HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Im a little late on the holiday wishings, but today is New Years and in the good spirit of the new year, I wish everyone a happy holidays! If you are starting a new years resolution, wether to eat healthier, save more money or to be a little more glamourous everyday, stick to it!! Mine happens to be to blog more, so expect more blog posts in the near future!

On to the main point of the post, one of the most exciting things about the holidays in New York are the Bergdorf Goodman windows. From all of the years from my memory and pictures, my fathers jewelry was showcased in the BG holiday windows. We used to visit the windows the night it opened and take turns posing in front of the windows!

In this mornings NYT, Bill Cunnigham had his usual street spotting page, but was inspired by the Under the Sea BG window. He had the BG window as his main inspiration, which I also pictured below.

NYT page of street fashion and inspiration from the BG 'Under the Sea' windows 

 My favorite window was the 'Under the Sea' window on 5th ave. It is decorated with gorgeous fish mosaics, coral reefs, and 20 pieces of Dweck jewelry (I literally stood there for 10 minutes counting over and over again!)

 Most of the SD pieces were from the archives, and some were new, on sale now. My father did a lot of bronze and silver starfish with precious stones in the middle, like aquamarine. Many of the pieces included coral, sea shells, mother-of-pearl and other precious materials from the bottom of the ocean.

Click here to find out where you have seen this necklace before!!

This is also a piece you've seen before!

 As children we always used to take turns taking pictures of each other posing in front of our father's name, we looked forward to it each year!!

 Another window was inspired by wood, and the window was filled with prop animals and some jewelry. (sorry about the glare, but it was really beautiful!)

The mannequin wore a SD wood bead necklace and bronze tiger eye cuff.

 This was another beautiful window, entirely decorated with copper and birds of all shapes and sizes. The entire floor was covered with pennies and the walls were copper bird wings! But one of the most spectacular pieces was the vintage SD birdcage necklace. Its so fun to try on, but it literally weighs 10 pounds!

 The mannequin holds the birdcage necklace and wears a bronze smoky quartz cuff

Have you seen the windows..which was your favorite? If you answered no and your in the area, go see them!! The windows are easy to find because of the massive crowds in front all taking pictures! 

I also wish everyone a wonderful, successful, happy and healthy new year!!! 

xo, Caroline

FASHION AS ART

The Spring 2012 fashion shows that showed this past September offered a lot more to the industry than neon trends and color blocking. I know this since I have spent too many hours scouring Style.com and even more hours writing my art history papers, but I found a compromise! 
I pulled together my favorite runway looks and favorite paintings that I learned this past semester and developed a paper combining my two passions. These pairs that I have put together are a mix of whimsy and imagination, but other suggestions are welcome. Enjoy!


The first pair is inspired by my favorite designers', the Mulleavy sister of Rodarte and thier rendition of Van Gogh's The Starry Night, (which happens to be the cover of my 15 lb. textbook!)

 And another Rodarte dress inspired by Van Gogh's other masterpiece Sunflowers.

This magical photograph is from this month's Vogue, The Cult of Beauty, shot by Stephen Meisel. 

Below is the original painting of Ophelia, by John Everett Millais, a Pre- Raphaelite painter.

 This pair doesnt need any explanation! The Dolce & Gabbana collection was a mix of sexy,fun, and healthy, that  made me think of Gustave Caillebott's Fruit Displayed on a Stand. The entire D&G collection had prints including something from the stand, with additions of hot chile peppers, eggplants and cucumbers!
 

This dress designed by master Oscar de la Renta is breathtaking in cream tulle and a red silk ribbon, very reminiscent of Eugene Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People.

(Which also happens to be the album cover of Coldplay's Viva La VIda)

 

Here, Florence from Florence and the Machine sings at the Chanel SS 2012 show in a seashell, one that inspired my post, Under the Sea! At right is what I assume is the inspiration for her look, the spectacular painting by Sandro Bottecelli of Birth of Venus. Both the singer and the artist are my absolute favorites!

And now I MUST get back to studying for my Art History final! Wish me luck!!

UNDER THE SEA

The spring summer shows ended last week in Paris, concluding the bi-annual fashion month frenzy. As much as it is a drag to scroll through all the shows I possible can, I love it. I love seeing the clothes up close in details, I love the behind the scenes beauty shots and I love the trends that I can prepare my self for, for the coming Spring months. The absolutely BEST trend, is the Under the Sea spectacle, reminding me that The Little Mermaid was and still is my favorite Disney movie. 

I put together my favorite looks of the trend and pulled pieces from the Dweck archive. I will definitely be looking for inspiration for this spring, so charming! All fashion show looks from style.com

The Chanel spectacle, so lovely in white and pastels

A Chanel look with a very cool seashell purse

An iridescent, fish scale looking Chanel

A gorgeous metallic Giles piece

As usual, a gorgeous Mcqueen closing look

And Dweck pieces, some brand new and some from the 80's!

Varieties of shell earrings

Pearl and aquamarine chokers, the right my mother wore at her wedding!

Very literal under the sea pieces

A statement Mother of Pearl piece

FATHERS DAY BRUNCH

This past Sunday was Father's Day, and every year I wake up early to make a brunch. Since this is my first year being a vegan, my typical menu changed a bit, but it was still delicious. I used vegetables from the farmers market and strawberries from our garden. The best part was when everyone sat down, ate and literally showered me with compliments!!

I hope you had a great day and to all the fathers, happy fathers day!

Our father's day brunch, which I made at way too early in the morning

 On the menu: clockwise starting from fresh berries, vegan cranberry-orange scones with homemade berry jam, spicy tempeh and tomato, wilted greens (spinach, artichokes and peas) and toasted pine nuts, roasted potatoes with stinging nettle pesto (a farmers market tangy green)

The menu revamped vegan

The homemade vegan scones and jam served on some
of the milk glass my parents collect at flea markets

Vegan scones, spread with earth balance and jam
I made from berries reduced in water and agave

The stools I got my father for fathers day. We have similar ones from Mexico,
but these Serena and Lily ones were too cute to pass up.

THE COVETEUR

The Coveteur is an online website that showcases designers, editors and fashion mavens most coveted possession, their closet! Each post is full with juicy details of their favorite pieces, whether a gift from a designer, their grandmother or a great sample sale find, every piece has a story. Last weeks post on Kate Davidson Hudson, the Accessories Director at ELLE, showed her collection of jewelry, including a Dweck ring! 


Check out the full story HERE and view the photo below

Second from left, a Dweck faceted malachite ring

In addition to The Coveteur, I religiously follow a few other websites and blogs for inspiration. My favorites include: the hilarious Man Repeller, the very informative Into the Gloss, and the very fun yet chic Teen Vogue tumblr.


Do you know or have a favorite blog or website I should check out?? Tell me!!!

-Caroline

CFDA TRAVEL BOOK

The CFDA, the ultra chic and exclusive council of American fashion designers, came out with their latest book. In 2009, the CFDA published the American Fashion Cookbook, showcasing designers personal recipes and illustrations. My father included our family's beloved Arroz Con Pollo, a Cuban staple and an all around favorite. My grandma, my fathers mother, is from Cuba, and although she cooks unbelievable Cuban dishes, this dish is our favorite! Below is the recipe and gorgeous illustration found in the book.
 

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (remove skin, if desired)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
6 cloves of garlic, diced
1 large green pepper, chopped
4 plum tomatoes (canned whole tomatoes), chopped
1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed, chopped finely
2 bay leaves
1 packet of Goya Sazon seasoning
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1 can of beer
4 tbsp. cider vinegar
Roasted red peppers
Frozen peas, thawed
Capers
2 saffron threads

Instructions:
1. Place onions, tomatoes, green peppers, jalapeño pepper and garlic in a wide, shallow pot.
2. Add capers, green olives, bay leaves, oregano and olive oil. Sauté for 15 minutes until stew-like.
3. Add chicken, water, and vinegar. Cover and simmer until chicken is tender. Don't overcook. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Add rice to vegetable mixture and simmer uncovered until water is absorbed. Then add one can of beer and saffron. Cover and simmer until rice is soft.
5. To serve, place rice on a large platter or serving dish. Place chicken over rice and garnish with roasted red peppers and green peas.

NOW..Back to the point of this post, the CFDA just introduced their latest book, American Fashion Travel, highlighting designers' personal photos and travel tips. My father is featured again and makes a cameo in one of the photos! A few months ago, my mom and I, helped my father put together a collage of my father's room keys. The final photo looks great and the page is so inspiring!

The book. SO chic on the bench in the hallway.


Below, my fathers page. My mom, Sarise, also makes a semi-cameo!

The photos in clockwise order: the collage of room keys, my father in the Ramon Crater in Israel (trust me I was there, in the dead of summer it felt like over 100 degrees!), and a mosaic in Barcelona

NOTE: Both books are inspiring, beautiful and glamorous. Check them out.
Also, we are all avid cooks, chefs and bakers. We also happen to enjoy eating the food! I hope you enjoy the recipe and personal comments. We love to share!


-Caroline