“We appreciate frankness from those who like us. Frankness from others is called insolence.”
I’m going to den.m bar in downtown LA on Saturday for my jean fitting! Soooo excited and will tell you all about it next week! :) Just in case you missed it, i posted about den.m bar about a week ago.
“Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.”
Don’t get me wrong, I WANT to spend $1200 on a pair of jeans…I just can’t do it!
3x1 Denim
Man, a lot went down over the weekend.
You polished off the very last thing on the menu at UMAMIcatessen. Don Draper’s wife sang that crazy French song. Somebody wore the same jeans as you.
[record scratch]
Let’s make sure that last thing doesn’t happen again…
Give a hearty welcome to 3x1, the SoHo-based house of denim finally importing limited-edition quantities to our coast, available now at Barneys and Ron Herman.
If you didn’t hear, a guy from Earnest Sewn opened a fancy SoHo factory last year called 3x1—the kind of place where you can go in and drop $1,200 for a pair of jeans so custom that they pump out the scent of bourbon when you’re feeling sad. Or something.
You still have to go to SoHo for all that, but they came up with some limited-edition jeans to ship this way—just a few slim-but-not-too-slim styles made solely for Los Angeles, in navy blue and light gray. The kind of sleek, unadorned jeans you can dress up with a blazer for a party in the hills, or… dress down with a T-shirt for a party in the hills.
And depending on the style, there are only eight, 12, 16 or 24 pairs made. Which means the odds of another person copying your look are incredibly slim.
But not too slim. Buy them here.
This is my celebration of Mad Men today since it rocked in the ratings last night!!
The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook
We’ll assume this is the unofficial cookbook for Mad Men since the official version would most likely begin with “Hand book to wife.” Since Don Draper, his midday boozing buddies and Joanie’s assets invaded our Sunday nights, we’ve been a bit more inclined to buy skinnier ties, knock back a few during the work day and wish we could just trade lives with any of them… even Pete. (Seriously, how did he get Trudy? We mean, come on.) With The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook, you can take your first step into living out the life of Don Draper and company. It features over 70 recipes that will drop you smack dab in Mad Men era NYC. From the old-school drinks to the dishes served up at some of the swanky restaurants the cast dinned at, it’s all ready for you and your power suit to enjoy. $12
Ok, well don’t park at MY house exactly but maybe someone else’s house…heehee!
Park At My House
Allow us to set the scene.
You just scored a reservation to the hottest Baroque-themed, farm-to-table, head-to-tail, fork-to-mouth culinary hot spot to hit the scene in… weeks.
For extra edginess, it’s conveniently located in a place where the concept of “parking” is but a quaint abstraction.
And so, you’ll be wanting this…
Praise the asphalt gods for Park at My House, a site where the world—specifically, the parking-based portions of it—is your oyster, online to save your ass right now.
It’s simple supply and demand here. People have parking spaces, driveways and well-manicured dirt roads that are just sitting there unfilled. And you’ve got a car. This site brings you and them together by showing you a bunch of nearby parking spots that have been graciously converted into automotive time-shares by their owners. (You respect a man who takes pride in his dirt road.)
Since it’s still early on, the site’s busy gathering people to volunteer their sweet, sweet parking. Which means if you enter your email address and zip code, they’ll let you know when the service is available there (if it’s not there already).
And because you care so much about the easing of others’ suffering (and about pulling a tidy profit with minimal effort), you can also put your own spot up for rent.
Making you the Bono of parking.
“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”
Hunger Games
What’s everyone thinking? Love it?
Pricey..but cool from Restoration Hardware.
Blackhawk Secretary Trunk
A while back we showed you the Mayfair Steamer Secretary Trunk, which is a serious upgrade from pretty much anything that can be assembled with allen keys. While distressed cigar leather and brass nails are certainly classy, it’s not a style for everyone. If you like the idea of a workspace you can close up when not in use, but you’re tastes are more industrial, then you’ll like the Blackhawk Secretary Trunk. Inspired by fuselages of mid-20th-century aircrafts, the facade of the trunk features polished aluminum panels and steel screws. The distressed finish and intentional nicks give it a vintage feel—which also means that it won’t matter if you’re kind of rough on your stuff. $4295
Hmmmm…a Hunger Games inspired wedding video from StyleMePretty.com. Thoughts?
Sweet!
Tortilla Republic: Tequila and Tacos on Robertson
Hey, you look like you could use a duck confit taco. Maybe some tequila.
Also, that shirt really brings out your eyes. But let’s focus on the tacos and tequila.
Welcome to Tortilla Republic, a breezy altar of agave, tacos and sweet potato fries, now soft-open in West Hollywood.
If on some night in the near future, you find yourself outside Cecconi’s watching Jane Fonda regally traverse the manicured drive and you suddenly think, “Actually, not tonight,” turn around and take a few steps up Robertson. You’ll find tequila. Guac. More of a loose, fun-Friday-night vibe. You’ll catch up with Jane next time.
There’s a front patio, which is best if you want to stay in the sun. Otherwise, we see you strolling in with a date who can handle a couple shots, passing through the huge tequila-bottle shrine in the main room and settling into a more discreet table in the back room under a big chandelier made of ropes that spread across the ceiling and down the walls. (Your dinner, now with gym-class flashbacks.)
On your plate: duck confit tacos with sour cherry salsita, some hibiscus flower enchiladas or a spiced, caramelized pork chop. In your glass: probably a margarita. Maybe a pisco sour.
Hibiscus flowers always make you thirsty.
And the parodies have begun….THE HUNGOVER GAMES from Funny or Die!
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Hahaha!! A Hunger Games Coca-Cola commercial…with a spin.
You know I don’t surf but I LOVE good design and THIS is great design. :) LOVE!
Surf Gear from Merry Old London
Great surf capitals of the world:
Pipeline in Oahu.
Australia’s Gold Coast.
Anywhere Dick Dale happens to be.
And now, landlocked London…
Bust out the wax for Swami’s Surf Company, a UK outfit that’s somehow nailed the righteous art of surf gear, online now well in time for beach season.
What you’ve got here is the same culture that produced Savile Row putting its minds toward more… Kelly Slater–like pursuits. This means a lot of handsomeness, and a jolly good amount of bespoke options. Like hand-shaped boards made to your exact specifications. Also: starting this summer, tailor-made wetsuits (though a double-breasted windowpane might be tough to come by in neoprene).
Now, whether you’ve hung 10 before or not, you’re going to make damn sure it looks like you have. Thus: you’ll talk with a shaper about your local conditions (not as important if you’ll be mounting the board to the wall), and your height, weight, hopes and dreams. Then: they’ll make it. Once it’s yours, you’ll practice your pop-ups a bit, run out like you know what you’re doing and paddle mightily.
And for further credibility: some nattier-than-they-need-to-be beach tees, blankets and rucksacks, some of which were designed by Paul Smith.
Go ahead, call your board “Sir.”
Mad men is coming, Mad Men is coming!!!
Return of the King: The Triumphant Return of Mad Men
Some things are worth waiting for. Barbecue. Miracles. Hoverboards. And definitely watching Don Draper dress down an inept secretary.
Give an ecstatic welcome back to Mad Men, therecord-holding, Emmy-winning, advertising-as-a-metaphor-for-life drama you’ve missed like a beloved family member, premiering its fifth season on March 25 at 9/8c on AMC.
You’ve watched this show. But if you haven’t, just know that the flagrant consumption of oyster plates and three-martini lunches alone makes it worth the watch. That, and Joan Harris. And now, Don, Peggy, Roger, Pete and the rest of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce will be casually day-drinking their way back into your heart for the two-hour season premiere. (Yes, a feature-length episode of Mad Men.)
Of course, to fully appreciate such a momentous occasion, you’ll need to make a party out of it. And AMC’s got that covered for you with their Mad Menparty guide, which, yes, includes cocktail recipes and trivia.
You could also just make your own top-10 Sterling’s Gold list.
Give an ecstatic welcome back to Mad Men, therecord-holding, Emmy-winning, advertising-as-a-metaphor-for-life drama you’ve missed like a beloved family member, premiering its fifth season on March 25 at 9/8c on AMC.
You’ve watched this show. But if you haven’t, just know that the flagrant consumption of oyster plates and three-martini lunches alone makes it worth the watch. That, and Joan Harris. And now, Don, Peggy, Roger, Pete and the rest of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce will be casually day-drinking their way back into your heart for the two-hour season premiere. (Yes, a feature-length episode of Mad Men.)
Of course, to fully appreciate such a momentous occasion, you’ll need to make a party out of it. And AMC’s got that covered for you with their Mad Menparty guide, which, yes, includes cocktail recipes and trivia.
You could also just make your own top-10 Sterling’s Gold list.
Note:
Mad Men, two-hour season premiere March 25 at 9/8c, new episodes Sundays at 10/9c the rest of the season
I’ve already called to make an appointment…
Den.m Bar
You’ve heard it before, and you’re about to hear it again.
Everything that’s going on below your waist is truly one-of-a-kind.
Thanks, custom jeans.
Welcome to Den.m Bar, a sleek factory in Downtown where you can make your own blue jeans, now open by appointment only.
Think of this like pants shopping in the future. Instead of going to a store and hunting fruitlessly for something that fits properly, you’ll enter a sleek white modern cube. You’ll see an orchid. A couple of sewing machines. And some generally pants-related art on the walls, captioned with words like “skinny” and “slim tapered.” To begin: pick a style that looks good.
Then, choose your denim and get measured—they’ve usually got about eight rolls, mostly Japanese selvage, but you might see some Italian and North Carolina stuff, too. (No one does denim like Greensboro.)
Now, the overall goal here is to build you a perfect pair of dark navy jeans, with a flattering made-to-measure fit, in just a few days. Nothing crazy. But… if you want paisley lining, colored stitching or a couple of secret pockets, they can absolutely make that happen.
Yes, your secret pockets can have secret pockets.
You didn’t think I’d miss an opportunity to post about t-shirts and March Madness, did you?
March Madness Edition
Much like tuning into the Superbowl for the commercials, most people don’t pay attention to NCAA basketball until it’s time to fill out their brackets. March Madness ’12 is in full swing, so before yours gets busted, grab a tee to wear while drinking a beer and rooting for a midwestern college you only hear from this time of year. (Gonzaga, UNC, Ohio State, Marquette) $13+
This looks like something my husband would love! I love your reviews on LA eats, I always get so many ideas for food outings!
Love it! :)
“Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened!”