Whoooooaaaa!

Certain friends of mine and I have a total obsession with cool, creepy movies... and this Swedish film really takes the cake!

This is the story of an alienated little boy, Oskarm who lives in a small town in Sweden.  Frequently bullied and caught between his divorced parents, he quickly falls in love with a mysterious newcomer in his apartment complex.  The intertwining lives that are affected by this new relationship quickly combust as Oskar finally gains strength and independence, with the help of one very special creature who happens to live off of blood and has super human strength.

But somehow, it's still a beautiful, sad love story.

Enjoy!  Find it on iTunes, or DVD!  Check out the trailer below...

        

oooooh!

The new Sonia Rykiel collaboration with H&M looks adorable!
Though I still am a bit put out that there is no H & M in Miami- I'm sure it has something to do with the "trading roads" that avoid Miami; i.e., the trucks don't want to come all the way south.  Therefore, I will chalk it up to good fortune, that I can buy something from H&M and have a low probability of seeing someone else in my outfit!

Meanwhile, I've chosen my two favorite pieces featured below.  It was challenging- I really love everything!  Seriously, I want to buy the whole collection and then spend the summer in Paris. The photos are from NYLON magazine!

  



NYLON Magazine's Insider has a great interview with Sonia Rykiel's daughter, designer Nathalie Rykiel. 

Click on the photo for the full article.

        

Maison Martin Margiela is an innovative label with a mystery man behind it... The designs are beautiful!!  When we went to Antwerp for my birthday, we went to an exhibition about the designer and it was so cool! 

imagine how happy I was to discover that, after a pop-up store visit during Art Basel, Maison Martin Margiela decided to STAY in MIAMI!!
Yay!

Here's a pic of the pop-up location




The Design District continues to develop, as the Margiela store joins Christian Louboutin, Marni, Tomas Maier and more....

(happy, happy!  hope it's here to stay!)

Click on the photo below and check out the Martin Margiela website- and no, it's not an error page- it's just another great design by Margiela:

        

WOW!

My friend, Sam French, is a director and freelance journalist in Kabul, Afghanistan.  He has a company, Development Pictures, and is interviewed here on the dangers associated with being a freelance journalist in a war zone.  Amazing!  Yay, Sam!  Click on the link for the full interview...

        

WOW.  This is SO crazy!
I know that there are sharks in the ocean, close to the shore.  I've been fishing on the beach at night and caught a bonnet head shark on a loose line- that's a baby hammerhead.  BUT- this is freaking crazy.  A PACK of Great Whites?  The jury is still out on the type of sharks, but theiry is that it was a young Great White seeking warmer waters..

I love watching the kiteboarders on the beach, so I hope that this doesn't scare everyone away....

What is MORE AMAZING is that this amazing lifeguard, Dan Lund, actually swam through the pack of sharks to rescue the victim, Steve Schafer.  Unfortunately, it was too late...

Read the full article at the Sun Sentinel, and watch a video...

        

I've been watching Launch my Line on a semi-regular basis- Bravo is great because they always have marathons, so you can catch up...
Anyhow, they kicked out my initial fave girl, but then by I was totally happy when Kathy, with her line, "Native Rose" won tonight!

Her gorgeous red dress, which she opened the show with, is also available at Rue LaLa, and is my pick of the collection.  As a note- the yellow dress that she had in her show, the "Saffron Gown" was the most beautiful, and the African themed gown was also a favorite, but sometimes, collections translate differently to retail!

It was a fun show, and I wish Kathy Rose the best!  I can't wait to see her jewelry, now...

Anyhow, here's the dress I love:

Native Rose Red Chiffon Halter Dress

        

Yes, that is the question.  It used to be "am i too BIG for Forever XXI" but then they launched Faith XXI.  Which, incidentally, I don't wear, as their selection is still very limited at my local store.
In MIami, when you need a shopping fix, sometimes you need to explore a little bit.  We don't have a lot of boutiques- well they are certainly around, there aren't enough of them to keep you 100% satisfied.  Often, you need to go to a... (GASP)... MALL!
Occasionally, I like to check out Dolphin Mall, which is this insane mall is South Miami (Doral, to be exact) that has a variety of outlet stores, restaurants, a Forever XXI and even Brazilian stores that have mannequins with big butts.  Yes, it's true.  And yes, I can post pics..at a later date.

Anyway, I was in the Forever XXI accessory store, when I saw this totally cute sequined clutch!  Granted, I do have a weakness for a nice purse, especially one that can be balanced in between your arm and body while holding a cocktail.  SO, I took a photo (plus, I like the display:

Nice, right?  forever XXI, $22.80

And then, I wandered around a little more, and spotted THIS at the cash wrap!!!

AHHHH!!! Teeny bopper book!!!!!

Scary!  This poor guy's face is everywhere,  Does he even own the rights to his own photos?

This made me feel a little old... BUT, I still ended up buying a cute blazer from Forever XXI anyway.  So, you can't beat me, teeny bopper book!!!!!  ahahahahahahha!!!!!

        

Oooh!  I think Ikea has really started to pump up their marketing technique and it is REALLY showing!  First, we have these mildly amusing mattress ads on the television- which is nice, since mattress ads are usuall not at all entertaining.  And then, they break out the Billy Bookcase in Bondi Beach!

I must say that I'm a little jealous- but maybe they don't think people in Miami Beach read... hmmmmm.. that could be true for many.  Does in Touch Magazine count?  hee hee

Check out the photo below.  Ikea put the bookcases on the beach in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the "Billy" bookcase- and you could swap for a new book, or donate for one, as well.  What a groovy idea!!

Read the full article at the Daily Mail

Bondi beach bookshelves offer sunbathers and surfers the ultimate in holiday reading

Surfers take a break from the waves to browse books at one of the 30 red BILLY bookcases that have been placed on Bondi beach to celebrate 30 years of Ikea's famous shelf.

        

food is good.  It nourishes you, it keeps you from getting too grumpy, and it's fun to cook!
We rarely go out to eat anymore, primarily because I really just want to know what I'm putting in my body- and, when you go to a restaurant, you don't really know exactly what you're going to get.
This isn't to say that I'm never going out to gorgeous meals again- on the contrary, I love to explore cities and have the local food!  But, at home in Miami, it's a lot of cooking at home.
So why not make it fun?

This cutting board makes me smile every time I look at it... especially becuase we don' t eat Cows in this house!  Yay veggies!
Here's the one that I bought, which you can get at Chef's Resource for $26.00



But, after doing a little more research, I found this amazing HAND CRAFTED cutting board on ETSY!  (Etsy, I heart you for existing!).
When my little cow gets worn out, I think I'll buy this one for $12.00:

Cheese Cutting Board Shaped Like A COW by TomRoche

        

I was up part of the night because I kept on thinking that my cat was eating food in the bedroom.  Weird, right?  Unless you've seen my cats, and realize how big and self-righteous they are, and would have absolutely no regard for a) my sleep or b) rules on eating in the bedroom!
When I finally awakened, however, I realized it wasn't the sound of cat food- it was the sound of very large raindrops outside my window!
Today is a grey, VERY rainy day and I am very happy that I wasn't supposed to work today.  It's a bit difficult to shoot when there is no sunshine!!

In honor of this rainy day, I found a beautiful umbrella at Barney's.  As I spend the other half of my time in Holland, the land of perpetual rain, I suppose it's time to start stocking up on gorgeous ways to forget the blues!

Click on the photo to buy the umbrella online at Barney's!



And a close up of the design:

        

Well, this has been a great weekend!  We love  alittle rainy weather here in Miami, especially because it makes it a LOT easier to stay inside and work!  I know this might sound ridiculous to those of you stuck in cold weather (sorry!!), but when the weather outside isn't frightful, it is too easy to be distracted.

The No Bikes Allowed website is about to go live, but for a little sneak preview, you should go and check out our newly redesigned blog!   Today's photo is of the lovely Tavi Gevinson, the 13 year old style blogger who has taken the fashion world by storm.  At 13!!!

Check it out.. and enjoy!

(click on the link to direct you to the blog!)

        

There's a great article in the New York Times this weekend about design successes and failures.  I love wandering around design stores, and much of the reason is that you can find every day, mundane objects turned into something beautiful!  Or, you find a book that you didn't know you needed, or a bowl that makes your every day bowls look pathetically boring

In Miami, BASE would be the "go-to" store for gorgeous things...  Funny enough, the number one "bomb" in in the possession of one of my friends, so I guess beauty IS in the eye of the beholder!

meanwhile, check out the NY Times (click on the photo for full article and interactive feature!):

        

Thanks to the Design District facebook page for this cute ad from Tomas Maier for Valentine's Day.  The store is just absolutely FULL of gorgeous items that you NEED, I promise!!

Click on the photo for a link to Tomas Maier.... you won't be disappointed!!  This is one of those stores that I like to go to and KEEP the bag.  How can you say no to the perfect letters... the little palm tree?  Yes, I, too, can be a complacent victim of visual marketing....

        

Although the founders of Art Basel don't want you to know it, there ARE other art fairs in Miami.  Artist have lived here for a long time- among the many other people who head south, trying to escape the cold weather!  Oh, and no- it's not all Key West-style paintings, with a variety of crustaceans, ocean scenes, and little white houses with bright yellow paint!

The Miami Festival of the Arts is this weekend in North Miami, and it's a showcase of tons of local artists.  If you live in the South Florida area, this is a fantastic time to go out and support your local artists!  They keep the world beautiful.

The 36^th Annual Miami Beach Festival of the Arts

January 30-31 2010, Saturday & Sunday

10am - 6pm

Ocean Terrace (East of Collins Ave between 73rd and 75th Street)

Free Admission!

FREE- so you have no excuse!  An even better idea?  RIDE YOUR BIKE THERE!!!

See you this weekend!

You can get more information at the City of Miami Beach website, and click on the photo below (poster from last year!)

        

While I love to read about style, and travel, and lifestyle, I must say that I get a definite giggle out of some of the things that make the news.
And, I think this article is hilarious, and must be shared... immediately!!!

Apparently, there is some sort of epidemic at TESCO in England, which is basically like a Target.  Women have been spotted doing their daily shopping... in their pajamas, and barefoot!  This is because, according to the women, they cannot possibly be bothered to wear , say, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, rather than fluffy pj's and slippers.

Seriously, people?  A) this is news and have we really reached this point in laziness that we can't even be bothered to spruce it up, just a little?  I mean, for god sakes, it's just a few kids.  You drop them off at school and you have the day.  People run entire nations and manage to get dressed, so let's just try and exert a little effort, okay?

If I can pull it together for a 5 AM call time after a 14 hour, international flight, then anyone can do it.

Now, enjoy.  I'm going to highlight my very favorite quote!

Cover up! No shopping in PJs or barefoot, Tesco tells shoppers as it becomes first supermarket to unveil a dress code

By Luke Salkeld
Last updated at 8:07 AM on 29th January 2010

It’s probably not the first choice of attire one would choose for a weekly shopping trip down at the local store.

But those who like to get the groceries in their pyjamas should be aware they will be barred at a Tesco superstore, which is the first in Britain to introduce a dress code.

Wandering the aisles in your dressing gown or going barefoot is just not acceptable, according to store policy which is outlined on posters put up at the entrance.

        

Wow!  I' ve been working a shoot the past week and the makeup artist, Leslie, is also the co-founder of an amazing new cosmetics line called "Beauty for Real."  Their first product?  One close to MY heart, a fabulous new lip gloss!  As the only cosmetics I wear are lip gloss and mascara, I am super picky about which ones I use. 
Well, this gloss is perfect!  It has a light texture, and is not too sticky, and the colors are versatile and pretty.  Oh, and not only does it plump (with just a subtle tingle), but the super perk?  You have your own light on each tube, as well as a mirror.  Sooo.. no more awkward moments when you realize you've only glossed most of your lips.. but not all!  So get out on that dance floor and gloss up!

Check out their website and you can buy online!



BEAUTY FOR REAL



D.Light is this pretty, simple color that I chose because I can wear it every day!  But don't stop at just one.. turned on is a little darker, with a nice brown undertone.. Or try twilight!  Enjoy!

Here is the lip gloss with the light on... what a sweet detail.

And here I am, happy with my gloss!




Thanks, Beauty for Real!

        

Living in Miami means the inevitable collection of three things:

sunglasses
serious sunscreen
BIKINIS

!!!

In the land of sunshine, this is pretty much the golden standard of what you need to have.  Of course, you could continue with sundresses and sandals, but that pretty much goes without saying.

I thought I might post just a new bikini today until I found these gorgeous Chloe shades.  They remind of a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses that I love, as well- sort of an exaggerated cat-eye.  But, what I love about this pair?  The color!  It's such a nice cream and brown.. and it would look soooo cute with a 70's style string bikini.

Check it out at net-a-porter or pop on over to Chloe at Bal Harbour!

Chloé

Tilia acetate sunglasses

Now, the search for the perfect swimsuit?

It's funny how a lot of designers seem to think that women above a size 8 would only want to wear a TANKINI.  I love bikinis as well as vintage-cut swimwear.  We love to show off our bodies, don't we?  I'm certainly not going to hide under an umbrella just because I have a few curves.  We want to ACCENTUATE them.

Actually, the string bikini is my favorite because you don't have that awful muffin top, overlap that happens when you try to put on a bikini bottom that is too small... but I digress.  I also love a nice vintage- style one piece.  Today, i found not one, but TWO swimsuits that would look amazing with these sunglasses.

This way, you don't have to decide between BIKINI and ONE PIECE!

              

NORMA KAMALI
RUCHED HALTER NECK SWIMSUIT
CAROLINE NOTE: I would not call this a halter, as it is clearly asymmetrical..
Salmon pink ruched halter neck swimsuit. Ruching runs down the centre of the swimsuit on the front and back

    

Tomas Maier

Polka dot bikini - £230.00

Beige polka dot bikini. The bikini top is strapless with a bow front. A clip fastening sits at the back. The bikini bottoms have a tie detail on either side of the hips. High leg.

Now, go and be gorgeous!!!

        

In an endless quest to put something on my feet that isn't the exact same as every else, I have been sporting a cute pair of saddle shoes that I found at a vintage store.  In Maine.  YES- the very same store where I bought my clogs!  I love that they are now coming back, as I think they're cute.  I wore them because they remind me of my Catholic school days, with an ironic twist
Anyhow, I had my wingtips, but they were a damn pair of golf shows and no one would take out the spikes for me- so saddle shoes were my next best option!

Check out New York Magazine's article on the return of the saddle shoe!  Unfortunately, this may mean I'm going to retire mine for a bit....

Saddle Shoes Shimmy Back Into Style

Clockwise from top left: Bass Enfield Saddle Shoe ($65), Ariadna by Camper ($150), Marais USA lace-up ($48), and Sophie shoe by Vans ($55).Photo: Courtesy of Steven Alan, Camper, Urban Outfitters, and Vans.

        

Oh.
My.
GOD!

Well, I know someone in my household is going to be absolutely THRILLED about this new endeavor by Burger King.  Poor Dursun is always the victim of my quirks, which include cleansing, abstaining from meat and alcohol, etc...
Also, the Burger King on Lincoln Road shut down after a rather unfortunate demo during Hurricane Katrina.  So this is a treat, for sure!

Check this out:

BURGER KING SERVES BEER AT THE WHOPPER BAR!!!

It's also 24 hour and has delivery.
HOLLA!

Check out the full article at the Miami Herald::

Burger King Whopper Bar to open on South Beach

A Burger King Whopper Bar is set to open next month on Washington Avenue, adding to a recent `burger frenzy' in South Beach.

Oh, and P.S., Burger King makes a great veggie burger!  Look out, Five Guys!

        

Wow.
Well, no one can say this job isn't fun!
Today was day three of shooting for ... drumroll please.... Women's Viagra!
WOW!  What IS that, you say?
Well... basically, it's a drug that you take to give you a sex drive again.  Pretty importante, people!

But anyhow, the client is great and the crew is talented and the food is freaking awesome, so I have nothing to complain about.  Plus, I was married today!  (My life before sexual frustration
We were shooting in a great house in Miami Beach on tcean, a couple of doors down from Bruce Weber.. who was also shooting on the beach.  Now that's a fun neighbor.. PLENTY of eye candy!

Oh, and yesterday?
Yes, it was my birthday.  And I even got to bring the birthday cake home!

So, here are a few pics of MY weekend and Monday.

Check out these pics:

That's right, it's a birthday cake.  And my outfit matched the cake.  YUM!
The best part of this pick?  I'm at a bus stop in Brickell on a Sunday (waiting for Dursun).
Trust me, not usually something you see downtown on the weekend!

And, here I am getting married to John (who, incidentally, actually DID get married on December 27!)



Who knew it could be so much fun to dress UP?