Literature: Raising Lombardi

Ross Bernstein gives an inside look at what it takes to become a NFL champion. The book is filled with interviews of star players and coaches from all the winning teams dating back to the 1950's. It's a quick easy read and gave me more perspective on football in general.

Inspiration: Super Bowl

Adventures of Last Week

Tuesday

My friend Kelly and I were in the need of some old school fun at a bowling alley. We went to the Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square and our lane was in the Coney Island themed room. If you ever decide to stop by, I highly recommend ordering their tater tots.

Friday

After a not so great time at an art gallery opening in the Lower East Side, my friend Kelly and I went to this gourmet hipster pizzeria, L'Asso. We ordered "Mela" which is mozzarella, gorgonzola, asparagus, apple & truffle oil on one half. Along with the traditional "Margherita" which is tomato sauce, cooked buffalo mozzarella, oregano, basil & extra virgin olive oil. The medium was fine split between the two of us but be warned, it's the shape and size of a skateboard.

You can check out the full menu on their website here.

Saturday

After shopping, my roommate Lori and I went to the New Museum on Bowery St and Prince St. While they are currently lacking in exhibits, the spectacular roof access more then compensates.

Some point during the day we stopped at Eataly by Madison Square Park and picked up some gelato. I got the $2 special "sweet milk" while Lori splurged and ordered a scoop of pear with a scoop of coconut.

Museum Exhibit: "Due to Unforeseen Events..."

The New Museum's exhibit, "Due to Unforeseen Events..." gives viewers a detailed background into contemporary artwork in Lebanon that has been altered from its original design. These pieces and stories question the censorship due to the politics in Lebanon. The exhibit includes work from the following artists: Ziad Abillama, Tony Chakar, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Rabih Mroué, and Kirsten Scheid.

Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige are film makers who had to modify "A Perfect Day" in 2005. A picture selected to depict the main character's father who was kidnapped during the Lebanese Civil War was of a man who died several years prior and his wife wished for the scene to be removed.

In 2009 they used this story to create a leacture-performance measuring the difference between recognition and representation. The image below is of the man used in that film questioning "... the seen and unseen, the hidden, the perceived, and the obliterated as multiple

layers of meaning and history." -Joana Hadjithomas.

The Arts: Nicholas Buffon- Applied Flesh gallery opening

Nicholas Buffon's exhibition's title, "Applied Flesh," is taken from the artists' thesis on performance. Each painting's canvases have been stretched, un-stretched and restretched over the course of working on them. This processes gives his work such a unique texture forming many abstract images.

Honestly, I wasn't impressed with this gallery in general. The small room was over crowded with a bunch of stuffy art snobs. But what else is there to expect I guess? Besides the lousy atmosphere there were a couple pieces that caught my eye.

This first piece was the focal point in the room with the red standing out in the surrounding light green paintings. I enjoyed the impasto strokes and chaotic rhythm within the painting. My attention was first focused on the red gashes but then I noticed the abstract images that surround them.

I really enjoyed the comic aspect of this drawing. However, it didn't really fit in with the rest of the exhibit. One of the guests asked me how many characters do I see. Personally, I see 105. How many do you see?

Fashion: Series Premiere of "The Fashion Fund"

Today was the series premiere of the documentary, "The Fashion Fund." This show gives you a closer look at the work that goes into being a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fun Finalist.

Watch it for yourself on Hulu here or check out the CFDA website for more information here.

The Fashion Fund Selection committee include:

Lazaro Hernandez (CoFounder, Proenza Schouler)

Mark Holgate (Fashion News Director, Vogue)

Jeffrey Kalinsky (President, Jeffrey)

Steven Kolb (CEO, CFDA)

Reed Krakoff (Creative Director, Coach)

Jenna Lyons (Creative Director, Jcrew)

Jack Mccollough (CoFounder, Proenza Schouler)

Andrew Rosen (Founder, Theory)

Diane von Furstenberg (President, CFDA & Chairman, Diane von Furstenberg)

Anna Wintour (Editor in Chief, Vogue)

2011 Fashion Fund Finalists:

Joseph Altuzarra

Antonio Azzuolo

Carlos Campos

"Creatures of the Wind"- Shane Gabier & Chris Peters

"Cushnie Et Ochs"- Carly Cushnie & Michelle Ochs

"Fenton/Fallon"- Dana Lorenz

"Finn"- Soroya Silchenstedt

"Ohne Titel"- Flora Grill & Alexa Adams

Pamela Love

"Suno"- Erin Betty & Max Osterweis

Designers That Caught My Attention:

"Fenton/Fallon"-Dana Lorenz

She refers to her pieces as uptown elegance combined with a hard edge. She gets her inspiration from old ladies in pearls and dusty Chanel jackets.

"Ohne Titel"-Flora Gill & Alexa Adams

I really appreciated the bold use of abstract colors. Their collection will stand out in the sea of NYC's black.

"Pamela Love"- Pamela Love

All of these jewelry pieces are handmade in-house in NYC. Her vision is to create jobs and continue the idea of crafting domestically. Not to mention her pieces have a simple but edgy quality to them.

"Suno"- Erin Beatty & Max Osterweis

Their first collection used vintage textiles that were collected in East Africa over a 13 year period. The idea behind their work is to create high end clothing in an ethical way.

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup powder sugar

1-2 tablespoons of milk or creamer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter and salt; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
3. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk mixture, eggs and 1 1/2 cup flour; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
4. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
5. While dough is rising, melt 3/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Pour into greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle bottom of pan with 1/2 cup pecans; set aside. Melt remaining butter; set aside. Combine remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pecans, and cinnamon; set aside.
6. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, roll into an 18x14 inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, leaving 1/2 inch border uncovered; sprinkle with brown sugar cinnamon mixture. Starting at long side, tightly roll up, pinching seam to seal. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. With serrated knife, Fold the roll into a bread pan. Butter the top and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool in pan for 3 minutes, then invert onto serving platter. Scrape remaining filling from the pan onto the rolls.
8. Once cooled, whisk the powder sugar and milk (or creamer) in a small bowl. Pour icing on top of the cinnamon roll. Enjoy!

Literature: "Pop Patterns" by Oriole Cullen

Oriole Cullen has assembled such a wide array of pieces from the 1960's and early 1970s Pop Art movement. In addition to the many prints he has also given such an interesting take on the movement itself as well.

Pop Art is the true definition of experimentation and creativity. Artists who followed this movement have challenged the parameters of fine art by creating patterns that some may find irrelevant.

This book includes prints from the following artists: Zandra Rhodes, Claude Lovat Fraser, Maggie Walker, Manifattura Garavaglia, Peter Jones, Lloyd Johnson, Jim O'Connor, Jane Wealleans, Miss Mouse, Tommy Roberts, Neil Bradburn, Tony Fraser, Edward Squires, Sue Palmer, Leon Rosenblatt, Marshall Lester, Stephanie Huber, Christopher Snow and Mary Oliver.

Personally, the print to the left, "Space Walk" is my favorite. You can find it on page 37 and it is by Sue Palmer. The cleverness of incorporating the "Space Age" movement along with Pop Art just captivates the very essence of the 1960's.

Not to mention the colors and movement within the piece are constantly drawing the eye throughout the print. When I stare at it for a few minutes I almost feel like I can see the shapes moving. It's as if Sue Palmer's astronauts are actually walking in space. Honestly, I'm sure that was exactly what she was aiming for.

Inspiration: Insanity

Photo By: Dean Pictorica, National Picture Group.

This week's inspiration is the creativity that shocks us when derived from those society identifies as deranged. But in all honesty everyone contains some portion of insanity that leads them to challenge impossible tasks. Regardless if it's related to academics, sports or pure self expression, it's acceptable to let out a little crazy. But the minute someone holds a cleaver to another's head, please call the psych ward immediately!