Photo in frame by Eileen Travell
All you need is time, art supplies, and the frame; this could be a great project to do with friends or kids!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Make It Your Own
When you are framing something large, framing can get expensive very quickly. One great solution is to buy frames at Ikea and make them your own. The key is to buy frames that are made of natural, unfinished wood. I just used markers on this frame.
Photo in frame by Eileen Travell
All you need is time, art supplies, and the frame; this could be a great project to do with friends or kids!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Photo in frame by Eileen Travell
All you need is time, art supplies, and the frame; this could be a great project to do with friends or kids!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Outstanding Otto!
Otto is a very casual restaurant owned by Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich, and Mark Ladner.
The amazing view from our table made us feel like we were on vacation.
Iced tea refills, what more could I ask for?!
We ordered 2 pizzas as appetizers. I guess I was pretty hungry because I forgot to take pictures of them! They were both excellent; one was potato, anchovy, and ricotta and the other was tomato, anchovy, capers, chilies, and mozzarella.
Bucatini with guanciale, onion, and black pepper
Linguine with zucchini, chilies, mint and bottarga
Penne with sweet Italian sausage, garlic and escarole
I had the penne alla Norma (tomato, basil, roasted eggplant, buffalo ricotta) which I very highly recommend; it was off the charts delicious.
The gelati and sorbetti are hand-made daily, and come in many unusual flavors such as salty caramel, olive oil, lemon verbena blackberry swirl, and lemon basil. The gelati and sorbetti are not to be missed.
Espresso with whipped cream and vanilla gelato
Another Excellent Dessert
The prices are extremely reasonable. All the pastas are $9, and the pizzas are from $9 to $14. Because Otto is such a great value, it gets
out of 3 glasses of iced tea
Otto's Vitals
1 Fifth Avenue, at 8th Street
(212) 995-9559
Otto's website
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Superfabulous Paperclips
Look at what you can make with paperclips. I think it's a pretty cool bib necklace!
You can make many awesome things with paperclips. This Paperclip Chandelier made by Drew Leshko was my inspiration.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Monday, July 28, 2008
I Heart Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Part III)
As my sista and I were leaving the penthouse, Ruben asked us if we had seen Isabel's studio downstairs; since we had not, we HAD to check it out! Even going from the penthouse to the studio was easy on the eyes. It's like visiting a museum.
As we approached the door to the studio, these mannequins and lions welcomed us.
She was ready for her close-up.
Isabel's studio is divided into 3 spaces: her office, her sewing room and a hallway connecting the two.
This is her office. Everything about it is beautiful, and artfully arranged. Although with Isabel and Ruben, you get the sense that it all occurs naturally and unintentionally and wherever and whenever they happen to lay something down it becomes part of a magical composition.
Behind the Desks
A Newspaper Clipping about the Isabel Toledo Ensemble Worn by Michelle Obama and Isabel and Ruben at the Met's Costume Institute Gala
I had written a post about Michelle Obama's style or lack thereof, Is Michelle Obama Stylish?, but Isabel Toledo + Tom Binns = Total Superfabulousness. I've never seen Michelle look better!
More Brilliantly Arranged Stuff behind the Desks
This mirror hung high on the wall looks majestic; upon closer inspection, you can see the common materials used in its construction.
Even the dress form looks like a work of art.
This dress stands guard in front of Isabel's office. I love this dress in all its seeming simplicity.
The details at the neck are exquisite.
In the hallway, there were racks of magnificent dresses. I wanted to try every single one of them on.
Her sewing machine is a thing of beauty, at least to my eyes. And to think, this simple machine is capable of making such a glorious collection. Of course, Isabel's ingenuity is the driving force behind the machine's accomplishments.
The fabric of and the details on this dress caught my eye.
I'm a huge fan of trompe l'oeil! The fabric is so rich looking.
This mannequin decorated by Ruben would look great in the dress above.
Come to think of it, this mannequin would look great in anything or nothing!
I hope you enjoyed the Studio tour!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
As we approached the door to the studio, these mannequins and lions welcomed us.
She was ready for her close-up.
Isabel's studio is divided into 3 spaces: her office, her sewing room and a hallway connecting the two.
This is her office. Everything about it is beautiful, and artfully arranged. Although with Isabel and Ruben, you get the sense that it all occurs naturally and unintentionally and wherever and whenever they happen to lay something down it becomes part of a magical composition.
Behind the Desks
A Newspaper Clipping about the Isabel Toledo Ensemble Worn by Michelle Obama and Isabel and Ruben at the Met's Costume Institute Gala
I had written a post about Michelle Obama's style or lack thereof, Is Michelle Obama Stylish?, but Isabel Toledo + Tom Binns = Total Superfabulousness. I've never seen Michelle look better!
More Brilliantly Arranged Stuff behind the Desks
This mirror hung high on the wall looks majestic; upon closer inspection, you can see the common materials used in its construction.
Even the dress form looks like a work of art.
This dress stands guard in front of Isabel's office. I love this dress in all its seeming simplicity.
The details at the neck are exquisite.
In the hallway, there were racks of magnificent dresses. I wanted to try every single one of them on.
Her sewing machine is a thing of beauty, at least to my eyes. And to think, this simple machine is capable of making such a glorious collection. Of course, Isabel's ingenuity is the driving force behind the machine's accomplishments.
The fabric of and the details on this dress caught my eye.
I'm a huge fan of trompe l'oeil! The fabric is so rich looking.
This mannequin decorated by Ruben would look great in the dress above.
Come to think of it, this mannequin would look great in anything or nothing!
I hope you enjoyed the Studio tour!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Friday, July 25, 2008
I Heart Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Part II)
Now that you know your way around the penthouse (from Part I), it's time to meet some of the superfabulous celebrants.
Nichelle (who has an excellent blog of her own, 55 Secret Street) shared some cocktails and secrets from the blogging world with my sista and me.
Patrick McDonald is chatting up Carmen Dell 'Orefice. Doesn't her blouse look excellent against the backdrop of the wall mural?
As my sista and I were snooping around the apartment, we came across this doll. I thought it was a doll modeled after the great Isabel Toledo. My sista thought that Ruben saw the doll and bought it because it looked just like Isabel and was named Izzy. We had to find the honoree immediately to congratulate her, of course, and to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Well, I'll put it to you this way, my sista hit the nail on the head. You can learn a lot from your little sista. Isabel and my sista posing for the camera.
My sista and I were just hanging out, and who walked by, but none other than Matthew Modine. My sista thought he looked familiar, and I told her he was probably someone she knew from boarding school. Afterall, most celebs look like someone you went to high school or college with before you realize who they are. Matthew thought my sista looked familiar so they started chatting. I asked Matthew if I could get a picture of him with my sista, and Patrick McMullan (celeb photographer extraordinaire) took my camera and offered to get the three of us. Bonus for me!
Two stylin' guests enjoying the evening. The girl on the left is wearing 3.1 Phillip Lim and a Chanel bag, and the girl on the right is wearing Kloset, a new designer label from Thailand.
I'm a huge fan of the union jack so I had to get this picture of the Baroness who by the way is a very genteel lady.
Lastly, I leave you with Ruben Toledo, a very gracious host, and as usual Isabel is on his mind (note: painting above his right shoulder).
Because the remaining guests are so famous, I leave you with a list: Simon Doonan of Barney's, Linda Fargo of Bergdorf's, Kate Hudson, Maria Cornejo, Cecilia Dean of Visionaire, Iris Apfel (there was an exhibit of her clothes at the Met), Pamela Fiori of Town & Country, Marjorie Gubelmann Raein, Gillian Miniter, Narciso Rodriguez, Cynthia Rowley, Stan Herman, Vera Wang, Gabi, Ange and Adi of ThreeAsFour, Bill Cunningham of the New York Times, Mickey Boardman of Paper, Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal, Yigal Azrouel, Michael Vollbracht and Cathy Hardwick.
Next week I will show you Isabel's studio. Have a great weekend!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Nichelle (who has an excellent blog of her own, 55 Secret Street) shared some cocktails and secrets from the blogging world with my sista and me.
Patrick McDonald is chatting up Carmen Dell 'Orefice. Doesn't her blouse look excellent against the backdrop of the wall mural?
As my sista and I were snooping around the apartment, we came across this doll. I thought it was a doll modeled after the great Isabel Toledo. My sista thought that Ruben saw the doll and bought it because it looked just like Isabel and was named Izzy. We had to find the honoree immediately to congratulate her, of course, and to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Well, I'll put it to you this way, my sista hit the nail on the head. You can learn a lot from your little sista. Isabel and my sista posing for the camera.
My sista and I were just hanging out, and who walked by, but none other than Matthew Modine. My sista thought he looked familiar, and I told her he was probably someone she knew from boarding school. Afterall, most celebs look like someone you went to high school or college with before you realize who they are. Matthew thought my sista looked familiar so they started chatting. I asked Matthew if I could get a picture of him with my sista, and Patrick McMullan (celeb photographer extraordinaire) took my camera and offered to get the three of us. Bonus for me!
Two stylin' guests enjoying the evening. The girl on the left is wearing 3.1 Phillip Lim and a Chanel bag, and the girl on the right is wearing Kloset, a new designer label from Thailand.
I'm a huge fan of the union jack so I had to get this picture of the Baroness who by the way is a very genteel lady.
Lastly, I leave you with Ruben Toledo, a very gracious host, and as usual Isabel is on his mind (note: painting above his right shoulder).
Because the remaining guests are so famous, I leave you with a list: Simon Doonan of Barney's, Linda Fargo of Bergdorf's, Kate Hudson, Maria Cornejo, Cecilia Dean of Visionaire, Iris Apfel (there was an exhibit of her clothes at the Met), Pamela Fiori of Town & Country, Marjorie Gubelmann Raein, Gillian Miniter, Narciso Rodriguez, Cynthia Rowley, Stan Herman, Vera Wang, Gabi, Ange and Adi of ThreeAsFour, Bill Cunningham of the New York Times, Mickey Boardman of Paper, Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal, Yigal Azrouel, Michael Vollbracht and Cathy Hardwick.
Next week I will show you Isabel's studio. Have a great weekend!
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I Heart Isabel and Ruben Toledo (Part I)
Tuesday night at the Toledo penthouse, there was a cocktail party to celebrate Isabel and her Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion that she is to receive in the fall. Glenda Bailey of Harper's Bazaar and Valerie Steele of the Museum at FIT were the hostesses of the celebration. It was announced that Isabel's work from 1985 to 2008 will be exhibited at the Museum in June of 2009. The occasion was a real who's who of the fashion world, but I will go into that in my next post. This post is about the Toledo atmosphere.
Upon entering their apartment, a fan was handed to you. A very welcoming gesture as this was one of the hottest evenings both in terms of temperature and company.
The space is beautiful and vast.
As you walk down the stairs, you pass this amazing mural.
Looking around the room is a feast for the eyes.
A glimpse of the bathroom makes it a covetable destination.
Incredible Murals by Ruben Toledo
The bathtub of ice looked like heaven.
The whole bathroom looked like heaven, ice or no ice.
My sista was hanging out in the B-room, looking chic in vintage Pucci.
Well, it was time to make our way back to the main space.
There was much more to see from the library to the stairs...
...to the 10 feet or more tall cactus adorned superfabulously...
...to the spectacular view...
...to what's hiding under the stairs...
(a better view under the stairs)
...to all the exquisite artwork.
(She looks like the perfect guest).
Their penthouse is the embodiment of the souls and generosity of these two artists.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Upon entering their apartment, a fan was handed to you. A very welcoming gesture as this was one of the hottest evenings both in terms of temperature and company.
The space is beautiful and vast.
As you walk down the stairs, you pass this amazing mural.
Looking around the room is a feast for the eyes.
A glimpse of the bathroom makes it a covetable destination.
Incredible Murals by Ruben Toledo
The bathtub of ice looked like heaven.
The whole bathroom looked like heaven, ice or no ice.
My sista was hanging out in the B-room, looking chic in vintage Pucci.
Well, it was time to make our way back to the main space.
There was much more to see from the library to the stairs...
...to the 10 feet or more tall cactus adorned superfabulously...
...to the spectacular view...
...to what's hiding under the stairs...
(a better view under the stairs)
...to all the exquisite artwork.
(She looks like the perfect guest).
Their penthouse is the embodiment of the souls and generosity of these two artists.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Books my Mother Gave Me
These books are like bibles for those interested in or in the profession of interior design and decoration. My mother bought these books in 1963 when she was an interior designer at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. She gave them to me about 8 years ago. I love these books, and find much of the design timeless in terms of being very pleasing to the eye.
Well, La Decoration ** (volume II) which normally retails for $150 at Librairie de France at Rockefeller Center Promenade is now $2o. Librairie de France is closing next September after 73 years of business; it was the first retail tenant of Rockefeller Center in 1935. Here are some images from La Decoration **:
The cliches, "Everything old is new again" and "The more things change, the more they stay the same", could not be more true.
Librairie de France's Vitals
610 Fifth Avenue
Rockefeller Center Promenade
(212)581-8810
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Stupendous Stripes
Some great stripes from seasons present.
Stripe Wearing Christian Lacroix, Fall 2008 Show
Stella McCartney Stripes, Fall 2008
Lady-like Stripes, Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2008
Marc by Marc Jacobs Stripes, Fall 2008
Day to Evening Stripes, Paul Smith Women, Fall 2008
Subtle Stripes, Y-3, Fall 2008
Athletic Stripes, Y-3, Fall 2008
Preppy Stripes, Reyes, Fall 2008
3.1 Phillip Lim, Fall 2008
Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Fall 2008
Flouncy Stripes, Matthew Williamson, Fall 2008
Sophisticated Stripes, Lanvin, Fall 2008
Manolo Blahnik, Fall 2008
Nobody Does it Better...Stripes, Sonia Rykiel, Fall 2008
Some great stripes from seasons future.
Carolina Herrara, Resort 2009
Bill Blass, Resort 2009
Alexander McQueen, Resort 2009
Chanel, Resort 2009
Diane Von Furstenberg, Resort 2009
3.1 Phillip Lim, Resort 2009
Christian Dior, Resort 2009
Some great Stripes from seasons past.
Marc Jacobs, Spring 2007
Balenciaga, Fall 2007
Louis Vuitton, Spring 2008
Photos courtesy of style.com
And to think stripes started out as clothing for
and other outcasts in the 12th and 13th centuries; however, for the last 200 years, stripes have been worn by the chic, playful, and fun-loving including my Stripe Wearing Niece
.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Stripe Wearing Christian Lacroix, Fall 2008 Show
Stella McCartney Stripes, Fall 2008
Lady-like Stripes, Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2008
Marc by Marc Jacobs Stripes, Fall 2008
Day to Evening Stripes, Paul Smith Women, Fall 2008
Subtle Stripes, Y-3, Fall 2008
Athletic Stripes, Y-3, Fall 2008
Preppy Stripes, Reyes, Fall 2008
3.1 Phillip Lim, Fall 2008
Vivienne Westwood Red Label, Fall 2008
Flouncy Stripes, Matthew Williamson, Fall 2008
Sophisticated Stripes, Lanvin, Fall 2008
Manolo Blahnik, Fall 2008
Nobody Does it Better...Stripes, Sonia Rykiel, Fall 2008
Some great stripes from seasons future.
Carolina Herrara, Resort 2009
Bill Blass, Resort 2009
Alexander McQueen, Resort 2009
Chanel, Resort 2009
Diane Von Furstenberg, Resort 2009
3.1 Phillip Lim, Resort 2009
Christian Dior, Resort 2009
Some great Stripes from seasons past.
Marc Jacobs, Spring 2007
Balenciaga, Fall 2007
Louis Vuitton, Spring 2008
Photos courtesy of style.com
And to think stripes started out as clothing for
and other outcasts in the 12th and 13th centuries; however, for the last 200 years, stripes have been worn by the chic, playful, and fun-loving including my Stripe Wearing Niece
.U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Monday, July 21, 2008
This Message Is for the Gents out There
Paul Smith designs amazing clothes and accessories for men; right now, there is quite a selection that is 50% off.
Paul Smith's Vitals
142 Greene Street
(646)613-3060
108 Fifth Avenue
(212)627-9770
Paul Smith's website
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
If Only Pigs Could Fly...
If there were pigs that could fly, they would be at Pylones.
If I were to get a pet, it would be these poodles. These watering cans are $10, and so cute.
Pylones has very whimsical gadgets and other items for the home and office. You never know what you will find here. You can check out their wares on their website. There are 4 boutiques in Manhattan:
Grand Central Terminal at Shuttle Passage
842 Lexington Avenue, at 64th Street
69 Spring Street, between Crosby and Lafayette
61 Grove Street, at 7th Avenue
Have fun! This is a great place to shop for gifts.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Conran's Superfab Summer Sale
Through August 3rd, Conran's Summer Sale includes discounts of up to 60%. The sale is in the store as well as on the website.
The Conran Shop's Vitals
407 East 59th Street
(866)755-9079
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Friday, July 18, 2008
Not Only Clothes, but a Gallery Too!
When you think Anthropologie, you usually think clothes, accessories, and decorative items for the home. I got this great Velvet shirt at the Rockefeller Center location last week.
Even though it is basically just a T shirt, it is so much more. The shape is reminiscent of many superfabulous blouses and dresses from seasons past.
Marc Jacobs, Fall 2006
Prada, Spring 2007
Louis Vuitton, Spring 2008
Louis Vuitton, Spring 2008
Bottega Veneta, Spring 2008
Runway photos courtesy of style.com
In my excitement about clothes, I digressed just a bit. Not only is Anthropologie a clothing store, but its Rockefeller Center location also houses a petite art gallery. Currently, Eloise Danch's art is on display. And if you love clothes as much as I do, I think you'll enjoy viewing her work.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Doesn't It Look like Mary Poppins Should Work Here?
Although it's not Cherry-Tree Lane...on 73rd Street,
I so could not believe the address; I had to get even closer.
I think this is the cutest house in America! It is perfect in every way. If Disney's version of the Banks family had been American, they definitely would have lived here.
U r 24K!
xoxo,
Krom
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Fringe Is In
Here is inspiration to get fringed out for fall!
Gucci
Fringe can be very sophisticated...
Lanvin, Fall 2008
Chanel, Fall 2008
Gucci
Fringe can be very sophisticated...
Lanvin, Fall 2008
Chanel, Fall 2008