There are very few bad things I can say about Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James and Mike Mogis. And I wouldn’t ever care to. They are this generation’s definite source of all things folk, blues, and soul. When I heard of their collaboration a few months back I had no doubt the release would be perfect. And it is. The album plays like a conversation between new friends. You can almost feel the four getting to know each other as they take turns doing what they do best. Ward’s ethereal crooning mixed with Oberst’s unmatched songwriting abilities, topped off with the classic country vibes of James and production genius Mogis, is the perfect modern recipe for folk. Highlights include Dear God (sincerely, M.O.F.), Temazcal, Slow Down Jo, and Map of the World. However, the whole album truly is great and deserves a thorough listen. I just wish their tour was stopping closer to where I live!
My apologies for my hiatus as of late. It was quite the busy summer.
But I am back! And of course, just in time for Fashion Week!
I’m still collecting my thoughts on the looks for Spring 2010, as there are many shows left. However, at first glance here are my current stand outs.
First up…Jen Kao. I love watching this fantastic young talent mature. Here she sets a rather ethereal tone…almost pre-historic. And of course Eddie Borgo’s jewelry was to die for.
I absolutely loved the abstract meets geometry vibe of Ohne Titel. The looks are totally wearable and I love the use of the bright blue shining through the reds, whites, and blacks. It’s a complete modern take on color and composition wizards Rothko and Mondrian.
While I wasn’t a fan of the entire collection, (I certainly can do without orange sherbet dresses) these two little numbers caught my eye at Cushnie et Ochs. Clever cutouts and killer shoes. The perfect outfit for a night out.
Breaking away from old black habits…well until the end of the show…Alexander Wang exhibited his versatility with softer tones of browns, tans, whites, blues and reds. Oh how I loved the red and white striped ensembles. And I must find a way to get that leather jacket.
More to come soon!
I am not exactly sure why, but I am really feeling this Levi’s campaign. The photographs aren’t exactly edgy, just somewhat normal, uninspired looking. Perhaps that’s precisely why I like them. In this floundering economy, why see anything through rose-tinted glasses? Levi’s shows a sometimes very normal and predictable side to America. People go to jail. Jumpsuits while your in, and denim while your out. I’m not quite sure why Levi’s would try to glamorize the idea of jail and their product, because that probably would rarely bring about profit. But for right now, it looks good. Rebellious, I suppose.
None of these thoughts make sense. Neither does the Levi’s campaign. But I do not need to have a reason for what I find aesthetically pleasing. It’s all in my eyes.
photos: HighSnobiety
I do not have much time but when I saw this I just got so excited I had to post about it. So, I must just do a quick quoting mess to tell you all about this wonderful product. I do not care what it tastes like, I just like what it stands for! Please come to Virginia soon!
The first truly authentic American liqueur since the pre-Prohibition era, ROOT is a certified organic spirit made with North American herbs and pure cane sugar. Unlike anything else on the market today, ROOT signifies a return to creativity and quality in spirits production.
Though Art in the Age’s ROOT has only recently begun tickling taste buds around Philadelphia, the spirit’s true history goes back centuries. The Native Americans taught a Root Tea recipe to settlers in the 1700s. Over generations, the tea grew in potency, particularly in Pennsylvania, which is naturally replete with necessary ingredients like anise, birch bark, cloves, cardamom, and spearmint. During the Temperance Movement, a Philadelphia pharmacist removed the alcohol and ironically rechristened it Root Beer. Now, more than 130 years later, we’ve done out best to re-create the pre-Temperance recipe, and to resurrect this classic American spirit.
ROOT is best enjoyed neat, or artfully mixed with white spirits, scotch or a dark beer, to enhance the naturally complex flavors. And with such a delightfully rich bouquet, ROOT also lends itself exceptionally well to culinary creativity, as Wild Flour Bakery has surely demonstrated with their delicious spiced raisin quickbread with ROOT-marinated raisins.
ROOT is available for $32.99 per bottle at PA state stores or at your local esteemed watering hole. If you’d rather have ROOT come to you, you’ll be happy to learn that you can order online from HiTimeWine.net. (Just search for ROOT. They currently ship to these states.)
So, it’s been a while. I apologize. Full time jobs just suck the life right out of you.
I need some of these…
HelpRemedies. Not only do these cute, cheery boxes try to cure just about everything from headaches to allergies, the packaging is biodegradable. Made from paper pulp and bioplastic!
Currently, I am in need of Help: I’ve cut myself, Help: I have an aching body, Help: I have a blister, and Help: I have a headache. All common symptoms of what is called working Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale.
But enough complaining!
Vacation is on the horizon and the past couture shows this month have been ultra spectacular.
Without futher ado, here are the favorites!
Christian Lacroix (possibly for the first time ever)
If I were Alice Cullen, I would wear this.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Superhero glam rock.
Jessica Rabbit 2009.
Christian Dior
Oh the jacket and the gloves!
A complete fantasy. Perfection.
I wish I could have worn this to prom. Sort of.
Honorable Mentions
Elie Saab’s white witches/snow globe princesses.
Photos: NYMag, HelpRemedies
Today marked the revealing of a few riveting character shots from Tim Burton’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland. The photos did not disappoint. Johnny Depp looks perfectly wacky as the Mad Hatter, I can just hear Helena Bonham Carter’s shrill demands as the Red Queen, and Anne Hathaway makes for a surprisingly stunning White Queen. I cannot wait to see more shots including Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, and Christopher Lee. I am also quite excited about Stephen Fry being cast as the Cheshire Cat. He is my favorite narrator at the moment and know he will do an awesome job (think the Harry Potter movies, the narrator of Little Big Planet, Reaver in Fable 2).
Photos: HuffingtonPost
I’ve been perusing the latest resort collections and have come up with my favorites so far.
Alexander Wang takes the top slot, of course, but not because he maintained his designs best suited for the usual heroin-chic, understated, bad-ass woman. And while that is usually all I want in a collection I was happy to see a lighter side of Wang. The looks are refreshingly American, almost to the point of Southern! Quite perfect for the girl who doesn’t want to look out of place in nice weather for wearing black. Wang’s options are limitless.
I also noticed a substantial change in Brian Reyes’ collection from Resort 2009. This year Reyes brings a great deal of edge to his designs as he mixes in themes inspired by a focus on nature. I must say that I prefer where the designer has headed. The colors are dramatic and a step away from the typical neutrals or bright shades that have been ingrained in the minds of consumers this past Spring.
Finally, I must make a few statements about the lovely Jason Wu’s collection this past week. The looks had a perfect mix of shapes for the young and old. I saw plenty that would be Obama approved. However, nothing caught my eye like this little number. If only I could find a way to get it.
Photos: Style
At least once a year I usually fall for some ridiculous dress for which I have no occasion to wear and would completely break my shopping budget. I walked into Karen Millen knowing I would leave extremely sad, as most of the mannequins in the window were wearing clothes that looked about my size and were not (miraculously) stapled and pinned at the back! I limited myself to trying on just two designs. The first was one I was not exactly excited about but I did so just to appease the saleslady. The second was perfect. It fit like a glove. Now mind you, this is quite a rare occurrence right off the bat. And for that justification alone, I must find a way to purchase it. Who wants to take me out on the town? P.S. I would wear it without the straps and pretend my name was Kiera Knightley.
Photo: Karen Millen
I went mystic tanning for the first time today. It was a hilarious experience due to my overtly awkward instincts. (I almost screamed and definitely jumped when the spray started up). However, tanning, especially in Vienna, always reminds me of my summers in high school. Then when I realized it had been about four years since I had spent a summer in Vienna, I felt old. Where am I going with this? 1. I miss Richmond. 2. 3 months in Vienna and I already have a crazy Northern Virginian impluse to tan, which I never had in Richmond. 3. I also bought the Yelle album Pop Up today, FINALLY in order to get me out of this icky Vienna slump. 4. It would be better if I could dance to it at 3/5 South Vine.
Without futher ado…
I hope they do another U.S. tour soon, because I obviously missed last years.
http://www.recreation-center.com/
As of now, I do not have a place to call my own. And hopefully in the next year that will change. When it does, I will at least have a divine source of inspiration for the decoration design of my first (post college) bathroom. Thanks to The Water Monopoly my mind is racing, dreaming about my dream bathtub and the shower faucet that will accompany it. Oh yes, my life has indeed become quite dull as I now live at home with my parents and work a full time job. I can’t decide if I would rather feel as though I am one with nature, or completely cut off from it for a more clean approach.
And seriously, how could you possibly go wrong with a bathtub that has portholes. For the kids at heart. Like me.
Love it.
Photos: The Water Monopoly
