great food, great cause :: parallel17

In light of the recent catastrophic and devastating earthquake in Haiti, people all over are scrambling to help in any way shape or form.  The casualties and destruction caused by this earthquake is unfathomable and heart-shattering.

There are many ways to get involved - donate, raise funds, volunteer, support local businesses who are raising funds for this cause.

Parallel 17, a Vietnamese Bistro with a modern twist, is among one of Denver restaurants that are getting involved and aiding this effort.  It's an excellent restaurant to begin with (...and don't get me started on their Pommes Frites - Yukon + Sweet Potato Fries). But today and tomorrow, they will be donating 25% of all proceeds to a hospital in Haiti, which is one of the few that is still standing and treating the wounded victims.  I plan on having dinner there tomorrow with some friends so if anyone else wants to dine out for a good cause,
stop by the restaurant at some point during the day/night.

:: via likeme.net ::

Westword also has a list of restaurants and fundraising events to choose from.... so get involved and give what you can because every dollar helps.

Also, stay tuned for another event that I'll be posting within the next couple of weeks to also aid the same cause.

booka shade movement

I became a fan of Booka Shade when I first saw them play a live set @ the old Shelter back in '07.  Their funky, disco, electro-house style can guarantee a packed dance floor with body groovin', booty bumpin', music lovin' people.

One of my all time faves is Body Language.  Love, love, love.  Video embedded below for your viewing/listening pleasure.

I also found this  video via Hort during a live show they played in England in '09 called the Glade Festival. 

These are just the perfect tunes to get lost in while trying to get through a hump day.  And on that note, have a Happy Hump Day!

je veux le snood

Last week's freezing temperatures made me want to buy something warm and cozy that I can wrap around my neck.  And the scarf-addict that I am, I found this royal blue snood from Golden Hook which I fell completely in love with the color.  I want one exactly like this... or maybe I could learn how to knit so I can knit myself a variety of snoods in countless colors.

:: via Golden Hook's blog ::

The short-haired brunette in Golden Hook Lookbook 2010's is absolutely gorgeous.  A few of her close-up shots are amazing.  She makes me want to cut my hair short and learn how to speak French.  If only I had her facial bone structure... and lived in Paris.

So not only do I want this blue snood, but watching their Lookbook 2010 video makes me want to be in Paris.  Now.  Oh Paris, I can't wait to see you....

via hypebeast

Fashion Denver :: Holiday Fashion Market

So finally, a chance to sit down and spend some quality time for a much needed update.


In December, I was given the opportunity to be involved with Fashion Denver's Holiday Fashion Market.  Thanks to Brandi, aka Dreamer/Doer/Rockstar, she designated me as the Fashion Coordinator for the fashion show piece of the event.  She gave me a few racks full of beautiful creations by local designers and basically said, have at it!  And so I did...

It was a very much welcomed opportunity and undoubtedly, a pleasure to have been a part of.  Now on to some photos from the event...

 :: KimonoDragons by the talented Francis D Roces ::

 :: beautiful ::

merry christmas

Time does fly when you're busy living life and spending it with dear friends and family.

Much to catch up on, much to post and plenty of photos to share.

But before anything else, here's wishing everyone a very, merry Christmas!

 

music to my ears

I'm a sucker for acoustic sets - violins, guitars, pianos - paired with soft, melancholy and stark vocals; written with heartfelt intimate lyrics that tug at your heartstrings.  Which is why I'm glad I got an invite from D to check out one of her favorite Denver-based musician, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel. He's got a distinct, infectious, somber voice full of emotion that conveys both joy and sadness.  She got me hooked. 

:: via Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel ::

Check out some of his songs courtesy of the Day Trotter's review.  The video below is of his piece "Early Spring Till" accompanied by Julie Davis' (of Bela Karoli) harmony, who is also incredible all by herself.  She possesses a powerful voice; smooth, smoky and jazzy, which was a nice addition to Nathaniel's set. 

 

:: Julie Davis via Bela Karoli ::

Another local musician I discovered that night was Ian Cooke.  I arrived at the Bluebird Theater to find him, center stage under a dimly lit spotlight, and his cello.  He uses a loop pedal during his solo performances to layer his cello, like in his video below.  His compositions are pulled from Classical influences mixed with Folk and Jazz... all recipes for a truly original and eccentric type of music.  I dig it.

Julie Davis, on the bass, also joined him on stage for a few songs that made for a perfect combination of classical and jazzy acoustic compositions.

:: via Ian Cooke ::

We also loved Houses' performance and I especially loved their song, "We'll See the Sun."

Other Denver-brewed bands also threw a lively, entertaining show.  Especially the one who we thought was just the "tamborine girl" but to our very pleasant surprise, was the lead vocalist of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake. She's talented and her voice seductively soared over dance rock rhythms. The hottest tamborine girl ever. She made me wish I were in a band.

introducing SammyT

A very talented and sweet, dear friend of mine linked me to his blog with his most recent work. 

Meet SammyT - a talented musician with an infectious energy, amazing voice, a heart made of gold and a smile that can light up a room.  Not to mention, he's got the moves for you ladies that can make your hips swing.  Always a good time when he's around which makes me wonder.... why have I not hung out with him in a while?  Sammy pie, let's get together soon!

Take a listen...


Hopless n Love from Samuel Taggett on Vimeo.

Street Etiquette :: "Cookie" Boots

Once again, these boots from Ronnie Fieg in collaboration with Ralph Lauren in action.  Compliments of the Street Etiquette.  Love the leather jacket.  Love the zippers on the jacket.  Love the plaid button-up.  Love the hat, scarf and fingerless gloves combo.  In my opinion, this is a great look for that hip, urban guy.

grey is still the new black

If I were a man, I would totally rock these...

 

:: Supra Muska Skytop TUF : via Freshness ::

And these...

:: Ronnie Fieg x Polo Ralph Lauren : via Sneaker Obsession ::

And these too...

:: Chuck Shepard : via ALIFE ::

Kinda like these too...

 

:: Martin Margiela / Rubber Effect Trainer : via Freshness ::

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gobble, gobble

I am crazy about food and admittedly have a shameful/less love affair with anything sweet. If it has sugar, you name it, I eat it. And the holidays, in particular, bring out that monster in my belly that wants to gobble up anything I see.  It doesn't help that my family's appetite for exceptional cooking always brings out an impressive feast on the dining table.  And when I say exceptional, by that I mean my mother.  Without a doubt, it's her tasteful creations that takes up the centerpiece and makes everyone's mouths water and yearn for more.  This year, she has once again decided to tackle her infamous Turducken - a complex and time-consuming process that involves a delicate preparation of 3 different kinds of poultry.  A de-boned turkey stuffed with a de-boned duck which itself is stuffed with a de-boned chicken... and the gaps are then filled with her own concoction of a sweet, sticky wild rice with portobello mushrooms, sausage and cranberries stuffing.  Quite an undertaking, to say the least.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it. 

My contribution is, of course, something sweet.  I'm pretty set on making an Apple Crumble Crisp pie, in which I'm going to take elements from different recipes and bring them all into one.  Let's see how that one works...

I also want to make a second dessert item and luckily, I came across TasteSpotting's website via Shannon Eileen's blog.  It's tagline is, "a community driven visual potluck."  The site offers a plethora of recipes in various categories from different contributors, with delectable images to go along with it.  As a visual person, that is a plus for me as I like to know how it should look when I'm done.  It's a one-stop shop for recipe and entertaining needs. Out of the many recipes I perused through, I found these tasty delights so hopefully I can pick one by tomorrow...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Pumpkin Tart

Chocolate Peppermint Bars

Steamed Caramel Cake

Glutten-free Coconut Macaroons

Strawberry Tart with Dark Chocolate Creme Patiserrie

Chocolate Toffee Cinnamon Chips (cookies... always a crowd pleaser)

 :: via TasteSpotting ::

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