Target Designer Collaboration

Anna Sui is designing for the next Target Designer Collaborations. She developed this collection based on the looks of "Gossip Girl" heroines, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Jenny Humphrey and Vanessa Abrams and combined elements of art, spirit, punk and glamour. Some of the looks are a little too friendly for me, but I will hold judgment until I see them in stores. The collection will launch on Target.com and at select Target stores nationwide September 13, 2009, timed to the third season debut of "Gossip Girl."

These are my favorites

Interview with Kid GQ

I had the recent pleasure of interviewing the prodigious 18-year-old behind DC based men's fashion blog Kid GQ. A DC-native who loves urban life and is inspired as much by our city's style as it's lack thereof. This unique and much needed fresh perspective permeates Kid GQ. His blog loyally follows current men's fashion, posting zealously curated trends, runway shows, street style looks and local events. I haven't been this impressed by someone's vision, outlook and knowledge of fashion in a long long time. He has inate aesthetic sensibilities that would be impressive for a man of any age, specially his. His blog is quickly becoming a daily read for guys in the city, and I'm predicting it will be a major style influence to men worldwide.



Here are some pictures from our morning chat as well as insight into the young editor's mind:





His favorite fall accessories: "Hats, vintage distressed belts, trench coats, boat shoes,
rolled up trousers worn with simple tees."




His style inspirations: "Modern vintage from the 50s, 60s, 70s"



Where he shops: "ebay, Treasury, H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Gilt Groupe."

He got this watch on ebay.

What he would like to see change in DC men's fashion: "The fit! It makes the most difference- It can take something from being hideous to looking nice. I would also like to see men take more chances, realize that they can still be creative within their own restrictions."


His favorite designers: "Prada - they are modern and upbeat but always look current because they have that design aesthetic that's classic with a little flare, nobody has a handle on that as well as they do. Calvin Klein - I love their suits, they keep it basic but always have a current spin. They are sleek but masculine, which is where I think a lot of trends are going for the Fall."

His predictions for next season resonate strongly for women as well - he gave me great ideas for bridging the Summer-Fall gap and reshopping my closet to get ready for the cooler months. I will share them with you soon!

I can see your house from here

One of my favorite reasons to travel to California is the drastic variance in scenery within short distances - the rocky coast, the calm ocean, the dessert, the valley. In just a few short days I was able to see them all. Here is Napa Valley:















I didn't have the chance to go to French Laundry while in Napa, but luckily another one of Thomas Keller's restaurants, Ad Hoc, was near by. It is an incredible little place with immaculate service, perfect uncomplicated seasonal food, served family style and changed daily. Some of the vegetables from the Little Gem Lettuce Salad came from the French Laundry garden and tasted as fresh and summery as they look. I also had Louisiana-style barbecue, Cowgirl creamery cheeses, and peaches with ice cream. Everything was amazing, I can't wait to go back.

San Francisco from the hill

I just came back from San Francisco - while there I learned that an uphill mile is very different from a flat mile, that Mark Twain never did write that famous summer quote and that I have an Asian twin "sister" at Asia SF, but she's a better dancer and has a smaller waist :)

Here is the first batch of pictures:


The city from Twin Peaks


Graffiti


My favorite coffee shop - Stable


Tea on the patio


Breakfast at Stable



The drive up Twin Peaks

Remember when you left me on the side of the road?

The prints from Hussein Chalayan's "speed of life" collection for Spring 2009 were some of my favorite to go down the runway last year, especially when I learned they were hand-painted prints of car crash imagery. I loved the duality of the destruction, the tragedy, the beauty and the consequent irony of their marriage. Perfect for these trying times.

The fabrics are even more beautiful in person - full of details like door handles, mirrors and chrome. This dress is so easy to wear and perfect for layering - in these pictures I left it by itself so you could see the print and paired it with these impossibly comfortable Louboutin Hyper Prive pumps.

Raspberries and Cream

I don't like cake. Its usual overwhelming sweetness doesn't play well with my ultra sensitive taste buds. And if you remember, I also don't bake. There are, however, some exceptions to both, e.g. this Lime-Yogurt Raspberry Mousse Cake - A genius concoction by a pastry chef I know and the perfect vehicle for freshly picked raspberries. If you like nauseatingly sweet things, you will hate this cake, but if you are like me and lean more towards subtle and delicate flavors this cake might become your favorite dessert. Lucky for you it's easy to make.

Join me on my second cake baking adventure:

Ingredients

1. 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
2. 2 tablespoons cold water
3. 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4. 7 tablespoons sugar
5. 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
6. 2 cups heavy cream
7. Your favorite pound cake or sponge cake (sliced horizontally into two)
   
8. 2 cups raspberries
9. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   

Directions

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.
   
2. In a small saucepan, combine the lime juice with 5 tablespoons of the sugar and simmer over moderate heat just until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the softened gelatin until melted.
   
4. Transfer the lime gelatin to a medium bowl and let cool slightly.
   
5. Whisk in the yogurt.
6. In another bowl, beat 1 cup of the cream with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until softly whipped. Fold the cream into the yogurt mixture and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 1 hour.
7. Beat the remaining cup of cream with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
   
8. Cover the first cake layer with the lime-yogurt mouse and raspberries.
9. Add second cake layer and cover with whipped cream and remaining raspberries.

Snap shots

I spent an hour looking through Phillip Lim's new website today - I really like all the little bits they added to it, specially his and his doggie's interview with ME magazine and pictures of his Tokyo store. I can't wait to go back to NY to see his lingerie collection, and all the gorgeous Fall bags- I really love his dark/metal look for next season. Here is a collage from some of my favorite items:

Dali skull

I love Ana Bagayan's fairy tale images, specially this one, Silence. The big expressive eyes are so haunting. Here is an animation of her creative process for this painting.





































Prints will be available for sale August 13th.
Source: MLFY

Raspberry Red

I spent a beautiful weekend in endless raspberry fields with my family. I love the deep pink color of freshly picked berries and their sweet plump flavor as they dissolve in my mouth. I spent most of my time photographing all the wild fruits, flowers, fields and insects and of course eating handfuls of berries :)
I have a delicious recipe I'll be sharing with you soon.

Here are some of my pics:

Treasury opens Today

It has been so exciting watching Listopad evolve into Treasury. The culmination of this was last night, when I stopped by to see the brick and mortar version that everyone was eagerly anticipating and Katerina and Cathy had worked so hard on. The store is lovely, filled with thoughtful arrangements, inviting seating areas and beautiful flowers. It's the kind of little shop I'd like to spend my afternoons in, drinking tea, chatting with Rachel and Holly. I had such a fun time looking through the vintage clothes, adorable little jumpers, romantic lace dresses, colorful prints - everyone I talked to had found a favorite, none of us could leave without it. I bought a dark turquoise cropped jacket and a long gold necklace, but I will be back for more.... specially if they have some more delicious cookies for me to eat ;)

Treasury
1843 14th St. NW, WASHINGTON DC 20009
Thursdays 5pm-9pm
Fridays 12pm-8pm
Saturdays 12pm-8pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm

The colorful vintage party crowd.


One of the many gorgeous little arrangements.


Holly Thomas looking at a cute pink bag.


Sparkling water with mint leaves in a vintage bottle. Brilliant and refreshing.


Rafia bag collection.


Vintage bow ties and sunglasses.


Ian Svenonius spinning vintage rock and roll on vinyl.


Earrings, necklaces and the like.


Cathy and Katerina.