I will be at Nicole Romano’s event during Fashion’s Night Out and you better be as well. Seriously – get all dressed up, wear some killer jewelry (or pick some up at Nicole’s store), enjoy some free wine, and be filmed for the designer’s upcoming Japanese fashion documentary.

Want to know more about Fashion’s Night Out, read my recent articles (here & here) on it for StyledOn…

Not only did I score an incredible Pierre Cardin dress (that I am absolutely rocking during NY Fashion Week), but also a ton of great little pins and brooches (paid a whopping $8 for 5 of them). I’ll definitely be heading back out to the Brooklyn Flea for some of those fabulous home decor pieces as well – there was one small table that I was this-close to buying.

Also spotted: Vintage Escada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, old skeleton keys (which I’m obsessed with), antique door knobs, tons of jewelry, great beaded clutches, and even a DIY beer kit.

And while not quite the same as shopping in the also DUMBO-based, ultra chic boutique Zoe, the flea market has a wonderful charm to it. Its fun to bargain with people for a few bucks (if I save even $2, it’ll pay for another cup of coffee!), try on clothing that your grandmother probably threw out, and re-imagining your space filled with vintage posters from the 50s. I left with my head simply swimming in new ideas.

The Brooklyn Flea takes place every weekend in two locations and you really should bother to get out there: Every Saturday in Fort Greene (10am-5pm), and every Sunday under the Brooklyn Bridge on the waterfront in DUMBO (11am-6pm). See here for directions and much more.

I’ve always had a major soft spot for Vivienne Westwood’s designs. So flattering, so powerful, so sexy. And now is the perfect time to begin or add to your wardrobe:

Vivienne Westwood Sample Sale
What: At Vivienne Westwood, draw raffle tix ($5-$1,000) before shopping the collection — now up to 70 percent off.
Why: Because if Carrie Bradshaw can wear Vivienne, so can we!
When: Thurs. & Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Scatola Showroom, 544 W. 27th St., b/t Tenth & Eleventh Aves., 6th flr. (a trek sure, but probably worth it)

Shop Ted Rossi’s semi-annual sample sale this Thursday and Friday to take advantage of huge savings on their ultra-addictive python, leather & crystal pieces. And with bangles and cuffs starting at $20, and leather clutches from $80, how could you afford not to go?

What: Ted Rossi Sample Sale
Why: Python, Leather, and Swarovski Crystal Jewelry & Handbags up to 75% off
When: Thursday April 30th & Friday May 1st, 10am-7pm
Where: 15 East 30th Street, Suite 300, NYC between 5th & Madison Avenues (212.683.1726)

I’m absolutely loving this book and would suggest it to anyone, except perhaps my wife since she doesn’t drink and wouldn’t really be able to relate to this…but then again, who knows. Perhaps I’ll write more about it once I finish, but don’t hold your breath. Just go buy the book – or any book for that case. Just read something again beyond the ‘where to buy’ credits of ELLE or British Vogue.

I read Running with Scissors and Sellevision, but am enjoying Dry the most so far…

Lately the only music I’ve been listening to is Lady Gaga (at the office and OMG do I like it!) or Weezer (on the subways), and I can’t tell you how refreshing and grown-up it felt to listen to Juilliard-trained pianists play in Carnegie Hall.

The pieces played were commissioned; the composers were present to explain their work; almost everyone present was significantly older than me. The music was really dramatic and unlike any piano music I had heard before – it was almost violent at times and what made this especially interesting for me is that the two pianists were actually married and I felt as if I was watching them fight, make up, make love, and then skip off happily into the sunset.

I have never had a deep desire to play a musical instrument, but seeing two professional musicians playing so passionately made me wish I could do the same (although I am quite positive that even with years of training, my fingers could never, ever move as fast as they need to).

Don’t believe me? Trust Time Out New York…
See all of the good that a little shopping can do?

I, however, was not born under the year of the ox; I am a monkey and apparently 2009 will be a year of moderate progress for me – work will slow down allowing for more personal time and quality time with friends and family, which would be very much appreciated, actually.

Click below to see what this new year may have in store for you, but first, it’s time to celebrate the new year!

Here’s what to do:

• Give red pocket money (hóng bāo (红包)) – traditionally given from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors (when accepting red pocket money, do so with both hands); ideally the money given should be brand new, fresh, crisp, and right from the bank; the amount of money should be an even number
• Start the year off right with a clean house, but don’t actually clean on first day of the New Year (you may sweep away your good luck)
• Open your windows and doors to let the good luck in
• Wear new (red) clothing
• Put up decorations, especially those with the Chinese character ‘fu’ upside-down
• Watch dragon and lion dances – it is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits
• Learn to speak Mandarin – Part I & Part II
• Call you family and friends and wish them kung hei fat choi or sin-nî khòai-lo̍k (Happy New Year)
  

What to eat:

• Fish – the pronunciation of fish (魚yú) makes it a homophone for “surpluses” (餘yú)
• Dumplings symbolize good luck because they are in the same shape of ancient gold ingots from the Han dynasty
• Long noodles symbolize long life
• Candy – to ensure the next year will be a sweet one (gold or red-wrapped ones are even better)
• Tangerines – the name jīn jí is a homophone of “golden luck” or “gold and fortune”
• Sticky stuff – apparently this symbolizes cohesiveness of family and friends

Click below to discover what 2009 will bring to you according to your birth year:

(If you don’t know what year you were born in, click here…)

If you were born in the year of the RAT
This year is a stable year for family life and will be a joyful year. Career wise the rats will take on more responsibilities and will feel the pressure of the extra duties. A good year of steady progress.

If you were born in the year of the TIGER:
This is the year for keeping a low profile, tigers. Because of the slow pace of the OX year, it will be a frustrating time for you. You like things to be move quicker, you will need to show restraint.

If you were born in the year of the RABBIT:
The year of the OX is well suited to the rabbit nature. The slower pace of this year will see you spending more time with friends and family. A good year to upgrade your home, or for buying or selling a house.

If you were born in the year of the Dragon:
In business and in romance your word for this year is integrity. Keep your head down and you will make steady progress this year. Established relationships will be comfortable and easy during this year of the OX. A slow but sure progress will be made.

If you were born in the year of the SNAKE:
A very good year for Snakes! The steady pace of the OX year is well suited to the snake person. Act on an opportunity – this is your year.

If you were born in the year of the HORSE:
Although you are rearing to surge ahead, this is another year of caution for the horse. Not a good year to strike out in new directions, consolidate your positions instead. On the brighter side, Love will bring comfort this year.

If you were born in the year of the SHEEP:
The Ox is the direct opposite of the sheep, therefore expect challenges in all areas this year. Keep a low profile.

If you were born in the year of the MONKEY:
This is a year of moderate progress for monkeys. Work will slow down this year allowing the monkey more personal time. It also allows for quality time with friends and family.

If you were born in the year of the ROOSTER:
Great opportunities for rooster this year. A good time to recoup losses. You will make great progress at work, reaping rewards of your labor. Emotional ties bring joy. Your prestige and reputation increase.

If you were born in the year of the DOG:
A year for dogs to keep a low profile. Put more attention into matters at home, spending quality time with loved ones. The simple pleasures will bring happiness this year.

If you were born in the year of the PIG:
A year for the pig to follow his/her instinct, laying foundations for the future. This is a bright and hopeful year for the pig. Do not take unnecessary risks though.

This is a party where you get dressed up (the crazier the better), get your picture taken by David McIntyre, and then people vote on your look vs the other party goers at ZOOZOOM. Music provided by the Tall Firs, Revival Times and resident DJ $mall¢hange.

ZOOZOOM Fashion Wars
Thursday, Jan. 29th | 9pm-whenever
Ultra Lounge, NYC
37 West 26th St (6th & Broadway)
rsvp@fashionwars.com
Must be 21 | $10 Cover

I’ll be there in all my Prada, Jil Sander, Miu Miu glory. Be there or be in J.Crew.

As funny as it sounds, making gyozas is one of the most relaxing activities I’ve done in a long time: Just sitting there on my living room floor, wetting the edges of small dough circles, carefully arranging the minced pork and veggies, and then folding the dough up into little packages with ruffled edges was remarkably enjoyable and calming.

We experimented with the style in which we folded the dough, the amount of meat we stuffed with; played with the amount of shoyu and salt we added to the meat. It was almost as fun as playing with make-up, but less messy. In the end, we were full and happy – all in all, not a bad Saturday night.

Growing up, we had the same Advent calendar each each year – a cute fabric one that looked homemade but probably isn’t. My mom would fill every little pocket with Hershey Kisses for both my sister and I to eat each night leading up to Christmas.

The opening up of an Advent calendar is definitely one of the holiday traditions I plan to always uphold, but (as usual) I’ve been looking to find one just like my mother’s for years now and have never been able to find just the right one.

Advent calendars have been around since the beginning of the the 19th century and now come in a wide variety of styles from very basic to super elaborate and life-sized; In Gengenbach, a town in Germany’s Black Forest, the Rathaus (town hall)—which luckily has 24 main windows—is turned into a giant Advent calendar each year. Each window features a scene or painting by an artist, often an illustrator of children’s books.

Last year we bought our advent calendar from Starbucks (which we refilled with stickers and small toys for my son), but this year we discovered the greatest Advent calendar – the Lego one (we have quite a collection growing). See below for my Top 5 Advent Calendars for the 2008 Holiday season:

Lego City Advent Calendar | $29.99 at Lego.com

Starbucks Advent Calendar | $19.95

Pottery Barn Kids Advent House | $129

Barbie Advent Calendar | $36.50

DIY Advent Calendar for the Beer Lover

They are holding three shopping events on Tuesday, December 2nd, Tuesday, December 9th, and Tuesday, December 16th from 7pm – 9pm during which you can get 40% off Earnest Sewn goods (and 20% off everything else) while you enjoy the free refreshments being served. And (if you can believe there’s more), they’re holding a canned food drive in conjunction with the Food Bank for New York City and New York City Cares, so you get an extra 1% off third-party merchandise for every can you bring in (up to 20% off) – so bring in 20 cans because it’s worth it!

Calling it Recession Proof is a little retarded (not pc, I know), but whatever – I’m addicted to their Harlan jean (and am currently wearing through a pair), so you can count on seeing me there at least once.

Meanwhile, designers from Ralph Lauren to Maison Martin Margiela celebrate Russian Vogue’s 10th anniversary by designing a dress for a matrioshka – a traditional Russian doll – that were auctioned for charity at a super-chic party on November 20.

The designers’ sketches were brought to life by Russian craftsmen, who hand-painted each little dolls. Aliona Doletskaya, Russian Vogue’s super chic editor-in-chief, told Vogue.co.uk that “Every matrioshka is unique and a piece of art in itself. Installation, sculpture, objet d’art – you can call it however you wish.”

Some of the dolls fetched as much as 100,000 euros, with proceeds going to local orphanages. Billionaire businessman Vladislav Doronin dropped 30K on a doll designed by YSL’s Stefano Pilati – a present for his girlfriend, Naomi Campbell, the current face of the fashion house.

For American Vogue’s next big anniversary, they’ll probably ask a bunch of the same old American designers to select a famous American woman (i.e. actress) and create a super special dress just for her that celebrate the uniqueness of American living – or some bs like that. yawn.

Anyway, see below for a selection of 10 dolls below (31 total were designed) and guess which ones were designed by which designer…

Game Time!! Match the following designers to the dolls below:
Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Prada, YSL, Burberry, Giles, Paul Smith, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Dries van Noten

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

But just because I (and maybe you too) didn’t participate in the actual battle, it doesn’t mean I/we don’t get to spend the rest of today judging those who did! Visit the war zone to vote for (and be inspired by) your favorite looks. I mean, if you’re stuck inside on such a beautiful (albeit chilly) day you might as well have something entertaining to do…

When I first moved to New York from Hawaii I found it extremely odd (and really exotic) to hear a slew of European languages being spoken in the subways, on the streets, in stores, in bathrooms. Needless-to-say, Chinatown was sort of a comfort. Korea-town, with Morning Glory, was better. And even though Manhattan is definitely my home now, I really felt like I was back in Honolulu last weekend when I walked into the insanely fabulous Japanese bookstore, Kinokuniya.

If you’ve ever wanted to find a hundreds of books on Japanese street style, both English and Japanese-language manga (as well as other anime-related paraphernalia), Japanese magazines galore, adorable children’s book and insane kumon workbooks (which will make you realize why Japanese kids are so much further ahead than our own), crazy toys, thousands of videos (including some of my personal favorites from Hayao Miyazaki including Howl’s Moving Castle, Castle in the Sky, and Spirited Away), fashion pattern books, and so much more, then you really should make your way over to Kinokuniya, but give yourself some time…

But there is more. Much more. In fact, there are three floors just full of ‘more’. A million cute pens and notebooks (which I’m such a sucker for), packets of origami paper, glittery stickers, even crystals to bling up your phone right next to a book featuring zillions of ways to do it. “Kawaii” to say the least.

And then I spotted the I Am Plastic book by Kidrobot and had to resist a sudden (and quite strong) urge to buy the fabulous visual history of the psycho designer toys that I’m so taken with. Anyway, my little trip into Kinokuniya was such a great break from my typical Manhattan and I’m sure will become a new hang out (especially as there is a cafe upstairs).

Want to go to? Of course you do! Kinokuniya is located right at Bryant Park (making it the perfect escape during fashion week) at 1073 6th Avenue, between 41st and 40th Streets. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm & Sun 11am-730pm. See below for a bunch of pictures inside the store (which I wasn’t supposed to take – oops!)…

Because so many of us are too lazy to vote, retailers, coffee shops, and even sex stores are giving us more of an incentive to get out there and let our voices be heard (other than, you know, determining the state of our nation for the next four years) – so even if your favorite official doesn’t end up in office, at least you’ll end up with a happy ending!

Here’s the deal – I mean, here are the deals:

• Enjoy a free tall coffee at Starbucks tomorrow when you walk in and tell them that you’ve voted
• Babeland (NY, LA, Seattle) is offering free sex toys. Fellas get the Maverick, a sleeve for self-pleasuring. Women get the Silver Bullet mini-vibrator. The promotion lasts through Nov. 11 and all you need to do is bring in your registration card, ballot stub or simply give your word that you voted
• Krispy Kreme will be handing out star-shaped doughnuts with red, white, and blue sprinkles to those wearing their ‘I Voted” sticker
• Love ice cream? Well Ben & Jerry’s is serving up free scoops of ice cream to everyone between 5 and 8 p.m.

Want more patriotic love? I suggest watching a little Drop Dead Gorgeous – I just die every time Kirstie Alley is asked (while standing in the middle of a mall parking lot (and illegally parked in a handicapped stall)) what her favorite Mount Rose American Teen Princess pageant theme was and she exclaims, “Do I ever? Amer – I CAN!!” It’s just too good!

• the room – 144 Sullivan St. near Prince in Soho. Very romantic (ooh la la). Intimate spot filled with candles, wine – the kind of bar that makes you want to work as the bartender just to hang out there night after night. We stopped here before heading to the Angelika to watch Vicky Christina Barcelona (which was simply wonderful)
• Brite Bar – 10th Ave at 27th St. ok spot with sort of fun music…go if you must, but don’t make it your destination.
• Highline Ballroom – W. 16th St. btwn 9th/10th Ave. Fun club with sexy blond little go-go dancers. The best part of the night was when The Spazmatics took the stage, covering a bunch of 80’s hits and wearing high geek fashions including neck braces.
• Doma – 17 Perry St. at 7th Ave in the West Village. Cute and cozy cafe with decent coffee and lots of people plugged in. I met pur~lisse creator and founder Jennifer Yen here for an interview about her skincare line and just to get to know her better – stay tuned for her interview & answers to my 21 Questions
• PJ Clarke’s – 915 3rd Ave at 55th St. Met my friend Brooke here for dinner a few weeks ago and it was a little loud (definitely a meet market for the after-work midtown posse) but proved a fine place for dinner.
• Ed’s Lobster Bar – 222 Lafayette St. right below Spring in Soho. When we first walked in I was bummed to discover that fried oysters had been taken off the menu (seriously bummed), but that was quickly forgotten once we ordered blood orange cocktails (poured over crushed ice), 2 bottles of sauvignon blanc, shrimp, tuna tartar, sea bass, etc… The wine is good, reasonably priced, and the tuna tartar is simply fantastic (in fact, just writing about it now is making my mouth water). Started off a night of waay too much fun…
• L’esquina – 106 Kenmare btwn Cleveland Place and Lafayette in Soho/Little Italy. You enter through the corner deli above (walk right in to the back wall and go down the stairs through the kitchen) and then go underground to one of the coolest spots in the city. Super sexy, this is one of the only places where I end up drinking tequila.
• Buddha Bar – 25 Little W 12th St in Meatpacking District. Always a lot of fun. Good drinks and lots of men who are willing to buy them for you.
• Starbucks – anytime, anywhere.

In an earlier post

Well, if you like cute flowers, sculptures of naked robot women & ejaculating men, cum splattered walls, mushrooms, lots of color, skulls, manga, anime, camouflage, razor-sharp teeth, Louis Vuitton, and even Kanye West…or if you are delighted by the entire idea of what Murakami refers to as “superflat” – flattened forms in Japanese graphic art, animation, pop culture and fine arts, as well as the shallow emptiness of Japanese consumer culture (his definition) – then you should not miss this exhibition, which closes this Sunday, July 13th.

The exhibit is beautiful, comical, interesting and alive. The imagery has haunted my dreams for the past two nights and even prompted a trip into Kidrobot.

Read below for a bit from the Brooklyn Museum on © MURAKAMI:

The most comprehensive retrospective to date of the work of internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami includes more than ninety works in various media that span the artist’s entire career, installed in more than 18,500 square feet of gallery space.

Born in Tokyo in 1962, Murakami is one of the most influential and acclaimed artists to have emerged from Asia in the late twentieth century, creating a wide-ranging body of work that consciously bridges fine art, design, animation, fashion, and popular culture. He received a Ph.D. from the prestigious Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he was trained in the school of traditional Japanese painting known as Nihonga, a nineteenth-century mixture of Western and Eastern styles. However, the prevailing popularity of anime (animation) and manga (comic books) directed his interest toward the art of animation because, as he has said, “it was more representative of modern day Japanese life.” American popular culture in the form of animation, comics, and fashion are among the influences on his work, which includes painting, sculpture, installation, and animation, as well as a wide range of collectibles, multiples, and commercial products.

The exhibition © MURAKAMI explores the self-reflexive nature of Murakami’s oeuvre by focusing on earlier work produced between 1992 and 2000 in which the artist attempts to explore his own reality through an investigation of branding and identity, as well as through self-portraiture created since 2000. Two works examining these subjects were a part of a group show, My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese Animation, presented at the Brooklyn Museum in 2001.

Among the works included in this large-scale survey tracing the trajectory of Murakami’s artistic development are many of his acclaimed sculpture figures including the 23-foot-high Tongari-kun (2003–4); Miss Ko2 (1997), a long-legged waitress who has become one of the artist’s signature characters; and Hiropon (1997), a Japanese girl jumping a rope created by milk spurting from her gargantuan breasts. Among the paintings on view will be Tan Tan Bo (2001), as well as Tan Tan Bo Puking—a.k.a. Gero Tan (2002).

Tickets for © MURAKAMI are $10 for adults, $8 for older adults and students with valid ID; children under 12 are free. © MURAKAMI tickets include the cost of general admission and are available at the Brooklyn Museum Visitor Center for the day of purchase. Tickets can also be purchased online.

Wednesday through Friday last ticket sale is 4:15 p.m. with last entry to the exhibition at 4:30 p.m. Saturday through Sunday last ticket sale is 5:15 p.m. with last entry to the exhibition at 5:30 p.m. On Target First Saturday last ticket sale is at 10 p.m. with the last entry to the exhibition at 10:30 p.m

Become a Member to receive 2 free tickets; additional discounted tickets can be purchased by Members for $8.

© MURAKAMI is organized by The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

The Brooklyn presentation is made possible by DLA Piper with additional support from the Barbara and Richard Debs Exhibition Fund, the Arline and Norman M. Feinberg Exhibition Fund, and the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Exhibition Fund.

With temperatures reaching 96 degrees this weekend, there’s really no beating the heat. Chill out and enjoy the sun you’ve been praying for during the last 5 months with these cool ideas:

• Check out the Big Apple BBQ – Madison Square Park – Sat & Sun 12-6pm
• Get crazy at the Puerto Rican Day Parade – Uptown, East Side – Sun
• Go to the rooftop of the Met, grab a drink, check out Jeff Koons
• Shop. There are fantastic sales happening everywhere and the AC will feel divine
• Invite friends over for an evening of sorbet and champagne