Pink Rickshaw

february loves

2012-02-25T11:11:33-06:00

"Love is the power to see similarity in the dissimilar."-Theodor Adorno

Continuing with what we're loving this month...

3.The Oscar nominated Short Films (Live Action)
Are you excited about the Academy Awards Sunday night? I am trying to get all of my work/errands/chores out of the way so I can enjoy the red carpet fashion and celebs from the very beginning. However, like every year I vowed to watch all of the nominated (full-length) films and like every year I fell short. (Some years I just luck out and the one film I happened to watch does win i.e. King's Speech, Slumdog Millionaire. I'm afraid I missed the mark this year with only having seen Midnight in Paris.) So, this year, in the spirit of falling short again, I literally went short (inspired last year from here and here). As in the watching the five nominated live action short films and what a treat.

Every year the Academy bundles the five short films and in less time than watching one feature film, you get five morsels of goodness at your local indie theater. My favorite to win is the German/Indian film Raju. The short film set in Kolkata tells the story of German couple that adopts a young boy only to lose him in the hustle and bustle of the City of Joy. The story that unfolds is riveting and it is amazing that it is all done in less than 30 minutes. Two of my other favorites were Norwegian film Tuba Atlantic about the forced relationship between an old dying curmudgeon and young girl trying to comfort him in his last few days and Time Freak which was created by a UT alum husband-wife team. (While I am rooting for Raju, it would be nice to see some Longhorns win an Oscar.)

Also, it is not too late to have a last minute Oscar party. Find inspiration here and here.

4. World Snacks series
Raising a picky eater is seriously lame. Amy Wilson Sanger's baby board books allow parents to start introducing international yummy foods to babies before they can even say dim sum. These fun, colorful books teach little ones all about foods from various cultures and include a dictionary of food terms at the back of each book. They are the perfect guides for chatting about chaat and understanding the soul in soul food. So, when your little one requests sesame balls with his goldfish crackers, you will know that you have raised him right. Also, makes a great gift for any future foodies in your life.

5. A clean purse (is a happy purse)

{J.Crew Brompton Mini-Hobo, Lomography Fisheye 35 mm camera (an awesome bday gift from my brother), Missoni for Target cosmetics bag, Francesca's Collections' compact, Fresh Sugar Lychee perfume rollerball, MAC Lipglass (Lovechild), Kate Spade iPhone case, Jess LC coin purse, Shantiniketan style butterfly pouch (from India), Deena and Ozzy wallet (Urban Outfitters-old), Ray Ban Aviators, the best pen ever courtesy of my hubby, Smythson of Bond Street "Pretty in Pink" notebook, Forever 21 bracelet-old, Mudlark Lola stationery}

image source: raju-film.com, amazon.com, SD

-RW(world snack series); SD(Oscar shorts/purse)

art: map prints

2012-02-18T08:29:51-06:00

"A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there."-H. Stanley Judd

One of my favorite parts of starting any new year is making a list of places I am looking forward to traveling to. But between now and hopping on a plane, some lovely hand drawn map inspired artwork is a great way to stay excited about an upcoming journey. They also serve as good mementos of places you call home, love and have visited in the past. So whether you are packing your bags for a trip this long weekend or just getting ready for a staycation, here are some lovely illustrated maps from around the web to get you inspired.

City Series by Jim Datz (pictured above)
If like many fashion lovers, during the last few days you have New York Fashion Week on the brain, you'll love Jim Datz's city print of Manhattan. He combines fun signs and 1950s inspired illustrations for that print and ones of other glam cities like London and San Francisco.

Lena Corwin
If you have ever picked up an Elle Decor, you can't miss Lena Corwin's lovely city map in the back of the magazine. Forty of her favorite maps (surprisingly Dallas made the cut and that's before Khloe moved here) are in her book Maps. It's always fun to see what an exciting city like Milan has to offer yet a place like Houston that you have called home forever also looks so pretty in Corwin's lovely colors. Makes for a great gift for your favorite map lover or world traveler.

Anne Smith
I am not sure if illustrator Anne Smith's works are available for sale, but I loved looking through her map collection on her site. Doesn't Phuket look so chill?

They Draw & Travel
If all this map perusing has caught your eye, forget that travel guide and check out sibling designers Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell's website that is a collection of illustrated maps with unexpected tips and non-touristy spots. Artists from around the world contribute their maps withs artistic flair.

image source: threepotatofourshop.com, lenacorwin.com, annesmith.net

-SD

february loves

2012-02-06T02:14:36-06:00

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."-Henry David Thoreau

I majorly heart February. I do not even try to hide my utter and unabashed love for this month as can be seen here and here.To honor the great month, PR is sharing 29 things that we are loving this month over the course of the 29 (leap year woo hoo!) lovely days of February. Starting with one and two today.

1. Jason Wu for Target
You pretty much have to live under an unfashionable rock if you did not hear about the much beloved designer Jason Wu's collection at Target being available this Sunday. It was not just Super Bowl Sunday, folks, it was Super Wu day. While the collection is simply darling (inspired by French New Wave films: think clean lines with navy, red and pops of mustard) the reality of getting your hands on some of these cute pieces was just as tough as everyone thought it would be. Here's how it went down ladies. I had my eye on the mustard peplum top and poplin dress in navy (both pictured above), cap sleeve pleated blouse in cream,and pleated shift dress in blush stripes. Ambitious, right? Before Madonna started lip syncing to Vogue at half time, I was able to report 50 percent victory. Two items scored. Well kind of. I managed to nab the cap sleeve blouse online (at 3am Sunday morning after snoozing the alarm I had originally set for midnight several times) and the peplum top in store (in an XL though (that's where the kind of victory comes in) so hoping Mom can hook a girl up with some alterations) The dresses were pretty much impossible. A girl I chatted with at my local Target said she had been to four stores that all showed the navy dress in stock but she had yet to see one. On a bright note, unlike some disappointing designer Target collections in the past, Mr. Wu does not let a fashionsita down. Everything I did see in person at the store was really lovely and made of good quality material, so I hope you got a chance to snag a piece or two. Did you try to get your hands on anything from the collection? And if so, what is your favorite?

2. Hearts
With Valentine's Day merely days away, hearts for everyone. Make your paperwork more loving with these adorable heart paperclips. Measure out some love in these measuring cups. Send your Facebook friends some snail mail that's straight from the less than three and if you're feeling really ambitious, try a heart in your honey's morning latte. (Every Feb, I've always wondered how the talented baristas at my favorite coffee shops do this...mystery solved...although I'm sure if I tried, it would just be a blobby less than three)

image source: target.com, paper-source.com,The Wallaroo shop at Etsy (the greeting above is sold out, but you can find other ones with the same text at Etsy), matches via pinterest

-SD

trend: fashion technology

2012-01-17T19:55:08-06:00

"Yes, I love technology, but not as much as you, you see...But I still love technology...Always and forever."-Kip, Napoleon Dynamite

My hubby and brother (who like most guys, are both obsessed with gadgets and technology) had the pleasure of being two of the 150,000 folks that flocked to Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show last week. They came back from CES with stories in three categories. 1) The expected: talk of tablets, 3D TVs, pretty ultrabooks, and lovable nerds on segways. 2) The unexpected: Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Xzibit, Will Smith and Snookie sightings. (What? No one told me there would be celebrities there) and finally, 3) Things that I tuned out, i.e. "Dude, how cool was the MicroVision Pico projecting in 720p HD!?!"
While I did not have high expectations of tech talk that would be of any interest to me, surprisingly they did bring back tidbits related to fashion and shopping. What's that you say? Yes folks, high tech fashion and enough to be post-worthy. Not bad, especially since all I was expecting that was even remotely fashion related from their trip was a "My Brother and Husband went to CES, and I all I got was this low-tech t-shirt" t-shirt.

Here's a few things they saw that fashionistas can look forward to...

Swivel (3D Virtual Dressing Room)
Remember Cher's closet in Clueless? Well looks like that is not movie magic anymore. FaceCake Marketing Technologies presented a system that does what Cher's closet could and oh so much more at CES. My ears instantly perked up when I heard about this. I love online shopping like the next gal, but how many times have you wished you could just see what it looks like on? Or better yet when you are shopping at a boutique, wished you didn't have to deal with the hassle of trying things on. Here's how it works. The software utilizes Microsoft Kinect and in the comfort of your home or at the store, you can stand in front of a screen and "try on" a single article of clothing or whole outfit. Trying on a bathing suit with a couch in the background seem silly? No problem. You can change the backdrop to a beautiful beach or a red carpet if you're trying on an evening gown. The program also lets you see yourself in the item in different angles. Want to know what your BFF thinks of that dress you are on the fence on? The dressing room is integrated with social media like Facebook and Twitter. Websites and apps have tried similar concepts, but this is the first of its kind to be 3D. The boys did comment that the image could be more clear and the clothes looked a bit too superimposed but hopefully that will improve before it is available to the masses.
The Printing Dress ("You are what you tweet")

Microsoft's The Printing Dress (pictured above) explores the idea of wearing your thoughts. Think of it as literally making a fashion statement. Built mostly of black and white rice paper, the wearer can type on the bodice's keyboard. It may be hard to tell from the picture, but the keyboard's keys resemble that of a typewriter's giving the dress a vintage feel. The words are then projected on the skirt. For such a high-tech concept, my favorite part of learning about this was how aesthetically appealing the dress actually is. Hopefully if or when this does become common wear, we will only have kind words to share. Mean words on a skirt just does not seem chic.

image source: CES images courtesy of the high tech smart phones of Rishi Mehta and Sujohn Das; Swivel image: stylesectionla.com

-SD

trend: tangerine tango

2012-01-11T07:41:19-06:00

"Orange is red brought nearer to humanity by yellow."-Wassily Kandinsky

Despite all the dire predictions, looks like even the Mayans do not really believe the world will end in 2012. Shall we all breathe a collective sigh of relief? Maybe. An optimist would say it was perhaps this good news that inspired Pantone to select Tangerine Tango (a warm orange similar to coral) as the color of the year. Orange is fun and happy--symbolic of the good times ahead. A pessimist would say the global authority on color just happened to pick a color reminiscent of a fiery blaze as seen here. Coincidence? Maybe. Well, whether you need a color to paint your 2012 survival bunker or just need some fun accessories for another one of the (many) years you plan on spending on this planet, here's all you need to know about the trendy hue.

According to Pantone, pop culture, fashion and finance all influenced the decision to select the color. “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” Pantone also says that the color will provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward. A lot of pressure for a color, right? But if any color can do it, orange can. The color has already been prominent in Spring 2012 runways, the latest home decor collections and beauty products. Inspired? Here's a list of the pops of orange you see above, inspired by Pantone's choice:

Asos Storm Point Court Shoes
CB2 Parlour Atomic Orange Chair
Nanette Lepore Spring 2012 Runway (Ready to Wear)
Butter London nailpolish in Jaffa
DwellStudio Labyrinth Persimmon Pillow
Asos Sweater
Paper Source 2012 Datebook
West Elm Picnic Flatware
Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch
Tory Burch Patent Eddie Ballet Flat

image source: pantone.com, crateandbarrel.com, us.asos.com, style.com, butterlondon.com, dwellstudio.com, toryburch.com, seeviver.com, westelm.com, paper-source.com

-SD

december super six

2011-12-30T18:03:39-06:00

"An optimist stays up till midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves."-Bill Vaughn

Good-bye 2011 and hello 2012! I hope all of you are looking forward to all that the new year has to bring. Before bidding adieu to this year and starting 2012 with fresh new ideas and enthusiasm, it's always fun to look back (cue sappy flashback sequence music, please). 2011 was a fabby and fun year at Pink Rickshaw. We loved writing about the newest trends, trying (sometimes successfully) delish recipes, learning about some awesome new lines and websites and of course sharing some favorite things.Thank you so much for reading and your support.
For December's super six, here are some of my favorite posts from 2011.

1. Trend Friend: Statement Nails
2011 brought plenty of interesting fashion and beauty trends. Some that may stick around in 2012 and hopefully some that will go away. The statement nails were amongst my favorite this year and other noteworthy trends were animal silhouette prints, ombre hair, neon and neutrals and statement tribal necklaces.

2. Super Six: April's Royal Edition
Like most of you, I woke up at 4am to watch the fairy tale wedding and am excited to see what Kate, William (and Pippa) are up to next. So it' is probably no surprise that one of this year's fave super sixes is April's which discussed all things royal wedding. Other favorites included June's Flora and Fauna and October's Fall Fashion Must Haves.

3. Oh My Blog: Hair Tutorials

4. Art: Fatakra
This year, we had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing some fabulous peeps doing some awesome things. Amongst the most popular in 2012 was the interview of director/writer Soham Mehta for his short film, Fatakra. If you missed any of them, be sure to check out the interviews with the talented founders behind UK home decor line Plum Chutney, 3 Bees Paperie, fashion rental website Luxemi.com, kids clothing line Ode and dating website Two Mangoes.

5. 4 Minutes to Save the World: Movember

6. Food: Cranberry and Tomato Chutney and Fig Pinwheels

We put in our fair share of time in the kitchen this year and it was fun and delicious. I became slightly obsessed with my ice cream maker as seen here and here. RW and I tried to conquer Martha's cookie recipes like peanut butter whoopie pies and chocolate charms as part of the great cookie experiment. And one of the highlights of the years was gathering delicious and easy Indian recipes from friends and family.

Other favorites included making pinwheels from the adorable book Paper+Craft, a list of places to check out when in SF's Mission DIstrict and finding these beautiful love story postcards. Looking forward to bringing more posts in 2012 and in the meantime have a safe and wonderful new year. Happy New Year!

-SD

pumpkin: recipe two

2011-12-23T23:26:45-06:00

"Anything is good if it's made of chocolate."-Jo Brand

After all the shopping/wrapping/traveling, it may just officially be time to start enjoying the holidays. For me, the transition from holiday madness to holiday R&R starts with some Christmas baking. So, continuing with the celebration of the great pumpkin, I gave pumpkin swirl brownies a try. The recipe I used was adapted from this Martha Stewart recipe. Pumpkin and chocolate may seem like an odd combination but when combined in these brownies, they are surprisingly tasty. Who would have guessed it? What other fabulous combinations are we missing out on?

You have probably figured out by now, that my brownies did not quite swirl as Martha's and Smitten Kitchen's. So, I'll opt to call my version pumpkin fudge brownies. So, in classic "do as I say and not as I bake", make sure you get your knife all the way to the bottom of the pan when mixing the pumpkin and fudge batter and really give it a good swirl. But honestly if you end up with more of a layered version like mine, they are still delicious brownies. I also added hazelnuts which gave it the perfect crunch and flavor.

Happy baking and may your Christmas be very merry. Happy Holidays!

image source: SD

-SD