the world according to sherimaven

Hiya, Monday. It's a gorgeous one here in the MIA...hope you all had a good weekend.

As the temperatures rise and the sweat meets the brow, there is simply nothing better than a sundress, or any flowy dress for that matter. I am possibly the biggest fan of dresses that there is- I love the easy peezy vibe, the throw it over your head and go kind of thing. It's put together, effortlessly simple, and decidedly feminine. Now I'm not one for super girly silhouettes- although I could amend that to say I just don't do prissy or prim of any dimension. I will definitely go for a pretty floral print, maybe even a full skirt, but you won't see me in anything remotely fussed up any time soon. It's just not my bag.

But enough about bags and back to dresses (though Alex Wang's new backpack has me flustered for the lust it stirs). Is there anything better than bare legs, bare limbs, and an unconstructed silhouette to say all things sunny and warm? This time of year always has me yearning for some vintage, even though some of the fabrics of such dresses is not always the most breathable, especially those from my much beloved 70s. As a Floridian, I know a thing or two about fabrics for hot weather, where your best bet is to stay away from silks and go straight for the cotton or linen. And what's great about a little cotton dress is the price point- Spring and Summer are great seasons for low cost fashion- you need not spend a lot of money to look breezy and cool. Dresses to me are also super romantic- think back to the early days of a great love affair and how you would always want to wear dresses and spray a little extra perfume behind your knees just because you were so smitten...pants don't have the same effect, I assure you. There's just something about a dress that allows for transformation.

So as you redefine the seasons and get ready for some serious heat, don't even think about not buying some cute dresses. I'm also all about this longer silhouette as an option- think of the dress length in HBO's "Mildred Pierce", just to the mid shin point. If you don't have the legs of Kate Winslet, it's cool. Just go to that very lovely to the knee vibe and you're in business. I'm not mad at a short crocheted mini dress a la Bridgitte Bardot, either. Not at all. Oh and feel free to embrace a bold print. It's time.

And as for you men types out there who are reading this, I know your little hearts race a little faster in the summertime, when girls show skin and you strain to view what may be underneath a cool little frock that has just sashayed past you on the way to the 6 train. Or maybe you're just jealous the freedom of wearing such numbers allow? What is it about a dress that makes you male types go a bit googly?

On that note, I take my leave of you. Have gobs of work to do and must get to it, as my vente is on the wane and it's time to get down to biz. Cause that's what's up this you make me want to wear dresses kind of Monday in the MIA. Mwah. XO

Hi, Friday. Yes, it's April Fool's Day and I could very well prank you all with a fashion trend that makes no sense, fake news of the cobra escaping yet again to be the star of the next creepy Skittles campaign, or talk of today being National Fart in Front of Your Boss day. But I'm not going to do that, because I have SERIOUS business to discuss. And this business goes by the name of a little book called "Parisian Chic"  by none other than style stateswoman Ines De La Fressange (pictured here looking beyond and on right side with Roger Vivier, shoe genius) and her most likely equally stylish daughter. Ines is no joke, mes amies- she was once the face of Chanel, and even was honored with The Legion D'Honneur in France, an award created by none other than Napoleon. (Don't you just love the French? Awarding people the highest honors of their country for simply being fabulous? It's amazing). Needless to say, fashion is serious business in France, especially when it comes to the basics. I do believe the French see doing well by dressing good, ne'st pas? (I can assure you with intrepid certainty that Ms. de la Fressange has absolutely never featured a fly by night fashion trend on her slender limbs, eaten a skittle or any other kind of mass produced junk foor, or farted in front of her boss, who I believe used to be Karl Lagerfeld, for that matter).

So Ms. Fressange in all of her infiinite fashion and style wisdom shares les bon mots of French style...and trust me, this is not a book you don't want to own, in fact, you need to buy this one, kiddos. I myself just preordered a copy (thanks to my beautiful friend Mary Healy for sending me the link about it) and can't wait to feel inadequate when viewing wafer thin French women, chicly clad in all matters of flats, trenches, and striped tees. I am encouraged by the hair length featured- though Ms. Fressange and I do not mingle in the same circles, we are fans of a non fussy haircut, always above the shoulders. Of this I know.

And on that note, I take my leave of all of you sexy people out there and begin my weekend. But on this April Fool's Day remember this- if you don't at least peek at this book for some tips on effortless fabulosity, the joke will surely be on you. And that, my friends, is what's up this Francophilia filled and effortlessy fantastic Friday in the MIA. XO

Here's the link to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Parisian-Chic-Style-Guide-Fressange/dp/2080200739/ref=s...,160037834X,2012356249

Hi, Thursday...closing in on the weekend, listening to Sinatra, and having a relatively good hair day so all is well.

So, check it. I have a friend who I have known for what seems like hundreds of years who I happen to adore. She's a fun and naughty woman with a spectacular wit and great style. We have a lot of fun together, probably more fun than we should. But there's one thing about her that I don't suffer well, and that is, the girl can never give a compliment. Perhaps she does to others, but never, ever to me.

It doesn't matter what I'm wearing, she simply can't bring herself to compliment me. And I find it irksome as I am the kind of girl who freely tells people how much I love their new haircut, how skinny they are getting, or how beautiful their bag is. I do this to complete strangers all the time. Because I know that when you're standing in line at Starbucks, and somebody tells you they love your dress, it makes you feel tops. Don't underestimate the power of a compliment- it goes a long way and when you give one to strangers, it falls very nicely into that random acts of kindness box that we all need to check off way more often.

And men, even if you are married to us, living with us, or dying with us, it never hurts to acknowledge our new highlights, our new gardenia scented fragrance, or how pretty our eyes look today, especially when we don't even have makeup on. And ladies, the same goes for you with your guys- they like to hear that their ass looks nice in their pants, too or that they make you laugh more than anyone on the planet, or some such. Trust me, I know these things.

And on that note, I'm giving you a challange today. Find at least one person, a perfect stranger or otherwise, and give them a compliment. I promise you it goes a long way- Lord knows if you work in most industries these days, you're not in a culture of praise, so heap some on to someone today. They will warm. Of this I am sure.

As for all of you out there on the interwebs reading this right the heck now, well here's one for YOU and you and you. You are all hot, sexy, stylish, witty geniuses. There, I've said it. Now go for yours.

Cause that's what's up this and the way you look tonight of a Thursday in the 305. XO

Hiya, Wednesday. The heat is here in Miami and I'm afraid it's here to stay. This is so not my favorite time of year here, but for many of you around the country and the world, Spring is a time of shedding the layers, getting a fresh pedicure, bronzing the legs, and dabbing a bit of something jasmine or gardenia scented behind each knee and pressure point as the nights get longer and your attention span for work gets shorter (Spring Fever y'all).

And as the season takes hold, you'll surely be looking for some new clothes. It's just nature's way.

I am very much in love with this dress from Tory Burch, which embraces that huge 70s moment fashion in having. I am a huge fan of 70s fashion, albeit much panned by many as an era of polyester and bad music. I disagree. It was a time of great hedonism, and all hedonism is accompanied with chic. It's just hedonism's way.

Beause Lord knows if you were  going to party with Halston and Liza and Jerry, you at least needed to be comfortable for what debauchery would surely lie ahead. I love the easy, breezy, silky 70s aesthetic- for me, it holds endless appeal and glamour. Whatever situation you find yourself in this Spring, this is the dress for you. Loving the color, the ease of it, the unconstructed, unfussiness of it. It's fabulous  and loosey goosey and that's that. I love that you can rock it with heels, flats, lots of jewelry, or unbutton a bit to show some freshly tanned skin. So if you can, get a hold of it...it's perfect for those shiny, happy Spring and Summer days and nights. And if this little number proves too spendy for you, this particular shape and style is everywhere in vintage stores. You can easily score something similar for well under $100, so there's plenty of money left over for a mid afternnon mojito and then some.  So get to it.

Cause that's what's up this new season of a Wednesday in the MIA. Keep it classy. XO

http://www.toryburch.com/CHRISTELLE-DRESS/11111462,default,pd.html?dwvar_1111...

Hello, Tuesday...there's hope for you yet, dear. Of this I am sure.

So I'm sitting here listening to Kanye, who always somehow brings me some inspiration. Anyone that can rap about Phoebe Philo is pretty fucking genius. (Jay Z and Martin Margiela ain't bad either). Besides that, Kanye's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"  is one hell of an album. I adore it and it makes me smile. But I digress. Because sometimes I wonder if I'll still be listening to Kanye when I'm slightly more long in the tooth, let alone what kind of clothes I'll be wearing. I'll surely care about fashion until I die, of this I know.

So  I was very happy to find this link on the Nowness, about fashion amongst the aged. There's a little film from the Advanced Style blog showcasing the grand style of elder fashion stateswoman like Iris Apfel. It's an eccentric take on fashion, really- think Simon Doonan's "Wacky Chicks" comingled with the whimsical eccentricity of Peggy Guggenheim (of whom I would like to model my life after and channel as I get older).

I just love how these women approach fashion- how there is no fear, an embrace of all out kooky, and a love for a good sense of humor when it comes to self expression. This take on dressing is much like aging itself- the fearlessness you develop as well as the acceptance of who you are and what you stand for. G-d bless these women for owning their looks and being so fabulous. Totally warmed my day, and reminded me of another favorite icon of old age from yesteryear, Ruth Gordon in "Harold and Maude", who had a style all her own that I adored as a young girl beyond belief. Why can't we start celebrating our age instead of trying to erase it? Perhaps with sites like this, we will get there one day;  we need to treasure this segment of our population and applaud their personal style and lust for life. Link to the original link below, as well as the great blog on all things advanced style, so genius. I fully expect to be completely over the top as I become more and more gray, and look forward to knowing myself and my inimitable style in the years to come. No doubt about that...

Cause that's what's up this brilliantly eccentric and time marches on of a Tuesday in the MIA. XO

http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/3/23/advanced-style-fashion-film

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

Hi, Monday. It's steamy here in Miami and I've been cooped up all weekend with a cold and sore throat- run of the mill change of season variety (in Miami this merely means hot to hot as hell) cold but yuck. I've decided to stay in bed today and tend to it.

So maybe it's the sickness coupled with some monthly maladies, but I was a bit sensitve and blue this weekend. So much so that watching the first two parts of HBO's "Mildred Pierce" had me in a state (so sad). As did "Undercover Millionaire", a take on the very popular "Undercover Boss" in which a kindly millionaire type visits down and out neighborhoods and gives out checks to those in need (sad but uplifting). Don't even get me started on that Jason Bateman/Jennifer Aniston movie- I was weepy at that one too (adorable child and happy ending had me reaching for the tissues).

With all of this TV and movie watching getting the best of me and making my face blotchy, It's no wonder I couldn't sleep last night. (That and the runny nose and cough making me completely mizzo). And from lack of sleep and over stimulation, I found myself all kinds of anxious and awake and needed to think happy thoughts. Unfortunately every time I tried to do so, I simply couldn't get there. That is, until I started thinking about the newest bag from Chloe I spotted in Bloomingdale's last week.

As I lay in bed on my new pillows (which are way too fluffy right now and need to be broken in) with hubby and puppy fast asleep, I summoned an image of the Marcie bag, that gloriously horsey yet femine, leathery, toffee like goodness of a purse that I would gladly endure sleepless nights and sappy movies to procure. As I lay there in a state of hyper insomnia and tried to think happy thoughts, this bag popped into my head, and made me calm a bit and even smile, though thoughts of how I could possibly be thinking of buying this did not (I'm not buying it. It's just a fantasy to keep me from late night doom and gloom).

By now you're probably thinking to yourself what a vapid dunce I am. What, with tears shed over bad television and chick flicks only wiped clean by thoughts of expensive handbags (did I not learn anything from 'Undercover Millionaire'?) . Believe me, I tried thoughts of sandy beaches, family memories, strolls with David through New York back in the day on crisp fall afternoons.  I couldn't go to there. Not even chocoloate licorice, which entered my mind's eye at around 1 am. Nothing was easing my pain for some reason, except this damn bag which entered my brain on a cloud accompanied by the sounds of  a choir. And that, my cynical friends, is the power of good fashion (and good purses) in a well tooled nutshell. Just thinking about them can ease most pain, and although your happy place may look more like Tahiti or snowy Aspen at Christmas, mine looks a lot like Bloomingdales, and even more like this bag.  Sigh...

So as I sit in bed surrounded by tissues, I will think of ways that I can somehow own this little piece of happiness for real, or simply admire it from a distance, in an attempt to ease my considerable ills and chills.

And that's what's up this Marcie of a Monday in the MIA. Is this bag not the END?  XO

http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/product/106124?cm_mmc=ProductSearch-_-US-_-Tot...

Hello there, my sweet, sweet Friday. I am looking so forward to what follows you- namely, the weekend. Blessed be.

So yesterday was all about Liz, today (and every day), is all about LINDA. Of the Evangelista variety. Yes I know I have written about her before. But since this was a week of talking about Vogue covers, celebrating modely models, and toasting the life of one of the world's most beautiful women, I simply can't leave this week without a little bit of Linda.

I'm not sure there are many women of my time who are more beautiful. A combination of Ava Gardner, Liz Taylor, and a fashionable chameleon, La Linda was to die for. I always adored her many moods and hairdos, courtesy of Garren and always so on point. I think I originally went red because of her- she totally made drastic hair decisions the "thing". And besides the hair was that face. So freaking beautiful and distinct. I always just found her to be so old world (her face reads very Old Hollywood) while her ability to embrace trends made her so very of the moment. Lately she has looked lovely, but perhaps a bit too many needles in that gorgeous face (why mess with perfection?).  Anyway, I couldn't help but notice the Liz Taylor elements in some of these photos, especially the black and white of her smoking. Oh and PS, if I looked like that, I'd sleep in for any less than $10K. Just saying...one of my favorite stories of her is the sports editorial she did with Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia back in 2003. Her diversity is astounding...I heart her. And that's that...hope you enjoy your weekends and these photos of one of my all time favs. Cause that's what's up this giving good face of a Friday in the MIA. XO

It’s no secret to those who know me well that I very much appreciate a slip dress- in various iterations- have always loved slips and collect them obsessively- albeit vintage, embellished, tie dyed, or brand spanking new. I'm not sure there's anything sexier. I love them for indoor pursuits natch, but also for outdoor ones as well- you can't go wrong with throwing some cashmere over a slip dress for a night out- it's super chic.

This love of silky  is due to no small part to Liz Taylor, who rocked a slip like nobody’s business in Butterfield 8.  The world is a less sexy place without La Liz, of this I can assure you. Those eyes, that face, that pure hotness- no replacing that, kiddlywinks.

As if looking that insanely beautiful was not enough, her bravery was over the top. Liz was talking about AIDs before it was fashionable to do so- before the era of social media when we all freely broadcast every view we have on EVERYTHING, Taylor was talking about a taboo subject without any fear whatsoever, and with compassion as deep as those violet eyes. To bring about awareness before the era of self broadcasting was no small feat, and she really did use her celebrity status for good.

I was watching a recap of her life last night and Joan Colins, another grande dame, menitoned that Liz was a “gal’s gal”- which I think is so very true. Women could relate to her fragility  (not to mention her sexiness, her passion, her struggles with weight, her weaknesses, her epic love affairs) and men were simply dazzled by her (8 times to be exact) and could not resist her obvious appeal.  That's a rare breed of woman, darlings- loved by men and women alike.

Her epic romance with Richard Burton was fueled by ubridled passion, insanity, and alcohol, as most great affairs are. Their love was otherworldly, so one can only hope that they are together again, in the next iteration of this here existence. The jewels he gave her remain as a material and rock solid reminder of how grand their love really was. And expensive. All great love is, really.

Liz was amazing- RIP, lady of many looks, causes, and lovers. There will never be another...

And that's what's up this who's afraid of Thursday Thursday in the MIA. XO

Hola, Wednesday. To continue the theme of model mania, I bring you one of my favorite covers of all time, featuring a young Elaine Irwin (who just divorced John Mellencamp) in this Lacroix fabulousness. I loved the look of this very haute couture top with jeans- classic American style (albeit French on top) of mixing up high and low...inspired. Love. I have never forgotten this cover- always been one of my favs...even if it's not Linda E., who we all know is my all time fav.

And that's what's up this it's Lacroix, sweetie of a Wednesday in the MIA. XO

Hiya, Tuesday. I'm getting my hair did today- roots need some love as do highlights so looking forward to a little refreshing, as is my wont.

Anyway, I'm thinking of penning a little note to Anna Wintour, because I've sort of had it with the celebrity Vogue covers haven't you? Just admit it, you long for the days of long limbed genetic impossibilities known as models gracing the cover of this time honored Conde Nast magazine. Case in point- Rihanna on the cover. Rihanna is a beautiful woman, but really? On Vogue? With that HAIR? And you couldn't find a better dress of all the dresses in the universe of dresses that you have access to? I'm vexed.

I'm just saying- can we please bring back the models on the cover so us true fashion girls can rejoice? Give me a Joan Smalls, hit me with a Carmen Kass, hook me up with an Arizona Muse for goodness sake's. I'm just desperate for a cover that does not stink of celebrity. I'm just a little sick of it- Vogue is a bastion of all things fashion, not US Weekly. So if I were to take out my Mrs. Strong stationary and take my scented lavender pen to paper, the above would be part of the big story I would tell. Bring back the models, Anna. It's time.I give you the photo below as proof that there is still magic to be had from models- that's why they get paid the big bucks.

Cause that's what's up this modely Tuesday in the MIA. Much love, model lovers. XO