Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Green with Envy

My new favorite place - I think you'll love it too.

www.greenwithglamour.com

Enjoy - xx K

Monday, July 28, 2008

Next Food Network Hack

Sure, the title is a bit gruff - but so was the winner.

This morning (thank you DVR) I watched the culmination of weeks of watching and anticipating the outcome of "The Next Food Network Star" - and was sorely disappointed that they awarded this title to a cook, who is at best, mediocre. Aaron was awkward and clumsy in his presentation, unable to talk and cook simultaneously, preparing meals that weren't on par with his competitors - yet each week - he prevailed.

This ridiculous and seemingly rigged outcome for this competition is a slap in the face to people who actually cook - who appreciate cooking techniques and learning methods to enhance their own - and who are all too aware of WHO should have won if this competition was truly based on talent, presentation and ability.

But it obviously wasn't. I'm not sure what it was based on - generating a stronger urban demographic? - teaching novices how to spice a beef loin? - how to fumble lines, botch the most basic of dishes, and self doubt to the point of self-sabotage? Hmmm maybe. Maybe it was based on a predetermined outcome set forth by the marketing department upon skewing their Nielsen's and realizing they needed another down-market show. I don't know but I do know I won't be watching.

It's obvious to anyone watching that Lisa should have won - she had the style, the passion and the ability. Her presentation needed some work in the beginning, but she worked on that and ultimately delivered flawless food and equally impressive on-camera presentations.

I'll be on the look out for Lisa - who I'm sure will be making her own mark soon enough on the culinary world. I would imagine the clock on Aaron's 15 minutes has already started ticking down.

Tick tock...

xx K

Friday, July 25, 2008

Chihuly

Threw an amazing party for the opening of the Dale Chihuly exhibit in June. It was incredible - his work is really just awe-inspiring. Every corner turned revealed a new and breathtaking room to explore. The rooms were all black (for the most part) with his pieces being up- and backlit for effect. There was one smaller room set aside with a film, looped, of him working in an amphitheatre style setting - creating these pieces with his team on the floor while a crowd watched and cheered as each piece was completed. Just to see them work together - to create on the fly - the dance they do around glass as it's being shaped and pulled and morphed - it was hard to turn away. It's one of the most amazing exhibits I've seen at the museum - thrilled to have been a part of it in some way.

While I love is work, I was excited to learn he's not just a glass artist - but also an artist in the more traditional sense - pen, charcoal, paint on paper. His work on paper comes to life in his glass, as a template or guide for his team, but it's those pieces that I loved almost equally as much. For me, to own one of his works on paper is more interesting than a piece of his glass. It's like Botero's bronzes, or Picasso's pen and ink's - stepping outside their notoriety and into another place. Once piece of Chihuly glass wouldn't suffice, wouldn't be nearly as grand as it should be - but 1 beautifully framed sketch (and I use that term loosely, it's decidedly more than just a sketch - it's a full blown work of art) of his would have me swoon.

Put that on my list of must have's - I'll check that off soon.

Enjoy some of the pictures from the exhibit itself - they don't do it justice - it's something to you need to experience in person.






















These lavender spikes, as i call them, rose out of the tree trunks
and they were each about 10 feet tall. Simply gorgeous.






















These balls rested in a boat - a full size wooden boat. The
balls ranged from around 8 inches to 3 feet in size. Every
color and combination imaginable. The picture above only
captures the middle section!






















This was the grande finale - a massive room with the most
amazing collection of pieces - orbs, pods, spikes, flowers,
twisty entwined masterpieces. The room was about 40+
feet long - this shot is looking down through the work.





















This unfocused shot (apologies) is taken at the other end of
the 'finale' room. You can see the twisty piece visible in the
above picture and again in this shot.


Enjoy! xx K

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me

It's my birthday and so far it's been just lovely. On Saturday night I went out with the family and had a great dinner. I was so excited that I got a Breville Juicer - OMG - it's amazing and it's so cool that i can make my own organic juice in the morning! I also go a super chic YSL wallet from the y-mail collection (my newest obsession) - so fabulous - black patent with gold script. In love! Today i've gotten lots and lots of phone calls and a beautiful bouquet from Rich. I also got a fantastic juicing book from him as well as 2 french-centric books - a great recipe book and a little book about french cafes. I got a few other things - and bought myself a few things - very pretty juicy couture scarf - soft pink and brown bamboo print.

My nephew called me this AM (he's 3) to sing me happy birthday - he ended it untraditionally, typical for him, with 'i love you so much because you're so preeeeeeeetty'. Well, if that's not the best way to wake up, I'm not sure what is.

I actually have a ton of work to do today - so this will be short - but wanted to say a mass thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I will reward myself with a delicious cupcake later - no candles though... don't want to burn the house down.

Dinner with friends this weekend to celebrate - should be fun - i'll update again when i can. I need to post the pictures from the Chihuly event we threw - it was incredible. I'll get to that soon.

xx K

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Bow Down Darlings

Favorite images from the Lacroix show in Paris - I can't even imagine having the creativity to create such incredible awe-inspiring works of art. He's a genius.

The bows, the massive broaches, the fur, the fabrics - Love Love Love.