Things I Like To Look At

Met Gala

2013-05-09T15:13:33Z

My favorite envelope-pushing Monday night in fashion occurred this week and though I got so pumped when I realized the theme was "punk through the ages" I feared it may not produce the most elegant looks. That was an understatement. The red carpet was really not as fun as it had been in the past, so much bland black, and some people just looked plain gross and greasy. Before I share my favorites, let me just get something huge off my chest right away. WHERE THE HELL WAS KATE? I mean I know Kate Moss is kind of above it these days, and maybe she got a heads up from Gwyneth that the whole gala is a drag, but she was the one person that could show up and school everyone in the whole punk chic thing. Also Rihanna should have been there too, but seeing as its a big model night, Kate was noticably absent and the fashion blogs are suffering for it.

First up: WHAT I WOULD HAVE WORN

If I had an invite, I would have taken my partner-in-crime Elise who is the only pal I know that would even care about the whole dressing to theme thing as much as I do. And we already had it worked out. Since we dont have Beyonce status, we can't rock Beyonce trains that would necessitate a team of five to help us up the stairs. So we would err on the side of the "short fab frock" She in Erdem, Me in Matthew Williamson. Done and done. She: in some kind of wild eyeshadow and side sweep to the hair, I'm sure, Me: in black liner, red lips and rumbled bed head locks.

Ok back to reality. Sienna Miller and Cara Delevingne rocked it in Burberry. I never thought Kate Mara would be on my faves list and Diane Krueger would not, but I guess life is unpredictable. Also I think I have a major crush on Eddie Redmayne. He's got that effortless British elegance and boy-next- door thing going simoultaneously. Not to mention he had some well dressed ladies on his arm- Mamie and Zoe.

Sienna Miller

Allison Williams

Alexa Chung

Kate Mara

Who did you think was best dressed at Met Gala? I'd love to hear about your fantasy dress choice! Its very fun and a lot cheaper than actually attending!

Mother's Day Gift Guide

2013-05-06T15:56:04Z

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner I thought I'd put together a list of gift giving ideas inspired by my one and only mama. A green juice drinking yogi who can usually be found painting, head standing or beach strolling, she is no stranger to the statement accessory. A lover of color and anything small business or sustainable, she has got that "I just got back from the caribbean" look down to a tee. She is the kind of lady magazines want to write about, women want in their book group and daughters want to call for sage advice. Love you mama!

1. Baggu from J. Crew

2. Rodin face oil

3. Card by Rifle Paper Co

4. Superfood Kitchen Cookbook

5 DIY terrarium

6. iPhone case

7. Marimekko scarf

8. Leif color chip boxes

9. Tom's sunglasses

10. Royal Daulton tapas spoons

Blood Orange Margaritas

2013-05-03T16:06:03Z

Happy almost Cinco De Mayo everyone! I wanted to share with you a recipe from a book in progress. The photos are by the very talented and lovely Lauren Volo. Perhaps you want to mix up some fresh Blood Orange Margaritas to celebrate this weekend? Delicioso!

Blood Orange Margarita

2 oz fresh blood orange juice

2 oz lime juice

3 oz reposado tequila

1 oz simple syrup

Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Garnish with salt and a blood orange slice.

Mexico trip and Nashville Mexcellence

2013-05-03T15:22:55Z

I just returned from a lovely little jaunt to Tulum, Mexico. One day as I was sitting sipping a cocktail at an inappropriately (or appropriately) afternoon hour, I said to my sweetie "Mexican food is probably the only cuisine I could eat every day and not ever get sick of it." Then stuffed my face with more deep fried tortilla chips. Lucky for me, I ended up eating more mexican food last week than I had bargained for because we left that trip and landed in Nashville TN headed directly for my friend Teresa Mason's place, Mas Tacos Por Favor. Basically the best tacos I have ever had and holy pozole! I'm so proud of her, she has had countless articles written about her and has a line out the door every single day. She is a hard worker and all around passionate lady. This year marks her 5th Cinco De Mayo in business and I can't believe I was with her for the very first one juicing limes by hand and slinging tacos for the masses. Congrats, T!

8 tracks I like

2013-03-05T15:12:40Z

Check out my 8 tracks mix for a sampling of the songs I have on repeat recently. This past weekend I got a chance to see BOY live at Union Hall and they were really wonderful. They are a girl duo from Belgium and it was so sweet to see the lead singer tear up when she heard the crowd sing along to "Little numbers". It got me thinking that is a first that only happens once in a bands career and I was excited to be part of it. This photo isn't of her, it just a very chic lady with a Chanel guitar- see video below. I'd love to hear from you, any bands you recently discovered that I should know about?

This Is Where We Live

2013-03-02T17:39:01Z

In regards to my preovious post, most exciting about next week is probably the fact that I get to attend the WORLD PREMIERE of my love's film, This Is Where We Live. It is sure to be received with acclaim and tears and wild applause. Please go like the offical facebook page to stay updated about all the newest latest and to hear if it arrives in a city near you!

SXSW Fashion

2013-03-02T17:07:51Z

70's de la Renta via Stone Fox

via Stockholm Street Style

Pamela Love

I am getting so excited about traveling to Austin Next week for SXSW. I am not too excited, however, about the warm weather making me bare my pasty legs and arms. But since I will take any excuse to fly my hippie flag and expose my penchant for bohemian style, I am loving long romantic print dresses and lace shirts. To me this festival is all about effortless chic and that undone, "I stayed up way too late last night listening to this band you have never heard of but are going to love in about 6 months" hair. I mean, don't get me wrong I'm probably going to put a little lipstick on, I am still a New Yorker after all.

Oscars 2013

2013-02-25T18:40:42Z

Last night I had a little Oscar shindig complete with oscar bingo, a big ol' oscar pool and a puntastic oscar themed potluck. I made "Naomi Watts in this drink" (a gin drink with lychee, pear and ginger) and served a "Joaquinoa Pheonix Salad" with "Slice of Pi" for dessert. There were some other very witty entries: "Denzel in Distress" was a take on the classic aviation cocktail and took runner -up, and "Best of The Southern Rye" and "Anna CarGinenough" were some other tasty beverages. "Argo"choke pizza was another fan favorite but first place went to "Quvenzhané Spinach Ball-is" which won more for its flavor than its title. And then there was this:

Now as for the show itself, I found myself simultaneously under whelmed by the production (the whole thing was kinda boring and drawn out) and overwhelmed by the amount of Dallas- worthy fashion. What was with all that beading? Some of it worked (JChas), some didn't (Halle Berry) and some I am still undecided about (Naomi Watts). What did you think?

There were a lot of weird moments. Most notably Kristin Stewart's limp, and when Ben Affleck talked about working on his marriage during his acceptance speech?! And there was that whole weird drunk William Shatner moment. If you missed it here's a good 45 second recap.

Fashion wise it was really hard to pick the standouts because my eye was just so sick of the beading and sequins. It looked like a 38th street dress shop (very specific NY reference) mixed with the ice capades.

Where was the sleek hair and statement jewelry? The prints? Where was the effortless chic? You really feel it when Gwyneth stays home. Also missing was my personal fave fash icon, Diane Krueger, who rocked it at the VF after party. Heart you!

Top 5 best dressed on the red carpet goes to:

1. Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

2.Amy Adams in Oscar De La Renta

3. Olivia Munn in Marchesa

4. Robin Roberts in Marc Bouwer

5. Sally Field in Valentino

Alt Summit recap

2013-01-30T21:16:22Z

Well last week was quite the whirlwind! The kind folks over at Vecco Studio invited me to come along with them to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City. I have to admit it wasn't something I would have gone to on my own volition. Mostly because I feel so out of touch as a blogger and social media maven and wasn't sure I'd fit in or know the hottest/ latest that everyone was talking about. But I am glad I did. It was intimidating at first to feel stylish and important enough to even announce what you do. And my simple letterpress business cards weren't really up to par with all the bells and whistles that crafty bloggers are churning out these days. But in the end it doesn't matter. I made some good connections, I got inspired to simply do more stuff, return to writing and just keep in contact with like minded folks. There were so many great sessions and talks, some of which I couldn't attend because I was busy setting up parties for Vecco, but I think the point is that everybody comes away from Alt with a different experience. Even though I don't feel so cutting edge I still feel like I have something to offer and even if no one ever reads my blog it still is therapeutic to me to have the outlet whenever I feel like it.

And then there's the rabbit hole... At one point I looked up from my phone and said to my friend Elise, "I'm going down the social media rabbit hole." I was tweeting, instagramming and facebooking all at once, opening apps, closing them when they wouldn't load fast enough.. my eyes were going wonky and I didn't recognize myself. I honestly don't know how some of these bloggers do it. The hashtag maze and the liking and following and updating and posting can get so addictive, not to mention exhausting. I guess that reminded me why blogging doesn't bring me the kind of pleasure it used to. I always feel behind the times. And maybe that's the big lesson for me. Don't inundate yourself with what others are doing. Jealously is the fatal enemy of creativity. Practice moderation and remember to have a life away from the computer as well. Every now and again look at something beautiful and take it in instead of photographing it. Use your imagination, and use your hands to make things. Power down the iPhone instead of checking your email unecessarily until the battery dies. Don't go down that rabbit hole.

Phew! Now that I got all that off my chest I will say that the folks at Alt Summit run an extremely well oiled machine and I will definitely be going back. It was great to meet people who understand what I do and have a passion for similar things, plus it was incredibly inspiring. I got home anxious to try out my new Photoshop skills and reorganize my life. Which is something that I'm always itching to do every January but never carve out time for it. And by the way... the Vecco event was a hit, if I do say so myself! Here's some photos from the party I styled, and from my lovely time at Alt Summit:

Picasso at the Guggenheim

2013-01-21T16:42:22Z

Last week I went to see the picasso exhibit at the Guggenheim. If you are in NY it is definitely worth checking out. Very inspiring to think of how he saw the world, and what a great quote via Gin Wallpaper.