When Fashion and Food Collide

I love to eat and dress well. So when someone shares this passion, I like to take note. One of my fellow fashion and food lovers is the infamous (and incredibly beautiful) Padma Lakshi. The host of Food Network's Top Chef program is a self-professed foody and one of the main reasons I watch the show...

To the point, as those who watch the show will know, Padma finished the season off with a nice baby bump. Well, according to People magazine and Slashfood, she had a baby girl, named Krishna Thea this past Saturday.

That kid should eat pretty well...

Two for One

Without a doubt, two of my top passions (and the reason for this blog) are fashion and travel. So, when these two vices are brought together, I have to take note. Today, at ACE Hotel New York, Opening Ceremony is opening their latest retail location. Opening Ceremony is a retail space that hosts numerous designer's collections and collaborations.

ACE is a 4 hotel brand with extremely design conscious locations in Palm Springs, Seattle, Portland and New York City. Originally from Seattle, the boutique brand is known for their stylish interiors and fashion forward uniforms (including killer Converse boots on the bell staff... see above, right).

Opening Ceremony has locations in New York, Tokyo and Las Angeles and their collections feature designers from around the world. OC is also known for their unique collaborations with big brands, such as a Levi's cord collection also released today.

Next time your in New York, stay at the ACE and check out this unique shop!

D.

Billy Reid

Kicking off Fashion Week in NYC, GQ hosted an event Thursday evening at the Frank Gehry designed IAC building in Chelsea. The winner of their Best New Menswear Designer in America, Billy Reid, was the lucky recipient of $50,000 and a special collection for Levi's through Bloomingdale's.
GQ visited Billy Reid at his store in New York where they saw his Spring 2010 collection and heard of his inspiration. Check out the video of their visit and stay tuned for future installments from the remaining 5 finalists. Finally, check out Billy Reid's online site.

D.

under vacuum

If you're at all interested in modern cooking techniques or enjoy eating at the latest, most technologically forward restaurants, chance are you've heard of the cooking technique, Sous-vide. Basically, it's a french term meaning under pressure and refers to the technique of cooking food vacuum packed and submerged in hot water. For more detail, see the sous-vide wikipedia page, or check this out...

The SousVide Supreme is a newish product that brings this technique into the kitchen of the home cook. Although on the small side, limiting it's dinner party potential, the 'water oven' is the perfect new appliance for the modern cook.

Cooking with a water oven such as the SousVide Supreme allows the cook to precisely control the temperature and hence, precisely cook the ingredients to the desired doneness. A few degrees difference actually makes a difference here, so recipes are more key than ever.

Check out the appliance and maybe learn about the technique. I bet this will soon be common practice in our kitchens.

D.

the dress shoes of sneakers

GQ is and always has been the essential handbook for guys with a sense of style. Originally just a magazine, they've since built themselves into a multi-media powerhouse of mens fashion. From their online site at men.style.com to their recent video series entitled GQ Rules.

Check out the videos, learn a thing or two and start looking your best. Maybe you aren't game for going sockless, but why not try some subtle sneakers with your suit next time?

D.

Image courtesy Common Projects

in good company

J.Crew is one of my favourite 'distinctly American' apparel stores. Their selection is varied and in-depth. Their house brand clothing is of high quality and current with today's style trends. What really impresses me, though, is their partnerships with brands that have such a storied and infamous past. Brands like Levi's, Sperry Top-Sider, Ray-Ban and Mackintosh.
Their 'in good company' promotion is currently highlighting these partnerships and allowing you, the consumer, to get a top end product at your local J.Crew store or at JCrew.com.
Check out the solid denim peacoat from Mister Freedom or the boots shown above from Quoddy.

D.

Twin Six

Perhaps one of the most design conscious cycling apparel companies coming from the States these days is Twin Six. I could tell you all about their manifesto, but I'll leave it in their very own words.

First and foremost we are two designers who love to ride and believe that the time is overdue for better cycling jersey graphics. We are Twin Six, the graphic revolution in cycling apparel. It is our goal to be the alternative to everything else.

The gear we pull on is a statement of our style, identity and self. The industry’s slow uphill grind to better graphics has turned riders into unwilling billboards, moving color explosions and unfortunate cartoon characterizations. Twin Six has seen enough.

Twin Six jerseys carry graphics with a fashion DNA. Styles that spring from real graphic trends, not the predictable regurgitation of last year’s predictable regurgitation. Twin Six is two determined graphic designers doing what we do best, so we can finally ride with pride.

-Ryan Carlson and Brent Gale

 They release a new graphic tee on the 6th of every month. This months is a cool valentine's/lovers themed shirt. Oh, and they also have a solid sale on. It's over today, though...

D.

Underneath it all

A favourite underwear manufacturer of mine is doing a special valentine's promotion! Whether you think valentines is a corporate holiday or not, it's a great deal on some great undies!

PACT manufactures organic cotton underwear in the US and ships internationally. 10% of their sales go to environmental causes such as Forest Ethics and Oceana. With unique prints and exceptional design (by Yves Behar), you'll soon be stocking your underwear drawer with a cause!

Check out their valentine's sale for men and women. "Remember, change starts with your underwear".

D.