It often strikes me that many women don't actually like their wardrobes or their appearance. This saddens me. Everyone - EVERYONE - can look attractive. It is within your power to do so. You can't play the victim here. With proper styling, proper grooming, some knowledge and know-how everyone can look nice. It isn't about money. It's not about brands. It's not about the latest trend.

Expect future posts and lots more on this topic. For now... enjoy these yummy Edith Head sketches. Not sure who she is? The godmother of all stylists. Yes.. there was life before Rachel Zoe & Patricia Field. *gasp!*

For more info, poke around here and then read a copy of this. 

Ciao a tutti!

Although the model looks a bit too corpse-like for my taste, the sequined Marc Jacobs bag is TDF! A closer look at the photo reveals subdued mauve for fall (not a good color on me), satin shirts are coming back (yikes.. I just donated all of mine), pleated skirts are still threatening to upstage the pencil silhouette (I'll have to pass, thankyouverymuch) and the Brazilian Blowout is now almost required by law if you live within 25 miles of a major metropolitan area (this I agree with. I'm getting one. SOON!). Consider yourselves warned ;)

{photo credit net-a-porter}

I'm crafting a post for Caitlin from Sacremento Street where bloggers are asked to list 10 things that make us happy. My list for Caitlin will be short and snappy, focusing on specific products. In the process of considering what lifted my spirits, I felt compelled to author a more extended list. These are things in my daily life that bring me considerable joy and amusement. Ready? Here she goes....

My iPhone
I'd be kidding myself if I didn't start this list with my iPhone. I adore mine. I sleep with it. I workout with it. I go everywhere and anywhere with this lovely little device. It's difficult (and painful) to recall life before I began using an a phone of this caliber. At the tip of my fingers I have language translation tools, shopping, entertainment, music fingerprinting tools and pure bliss. Suffice it to say it doesn't just make me happy - it's an invaluable part of my existence. If you're not rocking one, you need to fix that. I'm counting the days until the white ones are released so I can upgrade to the latest version. My love of Apple is a true thing of beauty. 

Magazines
Most women love magazines. Maybe it's in the genes. Maybe it's the calculated blend of fragrance, decadence and unattainable idealism. Whatever it is, these glossy beauties make me embarrassingly happy. Not to mention the fact that you can tuck one in a handbag, a gym bag or tote when you're on the go. Magazines make otherwise droll activities (waiting rooms, treadmills, airport lounges) something to enjoy. If you want a real thrill, subscribe to Italian and French Vogue for a year. It will impress you, inspire you and embarrass you. Getting out of your comfort zone and seeing new, exciting images and ideas make these lightweight gems one of my favorite indulgences.

Sunshine
Ahh, sunshine. You might think this is too obvious to mention, but some of us - more than others - seem to crave the warmth of the sun on their skin. My husband is one of those lucky souls who lived in Manhattan Beach, CA for a while and sticks to the story that he never spent time at the beach. "Too busy working," he claims. Trust me. If the tables were turned I'd have found a way to stare at the surf every day. My workouts would have been outdoors (Santa Monica steps anyone?), my shopping outdoors, my meals at outdoor faces. This doesn't mean I bask for hours by the pool. On the contrary, I am a sunblock devotee because I don't want to look like a raisin or die an untimely death. Yet I can't ever seem to get enough time outside. Outdoor cafes, sidewalk restaurants, long walks, outdoor shopping - you name it. If it can be done outside versus indoors, I'm a happy girl. But make no mistake: I'm NOT a fan of camping and I love my air conditioning on at full blast. Like all urban girls, I love nature on my own terms, thankyouverymuch.

Clarins UV Plus
I know what you're thinking... sunblock? But this product is really, truly great. No white residue, no skin irritation and (nest of all) it protects against aging and burning rays. And with all those outdoor activities I mentioned above, you can bet I'm loyal to this tiny little bottle. I rely on this (and Kiehl's) to preserve my thus far still youthful skin. I use it faithfully every day and swear by it. Try it just once and you'll be amazed. Hallelujah!

BravoTV
Need I say more? Between Jeff Lewis's genius (albeit neurotic) creativity, Rachel Zoe's crazy blend of doubt and expertise, Padma's sensual ways I can hardly contain myself. One glance at my TiVo playlist and you'll see I'm clearly drinking the Bravo Kool-Aid. They've not only changed the face of reality television, they've given us a way to see behind the scenes of numerous creative professions. It offers me delicious drama in a not-so-low-brow way (save a few tables being overturned). What can I say... Bravo!  

Speaking of TiVo...
It's not just TiVo... it's all of modern life's technological wonders. Shazaam for identifying music, TiVo for storing up hours of entertainment, NetFlix for indulging my desire to watch Entourage at a moment's notice, the iPad for being so convenient, Flipboard for bringing the aforementioned iPad to life (how COOL is this app???), blogging for existing... life is good. If you don't believe it, you need a reality check. I am constantly amazed at the awesome (and mostly free!) services & apps at our disposal.

Online Shopping
What more can I say. Saks, Net-a-Porter, Louis Vuitton, Neimans, Shopbop, Harrods, Revolve, Piperlime, Nordstrom... I spend a considerable part of my day scouring these and others for the latest and greatest. My appetite for fresh fashion is never fully sated, which I suppose explains why blogging is a natural fit. For a fast fix that aggregates all of these, don't forget ShopStyle.

Luxury Goods
Like most of my girlfriends, I'm obsessed with Louis Vuitton, Louboutins, Choos and Chanel. Their history, the fine craftsmanship, the astronomical price increases... I can't stop reading about them, staring at them, coveting them and occasionally acquiring them. Why does this make me happy? At least in our lifetime, these are some of life's iconic material goods. They give me something to reach for, new levels of success to reach and new goals.

Frankly, even if I can't fathom forking out $15K for a Hermes, it makes me happy knowing someone else can and will. It's fabulous we live in a world where such opulence and freedom exists. And you know what/ We can all reach for those things if we wish. That's the beauty of the world we live in. Hard work does pay off.

Naturally, the techie in me loves that some sites let you shop online, but nothing beats walking into a boutique and being greeted with the requisite double cheek air-kiss. I'm a girl's girl and I adore a good day of shopping. And if I come home with a heavy shopping bag, all the better. :)

 
Chick Lit
Yes, I said it. I love a little bubble gum for the brain. My days are so busy and life is so full, that when I do read I'm looking for a bit escapism. These pink-jacket covered wonders fit easily into a handbag and bring a little levity to my day. Which author is for you? That's hard to say, but I'd start with The Manny and move on from there. 

Twitter
I could care less about Facebook. For me, Twitter is my guilty pleasure (on my iPhone, no less, between pages of my latest chick-lit). I've met and interacted with so many amazing (and often famous) people through the tool. I love that it offers you more candid insights into what people are like, unlike carefully written blogs posts or books. With it I feel connected, active and informed. You can take away my RSS feeds and my news channels, but please don't take away (or charge me for) my tweets.

2010 has been a year of me learning to relax. That's right: I am trying to train my type-A, don't-stop-thinking-moving-being-creating-inventing self to take a chill pill and indulge in one of life's great pleasures: doing NOTHING. Of course... my version of doing nothing is still productivity in disguise. Currently that means I'm reviewing an advance copy of Nina Garcia's latest tome and some surprisingly delicious Gevalia coffee. First the coffee...

We are self-professed coffee snobs in our home. I prefer espresso to brewed any day and I turn my nose at most sad little homemade confections. If you're going to drink coffee - REAL coffee - it had better be good. Otherwise you're really just enjoying your sweetener and milk. We were sent a pound of Gevalia's 1853 Heritage Blend a few months back and finally got around to brewing up a pot. Wow! Smooth, rich and very impressive. So much so that my husband proudly declared that he'd gladly let Gevalia sponsor his blogging efforts just so he could drink an endless supply of the beverage. And he meant it. You don't know Mr. Venti as I do - and I'm telling you that's quite the profession of love. 

On to my book now... what a read! Nina hits it out of the park again, as only the diving Mrs. Garcia can do. Peppered with famous quotes, do's and don'ts as well as insider secrets, Nina is almost begging oyu to elevate your style quotient. This quote sums it up best...

"Style is not about having a closet of beautiful things - it is instead about knowing when, where and how to utilize what you have."

She so right. So many get locked into the "I don't have the money to buy designer" mentality. On that I have to call those girls out on BS (meaning: Bad Style-mentality). Trust me, you can walk into a Forever 21 and come out looking like a fashionista for about $50. If you don't know how, call me and I'll help you. Will those items last you for years to come? Doubtful, but if you're rushing about from event to event making urgent fashion purchases you aren't really trying to build a working wardrobe anyway. You're caught up in the sad cycle of money wasting and impulse purchases. You are putting band-aids on what is clearly a broken system. You sit there reading this and sneering that the idea of "the classics" and "wardrobe staples" because in your mind you think *yawn*... "I'll get to it one day."

Nonsense. EVERY woman needs a basic foundation of quality so that when the new seasons and fresh trends roll around she can indulge in a pair on Gucci knee-high boots or YSL tribute platform because she won't be wasting hundreds of dollars that season filling unnecessary voids in her soul closet.

Does that mean fashion isn't fun? Oh, it's fun. It's incredible fun! My point is you need to secure a few basics so that you aren't looking at a closet full of nothingness and feeling pangs of despair each morning when you go to get dressed. 

Diane Von Furstenberg said it best (and I paraphrase):

"You should open your closet each morning and
be greeted by good friends."

Think about that statement: Friends. Friends make you feel good about yourself. Friends are comfortable. Trustworthy. You look forward to seeing them, spending the day with them. You care for them and about them. They love you for who you are. Friends earn the title through time and trust. If you are opening your closet each morning dreading the "what will I wear today" decision - you need help. You should be looking forward to the next time you get to wear those pants or that dress or those shoes. You should anticipate the rotation of choices with delight. There is a private thrill when you realize you can then pair those yummy pants that do wonders for your backside with the amazing new silk scarf that highlights your pretty eye color. What if you paired with with that awesome wrap top today and did something completely different. That could be fun AND flattering. And NEW.

Trust me: build the foundation and you can find a level of fashion freedom that is.. well, freeing. And it needn't cost you a fortune. My rules: invest in the BEST you can afford. Accept no substitutes for what you REALLY want. Make sure that an item goes with several other items before you purchase it (special occasion items aside). And most importantly: if at all possible, wait one day before buying an item. At the very least, put the item on hold, walk out of the boutique and go have a coffee next door. Clear your head. Let the "shopping coma" fade away and think about whether or not the item is really right for you.

I rarely make a purchase anymore without stepping away for a bit or going back the next day. Stores are more than happy to place an item on hold for you. They'd rather you do this than cause a return or an become and unhappy customer. (Exception to the rule: If you are blessed enough to be invited to a Chanel sample sale an come across a once in a lifetime boucle fitted jacket in your size and in your price range: by all means... indulge. At the very least you can sell her for a tidy profit on eBay.)

Think it through. Have a list of gaps you're trying to fill. Don't settle for a bargain basement version if you'll be using an item every day or putting it through the paces. It won't last. INVEST.... don't SPEND. These are your friends after all, choose them wisely treat them with respect. You've got a long future together, after all.

Nina, I love you. I love your book. I cherish your sartorial wisdom and am grateful that you've offered so selflessly to share it with the masses in a beautifully designed hardcover book. I'm going to settle back down into my cushy chaise and continue drinking the last of my tasty coffee as I make mental notes to pen my own fashion book one day.

{Editorial note: Hmm... I guess I haven't quite kicked the "go go go" mentality after all, but I'm working on it... I'm working on it. I promise! ;) Get the coffee, buy the book. I love them both and will be enjoying them for quite some time. You should too.} 

{Image credit: illustrations by RUBEN TOLEDO}

 For the past few days I've been thrillseeking. No, not of the "jump out of a perfectly good plane with a questionably packed parachute" kind. Hardly. Instead I've been in search of pretty things and bright spots of design creativity. It starts with the usual suspects... Williams-Sonoma Home and the like and extends to tiny boutiques, fabric specialists and galleries.

Your precious feet can only take you so far in 97 degree heat, however, so a good search online is often the most efficient (and coolest) way to travel. This morning, rather than pack up and head to the nearest interior design boutique, I popped over to the reliable Robb & Stucky site for inspiration. In the process I couldn't help but feel I was betraying my inner explorer. She wants to go places and surround herself with plush surroundings and a full-frontal creative experience. Heat or no heat.

I'm curious, fellow creatives, where do you go for inspiration? The beach? A book? Bergdorfs? The park? A gallery? What real world places do you visit when you need a good thump on the head?

Yesterday as I ran errands I saw a girl in the cutest tunic. Not the overly-patterned Tory Burch variety... but a classic-yet-slightly-embellished tunic.It's doubtful she was headed to the pool. Instead, she looked the epitome of summer. Interestingly I've been wearing my summer whites as often as I can from top top bottom. Before you know it, the pools will be shuttering, beach towels will be packed away and you'll need to stop wearing those white short-shorts you've been rocking. My advice? Make August and the remnants of July count. Dress like it's summer and act like you mean it. Big hats, bawdy tunics, embellished sandals, bright colors. Summer 2010 is here, people. Squeeze every last bit of goodness from the days!

{This lovely summer outfit, courtesy of Vivre}

 

  My usual laptop is under observation at the Genius bar (*sigh*), so I'm authoring this post from my old Powerbook. While performance may be slow, it is fun to see the photos I saved for posts that never saw the light of day. These, for example, are sensational photos I saved when Brahmin opened their Dallas location a few months back. I'm in love with the style of the photos... ethereal, French, glamorous. Everything a handbag wants to be (in my opinion). Admittedly, I've never so much as touched a Brahmin bag. Maybe it's time stepped into a boutique and got a better look. Classic silhouettes, gold chains and (best of all) prices that leave enough money in the bank account for a trip to Paris. Oui oui!

{Credit: Brahmin Handbags}

Not everyone can wear yellow, this I know for certain. For me personally it depends upon the specific item. Daffodil yellow: yes.  Marigold: not-so-much. Lemon yellow: yes (thank you, God). Mustard: no, thank you. Day-glo yellow: not a chance.

Does this stop me from trying, hoping, wanting, desperately and constantly to wear it during the summer? Not at all. I'm drawn to the sunny shade and the joy of a bright yellow sundress. It's even better in cotton eyelet or a stiff cotton dress like the one above. Paired with pitch perfect "of the moment" Jimmy Choo gold platforms it seems the epitome of summer style 2010, doesn't it?

For those of your blessed with a pallor that allows you to rock lemon yellow, get your BCBG on here and bust out your Visa for the Choos. Happy Saturday!

  My, my, my... these are lovely spaces! The lovely handiwork of the talented Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz, whom I won't pretend to have known until moments ago. What I do know (thanks to her Decorati interview) is that she's addicted to twitter (yay!), gets her creative juices flowing with blogs (don't we all! :), and has had a penchant for design since she was five years old.

That may be what the Q & A session shared with us... what her work reveals is something much more interesting. I assert that the lovely designer has a passion for art. Her spaces are far more like intimate galleries than simple rooms. Yes, I long to admire the accessories from the cushy chairs and linger at the Saarinen table... but I find myself keenly interested in taking a few moments to focus on the art in the rooms. Any room that inspires me to take out my Canon and create a few masterpieces or dust off my charcoals is a successful room indeed. 

Sometimes it's easy to forget just how good we have it. Fora about a week I've been keenly aware of the many goals and plans I've had that have come to fruition. I'm making myself stop every day to smell the roses and appreciate how powerful the mind is at making dreams become reality. It's also a powerful reminder to focus very hard ONLY on those things which you hope come true. Those who dwell on the negative and on their fears very often bring those very things to pass. Spend some time today focusing on things you DO want. Remember: YOU design your life. YOU make the calls. YOU make the choices. YOU ultimately pen your own story.

So as I end the week on a very grateful note, I hope that you too will take a moment to inventory the many wonderful blessings in your life. Life is indeed so good.

{Images from net-a-porter's fabulous online magazine}