Hotel Chelsea.

One of my favorite buildings in NYC is the Hotel Chelsea. I've never actually stayed here, but I love taking the elevator all the way up to the tenth floor and then slowly meandering down the hallways and stairways for art and history. Many creative people still live here, but among the many famous people who have lived and stayed here are Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, William S. Burroughs, Allan Ginsburg, and Jasper Johns. Some consider it the "birth place of creative modern art and home of bad behavior."
There is an undeniably heavy (and somewhat creepy) feeling as you walk through the hallways-- Some think Nancy's ghost (of Sid and Nancy) still roams the dark corridors. I think I may have to stay here one day with a moleskin and a bottle of whiskey...just to see what happens.

"This is .000044% of all our images." Getty Images.

(Click on images to enlarge)

These advertisements won young art director Danilo Boer one of his many awards/recognitions. They are very affective, unique, and exciting. I literally stared at each of these for a good hour!

"Some call it a renaissance."

The E.D. Clan: "East Williamsburg" (Group Show)

March 12 - April 11, 2010

Opening Reception 7-10pm Friday March 12, 2010

(L train to the Morgan stop in Brooklyn. 43 Bogart Street)

Factory Fresh and Heliumcowboy Artspace present:

DAMAGE CONTROL

The Art of Boris Hoppek & Alex Diamond

Show opens Friday, March 5th from 8pm-11pm

(Factory Fresh is located @ 1053 Flushing Avenue between Morgan and Knickerbocker, off the L train Morgan

Stop)

IMPORTANT NOTE: I went to this opening and the place was CLOSED!!! Maybe they are just super lazy. Apologies if you tried to go as well. If you want to check out this work I would call ahead of time to make sure they are around... Oye!

Pufferella and Josh Mccutchen @ Factory Fresh.

Pufferella's work (all fabric) plays with the cultural taboos of sex and marriage... And Josh Mccutchen focuses on mythology and body image...

Both of these artists share a refreshing, playful view of cultural and social issues. The gallery owners are also two of the nicest people I've ever met. Check out upcoming shows at Factory Fresh.

She Rocked it.

Both of my lovely ladies always look good, but Marnie (right) rocked it this week. She wore this outfit out dancing at Happy Endings in Manhattan (Don't go before 1am). This budget outfit has quite a few elements that make up a very stylish vintage inspired look. Headpiece ($20): Artists and Fleas, Brooklyn. Shirt: $12.99 @ Marshalls. Side button pants: LaRok. Bag: Her mom's vintage.

Marchesa @ NYC Fashion week.

STUNNING. (<--photos from)

A little photography inspiration for Friday.

David LaChapelle

Ryan Schude

Nikki S Lee

Andreas Gursky


Gregory Crewdson

August Bradley

I love you Matthew Williamson.

Matthew Williamson at London Fashion Week (<-- original images)

The cuts, the colors, the shoes...all of it!!!

Oh, and NYC FASHION WEEK. Just in case.

It's fashion week and my heels are too high.

Andrew Buckler after party (basement) 2010, NYC

The Woman.

You can say all you want, but Victoria Beckham has got some things figured out. First of all, she was (is?) a Spice Girl...they have sold over 54 million albums, and I'm pretty sure everyone knows the lyrics to at least one of their jams. Also, she is married to one of the sexiest men alive, she ALWAYS looks good, and she has an exquisite line of clothing. Aside from all the superficial amazingness, she also puts her family before everything, is honest, and surprisingly funny. Spice up your life.

(Images from Glamour, February 2010)

If I had a Valentine.

(Glamour, February 2010)

Dusk Angels, Brooklyn rooftop

Yoga to the Broke.

I was recently interviewed for American Way magazine regarding my Yoga practice: Check it out. If you live in NYC or Brooklyn check out more info on Yoga to the People, which is a donation based Yoga Studio. They also have a Hot Yoga studio (classes are $7) and are in the process of opening a studio in Williamsburg. Namaste!

Jef Aerosol.

Jef Aerosol on the streets of Bushwick...

and the walls of Eastern District.

POP culture in yo face! As more and more street artists move inside for solo-shows, the question comes up: Is it worthy? Is it "true" art? What do you think?

She Rocked it.

Zsuzsa rocked it this week. She wore this outfit to the New York City Ballet, and then later, out dancing in East Village and Brooklyn. Don't be afraid to wear all black and white; If you combine different textures and patterns, it can be stunning. Dress: American Apparel, Tights: H&M, Structured jacket: Whitley Kros, Bag: Chanel, Suede boots: Vintage.

Location: Trophy Bar bathroom.

Magic.

Gustavo and I recently walked by The Evolution Store in SoHo, and I was reminded of how magical it is. You will find anything from unique jewelry to insects and animal skulls.

Go to this.

Jiang Huan, Nanna's Sunday. Oil on canvas, 103x137 cm

• EKFA Winter Show 2010 Open February 3-March 1

The Eli Klein Fine Art gallery specializes in the "ever-transitioning" art of Chinese contemporaries. I was sincerely impressed with the range and talent of these emerging and prominent artists. Jiang Huan's painting, Nanna's Sunday, made a special impression on me. I could easily place Mema (my late grandmother) and her cat in this scene. Plus, I am fairly certain that my aunt had that exact couch circa 1995. It is so simple, but evokes a nostalgia even bigger than its lofty frame.

West Indian food for the soul.

One of my best friends in the world finally moved to NYC! On Saturday we decided to have a small West Indian dinner party as Kefira's family comes from Dominica: a small, lush, West Indian country in the Caribbean Sea. She (of course) cooked the meal, and I (of course) set the table, prepared the drinks, and made dessert. For the table decor, I chose to make it simple yet colorful. I draped scarves over our casual dining area, and arranged candles and simple flowers. For the drinks, I made Micheladas, which are actually Mexican, but perfect to pair with the spicy and sweet aromas of the food. Kefira prepared jerk chicken, coconut rice and beans, and fried plantains. It was beyond amazing...

Kefira's Honey-Glazed Jerk Chicken

Ingredients:
Chicken (2 lbs. 1/2 drumsticks 1/2 thighs)
Jerk Sauce ( Jamaican style. Best to get at an international store)
5 Cloves of finely chopped garlic
1 Bottle of Beer ( a light beer like Corona, Tecate or Red Stripe)
2 Tbl spoons of rum
1 Small jar of Honey
Black Pepper

1. Get yourself some chicken ( drumsticks, thighs and wings are the best, but if your feeling ambitious cook the whole bird)
2. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Wash the chicken with water and lemon or lime juice. (helps kill bacteria and gives an overall better taste in the end).
4. Put chicken in (pyrex) pan and rub it with garlic, black pepper and jerk sauce. There should be a nice, even layer of sauces on each piece of chicken.
5. Place chicken in oven and let the magic begin for about 40 minutes give or take.
(Every 15 minutes baste the chicken with the sauce, and near the end test the chicken for firmness)
6. When the chicken is getting firm, pour the honey over chicken and coat each piece
7. Put back in oven for another 15- 20 minutes

Note- I like my chicken tender but cook it to your desire. For a nice crispy glaze turn broiler on and cook for a few minutes longer.

Tips on preparing the rice and beans: Refer to the recipe for rice (we used Basmati) and cut 1/2 the water with coconut milk. Then add 1 can of dark Kidney Beans or any you prefer.


My Michelada

Ingredients:
2/3 Light beer (like Corona, Tecate, Sol, or Pacifico)
1 Lime squeezed
2 Dashes hot sauce (my fave is Cholula but Tabasco works)
1 Dash Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Ice
Salt
Cayenne Pepper (optional)

1) Salt and cayenne the rim of a pint or margarita glass
2) Add ice
3) Add lime juice
4) Add beer and sauces to taste

Emily Henson.

These magical rooms (which I found on Design Sponge) come from interior decorator and stylist Emily Henson. It has always been my dream to paint a blackboard wall in my kitchen, and I've always been fascinated with plush jewel toned couches. I would love to lounge and drink tea in that living room. Delicious!