Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Great Outdoors


Take a look at the award-winning Bloomframe balconies by Hofman Dujardin Architects. The Bloomframe balconies are window frames that can be pushed out to form exterior balconies, expanding your interior space to the outdoors.

"Apparently, the idea came about in response to the new-found popularity of balconies in Sweden."

The ingenious part about the Bloomframe balcony is that it can be added to existing buildings...not just for new buildings. So, virtually anyone can create outdoor space in an otherwise closed living quarter.

-S

The Great Outdoors


Take a look at the award-winning Bloomframe balconies by Hofman Dujardin Architects. The Bloomframe balconies are window frames that can be pushed out to form exterior balconies, expanding your interior space to the outdoors.

"Apparently, the idea came about in response to the new-found popularity of balconies in Sweden."

The ingenious part about the Bloomframe balcony is that it can be added to existing buildings...not just for new buildings. So, virtually anyone can create outdoor space in an otherwise closed living quarter.

-S

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Puffins Addiction


As you know, this blog is all about inspiring better living. With that said, I introduce to you PUFFINS Peanut Butter cereal. As silly as it sounds, I'm being serious about my love of this delicious food.

Puffins are a perfect snack. Low in sugar, high in taste, simple ingredients, lovely crunchy texture.

Upon your first bowl, I have no doubt that you will become addicted to this healthy snack. It's also great to eat dry in those moments when you search for something to curb your sweet tooth.

Costco should carry Puffins in bulk.

-S

Puffins Addiction


As you know, this blog is all about inspiring better living. With that said, I introduce to you PUFFINS Peanut Butter cereal. As silly as it sounds, I'm being serious about my love of this delicious food.

Puffins are a perfect snack. Low in sugar, high in taste, simple ingredients, lovely crunchy texture.

Upon your first bowl, I have no doubt that you will become addicted to this healthy snack. It's also great to eat dry in those moments when you search for something to curb your sweet tooth.

Costco should carry Puffins in bulk.

-S

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Italy Gets The Finger


After being published last month in Italian magazines, the country's advertising watchdog, the Institute for Advertising Self-Discipline (IAP) has banned Tom Ford Eyewear ads. This specific image, showing a sunglasses-wearing woman with a man's finger in her mouth was ruled "markedly vulgar" because the "scene evokes an offending and abusive act against women, which degrades the dignity of the person."

Personally, I've been loving the latest Tom Ford ad campaign with photographer Terry Richardson. The shots are sophisticated, yet primal... juxtaposition at its best!

Here are a couple other shots I'd love to have framed at my place:




-S

SYI: Oddly, the shot with the woman grabbing the man's crotch was not banned by the IAP.

Italy Gets The Finger


After being published last month in Italian magazines, the country's advertising watchdog, the Institute for Advertising Self-Discipline (IAP) has banned Tom Ford Eyewear ads. This specific image, showing a sunglasses-wearing woman with a man's finger in her mouth was ruled "markedly vulgar" because the "scene evokes an offending and abusive act against women, which degrades the dignity of the person."

Personally, I've been loving the latest Tom Ford ad campaign with photographer Terry Richardson. The shots are sophisticated, yet primal... juxtaposition at its best!

Here are a couple other shots I'd love to have framed at my place:




-S

SYI: Oddly, the shot with the woman grabbing the man's crotch was not banned by the IAP.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Róisín Murphy





If I could come back to Earth as a woman, I'd like to be Róisín Murphy!

The former lead singer of Moloko, Róisín turned solo in 2004. Her sophmore solo album, "Overpowered", is an obsession right now.

Her voice-check, her style-check,... there's a new diva in town!

Fav tracks: "Overpowered", "Tell Everybody", "Dear Miami", "You Know Me Better", & "Primitive".

-S

SYI - Róisín is pronounced (roy-sheen)

Róisín Murphy





If I could come back to Earth as a woman, I'd like to be Róisín Murphy!

The former lead singer of Moloko, Róisín turned solo in 2004. Her sophmore solo album, "Overpowered", is an obsession right now.

Her voice-check, her style-check,... there's a new diva in town!

Fav tracks: "Overpowered", "Tell Everybody", "Dear Miami", "You Know Me Better", & "Primitive".

-S

SYI - Róisín is pronounced (roy-sheen)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Terroni


Shereen Arazm's (Parc, Geisha House, Shag, Bella, Dolce) new restaurant, Terroni, is hands down my latest food craze.

4 factors that make the place:
-The food is southern style Italian- ultra thin crust pizza, fresh pastas made on site daily, seasonal salads, and a delightful array of semi-sweet dolci.
-An attractive bar w/ counter space where you can have a drink and/or dinner. There's a full wine list, as well as regional Italian style cocktails too.
-The ambiance is lively even during weekdays, yet it somehow manages not to be a hipster joint. The decor is fun and inviting, but not overt or contrived.
- Close to probable next stops, or home.

Terroni
7605 Beverly Blvd. (Fairfax District)
323.954.0300

SYI: When you're at the bar, ask your bartender for "The Sean"... close in taste to a mandarin soda, except it's made up of vodka, soda, with a 2-count shot of the Italian Aperol® orange liqueur.

Terroni


Shereen Arazm's (Parc, Geisha House, Shag, Bella, Dolce) new restaurant, Terroni, is hands down my latest food craze.

4 factors that make the place:
-The food is southern style Italian- ultra thin crust pizza, fresh pastas made on site daily, seasonal salads, and a delightful array of semi-sweet dolci.
-An attractive bar w/ counter space where you can have a drink and/or dinner. There's a full wine list, as well as regional Italian style cocktails too.
-The ambiance is lively even during weekdays, yet it somehow manages not to be a hipster joint. The decor is fun and inviting, but not overt or contrived.
- Close to probable next stops, or home.

Terroni
7605 Beverly Blvd. (Fairfax District)
323.954.0300

SYI: When you're at the bar, ask your bartender for "The Sean"... close in taste to a mandarin soda, except it's made up of vodka, soda, with a 2-count shot of the Italian Aperol® orange liqueur.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Regal Retail



Until recently, the quaint market town of Tetbury in England's Cotswolds district was best known for the antique shops lining its narrow, cobble-stone streets. Now there's another reason for visitors to flock to the Gloucestershire town. Last month, the area's starriest resident, Prince Charles—whose rambling country pad Highgrove is just outside Tetbury—set up shop there.

The store—Highgrove Shop—stocks a cornucopia of organic fruit and vegetables sourced from Highgrove's own Home Farm. There?s also china decorated with images of hens, designed by Samantha Buckley, an alumna of Charles's Traditional Arts School in London, and soaps infused with hypericum plucked from his gardens.

So far, the store's royal connections have been drawing in the tourist crowds. "We've even had people from America signing the vistors' book," says Sally Jarrett, the shop's manager. But it's not only those eager to experience a slice of royal life who are turning up. Local residents are regulars too, snapping up chutneys, honey and leeks. The store's Champagne and red and white wines have also proved popular, perhaps because they're the very same as those served at official functions in the Orchard Room at Highgrove.

Even the usually cynical British press has nodded approvingly at the store, both for its relatively competitive pricing and the fact that all the store?s profits go towards the Prince's various charities and projects. And for those who can't make the trip across the pond to visit the royal corner shop, not to worry. Later this year, the store will launch its own Web site, and the goods will ship worldwide.

—Nina Jones for W Mag.

Regal Retail



Until recently, the quaint market town of Tetbury in England's Cotswolds district was best known for the antique shops lining its narrow, cobble-stone streets. Now there's another reason for visitors to flock to the Gloucestershire town. Last month, the area's starriest resident, Prince Charles—whose rambling country pad Highgrove is just outside Tetbury—set up shop there.

The store—Highgrove Shop—stocks a cornucopia of organic fruit and vegetables sourced from Highgrove's own Home Farm. There?s also china decorated with images of hens, designed by Samantha Buckley, an alumna of Charles's Traditional Arts School in London, and soaps infused with hypericum plucked from his gardens.

So far, the store's royal connections have been drawing in the tourist crowds. "We've even had people from America signing the vistors' book," says Sally Jarrett, the shop's manager. But it's not only those eager to experience a slice of royal life who are turning up. Local residents are regulars too, snapping up chutneys, honey and leeks. The store's Champagne and red and white wines have also proved popular, perhaps because they're the very same as those served at official functions in the Orchard Room at Highgrove.

Even the usually cynical British press has nodded approvingly at the store, both for its relatively competitive pricing and the fact that all the store?s profits go towards the Prince's various charities and projects. And for those who can't make the trip across the pond to visit the royal corner shop, not to worry. Later this year, the store will launch its own Web site, and the goods will ship worldwide.

—Nina Jones for W Mag.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Fashion Over Facism



... because politics are so last year.

-S

Fashion Over Facism



... because politics are so last year.

-S

Friday, April 11, 2008

Tecktonic Comes To America


Tecktonik (AKA "Wantek") is a form of dance that first appeared in Paris in 2000 in a nightclub called Metropolis.

Tecknonic dance borrows heavily from elements of hip-hop dance moves including popping and locking, not to mention hints of vogueing as well.

Tecktonic has been growing in popularity worldwide, and lately you can start seeing the dance taking over in the states (LA & NY more so).

One of the most notable musicians for Tecktonic dance is YELLE. Check out the video for their song...(it's more of an art piece for tecktonik).

It's pretty exciting to see kids expressing themselves thru dance.

-S

Tecktonic Comes To America


Tecktonik (AKA "Wantek") is a form of dance that first appeared in Paris in 2000 in a nightclub called Metropolis.

Tecknonic dance borrows heavily from elements of hip-hop dance moves including popping and locking, not to mention hints of vogueing as well.

Tecktonic has been growing in popularity worldwide, and lately you can start seeing the dance taking over in the states (LA & NY more so).

One of the most notable musicians for Tecktonic dance is YELLE. Check out the video for their song...(it's more of an art piece for tecktonik).

It's pretty exciting to see kids expressing themselves thru dance.

-S

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

COMME DES GARÇONS @ H&M


Comme des Garçons’ founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo will create this autumn’s guest designer collection at H&M. Rei Kawakubo, famous and admired for her creativity and artistry, will design a women’s and a men’s collection, with some pieces for children too. Accessories and an exclusive unisex fragrance will also be included in the collection.

"I have always been interested in the balance between creation and business. It is a dilemma, although for me creation has always been the first priority. It is a fascinating challenge to work with H&M since it is a chance to take the dilemma to its extreme, and try to solve it", says Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons.

COMME DES GARÇONS @ H&M


Comme des Garçons’ founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo will create this autumn’s guest designer collection at H&M. Rei Kawakubo, famous and admired for her creativity and artistry, will design a women’s and a men’s collection, with some pieces for children too. Accessories and an exclusive unisex fragrance will also be included in the collection.

"I have always been interested in the balance between creation and business. It is a dilemma, although for me creation has always been the first priority. It is a fascinating challenge to work with H&M since it is a chance to take the dilemma to its extreme, and try to solve it", says Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons.

Monday, April 7, 2008

The Almost Right Word



"An attempt at honest self-exploration and, simultaneously, anonymity."

Check out www.thealmostrightword.com (also on my links list at the right of this page).

Inspiration is only a click away!

-S

The Almost Right Word



"An attempt at honest self-exploration and, simultaneously, anonymity."

Check out www.thealmostrightword.com (also on my links list at the right of this page).

Inspiration is only a click away!

-S