Apartment Love

Men's Style France

Creative New Yorkers
{Entre mode et photographie, rencontre avec 15 acteurs de la culture new-yorkaise dans leur maison.}

apt at 7am

[Jemme Aldridge, 25 ans, Graphiste, Williamsburg, Brooklyn]
"Whenever I need to remind myself why I love this city- I grab a coffee and a bagel, stroll through Central Park, stop into the Met, and end with a drink at The Carlyle... thus begins another love affair with New York City."

Her blog -http://www.bigblackframes.blogspot.com/

Friday's finds

A vintage wooden figure, very simply carved from a single piece of wood. But it captured my attention and made me think. An interesting conversation piece for sure.

From one of my newly discovered etsy shops, pity it was already reserved.

Provence pour moi

Lavender fields and country living... just what the doctor ordered for tired city folks!

Provence Style by Taschen

Books as Art

While looking for inspiration at Kate Spade's 'behind the curtain' I came across this 2006 installation that Kate & Andy Spade did at Colette. A gallery wall of unusual book jacket designs, from the rarest edition titles to those found in second hand bins.
Long time book collectors', the exhibition evolved around the idea of "an argument for looking at books instead of reading them".
Interesting proposition! I adore the wall of glossily framed covers, did Kate Spade start the original trend do you think? She does it very well. I've seen a few photographs on other blogs of similar displays in her shops.

Guilty! I do buy books at times simply because I was helplessly drawn to the covers. I have a weakness for autographed copies by my favourite authors too. However I do try to walk on by if I love the illustration but admit logically that the story is one I'll never read. How many of you experience the same tug of war when it comes to beautiful books?

I have the same copy of Franny and Zooey though mine's not as old.

When food & Art Combine

...The result is an artist's palette of colours, mingling in a vibrantly alluring concoction, so deliciously tantalising no one would think to resist!
It's almost Lunchtime, now what can I find that will measure up?

From the Garden: Young vegetables, fruits, herbs of the season

Amuse Bouche: Beau Soleil oyster, toasted buckwheat, nutmeg oil

Cobia: Potato-eggplant terrine, black olive, vadouvan spice

Wild Striped Bass: Sweet onion, razor-clam chowderBitter Chocolate Fondant: Chestnut, milk

Photo Plates: Corton’s Menu, Illustrated
Corton - the review here.

Bon weekend

{Pensive}

{marcio simnch photography}

Lush Oasis

A lush oasis bursting with multitude of indescribable flora and fauna is my idea of Paradise at the moment. To breathe in the heady scented air and walk amidst the shaded cool mist, surrounded by nature at its utmost effervescent. Suffused with inner calm and perfect harmony with the universe... [Or at least the people drilling holes in my room at the moment while the complete long-due overhaul is currently underway].

Sally Scott 09 Spring & Summer Collection

Boxes and BrushStrokes

I'd like to collapse on my bed just like that! I've spent the last 24hrs packing madly. BUT In a few hours, finally all the beech coloured built-ins will be removed and new all white furniture will take its place. I've been planning this for ages now, much much more closet space and beautiful shelves for my precious tomes. Lastly, a queen sized bed with a bedhead upholstered in exquisite French damask. Oh, I'd like to squeal with delight! Well, I would if I had an ounce of strength left in my poor limbs..

{These gorgeous paintings all by Janet Woodward-Hill, a lovely and talented artist from Stratford Ontario. I'm still trying to get an original but they're snapped up in seconds! Prints fron her etsy shop are available- here. Though they go pretty quickly too.}

Sunday Swim

When was the last time you had a long good swim?
You know when you've done more than 60 laps at least and the water feels cold and refreshing against your heated skin? Flushed with the combination of exertion and warmth from the sun.

It leaves you feeling so good. Energetic, Invigorated, Renewed.
I can't remember the last time I swam like that but I'm looking forward to sailing through the water again. It makes me feel, carefree and strong.


Images- Anthropologie

Chanel N°5: Train de Nuit

If the last topic was slightly heavy, the new Chanel short film should be a distinct change of mood. Beautifully shot by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, he last collaborated with actress Audrey Tautou on A very Long Engagement, an intimate visually moving epic set against the backdrop of World War I.
This Chanel N°5 ad is worlds away from Baz Lurhman's extravaganza with the infamous pouffy dress and glittering diamonds.
Here, luxury is understated. Present but quiet.

Shot in Istanbul but channelling Venice, the director chose to focus on Audrey's neck and bare shoulders as she stands in a simple black shift, a man embracing her from behind in the closing scene. Audrey is enchanting as usual, elegant and expressive. No obvious product placement is included, instead Jean-Pierre shot a magical scene of light refracted by the Chanel N°5 perfume bottle, thrown against the shadowy dark walnut confines of the train's compartment. Mysterious and ingenious.

{Behind the scenes look}

The Premise: according to the director.

"They had to look like they'd fallen head over heels in love. We couldn't think this was a one-night-stand. He's looking for his dream woman, and he falls under a spell from this perfume."

Having always wanted to make a sleeper train film, this was the perfect opportunity for director Jean-Pierre Jeunet to fulfill his vision of creating a piece about taking chances and lost opportunities.

"I love stories of fate and chance, I wrote in missed encounters and regret and tried to tell the story in a short time"

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's instruction to Audrey for this final moment:
"When he kisses your hand, it would be good if you almost fainted
Close your eyes... pretend to faint."

All images, my own edited Screencaptures. Watch the entire film and behind the scenes take here.

The Winning Books

I know it’s almost too late but those who can still make it, do try and get to the V & A for this fascinating exhibition. The prestigious Booker and Man Booker Prize celebrates the 40th anniversary with a display at London’s Victoria and Albert Musuem and it ends on 17 May!

A short jaunt from South Kensington Tube Station, its also just a ten minutes walk from Harrods, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park [at least according to the musuem’s website].

So, a spot of shopping, an enriching trip to the museum followed by perhaps a stop for some tea afterwards. Can’t think of a better way to spend the day.

If you’re a dedicated biblophile like me, you’ll be delighted to examine the full collection of winning and shortlisted books, covet the signed limited first editions, and see the original Booker trophy created by artist Jan Pienkowski.

{The most recent winner, Aravind Adiga was a former correspondent for TIME magazine.

Raised partly in Australia, he was educated at Columbia and Oxford and now lives in Mumbai, India where his book is set.}

The first prize was awarded in 1969 to promote the finest in fiction and is now considered to be the most talked about and influential literary prize in the world. There are more than a few interesting facts revealed about the history of The Booker, how the judges are selected and of course how the winners are chosen.

{Kiran Desai took the prize in 2006. She, like Aravind was also born in India, then studied at Columbia University and England.

Her mother Anita Desai has been shortlisted for the Booker prize three times.}

For those who might have wondered about the change from the original Booker to the Man Booker Prize in later years, its simple really- merely a change in sponsor. The Man Group Plc was announced as the new sponsor in 2002.

More importantly- a point to note for those aspiring to literary greatness, to be eligible for the award, you have to be a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. Your novel must be full-lengthed, it must be an original work in English and must not be self-published. Should you win, you’ll receive a 50, 000 pound cash prize, a dramatic increase in worldwide readership, soaring booksales and perhaps a film contract.

Achieving a lifelong dream - priceless.

{Ian McEwan won in 1998 for his novel Amsterdam. Revolving around a gorgeous, good-time girl named Molly Lane and her many lovers- men who hold important positions in respected institutions, they meet at her funeral and the story's various complications start to unfold.

He's probably better known for books such as Enduring Love and Atonement, both of which were made into movies.

Did you know Atonement was shortlisted for the booker prize in 2001?

Almost everyone has seen or heard about the iconic green dress worn by Kiera Knightly in the blockbuster film version. Much fewer I reckon are familiar with the book's contents.}

The question that journalists ask every Man Booker prize winner is “What are you planning to spend your money on?” Answers expectedly range from the serious to the chuckle-inducing.
A.S. Byatt, winner in 1990 said with a flourish that she now had the money needed to build her longed-for swimming pool in Provence.

There have been joint winners twice. Once in 1974 and again in 1992 when Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient tied with Barry Unsworth’s Sacred Hunger. From 1993 onwards, new rules stipulated that there could only be one eventual winner each year.

The English patient was eventually made into the academy award winning film in 1996. I have to confess, I'm one of the few remaining people who have not yet seen the movie even though its pretty much thought of as an all time classic now.

Lastly, this year’s winner will be announced on 6 Ocotber 2009.
This amused me greatly. Ocotber indeed. Hmm spelling errors in the announcement from the Man Booker prize, I don’t know what to make of that…

So schedule a visit if its possible, if not head to a bookstore and add more titles to your list of must-reads. I think I've made it one of my fresh goals to plow through the entire collection!

A possibly crazy notion but incredibly fun. Now to get reading!