Posted by Roxie Mae Lackman on March 14, 2013 0 Comments
The State Fair, or in the case of these pictures that I took last week,
The Florida Strawberry Festival, has always been and always will be
magical to me.
I'll never forget what happened two years ago. We were driving down the coast of Southern California in the late autumn when my friends and I saw the last thing we had ever expected to see in Malibu: "Is that a Carnival?!?" we all squealed in harmony. Three hours later, dizzy, laughing and tummies about to explode... we fell back into our rental car and kept on our road trip. In just two years, the memories of that road trip have started to fade. The one thing that never fades and will always be vivid is the way we felt randomly coming across the California State Fair. It was like a surprise party just waiting on Pacific Coast Highway. They cost so much, you always know what to expect, you always eat things you shouldn't... Why do they always keep me coming back for more?
State fairs began in the nineteenth century for the purpose of promoting state agriculture through competitive exhibitions of livestock and display of farm products. As the U.S. evolved from a predominantly agrarian to an industrial society in the twentieth century, modern state fairs expanded to include carnival amusement rides and games, displays of industrial products, automobile racing, and entertainment such as musical concerts.
I thought that knowing the history of State fairs would help me to understand their universal appeal, but maybe I should be asking more what my history is with State fairs: My first taste of cotton candy, the rides I had to build up the courage to go on, winning an orange ribbon for a photograph and "winning" countless stuffed animals. Maybe everyone, like me, has their own history. Maybe, like with most of life, the answers lie somewhere in the questions themselves: Are they expensive? Yes, but like Christmas, it only comes once a year. Do I always know what to expect? Yes, or perhaps it's that I always know what I can rely on. Do I love love love a reason to eat all the things I shouldn't? Who doesn't?
No theme park, no restaurant, no single concert can recreate a place that comes to you, but only once a year. It's a reminder to be a kid. Better yet, it's a reminder that every now and then: Life is Fair.
Love,
Ekho
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_fair
http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/
http://www.floridastatefair.com/
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Posted by Roxie Mae Lackman on February 23, 2013 0 Comments
Milan fashion week is on and just hours ago Bottega Venetta presented one of the prettiest fall collections, according to those lucky enough to check out the runway.
Despite hitting $1 billion in US sales for the first time last year, the relatively new clothiers did not turn up the volume and begin logo-branding their products (as is the trend) but they remain tasteful and elegant, elevating simplicity to the sublime. Bottega has truly blossomed into a full-fledged fashion house rather than merely a venerable Italian leather atelier that dabbles in fashion, although their woven leather bags & shoes remain one of the most beautiful contributions to fashion...
On the other end of the show-stopping spectrum is Fendi, with their faux-hawks and fox fur. I admittedly have mixed feelings about fur in fashion, but I have to say I love the silly little furbies accompanying this season's bags (see the little character peeking out below). It's so Japanese teenager chic!... And I also LOVE the high-80's Bladerunner hair! If Helen Mirren can rock pink hair at the BAFTA's (Brit Oscars) and George Bush can look fetching sporting spikes, then I say it's time we go mainstream with the Mohawk!...
As long as we're talking 80s trends... Yesterday I caught one of the more interesting shows I've seen in the lead-up to the Oscars on E!—it covered fashion trends set by movies. It turns out that 2 looks I can't imagine not seeing regularly, arrived courtesy of 'movie magic': The puffy jacket was first seen in 'Back to the Future' and messy hair for men wasn't really a thing before Footloose's Kevin Bacon. As a teenager, I remember thinking Back to the Future was fun and romantic and Kevin Bacon was sexy... But looking at these movies now, I see fashion in the making. Who woulda thought...
As for more current movie chat, I must comment on tomorrow's Oscars and the likelihood that Affleck will take the Oscar for best picture, but was snubbed for best director. There could be a good reason for this: As a movie it's great, but as an actual depiction of facts, Affleck took license that's more than artistic. Watching a CNN interview 2 days ago with our 39th prez Jimmy Carter I learned that the rescue mission was all about the Canadians, not our CIA. Carter said the movie is 'accurate enough' and he hopes it wins, but Carter gave full credit to Canadian decorated military man Ken Taylor for orchestrating the event.
Allegedly, without the Canadian Parliament the mission would never have occurred—Carter said the first ever secret session of the governing body was called in order to issue 6 Canadian passports to the Americans so they could carry-out Taylor's plan. Curious about Affleck's possible transgressions, I did a little research and found protests by Ken Taylor and, just minutes ago, a nice blog entry on the topic from the UK's The Guardian (my overseas fave)... Honestly, I thought Good Will Hunting was fun (albeit totally driven by director Gus van Sant, yes I just mentioned him in my last blog) but I just can't get behind the Damon/Affleck 15-year juggernaut that hasn't let up since they won an OScar for the GWH screenplay. Sadly, I'm not one bit surprised to hear that honesty and integrity aren't exactly driving the over-rated Affleck...
In other Oscar commentary, Daniel D-L & Tommy L J are deserving recipients of the awards they're about to receive. Hathaway and Lawrence are talented actresses, and will also receive the awards, but so it always go that the IT girl of the day receive the accolades... Amour's Emmanuelle Riva, in Lawrence's category, give the truly great performance... I hope you all enjoy the show!
Final thought, thank you to Elle Ronis for resurrecting the great NYC orchid sale: Blooms on Broadway @ Gotham Hall, after being closed for 6 years. If you're in The City go support the 30 vendors offering the best in flora today and tomorrow. And then give a nod to the Oscars and rent Spike Jonze's Adaptation and see 2 incredibly under-rated performances by Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper and, yes, an orchid is the star...
Roxie Mae
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Posted by Roxie Mae Lackman on February 18, 2013 0 Comments
As someone who very nearly devoted her career to studying dear Mr. Lincoln I can't let today pass without a nod to the best American EVER. Made up of equal parts intellect, melancholy, & wit and losing as many elections as he won, he beat all the odds coming out of political retirement and getting elected President as the 1st Republican, anti-slavery nominee so he could reverse the newly legislated legality (via the Kansas/Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision) of America's worst humanitarian transgression. He stands eternally at the crossroads of liberty and equality, our 2 greatest contributions to government of, by, and for the people. Thank you, Mr. Lincoln.
And to Mr. Washington today I say I'm so very sorry no one heeded your warning against a 2-Party system. At least they had the good graces to respect your humble wish to not be called 'King'.
As long as we're dancing a political jig, I must acknowledge the newly revamped news & arts journal The New Republic and suggest you check it out if you've never experienced its essays! First published in 1917, this venerable publication has recently received a face lift to include even more insight into the arts and current events. As a 20-year devotee I'm sorry I haven't yet begun reading the 1st 2 issues, which are packed for my Grand Canyon vacation next week, but I'm heartened by the fact that female phenom Zero Dark Thirty (and my personal favorite Point Break) director Kathryn Bigelow is the subject of the 1st piece in the 1st issue. And the Obama cover story has already been oft quoted by talking heads... nevermind that it's The President's thoughts on NFL roughness that have received all the attention...
Another worthwhile publication, this one fashion focused, 2 issues strong is CR Fashion Book by former French Vogue Editor Carine Roitfeld. Few things warm my heart more than Lincoln or the notion that there is still an audience for A NEW PRINT PUBLICATION, so I couldn't be happier that Roitfeld managed to sell out her first issue last Fall—an abstract look at rebirth—and on the 28th will release her 2nd issue, this time featuring a ballet theme. Along with the most fashion-forward photos around, her book is personal (she chose ballet because she's just begun lessons), avant-garde, and unafraid. And who else could have scored still photography from art-house-meets-leading-man-eye-candy and possibly pervy director Gus van Sant?
And a final word on yet another rulebreaker and gamechanger and, yes importantly, a woman, Danica Patrick. Yesterday she scored the 1st ever Pole Position in the Daytona 500. Photographed below with 2nd place finisher Jeff Gordon and his daughter, reportedly Gordon told Patrick that his XX-chromosome offspring did not understand she too could race cars until she saw Danica perform. They all agreed it was important to include the young one in their celebratory photo shoot. You don't have to be Lincoln to make a significant difference in the world around you. Tracy Chapman would agree that a 'Fast Car' is sometimes enough to take you to new places...
Yes, it's a bright day for history indeed. Thank you to Lumio for this fantastic new book-shaped portable and rechargeable lamp, which throws 500 lumens of LED light, good enough to pull into bed with you as you catch up on your presidential biographies...
Happy Birthday Mr. Presidents
Roxie Mae
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Posted by Roxie Mae Lackman on February 14, 2013 0 Comments
Let's keep it simple on a day full of flourish... Here's what I love right now!
Steve Martin, at the age of 67, keeping the birth of his first baby secret for 2 months...
Oscar de la Renta bringing Galiano back...
New & bold Fashion Fringe's showing at London Fashion Week:
Gotye winning Record of the Year for "Somebody that I used to Know".
Hermes new porcelain collection. Yes, they're plates.
Lulu Guinness' iconic lips clutch in snakeskin because today is today.
And Mondrian, because I love him every day...
Besos,
Roxie Mae
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Posted by Roxie Mae Lackman on February 09, 2013 0 Comments
We're delighted to introduce COBALT TILE TATTOOS, as a cost efficient way to add character and pop and make a room sing with care-free Mediterranean delight.
A color created with the essential Element Cobalt, which comes from the German word Kobald—underground goblin or evil spirt—and the Greek word for mine—cobalos—these bold, blue compounds have been used in the decorative arts since at least the Middle Ages. First used in its pure form commercially in France in 1807, it was such a hit that Vincent Van Gogh allegedly told his brother Theo, "Cobalt blue is a divine color and there is nothing so beautiful for putting atmosphere around things."
Of course in more recent pop culture, Meryl Streep immortalized bright blue as Cerulean in the most powerful (and my favorite) scene from 'Devil Wears Prada', in which she lays out exactly how art and commerce combine to carry a color from runway elite status to fashion for the masses.
The vivid color is no less important to home decor and is especially
masterful when paired with stainless steel counters and appliances or a
predominantly white space. We do hope you'll take a spin on the colorwheel and give it a try!
Roxie Mae
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