Style Icons: Female »Shalom Harlow

Supermodel

I’ll be honest, as much as Ty-Ty says diversity is the key to modeling, I don’t go for a commercial Shalom Harlow.

She’s a beautiful doll like creature who should either be over the top fantasy editorial (see gossamer skull head) or stripped down high fashion (see her shining, makeup free Canadian beauty below).

An Ann Taylor Shalom is a Shalom wasted.

But that’s just my opinion.

The dreamy waif spent the good old 90’s mostly sharing the spotlight with dear friend and fellow supermodel Amber Valletta. She’s tried acting, which is sweet and seriously, she just flat out owns a few looks in my mind – thinking the pink feather dress, those black wings and that bob haircut in the first photo below.

Honestly, there’s never been an unobtainable cut, wave, and style as perfect as that. I remember the aches of envy that editorial evoked.

Plus, the girl was discovered at a Cure concert. Very cool, no?

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Posted on May 27, 2011

Movies »Bluebeard

directed by Catherine Breillat (2009)

I have been curious about the work of controversial Frenchwoman Catherine Breillat for some time and was excited to find her Bluebeard available on Netflix. (This may be one of her less controversial films with none of the uncomfortable sex scenes I anticipated – but warning for the squeamish – there is a chicken with it’s head cut off scene).

As you can see by the stills, this film is gorgeous. Any fan of cinematography or photography will be smitten. And the costumes! If you’ve ever been to the Renaissance Faire and wondered what it would look like if everyone there was as fashionable as you, then you must see this movie. The many ways floor length can look incredible in the out of doors is alone worth a viewing.

But beyond the aesthetics, this is an interesting take on the traditional Bluebeard tale. With a stylized telling of the gory fairytale juxtaposed with two gingham pinafore dressed sisters in an attic reading the tale, Breillat is clearly but subtly capturing the uniquely female experience of being a young girl: When you are dimly aware of sexuality and adulthood, with impressions of love and death, but still a child at heart. A phenomenon described in the film as having the innocence of a dove but the pride of an eagle.

On the fairytale side, two striking young girls become fatherless and the younger one is married off the the ogre of a man, Bluebeard. Not since Lord of the Rings has desperate size been as effectively used on screen. The bride is as tiny as a bird, whereas Bluebeard, in a feat of perfect casting is hulking and gently monstrous.

The other narrative features bickering sisters who, as only sisters can, fight as they cuddle and scare themselves with the bloody story. Something surreal happens in this narrative, but without spoilers, I’d argue that is may not have really happened (if you watch it, maybe we can discuss.)

Between this and recent Brixpick, The White Ribbon, I sense there is something quite remarkable and fascinating going on with the period piece movie in global cinema. If only Hollywood could get so inventive and artistic with theirs – I can’t tell you how boring it all is to see the same corset blandness season after season.

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Posted on May 27, 2011

Desserts »Sea Salt Caramel Gelato

Talenti

A tub of gelato that reads “sea salt caramel” may just as well say “buy me!” This Talenti brand gelato is rich, creamy, and doesn’t shy away from the sea salt part of the equation.

Really delicious stuff, and some I’ve only just noticed on store shelves. I look forward to trying some of their other flavors like Peach Champagne and White Chocolate Raspberry.

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Posted on May 27, 2011

Songs »Round the Way Girl

30 Day Song Challenge – Day Twenty Seven: Best Song for Summer Strutting Through Queens:

Round the Way Girl by LL Cool J (1991)

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Posted on May 27, 2011

Songs »Poison

30 Day Song Challenge – Day Twenty Six: Song That Makes You Wish It Were 1989 and You Were Living Your Life as a Heavy Metal Slut:

Poison by Alice Cooper (1989)

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Posted on May 26, 2011

Web Sites »Star1973

A Magazine for Groupies

Oh yes!!

If you remember, eons ago I discovered a little gem called Star Magazine – a publication devoted entirely to the art of being a groupie. The site I marked then is now all gone, but in it’s place has emerged Star1973, an amazing site where you can find all five editions scanned front to back (!!)

I am dying with excitement.

Ryan Richardson gets major props for sharing this with the world (and for all that scanning – if I only had half the time and patience for my own vintage mag collection…).

I can’t wait to really spend some time with this one – I mean, come on, just look at the article below. The Girl Who Fights Over Guys – Will You Be Ready To Face Her?.

It just so deliciously brazen and upfront about it’s goal – to help you, the young groupie, bed rock stars (even if you have to bust some heads to get into Alice Cooper’s bed).

And the fashions! Girls and boys alike would be dropping over dead in the streets if these ladies were to strut down Bedford Avenue today.

Thanks to Sarafina and Will of The Stencil for alerting me to this fab site.

 

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Posted on May 26, 2011

Albums »Soundway Records Presents Cartagena! Curro Fuentes & The Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia 1962-72

Various Artist (1962-1972)

If you were to play Cartagena! Curro Fuentes and the Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia album outside your window on a rainy, dark afternoon, the sun would come out and people in the streets would be compelled to start dancing.

Definitely on the short list of the greatest things I have recommended this year, this compilation is joyous, unusual, and all around awesome.

I have been a huge cumbia fan since I was in Jr High, when I used to listen to an album called Cumbia Cumbia Dos. It was never easy finding an equally interesting compilation of the Colombian genre – that was influenced by Africa and Spain.

Soundway Records, described as “a UK-based label, dedicated to re-releasing lost and forgotten recordings from the world’s most vibrant musical cultures” has found some absolute gems. I found them on emusic, which is a great site for discovering the obscure, particularly (non-lame) world music.

Every track is excellent, you could easily put this one on a loop for any margarita filled party and not worry about things slowing down.

Soundway has a slew of other releases I look forward to hearing including Afro-Psychedelia and the sounds of Siam. If small indie labels finding old, out of print amazing music is a new trend (see the fantastic Numero Group and their soul catalog), then I am one happy lady.

Below are images of the original albums of some of the artists included.

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Posted on May 26, 2011

Songs »Sincerely

30 Day Song Challenge – Day Twenty Five: Best Song to Accompany a Corsage:

Sincerely by The Moonglows (1958)

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Posted on May 25, 2011

Recipes »Roasted Branzino with Caper Butter

from Food & Wine

I always assumed roasting a whole fish would be some sort of ordeal outside my limited skills as a cook, but this Roasted Branzino with Caper Butter was super easy and beyond yummy.

With so few ingredients I was worried it might end up bland, but I can’t recommend this preparation enough!

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Posted on May 25, 2011

Personal »Van’s First Word


It’s ‘Mom’!

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Posted on May 25, 2011