couture into cake

alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2005

whenever I look at the details of this alexander mcqueen spring/summer 2005 collection I somehow think of strawberry cupcakes....it must be something to do with those pink empire bodices pieced together with those puffball skirts. I've always thought it would be interesting for a pastry chef to create a line of cupcakes inspired by some of the pieces in this mcqueen collection. there is such a romantic, almost marie antoinette feeling to a lot of the looks from this particular season that could easily be translated into a cake design. I would especially love to see this pink corseted dress transformed into a strawberry cupcake (naturally, it would be vegan). I think this would be a fun project for my sister to do, since she is quite the artist on canvas and as a baker. perhaps, it should be called the alexander strawberry mc-cupcake.

vegan blueberry lemon crumble

a cake i made in litzy's honor. bake the muffins, then crumble them on top of the blueberry lemon cake. perfect for a special occasion.

lovely 2 c u

goldfrapp photos from the hollywood bowl

I need ooh la la la la

photo by ross kirton

the sisters in black frocks couldn't help but be inspired by seeing alison goldfrapp perform at the hollywood bowl on sunday. my sis snapped some fab pics that almost look like they are from the 70s. we loved her vocals and glam rock inspired costumes. I've always thought my sister and goldfrapp, have very similar styles. coincidentally, they both were wearing feathers that night. I think our interest in her started in 2006, when we discovered her in switzerland, staying up all night watching mtv europe. why do they play the best videos in europe? I remember how we were really amazed with her video for ooh la la. the video was inspired by glam rock 70's TV,and features alison goldfrapp riding on a digital sparkling horse, very reminiscent of roxy music. I think it was from that video that we became intrigued by her. she's always been such a mystery to us, so it was such a treat to see her perform.

lady in the water

photo by patrick demarchelier

I think what I love most about summer is a unique, yet oversized hat. my current obsession is this vintage dandelion hat, by philip treacy. the hat was inspired by the talking flowers in alice in wonderland and is made of ivory featherbone. there's something so elegant about a lady in the water in an oversized hat....I don't know if I will ever find a hat quite like this, but I do love how the ivory color contrasts with that blue water.

somewhere simplicity

directed by sofia coppola (2010)

I really like the style of the poster for sofia coppola's latest film, somewhere. it has that sofia simplicity that I have always admired. there are always extra elements to her films, like a chic poster, a good soundtrack, and of course, interesting camera shots.....I think these are just some of the reasons why I am always attracted to her films.

sofia similarities

sofia coppola

somehow, I was reminded of this photo after seeing the poster for sofia coppola's new film somewhere. I couldn't help but also notice a virgin suicide quality in this photo. perhaps, it is the way sofia coppola is positioned on the ground lying next to the pool with such a tranquil face in that lace marc jacobs dress...it is very reminiscent of kirsten dunst's character, lux, in the the virgin suicides. there is a lot I like about her films, but the thing I admire most about sofia coppola is that you can always see moments of her life through her characters on screen...I always think people who can tell stories through their own lives, make for the best filmmakers.


the virgin suicides (1999)

me time

like kate moss, one of my favorite places to clear my head, and read a good book is in the bathtub. its really the simple things in life.

noble farewell

photos by annie leibovitz

I was really amazed by the latest july vogue editorial of the last alexander mcqueen collection for fall/winter 2010....shouldn't this have been the cover? I think this will definetly be one of those collections that will be remembered, forever. I've read that for this collection, mcqueen was inspired by hieronymus bosch's garden of earthly delights and the music of henry purcell's dido and aeneas. I think what I find so interesting about this collection is that it is so reminiscent of his early days as a designer when he worked for givenchy. it is as if he wanted to end his design career the way he started....a bit haunting if you think about it. perhaps, the end sometimes starts with the beginning.

for schiele fans

photo by derrick santini

for years, I have often wondered if the late alexander mcqueen was influenced by the work of artist egon schiele. I could never find out, I've often read he liked the work of artist francis bacon, but that is as far as I could find out about what artists have influenced him. recently, I happened to open up a copy of vanity fair magazine and I flipped open to this photo. if you look in the left hand corner, you can see a group of egon schiele drawings on his inspiration wall. if you flash back to some of mcqueen's early work you can definetly see a schiele effect. I've always thought this in my head, but I never really knew for sure, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this photo....it is always intriguing to see how artists are influenced by other other artists, especially mcqueen to schiele.

art as tattoo

egon schiele drawing nude before mirror, 1910


an egon schiele tattoo by william feitosa

there is no tattoo in my near future, but I do like the orginality of an egon schiele ink design.....that's what I call tattoo art.

for the birds

heard a sad story about a bird yesterday. this one is for tweety

photo by pretty little world

here comes lara

lara stone at her recent wedding. modern and vintage and simple all at once. bravo

summer hours

L’Heure d’été (2008)

today, is the first day of summer which oddly reminded me of a film I saw about a year ago entitled summer hours, directed by olivier assayas. there's something about this film that makes you want to go outside, lounge on a hammock and think about your childhood.



the film centers on hélène berthier, the elegant, matriarch...whom we first meet at a familly gathering, surrounded by generations of her family, including her children and grandchildren. she eventually dies and leaves behind a stylish country house and a valued art collection. her children, as is expected, must figure out what to do with all her 'stuff' after her death. I know this isn't your typical summer movie blockbuster, but I have to say I was surprised that I was interested in the drama of deciding what to do with the mom's personal items...I think it is an issue we all eventually have to deal with.



the film focuses on many profound issues like the past, the future, the structure of families, the sentimental values of people and how sometimes memories are not enough, so we keep little treasures, like pieces of art, fine china, and scrapbooks, to make life a more substantial thing....to this day, I am still thinking about this film.

like father, like daughter

serge and charlotte gainsbourg

since today is father's day I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to a stylish father daughter duo. I've always admired the style of serge and charlotte gainsbourg. they seem to have shared such similarities in their music and fashion sense. here, in this photo, they look so nonchalantly chic in their matching tuxedo jackets. I definetly see an influence...even back then as a tween, charlotte gainsbourg was so effortless. I like to think that her style is 50% her mom and 50% her dad, a perfect hybrid. notice how charlotte's look is still pretty much the same then as it is now?....I guess time hasn't changed her sense of style.

well suited in sandals

photo by steven meisel

I always look back to this calvin klein collection from spring/summer 2002...there were so many timeless pieces that will never go out of style. I particularly love this tuxedo jacket with wide shoulders and how it is pieced together with a pencil skirt. it is the perfect balance between dressing masculine and feminine. I think what makes this outfit so polished are those sandals....they add a casual feeling to this look. I must admit that I am still to this day looking for these sandals...I hope that one day they will show up in a random vintage store....but, until then I have this photo for inspiration.

in a margiela manner

maison martin margiela

yes, I do like to wear the same black outfits all the time, but I always try to add a little something new to my wardrobe...currently, my new obsession is long skirts with short jackets...it is actually a look I use to do in my teenage years, and now I am going back to this style. for inspiration, I am looking to recently retired fashion designer maison martin margiela....I love the way he deconstructs. his approach to clothes is about piecing looks together rather than whole pieces. I admire women who dress like this....in the future, I want be a little more margiela. as of now, I think I will use my long skirts and short jackets as starting points.

a worthy mention

a few weeks ago we thought it would be quite funny to take a star tour through hollywood, and beverly hills for our moms birthday. one of the stops was the chateau marmont, where our tour guide had mentioned that john belushi passed away. yet there was no mention that the famous photographer helmut newton had also lost his life in the landmark. certainly he should be acknowledged. photo by terry's diary

the perfect title for a film

directed by erick zonca (1998)

I have to say that I love a film with an interesting title. lately, I have been thinking about films with unique stories and memorable titles. there are many that come to mind...lost in translation, talk to her, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, things you can tell just by looking at her, etc, etc.... but I think my favorite is the dreamlife of angels or la vie rêvée des anges. these are the only french words I know, and I love saying the french title out loud and in my head. the story is of an optimistic wanderer named isa who lands a job at a dress factory where she befriends the pessimistic, rebellious marie. eventually, a close friendship forms and the two become roommates, but when marie falls into a passionate affair with an arrogant young man, the relationship deteriorates. it has been awhile since I have last seen this film, but I am feeling the need to see it again. I love films like this, that deal with the difficulties of friendship, toxic relationships and that have an equally brilliant title.


....one of the most memorable scenes from la vie rêvée des anges. somehow, I never forget this letter

dark matter

before OPI made every vampire shade under the sun, there was chanel's vamp. it was featured on every model's nails in the early 90's, and i was into it! i remember it being sold out in department stores, which made it that much more desirable. i think vamp is discontinued, so if you have a bottle laying around, keep it, for fashions sake.

underneath it all

sometimes the best place on earth is under the covers

photo by pretty little world

voilà a vionnet

azzedine alaïa: a step-by-step process in draping a vionnet dress

there's something so interesting about watching fashion designer azzedine alaïa make a dress....he always seems so at ease in front of the camera. there's an art to the way he cuts and drapes clothes. he is a definite hands on designer. here, in this photo he gives a lesson in draping a vionnet dress. madeline vionnet, was a french fashion designer often called 'the architect among dressmakers.' she's best-known today for her elegant grecian-style dresses and for introducing the bias cut to the fashion world. it is obvious what an impact she has had on azzedine alaïa and I love his homage to her....makes me want to get some fabric and start draping, as well.

get me bodied

photo by peter lindbergh

I don't want to hate on all the tanorexics....but I love having pale skin in the summer just because you can really stand out in a simple black dress.

looking good in leather

stella tennant at the CFDA awards 2010

I don't think I have ever seen leather look quite this good. there seems to be a trend with leather dresses for spring/summer. for this years CFDA awards, stella tennant chose a large black leather dress by coach designer reed krakoff. I've always admired her style and how she can take something so minimal (like a helmut lang) and make it fanciful, yet effortless. stella tennant definetly stands out as one of the best dressed...who would exactly think a leather dress would look this good at a cocktail party?

a balenciaga bride

photo by david bailey, 1967

since june is the month for brides, why not wear a sculptural gazar wedding dress designed by cristóbal balenciaga?....I so appreciate a dress that combines sixties with a little sci-fi futurism. how rare it is these days to see a bride with this type of look...I think I found my future perfect wedding dress....perhaps, now I should work on finding a husband to go with.

keep it loose

ashley olsen at the met gala 2009

lately, I have been admiring the row by mary-kate and ashley olsen. I am not really a huge fan of celebrities that want to be fashion designers, but this line is different. a couple of weeks ago I tried on a black kaftan dress from their spring/summer line and I loved how loose and simple it was....they seem to understand that you do not need to wear a tight dress to be sexy...you can easily wear something loose with a touch of drape and feel just as good.... I particularly like how minimal and sleek ashley olsen looks in this white dress from the row. the gown has a short train with a plunging neckline in the back...it reminds me a little of those gucci white jersey dresses designed by tom ford with a touch of jil sander....I don't know about you, but I am keeping a close eye on the row , totally my style.

peek a boo

photo by mario testino

before tom ford was a film director, he was a fashion director. I always love looking back to his days at gucci...he had such a gift for creating ads that were not only about clothes, but a lifestyle. one of my favorites was this gucci campaign for fall/winter 1996. there are so many details in this ad from the terrazzo floors, the modern furniture, and that mysterious 'hot guy.' the model, georgina grenville, looks so sleek and futuristic in that white dress. she's covered up, with a little peek a boo hole. I think what I miss most about tom ford for gucci was that he created fantasy....I don't think gucci ads are the same, nowadays. even though he is no longer a clothing designer, I feel he has incorporated all his talent at gucci to his work as a film director....perhaps, more fashion designers should be film directors.

marks of beauty

i have been blessed or cursed with beauty marks, lots of them. maybe its an eastern european thing, but whatever the reason, its me. glad too see scarlett is part of the club.

big fan

our mother in turks and caicos with her seafan
emma watson and her phillip treacy seafan hat

sometimes mother nature provides us with the best in fashion accesories

put your hand on my skin

photo by mario testino

there's something about the month of june that reminds me of madonna's ray of light album from 1998. this time of year, I always feel the need to flip through those stunning mario testino images and re-enact some of those moments in front of the mirror....yes, I admit it. it is actually quite an easy look to imitate. all you need to do for this look is let your hair down, add a little bit of make-up with shimmer, put on a tank top, or if you want to get really stylish add a pleather jacket that resembles the dolce & gabbana one featured in the album....I do have to say, that the look is not complete without the proper pale pink nail-polish...I love the way madonna's hands and that color look in this photo. put all these style tips together, and you can easily do the ray of light. personally, june is never complete without paying homage to this ethereal look.

sister rose

speaking of the nunnery, i think sister rose has been naughty

get thee to a nunnery....

photo by sam taylor-wood

I like this nun look on kate moss....she looks almost angelic, a side you don't really see of her in most fashion magazines. there is something so stylish about the way she is wearing that white cloak. I've always liked a white cloak in photos, especially if you want to be a little mysterious. I don't know why but I have always been interested in women of all religions and how they dress...especially nuns and muslims.

viridiana style

viridiana (1961)

lately, I have been admiring filmmakers that tell stories through clothing...I think luis buñuel's 1961 film viridiana is a perfect example....there is something quite stylish about the way actress silvia pinal works a headscarf. The film is about a nun who after the suicide of her uncle decides to leave a monastery and open a shelter for homeless people in her uncle's house. while, I don't necessarily quite understand this film and its deeper meaning, I do admire the way buñuel tells the story through coats, dresses and headpieces.

the look of antichrist

antichrist (2009)

I have to admit I was a bit reluctant to watch lars von trier's 2009 film antichrist. the story tells of a couple who, after the death of their child, retreat to a cabin in the woods where the male character experiences strange visions and the female character manifests increasingly violent sexual behavior....despite the difficult subject matter, there was an interesting style to this film. there were moments that reminded me of artist egon schiele and I admired the way lars von trier depicted nature....I loved some of those nature shots of charlotte gainsbourg in the woods. yes, this film is not for everyone, but I appreciated the strange combination of beauty, terror and wonder...very rare to see in most horror films.

tree cinema

ivan's childhood (1962)

I couldn't help but think of andrei tarkovsky's film ivan's childhood while watching lars von trier's film antichrist...after all, he dedicated the film to the late director. there's something about the way these two directors use nature in their shots. if you look closely at the trees they have a haunting, yet beautiful quality to them...similiar to both films. I always appreciate directors that pay close attention to the beauty of trees. this is the only film I have seen of tarkovsky, but I can definetly see how certain scenes have been influential for lars von trier.