Now and again some interesting or thought provoking design graces my desk. As I was rustling through the normal correspondence, I came across a brochure for Liquid Skin, and realized that today was not that day. Interesting in concept, Liquid Skin is a glass designed to look as if one would scoop water in their hands and drink it. And though I guess if one was in the wilderness drinking water with your hands would be appropriate, but drinking a glass of wine with the same posturing at a diner party seems a bit crude. And to add insult to injury the marketing ploy for this invention is gearing it towards the picnic going bunch or the classy traveler on the go. But even in that capacity it seems like an ill thought of invention due to its delicate nature. So here is my theory: maybe this was an accident in the land of hand blown glass and someone decided to recoup their loss by being creative. In conclusion, I guess it could work, but I think that the concept just doesn’t hold water.
*ms.b
And you know what? It's an insult to American audiences anyway. Scorsese dumbed down so much of the movie and spelled out all of what was meant to be unsaid. At least Lau trusted his audiences to understand the nuances of anxiety and love (both romantic and platonic) that ran throughout his film. For godsakes, Scorsese's final shot in The Departed is a zoom-in of an actual rat. How cheesy is that?
On another note, I wouldn't mind if Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar, for anything. I never thought he deserved anything for Titanic or The Aviator, because he looked like such a boy trying to fill a big man's shoes. In both The Departed and Blood Diamond, he fits perfectly into his roles. Who knew all it took would be a goatee?
Nothing says come hither or I’m too sexy for my ‘cosmo’ like a smoky eye in a dimly lit night club. Some say red lipstick, but I think that is more known for being on collars and getting men in trouble. But the eyes can never get you caught –not that I am promoting promiscuity. Urban Decay’s new spring collection is all about the nude lip on an otherwise dramatic face. They even added sparkle to further illustrate this night time look. Some might try to wear this during the day, but we normally call those women misinformed. Here is a tip from your friends at Jil no one needs extra sparkle during the day, that’s why we have the sun. You can get more tips on how to recreate this look at http://www.urbandecay.com/.
*It’s Jil Baby!
The Fabulous Mr. Garay has struck again with his contribution to our Black Ice issue. Remember how we said the best way to serve caviar was cold? Well he takes that theory up a notch bedding his caviar on sea broth granita. For those of you who don’t know what granita is he sums it up with this definition: “Granita is basically shaved iced or forked ice.” Now, I’ve classically seen granita in lemon or citrus, but this savory flavor puts a new spin on it.
When I asked in how he came up with the idea, he said: “while I was shucking fresh oysters it hit me, caviar served in oyster shells with a sea broth granita on top of ice and black sea salt.” Now why didn’t I think of that? Only thing that dawns on me when shucking fresh oysters is: I hate shucking oysters. But I guess that beats throwing the caviar in any given glass bowl. And just because he likes us here at Jil, he threw in his recipe for his sea broth granita. Sounds sexy!
*bon appetite* Jil
They can transform any ordinary Victorian chair into a leathered floral bouquet. While upholstered furniture is one of her main attractions, she is not limited to it. Helen ventured out of box by using her skills to cover walls with 3D roses in wool. And if that is not enough she manipulated a mannequin, wrapping it with her leather designs--yes people I said a mannequin. I’m thinking if she can wrap mannequins, and cover wall, maybe her next step will be fashion accessories? I can already see her leather roses gracing handbag by Gucci, Hermes, etc. --who knows it’s just a thought. But right now I would just be happy to have her unique, one-of-a-kind, textured masterpieces in my living room instead of off the rack and in my closet.
*Jil Apartment
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Nasty Nas + wife + child= grown man sh*t. The controversial "Hip-Hop is Dead" album is classic Nas literally and lyrically. This man always gives you something to talk about especially with a title called "Hip-Hop is Dead". And just when think this is just a marketing ploy for more record sale, he bless your ears the Nas way, with a hot single called –no surprise- "Hip-Hop is Dead".
I got this tip from a stylish friend who just loved herself some Tabio. After going through their product catalog, and seeing some rather unexciting, but well made tights, I happened across the multi-colored Tabi socks. I think these socks might be something a very avant-garde geisha would wear with her Technicolor Kimono. Should I be happy that someone made a sock that can be worn with flip-flops, or those Nike ninja sneakers that were so popular some seasons ago? Yes. Anything that gives people an excuse to be absolutely original is endorsed by Jil. Keep it gansta’.
*It’s Jil Baby!
I love it when filmmakers feel inclined to let us in on little piece of their lives. In Area Boys, filmmaker Omelihu “Mel” Nwanguma, takes us back to Nigeria to tell us a story about “overcoming the struggles of life”. One of the most interesting things about the film, is it shows how certain life decisions are universal. Most people are a product of their environment, and whether illegal or not the make decisions based on what they have been taught. I think that it is hard for anyone to ingest a new set of ideals when it conflicts with what they were raised on. To put in laymen’s if you are raised a thief, it is hard to break from that way of life and choose to do the right thing. And likewise, if you were raised capitalistic, turning against using a sweatshop, might take an act of G*d. Either way there is a bigger moral question; I think anyone can identify with this movie. We will keep you posted on the development of Area Boys, keep it locked!
More information on area boys is available on their website at http://www.inspirefilmmedia.com/.
*ms. b
Rita Wilson (that's Tom Hanks' wife-- and I wouldn't blame you for not knowing her off the bat since she's-- what, C-list?) laments about the B.S. (before stylists) era in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar. And she also reminisces about watching Temples of Viewing (TVs) on Oscar night which showcased the originality of celebrities who-- gasp!-- dressed themselves.Though Ms. Wilson isn't my favorite writer, she did point out many good points about the boringly beautiful celebrities who now grace endless red carpets. For godsakes, there are so many carpets to grace that some events are even experimenting with the color of the carpets themselves-- remember those disasterously stained white carpets?
If you ever read the article, you might agree like I do that those who show their individuality and creativity by taking fashion risks are the most memorable. I can't name any one actress whose gown blew me away, but I can name several who gave me something to laugh and talk about for days. Like Bjork laying an egg.
*kara mia
It wouldn’t be the Black Ice issue without mentioning at least one of my favorite food groups--caviar-- well it should be a food group anyway. Maybe you have heard of it, some despise it, but most hail it as a delicacy. It is the food of the month and here are some quick tips so you can seem like you know all about it:
How to serve it:
* Caviar should be served from a non-metal spoon.
* Lesser grades souped-up with dab of fresh lemon juice--sounds a bit ghetto but try it, not every guest is worthy of the beluga.
* If you don't have a caviar server--which most people I know don’t just have lying around-- place the caviar in a small glass bowl inside of a larger bowl filled with crushed ice.
* When serving caviar on crackers, use a bland, unsalted variety. I personally like Carr’s Table Water Crackers, but eat what you like! It also makes a great garnish on the right recipe.
What to drink with it?
*The most popular beverages to serve with simple caviar are frozen vodka, dry champagne or sparkling wine or a dry white wine.
We will have some caviar recipes, so check back soon!
Cheers,
*it’s Jil Baby!
*kara mia
What do you get when you mix ‘Goth’ darkness with Paris haute couture? Apparently you get Noir. It was no surprise that this would be the clothing for the Morticias gone ultra-glamorous. The fact that Noir means black in French should tip you off that the collection wasn’t going to be centered around Disney. But not to be totally kitsch, Noir gives you so much more than a gimmick. The fabrics are luxurious, the silhouettes are slinky, and despite the consistent dark color scheme, Noir oozes with femininity. We are not talking black lipstick, and demonic tattoos-- leave it to the French to create a vampiric wear anyone can sink their teeth into. Click here to see their goodies!
*it’s Jil Baby!
Bocci was the bell of the ball at the 100% Design show in London. This Canadian company captured the attention of many people and only words I could think of were “pure elegance”. These crystallized balls of light extended from multiple wires, hung at least 12 feet from the ceiling, and created the appearance of a sea of candles. Now if you think you can pull off using Bocci lighting in your home, you must be a ‘ Baller’ with really high ceilings. I can’t hate, “do you boo - boo”, but for the rest of us whose ceiling you can touch by jumping really high, Bocci lighting might not be for you. Click here for tips on how to intergrate Bocci in everyday decor!
Jil Apartment
Sometimes I just want a little bit of this or a little bit of that. Just a little bit of design, color or texture can go a long way. Leave it to British designer Susan Bradley to give you what you want or maybe what you need. She dazzles the world with her gorgeous outdoor wallpaper. But she doesn’t stop there, her works include: lighting, decorative panels, window coverings and mirrors. She can give you a little bit of this with her botanical shelves; or a little bit of that with her end tables. But what I love the most is how a simplistic person or designer can use her designs to add a little more to your apartment’s décor.
Jil Apartment
We passed this car on the street, and we weren’t the only people who stopped and stared-- though we might have been the only ones who took pictures. It was too sexy to ignore and it was something I’ve never seen before. So like a proper stalker we researched it, and found its name, the Wiesmann. we will just call it “the sh*t” for short. Check out our style page for more pics and info.
I am pretty sure when the design teams of H&M and Victor &Rolf decided to create wedding apparel; it was with the altruistic goal of providing a cheap, ultra-chic alternative to Vera Wang. Or maybe it was their futile attempt to broaden their product line and after the success of their maternity, plus size and baby collections. But where those collections hit, their bridal collection misses.
These creations are the epitome of what belongs on top of a cheap, tacky wedding cake. Everything from the fluffy ruffles, to the ‘ginormous’ bow bespeaks an era that never happened, and one we are thankful never existed. How did they do it? I am not sure. But all I could think-- when gawking mouth open at the store window--was a company who I adored for their clever cross branding and their stylish collaborations couldn’t come up with something better for brides to be. They got Madonna & Co. to do a whole line of 80’s chic. You mean to tell me there wasn’t some chic celebrity getting married to hassle into producing some sort of frock that could show up nicely in an amateur wedding video?
But H&M alas, I am on your side. Thought the world is regrettably imperfect, I have faith you will one day create something suitable for the currency, conscious, bride on the go. Here is a head start: designer knock off + Chinese production = Fabulous (I know they teach that in Fashion school).
*it’s Jil baby!
How's this to start the new year off with... a celebrity wedding between Jay Mohr and Nikki Cox. Mohr is best known for his slimey turn as rival sports agent (to Tom Cruise's Jerry Maguire) and for guesting on Ghost Whisperer. Cox is best known for being engaged to wacky Bobcat Goldthwait and for starring in Las Vegas. But who cares about their C-list achievements? All I care about is the new Mrs. MOHR-COX. Saying it out loud is way funnier...Happy new year!
*kara mia
