the world according to sherimaven

Good morning, Monday. More snow expected in the Nuevo Yorko tomorrow- this weekend's slushfest was fun for about two seconds, though I admit- I love a good snow. It's the way winter's supposed to be. Just not enough to wreck my shoes, ok?

So amidst a background of change and some growing pains and a million other things, the big elaborate gift thing may be feeling off kilter to you, as it is to me. After Black Thursday/Friday/every day and the rabid consumerism that has seized hold of our wallets and our culture, I feel a bit of restraint is needed when shopping for gifts this year- sure I love gifting more than anyone, but it's the little things this year that mean a whole lot- whether it's a compliment from my husband, a phone call from an old friend, or the feel of Khan snuggled up to me while we watch the snow, these are the things I cherish. These are the biggest gifts.

But if you need to spend some money and want to do something that won't break the bank, I adore something monogrammed. A personalized sentiment is always a lovely way to go, and I super enjoy these little pouches from Rebecca Minkoff- adorable beyond belief and under $100. The written word still has weight with me, and a personalized sentiment or phrase that is so very "that special someone " is just too cute.  I particularly love the "Naughty/Nice" pouch, because there's always two sides to every story, right? 

Oh and two more little personalized/monogram love shout outs- I adore this jewelry box from C. Wonder- the white lacquer feels chicly 70s and is the cutest thing for all of yours or a friend's/loved ones favorite shiny objects. Under $100 as well.

And from Claire Vivier, who really turned this whole monogram thing into something chic of late, I love the tassel key chain with space for initials- adore the way this kind of fob looks when clamped to the latest "it" bag, or for those girls who carry huge bags where finding one's keys is not always so easy (guilty as charged).

Cause that's what's up this monogrammed Monday in the 212. Yours, in the little things. XO

Hey, Friday. It's a new day. Brand new. 

This week has had more ups and downs than a Coney Island rollercoaster on Mezcal and Mad Dog, but today, today is what it's all about. I've lived in this city a long time with a seven year pit stop elsewhere and here's what I'll say- you gotta love the hustle. 

I'm not sure where this fighting spirit came from that I've acquired through the years, but I have it. I was not raised with a real sense of competition,  and I'm not particularly motivated by winning (though losing is not my favorite).  But what gets me through some dark days is my ability to reach out to people who know me, who know what I'm capable of, and who want to help me because they know I have their backs too, any day of the week. So lest you think the hustle is a shallow game of fake handshakes and shady deals, it's not. The real hustle is the joy of dusting oneself off, quickly, and moving firmly forward. And picking up the nearest device and reaching out to your fellow hustlers and soldiers who are your comrades in arms. 

And speaking of soldiers, here's something else about me- I've always known I'm more of a soldier type when it comes to work. I like to enter the chaos, solve the problems, and clean up the bodies. I like to get my hands dirty, filthy even. And then, when it's all done, I like to move on to the next project that needs my expertise.  I used to joke that freelance life is not unlike Harvey Keitel's character in "Pulp Fiction"- you just have to show me where the mop is and I'll get to work. I like the challenge of new people, new tastes, and new ways to work. It keeps me on my toes and helps add more people to my arsenal that are like minded and also love the battle, a little more than they love a seven year war. I'm going to fight some battles for people I believe in right now, and I'm excited to open my mind again and see what is out there for me. Whether it's writing, producing, or building stores- I'm not sure. But I'm a hired gun again and today is a new day, and G-d bless the hustle. I don't know what I'd do without it, and the possibilities of what I can do are endless because of it. And if there's one city that's got hustle in every fiber of its being, it's this one. Lucky to be here, and lucky for this brave new day.

I hope all of you fight the good fight wherever you are today.  Cause that's what's up this at your service hustled up kind of Friday in the best city in the world. Yours, in Harvey Keitel Wolf solidarity.  And now I must go, because  I've got cleaning to do.  Good things happen to those who hustle. I'm feeling blessed right now.  XO

Good morning, Wednesday. It's a sunny day outside and though it's freezing, I feel warm somehow. Maybe it's that fuzzy happiness kicking in I get from having a new notebook to record my thoughts, dreams, and reminders. Yea, I'm a nerd. And a Luddite. I know.

While I was at Basel I bought myself some new Moleskin notebooks- the Volant comes in a two pack and is a lovely choice for those who still like to write things down from time to time. I bought the pink pair (the brighter hue feels very much like the Pantone color I chatted on yesterday) and am so happy I did. And at just under $6 for the duo, you can't go wrong when it comes to holiday gifts. They come in an array of colors (I'm on a pink kick right now) and once I tear through these, I'll go with the green guys (my fav color).

A new notebook embodies a fresh start, and with the new year coming, I can't think of a more appropriate time to crack one of these babies open. Mine are unlined but the ones featured on the site are of the lined variety, so stock up either way. There's lots to jot down and think about as 2014 rounds the bend.

Cause that's what's up this taking notes kind of Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in penmanship. XO

Oh my goodness, hello lovelies. It's been far too long hasn't it? I have been a very busy girl of late- our pop up shop went swimmingly, I jumped on a plane to Miami and went to Art Basel and had the absolute best time...more on that tomorrow cause I wanna share what I saw there. And this am I was at a breakfast for Dress for Success, an organization for whom I helped write and produce a book to tell the stories of some powerful and amazingly beautiful women. It's been a pretty cool couple of weeks, but because of all of the activity, my little blog has suffered. But I'm back and here for you and ready to gab. So let's do it.

As many of you know, Radiant Orchid was selected as Pantone's color for 2014. As a huge fan of 2013's color, Emerald, I was a little bit head scratchy about this choice, and I was not alone. I read with amusement a piece in the Guardian that compares the purply hue of 2014 as the color of "unwanted discount cashmere cardis and own-brand fleece jackets".  The article also posts a picture of Prince, the queen of purple himself. But whether you love purple or not, it's hard not to get enthused by the thinking behind the color choice.

According to Pantone, Radiant Orchid,  "is a color-wheel contrast to green", said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It’s a little different, it’s a little off the beaten path, and it’s not a primary color,” she explains. “It’s an invitation to innovation. The purple family offers (an) opportunity to do creative things. People associate purple with creativity and originality —and those are very valued today". I love the look below (think it's Ralph Lauren), combining 2014's big color with 2013's green hue. Very pretty and lovely against the skin indeed.

I'm comin' for ya. XO

Dearest Channukah/Santa-like figure:

I've been a good girl this year. It's true that I have not been going to the gym as much as I should, but I've been trying to bring my lunch to work and taking less cabs. I'm also doing single process color as opposed to highlights, so my fiscally responsible fashion gene is officially dominant and keeping me honest. I've also made every effort not to call anybody "stupid" or roll me eyes too far upward when somebody is taking up too much room on the subway. In other words, I've been a very, very good girl.

So for bringing all of that angelic behavior to your attention, and since believing that some bearded fat guy who sits at the mall is going to bring me a present, I'd like to request the following Alexander McQueen leopard printed pony knuckle clutch, because it is beyond my wildest dreams to own this combination ring/bag divinity and though there is no chance in he-double hockey sticks that this little number will be mine, a girl can dream right? Isn't that what the holiday season is all about? And shouldn't a girl have some chic brass knuckleish thing to keep her safe in this treacherous time of year hmm hmm? See below for a sense of why this bag matters than most. It's a weapon, purse, and ring all in one. And it will absolutely fit down the chimney. Plus, what have you ever done for the Jews? It's payback time, Santa. Come forth with luxury items.

Cause that's what's up this Santa baby gimme some couture kinda Tuesday in the 212. Yea, it's early for that but not according to the commercials on TV and the holiday music already playing in Anthropologie. I'll be giving plenty of thanks later in the week, but for now I'd like to dream the impossible dream and close my eyes real tight and pretend that this bag will be mine. May all your holiday dreams come true, with love. . I'm still sticking to the fact that I've been a good girl this year, and trust me, it hasn't been easy. Yours, in unrealistic and over the top wish lists.  XO

Good morning, Monday. Been a while, my loves. Have you missed me?

Before the status meetings begin, the phone starts ringing and the emails start flying, I wanted to say that I feel blessed.

It's been a pretty stress filled couple of weeks, but this weekend was so perfect and wonderful it made me realize how lucky I am. And though David and Khan are the true loves of my life, New York is right up there for me, and always will be. Yea, I read the Times piece this weekend on the formidable literary movement known as "Adios, New York" - writers like Joan Didion set the bar very high when it comes to leaving here with great aplomb and wisdom. And artists like David Byrne threaten to leave because New York just isn't the same anymore- the grit is gone, the challenge of finding affordable living spaces is worse than ever, and the white collar antics of the 1% has stolen the thunder from a more creative class. I'm not disagreeing. But here's what I will say. 

Despite the stress, headaches, crowds, and general feeling of never having enough money to live here the right way, I love New York. I will always love New York. I love my Brooklyn neighborhood more than I can express in this post- and though I'm eyebrow raising at Intermix coming and the influx of big chain retailers eyeing up spaces (more than eyeing up, moving in), I still cherish our farmers market on the weekend- the excellent cheesemonger whose dairy gifts are part of my Sunday breakfast and the turkey vendor whose spicy sausage makes it into our Sunday dinner every week, without fail. Coming back to New York at this phase of my life is not without challenges or the need for better eye cream, I admit there are harrowing moments that make me question my sanity. But to be able to walk around my lovely 'hood on the weekends and have access to all of the fantastic things New York City has to offer still gives me the chills. In a good way. To be able to enjoy the coziness of my New York apartment while reading loads of magazines while knowing there is a whole heaving mess outside to explore makes me giddy. Still. There's still great equity for me here-  I still love those amazing New York faces that manage to make eye contact with you on the street, the buzz of some new gallery opening or store popping up that inspires and affirms your pulse can still quicken. Oh, and Fall here? Well worth the price of admission. Every penny.

I still feel more at home here than anywhere, and despite all of the changes, I love being a New Yorker, love dressing like a New Yorker, love thinking quickly like a New Yorker, and above all, being cynical like a New Yorker. I left here for what seemed like a century, only to come back and realize how much I love it here. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be saying goodbye like Joan Didion. Or thinking like Ann Friedman, whose essay as quoted in the article notes "New York is not just a guy, it’s that guy." She says,  "I’ve always been partial to the friendly guy who doesn’t know how hot he really is (Chicago) or the surprisingly intelligent, sexy stoner (Los Angeles),“as opposed to the dude who thinks he’s top of the list, king of the hill, A-number-one.” And though I probably skew more in smart and sexy stoner land these days, I think I'm gonna stick around with Mr. Type A a bit longer. After all, marriage is supposed to be challenging right? New York, I admit it, I still love you. I don't think I'm going to be ready to say goodbye again for a very long time, though I understand why people need to leave you.  And though you are an expensive date and a bit pretentious at times,you still give me so very much. I just can't quit you. New York, I invest in your madness every day because the return is worth it to me. Who else could I really be with anyway? I may be one of the biggest commitment phobes around when it comes to really putting down roots, but New York, I remain yours, and hope you will always be mine. Somehow you always take care of me- by continuing to inspire me despite the stress, impending cold weather (it's here), and radiator heat. It's not easy to keep things interesting, but somehow, you always manage to hold my attention, you cuckoo, chaotic loon of a city.  I still really do love you. Cause you're still crazy after all these years, just like me.

Cause that's what's up this keeping the New York dream alive kind of Monday in the 212. There's nothing you can't do...let's hear it for New York. XO

Don't you JUST? Hearts and spots. Perhaps it's all the mixed messages swirling about in my brain that had me smitten when I saw this fabulous pic. Obsessed. Burberry. So good. That's all.

Yours, in mixed prints. XO

Good morning, friends. It's chilly outside but I got to work early to catch up on loads of stuff and I'm just happy for Thursday. It's one day closer to Friday.

I'm sure many of you out there are planning and plotting and perhaps waiting in line for your very own piece of the Isabel Marant for H&M dream. The fanatical fan following of Ms. Marant is well documented and for those of you not so fashion familiar, here's a primer: Isabel Marant makes cool clothes for cool girls at not so cool prices. Think French rock and roll/off duty model type gear, at supermodel prices. 

I looked at the collection and though I liked it, I'm feeling very fatigued by this whole frenzy for fashion.  I'm too old and pissy to wait in line for a coat, and besides that, the prices are not super cheap- last night was a preview in New York and all the celebs were out previewing and getting whatever goods they desired. If fashion is becoming so democratic, why is there still such a pecking order? For and H&M sponsored collection? Sigh. I mean, 400 dollar boucle jackets and 300 dollar boots are not exactly accessible for most. I can't wait to see what happens at noon when it goes on sale online. The crash will most likely be felt around the world. No 300 dollar fringe booties for you, my friend.  Plus, as a dear friend of mine wrote me overnight- it sucks when some catty little chickadee is wearing the same purchase as you, plus there's another one in the same top across the subway platform. It's all just too competitive, and I guarantee said boucle jacket is going to be on many, many backs this Fall and Winter, as are those boots. And also, at what point will all of these designer collabs devalue the actual pieces from a designer's own collections? There's been talk of this for years- have not seen real evidence of it yet except for maybe a designer like Isaac Mizrahi- but he's so deep down the home shopping rabbit hole and I guarantee he's laughing all the way to the bank, just with, in my mind, a lot less equity for his brand as a big fashion player.

To me, there's just a big disconnect when it comes to the notion of value- my time is very important to me and I'm not going to stand in line for clothes that will most likely be auctioned off on Ebay and then largely forgotten about next season or worse yet (though that above oversized coat is inspired)- not wash well or have any kind of bang for the buck. As I grow out of disposable clothes that are too trend focused in favor of pieces I can live in for a long time, I'm not much of a flash sale kind of girl. I've stopped shopping on Gilt and all of those other sites, and I've stopped thinking about how to get a piece of the designer collaboration dream, even if it is Isabel Marant. I'm in it for the long haul with fashion, so I'm going to dress accordingly. Sure I still love a well priced fix from time to time and I am in no way in the league of having my ashes scattered at Bergdorf Goodman, but the mania surrounded with being first in line or first online hold no appeal for me at this very point in time. If you got your hands on something fabulous, good for you.  And if some of you are still interested in some of the pieces and which ones to buy, Vogue gave a very nice roundup of the best pieces out there. I'm going to sit this one out, though I'm sure I'll try to jump online at noon, just for the thrill of it, because at least I don't have to wait in line and get bumped into by girls in platform sneakers. I do love a good sweatshirt, though. But if I'm feeling annoyed I may just go pop by  The Helmut Lang sample sale across the street. Yes, please. (See you there). 

Cause that's what's up this French fried Thursday in the 212. Yours, in (collab free) fashion. XO

Hiya, Tuesday...those of you who are Facebook pals know I was sniffing around for some global beauty hot spots (thanks so very much for all of your glamorous and helpful info you little beauty mavens you), here's a piece I wrote for Racked, my fav resource for all things shopping. So excited! And for those of you who are beauty globe trotters, maybe you'll add one of these spots to your itinerary- cause that's what's up this well stocked Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in beauty. Link below...so psyched and had fun putting this together...check it.

http://racked.com/archives/2013/11/12/globetrotting-beauty-bars.php