Happy Halloweeny

From Jak & Jil my favorite street style blog.
http://jakandjil.com/blog/

1,2,3...Yawn

Well, at least it's better than her "Radar" video. The video had so much potential! And it's a song about threesomes, so where's the bed? or bedroom? or couch? or shower? or kitchen table? or anywhere you might have sex? Helloo, and of course the obvi sex club. The video is so NOT sexy. And the random shot of the guy at 1:54 annoys the hell out of me for some reason, maybe cause he looks like a douche. Plus at some point in the video she needed to be wet, like in the rain, pool, or beach. Everyone looks better wet in a video. And the choreography is lame and STUPID! The location of the video should've been in a vampire sex club! :) I noticed she sticks out her tongue A LOT lype syncing, she always does that, but more than usual in this video. My Grade: S for Shitty. All her recent videos have been so generic and she just looks stiff and uncomfortable. Where's the energy and fire? I want old school Britney videos!! LIke "I'm a Slave 4 U." Oh well, at least she looks pretty. Great lighting!

The interlude from her Circus tour would've made a better video! Turn off the sound, and play "3." Now THIS is what it could've been! The masks + sex club vibe =Hot!

Like A Prayer

My favorite poet at the moment is Mary Oliver. Her words shoot straight to the heart and soul, so beautiful.

When I am Among the Trees
By Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."

From-- Thirst: Poems

Lara! Kate! Daria! Clouds! Sky! Miami! Beauty! Fashion! Wow!

I love W magazine and this Bruce Weber photo shoot! Amazing.






More "Summer Camp" here:
http://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/2008/07/weber_miami

Team Sienna

Love this interview

Kiss My Shoe

Yes, I admit it, I read the gossip sites and comfortably judge from a distance. I'm also guilty of judging Sienna Miller and her tabloid identity. I didn't like Sienna because of what I read about her in the tabloids. Man-eater, man-stealer, party girl. All those labels and vacuous pictures of her walking her dog, shopping, and holding the ubiquitous paper cup of coffee. All those images and labels of course help build a consensus with the masses, and in my own consciousness-- that this women is an empty, soulless slut.

Well, I've changed my mind. I actually really like Sienna now. The shift started with her role as The Baroness in "G.I. Joe." She looked hot and she played the role with the right amount of sexiness, determination, vamp, and camp. It was a fun summer movie, and she was fun in it. Then I saw "The September Issue" where her photos were dissected and ripped apart by Vogue magazine editors, and I felt a kind of sympathy for her. Her only sin was a fabulous smile.

And now, she's starring on Broadway in "After Miss Julie." The play was written by Patrick Marber, an incredible writer who has adapted August Strindberg's play "Miss Julie" and turned it into a sexy, smart play set in post-World War II Britain. Marber tackles the issue of the struggles between class and sex with aplomb dialogue that is shocking, harsh, and honest.

"Kiss My Shoe," Miss Julie audaciously orders Jonny Lee Miller, who plays John, the valet. The command is a test, of Miss Julie's power, and of John's servitude; a test of the roles we inhabit and our acceptance or denial of them. And from this point the push and pull, the game or war begins. The play is a class war between emotionally damaged people, struggling with their demons, desires, and dreams. These people are damaged by societal rules and like all wars there are victims and there are scars. Throughout the play the verbal assaults fly like heat seeking missiles attacking both the minds and hearts of the helpless characters.

Both Sienna and Jonny are sensational in their portrayal of characters trapped in roles that they are desperately trying to break free from. They both on some levels believe that love and passion are the keys to freedom, but in the end the reality of the world crushes them both. It's a cruel, harsh, grey world out there where emotions and ideas are constantly shifting; and where there are no definitive answers, no true escape from the social constructs that we have built around us that we think protect us, but in the end eventually imprison us.

Near the end of the play when we understand the meaning behind the title, the "After you Miss Julie" becomes poignant and sad; the devastation is final and complete.

Seeing Sienna in the flesh and blood on stage completely erased my preconceived notion of what or who she is. On a purely elemental level I just saw her as a human being. The tabloid image of her dissolved as she stood, alive on the stage, her voice loud and clear, her body and movement real and tangible. That is the power of theatre and live performance. It's visceral and raw. Even as a performer playing a character she was made more complete and real by the simple truth of her presence on stage. Here was a woman who recently declared to the New York Times that she just wants to act. And yes, she can act, really she can.

After the play I stood outside the theatre in the freezing rain, waiting for her to make her exit so I could get her autograph and maybe a picture. When she finally emerged she look tired--her fabulous blond tresses in a loose bun, dressed in black sweat pants, and a pair of grey, suede Ugg-like boots, she had her cute dog with her. She was still pretty, shorter and smaller than I imagined. On stage she looked tall and commanding with her svelte figure and long legs. As she was signing my playbill I told her I loved her and her costumes in "G.I. Joe" she laughed good heartily.

Another fan wanted wanted me to take a picture of him and her together. At first she refused, her bodyguard screaming no pictures. The fan whispered something in her ear, she obliged. When it was time to take the photo I pushed the off button, instead of taking the picture. She told me "I think you just turned off the camera." We all had a good laugh at that. Human after all. All of us.



More on Sienna Miller here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/theater/18mcgr.html?_r=1&fta=y
http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/2009_July_Sienna_Miller/

Push. Mariah Made Me Read It

I have to thank Mariah Carey. Okay, here's how I came about reading the brilliant novel "Push" by Sapphire. I'm a big fan of Mariah, and she's in the movie "Precious" based on "Push." In the trailer Mariah plays a social worker who helps Precious, an abused, illiterate teenager. Stripped of makeup, and pulling out all her acting chops I was impressed with her courage and willingness to tackle such challenging, unglamorous role.

Then the bigger scope of the movie and book took over, and I decided to read the book. The book is amazing because it represents a "different" world, or a world that I, and most people are not aware of. I hate using the word "different" because the lives these characters lead are just as real as my reality. Whenever Precious wants to give up, or when times are difficult someone is always there to tell her to push herself, and that's where the title of the book comes from. She not only pushes herself, but by doing so she "pushes" the people around her to listen to her, and to actually SEE her as a human being.

Marginalized or under-represented are better suited words for the characters in the novel, and I related to these characters on some levels. As a gay, Asian-American man I often feel the same way as Precious. I feel like, or I AM a double "minority." Even in the gay community there's racism, and Asians are practically invisible. The gay community in many respects mirrors the straight community, and that is not only unfortunate, but is an absolute travesty considering the inequality gay and lesbians face on a daily bases. It disgusts me when other minority groups take on the same bigotry and hatred as the establishment.

A novel like "Push" gives me hope because it gives voice to the under-represented, the forgotten, the Other. Stories help us construct our reality, and this novel inspires me to push myself to represent a reality that is strong, relevant, and my own. I'm ready to push, get ready for it.

p.s. Thanks again Mariah.

"Precious" trailer. Mariah @ :40 and 1:40

The City

The City - MTV Shows

I love this show!!! The first season sucked, but this season is spot on.

http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-city-ep-18-hit-it-and-quit-it/1624319/playlist.jhtml

This & That

Wow. Just Wow.


I know this is supposed to be disgusting, but some of it looks pretty darn tasty! Just one bite. :)
http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-27/food-that-can-kill-you-instantly/?cid=bs:archive14


All Things Gucci


I'm really, really feeling Gucci right now.
http://www.gucci.com/us/index2.asp

Free The Art

I heart this painting, Franz Kline's “Painting Number 2,” and the MoMA.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/arts/design/25loos.html?_r=1&ref=design



I Heart Stone


W Magazine: Do you talk about the pressure to look a certain way with other models?

Lara Stone: "Never very seriously. Usually, their reaction is that they wish they had tits like mine."
Ha! She's a straight shooter. Love it.
http://www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/editorsblog/2009/07/16/you-asked-for-it-more-from-lar.htm

Another Day....Sigh

More layoffs at Conde Nast.... The pic above is a classic issue of W magazine featuring Brad and Angie. I love W magazine.
http://fashionista.com/2009/10/and_the_layoffs_go_on_and_on.php

http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/archive/brad_pitt_angelina_jolie

Everything In Time

Fall has descended on NYC. There's a constant chill in the air. More trees are changing colors. There are amazing purple and pink sunsets. And the sidewalks are littered with beautiful yellow, red , and orange leaves. I love listening to this No Doubt song as I make my way through the city, the distinct smell of Autumn in the air. Spring belongs to Paris, but there's nothing like Autumn in New York.


P.s. I just wanted to share the artwork of their album "Rock Steady." If you have read my previous posts-- I LOVE this font!!!
Also, this album will always remind me of Maui, and the beautiful road to Hana. I almost drove off a cliff, but saw amazing waterfalls shooting into the Pacific, and the ocean itself was so BIG, intense, and awe inspiring.

Sprouse Up Your Life

The November 2009 issue of Paris Vogue rocks my world with this graffiti/Stephen Sprouse inspired font.
This font needs to be in every part of my life. Helvetica who?

Something about the mix of graffiti/street culture and high fashion just clicks. High and low it all works with the right combo and sense of style and balance. Graffiti is so anti-matchy-matchy, and that's why I find it so appealing.

Below, some pics from the issue--an ultimate "street" style extravaganza.

Kylie wore a version of this outfit on her North American 2009 Tour!





A little info on the late, great Stephen Sprouse here:
http://www.welovesprouse.com/
http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-vuitton4-2009jan04,0,7411427.story

Fated To Pretend

My favorite Kylie Video. I can watch this over and over and over again.

Kylie Minogue - In Your Eyes
Uploaded by picotter. -

Britney at her peak. Tight video. The girl can DANCE!!

Britney spears - Im a slave for you
Uploaded by timoino. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Love the lyrics!

MGMT - TIME TO PRETEND VIDEO
Uploaded by stepfunker. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Under-rated song! Amazing rhymes.

Mariah Carey - Obsessed
Uploaded by UniversalMusicGroup. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Sunday Morning Sky

Yesterday morning I looked up, and saw the sky with these beautiful cloud formations. There's probably a name for these clouds. I'm glad I took the short seconds it took to look up and admire. It really doesn't take much to appreciate the world around us.

Open Your Eyes

There are a great many things about living in New York City. One of them is that NYC is a walking city, probably the premier walking city in the world, where you don't need a car to get around. The benefits (sometimes cons) of this is that you cannot avoid people. If you want to get to point A to point B you're bound to see or rub flesh with at least one, but usually more than one person. The city IS the people and it pulsates with the energy of the people.

Another major benefit from walking everywhere is that you are stimulated on every step of your journey. You actually feel like you are living in the world, instead of feeling isolated. If I lived in any other city all I would see everyday is the inside of my house, the car, the road, strip malls, a couple of Taco Bells, and finally my destination. Then I would make the same journey home and turn on the television.

In NYC I see people, amazing architecture, the sky, little oasis of park and trees, art, fashion, beauty in small things, beauty in large things, I hear music, I see people in extreme poverty and people with extreme wealth. And at night, what we miss out with the stars in the sky, we make up with the lights generated by the city. The city forces you to feel, literally, because we're outside so much, when it's sticky and hot you FEEL that, and when it's snowing, and the freezing wind is blowing, you better be wearing long underwear.

It's impossible to escape life in NYC, because life is all around you 24/7. It can wear you down or can uplift you. There are so many realities and paradoxes in the city, and that's why so many different people love it (that's why I love it). There is no right or wrong way to live--you just live, period. I don't feel so different here in NYC, and if I do it's because of all the baggage I carry from my past, growing up in Denver, where I constantly felt different. People who are closed minded and are afraid of something outside of their comfort zone usually don't last long in this city. The city literally and metaphorically forces you to open your eyes.

One of my favorites neighborhood is Soho. Not the Broadway strip jammed street packed with shoppers and tourists, but the little side cobblestone side streets. And I love it when there's a construction site and they post really cool ads on the scaffolding. There's good reason why the "I heart NY" t-shirt is so popular and iconic, it's because the city makes itself so easy to love. It gives us so much, and all we have to do is look.

And God Created Garrett

Garrett Neff is my favorite male model. Rain is coming down like crazy here in NYC. It's wet and chilly, so I thought a little Neff appreciation is in order. The temperature is already rising, can you feel it?

There's Something About Mary

Poetry can be like meditation, a mantra you can read silently, but better spoken to soothe and calm your soul.
The poetry of Mary Oliver does this for me.

August
By Mary Oliver

When the blackberries hang
swollen in the woods, in the brambles
nobody owns, I spend

all day among the high
branches, reaching
my ripped arms, thinking

of nothing, cramming
the black honey of summer
into my mouth; all day my body

accepts what it is. In the dark
creeks that run by there is this
thick paw of my life darting among

the black bells, the leaves; there is
this happy tongue.

-From Mary Oliver, New And Selected Poems, Volume One

T.G.I.Freja

Etro Spring 2010


Emilio Pucci Spring 2010


Candid/Street


Chanel Ad


Gucci Ad


Gucci Video. Cool images, could have done without the stupid model voices. It has a parody aspect to it, kinda zoolandery, if you know what I mean. Models should be seen and not heard!!! They're vapid and stupid, and we love them for that. :) Love the clothes, hair, makeup, styling. Rock & roll + porn stilettos = wow. Freja @ 3:40!

This & That

Pushing Precious
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/gabourey-sidibe/



Madonna fired her, but she'll always have Gwennie Paltrow. We build them up to watch them fall. The Tracy Anderson story...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-21/madonnas-trainer-fights-back/




My Favorite Street Style blog.
http://jakandjil.com/blog



Michael K Rocks! Love this pic of a freshly botoxed Nicole.
http://dlisted.com/node/34476




And the Booker goes to...
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2009/10/the-exchange-hilary-mantel.html