7x7 editors reveal what they're salivating over this week.
Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates, the Backbone of Life, by Susan Middelton
This gorgeous coffee table tome landed on my desk last week, and it is positively breathtaking. Despite childhood dreams of becoming a marine biologist not panning out (yet), I can get my fix of the Jacques Costeau lifestyle with luscious photos of crazy beautiful creatures from the deep.
— Schuyler Bailey (@SchuylerBailey)
Gilmore Girls on Netflix
Hallelujah! My favorite series in the history of the boob tube is finally streaming on Netflix, and—I swear to god—I’m going to make it my mission to study every wisecrack and witticism uttered by Lorelai, Rory, and their band of misfits. I’ll consider such scrutiny into the quickest, most melodic dialogue ever written for a television show as a graduate-level education in English. Sure, such learnedness is the stuff brilliant resumes are made of. But even more valuable is the arsenal of retorts I will have to mine at the slightest whiff of an insult. Priceless.
— Leilani Marie Labong (@llcoolbabe)
Not really "a Vegas person," I recently found myself in Sin City while in desperate need of R&R. The Delano, opened just a couple weeks ago next door to Mandalay Bay, was an unexpected mirage in the desert. Blessedly sans casino, smoking, and stale convention center carpet, the hotel is all elegance with a contemporary Rat Pack vibe and beautiful design throughout. My favorite part: The spa—a mix of dark hues, textures, and soaring ceilings—feels a bit like the tomb of a modern Egyptian royal: just the place to escape. And the red rock anti-aging body scrub and wrap: sublimely transporting. Where am I again?
— Chloe Harris (@ChloeH415)
Burberry cityscape San Francisco
The British brand took the skylines of its 12 flagship cities, San Francisco being one of them, and put them on their tote bags. This suede and leather Burberry Prorsum bag—featuring the Transamerica Pyramid, Palace of Fine Arts, and the Painted Ladies in shades of red, yellow, and black—will run you a cool $3,695. Price notwithstanding, it's far more appealing than that tattered Chrome bag you've been lugging around since the mid-aughts.
— Brock Keeling (@BrockKeeling)
Prince’s Dual Album Release: Art Official Age and Plectrumelectrum
The original Diva, Prince one-upped pretty much everyone in the music biz last week by dropping two albums on the same day: Art Official Age, his solo LP, and Plectrumelectrum, featuring his all-female backing group 3rdeyegirl. Both share similar soulful grooves perfect for dancing. Also included is the single “Breakfast Can Wait,” whose cover famously features a wide-eyed Dave Chapelle in Purple Rain attire holding a plate of pancakes. Once again, Prince proves he can do no wrong.
— Sarah Medina (@funkycolsmedina)
Lucky Rapp’s Large Scale Resin Coated Paint Chips
Recently seen as works in progress at Art Explosion Studios' open house, Lucky Rapp’s latest pieces are inviting, lush, and exquisite. Inspired by the C2 line of interior house paint that come complete with whimsical and evocative names (Diva, Red Stiletto, Wicked, Mystery), Rapp takes the concept of the common paint swatch and blows it up. Each piece in the series called "Bang!" is painted and then coated in multiple layers of resin, creating a rich depth and visible space between the color and text, which appears to float and casts shadows on the base. The full series will be on exhibit at Campfire Gallery starting November 5, with an opening party November 8. I think a set of three would be awesome to add some wry humor to any room, or, more specifically my living room. (Hint, hint.)
— David Lytle (@davitydave)
