a saturday story

In my quest to be more spontaneous (blue nails instead of black...which will never happen again) & go with the flow at the request of one certain photographer, we set out with no set itinerary besides the farmer's market. After wandering wrestling through throngs of strollers, I had no trouble loading up my backpack with produce & italian sausage for said photographer so we decided to wander escape to Old Town. We lunched at Old Jerusalem (round 2) with the lovely owner filling soph's water bowl when she ran out. Unfortunately, the strollers wandered over stalked us down, but fortunately I can glare all I want at unruly children when hidden behind massive Celines. Phoebe Philo must share the same aversion to small humans.

Brian wanted to check out North Avenue Beach which I assumed meant cruize the ladiez but turns out that was the case on opposite day. Instead, this group of pale bros caught his eye instead...and I'm okay with that. 

I call this 'There's Something About Mary, the G-Rated Version'. 

Next stop: a stroll through Lincoln Park where the brilliant least intelligent decision ever was made to let Soph run around, despite there being a flock of geese/ducks/babies in the vicinity. And a pond. I think you can guess what happened next...

 Yep, that's right. My herding, hydrophilic labradoodle chased the flock into the pond then proceeded to swim out and interact bark a foot away from the hissing geese until she got them in line. Completely ignoring Brian & my frantic calls, she was in the zone, herding that motley crew. I was borderline hysterical thinking she was going to get murdered by angry goose mothers, drown, or be taken by animal control. Brian was about to strip and go get her as it became clear after 20 minutes that she would need some prodding (to I'm sure the delight of the crowd that had gathered), when she finally turned around and swam to us. All with the flock of 40 that she had commandeered paddling right behind her. I've never been so relieved and angry in my whole life. I guess that must be what those mothers of those stroller children feel. Except my dog always behaves perfectly.

"This is my best day ever. I didn't even get the top of my head wet since I can doggy-paddle like a boss"

Photos © Brian Sorg 

After all that excitement, mom & dad decided they needed one many drinks. Kids these days.  

goods.

I posted a photo of this exciting purchase a few weeks ago and was recently able to put it to serious use at the Green City Farmer's Market, also know as a magical place to do local food shopping. One thing that should be apparent by now is that I excel at shopping on all levels. 

'Geeking out over lettuce' at Growing Power's stand. Little does Brian know that that is a total compliment as an intense discussion over the various subtleties of lettuces with the farmer who brought them to life them basically constitutes my best conversation ever .

Photos © Brian Sorg

Admiring my goods while soaking up the sun over a bowl of lentil soup & garlicky fava beans at Old Jerusalem...now this constitutes my best day ever.

sunglasses x celine, backpack x FleaBags + VPL via p45

all up in your grillz

Photo © Brian Sorg

The Green City Farmers Market's long anticipated outdoor season is here! For us that means one thing: vegetables on the grill. They're easy, quick & there are a million ways to prepare...but when you're fortunate enough to get farm produce so delicious on its own, simple is best. I eat vegetables by the bucket load & thankfully Brian is happy to partake, especially if the grill is involved. We always stop by Mick Klug Farm's stall to pick up whatever they have that day; in this case they had gorgeous purple asparagus (the thinner the better, in my opinion). 

Spears x Sorg

1 bunch asparagus

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 lemons, zested & juiced

1 tbsp olive oil

Hearty amt of salt & pepper, coarsely ground

Trim bottom stems, throw above ingredients in a plastic bag and let marinate for an hour in the fridge. Heat grill, put asparagus directly on the grill, tossing every couple minutes, 5-7  minutes. 

Instructions from the grill-master:

- Eat these spears with your fingers, not a fork.

- Pair with Crooked Tree's 'Tilted Smile Imperial Pilsner' (*or a glass of sav blanc)

life

Photos  © Brian Sorg

The flattop grilled shrimp philly cheese on french bread from Venti Marte in the French Quarter...a divey convenience store that happens to house a very well kept secret 'kitchen' in back. I obviously ordered a ginormous amount of lima beans then proceeded to inhale Brian's sandwich. Definitely not vegan & quite possibly the best (and only) philly x new orleans food mashup ever. 

sorg in the kitchen

Photos © Brian Sorg

I got lucky because I love to spend time in the kitchen and Brian happens to be a really great cook/smoothie & juice maker/griller/chopper, etc...he is way more patient than I am & his diced vegetables always come out perfectly uniform. This weekend though we realized where he really shines is at 'bowl things'. Aka things that work well with a dipper of some form. His salsas never last long (except when he maxes out on habaneros & burns my tongue right off) & his hummus is smooth, creamy & nice & garlicky. 

Brian's Hummus

Juice of 2 lemons

2 cloves peeled garlic (3 if you want it extra garlicky)

2 tsp tahini

Couple dashes cumin

Couple dashes cayenne

1 can garbanzo beans with 1/4 can juice 

Blend together in a food processor & drizzle w/olive oil & a few dashes paprika for garnish (optional)

Serve w/pita chips, lentil chips, cucumber, celery or over a veggie burger! 

a doodle in denim

Photo © Brian Sorg

bright lights big city

Photos © Brian Sorg

Stomping around the roof in big boots & serious shades. 

Skinnies x jbrand, boots x timberland, tee x zara, shades x celine

flashback friday

Photos © Brian Sorg

Chilling (literally) on the bleachers of my high school alma matter in acid wash & black skinnies. Because some things never go out of style...

Skinnies x jbrand, shirt x zara, boots x theysken's theory

mad hatter

The original street style snapper himself featured hats in his weekly sunday column last week and it couldn't be more appropriate.

Photos © Brian Sorg

A sneak preview of an exciting project Brian and I have been working on, stay tuned for details on these fab handmade designs including a giveaway to one lucky reader!

working girl

Photos © Brian Sorg

Figuratively (well, my upper half is work appropriate) and literally (triple-booked, saturdays, client dinners, etc)...so I'm keeping this post short(s)

blazer by ella moss via Fuschia Boutique, cut-offs by rag & bone

a (wo)man's world

We were asked to shoot some pieces by the eponymous brand that is Andy●Ghionda; the collaboration between Andy Viales & Gaӛtan Ghionda. Andy●Ghionda is an original brand for men, which captures the idea of Parisian elegance and "savoir-faire", and the edge of New York's artistic scene. A mix of culture with an adventurous will towards creativity evolved into this fashion-forward brand. 

What makes the brand unique is the duality of designers' influences & worldly backgrounds...Andy Viales has experience as an image consultant in NYC working for artists and celebrities such as Prince and brings an unconventional edge to the designs, while Gaӛtan Ghionda has worked with major French fashion houses including Yves St Laurent, bringing elegance and class. The result is The Andy●Ghionda Project.

The brand adheres to a strict attention to detail, textiles, and design, with timeless quality driving the designer duo. Items are handmade and each piece is thought-out with the creators' hearts and souls poured into each collection. 

In the words of Andy●Ghionda  'every man should own a peacoat' and this peacoat is one of Ghionda's favorite pieces. I can personally vouch for the quality of the cashmere/silk/wool blend...I didn't want to take it off. 

Unique details can be found in their choice of buttons, materials, patterns, and patchwork, which is a theme throughout their collection. 

Photos © Brian Sorg

To see more of their ever evolving collaboration, find them here, shop it here, and keep up with their daily updates here!

Shirts & Peacoat by Andy Ghionda, Vera Skinnies by J Brand, Pumps by Jimmy Choo

diptych

Photos © Brian Sorg

a vine & a cactus. a leather skirt & a leather stiletto. a locker and a lamp. a green(s) and a gray(s). a stare and a stare. an outfit. 

skirt by t by alexander wang, pumps by jimmy choo, tee by haute hippie

jungle fever

Photos © Brian Sorg

It may be sub-zero outside, but inside it's a whole other story (that story is 80 degrees). While technically not what I'd wear were I to brave the amazon, it's a good mix of hi-low...target vs rag & bone. 

When one has an affinity for certain high end items, it's good to try to balance..and I do try. Other hi-lows currently happening: free pantene from a shoot vs definitely not close to free hair (love you duc)... diptyque candles vs re-used candles w/tea-lights...french press at home vs venti americano a la starbucks...labradoodle vs my future adopted pup...whole foods vs whole foods (technically a hi-hi but I'm powerless against that place)...eggs for dinner vs next for dinner (I will experience next vegan this summer beg, borrow, or steal)...cheap sheets vs luxurious king bed. You get the idea. 

flannel x target, cut-offs x rag & bone

january.

Photos © Brian Sorg

Stalking down the street having succumbed to the winter (black) & blues. 

Sweater x alexander wang, 'vera' skinnies x jbrand, boots x theysken's theory

cabin in the woods

 

Photos © Brian Sorg

This new years we cozied up in a log cabin...a far cry from ringing in 2012 which resulted in hangovers and cleanup from a party that didn't shut down till dawn. Ellis Lake Resort is 10 minutes from Traverse City and our cabin was everything I wanted. As a cold-blooded reptile I am in constant pursuit of fire, heat and warmth and our cabin not only had a floor-to-ceiling furnace but also featured an authentic Franklin wood burning stove that kicked out insane heat. We had the place blazing hot & I was literally in a t-shirt (see above). Yahtzee, champagne, fire nachos, a hot tub in the woods & my favorite 2 & four legged critters didn't hurt either. It's the little things...if you're into resolutions, take this and run with it for 2013. If not, it's still the little things. Always.