Cocoa Locoa Bespoke Chocolate Service

by Evan Orensten

Cocoa Locoa is the creation of Karalee LaRochelle, who, like several other people who've inspired us by their midlife career shifts, knew there was a better way to make a living. After years in business consulting and marketing she earned a degree in Pastry at the New York Culinary Institute. Stints at Eleven Madison Park, Fauchon and Veré Chocolate followed.

In addition to her excellent line of hand made artisan chocolates and confections made with local and organic ingredients—the Salted Honey Caramels, made with Fireweed honey, are beyond (pictured above)—Karalee offers a Bespoke Chocolate Service. First she meets with you to understand the kinds of flavors and style of chocolates you like. She then creates a range of chocolates using your preferences, which you sample at your very own tasting (four costs $250, 8 costs $450).

Once you select the creations that best suit you, they can be further customized by adding a unique screened design and custom packaging. Minimum order is 50 pieces per flavor at $1.50 a piece (50 cents less than a non-custom chocolate). Still don't know what to get the person who has everything?

And what better to serve with your Bespoke Chocolate than Bespoke Vodka?

Experience Cocoa Locoa at the NY Chocolate Show today through 12 November 2006, or at the Cocoa Locoa site.

Valley

by Letizia Rossi

Valley, a new retail space in New York City's Lower East Side, aims to create a living room-style atmosphere by creating a one-stop shopping experience, incorporating apparel, a nail and waxing salon and a cafe. The artistically-inspired space will host seasonal art installations and events in attempt to bring clients, friends and community together. Conceived by sisters Julia, 33, and Nina Werman, 30, a former social worker and a member of the Lower East Side Community Board, respectively, “Valley will draw in women from all over as the boutique works to unite some of the rarest treats in fashion, beauty, art and food as well as create a one-of-a-kind space for social culture.”

The Werman sisters' desire to celebrate the artistry of manicures led them to collaborate with Patty Yankee Williams, winner of Nails Magazine's Nail Technician of the Year for 2005/2006. Williams is Valley's Nail Tech Director and has helped them to create a high-end nail salon with manicures that are "like a facial for your nails." Working without acrylics, the nail salon offers airbrushing, jewels, decoupage of real flowers and marble dipsets (nails are actually marbelized by dipping them) to create amazing works of art for your fingertips. Williams herself will also work as a guest nail artist every other Saturday.

The boutique features a well-curated mix of casual-yet-chic clothing from avant-garde fashion designers, as well as popular favorites such as Grey Ant, known for heralding the high-waisted revolution, Ladies of the Canyon's candy-colored jerseys, Deener Denim's updated classics and Carolina K's Bolivian-influenced dresses (pictured left). Jewelry options include the sneaker chain by Lady Leisure (pictured right), inspired by sneakers thrown over telephone wires, which instead of a clasp, secures by a tie of the chain.

During CH's visit to Valley we were treated to a delicious snack called açai—a Brazilian power fruit packed with antioxidants that's gaining popularity in the states— topped the Werman Sisters Mother's Granola. The Werman sisters know the importance of keeping busy shoppers energized and serving food helps them to achieve the homey atmosphere that they strive for.

Gregory Siff: The Marshmallow Show

by Letizia Rossi

The Marshmallow Show, a one-night private viewing and auction of works this Sunday by Gregory Siff promises to be "an evening of beauty, madness, love and junkfood." The event will feature 37 new works by Siff, including the delightful junk food water colors shown after the jump. The works will be auctioned to benefit J.U.i.C.E. Justice By Uniting in Creative Energy, a charitable organization committed to providing free sessions in all elements of hip hop: word, music, art and dance. An "anti-L.A. show in the heart of L.A." the Marshmallow Show will take place at The Standard Hotel in Hollywood, and guests will be treated to a champagne toast and sugary treats at midnight.

The Marshmallow Show
12 November 2006, 8:00 p.m. - Midnight
The Standard Hotel
8300 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90069 map
Tel. +1 323.650.9090

The Septemberists

by Ami Kealoha

The Septemberists, artist Anthony Goicolea's film mythologizing the creation of Thom Browne's Spring/Summer 2007 collection, is as neo-18th century Americana as the suits themselves. Gorgeously-shot by Brooklyn-based cinematographer Brian Rigney Hubbard over five days on a farm in Massachusetts, the story follows a cadre of young men through the lush landscape as they pick cotton, shear sheep and gather ink from an octopus (pictured), among other more morbid tasks. Originally shown in a 30-minute version as part of New York's fashion week, you can watch a version of the piece here.

The Seiko Power Design Project

by Watchismo

The Seiko Power Design Project is a horological laboratory for concept watches headed by famed product designer Naoto Fukasawa. Every year since 2002, his lab has introduced ideas pushing innovation in form and function inspired by a theme. Pictured left, the "3D Cloth" (2002, theme: "The new ordinary") replaces standard materials with felt in modern shapes and colors. "Ivory" (2005, theme: "Fascination," pictured center)—reminiscent of Moss' Internal Rolex—is encased in a material that looks like ivory, but here (unlike the Internal Rolex), the wristband has a small digital watch embedded in it. Inspired by satellite dishes, the face of 2004's "Dish" (theme: "Radio wave control watch," pictured right) rotates to case the wearer or for other uses. For more of our fave images from Seiko's Power Design Project go here.

Up Hygh: The Venus Album

by Ami Kealoha

Don't let the uninspired cover art fool you, Up Hygh's The Venus Album is one of the best deep and dirty hip hop soul albums of the year. Unapologetic devotees of Jay Dilla's (RIP) pioneering Detroit dirty underground soul, these barely legal Stockholm neophytes to production lace their tracks with thumping and snapping electronic drum sounds, deep bass, and synth blips. But Up Hygh's Rik Skizzo and Pure Pare no cheap imitation. They've absorbed the American vernacular sounds undetected from their perch in the northern European stratosphere and the album's a mature tribute.

In contrast to the edgy beats, the vocals are a mixture of laid-back emcee flows, sugar-sweet crooning and layered harmonies. Up Hygh share the vocal duties with underground hip hop luminaries Little Brother and Planet Asia, U.K. soul powerhouse Eska and frequent collaborator (and Raw Fusion label mate) Melo.

The long-delayed Venus is finally available through a license to the trustworthy Brighton-based Tru Thoughts label (on their hip hop-oriented Zebra Traffic imprint), which is home to Cool Hunting home-team favorites Alice Russel, and TM Juke. Order the import-only cd from Dancetracks Digital.

by DJ Scribe