Monday, December 31, 2007
“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them” - Benjamin Franklin
The style resolutions that I read though seemed to be more positive...or at least achievable…so I decided to break with tradition and make some clothing-related resolutions of my own.
1. Wear something within two weeks of purchasing it. If there’s a delay between purchase and first use I have a nasty habit of letting new purchases languish in closet no-man’s land.
2. Try to focus on buying at least a few things that I actually need. As my bank account can attest, I find it alarmingly easy to spend money on something that I will get limited wear out of but is “beautiful” rather than buying a few of the practical, yet dull, necessities of life.
3. Continue to "cull the herd". Anything un-worn, un-loved, or ug-ly has to go. No more keeping things because of the memories associated with them or the fact that I remember how expensive they were. Hello eBay, thrift store, or donation box! Goodbye to staring at clothes that make me feel guilty!
I could probably keep going but I’m going to stop at a (hopefully) manageable three. Which, of course, leads to the question...what are your style resolutions for 2008?
Sunday, December 30, 2007
If you go down to the woods today...
Once the weather cooperates though I'm looking forward to taking some inspiration from French Vogue stylist Geraldine Saglio's outfit...classic with just a twist and perfect for a lazy weekend (though sadly not one with wind chills below zero).
R.I.P. Z.u.l.u
It's always depressing when an old friend leaves us. My recent loss...a bottle of Nars' Zulu nailpolish...a dark, bottle green in whose depths I was able to become a twisted femme fatale (at least in my own mind). I first came across the color in a winter editorial from a British magazine (too long ago to remember which one)...the model wore winter white...and was as pale as I...yet her nails were chic-ly tinged with green. I could have imagined Morticia Addams in a similar shade if she had decided to take a break from blood reds. And so, my bottle of Zulu was purchased, and worn...and worn...and worn...and is now a sticky puddle at the bottom of the bottle. Unfortunately I missed the brief re-release of this color at Sephora during the run up to Christmas...my (bottle green) fingers are crossed however that another batch is released fairly soon. |
Saturday, December 29, 2007
As the ball drops...
Like the teenager who's been caught smoking a single, illicit cigarette and is condemned to smoke an entire pack in one sitting...or the goose who "couldn't eat another bite" but is destined to be fois gras...regimented frivolity leaves a bad aftertaste.
And so, as in prior years, party invitations have been declined...a menu has been decided upon...a couple of bottles of decent champagne will be purchased...and Mr. Heb and I will welcome in the new year together. Had I placed my order earlier, APC's karaoke CD would probably have been added to the mix, as what better way is there to say "hello 2008!" than with an off-key rendition of "Sheena is a Punk Rocker" or "Police and Thieves"?
The Splendid Best of 2007
BEAUTY
Viva Woman finds out how to read the secret batch codes of beauty products and determine their expiry date.
A Touch of Blusher brings you highlights from 2007.
Makeup and Beauty Blog brings you 5 Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton.
Savvy Skin tells you the Top 10 Signs You're A Beauty Junkie.
Just in time for you to ring in the New Year, makeup loves me teaches you the fine art of properly applying false eyelashes.
Ellen from Spa Beautifully shares the Top 10 Beauty Trends to Look for in 2008.
Beauty and Fashion Tech has found that The ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device is One of the Year's Most Interesting and Useful Devices.
The results are in for Temptalia's Best of Beauty Awards 2007, check out who won!
Sugar Shock says, "My Lips are Sealed".
Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic spends time with Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey and Max Factor.
Beauty Secrets Revealed Shares a Blueberry Age-Defying Face Pack Recipe.
At Teen Style Lounge, Liberty shares 6 Quick Tips to Super Kissable Lips.
eBeautyDaily lists the top 10 beautiful things she couldn't do without in 2007.
The Scented Life says that Bond no 9 is bringing Andy Warhol back to life - in a little silver bottle!
Beauty Banter muses on the 5 Minute Make-Up application! Including the EXACT products you'll need to achieve the no-fuss look!
NY Spender asks "Is your hair color right for you?"
A Girl's Gotta Spa! thinks the Baby Quasar LED Light Therapy is a splendid secret weapon against acne & wrinkles.
Makeup Minute thinks Billy B's Paintbrushes are splendid beauty tools that are worth every penny.
Cinnamon Kitten's 2007 in Review: 5 Favorite New Products.
Beautyholics Anonymous has Effective Ways To Losing Weight.
Beautiful Makeup Search says that this is one must-have beauty product that works for everyone.
FASHION
Eagle eyed ShopDiary was the first blogger to point out the startling similarities between dresses by Diane Von Furstenberg and Forever 21. A week later, DVF sued Forever 21.
Style...a work in progress says "...Sea Bass, Sea Bass...that's four Sea Bass".
STYLEnosh asks the the difficult question, "Have You Let Yourself Go?"
She Knows Best has a Men's Fashion Don't List.
Spork Fashion Exclusive! Actress Shannyn Sossamon Shares her Style.
The Snarkstress needs your help in finding out just what exactly is on David Beckham's head.
Indie Style File has A Take five interview with Kelly of Killer Cotton fame.
The Fashionable Kiffen says that fashion is an art form.
CelebLOOK tells you where to get Emmy Award Dress Look-a-Likes.
SHOPPING
Laya's EYE shows us a new class of wine glass charms.
Her Accessories has a list of 10 reasons (or excuses) to treat yourself to a really good pair of shoes.
Style It Less '07 Review | List Of Under $100 Stylish Looks.
Style Tots has some Spring 2008 Pediped News.
Shopalicious is convinced that these knickers will put you in a festive mood to ring in the new year!
Kim at All That and a got in lots of pics of Simply Vera, the Vera Wang line at Kohl's.
The Latest Luxe says to Set Your Gold Standard with Stiletto Patent Sandals by Bruno Frisoni.
Aging Fabulous says that these are Must-Have Wicking Pajamas.
The Splendicity community wishes you and yours a very happy, healthy, and splendid new year!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Fringe benefits?
The big cover-up
And so...as happens in times of desperation...the sewing kit came out...
Mr. Heb favors the English-Bohemian-alcoholic-writer look, i.e. the mix of patterns and textures found at Paul Smith with a dash of Trovata and memories of Hemingway, and the goal was for the case to reflect that aesthetic. Armed with felt (for the lining), polka-dot fabric (from a worn-out shirt), braid (from a bandleader's uniform), ribbon, and a vintage mother of pearl shirt button this is the end result...more Sergeant Pepper than Hemingway but protection nonetheless.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Never Say Never
On the plus side, I feel mildly virtuous...having turned a blind eye to several items that were heavily marked down but weren't actually things that I needed...
One the other hand, a couple of items did make their way into my cart...a black crew neck sweater (to replace my black APC zip-front cardigan which is beginning to show signs of wear) and the marled scarf which I mentioned before but couldn't rationalize at full price (and ended up being too lazy to knit myself).
An all consuming passion
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies” - Lord Byron
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Patterns That Occur In Nature
"Coveting thy husband's gift"...the eighth deadly sin...
But back to the bag...and the reason for the title of this post...
I know that I've mentioned my "look books" before...scrapbooks filled with magazine clippings which act as reference, inspiration, and wish-list all rolled into one. I find it strangely fitting when a new purchase references back to an old clipping...like it was "meant to be"...in this case, my new Balenciaga has some striking similarities to a (I believe Gucci) jacket that I clipped out about 10 years ago...
Monday, December 24, 2007
Deck the halls...
Familiarity breeds contempt
From sweet oranges to slightly bitter marmalade in one easy step...
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Write Stuff
Timing is everything...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Evolution of Mankind...and his hangover
Published in 1931, The Week-End Book works under the assumption that every household has a virtual pharmacy in their medicine cabinet. This is the "kill or cure" method for hangovers because, if you get this one wrong, you could have some problems.
THE MORNING AFTER
On the Morning After, comfort the cod and feeble brain by recalling the warning of Mayster Isaac Judaeus who saieth: "It is unpossyble for them that drinketh overmoche water in theyr youth to come to ye aege that God ordained them."
If it matters little to you whether the age that God ordained be reached or no, drink the following cordial:
Take a Sp. Ammon. Aromat. mx, Sodii Bic. gr.xv, Tr. Capsici miii, Tr. Card. Co. 3i, Tr. Zingib. Fort.mv, Tr.Cinc. Co.mx, Tr.Nuc.Vom.mx, Sp.Chlorof.mx. and Water of Orange Flowers up to 3i. Take also of Caffein Cit. gr.v, Acid Cit. gr.x, Tr. Aurant mv; and Water up to 3i. Add two tablespoonfuls of the first to two of the second drink and whilst the effervesence lasts.
The Harper's Bazaar Beauty Book, published in 1960, veers towards the bubbly perfectionism of a Stepford Wife.
Your Diet
The perfect day for beginning the winter diet is when the holidays have reduced you, but not your figure, to a state of groggy satiety. After the Christmas turkey stuffed with sausage, and the plump New Year's goose stuffed with sausage and chestnuts, and the assorted wines and liquors of the season's parties, you wake up feeling that you're ready either to hibernate like a big bear or do something self-improving.
Now is the perfect time to strike. Diet today, this New Year's Day of resolution. A thin little sliced chicken sandwich, a long stalk of celery, and a tall glass of orange juice will seem like the best meal you've had all year. And you can carry on from there with the good habits, either until you're back where you were, or better than ever."
Which brings us to the current day...and Barnes & Noble, when the cover of Glamour magazine caught by eye as it exhorted its readers to "Get to your happy weight!".
The disturbing thing is that while our concerns appear to have stayed the same over the years the method of delivery is disturbingly dumbed-down. It makes you wonder whatever happened to feeding your inner man?
Hey, Professori!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Do you want fries with that?
But the ads for Marc Jacobs' Spring/Summer collection just confuses me. I like Juergen Teller's photography but why would a shot of writer/director Harmony Korine tucking into fast food like he hasn't eaten for a week induce me to spend vast sums of money on clothes? Join Weight Watchers, maybe. But shop? Not so much. |
The quest for the Holy Grail
The clip from Monty Python's Holy Grail has (I admit) very, very, little connection to the rest of the post but, having worked my way through three (count 'em, three) articles on the UK Times' website on "How to shop the sales", I am in need of a change and there is a somewhat tenuous connection between Python's Grail and my own...quite a few things on my Grail List are French.
To explain, my Grail List is a selection of items that I have lusted over for a long period of time but which are way out of my budget. They're the things that are always in the back of my mind when I go sale shopping...because hope springs eternal that they may be sitting on a rail, marked down beyond belief. And, actually, I've been incredibly lucky. I have, on two separate occasions, been able to cross things off the G.L...namely a Lucien-Pellat Finet sweater and Chanel jacket.
In the spirit of the season, for fellow Grail List-ers, I wanted to mention this canvas Chanel jacket . From vintage online store Vagabond NYC...and listed at $385...I need someone to buy it now...before I realize there was a typo on my G.L. and I actually wanted two Chanel jackets (to go along with the Two French Doves on my 12 Days of Christmas list).
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Normal service will resume...we hope...
Providing the internet demons play fair normal service will resume shortly.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The not-so-basic basic
I found this cute outfit of the day on Lucky's website and it made me want to pay tribute to the thing that makes "business casual" a much less painful experience for me...the not-so-basic basic. The loud, overly patterned, or very bright pieces which have a strange chemical reaction when added to "office clothes" in muted colors. The n.s.b.b.'s become a little more "appropriate"...and the o.c.'s are no longer "drone wear"...a middle ground of individuality is attained. And so, not-so-basic basic, I salute you! |
The unkindest cut of all...
Then, one magical day, I was given a mother-of-pearl handled fruit-knife.
As you've probably guessed, there was a "fruit based incident" and, in my excitement over being able to slice an apple in bed, I plunged the knife into the fleshy part of my palm. Of course, I neglected to mention the incident to my parents (because, well, no one likes a know-it-all) but I still bear the scar, both physically and apparently mentally.
Which you'd think would have put me off small, sharp, instruments...but no. When I saw this Whittling Kit all I could think was that it could potentially be the greatest stocking stuffer of all time. Five pieces of wood, a small knife, and a one-page instructional guide...who could ask for anything more? Plus, when I run out of wood I could try to emulate the crayon carving shown below. And, if an accident should occur, I have a good excuse to use one of the Swarovski Band Aids I mentioned earlier in the week.
As they said in the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together".
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Hey Pig
This little Piggy went to market This little Piggy stayed at home This little Piggy ate roast beef This little Piggy had none And this little Piggy cried "Oie, oie, oie" All the way home As I typed out the verse above I realized that Piggy number three is essentially a cannibal...what with this, and the porcine totalitarianism of Animal Farm , pigs don't seem to be getting good press. Time for a change...and what better way to spread a little love than with these cute/cool accessories from Henrik Vibskov? The swine-y take on the, now ubiquitous, Keffiyah scarf gets the most points for originality but I actually need a laptop case…not wanting to be hog-gish but it would be a great stocking stuffer... |
Spring into my fervid arms...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Step away from the glitter...
The seasonal blues...you know, the ones that attack when there are more hours of darkness in the day than light...appear to be taking their toll. At least I assume that's the explanation for my current fixation for "shiny things". The latest? These Swarovski studded Band Aids…they're over-priced, more than a little tacky, and they draw unnecessary attention to the fact that you're a klutz and have injured yourself again. So why do I keep clicking back to Miss Geschick & Lady Lapsus's site to take a look at them? |
Fur from the Madding Crowd
To be honest, I'm glad to see a few more people wearing this style...I bought one a couple of years ago at Prada (as modeled by the crazy Christmas cut-out)...when I was feeling flush and the words "mink" and "Prada" closely linked didn't send me into a complete state of shock. I wear it when I'm feeling lavish...and cold...and, though I don't want to be surrounded by people wearing the same thing as I am, it is nice not to feel like the only person alone in the wilderness...even if I am walking along in a fabulous hat.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
“Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks; When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one!”
Better yet, it was on the sale table for a fiscally responsible $4.99...thereby striking a blow for the cause of affordable accessories.
Tales from the Quilting Bee
I know, I seem to be obsessed with the weather at the moment...but, as we got about a foot of snow last night, I am in serious shut-in mode. I just want to turn on the fairy lights...make a pot of tea...put on something cozy...and hunker down. One look at Alexandre Herchcovitch's print dress and I get a mental picture of patchwork quilt, roaring fires, and log cabins. Somehow it manages to emanate a feeling of warmth and cosiness...pretty impressive for a short-sleeved, mini-dress. |
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Rack 'em, stack 'em, and pack 'em
Perfection...in an imperfect way.