When we’re not going local with our coffee, our favorite place for a little kaffeeklatsch is Crema Coffee Bar at the Honolulu Design Center. The coffee is classic Illy, and the sandwiches and pastries are from the same kitchen as Stage on the Design Center’s second floor. With the building’s modern design, Crema is a great spot to get away from the ho-hum. Plus, it’s right near Kaila favs Aloha Rag and Jimmy Choo. And we think an Illy coffee cup makes a far better accessory than one from Starbucks, as we demonstrate in our Jimmy Choo-Illy combo above. (On a side note, check out the clip on our post on American Vogue editor Anna Wintour to see which coffee graces Vogue’s offices in New York’s Times Square.)

DETAILS

EDITORIAL NOTE

In case you didn’t catch the cultural reference in the title, it comes from the song “You’re the Cream in My Coffee,” once performed by many. But we like the version sung by the one and only Mr. Nat King Cole.

Tags: Aloha Rag, coffee, Crema Coffee Bar, Honolulu Design Center, Illy, Jimmy Choo, Nat King Cole

Yes, we’re feeling Washed Out, and that’s not a bad thing.

Washed Out is a one-man ensemble by up-and-coming musician Ernest Green, who hails from Georgia. (Yes, we wouldn’t have thought Southern boys like electronics, but we’re glad  to be proven wrong.)   This track “Feel It All Around” is a perfect soundtrack for hot summer weather and cooling off in the water… or with liquid refreshments. The appropriately directed clip was produced by Fiction.

DETAILS

“Feel It All Around” is off Washed Out’s Life of Lesiure EP now available on iTunes and Amazon.

Mr. Green has quite a groovy photo blog along with a MySpace music page, which features the great non-EP track “You and I,” replete with old-school but tastefully subtle Madonna sample. We spotted other current fav, Toro Y Moi, who we’ve been listening to on our blip.fm station.

Tags: electronica, Ernest Green, Washed Out

We’re currently loving “Future Days (Getting High)” by Brit duo electronic duo Society. The clip is a veritable venture in altered states directed by fashion photographer Pierre Debuschere. Belgian actor Jey Crisfar – best known for his work with Canadian director Bruce LaBruce (no commentary here) – plays the starring role here, either dancing or running by the forest, torches in hand. (Your interpretation is as good as ours.)

LISTEN MORE

“Future Days” is off Society’s 4-track EP The Rules of Attraction, currently available on iTunes and Amazon.

Tags: Future Days, Jey Crisfar, Pierre Desbuchere, Society

We across this gorgeous fashion-meets-art-house clip via Wallpaper* magazine. It’s a kind of cinematic triptych, moving, as its title aptly suggests, from darkness to light.

THE LOWDOWN

“From Darkness to Light”

• Directed by Mariano Vivanco
• Starring Megan Fox, Hilary Rhoda, and  Marlon Texeira.

In the almost vampiric first segment, Megan Fox runs through the streets of Paris at night, while the film closes in color-drenched shots of Hilary Rhoda. The middle section, featuring Brazilian model Marlon Texeira, apparently is an older clip called “Higher States,” originally shot for British label Qasimi’s Spring Summer 2010 men’s collection. Peruvian-born photographer Vivanco has done editorial shoots for the likes of Numero, Vogue Nippon, Allure, and Details.

The film comes from the video gallery of Imagine Fashion, whose full fashion blog is soon to launch. In the meantime, we’ll be exploring  the other fashion clips.

Tags: Hilary Rhoda, Imagine Fashion, Mariano Vivanco, Marlon Teixeira, Megan Fox, Qasimi, Wallpaper* magazine

This past week in New York, Calvin Klein Collection designer Francisco Costa served up a women’s resort collection that was classic Calvin – elegant, simple, and unfettered. One of our favorite pieces was a creamy knee-length dress sported by Jac (above left). At another high point, the gorgeous Karmen Pedaru (above right) donned a crisp and cool sleeveless dress in a brilliant white with beautiful geometric pleating, which seemed to be a gentle reworking of Costa’s architecturally-driven Spring 2009 collection. Against this kind of minimalist backdrop, a velvet evening dress – worn by Kristy Kaurova (above center) – caught the eye with its vibrant yellow and has earned a nod from the fashion media.

THE SHOW

THE SOUNDTRACK

Simply minimalist in wash of guitar riffs and beats courtesy of Toro Y Moi and Krikor – The Dead Hillbillies. On a fashion note, it’s interesting to see that the same Toro Y Moi track started off the Gudrun & Gudrun show during Copenhagen Fashion Week.

REVIEWS

• Resort Report | Calvin Klein’s Palate Cleanser – New York Times Style Magazine
• Calvin Klein Resort 2011 Collection – Style.com
• A Look at Resort 2011: Calvin Klein – Vogue.com

MORE CALVIN

See the full collection at Calvin Klein Collection Women.

CREDITS

Photography by Don Ashby

Tags: Calvin Klein, Jac, Karmen Pedaru, Krikor, Kristy Kaurova, Resort 2011, Toro Y Moi

When I opened up to the Editor’s Page of the June 2010 issue of Honolulu magazine, I was quickly reminded why I have enjoyed this publication since I was a teenager out on the ‘Ewa side. The June issue is all about Hawai’i doctors, and editor A. Kam Napier addresses the subject, of course.

However, while desribing his early impressions of doctors, he makes a curious cultural reference… to Star Trek.  I have to admit a sincere delight to know that the character Dr. Leonard McCoy, the 23rd century country doctor played by the late Deforest Kelley, has influenced a voice in Hawai’i media… especially one who recently admitted that he had never seen an episode of Lost. (I, too, admit that I never watch it either.)

I wish I had a McCoy in my office right now, if only so I could say, “Bones, could you look this article over, tell me what you think?”
Then he could say, “Dammit, Kam! I’m a doctor, not a copy editor!”

That would be awesome.

And let us not forget that McCoy often broke out a stash of some rare alien liquor to smooth out space’s (and life’s) rougher moments. Now, that’s the kind of doctor we really appreciate.

MORE

Check out the full June 2010 Editor’s page of Honolulu magazine right here.

Tags: doctors, Honolulu magazine, Star Trek

While it’s hard to beat a bottle of Champagne in our books, the economic crisis has made us think twice before shelling out for imported bubbly.  During our recent runs to Tamura’s and R. Field, we’ve been putting a particualrly fine Californian sparkler into our basket instead.  While many Californian sparkling wines have left us feeling less than enthusiastic – especially since they’re priced higher than comparable but more satisfying offerings from Spain and Italy – J Cuvée 20 Brut has renewed our faith in domestic sparkling wines. It’s an elegant blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier with notes of Fuji apple and honeysuckle – a perfect way to wrap up a long work week without breaking the piggy bank.

WHERE TO BUY

J Cuvée 20 Brut is available in Honolulu from two of our favorite wine purveyors:

Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors

3496 Waiʻalae Avenue, 808 735 7100

R. Field Wine Company

At Foodland, 460 South Beretania Street, 808 596 9463

Those who prefer alcohol to come to them can have a case of J Cuvée 20 Brut shipped directly by Wine.com.

MORE ON J CUVÉE 20

Learn more about this great sparkling wine from J. Vineyards and Winery.

Tags: Champagne, J Cuvée 20 Brut, J. Vineyards and Winery, sparkling wine

This past Sunday, CBS reaired veteran journalist Morley Safer’s 2009 interview with Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue, on 60 Minutes.

While I consider myself much more inclined towards Carine Roitfeld and French Vogue, I had to give Ms. Wintour her due respect when Mr. Safer asked her a simple but profound question.

SAFER: What bores you the most?

WINTOUR: Mediocrity.

Surprised, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

The rest of Mr. Safer’s profile of the editor who inspired  The Devil Wears Prada is entertaining as it’s clearly told from the perspective of an older gentleman used to tacking more “serious” issues as opposed to the seemingly trivial nature of fashion. Take, for instance, the expression on his face when he’s talking to Dior designer John Galliano wearing some kind of leopard-print hat. It was probably Safer’s detatchment (and journalistic stature) from all things fashion that made him an ideal choice to interview someone of Wintour’s reputation. Face-to-face with Safer, Wintour seems almost nervous, making her a bit more human… at least, until  the Chanel sunglasses go back on.

MORE VOGUE

• See the 60 Minutes interview here.
• For more on Wintour’s French counterpart, Carine Roitfeld – once dubbed the Anti-Anna – check out the always entertaining I Want to Be a Roitfeld.
• Also compare fashion insiders’ opinon of Roitfeld in the CNN profile on Roitfeld found on our earlier Roitfeld post. While Wintour’s name seems to be inspire supressed terror, Roitfeld’s actually brings a smile to their faces.

Tags: 60 Minutes, Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld, Morley Safer, Vogue