It's About Time!

Nooka watches are amazingly cool. The inventor, who created these watches, came up with a new way to graphically represent time. Not to mention these watches are super slick! I couldn't resist getting one for Brad for Christmas. I think he likes "decoding" the time. Check them out.

http://www.nooka.com/

Oscar Fashion!

I have to admit, I love fashion! So I thought I would share some thoughts on the latest red carpet wows from the Academy Awards. Here are my top 5:


5. Helen Mirren in George Chakra


This stunning cranberry gown complements her curves without begging the question of age. Every time she hits the red carpet she does it with grace and style...can you believe shes 62! wow!



4. Amy Adams in Proenza Schouler


Love the dress, love the color! Great choice for her complexion and hair color. Proenza Schouler recently designed a line for Target, which apparently is the IN thing for designers to do these days. All of which I thought was thoroughly "crap-tastic"! I had high hopes, yet they were dashed. So the wonder of Proenza Schouler will only be on the backs of those not shopping at a local big-box discounter. bummer.


3. Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera


Renee slinks along the red carpet in the slit-up-to-there, sliver wower. Carolina seems to have followed her muse, Renee, yet again to the event. My only negative on her styling would be that she looks very very hungry. Someone should feed her. I have to admit, I love the glitz with the silver!


2. Katherine Heigl in Escada


Katherine is a fetching member of "team red" this year with her chic Escada gown. Lovely lines, and fabulous color highlight her many enviable assets. Unfortunately, the hair and make up have gone terribly terribly wrong. Her typically dewy skin is buried under what seems like industrial spackle. Surprisingly she was able to "say cheese" without any noticeable cracking.


1. Heidi Klum in Galliano

Heidi has not only proved to the world that she knows fashion, but lucky for us has also lent her wisdom to those in need on "Project Runway".... and for this, Heidi, we are all in your debt. But on to the subject at hand, the dress. What I love most about the ensemble is that it is both elegant and old-school Hollywood glam at the same time. I'm in awe!

Images: thanks to msn.com

Spencer Finch: "What Time Is It On The Sun?"

The last time we went to MassMOCA in North Adams, MA we were taken aback by an installation exhibition by Spencer Finch. The artist, Spencer Finch, works with color, light and sensation as he explores memory and perception. Many of his works are the simple recordings of everyday phenomena he has experienced, such as the various colors that occur in his nightly dreams. He rigorously catalogues these experiences of color and perception, and re-presents them in a way that makes the viewer reexamine their own notions of memory. I was particularly impressed by his attention to the subtly of perception. One of his works tries to capture the subtle wind shifts over Walden Pond throughout the day. Although this may seem mundane, the experience he creates transports the viewer to the pond where Thoreau sought the same simplicity of existence himself. I was truly inspired leaving his exhibition! Check out the review from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/19/arts/design/19moca.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Restaurant Review: Baraka Cafe

I decided to include a new occasional posting for inspirational restaurant/food reviews. For the first of this series I wanted to talk about Baraka Cafe in Cambridge, MA. Baraka Cafe is a little neighborhood restaurant specializing in Tunisian cuisine. The owner/chef, Alia, has created an environment that immediately transports the diner to North Africa. Some of the specialties of the house include savory cheeses with figs, a softer-than-air chic pea souffle, fall-off-the-bone lamb, and couscous like you've never tasted before. I don't think they could serve a bad dish if they tried. Everything on the menu that we have tried (and we have tried most) is phenomenal, and an experience. One of the most notable items on the menu is the lemonade, which is flavored with rose water, honey, and mint (although the true recipe is a well guarded secrete). Every time I leave Baraka Cafe I feel like I've just taken a little vacation away from Cambridge. I highly recommend it!
http://www.barakacafe.com/

Make Me Up

This weekend I was talking with my close friend, Chrissy, about make up for the wedding. I have been deeply devoted to mineral powder foundation for years. I love the finish, coverage, and how light it feels on my skin. I have tried various brands, which I can review in another post later if there is interest. Chrissy mentioned that she had heard that mineral power foundations don't photograph well, and therefore should not be used for the wedding! I tried to find evidence of this on the internet, without any luck. Have any of you heard about this?? Say it aint so!

Also, I am still looking for a good make up artist for the wedding. Any suggestions?

Flour's Famous Banana Bread!

I found this recipe for banana bread on the Food Network website. It is from one of the best bakeries in Boston, Flour! Brad and I have made this recipe several times, and it is always amazing! Great for a cold winter day! Enjoy! Here it is: Banana Bread Recipe

Rat-a-pult!

I love this image from the grafitti artist, Banksy! Check out more of his work:

http://www.banksy.co.uk/

Silent Dance Experiment....Shhhhh!

I just heard about Banditos Misteriosos recently. They are conducting a "Silent Dance Experiment" tomorrow in Faneuil Hall at 1pm. I am intrigued. If any of you go, please post comment here! What a crazy/cool idea. Read more about it: http://www.misteriosos.org/

Theo Jansen: Strandbeest

Theo Jansen is a biologist turned artist who creates amazingly evocative "animal" sculptures. We got to see his work "in the flesh" a few months ago at MassMOCA. I'm in awe! Here is his website: http://www.strandbeest.com/

Don't miss the videos of his work walking on the beach!

Phun with Physics

Phun is meant to be a playground where people can be creative. It can also be used as an educational tool to learn about physics concepts such as restitution and friction.

You can download Phun and play around with it yourself!

http://www.acc.umu.se/~emilk/

Watch it in action on youtube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0H5g9VS0ENM

Venus Magazine: Emerging Creativity

I came across Venus Magazine one day when I was paroosing the magazine section at Newbury Comics in Cambridge. When I saw it, the cover had an amazing pic of Dita Von Teese and promises of great DIY projects within. I couldn't resist the allure of a magazine focused on "women in music, art, film, fashion, diy culture"! Really really cool! Check it out:

http://www.venuszine.com/

Hawaiian Hula-day!

So, have any of you been to Hawaii? We haven't, but hope to go for our honeymoon. Do you have any suggestions about what islands to visit? Where to stay to save some cash? Where to eat? We need advice. Any and all comments welcome about our 50th state!

Geek Love

This is from Brad's favorite web comic. I particularly liked this one.

www.xkcd.com

Meeting with Caterer

We are having a tasting with our caterer next week! I am so excited! I need some advice. What questions are "must ask" questions? Readers, help me out and post some of the questions you think we should not forget to ask!

Regina Spektor

I recently found the Regina Specktor website, and thought I would share! She is an amazing singer/songwriter/pianist from NY. I particularly like her web site, because you can stream her albums through the radio player option. Check her out!

http://www.reginaspektor.com/

DWR Champagne Cork Chairs

Brad and I designed and made a champagne cork chair for the Design Within Reach contest a few weeks back. We were one of the 50 finalists in the design contest! These little chairs are so cute and so tiny! Each were made from the cork, wire and foil from one bottle of champagne. Here are the other finalists: http://dwr.typepad.com/designnotes/2008/02/top-50-champagn.html

Bouquet/Sculpture

I was chatting today about our wedding with a coworker. The subject of what I will be carrying down the isle came up. I'm still undecided. I really like cala lilies, but haven't settled on a florist. Any suggestions about inspired florists who think out of the box? Readers, I need your help! I'd love to hear suggestions.

Swim in Style

Ester Williams was the swimming siren of Hollywood's golden era. Now she has a swim line inspired by the era that made her famous. I'm in love with these suits. I bought one last season, and now want one in every color! They have great retro styling that is both sexy and conservative at the same time, and who dosen't love a suit that is covered in little cherries. Now that Brad and I are planning a honeymoon in Hawaii I have the perfect excuse to add to my collection.

http://www.retrodress.com/otherstuffsix.html

CB2: Other Crate and Barrel

I've always liked Crate and Barrel, but somehow wished it was just a little bit funkier. Well, welcome to CB2. CB2 is like the cooler little sister to Crate and Barrel. You can find great barware and colorful Andy Warhol inspired dishes. Love it! Check it out:

http://www.cb2.com/

Fab Retro Hair!

This website has step by step vintage instructions to achieve perfect pin curls! Now you can have that classic Hollywood glam hair! I was impressed with the vintage photos that go along with the instructions. Check them out to get great pin curls, fingerwaves and rolls! Va-va-voom!

http://www.nocturne.com/swing/hair/pincurls/pincurls.html

Going to the Chapel, and We're Gonna Get Married

Today's Muse: the Kresge Chapel

We thought a lot about the location for the wedding. It was hard to pick a location that meant something to both of us. We had the opportunity to do the wedding at the Kresge Chapel at MIT designed by the architect Eero Saarinen, because Brad went to MIT for his PhD. I am an architect, and Brad is a scientist who loves design...so this was the perfect place for us! The image to the left is an interior shot. I love the cascade of light down the Bertoia sculpture! Here is the wikipedia article about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_Chapel