Recently in Fashion Category
I never totally got him before. I mean, I know from Project Runway that he knows his stuff, but to me his brand suffered from some serious dilution (they sell his, admittedly cute, cheapo flats up at the insane shoe store on the corner of Broadway and 14th Street. Marc would never do that!) He was "luxe" for the masses. Donna Karan- same thing.
But now, I'm feeling it. This fashion week, his collection was a celebration of his 30 years in the biz- which is longer then some of his competitors have been alive. And wow! Was I ever in the mood to wear those clothes!
They are the sort of uncomplicated pieces that really set off the wearer, and make her feel good. Rich fabrics, great tailoring, easy colors, perfect drape and flow. It was like a light-bulb went off over my head; so that's what a lady- a grownup woman- dresses like today! These are clothes that make you not just look great, but feel great, and you don't have to be a size nothing to pull them off (but hey, that helps, right?). Anyway, I would run out and buy this sweet leather minidress in a hot second. It's not new, but it's just right.
1) My favorites were; Anna Hathaway in her Dynasty-redux Armani; Tilda Swinton in her bananas white and cream Jil Sander; Tina Fey because I want to be her when I grow up and she can do no wrong no matter what; and Mila Kunis, looking every inch the movie star she will be.
2) Many people disliked Annette Bening's spiky hair and glasses, but I thought it was very her, which is the point, and that she looked pretty great. I didn't love the dress, but it fit her nicely.
3) One of my bete-noirs is the overuse of the word "flirty" to describe clothing, particularly ruffled things. However, the definition of flirty was Julianne Moore in her pink Lanvin. Every time they cut to her she was smiling and laughing girlishly, and I think that one shouldered pink satin had everything to do with it. How could you not giggle in that dress? She totally pulled it off.
4) This is an interesting case that's been on my mind since Sunday. Ponder Olivia Wilde for a moment if you will:
For example:
Here is Catherine Zeta Jones channeling Scarlett O'Hara, from the green textured fabric, which boldly recalls Scarlett's curtains-upholstery dress, to the Civil War era hair. It's actually an absurd look, and most people who tried to rock this would wake up to find themselves the butt of many a fashion joke. But not Catherine Zeta Jones. On her, this totally works. I mean, this woman doesn't just look like a movie star- she is one! And what a rare species they are. She's gorgeous and all you do is look at her face, because, well, what a face! And she's totally comfortable in this stunningly beautiful monstrosity that's surely not comfortable at all. I mean, I can totally imagine her strolling down her back garden to the pool in this, and flopping onto a plush lounge chair with a book or something. This is a lot of dress, and yet, it's not wearing her- she's most definitely wearing IT. The same can not be said for the lovely Olivia Wilde. That dress is wearing HER.Besides- a dress like this probably covers a multiplicity of flaws- as could the Marchesa! But Olivia Wilde has no flaws. She could have been daring, and dare I say, gone a little younger, a little more modern. Heck, she just starred in Tron. What perfect inspiration! She could even have worn something like this, and blown everyone out of the water:
5) Ok, now the "didn't likes": Scarlett Johansson- I actually didn't mind her crazy hair, but I can't stand nude color dresses. They are so bridal and boring, on TV anyway. And the shoulder flap things are not cool. The whole look is grandma-ish, and not in a good bonkers way, but in a bad, dull, way. Also, that tattoo is "blergh"; Nicole Kidman! Why did she have to touch up her botox? She looked actually rather nice on "The View" a few weeks ago- her face moved! Now she looks like polished marble, which is weird on someone who actually has blood in her veins and skin made of cells; the less we say about J.Lo in her cheesy and matronly sheer caplet with bling, the better; and last but not least, January Jones, who looked like a cross between a lampshade and a burlesque act. She's always trying so hard to prove that she's not Betty Draper, and somehow, she fails. This is totally what Betty would wear in 2011. For advice she should see: Stone, Emma.
1) Stephen King- Yes. That Stephen King.
2) Eminence Mango Night Cream- My skin is like the Mojave- dry, hilly, cracked, and full of meth. Kidding. About the last bit. Really. Anyway I've been slathering this morning, noon and night. My skin actually says "ahhhhh" when I put it on. It's a pretty good deal too- all natural. 60$ or so.
3) My new fleece lined Vans, pictured above. They remind me of these awesome Common Project sneakers, for less then half the price. Love a chic score. Also- they keep my toes warm, which should not be underestimated.
4) Wheat Berries! Healthy, hearty, and easy.
5) Gwyneth Paltrow- She is fast going from smug and bitchy to eccentric and entertaining. I applaud her effort. Also- a maniac with a knife, which you've got to respect.
Things I hate Today, January 3rd, 2011
1) The New York City Department of Sanitation- Look, I appreciate my garbage men, I really do! Especially after we lugged all our own garbage to the dump this weekend. It's not for the faint of heart! But you've made your point. Please get that shit out of here!
2) Fresh Step Scented Kitty Litter- My husband accidentally bought the scented kind of litter- I think it's supposed to be "lavender"- and now my cat smells like that old lady who never takes off her makeup, instead she adds more and more powder and lipstick, until she looks like a clown. When she sits, there's a halo of dust over her head. You sat next to her for six hours on a plane once. You thought you were going to die from artificial-flower-scented asphyxiation. This is not preferable to the way my cat usually smells, believe it or not.
3) Gummy Worms- I ate some yesterday and now I want to gag. They were Walgreens brand. Yikes.
4) All my clothes- With the exception of one pair of J Brand black skinny jeans, a pair of Rag and Bone boots, and those new Vans, I hate all of you. Go away please, and replace yourselves with better versions. Thanks. Also, fit better. Ok, stop begging. You little brown Louboutin wedges can stay.
5) Gwyneth Paltrow- Because still...
Anyway, there are monsoons in Malibu and it's pouring in Palm Springs, where it hardly ever even rains. Over on the other side of the country, we are in the midst of a bitter cold December and snow looks likely this weekend. And then, there was the whole crazy once-every-372-years-solstice-eclipse last night, and Al Queda's threatening to poison our food at hotels, and Europe is shut down due to snow, even the Eurostar, and it's T-1 til 2012 which everyone knows is the year of the Mayan Doomsday, apocalypse, however you want to put it, and the Senate won't vote to give some relief to our 9/11 first responders which makes little to know sense as a patriotic stand, (hallelujah about DADT, though!) and we are so busy buying gifts for our friends and family as the year churns to an end that we don't even notice as the walls are coming down around our ears...wait....STOP!
What's important? To be loved, to be warmed, to be cherished. So, while the above Rogan sweater may look a bit pricey, think of it like this: you will be making someone feel very cozy this winter. It's long and chunky, but slim in form- which is hard to do. It's a nice neutral with a fun detail, and on a cold day as the world continues its inexorable disintegration, this will be a pleasing piece to hide away in, wrapped up and safe. Also- it's on SALE!
August 2nd, 2008. These three pairs of shoes mark the day I should have realized that the economy was in the crapper. Because all three pairs were on serious, serious, serious sale at Jeffrey. Trendoid patent leather stilettos with hot pink heels in the shape of flowers, these are not. No, these are three of the most basic, elegant pairs of shoes a girl can hope to find marked 70% off. 250$ is not a crazy amount to spend on boots. But 1100$ is. And that was the original price of those boots. As Fred, my guy at Jeffrey said that day "You'll never see these on sale again." And reader, maybe he's right. But not for the reasons he thought.
I left the store that day, feeling ebullient- like I had gotten away with something. I couldn't believe my luck- three pairs of simple black shoes, for the price of, well, one pair of Louboutins? But looking back, I wonder if I should have guessed something was up. Because, at most points between 2005-2007, those three, basic pairs of shoes would have been long gone by week four of the sale. Heck, they probably never would have gone on sale at all. The fact that there they were, lingering (in my mind, waiting for me,) was perhaps a notice that a seismic shift was underway.
Now, seven months later, I don't regret anything, but times, they have, as they say, a-changed. Now, the stock market has followed the shoes to deep discount territory. The only thing is, I don't know what a deal on the stock market looks like. If only I knew my stocks like I know my shoes. And, as I walk to the subway in my favorite black boots, their red soles scraping off with wear, I wonder if the days of 1100$ plain black boots, like million dollar studios, and citibank stock at 51.80, are over?
Hey everyone,
I know I've been a BAD blogger this past month. I'll admit it- I've been seeing another blog. Yes,
that's right; I have been writing for Ralph Lauren's new Rugby website. It's pretty fun, but I do miss my shoes. and I have other things I want to talk about too....Inside Center is the blog...
So I'll be back posting more frequently! I promise.
I have a pair of Munoz Vrandaecics, and they are tearing me apart.
What are Munoz Vrandecics? At first glance you might believe I am suffereing from a rare eastern European disease. And you wouldn't be that wrong. Munoz Vrandecic is a shoe, furniture and bag label from Barcelona, Spain. Munoz, according to what may be misinformation dug up on the web, is an engraver who teaches college, and Vrandecic is his wife, an artist. Together they make a very limited number of shoes, bags, jewelry and furniture. The shoes are made by hand, of wood and leather with brass nails. They are basically works of art, and supposedly become more beautiful as you wear them.
I got mine about three years ago, at a Jeffrey sale, when they were marked down a lot. I believed, when I met them, that I had found a true sole mate (I am so sorry about that, I couldn't help it.) But it was not to be. I wore them exactly once, before relagating them to the bin under my bed. You know the story, girl meets shoe, girl loves shoe, girl buys shoe, shoe hurts girl. They had hurt me, hurt me bad, and like a spurned lover, I cast them aside. For, dear reader, they had given me the worst blisters I had ever had in my entire life, and as a flat footed person, I know blisters. They tore a hole in the top of my foot, and ripped my ankles to shreds. For a week I could only wear my Vans, with socks, which sucks in the middle of summer!
I get blisters a lot. Which sucks, because I get blisters and then I can barely wear ANY shoes, much less new shoes, or loved shoes. I've tried the socks around the house thing, and you know what? I still get blisters. But no more. The genius' (!!!) at Band Aid have invented my dream product.
Are you ready for it? Band Aid Blister Block is a little deodorant like stick that you apply to the areas where your shoes rub. You then put your shoes on, and walk. Viola, no blisters. I have been wearing my Munoz Vrandecics all day, and it ACTUALLY WORKS. I was skeptical, believe me, I was. But I am now devoted. My summer just got so much better.
So you've learned two things here today. One, Munoz Vrandecics are cool shoes, and two, Blister Block exists!
What goes around, comes around, right? It's a HUGE cliche, I know, and it was one even before JT sang it so nicely. But listen, this is my first real moment of seeing trends I wore as a young one coming back around. Let me take a moment to extoll, and sigh about my age.
I'm not against the leggings trend, like so many are. They're comfortable, and can be cute, if worn with good boots or flats, and a dash of prudence. In 1986, when we first dressed that way, we covered our tushes! Not only do I not want to see your panty line, or your thong, chances are, even if you are super skinny, leggings won't really do it for your ass. Cover that thing! I've mentioned my love of Steve Alan shirt dresses before, and I will add long sweatshirts, (loathe as I am to promote them) from American Apparel to my list of appropriate legging wear.
On that note, I noticed that Katayone Adeli is back, with a lovely little line called K.A.7. She has the perfect sweater dress for leggings; long, slightly shear, very flattering, palest pink merino wool. They also have her trousers, which were the best pair I ever owned. Welcome back!
But my real reason for this posting is in the name of revival! While at aforementioned American Apparel last week, I saw these head bands behind the counter. They were thing, and ribbon like, and came in lots of great jewel tones, for the bargain price of 3.50. I got two! One in red, and one in a lovely caramel. I have very dark hair, and I love them. But I have a tiny head, and they do tend to slip. Yet they remind me of a recent trend, that now seems never to have happened.
Do you remember the Bumble Band? For a moment in the late '90s, early aughts, it was THE hair accessory. I think, (though correct me if I am wrong) that SJP even wore them on Sex in the City. They were thin, satin, bra strap-like bands, complete with adjustable clasp. They came in very few colors; I had one in black, and a coveted lavender, from the Seventeen Magazine beauty closet. My friends in college where constantly trying to swipe them. Made by Bumble & Bumble, they dressed up a sloppy pony tail, and were pretty sexy for a headband. Bumble made limited batches, but the bands were quickly knocked off, and showed up at Ricky's, Urban Outfitters, and if memory serves correctly, maybe even the Gap! So out they went, with the black stack heeled boots!
Recently, Amanda Peet has been sporting on Studio Sixty. But a Google search returned no results. So for now I'll have to stick with my new, thicker, less elegant version.
