the world according to sherimaven

More long form love tomorrow...just catching up. Have a wonderful Monday! XO

Isn't it genius? I mean GENIUS.

Part of an upcoming show at the Steven Kasher Gallery in NYC to celebrate
the cult of Max's Kansas City, that pantheon of coolness and edge, through
photos. I died when I saw this but resuscitated myself just in time to call
the gallery and buy it. It's shot by Nicky Latzoni and it's Blondie circa
1976.  Show starts September 15th and runs through October 9th.

Here's the link to the gallery:

http://www.stevenkasher.com/html/exhibresults.asp?exnum=1284&exname=MAX%27S+
KANSAS+CITY

If you live in New York or are visiting at that time, please go see my print
and say hi to it. I am most excited to own it. Rock and roll. XO

Hi, Friday. Between the altitude and all the heated yoga, I am a bit
exhausted. And sore. And stuffed up. But I'm cool with it because I'm
catching up with lots of friends here and it's all good.

So the other night I went to see Rakim do "Paid in Full" from start to
finish. In Boulder, CO. (yes you read that right). If I closed my eyes, I
was transformed to the heady days of my first few years in NYC- when most
nights found me in sweaty, smoky, small clubs dancing to hip hop without a
care in the world. Seeing Rakim perform (who broke it down like no tomorrow)
made me think fondly on those days when I didn't care if mascara was running
down my face or if my hair was a mess- it was all about dancing and having a
genius, collective moment in sweet little clubs with people who were
beautiful and unpretentious and simply loved to dance. I wouldn't trade
those days for nothin'.

Here's my point- Rakim is a New York classic (true). I'm seeing Rakim in
Boulder, CO- not exactly a hip hop Valhalla (word up). But if you are an
artist and you do something transcendent and ground breaking- your amazing
work will connect with people everywhere and there simply are no borders or
walls or boundaries for ninja like skills like Rakim's. I LOVE that there
were break dance battles erupting all over the dance floor- rivaling those I
have seen in Tompkins Square Park or any other urban spot where you can put
down a piece of cardboard and get your groove on- a lot of talented breakers
doing their thing for a night of hip hop classics. And in a small mountain
town to boot. It was quite a surprise, and I felt the love. (Indeed).

All I'm saying is that if you're talented, your work transcends state lines.
Rakim is straight up NEW YORK, but it felt so great to see him in a place
like BOCO, and the crowd went mad for him- some young, some older, but all
fans. It was a magic evening of recalling my youth and pondering my present
while getting DOWN in a big way with legions of fellow hip hop fans. I
adored every minute and was glad to be a part of it. And Rakim is still a
complete and total bad ass. Still one of the best lyricists of all time. Was
so much fun.

And that's what's up this old school morning in the 303, thinking of a
master plan, and tryin' not to sweat the technique. Have a great weekend. XO

Sometimes a gal needs a day off. Back atcha tomorrow. XO

Hi, Wednesday. My nose is stuffy with altitude though I actually slept like
a lamb last night so thinking today may find me more awake. And I'm also
thinking about Valentino. A lot. A whole lot.

I'm thinking about Valentino (the designer, natch) because I've been poring
through my September Vogue page by page and was stopped dead by the amazing,
scalloped white dress by said designer for Fall/Winter 2010. I am a huge fan
of long sleeves- super elegant and refined and just right for Fall. This
frock feels swingin' sixties Shrimpton but very NOW. I adore it. And I think
I now also adore Valentino. It's true the house is no longer run by the
master, but Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli are doing some yummy
things with the brand. As much as I have admired the work of Mr. Valentino,
it was a bit too formal in feel for me and not terribly trendy- always
elegant but never Kate Moss cool. Until now. The new designers are young and
forward thinking and fun- think new guard vs. old. This dress is all that
and more. I dig the way it fits the model in the campaign, but showing you
the runway version as well. (Love how the model in the ad is having a Carine
Roitfeld moment, who I've noticed has taken to wearing white of late.
Amazing).

We are all well aware of the power of a little black dress, but I am
hailing the beauty of a little white one- this dress is simple, sexy, and
fresh- and white for Fall is just right, regardless of what your mother told
you. I applaud the era of the LWD (little white dress), brought to the
masses by Valentino.

I can see this dress being worn by a bride- after the party and en route to
the airport for a fancy honeymoon somewhere fab- waving goodbye to friends
and family in an utterly chic way. I can also see another dress from the
line, pictured here (avec giant black bow) as a second dress for a city
wedding- in which the bride wants something fun and kicky to cut the rug and
the cake. And I think it's a hot way to look the gift for your groom- such a
sexy little present courtesy of the house of Valentino. If I were a celeb, I
would beg my stylist to secure this dress for a fun premiere.

These dresses feel young and sexy and modern- and in a season of pants, a
heaven sent token for those of us who prefer the ease of a dress. I'm
banking on the scalloped number with the long sleeves being knocked off by
Zara. It's just that good.

And that, my beautiful ones, is what's up this white Wednesday in Colorado.
XO

Hi, Tuesday. I am sleepy. Darn time change had me open my eyes at the very
unsavory hour of 5 am. And now they refuse to close again. Merde.

You probably wouldn't think my mind would wander to motorcycles at such a
moment, but it does. I have always dug cool bikes and appreciated their
power, design, and snarl. It's also fun to sit on the back of one and hit
the open road...have no desire to drive one myself, but enjoy being a
passenger nonetheless. (I know, I know. Seems out of character for me bu I
am full of surprises).

I got an email from a company called Deus (pronounced Day-us) about a
beautiful book they are putting out, "The Big Book of Deus". Have no idea
how I got on their mailing list, but I was intrigued by the aesthetic of
the photos and book design and clicked on their site. (think grainy, beachy,
very 60s/70s hip surfer).

The proper name of the company is Deus Ex Machina, Latin for "God from our
hands" or "God that we make" (thanks, Wiki). It's also a literary device,
but way too early to get into that, so I'll leave you to catch up on your
Euripides on your own.

Besides being a damn fine phrase for a tattoo for some creative type,
Shakespearean wannabe, or master craftsman, these bikes are simply unhinging
in their coolness. The company is based in Australia and runs a bike shop,
clothing store, and café. They even make surfboards and some bicycles. But
the true magic are the bikes that go vroom. We're talking taking old bike
parts and making custom motorcycles that look very much like the ghost of
Steve McQueen. (If he presented in bike form at least, and he probably
would).

If you are a guy, I'm telling you right here and now that a sweet bike like
this is beyond a chick magnet. And as you can imagine, these chick magnets
are spendy- think starting prices in the mid-high teens at least. And, if
you are my husband, I wish I could buy you one of these bikes as a present
because that would simply make me the coolest chick in the world. And you
deserve it for putting up with me (I may have to settle for a tee shirt or
hat. They have those too and they're pretty rad and more in my price range).

The bikes are not really for sale in the states, but I think Orlando Bloom
rides one, and I'm not discouraged by the fact that Billy Joel has one too
(well, trying not to be). In any event, these bikes are vintage yet modern,
great to look at, and simply cool beyond belief. If you own a Deus out there
in the blogosphere, and you're reading this, I'll be ready to go to the
office at 8:30, mountain time. How I would love a ride on one of these
beauties. So incredibly stylish and cool.

Check out the site here- gorgeous photography and site design as well- also
love their swap meet section. Looks like a cool time:

http://deus.com.au/

I am now going to attempt to go back to bed and dream of all things Deus.
Cause that's what's up this Tuesday, comin' atcha live from the mountains of
Boulder. XO

Hey, Monday. I'm hitting the road (well the air) and hopping over to Denver
today for a week long jaunt in Boulder. Hope to see all my peeps there. Also
very excited for "Reggae on the Rocks" on Saturday. Should be a fun time-
have always wanted to see a show at Red Rocks. More in depth posting later
this week. XO

Greetings, Friday. Looking forward to a chill weekend before I head out to
Colorado on Monday for some work and fun. Psyched to see some old friends
and hope to make some new ones. Now if only I could figure out how to pack
for this trip....(or any other trip for that matter).

And on the subject of packing, let's talk bags. For the past week or so,
I've been looking for a cool bag for my better half to carry in Paris- since
we will be walking all over the place, thought it would be good to have a
place to stow a notebook, a camera, some Baudelaire poems- whatever. We know
Europe is fully down with the idea of a man purse, but husband not so much.
(And wife not so much either...)

After links were sent and gazed upon, mi amore settled on a bag from the
very cool line, Bed Stu. The pieces are reasonably priced, rugged and "aged"
to perfection. The bag was under $100, and I dig the company manifesto
-they're local, scrappy, and inspired by Brooklyn. You should check out their
site...link below. I love the shoes and boots they do too- and ladies, they
do some women's stuff as well.

http://bedstu.com/index.php

Here's to a great weekend- be lazy and loll about in these last few weekends
of August. It's too hot to do much anyway. And that's what's in my bag this
fun filled Friday in the MIA. XO

Hi, Thursday. Hot as heck here in the MIA. Feeling a bit like groundhog
day...always hot with no relief. But here's something cool to check out. I
bring you the ultimate "chick", Stella Tennant.

My husband told me long ago that there are girls, there are women, and then
there are "chicks". Chicks are the gals that are urban, cool, a little rock
and roll, not overtly femmed up, and not at all fussy. In the late 50s they
were the beatnik chicks, clad in a black turtleneck and some tights and
obsessed with Rimbaud. Edie Sedgwick was most definitely a chick too, Bob
Dylan even wrote a song for her. Agyness Deyn is another one that has primo
chick cred. It's that girl that may not be classically and insanely gorgeous
in that stereotypical way, but she's the one exuding confidence and sex
appeal and amazing street smart style cues. There's also a bit of an Oliver
Twist thing in all these chicks- something very urchin-like and Dickensian
there. I think you get the idea.

Anyway, Stella Tennant is back in full effect in the Fall books. She has
always been one of my favs- a full fledged English aristocrat but scrappy
and cool as hell. She embodies the chick aesthetic to the nth power. Just.
Love. Her. Very nice to see her back, and in some fab photos in the new V
mag. (Kristin McMenamy is also back, and she's kind of chicky too, but more
in that wacky chick way. If you read Simon Doonan's tome on such things,
you'd certainly agree).

Hope you love these Stella photos as much as I do. I definitely go more for
the chick look than any other, and as referenced yesterday, it has a bad ass
element that I can't stay away from, with a touch of androgyne. It's never
garish or overtly sexed up or tarty- it's subtle and sexy and a bit
mysterious. Chicks always look ready for anything, in an effortlessly cool
way. Oh and being British helps, natch. Stella's my girl, and she just
turned 40 and is chicer than ever. Makes me happy.

And that my friends, is what's up this chickadee'd Thursday in the MIA. XO

Spotted this on WWD and couldn't resist posting...obsessed with this coat.
It's pure genius. All of these pieces are from H&M, and I adore them. If you
are a fellow Floridian, I say let's organize a posse and get them to open
one of their stores down here. Long overdue. Here's the cost breakdown for
these fab pieces. Pretty awesome. And tots bad ass to the max. (Finding chic
pieces for less is most definitely B.A.)

H&M wool coat, $149.00; H&M polyester blouse, $34.95; H&M wool tweed shorts,
$34.95; H&M boots, $129.00. Total: $347.90

XO. And you're welcome if you live somewhere with an H&M. Lucky ducks. XO