fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion : matt sundin

I came across the work of Matt Sundin. Dreamy fashion videography and photography for a dreary Friday.

All images from emsfilm.com

inspired vintage : lingerie and hosiery posters

I came across a few great vintage hosiery and lingerie posters from the 40s to the 70s. I like looking at them together and see the illustration styles and typographic design. What a contrast these are to lingerie ads today...

All images from Allposters.com

draw in layers : roz leibowitz

I'm so inspired by the work of artist Roz Leibowitz. Her ink and pencil drawings on vintage paper have a rich, layered and nostalgic quality about them. I love the bright splashes of color. I also love the beautiful patterns she creates in each one.

beachwood : a modern surf shack

This beautiful beach house was recently renovated by my friend, Jon Maltby. Jon is a fellow designer/creative director, avid surfer and old college friend of mine that lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The "surf shack" is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island (a five hour trip via ferry boat from Vancouver).

Jon designed as well as built almost everything himself. The wood used for the fireplace and headboards for the beds were recycled from the house's original siding. Structural wood was re-used to build the hearth. The loft railing was custom made in Vancouver and then transported to the house. The house is situated on what was originally an old logging camp. The original physical house was actually relocated to this location (via a barge) from the area where the Vancouver airport was built.

I love how the layout of the house takes full advantage of the view and the light. This makes me wish I had a beach house of my own. Gorgeous!

For more images, check here.

inspired sexiness : brazilians & bikinis

I've had a long-standing interest in Brazil: the music, the culture and, over the years, have studied Afro-Brazilian Samba dance. It's at the top of my list of travel destinations. I'm fascinated with the bikini culture as well as the culture of sexiness often associated with Brazilians. I've observed through my dance classes (and my teacher) that the local culture IS inherently sexy. It isn't about perfection. It is just part of everyday life, history, fashion and especially dance. I came across this video of Fashion Week in Sao Paulo Fashion Week Summer 2010 that explains a bit of what I mean. There are some interesting and animated views on why in Brazil really is all about the a**.

(via Coolhunting.com)

My own hunt for a bikini for a Mexico trip last fall ended at Azaleas, a lingerie shop in the East Village. Although I originally tried to go out of my usual comfort zone and try a brightly hued one, I came to my senses bought this one below by a Brazilian line called Vix instead. I always end up with classic black (or gray) because the bright, printed, cutesy-looking ones are just not me. I firmly believe brights and prints only help to emphasize body parts that do not need emphasizing. I have to say, this Vix suit does have the most amazing fit – it doesn't cut into me the way most others do. The bottoms are low-rise, small, yes, but I chose the version with full backside coverage... if you get my drift. It fits well despite the fact that I don't have that famous Brazilian physique (in fact, I have the opposite!). It is comfortable to boot. And as far as style goes, no others have come close. They have both style and fit down to a science. Obrigado!

Image from Azaleasnyc.com

a look ahead to fall : part 2

Midway through every summer, I start to think about what I'd like to wear in the fall. It's partly a preventative measure to keep me from getting caught spending my money on all the end-of-summer sales come August (or earlier!).

I recently browsed through Style.com's pre-fall 09, fall 09 and accessories reports. I'm surprised to say, there's not a lot out there I got excited about. There's a lot of horrendously ugly and loud platform shoes from all the designers this year! Yikes! I tend to NOT follow every trend because I know what I look good in (and what I don't). My rule of thumb: If the clothes are wearing you as opposed to you wearing the clothes, chances are you should not wear it. I usually need (and like) more flattering, curve defining cuts. I really don't like a lot of the silly, baggy/shapeless or costume-like outfits that I saw. I will never be caught dead wearing a big floaty kaftan.

Out of everything I did see, here are a few pieces I can get excited about. (Some of them, I can see being worn together.)

I love this Colette Dinnigan dress

Chloe bag

Stella McCartney

These Coach ankle boots are ultra-sexy and TO DIE FOR! They would look great with the Mackage coat that I'm longing to have as well as the two outfits above.

Chloe

Derek Lam bag. YUM!

Chloe boots

There's something about this Proenza Schouler bag. It's like an edgy book bag.

I'm not usually into croc leather. But these Tod's boots, also gorgeous.

All images from Style.com

for the love of dogs : erin vey

It takes a genuine love for dogs to be able to photograph them this beautifully. Erin Vey clearly does. Her work captures all the little reasons we adore these amazing creatures – everything from the way their paws look to the details of their various facial expressions. It's all love here.

All images from erinvey.com

inspired view : kuroshio sea

This is absolutely beautiful. It is a video of the Okinawa Churami Aquarium by Jon Rawlinson. Take a 4.5 minute break and view it full screen in HD. You will be hypnotized.

The song is entitled Please Don't Go by Barcelona.

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world (Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

de botton : talking fashion

My favourite writer/philosopher Alain de Botton talks fashion on Style.com's Style Studio with designer Philip Colbert. He brings up some very interesting points. Whether or not you are familiar with his work, his take on fashion will be as fascinating as the way he sees (and writes about) architecture, travel, work, etc.

more gorgeous packaging: st. germain liqueur

The packaging design for St. Germain liqueur is absolutely stunning. Since the liqueur is created an artisanal manner from elderflower, it makes sense that the bottle design resemble old perfume bottles. Very well done. Their website design is also lovely. I'm very curious to taste (and smell) it now.

All images from TheDieline

gary : le film

Gary, a little film that's big on imagination. And you don't even need to speak French to understand the story. I love the color palette and illustration style. I also don't believe it's a film for kids either. What do you think?

(via CreativeOutput.net)

Gary from Gary on Vimeo.

the beach life

I don't know how I will drag myself (and Lexie) back into the city after life on the Fire Island for the past couple of days! It's been so lovely and relaxing. The cottage is adorable, there's nice architecture around, we made great food on the grill and the beach is immense and exhilarating. A reminder of just how summer/beach oriented I truly am. Many thanks to my friend Sparrow Hall for the invite!

Sun. Savor. Swim. Repeat.

The ferry boat out to the island

Just in case you get lost...

I love the cottage. This is the back deck with the beautiful shade contraption...

The front of the cottage complete with the outdoor shower and dead horseshoe crabs on the wall...

Twilight on the deck

Grilled fig and gorgonzola on ciabatta bread

Grilled asparagus and bacon-wrapped sea scallops

Lexie loves sunbathing here

Newly re-planted grass...they look like hair plugs.

I love the series of wood-plank pathways throughout the island