The Return of Red

So it's been a long long time, and for a while it seemed like .Big Hair, Small Hips. might have come to an end. But I think what I really needed was a long breather. Before my hiatus I had been blogging almost everyday for over a year. It didn't feel like I was out of ideas per se, but more like my ideas needed to fester in my mind for a few months before finally being unleashed. So I think their good and ready now.

In mid-October I had the pleasure of visiting London for the fifth time, but instead of roaming the streets like a clueless tourist I got an insider's look into the Big Smoke. My host was none other than ex-Tracer Phoebe Lovatt, a born and bred Londoner and in many ways a long lost sister. With her superpowers at my disposal my tour of London was unlike any of my previous visits. I saw the real London: a community of vibrant, creative, impassioned individuals from every background imaginable. I realized that New York City really is a city of foreigners, a city where everyone is clawing their way to the top. Londoners are just as ambitious as New Yorkers, but have a different connection to the city since it's more often than not their hometown. All that to say as an antsy New Yorker, walking the streets of London felt like a traipse through Candyland. Not one person exuded that anxious, go-go-go undercurrent that is felt in New York. It was as if I had stepped into a parallel dimension where impatience had been replaced with spirited understanding. And I liked it, a lot.

Now with that inspiration in mind, it's time to get my creative juices flowing once again.

Make A New Yorker Giggle...

And he'll be happy for an hour. Make a New Yorker laugh and he'll be happy for a lifetime! Improv Everywhere have the right idea...

Via Color Me Katie

Please & Thank You

Someone better tell the pants-less their days are numbered.

Boys Ain't Nothing But Trouble

Women are constantly wondering: what are men really thinking? I've been told time and time again, that there are limited answers to that truly vexing question. Some of the answers are easily figured out. They are of course, women and the many ways to woo them. The Black Keys illustrate this point perfectly in the video for 'Tighten Up,' their ridiculously catchy summer single. The whole album, aptly titled Brothers, is perfect for the beach... or as the soundtrack to your very own 2010 version of Grease. Either one would work. Check it out:

Snacks Is Famous

And soon Best Coast will be too. Cannot wait for their record to finally come out July 27th! With an album cover like that you just can't go wrong.

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

No one really likes spring cleaning, but sometimes a newly discovered item can jump start the process. This may not be the most affordable way to organize the many things that clutter your desk, but it sure does look pretty. I like the idea of organizing smaller tools and everyday items without having to hide them away in a drawer. Everything has it's special place in the Uten.Silo, and the requisite 'junk drawer' ceases to exist. Designed in the late 1960s as plastic became increasingly popular, the Uten.Silo was both playful and utilitarian - a household item that emanates both style and a sense of humor. Thankfully it's been reissued by the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, and although it'll cost you a pretty penny it's definitely an item that lasts a lifetime.

All Is Love

"If you are lonely or bone-tired or blue, you need only come down from your perch and step outside. New York — which is to say, New Yorkers — will take care of you." - Bill Hayes for the New York Times.

The Thin Red Line

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

Vintage objects tell a story, and it's up to us to listen. Whether it's an old toy, a vase, or a set of vintage postcards, it's hard to imagine how many tales can be spun from just one item. Outside of New York City, it's easy to stumble across pristine vintage finds (I'm talking about you Detroit!), but within the confines of this city these gems are rare and pricey. However, some stores in Manhattan and its boroughs, continue to pride themselves on amassing items that evoke the beauty of the past without a hefty fee. Le Grenier (pictured above) is located on the waterfront in Greenpoint, just a few subway stops away from the city. The owner Maya Marzolf is a former producer of fashion photography who has worked with Steven Meisel and Mark Seliger, so you know her aesthetic is romantic and warm. The store is full of great antiques and housewares, and they also provide prop rentals for photo, film and other special events. Thankfully, they even carry replica Edison bulbs which are surprisingly hard to find in a city that is obsessed with recreating retro looks in both public and private spaces. But if you thought for one minute that Le Grenier was anything but authentic, think again. Marzolf's own home was recently featured on a blog, and although she "consider[ed] it a bit cringe-worthy to be “promoting” [her] own house" she spoke eloquently about the experience:

"I choose to share my own space with you just to illustrate that what I’m doing here at Le Grenier truly is a labor of love. As one of my dear friends phrased it, what better way to illustrate that my style is sincere? What I offer you at Le Grenier is not just something that I’m trying to sell; instead, it’s an aesthetic and lifestyle in which I myself partake."

And what a lovely aesthetic and lifestyle it is. Take a peek at Le Grenier's website, or saunter over to Brooklyn to check it out in person.

The Age of Blossoms

Wong Kar-wai's films are like photographs strung together with music and motion. His film In the Mood for Love is a perfect example of this. Set in Hong Kong in the 60s, the film tells the story of two people who become neighbors by chance, and soon realize that their spouses are cheating on them with each other. There's a quiet sadness to their relationship, and their rather innocent relationship becomes a place of solace and comfort. In the clip below we see the beginning of their relationship forming - the physical proximity of the two characters, coupled with the lethargic pace of the scene build an almost unbearable amount of tension. It's hard to explain just how powerful the performances, cinematography, and music are in this film, so it's best to start with a short clip. Whet your appetite with this, and then watch the film in its entirety as soon as you can.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time to eat eat eat! I can't wait! Enjoy the holiday fun. I'll be back to blogging (and healthy living) on Monday.

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

Adorning your walls with art can be overwhelming, so why not solve the problem with a temporary fix? Wall decals are an easy way to add strong visual focus to a room, without the permanence of paint or the stress of hanging heavy artwork. There are companies that can design your very own vinyl decal, while others have a wide array of styles to choose from. Etsy is a great place to to find decals that are both unique and reasonably priced. ShaNickers based in Florida will even frame your very own text in a decal like the one pictured above. So get stickin' and breathe some much needed life into your bare walls.

All Eyes On Precious

So much has already been written about Precious, that writing another positive review seems redundant. With that said I'll just keep it simple: see this film. You won't regret it. Like a Zora Neale Hurston novel, the film is rife with despair, introspection and despite it all a good dose of hope. The performances are utter perfection. From newcomer Gabourney Sibide to Mo'Nique, Paula Patton and Mariah Carey, this film showcases the thespian within them all.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? No Way!

Maybe it's just the mentality of a perpetual renter, but every time I enter a space, especially in New York City, I always think about it's history. What was this before it became what it is today? What words were spoken here 20 years ago? 40? 50? Did some tragic or joyful event transpire in the very place I stand? I'm happy that I'm not the only one that thinks this way, as evidenced by an article today in the New York Times. The photography above is of 316 E 59th Street in Manhattan. The first two pictures were taken in the 1930s, and the last picture was taken this year. But these aren't just personal pieces of memorabilia: between 1938 and 1943, 700,000 black-and-white images, known as tax photos, were taken to make property assessments in addition to creating a jobs program for the federal Works Progress Administration. Once again in the 1980s, a second set of 800,000 photos was taken, also for tax purposes. These images document the changes that transpire in a city, but also highlight the constants that stand the test of time. The architecture that peppers NYC is more important than we think, and it takes a second glance to really appreciate the fact that an old building can shelter both old and new souls alike.

Flu'ed Up

I have a horrible case of the flu and didn't have the strength or time to blog yesterday (I slept from 5:30pm until 2pm today) - here's a little something to quell my guilt:

It's Funny Cuz It's True

And The Beat Goes On...

Yesterday I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to check out an amazing new exhibition displaying photographer/filmaker Robert Frank's famous 1958 book The Americans. Frank counted Walker Evans, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac amongst his friends, so I expected big things from his black and white snapshots. I was not disappointed. The Swiss born photographer's ability to move in and out of every stratus of society was unmatched. In 1955 he traveled across the country by car, visiting every nook and cranny of American society. From bikers and nomads, to politicians and bankers, Frank captured thousands of faces along the way. When looking at all of his images side by side, what struck me the most was the power he was able to evoke by capturing a split second in time. Whether it's a look of desperation, or one of rebellion, The Americans is the quintessential accompaniment for anyone who relishes in the Beat Generation, and their unique view of the world.

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

When it comes to fashion we can't get enough patterns and color statements, but somehow once we step into the confines of our homes that love disappears. I'm not sure why color within interior design is regarded with such trepidation - when you really think about it, it's just as temporary as a brightly hued blouse, or a pair of sassy red heels. If you think you've made a terrible mistake, or you just want to try something new, it's incredibly easy to slap on some white primer and start all over again.

Jewel tones are the perfect way to liven up your space, without sacrificing a sense of light and space. Dark colors have a tendency to make a space seem smaller, but by using saturated colors in small doses like with an expertly positioned accent wall, or some choice accessories, you can create a memorable look. As you can probably tell by now, I'm very proud of my own NYC pad (pictured above,) and I did it all with some elbow grease, a keen eye for sales, and a bucket of paint. Jewel tones can take you anywhere, from the Mod meets Rococo of my apartment, to the Moroccan glow of this space. Just repeat the following mantra: I am not afraid of color, I am not afraid of color!

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

After living with room mates for over 5 years, both in the Midwest and then in NYC, I was officially 'over it'. I didn't want to deal with any more confrontations about toilet paper, or dirty dishes, and that coupled with circumstance led to my introduction to solo living. I'll admit I was a little apprehensive at first, but within two days of signing my lease I was already conjuring up interior design plans for my first real apartment. Like most projects I take on, I was meticulous about every detail, from color scheme to hardware and lighting, and the final result is something that I'm extremely proud of. When people first step into my apartment, they're often taken aback by the overall ambiance, and I think that has a lot to do with the high quality feel I created on a very tight budget. I'm always happy to tell newcomers about the great bargains I found, and I give out interior design tips like it's my job. (I wish!)

I've always admired the craftsmanship, and detail found in antique book plates, and they're the perfect addition to any wall. Audubon prints fall into this genre, but are generally out of my price range. I've found beautiful framed prints in antique shops and mainstream home decor stores, but again the price point is always outrageous. So after months of searching I was ecstatic when I happened upon an East Village gem, Pageant Prints. Originally known as Pageant Book Shop, the store was founded in 1946, and showcased used and rare books. It's even been featured in films like Woody Allen's 'Hannah and Her Sisters'. Pageant is a place that exudes a sense of history, and for the most part it still remains a New York City secret. Like many businesses that have stood the test of time in the Big Apple, Pageant has had to make some changes, but what remains today is a tiny shop full of well priced, well preserved original antique prints and maps. You can find almost anything your heart desires here, and you won't deplete your bank account in the process. I'd estimate that at least fifty percent of the art work in my apartment is from Pageant, and I can always count on them to quell my need for new pieces. Definitely worth the visit whether you're an NYC resident or a visitor, you'll leave with a smile on your face, and a little piece of history in your hands.