the world according to sherimaven

Good morning, Thursday. (It is Thursday, right?) I've got a bad bed situation at my hotel- bed looks gorgeous and fluffy and double duveted, but man it's soft. Killing me. Had to do some major yoga this morning to work out the kinks. Sleep is overrated anyway, right?

Anyway, I'm off to a really cool location today, Eastern Market, a few blocks of fresh produce and farmer's market type stuff- we are shooting in an empty "shed" there so should be incredible. Looking forward to it. Anything that calls for precision drivers is always fun.

I'm hoping to experience much more of this city before I leave, but last night I realized just how many amazing musical types came from here- and because I love her more than most things, I wanted to shout out Aretha. Yea we have Adele, Estelle, and Jill, but first, there was Aretha. And last I would say too. Her voice is transcendent and much like this city itself- deep, rich, and full of pain and love and dreams. I think I am going to have to get down to some "Young, Gifted, and Black" today. That album is transcendent.You simply can't sing like that unless you are graced by up above, and unless you have lived a life of hard lessons and passionate pursuit.

Love these photos of a young Aretha- definitely going to make a request for some of her today on set. Cause that's what's up this saying a little prayer for you (and you) kind of Thursday in Detroit. Forever and ever, you'll be in my heart. XO

 

Good morning, world. It's cloudy here in the motor city but admittedly this kind of weather is sexy to me. I love a good gloom from time to time, it turns me on in that it makes things fuzzy and slow and heavy, like a good Velvet Underground song. Sorry for the late post, internet creepy crawly at our location. Mies clearly was not planning on wifi amidst this stellar minimalism.

So Detroit has us all enraptured, thinking of all the things we could do here to make this amazing town rise again. I absolutely have faith in this town- it's a soulful and inspired city with all the potential you can imagine. And needless to say, much is already here that in no way needs improving. One of those places is John K. King bookstore, and no good city is without such a place.

You know the type- an amazing emporium (with a couple locations here in the city) with killer vinyl and books on everything you can imagine. My photographer (who is probably one of the most fascinating people on the planet) scored some great fashion books (Avedon and Cecil Beaton) for rock bottom prices. To me, the mark of a great city is a great bookstore (and good coffee, which Detroit has in spades), and this place does not disappoint. If I wasn't on set today, I most likely would be happily ensconced in King's today, poring through dusty old tomes and (hopefully) old garage rock on vinyl. I hope to steal away for a few moments later to do just that.

There's nothing better than a good bookstore- the smell, the vibe, the mystery of finding something really special. I'm hopelessly gaga for such places, and if you are in a city that is the real deal, surely you have such a place that makes your heart happy as well. If you come here, check this place out. It's pretty fabulous.

And that's what's up this page turner of a Wednesday in the 248. All the love from D Rock. XO

Link to bookstore below:

http://www.rarebooklink.com/cgi-bin/kingbooks/index.html

 

Good morning, Tuesday.  I'm glad to see you and looking forward to a sunny day here in Detroit.

If I had any balls, I would move to this town and make my dreams come true. Unfortunately, I have never been a pioneer (Tribeca and its lack of all night delis is roughing it for me) and am no bueno at moving to places on the verge. If you, however, are that type and have the gumption to live in a place where there are huge possiblities for people of creative conceit- move here. Now.

I am so impressed by this city, I knew I would be but was not sure to what extent. I am hoping to see more of it this week, but from running around in a Durango scouting locations for a shoot, I can tell you this- the architecture in this town is not to be believed- Mies is here (you can buy a Mies townhouse for $100K). Saarinen is here. Frank Lloyd Wright is here. Beautiful, decaying and heaving train stations and garages are begging to be alive again. I was in an old garage that was just bought by a restauranteur that I would die to own- it's the perfect spot for a cool jeans and boots shop, with maybe a haircutting chair in the front. I've mentioned before that one of my favorite things to do in new cities I visit is to imagine what living there would be like, and what the city I'm currently hanging in needs in terms of retail or business ideas.

If I was more courageous, I would come here and buy a house (many people are telling me that you can literally pay off the taxes on some of these vacant homes and buy one for $3000) and start making stuff here again. It's incredible to be in a city that was once the place where some of our best "Made in America" products were designed and built- American engineering could live here again, and as Patti Smith said (who was married to a member of Detroit's very own MC5), New York is simply too expensive for artists to live these days. If I were you, I would move here. Quick. If you do, please don't build a bunch of wine bars and bullshit. This is a city that deserves to be cooler than that (there are surely places here like Birmingham that feel very much yupped out, and it's nice but has no soul). There is a vacant train station here that is absolutely outrageously beautiful and gothic and could very easily be turned into an awesome artists space for live performance, vendors, and studios. It's true I have not experienced this town in winter, but I am sure you can take it with the right gear.

Maybe it's the American optimist in me, but I can see where this town could rise again, and it's already happening as artists start to populate the city and magazines like Clear are based here. Yea you may not be able to buy a house in areas like Cranbrook, but you can have an urban experience and home that is simply out of reach in big cities like New York or LA. So if you have bigger cajones than me and like to explore, the Motor City is genius. It has a lot of heart and is super cool.

From an article I found on the chicagoreader.com blog, I loved this quote: “Detroit is the most democratic city in America,” writes Mitch Cope, one of the catalysts of the aforementioned artists’ block, on the blog at powerhouseproject.com. “Not in the political sense or government, but because the neighborhoods are ruled and run and controlled and developed by local citizens. It’s a city where you can do things, both bad and good as you choose without much oversight, enforcement of law, or rules imposed from above. It is up to the residents to decide what it is they want to do, how they govern their particular block or street, and therefore what they want their city to be. Democracy in Detroit has ironically come out of the lack of a functional government/political democracy.”

This city simply needs to rise again, and give birth to a new American dream- we have really lost our way and could use some people to reinvent and make stuff here again.  What's disturbing to me is driving around this town in places like Cranbrook and Birmingham, you can see that there is much affluence here- so what happened in this post industrial age and where were these folks when their city was falling apart? And more importantly, where are developers like Tony Goldman of Miami Design District/Wynwood gentrification fame? This place is amazing and offers great opportunites for visionary minds. Think of the architects that built here and think of the design that took place here- it's a city that deserves more innovation and whose culture is steeped in creativity and great design.

Today I'm shooting a big old church and am excited to check out yet another beautiful spot here. I'm tired of seeing all of those images of burnt out buildings (though hauntingly beautfiul)- I'm ready to see some photos of the great Detroit rising again. And that's what's up this hopeful day in the 248. Detroit is amazing. Come here and kick out the jams.XO

Hi, Monday. I am in Detroit in a hotel room covered in chintz, not exactly the Detroit I was intending on seeing, but still nice nonetheless.

 I was, like everyone else, watching coverage of the hurricane and can't believe that the media made so many people feel so very paranoid about it. If there's one thing I know from living in Miami for 7 years (and I don't know much), it's how to handle a hurricane, and shame on the media for scaring the shit out of people when they knew damn well that a tropical storm or category 1 'cane would not mess with things too greatly. I did see on Facebook that people got some flooding in their basements, but major rainstorms can do that, and Northeasterners have seen worse storms in the form of snow than this non-event. I get where the fear came from from my pals up North who have never been through a hurricane, but I feel the reporting was irresponsible to say the very least, especially when they realized (and oh they definitely realized) it was not going to be so bad. It's almost like when you get so deep into telling a lie, it's hard to get out of it. And in a city like New York, one of the most neurotic cities in the USA with more people in therapy per mile than anywhere else, it's not cool to scare people like that. Haven't New Yorkers been through enough, really?

The inevitable ennui that set in was obvious if you were following your friends on Facebook, who seemed somehow disappointed that they drank themselves into a stupor and carbo loaded for nothing. Then, there were the few angry ones who bitched that people should not complain about NOT having a hurricane (true that) considering what can really happen in a bad one, and then there were those whose sump pumps failed and were standing in a basement of water, cursing those on high ground in buildings on 72nd Street, who were not aware that yes, some people did get affected by this.

I tweeted this am an interesting piece in "The Atlantic" about our collective narcissism as a nation, and what must the world think of us as we self obsess over anything and everything? In the scope of what is going on globally, I feel it was irresponsible of the media to portray this storm the way they did, especially when it became clear it was not going to kills us all. And though it was interesting to read about people's experiences, I must admit that as a Miamian now, I was sort of wondering what all the hype was about, and as I flew to Detroit yesterday morning and watched CNN from the plane (I like Delta, it's wireless and has TV screens on every seat), I felt that all of the epic reporting in nework branded rain gear was really silly, and even Anderson Cooper, as noted in that Atlantic article, seemed sheepish about the whole thing.

And since the news is being reported by all of us these days and our extended social networks, maybe it's time to take matters into our own hands and calm people down- the media is not going to, so perhaps we should count on each other for the real stories. I am thankful that precautions were taken after the mismanagement of Katrina, but now Bloomberg looks to be a bit of a nervous nelly, and people in New York with no subway and having to be trapped in small apartments is the equivalent of the plague. This was no such scourge, but at least Northeasterners know how to prepare if the shit goes down for real. And that's what I have to say about that, really. I am very glad you are all safe p there PS. You really don't want to know what a big hurricane, in terms of the category (cause Irene was a big, big gal that simply lost her steam) can do. Or maybe it's time to focus on something other than the weather? It's a bit of a bore, no?

Cause that's what's up this early am in the Motor City. The weather is quite good here, for real. I just don't want to talk about it, ok? XO

 

 

Hey, Friday...I'm saying prayers for all my pals in the Northeast, very hard to believe this Irene had no interest in Miami- it's bright sunshine here. Be safe, stock up on lots of water, and chips and salsa. And don't forget the wine. It's probably the most important thing to have on hand. Love you all...

In other news, I'm off to Detroit on Sunday for a week. I've wanted to go to D Rock for a hot minute now, and I'm excited to check out The Motor City. Pictured here are the MC5, Detroit's original punk sons (yea I know, Eminem and such) and a simply kick ass rock band. Kick out the jams, indeed. One of my favorite tracks of theirs.

And for all you typeheads out there, check out their super amazing logo. That's American engineering right there, that is. Rock and roll style of course.

To me, Detroit is punky, scrappy, and real. I have always felt sad that Detroit, arguably once a healthy city where things were made right here in the US of A, has had such a tough time. Perhaps that tide will turn, and the great Detroit will rise again. I'm looking forward to that. All of those pictures of urban decay are oddly beautiful, but at what cost? I've said forever that people need to move to that town and start making stuff again- whether it be art, clothes, or cars. Anything to help the cause, really.

And with that, I take my leave and start the weekend. Hope you all have a lovely one, and stay safe. Cause that's what's up this Fred "Sonic" Smith (who was coincidentally married to Patti Smith) of a Friday. Hope you'll be kickin' out those jams this weekend and beyond. I'm off to go make stuff. XO

 

Happy Thursday. I am in my own little production private Idaho right now- the sleepless kind. Plus it's rainy as hell here and all I can do is think of jumping back under the covers. But that's not to be so let's talk about Steve Jobs.

Oh, Steve. You really have made a huge difference in our lives, all of us really. But since this is my blog, I'm going to talk about how you affected mine. I was reading some Tweets last night about his decision to leave Apple (IQuit was a favorite) and found some amazing stuff about him, some inspiration, and the many reasons I am a lifelong Mac girl.

It all started in 1984, that seminal year when advertising was forever changed by Apple's Orwellian spot, and when I was in middle school, rocking a crazy haircut and an attitude. We had computer lab, and it dawned on me last night that I worked on the first Apple ever made (the Macintosh), and it was the first computer I ever experienced as well. And it was love at first type.

Though I'm not sure what was going on in high school and college, I skipped those years and worked on a word processor of the Brother or IBM variety. But I never forgot about how much I loved my Mac. And then I graduated college and started a career in advertising, and really you're nobody in advertising if you don't work on a Mac. You kind of have to, especially if you're a creative. I remember early in my career, and in the early life of the internet, schlepping my early Apple laptop to Israel (may have been an old Powerbook), where I was researching trance music and cafe culture (I swear I was). That thing weighed a ton, and in the ancient days of dial up and early IM'ing, my hotel bill was equivalent to the GNP of a small country. Ah, the good old days.

In any event, I could never understand PC people, or PC language. What on Earth is a C drive? Where does stuff go when I file it? Where is my desktop? I admit to about a year long stray from Macs when I freelanced at an agency in New York and had a Sony Vaio, which was light as a feather, but was not my Mac. And even though my most recent stint in advertising had me working at the agency that crafted "I'm a PC", I was still all Mac. I bleed Apple and that's that. And I've always been suspicious of people that don't feel the same way, though that's just me (and a million gazillion Mac whores around the world).

There is no brand that is more easily identifiable, more defined in terms of what they stand for (cool innovation and creativity and ideation), and more important to pop culture than Apple. There is no other electronic or gadgety thing that makes me wait in line like a kid on Christmas for their latest offering. And sure, Apple products are sensitive- you kind of never know when your IPod is going to stick, or when your computer is just not going to turn on, ever again. But like fine  women, you simply have to accept that something so great is going to have few kinks to work out, and if you treat them well, they will get turned on for you, somehow, magically. Or you just trade up for a new one. Easy.

I wish Steve Jobs was leaving his empire so he could run for President. In the weeks since the candidates are starting to come out of their zombie right wing tea stained crypts, I've been thinking about how great it would be for a real businessman to run the country- one that could stop fucking around and run the company like a business, and a business that is focused on technology, innovation, and unbridled creativity. Is that too much to ask? I think not. How I wish Steve could take the gig. He would have my vote and many others, of this I am certain. The cult of Mac is a powerful one, and I suspect many of Steve's fans are people that could also change the world.

I thank Steve Jobs, for making technology cool, for making us worship every new I thingy that comes out, and for changing the face of the world, for the better, in my opinion. And if you watch the below video, maybe you'll get chills the way I just did. I tend to get choked up when someone is that compelling, when they present with such incredible conviction, and when a product is shown that we somehow knew would change the world, but not to that extent. Home computing, people. Can you imagine life without that? It's crazy to even think about, but what a revelation, and here is the video from the 1984 launch to prove it:

http://www.businessinsider.com/video-steve-jobs-introduces-mac-2011-8

Steve Jobs is the original bandito, bad ass, warrior, genius, visionary, top shelf marketer, artist, hero, futurist, mad scientist, business man, pop culture superstar- his courage to go where nobody else had ever been is stellar, and I for one am ready to get my mitts on the IPhone 5, which I inevitably will bitch about when I get it, but will love it more than anything. As I type this on my Mac (duh), I feel grateful to have Apple as a part of my life, and like the scores of fans everywhere, I'm awed by the impact this company has had on my life. What will they think of next? I can't wait to see.

Thank you Mr. Jobs- you will be missed- can't you just run for President? Your country really needs you- you could be the first IPrez.You taught us all to "think different", and that mandate still holds up today as it did in 1984.

And that, my friends, is what's up this thank the Lord for Macs kind of Thursday in the MIA. Maybe someone out there reading this is crazy enough to think they can change the world, even if you do work on a PC. XO

 

 

 

Hiya, Wednesday. This morning is brought to you by Dunkin Donuts, purveyor of the very fine latte light. I love you Dunkin, I do I do I do.

So I'm a bit soft in the head today- have been working a lot and whenever my brain keeps me up at night thinking and thinking some more, I know it's time to think about where the next vacation should be. I'm not saying I'm going on one, I'm just saying planting the thought helps me get by. If I had my way, i would lay on my bed today and stare at a map until some distant clime reveals itself as my next "let's go". My hippie soul is telling me to jet- for now it will just have to be in my imagination, which will ultimately lead to a flight somewhere not here. If you are feeling stuck today, imagine yourself somewhere you have always wanted to go, and then you can somehow deal a bit more the here and now. It helps me, anyway. That and Dunkin. And Alexander Wang tee shirts. And good perfume. And maybe some De La Soul. It's really that simple.

Cause that's what's up this next year I'll be someplace kind of Wednesday in the MIA. Safe travels. XO

Good morning, Tuesday. We may just get lucky with this Irene and get a pass...let's hope so.

I know I've been on a fashion tear of late, but I can't help it. Fall clothes are my weakness and with thoughts of crisp afternoons and pumpkin spice lattes bandying about in my brain, I'm excited to rock some new looks. One of my favorite looks for Fall besides the ones I've already mentioned are the dominance of capes, in store and in magazines. A cape is simply a lovely thing, it leaves ones' arms free to hail a taxi, gesture wildly or link arms with a pal. There's a whiff of old world, Victorian heroine, Sherlock Holmes, fanciful drama about wearing a cape, that I am not sure I am willing to live without this Fall. I'm not talking about a cloaky cape a la Nosferatu, mind you. I'm talking a shorter version, which looks fantastic with just about everything. One of my favorites is from Burberry Brit (the one with toggles below), as well as one from Rachel Zoe (the camel number below. I adore camel)  which I spotted in Neiman Marcus a few weeks back. Fabulous. Look at this one from Smyth too- amazing and rock and roll- love the Betty Catroux/Blondie thing happening with the model too.

Not that i am mad at this opera length version on the runway at Zac Posen. It's very sort of gothic and epic and dramatic and I adore it. Would certainly rock this for evening, it's pretty major. 

Whatever your caped crusade t this fall, this trend is a great one for those of us who don't like to feel fettered and constricted by super structured coats. And they're lovely for transitional evenings in Autumn as the dark arrives earlier and the air grows cold (these are excellent for autumnal carbo loading too). The Lanvin numbers with those hats and flats? Yes, please. And the J. Crew one below styled with the jeans is a great way to go cape but still be laid back and casual.

And last on the agenda, since most of these choices are short, I have to share these incredible hose from Wolford, which I think are simply the sexiest thing on two legs. Wow. I must have these- imagine these with a long cape (like the Posen number), a slit skirt, and va voom. Is it hot in here? I must own these. Amazing.

And that my friends is what's up this winged, capeleted, leggy Tuesday in the MIA. Hugs and caped kisses to you all. Fall is in the air, so cape it up. XO

Good morning, Monday. Had a lovely weekend, and praying that the now hurricane known as  Irene does not come this way and wreck the next one. (Come on, Irene).

So check it- as many of you know, I've always been an avid fan of Cool Britannia, and then I moved on to all things French for a while. Though I still love them both, I am now sensing a new sort of Cool Italia thing happening- well it's always been happening really, but these days Italian style is everywhere. Don't worry, I'll fill you in.

Take Missoni's collection for Target coming this way mid September. Bringing stylish zig zags to the masses is going to be a revelation, and cement the Missoni family as one of the coolest fashion brands around, and decidedly Italian. And then Versace is doing a collection for H&M, another anticipated collab that puts the house of Versace very much in the spotlight, and maybe you've noticed a lot of bright young things rocking vintage Verrsace prints of late, which are hot off the runway and a celebration of a gilded, ornate Italian conceit as at home on the streets of Rome as the streets of New York.

There is a no apologies kind of approach to living that all Italians enjoy- and I myself admire it, as an American who is way too conscious of too much, too little, and everything in between. The Italians don't get caught up in that stuff, because too much is great and too little is not really an option. It's a state of mind, of being. PS- see that picture of Sophia Loren in a bra and underwear? That's what a woman looks like, peeps. Like, for real. Not these lollipop heads running around Hollywood eating ice chips. The Italians know this. G-d bless. And that hair in the third shot down? Yes, please. Other images of Marcello, Monica, and sick Italian poster design below as well. Bene. If the Italians are so versed in "la dolce far niente"  or the art of doing nothing, they look amazing doing it. Damn. When Americans do nothing, it really shows. I wish I was Italian, so I too could perfect the art of doing nothing, just not in sweatpants and an entire HBO season by season canon.

And I'm going out on a limb and saying Dolce & Gabbana's sexy widow thing (mentioned last week) is very in step with fashion right now- as are Miu Miu's stellar ornamental tea dresses.  I saw them in store the other night and they don't dissapoint. Trust me on that. Scheme worthy- as in- what "Italian Job" type plan can I hatch to get one?

And if we leave the world of fashion for a moment, let's go to the highway with the introduction of the Fiat 500- the Italian answer to the Mini Cooper.  It's a sporty little creature with great Italian style -witty, fun, and fully sexy for a little guy. I would also mention the Jersey Shore shooting in Florence, but does that count or take away from my point? (I'm assuming the latter). And don't get me started on guys who wear Persols- I find this a very sexy thing, and may even grab a pair for myself- they rock and that's that. Classic.

With times so tough and so many people disappointed and glum, it seems just right to embrace a bit of the dolce vita into the every day- go ahead and eat the pasta. Wear a little more lipstick. Celebrate your curves. Be loud. Live with passion.  Enjoy some PDA.  Jump in a fountain in an evening gown, preferably a tight one. Wear diamonds to breakfast. In bed. You know the deal. Go Italian and don't look back. I'm not going to...ti voglio bene Italia. Channel your inner Claudia Cardinale (pictured below). Or if you're a guy, go Marcello. I'll wait.

Cause that's what's up this shaped like a boot kind of Monday in the MIA. Arrividerci and andiamo!  XO (Oh and here's a vintage '61 Ferrari. How hot?  Italian hot).

Hi, pre weekend..you are here at last. I've got a mess of work to do but I'll get through it. Thanks to Hot Chip. I need them today. I am ready I am ready for the floor.

So I was doing a little research yesterday (as is my wont) about chicks. Women. Babes. And you know what? It's been revealed that we like to buy ourselves expensive things. Very expensive things. That's what the WSJ says anyway, and who am I to argue? Sure we've been reading about this for a couple of years now, but it's striking given the perils of our precarious economy and our uncertainty in general. I am a fan of this trend- and hope it continues. And it's not about buying yourself a vintage Verdura cuff (it may be though), but it's more about the feeling you get from buying yourself a present from time to time. Regardless of your mortgage, rent, or car payment, I implore you to get yourself a little present from time to time- a lipstick, a sexy bra, a book of vintage fashion ads. Whatever it is, you're worth it, so do it. I know it's not really about investing in one's happiness in a material sense, but material pleasures are great from time to time, especially if they are a bit sparkly or fun.

I myself am a fabulous self gifter. I gift myself frequently. After all, who knows what I want better than me? If I had the cash, I would invest in a few things this season, none of them jewelry related, though the day will come when I buy myself a vintage Rolex, and that's the truth. I spotted a ridiculously gorgeous Pucci bag (I know, right?) at Nordstrom the other day- a small leopard guy that was so glam and fabulous, boy did I want that thing, but boy was it out of range for a Saturday in August. Oh well, a girl can dream. And I tend to dream big.

So that's that, really. It's conference call time yet again, but I am thinking of gifting myself with something special soon...and you should do the same. You deserve it don't you? Cause that's what's up this selfishly generous Friday in the 305. Gift yourself this weekend. Do as I say, and live in the present and buy yourself a present. After all, who loves ya baby? You do, of course.  XO