28 August 2009

ciné(screen): the september issue


The September Issue, the documentary from director R.J. Cutler about the making of Vogue's 2008 September issue, opens today in New York. It is aptly named and follows the September issue because it heralds in fall for the fashion masses and it is the thickest, most fashion-y issue of the year. This rule applies for other September issues of fashion magazines, but Vogue just happens to be renowned for breaking the backs of mailmen worldwide.


If you're not in NYC, it will debut in selected cities on September 11 just in time for Fashion Week. If you are still unlucky, A&E has the television rights so hold out for it to make an appearance on the small screen. Fingers crossed. Until then check out the trailer.










NYC Theaters
AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13: 1998 Broadway
City Cinemas 1,2,3: 1001 3rd Avenue
AMC Empire 25: 234 West 42nd Street
CLEARVIEW Chelsea 9: 260 West 23rd Street
Landmark's Sunshine Cinema: 143 East Houston Street

27 August 2009

design(mode): bowtie belles

Marlene Dietrich

As I was searching for pics for the boys, I kept coming across the random lady here and there rocking the bow tie. Yes, that is my story. I like the look, but if you thought a bow tie was hard for a man to pull off, it takes a certain lady to pull it off even more. Diane Kruger seems to be single-handedly leading the movement.


















from thestylemusings.com

26 August 2009

design(mode): bowtie beaus


I have officially decided that the boys will be wearing bow ties for the wedding. I am very excited about this development, the boys maybe not so much. They rebelled against tuxedos so now I consider us even. I had been pondering the decision for awhile and first looked to the classics for inspiration. I realize that opinions about bow ties are very segregated. You either love them or hate them. I happen to be in the love category. I did an unofficial survey with my boys and asked them what they thought about bow ties in general. Most of their responses were not as positive as I wanted until I mentioned that there was a strong possibility that they would be wearing them for the wedding. They immediately changed their tunes and said that if I was picking them out, then it would be okay. I don't know if it is because my future husband has them trained to just agree with the bride or if they truly trust my fashion sense, but regardless there is no going back.


I got them navy windsor satin ties that just happen to perfectly match the girls' dresses. And none of those pre-knotted ties for my guys. Yes, they are going to have to learn how to tie them, but I have already re-packaged this informative page into a booklet that also includes famous fellas who've braved the bow tie: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Franklin Roosevelt, Humphrey Bogart, Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin, Pee Wee Herman, Mo Rocca, Fred Astaire, Manolo Blahnik, Alber Elbaz, Karl Lagerfeld, Huckleberry Hound, Count Duckula, and Waylon Smithers. Got all the bases covered. I mean if this crop of guys don't make them want to wear a bow tie, I don't know what will. Well, maybe you'll find further inspiration below. Oh, and I even included the best video I've found so far on how to tie one.













from courtneyalbertweiss.com

17 August 2009

epi(cure): lady wines

As a good guest I try to bring along a hostess gift in the form of vino. I not a wine snob either and usually go off staff recommendation or sometimes just the label. Yes, I am a marketer's dream. Sometimes it is about the origins or story of the wine or just a really good name and quirky label. I've noticed lately that there are more and more wines that seemed marketed specifically towards women, with a good handful also produced by women.  Here are a few I've discovered while trolling the wine section.



"Named after the iconic little black dress, these wines share the same versatility as their namesake. The Little Black Dress Wines collection includes a Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet."

"Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness."

"Life may be a bitch, but this wine will keep the complaints away, at least while you're drinking it!"

"The Working Girl wine series has five different labels - Working Girl White, Go Girl Red, Rose the Riveter, Handyman Red, and Gracefully Aging Red. They are designed to be distinct, yet affordable - for sharing with co-workers after a long day in pantyhose and pumps!"

"From Francis Ford Coppola Winery and began as a tribute from a father to daughter Sopia Coppola."

Mommy's Time Out
"Mom deserves a break from time to time. And she’ll love taking some time out for a nice glass of wine. The inspiration for this wine is all the supermoms who take care of their homes and families and maybe even manage to have a career at the same time."
wine descriptions are from the producers and reviewers

05 August 2009

idle(prattle): luxury cycling

I have a secret. I don't know how to ride a bicycle. Don't judge. Christian Dior couldn't ride one either. I do have fond memories racing along with my training wheels. Then my dad decided it was time to take those off and traumatized me forever. I have managed to avoid putting myself into situations that include riding a bike. I went to a wedding last year where I bumped into a friend who just came off of a cross country bike trip. She was trying to get us all to ride bikes around the island. Thank goodness the majority of my friends prefer partying to biking. Situation diverted. Before that, I was dating this guy and I let slip that I didn't know how to ride a bike. He thought it was cute and wanted to teach me how to ride. I thought it would be a good idea too; a sweet date in the park. That is until I started imagining me freaking out and with scabby knees. No thank you. I think I would be more motivated if I had a cute bike. One with a basket and a bell and possibly streamers. Painted in jadeite. And a matching helmet.



Keeping the dream alive.  I want a bike that is me, that I trust to ride because I'll admit that I am a little scared. I have been looking at Electra bikes, customizing them in my head. Not sure if I really buy in to the theory of a bicycle being the IT girl's fashion accessory but I do really like the blog Copenhagen Cycle Chic which features fashionable Copenhageners (and others) on their bicycles. Inspiration. Still searching, but during my hunt I've discovery the niche of the luxury bike. I clearly don not know enough about bikes to know if the specs on these bikes are impressive but they are still very interesting.

Fendi Abici Amante Donna
$5,900 - $9,500 available exclusively from Fendi flagship stores

Hermès Bicycle
$4,000 available at hermes.com

Gucci Cruiser Bicycle
$6365 available at gucci.com

Chanel Bicycle
$12,400 limited edition

Cynthia Rowley Beach Cruiser
$550 available at cynthiarowley.com

James Perse Cruiser
available exclusively at James Perse boutiques

Aurumania 24k Gold Plated Bicycle
$26,791.83 or $102,418.60 with Swarovski Crystals

Hublot “All Black” Bicycle
limited edition, available exclusively through Hublot stores



03 August 2009

idle(prattle): wedding shows

As I plan my wedding, I am learning more and more about myself. For one, I am not the typical bride. I am decisive but pretty laid back. I don't think this in my one chance to be princess for the day. And apparently, I wasn't born with the bridal gene.

I went to a bridal show with my mom. I knew nothing about them or what to expect, but I figured that this would be the easiest way to see/meet the local vendors in my area without having to call/email/carrier pigeon each individual one. The trade-off being that they blast your email and send you 'cute' stuff in the mail. Anyway, it was from 1 - 5pm and I figured that we could get there by 3 and knock it out. My mother insisted that we get there no later than 1:15pm. Not that she is a crazy mother of the bride, she just hates being late for anything.

We get there at 1:30 because I had to make a quick detour for coffee and we go to every. single. vendor. Overall, most of the people were...eh. I thought it was funny though how I would start looking through someone's portfolio and see the standard, industry glossy photos. I guess they would not see the normal, gushing reaction and start questioning me about my plans. One cake lady pulls this album out of nowhere. It is filled with all of these multi-shaped, magnificent, colorful cakes. It was weird how a lot the vendors had these secret books of their "more creative" projects hidden away. It was like you had to say a special password to see them. One even told me that she doesn't keep it out because most brides don't want to see them because it scares them, but those are the kind of projects that they like doing most + they are usually the coolest brides. I hear ya.



My only really bad interaction was with this bridal & evening wear dress place. The night before I looked at their site and I saw that they did custom work; I wanted to make sure that I got a chance to talk to them. When I go over and start describing my dress to her....1930s, satin, cowl neck, amazing back...she looks at me in horror and says that she had never seen anything like that at any of the buying shows she has gone to. I am like, 'that's great!' - thinking no one will have a dress like mine. She then lowers her voice as if telling me a secret and says "when you look at your wedding pictures 10 years from now, you don't want to think that you made a mistake and went with something too trendy" I answer her back in the same whisper, "It is not that trendy if it is from the 1930s." Icky, icky woman.

The fashion show was about to start, so my mom and I take our seats and of course all the dresses featured were from the same bridal shop. Crap...where's the bar? Got my glass of red wine and now I am ready. My mom was cracking me up the entire time since she cannot really whisper and had an opinion about every poofy dress and model. Then they did this dramatization about a prince, fairies, multi-colored tulle, magic wands and...actually I don't know what it was about. I zoned out.

The moral of the story is that bridal shows are a good place to see your vendor options and get a grasp of rates in your area. You will probably earn yourself a tote bag and other free novelties that will end up in your junk drawer. Oh, and there is usually a raffle drawing at the end, but you have to make it through the fashion shows. Wine helps.

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