WASTED TALENT: A Fashion + Lifestyle Blog

MARIACARLA BOSCONO + GUCCI IN VOGUE ITALIA

2012-02-09T07:08:00.000-08:00

EDUN SPRING/SUMMER 12

2012-02-08T07:47:00.000-08:00

HEART SHAPED THIN MINTS

2012-02-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

I want to thank the girls over at Papery and Cakery who posted the most perfect Girl Scout "Thin Mint" recipe last week. I had such a blast making them for my sample sale and the heart shaped cookie cutter turned these iconic cookies into festive little treats. The best part though was getting to use my beautiful pistachio colored Kitchen Aid that was a gift from my Valentine- now that's love.

Don't forget to stop by our sale and sample these tasty little pastries and check out the great deals!

Jack Germain Sample Sale: 147 west 35th Street, suite 901 b/w Broadway + 7th. 11- 7

Ingredients:

8 oz unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

chocolate chips (I prefer dark or bittersweet)

shortening

pepermint extract

Preheat Oven to 350. Using an electric mixer w/ the paddle attachment, cream 8 oz of unsalted room temperature butter until light and fluffy. Add 1 cup confectioners sugar and continue to cream. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 cup cocoa until completely mixed. Add 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour until mixed well. Turn the dough onto your countertop and knead together. Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Allow to chill for 15 minutes. Roll the dough very thin (1/8″- 1/4" thick). Cut the cookies using a heart shaped cookie cutter and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool completely.

For the chocolate coating, use a double boiler (I just used a stainless steel bowl over a pot of hot water) and slowly melt the chocolate chips. Use a tablespoon or so of shortening to thin out the chocolate. Add a small amount of peppermint extract and taste. Using a fork, slowly dip and coat the cookies in the chocolate, gently shaking off the excess into the bowl. Place on parchment and let them cool and harden.

NEW SPRING ADS

2012-02-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite time of the year. Fashion week is right around the corner, the new spring ads are coming out and we are having our biannual sample sale! Be sure to stop by at 147 west 35th street, suite 901. Bags are up to 70% off and we also have plenty of sweet treats. See ya there!

JACK GERMAIN SAMPLE SALE

2012-02-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day, our biannual sample sale will be held from February 6th- 8th. Please join us at the Yaya Publicity Showroom for up to 70% off of the Fall/Winter '11 collection. In addition to our handbags, our credit card holders, toiletry kits and make-up pochettes make the perfect gift for your Valentine.

If you have any questions or would like us to put anything aside for you in advance, please contact us at info@jackgermainhandbags.com.

See you there!

BAZAAR HONG KONG: FEB '12

2012-02-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

ELIE SAAB SPRING 2012 COUTURE: THE DETAILS

2012-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

OYSTER #97: CHRISTINA RICCI

2012-01-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS: FASHIONGONEROGUE.COM

COCONUT + LIME RICE PUDDING

2012-01-27T06:27:00.000-08:00

Coconut and Lime Rice Pudding
If you want to eat this dish warm, follow the directions as is. If you like a looser, creamier pudding or want to chill it, add in the remaining coconut milk or use a bit more milk when bringing the mixture to a boil. This pudding firms up really well after sitting or chilling.

1/3 c arborio rice
1/2 14 oz can of light coconut milk
2 cups milk (non-dairy milk is fine)
3 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
zest from 1 lime
1/4 cup shredded coconut

In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the rice, coconut milk, milk, sugar, vanilla and lime zest to a boil. Turn down heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when mixture thickens and rice is soft.

Heat shredded coconut in a small pan over medium heat – watch it, stirring often as it can burn in an instant. When coconut is golden brown, remove from pan immediately.

Spoon out rice pudding into 4 small dessert bowls and top with toasted coconut.

Credit: Poppytalk

NMRKT FEATURES THE BOW BAG

2012-01-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

We are loving the new NMRKT movie which features our very own "Bow" bag (aka "the vegan"). If you haven't heard of NMRKT, they are one of the hottest new online retail sites and their original ideas and creative marketing skills definitely set them apart from the rest. What they are known for best is creating short films that showcase all of the products that they carry. This gives the consumer a real idea of how the pieces will look and function in real life, which is something that most retail sites lack. The "Bow" is also available for purchase on the NMRKT website alongside some other cool designer goods so definitely check it out!

Please find the latest NMRKT video below and see if you can spot the "Bow"!

Streetstyle from NMRKT on Vimeo.

BREAK DOWN THE WALL

2012-01-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

Trine Hyldtoft by Niklas Hoejlund

Photos: Fashionising.com

VALENTINO ADS SPRING 12

2012-01-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

THE BEST OF ALEXANDER MCQUEEN PRE-FALL '12

2012-01-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

DU JUAN: STYLE SINGAPORE JAN '12

2012-01-20T06:53:00.000-08:00

VERSACE + GISELE

2012-01-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS: FASHIONISING.COM

CODIE YOUNG IN BLACK MAGAZINE: ISSUE 15

2012-01-18T06:05:00.000-08:00

FASHION FLASHBACK: VOGUE DEC 2008

2012-01-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MEISEL

MOONRISE KINGDOM

2012-01-16T06:38:00.001-08:00

PROENZA AND POLY

2012-01-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

CHICKPEA-BROWN RICE VEGGIE BURGERS

2012-01-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked and drained chickpeas

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Coarse salt and pepper

1 large egg, whisked

2 tablespoons olive oil

Whole-grain mustard

Red onion, sliced, for garnish

Roasted red pepper, sliced, for garnish

Green-leaf lettuce, for wrapping

Directions:

1. Mash chickpeas and brown rice until thick paste forms. Stir in shallot, garlic, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg. Form into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Spread with mustard, top with red onion and roasted red pepper, and wrap in lettuce.

CREDIT: WholeLiving.com

OLLIE HENDERSON: FASHION QUARTERLY

2012-01-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

ALL PHOTOS: FASHIONISING.COM

GIVENCHY PRE-FALL 2012

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

How the entire Givenchy Pre-Fall 2012 collection was photographed 3 blocks from my apartment without me knowing is beyond me. It's probably for the best though. Riccardo Tisci is one of my favorite designers so I have absolutely no doubt that I would have been a blubbering fool had I seen him.

PHOTOS: STYLE.COM

KARLIE KLAUSS IN VOGUE JAPAN FEB '12

2012-01-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

DAKOTA FANNING ELLE UK

2012-01-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

NEW PRESS!

2012-01-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

Please click the corresponding links to read the full articles:

FASHION INDIE

MAMA'S A ROLLING STONE

IN BLACK AND LIGHT: MADELEINE BY EMIN KADI

2012-01-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

HOMEMADE TUNA BURGERS

2012-01-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

I tried this recipe out the other night and thought I'd share it with you all. It's super easy and, although it requires a lot of ingredients, most of them you will already have in your fridge/pantry. I recommend topping it off with a little homemade wasabi mayonnaise, spicy mustard, onion and avocado.

Bon appétit!

1 pound fresh tuna steaks, minced

1/3 cup dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons finely chopped green onion

2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons grated carrot

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root

2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro

3/4 teaspoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons ketchup

2 teaspoons lite soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

5/8 egg, beaten

4 hamburger buns

4 lettuce leaves - rinsed and dried

1-1/4 medium tomatoes, sliced

(Serves 4)

In a bowl, thoroughly mix minced tuna, bread crumbs, green onion, carrot, ginger, cilantro, sesame oil, ketchup, soy sauce, cumin, salt, pepper, and egg. Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven broiler.
Form tuna mixture into 4 patties, and place in a broiler pan on top oven rack. Cook, uncovered, 4 minutes per side, or until easily flaked with a fork. Serve on hamburger buns with avocado, greens and onion.

Recipe Credit: AllRecipes.com

DAPHNE GUINNESS IN VOGUE GERMANY

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

DIY CHALKBOARD SERVING PLATTER

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

You’ll need:

- a porcelain platter (mine is from CB2)

- painter’s tape (optional)

- Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Chalkboard Paint (available at Dick Blick or Amazon)

(Don’t use regular chalkboard paint. This only works with porcelain paint.)

a soft bristle paint brush (a watercolor brush works well)

a regular kitchen oven

How to:

1. Make sure your platter is clean and dry.

2. If desired use painter’s tape to mask off the edges of the platter, otherwise skip the tape and freehand it.

3. Apply the paint with a soft bristle brush. You will be able to see the brush strokes after the paint dries, so be careful and keep your strokes even. I ended up applying two thin coats of paint (allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second).

5. As soon as you are done painting carefully remove the tape if you used it. If you remove it before the last coat of paint dries, the tape will be less likely to peel up the edges of the paint.

6. Let the paint dry for 24 hours. Then, bake your platter following the instructions printed on the back of the paint bottle. After baking turn off the oven and leave the platter inside until it has gradually cooled to room temperature. After you bake it the paint is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Source: Wit and Whistle

MY STICKER PHOBIA NIGHTMARE

2012-01-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

PHOEBE WATSON BY DANIEL NADEL

2011-12-21T07:01:00.000-08:00

JACK GERMAIN ON PEOPLE.COM GIFT GUIDE

2011-12-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20547853_20555062,00.html#21096673

HAPPY HANUKKAH

2011-12-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

COVER MAGAZINE #72

2011-12-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

30% OFF HOLIDAY PROMO CODE AT JACK GERMAIN

2011-12-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

Don't forget- Today through Sunday, get 30% all Fall/Winter bags on

www.JackGermainHandbags.com

Just use the Promotion Code: JGHOLIDAY30

Original: $746

SALE: $520

Original: $376

SALE: $260

Original: $332

SALE: $232

Original: $228

SALE: $160

Original: $420

SALE: $295

www.JackGermainHandbags.com/Shop

MATCHO SUBA A/W '12

2011-12-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

FROCK STAR: FLARE JAN '12

2011-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

JACK GERMAIN ON GIULIANA RANCIC'S FAB FIT FUN

2011-12-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

JACK GERMAIN: SPRING/SUMMER 12 SNEAK PEEK

2011-12-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Even though winter is just beginning, our spring '12 collection is already on people's minds. Check out some of the recent press featuring our skeletal inspired spring collection.

BAG PHOTOGRAPHY: JON FELDMAN

LADY GAGA IN VANITY FAIR + ART BASEL!

2011-12-01T10:32:00.000-08:00

Don't forget, today is our first day at Art Basel. We'll be at The Hangar Gallery through Sunday night so stop by to shop our Fall Sale! Check out the flyer below for more details:

ME + CITY W '11: JULIA RESTOIN ROITFELD

2011-11-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

CARA DELEVINGNE VOGUE NIPPON

2011-11-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Light as a feather, stiff as a board.

JACK GERMAIN + FELTRAIGER POP UP SHOP AT ART BASEL

2011-11-24T09:26:00.000-08:00

MILLY SIMMONDS: PLAZA KVINNA NOV 11

2011-11-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

TODAY ON SWIRL BY DAILY CANDY!

2011-11-16T11:06:00.001-08:00

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SALE!

WWW.SWIRL.COM

JACK GERMAIN ON SWIRL BY DAILY CANDY

2011-11-15T06:10:00.001-08:00

WWW.SWIRL.COM

W MAGAZINE: DEC 11

2011-11-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

The Fanning sisters may just be the coolest sibling pair since the Cusack's.

VOGUE JAPAN DEC 11: A FASHIONABLE FETISH

2011-11-11T08:53:00.000-08:00

WINTER READING LIST

2011-11-10T06:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, I do know that most of these are coffee table books but they do have words in them- most likely...

SOME NEW HANDBAG PRESS

2011-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

AMERICAN GOTHIC

2011-11-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite fun facts: Grant Wood saw a house in Iowa that he decided to paint along with “the kind of people he fancied should live in that house.” He chose his sister and his dentist.

HER CAMPUS: HOW SHE GOT THERE

2011-11-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

We are so proud to be featured on "Her Campus: A Collegiette's Guide to Life"! Check out the full interview HERE

WELCOME TO MY KITCHEN

2011-11-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

The best use of a Macy's gift card- ever.

Michael Aram

THERESA HIMMER: GLITTER GRAFFITI

2011-10-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Artist Theresa Himmer takes street art to a whole new level with her sequin graffiti installation.

MORE INFO

WHAT WOULD MCQUEEN DO?

2011-10-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

This is definitely a full screen kind of moment.

Diving for McQueen on Nowness.com.

VOGUE SPAIN NOV 2011

2011-10-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO MY CLOSET: GLITTER BROGUES

2011-10-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

TOPSHOP

INTRODUCING: THE BOW

2011-10-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to buy and don't forget to use your 20% off code, "PEOPLE20".

TOM FORD DOCUMENTARY

2011-10-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see this? As a huge fan of Tom Ford, I kind of can't believe that I forgot to record this. In the meantime, I can just keep watching and re-watching these clips of the cleanest smelling man on earth to hold myself over.

And just in case you forgot what true happiness looks like...

WELCOME TO MY CLOSET: (yet another) J.CREW EDITION

2011-10-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

When you wake up on the first really crisp morning and discover that J.Crew is giving 25% all weekend long-

this is the result.

ANDREW MARTIN WALLPAPER

2011-10-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

The entire collection is available online through Rockett St. George out of the UK and, yes, they do ship internationally.

GOLDEN GIRL: KATE BOSWORTH

2011-10-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

TAYLOR TOMASI HILL FOR THE BLOCK F/W

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

TERRY RICHARDSON FOR COLETTE

2011-10-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Cut It Out Terry! from Terry Richardson on Vimeo.

BEST OF MILAN/PARIS STREET STYLE: PART 2

2011-10-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

THE BEST OF MILAN/PARIS STREET STYLE: PART 1

2011-10-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

ATELIER VERSACE A/W 11

2011-10-11T05:37:00.000-07:00

VOGUE JAPAN: NAYASHA MATOHONDZE

2011-10-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO MY CLOSET: MCQUEEN ACCESSORIES

2011-10-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Somebody loves me.

VOGUE JAPAN NOV 11: LARA STONE

2011-10-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

I-D DREAM BIG: ABBEY LEE

2011-10-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

PRADA'S GONE CAR CRAZY!

2011-09-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Finally, a really high end runway piece that my boyfriend would approve of me purchasing.

BEST OF LONDON FASHION WEEK

2011-09-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

I-D MAGAZINE: DREAM BIG

2011-09-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

MANIA MANIA JEWELRY

2011-09-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

Abbey Lee combined with some hot jewelry and kaleidoscope photography makes for one of the most awesome ad campaigns ever.

VOGUE OCT 11: MICHELLE WILLIAMS + ANNIE LIEBOVITZ

2011-09-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

BEST OF NYFW: OFF THE RUNWAY

2011-09-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

THINGS I LIKED THIS WEEK...

2011-09-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

LANA DEL REY: VIDEO GAMES

2011-09-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

This song will change your life.

Not really, but I wanted to be dramatic and encourage you to listen to it because it's awesome.

ALBUM COMES OUT IN US, OCTOBER 9TH

WELCOME TO MY CLOSET: J.CREW EDITION

2011-09-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

If you have ever read this blog for more than a few days, you will have observed at least one post about my obsession with J.Crew. By looking at me you may or may not pick up on this but, I assure you, it's disgustingly true. Every season I have a ritual where I pick out my favorite pieces from the lookbook and have my lovely sales gal over at J.Crew ship them to the store a month before they come out. Yes, they will totally do that if you ask plus if your'e a size 0/2, you know it's worth it because apparently that size is pretty common in NYC (shockingly).
Fall is officially upon us so here is what I've chosen so far to get the season started out right:

Plaid Perfect Shirt

Stripe Out Tee

Tippi Sweater

Double-Cloth Townhouse Trench, black

Blythe Blouse, black

Selvedge Chambray Shirt

Stripe Out Tee

Double Cloth Envelope Coat, black

HAPERS BAZAAR SEPTEMBER 2011

2011-09-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

THE ART OF CLEAN UP

2011-09-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

As an OCD creative mind, I first became obsessed with Things Organized Neatly, my new favorite tumblr, but when someone sent me these pictures I smiled from ear to ear as I knew I had found my artistic soulmate. Meet Swiss artist Ursus Wehrli . His latest book, The Art of Clean Up, is where he takes everyday scenes of disorder and rearranges them into neat rows, sorted by different attributes such as color, size, shape, and type, etc. Enjoy.

NUMERO # 126: SEPTEMBER 2011

2011-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

THINGS I LIKED THIS WEEK....

2011-09-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

MY FACTORY

2011-09-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, all Jack Germain bags are produced here in New York City. Not New Jersey, not even an outer borough, but New York City- the Flatiron District to be specific. I wanted to produce a product that I could have complete control over, oversee quality and labor practices and most importantly, be 100% involved. I knew from the get go that none of those goals would be accomplished by shipping my bags overseas to be made by a worker being paid 32 cents an hour.

I am proud to say that I have been producing my bags in New York City for almost a year now and I am thrilled that my factory is getting some wonderful recognition. From the first day I began working with Alex and Pierre Debaugh they made me feel like I was apart of their family. They work with some very famous brands and major corporations, but I'm never treated like the small fish in their big pond. Below is a segment that NBC's Gabe Pressman did on the Debaugh family as well as a few other factories still kickin' it in NYC.

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION

2011-08-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Scientific Illustration Tumblr may just the the most addicting/inspiration site on the web.

ADELE- SOMEONE LIKE YOU

2011-08-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

I've posted this video before, but last night's tear jerking performance at the VMA's has caused me to watch and re-watch this video all day long. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Adele is the best of our generation. Two albums strong, this songstress is going to have one incredible career and at the young age of 21, she already kinda does. Enjoy.

THINGS I LIKED THIS WEEK....

2011-08-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

SKULL SCULPTURES

2011-08-25T05:36:00.000-07:00

Part of a series called Predictive Dreams by Japanese ceramicist Katsuyo Aoki.

GIOVANNA BATTAGLIA'S STEPHEN SPROUSE DRESS

2011-08-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

I have one question for you: How the hell is this dress still available for purchase?

It is just sitting on First Dibs waiting for someone to scoop it up and give it a nice, and hopefully warm, home to be worn in. I could so see myself doing the dishes in this totally appropriate little number.
And after all of that dreaming I still find myself asking, this has to be the same one, no? Like literally the same one, which would mean that this dress has been snuggled by a Roitfeld, and if that's not worth $3200, I don't know what is.

And on a completely unrelated note, my birthday is about a month away...just in case you were wondering.

For more information, click here.

GISELE IN I-D MAGAZINE

2011-08-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

THINGS I LIKED THIS WEEK....

2011-08-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

SPICE SKULLS

2011-08-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what the backstory is, all I know is that each skull is completely made from a different spice and that I really really want one.

MILLET

LEMON GRASS

BLACK SESAME SEED

FRANCES BEAN COBAIN BY HEDI SLIMANE CONT.

2011-08-17T06:45:00.000-07:00