In a few more weeks I will be putting a select number of Au Courant logo items and hand-crafted pieces on sale via Au Courant Studio. There will also be a limited-run of the numbered, leather-enclosed print volumes of Au Courant 3 in the shop, making for very exciting times and a lot of intriguing things to be had.

In the meantime, I've had to restrain myself from wearing the finished pieces all at once; I've already picked out my personal sweaters from the batch, but couldn't resist taking one of the logo vests for a whirl, as well. 

The slightly loose fit makes for a top that's body-hugging without being sausage-like, which is never a bad thing, right?

And the fact that it's been continuously warm enough to wear vests has me digging through my wardrobe for every other skin baring thing I can find. Like this vintage denim skirt and ages-old wedge heel shoe. 

It's funny how a few years in the back of the closet can make old items seem new; I've always viewed these heels as a strange hybrid between see-through stripper shoes and boring black clunkers. However, with plasticky accessories suddenly becoming de rigeur, I've begun to regard them in a more stylish light.

Here's to new Au Courant pieces, sustained sandal weather and rejuvenating oldies...

Wearing: Tory Burch sunglasses; Au Courant Logo vest; Vintage Jordache denim skirt; old leather belt; Aldo leather + perspex heels.

NB Images copyright © 2012 Au Courant Studio, LLC, All Rights Reserved

DISREGARD THE LEFFE GLASSES BELOW - THAT'S A LA CHOUFFE + GRIMBERGEN

I can't take credit for discovering this beer spot; many thanks have to be given to Mrs. Hemps & Mr. Mau, two of my best pals in NYC who always manage to find the absoloute coolest joints to frequent.

Most recently they've hit the 'new spot' jackpot with TopHops Beer Shop.

A little sliver of a place on Orchard St, TopHops stocks some of the best - and I mean the best - Belgians and International beers. Things I haven't been able to find in the swankiest of NYC watering holes tend to be sitting on one of their freezer shelves, just waiting to be sipped.

This store-cum-bar has quickly become my go-to place whenever I'm back in the city for a spell. If only for the unhurried atmosphere and fun banter with the bar guys, it's always worth the walk across to TopHops even though they close up shop at an early 11/12am...

My beer recommendations?

Go for the easy-drinking Grimbergen Blonde (6% alc.) or the robust Kwak (8% alc.). They're pretty flavourful and deliciously spicy - things that some Beer connoisseurs tend to doltishly equate with a 'feminine palate'. Before you know it, however, you'll be completely twisted out and babbling about the wonders of TopHops; you won't taste the very high alcoholic content in each beer, but you'll definitely feel it before the bottle's done.

My other favourites would be the delightful and important-sounding Chimay Grand Reserve (blue label; 8% alc), Duvel (8.5% alc.) or my all-time standby La Chouffe (8%). Otherwise, the much lighter Leffe or Weihenstephan comes in as good alternatives.

I've seen people begin to sway off the stools in TopHops after two such 'lighter beers', so don't scoff at the last two suggestions - they're rich-tasting silent assassins!

Don't say I didn't warn you...

NB Images copyright © 2011 Au Courant Studio, LLC, All Rights Reserved

This is something I'd never do in my own home. Breakfast in bed? Who the hell is going to wash up those wares, afterwards - and what about all the ants that'll come from food crumbs?

Eating breakfast in bed just doesn't work when you're in your own house. But when you're staying at a hotel? Suddenly things seem more lax, and eating amongst plush down sheets and fluffy pillows at the crack of dawn makes perfect sense. 

Whenever I'm on a trip, I've gotten into the habit of jumping out of bed at early-0-clock and running to the nearest bodega or coffee shop for my usuals: a cup of unsweetened lemon-ginger tea, a piece of fruit, some yogurt & a croissant, a bottle of water and a mini stack of magazines to read. 

Then I rush back to the hotel, jump back into bed and have a little, indulgent morning ritual. However, it usually lasts for all of 30 minutes before that old, don't-eat-in-bed-because-it's-wrong-and-ants-will-invade-your-linens feeling comes creeping back. In spades.

Which, of course, is the cue to stop being lazy, go take a bath, and get out of bed before the ants do indeed come a-biting...

Wearing: H&M men's banker-stripe shirt

NB Images copyright © 2012 Au Courant Studio, LLC, All Rights Reserved