The Ace Hotels practically radiate visual inspiration at every turn... but at the Ace Hotel Palm Springs add being at the foot of the mountains in Palm Springs with that crisp desert sky at night as you float in the pool and hot tub ~ only to run out and press the "Make Fire" button on one of the many fire places surrounded by adorably designed chairs as you look up at the Stan Bitters ceramics ~ or wander to the bar where what appears to be the coolest sunglass wearing stuffed bear you will ever see is perched behind the bottles ~ challenging the coolness of the coyote of a mascot above the reception whose silhouette is all around the hotel... and the THINK signage in the lobby "compliments of IBM corporation" is just priceless. OH! And there are yurts too... with beautiful domed skylights colored with geometric gel patterns... and hammocks too! So as you can see, there was too much besides my room, that i couldn't help but share with you... so MANY pictures on the next page. I hope you enjoy them as much as i do!

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Tags: ace hotel - desert - hotels - palm springs - travel

Don't mock. It's friday night. I know. It's friday the 13th even! And honestly, as many events and people are convening in LA for a combination of art events, MOCA anniversary, and so much more this weekend ~ after that endless travelfest the last month and a non stop week since i touched back down ~ i couldn't help myself when a few fun folks said "Ok!" to having our own top secret brainstorm session where we'd clear the weekend and meet up in Palm Springs. So after a delicious (intellectually and nourishingly) breakfast meeting at Chateau Marmont, i hopped back in the car and drove east... running super low on sleep and high on ideas, i stumbled into the Ace Hotel Palm Springs, and into Room 214 with only my laptop/camera bag and purse... and have been sucked into photoshopping and before i wander back out to feed myself and see whats going on with the wedding folks right outside... i just had to share this little oasis with you. Stepping in, life slowed down, mind felt clearer, body felt calmer. And the welcome card tells me "Life is not about surviving the storm, but learning to dance in the rain." Wise words to live by ~ so let's dance? I have a feeling there will be much more to share this weekend... the Ace family always does manage to get me so inspired with their attention to details, great design, and just awesome experiences...

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Tags: ace hotel - california - hotels - palm springs - travel

Half awake in the airport lounge at Arlanda ~ going through pictures, and since i'm not over it yet... more chandeliers that grabbed my attention at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm (that became my home for the last 4 nights!). According to their website (and everyone i encountered in Stockholm), it is "Scandinavia's leading hotel and much appreciated meeting place. The hotel opened in 1874 and has a long and fascinating history." And it truly is quite the opposite in style of the Lydmar Hotel next door which i adored. Part of what made this trip so fun was the stark contrast between the two! I must admit they took incredibly good care of me, had lightning fast wifi, and all the rooms (peeked into a few others!) were quite unique ~ but all with a consistently luxurious historical atmosphere... so on my last night when i ran out in hope to get some pictures of the black cube, i also got distracted by some of the crazy abs on the men holding up the building, the amazing glow of the building itself, and the chandeliers i couldn't believe i'd missed as we rushed between events! Can you believe it was dark out when these were all taken? That image above still blows my mind when i stare at it and realize the sun had fully gone down by then... see more on the next page!

p.s.
Biggest tease was that the full spa and pool are opening in 10 days!

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Tags: home - hotels - luxury - stockholm - travel

As you've seen, i love the Lydmar Hotel ~ i'm so happy i had a chance to stay there before it got completely transformed into an Absolut Art Collection haven the day after, so i could appreciate the contrast to what the space was normally like. (Not too much changed, just some rearranging and art hanging... i suppose it was too easy for Absolut when the starting space was such a nice fit already!) While i'm sure you're familiar with many of these collaborations between Absolut and Sylvie Fleury, Dan Wolgers, David Shrigley, Douglas Gordon, and Hung Tung-Lu... what is really worth seeing is how the Absolut installations really work with the space, particularly in the suite! (The shadows are stunning! and the four poster bed? with the deceptively provocative duvet? I desperately want one now... you'll see what i mean...) So take a peek on the next page to take it all in... quick video to show you how the lenticular piece of Hung Tung-Lu felt in person as well...

p.s.
You guys are AMAZING, today particularly @chakrapenny who shared the designers of the naughty bedspread within 15 minutes of my call for help! So if you're interested, check out K-Lou's Erotic "Toile de joui" Collection.

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Tags: absolut - art - events - hotels - stockholm

I know. I go rather quiet for a few days as i travel far too much the last few months, still not sure what day or time zone i'm in most of the time, but one thing i'm sure of... it's 5:30 am and i should be sleeping, but i'm staring at such an awesome bathroom here in the Lydmar Hotel, i just had to share it with you before i go sleep. The slate tiles floor to ceiling... the incredible lighting... the way the fixtures all seem to float... the contrast in textures... the hardcore thick grey blinds... I suppose the part that i'm smitten with most is the inset mirror that then doubles as a shelf, as well as a beautifully lit frame (only lit by two strips of light along the sides), and everything on the shelf looks so dramatic! So take a look at more details... including the packaging of their Byredo Parfums Tailor's Cotton line of toiletries...

p.s.
you also have to see the room key... it looks like a car key... and they all have different keychains!

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Tags: bathroom - home - hotels - luxury - stockholm - sweden - travel

So since that top picture is what i am literally lying in bed staring at as i write this post (yes, i went to paris/versailles for barely 24 hours, and am now in stockholm)... and since it's already 4:30am, and i'm kind of on a chandelier high (they are kind of mesmerizingly stunning, and at the moment, i just feel drawn to standing directly under them and looking up)... figured i'd show you the crazy contrast between chandeliers from Versailles and the various more modern chandeliers here at the Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm. More to come on the Lydmar soon, but it has definitely jumped up on my list of favorites quickly ~ there's something so nice about their eclectic mix of modern and woody and i'm completely smitten by the bathroom, particularly the lighting! But first... go see the rest of the modern chandelier mandala pics on the next page!

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Tags: furniture - home - hotels - lighting - stockholm - sweden

Between Oxford and Stockholm, there was a last minute irresistible reason to change plans and detour through Paris to have dinner as a guest of Dom Perignon in Versailles! In the style and room that Louis XIV dined... ok, quite honestly, for something that "once in a lifetime" feeling, how could you turn down such an opportunity? So that meant hopping on a train to London in the morning, then Eurostarring it over to Paris, and then into the infamous Hotel de Crillon (according to wikipedia, it's one of the oldest luxury hotels in the WORLD), where a matte black Dom Perignon bag filled with matte black goodness and lots of history and background information on the world of Dom awaited me on the desk to dive into in the few hours i had to prepared before for dinner. So before we get into Versailles... here's a peek at design details of Hotel de Crillon and the lovely packaging of the Dom Perignon materials! (As you'll see, they LOVE stacks of cards/imagery on gorgeous paper in various sizes... even with gilded edges...)

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Tags: champagne - drinks - hotels - packaging - paris

I'm sitting at that desk, in that chair, as i write to you... I don't even know where to begin, as you know, i've been a bit quiet the last few days as i was whisked off from LA to Paris and driven to Reims as soon as i touched down to go meet up with Veuve Clicquot for the start of the harvest. Which means, packed to the gills schedules, lots of champagne, a day of manual labor picking grapes, incredible experiences with friends new and old, and so many photographs to share with you! So with hundreds of photos awaiting, running on minimal sleep and having just hopped a train over to London from Paris ~ i find myself trying to catch up in the stunning Hazlitt's in Soho. I'm going to walk you through things a bit haphazardly, but know there are MANY posts in progress to come! So first take a look at where i've landed to spend the day writing/photoshopping/processing my thoughts to share with you!

Huge thanks to Mr and Mrs Smith, they've helped me find a few hotels i may not have found on my own, and as my first stop, i'm blown away. Hazlitt's in Soho. There is something incredible about being surrounded by walls of old books and paintings, georgian period furniture... and nice speedy wifi, bluray players and flat panels hidden behind mirrors... coupled with a huge bath tub and a thrown like wooden toilet... and motorized shades and skylights... its fascinatingly comforting to step in from the midst of Soho and into another time period, but equipped with all the tech-infused modern amenities i couldn't survive without. Firstly, i'm just going to show you what you'll find inside my room (honestly, i'm so tired and have so much to do, i'm hiding out for a little while, so i'll go shoot and share some of the other amazing shared spaces later!) ~ but for a quick background... "Hazlitt's was created in 1986 from three unspoiled 18th century townhouses, built in 1718... the hotel takes its name from William Hazlitt, perhaps the greatest of all English essayists and critics..." He both lived and died here in the 1800s when it was a boarding house, and all of the bedrooms here are named after people who lived in or has some connection with these buildings... my room is named after Mrs. Teresa Cornelys ~ a viennese opera singer and lover of Casanova, with whom she even has a child! So while i get back to catching up, take a peek at the stunning suite ~ and i'm just so inspired and excited by all of the walls of books and clawfooted fixtures around the property!

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Tags: hotels - london - luxury - travel

UPDATED!!! To any non-US people who were getting awesome contests to italy earlier from the link ~ i updated the link for you to enter to play in NYC! ENTER HERE

When my friends over at WEJETSET and Mr & Mrs Smith reached out and asked me to share a chance to win some goodies, i couldn't resist when they were giving away so many NOTCOT favorites... You know you're way overdue for some R&R ~ possibly with someone of your choice curled up in the lush bed over at Cooper Square Hotel in East Village, NYC... while rocking out in electric blue headphones and doodling in your field notes and snapping pics of whatever silliness the others in the room are up to... ok, maybe that's just what i wish i were doing right now? But none the less ~ i'm sure you'd enjoy the fantasy too.... and it even comes with $400 of spending cash (or travel cash or whatever you'd like to do with it?)... SO, happy wednesday, and go ENTER HERE!

p.s.
I know i don't do contests like these often ~ and yes you have to be 21+ ~ but honestly i just love the brands involved! Good extremely passionate folks, with awesome taste, and i'm currently getting lost in the Mr & Mrs Smith Global Shortlist book... the design, layouts, stories, and breathtaking hotel shots are like an instant midday escape from wherever you may be... definitely a good one on the list of gifts that are like the ultimate tease for those with the travel bug...

Tags: giveaway - hotels - travel

So far you've seen the close ups of the Standard + Quiksilver Boardshorts and vending machine ~ the packaging/experience/etc... but as i was photoshopping my way through my pictures, there were SO many more filled with fun absurdities, design details, quintessential LA... everything from the vintage incredible hulk wallpapered gym bathroom with green tinted mirror... to the number to call for encouragement... to the kids that perk up and pose in the pool... to the bikini girl with her red chanel bag traipsing through the downtown LA parking lot... to the red bed pods... to the tubs of flip flops which couldn't make a matching pair unless you had two left feet... to the huge twister board... and the photobooth with vintage mannequins... and so much more i couldn't bare not to share with you! So take a peek at this stunning LA saturday up at the roof of The Standard Downtown LA launch party scene with Quiksilver!

p.s.
on unphotographed things... it was hilarious that beyond water guns and beach balls there were even cupcakes and jello shots circulating... good times...

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Tags: events - hotels - los angeles - luxury - pool - quiksilver - standard

There is really only so much you can get about an actual user experience, packaging, presentation of a product from press photos. You saw what i had to show you about the launch in the previous post... For the rest you just have to go play with them in their natural setting! So for part one of the posts from The Standard Downtown LA's rooftop pool party with Quiksilver to launch their boardshort collaboration ~ let's focus on the SHORTS! And the vending machine! And the people wearing them! And then on to the rest later... I was lucky enough to get a chance to sneak away from the party to play with samples in one of the Standard rooms ~ so actual close up pics of the adorable pouches and details on the next page too! Take a peek at it all on the next page!

P.S.
I wish they had them smaller than a 30! The feel amazing ~ dry super fast ~ and are so cute with the retro upside down labels, pouches, special buttons, and more... the bikini is adorable too (subtle stripes, oh so soft, cutest buttons ever on your bum)... and to purchase them, its ok if you're not by the pool vending machine ~ they are also on the Standard online store!

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Tags: beach - events - fashion - gifts - hotels - los angeles - luxury - pool - quiksilver - shopping - standard

I've never lusted for board shorts before, well not men's anyhow... but i must say these Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver are tempting! Not to mention they are sold in VENDING MACHINES (which are really all the rage lately) ~ and come in an "odor resistant waterproof travel bag" ~ and much like the standard, the labels are upside down (and adorably retro styled too)... but perhaps most unique of all? Inside each waistband is a list of addresses... a quick tips city guide precisely curated by Natas Kaupas. With a limited edition of 250 of each product, and so much attention to detail, this premier collaboration between The Standard and Quiksilver is stunning.

Now as for the style itself, these are "based on the original retro design from Echo Beach era - New wave/post punk style first pioneered by pro surfer Danny Kwock." There is also a "Standard Issue" Bikini for us ladies, but i'm curious to see how the shorts fit girls too... You can find them at The Standard Shop, as well as the poolside vending machines at the hotels. Also exciting? "Official launch event will be a pool party on the rooftop of The Standard Downtown LA on Aug 8th and from Aug 8-16, the hotel will have "ECHO BEACH RETROSPECTIVE, 1978-1982: Surf Culture Art Exhibition" show. Includes art, photography, paintings, film, vintage beachwear, and surfboards curated by Will Pennartz of The Surf Gallery. Art show admission is free." ~ See you there! As for now, see lots of pics on the next page of all the gorgeous details!

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Tags: beach - fashion - gifts - hotels - luxury - pool - quiksilver - shopping - standard - surf - swim

Social Media as your new *living* search engine? You read all the rumors, you hear all the rants on how irrelevant + trivial these fleeting status updates are... And honestly, i'm still learning how/why to use these services MY way...

I've found that twitter and facebook have been my new go-to after obsessive internet searches when doing research... and these have spurred some incredible conversations and quick sources of great information! BUT, it's always so 1-to-many (versus 1-1 or many-to-many) and hosted in a way where all participants can't see the results. (i.e. i tweet a question and followers/repliers can't see all the other responses ~ and on facebook i have a status question and only those following it can see the evolving conversation)

End result? A post so i dont lose this fun conversation, and the valuable information that came up with it... So, if you're looking for where to stay in London during Design Week 09? (Sept 19-27) ~ well i was looking into Soho and/or Shoreditch, and here's what i've learned (on the next page!)

p.s.
if you want to join the conversation - follow notcot on twitter and friend me facebook

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Tags: facebook - hotels - research - travel - twitter

A floor literally tiled with thousands of copper pennies... it's pretty surprising to look down and see them when you walk into The Standard Grill in the Standard Hotel New York, below the Highline. The design was selected by the restaurant's designers,
Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of New York-based design firm Roman
and Williams. See some more peeks of it on the next page!

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Tags: hotels - luxury - money - new york - restaurants - standard - travel

So after doing the beach thing, i realized i really needed to sit down and do some work between all the running around i've been doing in NY! And i guess the Ace Hotel New York really must feel pretty homey, because i ended up calling up and booking a few nights there to nurse my sunburn and curl up with my laptop to catch up. Of course while here, as the soft opening evolves, i noticed even more awesome typographic details (i also didn't have a chance to show you other rooms i poked around in last time as well!). In addition to what you saw of my room last time... here is a focus on the typographic details i'm obsessing on... instead of a smeg fridge i have one of the mini-fridges in a roadie case... and i LOVE the NOW/NOT NOW magnet (yes! the doors are magnetic!)... and this DESK is fabulous. I want one at home, so nice how it overlooks the bed too so i can still look out the window and work here all day long... so go see the pics on the next page already!

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Tags: ace hotel - hotels - new york - travel - typography

I don't do conferences often, but i do get curious how marketers and advertisers view sites like this ~ and its always fun to hang out with my Federated Media friends! Anyhow, while checking out the FM Conversational Marketing Summit i felt determined to find something visually amusing/inspiring while here ~ and it ended up being in the form of the Golden Xylophone that the Millenium Broadway hotel guys walk through breaks and lunch playing as they tell you that you should basically... go away! Ok, so less go away, more go back to your talks... So i brought the camera to lunch and waited for them to chase us out, and this guy was fast! and zig zagging! But i tracked him down and got some pics of his instrument for you... really i think it should either be the gold one with a guy dressed in gold on rollerskates with wings or something... or they should let a little kid run through playing a colorful one... but none the less, it was bizarre and amusing, and i'm curious... is this a common occurrence? I suppose its far nicer than a loudspeaker... Oh! And it looks like he used a wine cork on a stick, but he moved too much for me to get a good pic of it...

Also the Hudson Theater is gorgeous! Bizarre to have tech talks amidst the lush red velvet curtains and incredibly ornate ceilings! More pics of both on the next page...

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Tags: events - gold - hotels - music - travel

I've written about quite a bit of packaging design, and alcohol packaging in particular often has some beautiful designs, but i think this is a first where the detail that grabbed me most was the cork! Once we popped this cork, i couldn't help but spin it around and around, and as we drank the bottle the question really became, who's chasing whom?

This is the cork of the André Balazs Sunset Beach Rosé ~ which is a collaboration with his long time friend and local Long Island winemaker, Christian Wölffer. Apparently vines planted at his Sunset Beach hotel will also contribute to future réserves. The label is also a fresh, beautiful water color representing that French Riviera/Miami lifestyle ~ lounging on towels with toes dipped in the water, raising glasses of Rosé as the bartender wades into the sunset behind with tray over his head? Cute label ~ rumor has it the girls on it are his daughters? Anyhow, take a peek at more pics on the next page...

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Tags: cork - drinks - gifts - hotels - liqurious - luxury - packaging - shopping - standard - wine

As promised, here is a look at the many different views from my window... down at the highline running directly below, the statue of liberty on the horizon, breath taking sunsets... every room at the Standard New York definitely gives you an amazing floor to ceiling window to watch (and be watched) as the world goes by around you...

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Tags: hotels - new york

I have so much to show you its hard to know where to start ~ especially when all i want to do is curl up in bed, stare at the view, and pass out! Sad to be leaving NY tomorrow already, but will definitely be back soon! SO, for starters, it only made sense to run a hot bubble bath to figure out what to write, and that lead to taking pics in the bath, and then of course i had to give you a peek into my favorite part of The Standard New York... while i did tour the facility (both open, and not - the roof is so awesome!) with Andre Balazs the other day, that will have to wait. Prioritizing, what you really need to see first is the TUB! You can literally open up the slats so from the tub you can watch the skyline ~ which is stunning whether its day, sunset, night, etc... or i guess you could watch tv too... or chat with whoever you have in the room with you. It's also such a deep massive tub you could easily sink into it, or fit a bunch of people in, whatever suits you.

So take a peek of the view from the tub ~ and around the room and various details that have caught my eye. While there are 16 different room layouts/color schemes in the hotel ~ of the ones i toured, this one is definitely my favorite! Take a peek on the next page, and view shots to come...

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Tags: bathroom - bathtub - furniture - hotels - luxury - new york - standard - travel

Sinking into my bed barely conscious, debating what to show you before i give in and pass out... been quite the night of wandering, but the most bizarre and not so design week related event this evening brought me back to those awesome Artek Shigeru Ban chairs i showed you... only instead of being on a tour... this was the The Standard SPiN New York Classic - for those (like me) who know little about the ping pong world - here is the SPiN bio: "SPiN New York is a 13,000 square foot ping pong social club on Park Avenue in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The club offers unparalleled table tennis courts with Olympic quality cushioned flooring and 17 individual tables, including a stadium-like center court. In addition, SPIN New York houses a pro shop, lounge, bar, private room sponsored by Fred Perry and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and players who are available for private and group instruction." Intense, right? Did you know Susan Sarandon is a huge ping pong lover?

Anyhow, in addition to this party of a ping pong classic (don't get me wrong, there were some there extremely serious about the sport, and alongside were many party goers and an open bar) - the sunset out on the deck and in the background was absolutely stunning. Jaw dropping to say the least... so check out the many pics of this scene on the next page!

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Tags: events - hotels - luxury - new york - ping pong - sport - standard - travel

There are some things you can read about and only when you play with it and get to take it apart in person do you fully understand how awesome it is. It also doesn't hurt to first see it in an awesomely large grouping arranged like a sculpture on the 3rd floor deck of the The Standard, New York with all of NYC as the backdrop... and then again back down on the ground in a shipping container both intact and taken apart...

Of course i'm talking about Artek's 10 Unit System by Shigeru Ban! Both Artek and Shigeru Ban are known for their love of beautiful simplicity, functionality, and sustainability ~ so it's no surprise that this 10 Unit System emobodies all of those qualities wonderfully. "Systematizing, Standardizing, Making It Accessible." This is the chair who's motto is boldly "One chair is enough"... and being constructed of 10 identical L shaped pieces, one can create chairs of varying designs, stools, coffee tables, and even combine them for benches and more. When feel like a quick change, simply rearrange the pieces! These are made from ProFi, an environmentally friendly wood-plastic composite - non-toxic, sustainable, and recyclable, it utilizes the surplus materials from the label stock production of UPM. (Artek also used this material for the Artek Pavillion that was sold by Sotheby's as well as floor tiles.)

Take a look on the next page for images from the The Standard, New York deck ~ in the Playful New Finnish Design 09 shipping container ~ up close ~ press photos ~ and even the really fun propoganda cut/paste/photocopy zine looking booklet!

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Tags: artek - chair - events - furniture - green - home - hotels - icff - luxury - modular - recycled - standard - travel

Landed in NYC at the equivalent time earlier than i normally go to sleep in LA... huge points for the sweet Ace Hotel NYC guys for giving me a room at 7am and letting me curl up in bed with wifi and post to you now... yes, i'm a little deliriously giddy and going to crash in a few, but far too excited not to show you these pics first...

I think i'm *home* ~ but i must admit i was nervous ~ kind of like meeting someone you've talked to online for ever, and you know you like a lot of the same stuff, but when you finally meet in the flesh ~ well its nerve racking. And you hit your kinks and panic attacks along the way (they JUST soft opened yesterday after delays) ~ but then its love at first sight?

So we're going to do this the inside out way ~ starting with the room itself, its amazingly awesome details (my house so needs a black smeg, i wish i could just stick it in my suitcase and bring it home!) ~ adorably cozy vintage designy furnishings ~ glossy black outlets and faceplates! ~ big metal door ~ gorgeous lights ~ yummy treats ~ anyhow, see for yourself... pics of the room on the next page...

p.s.
saw sunset in LA and sunrise in NYC ~ and in between it was incredibly clear out tonight ~ really bright moon and stars and darkness with patches of towns/cities in the middle... so also a few pics of the crazy view.

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Tags: ace hotel - furniture - home - hotels - lighting - new york - review - travel

On stories that definitely fall under hollywood lore... here's a great one that showed up in my inbox...

Stephen Sprouse moved into Chateau Marmont in 1991 for a month but had no money to pay his bill when he was checking out. So Andre Balazs agreed to let him off if he designed some apparel for Chateau Marmont in exchange...a couple of months ago they were going through the archives stored in attic of the hotel and found 6 original sketches by Stephen by accident - all signed and dated. These are never-seen before sketches. And Andre had not seen them for years - he was really excited to be re-united with them.

AND... NOTCOT has an exclusive to show you one of those 6 sketches (as to be expected, the other 5 will be popping up around the net as well)!!! Can you just imagine living the life in a hotel for a month? Only to magically work something out bartering your craft? And it certainly does seem timely that just as the new Sprouse book and LV's Sprouse revisit pop up, that they *happened* to find these sketches... For those unfamiliar with the late Sprouse's work, i'm sure you've seen it everywhere... he's known for pioneering that classic 80's graffiti/pop/punk melded with mainstream fashion with a love of the florescent ~ who went from 70's band photographer to 80's-90's fashion designer/artist! See the full sketch on the next page!

p.s. i'll add the other sketches when possible!

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Tags: art - chateau - designers - fashion - hotels - los angeles

"I am reaching out to you because we have an amazing event coming up for which your presence is requested, WITCHES presentation by designers Lauren Alexander and Gabby Applegate. The most secretive of launches . . . Lauren Alexander started her fashion career with her namesake collection "Lauren Alexander" touted by LA's own Kitten Magazine and GenArt, then created a lasting impression on fashion world with her well-established basics line, LnA."

How can you resist something as vague and tempting as that? Promising... "WITCHES" the new shadowy, supernatural, and chic collection from Lauren Alexander and Gabby Applegate. An incredible editorial presentation in vignette style to showcase the occult collection. Friday, the Thirteenth of March, Seven to Ten in the evening. Chateau Marmont, Bungalow 4"... fascinating part, not even the Dietch PR folks had seen the line before this evening... the designer's description? ""This line is a modern take on Goth, Grunge, and Victorian dressing. The entire line is comprised of black lace, velvet, silk, and spandex. The collection includes everything from floor length velvet cloaks to lace cocktail dresses with rope details. The goal has been to combine all of these style elements to create something that we feel has been missing in our closets. This collection truly embodies the idea of a "modern witch"."

Intriguingly vague? Well the scene at Bungalow 4 was surreal... magic carpet vignettes with models wandering about and posing in their "avant-goth" outfits (credit for the term definitely goes to Whitney Pierce)... the truly amazing part beyond the gorgeously wearable (and affordable, $200-400) pieces... the details! Take a look at the glam/goth styling for the whole setup and pictures of the event and clothing on the next page...

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Tags: events - fashion - hotels - los angeles - shopping

It's just not possible to get mail with retro/official booklets from the Dept. of Cultural Engineering with the Technical Specifications for Ace Hotel Properties... pop them open and see pages with figures that remind me of grade school readers... and not post about it! Two booklets just showed up showing off and explaining the latest additions to the Ace Hotel line up ~ first was Seattle, then Portland, Palm Springs opens this weekend, and New York City in March! While i've yet to see any of them in person STILL ~ i've been wanting to get to Seattle and Portland and stay at them since... 2006? SO, on exciting news ~ we will be staying at the Ace Hotel NYC in May for ICFF and Design Week!!! (Also, if you're doing the ICFF thing and don't have a place to stay yet, check them out ~ they are doing promotional $99+ promotional rates)

Anyhow, i digress, the booklet! It's so cute, you have to take a peek at the cover and insides on the next page! And ok, i'll admit ~ the Smeg fridges, customized Gibson guitars, record players, and free wifi are huge draws to me... all of their hotels are so different down to every room, yet seemingly homey for design/detail junkies ~ they support passionate incredible independent businesses like Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Ken and April of The Spotted Pig which will both be in the NYC hotel! And they have one of the most adorable/tempting looking minibars and Smeg fridges filled with everything from vitamin water to mini kegs to coke in classic bottles... not to over-gush, but i love the concept ~ and these quotes seem to sum it up so nicely... so before i send you off to the pics on the next page: Re:Up Magazine said "... a highly developed sense of how culture functions best when left unmolested by over-production", and Best Designed Hotels in North and South America said "... the Ace clientele - hip urbanites in for a visit who like a lick of luxury, but don't necessarily need all the indulgences of a typical high-class hotels"... basically these feel chock full of character, but with a designer's eye, without sacrificing functionality...

But, back to the booklets! So cute! Check out the details and cover on the next page... and maybe we'll see you in NY!

TO PAGE 2 of "Ace Hotels : NYC"! ----->

Tags: ace hotel - hotels - packaging - travel