the world according to sherimaven

Good morning,fine people of the internet. I'm home today chillin' with the Khan man and feelingl lucky that on this gloomy Gus of a day, I get to hang with my dog and catch up on life. I'm grateful.

And here are my Five for Friday, a wrap up of all things cinq on this fine prelude to the weekend:

Easter baskets from Chelsea Market- I was doing a gig by the infamous Chelsea Market- I adore walking through there and having that fantastic feeling of being able to smell and taste so many wonderful things. In addition to all the cupcakes, farm to table foods, and Jacques Torres chocolate, I adore the gift baskets from Chelsea Market- and I marveled at the offerings they have in store for your Easter basket- from European chocolate to chocolate quail eggs, this place has it all for more discerning types. Adore.

http://www.chelseamarketbasket.com/easter.html

 

Shamrock shakes- Since tomorrow is St. Patty's Day, not having a Shamrock Shake would be blasphemous. I grew up loving these suckers- the color, the consistency, the whole shebang. I must have one to bring back those memories from childhood. So good. If loving them is wrong...screw being right.

Serge Normant dry shampoo- this is a great product, peeps. I purchased it because I like his shampoo and conditioner which are free of yucky stuff. This dry shampoo is one of the best, leaves no build up, and is a great solution for in-between days.

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=FWHZ0U5X50LFSCV0KRTQIGQ?id...

 

Clinique rinse off eye makeup solvent-  I'm shouting out a classic here, because sometimes you need to go back to the archives amidst so much choice. Clinique always surprises me with how great their products are when I go back to them- Clinique always reminds me of "starter" makeup you rock in high school before graduating to the big leagues of Chanel, Nars, YSL, and beyond. But don't discount their offerings- I am a huge fan of all their little honey lipsticks, their Dramatically Different moisturizer is great too, and this eye makeup remover is the only one that does not hurt my eyes as I rub off that sordid combo of city soot and mascara and Lord knows what else each day. It's truly a stellar product. Love it.

http://www.amazon.com/Clinique-Rinse-Solvent-Unisex-Ounce/dp/B000OUVHS0

 

Gap denim shirt- Ok, ladies. If you are built more like Christina Hendricks than January Jones, you've no doubt struggled to find button down shirts that flatter and dont' pucker or gap in the chest. I am a big fan of the look of a denim shirt with everything from leggings to tucked in to skirts and back again. This short sleeved version from the Gap is hands down the most forgiviing silhouette out there without being awkward or boxy. I love the fit of this shirt- it's more of an oversized fit than super fitted, and it's a fantastic piece in a great wash- it comes in a light chambray as well as a more traditional denim, and both are genius though I am partial to the latter. Such a great find- looks wayyyy better in person than here. Score. Not sure they have the denim denim online anymore, so check your local store:

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=34610&vid=1&pid=288095

 

And here's a bonus since tomorrow is St. Pat's Day- you must try OPI's Gargantuan Green Grape while you get your Irish swerve on tomorrow. I have it on my toes and it's a lovely shade- I shy away from wacky colors for the most part, but this one has a milkiness that keeps it from looking fungal, and I absolutely live for it. Cause that's what's up this fivealicious Friday in the 718. All the love and have a great weekend. XO

 

Good afternoon, Wednesday. It's a heaven sent day in New York today...gorgeous beyond belief and if I didn't know better, I'd swear there was an ocean breeze in Brooklyn. To me, it feels the way the west side of LA feels- the breeze, the no cloud in the sky thing, the comfortable temperature. Yes, please. I'm happy.

But in the interest of transparency, happiness is not how I would describe my state of mind of late. I know you're supposed to be all chirpy chirps on social media, but lately I've been feeling a bit lackluster. OK, more than a bit. 

And to be honest, I feel like a complete donkey for feeling less than stellar. I'm freelancing at a great company, I have a beautiful apartment with a yard, a fantastic husband, a great dog,nice clothes, new lipstick, good hair products. I know in my heart of hearts how lucky I am, when so many people are suffering, really suffering, and I myself am far from that.

So what gives? I think I forgot one key fact about living in New York- you simply never STOP. I am so in my head all the time about where I'm going next, how I'm going to get there, who I'm going to meet there, how it'sgoing to propel me to the next place after that. I'm having a huge problem simply being- not necessarily standing still, but just existing and not getting too attached to every little thing along the way. If you live here long enough, you'll notice that things that may not annoy you other places REALLY annoy you here- for instance, I am freelancing on a high floor of a building, the top floor actually, and the elevator makes local stops- on every floor. By the time I get to my floor, I feel rage. It's so stupid to get mad that an elevator is taking too long, isn't it? But that's the curse of this town- we all get so impatient because it's all about getting places, and fast- whether it's to a meeting or to the next phase of our careers, the constant rush takes its toll, and if you're not used to it, you're going to crash, in a post speed bender kind of way. It's not cute.

People here are consumed with getting "there", and will do whatever it takes to do it in the fastest and most aggressive way possible. I too am guilty of such motives, but today I woke up and went outside and took in the blue skies and the warm temps and somehow managed to enjoy just standing there. I've been in New York for about three months now, and I'm not sure I've done that yet. And therein lies my funkiness- because everyone around me is so intent on getting there, nobody is really enjoying the ride. I'm not cool with that, and I'm going to make a real effort in all of this fuss about what to do next and how I'm going to get there to ground myself and stop once in a while and try to force myself to believe  that it's ok to slow down in New York from time to time. Of course it isn't, but I'm somehow going to find a way to introduce a non attachment to the future and get very comfy in right now. Iv'e talked about this before, but it's crucial to living a sane and happy life.

A big part of me feels guilty that I could even feel the slightest bit unhappy when I am living and breathing and paying my rent and have my freedom and my health. It's all that worry about the future that makes all of that stuff get marginalized and kicked to the curb. I've often read that countries where people are fiscally poor are more often than not spiritually rich. I am not saying at all there is happiness in being poor- but perhaps worrying about the future and how to get promoted and how to navigate the often murky waters of office politics are the provenance of the lucky ones that get to take nice vacations, buy good handbags, and not have to worry where their next meal is coming from.  If you are fortunate enough to have a job, obsess about losing 10 pounds, or show concern over what to eat for dinner amidst so many choices, you're one lucky bastard. How can that not be enough to make us happy? On days like today, it is. Because I'm grateful for the weather and the sun shining and simply enjoying the now, and I advise you to do the same, hard as it is. If you spend your life angling and fixing on how to arrive, you really never will get there.

Cause that's what's up this delicious afternoon live from sunny Manhattan, right here right now. There's no other place I'd rather be, because tomorrow is simply that. All the love for the present. XO

 

Good day Monday- it's an insanely goregeous day in Manhattan and I'm sitting on top of the world, or at least on top of a photo studio facing the West Side Highway and the dappled Hudson River. I suppose it could be worse. This weeekend was the Armory Show here in the city and was lucky to see lots of fabulous stuff- having a real weakness for John Baldessari for some reason as well as a hell of a lot of collage work. No wonder I love Pinterest- it's like one big collage for the soul.

In other news, today is Jack Kerouac's birthday, he would have been 90 years old. I talk at length about my muses on this blog and needless to say, Jack is probably in my top ten. Though many of you are snickering at how cliched it is to feel that Jack is your muse, I can't help myself. When I was in high school, Jack's work spoke to me as I searched for ways to soothe my often restless soul. I loved the idea of the open road, the free spirited appeal of jazz, and the style of brooding poets full of promise, piss, and provacation. (I know, I know- not quitting my day job to become a poet).

Jack's Canuck soul moved me- his characters in his books pulled at me- from Mardou in "the Subterranean"s to Ray Smith in "the Dharma Buns" to the unforgettable Sal Paradise in "On the Road", that brrody smile and bebop prose stole my heart, and as I sat surrounded by metalheads and guidos in high school, I dreamt of cool cats and chicks in turtlenecks, smoking tea leaves, and hooting and hollering out an old Chevy in Mexico City in the middle of the night. Yea, I'm a romantic. So? After reading Kerouac I went mad for Corso, Ferlinghetti, Burroughs, Ginsberg, and all the other roaring lions of Beatnik lit. But none moved me as much as Jack.

"On the Road" was one of my favorite books of all time, and still is. When I met David, he told me it was one of his favs too- a quality that endeared him to me as much as his uncanny ability to show up earlier than me at all of our dates. We connected over Kerouac and many other things, in fact, he often told me as a young man he went to visit his grave in Lowell, Mass. And I find it comical that we both work in advertising, somewhat reluctantly at time, and suppose other peeps in this business connect to Kerouac the icon as well- I wonder how a man who wrote an entire manuscript on benzadrine would feel about being the face and voice of ad campaigns for the Gap and Apple. Perhaps many of us who ended up in this profession are rebel souls as well.

So without further adieu, bon anniversaire Jacky. You were an elegant saint and tortured soul. I will never forget how reading about the "mad ones"made me feel so at home, and how the alienation of youth was soothed by talk of the road and never stopping unitl you get "there", wherever there is. There's a film coming out based on "On the Road", and we'll see how that goes, but for now, I'm content to appreciate Jack's great contribution to my life and the rebel spirit of America at a time when we need a spark more than ever. Cause that's what's up this beatific Monday in Manhattan. XO and snap, snap. Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry- thanks, for those words, Jack. You will forever be a muse to me and an endless source of inspiration.

Hey hey Friday...huge weekend in New York for arty types with the Armory show and many other satellite things around the city for those so inclined. I'm excited about it and am planning to see as much as I can, definitely in need of a little art therapy amidst this crazy week I've had. But let's get right to it, shall we? I'm so enjoying writing these Five for Friday posts...one of the joys of being in New York is the endless loop of inspiration you can pull from on a daily basis- there's just so much to see, do, and consume- from the way NYers dress to the unique cadence of their footsteps to restaurants that offer nothing but mac n cheese, you can't go wrong. I am so excited for Springtime here, when the city transforms, an air of the relaxed pervades as the days get longer and the air gets warmer, and the layers are shed and the skin comes out. It's a fabulous thing. Oh and ps- my dear friend braved the hordes at the Marni H&M opening day and got loads of stuff, which I'll get to check out oon Monday and see what all the fuss is about. Needless to say, I'll let you know. So here are five things that I am digging on this week- hope you enjoy them:

Chantecaille Frangipane perfume- By now, you know I think Olivia Chantecaille can do no wrong- her skincare and makeup prod

ucts are simply the greatest, and her line of perfume did not let me down either. As one who is prone to what are classified as "Orientals" when it comes to fragrance, (think spicy with vanilla or some other sweetness), I'm always dubious of scents that are labeled as floral. But this one is a hybrid of the oriental and the floral and it's pretty much what Heaven smells like, I'm sure of it. It's notes are water hyacinth, violet leaf and orange, with middle notes like jasmine, incense ylang-ylang and frangipane, with sexy base notes of amber, musk, and vanilla. It's not a cheap perfume, but it's so damn good for sultry days and nights. I am in love. Oh and if too much scent in the hotter days makes you woozy, definitely check out the roll

on version, which is a lot lighter, as well as less expensive, and it lasts a long time:

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/chantecaille-frangipane-roll-on-fr...

 

Lightweight scarves from the Gap- In New York, you never know what you're going to need to survive, but a good lightweight scarf can take your outfit from blah to aah in an instant, and the well priced options at the Gap are fantastic alternatives to more spendy versions. I'm partial to this blue and white one as I've been inspired by Stella McCartney's looks for Spring that have a bit of the marine to them- blue and white is a gorgeous combination, and perfect to give your winter wardrobe a bit of a lift- tied over a white tee and a denim jacket and anything you want on the bottom is a nice way to welcome Springtime. So do.

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=71027&vid=1&pid=902850&s...

 

A good blowout- Girls. Ladies. Women. Friends. Romans. Countrywomen. I'm not going as far to say that a good sleek blowout is the key to eternal happiness, but it's pretty darn close. I'm doing some freelance work close to Blow, that Valhalla of gorgeous hair in the Meatpacking district on 14th Street. I have always struggled with my tresses- I am so not good at making my hair look great, so thank the Lord above there are the kind folks at Blow that make my hair look fantastic. If you are having a crappy day, go do this. It's 40 dollars well spent. And for all of you who travel to New York for work or play, get your hair did. You won't be sorry. Screw chicken soup- blow outs are the best medicine. . Apparently there's a war going on in New York between two dueling blowout bastions, Blow and Dry Bar. Let the battle begin, because happiness is a good do. Bang bang, shoot shoot.

http://blowny.com/

Oxfords in light colors- Ok I know this is a bit of the hipster, but for me it's all about mixing the ultra femmy looks of Spring (liike white cotton dresses with lace trims or soft floral printed frocks) with a more masculine shoe- just to break up the fussiness. For some, oxfords feel way too butched out, but check out the Repetto version that is fearlessly low cut and ready to embrace the girlier side of mens inspired footwear. Oh, and these are on sale. I am in love with these...a cool alternative for those not quite so ready to embrace their masculine side, but want to break in a less feminine shoe- Repetto's ballet flats are also my fav and are a classic that manages to always look just right:

http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=9560&sid=80&pid=80#

 

Sir Kensington's Scooping Ketchup- Yup, ketchup. If any of you know me personally, you know that I love ketchup, since childhood. I would even say I'm obsessed with it, and the thought of eating eggs without it is torI would literally put it on everything, because much like cheese, everything tastes better with it. And I've always been a bit of a ketchup purist- don't give me anything called catsup and don't even think about putting anything other than Heinz on my french fries. But it's 2012 and the world is a different place, and so is ketchup. I had brunch at Freeman's a few weekends ago, and they had this ketchup that had me at first dip. Sir Kensington's is ketchup for grownups, without icky sugar and sweetened with agave nectar and some other lovely ingredients. It's a bit more sublte, but it is so good- if what Reagan said was true (that ketchup is indeed a vegetable), I would be the healthiest girl alive because I woud put this on EVERYTHING. Plus, the packaging is nice and would look great at your first Spring bbq, perhaps with a mason jar full of your favorite blooms set up nearby.

http://sirkensingtons.com/

Think that's about it for now, chickens. I'm looking forward to an art filled weekend, and hope you can either view or make some masterpieces of your own over this daylight savings weekend. Cause that's what's up this fivealicious Friday coming to you live from Gotham.

All the love. XO

Yo, Thursday, what's up with you? It's International Woman's Day, and today was a true test.

Oh my, today was a DAY. As I pour myself a bourbon on the rocks, I wanted to give a shout out to all my lady pals out there who know that being a woman is the greatest thing there is, and we're lucky that we smell nice, kick ass, and intuitively know a thing or two about nurturing- whether it be a child, a pet, or a tough boss who may need an ego stroke or two, or a piece of your tender loving kindness. Being a girl is glorious, and of this I am certain, cause I am one. 

So today being that kind of day, a friend of mine were chatting and decided it was time to bust out the Hole, which seems apropos for my pissy mood. Needless to say, Hole was my favorite band back in the day- I remember in those good old days of Liz Phair and such I went more the Courtney Love side, whose fucked up face and lace slip dresses were just my type.I remember rocking a Hole tee shirt with the aforementioned slip dress underneath, some kitten hells, and a whole lot of indignation. That was fun.

I loved Hole's music, and still feel very strongly that they are the perfect accompaniment to a hard workout, a bad afternnon when you feel like a good fight, or just when you're feeling spunked out and need to get in touch with your tough side. And you know, Courtney can be plenty tender too- songs like "Malibu" off of Celebrity Skin are sweet and lovely. Just don't fuck with her or that moody dreamy thing will turn dark might quick. But you knew that.

Anyhow, regardless of Rush Limbaugh's insanity or what kind of music you listen to or what team you play on, it's important to give props for us females today, and every day, really. And trust me, if you ever need to get through a crappy afternoon, Courtney is the answer, and always will be.Sure she's a trainwreck, but a rocking one. And her wardrobe doesnt' suck either. 

Oh, make me over. Casue that's what's up this so glad you could make it now kind of Thursday in Courtney Love's fan club kind of Thursday in the 718. Long live the ladies. Go forth and be bad asses. XO

Enjoy possibly my favorite song of Hole's. Or at least the one that always stokes the fire, even though I haven't rocked a slip dress (in public) for quite some time.

Well I went to school, in Olympia...

Good morning, Wednesday. It's a lovely, lovely day in New York and I am giddy for Spring time here- it's been so long since i've had a real Spring and I simply can't wait- so much so that I may just hold a balloon bouquet in a pink dress andfemmed out shoes...but most likely I'm defaulting to my go to stuff I want this Spring-  here's a bit of fashion freestyle to set you straight on what's a must this Spring, or at least what I'm wanting and seeing and digging:

I want a red flat. A neutral flat. A hot pink flat. A nipped in floral dress. A stretchy denim jacket in good old denim. And another one in a color. Oh and colored jeans. Yes please. Blue, green, red, you name it. Pastel pieces in nude, baby pink, lemon, cream. A way to wear a peplum that's not dire. A hot pink blazer. A denim shirt collection- from vintage to Madewell and back again. Silk seperates. Pajamas even. Long hair. Blonder hair. A preppy white tote. Marni Marni and more Marni for H&M. Trojan Records regge collections on my Spring playlist. Pants that stop at the ankle.  A maxi skirt to wear with loose tops. Artful prints. A dress Zelda Fitzgerald woud be proud to wear on languid nights in West Egg. Some excellent mens button downs from Brooks Brothers for weekend kicking it. Khakis on the baggier tip. James Perse tank tops, longish. neutral toned mens loafer or brogue, Phillip Lim everything, a green thumb, a good grill, and a hammock for the yard. How's that grab you? I want many more things but don't want to appear greedy. 

C'est tout for today- planning on downloading you on Paris Fashion Week, mes lovies. It was all that and a sac de chips on this splendid Springish afternoon in the best damn city in the world.  I'll be in touch, and thanks for letting me riff. XO

Good morning Monday...It's nice to see you. You're chillier than usual, but sunny, which allows me to forgive you. I hope this Monday am finds you well- I'm freelancing here in th city and people on the train on a Monday morning are positively dour. 

So yesterday was one of those classic New York days- languid long morning, diner breakfast, watching about a million Europeans lazing around Central Park, strolling on upper Madison, and then off to the MOMA for the Cindy Sherman show. For those of you (all five of you) unfamiliar with her work, Cindy's schtick is photography, all self portraits of her in various constumes, visages, and personalities. The show was a tremendous effort of a retrospective, and did not disappoint. If you are freaked by clowns, tread lightly. Ms. Sherman likes to dress like one, and then photograph it, and let me tell you, it's fairly creeptastic.

Besides the scary clowns and strange vagina shots (yes there are those), the rest of the show is an empowering glimpse into the life of an aritst who explores what it means to be a woman- the shot above is an early favorite of mine- just love this image ,and have clearly been holding a martini in a slip dress with some sunglasses on in my time. What I adore about her work besides the painterly portrait quality of her lighting and photography is within each tableau is a glimpse of the mahy parts of a woman's personality- we are all socialites, Palm Beach grandmoms, Hitchcockian heroines, and Raphaelite Venuses. I think what's fascinating to me is the work of hers that I crush on the hardest is usually those that I can relate to as a woman- the Longo looking bleached blonde in the black men's suit, face covered by a hair mop, or the photos contained in her earlier work that feel a bit vixenish, kittenish, and altogether sexy. Andt that to me is the most compelling part of her oeuvre- her work is a powerful testament to our freedom as women to be whoever the hell we want, regardless of cretans like Rush Limbaugh who assign their own stupid labels to who we are. Yes, Cindy tends to show us the weirder aspects of being a woman (bad makeup, hair, etc.) but she also exposes the great joy and sometimes rebellion there is in dressing up- literally and figuratively. Sherman is also no stranger to exposing the common stereotypes of women as portrayed in the media and society and by trolls like Rush Limbaugh- it's her depiction of them that makes us take pause and try to somehow go deeper than the picture itself. I also am fascinated by the removal of self that almost all of her photographs depict- even though they are all of her. 

But back to staging and dressing up and creating a character, I suppose this is why I always loved fashion, and consequently why the fashion crowd loves them some Cindy Sherman. Designers like Rei Kawakubo, who also turns what it means to dress like a woman on its arse, have collaborated with her and show proof that art and fashion are a potent mix.  There is great power in constructing your appearance- and though when I say playing dress up I am not in any way picturing a tutu and a tiara, I am instead noting that fantastic moment in your closet when you decide that Monday morning calls for a bit of the Russian spy mixed in with Sophia Loren and then mashed up by a Southhampton hostess. Needless to say, I just made that up, but you catch my drift.

I was all about posting something very militant today about my feelings on how the right is really way wrong when it comes to the modern woman. There's no need to do that because it's simply obvious, and even giving it too much credence somehow increases its message. Instead I'm going to suggest you go see the Cindy Sherman show- it's a force of self expression and nuance and over the top all at once. Needless to say, it's a must see. Oh, and hey ladies. Give yourself a chance to celebrate who you are today, don't cave to stereotypes today, and be who you are, whoever that may be. Maybe you've already gotten dressed for the day, but if not, take this opportunity to wear what you want, in the hopes of being who you are. Cause that's what's up this masquerade of a Monday in good old New York City, baby. All the love. XO

Hey, Friday- here we go yo, here we go yo. It's time for the weekend and yet another edition of Five For Friday...I'm doing some freelance work in the Meatpacking District- and needless to say, somebody needs to lock me up and throw away the key when it comes to lunch time shop bys. This is a dangerous neighborhood when it comes to consumption, but I've taken the voyeur route (lucky for you) and decided to shop the stores as more of a spy than an actual consumer (not so lucky for me). Here's some things I saw this week that had me all agog. I did end up with the mascara below, because it's one of those things a girl can't live without, though I'm pretty sure the Phillip Lim bag below is a must- have to, and hoping somehow it will be mine. And now, yet another must-haveaddition of Five for Friday:

Phillip Lim 31 hour bag- By now you know of my more than passing fancy for a good bag, especially one roomy enough to house all of my things. Phillip Lim, champion of a downtown cool sort of miinimalism, has shown me what's up when it comes to making a great bag for such purposes. I happened to pop by Scoop on my way to meet a friend for a drink and some oysters, and there it was- this litlte gorgeous color blocked utilitarian wonder bag. At $800, it's not in any way cheap, but I love the fact it folds over, am a fan of silver hardware after so many seasons of going gold, and love that I could easily fit my little MB Air in here, as well as some yoga clothes, a notebook, a book for the subway and whatever else. Genius bag- and he's making some other fabulous ones as well. Well done, Mr. Lim. Well done. I love a bag that can go anywhere and do it with quietly cool style.If you want one, go to Scoop, Barney's or Saks or a million spots online. the Phillip Lim store in Soho is pretty fierce too, but to be avoided if you have rent to pay or food to eat. PS- how much do you love the fold over on this bag? Amazing.

Leifsdottir for Anthropologie- Though I am often on the fence about Anthropologie, whose unapolegitcally girly clothes work my nerves from time to time, I do love this collection. It seems a tad overpriced but digging very much this little romper for the summer months- I can see it working well with a flat sandal or Superga sneaker but working equally well with an espadrille and some tan legs. How cute is this? SUPERBLY CUTE.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-leifsfeature/23832454.jsp

 

Kevyn Aucoin Mascara- In the ongoing search for the perfect mascara, I came across Kevyn's amazing lengthening wand that has since changed my life, or at least the life of my eyelashes. My lashes are fairly think but need a little length love, and this skinny wand is all a gal needs to help those lashes really pop. I highly recommend it- it's the best I've found so far and love that the wafery wand does not clump or cause a mess. Fantastic product- avalable all over the place online. I bought mine at Space NK, not techinically the Meatpacking district, in the interest of full disclosure, but still...worth the jaunt to Soho.

Nars Tinted Moisturizer- I know it seems like I'm shilling for Nars these days, and believe me, nobody would love it more than me to be on their payroll, but alas I remain a humble fan. I find myself shying away from foundation of late and going the tinted moisturizer route- I've always used Laura Mercier but had a chance to grab a sample of the Nars version, which is new in stores this Spring. I love the coverage and feel the range of skin tone choices is second to none- the product literally matched my face perfectly (I'm Alaska) and gave me a subtle glow that stuck around all day, even when I had a panic attack in a cab that was not moving for half an hour when trying to get on the Brooklyn Bridge. It's an incredible product and good for all ages and skin tones. Do it. Get it. Now. Also available most of the usual spots like Sephora, better department stores, etc.

Artists and Fleas inside Chelsea Market- I popped into Chelsea Market to see if I could bring home some dinner but ended up checking out the new pop up Artists and Fleas, a Williamsburg based pop up that is holding residence at Chelsea Market through May. The vintage offerings are fantastic and the vibe is very friendly- there's everything from super punked out jewelry to Italian vintage frocks to houseware you won't find anywhere. The market is open daily and is a lovely little gem in the even lovelier Chelsea Market. I have always loved it there and walking through it's brick encased goodness is a wonderful welcome back to the city. You should go to there.

Welp, that's about it for now. I have a post in me that is way more serious and political so look for that over the weekend...I need to get some things off my chest when it comes to not so small issues like guns and the fact that Rush Limbaugh should be exiled to a flesh eaitng island full of maggots. You know, light fare. 

Other than that, I'm OUT, cause that's what's up this freaky five for Friday on the beautiful isle of Manhattan. Big kisses for the weekend and all the love I have to give, XO

Good day Thursday...I talked myself out of buying a very pricey handbag today (Phillip Lim) because what I really need is a sofa. Sigh...

I did want to quickly tell you about a collection in Paris this week which had me reeling in a way I have not reeled in some time- and you all know I reel easily, but WOW. 

When I think of seminal fashion moments from my often misspent youth, I can't help but recall Tom Ford's amazeballs collection for Gucci back in the 90s- you know the one- silk button downs, horsebit belt, velvet pants- chicks  like Amber V.at her height and Madonna rocking the look at the MTV awards. I recall looking at images from that show and thinking the looks were the sexiest thing I had ever seen, and consequently, my own wardrobe that year reflected it- a sea of fake fur coats, silk blouses, and boot cut pants in velvet, cord, and otherwise. Such a collection made its way into the Paris shows this week, and that collection was Balmain, though you're probably not surprised.

Balmain is well known for a certain sexy coolness, but POW- each and every one of the looks in this collection had me forgetting about cocoons, new shapes, and snuggling in times of great insecurity. These are looks for going out and I do mean all out, and not staying in. These were looks that gave the middle digit to such notions and exhibited a strength and confidence that pissed on our vulnerability, and then spat at us as we sat hunched on our midcentury sofas in tulip shaped sweaters. Needless to say, I am endlessly enamored by this collection, and you should be too- cause Balmain rules and is for girls that are fearless and super sexy, and that's that. Yes there's a whiff of old school Versace here too, but Balmain just knocks me out with their rock and roll genius and I just dig this collection beyond belief.

 

Sometimes the heart pitter pats faster when looking at something lustful, and I'm assigning this arrhythmia to clothing, darlings. Loving what I'm seeing - all hail the fearless hotness of Balmain. Genius. Cause that's what's up this don't be afraid to bring sexy back despite all of the yucky news kind of Thursday in the 212. All the love to all you sexypants' out there on the interwebs. Balmain, you make my heart sing.  XO

Greetings Tuesday afternoon...

I am a busy little freelance bee so will keep this brief- for you fashion types, you know that the most classic look ever crafted for evening was YSL's Le Smoking, as shown below. Still genius after all these years. 

But cut to now, as in right freaking now. Peter Dundas's new take on a classic for Emilio Pucci has me rocking and reeling, in a good way. I love love love this look- and though you may be sick of a "cut up to there" leg due to all the extravagantly well done photoshop memes of Angie's leg at the Oscars, I give you this as a respite from the insanity- as way to do exposure well, and to take the night like it's yours and nobody else's. Amazing that this big Viking of a designer is so very in touch with what makes Italian fashion so damn sexy. Behold and presto! This look is a standout.

 Oh, and for those of you wondering how you will refinance your house or your whip to have this look, fear not. Take any number of long sexy slithery black dresses and put over a well cut dinner jacket- and there you go, you hot little night rider. Look for this look to be knocked off everywhere too- it's just that molto bene. Cause that's about all that is up this three cups of coffee in with very little food kind of Tuesday in the lovely city of New York. Gotta run- gonna dress you up in my love, or at least Pucci will.  Ciao! XO