LIPSTiCK TrACeZ

 Libertine bedroom set for Japanese brand, Muji.

I first saw Wes Lang's work at the Scope art fair in Miami Basel a few years ago.  His epic drawings of the Civil War peeked my interest as I too was working with early Americana.  I loved the work but alas all pieces were  sold.
Lang's September 07 show at Deitch Projects was slightly controversial.  Jeffrey Deitch removed two pieces, deemed offensive, after complaints from friends.
His current exhibition "Are You Ready For The Country?" although racy, will offend few. My mother being one of them, who will shield her eyes at the mere mention of a topless woman.
The exhibition runs through June 21st.

Artist, mother, fashionista, Rachel Feinstein premiered her first book at Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York last week.  The star studded event was set amongst an exhibition of fabulous new sculptures. The book spans over a decade of her work and includes a foreword by James Frey, one of her many collectors.  Sofia Coppola, with whom she consulted with on Marie Antoinette, held a Q and A beforehand.


Limited edition signed copies of the book are available through www.tar-art.com

Harmony Korine and Mark Gonzales have been friends for over 15 years. Their friendship is such that they are reduced to tears of laughter even catching a glimpse of each other. Their absurdist name game has existed as long as their friendship and for their appearance at the Tokion Creativity Conference they recited examples:

Can someone help Tory with her Spelling?
Samuel fell over a Becket
Mark missed his Twain
Emily Dicked her Son
Angelica went to Houston
Putin on the Ritz

An initially bewildered audience warmed to the game. The reading was followed by a discussion mediated by Carlo McCormick. A surprise guest situated in the audience, none other than the illustionist David Blaine, created a fine finale by propelling playing cards, from the center of the auditorium onto the stage.  All in all, the event was full of surprises and delightfully strange.

Gonzales will exhibit his new work at Exhibit A in Los Angeles on May 31st

Spare yourself the foot pain and the lugging of bags.  Pour yourself a glass of wine and put your feet up.  It's time to shop.

Net-a-porter is the creme de la creme, the top of the tip in high fashion internet shopping.
Designers include Miu Miu, Zac Posen and Vivienne Westwood to name a few. One of it's many highlights is the on-line magazine offering trends and style tips.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/Home.ice




La Garconne mixes old school heavy hitters such as Comme des Garcons with new designers like Lutz and Patmos.  I love their mood boards which illustrate current trends. They've also got something for your little bambinos.

http://www.lagarconne.com/store/press.htm




Jake is another dreamy site.  It focusing on both emerging and established designers from Alexander Wang to Martin Margiela. The site caters to both men and women and each garment has not only specific size specs but also a bio on the designer.  Be sure to check out their denim fit guide.

http://www.shopjake.com//index.php

I'd been to Tokyo many times before I managed to pry myself away and head out to Kyoto, god forbid I miss something going on in Tokyo. My friend Nagi took me to an ryokan/onsen, a traditional Japanese hotel and hot spring, called Sumiya Kiho-An in the Kyoto countryside. Now to be honest, my trip to Kyoto was less about Kyoto and more about these unbelievably delightful accommodations. 

The safari was an amazing experience.  I had my concerns before leaving, so much so that my therapist suggested I get travel insurance and cancel.  I had to go, it had all been arranged. But after missing our flight, loosing our luggage and battling food poisoning, all within the first 24 hours, I was thankful I did.  There were 3 legs to our safari.  #1 The Park, this was essentially your worst camping nightmare, well mine anyway, we were swimming in a sea of campers, motor homes and gift shops.  We were only there for one night, thank god.  # 2, The Balule Reserve, this place was a dream for multiple reasons.  #1 the staff were AMAZING! #2 You're on a reserve, meaning your in a giant fenced off area full of wild animals. #3 Did I mention the staff are amazing? These people know anything and everything there is to know about the animals. # 3 The hot air balloon ride + Otters Den Lodge (fabulous), I was reluctant to leave the Balule Reserve as it was divine but this leg of our trip took it to the next level http://www.ottersden.co.za/. I dare say that this was the most amazing travel experience of my life to date and I have every intention of doing it again.

How it works:
Wake up 4:30am (because that's when all the creatures of the wild get up)
Get in the jeep, go on the morning game drive
Drink in the breathtaking beauty of the african landscape and it's animals
9:00am Eat Breakfast (the most important meal of the day)
10:00 Nap for christ sake
12-2 Chill
2 Eat Lunch
4 High Tea or rather instant coffee
5:00 Get in the jeep, go for the night game drive (they use a search light that they pan over the landscape looking for animals)
8:30 Dinner
9:30 Bed

Here are a some of my delicious safari photos.

224 Before and After

What initially drew me to this apartment were the 11 windows, the sunken living room and the neighborhood.  What repelled me from this apartment was the fact that the toilet was in the kitchen, the sink in the bedroom and the shower between the bedrooms.

At first I thought I'd move in as soon as I got the keys but then decided that I wanted my toilet, sink and shower within a reasonable proximity of one another before I moved in.

Here are a hand full of Before and Afters.  The apartment is a pre-war in the East Village on the 4th Floor of a 16 unit building, it's 850 sq. ft.

Here are a few kibbles and bits of useless info about moi to get us warmed up before
I start gettin down and dirty with this blogging business.

I'm half of the clothing label Libertine.

I am a retired member of the "band" FischerSpooner.

I love horror films.  April Fools Day is one of my favs.

Jan Family is one of my favorite unclassifiable books.

Don't get me started on karaoke, I can nail "Born to Run".

I've recently broken my trend of self help books and moved on to the classics.