Vans DQM meet TS

i’m sure there will be more to come from this collaboration posted on ts so let me take this time to introduce an east meets west tale: Vans DQM. vans teamed with independently owned nyc skate staple chris keeffe and dqm to bring us the best of both worlds.  i’m not a huge fan of the ever growing popularity and need for every brand to have a “boutique-esk” store especially skate/snow/surf brands but i get it. especially if you are trying to have your store downtown; high rents = less products in store with higher almost unreasonable prices for young skaters probably not making that much to begin with (who lets remember, are the real heart and soul of the sport). but, this is the nature of the beast these days. i’m not saying the store isn’t core or doesn’t have a very nice decor and layout because it is and does, i’m just sayyyin. by jr

CATEGORIES: ny places, surf-skate

british home toggle switches

 

where where you when i was renovating my apt? i just saw these and i’m in love. must have them, about £10 each. i love them as they remind me of those airplane toggle switches or better yet if they had been flat heads, then the toggle switches on the e-type series 1’s. by xy

CATEGORIES: architecture

the quiet paradise: 50-acres of private estate owned by an italian duchess’ welcomes you as one of the small luxury hotels of the world

each bath room is fitted with a private plunge pool, outside the oversized sqaure window (to the left) overseeing the tree tops

an amazing spa at the hotel uses ancient mayan herbs grown on premise to create every product used not to mention the herbal tea served at the spa.

home away from home: magical ivory boxes and old furniture fill the room for a visual feast

at 2pm complimentary tea and fresh made cookies are served

the best food on earth. mexico has become my culinary indulgence. amazing locally grown vegetables and habanero spiced ceviche are to die for

i’m still dreaming of going back to the esencia, a private small seaside property with only 29 rooms, that is like a second home, fully staffed with spa and immaculate service. located in the premium white sandy-beach of xpu-ha, the estate is lusciously manicured with quiet gardens and flowers. this was my second visit to this small hotel in 2 years, and although i think of it as, lets say,  quite indulgent, i believe its justified as i truly appreciated every detail in this place. from the well disguised leaf-wrapped electrical wires to the discrete and invisible service. from the tile works to the quiet and isolated sparse rooms, from the objects scattered about to the amazing food that is made-to-order. this was no luxury hotel, but a private experience for 2. supporting the local efforts we solely drank mexican wine and although there is room for growth i was amazed at how refined this unknown region of wine was to my taste. i love the people in mexico and the history of this amazing region. my head is bowed. i found time to indulge in drawing local birds, and reading about the mayans and the aztecs in between spa treatments and drinks by the pool. i pondered my luck, and was grateful that i could even be here and afford such luxury that must bring a level of guilt to my social beliefs. i thought to myself, everyone should have a chance at this… but then again not everyone may appreciate this? my equals would have indulged in a car or an object, but seldom on an experience. so perhaps this place is best left untouched and empty. for what i received from this place, it was indeed a bargain of a lifetime. room rates range between $700 and $2,000. small luxury hotels of the world. by uh

CATEGORIES: hotels

patti smith – polaroids

i remember the first time i saw patti smith polaroids in paris at “la fondation cartier” and the book published along with it. that was so great and so poetic, i guess people are nowadays a little more into those not so tech-ish thing but at the time that felt fresh (even if polaroids are not so fresh per say, i know) so i was happy to see another selection of her pictures this week end in the ny times. so from top to bottom, left to right we have: Pope Benedict XV’s slippers / a replica of William Blake’s life mask / Virginia Woolf’s bed /  Susan Sontag’s grave in Montparnasse Cemetery / Constantin Brancusi’s grave, also in Montparnasse / Robert Mapplethorpe’s slippers. more here. by pp.

CATEGORIES: art, eye candy, music, photography

george condo

to say that i dislike george condo’s work is not quite right, i hate it but this selection of paintings, drawing and sculpture makes me feel better about his work. it’s on view in london where i’m not but if i was i would have a look. sprueth magers london. by pp.

CATEGORIES: art