Friday, October 18, 2013

Weekend in the Burgh

I know, this post is long overdue, but not for lack of trying (at least in the past few weeks or so). I took a break from blogging while on summer vacation, but I'd hoped to get back at it once in NYC again. So, a couple of weeks ago I tried to create a new post but things got weird so I convinced myself that Franland had been hacked. Took my issue down to Fordham's IT office and it turns out I'm just technologically inept.

Summer was beautiful in every way; tidbits and pictures will be shared in the near future. As of now, I’m back in NYC for my last semester of college. So amidst my senior thesis, French enlightenment and the likes, I’ll always have Franland to channel my creativity, indulge my procrastinating ways and reassure me that happiness comes when you do what you love. And it’s nice to share it with the world, too.

About a month ago I visited my brother in Pittsburgh, and as classes had just started, I had the time and my peace of mind. The latter left me almost immediately as my bus broke down twice, turning my seven-hour ride into a twelve-hour saga. Still, it was worth it. The Burgh is a beauty: fabulous food, fruity cocktails and friendly people.


Upon arrival, we made our way to an exquisite Caribbean restaurant, Kaya, where we had drinks, conch fritters, jerk chicken wings and plantain chips with mango salsa. The plan was to take pictures of the apps, but by the time I remembered that, the reality was a collection of empty plates. I did get a picture of the drinks; that has to count for something.




As per usual with the Romagnoli clan, the rest of the weekend was centered around food. The best meal, hands down, was at Park Bruges. The picture doesn't do these succulent little babies any justice, but these mussels (or rather, the creamy rosemary, dill, thyme, shallot and garlic broth they came in) were perfection.


Overall, great culinary experiences, but I had an awesome time just walking around, as well. It's a great city with a lot of character and pride and I look forward to future trips to the Burgh. Here are a few pics from the weekend walkabouts:

















Bonus:
Grey Cat



Monday, April 29, 2013

Reality Bites

I wish I could say my absence in Franland is because I've been here...

 


pics via here


...but the sad reality is that I've really been here...


...writings papers...in bed...I find I do my best work there...

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Just Looking


It may be considered rude to peer into other people's windows while passing by, but if the curtains are open I see it as an invitation. I don't mean that in a creepy way; I really just like seeing how others decorate their homes. I think it’s a harmless hobby, so as long as the shades are open, I’ll be a browsin’.

Los Angeles based interior designer, MichaelS. Smith, has designed many a room that I would love to lay my eyes on. He is internationally acclaimed and creates a pleasant mélange of modern and traditional, and American and European styles. His portfolio includes both residential and commercial interiors and he is the current decorator of the White House. If fashionista Michelle Obama can get down with his décor, I certainly can too.

His fourth book, Building Beauty: The Alchemy of Design, hits shelves this spring. Just to get a taste of his style, here is a selection of his lush designs:




  









All photos via here




Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Hello Groovy Tuesday

In 1969, Arthur Schatz, a photographer for Life Magazine, perfectly captured the hippie sub-culture fashion of the emerging youth. Schatz photographed a California high school and its many fads including shift dresses, fringe vests, crop tops, bell bottoms, floral maxis and kaleidoscope prints imitating those of Emilio Pucci. I'm not promoting bell bottoms and I've never supported the re-emergence of fringe, but many of the styles from the late sixties have come back around in a very good way.

Here are Schatz's groovy pics:











1969 pics via here

And here are some similar styles from the present:

crop top                                                 mini dress

kaleidoscope print                                     floral maxi

peasant blouse                                            shift dress

plaid                                                  high waist

Schatz also did a shoot with Jack Nicholson in 1969 in Nicholson's Los Angeles home, and these photos are way too cool to not share:


via here