L’uomo di mondo ha fatto il militare a Cuneo.

È lì che ha conosciuto Briatore.

Grazie per l’assist a Rogra e a Totò.

"Vase, Raray" from Vases de Jardin

Those who read my post from last week entitled “Porcupine Eggs” may be wondering how I could swing the rustically chic gamut from the rather readily available galvanized items shown there to these beautiful watercolors depicting rarified garden ornaments from uber-rustically chic locales such as Versailles.  Well, such is the prerogative of my personal take on R and C.  I’m also a sucker for anything covered in moss.

The graceful but powerful images shown in this post are from the slim yet enchanting volume, “Vases de Jardin”, by Bernd H. Dams and Andrew Zega.  The book was also published in 2000 under the English title, “Garden Vases.”

Dams and Zega also have a website (www.architecturalwatercolors.com) where they offer their watercolors of famous architectural sites and garden ornaments (and a fabulous series of the alphabet) in books and notecards. 

I appreciate not only the forms of the vases shown in the drawings in “Vases de Jardin”, but the detailed and realistic drawing style as well.  Dressy yes, but rustic chic too.

"Vase, Desert de Retz"

"Marble Cassoulet, Marly"

"Bronze Vase at Versailles with Channeling"

"Gilded Vase at Neptune Basin, Versailles"

Happy days are here again.

Good times.

CC Skye Black Horn and Gold Chain Bracelet

This beautiful black horn and gold chain bracelet is the epitome of CC Skye and is the perfect accessory.  I love the usage of two completely different materials to create a stylish item which supposedly brings you good luck.  Who doesn’t want good luck when it comes in a chic bracelet like the above.

CC Skye Black Horn Bracelet found at Style-Treasure.com, click here.

Loving the shots from Cheryl’s 2010 calendar, I’m sure I will be picking myself up a copy I think the styling is really nice, however I’m sure they never pushed the fashion  further because they wanted to appeal to a larger audience. All I know is Cheryl look’s great in these pic’s I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a Barbie after her next.

IMG|SOURCE: MX

Erin O’Connor is featured on the cover and in a fashion spread for  Harper’s Bazaar Korea, In a spread dubbed Viva London. Erin looks great and I love the super chic styling, very relaxed and true to Erin’s signature style. I didn’t post all the shots but I did post the ones which I found cool.

IMG|SOURCE: MX

haha such a cheesy name…

anyways… one day i popped out my camera to see what everyone was wearing in my honors ancient history class… I chose the wrong day ’cause the next day there were Audrey Hepburn inspired outfits, vintage outfits,guys in cardigans etc.  Oh well, sigh.

Friend 1.

The laid back, free, i dont care style.

This friend is pretty much one of my style icons. Cardigans,polos,khakis,sweaters,blouses, sperrys,lacoste.
The laidback classic.

top:American Eagle classic blouse,($30?) price idk
pants:jeans-Abercrombie ($45)
Shoes: Sperrys $70
Earrings;Diamond from her parents.( i think or some other precious jewel)

My gorgeous friend, Briana.

Isnt she so pretty? sigh.
Shes’s one of the friends that I pretty much talk about stores or the latest teen Vogue issue.We both like URBAN OUTFITTERS :0 haha.
This outfit she got on total discount.  No fair. She looks like a model. hmphh.

Dress: Marshalls she says $12
Tank top: American Eagle : $10
Flats: Alligator flats: not sure where she got them. $20-$30?

LASTLY ME!! haha i am a dork.
and i am very asian.. woot.

shirt:Ralph Lauren(got it on sale for $20)
Dress: Abercrombie(kids)-$39.99
Vest: Military inspired/Target($10)
Leggings-Korean market..5000 won or app. 4.50
Boots:Michelle D.(tons of people asked me where i got them. Dillard’s/last year) $65
Purse: SakRoots(made out of bamboo (: asian pride!)$45

haha today wasnt the greatest fashionista day but oh well. Aren’t all my friends so CUTE! haha love them.

O que dar de presente pra alguém  que….

• tem muito bom gosto?
• que pode comprar tudo do melhor?
• Que é chic?
• Que é um novo amigo e especial pra vc?

O que vc precisa?

• Ter ótimos contatos no CEASA formados a milênios pelo seu Pai…
• Ser Amiga do Toninho do Box 2 do mamão… ele arrasa!
• Saber formar o conjunto das coisas… achar o “Melhor de Tudo”!  O Melhor azeite demorou 7 dias pra chegar… de 3 litros português… o Melhor Tomate (deve ser escolhido por alguém profissional,  como o Tio  Toninho.) O melhor palmito pupunha, claaaro. E pra fechar … um vinho incrível. (que alguém de preferência vc mesmo já tenha tomado pra ter mais assunto ainda depois…)
• Se vc for um fotográfo, vc pode escolher uma foto que combine com o presenteado. E embalar  em forma de canudo com papel da firma do seu Pai.
• O MAIS IMPORTANTE : A Apresentação do presente… Ser Original, ter senso estético e acreditar… se vc tiver insegurança melhor nem dar o presente… Eu usei a própria caixa do Toninho Sanches. Mas a diagramação dos produtos é importantissimo … É brega deixar as coisas em diagonal … deixe tudo paralelo…
• Escreva um bilhete fofo e abraço …

Peacock Feather BUTTERFLY Pure Luxury Handmade Dupioni Bridal Silk Clutch

Available at my Etsy shop:
Magic Laboratory of Fashion
All designs are © Tatiana Agapcheva, please do not copy my work.

"Vertumnus" by Giuseppe Arcimboldo depicting Rudolf II (Holy Roman Emperor) as the Roman god of the seasons, circa 1590

When it comes to rustic chic portraiture (and when doesn’t it?), the artist which first springs to my mind is Giuseppe Arcimboldo.  Born in Milan in 1527, Arcimboldo was the son of a painter and began his own career in 1549 when he was commissioned to do stained glass window designs at the Duomo.  His traditional work, dealing with mostly conventional religious themes, has fallen into oblivion.  But it is his depiction of subjects comprised of fruit and vegetables, roots and sea creatures for which he is best remembered today.  

In 1562, Arcimboldo became the official portraitist to Ferdinand I at the Hapsberg court in Vienna and later to Maximilian II and Rudolf II in Prague.  King Augustus of Saxony, who visited Vienna in 1570 and 1573, saw the artist’s work and commissioned a copy of his “The Four Seasons” which includes Augustus’ own monarchic symbols.

His work was greatly admired by his contemporaries and is still fascinating today.  Many critics judge his art as the product of a deranged mind while others view his work in light of the Renaissance fascination with puzzles and riddles and conclude that he was simply catering to the tastes of his time.  Arcimboldo died in Milan in 1593.

Arcimboldo’s whimsical and satirical portraits, filled with color and texure, are considered by many to have been the forerunner of the Surrealist Movement.   With such a unique approach, which is most certainly rustic chic, it is obvious Arcimboldo enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

"Spring" - 1573, oil on wood, Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid

"Summer" - 1573, oil on canvas, Musee du Louvre, Paris

"Autumn" - 1573, oil on canvas, Musee du Louvre, Paris

"Winter" - 1573, oil on canvas, Musee du Louvre, Paris

By Dian Hasan | November 27, 2009

What gives cities its unique style? Its personality and character? Is it the fashion style of its residents? Or the artistic communities, expressing their art-form to the outside world. Is it the historic fabric of the city, embodied in all her historic buildings and edifices with all their different architectural styles?

Perhaps all of the above. Each city is as unique as her personal story of how it came about, embellished by a colorful history, replete with its own trials and tribulations. Much like Boutique Hotels that have become a permanent fixture in cities across the world. Each with a distinctive character, style, charm and attitude, to suit any lifestyle.

From classic elegance, eclectic mix, to hip haunts and too-cool-too-drool (click on picture). Here’s a look at boutique hotels in Mexico City, among the world’s largest and most enigmatic cities. An under-appreciated world-class city built on layers of an ancient city of the mighty Aztecs, and a major city in the Americas.

By Dian Hasan | November 27, 2009

What gives cities its unique style? Its personality and character? Is it the fashion style of its residents? Or the artistic communities, expressing their art-form to the outside world. Is it the historic fabric of the city, embodied in all her historic buildings and edifices with all their different architectural styles?

Perhaps all of the above. Each city is as unique as her personal story of how it came about, embellished by a colorful history, replete with its own trials and tribulations. Much like Boutique Hotels that have become a permanent fixture in cities across the world. Each with a distinctive character, style, charm and attitude, to suit any lifestyle.

From classic elegance, eclectic mix, to hip haunts and too-cool-too-drool (click on picture). Here’s a look at boutique hotels in Mexico City, among the world’s largest and most enigmatic cities. An under-appreciated world-class city built on layers of an ancient city of the mighty Aztecs, and a major city in the Americas.

By Dian Hasan | November 27, 2009

What gives cities its unique style? Its personality and character? Is it the fashion style of its residents? Or the artistic communities, expressing their art-form to the outside world. Is it the historic fabric of the city, embodied in all her historic buildings and edifices with all their different architectural styles?

Perhaps all of the above. Each city is as unique as her personal story of how it came about, embellished by a colorful history, replete with its own trials and tribulations. Much like Boutique Hotels that have become a permanent fixture in cities across the world. Each with a distinctive character, style, charm and attitude, to suit any lifestyle.

From classic elegance, eclectic mix, to hip haunts and too-cool-too-drool (click on picture). Here’s a look at boutique hotels in Mexico City, among the world’s largest and most enigmatic cities. An under-appreciated world-class city built on layers of an ancient city of the mighty Aztecs, and a major city in the Americas.

By Dian Hasan | November 25, 2009

What gives cities its unique style? Its personality and character? Is it the fashion style of its residents? Or the artistic communities, expressing their art-form to the outside world. Is it the historic fabric of the city, embodied in all her historic buildings and edifices with all their different architectural styles?

Perhaps all of the above. Each city is as unique as her personal story of how it came about, embellished by a colorful history, replete with its own trials and tribulations. Much like Boutique Hotels that have become a permanent fixture in cities across the world. Each with a distinctive character, style, charm and attitude, to suit any lifestyle.

From classic elegance, eclectic mix, to hip haunts and too-cool-too-drool (click on picture). Here’s a look at boutique hotels in Mexico City, among the world’s largest and most enigmatic cities. An under-appreciated world-class city built on layers of an ancient city of the mighty Aztecs, and a major city in the Americas.

]]> http://simpleminds.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/south-of-the-border-mujeres/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:54:57 +0000 paula castle http://simpleminds.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/south-of-the-border-mujeres/

Many people in the world today have a keen eye and a propensity for Hispanic or Latin ladies. Don’t know if it is the youthful looking bronze skin, or just how well they look a la natural; heck we can’t put our fingers on it anymore than the next person!Far be it from us yet, doesn’t it seem as though our featured ladies have extraordinarily tight skin. We used to refer to this as ‘hot-dog skin’ meaning, that these gorgeous models are so spectacularly tight skinned it looks as though they are painted!

Indeed Brazil has had the “Title” for supermodels for some time now — and when one thinks about it maybe it is their cultural heritage to worship the sun. Nah! It takes so much more than genetics to get and maintain figures and bodies like Brazilian beauties – or for that matter, Guatemalan girls, Argentine angels, Peruvian princesses, and the marvelous Mexicans.

Okay already, okay and o.k! For most of us, especially those who have had the fortune to actually go to Brazil, or South America, or Panama, Costa Rica, or all of Central America it’s easy to place photographs of gorgeous ladies and models in their full regalia or skimperey and to write something nice about them.    

Seriously, look at Daniela over at the right. I mean don’t just look at her, but look at how well proportioned she is; look at the muscular figure and how well her body is evenly set into the “Three’s.”

So what’s up with the “Three’s”? Actually Daniela is perfect; just as is Caroline is who appears very scantly clad below and on the left. Notice how their legs match the proportion of their torsos which in turn is in perfect proportion from the clavical to the top of the head. Now if we wanted to get out of the box and say ‘other deminisions’ check this one out:

 If one were to look carefully at Daniela, Caroline, or Thalita below and left one could easily see that from ankle to knee is the same distance as knee to hips; waist to upper bossom and then upper breast to forehead. Now we’re going to ask anyone who has stopped looking long enough at these beautiful Chica’s if they’ve ever noticed these proportional characteristics in a woman before?

Well you’ve probably already guessed it by now, but the same holds true for a persons face too! It is alleged by experts that the ‘perfect face’ has equal deminisions starting at the hair line to upper eyes should equal mid-eyes to upper lip and to top it off, mid-mouth  to chin should equal the distance precisely of the other two. Therefore for a person to attain the ‘perfect facial measurements’ all three criteria should equal each other. Now then if you’re really careful you’ll notice on all of the ladies featured here this week — all of them have evenly proportioned faces as well as perfectly proportioned bodies!

That ladies and gentlemen is what scouts, bookers, managers, oh hell, everyone in the fashion/beauty/cosmentic business are looking for. As for me I think that this contributes to a persons versatility which I still believe is the key to success and supermodel-dom.           

I have long advocated that the worlds most successful models are those who are indeed the most versatile. That is what produces the “I didn’t know that was her…” declarations. Quite simply a great model can go from outfit to outfit, hair to hair, and stylist to stylist and completely change their looks from one magnificent creature to another in literally minutes. 

We were so happy that we could feature Ana below and right simply because she’s so spectacular! If one were looking, they’d notice that the distance from Ana’s elbow to shoulder is the same as the length of her thighs. I love that particular of her because she’s always smiling. A happy model!    

Okay so maybe the lovely lady below is not from the Caribbean or South America. But she is gorgeous beyone comprehension and please notice the long or the elongated thigh muscles. Her name is Esti; she’s been featured here numerous times and we simply love her!

And finally for our last featurette of the week we introduce you to Fabiana who has a following like the folks in the “New Moon” film! If she is available then there is someone the world over who is willing to fork out whatever she wants.

ello Smexies!

Happy Thanksgiving to all !! =)

I have a thanksgiving sale in my store till 30th of Nov! Search for the items with a blue crystal star. Those are the discounted items. Do Check them out!

And more good news for the Black lace design fans! Another 2 of your favorite Black Lace designs – Senorita and Madame in now available in the white lace collection too! See the pics! Sexy and sensual – a total must-have for your closet =)

If u love them,

Check the Hyper Culture Main Store out now!

Happy Thanksgiving again!

much <3

Crissy

As Ellen Berent in "Leave Her to Heaven", Gene Tierney lazily lolls in a canoe and plots her next bit of mayhem.

“Of all the deadly sins, jealousy is the most deadly,” so says a character in the opening scene from the most rustic chic movie ever filmed, “Leave Her to Heaven”.  If you’re a fan of the R and C, you’ve no doubt seen this 1946 Technicolor drama and are beyond jealous of the beautifully rustic and sophisticated interiors (not to mention the impossibly beautiful people who portray the main characters).

A brief synopsis – Gene Tierney is cast as a gorgeous but incredibly unstable woman who marries a successful novelist, played by Cornel Wilde.  Tierney’s character, Ellen Berent, is an all-consuming and unfeeling person who wants to spend all of her time with her new husband but finds it impossible to do so with his work schedule and the constant interruption of friends and family.  Someone (or a few of them) has got to go. 

The scenes are set in various parts of the country, from New Mexico to Warm Springs, Georgia to Maine.  Oversized and darkly moody sets create environments of warm but false coziness.  What has or is about to happen?

I won’t give it away for you just in case you haven’t seen it.  Suffice it to say you’ll be entranced by the performances and the rustic chic interiors.  Here are some pics from the film.

Barbed Wire Beauty

Martedì 24 Novembre si è svolto, al quarto piano dello strepitoso Nhow Hotel, quello che mi piacerebbe definire (e perchè no istituire) l’Herbal Essence Day. In realtà si è trattato di un incontro, molto ristretto e decisamente piacevole, con la responsabile delle relazioni estere della P&G Italia e con l’hair guru Ben Cooke, brand ambassador Herbal Essences nonchè hair stylist di Victoria Beckham e Leona Lewis.

Ho parlato di incontro piacevole proprio perché le conversazioni, pur vertendo logicamente sul prodotto con qualche piccola incursione in una strategia di copy sfacciata a tratti esilarante (“gli abbracci voluttuosi di Herbal Essences” o “la fragranza ti permette di avere un impatto più emotional“),  hanno avuto come oggetto l’utilizzo pratico del prodotto. Ci hanno instradato con consigli mirati verso la tipologia più adatta, ognuna di noi ha potuto parlare del proprio “problema” con acconciature, colore e capello crespo (recidivo). In pratica sembrava una vera e propria chiacchierata tra amiche con tutti i vezzi e “femminerie” del caso.

La disponibilità al dialogo è stata massima:  non sono mancate, infatti, domande provocatorie sulla questione della pesantezza dell’INCI e l’eccessivo uso di siliconi, cui sono state date risposte difficilmente contestabili come il totale rispetto delle norme basilari per la composizione dell’elenco di cui sopra e il dosaggio di silicone realizzato in maniera specifica in base alla linea.

In conclusione è stato davvero un bel pomeriggio sia per me che per i miei capelli che a breve riceveranno un fantastico trattamento “scintille di luce” così potrò anche io essere sunny, easy, funny, sporty, chic (come suggerisce Gio) e ridare splendore a questo tetro e deprimente tempo milanese.

Ringraziamenti: Umberto, le blogger intervenute, P&G e Ben Cooke.

Then-Sous Chef (now Chef de Cuisine) Jon Bignelli of D-50, preparing Squab with butternut noodles, cream soda and carob. (Creative Commons photo from the Flickr account of diacritical)

Here’s the most interesting thing to happen to me in a long time: a winner of Bravo’s Top Chef recommends I have potential roommates cook for me, so I can find someone who loves food as much as I do.

What a rockin’ idea!

The Chef is Stephanie Izard (here’s her blog), and via a Twitter conversation, I lamented that I’m having trouble finding someone who likes food as much as me. She suggested I make them cook for me. My translation: a full-blown cookoff.

But what’s a cookoff if no one’s participating? To that end, I’m spreading the word among Chicago’s media (and social media) that I have a Gold Coast apartment ready to share with the best cook I can find to room with. I’m also trying to spread the word among students of the Culinary and Hospitality Institute of Chicago—AKA CHIC.

I’ll keep you updated on my marketing progress, and after I return to Chicago from a Thanksgiving holiday in Ohio, I’ll shoot some pictures of the apartment for this continually-evolving post, to which I’ll refer candidates.

I figure the cookoff will take place mid-December, with a move-in date as soon after as possible. (Maybe I’ll have to wait until Jan. 1, I dunno.)

With the much anticipated launch next year of quite possibly the two most important cars of our time, is it a wonder that people are confused with all the marketing hype and noise out there.  We’ve got color naming contests,  22 city road shows, gauntlet face slapping T.V. commercials, blog sites with daily content and even show and tell with middle school kids.  Is it really that hard to believe that people might be getting confused about which car does what, who has the best MPG, EV vs. Hybrid and why choose one over the other?

Talk about building up the hype, GM has announced the three finalist for their color naming contest.  “EV-ergreen”, “Veridian joule” and “EnviroMint”.  All fun and quirky names that conjure up thoughts of eco-warrior meets metrosexual chic.  Couple this with the constant “May the Best Car Win” TV ads and one might think that the Volt would be the hands down favorite in terms of mindshare.  But don’t count out that little company from Japan.  They have a few tricks up their sleeve too!!!

Nissan is on a “pilgrimage to mecha-annical” glory.  They have reached out to all the stakeholders and media alike and asked them to attend 1 of 22 different roadshows.  At the event, we get a chance to feast our excited eyes  on the Leaf, network with other EV enthusiasts and take turns driving a prototype around a little track at low speed.  A few of the people who have taken this opportunity to test drive the Leaf-like car use words like “seamless power delivery”, “smooth” and my favorite ” noticeably quite”.  All very positive endorsements.

The next and probably most aggressive attempt at winning the hearts of families is now being launched by GM.  Get ready for the biggest “show and tell” school event ever.  GM is inviting 800 middle school kids in LA. plus any other kid who wants to attend online to participate in a huge school yard education session.  Though the kids are probably not the ones who will buy the car next year, they will be the future purchasers of both Hybrids and EV’s and it makes sense to reach out to them now.

So who is the ultimate winner of the hype?  Hopefully it will be all of us in the end.

I’m loving this fashion editorial; featuring Hilary Rhoda again the styling is key to me liking it so chic and luxurious, it’s a life most dream of. The location looks hot aswell and really compliments the style of clothing shown, also even though it’s not so gritty and edgy I love that it shows the new breed of femininity that idolizes a woman in control. Loves it

Photography By: Nathaniel Goldberg

IMG|SOURCE: FGR

Loved this shoot mainly it was the pieces that caught my eye, very rock n roll chic I felt like I needed to take a friend shopping so they could have some, but definitely the styling was well executed. I Love the shoes with the Mercedes logo on the heel, HAUTE!!

Styling: Elisabetta Dal Bello

Photography By: John Akehurst

IMG|SOURCE: FGR

Sparkly for the holidays! Made in Canada.

25″ long

$35

SM1005-14 – Please email labconsignment@gmail.com referencing this number for any questions or to purchase.

$15 Shipping in Canada

This item will be for sale at the Dec 13 POP UP SALE at The Red Light.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207003079342&index=1

Payments can be made via Paypal or email money transfer.

According to my Mom wearing the appropriate attire, while cycling, tickles my fancy because she pedaled me through the streets of Aalborg as a baby. I must have learned through osmosis that you don’t need to have helmet hair to have fun commuting.

Is the real reason you don’t cycle to work because the clothes aren’t cool enough? A blogger in Denmark hopes to change minds with his shots of chic cyclists pedaling their way through Copenhagen everyday. Locally Riding Pretty has the tweed riders covered.

Silicon Valley has ‘tude to go around, send us your shots of fashion forward pedal pushers near you, TheNewIPO@gmail.com.