale. Founded by David Feeny, the studio is famous for its sound engineers, who have worked with everyone from The White Stripes and Eminem to The Go, Dirtbombs, and April Mydol's husband's band, Blanche.

They even have a Grammy for Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose."

We recorded "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" for speakaboos.com. We also recorded a song I wrote called "6 Questions." Hopefully it will be the first of many studio dates so we can get a CD together soon.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

CCS Student Exhibition Re-Cap


Last night we attended the College for Creative Studies Annual Student Exhibition Gala. After years of staying home to hold down the fort, watching the kids while Jeff attended classes at night to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts, I finally got a taste of CCS life and met his classmates, instructors and friends.
Everyone was celebrating graduation and buzzing with excitement for the future. After the exhibit, we stopped for drinks at the Bronx Bar, the traditional CCS post-graduation hangout.
The student exhibit is up through May 29, and it's known as a great place to pick up the work of up-and-coming artists while it's still somewhat affordable. I saw so many pieces I loved, and we didn't even make it through a quarter of the show before the event came to an end.
The best news is one of Jeff's paintings sold (above)!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jeff Graduates from CCS!

Jeffrey Logan Von Buskirk,
College for Creative Studies Class of 2009 Commencement
Thursday, May 14
Detroit Opera House


Sporting the crazy cool medallion - "Graduate with Honors" - with proud pops.


Kisses for mom.


Behind every great man is a patient woman.

Entertainment Arts Department Grads

One of Jeff's classmates proves that which does not kill you only serves to make you stronger.




It took 3 1/2 years. My husband finally walked across the stage and collected his diploma last night.
He was among 24 Entertainment Arts graduates in the College of Creative Studies Class of 2009. They are an elite and talented group, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the degree takes everyone.

Tonight we'll be attending the Annual CCS Student Exhibition. Jeff is exhibiting paintings, drawings, digital art and the iPhone Apps he and Peter created through their company, Tenfold Games.
We got a sneak peek of the exhibits last night, and I can't wait to see more of the students' work ... And of course toast a glass of wine to Jeff's spectacular achievement. We are all so proud!


Monday, May 11, 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Monkees Mobile


Yesterday was my birthday, and also my husband's. Being born on the same day played a big part in us getting together. It was fate, afterall. But now that we've been married for some time, having our birthday on the same day isn't so great. We both want to be pampered, and neither wants to do the pampering. We both want to sleep in. Get presents. Have our cake and not have to make it too.
So our birthday ended up being somewhat of a stalemate this year.
My big highlight was leaving the house for a while to film a video with the Mydols in the authentic Monkees Mobile. The car, created in Los Angeles for the original Monkees show, is now owned by a Livonia man. He took us for a spin while the cameras were rolling. What fun!
Then, he gave each of us a small toy replica of the car to take home, so V. was the one who ended up getting a present on our birthday.
Although we did end up making a cake together, and eating it too!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Lunch with Fashion Designer Naeem Khan




Naeem Khan with Detroit area models in his Fall 2009 gowns.

Model Lauren Poole-Romeo with Naeem Khan


Internationally-known fashion designer Naeem Khan, who has dressed the likes of Carrie Underwood, Eva Longoria and Beyonce, visited metro Detroit this week to support the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Michigan Chapter.
Hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue, Somerset Collection, Khan attended a benefactor party at the home of Harriett and Sheldon Fuller last night. Today, he showed his Fall 2009 collection at a luncheon and fashion show at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills.
I had the pleasure of being seated right next to Naeem, and he was a delight.
Khan's go-glam-or-go-home attitude was reflected in his sumptuous gowns and cocktail dresses characterized by metallic textures, chunky rhinestone collars and rich fabric created by laser printing a floral design on lace using the latest technology.
"I don't hold back. You come to me for a full dose of glamour," he said. "Don't dilly dally here or there. You want attention, you're going to get attention with my clothes."
The Indian born designer, now based in New York City, is celebrating 30 years of marriage to his wife, Ranjana, who has her pick of Khan's designs.
“I created this collection in reaction to the doom and gloom that the world was falling apart. It’s scary, scary times,” Khan said. “You either went all the way up or you really sized down.”
Yvette Bing, wife of newly-elected Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, (shown here with her Saks personal shopper Samia Jallad) is a big fan of Khan's work. His fashion show was her first outing as first lady. Bing has several of the designer's pieces, including a black shift adorned with a snaking design of white pearls and beadwork.
"I wanted to wear it today but I thought it would be too formal," she said.
After snapping a few photos with the models backstage, including my good friend Lauren Poole-Romeo (picture above), Khan raced off for the airport, jetting back to NYC to accept a "Dare to Dream" award from the Diabetes Research Institute this evening.

Call Ken Dewey, director of the 5th Avenue Club at Saks, (248) 643-9000, to pre-order any of Khan's pieces.

Friday, May 1, 2009