About Us

Who are we? Two dapper L.A. gals who love to eat cake, among other things. Our names? Mari and Sara'. We met and immediately bonded while in graduate school at U.C.L.A. As we discovered a mutual interest and passion for art, poetry, music, fashion, photography, architecture and design- herstory was made and we collaborated! Our middle names are Sofia and Kali, hence the inspiration for the name of our line of handmade designer jewelry and other various goodies: SoKalDesigns. This blog is a place for us to showcase what we find fascinating in the world of art and design and the random flotsam and jetsam of the aesthetically driven part of our minds, as well as a way to update our fans about our upcoming lines of jewelry. We hope you enjoy sharing the vast space of the world of design/art/media with us...and far beyond :)

Friday, July 29, 2011

Self-Portraits for Thought

If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.  ~Lewis Hine



Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.  ~Duane Michals


Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.  ~Henri Cartier-Bresson


I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing.  After all, you are taking some of their soul.  ~Mary Ellen Mark


You don't take a photograph, you make it.  ~Ansel Adams


All photos are accurate.  None of them is the truth.  ~Richard Avedon


The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer.  ~Author Unknown


And my own:



Monday, July 25, 2011

Downtown LA: Pearcy st. car garage street art





These shots were taken outside on the walls of a car shop located on Pearcy St. in downtown Los Angeles just two days ago.  Gorgeous, soulful colors!!!  Garrett and I were on our way to the MOCA "Art in the Streets" exhibit, and I thought I would preface my next post (which will be filled with photos from said exhibit) with some art that was actually in the streets...near to the museum.  Art credit: unknown

Saturday, July 16, 2011

More street art goodies from Echo Park



I was chillin in a parking lot about four or five months ago, waiting to preview our debuting line of jewelry to a yet-to-be-named store in Echo Park.  Bored, and stuck outside waiting for them to open, I walked around and snapped these shots.  The one above was taken on somewhat private property, but that's of no importance now.  All that matters is the sheer awesomeness of this piece...and once again, the artist(s) is unknown.

Hollywood and Vine feels mighty fine.








This is a set of super fly art my boyfriend and myself happened upon just steps away from the Capitol Records building about two months ago.  We tried mightily to figure out who the artist is, but heck it we aren't that good at identification.  As always, if you spy this and know whose it is, give us a shout out so we can give credit where it's due.

-Kali

Friday, July 15, 2011

A Short but Sweet Introduction to our Jewelry...

Just because I have about five minutes to post something up here and because I want to share a sample of the jewelry we are creating, in eager anticipation of our own Fall 2011 line!


The above photo features Kali's beautiful gem-drop earrings (on a lovely neckline as well). 


The above photo features my own simple collection of pure silver (.999) stackable rings, slightly hammered.

-Sofia

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Summer/Fall Transitional Pieces, or, things that make me go "Oooh!!"

Presenting!!! a smattering of looks which debuted this summer that I think would go well to make the transition into the fall.  For instance, even the super bright Betsey Johnson frock (yes, its almost brain smashingly floral but work with me people) could be layered with a more demure blazer to add some pop to anyone's look once the sky begins to turn droll again.  In order from top to bottom: Betsey Johnson Gorgeous Garden dress in floral chiffon, Gypsy 05 Summer Lovin frock in leopard, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Ozzie Square Baby Aiden Bag in purple leather, the Rebecca Minkoff Obsession Bag in snakeskin, and the Young Fabulous and Broke Sydney Ombre romper.  (photos courtesy of www.shopbop.com, www.betseyjohnson.com and www.singer22.com)  These pieces have a certain ease to them, like you could toss them on years later and they would still make a funky, fun contribution to your wardrobe.






Street Art in Echo Park








I was strolling around Echo Park, CA a couple of months ago when I spied these gorgeous works of art on the sides of various buildings/billboards.  I am not certain of who any of the artist are exactly, so if you know, or you are them...or its just plain obvious to you in a way that I don't get, let me know!  Haha!!!  Big-up to whoever did these though.

-Kali