Must See: Beasts of the Southern Wild Wins Top Honors At Sundance

On September 30th,  last fall as Sara and I along with a few friends were making our way to a little party to celebrate the launch of Ilsa Loves Rick, we walked passed a little indie cinema in Ambler, PA.  On the marquis was Another Earth, a film that had sparked a huge bidding war at the Sundance 2011 festival, and which my husband Paul produced.  We hadn't known it was in release at the theater and so thought it was a good omen for the start of the line deciding to make a quick pic and post it to our newly minted blog.  Paul founded Journeyman Pictures just after we were married in the mid 90's.  Since that time, he has been responsible for some of the best independent films produced around the world (The New York Times did a magazine piece hailing his work as the New American Realism).  With two Academy Awards nominations (Best Actress for Maria Full of Grace and Best Actor for Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson), The Motorola Producers Award, Several Gotham and Spirit Awards along with New York Circle Critics Awards under his belt, Paul remains unswayed by trending in the industry, choosing instead to champion unique vision in writer-directors and stories that illuminate our humanity.  Beasts of the Southern Wild is his latest film, and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.  For an excellent summation of the state of independent film today, read the NYT link below written by Manola Dargis (our all time favorite film critic - sorry Pauline Kael).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/28/movies/at-sundance-beasts-of-the-southern-wild-is-standout.html

The Creatives: An Interview with Laure Biron

I first met Laure well over a decade ago when she was an up and coming whip smart young artist.Today, having proven herself as a gifted photographer, artist, jewelry designer, and art educator, receiving her MFA from PAFA in 2009, Laure is just finishing up her masters in clinical social work and legal and social policy from Bryn Mawr College.  She is currently working for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Guild project in their art education program and working with 18-24 year old violent and drug parolees and probationers as their clinical social worker and intensive case manager. She is a super hero, really. Making art and saving souls.  And she does it with such grace, competence, and generosity.  

Gaby: What do you see trending now in fashion?

Laure: I see a mix of hard and soft in fashion, but so much more feminine than we saw it in the 80's and 90's;  right now I'm seeing silk blouses with leather boots with buckles, chunky rings with delicate chain bracelets, and bright color blocking in a wispy silhouette.  While the gender bending trend has definitely emerged in a big way, feminine rules in women's fashion today I think.

Gaby: When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?

Laure: Two items really changed my routine.  For the holidays two years ago my partner bought me ballerina Louboutin flats that completely changed my perspective on high heels, of which I have always been partial to.  They have really become my go-to for most formal occasions.  The other item is my engagement ring.  I've never been a fan of diamonds and when I wear gems they're big, bold and dark in color.  Now that I have a diamond engagement ring I find myself wearing my diamond studs and other diamond and smaller gem stone rings I've inherited along the way.  

Gaby: What is your favorite High brand?  And your low brand? 

Laure: Theory is my favorite high brand for simple and serious pieces.  For Low brand I enjoy J. Crew's tissue thin cotton shirts and button downs.  I love to mix high and low- that's deinfitely a basic tenet of my daily wardrobe.  

Gaby: What is your go-to uniform for a day of work? The weekend?

 
Laure: My work uniform is a cotton t shirt with a Theory or Elie Tahari suit jacket (or a vintage boys uniform jacket for something different), skinny jeans and either Frye or Fiorentini + Baker boots.  For the weekends, my look doesn't change much.  Maybe more jewelry since I don't generally wear much to work.

Gaby: What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

Laure: I can't really just pick one, but if I was picking for today I would say the East West earrings. My partner and I are getting the Broad band as our wedding bands, so I know in 8 months I'll say that's my favorite.

Gaby: Who are your style icons?

Laure: Honestly, Gaby has always been my style inspiration.  She always gets it right with sumptuous fabrics, bold jewelry and an enviable bag and shoe collection.  As far as celebrity icons I love Jean Seberg's styling in Breathless and I think Gloria Steinam has incredible taste and personal style.  Currently I am in love with the way Halle Barry and Madonna dress too.

http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4772423767927615966&postID=4566963896655604859

Home Tour: Artist Yvonne Love

It is practically impossible to move through artist, Yvonne Love's house without feeling like you are walking through a still life painting.  From the color of the venetian painted walls to the objet trouve, the artworks to their arrangements, the mixture of styles, color, and textures is a feast for the eyes.  Like most of the women I write about here, Yvonne is a force to be reckoned with, a prodigious sculptor, professor of visual art, and mom to two gorgeous boys, she manages to get into the studio nearly everyday.  We began working together over five years ago on an exhibit we curated about artists' visualization of global warming called Hot Topic, since then we have collaborated on numerous works of sculpture including large scale media installations with TangenT an arts collaborative that I have written about previously.  Together with her husband Dave, a painter and printmaker, they have made a most gracious, artful,  and inviting home.

The Creatives: An Interview With Kristen Cesiro

Have you ever noticed that the older you get, the harder it is to meet people with whom you have immediate "Ah ha!" connections? Well, Kristen Cesiro, Senior Interactive Media Designer for Connected Ventures in NYC and star of this Creatives posting, had me at hello when I met her several years back in a soho bar waiting to hear the Austin band Full Service play a set. At the time she was art director for CMJ Network and New Music report.  To be fair, Paul (my darling husband) had massaged my curiosity about her for months by saying things like, " just wait until you meet Kristen, you will love her, she is so much like you, she is a Virgo, your birthdays are two days apart, she is so smart, she is so hip, she is soooo cooool. " It was so much gushing that were I an insecure woman, I might have been seriously worried about my marriage. A couple of pints and shared birthday parties later, and I can say that for all of Paul's gushing, he didn't even begin to do this uber cool urban gal justice. 

Gaby:  What do you see trending in fashion now?

Kristen:  I think this will be easier for me to tackle if I bring it closer to home and focus on the city. I see for the classic urban woman a trend that revolves around long, loose, relaxed, and baggy -- harem pants, maxi skirts, bulky sweaters, scrunchy socks, shrug boots, extra-large hoods, off-the-shoulder t-shirts, flyaway cardigans -- anything that makes us feel sexy but still comfortable and mobile. We take to the streets countless times daily and need the ability to shuffle around and keep up with this city's manic pace while making it look like it's just the easiest, least-stressful action in the world. To put it simply, I'd call it "creatively and artfully disheveled."

Gaby: What are your top 10 TIMELESS must have items for a best-dressed closet?

Kristen:

1. Cocktail/Mini dress: Most people say this should be black, I say make it whatever suits your style.

2. Neutral-colored blazer: Mine's a low-saturated pinkish/rose.

3. Indigo denim jeans: I prefer high-waisted and skinny, but it should be a cut that best compliments your body type.

4. V-neck t-shirt

5. Boyfriend cardigan

6. Button-up chambray, flannel, or even dress shirt: Whatever works with your aesthetic.

7. A solid-colored skirt: Be it pencil, mini, or A-line.

8. High heels: Mine are 3”, taupe, and patent leather… and I adore them.

9. Cute but cozy ballet flats: Truthfully, I love BC brand for these.

10. Flattering pants for lounging: See JCrew’s Saturday pants/my guilty pleasure of the season.

Gaby:  When was the last time you had a fashion epiphany?

Kristen:  Without hesitation, I can say my last fashion epiphany was this past summer when I left a job I'd had for two years that pigeon-holed me into such a strict dress code that I sort of *gasp!* became disinterested in developing my style. It was really difficult for me to be risky or edgy, or to experiment in any way without getting sideways looks from peers and superiors. My current gig, however, not only lets me wear virtually whatever I want (so long as it's appropriate, of course), but also I feel it's almost expected of you to be a little chancy or to go out on a limb, kind of like they're saying, "Hey, we're letting you do as you please, but we're curious how you're going to run with it."  I instantly became hyper-aware of fashion trends and totally hooked on refining my taste. It was truly awakening in every sense of the word.

Gaby:  What is your favorite High brand?  And your low brand?  How do you mix high and low?

Kristen:  High Brand: Proenza Schouler. I love how they’re inspired by contemporary art and young, creative culture. It’s incredibly apparent in their design.

Low Brand(s): In general I love the brands at Anthropologie -- AG is great for denim, Sparrow for sweaters and knits, Maeve for adorable skirts and patterned dresses. I’m also a sucker for the Brooklyn boutiques that have brands like Blue Bird and BB Dakota.

I try to mix high and low by comprising an outfit of mostly low with one accent piece that's high, whether it be a scarf, a pair of shoes, or a piece of jewelry. This is obviously the most cost-efficient way to go while still getting away with outfits that look expensive ☺

Gaby:  What is your go-to uniform for a day of work?  The weekend?

Kristen:  For work, I really love throwing a blazer over a v-neck tucked into high-waisted dark denim with booties. I’ve also been really enjoying wearing a long silk collared shirt, untucked, over my black mini skirt with tights and combat boots. For weekend daytime errands, I'm essentially married to my JCrew Saturday pants and a chambray shirt with moccasins. For weekend nighttime gallivanting, I have fun piecing together outfits with dresses, textured tights, and boyfriend blazers.

Gaby:  What is your favorite ILR piece and why?

Kristen: I adore the drape circle. It's everything I want in a necklace. I love mixing/matching textures, patterns, and materials, so the fact that it's comprised of a gold piece with a dark metal chain makes it my certain favorite. Also, it does a perfectly stunning job of marrying a delicate aesthetic with a bold and empowering statement.

Gaby: Who are your style icons?

Kristen: My truest style icons are city-dwelling women. I am humbled and inspired every day by the way they can move through the world with an outfit they’ve thrown together that is so seamless, natural, and complimentary, it's almost like they were born wearing it.

Gaby:  What are you living in these days?

Kristen:  Boyfriend cardigans and blazers, high-waisted jeans, v-neck cotton tshirts, silk blouses, chunky sweaters, circle scarves, mini skirts + textured tights, cognac lace-up ankle boots, black combat boots.

Must See: Maurizio Cattelan at The Guggenheim

Sometime in early 2000 I saw an exhibit of Italian sculptor, Maurizio Cattelan at the ICA in Chicago. It remains one of the most important exhibits I have ever seen, up there with Lucien Freud at LAMOCA, and Christo' s Gates in Central Park. (it may even be the reason why I began working in sculptural art forms, leaving my photography for the commercial realm). So, when Sara came rushing into the studio with news of this exhibit, I wasn't the least bit surprised by how the show made her swoon. In what can only be called a tragic move for the international art world, Cattalan has decided to stop making art (a bold decision given his oeuvres and genius). This last exhibition, poignant, humorous, profound, at The Guggenheim in NYC is an awe inspiring tour de force. If you can't make it to town by January 22 when the show closes, spend some time online viewing videos of this incredible piece- all of his art works suspended from pigeon filled scaffolding that cascades down the ceiling. 

Making Lemonade Friday the 13th Style

A while back I wrote that I spend a lot of time in the car. I love long rides on open roads, interstates with a Starbucks and clean restrooms......3 hours in stop dead traffic with an idling motor, not so much. Today I needed to run what I thought was a fairly routine errand in Philadelphia, what should have been a 20 minute ride. It took an hour. Argh. After finishing up business, I turned around ready to head back. Hopping into the car with a three hour window to work in the studio, I headed home.  After about 5 minutes of driving, turning off an interstate ramp, full stop.  Not a car moving.  Sigh. It is Friday the 13th after all. I have been in the car for two hours and have moved about .5 mile staring at the same bleak quasi- suburban landscape. I have exactly one hour and ten minutes to drive only 8 miles to go retrieve my daughter and a plan B in place in case I move only another .5 miles in that time.  Sitting here, still,  having finished all my email, texts, and calls (how much do I love my IPhone) I thought I would make some interesting pictures of the not so intersting view from my Mini for the blog- hence - Making Lemonade.

Jewel Box Tour: Sara Goodwin (Saint in Training)

Sara is one of those people who you can't help loving, the kind of gal we feel pretty darned lucky to be able to call a friend.  And, lucky too, that she is an Ilsa Loves Rick fan.  Our first and most loyal customer, a generous ambassador for our line and a style icon.  I would describe her as a cross between Grace Kelly and Ali Mc Graw in Love Story.  You are as likely to see her at Tiffany's as you would Calypso on Hudson Street.  Most days though she is doing the yeoman's work of the world, teaching kids about literature, and life and helping to know themselves in an increasingly confusing world - a saint in training. 

Faceted Topaz in Rose Gold

Sterling Estate Coff

Talisman Necklace

Classic Pearls with Monogram Amulet

A Custom Ilsa Loves Rick Upper Arm Cuff in Gold

Vintage Estate Bangle in 14 K

Diamonds and Gold Delicate and Bold at Once

Estate Solitaire

Estate Emerald

Tiffany's Charm Bracelet

Tiffany's Pave Diamond Bangles in White and Yellow Gold

Scenes from a London Holiday

Just after Christmas my daughter Claudia and I flew to London for a handful of days to meet up with my husband Paul who has been in grand old Londontown since Thanksgiving working on the post production sound of one of his new movies.  Normally, we aren't lucky enough to have a school break when he is posted somewehere fun and interesting.  I lived in London and Brighton in the late 80's and have been back a number of times but the city felt bigger and brighter than usual this time around (even while raining every single day).  London, dare I say this, feels like the city of the future, leaving my beloved NYC somewhere locked in the very late late 20th century. Their systems have been so modernized, new life has been breathed into previously dodgy neighborhoods (Hackney is the only place left for the new new), the EU has transformed the population of central London (most days I thought I was in Rome or Prague) and the food is gorgeous.  Just gorgeous.  Gone are the steak and kidney pies. In their place, pitch perfect cuisine from all over the world, served fresh, inspired, and with lots of champaigne.

Signage on the Underground that made me laugh so hard!

Baclava and Mint Tea at Sahara's.

Claudia in a projection of an artwork by Tacita dean at the Tate Modern

One of the most compellign phtography exhibitions I have seen in the last decade.

The Brighton Peer, always lovely.

A strange curio from and East London antique dealer.

Laduree Marcons at Covent Garden shop.

We are huge jamie Oliver fans!

Pumpkin and Beet Brichetta with wild boar salami at Jamie's Italian.

A perfect handcrafted saddle bag at Old Spitalfield's market.

Odd Up market bling.

The best potato chips we have ever tasted!

Claudia and Paul hiked to Primrose Hill in Saint John's Wood for the New Year Fireworks spectacle.

Repurposed print forms at Liberty.

An art deco treasure of a facade seen through the tudor windows at Liberty.

Tea Pot lamps!

A charming little Russian Oil painting at Liberty Art Galleries.

High Tea.

A great vintage (circa 1986) bottle.

Claudia reenacting Abbey Road cover art.