TVC 15

I Was Told There'd Be Cake

Sloane Crosley has been compared to David Sedaris and other masters of quick witted scoundral-ism ever since the release of I Was Told There’d Be Cake last year. I was wary of this diagnosis, as I believe Sedaris to be a genius who I would follow to the ends of the earth (have you ever heard him read his own work on public radio? Ah-mazing!). I did, however, come to develop a special place in my heart for this new, critically acclaimed author.
Crosley is perfectly unselfconscious and even somewhat narcissistic in her writing style. Her stories are seen solely through her eyes, filtered exclusively through her quirky interpretations, and yet somehow they bare a startling resemblance to pieces of our own experiences. Her observations are often a little dark and always a lot funny, and there is a suburban quality to her work that I particularly like (one that reminds me of ho-hum afternoons spent listening to the squeak of empty swing sets swaying over deserted tanbark playgrounds-- does anyone else have this memory?). It is here in the day-to-day that the author finds these lovely poignant moments, the ones that are so special because we've all had them, even if we could not articulate them. In a style that is brilliantly plain and clever Crosley tells the stories we all wish we knew how to tell-- stories of our families, of where we grew up, of who we are, of who we wish we were, and of the plans we've made for our unborn Flemish children. With all this wit there is nothing left for one to do than laugh, reflect, and eagerly read on. It is my humble opinion that Ms. Crosley deserves all the praise she has received.

I've seen love go by my door

Yes, Sir!

I would have to say that the east coast equivalent of House of Hengst would have to be, in my eyes at least, Brooklyn's own Sir. Located on both Atlantic Avenue, in what real estate agents might call "Brooklyn Heights", and on Bedford Ave., in the heart of hipsterville (eh hem, I mean williamsburg), Sir is another carefully constructed collection of vintage-inspired clothing being manufactured on a small scale with craft and beauty. The line's designer, Joanna Baum, describes her pieces as having "Parisian sensibilities" and a “pretty, roughed-up look”, which to me sounds just about perfect. Gauzy, sexy, sheer, sophisticated and all with a touch of vixen is what I see whenever I stop into the Atlantic Ave. shop (which is frequently, as it is just around the corner from my house). I imagine Baum's pieces to be wearable either to the office or, with a touch of ruby-red lipstick, out for drinks in the later hours. More so, they are perfect if you want to go for a slightly more worldly version of Maggie Gyllenhaal's look in Secretary. Which, coincidentally, I do. Now, where did I put that pencil skirt?

Don't wait too long

House of perfection

It may be old news to some, but I just couldn't fight the urge to write about one of San Francisco's star boutiques, House of Hengst. Though the studio and it's owner (the ever lovely Ms. Susan Hengst) have been a favorite of mine for years, I am continually surprised and delighted by each new collection, and Spring/Summer 09 is no exception. Having been in the Mission street flagship store just last week on a whirlwind San Francisco trip, I was once again wowed by the vintage-inspired creations of Ms. Hengst. The fluid and fabulous 70's inspired dresses and jumpsuits, the high waisted jeans, and the dreamy comfy lounge wear are all hallmarks of a line that is truly unigue and diverse. Some of the pieces are more akin to lounge wear and come in lovely neutral colors. Other styles are more slinky-sexy and fashion-forward, and still others are 100% modern classics (think Audrey Hepburn inspired poufy silk dresses). You can't go wrong here- whatever piece you choose is bound to become a favorite for years to come. The fact that the studio actually makes the clothes on location, and that the decor is made of ever-rotating artists’ creations, makes this indie boutique more of a gallery than anything else. Both the clothing and the atmosphere are truly works of art. Though the designer has relocated to Manhattan (hurray!) in the past few years, she can often be found checking in on her SF studio, no doubt whipping up brilliant creations for next season's wonderful collection.

Sparkle, shine, and glow

The 4th is just a little less than a month away and I'm already think-think-thinking about how I will spend it. Where will I be? New York or California? Will I see the sky light up from the beaches in the west or from the banks of the east river in the east? Maybe, if I can't decide, I'll be sure to be on a plane that night. That way, when it comes to fireworks, I can have it all. I'll watch them from above, all the way from one side of the U.S. to the other. And you? Where will you be? On a roof top? A barge? With friends? Alone? In bed, with your head safely buried under the covers? Let's not celebrate our independence independently. It's never too early to start planning when sparklers are involved.