Big Hug Studio

If my blog had feelings...

2012-03-18T09:13:00.001-07:00

Arabian Stallion 2 by Marco Walker

Interview with Photographer Lee Oliveira

2011-12-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

Brazilian-born and Sydney-based street style photographer Lee Oliveira has proven how quickly great talent and hard work can be recognized in the blogging world. Since starting his blog in May 13, 2010 Lee has traveled the world in search of great style and stylish people and now can proudly call Gucci a supporter. Since June 2011, he has been collaborating with the Italian brand as their official street style photographer by providing shots of people dressed in Gucci from around the globe. Clearly, his work is testament to the growing interest not only in street style blogging but the regular people who prove that true style is often found on the way to work and not just on the runway.

When you look at Lee's work you can see how street style photography is as much about the art of photography as it is about fashion. Lee's images are not only beautiful because they're spirited, youthful and stylish but also because they capture a spontaneous moment in time that may have been missed by all of those who love fashion so much. If you look closely you'll see exactly why Gucci has selected him to collaborate with. Lee's work exhudes the energy that engages fashion on every level. No details are ever missed because his eye and good taste can spot beauty everywhere. We can only wonder what Lee will have in store for us next year. Until then, enjoy this interview and selected pics and most of all make sure to visit LeeOliveira.com. Happy New Year everyone!!!

1. What was your life was like in Brazil before you began blogging?

Ah... Brazil! I worked really hard when I was a teenager. I use to sell homemade custard bread on the streets of my hometown. Later I use to sell newspapers. As an adult I moved to a bigger city a few hours from my hometown and then finally moved to London.

2. What made you move to Australia?

Well, I met my other half in London quite a few years ago. The question was... he moves to London or I move to Sydney, now after 8 years, I call Australia home.

3. When you travel do you have an idea of where you’re going to photograph or is it spontaneous?

I have a schedule of places I need to be and shows I get invited too. Fashion month is always on my calendar. I am also constantly with my camera to catch those random shots.

4. Which city impresses you the most in terms of style and why?

Two cities, Milan for style and Paris for fashion.

5. Are there any places that you’re still dying to explore?

Sao Paulo I know, but I would like to experience it during Fashion Week.

6. You’re surrounded by fashion, are there any designers that you wish more people would know about?

Yes, Australia designers Dion Lee, Alex Perry and Aurelio Costarella.

7. Besides your camera, what are some things you can’t live without?

Shoes, lots of shoes, (hahaha).

8. What do you enjoy doing on your days off?

I don't normally have too many days off. When I do, I like to catch up with my friends... you know... movies, popcorn! I try to disconnect myself from fashion for a short time.

9. If you could shoot an advertising campaign for any designer who would it be and why?

Gucci. I love this classic brand. The attitude of the models is exactly what I hope to find on the streets.

10. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Have the best relationship with yourself! ... and... Dream! Never stop dreaming!

11. When it comes to your blog and photography what are you most proud of?

I am thankful to have an incredible amount of readers that I inspire on a daily basis. This is priceless for me.

12. What projects are you hoping to work on next? What projects are you hoping to work on next?

2012 will take me to a whole different level, “exciting but can't talk about it at the moment” haha. I have few big things in the pipeline.

U Gallery: Where Good Art is Easy to Find

2011-11-22T12:42:00.000-08:00

U Gallery is a great addition to the online art market where you can purchase original works at reasonable prices from emerging artists. Curated by a small team of art lovers the site really takes an easy approach in helping its users find the art they're looking for. You can filter your search in various ways depending on your taste and budget. So, in essence, you're bound to find something you like. The artwork on display here crosses over so many different styles and mediums that it's hard not to leave without a few favourites. Prints begin at $20 a piece while originals can reach the thousands. New works arrive each week so it's best to visit often or simply sign up for a weekly update.

1. Red Fish Blue Fish by Robert Darabos

The Champ by David Ballinger

Stark by Ina Christensen

Field by Jenn Bomar

Keeneland by Jesse Osbourne

Elephante 1 by Scott Dykema

A Narnian Winter by Valerie Chiang

Poppy #5 by Jee Young Choi

Weekend Links

2011-11-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

I am slowly getting back to regular programming. The pic below I found via Otis & Frank, a blog well worth the visit. I only wish I could live near a bamboo forest like this then I would be much happier. As you can probably guess I have yet to make peace with the beginning of winter, hence my tendency to post all things green lately. Somehow, I don't think even retail therapy will help at this point. One must simply endure the cold.

Anger at Walmart heiress's $1.4bn gallery as art market becomes focus for protests (The Guardian)

Carine Roitfeld, ex-Vogue editor: 'Never ever share your daughter's wardrobe' (The Guardian)

This column will change your life: burning bridges: Could Bernie Madoff have an insight worth mulling? (The Guardian)

Asda wagyu beef: raising the steaks? (The Guardian)

2021: The New Europe (Wall Street Journal)

Book Review: ‘The Angel Esmeralda’ by Don DeLillo (NYT)

Book Review: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (NYT)

Book Review: Back to Work by Bill Clinton (NYT)

Jim O'Neill: China could overtake US economy by 2027 (The Telegraph)

Books of the Year 2011: Fiction and Books of the Year 2011 (The Telegraph)

The Art Market: Financial Machinations at auctions (Prospero)

Yoko Ono's "Uncursed" opens in New York (Vogue)

Germany Broke the Euro, Now It Has to Fix It (Foreign Affairs)

Peter Zumthor's Kitchen and the Green Grapefruit

2011-11-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Today's post comes by way of the Japanese Trash blog which drew me to an image of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor's kitchen. As you can you see below it is sublime in its simplicity. I think if I had a kitchen like this I would probably not be able to work again.

Mr. Zumthor who won the Pritzer Prize in 2009 resides in Haldenstein, Switzerland near Davos and the Austrian border. And much like any talented artist who shies away from the spotlight he is often described as "reclusive." He does not have a website and instead chooses to live in a small village in Switzerland. But in his most recent interview with the New York Times Mr. Zumthor talks about being commissioned to build a home for actor Tobey McGuire and his plans to revamp the Los Angeles County Museum.

“I think the chance of finding beauty is higher if you don’t work on it directly,” Zumthor has said in describing his philosophy. “Beauty in architecture is driven by practicality. This is what you learn from studying the old townscapes of the Swiss farmers. If you do what you should, then at the end there is something, which you can’t explain maybe, but if you are lucky, it has to do with life.” (NYT)

The kitchen, much like an architect's studio, is a place of inspriation and I wanted nothing more than to cook after seeing this kitchen. But my quest for beauty found its way somewhere in between. And the closest thing I could find to the stunning greenery that almost eclipses Mr. Zumthor's kitchen was the green grapefruit that you see above. (I didn't even realize they existed.) So much for being a foodie. Given the lime-green colour, I was expecting something tart and bitter but this Israeli Jaffa "Sweetie" fruit tasted quite subtle. With a bit of honey on top it was just what I needed to inspire me to cook again even without the perfect kitchen and its accompanying beautiful view.

The painting I would like to have in my home...

2011-11-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

Two-Tone 1975 - Susan Rothenberg

When fall is just around the corner

2011-10-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

If you're lucky enough to still have warm weather you may want to skip this post, but if you don't, then these Smythe jackets may offer you some comfort. Personally, I wish I could have every single item from this label but that's not really possible now is it? Well, maybe, just one day I'll have at least one. For now, I'll put them down on my wish list.

I like this one too. But I wonder if either jacket would be warm enough to survive the winter? Hmm...perhaps they could partner up with the UGG company for a few limited edition pieces that could combine the pure warmth and comfort of UGG and the chic style of Smythe. Am I dreaming here? Probably, but then isn't that what a blog is for?

I don't know about you but I've always loved the fit of New Balance shoes, they're as great for walking as they are for playing tennis. And it doesn't hurt that they look good too, or at least they used to. Until J.Crew came out with this grey pair, I really thought I was going to have to look elsewhere. Hopefully, they'll come out with some other winning colour combinations and designs sooner than later otherwise I moving onto Puma.

My New Discovery: Bioderma + Weekend Links

2011-09-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

I don't usually write about beauty products because I like to keep things to a minimum. But when it comes to skincare I love discovering a product that works. And this Bioderma cleanser is just amazing. Made for sensitive skin, it is incredibly gentle and at the same time, completely removes all of your makeup without any irritation or feeling of tightness in your skin. It also has some anti-inflammatory ingredients that really calms stress-out skin. I noticed a difference in my skin very quickly and I highly recommend it. I know it is already popular in Europe and especially among makeup artists but I've noticed it's also available on Amazon so you can always try ordering it online. I also wanted to add that the best part about this cleanser is that it doesn't require any rinsing.

Ten Things I’ve Learned over 12 Years of Sending Out Stories (The Millions)

Put this on the Shopping List (Fast Lane - Financial Times)

A Man's Guide to a Woman's Wardrobe (Intelligent Life)

20 Artists Pick 20 Contemporary Artists who have Inspired Them (Intelligent Life)

What's on around Europe (Wall Street Journal)

Jerry Saltz on de Kooning (NY Magazine)

Fall Pumpkin Recipes (Saveur)

The Race to Bring Over a Japanese Best Seller (Wall Street Journal)

And Hate Begat Hate (NYT)

Fish Restaurants in Europe (Wall Street Journal)

The Minimalist: The Simplest Roast Chicken (NYT)

How to Cook the Perfect Pizza (Guardian)

Free market exposure (WSJ)

Butternut Squash and Tahini Spread (Guardian)

The Bulgogi Slider is a Delicious Curveball (NYT)

Yotam Ottolenghi's Shakshuka Recipe (Guardian)

Weekend Links

2011-08-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

Luciles Kitchen

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, Auburn University Commencement Speech 2010 (Fast Company)

Morocco taps benefits of Barbary fig oil (Independent)

Hold the steak: vegetarian recipes (Guardian)

Fashion's Better Halves (Wall Street Journal)

Art and Fashion in Dasha Zhukova's Garage (NYT)

Burning Bright: 9 Mexican salsas (Saveur)

Arming Assad (Foreign Affairs)

What China Wants (Foreign Affairs)

Deciding on a book, and How to Read It (NYT)

Anatomy of a Meltdown (New Yorker)

The symbolism of sweat pants (Financial Times)

Making their own way in the world (Financial Times)

Books about Joseph Heller (NYT)

Paris smartphone apps (David Lebovitz)

The Art of Buying Art Online: ArtStar

2011-08-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

There is something to admire and appreciate about websites that do all the work for you and Artstar is just one of those sites. Even if you already have a good eye for art, you most likely do not have the time to go searching through the countless number of names and galleries that exist to find the ones you want. Luckily, Artstar's curators do all the work for you. Their team of specialists are highly skilled and erudite in different fields of art, and bring together a wealth of experience. Most importantly, these behind-the-scenes art makers know how pick artists with something clever and beautiful to offer. And much like 20x200, Artstar offers prints and originals at affordable prices (with prices for prints starting from $25 to $450). Here are just a few of my favourites.

1. Michael Schall

2. Firelei Baez

3. Liu Jin

4. Han Bing

5. Meena Hasan

6. Christina Dixcy

7. Zaria Forman

8. Tian Taiquan

The Smart Girl's Guide to Prada...

2011-08-23T13:15:00.000-07:00

I spotted this great look in the street style section of NY Magazine this week and I was convinced it was Prada. It had to be; I had seen the trend everywhere. And who else could be credited with starting this colourful stripe trend, so simple in execution that it's hard to believe it could fetch such exhorbitant prices? Well, it turns out, many others. But I suppose Miuccia Prada can only be flattered, for her ability to create something innovative each season, is always deliberately imitated. And you can't blame anyone for trying to emulate her. After seeing this look below from fashion blogger Delmy of Fashion Bananas I wanted that same skirt for myself. Now, if only Asos still had some left.

Weekend Links

2011-08-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

My Bunny Junior

Art: James Turrell (Interview Magazine)

The Danish Sandwich: Reloaded (Wall Street Journal)

A Wish of E-Shoppers is Now in China (Wall Street Journal)

Grilled Chicken with Za'atar (Bon Appetit)

How Can Jeans Cost $300? (Wall Street Journal)

Russian Artist Mock Putin (Daily Beast)

Vietnam: Acquiring a Taste for the Spice of Life (Wall Street Journal)

A Graffiti Artist Shows a New Side (Wall Street Journal)

A Brazilian's Comic Mania: Social Media (NYT)

Can this woman change the world? (The Telegraph)

The Rules of the Tunnel (NYT)

Baked Tomatoes with Baguette (The Guardian)

The Kid by Sapphire (NYT)

For New Yorker on iPad: Words Are the Thing (NYT)

Storm Clouds Gather over Piers Morgan (The Guardian)

Bringing Comfort Food to Print Fans (NYT)

The Man Who Made a Nation Cry (The Guardian)

The Physioloty of (Over)-Sharing (The Atlantic)

One Ingredient, Many Ways: Honey (Saveur)

Ten Essential Books on Typography (The Atlantic)

The Light Touch of Yves Saint Laurent

2011-07-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

I don't really have a favourite designer; seasons come and go and so do trends, some of which I am not always fond of. But I have always had a soft spot for Yves Saint Laurent, even typing out the name and seeing it on screen somehow looks beautiful to me. That's why I really miss the time when Tom Ford was designing for the house; he did such an incredible job. To this day, those had to be my all-time favourite collections. But the aesthetic is still there; YSL accessories are classic and chic but with enough of that French detailing and sophistication that you have come to expect from this brand. I only wish they could make a purse somewhere along the lines of this YSL cuff available from Netaporter below. I think the gold would work so well with the textured black python.

Today I Will Zap the Bad Things Print

2011-07-09T02:23:00.000-07:00

I dropped my laptop yesterday and it now seems to be approaching a slow and painful death. The screen is blank and there is a strange sound coming out of it as though something were spinning inside. It's too early to tell whether I can fix it and recover all that was lost but all I can say is that I need a little positivity in my life today. So, please enjoy this beautiful and encouraging print from Corduroy.

Weekend Links

2011-07-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Centre Pompidou

The Facts about Fracking (WSJ)

We Made it Ourselves...and the art of making condiments (NYT)

A Blog is Born: The Food Life (NYT)

Creative Writing Rules for Some Judges (WSJ)

Design Magazines Going Under (Monocle)

A Note on Chloë Sevigny (NYT)

Where to Eat in Berlin (WSJ)

Xu Bing at the Morgan Library (WSJ)

New Factory for Louis Vuitton (WSJ)

Brands Create Media Outlets Online, Bypassing Magazines (NYT)

Buying Art You Can't Take Home (Newsweek)

How Commercial Content is Changing Editorial (Business of Fashion)

AHALife Brings Sense of Discovery to Online Shopping (NYT)

The Best of Art Basel (Daily Beast)

The Art of Buying Art Online: Etsy

2011-06-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

The best thing about Etsy is that anyone can place a listing; it's also the worst thing about it. The website, which is devoted to all things handmade and vintage, is so saturated that you could literally spend a lifetime going through all of its listings. The search can be exasperating as a result, but in the end it is well worth the effort. You'll find things on Etsy that you won't find anywhere else on the web and often at great prices. It's a good idea to check the main page frequently as handpicked items are regularly showcased in the form of treasury lists. When it comes to art and photography there is an endless stream of possibilities just a click away. And you can always advance your search by selecting the medium, subject matter or technique you are interested in. When you become a member of Etsy you can also start to create your own favourite lists which will be automatically saved in your account for future reference. To date, I have a countless number of items stored in my favourites’ folder and it was difficult selecting just a few for this post today but here are some that I wanted to share with you.

1. Jen Ray for Corduroy

2. Carl Christensen for Bucks County Frames

3. Claure Jauregui

4. JKL Design

5. Elgar Boat

6. Labokoff

7. Linda Monfort

8. Christiana Romeo

9. Roz Art

10. Ryan Coleman

11. Rebecca Plotnick

12. Ballet Art

13. Melanie Furtado

14. Lucile Prache

15. Olivia Jeffries for Restless Things

16. Hadley Hutton

17. Nina Moscrip for Art Quirk

18. Studio Marlene

19. Yann Pendaries

20. Tine Eelman

Weekend Links

2011-06-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

What to Read on Oil

Food Fight: Why Noma was chosen the best restaurant in the world

Apple Goes to China

Heavenly Burgers

My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant

Two Paths, Little Glory for This Polish Director

China's Cellphone Pirates are Bringing Down Middle Eastern Governments

Interview with Amanda Hocking, E-Publishing Superstar

The War Against Girls

The Salt of the Earth

Book Review: "La Seduction: How the French Play the Game of Life"

Portals to Power

Chad Kultgen's Uncensored Voice Takes a More Serious Tone

The Art of Buying Art Online: 20x200

2011-06-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

Using the motto, Art for Everyone, 20x200 aims to make digital art prints the first step in acquiring an art collection. Jen Bekman the owner and creator behind this online art gallery hopes that buyers will become interested in original artwork as a result of 20x200. "Art doesn't have to be expensive to be good" are some of the words you'll notice while visiting the site and when you browse through the long list of artists (200+) you'll know you're in the right place for buying high quality art at an affordable price. While some may take issue with digital prints of original art the reality remains that many art lovers simply cannot afford expensive originals. 20x200 corrects that problem by making limited edition prints available in various sizes all of them starting at $20 each. All prints are exclusive to the gallery and are signed and dated by the artist. Profits are split 50/50 between the artist and 20x200 and upon request, some originals may be available for sale. After sifting through the entire inventory I found these to be my favourites:

1. Bob O'Connor

2. Dorthe Alstrup

3. James Deavin

4. Jason Burch

5. Jeff Lewis

6. Jennifer Sanchez

7. Joseph O. Holmes

8. Keith Taylor

9. Kotama Bouabane

10. Ky Anderson

11. Lauren DiCioccio

12. Matthew Tischler

13. Michelle Arcila

14. Jaclyn Mednicov

15. Michelle Muldrow

16. Shen Wei

17. Valerie Roybal

18. Kent Rogowski

Weekend Links

2011-06-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

A Building in Paris

Stopping a Migraine Before it Starts

The Business of Blogging: Bag Snob

This is the most beautiful YSL bag ever, discovered by The Dandy Project

A great article on Self-Publishing from She Writes

How the internet is going to affect countries in the Southern Hemisphere

Book Review: By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

Book Review: My American Unhappiness from the NYT

Book Review: Your Voice in My Head

Move Over, Estee Lauder

French Author Marc Levy on Failing, Starting Anew

This week Netaporter magazine features the Blog Power List of favourite bloggers

Flavour-Bomb Burgers

A Recipe for Mussels

The Prada IPO and a Billion Dollar Fortune

In India, Dynamism Meets Dysfunction

The man who screwed Italy

Summer Fiction Selections

Chef Alian Ducasse's Guide to Paris

Where to eat in Copenhagen

Kale and Avocado Salad

Where to Find Creative People

100 Most Creative People in Business of 2011 by Fast Company

The Art of Buying Art Online: Art Interiors

2011-06-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in Canadian art then Toronto-based Art Interiors is an incredible resource for discovering new talent. Founded in 1993 and co-owned by Lisa Diamond Katz and Shira Wood, this online art gallery represents well over 300 emerging as well as established Canadian artists in a variety of mediums. Prices range from $35 to $5,500, thereby making Art Interiors appealing to art enthusiasts, designers and art collectors alike. The breadth of talent on display here is impressive and it is clear that the owners of this shop possess a keen eye for selecting high quality art. Whether you're looking to enhance the beauty of your home or you actually want to invest in art you are bound to discover something you like here. Below you will find some of my favourite selections:

1. Agnieszka Foltyn

2. Daphne Emanuel

3. Elaine Ling

4. Elzbieta Krawecka

5. Iza Mokrosz

6. Jason Cantoro

7. Mark Berens

8. Rita Vindedzis

9. Rojia Dadashzadeh

11. Gordana Olujic Dosic

12. Anna Yuschuk

Weekend Links

2011-06-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Aix-en-Provence

Interview with artist Josh Smith

For Some, Blogs Also Pay The Bills

The Case For Laugh Lines

David LaChapelle: An Unexpected Life

The Enchanter and a love of Nabokov

A Short Story by David Sedaris

Bean plus dukkah recipe

Cookbooks as reviewed by The New York Times

V.S. Naipaul: my father, my teacher

Tracey Emin this is your life

Book Review: The Intimates

7 Lessons from Benjamin Franklin

The Art of Buying Art Online: 20ltd

2011-06-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

When it comes to buying art online there is a myriad of options available to you. Depending on your purchasing power you can either opt for the traditional route of buying art directly from an auction house or art gallery or you can try some of the newly created art websites devoted specifically to making art accessible and affordable across all income brackets. This week I will explore several of these websites and highlight some of my favourite art works from each one. The focus today will be on 20ltd, an online shop offering all things beautiful and well-designed including limited-edition fine art photography. Based in England, 20ltd represents a portfolio of finely selected prints from well-established photographers from all over the world in a variety of subject areas including landscape photography, female nudes, portraiture and aerial photography.

1. Alexander Orion (£2,350-4,650)

Alexander Orion is a Brazilian graffiti artist and photographer who captures the inhabitants of São Paolo in the context of his street art. After he creates his images on the walls of the city he awaits for the ideal moment to photograph the activity of life.

2. Vincent Laforet (£3,680-4,300)

Vincent Laforet is an American-based, Pulitzer prize-winning photographer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, National Geographic and many others. His aerial photography uniquely captures scenes and landscapes to stunning effect.

3. Horst & Daniel Zielske (£4,190)

Horst & Daniel Zielske, is a father and son team from Germany, who photographed the changing city of Shanghai as it morphed into a flourishing metropolis. The skyline dotted with architectural giants here becomes a compass for the city as the remnants of the past litter on the periphery.

4. Bran Symondson (£5,400)

Bran Symondson, is a former British soldier who had a chance to capture the Afghan policemen during their spare moments when not fighting the Taliban. These armed men decorated with pink flowers and often found in the country's poppy fields are too fascinating for words.

5. Paolo Pellizzari (£3,830) {Please zoom this picture to see the details}

Paolo Pellizzari is an Italian photographer known for his large format panoramic photography and striking juxtapositions. His landscape images capture human activity on the backdrop of man-made environments in dynamic new ways.

6. Jocelyn Bain Hogg (£1,640-3,575)

Jocelyn Bain Hogg is a British photographer whose distinguished work has appeared in too many publications to list. His photography is raw and edgy and and reveals an honest understanding of his subject matter.

7. Arthur Meehan (£2,555)

Arthur Meehan is an American photographer now based in London whose images of the female nude are completely free of manipulation. His subjects are captured as tastefully and naturally as possible conveying a quiet elegance and sensuality.

Shoes for the Summer

2011-05-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to shoes I almost always prefer flats. Being 5'10" already makes me feel like the Eiffel Tower and heels only compound the problem. More often than not they are so uncomfortable that at the end of the day I sometimes wonder why I even bothered to wear them in the first place. Of course, there are times when the occasion calls for a little lift, but if I had it my way shoe stores would be replete with flats. I don't mind a small kitten heel every now and again but only the most comfortable of heels would ever make me a buyer. Besides at my age I care more about the health of my feet and back than any pair of funky shoes I could ever come across. Although, these shoe selections below clearly illustrate that you don't have to completely sacrifice style for comfort.

Weekend by MaxMara from Matches

Sigerson Morrison from Barneys

Dopo In Creme from Simply Soles

Rebecca Minkoff Caroline Sandals from Bloomingdales

Repetto Ballerina Flats from Netaporter

Chloé Scalloped Ballerina Flats from Netaporter

Antik Batik Sandals from Netaporter

Virginia Woven Peep-Toe Shoes from Topshop

Belle Shoe from Sigerson Morrison (via New York Magazine)

Alaïa from The Outnet

Christian Louboutin from Netaporter

Pedro Garcia from Diani

Stella McCartney from Matches

Jemmy from Nine West

Pepi Wedges by Christian Louboutin from Browns Fashion

Marion Ballerina Flats by Chloé from Netaporter

Pedro Garcia from My Wardrobe

Celia Flats by Maloles

Reed Karkoff from Netaporter

Zecroi by Christian Louboutin from Netaporter

Weekend Links

2011-05-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Art in Monaco

That tempura recipe I was planning to write about did not turn out as planned. It was supposed to be made with fennel but unfortunately I failed to follow the recipe and when I bit into it, an overwhelming taste of fennel rushed to my senses and I couldn't help but recoil at the thought of another bite. Granted, fennel is not an exciting or pretty vegetable; it has always reminded me of a mix of onion, celery, and dill weed with a really strange fragrance. But when my mother made tempura out of it recently I was pleasantly surprised; it was slightly sweet but not too pungent. Sadly, my attempt to make it myself did not go as planned. It ended up tasting like flour and the flavour was so sharp that I'm afraid I will never cook with this vegetable again. Perhaps you will have better luck than I did. But for now, I'm going to stick with sweet potatoes.

I'm sorry I don't have a recipe to share with you but here are the weekend links that I liked this week:

I came across this Chocolate Lava Cake recipe posted on the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog (via The New York Times) and I had to save it on here. It looks so magical and it's not surprising that is exactly the way it was described. So much gooey chocolate...I can't wait to make it myself.

While I have never been to Cape Town I hope that one day I'll have a chance to used these tips:
A Guide To Cape Town from The Wall Street Journal.

Q and A with Julian Schnabel from the Prospero blog...

Funny writer Gary Shteyngart shares his Sunday Routine with the New York Times.

You know that New York diet diary from New York Magazine well here is Dylan Lauren's weekly diet.It was scary quite frankly but what can you do; some people have food issues. I can't even imaging eating like this. But I respect her honesty.

Anyway, I wanted to add more links but I'm afraid I'm just too tired. And I know that sounds so lame. After all, who isn't tired these days? But it's true, I wish had more energy. That's why I'm always impressed by bloggers who are able to post every day. I don't know how they do it. Hopefully, the long weekend and nice weather will help somehow soon. For once, no more rain...

In love and war people always act their worst...

2011-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you heard about this story yet but I read about it yesterday in the National Post here in Canada. It's about a Chinese bride attempting suicide apparently shortly before what was supposed to be her wedding. Apparently, her husband-to-be had a change of heart. Well, isn't that nice? I guess he probably didn't see this one coming. Still, there's something so touching about these pictures, thank God for the happy ending...I have to say 2011 is certainly turning into one interesting news year...

That's it I'm done with you...

Oh, no you don't Missy...

Jesus Christ, how much does this girl weigh?...Quick, don't forget about the shoes...

Phew...


Talk about being well prepared...