Welcome to Bicoastalista's new monthly segment, highlighting recent cultural and commercial obsessions, recommendations and infatuations. This month: a radioactive Gwyneth Paltrow read, a sneaky skincare darling and much more!
1. Check out: Orange is the New Black-Superwoman-jumpsuits photo shoot in InStyle Magazine
Orange is the New Black is back for season 5 super soon, and instead of going for the familiar yawn-and-questionnaire routine, the InStyle team decided to have the cast members model jumpsuits. While floating above an urban skyline. Like the superwomen they are. The whole thing is a just a little too insane, and that's why I love it.
2. Watch: The Goddesses of Food
Last month, I was invited by Celebrity Cruises to watch this film at the Sonoma International Film Festival. Their events at the festival are always unique (last year there was a meal-movie pairing!), and this time around the movie was screening in a decked-out mobile cinema trailer, complete with gourmet snack boxes and a restroom. Facilities aside, if you love food, feminism, creativity and sexy accents you should most definitely see The Goddesses of Food, a witty, informative documentary about female chefs around the world.
3. Go On: a Badass Bitches Museum Hack tour
I know I've been slightly obsessed with Georgia O'Keeffe lately, but for a good reason. The woman is the real deal, the most honest, inspiring role model for today's watered-down 'women empowerment'. She really did whatever she wanted, and she didn't need fluffy magazine articles and seminars to help her do so. Her art, and the work of many other talented females, was the center of the Badass Bitches tour I recently took at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Powered by Museum Hack, the recurring female-led tour is a funny, enjoyable and educational take on the famous museum and the often overlooked women featured in it. The de Young is my favorite San Francisco museum, and even though I've been there more than a few times, I learnt quite a bit, spotted a bunch of vagina interpretations (and more!) and walked out feeling quite badass myself. Info and tickets can be found here.
4. Buy: a Belle&Sue + Vender T shirt
Full disclosure: Belle&Sue is an Israeli online boutique founded by one of my best friends and her twin sister. Their taste is always impeccable and their offerings always chic, but this recent collaboration with Vender, a hot local brand, is next level cool. Who wouldn't want a I have Friends in Low Places embroidered T shirt? Shop the collaboration here.
5. Read: Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett
Reading isn't an easy feat. I've been struggling to restart my inner reader last year, and managed to do so with the help of these 5 steps. These days, I'm a library subscriber, aiming for a book a month (baby steps, small goals). My latest obsession is this haunting creation, which is both a tough read and a page turner. Borrowing from one Amazon reviewer, Pond is "more a meditation than a novel" and has very little plot, but all the feels, plus some exquisite writing.
6. Try: the Madame Renaissance Airbnb Experience
Last month, Airbnb jumped on the 'be like a local' train with a new offering - experiences led by local luminaries, experts and cool folks. Currently available in over 12 cities worldwide, it's an EatWith/Cool Cousin/Verlocal mashup and a trendy move. The San Francisco experience I recently attended, however, was anti-trendy and old-school in the best possible way, and I couldn't recommend it more; thanks to Toby Klayman, the 82 years-old artist behind the Madame Renaissance offering. Toby has been living in her house for almost 40 years, gradually turning it into a gallery of hers and her husband's work. For the experience, we came to visit twice, learning about her art, practicing drawing and printing techniques and eventually creating something of our choice (in my case - a portrait of my parents and a series of whimsical plates and mugs). Being around Toby, whose humor wit are second to none, and taking the time to draw and be creative in the most playful, child-like way, was an experience way beyond the buzzword. Tickets can be purchased here.
7. Put on your face: Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster
It's orange! It smells great! It looks like cooked-down juice! I have no idea what this new Clinique product does on the deeper level, but pumping the fragrant liquid out of the container and smearing it all over my face has become a must-have morning ritual. On paper, it's a vitamin C booster, in real life, it gives you a healthy, pink glow and a smooth finish. I start with it, then pile moisturizer and SPF on top. Want to smell like an orange and feel like you're treating yourself for $19.50? Buy it here.
Bonus: a few good reads
Here are a few things I got a kick out of reading this month:
This hilarious take on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Wealth summit
This excerpt from Anne Helen Petersen's new book Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud, about Kim Kardashian's pregnancy.
This brilliant Katy Perry profile by the New York Times.
This hilarious take on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Wealth summit
This excerpt from Anne Helen Petersen's new book Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud, about Kim Kardashian's pregnancy.
This brilliant Katy Perry profile by the New York Times.
Enjoy!
