I am so bummed that I am going to miss the book launch party at Bergdorf's for my friend Matt Albiani's new book Lifeguard on Duty. It would have been nice to congratulate him in person but more importantly, I will be missing seeing all the hot lifeguards off duty! I might have to figure out what beaches they work at so I can fake drowning just so they can give me mouth to mouth. (Did I just say that out loud?!) You know you were thinking it too!

I have a feeling Matt's book is going to be very popular this summer. When you buy one for yourself, make sure you pick up one for you beach house host/hostess. If you do, they might ignore the fact that you left your towels on the floor. Heck, they probably won't even notice you're there at all since they will be too busy looking at the photos!

Oh, Matt was kind enough to answer some questions about the book. Make sure you go back and read them after you stop drooling!

HC: I know you've had a love affair with the beach for years but how did the idea for the book about lifeguards come about?
MA: I was a lifeguard for five years in college, and have always been inspired by the spirit and culture of an ocean guard.

HC: You traveled to beaches across the US for four years to get the shots. Was it more fun to shoot photos for your own project?
MB: This is definitely more satisfying because it is such a personal project, and one that comes completely inspired from my experiences.

HC: Is there one US beach that has the hottest lifeguards?
MA: All of them are such terrific guys. The girls though all seem to go crazy for guys from the jersey shore, though.

HC: Do you have a favorite photo in the book?
MA: I shot for a few days under a pier at a lifeguard competition, where all the guards were hiding from the august heat, and those images under the pier are some of my favorite, because at that time, they were the ones being protected.

HC: How excited are you to see the final product of all your hard work?
MA: It is very very satisfying to see my work come to fruition.

HC: Any plans for another book? What are you working on now?
MA: I just shot the cover of the Jonas Brothers new album, which was a crazy departure for me, and have begun work on my next book, on college rowers. I can't wait!

Photos by Matt Albiani

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论    

I will be out at meetings and appointments the entire day so I am leaving you with photos from fashion designer Derek Lam's chic Soho loft recently published in Bazaar. It's close to his soon to open new boutique on Crosby Street which I can't wait to check out. I've always had an affinity for Derek Lam since we're both Aries and he used ram heads on his handbags. "It's always about luxury while at the same time feeling casual and relaxed," is how he described the loft but the same could also be said of his fashions. Happy Wednesday!

Photos by Douglas Friedman

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论    

The new June magazines are already out on the newsstands and I was pleasantly surprised that the new Town & Country is devoted to giving back! It couldn't be better timing since my last two posts were about people and organizations that are all about giving back! I am visiting another fabulous group tomorrow and I can't wait to introduce you to them soon! Remember, every little bit helps! (Oh, and check out my friend Eleanor's beautiful wedding picture in the back! I love her dress!)

I am also beyond excited to congratulate New York interior designer David Lawrence on making the cover of the June issue of House Beautiful! I am so happy for him and I hope everyone will check out his beautiful spread! Since it's supposed to rain for the entire week, there will be plenty of time to read them too!

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论    

Mention Housing Works Thrift Shops to anyone in New York and they will tell you how much they love them about the best thing they've ever found. Those who are lucky to live close to one make a weekly, if not daily, pilgrimage to search for treasures. The shops are addictive as is their Design on a Dime Opening Night Reception which is the most anticipated night of the entire year for the design industry! The fifth anniversary party this Thursday, May 7th will be hosted by Parker Posey and features more than 40 of the world's top interior designers who will create unforgettable room vignettes with new merchandise, donated and then sold for 60 to 80 percent off retail pricing.

My friends from Flair will be creating a room as will Carolina Irving, Elizabeth Bauer, Huniford Design Studio, Calypso, Charlotte Moss, Nathan Egan Interiors, Robert Passal, Ty Pennington for Sears and many more! If you can't make it for the opening event, I hope you will stop by over the weekend when it is open to the public and free because all the proceeds benefit Housing Works and their wonderful programs. Design on a Dime also helps provide funding for projects such as Housing Works' recently opened congregate living facility, Stand Up Harlem House. Housing Works renovated three classic Harlem brownstones to create the residence, which now provides 16 apartments to homeless and low-income individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. If you are going to shop, it might as well be for a great cause!

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论    

Sometimes the thoughtfulness and creativity of the people in New York amazes me! My friend Kelly introduced me to her friend Susanna Kohly and her charity, 100cameras, recently and I was blown away. Susanna traveled to Africa and realized that she needed to do something to give back which led to the development of this unique idea.

"For the mission, cameras were taken to orphanages in Uganda and Sudan and given to children. After learning how to use a camera, their one task was to simply document their lives. They used their personal camera to document where they sleep, what they ate, who they live with, details, homes, wherever they are so inclined to point a camera. For that one week, the camera was theirs. At the end of the week, the cameras were collected and images saved. The children's photographs will be displayed and sold. 100% of proceeds from the sales will go back to the orphanages where the pictures were taken."

What amazes me is that many of the compositions of the photos look better than a lot of professional photos! The photos that Susanna took on the trip will cover the administrative costs of the project and will be out toward the travel to other countries to continue the 100cameras mission. The children's photos are actually very reasonably priced at $25 for a 5x7 and $35 for an 8x10 and what could be better than buying an original artwork than benefits such a worthy cause!

If you happen to live in New York, I hope you will stop by the first 100cameras exhibition that kicks off this Wednesday, May 6th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Samsung Experience Showroom in the Time Warner Center at 10 Columbus Circle. You will be able to see these beautiful photos in person and meet Susanna Kohly, a true angel! See you there!

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论    

When I was little, I used to paint and draw all the time. I visited museums and loved art but hated Picasso. I always thought I could paint better than he could. During my senior year of college, I took an entire course devoted to Picasso. On the first day, the professor told the story of how Picasso could paint like a master at the age of 15 and then spent the rest of his life trying to paint like a child. Then I got it.

If there is anyone who doesn't get that Larry Gagosian is the most powerful man in the art world, they should see Picasso: Mosqueteros. "It is the first exhibition in the United States to focus on the late paintings since Picasso: The Last Years: 1963-1973 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in 1984." I had the pleasure of walking through the show last week and I can say is that it is amazing! The Gagosian Gallery is inconveniently located but the trek is worth it. The exhibition was curated by Picasso biographer John Richardson who you can hear speak about the artist and his paintings on the New York Times website.

Picasso may have tried to paint like a child but these paintings were done in the last few years of his life when he was focused on death. You can see this in many of the self portraits and even though he was in his late 80's when these were painted, they are still vibrant, brilliant, and full of energy and spectacular. They are also full of beautiful color combinations that as a designer, I found truly inspiring. I highly recommend that you check it out so you can get Picasso too! Although, you might want to first get a taxi!

发贴者 healthlifeblog 时间： 5/09/2009 0 评论