the world according to sherimaven

Good afternoon, Friday. Very much looking forward to a weekend full of friends and fun and naps. I need a nap. Right now. I need many naps come to think of it.

So last night before meeting a dear friend for dinner in midtown (yes midtown), I popped by Saks as one does and got a whiff of Le Labo's new fragrance, being released in November and on special sneak preview at Saks this weekend, ThéThe Noir 29. I just read a fun fact on Selectism - if you've ever wondered why Le Labo has a number after the name of their fragrances, it stands for the number of ingredients comprising that heavenly bottle you love so much.

I'm a big Le Labo fan- I can't help myself and I've witnessed the hypnotic appeal of Santal 33. So when the guy at Saks gave me a tester to try of Noir, I couldn't resist. It's a sultry mix of black tea, with lovely things like bergamot, fig, cedar, vetiver, and musk. I know it sounds very masculine and it is in a way (which I like) but the dry down reminds me a lot of Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille, which is sweet and woody and somehow very leafy all at once. I love it and have been obsessively sniffing at my wrists all day. A good sign. I look crazy, but a good sign. 

It's very sexy and warm and perfect for cold weather- if you were the type of girl who wore Poison or Opium back in the day and like more of a heady, heavier scent, this one's for you. I am a sucker for a scent with the word "Noir" in the title- it's always a win for me because it almost always has things like musk, cedar, vanilla, and everything I like. And for my gentlemen friends, you'll smell amazing in this too. I have the sense it reacts beautifully with different chemistries and pheromones and zygotes and such.

Needless to say, I'm snagging a bottle very soon. Beautiful stuff. It's magic how scent makes me feel, not to mention how it makes me smell. Cause that's what's up this it's better to smell good than to be good kind of Friday in the 212. Yours, in good scents and great weekends. XO

Good afternoon, Wednesday. It's been a long day of back and forth and calls and craziness. So what else is new, really? 

I'll tell you what. Last night I got to do something new that's actually pretty old. I went to see my first concert at the Apollo, and there's no person to see there than Leon Bridges. Leon is the real deal- the perfect combination of silky smooth old school with a new school swag. His voice has magic powers.

And I couldn't help but feel humbled to see him at such a legendary venue. It got me thinking about how the Apollo is such a national treasure and New York institution, and for lack of a better term, an amazing brand.  

Here's what I mean- I called there yesterday afternoon to find out if he had an opening act and the box office operator was super friendly and cool. She asked me how I was and when I asked her back, she said, without any sarcasm, "Living the dream". That's what's so great about the Apollo- dreams are made there, sure dreams are crushed there too, but I gravitate towards places and people who have big dreams and big talent. I knew it was going to be a fun night from that call.

When we got there, everyone from the gent who took our tickets to the bartender who made my drink to the lovely guy who showed us to our seats were super professional and very nice. They all seemed happy to be there, to bask in the glory of a venue where some of the best music of all time has been played and performed. I was struck by how small the room really is, and how tiny the seats were, though there's not a bad seat in the house. 

As for my why the Apollo is a stellar brand theory-  it's really important to honor tradition, heritage, yet continue to move forward and keep things fresh. It's important to give talented people a chance to shine, sing, dance, and often, bomb. It's not always an easy place, but it's a place where many geniuses come to give it a shot. I'd like to think companies have much to learn from the Apollo- creative entities particularly. Embracing talent, creating an atmosphere where people can live their dreams and feel they are contribute, and celebrating a rich heritage while discovering new shining stars is what we should all aspire to. I felt lucky to be in that house last night- though I'm a sucker for New York old school landmarks and couldn't help but get swept up in the patina of that beautiful, authentic old house.

And Leon came on and killed it with his buttery voice and amazing dance moves and well turned out, tight band. It was really one of those nights where you know you are witnessing something special, and he knew it too- because his mom was in the audience from Texas to experience her baby boy play the Apollo. It was very special on all fronts. He did all of my favs like "Better Man" and "Coming Home", and thought what an incredible singer this young guy was, and how fortunate we were to experience him.

If you ever have a chance to see a show there, do. And if you are leading a business think about showtime at the Apollo, and look for ways to encourage new talent to check you out and show you what they've got. Oh, and create an atmosphere that keeps them coming back for more. That's all I've got for now. Cause that's what's up this soulful Wednesday in my beautiful city. Yours, in uptown funk. XO

Good afternoon, Tuesday. I've been busy all day with a million things. Tonight will be lovely though as I'm psyched for my first visit to the Apollo to see Leon Bridges croon for me. I can't wait.

On another note, I've been noticing (as you have no doubt) a huge interest in 70s boho this Fall, in deep hues like burgundy and deep orange and earthy tones as well as lots of black that feel less like California dreamin' and more like wide awake global citizen.  As someone who now has short hair, pulling off boho, a look I like, is kind of challenging. I can easily end up looking really weird, and that's the truth.

But this dark boho thing is a good look for those of us that are not hippie tressed and want something a bit more glam than your every day hippie fare. Think Keith. Think Anita. Think Exile on Main Street vs. Abbey Road. It's just more tough and glam and sexy.

Over in fast fashion land, I'd say H&M is doing a fabulous job of the luxe dark boho vibe. I am loving all of their peasant tops, vest, and coat options- all feeling very Isabel Marant like and very cool. And at that price point, it's a great way to indulge in this trend.

On a more significant (budgetary) level, I'm loving Tory Burch, who really always nails that 70s Ali McGraw thing so well. This time, Tory puts Ali in Marrakech, with brilliant dresses and pants and pieces inspired by trips to the souk. I'm a big big fan.

And then of course there's Isabel Marant- my fantasy favorite and dream of a designer  whose vibe is just right for the perfect dark hippie wardrobe. You can't go wrong with French cool when it comes to doing boho in a really modern, sexy way. 

All in all, boho can be done with sun flares and rainbows, or it can be a bit dark and dramatic and YSL 70s. I prefer the latter for myself, but am careful to not go too witch like with the whole thing. That's not really my thing.

Other designers to watch? Ulla Johnson and Mes Demoiselles also are champions of this look.  It's all about going a bit more dark in palette and more Moroccan and sultry. I love it and feel inspired to update my current wardrobe with a few less spendy options to have some fun with this trend. Cause that's what's up this dark horse of a Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in deep hues. XO

Good morning, Monday. It's so chilly in New York and I'm usually all "bring it on" but for some reason I'm missing the warmth. Women. Always wanting what we can't have.

But here's one thing I can have (I do have), and so can you. I was recently in Times Square and had a few minutes between meetings so decided to duck into Sephora to get away from the dirty mascots and superheroes posing for pictures with unsuspecting tourists. I didn't really need anything, but you know how Sephora is. 

One of the dudes working there called me over to check out a new product, a daily peel for the face by Dr. Dennis Gross. Full disclosure- I'm kind of exfoliator-phobic. My skin is of the sensitive variety and have had some bad experiences trying to rub off self tanner and in turn, rubbing off a layer of my skin. I've never liked the feeling of that gritty scrub, and when it comes to my face, I'm super careful about what to use. So it was with one raised eyebrow that I purchased this not cheap gentle daily peel for sensitive skin, but boy am I glad I did.

I've always been terrible about tending to my skin in the morning- my evening routine is a skin savant's dream- with no serum, eye cream, toner, or moisturizer left unturned. But in the morning I tend to just jump in the shower and use a primer before putting my makeup on, with very little cleansing at all. Big mistake.

This product is a dynamic duo- the first packet is for buffing and exfoliating and the second is for polishing and smoothing. The pads are for sensitive skin, and darn if they don't make your makeup go on so much smoother, and give you a beautiful glow. I love this product and though it's added an extra few minutes to my morning sprint out the door, I'm onboard.  My skin is of the normal/dry variety and I am not prone to tons of blemishes so not sure how this will work on those prone to break outs, but I know my skin is loving this little 1,2 punch and I plan on making this part of my routine throughout the winter when dry and dull skin is a problem. It's also anti-aging so those lines (what lines?) tend to look a little less intense.

Again, an investment but I really love this product. Let me know how you like it as well. Cause that's what's up this well buffed Monday in the 212. Yours, in finding happiness in my own skin, with a a little help of course. XO

Good afternoon, Thursday.

So recently I was thinking about going blonde (again). Meaning, thinking about it again, not doing it again.

I have short hair now and thought a blonde crop would be a good look for me. Apparently it's not, because inevitably, every colorist says no when I ask. I wonder why I can't be a blonde. Am I too cerebral? Too dark? Too whatever? I don't know, but nobody will take me to a blonde place. The woman who is coloring my hair as we speak said that blonde would not be my friend, would not be "special", and would not suit my vibe. Ok then. I'm not blonde obsessed mind you, more blonde curious.

I've even researched what color blonde I could be, and pulled a million pictures of everyone from Linda to Stella to a million other blondies.

I have no idea why I'd even want to be blonde, anyway. I'm hardly the type but can't help but wonder if the old blondes having more fun thing is true. For now I'm headed back to auburn town for Fall. It's my default and it works for me but I'll always wonder about life as a blonde. I fantasize about that Michelle Williams platinum vibe entirely too much. But alas, not for me. I have to defer to the experts on this one.

So you blondes out there- I feel you. I just can't be in your club. And if you're having more fun, I don't want to know about it. I'm going more Emma.  Maybe I can be blonde when I'm longer in the tooth. Who knows...

Cause that's what's up this nonblonde Thursday in the 212. Yours, in reddish brown. XO

Good morning, Tuesday. Had a brilliant weekend with my beloved up around Barryville, NY. What a great spot- more on that later in the week when I break you off all of my favorite recommends from up there. The leaves were changing and it was a a gorgeous time. So grateful for a few days of fun with David amidst so much business of late.

So last week I wrote all about my fantasy coats, and promised a bit of a reality check in prices.

Here's a good one- check it out- Helmut Lang's spendy fuzzy coat (which I prefer without the belt like on the woman above) next to Steve Madden's $90 version on Modcloth. Sure the cut is different but love the option of the blush color and the vibe of goodness that a fun fuzzy number can bring. And we're talking not even 6% of the cost. That's a big savings, friends. You could buy a few more coats with that scratch.

So there you have it- you can go high or low with this one. Your choice, pals. A woman needs options, non? Sure they have somewhat of a different vibe, but thought it was worth showing both because they're both great.

Cause that's what's up this to spend or not to spend kind of Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in good choices. XO

Hey, Thursday. Headed up to the country with David tomorrow for a nice long weekend. Can't wait and looking forward to getting in touch with my inner mountain girl, as if such a thing existed...but I digress.

I've always been smitten with Caroline de Maigret- she of the great rumpled French androgynes rolling around the Marais looking like a million francs. 

So when I got my new Free People catalogue in the mail, I couldn't help but notice how fab she looks as one of the featured models- all the ladies in this issue were fab by the way- check it out. And that blonde with the bangs? #hairenvy

(Never mind the bad retouching on the teeth above. But now that we're on the subject, what gives? I guess Gauloises and red wine do not a pearly white make).

But back to CdM- who's cooler? Love her lopsided grin and her awesome style. She wears clothes so well and makes boho look so chic. My hair is short right now and somehow boho is not quite right with this 'do, but as I grow out this Mia Farrowness, I'm gonna put a little more boho in my life. Love the styling in the book- tres bien, Free People. Tres bien.

Cause that's what's up this French hippie kind of Thursday in the 212. Yours, in peace, love, and great style. XO

Good morning, Wednesday. The weather in NY is beautiful, but at that in between moment where sandals could almost still be ok but somehow aren't. With that, I'm ready to embrace Fall and somewhat more reluctantly, Winter. And though I have a nice assortment of coats in my closet, it's hard to explain why I feel the need to buy a new coat every year- I certainly don't need another coat in any way, shape, or form. And my closet would be very happy to not have another coat stuffed into it. It's already busting at the gills.

But with so many great options out there, I can't discount the fact that good coat makes an entire outfit. If you have on a beautiful coat, you could easily go low fi with your outfit- a simple sweater or tee shirt, some great jeans, some booties. Done and done.

So with this post, I'm dreaming big- as in Avedon in the 70s big (see above). As in big ticket coat options that would have to be dumbed down a bit so I can continue to eat and pay my bills. As in if you have to ask...But look at these for inspiration purposes as you search for your new coat this Fall- they are so beautiful to look at- and their trend/theme story makes them an easy get at stores like Zara and your favorite mid ranged and low ranged retailers.

So without further adieu, here's the no glass ceiling, sky's the limit list of my favorite coats of the season, all of which I would be thrilled to call my own- but really, just inspirational fodder for my style obsessed brain- you'll no doubt note the absence of color from a lot of these, well most of them.  Living in NYC, dark coats make sense, though remember I posted about that fab Marimekko one a few weeks ago that was shining bright like a (orange/yellow) diamond. Here we go:

Acne Hava tie-front coat. What a beauty. Love the slouchy silhouette and easy front tie for that cheap bathrobe appeal, but easier to wear because the point where it ties is more flattering than a robe coat, which can look terrible if you have a big chest or less than small waist. In love with this, and because I like to layer my coats, this one works over a blazer and won't be too constricting or tight.

Chloe wool long military coat- This might be my favorite coat of the year- I love, love a military coat- because it can be dressed up and down in a million different ways. This is such an elegant take on the trend- I love it most of all with a feminine, filmy dress for that stuctured hippie vibe. So good. Gah. I love it. 

Lanvin cord and fringe trimmed admiral coat- Beautiful, boho, very Saint Laurent 70s. I can't with this chic gypsy coat. Picture it with wide leg jeans or over the knee boots. Amazing. 

Frame le suede duster - Love this piece- the brownish suede jacket is back in a big way- I was madly in love with my Express version back in the 90s and wore it everywhere. This is very Ali McGraw in the 70s kind of vibe but modern- wide jeans, black turtleneck, hoop earrings. Love it. 

Helmut Lang shaggy alpaca and virgin wool coat- this guy is gorgeous. I love it. It's fuzzy, yummy, and the outerwear version of comfort food. I would wear this until it fell off of me- plus it's overized but has enough structure to not feel like the abominable snowwoman. Good good piece. Can't decide if I'd want black or the nude- I picture it with a pair of Adidas Superstars or a short, flirty dress and tights.  Or over my pajamas to walk Khan on a winter morning. 

Stella McCartney Sandy faux fur hem coat- I will not wear real fur and that's that. No discussion. So this coat to me is a great way to get that fur vibe without being cruel. As for the price tag? Yea, that's actually very cruel. But what a great coat. 

Stella McCartney Becker wool tuxedo cape- I love the idea of a coat for evening, as well as one you could wear with my beloved blazers in the winter time. What a fabulous piece this is. Love it. So elegant.  You could end up looking like a magician, so styling it right is the key of course.

Acne Studios powder parka- OK so the Swedes know a thing or two about cold weather. This coat is so chic and functional and cool. A great option for city trekking in tundra like conditions. Can't go wrong.

Mango Leopard print coat- So here's a coat grounded in reality. It's at a great price point and somehow the shape of this coat is so classic and cute and looks expensive. Love it.  More jacket than coat, but a nice casual silhouette works well with an all black wardrobe for every day wear. Would also be cute over stripes or florals if you're down to mix it up a bit. Living without a leopard coat should not be allowed. In my mind, the best ones are always vintage, so don't be afraid to wade through some dusty pieces to find your spotted jewel. 

Carolina Herrara wrap coat- This is so stunning. I love a camel coat and am prone to one in a more menswear inspired silhouette, but this one is so Jackie O/Lee Radziwill high society lady that I am in love with it. I picture it with high heeled black knee length boots and a dress, or with anything sharply tailored. Such a beauty.

Any coat by Dries van Noten-  This is my fantasy, and in my fantasy wardrobe there would be a lush assortment of pieces by Dries- I love his coats for that ethnic, global chic. So beautiful. Works of art.

Last but not least, a leather jacket is a must. A biker jacket in particular. This one from C. Christ with the concert tee built into the lining is pretty rock and roll bad ass. Great line and great piece. If you can't commit to a band, fear not. They make a plain one as well, sans lining.

I guess that about wraps it up- if I have a moment I'll help you find some less expensive options- but again, this is the dream team reigning supreme, and serves as an excellent vantage point on which to base your real world purchases- think military, ethnic, rock and roll, and shaggy, and just about everything in between. Cause that's what's up this is it coat weather yet kind of Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in (almost) bundling up. XO

 

Good morning, Monday. It's Fall in New York and soup's on and pumpkin spice and all kinds of giddy women frolicking through the streets in suede boots and duster sweaters. You know how we do. 

So my weekend was spent pondering customer service, or the lack thereof in some instances.

Case in point- the Uniqlo/Lemaire fiasco. Let me caveat by saying I am most likely in the minority of people who dislike Uniqlo- their stores makes me dizzy and because I am not built like a small Asian child, their clothes don't usually cut it for me. But because they do have their mitts in some very cool collaborations, I thought I'd give them a shot.

Like a good little fashion arbiter, I stayed up way past my bedtime to get in on some choice pieces from the much talked about collection. I did everything right- I pre-registered on the site, I perused the lookbook several thousand times to decide which pieces to get. And as I clicked online at ten to midnight on Thursday night, I got my wish, and loaded up my cart with several dresses, sweaters, two pairs of pants, and a coat. Score right? Wrong.

Because the next day, I got a cryptic email from Cybersource (a name befitting a corporation in a bad action movie), some online security outfit listing my order. I thought it was a bit strange but figured the order was processing, until I found out on Saturday, it was not. 

I called Uniqlo and they told me Cybersource flagged and then cancelled my order because I had it delivering my coveted (and sleep deprived )items to a UPS store. Like many in New York, I don't have a doorman, and there's a UPS store around the block that's always the best option to get things to me at home. But there was zero communication between Cybersource and Uniqlo apparently, who didn't even send me an email or flag me at time of sale that they don't deliver to these types of places like Fedex or UPS stores. So guess what? I got not a single item I wanted. And there was not one single f given from the side of Uniqlo. Sure they sent me some passive aggressive email, but they did not offer to restock my cart when the items became available (they sold out quickly) nor did they offer me a promo code for a discount as an apology for cancelling my order and not telling me I would no longer be able to get my items, even though they seem to vaguely be restocking certain items, and of course, they can't tell you when. That's a fail. It made me realize the price you pay for buying mass- if you shop in a boutique you may not always be able to return your goods for a refund, but the customer service is inevitably better. Oh and ps- brands like Everlane are rewriting the book on good customer service- from Facebook messaging to tell you your order is on the way to offering great utilitarian pieces at great prices for those who love an urban uniform. Watch your back, Uniqlo. Watch your back.

In unrelated news, Khan got blessed this weekend by a priest. In a park. Near my house. With a cat wearing a sombrero named Muñeco. That's him above. 

It was the blessing of the animals yesterday, where Catholics honor St. Francis of Assisi, an animal lover and my kind of guy. In a small and lovely local spot, animal owners and their pets came and had some holy water sprayed on their best pals, while reciting in unison the blessing. The priests made a point to talk to each and every one of us and pet our dogs, cats, and birds. It was a lovely moment, and as a Jew, I have never experienced something like it, but was so glad I came. It was a wonderful experience and would love to do it again. And as a church, St. Paul's on Carroll Street made us all feel loved and cared for. It was personal, local, and lovely. In terms of customer service, the Catholics got an A+.

Now I know you can't compare mass retail designer Garanimals (y'all know that's what Uniqlo really is, don't hate) to a local church. But here's the thing- they have much in common: they both have loyal followers, bring people satisfaction, and provide a tribal experience- that much coveted behavior marketers are all about. So maybe Uniqlo and big box needs to take a page from a local church and "bless" its loyal congregation with some much needed TLC- some preach to Jesus, some preach to fashion. It doesn't make a difference. If brands are really to be in service to consumers, big ones like Uniqlo need to hit the confession booth, and repent their sins. And that's that. 

I didn't even mention my awful experience with DHL this weekend, where they made me wait at home all of Saturday to then later tell me that whoever scheduled this pick up was "too new" to know that they don't do pick ups on Saturday. Ugh. 

Cause that's what's up this time to stop shopping and time to start praying kind of Monday in the 212. Yours, in a higher power. XO

Good morning, Friday. It's been a really great week.

So most of you know I like to write about fashion and beauty and bits and bobs of things that inspire me like my beloved city and beyond. But I also like to write about marketing and advertising, a field I've invested most of my life in, and one that keeps shifting and changing to keep it interesting.

This week I got to hitch up at Advertising Week in New York. I saw about a dozen panels and got to write about them. If you're curious, they're all here. I loved doing it and hope to do many more. Loved the run and gun thing. Lots of fun.

But back to fashion, because I've missed almost all of Milan and am now catching up to Paris. Today my man Raf Simons did a magical show for Dior, complete with "a man-made hill in the center of the Louvre’s Cour Carrée covered with 400,000 delphiniums as its show venue this season." Thanks Vogue, wish I was there to see that...but I digress.

Though some of his striped looks and scalloped minis were not quite for me, I fell in love with Simons all over again when it came to some magical jackets and suiting. So strong and modern, excellent shapes and silhouettes- would wear any of these on a regular basis and not much more. So fabulous. Those pant suits are next level. LOVE.

And on a different chord was Tom Ford, who showed with a splashy and flashy collection that had me thinking of Studio 54 and Roxy music album covers, thoughts that  occupy my brain more often than not, ps.  And lest you think he showed on the runway, think again.Ford showed his new looks through a video starring a skinny Lady Gaga and lensed by Nick Knight. It was the ultimate glam dance party and I lovvvved ittt. I thought this collection felt so on brand for Ford- his past few have left me cold, but this one is super sexy, glam, and gorgeous. . I do believe the gentleman is back. Great, fun collection. Carine Roitfeld had a hand in this perhaps? Looks like her. I'm way more team Raf ps, but there's looks for all of us on the runway to transport us to somewhere very well dressed, whatever that means to each and everyone one of us.

I'll have a browse this weekend through the rest of the shows- already know I loved the Row (duh) and back in Italy, Bottega Veneta, Etro, and Versace were all pretty amazeballs. Next week I may do a round up of the best of all shows, and then get back to our regularly scheduled program.

Cause that's what's up on this newsy Friday in the 212. Yours, in getting the scoop. XO