Setting the Bar High in Las Vegas - City Center

Check out this short article from WSJ. Magazine on the newish City Center complex in Las Vegas operated by the MGM Mirage company. The feature mentions CEO Jim Murren and talks of the major architectural stars (Daniel Libeskind, Norman Foster, Cesar Pelli, etc.) involved in the design of the various buildings and how the entire project was built with the environment in mind.

Will it be successful or crater due to poor timing and the awful economy? Who knows; only time will tell. For now, you can marvel at these statement buildings from afar.

Check it out HERE.

If I Ever Had a Hacienda...

...I'd want it to look like this.

WSJ. Magazine takes us on a tour of an amazing hacienda (Spanish-style estate) that belongs to Mitchell Denburg - esteemed American photographer and rug designer who built the property from scratch. He found himself drawn to the unpromising patch of land beneath a dormant volcano in Antigua, Guatemala and envisioned the amazing property.

Check out the article with great photos HERE.

The Story of J.Crew - Profiles of Mickey Drexler and Jenna Lyons

WSJ. Magazine's June 2010 cover story featured Mickey Drexler, CEO of J.Crew. The article profiled the rise of one of the most successful clothing companies in America and detailed his own personal ascension to the top of the company. With previous stints at Gap and Apple, Drexler is credited with turning around J.Crew's fortunes and together with creative director Jenna Lyons making the company into one of the most desired brands.

Coincidentally, NYMag for their September Fashion issue just recently published a profile of Lyons featuring her quirky and no-nonsense style.

Check out the Drexler profile at WSJ. Magazine HERE.

The NYMag profile of Jenna Lyons can be found HERE.

More on Drexler HERE with a link to a 2002 article about him from NYMag HERE.

Gelato in Crazy Flavors

It's been a trend lately in the world of gourmet ice cream to introduce some out-there flavors. Gelato companies all over the city and country are looking to build buzz and attract customers with some crazy ingredients like avocado, olive oil, bacon, beer, etc. WSJ. Magazine profiles Il Laboratorio del Gelato specializing in just that.

Check out the feature HERE.

Thom Browne Interview

WSJ. Magazine interviews designer Thom Brown, known for his short-cropped pants.

Check it out HERE.
More on Browne HERE.

WSJ. Magazine - Mad Men Costume Czarina

I officially decided that WSJ. Magazine is awesome. As mentioned in an earlier post WSJ. is an upscale luxury magazine published by the Wall Street Journal. Edited by Deborah Needleman (currently married to Jacob Weisberg of the Slate group, whom I just had the pleasure of meeting in person a few weeks ago), the magazine publishes quarterly and focuses on much of what I like to write about here: travel, food, design, etc.

In their June 2010 issue, a few articles caught my eye and I'll be mentioning them in subsequent posts. The first is a feature on Janie Bryant, the current costume designer on the critically-acclaimed AMC show "Mad Men" (also a personal favorite.) As anyone who watches the show (or wasn't born under a rock) knows, Matthew Weiner, the series creator, has been credited with recreating the 1960's down to every last detail - particularly with the set design and costuming.

Janie Bryant is the woman behind the man who makes it all happen. The story discusses her inspiration, personal history and how she rose to the position she now fills so well. Interestingly, it has Bryant talking about Weiner as well as Weiner's take on Bryant.

Check it out HERE.
More info on WSJ. Magazine HERE.