This Weekend’s Best Bets, June 5

The weather’s finally started shaping up to make for some summertime merry making. Having a serious allergy to the cold weather, I often ask myself, “what the hell am I doing this far North?” But, alas, my questions are always answered in the first couple days of June.

One of the best parts of living in NYC is the ability to enjoy endless fun things over the weekends (and during the week) practically for free.

This weekend’s gameplan:

The Sex and the City Movie – word on the street is that the writing is terrible, but the clothes are phenomenal. Full (though late) review to come.

The Big Apple BBQ Block Party- its no secret that I love me some barbecue.From the website: “14 of the nation’s top pitmasters wil showcase their unique, award-winning regional barbecue styles, including new additions from Virginia, California and Connecticut.” I’m most excited about sampling:

Mr. Cecil’s California Ribs

Los Angeles, CA
Beef Ribs & Cucumber,
Tomato Salad

Wilson’s Barbeque

Fairfield, CT
Texas Style Brisket & Coleslaw

Gnarls Barkley at Irving Plaza- MySpace secret show. Starts at 9:40 – and its free!

And for good measure, here’s the kinda crazy video for Run :

Black is Beautiful (in Italy)

Courtesy of Fashionista.com:

“This just in from a source:

Steven Meisel has just shot an entire issue of Vogue Italia with all black models, hoping that other issues of Vogue start to diversify their own portfolios.

Apparently, all of the photo shoots have already happened, as model bookers at various agencies have been contacted and sourced for new, beautiful, not-white girls — and now they’re twittering about how cool the issue will be.”

Its almost a shame that Italian Vogue is going to be the first to do this. Especially considering that Americans pride themselves in their diversity. Logically, however, it makes sense. Italians do love brown.

Because it seems appropriate – a tribute to some of my favorite black models:

Selita Ebanks of Victoria’s Secret Fame

Ajuma Nasenyana

Noemie Lenoir (aka Genevive from Rush Hour 3)

Timeless and Flawless Iman

The divine Alek Wek

Liya Kebede

Dolce Vita – Sample Sale

Easily one of my favorite brands of shoes, primarily because they’re always comfortable, come in fun colors and are exceptionally affordable (between $80 – $200 a pair), Dolce Vita’s having a Sample Sale effective today!

The Summer Oxford You Never Knew You Had To Have

Pure 80’s Sass

(on sale for $80.00)

You can also, order online.

Things I Like on Boys: Hats

A few days ago, I got a fabulous new haircut by my fabulous new stylist, at Arrojo Studio on Varick Street in Manhattan.

NOTE: Seriously, I can’t disclose said stylist’s name because he’s so amazing and I’m afraid that if the word gets out, I won’t be able to get an appointment.

Aside for giving me one of the best haircuts I’ve ever had in my life, my stylist was wearing the most amazing hat, which really tied together his whole look.

Hats aren’t just for baldies and baseball players anymore.

And by hats, I mean:

Fedoras

photo courtesy of Men's Vogue

 

Top Hats

 photos courtesy of  *Cheshire Puss*'s Flickr

 

and tiny little knit caps

photo courtesy of Laurie's Flickr

 

 

Drool.

Joseph Gordon Levitt (you know the kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun) and Claudia Schiffer get naughty in the April issue of GQ.

If you can get over the fact that she’s old enough to be his mom – its pretty hot.

My Prayers Have Been Answered (Sweet P Gets Her Own Show)

No one can argue that she was easily the most likeable part of Season 4 and I felt robbed when she got booted right before the finale. But now, word on the street is, she’s getting her own show on Bravo.

Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons) for H&M

H&M (and Target) did a really good thing by having not so well known designers come in to the company for designer guest spots. As far as cheap chic – I loved the Stella McCartney for H&M line that came out a few years ago.

Earlier today, H&M announced that they would be expanding their guest designer offerings to include Comme des Garçons, an uniquely Japanese label headed by the one, the only Rei Kawakubo.

From Vogue (UK):

“The famously avant-garde Japanese label, spearheaded by design powerhouse Rei Kawakubo, will provide a range of both men’s and womenswear, as well as childrenswear, accessories and a new unisex fragrance for the retailer. In honour of its Japanese roots, the collaborative line will launch exclusively at H&M in Tokyo in November before being rolled out worldwide a few days later.”

You can check out the Commes de Garsons’ Spring 2008 RTW line over at Elle.

*NOTE – For anyone in (or going to) London, I would recommend checking out the Dover Street Market, created and directed by Rei Kawakubo

“I want to create a kind of market where various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision.”

Jack Spade Sale (shhhh)

Ladies and, more importantly, Gent -

Word on the street is that Jack Spade is having a super secret sale now through April 6th.  20% off everything (no kidding).

The catch is that you’ll need to bring this with you.

Urban Outfitters Opens in Brooklyn, Offends Black People

Yesterday, the Gothamist shared some interesting news that Urban Outfitters was to be opening a new store in Brooklyn. The new outfit (heh), opening off Atlantic Avenue today, decided to go all guerrilla on their advertising and littered Southern Brooklyn with these nonsensical “flyers.”

Via the Gothamist:

“The mystifying amalgam of images, placed in some sort of elementary collage layout is presumably a representation of the borough. Many of the images look like they were cut out of a TV Guide circa 1984, and others, like the shot of Jay-Z has us wondering about legal repercussions. Or is Jay-Z the new face of Urban Outfitters? By the way, what’s Hova looking at? It would make sense to have his gaze fall reverently on Biggie, but it appears he actually has his eye on Lisa Bonet.

“The L-train logo is especially perplexing. Sure the L line reaches all the way out to Canarsie, but um… hate to tell you this guys, it doesn’t go anywhere near this part of Atlantic Avenue. There is a stop near the Domino Sugar Factory however, which you’ve got pictured here. But you won’t find any Urban Outfitters over there. Not yet anyway. And as reader points out, the cover of the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique album doesn’t make sense, since that was shot on Rivington in the Lower East Side – in Manhattan – unless they wanted to draw on No Sleep Till Brooklyn cred.”

We all know these people have enough money to do advertising the right way, and by right way, I don’t mean the American Apparel way.