Off to Berlin...

No flight delays today. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and I will see you next year!

'00 is for Olsen

               
What would the ’00s have been without the Olsens? That is a very good question. I have always loved the twins (mainly MK) — well not since their Michelle Tanner or tween idol days, but since they stopped dressing as a twosome and started dressing like homeless people carrying venti Starbucks lattes. I have loved most everything they have put on their miniature bodies (or at least appreciated it) since they enrolled in NYU and invented the Dumpster Chic look (apparently just because of the cold New York weather) to the Goth days above to their more recent affairs with leather leggings and sky-high platforms.  

As usual I am not the only one who thinks this — Style.com tried to tackle the thought of the aughts without the style influnce of the Olsens here with a nice slideshow to go with it.

Song on Repeat: "The Strangers"

Why do I love the line "I threw flowers in your face on my sister's wedding day" so much? "Paint the black hole blacker" is pretty damn good as well. I guess if I am not listening to psychedelic dreamy music it is a bittersweet girly hipster song that is making the rotation. Today was the latter and St. Vincent's "The Strangers" was having a go at it. With lines like that how could it not?

Tears, Snow Angels, and Sequins

On Saturday I spent my day crying more tears than I have shed in a long, long time. Maybe I was being punished for blatantly bragging about my life as a jetsetter, but the day I chose to fly out to Berlin just happened to be the same day as the first huge snowstorm of the year and not only was my flight cancelled, I was told that there was no way for me to get on another flight until after the holidays. I went from thinking I was going to see my boyfriend in less than a day, to thinking it would be months until I would get to Berlin. It was pretty awful, but luckily after much time on hold ironically listening to "Let it Snow" and much back and forth with some non-helpful and finally one very helpful Delta operators, I got a ticket to fly out on Christmas Eve and back New Year's Day. Not ideal, but totally worth it. And if this whole debacle hadn't gone down, I wouldn't have gotten to experience one of the loveliest days (and a not too shabby night) I have had in NYC in long time.

I can't believe I have lived in New York for almost five years and it has taken me this long to get to a park after a snow storm. Until yesterday in Prospect, I guess I just didn't know what I was missing. It was pure unadulterated fun — sledding, snow angels, snow ball fights and just so many people out enjoying the almost two feet of snow that landed on our city. I felt like an eight-year-old soaked to the bone but having too much fun to care.

The evening was more of an adulterated affair and Sunny and I got all decked out in our finest attire and headed into the city for my one and only Christmas party of the season and a Bon Voyage evening for Megan. The usual debauchery and dancing to Liz and Legs' tunes proved to be even more satisfying when decked out in fur and sequins. So anyway, long story sort of short, it's not so terribly bad that my flight got cancelled because yesterday was just perfect. Here are too many pics.

                

            

          

             

 

                        

Random Sunday

NEW YORK CITY—Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow at Truman Capote's Black and White Ball, 1966.

My Friend...

...Megan is such a great photographer.

                          

There is a something about the New York winter sun that she just captures so perfectly. Too bad she is saying goodbye to it for the beaches of Oz for the next month, well too bad for us. Miss you already lover. 

I'm in Search of...

       
...the perfect shade of retro orange-y red lipstick. Anyone have any suggestions?

Musical Chairs

Have a seat and listen to the self-titled Real Estate album. It just feels perfect to me right now. I mean we all know I am a sucker for anything with a psychedelic dreamy melody that makes me want to just take a load off, so naturally...

Triple Threat

I love this pic of Erin Wasson: model, designer and tight ripper extraordinaire!

Thanks Studded Hearts.

Brooklyn Girl

I was catching up on some much needed Gossip Girl online the other day and low and behold in walks Vanessa wearing my coat! Well the $585 Diane Von Furstenberg coat that I sheepishly placed on my Holiday Wish List knowing that even though it looks a little like something I could find at a thrift store, I would never be slipping my arms into those pretty plaid sleeves.

I don't think I have ever even owned any item of clothing that costs over $200, I top out at a $150 pair of boots. I am just putting this out there because Miss Vanessa is supposed to be the poor bohemian Brooklyn girl (like me!) that, you know, can only afford to live in Dumbo and wear Diane Von Furstenberg. And of course it felt good to see my taste reiterated onscreen. Sometimes I do fancy myself an amateur stylist — though I would have gone with different boots.

Thanks for the line Deanna.

Balloon Obsession Cont.

                              

My Life as a Jetsetter

The next three months will be beautifully hectic for me - full of packing, plane flights and farewells. Here is the official schedule:

Berlin (Dec 19-27)

My first German Christmas (and it's supposed to be a white one)! 

San Francisco (Jan 7-8)

17th and Mission - the best corner in the city - I will be seeing you.

Los Angeles (Jan 8-9)

A quick pop-in down South for Vanessa's 30th Birthday! 

Marin County (Jan 9-13)

Good Ol' Marin for family time, hiking and Fairfix salads. 

Berlin (Feb 21-?)

Yup — it is official. Today I purchased a one way ticket to Berlin and will be saying goodbye to NYC after almost five years of debauchery in this crazy microcosm. There are so many things and people I will miss, but so many things to look forward too...

Random Sunday

FRANCE—The filming of Funny Face, directed by Stanley Donen. French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn, for whom he created a wardrobe for the film, 1956.

Mr. Baldwin, is there anything you can't do?

Not sure if I love Alec Baldwin, but there are certainly some strong feelings there. He always makes me laugh of course and just never ceases to amaze me. He has time to be on a hit TV show, a regular on SNL, act in pretty much every movie ever made, lecture my friend about her involvement with his family member (true story) and now this:

Indeed, the man in that little room was Alec Baldwin, the actor with a restless and tabloid-turbulent career that encompasses all three realms. His latest guise is pitchman for high art, as in Mahler, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. This season Mr. Baldwin became the official announcer of the New York Philharmonic’s weekly radio broadcasts.

His involvement reflects an unusual dimension for a Hollywood figure and one that may come as a surprise to many: a passion for classical music that allows him to talk as comfortably about orchestral repertory as he does about movie shoots and television syndication.

Read more from the NY Times article on Alec's latest endeavor.

Song on Repeat: "Two Doves"

Been listening to the Dirty Projectors a lot lately and the song "Two Doves" is just so pretty pretty I can't stop listening to it. It's always a pleasant surprise when the 7th track on "Bitte Orca" begins to play — it stands out like it should be in some lovely little musical sung by Audrey Tautou in a flowing pink frock.

Balloon Obsession Cont.

        

This Outfit Is Calling Me

                 
It wants to be on my body —the sailor jacket, the cut-off shorts, the tights, the Chloé boots — all of it.

This one is trying to say something to me as well. Both leather shorts and a denim-ish shirt that doesn't have paint all over it, have been waiting to be worn by me for awhile now. And together? I like it.

Well done Cherry Blossom Girl. I am jealous.

Well Hello There

Look what just popped up on my friend Daniel's blog, none other than a photo he took of little Miss Maisie. Amazing pic, awesome model.

Totally Newsworthy

Thanks for keeping it real Slate.

Random Sunday

PARIS—A fashion show, 1989.

A Little Holiday Humor

Get in the spirit!

Little Things I Love About New York

Flower stands in front of bodegas and the fragrant aroma that overpowers all other less sweet city smells as you walk past.

Photo from WhereDidUGetThat.

Oh Hello...

Dreamy boys and bikes. Lovely.

Thanks as usual, the Sartorialist.

Duskin

Recently I have found myself more attracted to simpler clothes and higher-fashion. Whether it's because it's no longer thrown in my face every day at work or simply because I am growing up, since I have been back from Berlin I have been steering clear of the more crazier ensembles in my makeshift closet. Not that I can afford designer duds all of a sudden (quite the contrary) or will stop scouring every Salvation Army in the Tri-state area, I am just ready to admit that I understand the satisfaction that comes with putting on a well-made garment that no one has ever worn before.

Anyway, today I discovered the line Duskin and am even more convinced of my new desire to own beautiful new clothes. I love the gentle florals, simple white embroidered mini-dresses, short shorts and high-wasted skirts. It's almost like the line was made for me, so it was no surprise when I found out it is designed by a former fashion magazine editor who lives in Williamsburg. And if this wasn't enough I also found her blogs for Duskin and the Bestest Song Ever and they are just as awesome. Cheers to you Stephanie Tran!

My Holiday Gift Guide

So I realized that a sort of Christmas/Hanukkah wish list if you will, has been building up in my head rather rapidly for the last couple days/weeks now. Sometimes I have no idea what I want, but it's certainly not the case this year. Not that I will really be celebrating or unwrapping any presents (my gifts have already come in the form of air miles), but in the spirit of the season I thought I would just put this out there. A girl can dream, right?

Ray-Ban Tortoiseshell Clubmaster Shades - I have been wearing my $5 cheapy pair for long enough now, I think it is time for the real thing.


Hooded Scarf (in black please) - A hood and scarf in one is pure genius - practical and Gothic at the same time! I actually bought one off Amazon but was seriously disappointed when it arrived. The hood wasn't big enough and it was itchy. Weirdly this seems like something that requires a little bit of a splurge, especially since this perfect one is made of angora. I think this just might be number one on my wish list.


French Press - Ever since I left Berlin my coffee just hasn't tasted the same. I believe one of these might just do the trick, or at least have a placebo effect.


Black Over The Knee Suede Boots - Okay okay, I know I already own a pair of black over the knee boots - but I don't have a high-heeled suede pair. Plus these are a cheap version, so it's okay that they probably will be out of style in two seasons.


Soccer Ball - I have spent too many days at Prospect Park complaining about not having one of these to kick around. Will someone just buy me one already! Then we can play pass backs.


iTunes Gift Card - I am terribly sick of my music collection right now and in desperate need of a revamp. And now that I don't work for the magazine anymore, I am no longer showered with gifts from Apple (in fact I'll take a new iPod too) every holiday. They used to give me so much of this plastic, I would give it away like candy. Oh the good old days!


Diane Von Furstenberg Coat - And just for fun, if anyone really wants go all out (break the bank) for yours truly, I would die for this little number. Karsten thinks it looks like a psychedelic potato sack, but maybe that is what makes me love it that much more? Plus, it's on sale so you'll only have to take out a small loan.