Seeing:

R by 45RPM is a Japanese denim boutique seconds away from the Mercer Hotel (and my German shepherd Major Dukes’s fav fire hydrant in New York). I’ve only bought a gift from R by 45RPM, given that even the most carefully crafted Japanese indigo goods don’t fit into my uniform of custom, silk jersey tank dresses and made-to-measure, monogrammed shirt dresses.

But whenever I can I step into the world of R by 45RPM: wabi-sabi wares are theatrically lit, the cobblestone floor is wet-swept and left damp throughout the day, and savory incense spices the air…

Reading:

I take it all back; Major and I could live here, “here” being not necessarily New York, but inches away from the lobby library of the Christian Liaigre-designed Mercer hotel…

Hating:

After turning 25 for the third time — yes, I know I look young for 21 — I’m wise enough to realize I don’t know everything. But I do know more than the millions crammed into the isle of Manhattan, people who apparently don’t — or do? — appreciate that their city makes its own gravy. Mhmmm, I’ve become one of those Los Angelenos who loves visiting to New Yawk City, but wrinkles her nose at the idea of living here.

Arts, drive, and straight talk culture a certain quality of life — but not like 365 days of 72°F and sunny.

Life has a constant, casual joy, knowing that if I actually step out of the controlled climate of my Porsche that my bed-head, burgundy bobbed hair won’t poof into a poodle’s.

Years ago in a conversational stream of consciousness I wondered if humans who needed to be near the beach were like amoebas trying to return to the ocean. But now, it’s like, so totally clear what’s important in life? And that’s sunshine, blinding white smiles, and wearing five-inch Giuseppes all day and only walking in them five feet.

Forgive me if I’m grumpy. I think I need a matcha green tea, almond milk latte…

Wanting:

In In The Mood For Love, the main character’s East-greets-West, 1960′s cheongsam cocktail dresses tell her whole story: muted graphic prints blossom into black-and-white flowers, which burst into vibrant blossoms that fast fade away…

MORE »

Watching:

In The Mood For Love (the original Chinese title is 花樣年華/花样年华, which translates literally into “the age of blossoms,” a Chinese metaphor for the fleeting time of youth, beauty, and love) is like Age of Innocence mashed with Mad Men, set in Hong Kong.

I just watched In the Mood for Love, the full movie, online…

Seeing:

I’m braving trekking across Los Angeles during Carmageddon for a LACMA panel on architect John Lautner’s legacy:

“This panel, featuring architects and critics Michael Rotondi, Craig Hodgetts, and Sylvia Lavin, will look at Lautner’s work, assessing its impact on the thinking and practice of architecture. It will be followed by a conversation on architectural preservation, featuring Frank Preusser, LACMA’s Conservation Scientist, and Christopher Carr, Vice President of The John Lautner Foundation. The conversation will be moderated by Nicholas Olsberg, archivist, cultural historian, and co-curator of the 2008 exhibition Between Earth and Heaven, the Architecture of John Lautner.”

Sounds dangerously dry, but any man who imagined worlds like this wills that sort of worship.

Plus, I really want to grab a matcha green tea boba — almond milk, please — from Urth Caffe…

Reading:

Even The New York Times finds web magazine Lonny‘s Flash-y, faux-flip layout back-to-the-future funny, but something about Lonny’s editorial is seriously tasty.

And of course I’m a little partial to Lonny’s profile on my friend Adam, of interior design co. Adam B. Straus…

Bag Snob has to hand it to Fendi: they’ve been killing it lately, thanks to their color-blocking acumen and high level of creativity. And as of now, we are officially swooning!

Beauty Snob has discovered that Natura Bissé’s eye makeup remover works just as well our old stand-by, but without the oil-slick aftermath – because it’s oil-free!

Coquette loves how the Middleton sisters’ shimmery shiny legs bring nude tights back into fashion.

Fashion Pulse Daily finds Jill Stuart’s Fall 2011 collection to be a rare treat in color blocking, mixed metals, and animal prints.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is seeing Ralph Lauren’s car collection at the Louvre.

Second City Style thinks limitations can lead to fabulous ensembles and offers options in Wedding Style. What To Wear When You’re A Guest.

Shopping and Info loves the sexy Jimmy Choo crystal suede pumps for summer parties.

StyleBakery shows us some chic ways to wear summer’s new crop top.

Stylehive is diggin’ Rihanna’s island sound and style in her latest single, ‘Man Down’

If you’re looking for comfort and style, take a look at this Jimmy Choo “Folly” wedge sandal!

Seeing:

While I was in Paris, I saw Ralph Lauren’s car collection at the Louvre. Each car was so perfectly restored that a few featured confident, historically accurate imperfections. Ralph Lauren is a genius marketer because he’s tells you a story that he’s not one at all — just a storyteller.

Writes the Wall Street Journal about Ralph Lauren’s car collection at the Louvre:

“I ask him if this epic collection of automobiles might be seen as merely part of the larger Ralph Lauren brand’s image machine. Why? Well, because the exhibit’s catalogue (in French only) is on sale in Ralph Lauren boutiques, for one thing. Because I’d overheard a lot of rag-trade business being discussed at the gala, and not so much about cars. And because not infrequently Mr. Lauren’s great cars—notably the Atlantic and the ‘Count Trossi’ SSK—have appeared in advertisements with himself as a model, further blurring the line between man and brand.

‘It’s not a machine,’ he reproves me, in a beautiful, rich whisper. ‘Why is it a machine? You’re cynical… Everything I do and everything I love I put into this company and I have done it with integrity…. I didn’t buy the Bugatti because I thought it would be great for my ads. Now, I have used the cars in my ads because they’re part of the world I’m designing…’ “

Bag Snob thanks you, Elie Tahari, for getting us out of our tweed-and-chainstrap rut. You’ve given us the total Chanel vibe with none of the copycat trappings.

Leave it to the French pros to take colorful mascara and what could veer into tackiness and make it divine, like this Le Métier de Beauté’s Anamorphic Lash Mascara at Beauty Snob!

Coquette wants a dinner date out wearing Moulinette Soeurs’ splashed palette dress.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is enjoying Soho House London wallpaper by Jonathan Yeo.

Second City Style tried them all, so you don’t have to. Find out What’s New In The World of Self-Tanners..

Shopping and Info loves the fuzzy eco friendly Mongolia Prada garden tote for summer parties.

Hot enough out there? StyleBakery is keeping cool with chic and easy one-piece outfits.

StyleHive shares their favorite white hot picks for summer!