Where Brooklyn At?!

The late Notorious B.I.G. asked, "Where Brooklyn at?" once upon a time.

The answer? Bond No. 9.

New York's favorite cult fragrance brand has come out with a new smell that bridges together Manhattan and the place where Manhattanites used to dare not go: Brooklyn.

This scent -- packaged prettily in a clear flacon stamped with "Bond No. 9" and "Brooklyn" in colorful street art-type font -- is a cool mix of grapefruit, juniper, cardamom, cedarwood, geranium leaves and leather.

It's also the brand's first unisex fragrance, making it a nice (and slightly more unique) choice as a Valentine's Day present. No more Aqua di Gio or Cool Water, please.

Time to hop on the G train.







I'm Lovin' it: Steph A. brought me my little gift from Colette last Saturday -- let me tell you how excited I was. Very. First, it came in a clear Colette bag. Then, inside was a cute blank notebook emblazoned with the words "I'm Going To Be Ridiculously Rich And This Is My Plan..." (from the brand Two Little Boys from the UK) because she remembered how gung-ho I am about my New Year's resolutions. The notebook is so damn adorable, I'm trying not to mar it with my chicken scratch -- hard for a writer to do! She also snagged me a free electronica music DVD and the new L'Edito magazine issue. J'adore!





I'm Over it: Went to my first hot yoga class with Steph A. last night. It was amazing (and amazingly sweaty), but I literally could not feel my fingertips and palms after all that Downward Dog. Think I either pinched some nerves or got a quick bout of tendinitis. Either way, tying up shoelaces and buttoning buttons is proving to be very difficult right now. Circulation is zilch.


Music of the Day: Futurecop!. Picture a John Hughes flick injected with acid. "NASA" has been my anthem all week. And yes, Futurecop! is spelled with an exclamation point.





* Photos property of Bond No. 9, Haute Hippie, myspace.com/thefuturecop and are used solely for commentary purposes

God Save The McQueen

Alexander McQueen. Target. Coming out soon.

Living in California meant not only having basically one season all year round (summer, of course) and a Coldstone Creamery six blocks away, it also meant taking weekly trips to the nearest Target for everything and anything (especially cheaper Maybelline mascara).

I had diffusion Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Isaac Mizrahi and other bigtime designers a town away in Culver City from my Santa Monica hood.

Sometimes these Tar-zhay lines would be on the money, other times not so much, but let me say I cannot WAIT for Alexander McQueen's capsule collection -- it is by far my favorite one from GO International in the past couple of years.

What to look out for? Leather, leggings, skinnies, vests, jumpsuits and dresses, oh wow oh wow oh wow...

All hail McQueen.











I'm Lovin' it: My new hanging shoe rack. I can actually see snippets of the bottom of my closet now that it's not drowning in heels, flats, gladiators, wedges, Creative Recs and Converse.


I'm Over it: Enough with the sales already, retailers. Get me the season's new offerings, puh-leeze.


Track of the Day: How about something chill and full of jazziness? Like "Before I'm Gone" by Jacqui Naylor. And before I get myself all electronica-ed out.






* Photos property of Target, nylonmag.com, inn-residence.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Wow...

Some people are just so nice.

In very nerd-like fashion, I came to the library downtown to do work, as well as to meet the fellow I was buying those four Bloc Party tickets off of from Craigslist for $60 each, which were originally $35.

After doing the exchange, I found myself a little spot to start working.

About 15 minutes later, the Craigslist fellow came up to my desk and handed me back $40 of the $240 I gave him, saying he felt bad charging me more than $50 each for them.

And that goes to show that people really do have good hearts...

I think my working Saturday is off to a very lovely start.

xo
Haute Hippie

Happy Friday!!

January '09 is just flying by. Not good.

If time is money, then I don't have much of either the way this month is going!

Well, I guess what I'm trying to say has nothing to do with money, but the fact that I find myself lacking the hours, minutes and seconds to just chill. Not only is my sleeping pattern messed up -- a muchas, muchas gracias to the a#&hole that was jack hammering or doing something noisy earlier this morning to wake me up before my 6:15 am alarm -- but I'm finding myself high on work adrenaline constantly. Even at 11 pm most nights.

There's no rest for the weary, don't they say?

Anyway, it's Happy Friday today, yes 'em it is.

For the first time in many Fridays, I have no idea what I'll be doing tonight -- and it feels kind of nice. No obligations, no predetermination, no pre-plans, just nothing. Ahhhh, I could get used to this. For a week or two.

I only wish I had the vaguest idea where in town this fringe vest from Mink Pink can be found.

Time to call some fashion friends to find out...






I'm Lovin' it: Metronomy tomorrow! It'll be a girls night of extreme dancing worth documenting. Good thing my friend's friend is the official photographer for the show's venue. Wait, on second thought...


I'm Over it: Live Nation. How the heck can they sell out tickets during PRE-SALE?! So basically, tickets to The Killers and Bloc Party are gone-zo, leaving me and my girlfriends going the Craigslist route, where prices are inflated 1,000 times more than they should be.

* Note: Just got word that we scored Bloc Party tickets via C-list!! More than the original price, but way less exorbitant than some other ones listed. One show down, one more to go!




Track of the Day: "Get On Your Boots" by U2. This little song is from their upcoming album No Line On The Horizon. Catchy tune, Bono and the Edge.





* Photo property of mink-pink.com, freewilliamsburg.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Kool Kooples

My girl Aims and I had a discussion last weekend over our shared current obsession over cool, creative couples getting photographed in their digs or studios for online publications, like this ongoing spread from The Selby.

Parisian retailer Kooples took it a step further by snapping rad couples dressed in their clothing for store ad campaigns, picking photogenic duos from various sources like Facebook, MySpace and, of course, the street.

You can even read bios on these chosen couples, as long as French is your first language.

I think my obsession with this stems from the fact that I'd like to be the double-X chromosome part of a cool, creative couple.

Just as long as we have a uber-hip apartment in some uber-hip neighborhood with some wicked David Garibaldi on our walls.







I'm Lovin' it: My accidental discovery of Nood on the way to a meeting the other day. I want my apartment filled with their home decor trinkets, which are very, very affordable.


I'm Over it: My nose has not stopped running since this morning. I swear, these single-pane glass windows letting in cold drafts at the coffee joint (that serves as my DT office) will be the death of me.


Track of the Day: Remember this smoove groove?





* Photos property of kooples.com, pipeline.refinery29.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Wowey Zoey

Dear Dolce Vita,

You need to send more Zoey boots in size six to that boutique Eden in my town. They have way too many size sevens -- and they are way too big.

I thought of loading the inside of those size sevens with insoles, but that would just be silly.

All my best,
Haute Hippie








I'm Lovin' it: Hit up a skate, surf and lifestyle trade show with Jenks today and was introduced to Danish accessories company Friis & Co. Their Summer '09 bags and shoes are insanely cute.


I'm Over it: I've been killing myself trying to find a pair of boots I saw on a girl the other day. She said she got them at Aldo, but can't seem to locate the boots on their shelves. My guess is she fibbed about where she really got them. Meanie.


Track of the Day: "Lock & Key" by Lilofee. Hailing from California, Lilofee is made up of Robert Easson (instruments) and Kimi Recor (vocals). The words "modern synth rock" have been used to describe their auditory sounds, which is pretty much right on the button.






* Photos property of Dolce Vita, papermag.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Haute's Top Ten List Of Today

Today I woke up at the godawful time of 5:45 am, attempting to get an early workout in before my day started and hoping to open up another hour for myself to devote to work.

I have thus concluded that I'm going to have to start getting up at 5 am instead. Yep, you read that right. 5 am.

Anyway, I've decided to be a little lazy today and do a Top Ten List of things I've been seeing over the past week, but haven't been posting due to time constraints. It runs the spectrum from fashion to music to politics.

Here goes.


1. These tees from the new T By Alexander Wang line. I never considered myself a t-shirt kind of girl, but lately, I've been warming up to the idea. As long as they're long and loose, hence the reason these ones made my list.






2. These two outfits worn by cute Parisian gal Betty Autier, she of Le Blog De Betty.





3. Max Azria scored an advertising hit by tapping gold medallist US gymnast Nastia Liukin for their new campaign. Her pictures are just stunning.





4. I'm not one to usually shout out someone like Jessica Alba, but her outfit is enviable here. Who knew she could do a high(er) fashion outfit and actually kind of rock it?




5. I love Bernard Willhelm. This outfit is from Fall '08. Yes, it's soooooo last, last season but honestly, it might as well be this season, too. The hood is what got me.




6. My new nude suede Zara booties. Got 'em on sale! Seventy bones. They went ridiculously well with my new light gray American Apparel deep v-neck mini dress, black patterned Tibi for Hue tights and white-black men's scarf from H&M for dins with Aims and drinks with the gals (Aims, Berry and Ovitch) last Saturday.




7. My girl Saritz got some over-the-knee grey pirate boots, which I just had to try on yesteday. Yar! They fold down, if you want a different look. I tried to leave with them -- with not such great success.





8. The fact that I've already locked down six shows for the first half of this year. I'm doing well with this resolution to take in more music acts! In chronological order, I have Metronomy (with Fan Death opening, heck yes!), a DJ competition thing, Simiam Mobile Disco, The Presets, Bloc Party and The Killers (with M83 opening, I hear!!). Yeeeeeeeeah.


9. A free airplane ticket to New Zealand, courtesy of a good friend (who happens to be a flight attendant) that saved it for me as a present to come check out his neck of the woods. Just found about this amazing, generous gift last week. I can use it anytime apparently -- and I'm thinking a New Zealand/Australia trip is in my '09 future. Don't even know how to thank you, Lee! :)




10. The inauguration of Barack Obama tomorrow. My girl Ovitch is having a girls-only inauguration party. Yes, we can!




I'm Lovin' it: My girl Steph A. went to Paris and brought me back a little pressie from Colette! I can't wait to see!!


I'm Over it: What is WITH this creepy, thick fog?! Isn't that stuff supposed to annoy San Francisco, not me?


Music of the Day: Fan Death. Love the violin riff that hits at 1:40 in "Veronica's Veil". I'm beyond stoked to this act live this coming Saturday night. Dance time.





* Photos property of various sources and are used solely for commentary purposes

Got Gustto?

When my fringe bag goes to the Great Purse Rack in the sky, I'll be sadly and happily replacing it with something from Gustto.

Designed by French-born Agathe Planchon -- who is constantly inspired by the Italian riviera city of Portofino -- Gustto has tons and tons of clutches, shoulder bags and totes that deserve major recognition: buttery leather, gold hardware, lots of shapes and silhouettes, chains, zippers, colors and suede.

Strapped for cash, but really want to carry a Gustto around for a little while?

You can even rent one on Bag Borrow or Steal.

Go with the Gustto.








I'm Lovin' it: This. Nicholas. Kirkwood. Shoe. Oh. My. God.






I'm Over it: Why is everyone trying to feed me cake?? Thanks to my friends, I was, er, forced to have Devil's Food Cake and this amazing strawberry-Cool-Whip-sponge cake thing in the same night, then at a showroom meeting yesterday, I was almost roped into having a piece of birthday cake. I have workout resolutions this new year, people!


Track of the Day: "L'Homme" by Boy Crisis. Hi, electro-pop boys from Brooklyn, New York. The Guardian described them quite succinctly as "If The Strokes had been an electro-clash band..."










* Photos property of gilt.com, Daily Candy, The Guardian and are used solely for commentary purposes

Illustrations By Garance Dore

Sigh.

Parisian women are so utterly chic.

Garance Dore -- who is a Paris-based illustrator, street style seeker and fashion influencer (after all, The Sartorialist looks to her site for inspiration!) -- seems like a very lovely lady.

Who draws very, very lovely pictures.

These ones need to be on my wall.








* Illustrations property of Garance Dore and are used solely for commentary purposes

To Have And To Hold

Among many things, 2009 means friends' weddings to attend.

A lot of them.

I count at least five, one of which is in Miami and I'm supposedly a bridesmaid for.

It'll be my first time being a bride sidekick, so it should be interesting to say the least, but I can very safely say I'm not one of those girls looking to catch the bouquet after chugging mucho bubbly and doing the electric slide at the reception.

I am, on the other hand, one of those gals who happened to cyber-stumble across the weddings rings I want for me and my TBD hubby when that big day peeks its head around life's corner.

In homage to my love for chunky, big baubles and all things quirky-cool, here are Los Angeles-based jewelry line Alex & Chloe's "Holding You Forever" wedding rings for him and her, designed exclusively for Revolve Clothing.

These 14k gold rings are designed as a circle within a square, plus the lady ring comes with three inverted white diamonds. Talk about unconventional.

They, er, ring in (sorry, bad pun) at $1805 each for the fellas and $1895 each for the ladies. And they're gold, which is pretty much a quadruple bonus for a gold-lover like me.

Seeing as how I picture my own wedding being at least five years away, let's hope Alex & Chloe does special orders for these babies down the road.

So to have, hold and wear forever?

I do. I really, really do.










I'm Lovin' it: The concierge in my building. I was running away on the treadmill in my building's gym at 6:30 this morning when the concierge on duty came in and handed me an envelope that had just come in. I'd been expecting that delivery for the past five months, but the concierge didn't even know that -- and I didn't even know he knew my name. But he did know my name, and he totally made my morning with the personal delivery. Yay!


I'm Over it: My nose won't stop running this morning. Geez.


Track of the Day: "Wait A Minute Here" by the Robotanists from Los Angeles. Think I've found my first favorite new band of 2009. They do a fantastic, indie version of Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is". Double-crossing my fingers that they either come into town or I get the chance to fly east to see them at a big music fest in March. Please get their album Close Down The Woods.






* Photos property of alexandchloe.com, revolveclothing.com, the Robotanists and are used solely for commentary purposes

Fringe Fest

Ah, fringe.

One of my current loves -- and has been for the past four months, we're pretty much going steady now -- is my black fringe bag, courtesy of H&M (snagged the last one, too!).

I can't quite pinpoint exactly why the dangly stuff is so alluring, but perhaps it's the way it swings in the breeze. It's like having a luxurious mane of hair, only not on your head but made in leather and on your clothing and accessories.

All I know is that I've had several guy friends (straight ones, too) ask to pet/touch my fringe bag at least three different times in these last four glorious months.

So yeah, you can imagine how much I adore this Eden fringe dress by With Hearts In My Eyes -- just look at the ombre effect down the front.

And no, I wouldn't pair this dress with my bag.

Even that's a little too much fringe for me.








I'm Lovin' it: I FINALLY found me a plaid mini shirt dress! Who needs the $300 Surface 2 Air version when I got one for $30 last Saturday?!

I'm Lovin' it, Part Deux: Uncle Buck. It was on TV on Saturday afternoon. John Candy was so darn funny, god bless his soul.





I'm Over it: Saw The Wrestler last night, which was very, very good. Mickey Rourke was stellar. What wasn't very good at all was the combination of a shaky camera cinematography (watching from the front section of the theatre) and the annoyingly strong patchouli perfume of a woman sitting behind me. It made for an extremely queasy stomach the entire two hours.


Clip of the Day: The Twelves from Rio are a music act I'm dying to see live. I live and breathe through their 30 Minutes Of Twelves album. Here's a clip of them doing the thing they do best: deejay remixes. Tandem deejaying in a minimal setting. Interesting.





* Photos property of bonadrag.com, Haute Hippie and are used solely for commentary purposes