Friday, July 31, 2009

'Witches' A Collection by Lauren Alexander

Fell in love with this video featuring Lauren Alexander's 2009 holiday collection.

This, according to their YouTube page, is "a look behind the scenes of the Witches photoshoot! A sneek peek at the new 2009 holiday collection by Lauren Alexander (the visionary creator behind LNA clothing) and partner Gabby Applegate. "



I love the romantic-goth vibe of her collection, the imagery of the mask and the combination of modern lines with style elements from the late 19th century/early 20th century.

Though my current period-dress obsession seems to be with gowns from the mid to late 18th century, I have always been drawn to the Victorian era with its hint of the macabre.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Cheap JAP - Calling It Like It Is

Recently I have been following Alexandra Sinderbrand's blog, Cheap JAP. Her focus is how to be a fashionista without shelling out the big bucks for it - mainly in the realm of thrift store finds, which by the way is also an environmentally friendly way to shop. She has great tips for how to be a smart, savy thrifter.

The name of the blog aside (I have issues with the term JAP most of the time but her choice of name here seems to have a point, but that is for another post), she raises some very interesting issues in her article for the Huffington Post.

You can find it at Fashion's Fight Against Fakes: An Exercise in Hypocrisy

The Creation of Techno Music (HighTechSoul)




You can also watch it here at this link.

Turning Trix with Urban Daddy

Now here is something interesting to sink your teeth into -- literally. I received this in my inbox yesterday from Urban Daddy and I have to say I am intrigued by the idea.

Turning Trix
Duck and Trix at the Waverly


You've come to expect certain pairings at the Waverly Inn.

Truffles commingling with mac and cheese; Graydon Carter and Jessica Alba carousing in the corner booth; Jessica Alba covered in mac and cheese...

But we're about to take the pairings game to the next level—yes, it may just involve you getting soused on champagne and breakfast cereal.

Introducing chef John DeLucie's brand-new off-the-menu Duck and Trix appetizer at the Waverly, which we're pleased to say is available starting tonight (for dinner, not breakfast) if you ask your server nicely...

The point is that the world of power dining is changing. When the chef who keeps the city's power brokers well fueled starts offering up under-the-radar appetizers utilizing kid food, you know it's time to start eating cereal for dinner.

The dish starts with a pristine D'Artagnan Peking duck breast seared in a sweet port wine reduction and sliced on the plate. Fine so far. Things start to get a little psychedelic when the breakfast cereal gets involved—accompanying the duck to provide a little sweet contrast and crisp texture is a bowl stacked with caramelized clumps of Trix cereal brittle.

Which leaves with you with a sweet, crisp, melt-in-your-mouth morsel to go with the savory, tender duck. Just a little bite to go with a perfect side of Page Six.

Somewhere out there, Toucan Sam feels snubbed.

You can also read the article by going to this link.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

I know this came out at least a few months ago but I had to share. It is one of the most beautiful film trailers in recent years for film by one of my favorite directors, Spike Jonze and features music by one of my favorite bands of all time, Arcade Fire.

Wonder at the cinematic beauty...


101 Muppets of Sesame Street

Some of my first memories as a child are of Grover, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch. Even before I could tell time I knew exactly when Sesame Street would be on and I never missed an episode.

For anyone who grew up with and loved Sesame Street check out this link:

http://www.nationalpost.com/muppets/index.html

Sunday, July 19, 2009

WELCOME....

To anyone who stumbles upon this attempt in sharing a piece of myself with the world:

WELCOME!!!
(though I doubt that anyone will actually read this particular post)
The name of this blog comes from one of my favorite poems and one of the most poignant pieces of literature I have ever read, Howl by Allen Ginsberg, published in 1956. I wish I could have heard him perform the piece live, though one might be able to find a recording on YouTube - hell you can find anything there.
In it, Ginsberg seems to be screaming at the world, just wanting to be heard.
It begins thus:

I saw the best minds of my generation detroit by madness, starving hysterical naked,

dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,

angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of the night...

And this is my "howl". My attempt to scream at a world that refuses to listen, hoping that a few might hear me. I don't pretend nor aspire to write anything as affecting as Ginsberg did. I only wanted a space to put all the things spinning around in my head and maybe figure a few things out for myself in the attempt.
If you decide to join me on the journey -- welcome. And lets begin...

Best,
Rachel