Xuanmin Jin

My youngest sister lives in Shanghai.

She's there for 6 months and from what I hear, I think she's having the time of her life. Apparently Chinese people stop her in the street to take pictures with her (I told her she should charge them for that and pay her rent with it). Take Scarlett Johansson, take Blake Lively, put both of them in a shaker, add a ton of humor and kindness, shake-shake-shake and you get my sister Camille. Not bad, right?

Anyway, she sent me an email this morning with some unknown to me photographer work: Xuanmin Jin. He takes these black and white pictures and picks a few elements in the picture to color. It screams East meets West (or at least the Pop part of the West). I got an instant and strong reaction to these pictures and wanted to share this with you.

So what did I do next? I reminded Camille that my birthday was in February and that she kind of had not sent me anything this year... Will let you know what comes in my mailbox soon, he he he...

Daddy's little girl

A while ago, when my 3 sisters and I all lived at home with our parents we had this contest.

On weeknights, we all knew that between 8:00 and 8:30pm my father would be back from work. The second we would hear the key in the door, the hallway would become a battlefield. The four of us would run, run as if we were running for our lives... to be the first one to "kiss welcome" our Dad. While we were running, we were also screaming, tackling and catching each other's poneytail. He might have been disappointed not having a son, after obviously trying so hard... But I doubt sons run evening after evening, year after year, relentlessly the way the four of us did.

Truth said: we were all Daddy's little girl...

My father's birthday is May 20th. To make sure he would get his gift on time this year, he planned a little trip to New York with my mother to spend some quality time with me (or so he says...). People, the pressure is on! I need to find a great gift for my Dad's birthday. And NO, we are not thinking recession gift, I want to treat my father. If I asked him what he wants he would say:1)a nice drawing or 2)for everybody to get along (which we do) or 3)grand kids. Let's agree that none of these are gifts. I thought about a 12 minute helicopter tour over Manhattan with my mom during their sightseeing but I'm afraid he doesn't like helicopters, or 3 nights in a nice B&B in Cape Cod over Memorial Day weekend but I'm afraid he won't accept that kind of a gift. So please help me with your ideas! I need to find the greatest gift for one of the 2 greatest men.

Jose Esteves

Life Is Short, Do It Now!

That's the name of the business Jose Esteves created to sell his amazing lighting collection. How appropriate in these times. What I like so much about his work is the nostalgic element of each piece, yet his aesthetic is modern and elegant. The rumor says that he is coming to New York beginning of May for his "Re-born Exhibition" inspired by nature. You can be sure I will be there for the opening and find out all the details for you. Maybe I'll ask an autograph while I'm at it...
The sad news for us in the U.S. is that his collection is sold exclusively at Intérieurs, (lucky new yorkers...) The good news is my secret agent in France a.k.a. Chloé has given me his contact information...

José Esteves
Société LISDIN
25, rue de la bourssardière - 61130 Igé
Tél./Fax : 02 33 83 87 29

Again, no need to thank me, I'm here to help.

Oh Mother!

Traditions are good, breaking them is even better.

This happened maybe 12 years ago on Mother's day. Sunday lunch, my 3 sisters, my father and I are together to celebrate my mother. We all have very well deserved gifts for her when out of the blue she takes 4 yellow-gold pendants out of her pocket and hands them to us. Those were extremely delicate medals with our name and birth date that she used to wear on a bracelet. The surprise was amazing... I would have been spiteful and taken the opportunity to give us noodle necklaces instead, but she didn't. That's apparently how mothers are.

So Mom... if you read my blog, I think it's about time you bring this tradition back. It's been 12 years after all... Now I know it's recession 2009 but I've decided to be nice and help you out with a few ideas: the crystal/bullets pendants from seeunearthen are a good option, you can find them at Opening Ceremony and Curve, there's this summer shell ring by Mesi Jilly that I've had an eye on for a while at Vivre, the Silver Diamond ring is not bad either at the MOMA Store, the Alexis Bittar bangles will always please me, and then the Match earrings from Laura Lobdell are great. I think I'm done, for now at least.
I can't wait to see you! And don't forget: Mother's day is May 10th in the U.S. and May 25th in France, in case you're hesitating between two items.

PS: I love you Mom!

Making my dream come true

He's smart, he's funny, he's kind, he's cute... the perfect catch? Almost.
Over the past 3 years, discretely but surely I have mapped out a plan to make my dream come true: my perfect man is getting the perfect look.
We're going on a vacation: OUT the knee length swimsuit, IN the flashy Sundek one with the cool stripe in the back. He's starting a new job: OUT the messenger bag he's been carrying around since age 17, IN the Jack Spade briefcase. We're going to visit our families in Paris: OUT the square toe shoes, IN the Lucknow summer ones. We're moving in together: OUT the paper clip/key ring, IN the Tiffany's... And these are just a few examples among the other finds at the J.Crew Liquor store in Tribeca, the Sunglass hut... It's that easy! Turn the makeover into gifts: he won't even realize what you're doing... until he reads your blog. But look at him now, he looks like Robert Redford driving his convertible on the West coast! And the good news is: he's still smart, still funny, still kind and even more cute.

Tamar Mogendorff

From my good friend Chloé

My good friend Chloé has this unbelievable and natural good taste... and she's sharp. There is no room for error with her. Planning on getting married or decorating your (new) apartment, if you're brave enough and ready to hear that your taste sucks, she's your girl.
So this is the link she sent me this morning, Tamar Mogendorff: amazing dolls. You would be tempted to think this is for kids, well... I think that would be "donner de la confiture aux cochons" like the Frenchs say. Just get these dolls for yourself, you've deserved it and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Just go for it!

Now, more about Chloé... she refuses to admit it or even make a living of it. But if you DO need someone to help you out with wedding art direction or apartment art direction... contact me, I'll see if I can push her a little.

Beatrice Guichard

Beatrice Guichard

Beatrice Guichard is a very talented French sculptor, painter and furniture designer. All her pieces are inspired by nature. The sculptors in the picture above are titled "Brindilles" which means Twigs. She works most of the year in her Boulogne studio, and the rest in the south of France. And appart from being super creative, she's super nice.