Kara Walker

Kara Walker has a new show up at the Hammer called "My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love," featuring work spanning her entire career. It ends June 8th, so you have plenty of time, but really, go see it. 

More info here. 

Love,

Tess

if you're going to san francisco...

or if you aren't, still be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. Vinny & Vernelle make the prettiest ones I've ever seen. They only use vintage millinery flowers and trims from the early to mid century and no two are alike, so you'll get a one-of-a-kind hairpiece with lots of history no matter which one you choose. 

Get yours at Show Pony in Echo Park, or on their Etsy.

Love, 

Tess

lula, l-u-l-a, lula

Welcome to the world, Lula issue 6! Here's a sneak peek to hold you over until you can find it. By the looks of it, it'll be worth the wait. 

Love, 

Tess

"ferris bueller, you're my hero"

Yet another reason summer 08' is gonna be incredible. And I don't even wear sneakers... yet.

Love,
Tess

We've got the vision, now let's have some fun

I know everyone's been talking about MGMT lately, but I really just can't avoid it. When I first heard "Oracular Spectacular," I'll admit, I was a felt pretty indifferent about it. Then I saw the video for "Time To Pretend." I can't stop thinking about it. Really, it's become a problem. I'm thinking of surfing dippin' dot rainbow tubes in physics class. I'm picturing fanged venus fly trap tentacle monsters and exploding dolphins in art. I actually thought of how much better the Mona Lisa would look today in art history with a psychedelic mayan temple behind her, or wearing granny glasses without lenses, or riding a giant purple cat. And "Oracular Spectacular" has been on repeat ever since. Clearly, either I've been brainwashed or somebody did something really right with this video. 

This somebody is director and fellow Brooklynite, Ray Tintori. At only 24 years old, this Wesleyan film grad has already directed two short films, one of which won an honorable mention at Sundance in the short film category last year, worked as art director on Benh Zeitlin's rendition of Melville's Moby Dick, "Egg," and assisted in the art department on Michel Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." I think it's safe to say Tintori is off to a good start. 

"Time To Pretend" Video

"Electric Feel" Video

Short film "Jettison Your Loved Ones"

And of course, MGMT and Ray Tintori's official sites. 

Love, 

Tess

modern love

There's something about photos from the 60s and 70s that make me really nostalgic. They're just a little bit out of focus, strangely saturated, dreamy and gritty; They really look like they've got history. For people like me, who constantly reference "the good old days" (more like a couple weeks ago) and are endlessly disappointed by modern cameras' inability to capture those perfect (at least in our memories) moments, there is finally hope. The lomographic society has authentically resurrected the "Diana," the $1 plastic 1960s gem that rose to cult stardom after its discontinuation in the 70s. For a still cheap $40, we can at last get photos that mimic our memories: beautiful, a little bit strange, and completely, utterly nostalgic.

Check out lomography.com for more photos, history, and where to buy.

Love,
Tess

peace, love, and fafiness

French graffiti artist and all-around sassy girl Fafi's highly anticipated collaboration with MAC cosmetics has finally arrived, and I am loving it. The line perfectly captures the fafinette essence, with a little bit of sweetness and a whole lot of attitude that reminds me of a hip hop lady of shallot. The pearly pink and seafoam combo is absolutely perfect. The line is limited edition, so get it while you can!

To view the whole collection, go to www.macfafi.com.

Love, 

Tess

seriously?

"I really wasn't very inspired this season. I just live my life." - Marc Jacobs regarding his 2008 Ready-to-wear collection.






Stuff I think Marc was actually inspired by:
-retirement homes
-velour sweatsuits
-xanadu
-sushi chefs
-orthopedic shoes
-christopher columbus
-hospital scrubs
-saturn

WTF? No.

If you really wanna see the rest, go to style.com, I guess.

Love,
Tess

the wait is over

Finally, it's back again. The Barney's Warehouse sale opened today at the Barker Hangar and will be going strong till monday, February 18th. Seriously, don't miss this, especially the jeans section. Best selection at the beginning, best deals towards the end. On the last few days over the summer, Cheap Mondays were going for $15, and I bought my favorite pair of tsubis for about $60. 

Where: Barker Hangar

      Santa Monica Air Center

      Airport Ave. 

When:  Thursday, Feb. 7th & Friday, Feb. 8th - 8AM to 9PM

      Saturday, Feb. 9th - 9AM to 7PM

      Weekdays - 10AM to 8PM

      Weekends - 10AM to 7PM

      Monday, Feb. 18th - 10AM to 7PM

For more info, click here. 

Love, 

Tess

the kind you don't bring home to mother

No wonder Rick got so many ladies. That hair's alright with me! This stuff gives you glitter galore, just like the king of funk himself, plus it smells like really yummy vanilla. And it's not sticky or heavy like hairspray, so you can go as superfreaky as you please: sparkles aren't for the subtle. Braided bangs and perm not included. 

Buy it here at beauty.com, or at sephora.

Love, 

Tess

once bitten, twice shy

Bittersweets NY makes the most beautiful, quirky jewelry that, I have to admit, scares even me a little bit. From the interlocking baby bloodsucking vamp rings to the totally grodycute maggot charms, you're sure to be bitten by the love bug. I especially love the unicorn necklace and the serpent and egg lariat. 

Check it out for yourself at www.bittersweetsny.com ... if you dare. 

Love, 

Tess

Wetter is better

Once again, JPG served up some major fierceness for the couture shows in Paris, this time turning out shimmering suits and liquid-look frocks inspired by sassy sirens and sailors alike. Milagros Schmoll stole the show in a superglam gold paillette jumpsuit, looking like the modern day lovechild of Ziggy Stardust and Botticelli's Venus. Cintia Dicker better watch her back -- if Milagros holds on to these gorgeous locks, I just might have a new favorite! 

For the rest of Gaultier's sea-worthy collection, click here.

Love, 

Tess

raging in the rain

I really love the rain... as long as I'm inside, drinking hot cocoa in front of a fire, and it stays outside where it belongs. However, when getting poured on is inevitable, a cute, colorful umbrella is necessary for keeping you dry and brightening your mood. These mini umbrellas from Fred Flare are adorable in a "just escaped from the psych ward and still wearing my straightjacket" kind of way, and definitely way cooler than that fluorescent yellow one with a wooden duck head handle you've been carrying. The drag queen geisha is definitely a keeper. 

Check em out at FredFlare.com

Love, 

Tess

Prada

vs.
American Apparel

Sometimes you've just gotta love amer appar.
Snatch these up before they get sued for design infringement.

Love,
Tess

Lisa Mayock & Sophie Buhai, I just kinda really wanna be you... especially so I could wear all Vena Cava all the time. 

Go to www.venacavanyc.com for the most gorgeous clothing on the planet. 

Love,

Tess

P.S. Lots of cute Vena Cava stuff on sale at Creatures of Comfort. I especially love the Birkin tank. Check it!

Kate Moss Loves La Coka Nostra

There are very few things that make me wish I was a boy -- namely, health class, waxing, and this shirt. I saw someone wearing this yesterday, and immediately fell into depression about how completely ridiculous and ill-fitting this would look on me. It's like the witty expression tee's really cool cousin, except instead of saying something like "your mom goes to college" or "the voices in my head made me do it," it's got a really hot picture of kate moss. Boys, get on this... and let me borrow it. 

get it here.

love, 

tess