the world according to sherimaven

Good morning, Monday. It's cold outside yet again and good old Mother Nature is inevitably pissed off at us for something or another. Lord knows there's plenty for her to be mad at...

And speaking of madness, I know most of us are sick to death of all the talk about whether Kim Kardashian and Kanye West should be on the cover of Vogue (our patience is short ps, it's only been a few days since we all really found out about it). Many of my friends are wondering what the big deal is, why anyone even cares because fashion magazines are no longer relevant and haven't been for years, and how if we put our energy into talking about things that really matter instead of Kim's fat ass on the cover of Vogue, the world may very well be a better place. I don't disagree.

But just seeing her in a white strapless dress with Kanye behind her (because behind every good woman is a good man) had me unhinged, and I think it's for the very same reasons people are annoyed we're giving this cover so much free publicity. Kim Kardashian, to my knowledge, has never done a single thing of merit besides getting famous for making a sex tape and having a Svengali of a mother who somehow managed to build an empire for her children, all of them with the collective intelligence of a Q Tip (although there's gotta be something there to figure out a way to be famous with little or no talent whatsoever).  Kim is also one of the least stylish people I have ever seen- you can dress her in Max Mara coats and put her in Celine neutrals, but that girl has not a lick, NOT A LICK, of natural style. Really before Kanye there was Kim, wearing Bebe. That's not really here nor there, but you already know that I find Kim's "style" repugnant- she always looks vulgar to me, and just because you are trying to promote a body of a different dimension (and an ass with its own zip code) does not mean fabric is meant to be stretched so very tightly across every curve. It's just gross.

I'm not sure what Anna Wintour was thinking- I applauded her having Lena Dunham on the cover- because, like Kim, she is not built in any way like a fashion model.  And also like Kim, Lena's show "Girls" is polarizing to say the least, but guess what's different? Lena has something to say, and love it or hate it, she's a revolutionary new fangled feminist who isn't afraid to be raw, exposed, and unliked. I find Lena Dunham to be brave, powerful, and extremely bright. I liked the fashion story about her as well- Lena's a quirky woman who owns it all- and to me, that's what being a modern woman is really all about. 

If I try very hard, I still can't think of a single redeeming quality when it comes to Kim Kardashian. Not a single one. When I was a wee one, Vogue was a pretty big deal. My mother and I anticipated the September and March issues with fervor- in my house, both of those Herculean issues were called "The Bible" and we pored through their pages like we were starving. And it's true that the whole curator/tastemaker role of the fashion editor has changed- with everyone rocking "street style" and editors and bloggers sharing the same real estate at all of the shows, it's a different world out there. And maybe Anna is getting super Darwinian because of it. We all know it's been a while since Vogue featured actual models on its formerly iconic covers- for years it's been celebrity after celebrity, which always felt like a bit of a disappointment, but I understood fully that's what sells magazines. But to me, putting KK on the cover was Anna not only giving in, but completely giving up. Because Vogue, regardless of trying to be a provocateur or sell magazines, should still stand for taste. It's clear from this issue that the virtue of taste may be lost in this era where American style has so little to do with class or even coolness- and everything to do with something much less inspired. (Poor Grace. She can't be happy about this). To many of us, Vogue stood for something, and even if it's not relevant and has to adapt and blah blah blah, it should still stand for something. Look at Esquire for instance...evolving, but still very much a particular brand of man. I've always loved that about them.  Putting Peter Dinklage on the cover of their fashion issue was an awesome move. But women are a tad more complicated when it comes to fashion and image, and we all know that. So let's go there.

 As I watched the news this weekend and saw a story on Gloria Steinem turning 80, I couldn't help but pause and wonder why Anna would not reach deep within that bobbed head of hers and think about putting her on the cover of Vogue. Without Gloria, who would we be? I posted to Facebook yesterday this quote Anna gave about the cover choice: 

"There's barely a strand of the modern media that the Kardashian Wests haven't been able to master, and for good reason," she added. "Kanye is an amazing performer and cultural provocateur, while Kim, through her strength of character, has created a place for herself in the glare of the world's spotlight, and it takes real guts to do that."  

I think in the strength of character and guts department, Vogue could have done a way better job. Hey Anna, it's not too late to give Gloria a call, although she's celebrating 80 with a trip to Botswana- she's still legit and a perfect role model for your cover- 80 years old or not- she even had her own magazine back in the day. She's beautiful, iconic, a celebrity, and one of the bravest women to ever live. That or put a fashion model on the cover. I'll take either, but not this mediocre dreck you're passing off as going with the times. And you can hashtag that. Just because Kim is not built like a model does not mean she's "just like us", or that we want to be just like her. She's fake from head to toe- the white dress says it all. The construction of her image is just too much to bear- and I find her to be so counter to the women we have become, or wish to become. Vogue, you should grow right with us, not set us back. If you are no longer selling fantasy (it's been a long time since fashion magazines have crafted fantasy), then at least sell something better- real people that have made a difference and exude great personal style, strength, and individuality.

Oh, and I used to be a Kanye fan, too. I only really started hating him when he got with Kim. He's a punk and we all know it, but he is talented. And sadly enough, Kim really, to Anna's point, has found a place for herself in the glare of the world's spotlight, but unfortunately, we put her there. Lights off, please. And that's what's up this ridiculous Monday in the 212.  Yours, in keeping it real. XO

PS- great piece on Gloria here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/opinion/sunday/collins-this-is-what-80-looks-like.html?hp&rref=opinion&_r=1

Good morning, Friday. The sun is shining, it's a clear and beautiful day, and most importantly, it's the weekend. I'm sure you've been working like crazy as have I and I'm feeling excited for a few days of the down low. (Very low).

With Spring breathing its first breaths into our spirits and souls, I felt inspired by this 2003 (I'm so into looking back lately- it's not nostalgia, it's just taking the tried and true and making it new) Vogue UK fashion story shot by Corinne Day, whose images always captured something light and happy and fresh. I adore these images of Gisele looking less Brazilian glamazon and more dressed down. And with temperatures about to rise and longer hours of daylight, I can't help but crave a bit of the bohemian vibe to coincide with all of that dappled light. And I know the whole Mickey Mouse sweatshirt thing was a hot minute ago, but love the idea of a vintage sweatshirt with a flowy skirt and some cute kicks. Can't beat it. And a black and white print is always spot on, especially when it feels vintage and Ossie Clark/Stevie Nicks like. I love this look- so Gold Dust Woman. And somehow longer silhouettes can feel very liberating and free. Sure it helps to be a giant Brazilian, but you too can channel the look in your own way, I'm sure of it (said the 5'5" American of Eastern European descent).

So if the temps hold up this weekend, loosen up your vibe and throw on something feminine with some cute tomboy touches. It's a great way to go for everything from window shopping in the neighborhood to post workout brunch to gallery hopping date day into night. Hope you all have a lovely weekend- feeling grateful for Spring and although we may get another storm next week, my outlook remains decidedly sun filled. Cause that's what's up this spring in my step kind of Friday in the beautiful 212. Yours, in laid back ease.  Let's all just take it down a notch this weekend, shall we? XO

Rebirth. Renew. Refresh. Let's do this. XO

Helloooooo Wednesday. I miss blogging. It's been a few and I feel like I almost never have time to devote to this sweet little light of mine. I can't tell you how much I love bringing you all of my thoughts, isms, inspirations, and of course- fashion. I've been meaning to post about one of my favorite pieces of all time, and it's figuring very heavily into all our wardrobes of late. I'm talking of course about the boucle jacket- based on the iconic Chanel jacket, one of the most heroic pieces in all of fashiondom. Above is one of my favorite ways to wear it- relaxed, classic, and oh so French. I heart Sofia. She gets it. Love love this look (I'll take the bracelet too, ps).

I have always, always wanted one. A real Chanel jacket- most likely vintage but I'll take it any way I can get it. It truly is an item that will never go out of style. Unfortunately, it's prohibitively expensive and for us plebes, completely elusive. It's a good thing then that loads of designers are riffing on it this season- some of my favs are from Zara (below) and will not break the bank- love how the first one is a more modern take on the classic, while the others more closely mirror the original. With white jeans (or jeans of any kind) I'd be hard pressed to think of a better look for just about anywhere and any occasion:

I adore J. Crew's linen version below- with the striped tee a la Sofia that makes it French and fabulous.

If it's all a bit too preppy for you, fear not- the Vince version below give it a more rock and roll vibe- I love a basic black boucle jacket with leather pants and a white blouse or any kind of tee shirt. So good. I bought a random version myself this winter and I have not taken it off, and if I could wear it every day, I would. It's so versatile and so much more chic than a cardigan- though think of it as more of a cardigan than an uptight blazer. It's perfection. I'd wear this with a pretty filmy dress and heels, or with double denim and lots of chains. I also love playing with the proportion a la Olivia Palermo below- wide legged jeans are such a great look with this- I also love a more loose, silky long tunic underneath- the look of the shorter shape of the jacket and the wider jean with something less structured underneath is a great way to go on days you may feel like you need a bit more breathing room (for instance, every day). 

And if you need a little street style inspiration, look at how great all of these ladies look below. It's such a cute look, and is really an all ages solution to dress, depending on how you rock it. Love the black and white series curated by Corine Roitfeld featuring our fav fashion types in the piece. Je vous aime. Beaucoup. It's the French version of the Burberry trench- everyone can wear it and own it. 

 And though ain't nothing like the real thing, we can have our very own piece of the dream- many happy wearings to you- think of me this Spring when you rock this great staple your very own way. Cause that's what's up this nubby Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in Chanel inspired style. XO

It's Fridayyyyyy. Get inspired, everybody. I'm on set at a shoot and just had to share these lovely, lovely Prada photos from my new (old) favorite thing, the 90s. I simply can't get enough of the minimalist 90s vibe these days- and though most of my fashion memories from the 90s are a mush of flannel and Fresh Prince, I completely forgot about how amazing the style was back in the day, back when I first moved to New York, and back when all of us were smelling teen spirit. I'm officially obsessed. You can thank my insomnia for my latest fixation- the 90s are back, or at least they are at 3 am when I should be asleep but am looking at Pinterest instead.

How lovely are these? I kind of can't handle it. All the beauty is a bit too much to take. I love spare, I love quiet, I love the sexy simplicity. Gorgeous. And that Miu Miu ad? Gorgeous.

And though that Stella Tennant photo at the top of this post may not be Prada, it encapsulates the shhhh sensuality thing that the 90s minimal moment had in absolute spades- I'd wear that in an absolute half a heartbeat. Let's get in a time machine and go back right now. It won't take us that long so pack your nylon backpack and let's get out of here. I'm super inspired and feeling entrenched in 90s style and may have to chase up some Vintage Prada stat- if there's any doubt about Miuccia's genius, look no further because she was so damn ahead of her time. Cause that's what's up this the dream of the 90s is alive in Brooklyn (holla) kind of Friday on location in the 718. Yours, in stark, supermodeled solitude- let's not even talk about that shot of Linda. Swoon. XO

Hi, Tuesday. It's been a busy week or so with shoots and more shoots and making things and trying to sleep and trying to be healthy and all sorts of other things like watching "True Detective" and getting an early case of Spring fever. I bit the bullet and bought myself some Birkenstocks- something I never, ever planned for my life but they're what's up right now and I'm liking them. We'll see. But I digress, because I need to explain this photo.

So as I'm racing to work this morning and making my mental to do list in my crowded cobweb of a brain, I received a funny picture from David- our furbaby Khan decided to jump in a washing machine. I don't know why, really.  He likes the smell of clean laundry. He wanted to Spring clean, he wanted to hide out from the other dogs at daycare. Perhaps it was a cry for help of some kind, but really, it's just Khan being Khan. This is why I love my little man. Because although I can't quite get my shit right enough to write a blog post, I can always count on my little K to make me smile, and the fact that he's a quirky little man makes me love him all the more, and just like his mom, he likes his clothes fresh and clean.  At least he's found his happy place today- I urge all of us to find ours. I may have to go hide in a washing machine too, but if it could stop moving first that would be great- I'm already feeling more than spun. 

Cause that's what's up this Downy fresh Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in clean clothes. Dogs really do rule. XO

Good afternoon, friends o'mine. Happy Throwback Thursday and such.

So as some of you know, l've been a big fan of spinning for a really long time. Of late, I've stopped going in favor of Pure Barre because it was causing my body a bit of pain (particularly my upper body from being crouched over all the time). I know it's not an even swap at all- cardio is cardio and such but whatever, this is boring.

So my bigger point is back in the day, you'll recall my profession of undying love for Soul Cycle, the fancy New York spin studio that lights candles, affirms your life, and works your ass so hard you'll be in tears, if you can stop sweating first. For the uninitiated, Soul Cycle is a bit of a "thing"- Kelly Ripa goes, Brooke Shields, all kinds of skinny celebrities clip into a bike and get to spinning. Way back when, there was one Soul Cycle, all the way uptown on 72nd Street or so and the West Side. It was never convenient for me, but I went like most people go to church. I LOVED it. Cut to now when there are Soul Cycles in every nabe and the branding, though admirable, is plastered all over sweatshirts, expensive dry fit leggings, and a strange tank top that is long in the front and short in the back (what woman wants that?). Inevitably when something is good in this city, or anywhere, when it gets too big, it's just not as good. I am a firm believer in this, so prove me wrong if you know otherwise.

So being on their email list all of these years, I couldn't help myself when they were offering a "Zeppelin" themed ride. There's not much in the way of music that I love as much as some Led Zeppelin. I mean, really, how is that not true of most of us? So the thought of combining spin and Zep was a great one for me, until I tried to sign up online, at precisely 12 pm on the dot. Within seconds, every bike was booked. I promptly called them and complained, and they magically found me a bike. I was in. And last night at 6:30, I rode my face  (and hopefully a little bit of my ass) off. The instructor was Laurie Cole, one of the original founders and I must admit, a pretty big badass. In she strode, impressive guns a blazin, with a shredded Zep tee shirt, an expensive haircut, and a huge personality. Oh, and here's what I didn't realize- I was in for a "warrior" ride- a whole 15 minutes extra as opposed to the normal 45 minute class. Shite. You have no idea how long 15 minutes is in a class like this...oy.

But wait, I gotta back up a minute. As I was changing in the excruciatingly tight locker room, (ladies, if you ever wanted to touch another woman's ass or boob but were afraid to and would prefer to have it happen accidentally, you can easily do that here. Not a problem. And it will not be a big deal, because there are asses and boobs everywhere.) A more zaftig type asked me what I thought of her tank top. This was the one I was referencing before- the one with the party in the front and no ass coverage whatsoever. Picture this with leggings. not good. Not good at all. What could I say? Amidst all of the boobs and g-strings, I panicked and told her I loved it and she should buy two of them. I'm an asshole. 

Then as we waited in line to get into the studio, a sea of uptight and obnoxious New Yorkers of the hyper Alpha variety were waiting to get in. There were different versions (the two gay guys talking about the wealth of the Syrian Jewish community), the blissed out devotees in bra tops and little else. The standing bitch faces. They were all there. Oh and I was there too. Grimacing.

So, back to the class. First thing you notice when you enter the room is the intense heat. INTENSE BEYOND BELIEF. There is only one studio in the Noho location, and there was a class right before us, and really, if you don't like the smell, taste, and heat of sweat, this is not going to be cute for you. As I fumbled to clip into my bike (my own shoes worked, but they have them if you don't have your own), I realized I was already having trouble breathing. And the class had not yet begun.

But as the opening chords of "When the Levee Breaks" cranked out of the soundsystem and Laurie greeted us to what was the 7th year of annual all Led Zep rides, I got onboard. But only briefly. 

As the bikes are so close together, you are regaled with a whiff of everyone's funk, breath, and sweat. Right up on me on my right side was a pretty young thing- lovely little girl with a ponytail and a goofy smile (she's def a devotee). Seemed lovely, until she furiously began breathing on me. Hot, stinky, workout breath. The entire class. I'm not sure if this was her way of dealing with the agony, but trust me, it made my agony a lot more severe. I'd say about halfway through "Kashmir" and about 30 minutes into the class, I had to tap her on the shoulder (which was not far by the way) and tell her to breath the other way. I'll probably never talk to that girl again. I'm cool with it. I'd inhaled her way too long.

And though I greatly admire the fact that Laurie had the energy of all the bulls at Pamplona, I could have done without her singing. It's just not worth it to compete with Robert Plant. Please don't try. Like, ever. And her affirmations, for a cynic like me, were, well, more challenging than the class. A lot of "giving in" and "giving over" and all sorts of soulisms. And then when she made us all wave our arms in unison I kind of lost it. And though I have always loved the candlelit/meditative quality of this particular brand of indoor cycling,  was I in some sort of weird well-toned cult? How much longer was this class again? Why are my legs so tired? And boy, do you not notice how long Zep songs are when you're doing the things you're supposed to be doing when listening to Zeppelin. (Hint- exercise of this nature is not on the list). Did you know "Kashmir" is 8:28 seconds long? In spin class, that's an eternity. Trust me. I started thinking I'd be way better off in a Ramones themed class. Blitzkrieg Bop. 2:12. Hey ho, let's go.

So after being breathed upon, heavily, and slogging my way through intense heat, affirmations, and other things that made me forget how much I love Zep, we got to the inevitable conclusion, and what better way to end a Zep spin than with "Stairway to Heaven"? PS- my fav moment of the class- a woman had the misfortune to walk out on the last song- perhaps she had somewhere to go or wanted to beat the throngs that make you feel like you’re in a Bollywood movie/Times Square/Shinjuku all at once. In August. But I digress, because right after that door hit her in her well-toned ass, the teacher said "WHO THE FUCK WALKS OUT ON STAIRWAY, MAN?" A valid point. And that is bad form. But berating somebody because perhaps they have somewhere else to be or are exhausted or just wanna jet seems bullyish to me. I mean really- the girl paid $30 like anyone else- let her do what she needs to do.  Hey, teacher, tell me you have never walked out during an encore to beat the crowds. Uh huh. Thought so.

So the class ended and we stretched on the bike (no matter how much yoga or whatever I do I will never be able to do that hamstring stretch on the bike- my leg won't go) and clapped and woo hooed and all of that. And then I tried for about 20 minutes to get my sweaty ass out of there, but the hoards of spin zombies wouldn't allow it. So while I was waiting to get out, I of course bought a pair of those sun/lemon/bike wheel aforementioned pair of dry fit pants. Capris. With polka dots. So cute. (Ugh).

And yea, the class was a great workout. No doubt about that, and if you dig the motivational speaker type thing from an instructor, she's inspired and inspiring.  I'm just too much of a non-joiner to believe the hype. I like the small batch stuff before everyone else catches on.  And though playing Zep during a spin class is genius (there is no better hill climbing song than Kashmir), I was distracted. No, it wasn't the heavy breather. It was the fact that as I looked around, I realized that everyone, including me, had paid a whopping $30 to sit on these bikes and sweat to classic rock. There were about 30 bikes in the class. There are about ten classes a day. There are probably about twenty locations now. You do the math, friends. You do the math. Wowsers. That's some well-paved stairway to heaven. Damn. 

So what's the net net on the whole experience? Meh. Had it been less crowded and less hot, I would have been happier about it. But that's the way it goes in New York- everything you want to do and think is cool so do a million other idiots. And all of them will pay good money to sweat within inches of each other because it's the thing to do.  I think I would have preferred to just listen to Led Zeppelin, from my sofa, with nary a sports bra in sight. I think Soul Cycle has jumped the shark into oversaturation (bought by Equinox and such), and for me, it's no longer all that. What's next, people? What's next? I'll get in line now. Just make sure there is a cute logo and some good gear. That's about what it takes. Because somewhere, there will inevitably be, a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold. Just probably not gonna be me. Cause that's what's up this post workout Thursday in the 212.  I mean, who would you rather hang out with in the picture above? Exactly. Yours, in Plant and Page. XO

Good morning, my pretties. The sun is shining and it's still cold but I'm sensing a glimmer of warmth coming, and I'm a happy lady. You know what else is happy? The new Pharrell album. I LOVE it. The way I loved Robin Thicke's albums in the past. I'm a huge fan of upbeat, R&B. Love all of the tracks, my fav is prob "Come get it Bae" or "Lost Queen". So great. And you know what ELSE makes me happy? A Led Zep spin class tonight. Yup. And since you've caught me in such a good mood today with my endorphins all pumped up, I'm gonna share something else with you that makes me happy- and that is, my list of beauty products that help keep me all kinds of together. 

You may not know this, but I'm not perfect and I'm cool with it- some of us just need a little bit of help when it comes to that whole glowy, pretty thing. I've made a Pinterest board to show you where to buy everything I'm writing about below. I'm high maintenance all the way and that's just fine. Thank goodness there's a product for every little thing these days. I love reading lists (like those in Vanity Fair) of things that our favorite stars/celebs use- an endless source of fascination. Maybe it's that we women love to make lists, or maybe it's just fun to see the contents of a supermodel's purse. Call it an organization fascination/voyeuristic inclination. I just love to look at other people's crap.

Maybe some of you don't care what I smell like, what I use to take off the city dirt at night, or what color I paint my nails. But for those of you that do, read on. 

Perfume: Dries Van Noten for Frederice Malle or Diptyque's Tamdao. I like sweet and spicy- think dessert in Morocco or somewhere Far East and that's about right. Both of these scents are from heaven- the Dries one is a small fortune but if used sparingly, it will last you. I don't leave the house without perfume. Period. I've also been known to dab a bit on before bed too. I'm obsessed.

Deodorant: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. I have no idea why this became a cult favorite, but it's my favorite too. It's light and lovely and somehow keeps one sweat free. Plus it lasts a reallllly long time. It may seem insane to spend over $20 on deodorant, but you'll have it for about 3 months. It's the best and smells amazing.

Body wash: Molton Brown AB&C Vitalising Body Wash. This stuff. Smells so good and clean and yummy. I don't buy this all the time, but would if I could. Most days see me buying something from the local health food store (I'm digging John Patrick Organics these days too), but using Molton Brown in the am always makes me feel like I'm on vacation somewhere fabulous. That's a good thing.

Shampoo: Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo. One word: yum. This shampoo smells so incredible. I almost prefer to let my hair dry naturally in a clip so I can take it down later in the day and the smell is just overwhelmingly delicious and clean. Plus it makes your hair nice and soft and doesn't mess with your expensive highlights.

Conditioner: Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Conditioner. Yum again. Fabulous stuff. Hair feels so clean and nice and helps with damage from sun/color/life.

Deep conditioner: Sacha Juan Hair Repair. My radiator heat HATES my hair and vice versa. Ten minutes with this stuff and all is right with the world. The hair world, that is. It can't help with much else really.

Hair products for natural waves: Evo Haze or Sacha Juan Ocean Mist. For wavy, naturally dried goodness. Use the Haze when your hair is dry to crunch it and use the SJ for when your hair is wet and you want it wavy.

Hair product for stick straight hair: Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry. Until my next keratin, this will do. Just fine. Great product- you only need a wee amount for max results. I suck at drying my hair and this stuff really helps.

Hair powder/dry shampoo: Lulu Organics Hair Powder. Love the packaging. Love the product. Great for after the gym or dirty girl hair days. Smells great and looks great- make sure to rub your hair with a towel after you tousle it in to avoid residue or flakes. Nobody likes that.

Toothpaste: Rembrandt Intense White. Good stuff.

Black eyeliner: Buxom or Kat Von D. Yea. You heard me. Kat Von D. I'm a lunatic for good black eyeliner- I feel like that's all I wear anymore and it better be good. The Buxom one (the fat one) has excellent smudge capabilities so it's kind of a liner/shadow all in one while the Kat Von D is super foolproof and allows you to get super close to your lashes for a natural yet dramatic look. I dig it a lot. Now if only I could learn how to line the top lid. I know- it's impossible but I've had makeup artists do it and it makes a huge difference, but the potential for eye poking out is just too high. In the meantime, the two above brands will do the trick, even if you're not a makeup ninja.

Lip balm: Farmers Welsh Lavender. Under $10 and does the job and it's not easy this time of year...love their hand and foot creams too.

Lipstick: Nars Dolce Vita. Still. Armani Lip Maestro 500 gloss a quick second. I will go red sometimes, but I'm really the girl who likes a natural lip, and for me and my lip color, I go with a rosy neutral. Dolce Vita is just the prettiest lipstick ever. I can't top it. The Armani one is a bit more saturated but the same vibe and last forever. 

Primer for face : Hourglass Veil Mineral. Omg. Nothing better. Just the best primer ever. Your makeup won't move. It's unreal.

Primer for eyes: Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I'd get this right away. It's fabulous and keeps your eye shadow on all day. Insurance indeed.

Foundation: Armani Maestro. Ooh. I hate foundation. I love this product. Super light. Perfection. In the summer I may go more with a tinted moisturizer (Laura Mercier or Nars). But this is the best and most sheer.

CC Cream: Ole Henricksen Perfect Truth. Smells great. Looks great. Mix it with your founation and you'll be all aglow. I'm not really a matte girl. I like a glow. I lived in Florida, you know.

Concealer: Ole Henricksen Perfect Truth CC eye cream. This one so hard to get right.  I'm going with Ole's because it's both illuminating and camouflaging. it's the best. I like to look refreshed (without shooting my face full of poison) and this is where I go. Love it.

Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. Divine. Perfect little powder touch. Use sparingly. I'm not a big powder girl but it really keeps your shit together. And by shit, I mean makeup.

Finishing cream: Laura Mercier Secret Finish. It's not a secret, really. This stuff (a little dab) somehow makes you glow after you've put on all of the other stuff and tones down any heavy handedness. I love to have this in my purse to put on at the end of the day for a bit of a lift. It's lovely.

Mascara: Origins Ginzing Brightening Mascara. So good. Thick and lovely. I'm a fan. Can be totally worn alone if you're lazy and it looks fab.

Brows: Anastasia Powder duo. Love. Great. Just get a good angled brush (Nars makes a good one) and you'll have this for 10 years. I'm an eyebrow fanatic (lately have been threading and it's amazing) and this stuff is the perfect way to get a little more drama. Brush on, and then brush up. So good.

Eyeshadow: I love a Stila Palette. The In the Light Palette has everything you need for a neutral or more smoked out eye. I vacillate between the two so this is perfect for me. A girl needs options, non? 

Cleanser: Ren Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk. Much like my personality, my skin is sensitive. It doesn't like those miracle wipes, though I wish it would. This cleanser smells lovely and is super gentle on dry, radiator skin. That's what I've got so this stuff is genius. I'm willing to take the extra few moments to use this- the wipes are just too much for me and this is a lovely option. I'm kind of OCD about washing my face every night- I can't imagine how I used to go to sleep with makeup on when I was a younger lady- now if I wake up with makeup on, I want to call an ambulance because something is clearly wrong with me. Maybe not an ambulance, but you get the idea...

Moisturizer: Ren Hydracalm or Frankincense. I love Ren for all of my skincare. So gentle, organic, and lovely. I love the calming cream for whenever my face is irritable, and the Frankincense is a great heavy duty night cream. Really enjoy all of their products so much.

Eye Cream: Origins. Any of 'em. I love them all but have been using their Starting Over cream lately. We all need a fresh start, right? I love Origins- well priced and great products.

Body Lotion: Kiehl's Creme De Corps Whipped Body Butter. Desperate times (as in freezing weather) call for fabulous moisturizer, particularly on the legs. This stuff smells like honey and feels like butter, thus the name. It's fab. Think liquid armor for winter skin. That smells good.

Nail polish: Essie Chinchilly. I will always love grey. It's my neutral in the same way that Ballet Slippers (pink) is for many ladies. I always go back to it- just a favorite as is Playa Del Platinum.

So those are my picks for my favorite products right now. Here is a link to my Pinterest board so you can buy each and every one if you are so inclined:

http://www.pinterest.com/sherimaven/my-products/

Today is a great day to get gorgeous. You're gorgeous without any of the above, but you know what I mean...I'd love to hear about your favorite finds/staples so don't hesitate to write me at sherimaven@gmail.com if you come up with any must haves. That does seem like an awfully long list, doesn't it? Damn- I love my products.

Cause that's what's up this beauty of a Wednesday in the super pretty 212. Yours, in powder puffs, perfume, and pretty pink lipstick. XO

Good morning, friends. It's Monday, post Oscars. If you follow me on Facebook (Lord help you), then you already know who the style standout was for me- it's alllll about Lupita and her gorgeous ice blue Prada, paired with the most gorgeous gold jewelry and headband. She's a dream. I do love how everyone is so excited she has "real" boobs, however. What boobs? She's got none but that's why the dress looked great. Anyone over a handful should not attempt such a look. Ever.

I watched "Dallas Buyers Club" this weekend and I am so THRILLED Matthew (my Matthew) and Jared Leto won. So incredibly well deserved- such brave performances that speak to boundary pushing and the power of friendship in the face of tremendous tragedy. I loved it- fabulous movie that captured the horror of the early AIDS epidemic in America. And then of course Cate Blanchett, gorgeous Cate, won for her role as that Ruth Madoff-like character in "Blue Jasmine". She was terrific, Woody Allen scandal or no Woody Allen scandal. But my whole weekend was not about Oscars. Friday night started out with amazing sushi at Sushi Dojo in the East Village- and damn if it didn't feel just like Tokyo up in there. So fabulous. The whole salted cod pretty profound, and the tofu was prepared in that real Japanese style I tried for the first time in Japan, and was hoping to replicate here. Mission accomplished. Oh, and lots of sake of course. Best buzz there is.

And then Saturday we went to run some errands in Manhattan (dog treats, a necklace that I broke after many years around my neck which the store where we got it a million years ago offered to fix for free), and since we were in Soho anyway, I bought a couple minutes by sending David into Jack Spade so I could admire the Isabel Marant store. Mon Dieu.

With everyone wearing platform sneakers these days and Steve Madden knocking them off faster than we can wear them, it's hard not to turn one's nose up a bit at Isabel Marant anything. Yea, her clothes are insanely expensive. Sure, unless you are an off duty model, you probably don't look great in them. And true, they are EXPENSIVE. (Had to say that twice for good measure). But as I browsed through the racks, I found myself almost tearful (some of you girls will get that) at how amazing the pieces were- how perfect and cool and simple they were. There was the gold leather jacket. The studded suede moccasin boot must have (not to mention the hideously chic Birkenstock leather sandal that is about to become HUGE and is so wrong, it's right). The textured knit jacket that had shades of Chanel but not as fussy and way more like a chic version of your favorite hoodie. The perfect little ruffly cap sleeved LBD that I would wear, I don't know, EVERYWHERE.  That one shouldered dress that is hard to imagine wearing in this frigid cold, but so very perfect for warm days and nights. It's easy to forget Isabel in a land where Cos (coming soon), Zara, and H&M knock off her pieces for plebeians like myself to enjoy. But as we all know, ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby. Her stuff is just that good. It's so easy to comfort ourselves in accessible fashion which is a wonderful thing, but when you go into Isabel's store, that feeling you get from such beautiful pieces is exciting. Don't even get me started on the Saint Laurent store down the street. OMG. The kitten heeled, studded black pump. Love. I want them to wear with that Isabel sweatshirt and a full skirt. Done. Finis.

Anyway, I'm just saying my closet and wallet may be on the down low these days, but my taste and desire is at an all time high for gorgeous and good clothes. Isabel may be famous for her platform sneakers, but she's oh so much more than that. Cause that's what's up this cool Parisian Lundi in le New York City.  Boho can still be so very chic. Yours, in broken French. Je vous aime beaucoup. XO

Good afternoon, friends. I had a thought just now as I was walking through Grand Central for a coffee- in our constant quest for self improvement, have we really lost our selves? Yup, heady stuff for a short stint to the coffee shop, but still...

I can't help but think that with all of us going gluten free (guilty), dairy free (guilty), downward dogging, cross fitting, marathon running, chakra cleansing, juicing, detoxing, and decompressing, are any of us becoming truly "better" human beings? It's true we may be in better shape, look better in our jeans, and have a more chilled out approach to our daily commutes and stressful work/life blurs. But really, you gotta wonder- if we put this much energy into not just improving ourselves but helping the world be a little bit better, kinder, healthier, wouldn't that be the biggest self improvement of all?  Our vision of a healthy life is just too narrow- we need to make room in our lives for others or we're really going to blow it. How can we truly see what's best in ourselves if we don't think of others? 

Lately, it's been hitting me so very hard how bad things are for so many. I see people every day in various states of suffering- homelessness, job loss, sickness. I see animals in need of homes, who can't help themselves and didn't ask to be put in terrible situations. I see people at work snapping at each other and losing it on each other and snarking about each other behind their backs.  Lest you think I'm some sort of hippie chick, I'm not really. I'm just super bored with our constant quest for "self improvement". It's starting to feel very shallow, and if we spent a bit less on juice cleanses and private Pilates instruction, maybe we could put a few bucks into causes that are worth our time? 

I'm not suggesting anybody stop taking care of themselves- but perhaps a little less self obsession and seeking and searching and more compassion towards others and helping and empathizing is what we really need. I have always said our endless frenzy for self awareness is the provenance of the privileged- what I'm suggesting is perhaps this whole self improvement thing is not about us at all- it's truly about what we can do for others. Perhaps one less selfie a day to look around and see what's happening in the world. It doesn't seem too much to me, but maybe I'm too idealistic.

In my younger years, if somebody at work was crappy to me, I often blamed myself. I find myself doing something else of late- I'm often feeling sad for that crappy person, because something terrible must be happening in their lives or has happened in their lives to make them want to treat others that way- only unhappy people do that, by the way. Sure, we all have our moments, but I'm talking about the repeat offenders. I'm thinking even those peeps deserve our compassion and sympathy. It's hard work to be an asshole. Exhausting even. And worse still, lonely. But I'm not really talking about those types.

I'm talking about those that really need us- not the ones that are pissed they can't take a ski vacation this winter, but I'm not blind- and I see people and causes and animals all day and night that could use our attention and energy and hard work. How about giving up one yoga class a week to go volunteer? Or taking that money you were going to spend on a nutritionist and feeding a family of four or ten? Or instead of constantly seeking the answers on some self guided vision quest, ask somebody if they need a hand. Oh, and listen- slow claps for you if you are able to do all of that self seeking stuff and still help others- that's a tall order. Good for you, really. But if we're only looking inward and not spreading our energy outward, I think we're failing. In fact, I know we are- we've become severely myopic and we need to see the (much) bigger picture and stop blurring what's important. You do want your children to be more than skinny vegetarians, right? Can we teach people to be compassionate, kind, and giving? 

If this all seems like too much, start small. Give someone a compliment. Clean out your closet and give away all of those jeans you know are not ever going to fit you again. Donate to your local animal shelter or rescue instead of buying another pair of shoes or whatever it is you buy on Gilt. All of this me, me, me stuff is really becoming a pandemic. I'm feeling like we need to do less for ourselves, and more for all the other people and causes and basically, the rest of the universe rather than the universe of one. I just finished my coffee, and I gotta go. Oh, and by the way, if you need help with anything cause related or just need a friend or an ear or a hug, I'm here. I'm so tired of me.

Cause that's what's up this looking outward kind of Thursday in the 212. Yours, in adjusting the lenses. It's not about giving up on oneself completely, quite the contrary- it's about sharing that new improved and refreshed you with those that need you the most. That's the best thing any of us could do for ourselves. XO