When I moved into my studio I was stoked to discover that I wasn’t the only one in the neighborhood who did work for the Sacramento Kings. Situated directly across from my studio is Platinum Auto Salon and it just so happens that this seriously pimp pad draws several of their players for their auto needs. It’s no wonder - even a girl (that would be me - I’m sure some girls totally get it but I’m keeping it real here) gets a little cross eyed and giddy while gliding down the wall of shiny rich metal gleaming back at you and winking diamonds like icicle prisms caught in morning sunlight. I kind of feel like Vanna walking the walk and it seems almost improper not to have red heels and a slinky black dress on. But I’ll leave that to Vanna. I work better in jeans and converse.

So when I first met Charlie or Chuck or, as i call him “PD” (for P Diddy - don’t be stealin it) I was taken back by how generous and genuinely nice he is. I told him later I kind of expected he’d come with attitude. I mean, if I was around metal too beautiful to touch all day and cars that purred even when their engines were shut off, I’m thinking - I might be a little full of myself. But natta. Could not be farther from the truth. Truth is - he is one very straight up cool, nice guy. Who just happens to travel and work in and around serious style. I’m not properly educated in cars, for sure, but even I get it when pure honey pulls up to the shop. Actually, it’s the way people do the slow cruise in front of his shop that tells me. It makes me laugh a little - my office where I edit has windows looking toward his shop and I can’t help noticing the cruisers. There is usually this kind of hunched over, slumped out the window, slack jawed expression that accompanies the slow cruise. I’d say it’s a ‘boys and their toys’ thing but I see girls doing it too.

Anyway, so I was amazed that PD hadn’t had a proper photo shoot before! Proper meaning - of him. The owner. The man behind the seams…or, rims. And his posh pad. I love his place - the front office -  a red flavored, goth themed room with metal trimmings twisted into artistic flare connected to a small waiting area by a glass window converted into a trickling see-through fountain. The shop itself is it’s own style star with red checkered floors and a large graffiti wall stamped with the word Platinum in big, bold sprawling letters. Very cool and totally fun for a photo shoot. Although, I will say - I had myself a little freaked out carrying light stands around the yellow Lamborghini. I think I might have actually tiptoed past her and whispered a few words of endearment.

Needless to say, I pretty stoked to have such a cool neighbor and I couldn’t be happier where I ended up. It just goes to show, nothing is random and everything happens for a reason. Also, if you happen to travel in style, you know where to come now for some serious class (I have three kids so I won’t be traveling in style in a long time - thinking mashed up crackers wouldn’t decorate a posh ride very well - but I see a small bright glimpse of something shiny and sleek in my future!:))

this is my favorite!

playing with tone…

is this shop cool or what?

ps - I’m pretty excited. I’ve had several people write me since my post yesterday about race tracks that regular joes can race on - so cool, I’m all over it! This will definitely be something I check off my list in the next few years!