According to this earthquake map of the U.S. posted in the U.K.’s Daily Mail, the Midwest (Minnesota in particular) may be the only safe place left in America. Some people may include Texas and Florida, but hello hurricane season. At least I know that when the world self destructs I can always go home.
Every New Yorker likes to think that they are above the gawking and even noticing of the celebrities living amongst them. Lady Gaga hangs out at the bar around the corner, no big deal. I mean, she’s just another person, right?
But yesterday, I realized that I am no better than the gawking tourists when I saw Louis CK filming his second season of Louie on my block. Emily and I had no idea what was filming when we walked by the set. Like a true Argentine, she stared trying to figure out what was going on, and I, like a true New Yorker, ignored the set and huffed about having to walk around their cones and extension chords.
It wasn’t until we were right outside of my apartment that I saw the sign saying “Louie”, and I completely geeked out. I practically yelled, “Is this Louis CK? Are they filming Louis CK? I LOVE Louis CK!” while Emily gawked at me, asking, “Who is Louis CK?”
While inside my apartment, I couldn’t help but obsess over the fact that Louis CK was filming a mere 50 yards from where I was sitting. I couldn’t have cared less if Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio were filming on my block, but this was LOUIS CK. I even made a quick drive by on a fake run to the corner store, where I snapped the shot above on my phone. After more fretting inside my apartment and gchatting everyone I know about it, I eventually convinced Emily that we should go over to the set and gift him a leather scarf as a ruse for being near his greatness.
But when we went over gift in hand, they were packing up and he had already left for the day. Some production assistant reluctantly took the scarf but didn’t promise anything about it actually getting to him. So this was the brief and wondrous celebrity gawking experience of Jennie Engelhardt.
I often put off doing projects because the reward is often much more difficult to reach than I originally anticipate. (See The Story of a Chair post.) Last weekend I decided to tackle window treatments for my bedroom and was shocked at how easy it was to so markedly improve the feel of my room.
In less than an hour I went from barred, cement block encased windows with broken plastic blinds to a beautiful, light casting focal point of my room. Now, the warm afternoon light streaming in through the panels just beckons me to come and lounge in bed, which I may be doing as I write this post…
Over the past few months, I’ve been drawn to bright colors and pops of neon. Subtlety has never been my strong point, and this is particularly true of my taste in accessories. Case in point: my assorted collection of shoes, gloves and nail polish. Even the rainbow colored walls left over from a demolished building seemed beautiful to me, not to mention the many candy-colored gloves I saw yesterday when i visited our manufacturer. Clearly, brighter is better in my mind.
To me, the only thing better than French Bulldogs are mini French Bulldog chocolates. And the only thing better than receiving mini French Bulldog chocolates is having an amazing friend/business partner who finds you the perfect birthday present that you didn’t even know existed. Thanks so much, Em!
Other than sleeping past noon, my favorite part about the weekend is brunch. Last weekend, some friends I headed to a neighborhood place called The Clerkenwell where we discovered delicious fruit-topped French toast (my go-to brunch favorite) as well as a make-your-own bloody mary bar. It prepared us well for a busy afternoon of Hulu and napping.
After five full days of shows, I’ve been checking www.style.com a few times a day to see the latest slideshows. So far, the Fall collections from The Row, Prabal Gurung and Cushnie et Octs are my absolute favorites.
If I could, I would live my life (which would obviously include many occasions to these clothes) in the Fall ’11 line from Cushnie et Och’s. This collection is chic, sophisticated with a touch of Pocahontas. I’ve never wanted to wear extra long fringe before, but now it sounds like an excellent idea.
Prabal Gurung’s collection definitely has a bit of old Hollywood glamour and yet seems completely relevant with pops of bright color and unfussy silhouettes. While I never really paid attention to The Row before, their fall collection seems darkly romantic..although really I don’t know how I could pull off a fur cone hat with a tail (and probably a face).
(All photos from www.style.com)
In honor of this beloved holiday, I decided to make a little playlist with some of my favorite Valentine’s Day appropriate songs (ie. some of my favorite songs). Yes, I realize the criticism I’m going to receive for some of these choices, but I can’t help what I love. Eat your heart out, Pitchfork!
Need You Now by Cut Copy
History Lessons by Dinosaur Feathers
You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift
Chocolate Raspberry Lemon and Lime by Muscles
Dixon’s Girl by Dessa
Hey Soul Sister by Train
Heartbeats by José Gonzalez
While probably not the official video for this song, I think this commercial is so beautiful that I wanted to include it.
www.vanessajackman.blogspot.com
Since I am a master procrastinator, it should surprise no one that I spend a part of each day perusing my favorite fashion blogs. When I worked in marketing and was ostensibly hard at work “researching”, I honed the skill of finding interesting style blogs to add to my daily read list. Now that style inspiration is actually relevant to my work life, I make no excuses for visiting each of these blogs on a daily basis.
www.theglamourai.com: New Yorker Kelly Framel of The Glamourai has incredibly chic personal style. In this picture she’s wearing the Hare+Hart laird trench!
www.wethepeoplestyle.com: This Sydney-based street style blog always makes me want to book a ticket to Australia.
www.vanessajackman.blogspot.com: London based street style photographer Vanessa Jackman takes some of the most beautiful photos I’ve seen.
www.hanneli.com: Hanneli Mustaparta is a Norwegian former model who has an eye for really interesting details and contrasts.
While in San Francisco last week, I couldn’t help but take some time out to go antique shopping in the Mission District. What could be better than pizza from Delfina’s followed by mid-century home furnishings? Oh yeah, following it up with a burrito from El Farolito. Mmm, I miss San Francisco already…
