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Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bad Joan goes to Watts Towers

In 1921 a man named Simon Rodia set out to built a series of structures in his own backyard. It took him 34 years; he built them entirely on his own and without the assistance of machinery!  Simon used broken bottles, sea shells, plates and other found items to create the mosaic work that decorates the structures. The complex is made up of several towers, a gazebo, benches, birdbaths, and more (the tallest tower stands 99.5 feet)! For more information on this fascinating work of art click HERE.

Once Bad Joan heard the inspiring story behind Watts Towers she just had to go see them for herself! So she grabbed her good friend and talented photographer Dahlia Foroutan and they went to check it out...



When Bad Joan arrived at Watts Towers she immediately went to the Watts Towers Art Center and purchased a ticket for admission ...

... Once inside she took a look around ...

... Bad Joan marveled at the incredible attention to detail ...

... everything from the height of the tallest tower ...

... to the etchings in the floor ...

... were a beautiful and inspiring sight.  Even the surrounding buildings were covered with art ....

... and many of the homes in the neighborhood mimic the mosaic artwork of the towers ...

... After she had seen everything, Bad Joan took one last look around and then headed home to start creating some art of her own ...



What Bad Joan is wearing:
-Cashmere Sweater by Wilen
-Cashmere Knit Pleated Skirt by Wilen
-Bangles by Rich in Friendship
-Bag by Beth Springer

PS - Wilen was actually a clothing line that Bad Joan used to design!

Hope you are having an inspiring weekend!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

Photo Credit: Dahlia Foroutan

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68 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 28, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    This place looks incredible :) I love all the details

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  2. StephanieJanuary 28, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    Amazing photos! So colorful!

    http://fashionroll.net

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  3. the creation of beauty is art.January 28, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Oh my goodness, this place looks incredible! These are amazing photos!
    the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com

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  4. Sonsuz DekorasyonJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    very nice photos!!!

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  5. Marcela GmdJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Wow great Post!!! beautiful photos!!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  6. DeppaJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    Great! Bad Joan had lots of fun there.
    Pretty pictures.

    See you!

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  7. Gaby DorisJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    increibles fotos! muy lindas! y hermoso outfit! gran look! visita mi blog ;)

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  8. UnknownJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    This place looks amazing!

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  9. AyaJanuary 28, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    Beautiful photos! It looked like it was a lot of fun. Love the wedges! xoxo

    http://fatal-fashion.blogspot.com

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  10. Content Director - Strong Female LeadersJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    These towers are really interesting. I like your friend's photographs too. He's certainly talented.
    www.thegirlieblog.com

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  11. Mery of the styleJanuary 28, 2012 at 11:28 PM

    hello, happy day.
    Fantastic picture.
    And your look is beautiful.
    kiss.
    http://mary1975.blogs.elle.es/

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  12. LenaJanuary 29, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    gorgeous atmosphere, as in a fairy tale!

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  13. martinealisonJanuary 29, 2012 at 1:22 AM

    Vraiment incroyable!...
    Une belle publication.
    Gros bisous

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  14. Fashion is for idiots [like us]January 29, 2012 at 2:15 AM

    Looks pretty cool!
    Thanks so much for your comment! :)

    x


    fashion is for idiots [like us]
    fashion is for idiots [like us]

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  15. LeeloJanuary 29, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    great post and I just love the photos! It seems like a great place to visit.

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  16. Sophie IsobelJanuary 29, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    This post is really cool! Lovely pictures too :) x

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  17. tres chic chicaJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    Great post! Love the pics and wedges!

    http://nyorkeratheart.blogspot.com

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  18. AnnieJanuary 29, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Such a cute outfit - love those wedges! And these are awesome pics :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  19. LauraJanuary 29, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Wow, that place is amazing!

    http://lovelyprettyworld.blogspot.com/

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  20. A Very Sweet BlogJanuary 29, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    What a creative genius! He left nothing undone and the houses in the area are too cute. Thanks for sharing.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  21. HollyJanuary 29, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    What a fascinating and inspiring place! The photos are beautiful, and so are you. :-)

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  22. The Foolish AestheteJanuary 29, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    Wow! The creations are fabulous, and so was your outfit. Loved all the photography, particularly the one with you looking up with a tower in the background, and the last image. Great post!

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  23. NhiJanuary 29, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    beautiful photos! i love the wedges:)

    Love,
    Nee
    ROSECANDLE11

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  24. UnknownJanuary 29, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    wow that place is amazing! love all those colours and details. the man behind it must be so creative!

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  25. UnknownJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    What spectacular pictures and such a beautiful place.

    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

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  26. JessiJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Wow, the place is so beautiful, it's amazing he built it without any machinery! I love your skirt, it's so pretty! Great post!

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  27. DonnaJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    Great post! These photos are incredible, the sky is so blue!

    Thanks for visiting my blog ♥

    http://borrowedwardrobe.blogspot.com

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  28. ftashionJanuary 30, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    The photos are really amazing! You look great in them!

    Fang Ting
    ftashion

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  29. melissaJanuary 30, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    You look very happy, great photography and place

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  30. AmandaJanuary 30, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    These photos are amazing, Joan! Seriously, so great!

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  31. UnknownJanuary 30, 2012 at 6:17 AM

    thanks for the comment.. amazing pics.. x

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  32. Jenna HughesJanuary 30, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    wow it looks so awesome! i'd love to visit there

    http://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/

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  33. Punctuation MarkJanuary 30, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    that is so cool... we have something like this in here... definitely will have to pay them a visit!

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  34. Ale e ElisJanuary 30, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Hi,
    wow...What a beautiful and inspiring place!!!
    You look so beautiful!!!!

    Kisses,
    brasileiroantenado.blogspot.com

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  35. nest + ventureJanuary 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    Wow everything looks so amazing! You can definitely see the passion this guy felt for creating things. Also, your shoes are great.
    ps--I'm hosting my first giveaway, come see!

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  36. Beauty FollowerJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Amazing architecture!
    Great photos.
    Like your sandal wedges.

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  37. MartynaJanuary 30, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    nice pictures ♥

    http://martistyle.blogspot.com/

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  38. KimberlyJanuary 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    wow that place looks amazing! in love with your outfit!

    http://kc-citystyle.blogspot.com/

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  39. LiaJanuary 30, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    wow it looks beautiful. enjoy yourself!
    xx
    Glass of Fashion

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  40. Kathy January 30, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    So interesting! xoxo
    http://www.hellohellofriday.com/

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  41. E r i c a L u c a sJanuary 31, 2012 at 3:15 AM

    Pretty!
    I hope you'll have time to visit my blog and follow me back. :) ecabianca.blogspot.com

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  42. Shes Dressing UpJanuary 31, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    Oh wow, amazing! Love your outfit too <3

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  43. AlbaJanuary 31, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    Those shoes are perfect!!!! :)

    http://voguesweetvogue.blogspot.com/

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  44. EmmylouJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    Awesomeness all around! The creativity and tenacity of some people are just inspiring:)

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  45. AidaJanuary 31, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    Omg must be amazing!!


    http://placequotehere.blogspot.com

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  46. issatchieuJanuary 31, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    Hello there!!! how have u been Joan?
    Looking happy and having a good time from ur posts :)
    Thks for liking my post once again!
    Ure surrounded by art everywhere..Gorgeous town! Mosaic..OMIGOSH..those wedges are great choice too! Watts Towers Art where this is...I wanna go someday!!!

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  47. BriJanuary 31, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Wow this place is so amazing, what an accomplishment by Mr. Watts!

    You are also looking fabulous!

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  48. TarracoStyleJanuary 31, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    que fotos tan bonitas, cuanto colorido!!!!!
    besos

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  49. yiqin;January 31, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    nice place! Love your outfit too <3

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  50. Velvet BloomJanuary 31, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    so many good photos!

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  51. UnknownJanuary 31, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    what a cool place!
    now I wanna go too!

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  52. The Fashion PhilosophyJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    These photos are so lovely! Everything looks like a lot of fun!! And those wedges!! Amazinggg! We're following you no!

    ox,
    -Davie+Erica
    Wardrobe Stylists, NYC

    http://www.lpfashionphilosophy.blogspot.com

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  53. JulesJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    wow, that is so super cool! love your wedges too :)

    http://fabulositywithinreach.blogspot.com/

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  54. BonnieJanuary 31, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    ohmygosh, so pretty! Love the shoes.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  55. Suvarna GoldJanuary 31, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    omg cool blog

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  56. UnknownJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:47 PM

    great place and cute shoes!
    www.alwayssaygrace.com

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  57. KassiJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    WOW! That is seriously incredible. Your friend takes amazing photos. You look great!

    http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

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  58. AnnabelJanuary 31, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    this is incredible! must have been amazing to visit :)

    pepperandchips.blogspot.com

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  59. Popcorn, Pugs & PeoniesJanuary 31, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    That is very cool. I want to see that next time I am in SoCal!

    Also, you look adorable. You really do have the best hair.

    *Erin

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  60. Elisa @ Crazy, Amazing LifeFebruary 1, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    Not to take anything away from the towers, but I LOVE your wedges!

    I am also jealous that you can wear open-toes shoes and no tights, because here in Zurich it's freezing!

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  61. E. KatyaFebruary 1, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    Such beautiful pictures!!

    ekatya.blogspot.com

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  62. KaterinaFebruary 1, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Oohhhh....so nice puctures!!!
    You look beautiful^^

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  63. UnknownFebruary 1, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    This place looks incredible and the photos are gorgeous.


    <3 Marina
    Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

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  64. MANONbonbonnFebruary 2, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    wow beautiful post.
    love the pictures!

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  65. Sara SHOEmakerFebruary 2, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    wow these photos are absolutely incredible. He made that all By Hand?! what an amazing piece of art. love your outfit too by the way, you look so happy! this is like a magazine spread :)


    new post over at The House of Shoes

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  66. HonorataFebruary 5, 2012 at 9:06 AM

    Like your wedges!!

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  67. oomph.February 7, 2012 at 1:34 AM

    what a sight to see! thank you for sharing these amazing photos!

    [oomph.]

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  68. Allison YoungFebruary 10, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    i need to go visit... great pics!

    www.absurdlypeculiar.blogspot.com

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