Melvin Sokolsky

Pics: ana-lee, melvin sokolsky

The kids are alright

Last month my first niece, Martina, was born. During this time she has become the center of all our attentions and cares. I who have never felt a particular attraction for kid things, I can't stop seeing things for her:  a white cloud paper mobile, a silver rattle, a plate for the baby food she still doesn't eat or a DIY yarn wrapped monogram.

Collage made by me. Photos: me,3girlsandagoat, ontobaby, kimslittlemonster, evie s. tutorial

Bamboo by United Bamboo

I discovered with joy that United Bamboo had created a line of organic pieces under the name of "Bamboo by". The initial craze for eco-friendly has evolved and fortunately design has got a lot better. This "Bamboo by" collection is composed by Victorian inspired dresses and camisoles whose role I suspect is sleepwear but they can be perfectly worn in daylight.

Pics: United Bamboo

Voigtländer

I was given this beautiful Voitländer Vitoret D for being a good girl*. It also came with a camera cover and a camera bag. The thing is I have no idea how it works so I have to try it out. Truth is that I don't mind experimenting with it at all, but if there's someone who knows how it works and wishes to help me, I'd be grateful.

*Not really.

Joan Didion

It has become quite obvious for me that the people whose style I feel drawned to are always those whose personalities I find interesting. As Jean Cocteau would put it, “style is a simple way of saying complicated things”. According to this theory, Joan Didion must be a fascinating women. It hasn't been long since I know who she is and I am already willing to read "The year of magical thinking" or any of her books, to get to know her world.

Jack London, the photographer

You probably know Jack London for being the author of novels such as "Call of the wild", but did you know he was also a photographer? During his lifetime, he travelled the world and his adventures not only enriched his literature but also filled his camera with magical moments. He covered international conflicts like the Russo-Japanese war in 1904 and the Mexican revolution,which considering the time, can be regarded as a landmark in photojournalism.

Edwin x Jofama

The classy perfecto jacket have been around for several years. For AW11 Edwin has teamed up with the Swedish manufacturer Jofama to produce Airwoman, "a nod to the pilots, the bikes, the obsession with Americana and the spirit of rebellion." It's made of aged buffalo leather and lined with red silk and it also has a removable fur collar, perfect to emulate the ill-fated aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

Alexandra Grecco

Alexandra Grecco is a Brooklyn-based designer whose eponymous label "pays tribute to luxurious ladies of bygone days, drawing inspiration from silent film actresses of the 1920's and the burlesque dancers of the vaudeville stage." She uses silk in most of her pieces which make them look so etereal and whimsical.  A true feast for the senses.

Illesteva

 

I've always feet drawned to sunglasses and if I could I'd buy a pair every year. This season Illesteva  is on top of my wishlist. Both design and materials are pretty classic but they have somehting that make them look really cool and differente from the rest. 

Siempre me he sentido muy atraída por las gafas de sol y si pudiera me compraría un par nuevo cada año. Ésta temporada Illesteva está en el top de mi lista. Tanto el diseño como los materiales son bastante clásicos, pero tienen un toque de modernidad que las hace diferentes del resto.

Source: Illesteva

Home sweet home

Nothing is certain yet, but most likely I'll be moving from my parents house soon to study abroad. That's probably why these days my mind is constantly looking for objects to build a house.

Aún no hay nada seguro, pero lo más probable es que me vaya a estudiar fuera pronto y eso supone también abandonar la casa familiar. Será por eso que mi mente ya busca en cualquier rincón objetos para crear hogar.

Sources: etsy, urban outfitters, neest, kitchen aid

Jake Stangel

After seeing Jake Stangel's work I've got a burning question: how does he manage to capture that incredible light?

Después de ver el trabajo de Jake Stangel hay una pregunta que me reconcome, ¿cómo se conseguirá esa luz tan increíble?

You Must Create

These past few days, have been rainy and cold, almost autumnal. Maybe that's why when I saw YMC's lookbook I felt the urge to wear a chunky knit, parka and boots. That and also they look really cool, honestly. Typical menswear fabrics were mixed with others such as silk, which will delight those who, like me, enjoy wearing casual and comfortable pieces without losing entirely our feminity.

Vogue Paris aôut

This is the first time since Emmanuelle Alt is editor-in-chief that I want to buy Vogue-Paris. It must be Lara Stone, it must!

Es la primera vez desde que Emanuelle Alt tomó las riendas de Vogue-Paris que me dan ganas de comprar la revista. Será Lara Stone, ¡será!

Source: fashionologie

Species by the thousands

With such an appealing title as 'cave', is easy to assume where Erica's inspiration for her latest Species by the thousands' collection came from. Going back to the most pure primitivism, she goes into the cavern and, as in Plato's myth, approaches the world of the sense which she captures in a bunch of pieces executed with great taste.

The Aviator: Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn

Shirt etsy, pants Reed Krakoff, brogues Ralph Lauren.

Sources: net-a-porter, etsy, imdb.

Decisions

When I read this post Lin published, I identified with her so much. This morning I went to check out the sales and I bought a pair of flared jeans on a whim. It's been years since I haven't used anything but skinnies and there's a reason trend aside: I don't look good on flares. I didn't really like the fit when I was trying them at the shop but I bought them anyway knowing I'll probably return them. But I came home and I tried them with high heels and a nice blouse and I love how they look. So now I don't really know what to do. On one hand, I  like them, the quality is good and they were a bargain. On the other hand, I know I'll only wear them with heels, which I rarely do and I feel bad buying something that will get so little wear. What do you think I should do?

Chocolate chip cookies

It's weird but I think I've never mentioned here before that I am very fond of cooking, especially baking.Well, there is always a first time for everything and I am going to share with you one of my all time favourite recipes. It's super easy, fast and delicious. I am talking about the popular chocolate chip cookies. This recipe is from Joy of Baking and is -no doubt- the best I've tried so far.

Ingredients:

• 226 g. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 150 g. granulated white sugar
• 160 g. firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 295 g. all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 270 g. semisweet chocolate chips
• 100 g. walnuts or pecans coarsely chopped (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with rack in center oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated, adding the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) about half way through mixing. If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (from 30 minutes to 2 hours).

For large cookies, use about a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop or with two spoons, drop about two tablespoons of dough (35 g.) onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake about 10-14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen, so I always do half the ingredients. You can freeze this dough, though.

Source: Joy of Baking

Dennis Hopper Photographs: 1961-1967

Yesterday I went to one of my favourite book-shops to buy a present for a friend and I indulged myself on the way looking at the photography section. There I found, on the shelf, 'Dennis Hopper Photographs:1961-1967'. After my loud cry of satisfaction, which stunned the man next to me, I started to flip through the pages. I knew Dennis Hopper was good, but I didn't know he was that good. His gift and an exceptional position to shoot from Hollywood stars such as Paul Newman to Marthing Luther King at the   Civil Rights March, did help. The book includes unpublished pictures, a vast biography and excerpts from Victor Bockris' interviews of friends and family. All in all, this is a tribute to the memory of Hopper, soon to become a must.

Source: Taschen

On the road again

This fantastic video from Edwin Europe is a hymn to the road. A true picture of the freedom it gives, of the oppresive warmth the tarmac exudes and of its peculiar smell. Books like 'Travels with Charlie' and films like 'Easy Rider' made me admire and desire the road and I can't help remembering one of its better portrayers.

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'" Jack Kerouac-On the road.

Pola Thomson

When I first discovered Chilean designer Pola Thomson's work through Who's next, the clean lines and strong silhouettes caught my eye inmediately. Her fourth collection is composed by 22 looks inspired in the basic principles of Alchemy. "In spiritual level Alchemists, had to purify themselves before going through the process of turning worthless metals into precious ones such as gold. Under this idea Pola Thomson develops a re-interpretation of coming back to the essential through the foundational idea of ease and unpretentiousness."  Using fine materials like silk and cotton she has built an undeniably elegant collection.