Amanda's trip to Chicago

Hi all! Here are some snapshots from my visit to Chicago. It was mostly grey, raining, or snowing while we were there but still throughly enjoyable. The Art Institute was really fun- kind of the a Chicago version of the Met. Saw Seurat's La Grande Jatte, and Hopper's Nighthawks. Skjgdkjskgjsk.

The definite highlight was seeing Rick Bayless at one of his Mexican inspired restaurants, Xoco. SUCH GOOD FOOD. I want more of it right now. I had a steak torta (kind of a cross between and sub and a panini) and my mom got a spicy soup with meat and avocado. And to finish? AWESOME CHURROS. AH there are no words to describe the crimped dough tubes fresh from the fryer and coated in sugar. There was an option of melted chocolate or fresh vanilla soft-serve to dip them in but we opted to keep it simple and it was too good. Need about 15 more of them right now. Stat.

Also, finally saw The King's Speech. So good. I highly recommend seeing this movie! Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, and Colin Firth were all wonderful. My favorite part of the film was seeing the decor and interiors: the interesting wallpaper patterns, the shabby couches, and so many textures. Would it be weird to say it was a visual feast?

VvV Amanda

Starring Mr. Bill Cunningham...

I haven't been this excited for a movie in forever. I can't wait for Bill Cunningham The Movie to come to NY (on March 16th) at the Film Forum. Uh, I will obviously be pre-ordering my ticket.

Bill Cunningham is a New York City documentarian, photographer for the NYTimes style section, and a complete enigma. It seems like he leads a very solitary, mysterious, yet modest lifestyle, despite his popularity. I'm so surprised that he agreed to do this film because it seems like he puts his privacy first (refreshing, I know!), as well as his art. I guess in order to take good photographs he has to remain semi-anonymous, which has been increasingly difficult since he's been at the top of the game for so long.

I got the chance to see him in person at last summers Governor's Island Jazz Age Lawn Party and so I can't wait for this film to shed more light on the mystery that is Bill C.

He says, "I'm not interested in celebrities with their free clothes, I'm interested in fashion!" You tell em, Bill.

You can and should check out the trailer here.

VvV Amanda