Tamu's Cafe #7 with Vintage Enthusiast J.J. Martin, Part II

Hey Gnammy Birds! Here is Part II of the total yumminess that  is Tamu's Cafe #7 with special guest J.J. Martin. In this episode we step into the kitchen for some cooking magic. Please enjoy!! We sure did!
Cafe Specials   
Food Suggested by Gnam Box 
- Water infused with fresh mint and cucumber slices
- Spelt with pesto and caramelized tomatoes
- Sauteed pears toped with melted dark chocolate and served over a  biscuit 


Wine
Franciacorta- Ca' del Bosco, Cuvée Prestige 

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Tamu's Cafe #7 // The Teaser

Hey there Pretty Birds,

It's time for another special treat. Stop by tomorrow for a two part (yes it's so good we couldn't edit it down to a mere three minutes) yummy special.

xx,
Tamu, Ricky and Ste

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Tamu's Cafe with Special Guest Luigi Taglienti

Dear Pretty Birds,

As you can see from the video, Ste, Ricky and I ventured outside the Tamu's Cafe kitchen to bring you another yummy episode. This time we find ourselves in the kitchen of renowned chef Luigi Taglienti at Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala.

My husband and our family have celebrated many birthdays and important events at there, and we're always impressed by the exquisiteness of the food. The last time we were there, my husband enjoyed the experience so much that he indulged in a third glass of wine and was practically hugging chef Taglienti when he came out to greet us at our table. Mesmerized by his enthusiasm (he typically has a very simple/basic palate), I promised myself that I would tell Ste and Ricky about our fabulous meal. And now, I'll let the video tell the rest of the story. Enoy!

Some questions for chef Taglienti:

What's your favorite dish?

Creamy parmesan risotto, simple and elegant at the same time with the addition of a spot of veal juice.

Where would you take us to dinner?

On the seaside, in my native Liguria, for a plate of marinara mussels and some fresh Ligurian white wine.

What is your favourite kitchen tool?

An iron pan.

Your first style or fashion memory?

A pair of Levi's 501.

The piece that's always in your closet?

A blue blazer.

A style you've never tried?

Punk: it's not at all my thing aesthetically, even though I find it really fascinating as an underground culture.

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Tamu's Cafe #6 // The Teaser

Hey there Pretty Birds,

Gnam Box and I have a special treat for you. Stop by tomorrow for something yummy.

xx,
Tamu, Ricky and Ste

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Instagram Inspired - Yohji Yamamoto ⎪ Emmanuelle Alt and beyond

When I saw this image of Yohji Yamamoto at his retrospective runway show "Cutting Edge" on Cameron Silver's instagram feed, my mind immediately raced to this image of Emmanuelle Alt that I shot during New York fashion week.

Their outfits are strikingly similar. A bit of a testament to Yohji's wide influence on how we all dress today.

"Cutting Edge" opened Berlin's Gallery Weekend. If you'd like to read up on Yohji's career, here's a great book edited by i-D's founder Terry Jones and published by Taschen: Yohji Yamamoto.

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São Paulo Fashion Week SS14

A look from Neon by Dudu Bertolini

I love fashion and I enjoy traveling the world in search of new designers and style. This time my passion takes me to São Paulo, Brazil to view the SS14 collections. My first time in Brazil, I was bursting with excitement to experience the country's colorful energy and discover the DNA that influences the style of my very fashionable Brazilian girlfriends.

Produced by Luminosidade, the  organization responsible for Brazil's various fashion weeks, São Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) features about 25+ shows. Some of the brands that I was already familiar with include Alexandre Herchovitch, Osklen and Tufi Duek. Some unfamiliar ones that caught my eye were Adriana Degreas, Animale, Água de Coco, Colcci, Forum, Neon, and Ronaldo Fraga. Each of these brands had good direction, were well edited, and offered fun and sexy looks. They are definitely ones to watch. So much so that I'm already planning to attend next season!!! A special thanks to Luminosade and the spectacular Monica Mendes for making my trip happen! And now some images. Let me know if there is something you love!!!

Colorful Goddesses for Neon by Dudu Bertolini

FH por Fause Haten modelled his collection on marionette dolls. Cute idea No?

Cotton candy wigs, 3-d flowers, gum ball beads and checker board and polka dot prints for Fernanda Yamamoto.

 Welcome to the tropics at the house of Água de Coco por Liana Thomaz.

Mystic vibes at Triton

The jewels of Rio de Janeiro for Osklen

Stripes, polka dots tie-dye and crochet for Amapô.

Stripes, flowers and graphic prints at Colcci

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Talking Menswear with Josh Peskowitz

Hi everyone,
Especially for you, another inspiring menswear style conversation. This time with Josh Peskowitz, Men's Fashion Director at Bloomingdales. For any of you who are interested in working in fashion and are curious about career paths, Josh's resume is exemplary. He's held positions at The Fader, Esquire, MenStyle.com and Gilt Group. For those of you who are with me on picking the brain of one of the most influential menswear players today and discovering his unique point of view, then this longish video is right up your alley. It's Monday morning, London and Paris are under snow, grab a cup of something warm and enjoy the video.

xoxo,
Tamu, I'm in Paris winter wonderland for Haute Couture

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Tamu's Cafe #3, Happy New Year with Eva Fontanelli!

Hey, Pretty Birds! Just in time for New Year's Eve, Gnam Box and I host a dinner party with special guest Eva Fontanelli. I met Eva while contributing at Elle Italia. Do you remember these fun shots that we took for Elle's website? Such a blast, and she brings some more of her electric energy to our holiday party. Have a look, we go shopping at Spazio Rossana Orlandi for table wear, and there's lots of champagne, sparklers and Chantilly cream! (Swoon!)

 Cafe Specials   
Food Suggested by Gnam Box 
- Cin Cin Cocktail with pomegranate seeds and juice
- Roasted Plums with almonds and pancetta
- Shrimp risotto with champagne
- Chantilly Cream to accompany the panettone

The recipies for the "Cin Cin" cocktail  and shrimp and champagne risotto can be found on Gnam Box's website.

Champagne
- Paul Goerg, Blanc de Blancs 

Style
- My look 1 -- Nike varsity jacket, J.Crew Skirt, Cos jumper, ANVE necklace and Balenciaga booties. 
 
- My look 2 -- Max Mara coat, Borsalino hat, cashmere turtleneck, Rag & Bone skinny leather jeans, Chloe booties and a Bao Bao Issey Miyake tote.

- My Look 3 -- Cos Cardigan, Prada T-shirt and Tory Burch printed leather trousers. 

- My Look 4 -- N°21 cocktail dress, Prada turban and Manolo Blahnik sling backs.

- Eva Look 1 -- Kimono Vest and an Agnona Maxi cashmere jumper



- Eva Look 2 -- Max Mara coat and an Alpaca hat from Peru
 
- Eva Look 3 -- Opening Ceremony t-shirt and Raoul trousers

- Eva Look 4 -- Moschino Cheap and Chic sequin dress 

Music 
- Over All Brothers "I will be the one"
- Doctor Blues "Have you ever loved a woman"

Video
- Alessandro Dotti

Production (last but not least ;-))
- Annina Piana 

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Laure Heriard Dubreuil: On looking forward to 2013

To celebrate the incredible year that 2012 turned out to be and to welcome the promise that 2013 holds, I reached out to some of the women who inspire me the most to find out their thoughts on 2012 and goals for 2013. My sixth guest is the inspiring retail entrepreneur Laure Heriard Dubreuil, co-founder of the brilliant luxury boutique The Webster. What I love most about Laure is that she's my perfect girl's girl: smart, super smiley, stylish, sincere and really romantic. To copy her fabulous 2013 soundtrack and see more images of her enviable style...

What did 2012 teach you?
That hard-work pays-off (but I knew it already in 2011!)!!!

Three words you would like to use more often in the New Year.
1. "J'adore!" ("I love" in French)
2. "Pura Vida" (it is the beautiful national expression in Costa Rica, meaning "Pure Life" literally but it really means "Full of Life" and is used as a greeting...)
3. "Seriously?" I used to say "I can't believe it!" all the time but I'm going to switch it around for 2013
One person you would like to thank while 2012 is still here.
1. My Fiance Aaron Young.
2. My Family.
3. All of the people working with me, "The Webster Family"!

Someone you would like to meet in 2013.
I got to meet Martha Stewart several times as she's a fan of The Webster and she came during Basel. I have so much admiration for her! I think I'm fulfilled for a while now....
But I'm always eager to meet creative and talented people of course and especially the next generation in Fashion including designers, editors, photographers, and stylists...

A trip you will definitely take in the new year.
I'd definitely like to take a few days off at some point to go to Big Sur, California to relax in-between the Fashion weeks with my fiance Aaron Young. It's such a poetic place to be, above the clouds on the Pacific Ocean with Santa Lucia Mountains rising abruptly from the coast...
The first piece you will add to your wardrobe in the new year.
All of Nicolas Ghesquiere's SS13 collection for Balenciaga!

Your top project for 2013.
Always expanding the Webster, whether that's through branding, exclusive collaborations with designers, special projects or training my staff!

What would you like to improve about yourself in the new year?
Cooking more at home!

Your first e-mail or text of the new year. Who are you writing it to?
Wishing only the best for this New Year to all of the people I love and who won't be with me at that time...

The dish that won't be missing from your new year's table.
My Grand-mother's home-made Foie Gras!

The soundtrack to your new year.
I'll wake-up on New Year's day with Lou Reed "Perfect Day", and I think Cat Power latest album "Sun" and Lou Doillon first one "Places"  will be my 2013 soundtracks combined with classics like David Bowie "Let's Dance", George Michael "Careless Whisper", and "Dream On" by Aerosmith to give me energy through-out the year!

In Italiano 
Cosa ti ha insegnato il 2012?

Che il duro lavoro ti ripaga (ma lo sapevo già nel 2011)!

Tre parole che vorresti usare più spesso nell’anno nuovo.

1. “J’adore!” (“I love” in francese)

2. “Pura vida” (è uno splendido modo di dire simbolo del Costa Rica, letteralmente significa “vita pura” ma in realtà vuol dire “pieno di vita” e si usa come saluto...)

3. “Seriously?” (Sul serio?). Prima dicevo sempre “I can’t believe it!” (Non ci posso credere!), ma nel 2013 ho deciso di cambiare.

Una persona che ti piacerebbe ringraziare finché il 2012 è ancora qui.

1. Il mio fidanzato Aaron Young.

2. La mia famiglia.

3. Tutte le persone che lavorano con me, “The Webster Family”!

La persona che ti piacerebbe incontrare nel 2013.

Ho avuto la fortuna di incontrare diverse volte Martha Stewart visto che è una fan di The Webster ed è venuta a trovarci durante Art Basel. La ammiro tantissimo! Per un po’ posso ritenermi soddisfatta...

Ma naturalmente ho sempre voglia di conoscere persone creative e di talento, soprattutto la prossima generazione della moda: designer, editor, fotografi e stylist...

Un viaggio che farai sicuramente nel nuovo anno.

A un certo punto, tra una fashion week e l’altra, voglio assolutamente prendermi qualche giorno di pausa e andare a rilassarmi con il mio fidanzato in California, a Big Sur. È un posto pieno di poesia, sopra le nuvole e l’oceano Pacifico, con le montagne di Santa Lucia che si innalzano improvvisamente dalla costa...

Il primo pezzo che metterai in guardaroba nel nuovo anno.

Tutta la collezione SS13 di Nicolas Ghesquiere per Balenciaga!

Il tuo progetto top per il 2013.

Come sempre, espandere The Webster, che sia attraverso il branding, le collaborazioni esclusive con i designer, i progetti speciali o la formazione del mio staff!

In cosa ti piacerebbe migliorare nel nuovo anno?

Vorrei cucinare e mangiare a casa molto più spesso.

La prima e-mail del nuovo anno. A chi la scrivi? (Oppure: il primo sms del nuovo anno. A chi lo scrivi?)

Semplicemente un augurio di un felice anno nuovo a tutte le persone a cui voglio bene e che in quel momento non saranno con me...

Il piatto che non può mancare sulla tua tavola di capodanno.

Il foie-gras fatto in casa di mia nonna!

La colonna sonora del tuo capodanno.

Il primo dell’anno voglio svegliarmi ascoltando Perfect Day di Lou Reed, e credo che l’ultimo album di Cat Power, Sun, e il primo di Lou Doillon, Places, saranno la colonna sonora del mio 2013, insieme a qualche classico come Let’s Dance di David Bowie, Careless Whisper di George Michael, e Dream On degli Aerosmith... per darmi energia tutto l’anno!

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Michela Meni, Pretty Bird

I had the pleasure of shooting Michela Meni, one of Grazia.it's amazing "It Girls", right before the Summer holidays here in Italy. While I wanted to post her photos right away, Summer flew by, fashion month started and post fashion month happened. Here I am now finally posting these summery images with my favorite fur-lined parka hanging off the back of my chair. You know something though, Art Basel starts on Thursday, and I know I saw an Instagram of Mr. Lee Oliveira at Bondi Beach the other day. So for all of you heading to the beach or just enjoying warmer temperatures somewhere in the world, here's a little style inspiration courtesy of one the sweetest and most adorable young ladies you could ever meet.
  

Michela Meni

Profession:

Stylist and production assistant

Hometown:

Bergamo

What do you like most about your hometown?

The narrow streets of the old city.

What do you like least?

There are too many hills to bicycle.

You graduated this past Summer, what did you study?

Fashion styling

What did you like most about your studies?

The special people that I studied and worked with.

What didn’t you like?

Organization.

Heels or flats?

Usually flat shoes, but heels when I want to feel wow!

With or without makeup?

Just a little: red lipstick and mascara.

Do you play an instrument?

Not yet! ;)

Your last holiday?

A trip to Thailand this past Summer.

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise.

The color of happiness?

Yellow.

Mountain, sea, city or country?

The mountains in the Winter, the sea in the Summer.

Why?

Each destination is special in its own way.

What’s your favorite city?

Paris

Favorite souvenir from Paris?

A picture with a rainbow over Notre Dame.

Who is your best friend?

Curiosity.

What do you do on Sundays?

Long and enjoyable breakfasts.

Favorite food?

Smoked salmon (possibly in Sweden…) and baked potatoes.

Favorite flower?

Poppy.

Favorite fragrance?

The aroma of basil.

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Sidney Geubelle, Pretty Bird

I've been wanting to shoot Sidney for ages now. I caught up with her one morning at her apartment to shoot her for a project. The last time I shot her she looked like this. Her style has evolved since then to what she describes as somewhere "between minimal and street wear." To see her in a current favorite look and to find out more about her ...

Name: Sidney Geubelle

Occupation: Model

Passion?
I love to dance

Hometown?
Liège, Belgium

Current Town?
Milan

Favorite City?
Liège

Favorite restaurant in Liège?
Chez Lequet. They make proper meatballs and other really typical dishes from my hometown.

What do you do to get your day started? 
Shower, I like to feel fresh.

Favorite breakfast food?
During the week I go black coffee, cereal, muesli, yogurt and juice. During the weekend, it's all of that plus eggs, and I'll prepare a juice with fresh fruits and berries.

Favorite breakfast spot in Milan?
Cucchi. Or during the Summer, Cascina Cuccagna. It's outside in a garden, nice situation, very familial, and good products.

What's your beauty routine?
Skin- I clean my skin with the "Nuxe - Rêve de Miel Gel Nettoyant et Démaquillant Visage." I love the smell, then I use "Kiehl's French Rosewater" before I apply my day cream "Ictyane from Ducray," or night oil "Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate" before going to sleep. To wash my body I use "La Roche-Posay Lipikar Oil" or any other oily soap, if I use normal soap my skin gets too dry. As a body cream, I use "Mixa Intensif Peaux Sèches" or "Kiehl's Argan Oil."

Hair- I wash my hair with "Khiel's Rice and Wheat Shampoo," and then for protection, I apply "Leonor Grey Sérum de Soie Sublimateur."

Nails- I go to "Tong Tong" in Via Lazarro Papi, or I do it myself using Essie products, and my  magic trick for my cuticles is "Apricot Cream from Dior." It's magic!

When I can, I go to the Terme in Porta Romana, but otherwise after the gym, I always do Hammam or sauna.

Describe your style.
I never really know how to answer to that. I guess it's between minimal and street wear. I don't know really. Haha

Where do you shop in Milan? 
Frip

What are your favorite brands?
Acne, Nike, Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane, Jil Sander

Any style rules? 
I don't really have rules. I wear a lot of black and white and navy blue. I like to mix sophisticated outfits with sneakers to make it more sporty.

What are you wearing today and why do you like it? 
Acne coat, jeans and sweater; a Filles à Papa Tee; Nike sneakers; and a Hope beanie hat. It's really one of my favorite outfits. I really like jeans that are oversize and short at the ankle. The ones that I'm wearing are so big I have to string my belt really tightly, otherwise they would fall off me. This coat is the best thing that I've bought in years. I love the shape and the fabric. I would wear it by itself, it's a look on its own. I love it.

What do you do before you go to bed?  
Always clean my skin and watch a movie. (She's not kidding, her skin is flawless).

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Tamu's Cafe #1, Viviana Volpicella

I can't believe that one month has already passed since the end of Paris fashion week. You know the saying, "time flies when you are having fun. " As much as I enjoy fashion month, I really enjoy easing back into my everyday life here in Milan. Driving my son to school and spending super-lazy weekends with him and my husband are some of my favorite pastimes. I also really enjoy organizing dinner parties. So, to follow up on where I left off with my fashion week style videos, I filmed a new video to show you just how much I love planning dinners for my best friends. Have you noticed that I use the words organizing and planning in relation to dinner parties? Well, it's because I'm not really good at cooking. But, I don't ever let that detail ever impede my love of entertaining. Plus, I always find amazing ways to fill my guests' plates with delicious food.

Like my latest obsession, Riccardo and Stefano and their amazing social foodie project, Gnam Box. Launched January 2012, I thought that a Gnam Box collaboration was an absolutely must after the wonderfully fun "In the Kitchen" feature that we did for Grazia.it. In their “In the Kitchen” features, Riccardo and Stefano invite friends over to cook special dishes. My feature for Grazia.it was a super positive experience as I found their approach to cooking fresh, and I really enjoyed being in their company as they are just lovely. I also thought that it would be the most relaxing and enjoyable way to get involved and finally learn how to cook.
 
And this brings me to my guest of honor of the evening. The gorgeous Viviana Volpicella. Viviana and I have been good friends ever since I to took my first picture of her in 2009. She is brilliant, determined, thoughtful and a huge inspiration to me. We have so much in common. For instance, we’re both Leos and we both come from non-fashion backgrounds (Vivi was an architect before becoming a stylist), we both love a good glass of wine, we love music and lip-synching, and we absolutely adore food.

Finally, as I was completing my grocery list for the dinner video, the idea of entitling the series Tamu's cafe came to mind as I remembered inspiring images from some of my favorite cafe experiences: fresh flowers, great wine, gorgeous people, inspiring fashion and wonderful conversation. I guess if I ever had the crazy idea to open a cafe this would be its spirit. Enjoy.

Cafe Specials
Food Suggested by Gnam Box
- Rye bread topped with a homemade rosemary ricotta spread and figs
- Pumpkin soup
- Mini-carrot cakes with white chocolate chips

Wine
-Ća dei Frati, Brolettino Lugana
- Terre di Sofia, Maurigi

Style
- Viviana wears a Miu Miu FW12 suit and shoes, Tory Burch resort necklace and Valentino handbag. 

- My look 1 -- J.Crew military jacket, denim button down and crystal necklace, Alexander Wang Resort 12 jeans, Stefanel Cashmere sweater, Jil Sander boots, vintage earrings, Balenciaga anchor ring.
- My look 2 -- Proenza Schouler FW12 Dress and Gucci booties 

Flowers
- Lisianthus
- Erica
- Capsicum
-Waxflower
- Avelanche roses
- Trachelium

Music 
- Foster the People, Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) 
- The Do, Too Insistent (Trentemoller Remix)

Cameo Appearance  
- Elena Braghieri

Video
- Andrea Barosi

Production (last but not least ;-))
- Annina Piana

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MFW SS13 Style Diary // Day Four

Hello! Here's my style journal from MFW SS13 Day Four. Sorry for the delay! Hope you love! xoxo

Music: M83 by Midnight City

P.S. My earring is by Annelise Michelson.

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