Another Remarkable Dress

Alexander McQueen Fall 2011
stunning.

The Dress of all Dresses

I hesitate to comment too much on this dress below for I feel it may reveal more about a special little dress that I am keeping hidden until the end of May...that would be my wedding dress. 

What I can say about this dress below is that if I didn't already find my vintage off-white short wedding dress (that's all he knows thus far) I would call Bergdorf's right now and have the dress below sent to me.  Who wouldn't want to be married in a confectionary piece of McQueen Fashion?

I do not think it is meant to be a wedding dress, but in my opinion the best wedding dresses are not designed for that purpose.  Stay creative.

Alexander McQueen eyelet dress, Bergdorf Goodman

Guest Placement

As summertime approaches you may be asking yourself what to do with all of those fair weather guests.  I have the answer below. 

Best Guest House Ever.

 Of course since you probably do not have a mini moat and/or water garden as such, or the time to build such an elaborate structure (plus growing time for all of those hedges), I offer something a little more feasable below. 

Best Bunk Room Ever. 

Is this not the best bunk room ever?  No one has to climb a ladder or be the sacrificial "I'll take the bottom" lamb.  Everyone can sleep soundly in their luxury lined pods.  I want to sleep in there now. 

Console, a Study in the Placement of an Accent

You will need no consoling when you place this incredible 1970s tusk console in your living space. 

A table to make you eternally happy. 

Is that a terribly materialistic thought process?  Probably, but nonetheless you cannot argue that this table is anything less than splendidly interesting.  

Fashion

These pieces are phenomenal.

Beware you are about to view my dream trench coat (who knew I even had a dream trench coat? I didn't until I saw this sweet specimen).  Also a supremely gorgeous dress that I would definitely wear in my wedding even though it is not monochromatically white-ish. 

Burberry python trench coat with stud collar detail, Bergdorf Goodman, $9,995.
(python belt also available for $850)

Azzedine Alaia dress, Bergdorf Goodman, $7,140.

Of course for some odd reason we cannot have python delivered or sold to the state of California.  It seems if there was one state that shouldn't want to "save" pythons it would be California, and maybe Florida.  These are the two places that would seem to have the most "pet pythons" (giant exotic pets that become like the flower from "Little Shop of Horrors") released into the "wild" (metropolitan infrastructures) and therefore they may want to even enact some kind of posse that chases pythons.  I would be happy to lobby for assembling a posse in that Burberry trench coat and some Louboutin python platforms. 

Stunning Bits from 1st Dibs and My Imaginary Par-tay in the 1970s

The 70s were genius.  Was everyone so consumed with looking chic and partying (and you know I mean partying as in total disregard for one's health and safety, really just slopping it all on) in sequins that there was nothing else happening in the world?  I think so, and it was brilliant!  The only way to transport yourself there is with a little disco, amber lighting, and fantastic design.  To think that when I was seven I thought the 70s were so passe - it was 1982.  I love the 80s, too, for entirely different reasons. 

M. Calka fiberglass Boomerang desk, 1970
1st Dibs

...and if you prefer it in yellow...
1st Dibs



This lucite bar illuminates.  Yes, it lights UP.  How insane is that?  Cocktails and presentation were so important that someone went beyond lucite dining room table to...oh...light up lucite bar.  Sure.  No problem.
1st Dibs



And a pair of matching green sofas for my living room with the flokati and zebra rug (with head)...
by Milo Baughman

and I am going to wear these indoors at my tres chic par-tay where peeps are mingling at the lucite bar and lounging on my pair of green sofas...
1970s Christian Dior sunglasses, $375 (isn't that about the same price as they are now?  snatch these up!)

THIS is a Halston ombre dyed fur wrap from the 1970s.  Who needs pants when you are wearing this, right? 
Outfit complete.  Halston, sold, hopefully to someone who will wear it appropriately.

Bamboo Whip

I thought this was cool.  It is on exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. 

"Toyota" by Rita McBride, 1990



 It is a Toyota Celica made entirely of rattan, handworked by artisans in the Phillippines and designed by Rita McBride.  The detail is incredible and the skill to build this is impressive. 

The MCASD has free admission for students 25 and under which is a great program, and they have a small but perfectly placed set of gallieries in La Jolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

Sensing a Theme

A.L.C. Rugby Dress, Barney's COOP

Eugenia Kim Nautical Knot Fedora $265, Net-a-Porter

Jil Sander Striped Market Bag with Pink Handle (I heart pink), Net-a-Porter



Eugenia Kim Grosgrain Striped Fedora, $315 Net-a-Porter
p.s. love that it's a little Newport Nautical Gangster



Balmain Sequin Striped Pants, Many Dollars, Net-a-Porter
Stripes...check
Sequins...check
Punkish...check
Balmain...perfect

Comme des Garcons Junya Watanabe Asymmetrical Striped Dress, Barney's

"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats."

-Voltaire

Words

I have decided to toss some quotes in once and a while to this blog.  Mostly as reminders for me, but I hope they inspire others as well.  It is always interesting what some well formed letters of the alphabet can convey, hope they can impart, and humor they can erupt. 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

-Mark Twain

Souvenirs for a Royal Wedding

Oh how I do love a mocking bit of sarcasm.  And the Brits really do that well.  The products below commemorating and celebrating the Royal Wedding are must-haves for humor and prosperity. 

Bitter China instead of the Royal China for those a little less settled with the idea that Kate has been chosen as Wills' Princess. 
Plates by John Lewis

Another brilliantly witty piece, the color, the design reference, the resentful tone...

And now something more laid back in its tone - a cool poster embracing the Royal Wedding.
Available at http://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk/

And finally we all know how I love a Union Jack.  By Toy Watch available at Selfridges. I wonder if I can ferret this out stateside? 

I Heart Cakestands

There is a store on Abbot Kinney Blvd that my friend Geoffrey Nichols walks past with his precious black pug called Pixie.  It is almost offensive to call Pixie just a "black pug" because she is so much more.  

I digress.  Geoffrey and his sister Ali are the BEST at noticing artistic and chic details no matter where they are.  And I LOVE that both of them send me images that make them happy, or wonder (in this case with the cakestands), or jealous (as with the green BMW 2000 in an older post).  

Apparently this shop changes their window display of stacked colorful cakestands often.  First, they have enough cakestands to even create this installation once.  Second, they have so many different and brilliant cakestands that they can change the installation often!  I am not sure how often this cakestands are rearranged, but Geoffrey has assured me he will continue his updates on this window display. 

I am going to make this cakestand matrix one of my destinations next time I am in LA.  I love random, incredible, thought provoking, eccentric, colorful, interesting effort.  And I love cakestands. 

Abbot Kinney Cakestands March 2011

Abbot Kinney Cakestands April 2011

One of the Best Prints Ever

A bold statement, I know, to declare something "one of the best prints ever".  Seriously though, consider how brilliant it is. Zebras, leaping, arrows (that is so not p.c. - do we still use that term by the way?), red. In some odd way I want to put this in a dining room or kitchen.  Or maybe cover an extended tuxedo sofa in the fabric.  Ah! I nearly forgot, there is an umbrella made in this print! (see below)



Scalamandre Zebra Print Wallpaper



The perfect-for-annihilating-the-damaging-effects-of-a-rainy-day-on-one's-mood-Zebra-umbrella from Scalamandre

Plant Life Derived African Animal Inspired Accoutrements

My papier mache master-of-all-he-surveys Zebra (see below) would love a pair of wicker friends like these Springboks to assist in guarding the Living Room. 

This bench is adorable and at the same time genius.  I tip my faux antlers to you, artist who imagined adjacent wicker Springboks. 

And as always thank you to Anthropologie for finding this gem.  You can purchase these woven guards for your home for $1698.

A relative of my papier mache Zebra.  Brilliant, made in Africa of french newspaper. 

Debbie Harry as Style Icon

I admired Debbie Harry's style for years before I could pinpoint the definition of "style".  Looking back during those experimental style years called "under 25" I should have bleached my hair at least once.  And if the internet had existed, I would have feverishly collected images of my style icons - Debbie Harry being one of my favorites.  Instead of Google Images I had grainy MTV and the video noir "Heart of Glass" played at will by the VJ's showcasing Her frazzled bleached bob and red lips.  A true icon of feminine punk rock sexy style.  

Is it too late to bleach my hair into a punk rock frizz?  I think I am lamenting my "under 25", and more recently my "under 35".

Debbie Harry as photographed by Roberta Bayley



Simple and Clean

I love this picture in all of it's graphic simplicity.

by Aritst Don Oehl at Clic Gallery



La Finale par Marc

Oh, Marc.  You gave me chills. 

This. Is. Fashion.  

Give them what they crave when they don't know they are craving it. 

Hand it to them on a glossy catwalk when they least expect it. 

Compose an image to captivate our attention and renew our addiction.

Kate Moss...in that ensemble...on that glossy catwalk...smoking.  La finale.

Succulent Seating

The elevator at Bergdorf's to the seventh floor becomes a reverse rabbit hole into a labyrinth of design, lacquered animalia, and exquisite treats worthy of a Wonderland Art Director.  My lovely friend, AHN, introduced me to this quiet curated place.  Once again she has redirected my attention to the seventh floor where these incredible "Prickly Pear" chairs are featured by designer Valentina Gonzalez Wholers.  There are almost no words, except "I want two for my dining room". 

Inspired Alphastructaesthetitologist

Oh these are gorgeous, aren't they?  Hailing most recently from a marine laden town with stories of mermaids and tritons and sailors from 'round the planet, I have a particular attachment to the intrigue and romance of these words.  If you subtract the beauty of the words, you are left with typeographical images so gorgeous and unique it is moving.  The combination...stunning.



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(above: to my sailor)*

These images are masterfully created by New York based and self-titled Alphastructaesthetitologist Jon Contino.  Please view his site for more intriguing design as well as information about custom design.  Wouldn't it be spectacular to commission a custom invitation or declaration by Mr. Contino?  Hats off - or anchors aweigh - to Jon Contino for making this world a more beautiful place by the stroke of his hand and imagination.

P.S. He has a blog, too. I am officially obsessed.

This Jacket, These Doors, This Hotel

Let's start with the jacket.  It's perfect.  What a good color.  Of course if we are going to talk details, it could fit a little tighter in order to avoid looking like a fuddy.  My Grandfather had a jacket like this except it was corduroy (genius) - and he had a matching one made for my Grandmother.  Why don't people dress like that anymore? 

This was taken at the main entrance of the Parker Palm Springs.  An incredibly styled hotel done by Jonathan Adler.  There are so many incredible ideas and detials in this space it's amazing and worth a stay over in Palm Springs...or just a cocktail at their green marble and mirrored lobby bar.  Yep.  Green marble + brass + mirrors.  Now THAT is where you drink a proper cocktail, at the proper hour, in this proper pink blazer.

I'm back with a Union Jack

It rhymed.  I'm guilty of corny titles. 

But this 1930s piece of luggage is A-MAAAA-ZZZING.

Available at Yale R. Burge in the frigid tundra that is NYC. Or comfortably from your own cozy home via the world wide web on 1st Dibs.

Genius.  And a worthy opening blog post to 2011. 

Happy New Year (does it still count if Puxatony Phil already made his appearance?)!!!