ME AND HIM RIDE LIKE MY BEST FRIENDS, ME AND MY LIL MAN TIL THE END

Breakfast Club: French Meadow

Styx and Junior had an early morning today, which meant there was plenty of time for a leisurely Friday morning breakfast at one of our all-time favorite cafe's - French Meadow. Located on Lyndale Av at 26th St in South Minneap, this organic/free range/sustainable/yada yada yada restaurant has some of the best pastries in town, ginger cookies to die for (don't worry Q- you've got some coming your way), and strong a** coffee - which, if you have any idea what corralling a toddler out of the house first thing on a weekday morning is like, you'd understand why I'd take it straight intravenously if I could.

My breakfast buddy was in rare form this morning, and so I bring you Junior's quote of the week:

Mommy, you forgot to put on your underwear!

(shit, nothing's getting past this kid anymore)

FOR YOU, THE SUN WILL BE SHINING

Anyone who knows the Goddesses of the Underworld knows we love:

1. a party

2. supporting good causes

3. partying while supporting good causes

4. open martini bars

5. food tastings

6. drinking martinis and tasting delicious foods while partying in support of good causes

Which is why we had such a great night last night. THANK YOU Christy and Andrew Bartlett, founders/owners of Twin Town Events, for the generous invite. These two know how to put together a smashing event- and the decor they installed for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Fall Festival of Hope is no exception. All told, the event raised tens-of-thousands of dollars. It was such a great experience. Learn more about the wonders of St. Jude's and this annual event here: http://www.StJude.org/FallFestivalofHope

Now for the sartorial recap:

Styx: Marc Jacobs dress, Prada shoes, Cartier watch

Hecate: Italian linen skirt worn as a dress, Fornarina shoes, Gap belt

Hecate with Shad Klukas (Mall of America's Community Relations Manager)

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY, OF THEE I SING

Styx and I were busy shaking hands, sipping martinis (not me just she..) and supporting St. Jude's Medical at their Annual Fundraiser (photos to come-thank you Styx)! Which is why I’m sure by the time this little communiqué is entered on the page I’ll end up “a day late and a dollar short”… Just imagine what Ben Franklin would say to that? Probably something like, “A penny saved is a penny ______.” Oh never mind! Do indulge me this, dear friends, and allow a rather belated post to commemorate the birth of our American Constitution.

On this day the 17th of September, 1787 the United States Constitution was signed by 39 men—wherefore we now celebrate the birth of this living document which has served to be a controversial and pivotal piece of our collective American legacy. Today there shall be people up to a number of cool and sometimes nerdy little patriotic adventures. You could sign an 8 X 6 ft copy of the Constitution at the Constitution Center’s Main Lobby in Philadelphia, PA or listen to a number of speakers at local colleges, law schools in a number of different venues nationwide expounding on the Document Itself, and most significantly, today immigrants from across the globe will take the Oath of Citizenship to officially become citizens of the United States.

Suddenly, while authoring this post, Hecate wondered whether or not she could pass the test to become a United States citizen, and she went to this site to find out:
http://www.constitutioncenter.org/naturalization-test/

And know what? Hecate scored 100% folks! Of course, there were only 10 questions, but shoot-dang it sure feels good to know that I could pass that test, especially on this august occasion. Do check the site above, it has cool Constitutional swag such as a Pocket Constitution, available for purchase and you never really know when that will come in handy. For example, in what instance would it be OK for the Writ of Habeas Corpus to be suspended? You may want to know about that since it could mean the difference between you getting your butt thrown in jail or not if you are determined by the United States to be an “enemy combatant.” I should back up a minute… The right Writs of Habeas Corpus are located in Article 1, Section 9, clause 2 of the Constitution which states, “The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” This Constitutionally protected petition is filed within the court by a person who objects to her own or another’s detention/imprisonment.

Pretty heavy stuff, no? Well it has been suspended twice thus far in United States History, and caused major disruption in the courts. The first suspension was by Abraham Lincoln in 1861- he also declared martial law, shortly after the start of the Civil War. As such it applied only in Maryland and parts of the Midwestern states. In 1866, after the end of the Civil war the habeas corpus was restored by the Supreme Court. The second suspension was by President G W Bush in October of 2006. G-Dub signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006--this law grants the President of the United States practically unlimited authority to establish and conduct military commissions to try persons detained by the U.S., as well as others deemed “unlawful enemy combatants” in the Global War on Terrorism. I mean YIKES ya’ll! Whosoever makes the distinction as to whether or not someone is an “unlawful enemy combatant” is one mighty powerful sum-a-b****! So follow Angelina Jolie’s advice (writ as a tattoo no less) and “Know Your Rights!”

Happy Constitution Day to all! --Hecate signing off from the Underworld

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS, AND THE JOY THEY BRING

Pages worth turning: French Women Don't Get Fat - The Secret of Eating For Pleasure

This book pretty much rocks - it's no wonder it has been a #1 National Bestseller for a hot minute. Frenchwoman Mirielle Guiliano, who splits her time between NYC and Paris, takes us on an entertaining culinary adventure of personal experience and observation, while offering a palate-pleasing plethora of recipes and suggestions for anti-American-eat-til-you-grow-a-food-baby gluttony (you KNOW what I'm talking about here- that lovely protrusion that makes you look instantly 6 months pregnant).

"...the French know there is much more to life than eating, so here you'll find the French take on other diversions, like love and laughter."

This is truly a must-read for anyone in the least bit interested in relishing every opportunity to eat fresh, in-season, lovingly prepared food - preferably with a fine glass of wine or (Mirielle's bev of choice) champagne, in the company of fellow food and life lovers. That's the thing about this book that makes it so diverting, the premise is to enjoy food, to enjoy drink, to enjoy CHOCOLATE, and long walks, and sex (it's all inter-connected, right?), and LIFE.

Great book - we raise our mason jars filled with Veuve Clicquot to it. Here's one of our favorite recipes from the book:

CHICKEN AU CHAMPAGNE

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts (with skin and bone)

salt and freshly ground pepper

chervil, tarragon, or thyme

1 shallot, quartered

1 cup Champagne

1. Place the chicken breasts in a roasting pan, skin side down, and season them. Pour 1/2 cup of the Champagne over breasts. Make a slit in each breast and insert a piece of shallot.

2. Place the pan under the broiler for 3 minutes. Turn and broil the other side for 5 minutes, until the skin is nicely browned.

3. Remove the chicken from the broiler, baste with the pan juices, and add the remaining 1/2 cup of Champagne. Adjust the oven temperature to 475 degrees and bake the chicken for 30 minutes, basting once or twice.

4. Serve over brown rice. Sauteed mushrooms add a special touch and go beautifully with Champagne. (In a warm frying pan with a touch of olive oil, add clean, roughly chopped mushrooms, and cook for a few minutes. Add a few drops of lemon juice, freshly chopped sage, seasoning to taste, and 1 tablespoon of butter.) Pour the cooking juices from the chicken over the meat and rice. Serve the remainder of the bottle of Champagne with the meal. (As if we needed permission. Ha!)

(image courtesy of mireilleguiliano.com)

SUDDENLY SOMEONE IS THERE AT THE TURNSTILE, THE GIRL WITH KALEIDOSCOPE EYES

Styx has a full-on art obsession, and his name is Barnaby Ward. His work is amazing. Equal parts playful and mystical, Ward's pieces bring an edge that I totally appreciate-- on my walls, at the office, hell- if I could screen print the below on my grundies I totally would.

Check him out:

http://somefield.com/

(images courtesy of somefield.com)

WATCH THEM ALL STAND IN LINE FOR A SLICE OF THE DEVIL'S PIE

Just a few more reasons to LOVE Fashion Week (and Mother Nature):

French footballer Zinedine Zidane front row at Y-3.

(image courtesy of zizou.com)

Got to show a little Saint Paul love for one of our city's finest.

(image courtesy of nymag.com)

Well hellooooo..

**Click to enlarge, and see why Styx melted at the sight of those arms.

(image courtesy of thesartorialist.com)

PACK UP ALL MY CARES AND WOE, HERE I GO, SINGING LOW, BYE BYE BLACKBIRD

Hmmm...Had this song playing all day in my head and then Styx goes and talks about Marion Cotillard...Ahhh, Marion Cotillard. Thank you Dior for taking this beauty to the major fashion houses, we have had a need to see much more of her! Cotillard was chosen this year to be “Lady Dior,” a fictional character created by John Galliano to be featured in his print advertising campaign and immortalized in an online mini-movie. But truly, Cotillard hardly needs help with her characters! A brief look at her filmography shows the great breadth of a seasoned performer. Any film that this Frenchwoman graces is definitely worth watching because there are just so many reasons to love her on- and off-screen.

First let’s begin with the stack of awards she has earned, many of which stemming from her dynamic rendering of Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. This young phoenix is the first and only winner of an Academy Award for a performance in the French language, in addition to being the 1st Best Actress winner in a non-English language performance since Sophia Loren in ’61. She won a BAFTA. She snatched a Golden Globe. Then there was the Czech Lion…! Cotillard was awarded the Cesar Award for best actress – and was the 1st woman (and 2nd person, the other being Adrien Brody) to win both a Cesar and an Oscar for the same performance. PHEW! So, she has the chops and there’s no argument here!

Another reason to love Ms. Cotillard: I recently gazed at her on the silver screen in Public Enemies with Johnny Depp and found Cotillard to be the captivating presence onscreen! How improbable, with Johnny Depp as her main man... but Cotillard’s convincing portrayal of the loyal leading lady in this film proves that even with the all-encompassing talents of a beloved male lead such as Depp’s, it’s the fascinating woman that weaves the spell. Ultimately we want to know more about her, now don’t we friends? Hecate is in full-on-fact-you-in-the-face-mode with this brilliant lady.

Ready for another reason to love? Did you know that Marion is also an activist? Ahem, ever the environmentalist, Cotillard (a fan of Greenpeace) lends her voice to a song for the Global Humanitarian Forum “Beds are Burning” which can be found on Myspace TckTckTck Myspace Website. Each click, download, and listening does count as a sort of ‘virtual musical petition’ to be presented to politicos in Copenhagen at the esteemed December climate conference. Click here http://unfccc.int/2860.php for more detailed information about that essential event.

The last thing to love about Ms. Cotillard is the opportunity to feast your greedy eyes on her and umpteen other fabulous starlets (Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench, Sophia Loren) and yet more (Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman) in Rob Marshall’s next musical offering, ‘Nine.’ Release date: 25 November 2009. Readers can bet on a full review coming at you right here in the Underworld! Hecate signing off at darkest night. Bon nuit!

MY HEART WAS WRAPPED UP IN CLOVER, THE NIGHT I LOOKED AT YOU

Couch it with some popcorn and a gin and tonic, with: A Good Year.

Hecate and I watched this Russell Crowe (post Gladiator) flick last year and we literally can't stop talking about it since. Perhaps it's the believable brilliance of Marion Cotillard's beauty and utter je ne c'est quoi. Or the fantasy of falling in love in such a perfectly butterfly-inducing fashion. Or maybe, nay most certainly, it's Provence. Our collective burning desire to pick up and move our truckload of shoes and books to Provence, France, and fall headfirst into the lush land of vino and french kisses is strong enough to melt... uh, a really big ice cube.

Or maybe we just had too much gin and tonic when we watched it.. Well, it's worth a second look. Trust us, you'll be daydreaming of Provence too. (Just LOOK at the French landscape! Pffff......)

Tagline: "Everything matures... eventually."

Ain't that the truth!

(images courtesy of luberonexperience.com)

ALL I GOTTA SAY IS I MUST BE DREAMING, CAN'T BE REAL

Styx is in so much trouble:

Sam Edelman booties, available in my size. Of course.

(image courtesy of zappos.com)

YOU KEEP SAYING YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR ME

Styx Picks: Fashion Week NYC, Round 1

Meet (the feet of) Styx's girl crush, numero uno: Kate Lanphear. I heart Kate and her step-to-me-and-I'll-kick-a-hole-the-size-of-Montana-in-your-nards YSL's.

(image courtesy of style.com)

Work it, Giovanna. Work IT.

(image courtesy of garancedore.fr/en)

Shoe lust. Maaaaaajor shoe lust. I would stomp into Junior's preschool like a finely hooved clydesdale in these beauties.

(image courtesy of thesartorialist.blogspot.com)

Okay so this is actually from Fashion Night Out in Paris, but it's technically part of Fashion Week so give me a break. Those Balmain booties are incroyable!!

(image courtesy of style.com)

WHEN THE DAWN COMES, TONIGHT WILL BE A MEMORY, TOO

As summer draws to a close, let us marinate for a moment on one of the season's most memorable moments: Styx, Junior, and Hecate - urban hillbillies for a night with Colorado's top tax bracket. Yee-to-the-haw!

I WANT TO LOOK INSIDE YOUR HEAD, YES I DO

Welcome one and all to Hecate & Styx!

After many years of late nights, fights, discussions, and long covetous glances thrown over glossy magazine spreads and blogs, Styx and I have deduced that the time has come for us to share our signature style-loving musings with you on this public forum.

Hailing from the Underworld (learn more about that in our Profile), we are self-professed fashion victims and champions concurrently – motivated by the relishable self-expression of fashion as art. The strange, brooding syncretization of masculine/feminine and personal swagger define so many elements of our aesthetic. Why not share some of the inspiration?

As Hecate, I shall post things in the dark of night. Count on commentary in mini-article form that ranges from news events, art, food, music, politics, scientific findings, movies, reviews on hair and cosmetic products/tools, literary criticism, and finally-- a little fashion discourse too.

Styx will brighten your day with her on-trend lusts and musts. There will be copious photos from the street, from the dressing room, in addition to notes on findings in vintage shops and in friendly neighborhood best-friend’s closets. Décor in the home, recipes, and advice on shopping for a very chic toddler will be in the mix. A hiccup of wit may find its way onto the blog and, well, anything else that compels us to entertain you with our flights and fancies.

We make no promises! We take no prisoners!

We do however, encourage feedback... if you wish to do so, please feel free to contact us via email at hecate.styx@gmail.com.

We thank you in advance for your support.

Now let’s ROCK…

Sincerely,

Hecate & Styx