Sushi Etiquette

Have you been eating sushi the wrong way all these years?  Watch this video from one of my favorite food websites to find out, and you'll be on your way to becoming a sushi connoisseur.  Mmmm...

The New Hilfigers

In the recent Tommy Hilfiger ad campaigns, they have really taken the prep persona to a new level.  I loved the holiday campaign, "Feastus Interuptus,"featuring a fictitious prep family on a winter picnic out of the trunk of a woody.  It featured tartans, ties, and not to mention signet rings.  Set to the tune of Vampire Weekend's "Holiday" it set a new standard for a more youthful, preppy direction of the company.

In their most recent campaign, "Backyard Adventure," for the limited edition Tommy Spring/Summer Collection they continue the tradition of bright colors and layers of texture with a new posse of preppies.  The six characters range in tongue-in-cheek named prep personalities, from Barbara, "the sexy tomboy" to Rene "the bodacious bohemian" each styled in a different look.  There are even mini biographies of each person with their favorite book, song, movie, and activities based on their persona.  It really takes lifestyle branding to a new high. 

Image via Tommy Hilfiger

On the interactive website they were definitely going for an 80s vibe, featuring playlists for each persona on tape cassettes, which are actually really good (I recommend River "the Sexy Nerd's").    You can also check out a video and photos from the shoot in California.  


In some aspects I think the campaign is a little over the top in prepdom - then again, I'm not complaining.

Luminous Rooms

It is always amazes me to learn about the cool jobs that some people have.  Take Leni Schwendinger for example, an urban light designer, who specializes in creating spaces and moods using light around Manhattan.  Her company Light Project's was one of the light designers responsible for the"pedestrianization" of Times Square in 2009.  This video poses some interesting questions regarding the possibilities of lighting in creating functional nighttime spaces.  

The Drums

Image via The Drums

In a backstage interview with NME The Drums frontman, Jonathan Pierce, stated that he wanted to bring back "the sensitive side to rock and roll."  Clearly, the success of the new wave, indie rockers since the the band's formation in 2006, is a testament that fans wanted it too.

Pierce began his career with the lesser known electro-pop duo, Elkland, with his childhood friend Adam Kessler.  Their love of synths and new wave music along with a newly discovered proclivity on the guitar gave birth to The Drums.  

Their first single, "Let's Go Surfing" gives off laid back summer surfer vibes, while songs like "Forever and Ever, Amen" tap into the lighter, more emotional side of rock and roll. From the new wave influences of bands like The Smiths and Joy Division to the sounds of 60's pop groups like the Shangri-las, make The Drums a band to keep on the radar.


Super upbeat and perfect for this time of year.


This video has the coolest retro vibe. 

Grand Slam

Waris Knows Best

Image: Norman Jean Roy via Fastcompany

You may recognize Waris Ahluwalia as the actor from Wes Anderson films such as The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and The Darjeeling Limited.  But the life of Waris can hardly be classified in such simple terms. A true entrepreneur and man about town, he started his own jewelry line called House of Waris, which has gained popularity at some of the world's most exclusive boutiques.  Having an extensive network of celebrity friends doesn't hurt either.

Despite his nomination for the prestigious Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund in 2009, he nonchalantly claims that the the jewelry business "came to him" after the sales staff had been admiring his ring at Maxwells's of LA.  Along with his work in gold and diamonds, he recently established a pop-up tea house aptly named House of Waris Tea Room under the Highline in NYC, open for just 10 days last fall.

He Divides his time between New York City, Rome, Japan, and India where most of his jewelry is made.  His jet setting lifestyle peppered with acting, art, tea, history and fashion attest to the undeniable style and ingenuity of this laid back American Sikh.  Check out this article on the 10 essentials according to Waris from GQ.  Notable: Rayban Aviators, Leonard Cohen.   

Gordon Voidwell

Image: Crystal Gwen via Huffington Post

Here is a little diddy to kick off the weekend that I recently rediscovered by Gordon Voidwell.  "Ivy League Circus" was released on Cantora (the same label that did MGMT's Time To Pretend) and was backed by Ralph Lauren.  The Rugby Style blog described him as "Prince meets MGMT--danceable, funked-out, 80's inspired pop."  You can watch the preview video from last May and download a free remix of the song at Rugby.com  So download the song and get outside to enjoy the sunshine!




To get the inside scoop on Mr. Voidwell, here is an interview he did with The Huffington Post a while back.

The Prep World

Image via TrendHunter

In the latest installment of Tommy Hilfiger's preppy empire, he has teamed up with Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook and True Prep, to create a mobile "pop-up shop" in the heart of New York City.  The Hampton-esque inspired store will open its shutters on April 28 and feature a range of quintessential preppy items from the new Prep World collection.  After a brief stint in New York, the shop will travel around the country and then hit the international prep market from Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Stockholm, Madrid, Belgium, and Tokyo.  Sounds like a neat concept and it will probably make big waves for Mr. Hilfiger and the Prep World collection sold exclusively in select stores.

Image via DFR

Here is an interview with Tommy Hilfiger and Lisa Birnbach from The Daily Front Row.

Red Wing Shoe Factory

The Red Wing shoe company has provided quality work boots since 1905 out of Red Wing, Minnesota.  Gaining initial recognition as the preferred footwear of American soldiers during both World Wars, the brand continues to manufacture hand crafted uniquely crafted shoes.  The production process is a testament to the dedication of the company to its long tradition of American style.



More than a century after its founding the brand began a collaboration with J. Crew incorporating both style and functionality into the Red Wing model.

Image via J. Crew

The Red Wing Wabasha Boot for J. Crew is a really handsome style with S.B. Foot distressed leather.  I think the lines and coloring of this boot are superb - a great all around working boot.

Image via J. Crew

The Wabasha chukka boots offer a shorter shaft and have this really cool waxed canvas insert that the J. Crew website assures will wear to a "beautiful patina with age."  It's less agressive boot with a unique style perfect for the campus to the streets of New York.


The Red Wing Heritage site has a lot more awesome videos about the company's history and news about upcoming collaborations and new styles.  Check it!

La Roux

Image via Last.fm

Ever since her first single "Quicksand" came out in 2008, I have been a huge fan of Eleanor Kate Jackson, aka La Roux.  Aptly named for her red hair and tomboyish style, La Roux combines both masculine and feminine forms of the French expression for "red-haired one".  La Roux is actually a duo with keyboardist/producer Ben Langmaid who Elly met in school.  She cites folk legends as Joni Mitchell and Nick Drake as her first influences followed later by 80s synthpop greats Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and The Human League.  Enjoying much success in the UK, her single "Bulletproof" took off in the US by 2010, and she recently picked up the Grammy for best Electric/Dance album in February of this year.


Her style and music is the perfect blend of 80s funk, with a touch of folk, and a lot of spunk.  All of her music videos are pretty awesome, but here is one of my favorites for her lesser known "I'm Not Your Toy".



Check out her videos for "In For the Kill" and "Bulletproof" too.  Long live the 80s!

Prophetik: 'Farm to Fashion'

Image via Kris D'Amico Photography

Prophetik is a clothing brand with a rebellious spirit inspired by American fashion from times past.  Headed by founder and designer Jeff Garner, Prophetik's motto is "declare yourself" and rethink the conventions of the modern fashion industry.  Garner takes a very organic approach, literally, using natural dies and low-impact production techniques, resulting in a fully sustainable brand.  Based in Franklin, Tennessee, the designs play upon Southern tradition from Civil War era frocks to Old Western inspired waistcoats and ascots for men with a modern sensibility.

Garner has partnered with MUSE, a charity headed by Suzy Amis Cameron (wife of famed director James Cameron), which teaches children about the importance of environmental stewardship.  Founded only last year, Prophetik's "wearable philosophy" is a preview of an important transition in the fashion industry, focusing on community and implementing sustainable methods.



Here is an extended version of the Prophetik philosophy featuring an awesome old-West inspired cat-walk show, photo shoot, and interviews with James Cameron.

Check out the Prophetik website to see more!

Orange Èlectrique

Woah! This is a crazy cool French sidewalk art instillation by Tropicana using the natural power of citrus. Who knew?

Tennis Anyone?

Image via Heyreverb

Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, the newly married couple-turned band have a great story.  The duo met while studying philosophy at school in Denver and after graduating decided to literally cast off all conventions and buy a sailboat (the Swift Ranger), completely detaching themselves from civilization.  Despite neither one of them having a knowledge of the sea, they taught themselves and embarked on a 2,500 mile adventure along the Eastern Seaboard.  


After their stint at sea, they started a band as an outlet to tell the stories of their journey.  Tennis' "retro-pop" lo-fi sound takes influences from 60s pop and inspiration from living life without boundaries.  This gem of a video, directed by Ian Perlman, invites us to partake in life on the open ocean.  I find this video and their story extremely inspirational.  Slightly obsessed with this vid...



I first heard of Tennis about a year ago with their single "Marathon" which is quite good, but their full album, Cape Dory, came out this past January.  Perfect vibe for warm weather relaxing.

Orvis x Col. Littleton No. 1 Grip

Orvis is a family owned and operated business specializing in American made products for the sporting life.  In 1856 Charles Orvis began a mail-order business selling fishing equipment out of Manchester, Vermont.  Today the Orvis company has established a reputation as one of the foremost purveyors of American adventurer equipment.


Colonel Littleton, based in Lynnville, Tennessee, makes unique leather accessories steeped in American tradition.  Orvis has partnered with Colonel Littleton in providing the No. 1 Grip.  The bag is called a 'grip', the name for carry-on bags for train travel during the late nineteenth century.  Expertly crafted and American made, this bag will last a lifetime.

The bag acknowledges its American heritage, made from soft, durable Native American steer hide and vegetable-tanned to give it a rugged, yet sophisticated look.  It also features a solid brass plate which can be monogrammed - score!  It is the perfect travel bag to showcase your style and character.

Images via Orvis

Here is a video of the Colonel himself demonstrating the surprising amount you can fit into the No. 1 Grip bag.  Notable items include: GP1 shaving kit, long-johns, Acorn slippers.

Albert Hadley's Style Eclectic

Image via Albert Hadley's book by Adam Lewis 

At the ripe age of 90, Albert Hadley has established a name for himself as "America's preeminent interior designer."  His partnership with esteemed decorator and Manhattan socialite, 'Sister' Parish, and their firm Parish-Hadley Associates, have decked the homes of America's elite throughout the years from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to the Astor and Getty families.  His style blends a modern understanding of architectural forms with traditional influences from the past.

The design magazine, House Beautiful, recently published an article featuring one of Hadley's recent commissions.  I love how he is able to take objects that would otherwise be chaotic clutter and fashion them into a warm, inviting and livable space.  Mr. Hadley adheres to a style emanating from a vast education in history and tradition.  I admire his eclectic taste, and his sense of style is a true inspiration.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the article of the New York City apartment.

Images by Christopher Baker via Home Beautiful

Also, here is an interview with Mr. Hadley from Architectural Digest from February's issue.

April Playlist: Sand Dunes

Gamble & Burke

Image via GambleandBurke

Gamble and Burke are two dudes from Worchester, Mass. who know how to have a good time.  How could drinking champagne and dancing on Martha's Vineyard not equate to a great music video?  Their music packs a healthy dose of 80s electro-pop and soul - perfect for all those preppy beach parties!  This remix by GRUM is a great way to kick off the weekend and celebrate the warm weather.  Enjoy!





If you dig this tune, check out "The Kid is In Love" and "Isolated" on the band website.

Driven like Bond

Image:Reuters via Telegraph

Jamie Kitman from GQ visits the Richard Williams Aston Martin Workshop outside London and test drives the legendary Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery and Roger Moore in the Bond films.  The styling on this car is superb and the stealth features are vicious.  This is the epitome of classic cool on four wheels.  The car sold at auction back in October for $4.59 million!

Call of the Wild

Friendly Fires

Image via Clash

The St. Albans band, Friendly Fires, is coming out with a brand new (and very danceable) album called Pala coming out May 24th.  Pretty spectacular album cover by famed fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø.  Check out their single "Live Those Days Tonight" available now on Itunes. 


This morning I gazed out my window to cold cloudy skies and a snow covered landscape.  Hopefully this video for "Skeleton Boy" from their first album will be the last wintry precipitation we see this season.  Spring are you there?  We're waiting...

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I saw this commercial the other day on TV, and the concept really piqued my interest. MemoryLane.com is an extensive compilation of music, movies, news, sports, lifestyle, and magazines ranging from 1940 all the way up to 1999.  It's a division of the same company that owns classmates.com, a social media platform designed for people to find old classmates from kindergarten through college - a feature which has been integrated through the yearbook section on the site.  There are several membership fees for unlimited viewing ranging from $6.95 for one month to $59 for 2 years with other options in between.

Even perusing through the website in the free preview mode, I came across a lot of really cool vintage stuff, ranging from 1960s Beach Boys album stills...

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images via MemoryLane 

to promotional portraits from Full House.

Lorimer Television/Fotos/Getty Images via MemoryLane

Overall, it's a really neat concept, and it's fun to poke around the site looking at the free previews.  It's definitely worth checking out!