41 Roslyn Avenue, Providence, RI

I stumbled across J.Cosmas Vintage Photography quite by accident but was immediately drawn into the arresting images.

Surely I am not the only one among us that can’t resist the eyes of the past and if you too are a fan of vintage portraits, this is an incredible collection.

Priced reasonably, these would make a great gift for the lover of antiquities in your life.

The website is well organized, with large, clear scans, and informative and enthusiastic descriptions. Clearly, they have a passion for their trade (and the passionate are the most fun to buy things from).

Plus, they’re based in one of my favorite American cities, Providence.

See more: Web Sites Found Photos Photography Rhode Island Shops

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Posted on June 2, 2011

Super Super Model

Our super models of the 90’s retrospective continues…

When Kristen McMenamy entered the modeling scene, she altered the world’s perception of beauty. Androgynous, hard, alien and yet strikingly beautiful she is as comfortable with a septum ring as she is in a Versace gown.

I remember being mesmerized by her haunting eyes and pale skin in edgy editorials when her hair was ultra short and jet black. Now  she sports the most ferociously awesome hair – waist length and silvery grey and with it has probably become my favorite current model working.

Of course, there are those love cat Lanvin ads too, as if she weren’t spectacular enough without them.

And as ethereal and otherworldly as she sometimes looks, she still seems like she’d be tons of fun to paint the town red with.

Click here for the rest of Kristen McMenamy

See more: Style Icons: Female Models

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Posted on June 2, 2011

106 North 6^th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

During Jim’s first summer Friday, the usual disorganized long line met us at Egg, so we ventured nearby to the relatively new Italian spot, Osteria Il Paiolo. It drew us in with an airy space, a baby friendly environment, and one incredible lunch deal.

For 12.50 you get a salad, a soda, and a plate of pasta. Large portions and fresh ingredients elevated this from a mere “good deal” though to something worth telling friends about.

I opted for a peppery arugula salad topped with thick shavings of sharp Parmesan and a flavorful penne dish with sun-dried tomatoes and peas. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the cream sauce clung to it with enough substance to coat every bite but still remain light. (While this may not seem like a big deal, if you’ve ever tried to whip up a cream based sauce at home, you know it’s not so easy.)

The menu feels refreshingly out of step with the neighborhood. You’ll find no home cured pork cheeks from near by farms here. It’s simple food done really, really well.

With it’s open space, white table cloths, exposed brick, European vibe, and uncomplicated menu, it almost feels like a long standing neighborhood favorite from Manhattan that hopped over to the other side.

Fully sated, we left without dessert, but almost immediately regretted not trying one when we eyed the creamy white panna cotta at another table. Must try it during our next visit.

See more: Restaurants Brooklyn Italian Williamsburg

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Posted on June 1, 2011

Queen of Disco

Even today many celebrities are afraid to live out and proud. That Sylvester was dressing in drag and flaunting the title of Queen of Disco in a far less tolerant era is amazing and admirable.

He’s probably best known for his hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” but I found out more about him as a one time member of the off the wall fabulous performance group The Cockettes.

Beginning his career as a costume designer, he knew about style From head to toe and he made everything – from bangles to flapper dresses his own.

He sadly died of complications from AIDS during the early years of the epidemic. A documentary based on his life is in the works.

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Posted on May 31, 2011

30 Day Song Challenge – Day Twenty Nine: Best Song Request at Donn’s Depot:

Swinging Doors by Merle Haggard (1965)

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Posted on May 29, 2011