Another month, another contest. We’re really feeling the love this February so we’ve come up with a fabulous contest for you, our darling readers:
FEEL THE LOVE! Send us your best pick-up lines (multiple submissions encouraged) by Midnight Friday (2/12/10). The Winner will recieve our FEEL THE LOVE gift bag stocked with goodies from our friends at Back Bay Restaurant Group (Valentine’s Day dinner, anyone?), BASIQUES, AnnieMulz and much, much more.
let’s see what you’ve got!
xo heather
I should begin by saying I abhor lists. Even from the most revered of icons (Save Anna!), they are, at best, a distilled dictum, and it is in my not-so-humble opinion that, truly, style lives in the idiosyncratic variations, the visual cadenzas, the flagrant violation of those hallowed ‘rules’ of style. Coco? Yes, yes, I’ll take one thing off before I leave the house, love. Apfel? No, no, you’re right, I must add, just must. Three rings too many? Perfect. The ever mercurial enfant terrible that it is, fashion creates rules one season so that it may rebel against them the next.
That diatribe aside, my work as a stylist has taught me that while taste may be subjective, style is an essence, not merely an au courant aesthetic assemblage. I strive to help my clients define their own essence through the following fundamental principles:
Always begin with inspiration. It need not be aesthetic, either. I once had a client tell me she wanted me to dress her the way she imagined Rosalind from This Side of Paradise would. This particular inspiration was rather difficult to articulate, because she wasn’t speaking purely of period-specific apparel, but, rather, a studied irreverence. She lives in cropped motorcycle jackets now and wears more bracelets than even I do, and that is no small feat. Oh, and she’s come to adore Balenciaga. Quelle Surprise!
Understand your body’s limitations, even if you don’t always heed them. This is simple: know what works, and only leave your comfort zone when you are absolutely in love with a look — the confidence you have will eclipse any insecurities (ahem-the hips you usually make an effort to disguise).
Accessorize. Whether you draw inspiration from the aforementioned Ms. Apfel, or a more streamlined subject, never underestimate the impact of a few well-chosen accessories. Even in those dire situations where you simply cannot coordinate an ensemble, a glam neckpiece (big is in again, ladies! Think Givenchy or Lanvin…) will give that Hanes tee you stole from your significant other a chic, polished touch.
Do not take ‘this stuff’ too seriously. Nothing is more unattractive or, frankly, gauche, than a woman dripping in designer who speaks of Schiaparelli as if she were our lord and savior. Fashion should be a source of fun and fantasy, not just another arena in which we can wax academic. Did I love the afros at Louis Vuitton for Spring? Absolutely. Does it signify a paradigm shift? Not so much.
So what I am really saying here is take a risk. Dress to suit yourself, and you may
just find, as I have, that style is an expression, and if you let it, joyous it will be.
xo joseph
Svedka’s master mixologist (not to mention Alexander Skarsgård look-a-like) Alex Ott taught us some drink-making basics and bar essentials (mortar and pestle, anyone?) in this week’s Trendsetter. Planning a dinner party? Here are the must-haves:
1. AMT’s InsideOut Collection Martini Glasses
Thanks to Mad Men, three-martini lunches/brunches are back in full effect. Get your drank on with AMT’s striking hand-made collection crafted with special inlaid glass that keeps your drink chilled longer.
2. GIN & TITONIC ICE CUBE TRAY
Sink one in your drink! Add 1 part Leonardo DiCaprio to 2 parts Hendrick’s Gin for a Titonic time. Points if you have a string-quartet present for the festivities.
3. Diddy
Why wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy when you can wake up in the morning next to P. Diddy? Party with the original Cirocstar. He’s wicked shahp and I like to think he’d help you with the dishes. (A Raisin in the Sun, anyone?)
xo heather
JUDITH LEIBER’S CHOCOLATE BAR HANDBAG
http://www.gilt.com/s/judithleiber7/product/22821168 $1,298 from $2795!
Judith Leiber’s minaudière designs have been a beloved American treasure since their birth in 1963. An immigrant from Hungary, Ms. Lieber came with her husband after WWII circa 1947, bringing a glamorous eye and hand to match. Her design collections have been permanently housed in The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, The Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Los Angeles Museum of Art. Not to mention, just about every First Lady since 1963 has clutched on to one of these at the U.S Presidential Inauguration ceremony. Current First Lady Michelle Obama has not ceased to join the bandwagon either.
This handbag, “Chocolate Bar”, makes the perfect ornament to a classic black dress or any dress that has room to be creative. You can practically skimp out on bracelets and rings all together if you’re carrying this glitzed charm. Judith Leiber’s rich history is a novelty within itself and becoming a part of her American following is not something to miss out on.
+ Meggie
Link Up’s Clock Cufflinks http://www.giltman.com/s/lup/product/20738647 $78.00
These classy and fun cufflinks are the perfect detail to any suit. Wear them to a wine and dine occasion, an extra-ordinary date night, or any event where you’d like to add some spark. With an appreciation for simplistic creativity, your attention to the little things in life will be admired by surrounding eyes.Dearest Readers,
Were you in attendance at last week’s Fashionably Late? If not, put it on your to-do list already! Per usual, a good time was had by all. Last Thursday’s party at The Liberty was hosted by our very own Fashion Forward guest host, the fabulous Jessica Lynn. The part casual, part “I-can’t-wait-until-Spring” feminine looks were supplied by Lily & Migs.
Check out these behind-the-scenes to on-the-runway looks.
The production team went to Sweet to film one of our Valentine’s Day segments! Check out these delicious cupcakes they made us!
xo heather
EDDIE BORGO TWO TONE PYRAMID CUFF ON SALE FOR $150 (orig. $300)
EDDIE BORGO TWO TONE PYRAMID CUFF ON SALE FOR $150 (orig. $300)
EDDIE BORGO TWO TONE PYRAMID CUFF ON SALE FOR $150 (orig. $300)
I’m over the moon about this cuff! Gaga it up y’all.
Rah rah-ah-ah-ah,
heather
“A writer, when he’s asked to discuss his craft, ought to get up and call out in a loud voice just the names of the writers he loves. I love Kafka, Flaubert, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Proust, O’Casey, Rilke, Lorca, Keats, Rimbaud, Burns, E. Brontë, Jane Austen, Henry James, Blake, Coleridge. I won’t name any living writers. I don’t think it’s right.” - J.D. Salinger
Send us your favorite Salinger quotes—let’s say goodbye to the goddamn brilliant man who introduced us to the Glass family.
