Catskills, Here I Come...

This is my last post for the weekend. I'm off to the Catskills for a wedding (hence the Dirty Dancing photo where the film takes place), and will be posting again on Monday. Like the film, I hope the ending reception breaks out into a choreographed dance ending with me swan diving into the crowd. But really, this wedding should be amazing. It's a Great Gatsby'esque theme, which will include homemade beers and locally distilled whiskey (keep an eye out for my report on those!)

Have a great weekend, Platform readers!

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child

(Song featured in trailer is "Salt Peanuts," by Charlie Parker)

The Radiant Child, directed by Tamra Davis, centers on a rare interview that the director and friend shot with Basquiat over twenty years ago. The never before seen footage and definitive documentary chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of the young artist, and provides an in-depth look at the person who strongly influenced a generation.

If I were sticking around this weekend (have an upstate wedding in the Catskills!) I would make it a point to see this movie.

SHOWTIMES (NYC)::Th Radiant Child, Film Forum

Sprout Home (NYC)

Sprout Home, in Williamsburg, is far and beyond one of my favorite flower & garden shops. Their eclectic offering sets them apart, including a vast array of flowers and plants like venus fly trap, tillandsias, and terrariums (which is like an aquarium for plants). If you're looking for something unique, Sprout is the way to go!

Prism Watch by ModCloth

(Image courtesy of AnOther Magazine)

I've been on a hunt for a cool watch for some time now. I'm not a natural watch wearer, so when picking one, I believe it really does have to stand out. Enter: the prismatic watch designed by ModCloth. It looks like something out of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and has enough personality to complete even the simplest outfit.

Shop::ModCloth Prism Watch $39.99

Blooming Beer Gardens

The Standard (Image courtesy of NYTimes)

I love biergartens. They're the perfect way to spend lazy summer days with friends, while drinking savory, well-crafted beer. NYTimes caught on to the biergarten trend (they're popping up everywhere!) and has listed some of the new ones worth visiting. Enjoy!

It's All In The Jeans

When Brooke Shields proclaimed that nothing gets between her and her Calvins, the media world went into a tizzy. Who knew that jeans could be so provocative? But in my attempt to find good jeans and hold on to the ones I love with dear life, finding the perfect jean can be a task. And when you do find the right ones, it can really boost ones confidence (I'm probably speaking to the ladies on this one!). Here is my roundup of good jeans, some affordable and some worth the investment.

{Uniqlo $34-$45}
As a petite girl, I can attest that the feat of finding jeans can be that much harder. However, Japanese brand Uniqlo is all about catering to us little gals - and! it's affordable.

{BDG $60-$75}
Available at Urban Outfitters, BDG come in the best shades and washes ever. This brand is definitely about channeling rocker chic.

{7 For All Mankind $100-$250}
This brand definitely starts to teeter on the pricier side, but they're the Volvo of jeans. Reliable, safe, and worth the investment.

{A.P.C. $130-$200}
These are what I like to call no fuss jeans. They're modest, comfortable, and will last a lifetime (or at least two years if you take care of them)

{All Saints $130-$200}
They just opened their first SoHo store, and I fell completely in love with their denim collection. They have particularly flattering white jeans, and that is hard to come by! p.s. they have great online sales, so you can snag some denim for around 40 bucks. You just have to take a chance on fit.

{Acne Jeans $200-$350}
Although I have yet to purchase a pair of Acne jeans, I have popped into their downtown store to try on the luxe denim. Point to shopper: sizes run abnormally small! So if you plan on eating a big ol' slice of pizza after your purchase, also plan on paying that eye doctor bill when your button goes flying off into the cashiers eye.

Hope you guys enjoy these recommendations as much as I did giving them!

Wasara Paper Plates

If you're anything like me and dread washing dishes after a party, but don't want to sacrifice style for paper plates, then these single-use, biodegradable and compostable plates are for you, designed by Wasara. Love.

Warp Records Introduces PVT "Window," Directed by Clemens Habicht

Warp Records definitely has a knack for cherry picking notable talent, in music and throughout other areas, like film and video. And this new video for PVT, formerly known as Pivot, directed by Clemens Habict definitely gives a subtle twist on a band performing in front of a camera. The album, Church With no Magic, which the video track "Window" is off of, is coming soon to Warp Records.

Blog Spotlight: Ditte Isager

Danish photographer Ditte Isager has a blog where she publishes a lot of her gorgeous portraits of celebrities and homes. Her style strikes in such a different way than most, as though you're really being let into personal spaces instead of just styled shoots (although she has those too). We love.





Visit, www.ditteisager.dk

Gia Coppola Directs The Soft Pack "More or Less"

This video for San Diego band, The Soft Pack, directed by Gia Coppola, looks like an homage to 90s, which is the best part about it.

Coppola, who's on her way to becoming a seasoned director, has already directed a video for Zac Posen and Rodarte's Target line, as well as an Opening Ceremony collection video. And although Coppola's last name is congruent with directorial lineage, she's undoubtedly making a name and style all for herself. Can't wait to see more!

Platform Sale Rack: Opening Ceremony

OFFICIAL SITE::OPENING CEREMONY

Restaurant Spotlight: Bacaro NYC

It's been too long since I've paid a visit to Bacaro, even though it ranks high on my favorite NYC restaurants (although a big list!).

The menu features a drool worthy list of appetizers including Carciofi (stuffed artichoke $9), Fiori di Zucca (stuffed zucchini blossoms $12) and for dinner, Risotto asparagi with white asparagus ($16), or, try their Gnocci con fungi (mushrooms $14) in brown butter. Translation: delightful.



OFFICIAL SITE::BACARO NYC

This Way of Life, Directed by Thomas Burstyn

Now playing at IFC Center, This Way of Life, directed by Thomas Burstyn, is the triumphant story of a family from North Island, New Zealand, who have been tested with the trials and tribulations of living on very little, and yet, have remained positive and unified.




SHOWTIMES::IFC Center (NYC), THIS WAY OF LIFE

Comme des Garçons Clutch Bags

Available at Dover Street Market, these simple yet stylishly chic Comme des Garçons bags are what we like to call "investment bags," meaning you'll have them forever.

La Piscine, Starring Alain Delon & Jane Birkin

**Trying to locate an English subtitled trailer - will update!

The French film, La Piscine (1969) features not only great (and extremely attractive) actors, like Alain Delon and Jane Birkin (a personal Platform favorite), but also impeccable design and style.

BUY (PART OF A SERIES COLLECTION)::ALAIN DELON, FIVE FILM COLLECTION $21.99, WITH ENG SUBTITLES

Inspiration Friday: Backstage at Mens John Galliano Show

Here are some highlights from backstage at the Men's John Galliano show. The forces of creativity and beauty at best.

(Images courtesy of Jak & Jil Blog)

Eat, Pray, Love

Some would agree with me when I say that after reading the book, Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, they had an a-ha moment. It's a fantastically written book about a woman who goes through a life altering experience traveling throughout Italy, India, and Indonesia, in hopes of finding some clarity in her life. Since the book has been made into a film, starring Julia Roberts, I'm counting the days till it hits theaters on August 13th!

(p.s. the song in the trailer is by Florence & The Machine called "Dog Days Are Over")



OFFICIAL SITE::EAT, PRAY, LOVE

Star Wars X Band Of Outsiders and Margiela by John Woo

Star Wars has been inspiration to Hong Kong based designer and illustrator John Woo to create a series of work. “He Wears It” features some of the most known Star Wars characters dressed up in hype designers clothes. Amongst them we found Darth Vader dressing Band Of Outsiders and Jar Jar Binks wearing Maison Martin Margiela.






OFFICIAL SITE::BAND OF OUTSIDERS/MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA/THOM BROWNE/THOM BROWNE

Goodbye, BBlessing...

Nutsa Modebadze

With it's simplistic design and aged leather, these Zone Bags made by Nutsa Modebadze are perfect for everyday and nightwear.

For pricing, contact sales.

OFFICIAL SITE::NUTSA

Weekend To Do: The Kids Are All Right, Directed by Lisa Cholodenko

If not for the cast alone, the plot line in The Kids Are All Right is enough reason to see it, which seems utterly hilarious. The story is about two children, parented by a lesbian couple (played by Annette Benning and Julianne Moore) conceived by artificial insemination who decide to bring their birth father (Mark Ruffalo) into their family life. Directed by Lisa Cholodenko, who loosely based the film on her own life, the film has opened to critic praise. Done and done.

Kitsuné Presents SP/SU 2011

I believe that Kitsuné is a good representation of understated cool for menswear. Now presenting their new Spring/Summer 2011 Collection, entitled “Reporter”, the Parisian brand keep it classic with their very own added twist.

"Kitsuné Spring-Summer 2011 collection is inspired by the movie “Profession : Reporter” (The Passenger – 1975) by Michelangelo Antonioni, with Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider. Globetrotter style garments are the main pieces of the collection, elegant fabrics with parisian style silhouette, very fresh and colorfull, classic dress-code with modern fitting…”

VISIT::KITSUNE

Introducing The Wild

My wonderfully talented friend and photographer, Giovanna Badilla, just launched her first magazine, The Wild, to rave reviews. They feature articles on everything from topical world issues to fashion and music.

I'm so excited about this, as her and her collaborators have put so much into it. And the outcome, amazing. Congrats, Gio!

VIEW::THE WILD

Warren Fu Directs Mark Ronson & The Business INTL Feat. Q-Tip "Bang Bang Bang"

This unique collaboration between DJ Mark Ronson and rapper Q-Tip turned out to be a surprisingly good one. Warren Fu, of Partizan, directs this duo in a psychedelic-infused video featuring old school effects and laser lights.

ARTIST::MARK RONSON & THE BUSINESS INTL, Q-TIP
TRACK::BANG BANG BANG
DIRECTOR::WARREN FU
PROD.CO::PARTIZAN

Restaurant Week NYC

Pictured: A Voce

Restaurant Week is the much anticipated annual event in which dozens upon dozens of noteworthy restaurants take part in discounted and prix fixe deals all throughout NYC. And as the event draws to a close (July 25th), I highly recommend taking advantage of any of the short-lived deals.

See the list below!

RESTAURANT WEEK 2010 NYC