What if no one who loved you could look at you?

(S)mythology Puts Modern Spin on Classic Myth. As I first flicked through this book I was amazed at the simple but detailed beauty of the illustrations, already finding myself falling into my imaginary world of altered human imagination, which I like to call "Doing an Alice'! (Of course by this I mean Lewis Carroll's Alice). Now just a little background on this must read!!

(S)mythology originally written as a short story in the Autumn of 2004 while American born author Jeremy Tarr lived in London finding himself deep into the East London creative movement while holding a rose of Love to his heart for a young lady simply named Sophie! So began (S)mythology a beautiful dedication written by the young author Jeremy to cheer up his love.

S)mythology tells the story of Sophie, a lovely young woman who has spent her entire life in seclusion, fearing that friends and lovers who looked at her would turn to stone.

It’s happened: Sophie has seen men turn to marble right before her very eyes. Fearful of her curse, she stays alone in a London flat with only a blind caretaker for company. But when events beyond her control drive her onto the streets of London, she must battle the forces that have kept her hidden away since childhood.

Told with tongue-in-cheek wit and wry whimsy, (S)mythology is about the mythology of love and the fairytale of life and death. The 320 page hardcover novel includes sixty-four illustrations by Katy Smail.
Published by Big Head LLC (ISBN: 0983090602), (S)mythology is now available from Apple iBooks and through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in both print and e-book form ($25.99 hardcover; $7.99 electronic edition).

Mom's Favorites: Miller Harris Olive Oils

British perfumer Lyn Harris broadened her creative palette last year when she applied her fragrance-blending skills to the flavoring of fine black teas. Using the wholly edible essences she uses for her perfume-making, she subtly tweaked the flavors of the leaves with a light coating of a finely tuned blend, and retails them under her Miller Harris brand.

Continuing to discover new ways in which her fragrant essences can please the palate as well as the nose, Harris has just launched a range of olive oils very lightly enhanced with accents of citrus, herb and spice, to be used in dressings, to be drizzled or dunked in.

The base oil is a premium cold press extra virgin olive oil, produced by the Marques de Valdueza family who have been pressing olives for 600 years. There is nothing cheap, gimmicky or throwaway about the results.

The subtlety of the enhancement is brilliant, and adds another very worthwhile dimension to the exquisite oil. The Citron blend is enhanced with Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, Brazilian orange, grapefruit, tangerine and petitgrain from Paraguay. It lends itself to fish.

Sauvage blends Tunisian rosemary, French lavender, Spanish thyme and sage from the Dalmation Coast. It’s perfect with Pasta. And Poivre is a blend of cardamom from Guatemala, Chinese cinnamon, black pepper, coreander and clove. It works well with salads and rice.

Harris’s talent for titillating the senses extends also to refinement in the packaging, which, true to form, is enough of an incentive to open your purse.

Miller Harris is available at MiN New York, 117 Crosby Street New York City. [Via]

New from Penhaligon's

New arrivals at the Shop and at http://MiN.com:

New LIMITED EDITION Perfume from L'Artisan Parfumeur: Iris Pallida

Captured in Tuscany, Iris Pallida by L'Artisan Parfumeur is inspired by one of the most precious flowers on earth and born in the Tuscan soil, under the endless sky, gently caressed by the breeze, guarded by Cypress trees….The noble aroma comes from rhizomes, hidden deep in the earth. After drying for three years ,the roots release the essence of incredible complexity, subtlety  and finesse.

Top Notes:

Rose Essence, Orange Blossom Absolute, Violet Leaf, Aniseed

Heart Notes:

Iris Absolute, Cedar, Vetiver, Patchouli

Base Notes:

Iris Absolute, Guaicum, Ambrette Seeds, White Musc

Now available in 1 size only [50mL] for $115 at the Apothecary & Online at MiN.com

The Evolution of Steel

Josh Hadar, Founder and Owner of Hadar Metal Design, an Eco-conscious design group that creates one-of-a-kind custom bikes and environmental installations, will launch his first showcase on May 6th at 285 Lafayette Street. Hadar has worked to develop new sculptural art installations that bring evolving environmental technologies to the forefront of the art world and will feature the first completely solar powered electric vehicles and photovoltaic steel trees, all with Hadar's innovative and unique flair. The results of this work has earned an enthusiastic and diverse global audience of fine artists, craftspeople, environmental scientists, engineers, technicians and social activists who bring their knowledge and energy to the development of new projects.

"The Evolution of Steel," will debut with a private preview on Thursday, May 5th in the original space that Hadar began his journey into the art world years ago. After a storied career in the nightlife and theater industries, Hadar decided to pursue his true passion and trained himself how to craft steel through natural means (around fire hydrants, lamp posts, trash cans and trees) rather than using heat or electric equipment. The exhibit will display everything from Josh's crude early work to his more recent custom bikes such as "ER's Teardrop," which features nickel on rolled steel, hand-spun aluminum plate wheels, and a hand-blown, steel-wrapped glass fuel tank with an 80 cc gas powered motor with pedal assist. In addition to the bikes, Josh will showcase his newest creations, solar powered steel trees that represent the future of eco-conscious design, already displayed across the globe including an installation at the Intercontinental Hotel in Times Square.

For more information and to view more of Josh's work please visit here. 

DESIGNER JOSH HADAR PRESENTS
"THE EVOLUTION OF STEEL" 
Featuring New York's First Solar Powered Electric Vehicles
and Additional Eco-Conscious Art Installations 

285 Lafayette St.
(Bet. Houston and Prince St.)

New York, NY 10012

May 6th-27th

Tuesday to Friday: 1pm-9pm

Saturday: 12pm-9pm

Sunday: 12pm-6pm