SEPTEMBER COLOR PALETTE

Images (Clockwise from top left):

{ Fashion Gone Rogue – Design Sponge – Live Journal – AM Reed – Tumblr }

QUOTE OF THE DAY

DREW BARRYMORE HARPER’S BAZAAR 2010

   

I’m really impressed with the direction Harper’s Bazaar is taking with regards to their editorials (See Katherine Heigl and Rachel Zoe). The fashion couldn’t be better, and the photography is equally beautiful. It almost makes up for the fact that they’re not using models for their covers, a fact which I’ve complained about previously.

In the October 2010 issue of the magazine, Drew Barrymore looks elegant and gorgeous in haute couture gowns such as Givenchy, Dior and Valentino. Photographed by Mark Seliger, this is a breathtaking feminine and oh-so-pretty editorial that looks like its from another decade. I adored the light filled photography and setting.

Go to Harper’s Bazaar to read the interview and get details of the shoot.

NUQAT FOUNDATION

Nuqat, formerly known as "Nuqat Ala Al Huroof", is a Kuwaiti design foundation with an objective to “develop Arab creativity on all levels” including design, advertising, architecture, fashion, production and more. They aspire to:

• Support the development of cultural projects that promote the exchange of ideas, educate, and allow for cross-cultural collaboration in the broadest sense.
• Establish a center for information about contemporary design in the Arab World/Middle East (as a resource for all interested across this region as well as internationally).
• Create opportunities and networks for young Arab/Middle Eastern designers across national borders and political divides.
  Bring cultural projects to a wider public and connect them to the design industries.
• Help in the development of the visual aspects of communication in the Arab World.

Their first event in May 2009 focused on Arabic branding and copywriting. This year, the 2010 edition will focus on Visual Pollution. They aim to integrate “several graphic design and architecture disciplines together in the aim to move the bar one level up”.

This year’s design conference will include presentations (from various professionals across numerous design fields), workshops, exhibitions and screenings/performances. You need to register to attend, and can choose from the full package or a select package. I didn’t know about last year’s event, but I’m definitely registering for this one. The program looks amazing!

The conference will take place at GUST University from 26th-28th October.

Check Nuqat’s site for more information and registration.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I LOVE FOOD

I cook and bake. Sometimes routinely, sometimes sporadically. Sometimes using leftovers, most of the time from scratch. But in any case, I do it, and I photograph it. And then I eat it.

Would you be interested in seeing (only my successful) recipes on this blog?

(Vanilla Bundt Cake. Photo and cake by me.)

A FASHIONABLE CIRCUS

I think deep down, there’s always a special place in our hearts reserved for the Circus. It’s most probably due to our childhood love for them; our pure enjoyment at the site of all the animals, our laughter at the (not-so-funny now that I think about it) clowns, our surprise at the tricks played by magicians, and our amazement at the wonders of the acrobats..

I was always fascinated with the female acrobats and their gorgeous feminine costumes. This editorial featuring Sasha Pivovarova photographed by Sølve Sundsbø [published in LA Times Magazine, March 2009] takes me back to that period. However, this time, with a more sophisticated appreciation of fashion.

Can you imagine circus performers today wearing all these designer brands?

Images: Fashion Gone Rogue

BOOK REVIEW: THE YACOUBIAN BUILDING

I read The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Aswany because I had heard so much about it. It was a big hit in the Arab World, and was also turned into a movie starring some of Egypt’s biggest stars.

Set in modern day Egypt, the plot centers around the diverse characters living in the “Yacoubian Building”. Ranging from the extremely poor to the wealthy society elites, the tenants in the building are as different as they come. The writer exposes some of Egypt’s most intense social issues such as poverty, corruption, homosexuality, secret marriages, and religion.

To be frank, I was slightly disappointed. I read the English translated version, and I am assuming the Arabic one is better because the book was a big success before being translated internationally. The writing is plain and simple. The storylines are straightforward, but the book, for me, lacks charm. It didn't pull me in. I simply read it because I started it, and I always like to finish what I read. I have to admit though that I learned a lot about some of the internal issues facing the modern Egyptian society.

I thought that I would be swept away by the depth of characters, storylines and plots.  In most cases, I predicted what was going to happen to many of the main characters. There are many characters but there wasn't a thorough character  description that a reader like me likes to analyze while reading. All the characters are described as soon as they are introduced, with a short background history and a description of the dilemmas they are facing now. It wasn't a progressive way of knowing the character chapter by chapter, it was more of a given.

All in all, it was an entertaining read, but not very fulfilling. The book is also a relatively short one, which is probably why I think it only skims the surface.

Book Cover: Goodreads

SPARKLE SOCKS

I love the way these embellished sparkle socks by Bebaroque are worn here. Cute, but not in a childish way. I’m especially drawn to how they can look serious worn with classic flats or edgy with open-toe heels. You can certainly DIY by attaching some sequins or studs to a pair of ankle or knee socks.

via The Clothes Horse

THE HOUSE IN THE HILL

Other than living in a house made of rock like the Flintstones, I would love to live in a house INSIDE a hill.

You can find such a house called 'Villa Vals' in Switzerland. Dug into a mountainside and surrounded by  gorgeous mountain views, the place is designed by Christian Müller Architects and SeARCH. Oh, and you can book yourself a stay at Villa Vals here!

View more exterior and interior photos of Villa Vals here.

via Black*Eiffel

MOLLY HANNA

I’m a HUGE fan of bib necklaces. They instantly transform the simplest outfit into something so glamorous. I wear them with plain blouses, t-shirts, and even printed dresses to give an eclectic mix-and-match vibe. I don’t think there’s a wrong way to wear them really.

Parson’s School of Design graduate Molly Carey started a handmade necklace collection in 2009 called Molly Hanna. She mixes vintage items with new objects to create one of a kind necklaces – no piece is the same as the other. The necklaces are sold at select J.Crew Collection stores.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

Let Them Eat Cake is a collection of cake paintings by artist Paul Ferney. They were displayed in an art show of the same name, with styling and art direction by Paul’s wife Jordan from Oh Happy Day!

Each painting measures 5x7 inches and sells for $325.

Aren’t they delightful?

MY TWITTER PAGE

I recently updated my Twitter Page. I added a photograph to the background (it’s one I took of a pile of magazines in my room – I have an obsession with taking photos of magazines, books, piles of magazines, piles of books, etc, etc). I also changed my display picture. Instead of the summery hat and polka dot dress, it’s now a close-up of a 70-ish print, long 80'-ish vintage earrings (borrowed stolen from my mom) and my hair. You know, in anticipation of fall and all..

I didn’t really pay attention to my page design because 99% of the time, I check Twitter on my phone only. But I felt like I was neglecting it, and it’s an extension of my personality after all, so I got to work..

Click on the image to go to my page. I love talking to strangers [on Twitter]. Any interesting tweeps to check out? Any of you guys there?

DAVID ZIMMERMAN

David Zimmerman is an American born artist working in New York City & Taos, New Mexico. He built a career photographing landscape, environmental and fine art projects and has done commissions for Pepsi, Mercedez-Benz, Seagram's, American Express, Lancome and others.

The two pictures above are from his “Groups” project. The first one reminds me of a “Where’s Waldo?” scene. I keep expecting to find Waldo hiding behind one of the umbrellas!

via Black*Eiffel