A wool bikini from the 1940s at the Met. I will be heading to the Bahamas tomorrow for a family vacation in Bimini and how fun would a high-waisted bikini have been?

I pass by this shoe in the Catherine Malandrino window when I take the long way home from work, and suddenly I picture a lot of dancing in a tropical place (somewhere in cuba perhaps?) with good friends, amazing music and lovely dresses. Successful design that really does tell a story.

I'm a sucker for all things embroidery, especially from far away lands. Recently we've been overexposed to lots of beautiful Ikat patterns, making them a little less exciting. Suzani (above) refers to this style of Persian embroidery, which is slowly making its presence known on accent chairs and pillows. My mom has a giant one hanging in the entrance of our house, and its a nice way to cover a bare wall, without having to invest paintings, posters, and framing....ebay has some good ones. Image from AmiraRugGallery.

Greetings from Miami, I came into town for a wedding tomorrow and then hosting a lingerie shower at a pole dancing studio for a friend on Sunday. Anyway, in the spirit of Miami, I introduce Ambra Medda, I don't her know personally, but her sense of style is just the right amount of ecclectic, and recently Paris Vogue did a Miami issue, with a style profile on her. Not only is she gorgeous, but she is also runs Art Loves Design during Art Basel, held in the Design District. Basically the focus of her event is a celebration of contemporary design that just barely could fall under fine art, but more in the industrial design world. And she's not even 30 yet.

I am a bit picky when it comes to basics. For example Hanes white v-necks seem to flatter everyone but me. Same with tanks, I just have a hard time with them. Yesterday I found this one, and I think I might get some more. 5.99 on the Old Navy website. Trust me, its very flattering. Also picked up a cute linen skirt in the sale rack. oldnavy.com

I would be excited to get my hands on this. Maybe carlo can bring me a copy since he is currrently in Germany. Its the first issue of a bi-annual publication called Apartamento, dedicated to the living and working areas of people, that stay pretty real and aren't styled by a decorator (supposedly).

More white shoes. I saw a girl wearing these last night at the Le Book thing, and they looked so good. Acne Jeans Ziara.

Get one now, the very structured bustier. This one is from Bodkin, a new line based out of Brooklyn, we can probably find some interesting ones on ebay. While you are at it pick up Dita Von Teese's book, The Art of the Burlesque. She is insane, I love it. I read it two years ago (and got it signed by her at Harrods!) When she wrote the book she was still married to Marilyn Manson, so it may sound outdated, but she really knows her stuff. It breaks down the make up techniques of each decade, and the style of dress of each era. I don't dress like her at all, but it was cool to see the line at Harrod's full of girls that looked like they just walked out of a Dick Tracy movie. Not to mention she gives a great historical breakdown of Burlesque dancing.

Photo by Tom Hines

I will be attending this tonight, even though I'm not really sure what it is, I guess just a networking thing. I have a lot of freelance stuff going on that I'm pretty excited about, and wouldn't mind meeting a few more people. I hope one day I can just work out of my apartment! I also wish I had made some new business cards...

I have been eyeing this book at McNally's for some time now, and I just might get it. Dressing the Home:The Private Spaces of Top Fashion Designers, its pretty much self-explanatory. DVF's ecclectic living room, Christian Louboutin's extravagant interiors, and Vanessa Bruno's Marais apartment, that is absolutely to die for. The images below are of the latter, but they are from an old British Elle Decor. I would never leave my house.

An image from the current exhibit at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Miami for Cary Kwok. Actually if you are Paris, check out the Aya Takano show. I saw it in Miami, and its amazing. I'm going to try to join my gallerina friend for their Paris opening in October where Pharell will be exhibiting his "chairs", should be a fun time!

I have only been to Milan once, so I really don't know what is where mapwise, but last time I was there I went to 10 Corso Como which is hands down my favorite store in the world. I just remember it wasn't in the center of town, which made an even more unexpected find. The own Carla Sozzani has a gallery (Galeria Carla Sozzani), a cafe, a bookshop, and the enormous boutique all in this semi-fort hidden under foliage. The compound also has a small hotel three rooms called 3 Rooms. Anyway, the store has everything, but well-edited everything, amazing jewelry, bags, shoes, books, furniture, and for me it is way cooler than Colette, yet doesn't get much hype. It helps that her sister, Franca, is the editor-and-chief of Italian Vogue. This is a MUST if you happen to be in Milan. I also love the hand-drawn logo, the whole store is black and white circles, dots, and designs. Apparently Carla's boyfriend Kris Ruhs did the logo.