Green Valentine

A few excellent ideas for green Valentine's Day giving from National Geographic's Green Guide. Best to pass this information on to whoever you expect to go all out for you this Valentine's Day. Or better yet, why not treat yourself? What's all this waiting for someone else to gift us? They did of course forget to mention Bonbon Oiseau in the jewelry section perhaps because they were focused on ethical gems but we're green too! I guess we need to brag about that more like everyone else.

La Prairie Collection Fall 2008: The Photoshoot

The photoshoot was Sunday and we were incredibly lucky to have such a beautiful day out at the Refuge. After four days, 600 photos and nothing but editing, a few sneak peaks.

Photos by Alexa Vachon, Model & Wardrobe: Ana Dane, Makeup: Vanessa Kinzer

Refuge

Sunday is our photoshoot. We're doing it here at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. We went out there a few weeks ago to scout it out--we always seem to visit there during the first week of January when there are only ducks and geese and a few cardinals. This day we saw a flock of Snow Geese which were really lovely.
I think the backdrop will be beautiful for the new Fall 2008 Collection. The collection is sort of a Walt Whitman tribute--it has a very American Naturalist from the Bay to the Woods to the Prairie. More next week. Now, I've got to dive into the day's long to-do list.

Pretty Birds

From the Grange Hall Urban Flowers website. Their displays are unbelievable. Worth a visit to Dallas maybe?

Keep Calm

Helpful thoughts of the day. I bought these "Keep Calm and Carry On" silkscreened posters, new revivals of street posters plastered around Britain during World War Two. Instructions for keeping hold of yourself while facing the real fears of war, it's funny that the new adaptation can be used to keep your sense of humor when the sh*t is hitting the fan. (or to quell the modern anxieties of work and life before you get out there and participate). I bought mine as gifts from the lovely SF Girl By The Bay here in the U.S. but these are from a terrific website in the U.K called "Keep Calm".

I absolutely love these framed versions. I'd love to have the three above where I can see them first thing in the morning. Also love these silkscreens below, being a big fan of the power of words, by artist Douglas Wilson.

This would make a nice Valentine, by Douglas Wilson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Feliz Cumpleaños terrific ole' Jennifer El Knox!!! Can you believe it my dearest, sweetest, tallest friend? I knew you when you were a tiny corgie pup, with bright orangish hair and a propensity for large thoughts and good doodles. You just keep on getting better, wiser and corgier every year. Laughter--there is always laughter (pronounced "daughter"). On this, your oldest year yet, I wish you wonderfulness and excellence, savory and sweet times, and the wisdom to see the difference. Or else the terrorists will have won.jen loves red velvet!

art + commerce

My friend came over tonight to talk about our upcoming photoshoot this week and introduced me to the art + commerce agency website for some inspiration. We're going to do some portraits at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Sunday and were discussing our "story" and feel for the shoot. Posted here are portraits and fashion work by Steven Meisel, Nathaniel Goldberg and Richard Burbridge.
I love Steven Meisel's work, above, particularly these last three photos from a shoot for Vogue, "Paris je t'aime". His work is so beautifully crafted.

I also liked these focused quiet atmospheres taken by Nathaniel Goldberg.


And Richard Burbridge...he seems to get the essence of his subjects flawlessly--love these portraits of Iggy Pop, Vivienne Westwood and Francesco Clemente.

all photos from the art + commerce website.