bohemian rhapsody: wild young hearts
This morning, I went on a run bright and early clocking 3 miles before 10:30 a.m. – impressive for me on Saturday. I suppose my motivation wasn’t purely fitness, as I ran to the record store to pick up a copy of the Les Parapluies de Cherbourg soundtrack, which I gushed about before and am still gushing about months after seeing the film. I ran from the record store home with it clutched under my arm and my iPhone blasting the Noisettes in my other hand, quite the retro-meets-present look.
It’s been almost two years since Karina and I saw the Noisettes in concert at the Bell House in Brooklyn and again at Santos Party House in Manhattan (couldn’t.. get. enough.) I’m still just as charmed by their music – especially frontwoman Shingai and the tune “Wild Young Hearts.” I listened to it on my run this morning, and wanted to send the tune your way, as well.
I think we could all learn a few things from Shingai when it comes to the razzle dazzle department.
a splurge, a steal and style just because.
First, could Gwyneth be any more glowy all the time? And could I please have the Stella McCartney blazer featured in this week’s GOOP? Only $2,145 via Net-A-Porter
Second, my favorite beauty tweet-heart @EvaChen212 posted this photo of Gwen Stefani, who per-typical dons a mega-gorge lipstick: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Rouge in Forever Fuschia. Get thee to Walgreens.
Last but not least, I’m going to see Bill Cunningham New York tomorrow night. I can’t wait to wear something fabulous to work tomorrow, just because. As Anna Wintour says, “I’ve said many times that we all get dressed for Bill.”
This trailer is the perfect remedy for I-don’t-know-what-to-wear-days.
three recurring (to)daydreams
Burberry Leather Platform Ankle Boots, $995
1. These Burberry boots should live in my closet. Spotted them on my morning walk to work, where I purposefully cross the street to stop and stare in the Burberry windows.
2. I should really be dating (or at least friends with) Max Irons. Isn’t he a doll?! I love this sophisticated mini film of him for Vanity Fair. Reminds me a bit of his father’s role on Brideshead Revisited. (p.s. if you want to hear him talk – and trust me, you do – check out this interview with the charming fellow on Jimmy Kimmel)
3. A diet of coffee (and cappuccinos) and chocolate chip cookies would entirely satisfy me. Oh, and a lipstick stain on the cup too.
the past month in 11 photos
I think I’ve finally come down from my whirlwind past couple of months. I’d like to blame my blog absence on a work/life imbalance but as I tried to come up with excuses, I thought of several memorable moments that took place in a setting away from my work desk since I last blogged. Here’s a rewind of what I’ve been up to. Let’s think of this montage as a preview of what’s to come. here’s to tomorrow.
I had dinner at the same time and the same place as Rod Stewart. He had so much swagger that a girl couldn't do anything but stare.
I saw the mesmerizing Stevie Nicks in concert (Rod too! Same night!)
I saw the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met. Extraordinary. Intense. Must-see.
My job role for one night included arming myself with Fendi ankle boots (thank you Bloomingdales sale rack!) and a headset (yes, a headset and I kind of loved it), all in the presence of King Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour.
I watched the Brideshead Revisited BBC TV series from 1981. Further validation of why I don't pay for cable.
I experienced the real-life version of the above movie scene. It was quite lovely. Read the full story in my yet-to-be published novel.
I've listened to this song about 10 times daily.
I found my misplaced tube of Up The Amp purple lipstick from MAC.
I had a much overdue catch up session in Washington Square Park with my dear friend Casey of The Classic Case.
I had dinner at the Waverly Inn, and felt like an Olsen Twin meets Graydon Carter for one night.
I danced the night away at Arthur's Tavern in the West Village with the lovely Tara Kalmanson of TKGO.com, who generously lets me crash in her place when I visit NYC.
please excuse my absence for this magic moment
For the past 17 days, I’ve needed to devote just about every minute to my day job, not my blogging dream job. This will continue all week, but in the meantime, I wanted to say hello. I also wanted to ask you to take a moment to twirl around to this song while remembering not to take yourself too seriously.
Ben E. King and the Drifters “This Magic Moment”
bohemian rhapsody: with or without you
My dear friend Karina ran into Bono at a bar in Buenos Aires last night. Fantastic or what! Subconsciously I channeled Bono in my ensemble today, caring little about my clothes but making sure I wore a mega pair of shades and rocking boots. While I’m beyond envious of Karina’s run-in with Bono, I think my ultimate meeting would look like the above video, specifically from the 3:35 mark on. I find Bono’s passion and confidence unmatched. Love appears to be at the core of what he does, and you know I like that way of thinking.
I love Bono’s lyrics, but one of my favorite things he’s said came at a performance during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert. I liked it so much that it’s up on the side of this blog under “ideas.” See U2 perform with Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen at the concert below, and hear Bono’s sensational ode to rock and roll’s impact at the 5:22 mark.
speaking of star-powered rock and rollers, I couldn’t leave out U2′s performance with Sir Mick Jagger at age 67 with so much spirit, style and swagger. His entrance is tops. I love the iconic “Gimme Shelter” on the first part, but my favorite is the following “Stuck in a Moment” (one of my favorite songs ever).
here’s to living like a rolling stone forever. peace, love and rock and roll.
church of moi + bohemian rhapsody: adryan off duty
today's reading upon a made bed
Since I didn’t post Bohemian Rhapsody yesterday, I combined with Church of Moi today.
I love Sundays. I wish they lasted forever. I finally settle into adryan off duty mode, as the Wall Street Journal might call it. I picked up this weekend’s Wall Street Journal for the Anna Wintour cover story of WSJ Magazine and found out it cost only two dollars! What a deal, even better than the faux suede bomber jacket I picked up at Zara for $30 yesterday.
Between the WSJ, two issues of the New Yorker, and two issues of the Economist, I’ve got a full reading list for today when it comes to periodicals. I’ve also started reading “Valley of the Dolls,” which dazzled me from page one. (Surely, more to come on that one.)
I’m anxious to catch up on the news surrounding Libya, which I’ve been quite absent-minded about lately. The cover of the Economist this week, which asks “Where does this end?” upset me. Those feelings struck me yesterday when I popped into Bloomingdales and heard the song “Get Together” by the Youngbloods (Can’t embed, click to hear). It made me think of all the opposition to love. It’s disappointing that John Lennon’s call to give peace a chance and songs like the above remain so relevant today. Sad thoughts on Sunday, but I suppose the two things I can do are educate myself and sing the simple song of love every day. So here I am.
Hope you’re off duty today too, and here’s to thinking for yourself today and everyday.
On Sunday, I went to the cinema to see Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), a 1964 Jacques Demy film starring Catherine Deneuve. From the start of the opening credits, the film left me smitten. For 90ish minutes, I gushed over the romantic soundtrack, the chic French setting, the lovely mod cinematography, Catherine Deneuve’s timelessly cute hair styles and outfits, the adorable Nino Castelnuvo, and the eternal style of the 1960s.
No detail of the film was unexamined. Even the wallpaper of the tres French apartment, where Genevieve (Deneuve’s character) and her mother live, and the signature French bicycles charmed me.
I left the theater humming the theme song and imagining I had the style of Genevieve. I took that sartorial ambition to my closet and vanity this morning. I dressed in a simple white blouse, pleated floral skirt, basic black mini-blazer and my trench coat. I wore my hair pulled half way up, high on my head, and lined my top eye lid with thick black liner, just like Deneuve in the film. Hours later I still haven’t taken my hair out of the style; And from the stream of photos below, I think it’s clear my mind very much remains in the cinema of Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. I want to buy one of the movie posters from the film many included below, but I just cant decide on which one (and unfortunately, I’ve hardly the wall space for them all.)
For the utmost magic, you must see the film in its breathtaking entirety. As Genevieve sings, Je t’aime, Je t’aime, Je t’aime.
church of moi: surprise yourself
I’m a big believer in the power of a proper hair cut. In all seriousness, I think one of my happiest days on record was after a visit to Viva salon on one of my first days of my summer stint in London. I walked out on to Carnaby Street with my new fringe and a whole new wealth of razzle dazzle. It very might have been then that I knew London was my home.
On Friday, I saw the documentary “Vidal Sassoon The Movie: How One Man Changed The World With A Pair of Scissors.” It was splendid. His storied rise from an orphanage to very sweet success is astonishing, and the film’s coverage of the creative renaissance (be it hair, music, politics or fashion) taking place during swinging sixties London is can’t-miss.
Vidal Sassoon
The screening that I went to was especially exciting because Vidal Sassoon was in attendance! He answered questions after the film with a bright sense of pluck that I hope to have when I’m 81 years old. I asked him about London’s impact on his creativity, and he went on and on about how exciting it was to be in London during the sixties. “Everyone went to London to be creative then. The Beatles were there. The Stones were there. Mary Quant’s atelier was the sidewalk. It was electric,” he said.
I loved this line from the film and also heard from Vidal on the trailer above, “When everybody tells you, the doubters tell you, it can’t be done – nonsense. If you can get to the root of who your are, and make something happen from it, my sense is that you’re going to surprise yourself.”
Here’s to thinking for yourself, and being bold on the inside and out.
perfect fringe.
Grace Coddington with Vidal Sassoon.
Mia Farrow with Vidal Sassoon
Is it possible for these girls to be any more cool?
bohemian rhapsody: music that sounds like sunshine
It’s not quite spring yet in my part of the world – I’ve only been able to venture outdoors sans-coat a few times. But on my own accord, I’m turning the indoors of my apartment to the spring season one flower and Beach Boys tune at a time. I bought a petite pink potted flower at the grocery store today, and it made a pretty addition to my nightstand.
Then I turned on my She & Him Pandora station (which is so so so great), and the Beach Boys came on. I always forget how magical and warm their music is. No matter if their songs are happy or sad, the music sounds like sunshine. Here are two of my favorites, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows.” As a bonus, I put a darling cover of She & Him performing “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Could Zooey be any cuter?
