Have a poetic weekend!

Hot our hands holding firm 

as we blade down 5th avenue

fresh from the park

we felt loves spark

in the heat of the summer dew

Summer by Joan Adam Birchell

Colour has exploded 

everywhere the eye can see;

Summer is smiling down on us

wherever we may be.

Gentle breezes, refreshing rain,

and the dancing sun take part

In giving earth the summer touch - 

tonic for the heart.

A Summer Day by Li Bai

Naked I lie in the green forest of summer...

Too lazy to wave my white feathered fan.

I hang my cap on the crag,

And bare my head to the wind that comes

Blowing through the pine trees.

Summer bliss!

One of the beautiful things about summer is that we get to spend time outdoors with friends and family!   Whether it's barbecuing, biking, sailing, dining at an outdoor cafe, sitting on the beach or hanging out in the park, summer allows you to slow down and embrace your inner child.  There is always something great to do - one such great thing is this year's movie screenings at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.   When my friend Annette invited me to join her and a few others, I of course jumped at the chance as it's in my neighborhood and had all of the makings of a great time.  Happily, my expectations were more than met!  Last week we watched The Big Lebowski, arguably one of the funniest films ever made and this week it was one of my favorites by one of my all time favorite director's  - Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.  Although there are many outdoor films being shown in the city, Bryant Park for instance, The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy got it right!  A stunningly beautiful setting that overlooks the East River and the bright lights of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges - pinch yourself - it's real and free!  

As though that is not enough factor in great friends, great food(we bring our own),a breeze and an awesome crowd - true summer bliss!  

Oh, and the many great food vendors like Tony here!  

Love, India

I simply LOVE Indian design and culture.  The beautiful textiles, colors and prints have been a huge influence on my fashion and home design choices - not to mention the yummy cuisine!  Typically, the colors are bright, spicy and vibrant - but not here with Mary Mulcahy's Les Indiennes home collection.  Mary created designs in the ancient art of Kalamkari.  Her hand-blocked, sun-bleached cotton designs made in India are naturally beautiful.  What a wonderful summer palette!

Yumminess!

As I embark on this journey of fitness and good health, I realize how daunting a path this is!   Especially since I am a self-confessed foodie and there are not too many foods that I have met and disliked.  My shapely form is ever so indicative of this - a la Beyonce & J Lo, boy am I in good company and a tad delusional! :)  Although lately I have been trying to minimize my intake of fattening foods, there is simply one food that I cannot resist - French Fries!  Over the years I think I have become what some may call a connoisseur.  Yes, Mickey D's makes the best fast food fry - even with the new grease, and then for a more high-end fry if you will, there's Balthazar, Pastis, and Freds at Barney's - undoubtedly some of the best!  However, on a recent stroll out with my former:) pal Cami, she introduced me to my new extra 30 pounds - Pomme Frites authentic Belgian fries on the Lower East Side.  Perfectly crisp on the outside and delectably starchy on the inside - and the sauces - ridiculous! The regular by the way was more than enough.  This is the epitome of fry perfection and they must be stopped!  I might have to report them to the health department - I can't afford a new wardrobe!  Blame Cami for this entry - it's totally not my fault!  

Thanks Tuleh!

 For this dress...

that i will wear this weekend to this restaurant...

that I'll get to by walking over this bridge...

in these shoes:)...

to meet either of these guys -

 Have a dreamy weekend!

Calling Ms. Hill!

It's great to have smart people in your life, my brother Mateo reminded me of our love for Lauryn Hill and her sensational album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".  It was a great movement in the history of black music where artists like the Fugees, The Roots, Jill Scott, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Musiq and others.. took black music back to its roots and lyricized in the most poetic ways our experience - which is the human experience.  Dave Chappelle, one of my favorite comedians then did something remarkably brilliant and put them all together for a concert and film called Block Party - which was shot in my beloved Brooklyn.  This was also when we started to see the misalignment of Ms. Hills spirit.  I hope that today she has found the balance and love in her life that her beautiful lyrics once suggested - we certainly love her!  

Mannequin's walking!

Speaking of creative NY public art installations - I love, love, love the Sidewalk Catwalk display in NYC's Fashion District.  Although the exhibit has been up since late June, I just recently saw it and hope that if you have not, that you'll get a chance to - or bid on them here.  There are 32 designers represented in the parade of mysterious mannequins down Broadway.  Although all of the designs are fun, I of course have my favorites -  particularly the parachute dress by Victor Alfaro where I picture myself in it jumping off the Empire State building and safely landing into the arms of some adorably handsome stranger who will whisk me away to his chalet in France - oh, did I think that out loud?  Enjoy!

Nanette Lepore

Carmen Marc Valvo

John Bartlett - I would seriously wear this!

Love Love Love.Mark Badgley + James Mischka               

Jill Stuart

Tommy Hilfiger         

                                      

Prabal Gurung

Isabel Toledo

Victor Alfaro

Donna Karan

Dynamic Duo!

One of my most vibrant memories in New York City was the brilliant and spirited installation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Gates in Central Park.  The timing of it was perfect - it was during the months in the city when the palette is ashen grey, icy and most New Yorkers are looking for a reprieve from winter and those first signs of Spring.    And there it was - that glimmer of hope, Saffron - beautiful billowing fabric everywhere.  The Gates stood strong, tall, vibrant - an inspiration to nature.  They heightened your imagination and reminded us all that anything was possible!   The Gates were created as a statement to the original plan that Mr. Vaux and Mr. Olmstead, another brilliant duo, had when developing Central Park to build a stone wall and Gates to keep the park locked at night.  Thankfully, Olmstead thought the design was too complicated - although the name still lives on in many areas of the park.   Jeanne-Claude passed away late last year, but I feel strongly that her spirit is still alive through their creations.  Here is the latest book celebrating all of their work at Vivre.

Green with Love...

My obsession with tree houses continues - here's a mirrored treehouse hotel in the Boreal forest of Sweden by Tham &Videgård Arkitekter called The Mirrorcube.   

And for those of you who want to live among the trees and not in them:), check out the wonderful architecture of Olson & Sundberg architects.  Based in the Northwest, they embrace a great philosophy of sustainable design and community involvement which includes building homes for Habitat for Humanity.  

Also, I think the Rolling Huts that they built for the Rolling Huts Company are fantastic - who knew that there was such a thing? Camping out never looked so good!  Happy Monday!