Fad*ish- fashion and design

The New Years is here, making one think about the more important things in life. Travel has for years been the escapism that keeps me sane. So it is no surprise that my New Years resolution is to travel more. One of the most inspiring places I’ve visited was the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. The remains of its Moorish predecessors, the palace stands regal, though it wasn’t always thought to be that way. We have a history of knocking down old architecture, and replace it with shiny condos--so thank G*d no one has yet had that inspiration.



How do you find it? It has a prime spot in the middle of Granada--it’s not hard to find ask anyone (if you speak Spanish). Or you can do as I, and just start heading uphill. It is my contention that most city center in Europe are either at the top of something or on the bottom of something. Ok worst case scenario, you just say Alhambra and smile and a Spaniard is sure to take pity on you-- though you might not understand their directions.



What will you see once you arrive? -- normally a really long line. Arrive early so you have no chance of getting caught in someone’s siesta. I saw some people jump the fence -- but you didn’t hear that from me. We waited, for about an hour in one of the surrounding (and expensive) restaurants located on the periphery. They stared at us while we ate freezer burnt ice cream, and glorified potato chips. The important thing isn’t all the tourist crap on the outside but the vast grounds on the inside. And the most important part--the Palace of Nasrid--can only be viewed on appointment (so check your tickets for the time).



The best time of year to go is in the spring or fall, because Spain enjoys 45C˚ days during the summer. We had the unfortunate circumstance to visit in July, which basically means a suntan, on arrival, and a sunburn as a going away present. But hopefully what you will take away is an experience that could literally take your breath away. It is indescribable, but one can just say it is the essence of what inspiration itself is inspired from. For those who prefer not to be vague, check out more information at http://www.alhambra.org/.

*it’s jil baby

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/27/06

Labels: Travel

You know how pimpin’ you have to be to wear pink? This isn’t pimp wear—though a very stylish pimp might wear it. You know not someone who ‘puts women on the street’ but rather ‘someone who thinks pimp and therefore is…’ (yes Katt William I wrote it down). Daddy is an eclectic street menswear collection. It is the recipe for the modern day man, part ‘goth’, part revolutionary, and part street hustler. What do you get once you mix all that together? I am guessing someone you can call daddy -- after all that is the name.

So here is the best of the current collection:







Would I dress my dad in this collection? No, he is more a Polo Ralph Lauren guy, but I would take my man out of it.

*ms. b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/18/06

Labels: Style

It is always a pleasure for me to discover artisans who are passionate about their work --especially when it is interesting. Design team Elaine Sheldon and Dominic Clooney are the driving creative force behind Sheldon Clooney. What they lack in quantity they more than make up in ingenuity. The piece that had me staring at it for hours was their Bulldog Lamp. It is hand blown glass that is clamped at the last minute and it forms a very unique lighting fixture. It will run you about 300 quid (GB Pounds Sterling), and comes in scarlet (which looks more like a deep pumpkin), and olive (which looks like olive). More information can be found at their website www.sheldonclooney.com.

*it’s Jil Baby

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue;

Labels: Decor

Someone needs to tell the ‘youth’ of today know that it is just not cute to be dumb. I don’t know who the culprit is -- instant messenger with their damn smiley faces or play station -- but it is more that hip-hop. I hope kids are faking it by not being able to spell or put together a sentence. I know reading materials have been down graded since everybody’s baby’s mother is getting a book deal, but venture out and pick any other book. Okay I am getting off the point. I am really writing this to shout out Papoose for picking up a dictionary. He just dropped his single 'Alphabetical Slaughter' off his upcoming album due to drop early Spring 2007. You show them Papoose that there is other sh*t to write about in the world. Even if an artist can’t be creative at least they can try to rhyme differently.

*it’s Jil Baby

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/13/06

Labels: Music

I know I am not the first fashionista to discover them, but DC Skater sneakers are ‘AB FAB’. I don’t know if it is because they come in cute colors, or the fact that they make your feet look two sizes smaller than they actually are. While perusing through my neighborhood skate shop, I felt as if I didn’t belong-- looking at skate boards, cooing and awing, like a proper tourist. Then I saw the DC sneaker and I was like ‘ooh they come in pink’. Though I am sure I insulted every one of the store owner’s skateboarder sensibilities, I left the store with my new discovery tucked in tow. And I am sure they are good for boarding too, but I don’t engage in any sport that requires hitting the ground.

*ms. b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/11/06

I knew when I saw everyone jumping on the Memoirs of a Geisha bandwagon that someone would take the trend to damn far. I am not sure if the Deborah Lindquist’s design team saw the movie, rented the DVD, read the book, or just plain went to Asia for sh*ts and giggles, but here is some gei-sh*t that should have never left their Japanese inspired heads. Maybe somewhere, someone would look at their creations and call it art, we just usually call those people fashionably challenged. Maybe I am being too harsh-- so check it out for yourself--her website tells the whole story. Let me know if you think it was worth it.

*ms. b


*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/10/06

Labels: Style

I really can’t say that I remember the days when kitchens could fit more than one person. I am from a new generation, where a kitchen seems to be more like an extra closet than a place to cook a meal. When I think about take-out, and eating out, or plain laziness -- I can understand the de-evolution of the kitchen. And since life is just plain unfair, I don’t think I will get the kitchen of yesteryears-- wood burning stove, hanging garlic, you get the picture. So I have to settle for the kitchens of today-- cramped burners, no cutting space, replacing a stove for a microwave. But here are some solutions to create space in an otherwise cramp cooking environment.


Inseq Design’s ‘Hurly Burly’ is a stove vent that is created for the smaller stove top. Here are the selling points: It swivels, it comes in a cool green color, and it can get out of your way if need be. The bad points: I am not sure if it is available in any other colors. And let’s just say lime green doesn’t go with everything.


Boffi’s Single is a kitchen for the single person. This a one stop ramen noodle shop, all in one accessible for college students or singleton living. Here are the selling points: it is small and compact, and if you close it you can have counter space. The bad points: when you close the lid, there is absolutely nothing attractive about it-- unless you put a vase of flowers on top of it.


CC Concepts’s Circular kitchen is just that--so they spared no expense coming up with the name. Here are the selling points: It has no corners, it closes to keep all that ‘kitcheny’ goodness inside, and its just plain cool. The bad points: I am not sure where the hell you would put it. I mean it is round, you can’t very well put it in your living room.

*ms.b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/10/06

Labels: Decor

I just can’t hate Baggha, a line of handbags from Belgian’s own Nicholas Van Panijs. I might not be able to pronounce his name, but I can pronounce fabulous. His bags stood out in the sea of designer brands exhibited at Gallery 34, located coincidentally at 34, Galerie du Roi, in Brussels . For all of you who never been to Brussels, this would be the street encased in pretty glass, with crowds of tourist taking pictures of the everyday, and cluttering the otherwise chic cafés. And the proprietor of my new favorite hand bag store, Jean Paul is very friendly and quick to give you the ‘skinny’ on not only the new designer bags, but the Belgian bags you just won’t be able to find out of the country. But if you want to bag a Baggha, you will just have to take a trip to the land of chocolate and beer.

*it Jil Baby

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/8/06

Labels: Style

All that glitters should not go on your walls, but if you must have a bit of sparkle in your life, might I suggest a touch of gold paint. The important thing is to coordinate, and by that I do not match your socks to your new gold front room, but rather paint one wall gold for wow factor, and coordinate the rest of the room with a warm color story. Need some suggestions? Gold, turquoise, plum, chocolate… discuss over coffee and get back to us.

*it’s jil baby

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/4/06

Labels: Decor

Anyone who loves their jump drive as much as I do would be absolutely thrilled that it comes in ‘rainbow brite’ colors. If not, you might at least be impressed by the size of Sony’s Micro Vault Tiny. It is as if someone wondered just how small one could make a USB portable storage device, because this mini drive is smaller than your average jump. It can hold from 256mb to 2gigs, and to make them less spy store geek they come in an array candy coated colors. Each one comes with a protective case so though it might get lost, it won’t get damaged. You can also use it as a key chain, but the fashionable side of me won’t let me try it. The Mini Vault Tiny is new and a bit hard to find, but if you rummage around your neighborhood Sony Center, I am sure you can dig one up.

*it’s jil baby!

www.sony.com

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: December- Warmth issue; 12/2/06

Labels: Tech-style