Go Outside and Play

There's a smart, new company in town, called Alite.

Their mission is to get us outside and they've got 

some fun ideas to make it a lot more palatable!

The Basics

They're a design-driven, urban-outdoor company dedicated to the idea that everyone should be playing outside together. Defined by innovation, bold colors and a sense of humor, they thrive on creating products that make it simple and fun to connect with friends and the outdoors.

The Fun

Enter their new Spring line, including The Sexy Hotness sleeping bag.

It has strategically located zippers that either allow you to transform it into a body-suit or give you easy access to your partner. Dual-side zippers allow you to zip together as many sleeping bags as you see fit, so you can maximize your outdoor experience. Hmm...

And with the 2010 Spring/Summer music festival season 

around the corner, they've got the gear to hook you up.

Quote of the Day

One day with life and heart,

Is more than time enough to find a world.

James Russell Lowell

A Legendary Retailer

 

Legendary Retailer Joseph Ettedgui Dies at 71

Ruthie Friedlander | 11:39 am, March 19th, 2010

British retailer and designer Joseph Ettedgui passed away Thursday at the age of 71. Ettedgui had been battling cancer for several years.

Ettedgui, who came to London in the 1950’s and began career as a hairdresser, fell in love with fashion after meeting Kenzo in the 60’s whilst in Paris at the shows. His interest in clothing quickly exceeded his desire to style hair, and he promptly opened his first shop, just underneath his salon. Ever since, Joseph has become a required stop for any informed shopper traveling or living in London.
The store features fashion’s greats: Alaia, Celine, YSL, Comme Des Garcons; as well as some of the industry’s favorite new comers: Alexander Wang, Philip Lim, and VPL, to name a few. Each garment has always been thoughtfully chosen, as if he was curated an exhibit of his favorite pieces of art.
His own designs were equally thought out, without appearing over-designed or meticulously styled. His clothing may not have been street stoppers, but Joseph’s gorgeous sweaters and wel-tailored pants exuded a sort of quiet chic-ness like none other, making his pieces staples in the modern woman’s wardrobe. “An entire wardrobe can’t be made up of only designer clothes” Joseph once said. “People need good trousers and good shirts that they wear all the time.”
Nicholas Foulkes of The Independent summed up Joseph’s persona perfectly:

“With his tousled hair, slightly mischievous smile and cigar, Joseph was a true Londoner even though he never shed his French accent. I believe that Joseph will come to be regarded as one of the handful of men who shaped London taste in the last quarter of the 20th century and who helped establish chic London today. However much you thought you knew about the better things in life, Joseph would always know a little artisan or recondite craftsman tucked away in some obscure corner of Europe who made things which enhanced life’s pleasures…But more than a paragon of good taste, he was a charming man and a good, kind friend. He will be greatly missed.”

“I like to dress people,” Joseph told This Is London, “Not to make them fashionable.” Whether consciously or not, Joseph did both. He is credited as having won London’s Woman magazineContemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001. award in 1985, as well as the Contemporary Collection award at the Rover British Fashion Awards in 2001.

Article from Styleite

Photo courtesy of Vogue.com

Quote of the Day

art by Jeff Koons
'Tis a good thing to laugh at any rate;
and if a straw can tickle a man, it is
an instrument  of happiness.

John Dryden

House Rules

 Good Luck, is so on his side...

An American architect has broken his own Guinness 

World Record by building the largest house of free-standing playing cards.

Bryan Berg used 218,792 cards to create a replica of the Venetian Macau, which is on display in its namesake luxury hotel and casino.

Berg took 44 days and 4,051 decks of cards to complete his model inside the Venetian, which sits at the heart of Macau's Cotai Strip, the China-ruled city's version of Las Vegas' neon alley.

 How many rooms could you build?
 In the name of Guinness, check out the rest of this story from
The Daily Mail 

Elegance With An Edge

Here's a great way to kick off the weekend-

Thursday is the gateway, right?

Tonight at Vessel, sip on champagne ($6.00)

and festive cocktails while perusing designs by 

Litter, Harputs, Jarred Garza, Jan Warnock and more.

DJ's / Fashion / Drinks... what's not to love?

5-9pm  85 Capmton Place

Patios and Wedding Dresses

"The very glamorous Vera Wang flagship store just opened this week. So much gorgeousness. For better or for worse, it effectively feels like two very different, conjoined boutiques. The front part is the designer collection, with furry vests, $500 camisoles and suspended headless mannequins: the feel is more fashion forward and modern. The back-half of the boutique is where all the magic happens.

It's almost perfect. Almost.

Or so we thought. It's a given, the wedding dresses are stunning. The presentation of each one is amazing, so many exquisite details…but the environment seems a little too cold and austere for wedding dresses. The lighting was dim. There's a small patio out back, which seems like a nice touch, but the furnishings scream "Patios R Us" which isn't a great partner for Vera Wang. If we're paying $3,500 or more for a dress, we want to be romanced a little. But the staff were truly lovely—intuitively staying out of our way when we wanted to browse, suddenly reappearing like magic to answer a question—which lightened the atmosphere tremendously." For more photos and the article by Lisa Boosin, visit Racked

Quote of the Day

 Vision is the art of seing things invisible.

Swift

Green Beer is so 2006

St Patricks Day 2010...

Step off mo' with bubble in your blarney!

Money Green Champagne 

For playas only. Get yer drink on with this mint-tinted cocktail that’s great for celebrating.

INGREDIENTS

• Leaves from 8 fresh mint sprigs
• 2 tablespoons organic raw cane sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 bottle chilled champagne or sparkling wine

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using a mortar and pestle, pulverize the mint with the sugar and lime juice.
2. Combine mint mixture with the champagne or sparkling wine (add slowly) and stir well.
3. Strain the champagne or sparkling wine into a large pitcher and serve immediately in champagne flutes 
4. Best of Luck to your Day !

Thinking Green

Green

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The word green is closely related to the Old English verb growan, “to grow”. It is used to describe plants or the ocean. Sometimes it can also describe someone who is inexperienced, jealous, or sick. In the United States of America, green is a slang term for money, among other things. Several colloquialisms have derived from these meanings, such as “green around the gills”, a phrase used to describe a person who looks ill.

Several minerals have a green color, including emerald, which is colored green by its chromiumskin. By far the largest contributor to green in nature is chlorophyll, the chemical by which plants photosynthesize. Many creatures have adapted to their green environments by taking on a green hue themselves as camouflage. content. Animals such as frogs, lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects, and birds, appear green because of a mixture of layers of blue and green coloring on their
Culturally, green has broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others, it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or the devil. The most common associations, however, are found in its ties to nature. For example, IslamGreen movement, some naming themselves Green parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally friendly, products. venerates the color, as it expects paradise to be full of lush greenery. Green is also associated with regeneration, fertility and rebirth for its connections to nature. Recent political groups have taken on the color as symbol of environmental protection and social justice, and consider themselves part of the Green movement, some naming themselves Green parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally friendly, products.
You can continue the trail of green information at  Wikipedia

Quote of the Day

An honest good luck

covereth many faults.

Thomas Fuller

Role Models

 

 

Mannequinns have not always been at the center of the  visual merchandising world but since they were introduced, Roostein mannequins have been the gold standard. 

Highly skilled at trend forecasting, and with an unrivalled instinct for model casting Rootstein remains perfectly in sync with the perpetual movement and flux of the fashion industry. Coupled with the unique artistry of our mannequins that capture, reflect and communicate the brilliant transience of fashion at its most beautiful and thrilling, the figures wield a power of their own.  

Rootstein is a vital part of the retail display industry and employs the highest calibre creative teams, including artistic directors, hair & make-up artists and wig makers, in order to facilitate our clients’ vision with impeccable flair. For a fascinating look int their  company and photo history I highly reccomend looking at this very entertaining website..

On a similar but different note,  a recent post at Design Sponge featured the apartment of 

Michael Quinn who happens to work at Roostein. He has great stories, alot of momentos,

a definite eye for collecting and a lot of heart. Here is a little taste...

For the rest of the story and more photos

visit Design Sponge.

Quote of the Day

There's not a minute of our lives

should stretch

without some pleasure.

Shakesspeare

Another Face of Retail

 

Supermarket Sarah is a website created by a young woman who

left the corporate world behind her and has set up shop in her own home. Her home, round the corner from Portobello Market  (UK) where she has a stall, is now overflowing with treasures and delights and she welcomes visitors with tea and cakes.

The funny / cool thing is that the site part art installation part 

shopping experience. You roll your mouse over an item, click through

and boom you're shopping, from new to old,

customized and handmade collectibles.

Even if you're not in the market for something, it's great entertainment!

xo

Quote of the Day

 

FashionWindows 

Self preservation is the first law of nature.

Samuel Butler

No Longer Empty

 No Longer Empty is not only an organization but a really cool concept.

"Revitalizing space : unlocking creativity"

NLE steps in to fill the void of vacant storefronts left empty by a combination 

of many ailments -economic meltdown, landlord greed etc.

The program, conceived as an artistic response to our present economic condition and to revitalize empty spaces and areas around the venues by bringing thoughtful, high-caliber art installations with accompanying programs to the public.  

With so many vacancies in any city USA, 

wouldn't it be brilliant if this could become

the natural order ain all municipalities?

Great story and photos @ Flavorwire

Quote of the Day

Tis sweet to view on high 

The rainbow, based on ocean, span the sky.

Byron

The Bell Tolls For All of Us

I have just been to Bell Jar in the Mission district.

It is a gem of a store created by glamour girl,

Sasha Darling. Located in the Mission district, it offers

 home decor, art, apparel, jewelery, and unique gifts from far and wide. 

Bell Jar is more than just a boutique, it's a lifestyle that represents 

beauty, glamour in every aspect of a girls life,

in other words, all kinds of gorgeous little things.

A little vintage, fresh new lines and featured artists, 

what's not to love?

The vibe is hip,(of course) sexy and modern.

Bell Jar is getting ready to celebrate a two year

well deserved, anniversary, this Friday.

Here are a few photos and a link to 

Sasha's lovely blog .  

 

3187 16th Street SanFrancisco (415) 6261749

xo

Green calm below,

blue quietness above.

Whittier

Quote of the Day

 

Look toward the Sun and the shadows

will fall behind you.

Sundial in Rye

It's a Wrap

 

In recent weeks, you may have spotted items such as 

parking meters, bicycles, mannequins and the like

wrapped in colorful corduroy around town, well this was the 

genius idea to promote the collaboration between

Opening Ceremony and Levi's.

If you are not aware, Opening Ceremony  is a company

that brings together emerging American talent

with both young and established designers and artists.

The collaborative effort is one of fun, cheery colors

and reinvented  (modern) silhouettes. 

This pop up marriage is not to be missed,

venture downtown for a shot of uber cool.

For more info Opening Ceremony

xo

Quote of the Day

 

There is a great deal of 

unmapped country within us.

George Elliot

Carrots- Growing Strong

 Carrots is such a lovely way to shop. The space itself, 

is beautiful and has an elegant, urban feel softened with chandeliers and understated colors.

The clothing, is modern, sophisticated tending toward

the minimalist side. There are new and undiscovered talents as well as 

established  and cutting edge designers.

Of course there is upscale denim, nicely edited and interesting jewelery along with 

Salt Optics eye wear  and a surprising selection of gifty items and
coffee table books perfect for 

birthdays or hostesses.

Oh, and Santa Maria Novella products from Florence, a personal fave.

The staff, is friendly, professional and confident enough to let you

browse around, explore and take in the experience, yet ready and willing 

to offer their knowledge and service.

Carrots San Francisco is a real gem

843 Montgomery Street

Carrots

Quote of the Day

 

 photo by wildfi via pixdaus
Kindness is the golden chain by

which society is bound together.

Goethe

Alice in Paris

 

Not sure how the movie will be received in the end 

but these windows at Printemps Paris are very clever

and highlights an immense amount of

imagination and talent.

  

   

For more photos and details...Focus on Style

Quote of the Day

 

In my friend, I find a 

second self. 

Isabel Norton

via TAMU MCPHERSON @ All The Pretty Birds

(the palette of friendship)

Who Made That?

Over in Jackson Square (Pacific @ Montgomery) I wandered into

that  fabulous design store called Kartell. You know, they the Italian 

design company that specializes in plastics - cool plastics. 

Italians know design. Kartell furniture company is 

 one of the best examples of pure Italian vison

 and is continuously leading in the category of interesting inspired 

and just plain cool industrial creations.

It's a great place to (even just) wander through and get a design fix.

Kartell 501 Pacific Avenue

 

Quote of the Day

"Sight not what's near

through aiming at what's far."

Euripides

Brownies for Life

Do you have a Brownies in your town?

This is Brownies Hardware on Polk Sreet in San Francisco.

They bring a little bit of small town USA to the big city.

"Brownies is a treasure on Polk Street, I love them, they have everything you need, 

many things you don't (not now anyway) and a great staff to help you". 

(Donna on yelp)

I love the window, it's filled with discarded yet saved for later papers,

things that need a home or had a home, notices and 

helpful hints, (kind of like my high school locker).

On a similar but different note, here is a recipe for 

a different kind of brownie:

from my newest addiction: the smitten kitchen

cheers!

Quote of the Day

Blossom on the plum,

Wild wind and merry;

Leaves upon the cherry

and one swallow come  

Nora Hopper

 

via jchip8 @pixdaus

Good morning March 2nd!

Hermes in Bellavita

Hermes in Bellavita
Originally uploaded by AnDrEa_Paris

I love this photo of an Hermes shop in Taiwan, the green says
"Hello Spring" doesn't it?

Quote of the Day

"Slayer of the winter,art thou here again?"

                                  William Morris