Scratch & Sniff - Vanilla, Chocolate, Sandalwood, and Musk

Finally! A rag mag worth it's price tag! And an angle TMZ can't possibly scoop! (Why didn't someone think of this sooner?) Scratch and Sniff hunks! Vanilla, Chocolate, Sandalwood, and Musk - this is apparently what Taye Diggs smells like according to People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue on news stands NOW! He says as part of his daily regimen he layers on the essential oils - yum! Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford smells like a fresh mowed football field (my hormones are going teenage on that one!), and contrary to expectation, Michael Phelps doesn't smell like chlorine but like L'Homme YSL. Hmmm, wonder what a sweaty David Beckham really smells like?

Start Now!!!

Why not, get a head start on your holiday shopping now. That way you can spend the weekend boozing it up with old high school pals or helping Dad clean out the gutters.

So, here's a gift suggestion...they are on my list...hint, hint. Ralph's Rugby Line has some pretty cool socially responsible collaborative gift items this year. A Rugby rugby shirt that 50% of the proceeds go to a new fund to benefit up can coming social entrepreneurs, a exclusive "FEED" bag which you should all know about by now (if not visit feedprojects.org), and my favorite...the above pictured Tom's shoes featuring all the cool iconic touches we love about Rugby. As with all Tom's shoes, for every pair bought a pair is given to a child in need - Amazing, give 2 gifts for the price of 1! So how's that for some real feel good retail therapy?!

Let there be Light

Inspired by traditional Indian water vessels, Tom Dixon's Beat pendant lamps are made from handcrafted brass. The interiors are shiny and hammered while the exteriors have a black patinated finish. Installed as a group, they are quite dramatic.

Twinkle Twinkle

In 1966, as a token of gratitude for American aid during World War II, the Republic of Austria donated 11 iconic Swarovski chandeliers to the world famous Metropolitan Opera House. In July, Swarovski removed the iconic chandeliers, shipped them back to Austria and refurbished each and every crystal. This process included using the latest technology to replace over 50,000 custom-made crystals.
They have now been re-installed and the chandeliers will be unveiled at the The Metropolitan Opera House's Opening Night Gala, in celebration of their 125th anniversary, tonight, September 22nd.

Fashion Blog

39th & Broadway is a new fashion blog "devoted to fashion insiders who work in the industry and need a place to gossip, vent and network." Anyone can contribute their story so I'm curious to see whether the blog will be a good resource or turns into a moan-fest....

New Menswear Line

The fall lines have hit the stores and new to market is the menswear collection named after its designer, Richard Chai. His preppy clothes take a modern spin on cardigans, peacoats, etc. Richard is the brother of Eddy Chai (an owner of the East Village menswear boutique Odin) so it's only natural that his clothes will be sold there as well as Barneys.

Esty is Ecstasy!

I was recently turned on to this ebay type sight by my girl Mimi. It is amazing! You probably already know about it...but if you don't I almost hate to give it away!!! But lucky you...here it is. You don't bid on things, but it is mostly private artists and craftsmen that list their wares in similar, but much cooler way, as the big auction site.
The merchandise is handmade, beautiful, and surprisingly inexpensive! You can search by spinning a globe for goods world wide, or by catagorie, or artist profile.
Above are examples are a bird and berries giclee print on canvas from modernarteveryday, and copper bird earrings by Mimosa in New Zealand. Also, check out KiraFerrer, a jeweler working in Maui.
And please don't hate me when your checks start bouncing...we're all in the same boat here!

Soia & Kyo

Soia & Kyo's Fall 08 Outerwear range gives a nod to British classics while updating the silhouettes with use of oversized trim and asymmetrical collars.

Mazda Kazamai

Mazda will be unveiling its "sporty, compact, crossover concept vehicle" at the Moscow International Automobile Salon next month. Kazamai, which means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese, is meant to “deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.”

Outdoor Lighting

I'm digging the architectural simplicity of the System 45 Lighting Collection. It is available in three sizes, three different fabrications and has an adjustable head the can be directed three different ways.

Wild Horses

"Love"is one of the gorgeous photographs I came across at the exhibit, "The Wild Horses of Sable Island" photographs by Roberto Dutesco, in early June at 13 Crosby Street in lower Manhattan. I believe it's been there for a while now, but it's been haunting and inspiring me since. I truly love the imagery and even more so the romanticism of the sea that drifts into my mind whenever recall my 3 visits which I am reminded of by the postcards and poster size flier I picked up there.
I had never heard of Sable Island before, but apparently a herd of nearly 450 of these beautiful wind worn horses have been making a home there. Their lineage is of survivors of any number of the over 275 shipwrecks recorded since 1583. Horses being transported from Europe, Africa, or the local "Acadian" wild horse to southern parts of the new world.
The herd bands together in families of 40-50, comprised of a dominate male, a couple of females and their youngsters, with males banished to form small "bachelor" herds.
I am saving up and plan to make my first serious photography investment on one of these beauties, or maybe one of the surfboards printed a collage of the images. "Love" is really how I feel about them...but then again I am a "horse-person".

Fabric-ated Auto

BMW and BMW Group DesignworksUSA threw out the auto building rulebook when they came up with the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model (their new concept car revealed recently in the BMW museum in Munich). According to Autoblog, "The outer skin of the auto is made entirely out of textile fabric that's pulled taut around a frame of metal and carbon fiber wires. The skeleton of the car is controlled by electro-hydraulic devices and can actually move and change shape beneath the fabric skin. For instance, the headlights of the concept can be exposed or hidden by the car's skin just like blinking eyes, and the hood opens from the center as the fabric parts to expose the engine. This idea extends to the interior, where BMW designers have made visible only those instruments that are required at a certain time....."

Glitz in the Garden

Want to add some glamour to your favorite plants? Check out the gold and silver metallic planters from Sprout Home.

Fore!

Check out these pics of the newly expanded Sempachersee Golf Club in Lucerne, Switzerland.

iPhone Envy

The iPhone App Store went into overdrive last week, unveiling more than 500 applications for iPhone users. The New York Times decided to test drive the new kids on the block and came up with their eight favorites. To see their list click here.

Having a Tech Geek Moment

One of the new applications that you can get on your iphone or ipod touch is Pandora, which is a free, online, streaming radio experience. It allows you to create your own music stations simply from a band or song you love. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and it will scan its entire library of almost a century's worth of popular, new, old and obscure songs to find songs with interesting musical similarities. These songs will make up your radio "station". You can create as many "stations" as you want and can even refine them so they truly represent your individual love for music.

You Can Banq on It

Housed in a former bank, Banq restaurant, with its Asian-inspired menu has recently opened in Boston. The architecture firm Office dA (pronounced to rhyme with "Bah") designed an undulating birch plywood ceiling that gives the dining room a modern cave-like appearance.....suddenly the idea of being clubbed over the head and dragged into a cave seems appealing......

The Enertia

Brammo Motorsports, an Oregon-based company, has designed an all-electric, plug-in motorcycle that takes 3 hours to charge, has a 40+ mile range and goes an upward of 55 mph. In addition to the fuel economy, The Enertia, also has low emissions. Due out in the Summer/Fall, this eco-vehicle promises ultra performance and allows you to feel environmentally conscious while zipping around your urban environment.

Inspiring Bathroom

Sometimes the way a room looks has the ability to remind you of someone. Well, this bathroom reminds me of my friend CDB. I spotted it on Emma's Blogg and thought that this could easily be a room in her home someday.

Lounging Around

I received an email from Kami Gallaher, at Spa Cushion, telling me about her company's newly designed chaise lounge cushion that allows you to comfortably lay in the sun or get a massage while laying on your stomach. The design has one opening for your head, which allows for breathing and ergonomic neck placement and two openings for your knees, to allow relief from pressing into the chaise. The cushion also has a flip over pillow for when you want to lie on your back. According to their website they will soon have a floating version, perfect for your pool....so go ahead and get lazy in comfort.....

Fourth of July Week

Heading upstate for the 'Fourth of July' week. My next post will the week of July 6th.
So until then....enjoy yourselves!

Dubai Museum

UN Studio, a Netherlands based firm, has been selected to design a UAE museum in Dubai that will house the region's local art. In addition to Dubai's bragging rights for such things as the world's tallest building and an indoor ski resort, Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum would also like Dubai to be a "cultural hub within a global city".

Hip to be Square

An 84-year-old farmer had the idea of growing square shaped watermelons to help solve the problem of "lack of space" when placing the original round variety in Japanese refrigerators. "A fat, round watermelon can take up a lot of room in a refrigerator, and the usually round fruit often sits awkwardly on refrigerator shelves."
30 years later, Japanese farmers are still inserting the melons into square, tempered glass cases while the fruit is growing on the vine and are selling this square variety in Japan and now the UK.....will the US have them next?

Just Cute

....Loving the Spring/Summer children's collection from 3.1 Phillip Lim....

Palettable

Fishs Eddy and Pantone have created a color swatch, place setting collection. I can't really see owning an entire place setting but I do like the Spring 08 mugs for the office.....

Tokyo Life

Tokyo Life : Art and Design is an insider's guide to the cultural creativity of a city that it recognized all over the world as being a vital source of inspiration in design and visual arts. The works of influential Japanese painters, architects, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers are highlighted in the book. To get a copy, check out the MoMA Store.

New Mui Mui Ad

Vanessa Paradis is the new face of Mui Mui. The Ads were shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot and I have to admit the color tones used in the photos look pretty great.....

This weekend

For those of you that will be in NYC this weekend...head to Coney Island on Saturday for the Mermaid Parade and then following is the Mermaid Parade Ball .....or how about heading to Times Square for the Bubble Battle on Sunday....check it out....

And The Winner Is....

Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs


From left, Mary McCormack, Kate Shindle and Laura Linney

Broadway's highest honors, the Tony Awards, took place on June 15th. For a list of winners, check out the website. Above are some Red Carpet highlights.

Craft Fair Finds

Selling cupcakes


Nervous System


Freshie and Zero

It was hot this weekend at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn but I know I wasn't hallucinating when among the artists selling their wares, there were also people holding up signs and giving out "free advice", "free sunblock", "free poems" and "free compliments".....and in case you were thirsty, Fizzy Lizzy was giving out free samples of their all-natural juice spritzers. Feeling peckish? How about buying a cupcake to support Barrack.
Among the 200 + vendors, the highlights for me were the handcrafted jewelry from Nervous System and Freshie and Zero.

This weekend

For those of you in NYC, the Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair at McCarren Pool will be held on Saturday and Sunday. 200+ vendors will be hawking their handmade fashion, accessories and housewares.

Recycled Glass Vases

I love these lopsided, recycled glass balloon vases from VivaTerra. They just scream "Summer's here!" to me.

Tory Burch Soho

The new Tory Burch boutique in Soho has a distinct late 60's, early 70's, country club vibe. Known for her hippie chic style, the New York City store does not disappoint.