oh, really?

I just returned home from a fabulous dinner made by one of my favorite partners in crime to find an email from a gentleman who took my photograph for Essence Magazine. It's really strange to see something like that. I had to laugh at all of the comments.

Here are a few (unedited):

CHLE I DIND'T EVEN SEE THE HOLE I THOUGHT IT WAS SLIT.LOL THOUGHT MAYB IT WS LIKE THOSE LEGGINGS THAT HAVE THE HOOK I THOUGHT SHE JUST DIDN'T HOOK THEM. I HOPE THAT WAS THE CASE. BUT I DEFINATELY DON'T THINK THIS WAS INTENTIONAL. ESSENCE IS WRONG 4 PUTTING HER ON BLAST OR MAYBE THEY DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE.LOL GOES TO SHOW U SOMETIME U HAVE 2 ROC WHAT U GOT & SHE STILL MADE THE FR PGE! HATERS!

She may have a hole in her tights but we are in a recession ("don't hate - co ordinate")

I'm sorry these street styles to me seem a bit ridiculous. I've seen street style and its amazingly hot. This just seems very clownish.

Truth be told, I just plopped on my favorite legging-tights that I made from a pair of drug-store stockings. I wear them so often that they are worn thin! It was a beautiful Sunday and I was making my way to Balthazar for my weekly madeline/cafe- creme/life contemplation on a bench. So funny!

wedding.

so, you only have 2 pennies? buy 1 loaf of bread and 1 lilly.

Thanks to V, you won't need a third penny for a magazine. With the grace and elegance of peach chiffon, V has their digital issues from months' prior (in full) available for all to admire, download, print, share, and of course blog. I can't really think of any other magazine that is as refreshing, stunning, fashion forward, optimistic, and apparently generous.

Here is their spread from Beauty: Issue #60. I just love:



that there is an ancient proverb on the wisdom of being both practical and frivolous.




curly hair!!


pink lipstick and eyeshadow. ladies (and gentlemen) do we dare?


gap teeth! yay, i am so 2010. perfection, you are 2000 too late!

hey little white rabbit

where are you off to little white rabbit?


will you take us?


what could you be late for?

for tina.

Rolling Stone: "You do understand that a lot of men might
be put off or intimidated by the Tina Turner they see onstage
-that sexy, leather-clad woman in net stockings and miniskirt."

Tina: "I started wearing net stockings because the other stockings
ran...The short dresses work for me onstage because I've got
a short torso...I never advertise myself for men...I didn't want
the guys to think that I was performing for them, so I looked
at the women, because I felt less embarrassed. A woman knows
I'm having fun and not trying to catch a guy. I'm there for a
performance...The leather came because I was looking for a material
that didn't show perspiration. Dirt doesn't show on leather, and it's
good for traveling...When I wore it, I didn't think people were
going to think I was hot or tough."


photos by jack robinson.

This is an excerpt from a book that I've been reading called The Rolling Stone Interviews. I picked it up at work two years ago. Silly me never read it because I thought it would be filled with cheese wiz. Well, some subjects I just skipped. I don't care what Bono or Eminem have to say. But, I must say it's been an inspiring read, with fantastic interviews from Joni Mitchell, Truman Capote, Axl Rose, Patti Smith, John Lennon, and of course Tina.

Tina's was especially heart breaking and after I read it I just have to say, love you Tina! I want this vest. I don't deserve it, but you do!

week.end.

this is one of those weeks where you must pretend that:

mistakes are lessons learned.

polyester is chiffon.

pbr is champagne. keep it flowing. and call me while you are at it!

I am waiting eagerly for this week to end.
I just know there's a vintage Dior coat waiting for me at the HK flea market.
I just know it.

mighty proud

wanna hear a good song? it's called mighty proud. photo by dan king.

the band is called chief. photo from la myspace


to hear them live is to know what harmony really is. photo from la myspace.

Do you remember the video the Olsen Twins put together for The Row? It was an obsession of mine two years ago. That song. That song.

I found the composer at the end of the credits, Danny Fujikawa. Being the music fanatic that I am, I contacted him to tell him how much I loved Dear Braden. Danny said it was about his brother...specifically an afternoon hike with his brother...in California. He told me to come see his band, Chief play at the Bowery.

Amazing.

Chief just got signed by Domino Records and I really do believe they could go down as one of the great American bands. I hope you enjoy Mighty Proud as much as I do.

unsure. look up.

There is so much to look at in New York. There is so much to do and so much to get done. The sad thing is, you can't do it all. Does this get me down at times? Yes.

But whatever I do, we do, never look down. Look up. And this is what you will get.

My blo.friend ThatSoRad tagged me. What do you wanna know? Here you go mon cherie!! xoxo

Where's your cell phone: charger

Your hair: curly
Your mother: darling
Your father: trusty advisor
Favorite food: everything
Dream last night: a vacation in rome. lavender and peach chiffon dresses.
Favorite drink: bubble tea from ten ren cafe
What room are you: living
Hobby: violin
Fear: not being able to travel
Where were you last night: home cooking
Something that you aren't: chatty
Muffins: not a fan
Wish list item: a trip to rome
Where did you grow up: hawaii, california, pennsylvania
What you're wearing: sailor t, skinny black pants, black pearls, white pearls, my floral gold engagement to paris
Your pets: chia
Friends: the best clothes
Something you're not wearing: nail polish
Favorite store: barneys
Favorite color: lavender and grey (together)
Last time you laughed: i forget
Your best friend: my brother
Place you go to over and over: the bench outside of balthazar's for iced coffee, madeline cookies, and people watching
Person who emails you regularly: la layla
Favorite place to eat: cafe gitane, freeman's, the roebling tea room, frankie's...

i'm tagging you la becky! xoxo!

we don't expire.

amber essentials. los angeles may 2009. by my greatest xoxo: hedi slimane.

I want to tell you a story.

I am at a bar on the Lower East Side with my friends on a Saturday night.* A fellow approaches me. The usual banter proceeds. "What do you do?" .... "Where are you from?" ...Blah...Blah...Blah...Yawn.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 27. How about you?" I said.

"Wait you're 27? I thought you were like 23. I gotta go," he responded.

Your wearing cargo pants and you are passing judgement on me? This is what I get for being open minded.

Well that isn't my point. My point is that we are obsessed with youth. So much so that everyone is around me is freaking out: I'm going to be thirty soon. I can't do this or that. It's too late for me. I have to be a successful famous ___ by the time I'm thirty. The magic is gone. I'm not 22 anymore. I'm old. Do I look old? Do you see this wrinkle?

These are many statements that I hear often. They are quite disturbing to me. People, especially, women are not gallons of milk. So let's stop looking at the date. Shall we?

On a side note, most of the women in the public eye, that I look up to, are far beyond their twenties: Chloe Sevigny, Natasha Khan, Garance Dore, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stella McCartney, Gwen Stefani, and Tina Turner. I mean really. Who am I supposed to admire? Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, or fifteen-year-old models? Pathetic.

I mean my twenties have been awful. These are the best years of my life? I can't wait until I am thirty seven and have the money to wear Lanvin inappropriately with Top Shop while traveling the world and stomping on cargo-wearing-d-bags.

I came upon this amazing portait of Amber Valletta while looking for photographs for this rant. The outfits in this series are what I intend on wearing while doing all of the above after dropping the wee ones off at ballet practice.

Enjoy the rest!

*Side Note: Please don't take pity on me. I never go out on Saturday nights. Anyone over the age of 24, with taste, and common sense in NYC understands why. This is what happens when I do. Did I mention this was a bar without champagne or mint juleps...but with a mechanical bull. Again, this is what I get.

chill the * out

I was looking through my "archive" photographs and found this guy. I don't remember who he is or what he does. I do remember being impressed with him for some reason. It's kind of a fog, but I was anxious to find a job and start a career. You know that ambition was kicking in.

This guy was so chill. And I do remember that he had a good story to tell...but what that story is...I don't know.
All I know is that when I look at these pictures, I am remembered to chill the * out and enjoy life....even though I'm not a fashion editor in Paris viewing all the great shows. Alright. I'm over it. xoxo Mr. Chill!

time for my feeding

doesn't this make you want to live forever? apple toffee cake.


batter up! caramel cake batter.


the stuff dreams are made of. browned butter scotch pie.


where is that bourbon? right here. bourbon butter creams.


beet ice cream. i mean really! really!


Dear Layla; you are my foodie and fashionista partner in crime. I dedicate this post to you! xoxo

I must have eaten out almost every day this week. This should be considered a luxury, but it really isn't. The greatest luxury is to have the time, space, and energy to prepare your own meals at home. I often go to what are supposed to be the best restaurants in NYC, but often they really aren't great at all. The latest offender: Eggs benedict with runny eggs, stale potato chips, at a "French bistro" featuring an annoying WASPY twist, served by a Nate-Archibald-server who kept asking me, "This is the good stuff, right?"

No. Disappointing.

Do you hear me NYC restaurants? You are endlessly disappointing.

I digress. Dessert Candy never disappoints me. This is one of my favorite blogs and it inspires me to cook, bake, and eat beautiful food. Somebody give this girl a book deal or cooking show.