I don’t think you have to have a winter home in Aspen or Telleuride to appreciate the new Alpine Lodge Collection by Ralph Lauren Home. But, can you imagine coming off the slopes, inviting some friends over for dinner or cocktails and entering this sumptuous retreat? From the calming earth-toned palette to the manly accessories, this place screams sophisticated ruggedness. 

I was born in the south, where verandas often appear on the most simple to the most extravagant of homes, so I really do like the one shown above with the rattan furniture. I'm not so certain If I'd have dinner out there in the winter months, as suggested, but what a picturesque scene. And what better place to spend my next winter holiday? (If for no other reason than
to have the rare opportunity to wear one of my favorite winter staples... a cashmere sweater.)

All Photos and video via Polo.com

Who hasn’t seen and fallen in love with at least one image from the late photographer, Herb Ritts? (For me, any photo of Cindy Crawford works) His images are more than beautiful photographs. They are reminders of places and times in pop culture; visual soundtracks, if you will. There’s Janet Jackson in the desert, Cindy, Naomi, Linda, Christy, Stephanie and Tatjana insouciantly huddled together in a nude embrace and one of his first photographs: Richard Gere posing defiantly behind a broken down vehicle in San Bernardino, CA.

The Getty Center has brought together some of Ritts’s most recognizable portraits for this breathtaking and informative exhibit. These are pictures that we’ve seen and admired in publications such as GQ, Vogue and Vanity Fair; images that are forever woven into America’s tapestry. Since the retrospective has been extended until next Sunday, Sept 2nd, you’ve one more week to witness, up close, the genius of Ritts. Be certain to rent the free audio guide, which offers backstories on some of his work, as well as, interviews from a few of his famous subjects like Cindy Crawford, Richard Gere and fellow photographer, Matthew Rolston. 

One good thing about going to museums, as opposed to a movie, on a first or second date is that it gives you a chance to connect and discuss, in the moment, shared likes/dislikes: Monet vs Manet, Jacob Lawrence vs. Wm. Johnson, Picasso vs. Kadinsky, etc. You wouldn't want to find out too late that your "soulmate" is a Koons supporter, would you?

(Click here for schedules of other Southern California museums.)

And a couple of images for the ladies...

The following images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophistciated Gentleman...

THE GETTY CENTER
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, California 90049
310.440.7300

HOURS:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10:00 - 5:00
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 - 9:00

It's hard to believe that it's been six months since the passing of Whitney Houston, (which I wrote about here), but thankfully, before her untimely passing, she was able to finish her last project, Sparkle.  The original 1976 film, which starred Irene Cara, Lonette McKee and Philip Michael Tomas, had been one of her favorites while growing up in New Jersey and a project that she had been wanting to have remade for more than a decade. With more than one interruption, (the singer Aaliyah was slated to play the title role before she was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas in 2001), this Friday, will finally see her pet-project make it to the big screen.

Sparkle is the story of three sisters, being raised by a single mother, Emma (played by Whitney), who, because of their vocal talents go on to form a very successful girl-group, in the style of 1960's Motown. With a cast headed by Whitney, former American Idol alum, Jordin Sparks, actor Derek Luke and comedian Mike Epps, it should be a remake worth watching. Viewing the trailer, the only disappointment I've noticed, may be the remake of the song, "Something He Can Feel" which Aretha Franklin sang like no other for the original soundtrack and which was later remade by 90's girl-group, En Vogue. I'm also really looking forward to hearing Whitney sing the inspirational song, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." It'll be good to see her do what she did best, one more time.        (All images by Alicia Gbur)

The Original Movie Poster...

I was walking through The Commons in Pasadena and came across these relics. They’ve been here for years and I’ve even used them once or twice a number of years back. Interestingly, Nightline just recently did a segment about how these “phone bins,” as they are called in the UK, are becoming increasingly obsolete in Europe. Stepping into one of these today (just for old-time’s sake, not to actually make a call), was like stepping back in time. But, I actually miss occasionally using them, but realize what they've come to represented; functional obsolescence.

Does anyone remember stopping at one of these on your way to pick up a date to confirm the time or the address? Hoping that you not only had enough change, but didn’t get a busy signal, so that you wouldn’t have to impatiently wait around for the line to be cleared and then call back. (Since, of course, an “Emergency Breakthrough” was unheard of if she still lived at home with her parents.) I’m pretty sure that Gabby Douglas didn’t use one of these to call back to the states to share her Olympic victories with family and friends; generations X, Y and Z are as unfamiliar with these as they are Encyclopedias, LPs and Typewriters. That would have made a great picture though.