Calypso Cravings

Silk v-neck "Briggi" dress with elasticized waist in navy, adore, asperge. Shop Calypso here.

Woman of Style

"This is probably around 1962 for Glamour magazine. Modeling was great. I met all these great photographers and it paid my way through Barnard College. At the same time as all of this I was in college. We did it all. Women today seem to have a harder time trying to do all of that at once. And we still cooked."

"That's a modeling picture from 1960. It's a cute little dress that's perfect for today- a great beach dress. I love the hat. I love the sunglasses. I love the white banded watch."

"This is 1961. It's a long white ribbed wool sweater dress. I think it sort of turned yellow-y. I had it for quite some time. Some of the hair is mine, but in those days, we also wore those falls."

"That's on a real sail boat in Long Island Sound in the early 60's. I love the shirt. And it has a beautiful scarf pattern on the back. I love the headband."

"That's from Ms. magazine around 1965. That's what I would have worn to work on Wall Street at the time. It's a really cute trench coat. They never went out of style. The short little gloves I just love. The square Rolex watch I still cherish."

Tory Burch blogs about Martha Stewart's modeling career before her homemaking days. Read here.

Spring Playlists

Tory Burch Foundation Volume 2

1. Michael Franti and Spearhead - "Hello Bonjour"
2. Willy Deville - "Come a Little Bit Closer"
3. Devendra Banhart - "Baby"
4. Laura Izibor - "From my Heart to Yours"
5. Melanie Fiona - "Give it to Me Right"
6. Lykke Li - "Little bit"
7. Wyclef Jean - "Knockin' on Heaven Heaven's Door"
8. The Smiths - "Bigmouth Strikes Again"
9. K'naan - "Take a Minute"
10. Santigold - Your Voice"
11. Miriam Makeba - "Pata Pata"
12. Matt White - "Taking on Water"
13. Kanye West, Mos Def and Al B Back - "Good Night"
14. Santana and Citizen Cope - "Sideways"
15. Asa - "360"
16. The Neville Brothers - "Rivers of Babylon"

James: The Best Of

1. Come

2. Sit Down

3. She's A Star

4. Laid

5. Waltzing Along

6. Say Something

7. Born Of Frustration

8. Tomorrow

9. Destiny Calling

10. Out To Get You

11. Runaground

12. Lose Control

13. Sometimes

14. How Was It For You?

15. Seven

16. Sound

17. Ring The Bells

18. Hymn From A Village

Bold & Boho: Jules Reid

Jules Reid is quickly becoming one of my favorite designers. As shown on her mood board above, her inspiration comes from style icons like Jackie O., Emilio Pucci and the beautifully distinct colors and patterns of India- what a fantastic mix!

Reid began her career as a broker on Wall Street and soon left to start her own interior design firm. The time she spent in India as a child paved the way for her love of bold colors and textures. “Designing interiors developed my sense of color and texture, but I have always been excited by fashion. Now I am creating my own patterns and fabrics that are incorporated into clothing that I love," says Reid.

Find her fab styles here just in time for summer.

*all images via jules reid

Quote Unquote

“The bicycle surely,
should always be the vehicle
of novelists and poets.” christopher morley

*image via flickr

"Insomniac City"

"Sometimes I’d sit in the kitchen in the dark and gaze out at the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Such a beautiful pair, so impeccably dressed, he in his boxy suit, every night a different hue, and she, an arm’s length away, in her filigreed skirt the color of the moon. I regarded them as an old married couple, calmly, unblinkingly, keeping watch over one of their newest sons. And I returned the favor. I would be there the moment the Empire State turned off its lights for the night, as if getting a little shut-eye before sunrise."

A must-read New York Times "Opinionator" article by Bill Hayes on living in Manhattan- kept me smiling throughout my 14-hour day today! Read here.

*image via flickr

PUBLIC Bikes

Now that it's officially hot and humid here in Manhattan, walking to work isn't ideal. I think I need a new method of transportation for getting there- and PUBLIC bikes may be my answer.

PUBLIC, a new bike company by "Design Within Reach" designer Rob Forbes, is taking the pain out of acquiring another elusive design object- the practical city bike with classic Dutch and Danish style. A longtime urban cyclist himself, Forbes spent the last ten years opening bike lanes and encouraging alternative transportation (with help from Mayor Bloomberg).

PUBLIC bikes encourage an upright posture and better visibility. They have two frame styles, both unisex, and both made from lightweight steel. They will only come in four colors and three gear configurations (1, 3, 8-speed). Prices will range from $650 to $1,200.

If you live here in Manhattan, you can test ride one of these bikes at the Tretorn Store at 150 Spring Street mid-May 2010, just as their online store opens. Check them out here.