Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Graffiti scarf giveaway!

Here comes Thanksgiving!  To thank my readers, I've decided to give away a Marc by Marc Jacobs Graffiti scarf.  It's 100% modal so it's as soft as it can be!  In the mean time, I'm signing off for a couple weeks.  I will see you all in December!  As Heidi Klum says "Auf Wiedersehen!"

Please note: apologies to my international friends - I wish I could extend these giveaways to you but legal restrictions prevent it. Thanks for understanding.  
 

Shawn “JAY Z” Carter and Rick Owens = OMG

Well, I know you have been looking forward to Jay Z's collection at Barney's New York!  Like all the hip hop artists these days, it seems like whatever these guys touch, it turns into gold.  For example, Kanye's collaboration with A.P.C. was sold out in within one day and crashed A.P.C.'s website.   But I digress.  Jay Z, of course, had to out do Kanye.  He's collaborating with brands such as Rick Owens, Moncler, Lanvin, Balmain, etc. (basically all my fav brands).  The proceeds are being donated 100% to his charity.  But you gotta have a pretty deep pocket to get your hands on this collaboration.  Prices range from an affordable Barney's New York T for $70 to eye-popping Rick Owens Mollino Crocodile Jacket for a cool $58,000 (slightly out of my price range... just slightly.. lol)!!!  In case you are wondering who's crazy enough to spend that much money on a jacket, let's just say S, L, XL are all sold out.  But if you are a M or a XXL, you are in luck... provided that you move fast and have some serious dough.  

Update (Dec 20): Just came across Barney's dedicated page to Jay Z's collection.  Apparently this $58k jacket is sold out!

And the winner for Isabel Marant Scarf giveaway is.....

And the winner for Isabel Marant Etoile Scarf giveaway is..... Corrie V!  Please send me your shipping address and thank you everyone for entering.  Happy thanksgiving and happy holidays!

National Geographic. Around the world in 125 years

I remember growing up in my uncle's home, he had National Geographic magazines proudly displayed in one of the cabinets.  I always thought the photographs looked stunning.  Well, apparently Taschen feels the same way too!  In fact, they are collaborating with National Geographic magazine to celebrate its 125th anniversary.  The end result is three stunning books with gorgeous photographs that celebrates earth with all its riches.  The books are divided into Americas and Antarctica, Europe and Africa, Asian and Oceania.  These books will surely delight anyone's eyes and are perfect Christmas gifts.  Checkout Taschen for more information.   

Not quite H&M, but nonetheless Isabel Marant scarf Giveaway!

Well, we are almost here!  Just one more day before H&M launches its collaboration with Isabel Marant.  How excited are you?!  Some of you I bet are already lined up on the streets to get those coveted pieces that you have thought about a month ago when the photographs of the collection leaked.  While I don't have any Isabel Marant for H&M scarf on hand, I do have an Isabel Marant Etoile 100% modal scarf to giveaway.  This made in Italy scarf will surely give you a dash of color for your fall/ winter outfits.

Please note: apologies to my international friends - I wish I could extend these giveaways to you but legal restrictions prevent it. Thanks for understanding.  

Nikolas Weinstein's glass sculpture

Bar Agricole in Soma is one of those place where I go for brunch or dinner here and there.  I always find the interior architecture rather interesting...but what really catches my eyes every time are the glass sculptures in the ceiling.  I just couldn't quite figure out what is it?!  Well, 7X7 Magazine finally solve that mystery for me.  The sculptures are done by San Francisco local glass artist Nikolas Weinstein.  His claim to fame was architect Frank Gehry commissioned him to make a massive chandelier for a bank headquarters on Berlin's Pariser Platz.  The chandelier took four years to complete.  Since then, one can find Nikolas' gorgeous sculptures everywhere; from Inter-Continental hotel in Shanghai to Bar Agricole here in San Francisco.  Perhaps I will find a client who "needs" one of these gorgeous sculpture in near future!? 

Dragon Chandelier by Baylar Atelier

Talk about drama.  If this chandelier doesn't bring it, I don't know what will!  Love the fringe looking chains draping down from this chandelier.  It almost look like a piece of tattered fabric hanging down on two chains.  But the finishes bring it up a notch and instead of looking like fabric falling apart, it emotes luxury and romance in stead.  It also has a mysterious quality about it.  One wonders what is inside this tattered fabric?   More info can be found here. 

Nazi looted art trove found in Munich that is valued up to $1 billion euros!

Just read an article on NY Times that an apartment in Munich held over 1,500 works of art that Gurlitt (one of Hitler's art advisor) stashed away for himself.  Apparently Gurlitt, his wife, and now his son had been selling the artworks off one by one through the years to support themselves.  German government found the trove in February 2012 but failed to inform the world until now. Apparently the stashed away treasure includes art works by Matisse, Picasso, Dix, Chagall, Marc, Toulouse-Lautrec, Liebermann, Kirchner, Beckmann, Dürer, Canaletto, Courbet, etc.  Basically the who's who in any art history book.  Custom officials are not going to make art works public but ask people (or descendents) who had art works looted by Nazi to contact authorities directly.  I think the easiest way for rightful owners to come forward would be sell the artwork in a group of say hundred at Sotheby's and Christie's auction house.  You bet any rightful owners of any looted Nazi artworks will read that catalog forwards and backwards.  Any artwork not claim, the proceeds should be donated to Jewish and gay causes.

Parabola Chair by Carlo Aiello

First time I saw this chair I was like what is that thing?  Looks like a piece of sculpture or something....  Upon further investigation, I realized it's a chair!  According to the creator: "The design intention of the Parabola Chair was to create a simple and porous yet highly sculptural chair. The challenge was to achieve a single surface that serves as seating, armrest, and backrest supported by a minimal structure. Although the chair exhibits curvatures in two directions (hyperbolic paraboloid) all its components are straight and easy to manufacture. In order to achieve perfect comfort both curvatures were carefully calibrated to hold the body in the best position."  Find out more at his website. 

And the winner of my Missoni headband/ scarf giveaway is......

Congrats to Natasha S!  Please send me your address within one week and your sparkly Missoni goodie will be on its way!  Thank you everyone for entering.  Mark your Calendar for November 13 of this month, I may just have another giveaway....