Wardrobe basics: the bomber jacket

Is it just me, or has pretty much every brand out there released a version of the MA-1 bomber jacket this season? I'm not complaining because I've recently converted to loving the style and think it's a super versatile and comfortable piece to own as a staple.



[Old Uniqlo bomber // Ankle Boots // Jeans // Tee]

The one I'm wearing here is actually a circa 2013 men's Uniqlo piece that hasn't been available for a while, but it's surprisingly warm and was perfect for a recent flight where I went from freezing-ass NY to warm Mexico. It allowed me to forgo wearing a heavy coat that would have been completely unnecessary for the destination.

But I've scoured the Internet and picked a few current options in this style (with gratuitous commentary below):
-The olive color of this one got my attention – I only wish the back weren't ribbed!
-Another olive option that I really love. The silhouette is different from the classic but I'm into it.
-If you want to shop the men's section, this one looks pretty similar to the one I'm wearing and has simple clean lines.
-A classic version from the brand that mainstreamed the style.
-And for the person who has an unlimited budget, THIS one by Vetements is far too cool. I actually tried it on recently and it feels pretty glorious to the touch.

Now if only it were warm enough to wear them right now...

Barcelona with Journy

I was quite lucky to kick off my 2016 travels with a 72-hour jaunt in Barcelona. I had never been to Spain before and now after this little taste, I'm more than ready to explore more. I mean, how could I not want to spend more time in a place where I can get a glass of cava for 1.25 euro? And walk into any old shop off the street and have the best ham sandwich of my life (for 1.80 euro!)? Or find a coffee shop serving my favorite coffee producer's beans on kalita wave (and, you guessed it, charging way under typical prices for it)? I could talk your ear off about the seafood and the wine and the ham, but I'll let you feast on some photos instead.

First, though, let's talk about Journy, the service that brought me to Barcelona and gave me the recommendations and bookings I knew I could trust. Journy offers custom travel planning for modern travelers, sourcing recommendations from chefs, sommeliers, editors, in-the-know locals and other experts, while taking in account your interests and preferences. Though I love traveling, I barely have time to pack before a trip let alone do the proper research for it, and if I do have the time, I don't want to spend it knee-deep in research (ok, I'm lazy, all right?), so this kind of service is a godsend for me. If you're planning a trip and curious about the service, for a limited time, use code 'ALICEGAO' for 25% off. Oh, and don't miss the Journy stories page, where you can find a little Q+A with me and more featured recommendations from other Journyists.

Checking in: Seoul

I think I sound like a broken record when I bemoan how my time in "x" city was too short, but I really felt that in Seoul. I went in with zero expectations (besides expecting to eat some damn good soondubu – which I did) but was quite blown away by the museums, food, design, how cheap everything was, and how modern everything felt.

I started my trip at the Grand Hyatt, which was located fairly centrally to many of the things I wanted to do. For instance, you can walk to the Leeum Museum from there, though the walk back is up a gnarly hill. The views are beautiful and the light in the restaurant is insane in the morning.



For the second half of my stay, I moved over to the Park Hyatt which is located in the Gangnam financial district of Seoul. There's something terribly luxurious about a bathroom that's bigger than your NYC studio. After checking in to a handful of hotels this year, I've come to realize I really do appreciate an unnecessarily large bathroom and shower that lets me spread out shamelessly. Though the location was a little less convenient, taxis were incredibly cheap (being stuck in traffic and going way across town for an hour would still only cost $17 USD or so) so it wasn't a problem.



(How beautiful is this staircase? I came across so many well-designed staircases during my short stay; no detail was spared!)

For me, it's fun to check out different neighborhoods so I don't mind the hassle of moving hotels mid-way through a stay, though it does cut into exploring time. There are still so many museums I want to visit and I didn't even scratch the surface with other visual attractions. I'm so looking forward to getting back there (especially as I've been completely ruined with Korean food and can't even think about having it in NY right now!).

*Lingered Upon received a press discount at the aforementioned Hyatt properties.

Ferragamo Signature

Timing is everything, isn’t it? I was browsing the Liberty store in London when I got a ping from Shini asking if I would happen to be available to cover for a shoot that very day because she was sick as a dog. Sure I only had my Sony and one not-quite-fully-charged battery with me, but I was up for the challenge and grateful for the chance to do some work while traveling on vacation. The plan was to show up at a film set for Salvatore Ferragamo and capture some behind the scenes. Cool, great, let’s do it.



That short film was just released yesterday at an event that represented the culmination of Ferragamo’s 100 Years 100 Days digital cycle, which highlighted the anniversary of Salvatore Ferragamo’s arrival in Hollywood and the beginning of his love affair with cinema. The inspiration behind the film was to showcase all that has changed and all that has remained constant in the world of cinema, Hollywood, and Salvatore Ferragamo, while also highlighting the House's debut Signature eyewear and timepiece collections with the Gancio (the iconic signature House emblem). The two stars, Elettra Wiedemann and Ethan Peck, are respectively the grandchildren of Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck (I mean, wow). The film shows that what has changed is that we’ve all become the directors and stars of our own movies in the world of social media, but what has remained constant are the beauty, attraction, and relationship tensions that fill these stories.

I always love seeing how things (particularly photos and movies) are made, especially to geek out over the technical aspects. Some may think it takes the magic out of the experience of the final product, but to me, it actually enhances it. In this particular scene/angle, we follow a frozen moment in time during the climax of the film.



(P.S. I also took a little video of the action if you're interested!)

Last bits of London

I don't know how I'm still editing and posting photos from London (I mean I was only there for five real days), but I think this is the last of it! I had always wanted to stay at the EDITION in London and was so happy to get a small taste of it – I would have loved to stay for more than a night, but I planned too last minute and they were fully booked. It's a beautifully designed hotel with an impressive lobby and perfect moody lighting in the rooms (and all those textures!). We had snacks and drinks in the lobby around one of the fireplaces on a chilly night – it doesn't get much cozier than that.

And for a happy belly, don't miss these three restaurants below!

Leaving the big city

...And entering Bath, a small town in the southwest of England characterized by its 18th-Century Georgian architecture and use of Bath stone (and overall calming beauty). The idea of road-tripping to Bath was planted in my mind long before I even booked my London tickets. After all, when Shini asks if you want to drive over there in a Jaguar F-Type (borrowed, of course), you don't really think twice about it. And so the plan was hatched. Though we hit a few snags, we were eventually on our way, chips – I mean, crisps – in hand, music blaring, testing the acceleration on that bad boy.




A visit to Cereal founders Rosa and Rich's flat in Bath made me want to rip everything apart in my own apartment and start anew. If there were a list of people I admire both professionally and personally, they would be at the top of that list. God I sound like such a fan girl huh (if you watched Shini's snapchat that day, you may have seen me melting into their wall wailing about how amazing everything was)? But really, I love their taste, thoughtfulness about everything they do, and ability to keep their brand so consistent and cohesive no matter what they're working on.



We stayed for a night at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. Though we arrived late and had to leave early, we took advantage of the property as much as we possibly could, starting with a nightcap at The Montagu Bar, squeezing in an early morning dip at the indoor pool in some peaceful moody light, and of course grabbing a breakfast at the Dower House Restaurant on the grounds. The tea list is impressive here, so don't miss out on that if you happen to be passing through Bath. I wish I could have done a proper afternoon tea, but it'll be something to look forward to for the next time.

I didn't want to leave Bath so soon, but big city calls.



(P.S. These crazy pants I'm wearing are now on sale!)

Nicole Patel

When I first came across Nicole Patel's beautiful grid work (via Rosa of Cereal), I immediately felt a sense of calm. I wanted more. I exclaimed to anyone who might care and showed them her pieces, "I love this artist's work!" I was drawn to photos of her home in Nyack as well, which gave me a similar calm feeling. Clearly she knew a thing or two about interiors as well. We eventually started chatting and connected in real life. When Nicole came over one day to talk about doing a piece for me, I gave her the "grand tour" of my apartment and basically begged for organizing advice (if you saw the insides of my closets, you'd understand why). I recently had the chance to visit her home and studio, and I left feeling incredibly inspired by Nicole's thoughtfulness about her work, approach, and intentions. I hope you'll also enjoy this conversation with her.



How did you get started in your current series of work?

My current series is a collection of Bridges. It originated many months ago when I saw the documentary about the architect Sir Norman Foster. The Millau Viaduct in France was featured and the first sight of it inspired me immensely. It is a mastery of structure, sweeping and expansive, made up of a simple shift of equal line weights. I was simultaneously seeking to simulate what I love about blueprints within my work, and I began working with a Sky Blue Japanese Merino thread for its color and heathered line quality. Eventually after enough time, the Bridge manifested, and it held a space for that undulating grace that I longed to emulate.

Who/what are your biggest inspirations?

When I think about what my biggest inspiration is on a daily basis, my intention is to help people in some way. When I was studying fine art at University I had an inkling to be an art therapist. Later in life I developed my own company called Homework. I worked as a holistic interior designer. It was essentially home organizing and interior design, with an aim to optimize people’s quality of life by clarifying their home. Eventually I grew into working as a fine artist doing the work I am known for now, but my objective remains the same – helping people feel a sense of peace and clarity in their home by holding a space for simplicity.



What are your favorite materials to work with?

I tend to gravitate towards materials that are in some way pure. That largely becomes natural materials such as cotton, wool and marble, but it also includes plaster. So more than natural materials, I enjoy working with materials that are the foundation for other art forms. The muslin, for example, is the blank canvas of fashion, marble the bedrock of classical sculpture, plaster used in casting clay, etc. Someone likened my work to the experience of perusing a stationery store and selecting a notebook, holding so much possibility in those blank pages, and that is indeed what I want to offer – that unadulterated potential that a given material holds.

What influences your interior aesthetic? And what were you trying to achieve when putting together your workspace?

I am always working to turn down visual noise, and the furnishing is simple enough to be a platform for the daily activities. I continually transition from working on my art to being a mom, to housekeeping, and to administrative tasks throughout the day. They are all in the same space, so there is no boundary between my work and the rest of my life and I think that's how I'm most productive.



What kind of state of mind are you in when you're actively creating and putting together your grids?

Seeking – if it's a new piece or style I am seeking something, a fine line between what I feel appeals to both the intellect and the spirit. I always try several iterations and let them percolate. I live with them to understand their presence. They need to be understated and attractive, and also have enduring appeal.

Do some of the grids happen spontaneously or do you pre-plan all of them?

I have decide to produce my work in limited editions of twelve. So sometimes I have to stick to the plan and recreate a formula, which is possible but challenging for me. As an artist, once I have the foundation laid out, I set out on a journey but always want to take a new scenic route! So often times when I am intending to repeat myself I follow my intuition instead and new piece is born. It reminds me of one winter I was making a chicken soup for some friends who were visiting. I had the classic ingredients and then some, and my mind thought to make numerous alternative versions. I began to say to myself, “Just make the soup, just make the soup." I followed through with a most classic version and when my guest tasted it he remarked that it reminded him of his Jewish grandmother’s chicken soup. It was one of the best compliments I've had on my cooking, and I was so happy I stayed on task!



Can you share some of your favorite books for inspiration?

John Pawson by Deyan Sudjic and Bruce Chatwin, Belgian Architects and Their Houses by Diane Hendrix and Muriel Verbist, The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse by Red Pine

A few places you can find or purchase Nicole's work: Nalata Nalata (in the physical store), Cereal's online shop, and C'H'C'M. And of course you can contact Nicole directly via her website for pieces.

Oh, London

London was always one of those cities I had assumed I'd visit effortlessly and at any ol' time, but after visiting Paris an embarrassing number of times and still no London up to this point, I decided it was time to change that. I had also assumed I'd love London easily, and I was right. Though I could do without the crazy queuing up for meals and crazy short days (and I thought sunset in NY was early!), I thought it was a beautiful city and kind of had the best elements of NY and Paris in one. I rounded up some of the places and neighborhoods I visited in the first few days and will hopefully follow-up with a part two; otherwise, this header here will be somewhat awkward. I'll let the below photos and captions do the talking!

Outfit one: Old Stella McCartney Jacket (similar) // Rivet & Thread Jeans // Equipment Sweater // Common Project Sneakers // Chloe Bag

Outfit two: J. Crew Coat // Men's Everlane Sweater // Old Black Pants (similar) // Acne Boots // Hermes Halzan Bag

In search of wonderland

While searching for the Wonderland Trail on Mount Desert Island in Maine, we stumbled upon the Ship Harbor Trail instead. It didn't look like much from the road, but we ventured on with little expectations and certainly not prepared for the hidden beauty at the end of the trail. Utterly breathtaking. I don't have the words to describe how magical it all was at sunset and dusk. I actually had a stomach flu that was particularly nasty that day, but it was all momentarily forgotten while standing on those rocks.

I am already dreaming of going back.

Outfit details: Cotton Sweater // Jeans (60% off) // Backpack // Sneakers

The New Yorker Fest x Autograph Collection Hotels

A few weekends ago, I attended The New Yorker Festival as a guest of The Algonquin Hotel and Autograph Collection Hotels. It’s always fun to stay in a different area of NY — in a city so dense, I think even one block can make all the difference. It was a unique treat to stay in a hotel designated as a New York City Historic Landmark and especially one with a resident cat named Matilda!



The welcome party was also conveniently at The Algonquin so despite the relentless rain and chill that Friday night, I donned my highest heels and bared my legs. My Olympia Le Tan book clutch has become sort of a foolproof conversation starter, so it’s my safety net at parties where I don’t know anyone!

It was my first time to the festival and after attending a few talks, I felt a bit like I was back in college except that all my lectures were with incredibly engaging speakers whose visions and thoughtfulness about their work inspired and challenged the way I think about my own. I actually didn’t want them to stop talking. All the speakers were charming in their own way and I found myself laughing out loud at multiple times.



In the talk with Jesse Eisenberg, he said something that I felt like I could similarly apply to my travel photography. If I’m recalling right, he said he tries to have the most unusual experiences he could possibly have because they’re beneficial to his writing — “If I see a strange man on the street, I want to follow him.” (Ok, maybe I’d have to apply a little more caution in travel photography, but I liked his point.)

Thank you to Autograph Collection Hotels for the opportunity and for partnering on this post.

The Stahl House

I don't know if the Stahl House really needs much introduction, and there's little I can add to the conversation that hasn't been better said by others. It has been a dream of mine for a while now to visit (especially after I first watched Visual Acoustics), and I basically extended my recent LA trip just so I could finally take the tour. It's quite a visual feast, and hopefully these photos give you a taste of that (but really you should just plan a visit the next time you're in the area!). You're only allowed to take photos with mobile phones, so these were all shot on iPhone.

Outfit details: Rivet & Thread Jeans // Raey Cami (worn with these crazy things) // Trademark Mules