Monday, August 31, 2009

Movie-Album-Food

A movie, an album and food that should be experienced simultaneously. Inspired by this.


Forrest Gump - Crosby Stills and Nash (self-titled) - Shrimp Ceviche


Haha, and you thought I was going to pick a box of chocolates.

COUNTDOWN: T-1 hour!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The BQE by Sufjan Stevens

Some great news has been brought to my attention! Sufjan Stevens' The BQE is finally being released to CD and DVD October 20th, 2009- two years after its debut. The BQE is a project that includes an original film, small orchestral score, and hoola dancers... an overall "symphonic and cinematic exploration of New York City's infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway." Stevens used the negative sentiments caused by this NY expressway, and turned them into various forms of art. I'd love to work on a project like this someday. Here is the trailer, even though it tells nothing of what the film will entail.

Girl Scout Cookies ALL YEAR ROUND!


No more waiting for those cute little girls in green uniforms to come to your door! I've recently had some intense cravings for SAMOAS, my absolute favorite Girl Scout Cookie. I had to know if it was possible to make them at home. I discovered that kottke.org has recipes for all the best Girl Scout cookies including SAMOAS! Wish me luck as I attempt to make them.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

If you need me...

I'll be at San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival. Shout out to Jambase.com for sponsoring me on this endeavor!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Topaz favs

1. Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Temping Beige- Allows you to build your own color, from subtle to dramatic.

2. Alba Botanica Cocoa Butter Shampoo/Conditioner- Smells amazing and hydrates your hair like no other product.

3. Sally Hansen Full and Radiant Lip Definer- Won't dry out your lips like most chapsticks or lip glosses. Doesn't everyone want to stay smooth and kissable?

4. i.d. bareMinerals Foundation in Medium Tan- This powder is light in weight but gives great coverage.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Flower Matches

A more fiery take on "He loves me. He loves me not..." I'd like them even more if they came in different floral scents!
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Alex Monroe Feathered Jewelry

I adore this feathered collection by Alex Monroe...
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Monday, August 24, 2009

Movie-Album-Food

Film, music and cuisine that should be experienced simultaneously. Inspired by this blog.


I bambini ci guardano (The Children Are Watching Us) - Tutto Fabrizio de Andre - Spaghetti alla carbonara


Countdown: ONE WEEK.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Chanel Pre-Fall 2009

Chanel's Pre-Fall 2009 collection exhibits huge headdresses, long elegant coats and fur-lined boots... all Russian inspired. When I look at this collection I see Russian royalty dressed for a cold front. I don't particularly care for the glossy, baggy pants, but I love the daring head pieces and bold reds. (Of course!) Click here to see the full collection.



BTW have you seen this uber-sultry commercial for Chanel No.5, starring Audrey Tautou?


And how adorable is this Russian doll handbag by Christian Louboutin??

Red Poppy Art House


Last night I attended a performance at the Red Poppy Art House in the Mission District. I appreciate this venue for welcoming artists of all kinds. Last night's gig was a music performance, but The Red Poppy House holds art exhibitions, various hands-on workshops, lectures, and film nights... all while being only 650 square feet! Concerts at The Red Poppy House provide the audience with a unique level of intimacy with the performer. But I recommend arriving early because the limited number of seats fill up very quickly. This time I was lucky enough to lounge on the plush bay window seat in the back. Next time you're in the Mission District, check out this San Francisco highlight.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Earwings


Siena Miller was recently seen wearing these "Earwings" while visiting the New York Stock Exchange. I adore how the shape of a wing compliments the shape of the ear. I couldn't find the details on where to purchase these beautiful pieces. HELP!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Quentin Tarantino


Last night I saw the midnight showing of Inglourious Basterds and absolutely LOVED IT. I think this is Tarantino's best film yet, which is saying a lot. Seeing this film sparked a desire to delve into the peculiar mind of the director, so thankfully Elle magazine did a story on him this month. I found some highlights on elle.com.


On regret: When I was around 30, I disrespected a girlfriend—the love of the early part of my life—with another woman. After we’d broken up, I still carried that shame, so with a Japanese sense of honor, I decided like a yakuza I was going to cut off my little finger.

On the possibility of loving a woman who didn’t care for his movies: My whole life is about my art. To reject me as an artist is to completely reject me.

On unconventionally attractive women: To me, talent is sexy. So a girl—as far as Hollywood or the public is concerned—might be thought to have a weight problem, but if she’s talented and cool, that can be very, very sexy. I’ve seen movies where I’ve thought Kathy Bates was damned sexy.

On his ability to read women: I know it’s supposedly the opposite in literature and sex magazines, but I’ve found that when women are a little repressed or self-conscious socially, that tends to reverberate all the way down. If someone is inhibited in life, they tend to be inhibited in bed.

Just in case you were wondering- Quentin has won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a Golden Palm (Cannes), and has been nominated for an Emmy and a Grammy.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Melt Down


There's something delicious about all these colors melting together. Found via File Magazine.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Move-Album-Food

A Monday ritual. Check out the M-A-F blog.

American Beauty + Lavender Diamond Imagine Our Love + Gourmet Pizza

The Countdown: two weeks!

Josh Podoll

Yesterday I was lucky enough to make it to the Styleshack sale in the Castro. I got my hands on three pieces by label Josh Podoll- a local husband and wife design team. They're comfortable and casual, but still chic. I recommend joining the Thrillist to be the first to know where and when all the SF designer sales go down.


scalloped neckline blouse - middle detail



tunic with asymmetrical hem - navy detail



grey razor tank - scrunch detail


Check out the Josh Podoll blog!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Art Nouveau


I love Art Nouveau decor. Something about the elegant curves just gets me. Here are some of my favorite Art Nouveau jewelry finds. If you're thinking "Wow, that's something my grandma would wear," then your grandmother has good taste. Find more here.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Hong Kong


I found this photo of the Hong Kong skyline. I've heard rumors that HK makes NYC look like a minuscule rural village, but WOW. Has this picture been photoshopped?!? Please, TAKE ME.

Happy 40th!

As soon as they invent a time travel machine... this is where I'm going. I'm currently watching the Vh1 40th anniversary special on Woodstock '69, and the old footage is bringing tears to my eyes. Why hasn't there been something this epic since? Did you know that by the time the closing act played (Jimi Hendrix) over half the crowd already left?!? Why would you leave before Jimi Hendrix takes the stage? Speaking of music festivals, SF's Outside Lands is going down August 28-30. (Not that it will compare.)

I love this Janis performance. I'd recommend not actually watching the vid, but just listening- very bad quality. But, she has a voice of fire.



Friday, August 14, 2009

Nutella- la mia vita!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE nutella. I can eat the chocolate-hazelnut cream by the spoonful, on pretzels, between bread, on fruit, in gelato... the possibilities are endless. These nutella pinwheel cookies are too good not to share. Courtesy of The Purple Foodie. February 5th is World Nutella Day!


125g / 1 stick butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 heaped cup sifter flour
¼ cup Nutella to spread, a little more won’t hurt!
2-3 tablespoon, toasted, chopped hazelnuts

1. Preheat oven to 175C/350F.
2. Mix the butter and sugar together till creamy.
3. Mix in the egg yolk and the vanilla essence. The mixture should be light and well combined.
4. Stir in the flour and refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes so that it can firm up and facilitate easy rolling.
5. Next, roll out the dough into a rectangle of ¼ inch thickness.
6. Spread the Nutella making sure to leave one finger space on all four sides. Again, we don’t want the Nutella to ooze out!
7. Sprinkle over the chopped hazelnuts and roll up the dough.
8. Refrigerate for another ten minutes before cutting the slices.
9. Lay the slices on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes till slightly golden at the edges. Baking time will vary depending on how thick you've cut them. Colour is a good indication.

Last.fm


I've revived my last.fm account after maybe two years of being idle. Check out the widget on the side of my blog, or my last.fm profile. Let's share music.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

By yours truly

crane @ The Red Topaz
Location: Tanaka gallery.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Nay on Burberry



These pictures are from the Burberry Spring/Summer 2009 collection. I'm a BIG naysayer on the socks with open-toed shoes. Do the spring-summer seasons really call for the additional layer of socks under your sexy heels? It would be a little more forgivable in the fall season... actually no it wouldn't. Am I missing something here?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus


Heath Ledger with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law as the same role? I may or may not be able to handle it.

October 16 is the date.

Concorde Revival

A company based in Las Vegas is currently developing the newest version of supersonic transportation. The finished product is meant to be quieter than the obsolete Concorde, and can reduce a nine and a half hour flight to under five hours. Oh the possibilities! I'm an advocate of anything that makes traveling easier. This operation is predicted to be up and running in five years... maybe by then I'll have enough money to buy a ticket!

via the very essential: My Modern Met!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Anthony Bourdain- SF Tonight!

Tonight at seven pm and ten pm on the Travel Channel, Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations will be doing San Francisco (with some reluctance).



Clearly from this preview he is not a fan of our city, but let's be honest... he's going to change his mind by the end of the episode. Or perhaps my fiery love for San Francisco has rendered me a bit biased. Btw... is the average San Franciscan income really only eighty-five thousand??? YIKES. Anthony Bourdain is at the tip top of my "most envied" list. He travels and eats for a living... need I say more?

btw- three long weeks until Marc's return.

Movie-Album-Food

Check out the Movie-Album-Food blog. The blog tagline is, "What to see, what to hear, and what to eat... at the same time." How could I not love this blog? It combines three of my favorite things. It also inspired me to create my own trio:


Paris Je T'aime+Edith Piaf La Vie En Rose+French Chocolate Macaroons SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Someday...


I'll return to you and your charming open markets.