Hump Day Crush

Fall in NYC. There is a definite chill in the air and I love it. Forget about the fact that the streets finally don't smell, and the subways don't feel like disgusting tuna cans (well, maybe they still do). Pumpkin flavors, apple cider, a hot lunch. That hair is now brown instead of blonde. And if that weren't good enough, people are busting out their fall fashions, kinda like the adult version of 'going back to school clothes'. Scarves, layers, outerwear, boots. It is the most playful time of transition clothing, and I can't wait to sort out my Fall wardrobe. Shopping my closet for most of it, but definitely want to find a way to work over the knee boots, the dressed up sweats, and a cape to name a few. It is the start of the season and it makes me feel so optimistic for some reason, even if winter is right around the corner. Fall in the city, you are my hump day crush. xx

Hump Day Crush

He's everywhere I turn. Bombarding me with commercials for his new movie 'Couples Retreat', on the movie poster for 'Extract' at the theater by my house, on late night re-runs of the brilliant 'Arrested Development' - Jason Bateman and his cute mug. He started working it during the 'Hogan Family' era. The only memorable thing from the show besides the fact that it had the lady with a glass eye. He seems to be cute and sarcastic, smart but idiotic, nice but totally creepy, not sure how he pulls it off but somehow he does. Can't wait to see the new flick, since what's not to love? Jason Bateman is this week's hump day crush. xx

Hump Day Crush

It has been well documented that Grace Coddington is the real star of 'The September Issue' - and with good reason. Her passion, her unique eye for capturing style on camera, and her edge are all cutting and captivating. She has the balls to stand up to Anna Wintour (bold v. conservative, in both work ethic and personal style) and had a perfect foil in a man whom she worked with who was a total weasel.

I absolutely love that she is still so into what she does, and believes in it so strongly, when she has been working at the same institution for 20+ years. I don't know whether it was her former model days, her brush with adversity via her car accident or her flaming red hair that fuels it, but she is amazing both as a person and in the styling she executes. And she knows the careful balance of how to work the system. I admire all she's accomplished - I know I have definitely flipped through many of her stories and just drooled and dreamed of fantasy. I hope that I can be that cool and passionate about what I do at her age. Grace Coddington, you are my hump day crush.

Hump Day Crush

NYC. Portrayed by Colson Whitehead is so scarily true to life, it blew my mind. His collection of short vignettes all tell the story of specific parts intrinsic to the city - all rudimentary ideas of what I have thought about at some point, only way more beautifully articulated. I really discovered that it is best enjoyed when reading the chapters while simultaneously experiencing them (ie: reading 'Subway', while on the subway, about 'Broadway', while riding down Broadway). It captures the amazing and grungy, the sometimes dysfunctional love/hate relationship with the city and its inhabitants - and the nuances of the constant battle of 'me' v. the city. But in Colson Whitehead's NYC it seems to be about an even score.

"It's the little taste that makes them go, and keeps them here year after year for these key afternoons. It gives this. Broadway is generous and knows that if it did not dollop out, it would be dried up. These occasional gifts cost nothing. Terrible and generous. Broadway knows that every footfall is its heart beating, that we keep its blood flowing. Broadway knows that if this secret ever got out it would be empty, so periodically it offers a glimpse. It costs nothing, this harmless jousting."

Colson Whitehead's version of NYC is this week's hump day crush. xx.

Hump Day Crush

Mark Ronson. Producer of the Year. Celebrity DJ. GQ Best Dressed. Designer of Gucci shoes. Can this dude be any more? I always thought he was cute, and definitely noticed he can work a look, but wasn't super impressed with him until I saw him in live last weekend. He had these great kind of uptight dance moves that he somehow made look cool and had girls swooning. He is obviously talented and driven, but I think the appeal is that he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. Amongst other things.I mean somehow he pulls off a bronze foil suit. With a goldish tie. And not look like a jerk.
And glasses (You know how I feel about glasses). With a houndstooth coat! Not easy.

Mark Ronson, you are this week's hump day crush. xx

Let Me Take You to the Max...

Saturday August 29, 2009 @ Nokia Theater in NYC Times Square. I went to see Q-Tip, Mark Ronson and DJ Spinna, in a tribute concert to celebrate Michael Jackson, on what would have been his 51st birthday.

It was pretty nuts - three djs, many MJ fans dressed up in his iconic looks (most prevalent was Billie Jean). Basically the 2500 person capacity theater turned into a giant sweaty dance party.

Q-Tip getting down and Mark Ronson flexing his muscles. Ronson had made the 'I heart AM' shirt, and spun a set of songs specially completed that day for DJ AM.
Q-Tip mixed it up. Old Jackson 5, 80s Michael and even threw in some Janet. And rapped his verse on 'Got Til it's Gone'. And I was pretty impressed that Mark Ronson mixed in beginning riff from The Strokes 'Someday' with some MJ seamlessly.
Q-Tip also was like the head dancer. He was seriously unafraid to bust out some crazy moves. Old school Jackson 5 hand rolls, some Michael Jackson hip moves. He even at one point led the entire crowd in the electric slide. I was surprised that many people in the crowd were completely unaware of the moves that comprise the electric slide. I guess they never went to a sweet 16 party.

Instead of rocking out to the air guitar, Mark Ronson broke out his air trombone and Q-Tip found his air trumpet. I must say the two dudes danced and it was v v cute.

Grandmaster Flash showed up, in between Mark Ronson and DJ Spinna. And so did Angie Martinez. And DJ Premier. And Anthony Anderson. And Quincy Jones called in on Mark Ronson's cell phone and had a convo with the crowd.
And this girl. Marsha Ambrosius. I didn't know who she was, but man could she sing. Turns out she is a songwriter and wrote a song about MJ, and has sung on some tracks with Nas and Common amongst others. And she will have a solo album soon. Watch out.
Then Q-Tip hopped off the stage and into the crowd. He was like right there! And I touched his back. And then I was raising my hand up, dancing to the music and I touched a hand and instinctively drew it back. Turns out it was his. Oops.

Q-Tip then pulled a bunch of rando girls up on stage, Mark Ronson had disappeared, I sweat all the make-up off and was ready for a pitcher of water. Friends I showed up with were no longer there - some were pooped, sat in the chairs and lost their steam, some got separated in the crowd and headed out earlier since they had to work the next day. I experienced a good chunk of the concert on my own, but man was it a good time. It was almost 4am and it was time to hit the city lights. xx

You taste just like glitter...

Ok, so I caved a little early this year on the Barneys Warehouse Sale. But in my defense there were special circumstances - an extra 40% off of discount prices for all women's designer clothes and shoes started early!

After trying on a sick pair of Givenchy peep toe zip front booties, and getting both sides of shoes in my hand (no small feat), I threw them back to the ocean and walked away.

And I am glad I did.

I came back the next day, last Friday, and spent my afternoon digging through the racks. After trying on a bunch of stuff. Marni ruffled poplin top (wrong color), green metallic Lanvin heels (these were so sick but hard to wear in real life), Louboutins (suede MaryJanes - nice but slingback, too tough to walk in), a bunch of denim, and some random Dries pieces, it came down to the final heavyweight bout. Marni black open toe knee high boots from the Fall 08 runway vs a Dries Van Noten sequined cross back, backless apron top (although I have no intention to wear it bare and backless).

I loved the Dries Spring 09 show - stunning and easy to translate into real life. And when I saw the collection in the stores, I remember drooling over the sequined pieces.

And as for the Fall 08 Marni show, I have the lookbook hanging over my desk, and I can always use a good pair of black boots!

After some deliberation and a few phone calls, I went with the Dries. Actually the tipping point was when I walked 5 steps in the Marni boots and the inside stitching was rubbing against my baby toe.

And am so happy with my decision. The top is entirely hand stitched - ribbons (4 different types of ribbon), 4mm and 6mm sequins (flat, cup, and faceted shapes for 6 different types of sequins), bugle beads, round beads, white grosgrain straps and a silk charmeuse lining. My favorite part of the top besides the price (normally $1400, I got it for $251, 82% off!) is the play on matte and shine and the texture.

The darker matte flowers in the picture below are actually multiple 4mm flat sequins stacked on their side and threaded through, then stitched to form the flower petals. Beads are sewn on sequins to create mini-flowers. Bugle beads are stacked and threaded in loops to add dimension. It is an amazing layout and fantastic handwork - it made it through a season on the selling floor, plus the crazy wilderness of the warehouse sale, without losing any beads. Click on the pic below for the zoom in.

I was worried that it is too precious and special to wear often, but I thought about it. Why waste it just chilling in the closet? So I wore it today - to work - over a white Hanes V-neck tee and ripped boyfriend jeans. It was fun to wear something pretty fancy, really dressed down on just a plain old regular day. I highly recommend it to kick off your week. xx