The Lipstick Page Forums Fashion Blog

Okay, you're saying to yourself, why review Mossimo tee shirts? They're...those ubiquitous, fitted, 100% cotton tee shirts, that come with a vee, or a small scoop, neckline, in assorted colors, at Target.

I bought a bunch of these last year; last summer in fact. I didn't like the color selection they had at the time (the newer batch seems to have better colors), so I got some black, white, and dark brown ones, figuring these would be the ideal "shlep on when you're still asleep" tones. The vee neck seemed prettier than the scoop, so that's what I got.

This year...eh...some of them are still surviving. Not all. Some of the black ones are starting to look a touch faded around the edges. Some of the white ones have lost their snowiness. I'm pondering dosing them with OxiClean, or demoting them to dustrags. The dark brown ones fared best, but then I've probably worn them the least.

All in all, I don't see buying as many of these again. I'd rather pay more for tee shirts that last more than almost a year. For the price, they're not bad, at all, but I loathe shopping, hence the notion of obtaining longer-lasting clothes.

I'm thinking of trying American Apparel. We have two American Apparel b & m stores that I know of: one in Berkeley, the other in the Haight. So I could try before buying.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Saturday, June 02, 2007 10:28 PM (Eastern)

I don't say that lightly.

The Fashioniste

Labels: couture, fashion, personal, style

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:35 AM (Eastern)

Say...I have this on my Beading Blog, but I recently got a heads-up that "argentium sterling silver" might be better for people with metal sensitivity, than regular sterling silver.

I was skeptical, if only because I've never been able to wear sterling silver ear wires and didn't think argentium would be any different. Argentium sterling silver is a patented new alloy for sterling silver. Part of the metal that traditional sterling silver is alloyed with, has been replaced by an element called germanium. I'm like, so...only part of the metal has been replaced, and I can never find out exactly how much (likely a trade secret).

Anyhow, I went ahead and made a test pair of hoop earrings out of argentium silver wire to see if there was anything to it:

(Normally I'd make them thicker, but this was the only argentium silver wire I had on hand.)

I wore these earrings for a couple of days and was surprised and delighted. No swelling, oozing, itching, redness, pain...at all.

Did some surfing on the Net and found that others had reported the same results.

Jewelry makers are only now starting to use argentium silver more widely...partly because it wasn't that easy to find it before, only a few vendors carried it. But now more and more vendors are supplying this alloy, so I think it's safe to say you will be able to find more and more jewelry made with argentium silver.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Monday, May 21, 2007 1:38 AM (Eastern)

I had to replace my eye cream today, so I went to Macy's. Oh, I suppose I could buy it online, but why?...I've always bought it at this particular Macy's, over several tubes; it's a tradition.

Then...for some reason, I decided to look at the clothes there. I say "for some reason" because normally I don't do clothes shopping. I don't. In the almost ten years I've lived where I do now, I have not checked out that Macy's except for children's clothes.

So I went from one end of the store to the other, from the juniors section to the regular ladies' sections...I looked at everything. And I didn't buy anything.

What I got out of this venture is simple. If you like it, it starts at fifty bucks. For one piece of clothing. They did have some nice stuff but that is the price.

I suppose, on some level, it's always been that way. But...it seems to me there were more choices before. More stores. Even at this mall...they used to have a Gap, a Victoria's Secret, a Crabtree & Evelyn, a Sanrio store...a Fresh Choice restaurant for that matter. They're all gone, they all moved out. We got a Wal-Mart instead of all of these shops.

The Macy's is the best store in this mall and I concluded that I could either pay the fifty bucks per piece or I could give up clothes shopping at this mall.

We do have a relatively new mall in another city which recently opened an H & M--they have Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, some other stuff I've read incessantly about on the Net such as Steve Madden and Chico's (?). Since I am (or was, rather) one of those people who doesn't pay retail, I have never checked this mall out either (except for children's clothes). Maybe I'll drop by there...things can't be this bad, we are supposed to have choices. Right?

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Monday, May 14, 2007 9:03 PM (Eastern)

Hmmm...what I wanted to do here, was wow you with expansive photos of fabulous jewelry, but, I'm way too tired. I'm slowly taking photos of the jewelry I've made that I want to keep. Here is my Picasa album:

handmade jewelry

Boss eh? I've just gotten into Picasa; it's not bad actually.

It takes forever to produce good jewelry. Unless you're smart enough to apprentice with someone who already knows how to make jewelry, preferably someone with all the equipment and materials...heh heh...keep dreaming.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Sunday, May 13, 2007 3:15 AM (Eastern)

Don't sell what you think people need, sell what people want to buy!

Got this excellent quote from a jewelry making forum I like to frequent.

I suppose the above quote made me realize afresh there is a difference between "what you need" and "what you want to buy," albeit at times it is a subtle difference. And that, naturally enough, the notion of selling has to address this...otherwise there would be no sales.

I don't sell my jewelry as of yet, still learning how to make it...as much as I think it is important to sell, there are so many headaches involved...business licenses, taxes, bookkeeping, not to mention the kind of cash you would have to invest up front...that I think you should sell only when you can make enough money to cover the cost of your time, as well as the more obvious material cost. The importance of selling...I'm tempted to say, "It's not the money," although the saying goes, "If they say it's not the money, it is the money." It is the money. It is important to be recognized.

...Where was I? I've never sold anything I made before; I have never done sales. I think it has left a blind spot in my perception. How do you sell? In theory you would try to match the piece to the person, and take it from there, but I already know it does not work that way. Sales has to involve a sixth sense...a way of reading the buyer and sensing what she wants to buy.

I have no particular conclusion here, these are just random thoughts.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Friday, April 20, 2007 4:20 PM (Eastern)

Tamerlane's Daughters

These are custom made pieces, but I found the concept interesting...it's actual, sometimes antique, Central Asian embroidery and jewelry, integrated into modern pieces of clothing.

Not something within my immediate budget :) but inspiring just the same.

Further reading on this designer: HALI.com

images courtesy www.tamerlanesdaughters.com

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Thursday, April 19, 2007 12:08 PM (Eastern)

Sorry...I'm telling ya, I will be over this Youtube phase someday. It's just so...amazing.

Check out the Blondie stage style here and tell me No Doubt didn't copy it lock, stock and barrel:

When I met you in the restaurant
You could tell I was no debutante
You asked me what's my pleasure
A movie or a measure?
I'll have a cup of tea and tell you of my dreaming
Dreaming is free
I don't want to live on charity
Pleasure's real or is it fantasy?
Reel to reel is living rarity
People stop and stare at me We just walk on by - we just keep on dreaming
Feet feet, walking a two mile
Meet meet, meet me at the turnstile
I never met him, I'll never forget him

Dream dream, even for a little while
Dream dream, filling up an idle hour
Fade away, radiate

I sit by and watch the river flow
I sit by and watch the traffic go
Imagine something of your very own
Something you can have and hold
I'd build a road in gold just to have some dreaming
Dreaming is free

"Dreaming"
Harry/Stein, 1979

Was Madonna always credited with popularizing blonde hair and dark roots?

"The Tide Is High," John Holt
recorded by Blondie, 1980

Here is the iconic Blondie...with the makeup look still done today (white shimmer shadow on inner corners of eyes, "smoky" liner, red gloss). I actually remember this dress...no one else was wearing it at the time that I knew of...it struck me as very New York (check out the Twin Towers in the beginning of the video).

"Heart of Glass"
Harry/Stein, 1978

The problem with being seminal is that people tend to remember the imitators far more readily than the original. Oh well, I gotta go now and touch up my roots. lol

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Tuesday, April 17, 2007 10:43 PM (Eastern)

There was such a broad range of fashions in the 70's, it's hard to generalize...yet, our collective memory has distilled the decade rather than preserved it. Bell bottom jeans, tie dye, tight synthetic shirts with big open collars and gold chains, platform shoes, discos and perms...yes, these were all a great part of the 70's. But hardly all of it.

"X Offender," 1976

There is a plethora of vintage (and new) Blondie videos on Youtube, but I found this one particularly emblematic of the period. Music (and culture) had become bloated in the mid 70's...it was all about playing arenas, selling albums, drinking, drugs, playing more arenas...so what burst onto the scene was Blondie, a group that had played actual clubs (you can see by the flamboyant style), was stripped down, 1950's style, young and full of energy.

It can only enhance my experience now, but I did not know at the time that Debbie Harry and Chris Stein were lovers. Adds a romantic layer, doesn't it? As it is, it's a romantic song, in its own slightly twisted manner.

"London Calling"
The Clash, 1979

Now this is one of my favorite groups of all time, ever. Again you will note (see The real 1980's Stranglers' video) the pared down, minimal style of clothing. Punk to me was never about green hair and safety pins or other fluff. It was always about not keeping up with the Joneses...about taking this, that and the other, and making it into your own personal style.

Labels: 1970s, fashion, personal, style, videos

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Monday, April 16, 2007 11:59 AM (Eastern)

I realize, reading over my recent posts here, I've mentioned buying American-made products in pretty much every post.

That wasn't on purpose, and I hope I do not come across as some kind of a xenophobe. I feel that many products should be produced overseas. The cost to produce everything domestically would be prohibitive; we would not be able to afford anything much of anything if our import policies were that strict.

Moreover, some items are specialized and sometimes are produced better overseas: French perfumes, Balinese silver beads, Italian or English shoes, Chinese pearls, et cetera. We could or do produce comparable items here, but it's well to have choices.

As with anything, the key is balance. We are so out of balance now it's not good. By this I mean our trade balance. I don't think anyone can argue that.

The question is more, what are we going to do about it? I'm the last person in the world to tell people to sit around and be miserable, or else feel guilty about whatever they decide to purchase. My point is always, how can we Americans market our domestically-produced goods, to other Americans? How can we use our own system to provide choices to...us?

The consumer can be fickle, and even our own corporations are constantly trying to put their finger on our pulse. If the corporations felt there was a stronger market for domestically-made goods, they'd be on it like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

Hence the concept of pure and simple marketing of this idea, as well as of specific companies whenever I come across them. If "it's just as easy to love a rich man as a poor one," so it is sometimes just as easy to mention a domestic company as a foreign one.

Anyhow that's what's been on my mind for quite some time.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, 6:30 AM (Eastern)

freddy&ma custom handbags

This is not a press release (although they do have one). It's pure word-of-mouth, or word-of-Net these days; I got this link from another board.

Gabrielle Union with freddy&ma handbag
image courtesy freddyandma.blogs.com

They do have a completely interactive bag-designing website...which I can admit I thought would be a bore. I'm not a bag person, I loathe all-Flash websites in the main, who needs to spend time designing a bag...et cetera.

When I got there I realized the bags were good. Started out with the fine intention of making a bag from each designer on the site...about six bags in, I realized this was not a good idea at 3 o'clock in the morning. So, the samples above are just from the first 8 designers.

They have solid colors too, will soon have more selection...all-leather bags and so forth. They have some special bags to benefit charitable causes. I will emphasize again that there are many other designers and their patterns, many ways of putting together "your" bag. You may email "your" bag to your friend for her to critique, as well.

Most intriguing of all, according to their press release, these bags are made in the U.S.A. I had to read that two or three times for it to sink in. There is not much about that fact on the freddy&ma site, which I think is a mistake. There is an enormous, not-talked-about-much sentiment for Americans to "buy American." Not just American designers (but thanks anyway), but especially American labor.

The price range is in the two to three hundreds, which admittedly is more than I pay for a bag; however, I will guess the quality of these bags is up there with the (far more expensive) imported designer bags.

I will leave you with a size description from the charming copy on the site:

Dims: 14.5" x 13" x 4.5"
Carries: new gossip rags, afternoon protein bar, new blouse you bought during your afternoon 'dentist appointment'

Enjoy!

Labels: bags, fashion, freddy and ma, handbags, handmade, personal, purses, style

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Thursday, April 12, 2007 1:32 PM (Eastern)

I haven't been to a gym in years...which is sad; I used to go. It's one of those things that fell by the wayside after I had my kids (along with 90% of my personal time)...but I have been consciously dieting, because I still like to look good in a swimsuit.

All of that said, here is an article from the author of a new book for those who do work out (or would like to start doing so).

Spice Up Your Treadmill Workout
By Minna Lessig
Author of Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom

Like many folks, I do my cardio on a treadmill. But because the pounding of running makes my back hurt and tightens my hips, I created this 30-minute treadmill routine. Now, I'm passing it on to you. Some of the moves can be tricky at first, but that's a good thing, especially if your current treadmill workout feels a bit stale. As you learn this routine, feel free to walk, jog, or run instead of doing any of the moves.

Minutes 1 to 5: Warmup with Upper Body Moves

Warmup. Holding the rails or handles of your treadmill with both hands, round your upper back for a few steps. Straighten up, then lift your chest toward the ceiling for a few steps. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Single-Arm Reaches. Keeping one hand on the rail or bar, extend your other arm straight over your head as you walk. Lower it, then repeat with your other arm. Try to reach higher with each rep. Do 10 to 20 alternating reaches.

Bend Down Low. Walk briskly for 10 to 20 steps. Then bend your knees slightly and walk in this fashion at the same pace for 10 to 20 steps, keeping your upper body upright. Alternate between brisk walking and bent-knee walking. Repeat 3 to 5 times.

Minutes 6 to 25: Speed Up and Change Up

Minutes 6 to 8. Fitness walk: Increase your pace to a level 4 or 5 RPE (see page 11 for the RPE scale). Walk briskly.

Minutes 9 to 10. Step-step-sashay: Step forward with your right foot, then your left foot. Then sashay: Step forward again with your right foot and hop to bring your left foot to meet your right, landing first on your left foot and then your right foot. Immediately step forward with your left foot and hop to bring your right foot to meet your left, landing first on your right foot, then your left foot. Continue to alternate sashays after each two regular steps forward. Before you try sashays on the treadmill, be sure you can do them on the floor or other nonmoving surface!

Minutes 11 to 14. Step-togethers: Think of this move as walking sideways in a straight line. Raise the incline to 3.0 (Novice) -- 6.0 (Master). Novice: Reduce the treadmill's speed to 1.8-2.0 mph. Skilled: Reduce the treadmill's speed to 2.0-2.5 mph. Master: Set the speed as you see fit. Hold the rail or bar with your left hand and turn your body to the right, so that your left shoulder is closest to the bar and your body is a quarter turn to the right. Leading with your left foot, step to the side and then bring your right foot to meet your left. Do step-togethers on one side for minutes 11 and 12, walk forward briskly for a few seconds, then switch to the other side for the remainder of minutes 13 and 14. Advanced exercisers can try hopping together instead of stepping together.

Minutes 15 to 18. Keep the treadmill set at a 3.0-6.0 incline. Side-squat walking: Facing a quarter turn to the right on the treadmill, place your hands on your thighs, bend your knees, and lower yourself into a step-together. Hold a half-squat position as you walk sideways with your left foot leading. Do side-squat walking leading with the left foot for minutes 15 and 16, walk forward briskly for a few seconds, then switch to the other side for the remainder of minutes 17 and 18.

Minutes 19 to 21. Depending on your fitness level, keep the incline up or reduce it. Walk briskly as you hold your arms straight over your head. For less of a challenge, place your hands behind your head. This less-difficult variation still forces your core to work harder and makes a nice little abs workout.

Minutes 22 to 24. Incline walking: In accordance with your fitness level, walk, jog, or run on an incline of 3, 4, or 5 to work your glutes and hamstrings.

Minute 25. Novice: Lower the incline and perform one last blast of fitness walking. Skilled and Master: Keep an incline, but reduce the treadmill's speed (to 1.8-2.5 mph for Novice and Skilled levels and up to 3.0 mph for Master). Holding the bars or rails, carefully turn 180 degrees so that your back is to the rail or bar and you are walking "backward." Hold on to the rail or bars as you walk backward -- you'll feel a burn in the front of your thighs. Carefully turn until you're facing forward.

Minutes 26 to 20: Cooldown

Repeat the Warmup. Reduce the treadmill's incline. Slow your pace even more until you are walking very slowly. Shake one leg, step, step, shake the other leg, step, step. Repeat until you've shaken each leg 10 to 20 times.

Take Two Deep Breaths. Extend both arms over your head on the inhalation and lower them on the exhalation.

Reprinted from: Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom: Tighten and Tone Your Body in as Little as 10 Minutes a Day by Minna Lessig © 2007 by Rodale Inc. (April 2007; $18.95US/$22.95CAN; 978-1-59486-562-6) Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling at (800) 848-4735.

Author
Minna Lessig is a sought-after personal trainer and an internationally recognized fitness supermodel who has been featured on the covers and inside such magazines as Muscle and Fitness, Fit, and Women's Fitness International. The star and creator of numerous best-selling workout videos, she lives in Virginia Beach.

For more information, please visit www.minnalessig.com.

Labels: fashion, fitness, personal, style

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Monday, April 02, 2007 1:57 PM (Eastern)

Garfunkel's outfit for this concert has been on my mind for years. Thanks to Youtube, I can see it again (I didn't tape the show).

I remember watching the concert on tv...at the time, the notion of a performer wearing his own clothes was rapidly becoming unheard-of. I remember thinking, how ballsy. This was an historic event...what does he wear, but a white shirt, dark vest, and jeans that were obviously not new. Fantastic.

Oh I know that sounds next to fatuous, but we are becoming a culture of pure consumption. We don't make anything anymore; we don't produce anything tangible. I remember when you would look through a clothing catalogue and some items might be marked "imported." I also remember when a wide range of products were labeled "Made in the U.S.A."

I think...it's less a matter of returning to the past (which is impossible anyway), more a matter of being conscientious...I always look to see where a product was made. Sometimes what you see is not what you were expecting.

I went to a chain "dollar store" recently and started reading labels on various items. What I discovered, is that almost all of them...across a wide variety of items, from egg dyeing kits to cleaning products to candles to gardening gloves...had been supplied by a single distributor.

The first thought that occurred, was that the distributor came first, then the stores, rather than the other way around. The distributor created the stores in order to supply to them. This distributor was unlikely to supply to any other store, just as the store was unlikely to buy much stock from any other distributor.

What further occurred, is that the distributor probably owned the factories in China that were producing the products...that were routed through the distributor, and sold at the stores owned by...the distributor? the owner of the factories? All one and the same?

Hence, the cost to produce that dollar item was probably what, three cents?

It's ingenious, it's out-Wal-Marting Wal-Mart. I would never have noticed at all if I were not in the habit of picking up items and examining their origin.

Labels: fashion, personal, style, videos

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:03 PM (Eastern)

I realize I've been on a Youtube kick lately...it's temporary. It's just that I've only now comprehended that I can see stuff I've not seen in many years.

To quote Margaret Mead: "Thanks to television, for the first time the young are seeing history made before it is censored by their elders."

Youtube is (at least for now) the next logical step in that evolution; it's a library of the television that people have censored in their own memories...or have allowed other people to censor for them.

Real 1980's:

The 1980's we remember, or think that we do:

Okay, I was there. The Smiths' video made them look a lot cooler than they actually were. I'm not knocking it; it's a great video. Still, after all this time...more than twenty years...I can't play The Smiths and feel they represent the period. The Stranglers' odd little song, replete with the kind of fashion people really wore in the 80's...it's more like it.

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 1:17 AM (Eastern)

MixtGoods

What's neat is that it's all American artists and crafters. Off the top of my head, the only other sites I can think of that sell American made goods are the Sundance site and of course Etsy.

Labels: fashion, handmade, personal, style

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Posted by Dain, Friday, March 23, 2007 3:18 PM (Eastern)

I'll admit, I don't really want to work. But then, who does? I suppose that's why it's called work. But I'll be graduating soon (May), and earning my bread will become a necessity. I just want a job, not the job, flashy degree notwithstanding. Practical matters elude me, in all honesty. I loathe the idea of being on the clock, of paying taxes and bills, but I know that playtime's over. So, I want to work with cosmetics in some capacity, because I love doing this stuff. I'll probably begin with sales. I'm pretty much planning to move to France (I feel a stranger in my own land, but at home there); it'll be an easy transition because my boyfriend (at least I think he is; it's sorta ambiguous) lives there and I can stay with him. I could work the floor at Galeries Lafayette or Sephora (there are at least two I know of in Nice, they clog France the way Starbucks do America) or Marionnaud, and write in my spare time.

In any case, one way to make this fun is to think of my ultimate work wardrobe. I will probably have to wear all black, which is new to me (I wear a lot of color), but I figure I'll have to buy very little, because black makes for such a uniform. I'll have to make sure everything is very, very chic (to attract customers), but without too much flash (otherwise I'll look like a customer myself). Personal style, but with much restraint. An interesting exercise, anyway.

FIRST, bottoms, which I believe is the best place to being when constructing a wardrobe. I'll need a black skirt, and if that's not enough, a pair of black trousers.

Banana Republic Taffeta Curved Pocket Skirt $59.99

I like the curved pocket detail, makes it just a little special without resorting to patterns or textures or grand embellishments. It's simple and flowy, a universally flattering a-line (a pencil skirt must be worn with heels), and it looks very comfortable.

For a pair of trousers, I don't think you could do better (at least in mass market) than Express Editors in Luxury Stretch; the black is $69.50. The fit is great, the material sophisticated enough for any occasion, really a perfect pair of black pants (I usually wear J. Crew chinos because they're durable, but they're more casual). I prefer skirts, though. I think they're much more comfortable.

SECOND, a pair of comfortable and stylish flats. I do have a pair of perfect black pumps, but I imagine I'd be on my feet all day, so flats are far better.

Pelle Moda Zest $141.95

You've no idea just how many ballet flats I looked at before I chose this one. I wanted something demure, so a black ballet flat seemed perfect. I started with "the queen of ballet flats", Repetto (they still make some styles by hand), but had difficulty finding anything beyond the basic styles. I wanted something special, not basic. I really like this pair from Pelle Moda: black suede, the dipped cut (very Valentino), the cute round toe, and of course, the pretty baroque embellishment (very much like these Manolos). I think the embellishment is ok, because it's in black, and toe is closed rather than open.

I also liked Sam Edelman Cassia $128.95

Perhaps this is a better choice for work because it's not so flashy. The shape is more your classic ballet flat, but the detail at the toe is actually a bouquet of tiny suede rosebuds and grosgrain ribbon. Very cute, and special. I actually love this brand. They make high quality shoes that are classic styles but with very unique details, and they're not terribly expensive (no more so than, say, Steven Madden or BCBG). This is an academic question, though, because they're out of my size.

I also liked these three, which have mid-level heels: Marc Jacobs, Gabriella Rocha Vivian, and Bruno Magli Jamila. But I prefer the ballet flats. It'd be between the Pelle Moda or the Sam Edelman.

THIRD, tops. If I could find a really fine black jacket, like this one by Alexander McQueen, that would be the end of it. I could wear this every single day, simply because it's so beautifully made. But at $1615, it's hardly a reasonable purchase for me. Another option would be a Chanel-esque tweed jacket, which, though perhaps cliché is a softer look, with plenty of texture, like this one from La Redoute (at a much more comfortable $29.99). I like this one because it lacks pockets—more like a shirt than a jacket. But I really dislike the idea of wearing a jacket.

I mean, if I'm just gonna wear something simple and black, would not a pretty sweater do? J. Crew Solid Featherweight Merino Button Boatneck Sweater $79

I have this in the "Belize" print, so I know it fits well. I love the button detail at the shoulder—just a little better than basic. Other options: Anthropologie Novella Pullover, Laureate Lane Madison Cardigan, Kimchi & Blue Lacey Babydoll Top. But I really like the simple look—one might call it "soignée"—of the J. Crew sweater. I should probably get two of these, at least.

The final possibility is a blouse or buttondown, in black. I'm tired of searching, so you can imagine a black silk blouse or a crisp black or black&white striped buttondown for yourself.

FOURTH, accessories. Hm, I think I'd just wear my own. My mother's pearls and my gold art deco bracelet; they go well together. Pearls are of course classic, and the bracelet, though flashy, would be the only touch of intensity in my entire outfit.

If I want a touch of color, I suppose a silk scarf (I have one in pink floral) would do. My bag would be my trusty big brown bag, my jacket that fabulous bright green cape jacket with giant buttons I saw at Zara but didn't buy and now I'm kicking myself over it.

FIFTH, makeup! See Beauty Blog for that.

Labels: alexander mcqueen, anthropologie, banana republic, bruno magli, fashion, j.crew, jewelry, kimchi blue, la redoute, madison, manolo blahnik, marc jacobs, pelle moda, personal, sam edelman, shoes, style

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Posted by Dain, Sunday, March 11, 2007 6:32 PM (Eastern)

Vacationing in the south of France for a week...

Here's what I packed:

UNDERWEAR
1. black bra and lots of black panties: they're just as neutral as white or beige but never look dirty, plus, way sexier
2. pink silk chemise with ivory lace: not only is it beautiful, it's actually very comfortable
3. white camisole: to layer underneath #6 and #7

TOPS
4. crisp buttondown, with grey and lavender stripes: simple, clean, casual but not messy
5. lightweight silk green and ivory psychedelic patterned sweater: I love this sweater, it is exactly my style, and it looks so damn good
6. sheer red-and-black floral patterned silk capelet blouse (sort of like a fancy, limited poncho, I guess, except in delicate silk): it's kinda Victorian-blouse-ish at the neck and chest, the material is very bohomenian and attention-grabbing, and tailoring is certainly very unique
7. white bohemian style blouse with embroidery: it's perfectly provençal, no?

BOTTOMS
8. wool felt camel pencil skirt: a pencil skirt gives an outfit an instant dose of sophistication, and wears well with every top—of course it works with #4 and #5, it's narrow enough to wear with blousy tops #6 and #7
9. swingy navy linen a-line skirt: I prefer skirts to pants, and this is the most utilitarian of my skirts; it's a flattering shape and material, it's a neutral color that works with everything, and it's very comfortable

DRESSES
10. simple sundress with a splashy multicolor floral print: so easy to wear
11. white apron dress: for some reason, I look really good in this dress—I look really good in skirts and in white, and this dress is sort of the ultimate marriage of the two

WARMTH
11. red cardigan: nights might get chilly, so this is my "warmth" layer, to wear over the two dresses #10 and #11 (I wonder if I should also bring another cardigan, in seafoam?)

ACCESSORIES
12. my mother's pearl necklace: because it's classic (though I think I'll take it off for the dresses), and it has that Grace-Kelly vibe that's perfect for the Riviera
13. art deco gold bracelet: it's very, very flashy... gold, pearls, and faux crystals, a repeating medallion pattern
14. an (faux) aquamarine and gold ring: there are lots of gemstones crowded around it, so that it looks like a garden patch with a pool... it's hard to describe, essentially it's the most fabulous thing I own
15. pink floral silk scarf: it doesn't seem right, to go to France without a scarf
16. gathered silver flats: for when I don't want to appear in heels, I'll wear these with the navy skirt #9 and the jeans #23
17. olive green espadrilles: these give me tons of height without discomfort (really!), and of course, they are so perfectly summery... I can wear these with the dresses #10 and #11, and of course with the navy skirt #9
18. simple black suede pointy-toe stiletto pumps: to pair with the camel pencil skirt, because pencil skirts require a heel (you run the risk of looking stumpy if you wear flats) and the espadrilles are too casual, though I guess it could work)

SWIM and SUN
19: periwinkle blue string bikini: it's too cold to swim, but I can get a tan at the beach, I think
20. long flowery skirt and black tank top: beach coverups

WHAT I'M WEARING ON THE PLANE:
21. my Pucci-esque henley
22. blue superfine lightweight cashmere "boyfriend" sweater: comfy and warm but fits well
23. jeans, Blue Cult, still the same pair
24. flip flops, love, bright blue Havaianas
25. my big brown bag that holds everything
26. my brown-blue-white tweed princess jacket (a princess jacket is cut like a dress)

That's it! I pack light. I don't really need all those clothes, but they're not much, once packed. I like this wardrobe because I can channel casual or dressed up as need be, without ever running the risk of looking messy.

Labels: fashion, personal, style, travel, vacation

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Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Monday, February 26, 2007 6:20 PM (Eastern)

So, what did we think about the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony?

I was a bit underwhelmed, myself. Even though the trend over the past few years has been a subdued one, I still harbor a secret desire to see unabashed glitz, glamor, red lips and rocks, with perhaps an outrageous touch or two. At the same time, I feel there has been a growing, quiet individualism during this same period. A bit less of "I hired someone to create my look," a bit more of "this is who I am." Which I like.

I'm pretty bad at compiling "worst dressed lists" even though I understand that people in this industry expect such things (and would rather be on the worst-dressed list, than on no list at all). I'd rather go over some of the looks that I liked.

Here's my favorite of the evening, Rachel Weisz:

Yowza! The perfect material, cut and color gown here, along with a neat updo, good makeup (just enough, not too much) and that cool pendant/brooch thing going on (I know some people thought she should do one or the other, but I liked the combination, myself).

Nicole Kidman:

This is kind of a given so I won't go into much detail here. I don't think this woman could look bad if she tried. But I did appreciate the bright red gown with its nifty, "I am a present" bow.

Naomi Watts:

A bit understated here; the hair should have been more glamorous. Still, three rows of diamonds and strapless pale yellow catch the eye.

Jennifer Hudson:

Yeah, she caught a lot of flack over the bolero, but I thought it was a funky individualistic touch, along with the side pockets. This look would have failed on anyone older than Hudson, but the effect to me was of an attractive young woman.

Helen Mirren:

Perfect all around, from makeup and hair to gown. (Can I admit I was cheering for her to win?)

Abigail Breslin:

I like that she looks elegant, not cutesy, yet still age appropriate.

Catherine Deneuve:

A spare, almost Asian look, with just the right balance of black and red.

Beyonce:

This is actually a horrible gown. Imagine any number of other actresses attempting this gown; they would immediately appear on the "Bjork swan dress" list, to be rehashed every year around this time. But on Beyonce, it looks as if it's the most sumptuous gown ever, from the pale green color to the sexy cut.

Emily Blunt and Jessica Biel:

Blunt got more kudos, with sapphire blue gown matched to sapphire blue eyes, but I think Biel deserves some credit too, for a striking fuchsia column gown.

Keisha Whitaker:

Hotcha hotcha hotcha! Love the mustard gold gown with the fluted hem. Who's that guy next to her? *g*

Some honorable mentions:

Gwyneth Paltrow:

I wasn't too sure what to make out of this look; it had an eclecticism which, I suppose, you either loved or hated. I liked that she chose not to wear a girdle, which gave her a Marilyn Monroe tummy. I liked the combination of red lipstick with the soft apricot tone of the gown. I even liked the gown itself with its vintage flavor.

But, I think she should have put her hair up. Wearing it down gave the effect of a little girl playing dress-up. A sophisticated updo would have made the whole look work flawlessly.

Kirsten Dunst:

Now here is someone who's going to get ragged no matter what she does...but the gown was beautiful. I think a little shawl or wrap would have done this look good, and a fancier hairdo.

Cate Blanchett:

I actually hate this gown, with a passion. Yet, perfect hair and makeup.

Meryl Streep:

What I cherish here is that Streep was up for The Devil Wears Prada. And she showe