Zou Bisou Bisou

So much going on! At least I've made time for The Hunger Games (thumbs up) and the Man Men premier (also thumbs up), though sadly blogging has fallen my the wayside. All I can report is that I anticipate having Zou Bisou Bisou stuck in my head for the rest of the week. Kind of reminds me of Claude Francois. For more background on the song, see here.

Hope to blog again soon with food photos from Montreal and other fun stuff.

Spring Stripes

Well we've sprung forward and it's freakishly warm in New York, so I feel like putting on a stripes & something short. Like these ...

Reese Witherspoon

J. Crew

The Sartorialist

Lucy Laucht

Also, thank goodness stripes are still in ... I have so many!!!

History of Keep Calm

I have been a big fan of the original Keep Calm and Carry On poster since I got my very own copy at Annie's in 2008. Ann distributed a little flyer with the purchase of each poster, so from the beginning I knew about its unique history as part of a series of motivational billboards produced by the government of England during World War II. In case you don't know about the historical significance, check out the little video below. Maybe I just love history, but there is something I find particularly fascinating about wartime England. Perhaps later I'll break out a biography of Churchill and have a viewing of The Kings Speech and Hope & Glory.

UK Government Poster, 1939

Week in Review, 3/9/12

Photo by Nathaniel Goldberg for GQ

Don't worry, I'm just drooling over this photo shoot of Tim Riggins (I mean Taylor Kitsch) styled as James Dean for GQ. They're pretty to die for and it makes we want to go back and watch FNL all over again (however it still doesn't make me want to see the new action film he's in). Anyway ... once again the weekend is chock full of plans (mostly revolving around eating and drinking). Also starting on Sunday I actually have to write my thesis, meaning really do it, really. Procrastination has been the name of the game all semester long. Happy weekend, herewith some links...

T-minus two and a half weeks until MAD MEN RETURNS. In case you want to do an Mad Men eating tour of Manhattan, check out this map.

Hopefully I'll find myself a fancy new job when I graduate at which point I'll need one of these power suits.

Here's an important but not surprising (and very timely) fact.

Not like I need another pair of flats but these are soooooo cute.

I've been here for brunch, but now I want to go for dinner.

The awesome Jane Hotel.

I wish I was cool enough to surf and hang out in Tasmania.

Been hearing a lot about Sharon van Etten and she's playing this awesome festival.

Help!

Original movie poster, Help! 1965, Walter Shenson Films

The other night I needed something absolutely mindless to watch after a long day at school and I picked the 1965 Beatles film Help! Yes, it has a ludicrous plot, features a totally not politically correct Oriental tribe who participates in blood sacrifice, and is full of poorly written puns. BUT it also has some of my favorite Beatles songs and basically consists of the Beatles romping all over the world - from their super cool London flat to Stonehenge, the Bahamas, the Swiss alps, and even Buckingham Palace.

Need a plot refresher? Ringo gets sent a mysterious ring in the mail and puts it on. Turns out it's a sacrificial ring of the aforementioned "Eastern" tribe and who ever wears it must be killed. Unfortunately, Ringo can't get the ring off, and the lads must enlist the help of Scotland Yard as the flee both the tribe and a pair of nutty scientists who believe the ring will give them world domination. It's a real delight! 

If nothing else, check out the great rendition of "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away." Note how depressed Ringo looks because of the whole ring/sacrifice situation.

Sugar Shack

John and I will be taking a trip to Montreal with some friends soon and we are all looking forward to ... the food! One stop we're particularly excited for is our afternoon at a sugar shack! Yes, that's right, a whole afternoon of eating traditional Québécois food and maple syrup treats. We would have liked to check out Martin Picard's Cabane à Sucre Au Pied de Cochon, but as of at least a month ago it was booked for the entire winter season. I guess that's what happens when you get a glowing feature in Bon Appetit (photos below).

No matter, we'll be heading to Sucrerie de la Montagne for some sugaring off fun. And we'll get a sleigh ride of out it - take that Martin Picard!

Photographs by Dominique LaFond for Bon Appetit

Random Fact

I seriously love learning random facts. Here's one for today: Salvadore Dali design the Chupa Chups logo. Yes, the Salvador Dali. Hard to believe the man responsible for the like of this:

Nature Morte Vivante (Still Life-Fast Moving) by Salvadore Dali, 1956

Was responsible for making this visual delight possible:

Also Chupa Chups were the first mass produced candy to be sold on a stick. You really do learn something new everyday. Via The Daily Dish, via here.

Where Are You Taking Me?

I'm very interested in seeing this new documentary about Uganda called Where Are You Taking Me? Seems simple but visually stimulating. According to Variety, "Shots of varying lengths show such locales as a busy street corner or a village road, allowing the viewer time to watch passersby and acknowledge the camera ... Some look; others walk by without a glance; children, of course, delight in the camera. The director films a variety of urban and rural spots giving glimpses of Uganda's varied social fabric ... Lovely transitions, via image and sound, and striking compositions make the pic an enriching experience." 

Of course it's playing at exactly one theater in New York and will probably only be around for a week or so. Whether I get to see it or not, I sure did have a wonderful experience in Uganda :)

Week in Review, 3/2/12

Via Elizabeth's Pinterest via 9Gag

While I'm at the library both Saturday & Sunday, I'll try to stay calm by thinking about the lovely image above. I really can't complain since I have tons to look forward to in the coming weeks (weekend trips, lovely meals), but for this weekend I'll have to buckle down and handle some major school projects. Have a great weekend and enjoy some fun links ...

L Magazine announced its Brooklyn Bar Awards. Seems I'm not very cool - I haven't been to very many of them!

In honor of the Top Chef finale this week, I wish could go to this knife skills class on Wednesday. You get to keep the knife and practice on a whole chicken and whole fish!

An ode to vinegar.

Looking for wall decor? Love these large format prints.

A gorgeous Prospect Heights remodel.

Best and worst of the Oscars according to the Fug girls.

I love to read about chefs' favorite cookbooks. Unfortunately, it makes me want to buy more cookbooks or spend an entire day at Omnivore Books.

The Best Animated Short film is all about books!

Fred & Carrie of Portlandia share their favorite spots in San Francisco.

Lastly, OMG A PENNY WALL.

Seeing Red

I haven't even had time to write about the Oscars yet. First thing to report: I won my Oscar pool! I felt a bit bad since I was the host of the viewing party, but really what are you going to do? As for the dresses, at first I was surprised by how much RED there was, but everyone who rocked it seemed to wear it well. And Michelle Williams' dress has really grown on me!

Also a few ensembles that while not red, were still totally awesome. Loving everything about Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain might have my favorite overall look of the evening.

Photos from WhoWhatWear and BuzzSugar.

Happy Leap Day

Happy Leap Day! In addition to an extra day, this year also has the Summer Olympics and a Presidential election. Oh and I'll be graduating from my Master's program too. Woohoo 2012!


Via the BBC, here are some fun facts about Leap Day - all the info about Julius Caesar make me want to go home and watch an episode of Rome:

• Until Julius Caesar came to power, people observed a 355-day calendar - with an extra 22-day month every two years. But it was a convoluted solution to the problem and feast days began sliding into different seasons. So Caesar ordered his astronomer, Sosigenes, to simplify things. Sosigenes opted for the 365-day year with an extra day every four years to scoop up the extra hours. This is how the 29 February was born. It was then fine-tuned by Pope Gregory XIII (see below).
• Why is February 29, not February 31, a leap year day? All the other months have 30 or 31 days, but February suffered from the ego of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, says Stewart. Under Julius Caesar, February had 30 days, but when Caesar Augustus was emperor he was peeved that his month - August - had only 29 days, whereas the month named after his predecessor Julius - July - had 31. "He pinched a couple of days for August to make it the same as July. And it was poor old February that lost out," says Prof Stewart.
• Explorer Christopher Columbus used the lunar eclipse of 29 February 1504 to his advantage during his final trip to the West Indies. After several months of being stranded with his crew on the island of Jamaica, relations with the indigenous population broke down and they refused to continue helping with food and provisions. Columbus, knowing a lunar eclipse was due, consulted his almanac and then gathered the native chiefs on 29 February. He told that God was to punish them by painting the Moon red. During the eclipse, he said that God would withdraw the punishment if they starting co-operating again. The panicked chiefs agreed and the Moon began emerging from its shadow.

Can't Wait to Read ...

... The New York Times Magazine article about Stella McCartney. I'm a big fan of her work and dedication to not using leather or fur - way to practice what you preach. Also, who can resist her effortless blending of classic rock 'n' roll style with modern fashion? Alas, I was busy all weekend with homework and chores and prepping for my Oscar Party, so I'm adding it to my to-read list.

Photos by Damon Winters for The New York Times.

Happy Birthday to My Aunt Mo

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Aunt Mo! Here we are circa 1986 in Ghirardelli Square - we're both pretty cute if I do say so myself. Hope you are having a great one Moey! XO

Hello Insane Week

Why is it the short weeks are often the craziest? In lieu of an actual post I'll share a slew of things I've had starred in my Google Reader over the past few days. Don't worry though - they're awesome things.

Like this little nugget of info via Eater. How much more genius can the Momofuku guys get? They will deliver a date night party pack - crack pie, beer?!?!
From the official Momofuku Milk Bar Twitter account: "Brooklynites, Williamsburg milk bar delivers!! Check out the menu and get to ordering!" The delivery menu includes a date night party pack, which is two pork or veggie buns, two slices of crack pie, and six beers for $32.


Oh and this, now that Downton is done my Sundays are free for the return of Mad Men - it hasn't been on since Fall 2010!!!

And no big deal, Michelle Williams just hanging out with Lady Mary. But ick, why does insufferable younger sister Lady Edith (far left) have to be there too? 

via PopSugar

Lastly, some more DA fun via Sarah B. - trading cards!

For the Love of Sushi

Welcome to Oscar week. Unlike last year when I saw all ten of the Best Picture nominees, I am waaaay behind and will probably only be able to squeeze one more film in before next Sunday (maybe Hugo). Since there is no true frontrunner, my ballot's going to be all over the place. 

Speaking of movies, check out trailer for a documentary coming out on March 9th called Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Looks amazing! Makes me want to go out for some gourmet sushi or splurge on a meal like this.

A Day Off According to Kate Spade

I wish I could do all of these fun things that the gals over at Kate Spade suggest (minus playing Words with Friends - I'll leave that to John). However I am currently at my second coffeeshop trying to tackle a to-do list that is approximately 1,385,583 items long. The only thing keeping me going is the anticipation of watching the season finale of Downtown that we DVR'd last night. Crawley family here I come!

Graphic via Kate Spade

Oh, and it IS President's Day after all! Maybe fit some presidential history if you can. Here's a good one: who is the only president to serve non-consecutive terms?

via Time Magazine

Week in Review, 2/17/2012

Photo by Anna Spiro. New pillows at Black & Spiro, via Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Ah, it's the end of a long (classes, work) but good (amazing dinner at Applewood) week. Luckily, it's a three day weekend. Though one day will be entirely devoted to homework and avoiding a little something called a Capstone paper (i.e. Master's thesis), I also plan on just laying around and trying to tackle some more Oscar films and maybe doing some cooking. Oh, and the season finale of Downton Abbey is on Sunday! I don't know whether to be excited or sad. Happy weekend!

All Downton all the time: here's a round of today's fashions channeling DA and a funny recap (they totally nailed Jane).

This goes down as one of the most ridiculous photos I have ever seen.

Savory muffin recipes other healthy stuff - spring rolls & barley soup. Do you do Meatless Mondays? According to Mark Bittman, "If everyone in the U.S. ate no meat or cheese just one day a week, over a year, the effect on emissions would be the equivalent of taking 7.6 million cars off the road. (Another aside: if for two days a week you don’t eat any meat or cheese until dinnertime, you’ll accomplish something similar.)"

Can't all post offices be like this? I'm talking to you, Post Office on 9th Street in Park Slope.

Simple spring outfit inspiration.

Like so many others, I fallen prey to browsing this amazing archive of cabins.

I am liking the look of The Hunger Games soundtrack!

Oh, and a Valentine's-related post from last year.

Gno Way, That Gnome is Skiing

My sister LOVES gnomes (and pigs), so I'm often on the look out for gnome and pig-related gift items. She has a full-sized gnome named Squats, but she doesn't have one that can accompany her on her many travels. So, for Christmas I got her a Gnome & Garden Gnovelty Kit at ABRGS. Little did I know what a fabulous life the little gnome would soon have.  For the last few weeks I've been getting texts and email updates with photos of everything Gnoman Rockwell (yes that's what she named him) has been up to. He even skis Lake Tahoe! I can gnot wait to see what he gets up to next - perhaps a trip to India in March?

Photos courtesy of Gnoman Rockwell.

Artist of the Day: Julia Margaret Cameron

A few years ago I saw an awesome exhibit at the Met on photography pioneers and I was particularly struck by the photos of Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1849). At the age of 48 Cameron received a camera as a gift and soon began taking photos of her friends, family, and acquaintances, many of whom were prominent in Victoria society. Makes me want to get out my real camera (with film!!)

  
From the Met: Cameron's technique was unorthodox. She purposely avoided the perfect resolution and minute detail that glass negatives permitted, opting instead for carefully directed light, soft focus, and long exposures (counted in minutes, when others did all they could to reduce exposure times to a matter of seconds). No commercial portrait photographer of the 1860s, for instance, would have portrayed Sir John Herschel (1792–1871)—the nation's preeminent scientist and mathematician, considered the equal of Sir Isaac Newton—as Cameron did in 1867 (below).

All photos by Julia Margaret Cameron.

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a good one!

Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Via Kate Spade by Katie Evans

Jane & Serge via 

via Honestly WTF

Loving Lately

The outfit in the first photo is my favorite fall/winter look of all time - way to layer it up and have a fantastic pair of boots. And who doesn't love a turquoise necklace like the one in the second photo? So fabulous!

Via Et pourquoi pas Coline?

Ruby + George Via Gretchen Jones

Just Because

The number one phrase said by women in their late 20s on Saturday night: "you know, The Bodyguard Soundtrack was my first CD."

Hard to believe how many hits she had in the 80s! And I LOVE her headband when singing the National Anthem - so Jazzercise chic.

Week in Review, 2/10/12

Illustration by Sophie Blackall, discovered on Miss Moss

How charming is the above print? It's part of a series by Sophie Blackall who had the brilliant idea of illustrating Missed Connections posts. I was delighted to read about this on Miss Moss earlier in the week and I'm glad to know there's a blog about the project and now a book too. Anyway, happy weekend. Maybe you should check Missed Connections in case there's something about you. Herewith, some links I've liked this week ...

This might be useful for dressing up your Valentine's Day - found via Fieldguided.

Useful Prospect Heights happy hour guide.

This song is so relaxing you shouldn't listen to it while driving.

Cool first ladies with cool people: Eleanor & Shirley and Michelle & Jimmy.

Anyone looking to buy what seems to be an awesome property in Malibu?

Working from home never looked so lovely.

Wow, Pinterest has really reached a tipping point - Pinners to follow and Design*Sponge joins in.

Two chickpea recipes to try.

Neil Young on The Tonight Show 1993.

Vogue, Vogue, Vogue

I was at the dentist today (fun, I know) flipping through the October issue of Vogue when I came across this awesome photo spread by Peter Lindbergh of model/singer Karen Elson and actor John Hawkes.  The styling and vintage-inspired clothes are fabulous. I would quite like to rock the wool wrap coat and huge sunglasses ensemble from the first photo. 

Photos by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue, October 2011. Via Fashion Gone Rogue.

And BTW, Karen Elson is also a singer and this track is one of my faves. Model, singer, guitar player ... basically she's just too cool.