smells like jaisalmer and smokes like oran

heard this in a shop in san francisco last week and
its been making me swoon ever since. perfect for sultry
dancing around whilst slowly packing for a new brooklyn life.

heaven from tattoo you, the rolling stones

ginger and chocolate covered

been absent for a couple of posts and as usual i am
attempting to play catch up with the last few days.

i spent a lovely couple of days in san francisco as part of my
annual holiday trip to the left coast and discovered some
real gems with the help of my long time friend, erika.
as a result, i am now full on a burmese food obsession and
have been reinspired to make things, including food, drink and
bits to drape around oneself in various forms.

i will be back to new york in a couple days and moving into my
new, drenched with sunlight, brooklyn apartment. very much
anticipating this and i have lots of interior ideas that will pass
through here.

meanwhile, i will be chilling with my dog, eating my fathers
fantastic persian/armenian food and my mums biscotti and taking
in some sunshine on my birthday.
enjoy the holidays.

high spirits and overflowing

since i was absent stateside this summer, i am still
playing catch up with music that i missed.
(save for the russian and armenian pop and techno music.)
i heard real estate this morning on sound check
and totally fell in love with their laid back, surf rock.
the last bit of this tune slays me.
it is totally summer and surf in a sound.
what i would give to be tan with my soles on a long board right now!

ola

albert elbaz art directed this shoot for vogue brazil.
i rarely put up editorials here but really loved this one.
its nice to see a great set idea like this one work so well.

frozen open ocean

this morning in southampton, human resources of the hamptons is
hosting their sixth annual polar bear plunge.
i'm jealous and want to be there.

vagabond golden

the oh so lovely ladies at Lizzie Fortunato sent these images of their
spring 2010 work over to me a couple weeks ago. i gushed on about
their fall collection just a bit ago, check that out here. i am so floored by
the emotive quality each of their truly unique pieces has. they have such
a different and honestly original perspective on jewelry design. for me,
i find that its so emotional because of its visibly handmade aspect and
its so descriptive of the influence behind it, without losing its identity.
i cannot wait to get my hands on some of these gems, they make me
long for surfing azul waves, drinking tinto de verrano and traveling with
lightness. its impressive when a necklace can move you to plan a trip.

check out SCOUT for a bit more on lizzie fortunato and the indian influence

all images by lizzie fortunato.

a painting to make you cry and feel still

i had been at the MOMA for more than two hours without realizing it today-
strange how when you are on an inspired trip, time is of no essence.
my last stop was the room dedicated to the return, well until april
of some of Monet's water lillies.
they stunned me into stillness on another countless occasion.
if you have yet to see these works in their basking light, please go.
they will break your heart. as they should.
MOMA
Monet's Water Lillies
through april 12, 2010
oh and i'm a member, so hit me up, you get a discount when you go with me.
water lillies 1914-1926

naked thoughts

i have been a long time fan of VPL and victoria bartlett.
i had the wonderful opportunity to work briefly at VPL a few years
ago and i fondly remember it. the day i spent working directly with
victoria was a day that i learned more about the industry then i did
in all of my internship years before.

the human anatomy became the main inspiration behind my
design work when i was in my third year at university in italy.
for me, it was only the obvious choice being that my father is
a bone doctor and i was always fascinated by blood, cuts and medical
instruments. in his honor, i constructed a kimono like robe with the nervous,
respiratory, digestive and circulatory systems embroidered all over it.
it was certainly a labour of love. for now my creations have been
distilled to the human heart valentines i make annually.
its so inspiring to see how VPL has explored this influence and i really
do hope this exhibit makes a debut in new york.
check out my fawning over VPL at SCOUT.
video by dopolavoro gallery, milan.

she's no drag

vena cava for converse on sale december 5.

off the top shelf

sweet and stark

Kinski, a new czech/austrian cafe just opened on the lower east side.
yesterday, we tried the pumpkin cafe, the bread dumpling omelet and
the wonderful and strong austrian coffee by julius meinl.
the food was excellent and i'm hoping to get back soon and try more,
everything sounds delicious. the whole experience reminded me of this
memorable breakfast (second photo) in winter 2005 in prague.

kinski
128 rivington street near norfolk
while you are there check out maryam nassir zadeh
photo nymag.com and z.s.

kindred soul spirit sister

fashion is always on about the past. and constantly edie, andy, bianca,
jane, jim, bobb, neil, stevie, etc etc. please, i love them all just like the next
one but sometimes its refreshing to get another in there...

with that said, grace slick slays me.
the lead singer from jefferson airplane (+the great society+jefferson starship)
(thanks for that jude, i never would have known them without you.)
not only was she stunning, belted out with a killer voice but also totally crazy.
she attempted to lace president nixons cup of tea with lsd.
i highly appreciate the evident weirdness and sarcasm.
maybe in my next life, i'll find myself in my kindred 1960s.

shat merci

i wanted to convey my gratitude to those that have been so supportive
of me and all my pursuits in this year. encouraged me to be free and
creative and work hard and just keep on keeping on. it has been a wild,
overwhelming, challenging, fruitful and wanderlustful year. i still cannot
even comprehend all i have experienced. but i know now, there is no way back.

to all the beautiful and inspiring people i have met,
i am the luckiest to know you. all of you that have loved and
supported me, tirelessly. and inspired me more than you may ever know.

i look forward and welcome the travels, tears, challenges, influences,
laughs, memories and love.
shat shat merci.
sirov,
anushka dgan.

message in the birds mouth

many iraqis raise pigeons and fly them for a hobby.
i find this really fascinating.
here are some sitting under the full moon in baghdad.
photo nytimes.com

sitting on a pillow, on the floor

who is in for saturday or sunday at monkeytown?
there is a five course indian meal with a performance by the
neel murgai ensemble
i'm gonna post the menu to entice you...

Seared diver scallops
Truffled sooji, tandoori-honey emulsion
Vindaloo lamb soup
Toasted naan, jalapeno chutney
Striped bass rogan josh
Basmati saffron risotto, coriander raita
Rajasthani style lamb loin
Masala mashed potatoes, dal makhani
Chai spiced poha pudding
Shaved almonds, mango sorbet

chelsea girl

it has taken me about two months to finally start to love my
chelsea neighbourhood. when i returned, i was really overwhelmed
with the idea of being back and not in a place as i remembered it.
a number of my favourite haunts prior to my trip had closed up shop
and i was dwelling on this idea of new york not being what i wanted.
and honestly contemplating the idea of getting right back on the jet plane.
but, alas, the gems have been found, or they found me...
+a knowledgeable photographer told me that jeff koons has his massive
studio a block away from me. b barr and i are planning to go dumpster
diving there soon.
+just found out there was a cafe grumpy on 20th street
+le bergamonte is the utmost amazing french cafe, so much so its dangerous
and i am attempting to avoid the place, but that didn't work today, i had to go
order a pecan pie for tomorrow and i could help but get a croissant, which are unreal.
+i'm really fascinated by this spot, bombay talkie and i'm hoping to try it shortly
grumpy cafe
224 west 20th street, between 7th/8th
le bergamonte
169 ninth ave at 20th street
bombay talkie
189 ninth ave

la danse fantastique

la danse de l'opera de paris is an exceptional film.
its quiet, poetic, strong and humbling.

a rocky path to face the sea and cork trees

i enjoyed my brief stay in portugal immensely and am so looking for a
way to get back soon. this particular region of alentejo looks a bit lost in time
and i'm highly keen on that at the moment.
photos. nytimes.com

colours flood my mind and seep through my eyes

t and i volunteered all day for the Armenia Fund USA, making nonstop
phone calls in hopes of donations for karabagh. (check it out, link above.)
so, after hours of this, we were mildly exhausted. we happened upon this
show at deitch projects and its colours forced new found energy right
through my veins!
splitting twilight, kristen baker
at first, i was mildly unimpressed, but after a few minutes of standing in the
stark white gallery room with these slices of radiant light and stunning colour
stories, i was totally seduced. you really must see this work in person,
it has so much depth and is produced in such a raw way, that you can almost
dissect it, the longer you observe it. i love it. and its so inspiring to see a young
and totally strong female painter.
deitch projects
18 wooster street
tuesday-sunday, 12-6
on view til december 19
'splitting twilight', 2009
'stilly tempest', 2009
'oculatie der boomen', 2009

chaiwallah, wallah

my dreams of india keep feeding themselves.
the nytimes just did a 36 hours feature in rajasthan.
better catch me in ny while i'm still here, because
when i finally go, i'm probably never coming back.
(hint hint ramon-do i really have to wait two more years for you?)
all photos nytimes.com