up all night...

...thinking about Dries Van Noten's Fall 2010 collection. It is the #1 inspiration for my own Fall wardrobe this season. Slouchy sweat shirts with lady like full skirts... yes please! Airy floral patterns in rich blues and greens... any day! Sumptuous leopard print scarves... absolutely! It's like all the best parts of dressing as a man collided with the sexy, sporty goodness of dressing as a modern woman.

deconstructing birkin

I love that Lady Gaga wrote on her Hermes Birkin with a sharpie and then had her fans sign it while touring in Japan recently. Gaga also turned her black Birkin into a leather voodoo purse (see below) after piercing the hell out of it with spikes...?! It's ugly (in a pretty way) and going to snag the shit out of everything in a 10 mile radius, but I like her take on a sort of untouchable "it" bag. What else would Gaga do with a $10,000 handbag... maybe cut it up and make a hat next time?

 
from purseblog.com
I have a Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM. This bag you will see EVERYWHERE. Didn't occur to me when I bought it. Gaga, you crazy genius: how can I make my LV as cool as your Birkin? My friend Taurus Burns is a Detroit artist - maybe I could commission him to do something cool with it? OR I could do something like this? I would absolutely bedazzle my Birkin!!



tommy ton for style.com

Funny links found by boyfriends

"It broke through the wall during the last big storm and we decided just to leave it."
From Catalog Living blog which finds humor in totally generic catalog scenes. Written by Molly Erdman an LA-based actor and comedian. Because I know he reads this and will demand credit for finding this blog, my boyfriend sent this link to me. And because I think he could write something just as funny...:)  Or maybe he is poking fun at the insane amount of catalogs I get to his address. Either way... good fun all around. 

Where do clothes come from?

Much like my fascination with the origin of food, comes a similar curiosity to the DNA of my clothes. I buy at a store, hang in my closet: end of story? Not quite. Two truths here: everyone has to eat and wear clothes. My subtle, yet seemingly sudden fascination, comes from reading Alice Waters and Chez Panisse. Her commitment to fresh, seasonal and local food has forever changed my perspective about eating and, now, clothing - at least from a production standpoint. There is a beauty in eating locally - rent Food Inc. and you'll see what I mean. There is nothing magical about a Tyson slaughter house. However, watching two local farmers defeather and kill a chicken with their own hands for market the next day has a certain harmony. 

This passage from Waters' book captures what I want for everyone to experience in work and food...

An ideal reality where life and work were inseparable and the daily pace left you time for the afternoon anisette or the restorative game of petanque, and where eating together nourished the spirit as well as the body - since the food was raised, harvested hunted fished and gathered by people sustaining and sustained by each other and by the earth itself.

What about the clothes? In WJS today, I came across this article about designers rallying to support the fashion economy in New York City by getting vocal about where their clothes are made: New York City. Like Alice Waters did for California Cuisine in philosophy and locale, Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung among others are doing for apparel in the Garment District. I am not studied in apparel manufacturing nor am I a fashion label CEO (yet) but I'm overwhelmed by a gut feeling that supporting businesses making money off products made by 11 year olds working 12 hour days in China is not karmically good.

Made in Midtown with support from the CFDA and Design Trust for Public Space are getting the word out about the importance of maintaining a viable manufacturing core in New York. Connecting consumers more closely to how favorite garments come life each season will hopefully inspire a more thoughtful purchasing experience for them. These vignettes bring to life steps necessary for putting together your favorite piece this season whatever it maybe. 

Enjoy!

Stage 1

Made in Midtown: Jason Wu from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 2

Made in Midtown: Danny Gold from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 3

Made in Midtown: Tina Schenk from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 4

Made in Midtown: Tony Singh from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 5

Made in Midtown: Paul Cavazza from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 6

Made in Midtown: Ramdat Harihar from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Stage 7

Made in Midtown: Ron Frasch from Design Trust for Public Space on Vimeo.

Belvedere x MW

Ok, I feel like I'm beating a dead horse deader with this whole cross creative branding topic (see put it on paper post), but no sooner do I open this month's issue of 944 then I see an article about how fashion designer Matthew Williamson has partnered with vodka company Belvedere to create a limited-edition kaftan and all-in-one jump suit (sold out...sorry ladies!) to help woop woop Belvedere's new - guess what - pink grapefruit VODKA! What will they think of next? From Williamson's mouth to your ears...


"My design for the Belvedere Pink Grapefruit collaboration was inspired by the vitality of sultry high summer evenings," said Williamson. "Incorporating a vibrant sun-drenched palette, the print is evocative of exotic destinations ventured by the modern-day, global traveller."


At $1195, I'll pay full price for the drink and put the rest towards the exotic vacation. 

Eat, Pray, Cha-Ching!

You may not find a bigger fan of Eat, Pray, Love than me. While I won't be traveling to Bali for yoga or quiting my job to walk in Elizabeth Gilbert's exact steps, her story moved me. In my own quiet way, I give thanks to Gilbert for sharing with me a self dialog that wasn't all about "how do I have babies and work?" Getting to know yourself is a fairly odd and strange journey and, for some, it does take traveling across the world. Especially after something as ugly and brutal as divorce. (Note: I know that not all divorces are ugly and brutal... just most of them.)


What was a spiritual success for Gilbert, is now about to be a commercial one as well. Eat, Pray, Love is coming to your TV, kitchen and now bathroom starting mid-July with the launch of Fresh's Eat, Pray, Love fragrance trio. If you're curious...

Eat has top notes of Italian lemon, basil and bergamot; a heart of plum, red current and rose, and a drydown of caramel, meringue and vanilla. Pray has top notes of elemi, pink pepper and juniper berry; middle notes of incense, peony and rose, and a drydown of patchouli, amber and musk. Love has top notes of bergamot, red currant and mango blossom; a heart of tiare and dewy jasmine, and a drydown of sandalwood, vetiver and velvet amber. 

Each will retail for $32 for a 1-oz. eau de parfum spray. 

Fresh's branded "experience" is one of many other branded Eat, Pray, Love commercial ventures most certainly benefiting Ms. Gilbert. I say good for Elizabeth  Gilbert. You rake in that cash.


My Eat, Pray, Love worship stops at the bookshelf. And, maybe a movie ticket... see you August 13.

put it on paper

Gotta have these notebooks by Archie Grand on jasper + black. Obviously I have a lot to say about the celebrities I've met in my day.... Maybe more realistic is that my sentimental side can't help but to collect interesting cards and notebooks like these so that not every detail of my life is digital. For those I adore, such quirky note pads make interesting gifts. Now gossip has a home more fashionable and long lasting than the chair at your favorite hair salon.

Jasper + Black is a cool company living by Tom Peter's credo: cool clients (products in this case), cool you. This bit from their website gave me the chills (sorry, it's my business dork coming out...)

Jasper + Black is a Minneapolis-based importer and distributor of leading stationery brands, working with brand partners that are creative market leaders, not followers, with ranges differentiated by fashion, design, innovation, and product merchandising. Each brand partner benefits from efficiencies of group sales, distribution, and affiliation with other leading brands distributed by Jasper + Black while maintaining a distinctive identity within the marketplace. Our retail partners benefit from single source ordering, shipping, and invoicing of product that is trend-right, distinctive, and consumer compelling.

As a consumer, I want products from people who give a hoot about the world they inhabit. In the future, you will see more of this "partnership or creative alliances" across industries where one visionary gives light and life to another. Take a look at what The Rug Company is doing with fashion designers like Marni and Paul Smith.  Rugs have never looked so interesting. Either has stationary.

treasure chest

A chest from Wisteria.com

I've been on the hunt for bone inlay furniture - mainly a coffee table for my living room that can double as an entertaining space. With a 700 square foot apartment, well thought out spaces are necessary. This Moorish Chest of hand cut camel bone from Wisteria has exactly the look I'm searching for in my dream piece. To me, bone inlay detailing is so feminine,  unique and ethnic looking without overpowering other pieces or hijacking the overall "look" of your space. Plus, who doesn't love furniture with history as poetic as this:

Sixteenth-century Mughal princes brought exotic Moorish designs all the way from North Africa to the Indian subcontinent. This stunning chest is adorned with intricately hand-cut, inlaid camel bone. Each of these exclusive pieces is slightly different and the result of many hours of craftsmanship.

printed ladies

A room scene from Serena and Lily




Interior design is my second love after fashion. Hours are spent on Sundays pouring over Elle Decor, old copies of Domino (which I refuse to give up) and Apartmenttherapy.com. Stumbling on Serena and Lily in House Beautiful this month, I was immediately smitten and obsessed. This boutique home decor site is a little piece of heaven.


Every few months or so the itch to rearrange or whip up an entirely new color scheme overtakes me. Apparently, the urge is surfacing because I've buried myself in sketches and fabric swatches for recovering chairs and hanging new curtains.


Serena and Lily is bursting with vibrant bedding, pillows, furniture and accessories for home. The Chai Nesting Tables and pink leather Moroccan Pouf are fabulous and functional. Savvy but budget minded fashionistas will appreciate the chic take on everyday decor. After having curtains and pillows custom made, spending $88 on a ready made pillow isn't such a scary thing.


In their own words about how they came together founders Serena Dugan and Lily Kantar say:

In retrospect, it wasn’t simply the advantageous fit of designer with businesswoman that made sparks fly that day – it was our shared aesthetic and shared vision of the baby’s room reinvented. Children’s spaces that are fresh and style-driven, with dynamic color and pattern combination, timeless and comfortable through sophistication and simplicity…this is what we both dreamed of.

At the end of the day, that's style even adults can appreciate!

Home Is Wherever I'm With You

Sundays are all about three things for me: making some sexy time, good food, and catching up on my stack of books and magazines. This song by Edward Sharpe and The Magnatic Zeros is the perfect soundtrack for all three. Enjoy!

Chambray Chic

Awhile back I dogeared this shirt out of People's Stylewatch magazine as a piece to add to my closet. The preppy side of my aesthetic loves a classic chambray shirt. Ella Moss makes it young and fun with winsome smocking and rolled sleeves. 


The banded waist is good for my curvy body. I love wearing button downs but often times the loose fit adds bulk. looking sloppy, rather than sliming me out. Most of my clients already know that I have very strict rules about tee shirts on women and I find this style and fabric is a great way to be comfortable and fashionable. Ordered from Bloomingdales today and should be here next week!

Ageless, Timeless, Priceless

I'm obsessing over good accessories lately. My jewerly collection is in dire need of a few great go-to pieces... including something like this Lanvin cable chain necklace on sale at Net-A-Porter. Like little mini pieces of art work, good accessories perk up your stable of safe pieces... LBD, jeans, blazers, pencil skirts, twin sets. I'm on the look out for gems that are feminine, strong, fun and do both day and night. Ageless, timeless, priceless are my marching orders when cruising for new additions to my jewelry box.

What to wear... the naturalist wedding

One of my very dear friends is getting married next month in California. Her wedding poses two very interesting wardrobe challenges: guest attire for a luau party and "woods-friendly" wedding. Sarah and Kimo are very special and I would never expect her to celebrate her beloved union in any traditional way. Let's tackle the luau bit first. Immediate imagery: sarong, bright floral prints, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, Tiki bars, Polynesian nights, sexy girls belly dancing, island cheer, tunics, kaftans, white, sandals, Mai Tais, pigs on a spit.

Sarong dress at babygirlboutique.com

Silk Mosaic Sarongs and dress at Monsoon Attire. Love this site!

Beautiful People silk sarong at Ron Herman

Bazaar Beauty Dress from Modcloth.com

The Face Tao

This week I had a facial at the store from Elisha with Natura Bisse. After a Memorial Day weekend of sun and fun with festive amounts of good food and beverage, my skin needed a little TLC. Elisha is amazing (think head educator of the company) and left me with useful tips and a better understanding of why I need to fork over the money for good skin care.

Never the fair maiden obsessed with my pores, in the last year, as my 30th birthday quickly approaches, I have noticed my skin is changing: sun spots, wrinkles around my eyes, and a less lustrous glow than in my 20's. Yikes... cue scary music and give me a mask to cover up my aging face. I kid... but read on...

Elisha's skin tao...

• It's fine it save on face cleansers and toners. Get whatever cleanser you like from the drug store. Toner can  be as simple as Rosewater from the health food store. 
• Invest in daily face cream, serum, and eye cream - cheaper is not better here. Mass production of ingredients = pollutants for your skin. Spend the extra money so that you don't look like a weather beaten shoe in your 60's...
• SPF every day... no negotiating. 
• Ladies over 30 need to ex-foliate 2x times a week to remove dead skin cells. Your investment skin care can't do its job if your face is crusted over in dead skin. 

My personal skin line-up

• Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser (smells good, leaves skin tingling)
• Chantecaille Pure Rosewater or Keihls Acai Toning Mist
• Natura Bisse The Cure Serum
• Orlane Anagenese 25 Daily Face Cream (good for those 25-35 gals)
• Natura Bisse Inhibit-Dermafill for eyes (botox in a bottle)
• Orlane Anagenese eye cream over NB Inhibit
• 2x a week for one month I use Natura Bisse GlycoLine 25% peel to sluff off dead skin cells, keeps skin dewy and fresh looking. 
• 2x a week Orlane Gommage Doux gentle scrub 

Depending on what stage your skin is at you may need to add in a neck cream or substitute a more hydrating cream in winter. Finding the right mix can be challenging but worth the work. A trusted friend in a cosmetic department or facialist is very helpful in giving good advice and direction for what will work for you.