The Children of the Russian Rich

German photographer Anna Skladmann's portrait series features children of the new Russian elite. "They live in a secluded world," says Skladmann, who spent years befriending and photographing the little ones. "Their parents are attempting to make up for the Soviet times--they only want the best for their children. They receive private language lessons; they go swimming or play tennis. The lives of these children are very planned and regimented." This interview and these slideshow captions are fascinating.

P.S. The series reminds me of the riveting documentary Born Rich about American heirs and heiresses. (Have you seen it?)

What are your favorite books?

Recently I've been hunting for a new great book. Happily, I just stumbled upon the new website, What should I read next? You type in a book you like, and then it gives you recommendations of similar books.

My favorite book of all time is The History of Love, a novel about an old man remembering his love affair. It's so heartbreakingly beautiful that I underlined entire passages so I'd never forget them. At one point, I literally hugged the book as I read. What books do you love?

(Photo by Barca)

Father's Day gift guide

My darlings, I'd love to share a Father's Day gift guide in honor of all the amazing dads out there. First up: The exact sunglasses that worked for Steve McQueen, $310.
Duluth backpack, $135. (Get 10% off with the discount code THANKSDAD)
Dog collar bottle opener, $20. Now he can teach the dog to fetch a beer!
Wooden tie (for real), $34.
Two lobsters delivered to his door, $35.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel with sunscreen, $35, because you feel protective of him, too.
A sticker to make his iPhone look like a Leica camera, $9.
Artwork for his house, $20-$50. (P.S. I love the description of this boxing print.)
Lego Falling Water, $99.99, to make him feel like a kid again.
BBQ Fish basket, $18, for grilling perfectly crispy fish on the deck.
Desk blotter with twelve of his all-time favorite family photos, $29.99.
Chocolate sardines, $9.95, straight from France.
Striped camera strap, $138.
Bike glow safety light, $19, for midnight rides.
Luggage tag to inspire wanderlust.
A note telling him how much you love him, $4.50, since that's what he really wants anyway.

What are you going to get your dad? xo

P.S. More gift ideas for guys...

(Wooden tie via Honestly WTF; chocolates via Refinery 29)

Avocado popsicles

Yesterday we made our first batch of summer popsicles, and, inspired by the new popsicle cookbook Paletas, we made two awesome flavors: avocado (!) and Greek yogurt with blackberry.
The avocado popsicle was surprisingly sweet and refreshing...
...and the Greek yogurt with blackberry popsicle was creamy and tart.
Here are the recipes, if you'd like to try them out. Enjoy!

(Photos by our summer babysitter Sophie Mathewson, who just happens to be a photographer!)

Do you heart New York....or not so much?

Some people (read: New Yorkers) often get into a frenzy about how amazing New York is, but this new book takes the middleground. "New York is a pretty okay city!" they say, "Have you ever loved something, but also totally not loved it at the same time? Obviously, we realize that there are some cool elements to the place, like some statues and stuff, but we also recognize that New York just seems like kind of a hassle."
Hilarious.

P.S. Remember this?

Children's book

Hilarious. For all you new parents out there. :)

(Via New York Magazine)

A Book For Exhausted Parents

A sample verse: "The cats nestle close to their kittens now. The lambs have laid down with the sheep. You're cozy and warm in your bed, my dear. Please go the fuck to sleep."

Levi Johnston Readies Palin Tell-All

This fall Levi Johnston will release Deer in the Headlights: My Life in Sarah Palin's Crosshairs, a tell-all book of his time with Mama Grizzly.

"I want to tell the truth about my close relationship with the Palins," Johnston, 20, says in a statement released by his publisher. "My sense of Sarah and my perplexing fall from grace – how I feel and what I've learned." Johnston adds: "I'm doing this for me, for my boy Tripp and for the country.

The timing of the book's release should prove amusing, as Palin may be officially launching her 2012 campaign by then.

Birthday book

My lovelies, I wanted to share my dad's 60th birthday present (just because I'm so excited about it). I made him a hardcover photo book filled with snapshots from all stages of his life. It was so much fun looking through family shots and choosing favorites, including a few he had never seen! (How hilarious is his expression in his wedding photo, by the way?) When I gave it to him this past weekend, he was so touched and couldn't stop looking through it. It was one of those truly special life moments.

(P.S. I made the book through Pinhole Press, and the book felt beautiful, with silky paper and a linen cloth hardcover. This book is the exact one I choose, but there are a bunch of other lovely options. Would be amazing to make a wedding album, too, don't you think? xo)

Tina Fey's new book

Tina Fey's memoir, Bossypants, comes out today! She talks hilariously about her life, from her awkward childhood in Pennsylvania and one-sided college romance to her days at Saturday Night Live and near-fatal honeymoon. The reviews are raving, and I can't wait to read it, especially the chapter on juggling work and motherhood, a topic near and dear to my heart. Are you going to read it? (Also, thoughts on the cover?)

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR BOSSYPANTS:
"I hope that's not really the cover. That's really going to hurt sales." (Don Fey, Father of Tina Fey)
"Totally worth it." (Trees)

My favorite photo of Tina, from an American Express ad a while back:

A Message From Borders Books

(Source)

Castro Street's Gay Bookstore To Close

San Francisco's A Different Light bookstore is said to be going out of business.

The Castro’s A Different Light Bookstore, one of the few remaining LGBT bookstores in the United States, is apparently closing. This comes on the heels of the closure of the Mission's Modern Times, another independent progressive bookstore. “Everything must go” signs were spotted in the store Saturday. Dismantled shelving sat in a pile in the back of the store. Neighborhood chatter is that doors will close for good this spring. A Different Light has been the gathering place for the Bay Area’s gay literati for decades – the company was first established in 1979. Local authors like Armistead Maupin would often pack the store full of eager readers when launching their latest titles.

Washington DC's Lambda Rising closed early last year. Oscar Wilde Books in the West Village and A Different Light's WeHo outlet both closed in 2009. What's left?

Embroidered book covers

How breathtakingly gorgeous are these embroidered book covers by Jillian Tamaki? She made them for Penguin Books, and rumor has it that they'll be available this fall. SO beautiful. (I'm sure Jane Austen would have wholeheartedly approved. I love Emma's little freckles!)

P.S. More + amazing + book covers.

(By Jillian Tamaki, via Black Eiffel)