Love/Hate

Any great city has architecture within architecture, like the layers of an onion. The great city inspires you with the old, then surprises you with the new. I was recently inspired (again) by the work of Turkey based design firm Autoban. TPWP has posted examples of their work before. But this inspiration highlights a troubling fact about DC: the new consistently falls short of the old.

The Inspiration:

Located within a modern shopping mall in Istanbul, this space adds an unexpected twist to the already dramatic architecture of the mall itself. Go here for more pics.

DC spaces that could be so much more:

The conservatory room at Clyde's Gallery Place. Clyde's has always been an approximation of something past, when DC desperately needs a new perspective.


Poste could reside within one of the great spaces in Washington. A space combining the best of old and monumental with new modern optimism.

Hope for a better DC:

The courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery is one of the great spaces anywhere.

Source for Cafe Kanyon: Contemporist
Autoban's website

Susan Komen Global Race for the Cure

In 9 days the Susan G Komen Global Race for the Cure will take place here in Washington DC. My fellow scientists and I have started a team to participate in the 5K walk/run. Last year, the race raised $3.7 million for local organizations that work tirelessly to assist vulnerable populations. This year, they hope to raise $6.1 million - 75% of which will stay in our area.




My team has raised over $1000, but we still need your help. No matter how you get involved, the important thing is that you join us.

If you want to join my team as a runner or walker click HERE

If you would like to make a donation to my team click HERE

Or if you want to volunteer the day of the race or the week prior click HERE

THANKS FOR JOINING ME IN THE MOVEMENT TO END BREAST CANCER!!!

Floral Haze

Remember when Dries Van Noten had gorgeous contrasting floral prints on the runway last Spring? Every time the weather starts getting warm my mind is flooded with vibrant images from that collection. Today I found these two florals in my closet, and they really liked each other, and deeper in my closet I found these long forgotten red espadrilles, so 2007, but I think somehow they all worked together. I guess re-shopping your closet really works!







Blouse: Vintage Blumarine
Skirt: Made by my aunt :)
Shoes: Target

699

Is it worth the trip to Chicago?



I think so...

Source: 1stdibs

Love Vintage

I'm excited to start a new feature post on the blog. It will highlight some of my favorite online stores ranging from vintage looks like the one today on Etsy to current high-fashion items.

The shop featured today is called Paramount Vintage, you might remember it from my jumpsuit post - I have always loved the shop's wide-range of prints and 70s vibe. Their buyers hand-pick each garment and look to underground street fashion and high end runway catwalks for style inspiration.

Kristin from Paramount Vintage picked for us her three current favorites from the store which you will see below. She also answered a couple questions about her look.



Why she loves these:
VIBRANT FLORAL 60's SUN DRESS
Shine as bright as the summer sun! every girl needs at least one feminine sun dress and this one couldn't be any cuter!

ETHNIC FRINGE TUNIC
The colors! The shape! The style! There's only one thing better than finding this season's hottest look and that's finding it vintage and one of a kind.

NATIVE AMERICAN PRINT TUNIC
It's time to dress up casual! going shopping, to a movie, or out to lunch? Throw on this comfy tunic and add instant color and style to any casual look.

How would you describe your style? "My personal style ranges from every era, shape, and color. Though it's eclectic I put it all together with a classic, simple, cool. I wear boots with everything! I generally have 3 looks.

• Layered mini dresses are my daytime look.
• Wide leg bells are my casual look (I only wear dark wash denim because it instantly adds sophistication to a casual garment).
• And finally, 40's and 50's dress suits are my evening look. I think it is so important to dress up for every occasion! and never forget that fashion is art!"

How does your style influence your store? "I rotate my clothing collection constantly. I love picking items from my personal closet to sell online. It's such a great way to make room for anything new. Everything I sell online is something I would wear. It is much easier to shop without someone else's image or style in mind. If I'd wear it, I buy it."

Wind and Bacon

I love Good Stuff Eatery burgers.... I find myself fantasizing about them at inconvenient and indecent times - like 7 in the morning or in the middle of a really tough work-out. I also wanted one this morning and lucky for me chef Spike was conveniently featured in today's DC Grill Masters Series presented by Wagshal's Market.

Spike cooked the Coletti's Smokehouse Burger and prepared his famous Toasted Marshmallow Shake. He also shared with us his recipes for both and gave us some insight into his future restaurant ventures. His upcoming pizza place, which will be right next door to Good Stuff, will feature hand-made pastas and charcuterie items along with pizza. A Vietnamese tapas place, along with a cookbook and a new TV show "Original Recipe" are also in the works.


Here is the recipe for the burger along with pics of the ingredients on site:

30 oz ground sirloin 80/20
6 potato buns
1 lb applewood-smoked bacon
6 slices sharp Vermont cheddar slices
Chipotle barbecue sauce (below) also sold at Wagshal's



Prepare six 5 ounce balls of ground sirloin into a patty, set on a tray and refrigerate. Toast the buns. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a little canola oil. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Reduce heat to medium and season patties with salt and pepper. Cook patties on skillet for 3 minutes/side. During the last 2 minutes place 2 slice of bacon and cheese on the patties, cover with a lid and cool until cheese melts.

Sweet & Mild BBQ sauce 2 cups ketchup 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1 tsp salt 1 tsp vinegar 1 tsp mustard 1/4 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp pepper

Chipotle BBQ sauce 1/2 7oz can chipotles in adobo sauce 2 cups sweet & mild bbq sauce (left) 1/2 ketchup 4 tbl apple cider vinegar 1 tbl molasses

Combine all ingredients for Sweet & Mild BBQ in a saucepan. Heat to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until well blended. Puree chipotle peppers until smooth, add the sweet & mild BBQ sauce, ketchup vinegar and molasses - puree until smooth. Strain the mixture to remove seeds.

Cliff's Homegrown Vidalia Onion Petals 4 Vidalia Onions sliced into eighths 4 cups batter (right) Canola oil Salt

Batter 3 cups all purpose flour 1 tbl salt 1 tbl paprika 1 tbl brown sugar 1/2 tbl Old Bay seasoning 1 tsp ground cumin pinch of black pepper pinch of ground cayenne 1 cup beer 1 cup buttermilk 1 large beaten egg

Sift 2 cups of flour, salt, paprika, brown sugar, Old Bay, cumin, black pepper and cayenne into a bowl. In a separate bowl mix the beer, buttermilk and egg. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ones and mix with spatula to prevent lumps (don't over-mix). Let sit for 1/2 hour.

Heat canola oil in a skillet to 350 degrees. Toss the onions with 1 cup flour and shake off excess. Dip onions in batter to coat well. Add petals one by one to oil not crowding the skillet. Cool until golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper white hot.

Assemble the burger: Place 1 patty on the bottom of each toasted bun. Top with bacon, chipotle BBQ sauce and vidalia onion pearls. Cover with top bun and serve immediately.



The event benefits the American Diabetes Association. Carla Hall is next to be featured in this series. Visit Wagshal's website or call 202-363-0884 to reserve a space.

Lace Up

My oxford shoe collection is looking for a new member, I'm having a hard time picking just one.
These are my current favorites....




From top to bottom: Black wingtips from Etsy, White KISCO Brouge lace up from Topshop, Metallic oxford from Rag & Bone, Marc by Marc Jacobs taupe patent leather jazz shoes, Two-tone saddle shoes from UO.

Bright Eyes

Our eyes get brighter here at TPWP when Jaime Hayon releases a new design. So, you can imagine my happiness when I found a feature on a new chair design of his over at the wonderful blog Yatzer.

And oh what a chair it is! Looking like a cross between a Thonet cafe chair and a Victorian lounge chair designed by an alien, Hayon's twentytwo chair would be at home in the lobby of a stuffy old hotel or on the deck of the Starship Enterprise.

After you are done with the post on Yatzer, you must not miss the website of the furniture company itself: Ceccotti. If you are in the market for futuristic furniture crafted in an old world manner (I know I always am), you would do well to start there.

A couple images of the twentytwo chair by Jaime Hayon:




A Ceccotti bean desk designed by Roberto Lazzeroni:


Sources:
Yatzer
Ceccotti

Locolat

One of my favorite things about living in the city is having easy accessibility to charming little places to grab bites to eat - that way I don't ever need to get my coffee from Starbucks, or my sandwiches from Subway. Instead I go to Locolat - my favorite cafe in the city. The more I visit it, the more things I find to love. The chocolates are a given of course, but Chef Niel Pieferoen also makes the most perfect and exciting waffles. Last time I was there he had just created a new one: Potato waffle with grilled asparagus and smoked salmon - it's incredible. The waffle itself is made from mashed potatoes cooked on a waffle grill, the smoked salmon is as always superb, as well as the asparagus. It's my new favorite item on the menu, next to the waffle with fruit compote and the ham and cheese sandwich.

Chef Niel is a genius at creating light fare, the quality of the products and composition of the dishes are extraordinary. I feel so lucky that in DC we have someone of his caliber concocting 5-star eats and we can have them at coffee shop prices.


Potato waffle with smoked salmon and asparagus.



Waffle with fruit compote

Golden Age

There once was a time when Washington, DC was at the forefront of architectural taste and style. This was the golden age period of 1880-1930. During that magical period some of the richest in America built homes in the District, held lavish parties, and dreamed that Washington would someday rival Paris.

Sadly the Washington of today does not approach cities like Paris in terms of architectural style. The reasons for this would take too long to list. But when we look upon the old, we feel hope for the new. Maybe someday a great modern architect will rise to the challenge and start a new golden age.

Some of my favorites:


Anderson House


The Townsend Mansion


Meridian House


The home of architect Waddy Wood

Inspiration Wall 09

I really enjoyed the colorful runways for Spring 2009 - this spread in Wallpaper March 2009 perfectly captures what I remember seeing - Tribal, color, prints, modernism.

I'm in

I'm scared of jumpsuits... they remind me of frustrated childhood days when my very fashionable mom would force me to wear them and I had to completely remove them to go to the bathroom... so annoying. I also remember them being ugly as sin. So when I saw them walk down the catwalks last year I fully intended not to partake in the jumpsuit festivities..... then I saw Phillip Lim's linen jumpsuit - perfection - it's so effortless, so cool, so comfortable... how could I not buy it. Having set my initial reservations and bad memories aside, I have also found some other ones that I really love at my favorite Etsy and ebay stores.... I can't wait to wear them...



From left: Vintage 80s jumpsuit, slouchy polka dot jumpsuit both from Funkin Junkie, Rick Owens one shoulder jumpsuit, 3.1 Phillip Lim linen jumpsuit, printed jumpsuit from Paramount Vintage.