More Men

I am loving that J.Crew is featuring real people in the catalog and online! It's real people who buy and wear J.Crew so they are perfect models! While the real girls garnered all the glory this month, I'm loving the Men of Monocle feature most of all! I've never heard of Monocle magazine before but I think they might have found themselves a new subscriber! Oh, and just so we're clear J.Crew, I would be happy to volunteer myself for any future real people features. (Note to self: go to the gym!) But until, I will placing my real people order for spring. Happy Shopping!

Saul Taylor

Robert Bound

Andrew Tuck

Alexander Mills

Top: Tyler Brûlé

J.Crew's Artistic Genius

I am loving the new J.Crew catalog that features seven New York artists photographed wearing J.Crew clothing in their studios! The online version, Open Studio, has interviews with all the artists and more shots artwork and studios. My favorite question of course is "How do you think art and fashion influence one another?" Their answers are all perfect. I have two questions of my own though, 1. Why didn't they shoot any women artists? and 2. Is artist Chris Dorland (above) single?

Artist Ryan McGinness

Studio of Ryan McGinness

Artist Glenn Ligon

Studio of Glenn Ligon

Artist Billy Sullivan

Studio of Billy Sullivan

Artist Lucien Smith

J.Crew Fall 2009

The weather in New York has has been feeling a little like Fall lately which makes me think about what I will be wearing soon. Jenna Lyons was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times recently about the success and popularity of J.Crew and also her inspirations. For Fall 2009, she imagined what it would be like if opera star Maria Callas, model Lauren Hutton and socialite Slim Keith shared one closet. The resulting collection is a mix of glamour pieces and sportswear made up of denim, lace, feathers, cashmere and jewels. I know which items I'm eyeing but the bigger question is which ones the first lady will be wearing this fall! Better get there before she does and they all sell out! Happy Shopping!

Photos from J.CrewAholics and Glamour.com

Favorite Things: Resort

I skipped my winter Favorite Things post because it was all just too depressing to think about and by this point, I am ready to burn all my winter clothes so why not focus on resort. Besides, I'll need something to wear in St. Barths and I like to plan my outfits in advance, even if they are just for my fantasy getaway!

I am usually not a fan of pink. I think it's something to do with living in the city or growing up in a Peptol Bismol pink bedroom. But I make an exception for pink when it comes to vacations at the beach. It also looks good with a tan and although the color in the Milly Ikat Dress above is a little more mauve, it still fits my theme perfectly. I tried this dress on at Saks last week just for fun but I may have to go back and buy it. I just love the way it fits and it's flirty and fun without being too frou frou.

When I first saw these sandals on the J. Crew website, I was hoping they came in another color but now I realize the pink would be perfect compliment for my getaway wardrobe. And you know that I never never met a pair of gold shoes I didn't like so the gold straps definitely had me at hello!

Everyone knows that you can't go away without a great manicure and pedicure. I've already switched out my dark polish for Essie Potato Fields. It's the most perfect neutral color and also looks great layered over Adore-A-Ball if you need a little more coverage.

You need something to wear on the plane and I will probably wear one of my J. Crew Tissue Camp Shirts with the white jeans below. You can leave the sleeve down while traveling and then roll them up when you get to your destination. If you get chilly, you can always throw a cardigan over it. (Oh, and the orange one is already on sale!)

I love white jeans. I don't care if they make my butt look big or need constant washing since they get so dirty. They are just so easy to throw on and go easily from day to night. It's best not to spend too much money on them since they do have a tendency to attract dirt. I actually found a pair on sale for $10 at a J. Crew store recently but this pair is not too bad at $98. Now if I just had legs that long, I'd be all set.

I know most of the things I'm packing are from J. Crew but it really is one stop shopping there and everyone knows they have great swim suits so I had to post one from them as well. I usually stock up on them during the end of season sale but there is something about this new Italian Jersey bikini that I love. I think the Earth color is the perfect foil for all the pink and would also look fabulous with a white little cover up. I think I am going to give up carbs forever after looking at her body in it. Sigh. Let's move on shall we.

I tend to buy certain accessories that I know I will be able to wear forever so I don't really need a new pair of sunglasses. My Tom Ford gold Angelica's are still going strong but if I did need new sunglasses, then these Ray Ban aviators would be perfect. They are a classic and could also be worn forever and also won't break the bank.

I bought this Lambertson Truex beach bag very on sale at the end of last summer at Bergdorf Goodman so I'll be taking it along but you can find great bags at the Gap and even Target. The tote bag from the Gap that I wanted to post isn't online yet but it's been featured in all the magazines. It would be perfect so I'll keep checking for it.

There isn't much new fiction on my must read list but I've been hearing good things about Gilding Lily by Tatiana Boncompagni so I am looking forward to reading it. You definitely need a fun read for the beach so don't even think you're going to make it through War and Peace while you're on vacation. Trust me. It's been tried before and it never goes well. Just pick up the chick lit and throw it in your bag. You'll thank me later.

And don't forget your sunscreen! La Roche-Posay make the best although you may want to bring some Hawaiian Tropic along just for the coconut smell. Or you could just order a few Pina Coladas. Bon Voyage!

Domino + J.Crew = Uber Chic Party

Domino magazine hosted a private little soiree last night at the new J.Crew Collection boutique at 79th and Madison to honor their November 2008 cover girl and J.Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons and the launch of their new Domino Book of Decorating. I can honestly say that it was bananas! (I already miss Rachel Zoe!) The store is beyond chic with vintage art and books mingled among the Collection clothes and accessories. The dressing rooms are painted grey and pink and the store even has an amazing Serge Mouille chandelier!

The guests were also chic and cool. Jenna Lyons set the tone in a fabulous gold dress and grey tights with multiple necklaces. She held court with the Chairman & CEO Mickey Drexler, who I am sad to say I didn't get to meet. I wanted to ask him if a home line is in the works! Katie Lee Joel caused quite a stir when she arrived in wool hot pants, tights and 5 inch heels...and on the coldest day of the year no less! She's makes me never want to eat again! Anyway, super sibling blogging duo Hollister and Porter Hovey were also in attendance, as was the always dapper John Derain. Fashion designer Chris Benz made an appearance too. He used to work for J.Crew and Marc Jacobs. Talk about talented! It was nice to finally meet Pierre Frey, the grandson of THE Pierre Frey, since I actually wrote about him in The Next Generaton story for Domino. And I'm so glad that I was able to catch up with uber-talented photographer Matt Albiani, who is really good friends with my old roommate from Boston. Small world! Hopefully, we can collaborate on a future blog post. Stay tuned! I also met Lauren Bush who couldn't be nicer! She has a new fashion line coming out called Lauren Pierce.

And of course, the talented and lovely staff of Domino magazine were all in attendance. Deborah Needleman is one of the nicest editors I've ever met! The best part of the evening was that they actually gave each guest a copy of the Domino: The Book of Decorating! How chic is that?! I don't think I've ever been to a book party that actually gave away the book! Thanks to Domino and J. Crew for a fabulous party! And to my wonderful friend Kelly Reynolds of Carleton V and Dorothy Draper who is always the chicest party companion! XOXO!

Shopping and Shots?

Usually, I would advise anyone against shopping and drinking but in the case of men, they can sometimes use a stiff drink to get them through the task. Perhaps that's why I heard today from Urban Daddy that J. Crew is opening a shop in a former bar in Tribeca. Or my guess is that they want to start competing with places like Freemans and Rugby. Regardless, it's a fun concept and they've brought on Andy Spade as consultant. Seems he has a lot of free time on his hands since he and Kate sold their company.

According to Urban Daddy, "you'll find an extremely approachable, well-curated selection of J.Crew limited editions (suits, cashmeres), outside collaborations (Mackintosh coats, Thomas Mason shirting), best-in-breed gear (Alden shoes, Baracuta jackets) and vintage finds (tie bars, old Rolexes) that will help you tie together the classic American Steve McQueen look you've been cultivating." I might have to stake out the store to find one of these Steve McQueen wannabees! I will give J. Crew credit for thinking outside the regular retail store box though. I just wonder what they'll try next!

J. Crew Tribeca Men's Shop at The Liquor Store

235 West Broadway at White Street

212-226-5476

Madison Avenue Collection

My prayers have finally been answered. A J. Crew store is set to open on the Upper East Side. Of course, they couldn't just open a regular store on Third Avenue like everyone else. Instead it will be J. Crew Collection store on Madison Avenue and 79th Street. But I'll take what I can get. Now if they would just get rid of that Critter crap, I'd be really happy!

Kaufmann House

My last post about J. Crew using Kaufmann House in Palm Springs as a backdrop for their latest catalog shoot had me going back for more. Designed in 1946 by Richard Neutra, it is a wonderful example of mid-century modern architecture.

The house was commissioned by Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. who also commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build Fallingwater. It's interesting how both homes clearly embrace their environment and blur the line of indoors and out.

Both homes employ glass corners so as not to obstruct the views and horizontal stone walls, but were designed by different architects 10 years apart. Therefore, one has to wonder how much influence the Kaufmann's had on the designs.

According to The New York Times, "Neutra was known for catering sensitively to the needs of his clients, so that their houses would be not only functional but would also nurture their owners psychologically." So maybe the Kaufmann's were influential in the design.

"The house stood vacant for several years after Kaufmann's death in 1955. Then it went through a series of owners, including the singer Barry Manilow, and a series of renovations. A patio was enclosed, one wall was broken through for the addition of a media room, the sleek roof lines were interrupted with air-conditioning units, and some bedrooms were wallpapered in delicate floral prints."

"After purchasing the house and its more than an acre of land for about $1.5 million, the new owners removed the extra appendages and enlisted the architects Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner.They sought out the original providers of paint and fixtures and even reopened a long-closed section of a Utah quarry to mine matching replacement stones."

The new owners also bought several adjoining plots to more than double the land around the 3,200-square-foot house, restoring the desert buffer that Neutra envisioned.

Kaufmann House was just one Palm Springs home made famous by photographer Julius Shulman and will be part of 150 photographs of structures by architects such as Richard Neutra, John Lautner, A. Quincy Jones, Paul Williams, E. Stewart Williams, Albert Frey, William Cody, Donald Wexler and Palmer & Krisel, in the new exhibition Julius Shulman: Palm Springs that runs through May 4 at the Palm Springs Art Museum and also in the beautiful book by Rizzoli, Julius Shulman: Palm Springs.

But Julius Shulman wasn't the only famous photographer to shoot the famed Kaufmann House, Slim Aarons shot these two iconic photos of the home in 1970 and were obviously the inspiration for J. Crew. Oh, and don't forget that the house can be yours for approximately $25 million if you feel like bidding at Christie's on May 13. Bonne Chance!