TAKASHI MURAKAMI

Takashi Murakami must be one of the most famous Japanese artists in our time. Both in the art world and in the commercial world, with collaborations with Marc Jacobs on the LV bags and Kanye West on the videos, has made him a almost a household name in Paris and Manhattan.

My brother in law, Quentin Curry, is wild about him and has purchased two original pieces. When I went to the exhibit this past year in LA, I wanted to get the special edition limited skateboards, but they were sold out. I am crazy about Kai Kai. If you are not sure who Kai Kai and kiki are, you should check out Kanye West's video of the trouble-finding best friends.

With his latest print series "My First Art" the artist presents a series of prints from early works - its most of the works that he became famous and known for.

Thanks to Openers website we get a look at the line-up of the prints. More images after the jump. Check it out by clicking on the title.

FRANK GEHRY COCKTAIL

I saw this surfing the web and if you are one of those dinner party throwers that want to really make a statement, check out this cocktail recipe. Its extensive and I can't imagine bothering myself to do it, but its quite impressive.

Check it out by clicking on the title above.

Ingredients
1 ounce water
4 ounces tonic water
1/4 ounce package unflavored gelatin
3 ounces vodka
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 pound sugar
2 ounces absinthe
Drop or two blue food coloring
lime peel

WEST ELM CONVERTIBLE COUCH

I am sort of digging this convertible couch. I have my guests sleep on a air-bed when they come to my place in LA but this sort of looks more chic and comfortable...Its $799, and it would be a nice bed for a college student or nice addition to an office space so that guests can have their own space when they come. CHeck it out by clicking on the title above.

ORANGE BEAUTIFUL MOTIVATES

These are hysterical and a subliminal message to quit smoking, lose that 6 pounds you keep talking about, or get over that jerk ex-boyfriend or fire that jerk contractor that never shows up...
All of the prints were printed by hand (in a limited edition of 100 each) on our large-format GOCCO printer. They're 8x10" in size (so, easy-as-pie to frame) - and they're available at Etsy shop for $12/each or all four for $40!
LOVE THEM. Check them out by clicking on the title above.

FRATELLI'S, HOT CHIP AND VAMPIRE WEEKEND AT THE WILTERN

One of my favorite bands last summer, rocked the Wiltern last night. THE FRATELLI'S. This show was in support of their new album Here We Stand. Opening acts are The Airborne Toxic Event who also rocked. We missed the 1st band before that Electric Touch.

If you don't know this band, its a upbeat melodic indie rock sound, and the electricity that comes from vocalist/guitarist Jon Fratelli and drummer Mince Fratelli is out of this world. The other brother, bassist Barry Fratelli sort of gets lost on stage with Mince just completely overshawdowing everyone with his hard rock energy and his good looks! This guys is fricken talented.

The bands full length debut, Costello Music, followed in September and features the singles "Chelsea Dagger" and "Flathead" are some of my fav's. Their new album Here We Stand was released in June of 2008 and should be a big hit too.

If you happen to be in LA this week, VAMPIRE WEEKEND is Rocking Wed and Thursday night at the Wiltern and HOT CHIP is here on Sunday! Also, coming in OCT is THE DANDY WARHOLS, who I also LOVE!

SHARON SUH PHOTOGRAPHY

Here are a few special moments of the last few weeks. I left Bon Appetit Magazine to travel and take photos. I have started shooting more kids, and I have to say, they are magical. I took some amazing photos, some of which I cannot post for privacy reasons, but in taking them, it made my decision to become a portrait photographer worth it. Here are a few since this is my personal blog and its not my website... I am particularly proud of these images. The mothers of these children should be proud and amazed at how gorgeous their children are.
Check out my website by clicking on the title above.

SHARON SUH'S APT THERAPY FEATURE

Before I left for Paris and Poland, I was featured in the LOS ANGELES APT THERAPY BLOG, one of my favorite blogs. It was sort of a fluke that this happened but at the time, I was looking for an apartment swap in Paris and then this APT THERAPY thing sort of happened when Lizzie Garrett featured my apt on her blog DESIGNWATCHER.COM. Check out the feature by clicking on the title above.

Anyhoot, I have been meaning to blog about it, so here it is. My apt in LA. I am redesigning the kitchen and the floors at the moment, so I will update photos later of the new kitchen!

SABON NYC

Inspired by my friend Christina Iwase in New York, I am completely in love with Sabon NYC shower gel. They also have fantastic tealight votives that I think APT THERAPY featured a while back.

For those of us that can't go to various store locations in Manhattan ( Lex and 61st , B'way and 71st, 6th Ave near 9th street, Spring and B'way store, or the Prince and Wooster), we can order it online at the sabonnyc.com!!!
Check out the line by clicking on the title above. My favorite scent on line is out of stock, the lavender rose, but the lemon basil is very nice as!

FRETTE TOWELS AT BLUEFLY.COM

I am finally in LA. HOME. After staying in Paris for a month, Poland for a week, Hampton's for a week, and Manhattan for a few days, I was ready to get home into my comfortable bed and my own apartment! I was dreaming abou sitting on my couch and watching a movie with my favorite missoni throw blanket!!!
I stayed at my friend Christina Iwase's place in Manhattan. She lives on the upper east side, next to Eat on 81st, and I have to tell you, Christina knows how to live in luxury. Lucas and I arrived at her spacious apt, and only the best for guests. Luxurious Frette bedsheets and towels, tasty champagne from France, white wine specially ordered from the wine country in California, tasty homemade meals with ingredients only from the most posh deli's in New York...fancy Sabon shower and hand soap in Lavender and lemon scents ...I felt like I was Bill Clinton with slanted eyes.

With all the luxury I experienced at Christina's...I have total bath towel and bedsheet envy. I bought Matteo bedsheets a few months ago which I TOTALLY LOVE, but there is nothing like sleeping in FRETTE. They are the best. I have the Missioni bathtowels but again, nothing like FRETTE. They are the softest most heavenly items I have experienced in the last 5 weeks.

Blue fly is having a big sale right now and sheets, duvet,s and bath towels are 50% off. No more hand towels available. Check out the sale by clicking on the title above!
Go Christina!

JOHN DERIAN AT TARGET

John Derian, one of my favorite designers, has designed an affordable line at Target. It just came out on Sept 9th, and I am so excited because its so affordable. There are some very obvious pieces that are clearly John Derian like the bird tray, and the butterfly basket or coasters, and the treel/leaf vases but check it out for yourself. There are my favorite items, most of which are under $20!
Check out the full line by clicking on the title.

HABITAT FEATURES MIRIAM VAN DER LUBBE AND NIELS VAN EIJK

I found this clock shopping in Paris...in fact, I love all the clocks. THe one in particular is a Clock designed by Miriam Van Der Lubbe and Niels Van Eijk for Habitat. Powder coated steel. 1AA battery required.

Don't let the photo fool you...Its HUGE, but makes a statement in any room. You can see the scale of the one that i love in the group clock photo.
I think I am going to have to go and get it. ITs about $175 at Habitat ( sort of the a higher priced IKEA in Europe). Unfortunately for all you Americans, you can only get it in Europe. No online shopping. Hope you have a friend abroad. Habitat also houses some amazing dishware and housewares by many famous designers like one of my favorites Marcel Wanders.

METAPHYS in JAPAN

This toothbrush called the BRILLO is by Chaki Murata for Metaphys in Japan. The ergonomically compact form acts like a switchblad. I love the leather case that it comes with. Very chic.
This is a great gift for the sophisticated traveller at a great price. $56.
Click on the title for details.

JAKOB WAGNER WINE RACK

Designer Jakob Wagner was inspired by the coiled and branching grapevines and designed a very chic way to display your fancy edited wine collection. Menu’s wine rack is available in two styles. The first is made of fiberglass-reinforced nylon, coated in synthetic black rubber. The second is made of aluminum. Both can be mounted on the wall with two screws and can hold up to six bottles. I like the idea of getting a few of them together to show alot of bottles. Price is going to shock you. $52 for each rack. Check out details by clicking on the title above.

FINNSTYLE.COM

I found this website surfing on the web. Its pretty cool and it has modern items at afford able prices. FinnStyle offers unique modern Finnish designs, and they even have a section called GIFTS. These are a few of my favorite items all under $200. A few designers they feature...
aarikka
Artek
iittala
Kalevala Jewelry
Marimekko
Opa
SECCO
Tonfisk Design
Check it out by clicking on the title above.

NELLIE KING SOLOMON

With all the art that I am seeing in Paris at the moment, I have been doing alot of research on artists to buy some pieces. I am very taken with a California artist named Nellie King Solomn.
Here work is AMAZING. I was reading an old Wallpaper Magazine from 2007 and I read a story that featured on her and Yves Behar. Check out her website by clicking on the title above. I LOVE HER WORK!


Email: nellie@nelliekingsolomon.com

TIVOLI AUDIO

Check out these electronic items for you to appreciate your music or radio in high style. To see more details, click on the title above.

KRAKOW FOOD DIARY

I just blogged below about my trip to Krakow to meet Lucas friends and Family. We were there a few days ago for a 6 day trip.
We had so much fun eating, drinking, shopping and sightseeing. I LOVED POLAND. Its a old world city with amazing food. I kept a food diary of Poland to remind me of some of the fantastic food that I had, so that I could look up recipes and make some of the meals when I got back to the states. Favorite include Perogies, stuffed cabbage golobki, grilled polish sausage, polish bread is amazing especially Obwarzanki, grilled trout with fries, split pea soup called grochowa, and pork cutlets.