Image of the Week

I love splashes of color, electromagnetic art, and phenomenal fashion photography. And I absolutely adore Jed Root's line-up of fantabulous fashion industry professionals. So of course I always go back there!

This is a peek at the portfolio of the fantastic Argentinian photog Diego Uchitel. Enjoy!







View more Diego at Jed Root

Feature: Love...a Chemical Imbalance?

Sometimes I wonder what is the point of endless wooing musical pieces that capture the heart of a woman? Why would one want to hear romantic poems and declarations of love until their ears bleed scarlet valentine hearts and crimson red roses? Why would any woman desire to be swept off her feet and whisked away into some wonderful "paradise" ? But most importantly what woman would want a man who would dare to love her enough to lay down his life for her? Beats me, but so many women seem to desire it! (I hope by now you've sensed the incredulous amounts of sarcasm oozing out of the past few statements). The truth is that every woman wants to feel important. Every woman desires to be desired, to be needed, to be loved.

But as much as love is emotional, physiological, and physical, science has proven that it is also chemical. Surprised? Come on, what hasn't science proven? (They have an answer for even the unexplainable, but that's another topic entirely.) Helen Fisher, an anthropologist who studies love at Rutgers University, has categorized love into 3 stages: lust, attraction, and attachment. Each stage has its own chemical breakdown:

• Lust responds to testosterone in both men and women. Yes, women have testosterone too, generally much less than men, but some women have more than others.
• Attraction is marked by high levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
  
• Attachment is associated to varying levels of the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin.

Testosterone is the "male" hormone, an instantaneous hormone that responds best to physical properties such as looks. Dopamine works in the pleasure pathways of the brain and is activated by things that make us feel good. But funny enough dopamine is also activated by nicotine, cocaine, and chocolate. Norepinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is activated by heart-pumping emotions, like fear, and helps us respond immediately in emergency situations. Vasopressin, in high levels, can increase pressure in certain blood vessels. And lastly, oxytocin, which is released during childbirth and nursing, affects social behaviors such as bonding, love, and trust.

Someone once said, "dopamine brings people together and oxytocin keeps them together." And at the end of the day every woman and man-- don't be fooled, men need love too--want to know that their chemicals are in balance...not imbalanced.

*Images from
www.conversationsforabetterworld.com
http://dryicons.com/free-icons/preview/valentine-love/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Serotonin-3D-vdW.png

Bloggher Love....

Personal Post:

I've come to realize that is a daunting task to view all your favorite blogs because you like them. To see each bloggherlicious post pop-up on your news feed every hour on the hour of every day is taxing. To click on each and every single blog you follow and read every single post you've bookmarked and make comments on every itsy bitsy thingy that you likey is tiring. To multi-task and toggle between facebook and blogspots, wordpress and typepad, myspaces and yahoos, qwerty phone pads and emails....its all daunting, darling but daunting.

So I am here to say to all my blogging blogosphere icons, my bloggher-loving readers, my photo-hawking internet galacticons, my back-breaking mini-upcoming blogger children...it is a tough job to be on the edge of fashion and lifestyle and all things "interesting". It is a tough job to always have something to post that's so refined that no one can find fault. Its a tough job to find your favorite blog-subjects ridiculed and mocked by your readers. Its a tough job to try to make a living out of this thing called blogging....its a small world after all.

So please, I ask that you understand just how hard we have it. That you give us time to gather our thoughts, and be gracious with us when we write run-on sentences, and massive typos...please spare us, and just read.

Thank you.
-signed, a citizen for the advancement of dialogue between strangers. :)

Blog-roll and Mad Love:

Click each banner/image to go to the blog site!

Fashion: Kiddie Couture

Designers and their "fabulous" children's lines. Gotta love it...I mean who wouldn't want their children wearing couture Dior and Baby Chanel? Lol, not quite. But here are some affordable (yes, the term is relative) contemporary designers to dress your kiddies in.

If I had children, I may consider it.

Aren't the kiddie models just cutie patooties! yes they are! ;) Enjoy:








Top to Bottom: Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Alice+Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Diesel

Find more at Bergdorf Goodman

L2E USA Today: Montblanc's $25,000 Gandhi pen

Letter to the Editors: Erika Kinetz and Anna Mathews
Original article here

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born today, 140 years ago.

And today, the popular German luxury pen-maker, Montblanc, commemorates his legacy with a handmade fountain pen. The pen comes complete with Gandhi’s signature, a saffron-colored opal, a book of Gandhi quotes, and a 26-foot golden thread. The cost is $25,000. Well, $24,763 to be exact. The controversy: Gandhi was a minimalist and a nationalist, who only promoted Indian-made goods, and to make him a “brand-ambassador and poster boy” for something he’d never support, is blasphemous to his legacy and to the nation of India.

Associated Press writers Erika Kinetz and Anna Mathews cover the controversy surrounding the $25,000 pen.

Kinetz interviewed Oliver Goessler, Montblanc’s regional director for India, Africa and the Middle East, who says that “Whatever brings Gandhi and his ideas back to mind can only be good.” He also said, “the idea to commemorate Bapu ("Father"), as Gandhi is affectionately known here, in a swish pen was born in India, not Europe. It's not an opulent pen. It's a writing instrument that's very pure.” Goessler also tells Kinetz that on Tuesday, Montblanc chief executive Lutz Bethge handed over a check for $145,666 to Gandhi's great grandson, Tushar Gandhi, for his foundation. The foundation will get an additional 10,000 to 50,000 rupees ($210 to $1,050) for each pen sold.

Gandhi’s great grandson and owner of the foundation says his foundation would use the money to build a school and hostel for rescued child laborers. Tushar further adds that his great grandfather “would have been amused that such a lavish and ostentatious pen was being dedicated to him. He wouldn't have possessed it.”

Well of course he wouldn’t. I mean picture a thin Gandhi wrapped in white sackcloth, with a $25,000 pen worth more than his entire ensemble and possibly all that he owned. Interesting.

Read the article here

Gandhi in a nutshell:

• October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948
• Assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse (who was executed in 1949)
• Principles: Truth, Nonviolence, Vegetarianism, Bramacharya (celibacy and purity of mind and body), Simplicity and Faith.
• Considered a minimalist, pacifist, nationalist, and self-described philosophical anarchist
  
• Most controversial issue: Possible racist. In 1908 he wrote on South African prisons and made what were considered to be extremely "racist remarks."
• Claimed that nothing in society should be done without the consent of everyone, down to the individual.

Quotes:

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

"There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians."

Later in his life when he was asked whether he was a Hindu, he replied:"Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew."

Gandhi summarized his beliefs first when he said "God is Truth". He would later change this statement to "Truth is God".

Read more about Gandhi on Wikipedia

Image of the Week

The Virgin Mary....Iconic, Idolatrous, Indifferent? What do you think?





"Their [the models] faces were painted like plaster statues, their garb inspired by the vernacular devotional art found in local churches throughout the Catholic world..." - Sarah Mower of Jean Paul Gaultier Couture. Spring 2007, Paris.

As far as I know Gaultier isn't Catholic, and while the Virgin Mary is not Jesus Christ, aren't there some things that are just a tad bit out of line?
They all remind me of the "Jesus is my homeboy" t-shirts.





Images courtesy of Style.com Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2007 runway show

L2E Vanity Fair: The Rich Have Feelings, Too

Letter to the Editor: Tom Wolfe
Original Vanity Fair Article

Tom Wolfe wrote an article in the September issue of Vanity Fair, which I am just now getting to. (Yes, I know a tad late). Wolfe does an excellent dramatization (with truth to it) that parodies the rise and fall of those overly wealthy motor execs at the height of the recession, when resulting to begging for government bailouts forced them to downgrade from private jets to commercial aircrafts—like we, the taxpayers, that they were requesting the government strip of our money. Do I sound bitter? I’m not bitter.

So in the first person narrative of an imaginary motor company exec, Wolfe rants and raves about the beauty of flying out of general aviation airports in the company’s private jet, from New York to Washington D.C. Washington for goodness sakes! Wait, do I sound bitter again? I mean this imaginary exec boasts of the in-air chauffeurs and servants who are basically string puppets bowing at the feet of the CEOs and top level employees.

What killed me was the reference to female flight attendants as “Geisha girls in the sky,” prepared to succumb to any and every passenger’s flights of fancy. Disgusting...umm ya. But above all, I almost fell out of my chair when the climax was building, and Wolfe’s imaginary exec was forced to take his first flight aboard a “commercial aircraft.” He spoke of the porters as zookeepers and the security checkpoints were the detestable innards of a colon, each line reminiscent of the dark abysses of hell. Hello! Dramatic enough?! In fact, this imaginary pompous exec even termed them as blobs, folding over like fat rolls, one on top of the other! And if that weren’t enough, the crash and burn of the whole experience was when his company’s CEO , Corky McCorkle (fake name of course), was degraded in the airport lines because he was treated like us “regular folk,” and eventually asked to resign from the company, without putting up so much as a fight. The moral of the story: “Rich people have feelings too.” Ha! Now that’s classic.

Kudos to Tom Wolfe…I enjoyed it.

Favorite Quote: “It’s almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in a high hat and a tuxedo. Couldn’t you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?” Said by congressman Gary Ackerman when CEOs from GM, Ford, and Chrysler showed up in Washington with hands out for bailouts.

Favorite New Definition: “Tarantula,” a term from 19^th century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche used for people who are consumed by resentment. Nietzsche called it one of the human’s deepest and darkest motivations, cultivating a grade of people who are unable to be great men themselves and so burn with a feverish fervor to destroy the reputations of those who are.

Read the original article here

Barracuda "Run this Town" Shades

Mad props to Kerin Rose, couture designer of the Barracuda shades that Rhianna had on in the Jay-Z video (Run this town). I ran into her site, saw the $350 shades and then read the fact that each pyramid stud is put on by hand! Imagineer that!





Check out the shades Katy Perry wore and Mariah Carey's special order: http://amorir.bigcartel.com/

L2E Marie Claire: Stiletto Stoners

Letter to the Editor: Yael Kohen
Original Mare Claire article

What is a stiletto stoner you ask? Well from reading Yael Kohen's article I think its safe to assume that its a woman in her mid 20's to 30's, who's at the peak of her career and smokes pot to unwind, in oppose to the nightly cosmopolitans and apple martinis. When I ran across this article in Marie Claire, I was like "what is this news?! Everybody knows that pot- smokers come in all shapes, sizes, and bank accounts." But the truth of the matter is that as people we don't like to feel any discomfort, we don't like to suffer. So of course we're always looking for some quick fix, some microwave solution. And be it the age of high income potheads or $100 bill coke addicts, the fear of actually "dealing" with our lives still exists.

What I thought most interesting about Kohen's article was the 28 yr old reality tv production manager who said there's no need to hide her habit because everyone at her job uses the same pot dealer. Classic! I read this and was thinking to myself, isn't weed still considered a drug? A depressant to be more exact. Aren't people still subject to charges if caught? Kohen did make note of the fact that pot is becoming widely accepted all over the country. First time offenders who sell in "small increments" are getting off easy, the medicinal properties of the drug allow some people to be licensed to grow it in their backyards, and in some places its as accesible as milk at the grocery store. But what happened to the fact that in high doses over time brain cells are actually terminated, or the fact that each drag is equivalent to 6 pulls on a cigarette and hence can lead to lung cancer? I guess the answer is that as long people still have lives in need of escaping, and weed toking remains a non-felony offense, dealers will still exist in the workplace and stiletto stoners will always have a cheaper habit to drown their sorrows in. Sad, but such is life.

Read the original article here

Yael Kohen's site

L2E MetroNY: Jay-Z, Hip- Hop Saved My Life

Letter to the Editor: Talia Soghomonian

Original Metro NY article

So I read the free paper and I’m not ashamed to say it. And in my plight to write letters to editors of some of the most interesting, controversial, and amusing articles in every newspaper and magazine that I enjoy reading, I decided to write letters to the editors of my favorite free papers as well. So shoot me. (Not literally).

Talia Soghomonian did an excellent interview on Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z , who is a self-proclaimed “quiet guy”. I once heard that if you see Jay-Z on the streets of NY, your best bet is to throw up your deuces-- aka a peace sign as some non-rap enthusiasts prefer to call it-- and keep it moving. Now that’s one hard dude. His new album Blueprint 3 is his 11^th No.1, he did a blow-out 9/11 concert last week (no pun intended), and he intends to keep revolutionizing hip-hop as long as the fans let him do it.

Best statement:

Talia: You’re also a businessman. You’re like the Donald Trump of hip-hop!
Jay-Z: You just made up a new phrase! I’ve never heard that one!

Best question:

Talia: Will [Chris] Brown’s legacy be left intact?
Jay-Z: It was a tragic mistake. But young kids make mistakes and hopefully get past it. I think he’s feeling the repercussions of his actions. Some­­times when you make a mistake, you gotta deal with it. There’ll be a day when this is behind him, but for now he has to deal with it.

Most thoughtful:

Talia: Your songs often read like journals — they’re very introspective at times. Is it therapeutic for you?
Jay-Z: Yeah, because as a person I’m not really talkative. My whole family’s like that. We keep a lot of things in. So for me, music is like therapy. It allows me to say what I want to say.

Kudos Talia!

Read the original interview here

Images from Jay-Z 's website

Image of the Week

Theater Art and Architecture Heaven...an ode to my poppa. Enjoy!


Beijing- The National Center for the Performing Arts


Singapore- The Esplanade


New York- Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College


Norway- Oslo Opera House

See more amazing theaters here

9.13.09 MTV VMA's...My Top Picks

While I didn't watch the VMA's live because I just can't take some of the raw, un-edited, unadulterated jokes, I did watch performance re-caps on the MTV website. And I think that I haven't seen an award show, at least on MTV, that has been this stellar in a very longggg time. The Janet Jackson tribute to MJ was incredible! It was great to see celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys being fans and showing "fan-love". It reminded me of the fact that today's celebrities really are "fans" of Music Icons like MJ, Janet, Madonna and the likes. I mean, think about it, most of them were like 6 when most of today's over 40 musicians were in their prime!

New Music - More Music Videos

Pink's performance was mind-blowing. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, literally praying that she doesn't miss a step, or worse yet...fall. I think the most impressive thing is the fact that she sang her heart out, in tune and on pitch while swinging upside down with blood rushing to her head, every muscle in her body being exercised to great extremes and trying to remember each step of the routine in mid-air. How's that for talent!

P!nk - New Music - More Music Videos

Sleek in Black:

Olivia Pallermo (The City)


Chance Crawford


Most interesting Outfits:

Lady GaGa


All American Rejects (I think he's very brave to wear an entire suit in this color)

Double Take: Makes you wonder if they called each other up the night before and planned this ...

Pink and Shakira (Glad their laughing about it)


All images and videos courtesy of MTV.com

What?!!! : The Rachel Zoe Project

So I had previously decided that I would stop writing fashion because I felt like even though I can do it, its not mentally stimulating enough for me. However, I decided to not begrudge those who thoroughly enjoy writing and reporting on fashion. Then I said I wanted to give up fashion styling because I was no longer visually stimulated enough to "create" art. But eventually I returned back to both writing and styling, but as a hobbyist. I realized a career in the world of fashion was too much headache for me, I'd rather have the option to do it when I want, how I want, and if I want. Who wouldn't?

But today I was reminded, yet again, why I do not style for a living. The Rachel Zoe Project. Here's a brief synopsis of the show: stress, shoes, fashion, styling, bananas, stress, couture, dying, divo/diva hate-love, cursing, stress, California, and more stress.

I've watched some pretty mindless stuff before--and occasionally I still do--but this I just can't get into. Sorry Rachel...rock on with the styling, but count me out on the viewing.

If its your cup of tea, enjoy!

More Zoe on Bravo TV

Studs and Bows...Collage Art

Oooooo preettty:



You want to see them larger hmmm? Click the image...I know you want to...so go ahead, do it.

From left to right: Louboutin jeweled, Miu Miu studs, Louboutin lace and spike, Gucci buckled stud, Prada slingback, Valentino bow, Dolce & Gabana swarovski, Miu Miu bow pump, Prada cut-out, Jimmy Choo mesh, Louboutin snakeskin, Jimmy Choo bow bootie, Prada studs, YSL bow.

Available at: Bergdorf Goodman and Bluefly

Feature: Food Affairs and Belly Fat

Thick alfredo sauce on penne, garlic focaccia bread, roasted chicken and bell peppers, basmati rice and chicken tikka masala, pepperoni pizza, wild Alaskan salmon with mashed potatoes, red velvet cake with butter- cream icing, German chocolate cake and a cold glass of milk....food is to me, what kryptonite is to superman. And when I see food, my knees buckle, my heart melts, and I give in to my long standing secret love affair with such delicious goodies.

But upon recently looking down at the spare tire that has added 1o solid pounds to my midsection, I have decided: The time has come to put an end to the madness! I mean for goodness sakes, how many times can one be mistaken for a woman that's 3 months pregnant? So forget the diet pills, the master cleanses, the sure fire ways to lose belly fat, and the gastric bypass, I'm going back to the basics--starvation and emaciation. Okay, so maybe not, but it might as well be as painful as that. I mean really, who enjoys muscle pain and rabbit food? Not I! Yet, experts claim that when you lose weight, belly fat is often the first kind of fat to go.

Medical research has shown that stomach fat, also known as visceral fat, is more metabolically active and easier to lose than subcutaneous fat under the skin. And the good news is that the more fat and flabby your stomach is, the easier it will be to lose the weight. Now ain't that just grand?!

What's even more morose is that as you grow older, belly fat increases in stages. This is due to the body storing fat in order to prepare for moments of starvation and avoid going into shock. In women, the metabolism starts to slow between the ages of 18-21, then takes a huge drop at 40, and then again at 60 and 80. Furthermore, pregnancy, beer, and increased food intake can all contribute along the way to a slower metabolism and increased visceral fat.

So how can you rid yourself of the stubborn belly fat? Here are some tips that I know I could use, and maybe you could too:

• Eating whole grains instead of refined carbohydrates.
  
• This will change the body's glucose and insulin response and make it easier to mobilize fat stores.
• Maintaining a 1,600 calorie-diet that is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAS), which have proven health benefits.
  
• MUFAS are found in avocados, nuts, seeds, olives, soybeans, chocolate and canola and olive oil.
• Getting plenty of high-intensity aerobic exercise, such as 60 minutes a day of moderate activity.
• Brisk walking is an excellent example of moderate activity
• Crunches and sit-ups complement aerobic activity, but don't help if done alone
  

Good luck!

For more helpful hints, click here or here.