Story Time

My bookshelves are overflowing, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to hoard more.  The newest titles to make it to my wish list: Henry Darger by Klaus Biesenbach; Maison Martin Margiela published by Rizzoli; The Marchesa Casati – Portraits of a Muse written by the directors of The Casati Archives; The Velvet Underground – New York Art from Rizzoli; Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress, Frida’s Wardrobe published by Chronicle Books; and Prada, conceived and edited by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli.  Henry Darger is one of my favorite artists.  I’ve written about him here and am always interested in finding out more about his life and his artwork.  I recommend watching the documentary In the Realms of the Unreal – it sheds some light on his fascinating, although somewhat sad background.  Both the Margiela and Prada books rank high on my list due to the fact that I have a deep appreciation for the aesthetics of both designers and their ability to always design what they want and not cater to the masses, yet somehow manage to drive every fashion follower into a frenzy with their smart and highly conceptual clothing and accessories.  Marchesa Casati wasn’t your everyday heiress. Although she did serve as muse to many including Cecil Beaton and Jack Kerouac, she was very creative and held lavish parties, always dressing in elaborate, statement making attire.  She was also the hostess of the Ballets Russes and her influence can still be felt and seen today, most specifically in John Galliano’s creations and in the evening wear line, Marchesa.  Alice Ritter turned me onto the Frida Kahlo book (thanks, Alice!) and being that I regard her as one of the most prominent, feminist artists with amazing style to have ever lived, I am so interested to find out more about her wardrobe.  And I actually kind of wish I had a unibrow – something about hers was so sexy.  Lastly, The Velvet Underground – clearly one of the greatest bands of all time.  They are so fascinating to me and I can’t wait to devour that book.

State of Being

Anthropologie has just introduced a new website, The Anthropologist, that is centered around inspiration and those who create it.  Three artists are currently featured, each of them sharing projects that they are passionate about and that have a very personal meaning.  Photographer David Eustace embarks on a cross-country journey with his daughter; filmmaker Jane Campion presents behind the scenes images taken from her new film, Bright Star; and filmmaker and photographer, Andrew Zuckerman, shares his Wisdom project that is one of the most heartfelt and honest short films I’ve seen, “inspired by the idea that one of the greatest gifts one generation can pass to another is the wisdom it has gained from experience.” Comprised of an influential and creative group of artists, politicians, activists and more, Wisdom truly is inspiring to watch.  View the trailer below, and a different version dealing with love on The Anthropologist here.

Degrees of Separation

Ami Sioux, a photographer based in Paris, just released her second book in a series appropriately titled, °Books.  This release, Paris 48°49N2°29E, follows the pages of Reykjavik 64°08N21°54W and is the ultimate city explorer guide.  Fifty residents of Paris, some known to Ami and some unknown, were asked to hand-draw a map of their favorite, most personal and significant spots in the city. She then followed each map and took a photograph of each location as shown below, creating a sort of voyeuristic sensibility. I love this concept for different reasons, mainly because I enjoy exploring what is unknown to me.  But I also love it because it reminds me of having a pen pal that you haven’t met yet, but you somehow know them on a very personal level just by exchanging words on paper.  This whole project is crazily romantic.  Looking at the maps, they remind me of one of my favorite books, Stairway Walks in Los Angeles. It’s an out-of-print book that my husband discovered and it’s the ultimate explorer’s guide to Los Angeles.  Filled with maps that take you on beautiful stairway journeys throughout various neighborhoods in LA, this gem is a must for anyone who likes taking long walks and big hikes.  All of the stairways are public – “an urban legacy devoted to pedestrianism.”  The views alone are breathtaking, but the architecture and nature really make me appreciate a city that can be so vast and overwhelming.

Best Weekend Ever

You know those weekends that are so amazing that you don’t even think about anything else that you have to do except what you’re doing right then and all the fun things that are about to happen right after?  It’s called living in the present and I highly recommend it.  Not only was it my husband’s birthday, but October 31st marked the 5th anniversary of our first meeting.  We had a lot to celebrate on top of Halloween, which turned out to be the Best Halloween Ever.  I’ve never seen so many amazing costumes.  Our friends really turned it out this year!  Please excuse some of the blurry photos.

I was Frida Kahlo

My husband, Darryl, was Vincent Van Gogh

Matthew was Alex from A Clockwork Orange

This was my second favorite costume of the night.  Sorry for the bad quality photo, but this guy killed it as The Regal Beagle. That’s right – from Three’s Company. Amazing.

But first place, my friends, went to Weekend at Bernie’s.  GENIUS!

Toryn as David Byrne and Nicolette as a paper doll

Emily as a panda bear

Renee’ as Lucille Ball resurrected from the dead

Becky was making me laugh all night as Carol Channing in Alice in Wonderland

Hilarious.  Sara and Katherine as two “Toddlers and Tiaras”.

Drew as Sherlock Holmes

Athena as Ned Flanders

Happy Birthday, Baby

Today is my husband’s birthday and I’d like to dedicate some Altered Images to him. Happy Birthday, D.  I love love love you.  I’ll meet you in the living room for a dance party.

Fields of Vision

If you’re addicted to reading about fashion on the internet like myself, by now you’ve probably seen the ridiculously adorable cat calendar from United Bamboo.  If not, take a look at these sassy little felines in the finest United Bamboo threads, striking a pose for 2010.  It really doesn’t get better than that, does it?  The calendar was shot by Noah Sheldon, whom I actually just met randomly while having lunch with a dear friend.  I had no idea how brilliant of a photographer he was, nor did I know that he was the genius behind the calendar.  If I would have known, I probably would have bought him lunch.  I’ve been browsing his website and his blog and I’ve become completely enthralled by his work.  He has a keen sensibility for taking the simplest of subjects and turning them into beautiful, grand statements.  Check out some of Noah Sheldon’s work below: