Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I was thrilled to see that Michelle Obama chose Isabel Toledo to design her inauguration ensemble. Isabel Toledo and her husband Ruben are my heroes of the fashion world. Isabel is an incredible designer, and Ruben is the best fashion illustrator of our time. They have a great story. They met as teenagers in NJ and have been collaborating ever since. Actually in High School, she was dating his brother. I learned this little fact and many others when I heard them speak at FIT, which was truly the best lecture I have ever been to. They were as witty and charming as I expected them to be. I even raised my hand and asked Ruben some inane question just to interact with them!

A couple of months ago, I was walking through midtown with Chris, and Isabel and Ruben Toledo walked by us on the sidewalk. I whipped my head around and back to Chris and said "DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS??!" Of course he probably expected me to say it was some actor or some traditional celebrity. But no, I was THAT excited to have a brush with Isabel and Ruben Toledo, who by the way looked impeccable as always.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The Bowery 2

Gemma in the Bowery Hotel is all drippy candles and ambiance...
They have this white pizza with truffle oil which is very good...but really what to get as my friend Audra can attest to is the Burrata with a glass of rose, perfect. 

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Bowery


For my first 'NYC neighborhoods' post I decided to start in the Bowery...that stretch that is sort of Soho/E.Village and 3rd ave but really not. I went to the last day of the
Elizabeth Peyton show in the snow on Saturday. I hate to admit it but it was also my first visit to the New Museum!
I was really, really surprised by how small her works are. (That is not a self portrait, sadly I am short! And blond.) I've only seen pics and thought they would be large.  I really like her use of color in the paintings (intense greens against sharp reds and lavender), but I prefer her works on paper to her paintings. 
A couple more Bowery posts to come!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Something new

I'm going to try something new that I'm really excited about. Each week I am going to pick an NYC neighborhood and my illustration (or illustrationS) will be based on that neighborhood. I love exploring the city and although I picked a grrrreeeat time to start (rain, wind, cold etc) it will be a fun project!!