the world according to sherimaven

 

 

1973 Mick. Genius. Even more genius on me...I am too busy to say anything else, but this outfit is tres homme/femme and I want, I want, I want.  Most of all, I want to slouch and slink around in that little piece of menswear heaven right now. Naturally, I would add some lanky gold jewelry, a polka dot bra, and hello, hotness. Mwah.

And that's what's up this too busy Mick of a Monday in the MIA. Off to a rollicking start, I am...  XO

 

Hey, peeps. It's Friday and I'm still craving a bit of the footloose and fancy free...maybe it's Spring fever. Who knows. I guess I'll just have to deal with spring cleaning at home to get my ya yas out- a poor substitute for coastal jaunts but a girl's gotta do it...(though I have not given up on Nashville. That simply has to happen soon...)

Anyhoo, it's Fashion Week in good old Paris. I've seen some nice stuff, but not quite blown away yet (though what's up with Balmain's designer having a mystery illness that kept him from the show?). I wanted to share some shots of Zac Posen's collection, though I am mad he shows in Paris and not New York, because these are clothes we can feel patriotic about.

Now they're not super inventive, nothing new to see. But I do love the vague sexy spy vibe in all the looks- a perfect wardrobe for a little Mata Hari adventure, in a place like Moscow. Pack your bags, we leave tonight.

And since I'm jonesing for adventure lately, my thoughts inevitably turn to fashion- and these looks do the trick.  I mean curvaceous Crystal Renn in that low v-necked dress is super sexy, low key, and a blank canvas for all that's in store. Love. And that long black cape is perfect for evenings on the lam, with a red lip and not much more. Divine. My wanderlust gets the better of me with a cape, I simply can't help myself. Lovely clothes for some espionage. And that's all I've got to say- cause that's what's up this adventure seeking Friday in the MIA. Hope this weekend finds you more than intrigued. XO

 

Good morning, Thursday. One more day till the weekend peeps.

Today has me in Dead mode. Every once in a while,  I crave a little Grateful Dead. I can't help it- I've since moved on from being a hippie but on sunny, breezy days my mind wanders to that era of my life, which was stellar, hilarious, wild, and inspiring. Today has me yearning for Northern California, maybe around Big Sur, jamming out to a little "Franklin's Tower", Sierra Nevada in hand. I know some of you find the Dead horrendous-  I ain't mad atcha. I know they're not for everyone, but believe me I had some fun times going to shows, letting my hair grow long as them thar hills, and rocking hippie dresses with a big grin on my face. As someone who has never been much of a joiner, I found the experience of going to shows and being a part of that community (it's been said the Dead were early adopters of social networking, how true that is) and just being outside, listening to some tunes, and getting a wee bit off it...judge if you must, but if you weren't there, well then you just don't know.

As  I sit here knackered from this thing called life, I'd love to get my limbs over to the general vacinity of Big Sur and just breathe the air and gaze at the gorgeous. It's so beautiful and find that whole part of Northern Cali to be magic...the promised land, if you will, take me now. G-ddamn I need a road trip. Preferably one with a jagged coastline.

Cause that's what's up, and all I got today in the 305,  as I roll away the dew. You 'heads know what I mean.

My love is real not fade away...XO.

Good morning, Wednesday, you pretty gal. It's a nice day and enjoyed sleeping through the rain last night...something comforting about an overnight rainstorm, because you're usually in bed where you belong during such events.

Speaking of events, there's beaucoup de chatter these days about bad behavior- look no further than Khadafi, Charlie Sheen, and John Galliano. Galliano is now the fashion world's Mel Gibson, and for this, he is a complete moron. His comments were beyond racist and anti-semetic, but what's most interesting to me now is not the rants, but the zero tolerance policy on the part of his bosses. We live in an era of hypertransparency, children. Many years ago, if an eccentric fashion designer decided to tie one on in his local boite in the Marais and shout out slurs, it would get coverage, but would probably not have been filmed. In this age of recording our every thought and action, as well as the actions of others, it's not smart to say anything that you don't want others to hear. And with the speed at which news travels these days (social media has us broadcasting at Mach 11), it's no suprise at how enfuriated we become when we find out about this stuff- sheer numbers of people come out in droves to voice their disgust. So what's most interesting to me is you have on one hand the shooting down of people for saying stupid stuff, yet we are all so empowered to speak our minds and moods on social media- in fact, we're talking more than ever. I guess we should chalk it all up to a heightened sensitivity to all of this constant chatter (as we speak Khadafy has been on Libyan TV giving a marathon press conference for no less than 2 1/2 hours. Yikes. That's a lot of talking).

And just this morning, a gaunt and fucked up Charlie Sheen (what was he staring at) was on the Today show, after having had his children taken away from him last night. This guy is someone who simply talks wayyyy too much, and we're all sick of hearing it. I'm not sure if bipolar mania is the culprit or an IV drip full of crack, but this guy needs to shut up already and get some help, for whatever ails him. Even his publicist quit over it- too much talking and not enough filtering. Which brings me to another thought- a new model of bad publicity is just that- bad publicity. It used to be (and some still believe) that if people are talking about you, the context doesn't matter. I think in today's angry world, I'm not so sure that all press is good press. Maybe we're entering an era of mindful publicity where bad press is no longer viewed as provocative chat, but detrimental and damaging mojo for whatever or whoever is being discussed.

And on this discussion thing, I give you freedom of speech. Now now, I am not at all defending Galliano or Sheen. I'm simply saying that we all have the right to say what we wish- places in the Middle East are fighting for democratic style freedoms as we speak. If we take that away from people, what do we have? This whole notion of talking has taken on a whole new dimension in this brave new social world- because so many more people are LISTENING. And it's happening on a micro scale too- normal schmucks like us are getting popped on Facebook for playing hookey, flirting with exes, and outing themselves in all kinds of ways. So all of this talking probably needs to be culled down a bit. I for one could use a little quiet (at least Mel Gibson is getting a good night's sleep these days while everybody else acts crazy).

And that's what's up this hushed and carefully chosen Wednesday in the MIA. XO

PS- will Kate Moss rethink her wedding dress design now that Galliano is being exiled from Dior? What's a supermodel on the eve of betrothal to do?

Good morning, Tuesday. I've been up since 5:30 writing away on things which I care about deeply, so feeling blessed in that regard.

And speaking of blessed, we lost a major movie star of yesteryear, Ms. Jane Russell. She was famous for her busty silhouette, and top heavy girls everywhere salute you.Jane made that quite clear. And those babies were natural, kids. Long before the era of tata fakery. Big boobs rock. All hail.

And that's what's up this "my eyes are up here" Tuesday in the 305. XO

Good morning, denizens of Monday. Here we are again...

You know today I have to talk about the Oscars. You just know I do.

But here's the deal, kittens. There's not much to say. It was simply one of the most boring shows I have ever seen. Now I will admit I did not get out to see movies the way I usually do this past year, which can make cheerleading for who should win a bit lackluster. I blame Khan who has taken up much of my weekends and whose seperation anxiety caused many weekends as a family and not alot of time at the local mutliplex (I'm not complaining. I love the little guy. And he was fairly well behaved at the Oscar Party last night, so all is well in the world). So I watched, lovely food in hand, wine at the ready, and found myself trying very hard not to fall asleep. Though I am a huge fan of James Franco and his forays into every discipline imaginable (soap operas, directing, student for life, and actor), this gig did not fit him. At all. He looked stoned and uncomfortable and cynical. And Ms. Hathaway, who plays this ingenue gone Julia Roberts thing to the hilt, was formidable enough, but still did not really connect to the audience. Though her bevy of outfit changes was mildly entertaining, it was no match for the yawnfest of dialogue inserted into her well made up mouth (wondering if a very pregnant Rachel Zoe dressed her, PS. There certainly were some standouts- the tux with metallic shoe, the crimson number...).

The number of awkward moments was winge-worthy, and when that Jennifer De Leo won the Oscar, I realized that you don't need class to win gold (found her so low rent). The Kirk Douglas moment had me in hives- it's lovely to honor the man but it all just went on way too long. Kirk needs to be home in bed, eating something soft, watching the telecast and not presenting at it. Full stop. And then Patrick Bateman forgot his wife's name- oops. I trust he is no walk in the park to be married to, with the anger issues and such. Hope she gets a decent piece of jewelry out of him today. Not cool.

But enough about the boring show, which was boring beyond belief. You would think an Awards show celebrating the most profitable form of entertainment we've got (and our pop culture currency with the world, no less) could be a bit more fun? I must admit when Oprah came out I found myself shouting inside for her to stay. I vote for her to host next year. But enough about all of that.  Let's talk fashion, shall we?

I wish I had happier news in that department, too. Nobody looked awful. There was no real Bjork moments or Lara Flynn Boyle tutu ensembles, though part of me wishes there were. It's simply part of the fun. Even Helena Bonham Carter spruced it up- true she was still goth but managed to squeeze herself into something somewhat tame. And everybody else did too. I don't know if last night's fashion was a reflection of our anxiety and precarious state of the world, but none of the dresses were really all that. I'm a bit done with the classic Hollywood thing PS. This is 2011 and we should be moving into something more modern- the only gal who did that for me was Gwyneth, whose insanely cool Calvin Klein and stick straight hair felt very NOW, with only the slightest pinch of THEN, and in a good way. Let's talk about everyone now:

Sandra Bullock- in red Vera Wang. I predicted to myself yesterday we would see red and there it was. Strapless and fitted. The lady has a great body but this dress was a bit of a yawner. Very simple and minimal but not so va voom.

Jennifer Hudson- Honey bunches- I am so on the fence on this one. That orangy/red Versace halter dress with a BEAUTIFUL gown. But was it me or did her boobs look terrible in it? All smushed and pushed? And I couldn't help but notice the insane gobs of paint on her face, which made her skin tone on the visage look wayyy different than on her body. But those boobs? Oy. Glad she lost all that weight, but yea, yea we know you're thin already. Wear something that suits, please.

Scarlett Johansson- Not a huge fan of the Dolce and Gabanna tablecloth. Now the post coital hair received a lot of flack, but I for one was a fan.I liked it, but maybe not for the Oscars. Maybe more for a dinner date with some hot young man she will surely be dating soon.

MIla Kunis- very pretty in Elie Saab. Again there was weirdness at the boobs- the lace was pretty but a bit odd in its placement. Dress was lovely, but didn't blow me away. She's a gorgeous girl, though, so anything she wears she looks amazing.

Natalie Portman- Pretty. Knows that pregnant woman should not try so hard to be glam or sexy. Plum Rodarte worked. But that's it. It just worked. Nothing less, nothing more.

Cate Blanchett- OK OK. Now many of my friends I watched with last night found this dress beyond vexing. But I found it not terrible. It was Givenchy, it was beyond high fashion, and it was lost on most of America. This was a dress for the Met Gala or the CFDA awards. This was a dress for fashion people, not for movie people, and trust me, they are not the same. Was not a great read on the carpet of red.

Mandy Moore- pretty girl in a pretty dress. Monique Lhullier stunning nude number with sparkles. Feminine and lovely.

Halle Berry- Marchesa confection. Very lovely. In her preferred shade of nude. Dress was outstanding, I'm not going to lie. But Marchesa's dresses always look like dessert, and that irritates me.

Haillee Steinfeld- young girl looking like dessert in Marchesa again. Like the length for her age, cute and age appropriate. I'm not mad at it.

Nicole Kidman- was she there? BORING. Was she in Dior? I wouldn't.

Michelle Williams- hey, Michelle. Rosemary and her baby called. They want their look back. It's enough. I dig the Chanel gown and she's pretty, but it's 2011. Modern it up, please.

Jennifer Lawrence- Okee dokee, Calvin Klein. We know you're minimal. And I loved the red, but this dress was not ENOUGH. At all. B-O-R-I-N-G. With that body, take it up a notch, for crying out loud- the long tank shape and tiny jewels was a snooze. Was she protesting glamour? I get she was doing the understated thing, but put on an earring of substance. It's the Oscars.

HIllary Swank- Listen up. Swank has the body to rock a gown and she did not disappoint. That Gucci silver feather trimmed number was a knockout. This is how you do the Oscars, peeps. And on her I didn't mind the lack of makeup and hair kept simple- that dress said it all.

Reese Witherspoon- in Armani Prive. Black and white. Not a big fan of the dress. Boring and a bit bat mitzvah. But did love the Stepford updo.

Mrs. McConnaughey/Mrs. Lucky/Camilla Alves- holy merde. She had my fav dress of the evening, next to Gwyneth. Kaufman Franco and lovely. And the date didn't suck either. Absolutely stunning. I suspect it's one that will be copied by Allen Schwartz today. It's that good. And Matthew...oh, Matthew. You're so damn cute.

WINNER- Gwyneth. Gotta go with her. That Calvin Klein was all that and a bag of chips. Modern, with vintage references in the best of ways, and altogether a celebration of true American class and style. Love. Not sure who did her dress when she sang, but it was pretty too. She so understands fashion, and for this I reward her with a huge thumbs up. Everyone else? Meh. Some pretty things, but nothing had me swooning. Couple that with Kelly Osbourne's horrendous preshow commentary (I hate her as fashion authority) and the boring show itself, and I felt happy that awards show was over, and look forward to Paris Fashion Week, which is upon us this week. I have to go walk my pooch, who is still mad I subjected him to such a boring telecast, though he did stick his face into a piece of birthday cake....

Ta ta for now...gotta get to it. Lots of love and happy Monday. PS that show and its fashion was not nearly "enough". Just in case you were wondering...and that's what's up in the 305, and I'm sticking to it. XO

Good morning, Friday. You are gorgeous today, I must admit...it's Food and Wine time in Miami and the weather does not disappoint, even Paula Deen seems beyond giddy on the Today Show this am, though I'm not sure it's from weather alone- appears to be some help from some spirits...

Which brings me to a topic I posted on Facebook the other day, simply asking "Is Weather Enough"? I was amazed at the myriad of answers- people in Sweden said it most certainly is after living in the tundra for years, others mentioned that if it feeds your soul, it most definitely is. I for one don't think it's enough- though now I'm stuck on this notion of what "enough" really means.

The intent of my post came out of a rather yucky day in Miami- where people were rude, I missed my friends and family, and was craving New York in a way I haven't in a long time. Miami is a pretty cool town but not so sure it makes my soul sing the way New York does, and this is no secret to anyone who knows me well. People come to Miami to get away from the cold, to wear sandals, have dewy skin, and be outside as much as possible. Warm weather makes people happy, feel healthy, and has a sexiness that can't be denied.  And for some,  that's more than enough. For me, without places like The Strand, Central Park, and The Met, I feel a bit depleted,

not to mention living somewhere without your friends and family or any hopes of getting a good bagel. So for me, I'm pretty sure weather is not enough. But in a spiritual way, "enough" should be whatever you have- because no matter where you are, it should be "enough" that you are just breathing, laughing, contemplating, and being grateful to just be upright. I remember reading something the Dalai Lama once said, that if you are a truly evolved human being, it doesn't matter where you live, because geography, the cold, or the warm are no match for who you are- you can simply "be" anywhere because you're that enlightened. I pray for a day when I can feel that way- whether I rest my head in Peoria, MIami, or West Hollywood (though New York would be just fine by me...).

I see the effects of warm weather on people- of living or visiting a place where you don't need to bundle up- I agree it's probably healthier, btu sometimes it simply is not "enough", though maybe I will get there some day, as I evaluate the very essence of that word- ENOUGH (in many ways, I'm halfway there, as I left an amazing job with some of the best people in the world, because, well, I think I had simply had enough. No other way to describe it, but it overtook me). Maybe your enough is just being around the people you love, doing a job you find challenging and stimulating, or living in a place where culture is everywhere but the weather is kind of shite. Doesn't matter- embrace your enough or go home, though I suspect for some of us (myself included), that "enough" will never be- because some of us want more than that- "enough" feels a bit too mediocre sometimes, but is more than "enough" too indulgent, too gluttonous, too "much"?

By now you're all scratching your heads and wondering if I took peyote this morning. I assure you I didn't. I'm just contemplative, less than full, and wondering what matters most, what feels "enough" or if that is a notion I can't access. Pretty heavy for a weekend, but that's where I'm at, kiddos. Have a lovely weekend embracing your "enough"- let's just start with giving thanks for being "here", wherever that may be. All the love.

And  that's what's up this balmy Friday in the MIA. I hear this is the only place in country with good weather today. XO

I need one. Be back tomorrow. XO

Hiya Wednesday. I can't stop listening to Robin Thicke...in love with it and easing me into the midpoint nicely....(you become a movie star, make more than me, babe...love that line)

So London Fashion Week. Burberry in particular. Jean Shrimpton inspired collection. Can't really go wrong there, can you? Although there were also a lot of safe bets on the runway at Burberry, I loved the cool sass of the looks, and the focus on the waist.  In a sea of skirts and prairie couture rampant in NY, I adored and appreciated the plethora of pants here, with nary a weird skirt length in sight. London swings again...as always, bringing the quirky, leggy, rock and roll look to all of us here in the states and beyond...this whole 60s thing was not really dialed in at the New York shows at all, but it's fitting in London which was the birthplace of swinging 60s cool back in the day and I am a huge fan of a mod moment.  So I give this collection a yea, baby, yea. I just do and that's that. I can't get enough of these little coats, that short olive jackety one with the strappy banding that is part drum majorette/part dominatrix has me agog. Positvely. Agog.

And that, my friends, is what's up this 60s supermodel of a Wednesday in the MIA. Cheerio. I know you wanna... XO

Hey, Tuesday...the day got the better of me, sorry for the late post. Had crazy dentist appointment today for oodles of time and have been busy catching up ever since. (Hate the dentist, don't you? Even when you go to one as cute as mine). But screw dentistry. Let's talk about Madonna.

Last night found me surfing the telly, eventually settling on Madonna's "Truth or Dare", released in 1991. It's very hard to fathom that was 20 years ago, but it was. I have always had a bit of a love/hate with Madonna, to be honest. Her music was so overproduced, so crassly commercial, and her fake accent of recent years and rather insipid surgeries and skeletor frame irritated me. But when you watch this little genius piece of film, produced two decades ago, you realize how profound she truly is. Because the film looks amazing still, the fashion is so on point, so almost right NOW it scares me. From the Pucci bodysuit with denim cut offs she sports to meet a rather shy (and young) Antonio Banderas to the amazing costumes for the stage, it all looks so damn good. Almost better now in a way...I came away from watching this little genius piece of pop history inspired. And wanting to bob my hair, curl it, and dye it blonde (don't put it past me. I'm bored...)

Let's make something clear- if you grew up in the prime of the Madonna era- You wanted to be her, a small (or huge) part of you ached to be that tempting and bawdy, even if you were a bit more "alt" and found her music too radio/MTV friendly. In some ways, her mere raw/sexy/Catholic shit liberated you. When she writhed all over the stage at the MTV awards, dressed in white, you couldn't take your eyes off of the TV. That uninhibited and glamorous and dirty all at once thing was more interesting than most; Camille Paglia dubbed her the "future of feminism", which makes a lot of sense to me, really, because it was true back then. The world was different before Madonna. Let's face it. It just was.

Now fast foward to 2011, and here we have Gaga- another pop icon, blonde, who has more ambition than anyone and is also trying to instigate and provocate. But here's the difference- she's not hot. And you just don't really want to be her. Like at all. You don’t want to be in a cocoon at the Grammys. Gaga you may want to be if you are a misfit of some kind, it's true. Maybe she speaks for the freaks...but Madonna spoke to the rawest parts of women- Gaga is more innately talented by miles- but Madonna? You watch Truth or Dare and can’t believe how cool she still looks...the clothes- that ability to take street style and make it so unbelievably chic. And she changed the game for what it meant to have a sexy body- that strength, that muscular take no prisoners power- strong became sexy, all thanks to her. That era of her- the hair...fantastic. She challenged all of us, in a mass way, but still....if Gaga is this gen’s Madonna, I’m not so sure about the future.

When I first saw "Borderline” back in the day, I wanted to spray paint a loft in new york, in a big leather jacket, too. The style, people, the style. It all comes back to that...that coupling of street style, swag, sex and dance moves straight out of the Palladium. I know women wanted to be her, and men most definitely wanted to screw her. No doubt about that. That's a perfect pop icon, peeps. Do men want to do Gaga? Hmm. Nope. Not really.

And I also need to mention that amazing moment in the film, when Warren Beatty is horrified by Madonna's need to get a throat culture on camera. He is disgusted and amazed by her need to "spend every moment on camera". Let's talk about now- where every moment of our lives is documented for everyone to see- on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and You Tube. Just another example of Madge being way ahead of her time. She was not only obsessed with fame, but saw the value in curating a version of life for the world to see. PURE. GENIUS.  Those of of us in marketing can't deny her ingenuity, and all of this talk about "conversations" these days has me thinking Madonna was the greatest at creating them- yet also LISTENING at the same time- she has a remarkable ability to listen to what's happening in music and in the clubs and bring it mainstream. In may ways, Madonna is the ultimate trend forecaster- a weather vane for what's happening underground and in the streets and clubs and bringing it right to vous et moi, with considerable aplomb. She's simply the ultimate provocateur.

And on that note, some of her music has been amazing....I have talked to you about my love for Bedtime Stories over and over...an album I still adore to this day, and I was one of the few that loved American Life, was a huge fan. So watch that movie again and recognize- her look was beyond back then, as was her staging of her show- and those costumes by Gaultier still look unreal today- that play on masculine and feminine- one of the things I love most about being a girl, really. I watched and was moved and inspired and realized, yes, Madonna really matters. She really does and always will.

And that's what's up this truthy/dary/dress you up in my lovey kind of Tuesday in the MIA.  ...XO