Clothes Gone Mad

So not exactly fresh off the press news, but I am eagerly anticipating the release of the "Mad Men" collection at Banana Republic mid August.  Apparently Gilt.com offered some of the collection for purchase this past week, (a whole three weeks before it hits stores!)  I absolutely love the silouettes but wonder why the model has absolutely no semblance of Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks') curves.  Can't wait!  In the words of Joan Harris "Stop dressing like a little girl."

Love the suit on the right!  Don't know when I would wear this in SoCal, but you know.

I love the boots with the LBD, makes it modern.

And they didn't forget the guys either!

Maxim Mocha Gold

Maxim coffee, a Korean product that says so much.  I was first introduced to this instant coffee in late 2004, (my first trip to Korea.)  While I did not warm up to it at first, I have since come to really like it.  Basically it is instant coffee, cream and sugar all in one very convienent package.  In Korea one does not add a lot of water to the mixture, a little more then half a cup or like a cup for the water cooler size.  (Obviously one should mix with hot water.)  But if you like a longer and weaker coffee add more water. Basically it tastes like a mocha coffee and it is a very quick way to have a pick me up.  (And in Korea having things quickly is very important.)  I discovered I could purchase this product at my local Korean grocery store, Zion market, (where by the way there is also a very small "The Face Shop" inside.)  I bought 100 packets for like $14.  Compare that to the time and money you spend at Starbucks!

Small ceramic cup I use to mix my Maxim in (cup also from Korea...very cute)

What the coffee mixture looks like before adding water

After adding hot water

After stirring....enjoy!

Throwback Thursday

With all this talk of toilets, I thought it was fitting to select this throwback from Domino, October 2005 about accessorizing your bathroom!

Toilets 101

While recently at ICFF I spotted several new takes on toilet design.  And this month I see a fairly large article in Metropolis on, yes, toilets.  Coincidence?  I don't know, but think it is definitely a product that could be improved and that is considered everywhere but the US.  The first time I went to Japan eight years ago my tiny hotel room (more like shoebox) had a super high tech toilet that could warm the seat, flush different ways and was also a bidet at the same time.  Never on my travels within my own country have I experience such luxury in the bathroom.  Definitely a luxury segment that could be argued about.

Shoes...Sweet Emotion

I am coveting these for the fall, a classic heel in an modern color

Ahhh....shoes....what passion they bring.  I pine away and cry for them, I care for them...I spend my paycheck for them!  Because I am so particular about shoes it takes a while for me to find a pair I want to spend both time in walking and possibly building a wardrobe around, but in the the last year and a half or so I have become addicted to JCrew shoes.  Yes, on the surface their shoes seem somewhat overpriced and not always extremely special...but once you wear them you can't stop, I swear.  The materials and design are the best.  It is the subtleties in the design that makes them.  For instance the hidden platform in the suede booties I bought last fall....so the shoes seem edgey and somewhat demure at the same time.  I definitely like a heel (make me feel thinner) but I am not going to wear stilettos to work.  JCrew shoes are both fashionable and work appropriate.  And don't forget most are made in Italy.  Also for the more unique styles a good tip is to always check back on the website as most of the shoes eventually go on sale.  So you can eventually get what was a $250 pair of shoes for like $90 if you are lucky!

These were the booties I mentioned with the hidden platform

These are now on sale....will get them if the price goes down further

I purchased these about a month ago and wear them all the time!  If they continue to drop in price I will buy the black color too

I think these will look better on, then in the picture also depends what you wear with them

The colors of money

From Interior Design magazine I saw these fabulous pictures of a bank in Tokyo.  Such a breath of fresh air for something that can be extremely boring and conservative and simply no fun....banking.  My favorite view of the building is at night when all the colors literally glow.

Hello Dolly!

Do you remember "Hello Dollies?"  This dessert is very similar (also to seven layer bars.)  Super easy to make, not too sweet and even the pickiest people seem to like them.  (Well I guess if people don't like coconut that is the deal-breaker, but you know.)

Food process the graham crackers and mix with sugar and melted butter

Press graham cracker mixture into pan and bake for 10 minutes

Sprinkle toppings on crust

Add condensed milk and shredded coconut

After baking

Surprisingly addictive!