the world according to sherimaven

Good morning, Saturday and last day of 2016. I think it's safe to say it's been quite the year for most of us.

For me, I felt the push to make some changes professionally and focus on what's next for this maven. I'm looking forward to 2017 because I'm wanting to focus on expanding my brand and feel like I have the clarity I need to do just that.

This year I learned to meditate and it's helped me a lot- usually I'm dreading New Year's because it has always stressed me out, but  I'm sliding right into it and it feels good on a personal note. But there's a huge part of me, as I'm sure there is with many of you, that feels anxious about where we're headed as a country and how we're going to cope. I suspect an uptick in things like meditation and probably alcohol consumption as antidotes to a Trump White House.  I don't know how to handle that one. If you do, please let me know. The only solace I can find is this country is at its very best when we embrace our rebelliousness- in some ways that's how Trump won, but that's the wrong kind of rebel. I'm talking about the creative, free thinking, open minded rebel all of us now need to activate to fight this insidious administration. Let's make 2017 the year of the rebel- and channel our anger in great music, art, fashion, and action. Get woke, people. We have to fight. 

And the number of people and heroes that peaced out this year is mind blowing and gut wrenching- for some reason George Michael's death hurt the most. Although I am a big Bowie and Prince fan, I lost it over George. Some celeb deaths really make you feel mortal, and damn if George's death did not slap me in the face. He died young. Too young. I'm grateful for his amazing music that always makes me happy. Oh and everyone else too- we lost too many greats this year- Leonard Cohen, Gene Wilder, Carrie, Debbie, it's just too long a list for my liking. Please stop dying, everyone. And Keith- please stay healthy. Please.

And because this blog is THIS blog, I have to talk about fashion. I've decided I'm completely allergic to uncomfortable clothes and plan to wear only lovely fabrics and silhouettes (like these from Lemaire) that make me feel comfortable and confident.  It's not about weight gain or loss at all- it's just about knowing I can't wear anything for more than ten minutes that feels constricting or like I ate too much stuffing at Thanksgiving. I just can't. 

I will however try to grow out my hair a bit, and keep it red, and maybe even go more red. I'm into it right now. It's working for me. And yes, it works for Florence Welch. That's her above. I love her look. I'm sticking with red for a bit.

What else? I'm starting a cleanse because I've been a naughty maven. My body is in need of a reset so making that happen. Hmm what else? I don't know. New Year's resolutions are so lame. I've always thought that. I like goals but don't like the pressure of setting them when everyone else does. And when I think of next year, an apt analogy is my insomnia. Yes, I have trouble sleeping. Big surprise, right?

I've figured out that at the root of much of this insomnia besides a constantly busy mind is Khan. Yes, little Khan. It's true he weighs not ore than 10 pounds, but man can he hog a bed. Because I let him. 

He gets into bed before we do and spends a good ten minutes finding his spot by circling, tussling the covers, and then plopping down. Usually this practice, though adorable, leaves me on the edge of the bed with no covers. Because I let him get in first. David mentioned it might be better for me to find my spot under the duvet and then let Khan find his. Not a bad strategy for this sleep deprived maven. But also a great strategy for next year.

Because I've spent a good part of life trying to find my comfort zone in the wake of others who have already settled in. I'd rather not do that this year. This year I plan to get there first,  so I can be covered and content and not feel like I'm fighting for space. Because "being there" is all about "getting there" and I feel like my path needs to be more considered so I can, well, sleep at night. And that's that.

Oh and also travel. Lots more travel. I want to go and go. Feeling a big push for travel in 2017 and suspect an uptick in global travel as we seek like minded wanderers who want to unite through travel and celebrating different cultures and railing against the current nationalist mood. 

So for me, and in sum, 2017 feels like a year for rebellious thought and action (Patti, you better not go anywhere, we need you more than ever), a need to feel comfortable and confident when it comes to dress, and taking care of mind and body so I can not only sleep better at night, but also kick a good amount of ass during the day and travel and see more of the world. And I plan to do so. Oh and one more thing- I plan on being very social this year and hanging with all of my dear friends who I treasure more than you can imagine. I'm feeling the need to be out and about and enjoying this beautiful city and plan to do so. So don't hesitate to holler at me in 2017 so we can hang together and plot, plan, and laugh. I'd love your company.  Happy happy new year to all of you- wishing you health and happiness and all your heart can hold for 2017.

And that's what's up this last day of 2016 kind of Saturday in the 718. Yours, in getting to it, fighting the fight, and (hopefully) sleeping at night. XO

Good evening, Monday. Hope you all had a lovely Hannukah and Christmas- I was very much enjoying all of your beautiful feeds until I found out what we all found out yesterday and was hoping it wasn't so- an icon of my youth gone in an instant, like Bowie,  like Prince, and now George Michael. I can't.

Thank goodness my best gay was on the way for Chinese last night, because when the news broke we were together and switched on the Apple TV and streamed videos all night. Those videos. I can't recall a piece of video I like more than "Freedom 90". Linda. Christy. Naomi. Tatjana. Cindy. AMAZING. Such a beautiful tribute to one of my favorite eras in all of fashion.

And thinking about George's life gave me so many amazing memories and feels. From the early days of waking up before we go go  to later era "Father Figure" (another amazing fashion vid with that gorgeous jutted cheekbone Natasha of a supermodel) to "Ladies and Gentlemen" to "Listen without Prejudice" to that tricky dance in the "Monkey" video in that awesome black and white outfit. It's endless for me. I grew up with George Michael and trust me, I eschewed most things super pop in those days. I fancied myself quite the little art school indie chick, but the pop of the 80s was hard to resist, even for the most apathetic, snide fucked Xer like myself. I adored Wham, George, all of it. Because George was so damned talented. That voice. You felt every word. His pop hits were beyond infectious, his ballads could move the most stubborn nihilist.  Remember how "I Want Your Sex" made you feel? I do. I can't forget it because it was a heady time of hormones and longing and all that fun stuff that comes with teenage lust. It had so much attitude, so much swag, at a time when sex was very much a scary notion- the AIDs epidemic in full swing and here comes George telling us sex is natural and sex is fun and smearing "monogamy" all over a model's leg. And George- George was not straight. Like so many stars in the 80s, there was such a sexiness to everyone and everything- gay, straight, or otherwise. It just didn't really make a difference. Or at least I didn't even notice there was one really.  It was just about being yourself and going for it and shining bright. Coming out was tough for him, but not surprising to most of us. I for one cared not one single you know what. Because George was perfect just how he was, and exuded a brave sex appeal that was legendary.

And you can't ever dismiss the fashion statements this man made- from Katherine Hamnett tee shirts in the early Wham! days (I was lucky enough to see their first big US tour with Katrina and the Waves as an opening act- we screamed the entire time in complete glee. It's rare that I allowed myself the right to be a total girlie girl, but bands like Wham! and Duran Duran took me there, and it was just the best thing in the world. Plus, the way he looked in Levi's was pretty next level. Always will be. The man could rock a pair of jeans like none other.

And then as I grew up a little, George Michael grew up with me. 

One of my absolute favorite songs is "Waiting for that Day". It's so sophisticated, so inspired, so moving. And then of course the supermodels made appearances in "Freedom 90" and "Too Funky" to elevate the pop to a fashion place- for me- music and fashion and style go hand in hand and George Michael was always winking at fashion and embracing it and loving it. And I loved it right back.

It's hard to imagine a world without his music and his incredible contribution to true style and pop culture. I am so sad he is gone and although Bowie and Prince and Leonard Cohen were beyond, George Michael's death on Christmas was simply too much to bear. At just 53, he left us way too soon. He will always matter to me and my generation and many generations of fans who heard that voice and smiled and sang right along with him- he got us dancing, he got us in the mood, he got us. He just got us. And thank goodness we got to have him.

With the world spinning out of control, it's hard to seek solace in 2016 coming to an end. It was a brutal year and like many of you, I fear what's next.  RIP to George Michael, an icon of my come uppance who will be missed beyond belief.

Cause that's what's up this too funky of a Monday in the 718. Yours, in careless whispers and father figures and trying to have a little bit of faith. I will miss him terribly. Thanks for the amazing memories and being a huge part of my life. XO

Good morning, Friday, and happy holidays to all my friends and family. What a year.

I'm incredibly grateful for the gift of work I've received this last part of the year- it was slow for a while and I'm working on a project that will take me into early 2017 and it's full of my favorite things- amazing people, photography, and of course, travel. It's true that Uruguay was not my cup of mate, but I'm looking forward to where we will go next. Stay tuned for that.

I'm also grateful for working with Brian, and all of our adventures we'll have in 2017- watch this blog for all the fun things we're going to collaborate on and bring in the new year with a bang and do all the great things we know we can do together. I'm also thinking of some fun new collaborations as well. I'm dubbing 2017 the year of collaborating, Maven style. I can't wait.

And on another note, New York.

There is nothing like this beautiful city during the holidays. I'm so glad I got to experience the last heaving moments of it- got home in the nick of time. The city is bustling and happy and full of cheer. Magical. I love the lights in my neighborhood, the buzz of holiday shoppers, and all the lovely notes and cards from friends and coworkers. Not to mention my awesome new giant Rag and Bone dagger scarf from David. Thanks, baby. It's beautiful.

And most of all, I'm grateful for all my friends/family. I admit I've been a bit distracted with work and such but I love you all and look forward to spending the next year reconnecting. With you know who about to be you know what, we're going to need each other more than ever. 

And yes I know Thanksgiving is all about being thankful, but so are the holidays in general and I have immense gratitude for all the opportunities, friendships, and love I've received this year. I hope to give it all back to all of you as we ring in the new year. I feel hopeful that we will all come together in the face of some craziness and love each other a little bit more. It's needed. I'm scared of what's going to be happening in our country, but I'm trying to remain positive in the face of some craziness. Taking the high road and fighting the power. That's what we all need to do. 

So today I go home and get into deep chill mode with David and Khan and look forward to my in laws visiting and spending New Year's upstate with some peace and quiet and hopefully some good champagne. I'm most likely going offline for a few, and will be back here just after 2017 is fresh on our bodies. All the love for a wonderful holiday. 

Cause that's what's up this tying up loose ends kind of Friday in the most wonderful city on Earth. Yours, in endless gratitude and good tidings. And happy holidays, with love from the Maven. Let's hang very soon. XO

Good afternoon, Wednesday. I was on a redeye out of Sao Paolo last night and landed in NY at about 5 am. Needless to say, sleep is beginning to feel like a luxury good that I can't seem to afford.

So with that, I'm thinking in pictures again and channeling the holiday season, even though I missed most of it. Good thing is, I'm back before the actual holiday and all is well. So here's Shalom Harlow in a silver turtleneck because, CHRISTMAS. And holidays. And sparkly things mask sleeplessness.

Cause that's what's up this silver bells, silver bells it's Christmas time in the city kind of Wednesday in the borough. Yours, in visual therapy for sleep deprivation. XO

Good morning, Monday. Final shoot day here in weirdsville Uruguay and can't say I'm mad. I've officially eaten my feelings every day since I've been here. This morning I enjoyed mixing gummy bears with potato chips. It's come to that. Yes. Yes it has.

But other than sizing up when shopping online, I've fallen in love. With a handbag. Obviously.

Since I'll be traveling to Thailand in January, I'm dreaming of a new tote to bring on the plane. And the one I love is perfectly on brief for a trip to Asia, particulary Southeast Asia.

It's the Balenciaga Bazar tote and I love its expensively cheeky more than wink to Thai market totes which generally cost a dollar. Plus a stripe. I love a stripe. The XL version is amazing but way too large- the medium is perfect. Can't decide if I love the blue, black, and white or the multistripe with my favorite green. Leave it to the great minds behind Vetements to come up with an everyday item and make it super luxe. Net a Porter is calling it the bag of the season according to the Telegraph and I couldn't agree more.

They also make it in a wallet which is ok but that bag. Damn.  Wish I was your owner.

Cause that's what's up this saying goodbye to Uruguay and closing out the year dreaming of handbags in one strange country. Yours, in handbag goals and expensive tastes. XO

Good morning, Saturday. I'm still here in Uruguay and well, I'm not impressed. Some places move you. Some don't. I'm in the latter camp and don't connect to Montevideo in any way. Yea, there's some coolish stuff here but it's not my place. And I'm missing home today quite a lot. I love NY during the holiday season but really I'd love to be snuggled in for some late sleeping with K and David at this very moment. Instead, I am shooting at a warehouse and eating too many carbs. C'est la. I'm shooting with a great team and love them all and everyone is killing it, we're just dead to the world and ready to rejoin our lives.

So as I'm sitting here wondering how I am going to take this said carbo loading off in the new year, I'm wistful. I discovered this series on vogue.com showcasing some of the chicest couples of all time. Some are no longer, but look at how gorgeous. When we were young and such. The way there were is making me think much as I ponder the way  I am. Not sure what that even means but making it up as I go along. 

Enjoy these beauties. I'm nostalgic for two weeks ago at the moment but will be home soon. Cause that's what's up this not going to much miss Montevideo kind of Saturday in some area code I don't even know. Yours, in subterranean homesick blues. XO

Good morning, Tuesday. I'm here in Uruguay on production and eating far too many carbs and far too much cheese. Other than that, all is well. Nice people, good shoot. All divine.

But I'm tired and sometimes I think in pictures and not words. For some reason, I woke up thinking of this photo of Kate Moss from back in the day. Don't ask me why cause I don't know. This picture is somehow etched in my memory box so sharing it with you. 

Leopard coat. Nonchalant smoke. Cool tee. Yea. About right. Says everything I want to say right now.

Cause that's what's up this picturesque Tuesday in sunny Montevideo. Yours, in vintage moments. XO

Good morning, friends. Sorry for the lapse in my ten day gift guide. I was traveling but entrenched in my hotel in Uruguay and ready to rock and roll.

So I was thrilled to see Pantone's color of 2017 announcement is my favorite color, hands down. Green, green, green. Greenery to be precise. Visions of springtime and lushness and happiness describe this beautiful hue, not to mention that sense of connection and harmony we have lost along the way.  It's a beautiful yellow green and I'm just in love with everything about it. I'm not sure I can wear this particular hue, but I will most likely try it in some iteration.

Since early childhood, I loved this color. I only use green toothbrushes to this day. I love lush places like Jamaica and Scotland because they are GREEN. Yes, I know money is green. We all like that I suppose. But there's just something about that color that has always made me feel peaceful and happy. It's my spirit color and I'm so glad to see it entering popular culture next year. Because of all times to have a color that feels peaceful and grounded, it's now, people. Amiright?

So you know sometimes there's that something you wanted to buy but passed on and you now kick yourself? Yup. Me too.

Mine was a season or two ago- an Acne fuzzy sweater in bottle green that was just the most lovely thing. I had my eye on it all winter, but by the time it went on sale, there were no sizes left for little old me. It ain't easy being (in love with) green. Here's a few fun takes on the color, some are not the perfect shade of Pantone, but love them nonetheless. I'm so excited we're all going to go green for 2017. My eyes and soul will be pleased to see it everywhere.

So on the high end, this Gucci sweater. I'm not going to elaborate. It's crazy and awesome and insanely expensive. But it is a darn good shade of green.

In the slightly less stratospheric but still suspiciously expensive end- this rocking look from Rag and Bone. So good. Love green for the holiday. Very cute look for Xmas morning. As if I know what constitutes a good look for Xmas morning. I don't. But I imagine this would be good. Carry on.

And sure you can pick up a green sweater from your favorite J. Crew, but for something a good bit less expensive and on hue why not go for a green eyeshadow? I love green on the eyes and it's been a minute since you can find that perfect shade, but love this one from Surratt, who make covetable and highly pigmented shades. This one is called Envier and it's lovely- just do a dusting on the lid and you're good to go.

Cause that's what's up this green is the color kind of Saturday in (where am I again?) Montevideo. Yours, in having a green party. XO

Good morning, Wednesday. Nursing my sickness before boarding a long flight tomorrow. Yeesh. Think I'll get there.

So yesterday a dear pal of mine asked me where to get some good chicken soup in NY for his girl who was under the weather. I mentioned I was under the weather too and he was kind enough to procure my all time favorite Jewish penicillin, chicken in a pot from 2nd Ave. Deli right here in the city. There are no words for how much I love this soup. But I suppose I could try.

I've always loved how almost every culture has their own version of a comforting chicken soup- from pho to wonton to that amazing Cuban chicken soup with lime and potato. It's cheap to make, goes down easy, and is the ultimate when you're not feeling well.

So chicken in a pot is really next level matzoh ball soup- sure it's got matzoh balls, but it also has 1/2 a boiled chicken in it, as well as carrots (perfectly cooked and cut into round slices) and dill and the most amazing broth of all time- oh and those tiny little noodles. I swear it has magic powers.

And for those of you in New York, you can order this soup from 2nd Ave. Deli and have it shipped to those in need of some old fashioned love in liquid form. I love it so much. And really, if you are the significant other or best friend of someone who's a bit under the weather, you'll win huge points by gifting them with this enormous vat of soup. It's perfect. Feeds two or one for a few days. It truly is pure love.

And for those of you not in the city, here's the very recipe for chicken in a pot from the source (they have a cookbook but here it is on a blog I found). Get yourself a jar, pack it up, and send it right over to someone you love. It's a great gift and as the best selling book says, good for the soul and such. I know many people this year are wondering why gifts are necessary in such terrible times, but a caring and healing gift like this is never a bad idea. Ever. 

Cause that's what's up this soup is good gifting kind of Wednesday in New York City. Yours, in slurping my way back to health. XO

Good morning, Tuesday. I'm a bit sniffly and need to kick this cold before I fly to Uruguay on Thursday. May the gods be with me.

And in the spirit of travel, I thought I'd share a few gift ideas for those out there that love to go places near and far. I'm one of those people of course and nothing pleases me more than traveling to places both familiar and unknown. I'm super excited to discover Uruguay and after ten days or so there, I'll surely have lots to write about.

So yesterday I discovered the killer online shop from the geniuses at the Ace Hotel. For those of you not familiar, the Ace kind of wrote the book on how to create a hotel that is cool, affordable, and also a hangout for locals who like to hitch up in their lobbies, get super caffeinated, and live the freelance dream. I love the Ace in New York so much- always a buzz of activity and super great design.  And their merch offerings don't disappoint.

Everything on this site. I WANT IT ALL. One of the best curated sites I have ever seen. All hotel brands should follow their lead. 

The robes are genius. The handmade leather slippers from Japan are phenomenal.  The dog tags are so cute for hipster pups. The packable anorak. Amazing.  The Pendleton blanket, the mugs, the amazing bags. It's all so so good. Go down that rabbit hole now. So inspiring. At least get a tee shirt.

And if you're looking for a great plane read or vacation book, I highly recommend my friend Edie Jarolim's hilarious book "Getting Naked for Money", on Amazon here. Edie and I met when she was editing a doozy of a project I was doing some writing for and we hit it off famously. She's sassy, witty, and also has the most amazing dog, Madeline. While we worked together, she was finishing the book- and I'm so glad she achieved her goals, and with great results. This is a perfect book for travel mavens. Just love it. it's all about her shifting gears midlife and moving to Arizona, where she was given a writing assignment to go to a nudist resort, undercover, and uncovered. Ha. Love it. Check out her blog too.

So for those who love to go and never stop going, these are wonderful ideas.  These might be my favorite gifts yet.

Cause that's what's up this let's get lost kind of Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in stamping passports and buying gifts. XO