Playing Catch-up

Lots to post about the past few days, a lot of which was written during the day in my handy-dandy Behance Action Runner notebook.

Day 7: ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI! The most beautiful thing in the world (more on that later)! Had a very nice wandering day. Went to NYU to go to the Chik-Fil-A for breakfast, but Google lied to me and it doesn't exist (I couldn't find it, anyway) so I defaulted to Starbucks (ew).

To end the day, I took an uptown train to the Bronx and met up with my sister to go to Flushing for ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI! I think it was ~$20 a head, but for all you can eat sushi, that's pennies. And it obviously isn't the greatest food, though I've paid more and gotten worse.

Day 8: Fashion week is here! A wonderful celebration of women who are both amazingly beautiful as well as skyscraper tall. And Fashion's Night Out is tomorrow, going to be so much fun. Today I failed miserably and went up to Queens to check out Century 21 just to find out that they're closed for Rosh Hashanah (which they decided to post day-of instead of the night before, because they're intelligent like that)

Bloomingdales: Bought 2 shirts (still not entirely sure I'll keep them)




Simon Spurr orange OCBD and Richard Chai short sleeve (my first short sleeved shirt in a very long time, years maybe). Might return the Chai shirt, the deal wasn't that great (ONLY 40% off lol) Also tried on an amazing SS10 Prorsum blazer, not my size, but was really tempted regardless (40% off retail put it just out of my comfortable reach anyway). And a Comme des Garçons windbreaker.



Click on top picture for alternate

Ralph Lauren Men's Store: Such a nice location, the building is beautiful, and I was lucky enough to go on opening day for their top floors, which were remodeled.

I walked around Central Park (just the fringes, to be honest) after that.

Day 10: FNO is here! Missed the opener because I fail at life, but am stil going to try to hit a bunch of the events (113 limited edition Band of Outsiders x Momofuku cookies available for one night only?!). Actually, as I write this in my journal thing, I'm about to head over to the Ace for those very cookies.

I didn't make it for the cookies, by the time I got there, there was a line stretching around the block and I had no desire to wait in it while other events went on. Headed up to 5th Ave.

FNO was interesting, Saks had a ridiculous amount of stuff, but I only went for some free champagne, Bergdorf was best, free Heineken (and Corona, but who would drink that when green bottles are present?) and appearances by Michael Bastian (who was really nice and looked legitimately happy to be there), Thom Browne (who was also great, but is it pretentious to wear head-to-toe of your own stuff?) and I saw him play ping pong with some Olympic silver medalist fencer and later some speed skater.


Thom Browne, looking dapper in.... Thom Browne.





Guess the Olympian!

Simon Spurr was also there and, like Bastian, seemed to be enjoying himself (though I have to admit, his FNO shirt was a kop-out, it just said Simon Spurr and Bergdorf Goodman with a Union Jack and had an $80 retail), Tom Ford was there later, but I didn't stick around to see him. Barney's was pretty boring, a few celebrity stylists who I didn't care about, the design head (at least, I believe that's who it was...) of Prada, and Robert Geller playing ping pong (what is with New Yorkers and celebrity ping pong?) and they only had vitamin water, weak.



Currently sitting at Opening Ceremony - Ace Hotel where somehow the line has actually grown in the past 3 hours. I saw someone who I know from the internet here, wasn't sure of proper protocol. Hate this ridiculous line (written 20 minutes and 10 feet later). There's also a metric shit ton of smokers, headache-mode engaged. It's really unfortunate how many New Yorkers smoke, so many beautiful women have been made resistably unattractive because of one little "accessory."

They closed the doors at 1130 after advertising that they'd be open until 12. Glad I haven't spent money at OC, because I certainly don't plan to now. Terribly rude. If anything, when the clock runs out you let everyone in, you don't say "Sorry, we don't want you." to customers.

Day 11: Didn't do anything all morning, but later went to the Union County Musicfest. Free admission to an OK Go! and Train show? I'm there (The Bravery played as well, but we didn't go to see them).

Postscript: I fucking hate that Google and Blogger accounts share cookies. It's annoying that I have to log in and out of Blogger and GMail ever 2 seconds

Day 4: Went to the city with my sister. Walked up 5th Ave (from Penn. Station, oops), actually 3 times (walked up about 3/4 of the way to Central Park, then walked back to go to lunch - went to Man Doo Bar, fresh Mandoo for a decent price, good eats - and then back again to the park. Then walked around Central Park for a bit before returning home

Day 5: Went to the dog park and then Liberty State Park, pretty lazy. Found out how rare fast food places are around here, the closest McDonald's is multiple towns away (though the towns are small).

Day 6: Eugh, the service in this city is the worst I've ever seen. New Yorkers aren't the most polite people in the world, but you'd think the people that get hired to be service representatives would be more polite, or at the very least pretend to be so.

Not the case.

Bergdorf Goodman: Completely ignored me the whole time, I don't like to be pestered when I shop, but ignoring a customer is a definite no-no. About half of their staff were on their phones or conversing with each other, they'd see me, not greet me, and go back to what they were doing. 3 SAs were in a small room on the first floor with the Loro Piana, not one of them thought to ask if I needed any assistance, they just wanted to talk about themselves. Same thing with the lady in the fragrance area, which is about the size of my closet.

Saks Fifth Ave.: Almost all of the Sales Associates looked at me as if I was going to grab something and bolt (regardless of the fact that I wasn't on the ground floor, it'd be rather hard to get through security when I have multiple floors to get down). The first SA I saw really annoyed me, I was extremely bothered for the rest of my visit, which is not exactly the mindset to put people in if you want them to buy things from you. He blatantly inspected a Ralph Lauren Black Label suit I had just looked at (didn't even try it on) as if in the 15 seconds it was in my hands I would have somehow destroyed it. The one SA who actually was helpful (George, in the Vault) was really great though, very nice and helpful. I also may have gotten a customer for the guy who made my messenger bag, though that could have just been SA talk (I'm rather suspicious about what SAs say is genuine and what is bull)

Dior Homme: This really annoyed me, if I were to buy something, I'd most certainly avoid this store (to the point where even if I lived in NYC, I'd phone order another location or buy it from a different stockist). I picked out a couple of pieces (a really nice houndstooth suit and a pair of paint splattered jeans, both quite nice pieces) and was waiting in line for an SA so I could ask for a fitting room, the wonderful SA sees me and looks right past to ask the guy behind me if he would like a fitting room. WHAT THE FUCK? Then he tells me sorry as if he didn't see me when clearly he did since I was standing right in front of the fitting room. Had to wait 20 minutes since the other fitting room had a burnt out light.

Salvatore Ferragamo: The SAs were pretty nice, though they still had the look of wariness, got to try on a cardigan that was one of my favorite pieces of FW10

Barney's New York: Fail. First floor had tons of SAs standing around doing nothing and then the second floor had one guy who was folding shirts so would often be gone in the back. Grabbed some stuff I wanted to try on and ask questions about and had to wait 5-10 minutes for the SA to get back. The rest of the SAs on the above floors (3-7, if I recall correctly) completely ignored me. At least I got to try on some great stuff (actually, their buy was probably the best). The Lanvin wool trench was amazing, but the zipper on the one I tried on was defective and wouldn't zip. Also tried on a bunch of suits/jackets that I wouldn't otherwise have access to in my size (Margiela, Dries van Noten, Jil Sander, Prorsum, etc.)

And of course everywhere I went, people who were wearing t-shirts and crappily distressed jeans got immediate and courteous service everywhere. Apparently, dressing well actually gets me worse service.

New York I love you, but you're bringing me down

Okay, not really. In fact, if I could, I don't think I'd ever leave this place.

Day 1:
Walked around with my sister's fiancé. It was absurdly hot (96 degrees or so according to Yahoo!, but I'd estimate more). Stumbled upon Times Square (was walking through to another destination and realized where we were), unimpressed. Went to the Top of the Rock, and I must say, the recommendations for the Rock were very true. The views of Central Park, Manhattan in general, and the Empire State Building were pretty unbeatable, I was very much so impressed.



Day 2:
Did SoHo to fulfill a bit of my shopping needs. Went to eight of the SoHo shops I wanted to see, was able to take the day at a leisurely pace and even went to Century 21 after.

45RPM: Amazing store layout, though it was more like a museum than a store

Bloomingdale's SoHo: Not sure what I was expecting here, not good at all

Blue in Green: Such a great selection of denim, though since I was the only customer in at the time I felt a bit hawked over

Burberry: Being able to look through a large selection of Prorsum was nice, staff was quite friendly as well. The double-collar coats for FW10 are amazing, especially the shearling one with leather trim

Daffy's: Complete waste of my time, the only positive was the air conditioning

Marc Jacobs: FW10 is so strong, wish I could afford any of it. Saw a few amazing coats, all with nutria lining, that were beautiful, especially a cashmere Chesterfield with a retail of a mere $7500 or so. A lamb hoodie was actually pretty decent, I've never been a huge fan of those from pictures, and one of the other leathers I can't thin of was even better. There were also a pair of jodhpur boots that were to die for. Only down side to the collection is that they moved production of knits from Brunello Cucinelli to STAFF, not a fan of that (though I believe this started in SS10)

Paul Smith: Love the man as a designer, but I was really not a fan of this shop. Very stuffy with 2 or 3 guys standing over the door and eyeing customers as if they're going to bolt with merchandise at any second. Shoe selection was worse than the flagship Nordstoms, pitiful. Upside was a bunch of Paul Smith Mainline that isn't easy to find outside the store

Rag & Bone: A lot of nice stuff for FW10, though their continued move towards complete Chinese production is dropping them further down on my list of good brands, especially since their goods/prices haven't bettered. Again there were 2 guys standing at the door, though they were at least not overwhelming, they were chatting and looking very nonchalant, though there was no mistaking what their purpose was

Uniqlo: Nice, not the greatest clothes (and I hate spending on cheap goods) but I ended up buying a lot of socks to fill a hole in my wardrobe of casual, fun socks. At $4/$5 a pop, pretty cheap (though I get my Robert Talbott Sea Island cotton dress socks for an even better deal at $6 for 3 pairs)

Century 21: Loved the gems in the shoe department, there weren't too many, but they were marked down to the $200s from $600-$800 retail and I'm very tempted to buy a pair, though that'd mean I wouldn't be able to afford the amazing Boss ponyhairs I posted before. Their clothing section was a pretty big failure, in my opinion. The "Famous Designer" section was laughable with "designers" like Lauren Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Joseph Abboud, etc. They had a decent selection of Marc Jacobs (some of which I saw were SS10), though prices were still really high, far higher than I'd be able to get in Seattle though the selection improved. Every other designer had, at best, 1 item in a Small (34/36) and all to often none at all. Didn't do too much digging though, just a quick skim. Will return and see if anything improves with an earlier visit.

Went to a Mongolian Grill-style eatery a few towns away, pitiful. The smallest selection ever. This place had a Yelp rating of 4 or 5 stars, New Jerseyans do not know their Asian food.

Day 3: Pretty boring day. Sat around watching some football games and tried to acclimate to the time, failed miserably. Went out to get lunch and accompany my sister looking over wedding invitations and the like (terribly boring). Then went to dinner in Flushing (some hot pot place), not bad but the "Rabbit Tempura" which I got to amuse myself thinking it'd be Tempura du Lapin, turned out to be rabbit shaped fishcakes, wtf? That was depressing, though the rest of the meal wasn't that bad and cost only $30-something for the two of us.

It's time to make the matter matter again

Sitting here in the airport with 2 hours before the flight that I may or may not be going on headed towards New Jersey. I already have been here for 3 hours. The flight after this one is 7 hours after. Good times flying standby, at least it's cheap. I also have another post in the wings that I've been holding off posting (who knows why). It's pretty boring, just has a fit pic of the Raf Simons x Sterling Ruby trench coat and some information about a few denim projects that I want to get around to soon (what else is there to do when sitting at home during a Seattle fall?). Also just jotted down some notes for a new pair of jeans to work on, with measurements loosely based on a Dior Homme 17.5/19cm cut, still need a new sewing machine to be able to handle the flat felled inseams though, we shall see.

Also, I swear I saw George Takei running through my neighborhood this morning (All Asian rook arike), it was exciting. And random thought: Why isn't the plural of masseuse, masseusi?

Another fun development, I think I'm going to get a First View pass for 24 hours and download as many collections as I can (though I made a list of collections I want and I already went over 350 and I've only gotten into the Cs (womens and mens, bakcstage, detail, and runway sets). I figure I can save a whole collection in roughly 10 minutes, so getting it done in 24 hours is going to be impossible. Might be able to get a few donations for people who want the images without doing the legwork though so that might have me set, anyone want to donate the $500 for a half-year pass? That'll let me get just about every collection available.


Blue Scholars - Lalo Schifrin

PPS: Awwwwww sheit, I'm in Newark now

Sunrise to sunrise, somehow I missed a sunset

Went through my old desktop pulling files from it and found some old pictures from a few years back. Quite scary (and thus will never be placed in the grubby hands of the internet). Starting with ridiculously long hair (around of a touch above 10in if I recall correctly, since I wasn't able to donate it) and then shaving it into a mohawk... An experience, to be sure, and not one I'm particularly want to repeat. Also did the grow hair out to donation-length last year, think I'll stay away from long hair for a while.

It did, however, remind me to get a haircut before my trip, so I went today (and went into the city for the first time in over a month, unheard of). I've been keeping myself away from shops so that I wouldn't spend money before the trip. Ended up buying a new Spring-Summer '10 Dries van Noten contrast collar shirt, though I'm trying to sell it (it's my size, so if it doesn't sell I can wear it, but I don't really need a solid white dress shirt) but a $300+ for $1xx is not bad at all


Head Like A Kite - We're Always on the Wrong Side of Sunrise
I've been meaning to buy this album since it came out and I totally forgot about it (seems to be a recurring theme through my life) but I have it now and it's so good. A little different from past releases, but still quite enjoyable.

PS: I recently learned of Pineapple Chips from Trader Joe's (like apple chips but better) and they're absolutely amazing. Will make for amazing plane snackage.

Edit: *Ridiculous block of text no one wants to see warning*
While I love the salon (feel weird using the word salon, normally I just say "place") I go to, I for the life of me cannot remember the name of my favorite stylist, and I hate that. The salon is Zero Zero in Seattle (and it's the best in Seattle, in my opinion) and I despise talking on the phone (mini-phobia) so I never really make appointments (also hate making appointments since they're giant blocks in a day that you have to work around, I like things to be fluid) and end up with a (generally new) random stylist. I know a few of the stylists I've had - *rant*

Reading a name off of a business card embeds a name in my head permanently, hearing it does nothing. I hate that about me. I can remember everything about the visit with this stylist - who will remain unnamed only because I cannot pry that little bit of knowledge from my brain - from which station I was seated at to what the conversation was about, and yet a simple name is impossible to conjure up. I'm a visual-aural learner and am really good at remembering conversations but for some stupid reason names do not come included in that package. It makes teaching classes a pain (I figure next season I'll have them write their names down before I start, might help) and is a huge negative. For what it's worth, I was seated at the 3rd seat from the front, directly across from the forward-most of the two sinks. To my remembrance she was a brunette with short hair and a few tattoos (one on her back and I believe one or more on at least her left arm), I'd know her on sight (and have seen her before, though I've never been able to ask her name both due to it being weird asking someone their name because I've forgotten it and because I had other stylists and it's rather rude to blatantly make a move towards becoming a return customer with another stylist in front of them after you've just had a cut, seems a bit like saying, "Thanks for the cut (perhaps taken as "No thanks"), but I'm going with her") which makes it even worse. I feel like her name started with a "J" but the only stylist listed with a J name doesn't have any noticeable tattoos (and many stylists aren't listed on the website).

*/rant* - and they've all been great, but this particular one was indescribably attentive and nice. To be honest, I've had better cuts from some of the other stylists, but her choice to dry cut my absurdly thick (and at that time, quite long) hair and then stick to it when it took ages for her to complete was admirable when most would have reached for the electric razor long before, and she didn't charge any more than for a standard cut even though it took perhaps as long as twice more so. She also kept a lively conversation, something that's rather hard to bring out of me. Anyway, the other stylists I've had, Prudence, who cut my hair today, (3.6/5 for being very amiable and attentive, though the end result wasn't exactly what I had in mind, it's probably my fault because once I lay down a plan of attack, I tend not to give any further input even when prompted), Donna (3.6/5 for being good but not particularly special though very nice), Zoe (3.5/5 for being good but not particularly special), and Ken (4/5 for being quite nice and giving a very nice cut, though he seems to have a one track mind towards a rockstar style, still makes it looks good).

Ideally Idylic or Idyllically Ideal?

Oh boy, I failed miserably on the blog front this summer. Forgot all about this and the blogs I read. Twisted my right ankle before summer started and that's still bothering me when I skate and I twisted the left a few days ago. You'd think I'd learn not to do stupid things on stairs after all the encounters we've had. I've started listening to Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros lately, after having their album and not really liking it at all, it's definitely grown on me and I kind of regret not seeing them at Sasquatch, but first row at OK Go is a good trade (might be seeing them again soon). Going to be in NYC for 2 weeks from the first of September. It'll be hard to keep from spending more than my wallet could handle, but my knit game is floundering and I'm a sucker for any designer shirts at <$150.

Bought a new scarf.... Will have to figure out how to make it fit in my wardrobe since I never wear scarves (and this is purple/pink, extremely thin/sheer, and square) hard to beat nearly 90% off though. I also have my eye on a pair of amazing black ponyhair boots. They aren't from the most reputable brand ever (Hugo Boss, ew) but they don't look as bad as my predisposition toward the brand would have me believe. If I still have some cash left after my NYC trip, those will be killing it for FW10. I have so many things I'd like to pick up before FW10 though, if only I had a spare $500.... or $5000 to drop on some nice things.

Click for a larger image

And I did finally get around to doing something with the layout. Not finished (would like to do an EOT, but that'll take some time), still tweaking colors and I need to edit that border so the edges aren't quite so sharp


Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream

Postscript: If anyone has a ffffound.com invite, and the planets align to bring them to view this, I would love you forever if you'd share it with me.

First WAYWT post

Band of Outsiders - white striped OCBD
Nom de Guerre - Natural jeans
Paul Smith - brown Sigaro Ricard boots

Earth tones today, with matching band-aids from a blood donation to match. Sleeves are a bit weird since they're too slim for me to roll properly.

Might not get a picture of the Raf x Sterling trench being worn after all, decided I'm going to be returning it (could probably pull off the pattern, but that length is too much and the price is pretty high, even for a limited edition piece it's just waterproof denim). Though in other news, I may be getting a pair of ostrich boots if my Ebay auctions go as planned (will know in 2-5 days)

Today's musical stylings have been all about Minus the Bear

"Don't cry, I'll bring this home to you if I can make this night light enough to move. Don't cry I'll bring this home to you."

PS: If anyone sees this, they should definitely check out and buy stuff from my proxy thread full of plenty of designer goods at generally >50% off retail

Le soleil, il nous brûle

Have I mentioned how terrible I am at keeping up with these things? Because I set records for how bad I am. At least the summer's starting to show it's true colors, the sun has decided to finally grace us this past week. Was supposed to be working this summer since I didn't sign up for any classes, instead I have no job and am in the negative overall for the year, not pleasant.

In happier news, got a new coat since the last post, Raf Simons x Sterling Ruby SS10 trench (will try to get pics, maybe that'll force me to make a post). Not entirely sure if I'm going to keep it or not; it's a bit eccentric and full-length, both of which may be touch too much for me. It's also the most expensive single purchase I've made and with other sales, I could get at least 5 very nice shirts for the same amount of money.

Haven't looked at any of the SS11 shows yet, kinda been lazy about it. Then again, the SS months are the most boring of the seasons in terms of clothes, though the colors are pleasant.

Je dois essayer mon français ou je vais le perdre cet été.


Some amazing summer music from Minus the Bear

J'ai vu le soleil

Want to learn how to make a pair of jeans? Check out this thread at superfuture, it is easily the most informative on the topic (and I may eventually post my own steps if I ever get around to starting that hobby up again and buying a new machine)

I've been on hiatus from reading my blogs lately but reading The Fragrance Separate to the Flower (which in itself is a far more beautiful title than could ever come from my brain) I came across this work. I love the pieces in and of themselves and the paper bag medium conjures memories of decorating bags in school for Valentines Day, not that mine were ever even 10% of what she can do with a paper bag.

I've been thinking how unfair it is that girls can wear Zara/H&M and look stunning but I drop $$$ for an under-the-radar wardrobe. I need to change this, starting with a new coat (probably a trench, I have a few bookmarked) and/or cardigan (I'm heavily leaning towards a MJ cashmere one), too bad I don't really have all that much to work with monetarily at the moment and I've yet to secure an off-season job.

Currently listening to: Fences - The Same Tattoos, a hauntingly beautiful song. Saw Fences at Sasquatch! 2009, hasn't gone a week without play on my ipod since. And check out the video for "My Girl the Horse" filmed by my old neighbor Kyle Johnson

(For what it's worth, I don't think this is the best performance of the song)

Oh, and I definitely need to spice up the place, will work on format soon. And I think my next post will by music-oriented, shall be fun

Quand la neige tombe

Je ne sais pas. Essayer un nouveau style pour cette annonce (ce poste?).

I still don't really get how people write on these things daily, my life's pretty boring. SSDD, SSDD, SSDD. The most exciting part of my day, a hailstorm that brought about 2in of hail.... in May. It's snowing at the pass right now and I really want to go boarding, what a crappy season in terms of weather.

Discovered a new Japanese brand, John Lawrence Sullivan, designed by Arashi Yanagawa after I stumbled across a sample piece of the FW08 green chesterfield with leather accents. Really like the collections he's putting out, really clean designs

WAYWT: W+H, PBJ, Adidas

Currently listening to: Quick and to the Pointless - Queens of the Stone Age
Explosions in the Sky have been taking up a lot of my eartime lately, just seems to be matching my moods perfectly. Sasquatch! Music Festival comes up in a bit less than 4 weeks, so that's going to be amazing