The August issue of Vogue has to be one of my favorites thus far! Not for fashion or photography, but the articles on Huma Abedin, Senator Clinton's traveling chief-of-staff and Harvard physicist Lisa Randall. I find both to be inspirational and empowering. And I have to say that Winona Ryder is stunning on the cover.
The Nanny Diaries is opening on August 24. Finally! I loved the book and can't wait to see Scarlett Johansson play Annie Braddock as the nanny for a rich New York family. I don't expect the movie to be better than the book, but I know it'll be fun to watch.
I've been writing about New York often lately. I'm not sure why, but I have to mention the real estate article, "Every Penny Counts" in the Sunday Times. It is a shining beacon of hope that I too can buy my own apartment one day. Like the people profiled in the article I'm not an investment banker nor do I have a ton of cash stashed somewhere (i.e. my parents). But I know with adjustments, discipline and time, I too will be able to buy an apartment. Click here to read the entire article.
I've been in New York three years. One year less than college. I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm so different... better. Yet, my heart is the same and I am still searching. Looking back, I realize that I don't give myself enough credit. And it's easy for me to forget that I'm living the life I dreamed. I'm living in New York and working as a designer at a magazine. For the most part, I'm doing everything I said I would do even though I'm still not sure of what's to come. (I am profoundly uncertain.) To me that's kind of amazing.
This is from my journal:
May 30, 2004
They say the first night is the hardest. I hope this is true. Outside my windows I can hear cars and buses driving by, alarms going off, loud music and people talking. This is not good for a light sleeper. I realize, I am not use to city living. I lie awake, thinking, "What am I doing here? Did I make the right choice?" I know tomorrow will be better, I'm in New York, after all. Then I fall asleep.
Every time this movie is on TV, I am compelled to watch. The story is simple yet splendid in all its subtleties. This movie is about love, life, death, and greed of all things. To love someone and what love is, truly is defined in the movie. This is my favorite quote: Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.
Chilen artist Sebastián Errázuriz does it all... fashion, furniture, art installations, etc. I met Sebastián in Brooklyn at The Future Perfect during ICFF. He tried explaining his various projects, specifically something about a cow on a roof. I thought he was just BSing. Turns out he was telling the truth, go online and check out all of his amazing projects. They are truly inspiring.
One of my favorite things about summer in New York are the film screenings. Rooftop Films show movies all over New York from an apartment roof in the Lower East Side to the top of a warehouse in Bushwick. Check out the summer series (festival) to find a screening near you. This is a great alternative to the over-populated HBO series in Bryant Park.
David Adaye: Making Public Building is currently at the Studio Museum in Harlem thru October 28. David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, architect of the Idea Store (top photo), was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Ghanaian diplomats. Since completing his studies at the Royal College of Art in 1993, the London-based architect and theorist has built or won ten public commissions, at an age before many architects have built a single structure. His projects range from private residences in London and Nanjing, China, to public commissions, such as the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. Each building exhibits a myriad of global influences, such as west African sculptural forms and electronic music. Though celebrated internationally by architecture critics for his conceptual approach to building design, Adjaye is relatively unknown in the United States.
One my closest friends is leaving for L.A. in less than a month. I am a little sad, but this is not the first time someone has left for L.A. So I began to think, maybe L.A. isn't so bad... people seem to be healthier, even happier, there's warm weather, beaches and sun. There are celebrities and movies. There's the whole music and art scene. This makes me think that I could get use to bi-coastal living.
I've recently taken up a new hobby, crossword puzzles, specifically the ones in New York magazine. I'm completely addicted, spending hours and hours trying to figure out a 5-letter word for "Rite site" and there are times when I give up and move on because I just don't know a 4-letter word for "Gaelic dialect". I've just completed my first puzzle, which is a giant step for me. New York Times, here I come!
I've been admiring the simple and stylish ads from DBBW, a small furniture company based in Brooklyn, for a while now. All the pieces are handmade and given a great deal of attention to detail. I can't wait to decorate my own apartment with the Lake Credenza (shown above).
I know I've already talked about this month's issue of W magazine with the Beckhams, but I also have to make note of the fashion feature photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The Alice in Wonderland theme has been done before, but I love this new take. The photos are just amazing, click here to view the entire story.
Artists have used printmaking to create some of their most profound and compelling works of art, yet the basic printmaking techniques remain a mystery to most people. This interactive project provides animated demonstrations of the four main printmaking processes—woodcut, etching, lithography, and screenprint. It also includes images of more than forty prints from the Museum's collection in order to demonstrate the range of effects that are associated with each technique.
I remember this from college. I can't believe I found it again.
So I've decided that I'm going to try to learn French. This is not an easy feat for me, as foreign languages are, well, foreign to me. I've purchased several books, including Living Language: French Complete Course (this came with a CD that I downloaded onto my iPod) and the LaRousse French/English Dictionary. I'm hoping these will get me off to a solid start in hopes of taking a couple of classes at the French Institute (I'm really excited about the French cinema course). There's one book I've been wanting, but can't bring myself to buy, Nouveau Petit LaRousse Illustré. We'll see how it goes.
This has to be one of my favorite covers of Interior Design so far! Shot by Eric Laignel, the photo is of Patricia Urquiola's Moroso at Moss store in New York. Also, I have to highlight a piece from Cindy's editor's note: "... thought is not replaced by habit, soul by convenience, and spires by gables." For some reason this thought resonated with me.
This post is from Blueprint's blog, Bluelines.
Provence — a charming French restaurant in Soho recently taken over by restaurateur Melissa Hamilton and her chef partner, Christopher Hirsheimer (of 5 Points and Cookshop) — has just started serving lunch and brunch. This is exciting not just because the food is yummy (think grilled shrimp with shaved fennel, summer squash, red onion, and a citrus salad) or because the cozy French country ambience makes you want to move in, but because it means more trips to the powder room for stimulating bathroom lit. I’m not talking magazine racks stuffed with Vogue and The New Yorker, or “Jenny hearts Sam” love doodles keyed into stall doors. I’m referring to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which wallpapers the entire ladies' loo (guys get The Three Musketeers).
I just had to interrogate: How did they do this? It turns out that, in true Blueprint fashion, Melissa and Christopher did it all themselves. They used hardcover books, which have creamy pages, to give the walls a soft, romantic cast. They cut out the pages using a straight-edge razor and glued them up using wallpaper paste. That part took days. Then, they polished the walls with Polyvine glaze. If some overzealous reader should attempt to swipe a page or two for the subway ride home, never fear: Spare replacement pages are kept in the office.
Here's Philippe Starck's new collection for Cassina. I'm smitten.
Description: Privé is a collection of upholstered seating offering great comfort and a variety of solutions. An inviting blend of the traditional, the provocative and the ironic, Privé takes furnishing trends to a harmony with contemporary life at home. Sitting down, stretching out, curling up - nothing is forbidden.
This is from my friend Courtney Bolton. And I can relate.
writing this very quickly.... I'm seriously walking down St. Marks loving New York & thinking of all the reasons why I can still move back here, why it's good and I can still do all the things I need to do, the light is so lovely, I will live near Tompkins Sq park, do my yoga, etc etc. Really trying to convince myself that "I can." And then, I look up and right in front of me I see this sign, of course start crying again, no, no, that sign is not true I try to prove to myself... it's like this part of me really doesn't want to leave, really doesn't want to say goodbye, loves the city. And this other part knows, just knows, that I have to go. Cries when I see the Statue of Liberty out the F train window or as the plane flies over the city at perfect summertime 8p golden shifting shadows. I see the "why curry?" sign and just start aching again, streaming tears I just have to let go, I really wish I could stay here but I Know I Can't and that's so hard.
Remy is a rat, constantly risking life in an expensive French restaurant because of his love of good food, as well as a desire to become a chef. Yet, obviously, this is a rather tough dream for a rat. But opportunity knocks when a young boy, who desperately needs to keep his job at the restaurant, despite his lack of cooking abilities, discovers and partners the young Remy. Its up to the two of them to avoid the insane head chef, bring the rest of Remy's family up to his standards, win his partner a girl, and, of course, produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France.
All of my friends know that I'm terribly afraid of rats, but I am going to make one exception for Ratatouille. Remy doesn't look so bad, plus he's French... of course.
If you're not already a fan of Victoria and David Beckham, soon you will be. I know I am. Check out this month's issue of W, the feature is a sportier version of Angelina and Brad.
For those of you don't get Daily Candy, I have to share today's edition because it's all about Paris.
Jane magazine will close this month after a nearly 10-year run, despite a turnaround effort that had shown signs of progress, Condé Nast Publications announced yesterday.
In the crowded field of women's magazines, Jane stood apart in aiming for a very specific demographic: single women in their 20's. It appealed to readers using an irreverent, conversational tone and an often low-maintenance approach (the lazy guide to great skin?).
But Jane also lagged far behind its main competitors in advertising sales. Condé Nast declined to say whether the magazine, which will not publish after the August issue, was making a profit.
This post is from Ed2010.
I recently found this video on UTube, but it was introduced in 1956 in elementary schools. The thirty-four minute film (which has sound but virtually no dialogue) is set in Ménilmontant, Paris, and follows the adventures of a young boy, (played by Lamorisse's son, Pascal), who finds a large red balloon. The balloon has a mind and will of its own, following Pascal wherever he goes, floating outside his bedroom (as Pascal's mother won't allow it in the house). In their wanderings around Paris, Pascal and the balloon encounter a gang of bullies, but tragedy is replaced by a magically happy ending.
Yesterday a package arrived for me. It was a bright fluorescent-red, hand-printed wallpaper print by Nama Rococo. The great thing about Nama Rococo is that you can purchase single sheets, therefore you don't have to wallpaper an entire wall if you don't have the space or money. The prints are fun and colorful with reference to tradition and the Old World. Prices start at $126.
Prince William and Prince Harry marked the 10th anniversary of their mother's death with an event to celebrate her life. The Concert for Diana on July 1 2007, which would have been Diana's 46th birthday, was one of the first events to take place in the new Wembley Stadium. Proceeds from the concert went to charities supported by the late Princess, and to charities of which the Princes are Patrons.
Princess Diana is someone I look to for inspiration and guidance. She makes me want to be a better person. She embodies compassion, glamour, humility, grace, and love.
Side notes: James Morrison, Joss Stone, English National Ballet
