A Fresh Take on SodasArnold Palmers can be sparkling? I gave out an audible squeal when I saw the answer was yes.
Sprindrift makes a carbonated version of one of the most satisfying drinks known to man.
But beware, this one, though heather than regular soda, not for those with a wimpy sweet tooth.
I found it at the Meat Hook.
Leave Your Dress as a CommentIt’s that time again – to watch the red carpet, scoff through the introductory song (anyone recall the damning performance by Snow White and Rob Lowe or the embarrassing rework of Hey Yeah?)
Its also time to pick our dresses and before Paris Fashion weeks even begun (no fair).
I’m going off kilter and choosing a dynamic, quirky gown from visionary Mary Katrantzou. Add a structured top knot and Rodarte clunky heels to top it off and I’d be set.
What about you? What’s your fantasy Oscar dress? Tell us!
PhotographerLillian Bassman passed away recently and I’ve been meaning to commemorate her influential and inspiring career. A giant among men in the fashion photography world, she lent mystery, dreaminess, and drama with her high contrast, geometric and experimental images.
Her photos are moody and intimate, seeming to capture impromptu moments with the models faces often obscured.
While Bassman may not be a name as widely recognized as Avedon or Himmel (both of whom she helped with their careers as an editor at Bazaar) her iconic images are instantly recognizable.
She was 93.
Non Alcoholic WineEveryone knows I’m pregnant the first meal out when I forgo the cocktail.
It’s a fair enough vice to give up for the health of my little one, but I’ll admit there are times I’d love a drink.
Dead friends Astrid and Marcus, sensitive to this dilemma, bought me a wonderful bottle of Wolffer Verjus.
This non alcoholic beverage, which is a lovely mixed with sparkling water, and resembles a dry white wine makes me feel like I’m enjoying a spritzer along with my wine guzzling friends.
by Prince (1984)Prince has been filling our apartment with his grooves. From his self titled album and even the Batman soundtrack Van and I have been enjoying his oeuvre.
One of his most fully satisfying albums is the Purple Rain Soundtrack which features so many huge hits that we all know from growing up in the 80s:
The raucous Let’s Go Crazy, the poppy I Would Die 4 U, the amazing titular slow jam (which is a toss up for my favorite) but the incomparable When Doves Cry would have to be my favorite. There’s no way, just no way, to listen to this song and not feel elated.
But this king of soundtracks isn’t just top forty – there are less played songs just as deserving of note.
Darling Nikki is one of Prince’s most joyfully, profoundly dirty while Computer Blue makes me want to star in a roller skating movie or strut a catwalk wearing a mini skirt power suit.
It’s no new news that this is an exceptional album (although people are getting younger all the time and know nothing!) but it’s fun to revisit albums, even those we know by heart especially if it gets a toddler to dance wildly.
by Monica (1995)90’s radio R&B is one of my favorite genres and Monica’s Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) is one of the best examples.
I love that it feels like a teenage girl wrote the lyrics, its incredibly catchy and no one makes hit songs about their sensitive BFs getting all whiny anytime a lady needs her space.
Girl’s got to get cranky sometimes!
from EpicuriousThese Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes may not be much to look at but I can’t tell you how delicious they are. We were raving with every bite.
They are healthier than other recipes I’ve seen because there’s only a tb of butter. And don’t let the name Buttermilk unnerve you, it’s less fat and calories than whole milk.
I am a big buttermilk fan, so it’s nice to find a recipe that displays it so nicely.
This recipe is very easy, but leave yourself about an hour for cook time. It made me, a person with no problems with boxed mashed, never want to have potatoes any other way.
Deranged French aristocrat going to the opera or Helena Bonham carter without her Renaissance Faire tendencies. Either way you describe this Nina Ricci look, it was one of my favorites of pre fall.
(And yes, I know Fall is already is full swing. I’m lazy.)
Lace is huge, from runways to girls on the streets and this John Galliano look is a nice take on the trend.
Even more interesting though, is this sheer Vionnet floor length gown (and you’ll be seeing more sheer long skirts with Fall collections. So take note!)
Viktor and Rolf bring a modest Romanticism to evening wear, a trend that’s far from new, but given new shapes and proportions.
Lanvin has the ubiquitous leather gloves – some thing we’ll all be wanting and adds a fabulous sleeve in simple black.
Simple and black gets the most adorable silhouette from Prabal Gurung.
I love Valentino’s retro bubble skirt dress. It takes me back to my early days of sifting through Vogue with my sister, gazing at Karen Mulder.
Alberta Ferretti visited the Jazz Age and came back with some frocks any sophisticated vintage lover would swoon over while remaining on trend (black lace, leather gloves.).
I just love this Peter Som peekaboo lace dress. It appeals to the junior high me that always wanted mini skirts and the adult me that’s more nuanced.
Polka dots, bow details, and tight mini dresses wouldn’t normally add up to my idea of cute but Tracy Reese put all these over the top girls components together and something quite subtly adorable happened.
I do not have a soft spot for minimalism, but with flattering lines and interesting details, here pleats and Black on black layers, costume national always shows me the magic of a little black dress.
I’m not totally proud when I love something by Roberto Cavalli but love these bedazzling leggings I do. Smartly paired with an easy mini coat. I can see sparkly leggings becoming a trend mall stores can latch on to so maybe we can all try this look out soon ( for better or worse).
Pant less with shoulder pads. I admit this regal but odd Balmain combo is a look only models and fashion elite will pull off but I love it anyways and think there’s something we normals can take from the idea.
This Pucci mini reminds me of a deck of tarot cards used by a practicing witch (not the set I got from best buy age 16). This association is of course awesome. More witchy fashion please!
Really into this hourglass, 80’s dress from Francesco Scognamigli. The puffy lace cut out sleeves, narrow waist, and slightly pleated skirt are great and it works perfectly but unexpectedly with knee high boots.
No one does animal print quite like Giambattista Valli. This season it’s short, wrapped and airy, and I want it.
The quilted jacket, the full skirt, the opaque tights – this Bally look is classy Autumn perfection.
Givenchy had a lot of neat looks, and I’m as surprised as you that my favorite was all black – but layered with those boots, that bag, those glasses, and that hat – this is anything but drab. Chic and wonderful.
Lacoste has been surprisingly cute lately as this black and white college girl ensemble shows.
More black and white beauty came from Derek Lam who does nice things with the trendy leather skirt of the season.
This Antonio Marras retro suit is just the kind of gem I’d flip over on ebay (before it became harder and harder to get good deals on vintage).
Finally, a little color to these favorites, and just a little. Pedro Lourenco goes all futuristic and it’s quite pretty in it’s odd way,
This Anne Valerie Hash look is almost awkward but there’s some interesting ideas we can steal. First I love the mix of neutral colors. Subtle and beautiful. Second, I like that it layers a wrapped top over a blouse and under a long blazer.
Lastly, while this is not the most mind blowing outfit, I am really desiring a military inspired jacket like this. It would look so perfect over pretty much anything.
by Marianne Faithfull (1965)Marianne Faithfull is well known for her later period of husky voiced experimentation.
This compilation of her earlier folk songs recorded live for the BBC, Marianne Faithfull Live at The BBC, sheds light on her younger days as a singer and public figure beyond her kinky exploits with Mick Jagger and lovely hit As Time Goes By (though it’s included).
These are several covers and her floating voice usually lends a soft melancholy. I prefer her version of the Herman’s hermits hit Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat.
Many tracks begin with oh so polite interviews and quaint commentary about her life – having a child, getting married, her parents etc. It makes the crassness of modern pop icons more glaring.
This is mini skirt and flowers in your hair music. I particularly love the original The Sha La La La Song and This Little Bird. Even if some of her folkier numbers leave you unmoved, these will win you over.
167 N 7th St, BrooklynKonditori, the new spare but inviting coffee shop just outside the Bedford L makes one nice latte. Less intense than other local favorites, it’s also incredibly frothy and creamy.
Not sure if ingredients, the machine, or the dude working the latte are to praise, but it was very satisfying on a dreary day. Even if it was decaf.
Swedish sweets can also be found here as well as tea.