The A List

Icon or Hype-con?

2011-04-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

OK – I have been holding my tongue about this for a while now, but I can keep quiet no longer . Michelle Obama is NOT a fashion icon! There is a huge difference between being into fashion, like a hobby and being a fashion icon. Diane von Furstenberg is an icon because she solved a major problem for women with her invention of the wrap dress and remains a leader in the industry 40 years later. Gwen Stefani is an icon because she has a distinctive style that doesn’t pander to what’s new and hot and oh, by the way she founded a major fashion label as well.

Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden were on The View yesterday - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/michelle-obama-the- view_n_850629.html - and I hated what Michelle was wearing. A light beige v-neck, long sleeved sweater with a white satin pleated skirt complete with large turquoise (yes I said TURQUOISE!) earrings that were pulling her earlobes down drastically. White and off-white together is one of my personal fashion no-no’s. Also – her bare legs were crossed and one was gleaming so much (lotion? oil?) that it was distracting. What message was this outfit trying to convey?

And why is Mrs. Obama considered a fashion icon anyway? She has gotten it wrong so many times. The black and red Narciso Rodriguez dress from election night was completely inappropriate on her body and for the occasion and she seemed totally uncomfortable in the white gown from the inaugural ball. I appreciate that she supports low price point fashion companies like J. Crew and up-and-coming designers like Jason Wu but does this make her an icon? It really irks me that the first lady and Dr. Biden were talking about military families on the show and the story is on the Style section of the Huffington Post. Wouldn’t it be more fitting in the Politics section?

Talk about confusing the messenger and the message…

Oprah & Iyanla Reunion - Too Little Too Late?

2011-02-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

Oprah is cleaning house in her final season – and I cannot get enough. I was up until 3am last night watching this Wednesday’s show on my DVR, captivated. In 1998 and 1999, Oprah showcased Iyanla Vanzant, an extraordinary relationship coach who cut through all of people’s BS and called it as she saw it. Iyanla was a breath of fresh air and became a huge hit and a hot commodity. http://www.innervisionsworldwide.com/

There had been talk with Harpo Productions about giving Iyanla her own show in the future. Then, Barbara Walters approached her about doing a show. Here’s where it all went wrong: Iyanla had a meeting with Oprah and her executive producer which resulted in some misconceptions. Oprah thought Iyanla was giving them an ultimatum and Iyanla did not realize just how much Oprah valued her. As a result, Harpo dropped Iyanla and she and Oprah did not talk for 11 years. Talk about an “aha!” moment!

Well, this week they got it all aired out – on national TV – and all is forgiven. http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Iyanla-Vanzant-Returns-to-The-Oprah-Show
How amazing though that one conversation changed the course of an amazing person’s career. Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Dr.Oz and Rachael Ray all have long running shows produced by Harpo and Iyanla Vanzant is far from a household name.

Success is an ethereal mistress. Some people struggle their entire lives for it and it comes effortlessly to others. What is really unbelievable to me is ho it can be totally fleeting. One moment everyone wants you and the next no one does… I watched Iyanla on Oprah and the way she re-languaged our thoughts and feelings had a lasting effect on me. I still quote her until this day. “Don’t say your broke. Say you’re temporarily out of cash.” She was so confident in her delivery as a coach, it was startling to hear that she was totally oblivious about how to handle herself in a business negotiation.

Image really is everything because I didn’t think this woman had an insecure bone in her body. And this is a great example that what people do is not who they are. Iyanla let her past abuse and negative self-worth dictate the course of her future. And she remained frightened to call Oprah for 11 years. First impressions are indelible but so are last experiences, if you let them be. One credo that I live by is to always be “complete” in relationships. Say all that you need to say and don’t take anything for granted with communication. Life is so fragile and I don’t want to have regrets.

What I’m curious about now is what’s next for Oprah and Iyanla. Will Oprah offer Iyanla a show on the new OWN network? Or has Iyanla moved past wanting one? I was on the edge of my seat for the whole hour – and then I saw the coming attractions for Part 2 with Iyanla – this Wednesday… I can’t wait…

When the going gets tough, the tough shop for bathroom tile…

2010-11-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

On this week’s Grey’s Anatomy, in the wake of Cristina Yang quitting her residency, her colleagues strategize about how to change her mind. They are so passionate about getting her back that they plan an intervention. Meanwhile, Yang doesn’t want to talk about her career and revels in the simplicity of sitting on a bench eating a pretzel at the mall. Only one person, Dr. Shepherd, understands what she truly needs and heads off the other doctors’ advances. The episode ends with Mc Dreamy and Yang discussing whether to refinish the hardwood floors in her new apartment.

Life is multi-faceted and challenging and a lot of the time, we need to buckle down and do what we need to do. But there are other times when we need to give ourselves a break and stay in our pajamas all day, buy a pretty dress or pick out new bathroom tile. These seemingly frivolous acts can be the key to what’s next for us. Just letting go of figuring it all out creates the space for unanticipated input and opportunity. I am also a firm believer in the fact that action begets more action. ANY action, even window shopping, can be very powerful. You never know what might happen.

Yesterday I went for a long walk by the water with a friend. The original goal was to get lattes and some sun, but we each got a whole lot more. He got solace about a recent breakup and I got major clarity on my purpose in life. Hence, this is my first blog posting in months. I’ve been struggling with this idea of blogging for ages but now I finally know what I want this blog to be – an online journal of personal epiphanies, insights and philosophies. My intention is for these postings to cause discussion and ideally, impact the lives of my readers. Now, I’m still going to bitch about people dressing like slobs on the street and comment on events in the worlds of fashion, entertainment and politics. I'm just adding this new focus to the mix.

So – did this little tale make a difference for you? What do you think about this new and improved approach to my blog? Email me – I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Hollywood Timing Rules!

2010-04-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

The biggest celebrity news of the past month has been America’s Sweetheart being cheated on and a Latin heartthrob who we haven’t heard much from in a while publically coming out of the closet. And it made me wonder about the timing of these events…

When I watched the Oscars, Sandra Bullock seemed a bit too composed for someone winning her first Academy Award. Especially because before The Blind Side, no one ever expected her to win for her body of romantic comedies, which the Academy does not usually reward. All I could think of was Halle Berry visibly shaking and crying uncontrollably. But not Sandra… She was cool, articulate and even wry in her comments about Meryl Streep being her lover. Then, two weeks later, the story came out about her husband Jesse James cheating on her over the past year.

Hollywood is a well-oiled public relations machine and celebrities have teams of people being paid exorbitantly to advise them. When it comes to the media getting a story, there are no accidents. I believe that Bullock knew about her husband’s philandering long before the story hit Extra and CNN but her “people” chose to wait until after the Oscars to release it so as not to endanger her pretty much shoe-in but there’s always the possibility of an upset chances at Oscar glory. Did you ever notice that during January and February there is tons of hype about who will win the major categories at the Golden Globes and Oscars and then about 6 months later it’s hard to remember who won Best Actress? After the immense outpouring of sympathy Sandy has received, no one will forget who won in 2009.

Even more curious is the story this week about Nicolette Sheridan accusing Mark Cherry (creator of Desperate Housewives) of assault and suing him for wrongful termination http://tinyurl.com/yd3zffm. Her character was killed off last season, so it’s been over a year. Why is she suing him now? Does she have a new Lifetime movie of the week coming out?

The bottom line is, like the old adage says, Image is Everything.

In terms of Ricky Martin declaring “I’m a fortunate homosexual man” http://tinyurl.com/yjxu2f4 (after eschewing the subject with Barbara Walters a few years ago) – again I wondered, “Why now?” I have to say for the record that I am totally happy for him. My work is all about helping my clients find their authentic expression through image work and I’m all about EVERYONE living their truth. I have many gay friends, family and clients and have heard countless coming out stories and the common thread is it’s usually not planned. Everyone’s on their own journey. So, for Martin it could just be “his time” but I’m still dubious. There was a deluge of comments on facebook last week – he’s right, he’s wrong, it’s shocking news, it’s not surprising, finally, etc… There are many facets of the crystal on this subject but I hope if it is a strategic move that it brings him only peace, joy and many more fans.

MEN! Making a Statement

2010-03-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

I was at a few events downtown this week and I couldn’t help noticing a great number of fashion train wrecks on the women in attendance. But as I was critiquing the femme fashion felonies, I also noticed that many of the men deserved honorable mention because they looked darn good. I always say that it’s easier for men to dress well because they have less options than women and so there’s less room for failure. Now – saying that – many men still look like slobs with their untucked shirts (a whole blog entry unto itself!) and lack of originality. Well – last week – a few men got it right (looked stylish and polished) while making a statement to boot!

Here are a couple of the winners in my humble opinion… Now I must admit that the guys in these photos are both stylists (one hair and one wardrobe) but it’s still proof that it’s POSSIBLE for men to look good without trying very hard.

On David Bui, a fitted jacket over a print shirt and (although it doesn’t show in the photo) cargo pants to keep the outfit “artistic casual.” On Lorence Manansala, a teal turtleneck under a black jacket and vintage Fred Segal tapered pants that say “FUCK” all over them. Now that’s what I call a statement piece! In both cases, the men were wearing a shirt, pants and a jacket – but the difference was WHICH shirt, pants and jacket to make them stand out in a crowd. On Bui, it was the print shirt and on Lorence it was the pop of color in the shirt and most definitely the fantastically unique pants. I hear over and over from clients that they want to be comfortable and they think they need to wear sweatpants in order to achieve that. Not true. What is blatantly apparent in these photos is how comfortable and confident both men are. Good job guys.

I also saw many men in well fitted suits that looked great, so it’s not just about bold designer pieces. Often fit is the winning element and it doesn’t get simpler than that: Fitted clothes are almost always more flattering. Any questions?

Image Is Really Everything, Even in Sports

2010-02-20T01:37:00.000-08:00

I am beside myself excited that Evan Lysacek won the gold medal in men’s figure skating last night. He is an inspiration in so many ways - namely, his track record, his training process and his commitment to his sport.

This year, Yevgeny Plushenko returned to defend his Olympic title and after a lackluster performance that placed him in 2nd, he has been making a fool of himself and a mockery of the Olympics. He jumped up to the gold medal platform on his way to the silver one, frowned during the US national anthem and reportedly took off his silver medal immediately following the medal ceremony. Then, he said that Lysacek is “not a true champion” because he didn’t do a quadruple jump. Can anyone say sore loser? http://tinyurl.com/yg7qnvd Plushenko’s not just an uninspiring skater, he’s an ungracious competitor.

The Olympics is about the best athletes in the world coming together to compete and going for one’s own personal best on the world stage. One of the hallmarks of an Olympian is good sportsmanship. The IOC Code of Ethics states, “…participants in the Olympic Games must not, by any manner whatsoever, infringe the principle of fair play, show non-sporting conduct, or attempt to influence the result of a competition in a manner contrary to sporting ethics.”

All week in Vancouver, Lysacek choose to not engage in mud slinging about other competitors and he is continuing that level of elegance even after being attacked by Plushenko. Lysacek said today that he has looked up to Plushenko for years and congratulated Yevgeny on his 3rd Olympic medal, which is an incredibly rare achievement for any Olympic figure skater. http://tinyurl.com/yde6v3h

And image is really everything because Johnny Weir has once again been penalized for being himself (or is it for his ambiguous sexuality?) He is outspoken and flamboyant AND an amazing talent. But – his image upstages his abilities and I believe he gets punished for it. It was blatantly apparent last night when he skated a beautiful, clean program and failed to move up from 6th place despite the fact that everyone else in 3rd, 4th and 5th fell. Johnny has so many great qualities and is a true veteran. Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/yabfs4x

For years, figure skating has had an identity crisis and the debate continues. Is it a sport or is it a performance? Is it about technique or artistry? Unfortunately, it is a subjective sport and it is unforgiving because there is only one medal event every four years. Bottom line: Evan Lysacek was the best. As Scott Hamilton said over and over again, Evan was the most trained competitor there and he put many elements together and skated flawlessly. He didn’t need a quad. It’s not a quad competition. Lysacek stayed focused, had the two skates of his life this week and handled himself like a champion on and off the ice.

Paying Debts without Making a Statement

2010-01-18T16:02:00.000-08:00

Everyone who knows me knows, as my best friend says, that movies are “my thing.” I am an avid and unabashed movie buff and damn proud of it.

This year’s Golden Globes was a celebration as usual, but there was a damper literally with the rain and energetically because of the disaster in Haiti. (And because Ricky Gervais did a pathetic job of hosting). It was an interesting year, but not really in terms of fashion. I’m not sure if it’s just the recession or the distressing state of the world in general, but I feel like Hollywood actors and actresses are not even trying anymore. A lot of people showed up looking like they barely prepared for a major awards show (yes, you Julia Roberts). They just take their celebrity for granted and do whatever they want even if it’s not appropriate for the occasion. Oh – and I am so sorry I watched the red carpet on NBC because Billy Bush, Natalie Morales and Vanessa Minnillo did a terrible job. The rain was their main focus, their interviews were lackluster and they were totally out of synch. I have a new respect for Joan Rivers and Ryan Seacrest.

Now – in terms of fashion, there were a few interesting dresses. My favorites were Toni Collette, Julianna Margulies, Felicity Huffman and Marion Cotillard. Honorable mention goes to Kate Hudson in Marchesa and Tina Fey in a whimsical Zac Posen print. Other than that, there was a lot of the same – lots of strapless in colors that are barely colors with very little jewelry and uninteresting hair, black bustier tops and way too many ruffles to be flattering on anyone. Even some of the most beautiful women in the world like Penelope Cruz and Sandra Bullock got it wrong. Very disappointing. For some of what I'm talking about about, click here: http://www.eonline.com/photos/gallery.jsp?galleryUUID=1813#56238

What pleased me the most this year is that some relatively small movies (except Avatar, which I’ll get to later) got recognition. Two of my favorite films of 2009 were 500 Days of Summer and A Single Man, which both earned nominations. The overwhelming theme of the evening however was giving numerous awards to people who’ve never won anything before and deserved to win for a long body of work. This list includes Toni Collette, Julianna Margulies, Kevin Bacon, Michael C. Hall, Chloe Sevigny, Robert Downey Jr., Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock and the most underrated actor of our time - Jeff Bridges. I was so happy for him finally being recognized, I literally cried. My biggest disappointment of the evening was that Joseph Gordon Levitt (another veteran actor) did not win for 500 Days of Summer.

The biggest non-surprises of the evening were the winners of Best Picture Comedy or Musical and Best Picture Drama. The Hangover is the #1 R-rated comedy of all time and Avatar made a billion dollars in its opening weekend. An upset there would have been fun – like Precious beating Avatar. For once I would like to see a film win for being the best, not just for being the biggest box office. Ah, a girl can dream…

TV is alive and well - Fashion statements are not...

2009-09-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Primetime Emmys is one of the most exciting times of the year. The summer is officially over and the new fall season is about to begin. I've waited 4 long months to see Grey's Anatomy...

The other night was a major dichotomy in 2 ways - who won and what certain ladies wore. On one hand, 30 Rock and Mad Men took the top nods - again! - and nobody was surprised. But in other news, lesser known, but outrageously talented actors like Kristin Chenoweth (Tony winner from original cast of Wicked) and Brendan Gleeson snagged a few statues. And no one was more excited for Toni Collette than me. A veteran thespian, she NEVER gets nominated or wins anything. It doesn't matter that hardly anyone saw The United States of Tara; she was brilliant, as usual.

Interestingly, on the fashion front - just like Tina Fey does not need another award for the same show, I do not need to see one more actress in a solid, barely a color strapless gown with tiers of flowing chiffon. And there were a lot of them there the other night. I am so over it - especially with no jewelry and messy hair. That's right Drew Barrymore and Kate Walsh (whom I am normally knocked over by) - I am talking to you. The saving grace was a few ladies taking a chance with metallics and dare I say -- interesting styles! My personal faves were: Kristin Chenoweth , Blake Lively and January Jones. Kristin - disco ball shimmering, short (just like her), simple, clean hair - fabulous. Blake - Versace in a kerpow red and showing a lot of skin but not too much. Hello, I'm awake now. And January - thank you for taking a chance. Versace, cut out futuristic (or is it art deco?) bodice, slit, white with detail - what a statement!

Special mention goes out to Toni Collette, just for wearing orange and Ricky Gervais for going with one of his countrymen, Ted Baker in a luscious deep green with black trim. Now if we can just get the people at 30 Rock to give an award or two to go to Weeds and Entourage I'll be happy.

Do you agree? Disagree? Who were some of your faves? I'd love to hear from you...

Personal Shopping: Perception v. Reality

2009-08-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

What is a personal shopper? I get asked this question all the time. Well I’ll tell you what it’s not.

On the new HBO series Hung, a guy, previously a star athlete, is forced by the economic downturn and a few other unfortunate factors to join the oldest profession. In the third episode, he and his female pimp turn to a “professional shopper” for potential client referrals. The pimp says to her, “So, these clients of yours – whatever you want them to buy they just buy?” and the shopper replies, “Pretty much. My ladies are so loaded they’re recession proof.” The way that it’s portrayed on Hung, the shopper is a young, pretty (and of course stylish) woman whose clients are elderly rich women who have nothing better to do with their money than to pay someone to dictate to them what to wear. This is not what I, as a personal shopper, do.

Here’s the truth…

Everybody has to get dressed on a daily basis, but some of us just don’t have an affinity for what to wear. The sheer number of stores and the selections in them can be overwhelming and many people just hate the process of shopping. Also – just like people have their laundry done or their houses cleaned, they hire a personal shopper to save them precious time and energy. I do the leg work – they just show up, try things on and take good stuff home. I hear all the time – “I would never have chosen this myself – and I love it.”

When a potential client says, “That must be just for the rich and famous,” I say, “How much money did you spend on clothes last year that you don’t really like and never wear? Wouldn’t it make more sense to hire a professional and have a closet full of things you love?” I have two clients this week under the age of 40, both at a time in their life where they are tired of their results doing it on their own and they see a value in hiring me to guide them in the right direction. My clients are sometimes performers but more often “regular people” – urban professionals like real estate brokers, or even people re-entering the workforce. They are far from super rich, but committed to their personal development and professional success. They know that working with a personal shopper is an investment in themselves and the image they project to the rest of the world.

Michael Jackson - My Tribute

2009-07-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have loved Michael Jackson’s music all my life. As a huge fan of anything Motown, I grew up on The Jackson 5, danced to one of my favorite albums of all time - Off the Wall, and of course watched MJ become a superstar during the unprecedented megahit Thriller years. Now that he has left us, it feels like the world will never be the same. For the past 10 days, I’ve watched continual coverage on MSNBC and CNN and bonded with my friends from high school on facebook. I have been trying to wrap my brain around the fact that he is gone and it’s been very difficult. So – I decided that it was time to blog.

In all the countless images that have been televised over and over since Michael’s death, one that I actually found on my own (BET On Demand) has affected me the most. It’s a clip of MJ surprising James Brown at the last BET Awards Brown performed at. http://www.bet.com/onblast/?chan=3&id=3261&itype=e Apparently it was a well kept secret because all Michael did was step on stage and the crowd went wild. There is something so captivating about this clip that I have watched it repeatedly. MJ’s grace & humility - not wanting to upstage the Godfather of Soul, his exceptional talent even doing just a few steps, and his love and respect for his mentor…. all communicated in a 90 second clip. This, my friends, is the power of image.

Michael Jackson reinvented himself over and over during his 40 year career, often to great scrutiny and ridicule. Regardless of what the reviews were, MJ made you take notice of him. He was THE first celebrity brand. And he was always in control, which cannot be said for many other celebrities who have not achieved half of what MJ did. Like him or not, he was a pro. There are many questions about Michael Jackson’s life and death that we may never really have answers to. But no matter what, he lived his life with the courage to be himself and the vulnerability to put it all out there. And the truth is that Michael’s personal life is none of our business. Michael Jackson’s job was to entertain and he never let us down as a consummate performer and innovator of his industry.

Goodbye Michael. We will miss you.

“If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”

Unabashed Authenticity is Such a Lonely Word

2009-06-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the "Is he or isn't he?" question about Adam Lambert's sexuality was finally answered, by him, admitting that yes indeed, he's gay. And I just want to say thank you. Traditionally performers have waited until their stardom was at a secure level to publicly embrace their identities. However, the world has changed drastically since Elton John first hit the scene and I believe the time for full disclosure is now. I mean, look at the economic mess we're in because of lies and deceit in the financial sector. And don't even get me started about the previous administration... So, I think we can all use a little transparency in the media.

My work with clients, especially performers, is all about helping them to become real for their audiences. So, it's refreshing to see a talented young man doing it by himself right out of the gate. Kudos to you Adam. It will be interesting to see how this bold move affects his career.
I for one, think the timing is perfect.

For more about Adam's coming out party in Rolling Stone, click here: http://bit.ly/lr6f6

American Corporate Vested Interest Idol

2009-05-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

So many of us have been scratching our heads (and running our mouths) in disbelief since the American Idol results a week ago and now there's been evidence that the Kris Allen victory was, let's just say, "encouraged" by a major sponsor http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss. Very interesting. And now the follow up story today was fascinating as well http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/27/att-admits-overeager-empl_n_208281.html Especially in light of of what I wrote (but didn't post) the day after the results. Enjoy:

America the Inexplicable
I am not an American Idol fan. I am actually proud that I never watched the show for the first 6 seasons. Then I watched one episode during the Jordin Sparks season when they had to do Bee Gees songs and was intrigued. Today, I am still not an avid Idol viewer but I do keep tabs on it because I work with emerging artists and I like to see how Idol is packaging their up-and-comings. I don’t even watch the show and I was upset all day the day after.

As an image expert with a passion for music, I believe I know good talent when I see it. I tuned in a few times in season 7 and was impressed with David Archuleta, whom I feel was robbed of the crown. When I checked in back in this past March, I was blown away by Adam Lambert. He had me at Tracks of My Tears. He seemed to have it all – a superior voice, stage presence out the door and a unique image. Well the other night I had to tune in and literally gasped when I heard the results.

There has been tons of speculation about what went wrong on the Internet and I would like to weigh in. Was it homophobia in the heartland? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-michaelson/why-it-matters-that-adam_b_205588.html Or did Kris Allen get all of Danny Gokey’s votes when he was voted off, cause they are both a similar type? Or was the result a backlash to all the Idol adoration of Adam all season? http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/178713/america-gets-it-wrong-kris-allen-wins-idol/

I personally believe that finding an Idol is should be all about voice quality and the ability to command the stage and audience. I don’t think they should be allowed to play an instrument. Standing on stage leaning on an instrument is not half as scary and vulnerable as standing there with just your voice. For two years now I feel that the more talented performer was ousted out because he did not play an instrument on the Idol stage. And then I remembered that the show is on Fox, an unapologetically right wing company, and I’m not surprised at the results. I just keep thinking that we’re making progress in this country and I hate to think that Adam didn’t win because of his androgynous image. So, I’ll just focus on what one of my gay boyfriends, completely devastated by Adam’s defeat said, “This is why little girls shouldn’t have cel phones.”

A Return to Glamour

2009-02-25T16:13:00.000-08:00

I love movies. I’ve probably spent more time in my life watching movies than doing any other activity except sleeping. And I’ve always loved the Academy Awards. As jaded as you might be in this crazy world we live in, the Oscars are still an event, unparalleled anywhere. There are many other film awards - Golden Globes, SAG Awards, BAFTAs, Cannes, etc. but none are or ever will be the Oscars.

In the past few years the Oscars have lost their lustre. The dresses, films & hosts were unmemorable. There were few truly exciting moments and actually I didn’t care who won. But this year – finally - things changed. With new blood at the helm – Hugh Jackman was born to wear a tuxedo – there was a much needed infusion of fabulosity at the Oscars once again. Finally, a return to old Hollywood glamour. A lot of gorgeous gowns, diamond jewelry & up-dos. The way the Oscars should be! And as usual, some got it right and some got it very wrong. But what’s really interesting is that the new generation is getting it much “righter” than most of the veterans.

In my humble opinion, the winner hands down was Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive. Classic silver beading, strapless, fitted, hair up, simple makeup and red lip – perfect. Second place goes to Natalie Portman for making bright pink work. I was proud of Angleina Jolie for finally looking like she cared about the event she was at – again classic simple black strapless Elie Saab, flowing hair, with statement making chunky emeralds on her ears and hand. And she actually smiled a few times! Last but never least – I give the eternally stunning Penelope Cruz extra credit for choosing vintage Pierre Balmain. I appreciate when someone takes a chance and does something really different, and of course she looked gorgeous.

Relatively unknown actresses like Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson were flawless. So – what is wrong with some of the older pros? Marissa Tomei is one of the most prolific actors ever with a killer body and she always looks like she just threw herself together. She tried really hard this year in light grey Versace but it was just too much for her, especially because she hardly had any makeup on. And when you’re wearing Versace, the rock star of fashion, leave your hair down! And what are we going to do about Meryl Streep? How is it possible that the greatest actress of our generation can’t find a decent dress – ever?! Does she even use a stylist? She brought her daughter to the awards and they chose to wear grey drab and cocoa brown, and they looked ridiculous standing next to each other. And don’t get me started on Sophia Loren. She was an embarrassment to all Italians, usually known for our unparalleled taste in fashion.

Just a little shout out to the men… Philip Seymour Hoffman – we know you are a brilliant artist but who told you it was okay to wear a skullcap and look bored to death the entire night? Shame on you. And thank you Mickey Rourke for shaking it up in white Jean Paul Gaultier. I personally hope Mickey’s comeback is here to stay – in both fashion and film.

Summer (Not) in the City

2007-08-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Because I own my own business, I work all the time – Saturday afternoons, Sunday nights, even Tuesdays at 2am if I want to. And – it is summer and summer is about taking a break. And no one is a machine - we all need some balance. So – I’ve taken a few lovely breaks recently - in the Hamptons and Sonoma, California and I want to share a few lovely finds from both coasts.

Any savvy New York shopper knows that Southampton is one of the premiere shopping destinations in the east. There are countless stores in the Hamptons, but Anya’s Women’s Boutique truly made an impact on me. They have a lot of this summer’s usual suspects – cotton tank dresses, ballet flats, Havaianas flip flops, as well as some unexpected items. My favorite unique thing in the store is these little tank tops for babies with inspirational quotes like, “I Will Make a Difference” and “I Love My Life.” I actually collect t-shirts with inspiring quotes and now we have an option for children. What a great gift for someone who just had a baby – and for our future. Go to www.missblink.com to see the complete line for kids. Anya’s also has a beautiful layout, attentive staff and some fantastic belts and jewelry. It is located at 28 Jobs Lane in Southampton, 631-283-1018 (no website).

Now – on the other side of the country it was time to escape the city (San Francisco this time) and I am very much a luxury hotel kind of gal – Hilton, Hyatt, or better and I am happy. I don’t camp or do anything at all rustic. However – I love sun and beautiful settings of all kinds – and I love the wine country. It was a last minute getaway and challenging to find accommodations but an eleventh hour tip from a friend turned out to be fantastic. Relais du Soleil is a guest ranch (yes a ranch!) in what feels like the middle of nowhere but is actually 5 minutes away from downtown in the breathtaking Sonoma Valley. It is truly the best of both worlds. Our host, Tim Korn, rolled out the red carpet, greeting us with a glass of his homemade wine, gave us our itinerary for the day (I highly suggest the Benziger winery tour and tasting: www.benziger.com), and then spoiled us with appetizers in the afternoon (with more wine of course) and a three course gourmet breakfast the next morning. We also had a three room cottage with everything we could have wanted, including a complete kitchen. The Relais is peaceful, sunny and very private – definitely off the beaten path. Prices at the Relais are also quite competitive in the mostly outrageously pricey wine country. Go to www.relaisdusoleil.com for more information and to make a reservation.

Okay – I have to go do some more work and get ready for my next fabulous break. Enjoy the summer – wherever you are.

Inspiration - only $19.98

2007-06-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Despite my heavy-handed, judgmental tone in my first blog entry, I actually am quite a delight to be around – and I truly do want to change the world. At times though I get discouraged and question if I can really make a difference with my own little life. But then I snap myself out of it and remember that… if I didn’t believe one person could have an effect on the world, I would have a crappy desk job that I hate and watch the Food Channel every night. I do what I do out of a commitment to make a difference - even if I only reach one person a week. I have a website and a blog and I speak to organizations in order to make people think and empower them.

I just heard about something that further renewed my faith in this mission. Sarah Jessica Parker has designed a new clothing line. Now – being a huge fan of Sex and the City (people actually say I am a lot like Carrie Bradshaw) and knowing about SJP’s (and Carrie’s) much hyped love affair with Manolo Blahnik, I expected her collection to be couture beyond couture. It isn’t. The line, called Bitten, is designed for sizes 0-22 (most go to 12) and contains nothing over $19.98. Unbelievable. One of the tag lines is “Fashion is not a Luxury; it is a Right.” Also - Bitten is available exclusively at one retailer (Steve & Barry’s) who does no advertising. Check out: www.bittensjp.com.

This is great for a lot of reasons. SJP never has to work another day in her life and could easily forget about the “little people” in the world who work long hours for little money and cannot afford $200 designer jeans. But she hasn’t. In fact, she has created Bitten specifically for people like them. Also – this line solves a problem for many people whose weight fluctuates and cannot buy a designer wardrobe for every size they move through.

Bitten is a perfect example of a simple concept that has the potential to do a lot of good. I see it in my work all the time. People feeling good because of one great shirt or necklace… it can literally alter their lives. So, this is what keeps me going. The idea that we can all have an impact, even in small ways – and all these small ways combined together will make a huge difference.

I’m inspired – how about you?

I Bitch Because I Love...

2007-05-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

OK – it is time for me to break my silence and come out of the closet (pun firmly intended). I have been bitching to my friends and colleagues for months and now it is time to share my thoughts with the world. I am sick of people walking around looking like slobs in public. There – I have said it. Why is it that people will follow stringent rules of dress at jobs that they hate and then walk around looking like crap during the time when they can be/do/have whatever they want? Is it a rebellion of sorts? Or is it utter apathy? I have been traveling on planes like crazy these past 6 months and I have noticed that most air travelers look more like they are going to a slumber party than to the Caribbean. I have had enough of the sweatpants that are 2 sizes too big and the scrunchies (wince!) pulling back as much wet hair as they could grab with one hand severely. Yes ladies I am talking to you… No one wants to see this! Take the time to do your hair, put on a little makeup and at least wear some nice jeans or cotton pants. They are comfortable and the material breathes at high altitudes. Pair this with a sweater or cute t-shirt and you’re good to go. I promise you’ll have a better time.

If you know me, you know that although I am generally modern about life and relationships, I am a traditionalist about fashion. I yearn for the days of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, when women wore dresses and hats and men wore suits (even when they weren’t required to) and took off their hats as a sign of respect. People dressed for every occasion: dinner, the theatre, the opera, travel, etc. I think I got this appreciation of the past from my mother, who to this day does not leave her house without lipstick on. I realize people need to be comfortable, especially in cities like New York where we walk everywhere. However, there are ways to have both comfort and style. I see it everyday on the subway. And it does not require and should not ever include Crocs. Here’s my other bold statement: Unless you are under the age of 10 or you actually wear them to do gardening, Crocs are not cute, attractive or in any way, shape or form a fashion statement. End of conversation. I have had countless conversations with people who agree with me about this and finally just found a website (thanks to my colleague Sarah's husband Jeff) that speaks to this bane of my existence. Check out: http://www.ihatecrocs.com/.

Here’s the deal: dressing well is actually quite simple. However, so many people have no clue. I guess I should be grateful for this because herein lies the need for image consultants. Conversely though, being fashionable comes easy to some people, especially in Europe. (A gross generalization, I know, but there is significant evidence to support this). For numerous examples of finding the inherent style in the everyday (mostly in Europe), check out: http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/. But I don't live in Europe - yet...

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