It Is Impossible Not to Love Someone Who Makes Toast For You

 

 

 
 

  

  

  

 

  

 The Barneys Spring 2010 catalogue is tres apropros for Milk & Mode, no? It stars Constance Jablonski shot by Walter Pfeiffer and focuses on one particular designer per shot, always bringing food into the fray in one way or another. Obviously, I love. I picked out my favorite designers to post. I have mini heart seizures over Dries, Proenza Schouler, The Row, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Derek Lam and Rodarte on a normal basis. On the other hand, Marni isn't really a brand I tend to think much about, but for some reason, I wear a lot of it in the summer months. Also, just look at that image: that's exactly what I intend to look like come June--head scarf, sunglasses, a slash of red lipstick, and loads of fresh vegetables and cheeses from the farmer's market to carry home and make into something delectable.

Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights

I spent this lazy Saturday morning reading Sophie Dahl's cookery book "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights" and loving every page. Her recipes sound absolutely delicious and easy-as-can-be to make, but her personal stories and thoughts about food and life were what really kept me captivated as a reader. There's a passage in which she describes the kitchen she wants and dreams of that had me thinking about moving to a big, old, airy house in the country and spending the rest of my days puttering around the kitchen and tending to my vegetable garden. Who wouldn't want a life like this:

"This kitchen is a gentle relaxed one, where a punishing, guilt-inducing attitude towards food will not be tolerated. In this kitchen we appreciate the restorative powers of chocolate. The kitchen would have a fireplace, and possibly a few dogs from Battersea Dogs' Home curled up next to it. There might be a small upright piano by the window, with an orchid that doesn't wither as soon as I look at it. On long summer days, the doors to this kitchen are thrown open, while a few lazy, non-stinging bees mosey by. Children stir. When it rains, there is room in this kitchen for reading and a spoon finding its way into the cake mix. Serious cups of tea are drunk here; idle gossip occurs, balance and humour prevail. It's the kitchen of my grandparents', but with some Bowie thrown in. It is lingering breakfasts, it is friends with babies on their knees, it is goodbye on a Sunday with the promise of more. This kitchen is where life occurs; jumbled, messy and delicious. It is lovely."

Don't You Like Bodega Bay?

 

  

  

  

On my wish list for spring is the Miu Miu bird-print clog. They somehow manage to be both whimsical and goth at the same time, which is a strange juxtaposition, and no easy feat. I wondered why the print gave me a slightly foreboding feeling, and then realized that it reminded me of one of my favorite Hitchcock films, The Birds. Of course, that made me love them even more. You can buy them at Saks Fifth Avenue for $495.

Spring 2010 Trend: The Clog

 

My heart melts for Celine's clean spring 2010 collection--all I want to wear come April are lightweight black leather shirts and 6-inch clogs. The shoes--which are the subject of some seriously heated debate amongst fashion folks--are in my opinion, absolutely genius. They're comfortable, sky-high, and have a casual, who-gives-a-fuck-it's-summer vibe. I will be very vested in the clog trend very soon. Here are some of my favorite pairs--and best of all, three out of the four are under $200. Happy shopping! xo

Clockwise from top left: Chanel jeweled clog, $1,795, at Chanel boutiques nationwide; Jeffrey Campbell clog, $124.95, at nordstrom.com; Steve Madden clog, $89.95, at stevemadden.com; Jeffrey Campbell blog, $135, at jildor.com

I'm Not Looking for Love But It's Hard to Resist

Calvin Klein's show was hands-down one of my favorites during NYFW. The collection was even starker and more minimalistic than usual, leaving no bells or whistles to hide behind. What was left was perfect construction and a richness that came through even in the simplest lines. I loved the appearance of 90s model icons Kristen McMenamy witih her long silvery grey hair and Kirsty Hume, and the best moments of all came in the slew of sheer silver dresses that graced the last few looks.

I've Got Soul But I'm Not a Soldier

Lately, I’ve noticed that a lot of my friends have been going through somewhat of an awkward transitional period—call it growing pains, perhaps. Many of us are entering our late 20s and are feeling torn between the irresponsible, carefree days of the past and entering a higher level of adulthood.
I’m not gonna lie—it’s been a bit of a struggle for me. There are some days I wake up full of guilt (and with an epic hangover, to boot) after four big nights out in a row and I think to myself, “When am I going to get over this stuff?” And there are days I wake up and never want the party to end.

Some of my friends are pondering career changes, cross-country moves, new relationships, and more. Others are wondering where the time has gone. And still others are searching for a happiness that’s proven to be elusive.

Someone once said that it is often necessary to empty your life of old and outworn elements before welcoming the new, that if your basket is too full the universe will assume you're content and don't need anything else. This is where I find myself today--trying to come to terms with saying goodbye to a lot of things in my life and wondering what's coming my way next. It's exciting and scary and exhilarating all at once.

Sometimes, the best way to work through things is to stop and do a little soul-searching. I love these questions below:

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
22. Why are you, you?
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
25. What are you most grateful for?
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?
30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
32. If not now, then when?
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?
50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

But The Way That You've Played, It Was Art

 

The gorgeous Irina Lazareanu sitting pretty instead of walking for once. Love her ripped jeans and gold sequins.

Temperley

The packed Tent at Anna Sui

Karlie Kloss (in the black) could not be any more beautiful if she tried

 

Kelly Osbourne taken by surprise

Final walk at Brian Reyes

Nary Manivong and his stable of goth models

Walking out of the fog at Threeasfour

Threeasfour

From the Bryant Park Tents to Milk Studios and everywhere in between, NYFW was filled with great, memorable moments. I managed to capture a few here and there with my amazing Lomography camera (a device that makes even a novice like me look like a real photographer). Here they are, for your viewing pleasure.

I Engineered a Heavy Heart

Krystal Simpson who writes one of my favorite style blogs What Is Reality Anyway, and Becka Diamond.

 Mark Holcomb and Andrew Mukamal

A few of my favorite fashion girls: May Kwok, Laura Helms, and Colleen Nika.

Vampire lover, Matt Kays

David Cho of The Awl

Love these girls: Alex Weiss and Elizabeth Monson (she writes Move Slightly, another great blog)

Just a few pictures taken with my genius Lomography camera at the Jeremy Scott after-party at newly opened spot Good Units at the Hudson Hotel. There's nothing like a night out with a bunch of fun friends to get you into good spirits, especially when you're overworked, foot-sore, sleep-deprived, and in the middle of fashion week.

He Reminded Me of Blue Denim

 

 

 

 

I love the idea of denim-on-denim lately. There's something so Great American Summer about it; it reminds me of picnics, beaches, outdoor concerts, and young love. This shoot featuring Sigrid Agren and shot by Alasdair McLellan for AnOther magazine sexes the concept up a bit and makes it sultry.