Someday My Prints Will Come

Proenza Schouler spring 2010

Miu Miu spring 2010

Alexander McQueen spring 2010

Christian Cota spring 2010

Peter Som spring 2010

Traditionally, I've been a solids gal with a particular penchant for neutrals and the occasional, but conservative, bright hue. Lately, however, I've found myself gravitating towards all things psychedelic, tribal, and animal. With the newfound surge of optimism that dominated the spring runways--and, for some, the stock market--, designers and shoppers alike have bought into the hope that prints sartorially represent. The ubiquitous leopard print from fall has now evolved into something wilder, something freer: eccentric pattern mixing; feral and tamed animals alike coexisting; and ladylike and hyperbolic floral versions. My most recent purchases testify to this attraction: a tiger-print bubble skirt from Miu Miu, a leopard-print camisole from YSL, a green and gray cubist blouse from Christian Cota, and an asymmetrical zebra sweater from a local boutique. And with the lure of these gorgeous spring prints, I have a feeling that this attraction won't end anytime soon.

The One That Got Away

Leigh Lezark looking stunning in Fendi
Photo Credit: StockholmStreetStyle

"There is always one girl out there that got away...the one that got away...guys have that and serial killers have that."--Adam Sandler in Funny People

Add THAT DRESS to that list. *SIGH*

A Few of My Favorite Things

FAVORITE THING #1: Studded, ornate, museum-worthy heels. These particular beauties are courtesy of Cesare Paciotti (photo credit: Jak & Jil).

FAVORITE THING #2: Sci-fi movies. For those of you who scoff at the idea of Star Trek, let me present to you Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (whose title, I might add, is an allusion to Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" monologue; in Hamlet, "the undiscovered country" is death; in Star Trek, it's the future). This movie really is an allegory of Cold War politics, but it's so much more than that. It addresses our natural racist inclinations and fear of annihilation--so apt today. (I just saw 2012 and The Road--it seems like Hollywood isn't letting up on the apocalyptic theme.)

FAVORITE THING #3: Brunch. Let's face it. I'm a brunch junkie. These delectable blueberry pancakes and the french toast in the next picture are both from Zoe, a restaurant in Soho.

FAVORITE THING #4: Korres. I'm really picky about lotions (I have extremely dry skin), and Korres' Jasmine (or Guava) body butter is insanely rich, fragrant, and healing. I'm also addicted to their shower gel and lip balm.

FAVORITE THING #5: Murad. While we're on the subject of beauty products, let me introduce you to Murad's Clarifying Cleanser. Great for people who have mild to severe acne.

What are some of your favorite things?

The Return of the Kitten Heel?

Marc Jacobs Spring 2010

Marni Spring 2010

Missoni Spring 2010

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Dear Patient and Faithful Readers: Thank you for your patience during my long absence. I needed some time away from my blog, and I'm also currently reassessing whether or not I want to continue with it. I'm back--for now--but I will let you know if that changes. I greatly appreciate all of the kind notes you sent and I'll be visiting your blogs again soon.

Fur. Concrete. Spice.

Fur (Lambskin) Vest: Alexander Wang

Leather Jacket: Rick Owens

Cashmere Sweater: Gap

Black and White Tee: BCBG

Jeans: Silence + Noise

Booties: Chanel

Bag: Prada

Here I am wandering around the courthouses and federal buildings by the Brooklyn Bridge stop on the 4/5/6 train line. In the above photo, I'm looking at the Sugar House Prison Window, which was originally part of a prison for American Patriots during the Revolutionary War.

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More vest shots:

I'm obsessed with the idea of a fur vest, and this one by Alexander Wang is quite substantial; it's warm enough to wear as a coat or as a chic layering piece over a leather jacket on brisk fall days.

My husband took me to Spice Market, a trendy Asian-fusion restaurant in the Meatpacking District, for my birthday.

This row was the only empty section of the restaurant when we got there. By the time we left, it was completely filled up.

Appetizer #1: Lobster Summer Roll with citrus-dill gelee

Appetizer #2: Steamed Mussels with lemongrass, Thai basil, dried chili, and coconut juice

Entree #1: Char-grilled Chicken with kumquat lemongrass dressing

Entree #2: Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs with egg noodles and pea shoots

Dessert: Ovaltine Kulfi with caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce

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Have a wonderful week!

Crabby in Chinatown

Leather Jacket: Mason
Red cashmere sweater: Vince
Tee: Old Navy
Skinny Pants: 7 for All Mankind
Eel boots: Devi Kroell
Bag: Fendi

A friend suggested that I post about my regular haunts in Chinatown. My husband and I absolutely adore Yeah Shanghai Deluxe, an unassuming gem tucked away on Bayard Street.

Making soup dumplings in the storefront window

Crab soup dumplings, or xiaolongbao, miraculously contain hot delicious soup in their core. Lightly sprinkle one with the ginger soy sauce dip, place this ball of goodness on your spoon, take a small bite out of the top, and sip the soup before you enjoy the yummy crab meat and chewy dough. (If you don't like crab, they have a pork version that's equally popular.)

Crabs in brown sauce with edamame and rice cakes. I'm a huge seafood lover, and crabs hold a special place in my gustatory heart.
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Sacre bleu! What is this?

How on earth could I miss

Such a sweet little succulent crab

Quel dommage. What a loss

Here we go in the sauce

Now some flour, I think just a dab

Now I stuff you with bread

It don't hurt cause you're dead

And you're certainly lucky you are

'Cause it's gonna be hot

In my big silver pot

Tootle-loo, mon poison, au revoir!

--"Les Poissons" from The Little Mermaid

Beef with Bean Curd over Rice

Right next door, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has amazing home-made ice-cream with a slew of exotic flavors for even the most jaded ice-cream eater. I personally love the red bean flavor.

Chinatown has several of these candy/dried fruit emporiums. I managed to get one shot of the display case before the saleslady barked at me. I got 1/4 lb of the dried plum and dried yam.

Green Tea Cafe has the best bubble tea, in my humble opinion.
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Have a wonderful week, everybody!

DIY Idea: Scarves on Shoes

Prada Resort 2010

Balenciaga Fall 2009
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I smell an easy DIY project here. Scarves, anyone?

A Vested Interest

Wayne Spring 2010

Balenciaga Spring 2010

Karl Lagerfeld Spring 2010

Black Out

What's your preference: black beauty or color story? (Photo Credit: Jak & Jil Blog)
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A quick perusal of my closet will unequivocally remind you that I am a New Yorker: a torrent of black, a deluge of gray, and a barrage of denim dominate my limited storage space with occasional but meager sprinkles of color. Like the atmospheric amnesia I suffer every fall (is this what 38 degrees feels like?!), I am reminded by the recent cold, premature blast of winter how dark my sartorial choices have been lately.

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It's undeniable that the fashion gods have dictated that fall 2009 would be a season of black. (Remember, they were designing when the economic gloom was at its peak.) Admittedly, I was lured by the promise of the easy chic: black goes with everything; black is edgy; black is the new black. Now, looking at my shadowy wardrobe and sighing through the spring runway shows, I am seduced by the promise of warmth and the color of joy. Alexander McQueen's psychedelic sci-fi dresses, Lanvin's candy-colored jeweled concoctions, and Proenza Schouler's tribal blues and greens all signaled a meaningful industry reappraisal of the power of--and need for--bright colors.

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Of course, this newfound worship of all things color does not mean a scorn of all things black. When the winter chill pierces the bone, somehow a suit of black armor seems like the most appropriate choice when facing the elements or huddling with a crowd of fierce fellow New Yorkers, who are all, like me, secretly dreaming of spring.

Seeing Red

I snapped up this amazing red velvet YSL vest at the Decades Two Sample Sale this past weekend. Decades Two, an upscale consignment store in LA, decided to fly to NY for a weekend-only grand sale in Soho. My electric blue YSL vest is one of my most prized sartorial possessions, so I thought I'd add another YSL vest to my collection.
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Some details:

Does anybody know what season this vest is from?

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I paired this vest with my Miu Miu "ruby slippers":

Hope everybody is having a fabulous week!

Brunch at Five Points and The WINNER of the LNA LEGGINGS!

Jacket: Theory
Tanks: F21 and Old Navy
Leggings: Old Navy
Pumps: Chanel
Bag: Fendi

I apologize for being MIA this past week. I've been swamped at work and preoccupied at home. Last weekend, I went to Five Points with one of my dearest girlfriends. I'm always looking for a quality brunch place, and Five Points, an excellent restaurant in NoHo, did not disappoint. We also heard that Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Penn Badgley were there the week before!

I can't live without pancakes, and these Lemon Ricotta pancakes were delectably moist and sweet without being overwhelming. My only complaint? No fresh fruit.

Mac 'n Cheese at its finest. If you're the type who lives for real cheese--the smelly kind that's imported from idyllic farms in Europe--then your taste buds will burst into song at the first bite of this cheesy goodness. But as a person who eats relatively less than the average person, I do recommend three dishes for two people, as each entree was quite small.
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And now for the winner of the LNA leggings...

Congrats to Grace of vitaMinn Style, winner of the LNA leggings! Thanks to everybody who participated and to Chickdowntown for this amazing giveaway. I wish I could give all my readers a pair.