the world according to sherimaven

Good day, Tuesday. I'm staring out my window and it's a gloomy day in Manhattan, albeit somehow this weather always comforts me. I love the sunshine, but a rainy day from time to time is sexy. It's true. And what's also true is it would be a whole lot sexier if I was enjoying this heavyish weather from home- catching up on some reading, and maybe cooking up a really good lunch.

As a substitute, I ordered up some ramen from my local joint by the office. It's crunch time over here and all of us are busy- a bunch of peeps just ordered chicken parm sanwdwiches, but I just want ramen. Something about the perfect ramen soup is just so nourishing- and since I'm primarily vegetarian again (meat grosses me out from time to time), I was happy to find a miso based ramen and am loving it. Rainy days and ramen. Best combo ever. Perhaps it's my excitement for going to Tokyo at the end of the month that has me craving it- but that combo of egg, noodles, rich miso and veg is pretty much all I need to get by. Until dinnertime anyway.

Just wanted to share that, as well as this fab recipe I found for miso ramen online (shown above)- I love soba noodles but prob would keep it more ramen noodle based- do your thing. Looks divine, though the exclusion of the egg is most unfortunate (best part).

http://voraciousvander.com/2013/03/04/vegetable-miso-ramen/

And for those of you who think eating ramen without some sort of meat belly is sacrilege, check out this recipe. Looks like an intense endeavor but worth it. Enjoy. And slurping is tots allowed. 

http://www.thepauperedchef.com/article/how-make-shoyu-ramen-home

Oh, and if you have any fav ramen joints in Tokyo, holler. I've got a few recos and am excited to try them all, come rain or come shine. Cause that's what's up this yummyTuesday in the 212.  All the love. Now go get some lunch-I've got loads to talk with you about but gotta get back to it. XO

Good afternoon, Friday. Damn if all of the weather last week and the beginning of this one didn't get me thinking about my favorite season, Fall. I'm not sure there's any time of year that makes me happier, I'm so for a chill in the air, something hot to drink, and lazy strolls as the days get shorter and the air changes and the trees get funky and shed their leaves in technicolor. 

If I had my way, this weekend would be spent window shopping, record digging, book perusing, paper reading, and brunching around town, with the leaves falling and the sky changing. I think it's going to be hot and sticky this weekend, but a girl can dream. And yea, of course I've picked out an outfit for such a pursuit...above, and Polyvore link below for all my picks in detail:

Think Francoise Hardy, effortless chic, vintage jewels, funky tees, either sneakers or easy to walk in pumps, and a great trench- this new one from Rag and Bone for Fall is everything. Oh, and a little wristlet like this one from Phillip Lim in a rich neutral is perfect to carry the bare minimum you need for carefree afternoons.  Also fabulous Persols to hide a hangover and indulge in some hair of the dog are essential, as is the Sunday NY Times and digging for records at my favorite local haunt, Black Gold or checking out something good to read at Book Court, my fav neighborhood shop.  The point is- on weekends, it's time to put the work week to bed, hit up a bloody mary or three, and spend time close to home enjoying all that your 'hood has to offer. I love long walks in the Fall with my beloved and my pup and of course, a fabulous outfit. Cause that's what's up this channeling Fall weekends kind of Friday in the summery 212. All the love. XO

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=93133258

Good day, Thursday. Soupy out there. I suppose all the good hair weather had to end sometime, right? Oh, well.

Had dinner with a good pal last night (who manages to get more handsome each time I see him- damn you, Eric) and we were talking about my disinterest in all things hyper girly girl. I've always been prone to a tougher, cooler kind of look- and when most girls want to look like Anita, I have always wanted to look like Keith. I suppose it's because nobody would ever mistake me for a boy (curves and such), so going hyper femme in my aesthetic just feels too cartoonish in a way. And I'd like to think I'm better than that.

But I didn't say I'm not human. And by human I mean womanly. And by womanly I mean prone to things that are just too darn cute. Like the newest collaboration between Kate Spade and Craig Redman, also known as Darcel, an awesome artist you should know. I am so down with these adorable and witty nods to New York life- I want the scarf, I want the donut bangle, I may even rock a donut enhanced shoe. Because really, what's better than cuteness and wit all rolled into one? I've always liked that in my fellas, so why not my style? Cute AND funny? Yes, please.

Sure this stuff feels a bit girly, but girly with a wink. I like that. A lot. And that makeup bag is divine. Love it. How can you pass up a candy coated print? I can't. And I probably won't. Well done, Kate Spade. I always enjoy the humor of the brand and think they're always spot on when it comes to who they cozy up to when it comes to collabs. Nice one. Oh and that phone cover? Yea, pretty much made for me. Girly or not. The stuff is the furthest thing from snobby- it's cheeky and for ladies who are in on all the best jokes. Love me those journals above. Too cute.

Cause that's what's up this Kate Spade being cool kind of Thursday in the 212. XO

http://www.katespade.com/ksny-x-darcel/ks-new-arrivals-ksny-darcel,en_US,sc.html?cm_sp=home080113-_-homepage-_-darcel&cm_mmc=Refinery29-_-R29_Photo_728x90-_-banner-_-Added+Value_ROS&utm_source=Refinery29&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=R29_Photo_728x90&utm_content=banner&utm_term=Added+Value_ROS&cstruid=8223343_1116433_2058473_10776542_24626_10775286

Bonjour, Wednesday. it's getting cloudy and chilly in New York, which speaks to my early am lethargy today and the fact that I hit snooze several times- no way a 6:30 spin class was in the cards today. Too lazy.

I'm happy to say I've been seeing loads of friends lately and it's making me happy. My aforementioned laziness sometimes interrupts my need to be social- especially with a DVR full of programming I simply must see. I'm glad I'm turning my reclusive corner and getting out more. It's essential, and in a city like New York- you'd be a fool to be as blah as I have been of late when it comes to engagement. So last night found me at the very special West Village spot, Sant Ambroeus, which, if you have not been, you must go on a beautiful evening and sit outside. Not only do they have lovely simple pastas prepared to perfection, but it's also one of the best people watching spots in all of New York, and shit tons of beautiful and wacky NY'ers walked by to grace us with their goodness as we drank wine and caught up on life (thank you Mary, for a lovely evening). But before dinner began, I found myself early as always and sauntered into A.P.C., (yes they of the Kanye tee shirt) a brand whose magic powers are not lost on me. I'm fairly convinced that the corner of West 4th and Perry could restore one's faith in humanity. Yea, it's pretentious as hell. But its beauty overshadows that for me and for about two hours last night, all was so right in the world. The weather, the gorgeous jewel boxed brownstones, the beautiful peeps sauntering by. The handbag parade alone was worth the price of admission. So. Good.

Oh, and if you happen to have an extra, I don't know, five grand or so sitting around to blow on some key pieces for Fall and you're grossly underweight, go get yourself to A.P.C.- their website has everything but the stores are minimalistic luxurious heaven. Think the very best French basics- high end Gap for fashion types looking for a closetful of must haves to wear all through the upcoming season. I'm OBSESSED and will most likely dream about these pieces in the coming days. I'm weird like that.

Here are some screenshots of some of my favorite pieces above- flip through- most dreamy is that chain bag (beyond perfection), those perfect Italian ballet flats, and that oxblood flavored coat. I'm also crushing HARD on that simple boxy blazer- the shape feels fresh and will look amazing with a short skirt or those denim shorts with tights, a blouse, and some mannish loafers.  Ah, Oui.  The French. They just get it. Most of the time.

The moral of the story is this- West 4th Street in the West Village is a divine little pocket of all that's right (and expensive) with New York- tree lined, effortlessly chic, and deliciously simple. In one evening, and in a matter of moments, you can empty your bank account and be full of perfectly prepared pasta and excellent French basics. New York is a temptress that never stops seducing me- too bad my insane rent and cab habit will not allow for much shopping these days. Oh, well. More for you I suppose. 

Cause that's what's up this French basics and al dente'd Wednesday in the 212. Oh l'amour. New York, j'adore. XO

Good morning, Tuesday. The weather in NY is lovelier than lovely- keeps getting better and I say keep it coming. Makes one want to wake up and enjoy the am. Love it.

And speaking of wanting to wake up in the morning, my gig has me often thinking about the future, or furthermore, the future of print. As a producer who works with photographers and illustrators, the death knell sounded many years ago, back while I was still in Miami, an many in my trade were seeking resume boosters and other avenues of employment because our breed was on the verge of extinction. And then Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post.

Now I'm not saying that print is going to make a huge resurgence, though new magazines for niche types are enjoying some popularity (my new fav is Cherry Bombe). But what's going to happen with gazillionaires like Bezos and Buffett changing the way we think of news is that content is going to continue to evolve, and the constant need for it is only going to continue to grow. I find it so interesting that Silicon Valley titans are buying newspapers- after all, Jeff Bezos pretty much changed the way all of us shop- when I was a kid, if you told me I'd be buying shoes online while I wait for a friend to meet me for a coffee, I'd think you were nuts. So it stands to reason that digital content is going to enjoy a big moment when it comes to the printed word- I'm not sure that hard copy newspapers will go away, but it's going to be fun to watch the ever evolving machine of how our news gets delivered. And with Facebook being the new town crier (I find out about stuff on Facebook before Brian Williams does), I'm intrigued by the very notion of professional newsmaking- look for a major retweak of J school educations as well as a resurgence of interest in newspapers as the younger set blurs the line between Silicon Valley (tech) and storytelling (craft). And if Bezos has anything to do with it, the news is going to get more customized, accessible, and innovative. Regardless of newsprint or online media, there's big opportunities for marketers to revisit old grey ladies and icons when it comes to telling their stories. Because in my profession, no news is simply not good news.

Cause that's what's up this newsworthy Tuesday in the 212.  Buy whatever you want on Amazon may have just saved one of the most iconic news vehicles in the country. Waking up just got more interesting. XO

Good afternoon, Monday. It was one of those fabulous summer in the city weekends- full of great friends and loads of rose and sunshine. Khan was in great spirits and feeling much better and all was lovely. I forget sometimes how important seeing one's people is- I need to make it more of a habit. What is life without friends (and rose)? I swear I could wake up in the middle of the night and drink rose- there simply is no wrong time when it comes to the (very light so it's the good) pink stuff.

So after a weekend of indulgence and fun, the gym was a reluctant but necessary evil today. I took a lunchtime spin class (a rarity) and found myself really struggling through it. Not only did the music kind of suck, but the teacher. THE TEACHER. He was wearing khakis. Yes, khakis. And didn't get on his bike once, but bossed us around the whole time. I absolutely loathe that.

If you are going to teach a class, lend a hand, lead, follow or otherwise, you have to be in it. To win it and such, yes. But also to motivate. I found myself wanting to stick hot pokers in his eyes- how dare he tell us what to do but not do an ounce of hard work himself? It's one thing if an instructor is injured- but no. This guy was just plain lazy. I mean- it's Monday. We're all lazy. But help us out a little, would you? And what's with the khakis?

And yea, this is not that interesting of a story. We've all taken a gym class like this. But what I realized is that I really hate when people expect something of you, but don't participate or practice themselves. You can't teach or inspire or lead if you're not willing to do the work. That's kind of textbook isn't it? And whether you're just starting your career or have been written up in "Corner Office", it matters not. You simply have to stay in the game to not only gain respect, but to make people want to work harder and sweat right along with you. I'm not suffering those who remove themselves from the trenches just because they feel like wearing a fake dress pant. 

And really this all ties in to a Friday night viewing of "Lemmy", the amazing documentary about the legendary lead singer of Motorhead and one of the most rock and roll human beings to ever walk the Earth. Now whether or not you've ever growled "Ace of Spades" at the top your lungs (guilty), you should watch this- amazing. Here is a guy living in a nothing special apartment complex in LA, who sits at the Rainbow most nights downing Jack and Coke and Lord knows what else, and for all intents and purposes is the ultimate rock and roller. He never gave up. One of my favorite quotes of those interviewed about the Lemster came from Dave Grohl, who called out the Stones and icons of mine like Keith Richards for yammering on and on about how they survived the sixties as elegantly wasted icons, yet no longer live a rock and roll life- after all, he notes, you can't be rock and roll and stay at the best hotel in Paris. He's got a point.

I'm not going to disagree, and though nobody is saying you have to have a lifelong drug habit, you gotta be who you are and not sell out and most of all be of the thing that people love you or come to you for- Lemmy's the real freaking deal, and though I head he has been having health issues, that guy has lived life in a truly authentic and badass way- and he is in it for the music, for the debauchery, for the fans. Screw the khaki clad spin instructor. I'd rather hang out with Lemmy. He gives life everything he's got.

Cause that's what's up this gotta be in it and not quit it kind of Monday in the 212. Go forth and be part of something. XO

PS Lemmy would NEVER take a spin class and subject himself to such bullshit. But I'll never be as cool as him so I'm good with that.

Good afternoon, Friday. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...Khan is on the mend and we're hanging out resting up a bit today- been a bit of a tough week for the little guy but he's pretty much back to normal after a bout of what can only be described as an allergic reaction to Kentucky. You can take the dog out of Brooklyn I suppose, but...you know the rest. He's more of a city dude, much like his mama.

And because I've been trend spotting here in Brooklyn (right along with Vogue as mentioned yesterday), I'm feeling a real craving for super casual attire- fortunately for me, I work in advertising, where we get to basically wear whatever we want. But it's still not cool to make no effort at all- you can do casual as could be, but making it cool is good form.

And though this trend has long since jumped off, I'm all about a simple sweatshirt come Fall. I'm noticing some leaves turning crispy under my feet (already- weird) and wondering what my wardrobe will feel like as we transition into cooler days and nights. I love how a sweatshirt is a pure expression of that effortless chic that is so my cup of Darjeeling- Proenza Schouler set the bar for me with their super budget busting look below ($1500 for a sweatshirt simply not going to happen), but as we continue to live in a very democratic age when it comes to fashion- fear not. There's loads of options out there for the rest of us.

The best way to wear said sweat frock? I love it with a short skirt and heels, I adore it with a fresh white collar popping out of it with a pencil skirt on the bottom, and I adore it with leathery leggings to give it that athlete with an edge kind of vibe. Below are some wonderful street style examples- fabulous, non? A full skirt works great as well- have fun playing with the variations, just make sure to get the proportion spot on like the gorgeous girls below. Oh and I LOVE it with a leather skirt as well- the softness of the sweatshirt is divine with the toughness of the leather.

One thing I don't love with this banded must have? Jeans. Unless they are boyfriend and work with the proportion of the sweatshirt for that slouchy coolness. But jeans are simply too expected, so classic is great (black pencil skirt for instance) just not regular old jeans. It's not about looking like a 50s high school girl- it's about a more grown up version of this lovely staple. Here are some of my favs out there- I do so love the classic heather grey but also adore a witty take on the trend, like the Brian Lichtenberg "Hommies" jam below. So great- my fav below is definitely from the good old Gap, as well as the one right below from Phillip Lim- love the rock and roll addition of the zipper and the cool graphic.

3.1 Phillip Lim, $575

Gap heathered hoodie, $23.99

Zoe Karssen sweatshirt, $80.64

Brian Lichtenberg sweatshirt, $109

A.P.C. Atelier, $175

Alexander Wang double knit sweatshirt, $225

American Apparel tri-blend pullover, $38

And that's what's up this sweaty Friday in my lovely neighborhood. Keepin' it casual all weekend. XO

Good morning, friends. It's a crap day here in the city after an amazing stretch of heavenly weather. Oh well. Hunkering down and thinking about Brooklyn (I'm usually thinking about Brooklyn).

As I've mentioned before, I'm no pioneer. I tend to live in neighborhoods that have long since jumped off, and are hovering towards an unattainable abyss. So when I opened my August Vogue, I was intrigued to find a fashion story called "Bonjour, Brooklyn", a piece featuring the most gorgeous girls with the most stunning children fashionably trolling around my hood.  Look- there's Devon Aoki strolling a pram in front of Bedford Cheese!  And a direct quote: "Though artist Elliott Puckette was raised in Tennessee, she- along with daughters Bella and Violet and family pets Louis (the dog) and Odette (the rabbit)- chose leafy Boerum Hill to put down roots". Here she is below.

And if that wasn't enough to show you how chic Brooklyn is (duh), Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue's resident food savant regales Brooklyn as a top food destination, touting the gastronomic virtue of restaurants like Brooklyn Fare, Pok Pok, and Roberta's. Is it me or is he a bit late to the party? Isn't Brooklyn so ten years ago or is it just me? I thought I was way behind the curve moving to Brooklyn when I did- long after any bubble burst, long after women with names like Elliott moved in, and way too long after Rag and Bone boots were part of the uniform of the super cool Brooklynites I see, oh, everywhere. 

What's interesting to me is not that Vogue seems kind of behind the curve on this one, but that indeed Brooklyn really is becoming chic in its casual, effortless, charming kind of way. I suppose that's why the French call it "Le Brooklyn"(don't think it's a coincidence that that lead photo could easily be a French mom in her striped top in front of some historic monument a Paris)  and talk about wanting to visit. And Le Brooklyn has become synonymous with all things cool, but you already knew that. How come Vogue didn't? I just found the article kind of hilarious, but not at all off base- rich arty girls have been moving there in droves with their rich arty families in tow. Fashion has long since been super glamorous- with all of those designer collaborations (next up Isabel Marant for H&M. OMG.) happening that high/low thing is way more chic than overdone, fussy, or simply too "fashiony". The unkempt chic of Brooklyn has become aspirational, and though these photos are not exactly unglam, there is an ease to them that photographer Boo George did beautifully- styling is lovely and perfectly on point. The looks is pretty and tough and cool all at once- and never overly thought, or at least it's supposed to look freewheeling and fuss-free.  It's true that you can go anywhere in my neighborhood wearing just about anything, but since it's New York, you still need to bring it. Just not quite as hard.

One thing I will say though- recently Vogue declared Birkenstocks as chic and "sexy". I'm not there yet, but maybe I'm the one behind the curve. Give me a couple of years.

And that's what's up this Brooklyn is indeed the borough kind of Thursday in the 212, though wishing I was hanging cribside in the 718. All the love, and come for a visit.  Oh, and thanks Vogue. I'm already being priced out of my precious neighborhood, and sure this article is only going to make it worse, for all ten people out there that don't know of the magic powers of the very best borough. (Please don't make me move to Queens). XO

Good afternoon, Tuesday. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood- it's what makes Summer so damn lovable. Warm sun but not humid and lovely chilly evenings perfect for long walks. I've been so annoyed by Summer's ridiculous oppressiveness that when it's like this, I realize the joy of having seasons, and temperate ones at that.

But speaking of temperature, I want to take yours on something. I posted on Facebook yesterday that I've been experiencing a sort of "flash sale fatigue" (fsf) and was wondering if the rest of you are feeling that way as well. For the longest, I've been delaying noon meetings by a couple of minutes so I could peruse the offerings at Gilt. Then came Haute Look. Rue La La. One Kings Lane. Fab. My Habit. 6 pm. Ideeli. Belle and Clive. And the list goes on and on. This constant sale culture happening NOW, NOW, NOW has made me a bit of a shopping neurotic. The pressure one feels to get discounted goods from your favorite brands has become tougher than a mudder. And for me, it's led to a great deal of fatigue. Can you say online retail overload?

It makes me think, in a more general sense, that we're living in a society that has exceeded their limit on "too much of a good thing".  Every time somebody thinks of something great, ten million other people or brands follow to create a morbidly obese level of competition. Sure, capitalism is based on such bloat, but it feels as unhealthy and I'm craving a cleanse.

The flash sale model was a fabulous and spectacular idea- but now the playing field is so crowded I often feel like I'm in a shopaholic corn maze and can't get out. And if you look at all of these sites as brands in their own right, what has all of this competition done? In my mind, it's diluted them all. Sure, Gilt's kind of the grand dame and One King's Lane is fabulous for Ikat throw pillows and Fab is fun for designy, novelty enhanced personal gifting. But at what point does it all become too much? When does bargain hunting feel more like fevered blood sport than happy hunting? I'm pretty sure that time is now. We have become a flash sale nation, and to me, it's time to shut the overcoat. I've seen enough. Maybe you've moved on to Candy Crush to feed your internet addiction, but I'm still stuck on fall previews over at My Habit. Enough is enough. (You're welcome, husband. You're welcome).

For me, the sites were great when they focused on brand specific offerings- as in- single designer sales that you could easily click on and see what you wanted. Cut to now where every site is editorializing said sales to include titles and items for "Beach Weekends", "Work Classics", or "Sunday Night Styleathon". The categories are dizzying, and a new one comes up every day. It's hard to follow and remain loyal to anything because there's simply too much being offered. And isn't that how we got in this mess in this country in the first place?

These days, I'm going for a "less is more" strategy. I'm not clicking on anything anymore at 11 or 12 or 2 am. I'm tired of being overstimulated and am going to streamline my options when it comes to online shopping. And in a way bigger sense, I am feeling super in tune with the fact that I have too much of just about everything when it comes to wardrobe- it's time to learn to live with a little bit less- quality vs. quantity if you will. Yes, I have my eye on some Isabel Marant shearling lined snow bootie things for Fall- but perhaps if a different package from one flash sale site or the other does not arrive at my door each week, I may just be able to save up my hard earned dollars and buy them. And yea, I'm not saying I'll never look at Gilt again. I just am taking a hiatus from consumer overload. I may even schedule more meetings at 12 on the nose. I think I'm ready to have my life back, one less flash sale at a time.

Cause that's what's up this flash free Tuesday in the most beautiful city on Earth. All the love. No clicking today, my friends. What the shirt says. XO

Good afternoon, friends. I'm back from my sojourn to Southland (really Southeast, but you know). It was lovely to see David's family and catch up with some of his old friends from high school- great people all and we had a lot of fun, sans Khan feeling crappy for most of it. Much like his mama, he's not much of a country dog, though he did absolutely love his Uncle Cosmo, a gorgeous Goldendoodle as hospitable as they come. Was fun to watch them kick it together. Miss that big guy already.

And now that I'm back in the city, I was happy to take a nice walk for lunch time today and run some errands as well as pop into Story- that fabulous concept store on 10th Avenue just below 20th Street that functions much like a magazine- switching out "content" (merch) every few months to keep things fresh and interesting. This month's offering was curated by some friends of mine who started an agency called MADE, which focuses on celebrating, selling, and creating awareness for all things made right here in the US of A (many of you reading this know them already, but if you don't you should). Living in Brooklyn I can't help but sometimes feel skeptical about this whole Americana movement- I'm a bit over the beard and suspenders thing at this point, but really- buying US of A is the least we can do. It's true that on a mass level it's a real challenge to keep things here, but if you're the boutiquey,indie type, you really should do your part.

Anyhoo, the store is fabulously turned out with all things Etats Unis- amongst some brands I have heard of was a great tee shirt line called Small Trades. I love love love their pieces, one of my favorites being the ribbed tee shirt dress shown here, which retails for under $100. I'm not sure you know this, but the possibilities for such a dress are ENDLESS. Think flip flops for Summer, and then tights and boots for chillier days.  I myself love the plain black one, but the striped options are equally loaded with cuteness and functionality. According to their site, the line was "inspired by the 1950's photo series by Irving Penn documenting men and women representing the tools of their trade.The first project under the Small Trades label are 100% cotton panel rib knit t-shirts made in the USA by a Factory that is family owned and operated since 1907". I like this.  A lot.

And what is more American than a good tee shirt? We sort of own that provenance. And this line is keeping it all alive.  And though many things being made in this country are plenty alarming right now (more in the newsmaking arena), why not laud the great American staple and buy a cute something or other from this lovely company? And that's what's up this pledging allegiance to retail kind of Monday in the 212. XO