What the F?(itFlop)

I am not a hater.

I am a lover.

I love shoes.

I even have been thought to love ugly shoes.



I own a pair of silver Birkenstocks that M. grimaces at regularly.

I love them and I don't care.

I wear Ugg boots in the winter because they are warm and I can walk for blocks and blocks in them.

I don't need people to love what I love.

Lately I've been noticing these, what I consider to be, very ugly flip-flops. Everyone in Manhattan is wearing them (no one especially fashionable, mind you) and thinking to myself...What are those ugly things??

Well apparently they are called Fit Flops and can be purchased from sites such as http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/ and http://www.blissworld.com/. They're $49 and are very light weight, good for your thighs, back, heels, butt, etc. They are compared to the MBT line which is supposed to be amazing as well. But I don't like them.

Blackout!

When the weather cools, I feel like I can start wearing makeup again.

And when I purchase studded gladiator sandals I feel a little like a bad-ass.

And when I feel like a bad-ass, and the weather is cool, I wear black kohl liner inside my lower lashes with lots of black mascara (read: 2 coats on upper, one coat on lower.)

And when I wear black kohl liner I want it to be 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil by Urban Decay. It does not smudge, budge or fudge. And I look tough yet...pretty. This technique has always been a favorite of mine for several reasons: 1. It makes the shape of your eye more defined (read: feline.) 2. It makes the color of your eyes pop, no matter what color they are. 3. Drama!

So why not rock some black kohl liner?? To quote John Bender, played by Judd Nelson in the film The Breakfast Club, "Being bad feels pretty good, huh?" Ohhh yeah.

Pick this waterproof eyeliner pencil up at Ulta or http://www.ulta.com/ for $16.

Dig out your Preppy Handbook & dance.

I am in love with this CD by Vampire Weekend.

I listen to it every day.






What do I love about it?
1. It's upbeat. Like, seriously upbeat.
2. It has lyrics about fashion (specifically '80's prep.)
3. It makes me want to tie a pink grosgrain ribbon in my hair, buy a pair of Tretorns with the kelly green gull wing and check tickets to Martha's Vinyard on JetBlue.
4. It reminds me of the film The Royal Tenenbaum's--which is always good thing.

I am not a music critic but I am a music lover. And I find that anything that transports me back to a specific time of my youth and the development of my own style at that time makes me extremely nostalgic. Not that I was hyper-preppy but I do tend to lean toward/resist the look of the days when I wore a royal blue Bennetton rugby with pegged Guess jeans, scrunch socks and royal blue Mia flats. God, I looked good.

As old habits are hard to break, just as my father played and replayed the Graceland album by Paul Simon because of it's exotic, feel-good sounds, there by the grace of sound go I.

Here are the lyrics to Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend:

Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

As a young girl
Louis Vuitton
With your mother
On a sandy lawn

As a sophomore
With reggaeton
And the linens
You're sitting on

Is your bed made?
Is your sweater on?
Do you want to
Like you know I do?

But this feels so unnatural
Peter Gabriel too

Can you stay up
To see the dawn?
In the colors
Of Bennetton?

Is your bed made?
Is your sweater on?
Do you want to
Like you know I do?

But this feels so unnatural
Peter Gabriel too

Is your bed made
Is your sweater on?
Do you want to
Like you know I do?

Vampire Weekend makes me feel good. And I don't want to make all of the comparisons that are being made about them. I just want to listen to them. All the time.

No matter who you are, you should listen to this album once--it's only 35 minutes long. Or if you are related to me (in any way) or will soon be related to me, just buy it. It's $11.98 at http://www.amazon.com/. Do it for Biff and Muffy.

Last Splash?!

I do this every end of summer. I start tailoring my wardrobe with an eye toward fall, start obsessing about raincoats with matching wellies and then, whamo, I buy a pair of sandals. Perhaps it is my unconscious wish that summer go on and on. Perhaps it is a resistance to autumn which sometimes feels like an ending rather than a new beginning. Or maybe I am just shoe obsessed.

Whatever the label for my state of consciousness, I couldn't resist these. They are so comfortable, so embellished, so rich looking and the new Steve Madden store just opened yesterday at Union Square.

So I visited them yesterday before work, went home, looked at my budget, paid the bills and had enough to buy them. Yay!!

I wore them out of the store this morning with my silk wrap dress from Banana Republic (which I got at Buffalo in '03 for $22.50, and has held it's own and still looks cute and gets oodles of compliments--M. loves it as well.)

I feel pretty cute.

But I can't wait to wear them with my skinny jeans that zip at the ankle. Hello transition.

You can buy these Banglez by Steven online in three colors at http://www.stevemadden.com/ for $129.50. The color I got is called silver but is really an olive suede with studding and beading.

Get a leg(ging) up.

I remember my first pair of leggings, purchased from the Limited, (black, ribbed) worn with an off the shoulder, long, black angora sweater (also from the Limited) with patent leather oxford flats with grosgrain laces. I wore the most amazing GIANT smoke colored chandelier drop earrings (that I was looking for this weekend--I often get nostalgic for them.)

I wore this ensemble to my mother's best friend's son's Bar Mitzvah. I believe he is now 31 years old.

I am fond of leggings because they are warmer than tights for the winter, but I am not limiting myself to the colors of old anymore.

Last winter I raided American Apparel, where I normally get the usual black & grey.

I bought my leggings in ROY G. BIV, or should I say FY G. BV, fuchsia, sunshine yellow, kelly green, cobalt, and grape-y purple. This fall I'm jazzed to wear the cobalt with my grey suede boots.

These babies can be had for $26.50 from American Apparel stores or at http://www.store.americanapparel.net/.

Let a little color in. It's fun.

(New) York Mints.

What's $1.99, comes in the cutest (reusable) tin and leaves you with the cool, minty sensation of a York Peppermint Pattie?

I'd much rather buy these than Altoids--even the chocolate covered kind. These are more gentle on the mouth. And look at the tin! It's adorable.

For those of us who like chocolate but must limit our intake these are great. They feel chic and decadent. And they taste really good. Zero fat.

I'm considering several modes of recycling for the tin: 1. a mini sewing kit assembled by me. 2. a travel kit with eye mask, handy wipes and earplugs. 3. a pill/vitamin/remedy/mini first aid kit for my hand bag, complete with band-aids and alcohol wipes. 4. a waterproof love note container for M.'s lunch bag. 5. a dental hygiene ensemble with mini floss and tee tree picks.

I just realized I like the tin more than the mints. Nothing wrong with that, I guess. I'm a sucker for packaging.

You can get yourself a tin of these mints for $1.99 at the drugstore or at

http://www.target.com/.

Skip to winter.

Today was the first cool day in a while.

I love fall.

It is my come-to-life time.

It is the time of year that M. and I went on our first date. Both of us were born in November.

It is a wonderful cooling-off period.

After the gym this morning I walked with my iPod on listening to Les Feuilles Mortes. I love that song. The version I love most is by Michel Legrand & Stephane Grappelli. Download this version before it gets to be fall. And then listen to it. The violin is heartbreaking.

I grew up in the Sonoran Desert where there really aren't seasons. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy not owning a winter coat until I moved east, but I do look forward to winter. There are so many fashion choices per outfit: tights, leggings, boots, knee socks, sweaters, hats and coats.

I bought the help-me-I'm-freezing-jacket before the second winter I spent here. It resembles a black sleeping bag. And when I wear it I am completely warm but I am a black sleeping bag in a sea of black sleeping bags.

I don't want to be a bag, sleeping or otherwise.

So this got me thinking. How about something different--something space-age? Would you ever expect to find it at Land's End? I would not. However, I think I may be going for it. Why not?

The Women's Angel Down Coat is available at http://www.landsend.com/ for $134.50.

Let's get one!!

Feeling nauti(cal).

When I was a younger person, navy blue was my favorite color. I felt it was classy--preppy, yet subdued.

I've gotten away from navy in the past 15 or so years, in that I thought it too precious, too good- girl. (I remember my first micro-fiber Kate Spade bag from her first collection. It was a beautiful, satiny, navy hobo. I got it for a song at the Buffalo before anyone knew who she was.)

But this summer, things changed. (I've been thinking about how getting married has changed my view of my own style and how living in Brooklyn also has had an effect on my fashion ideas.) Bookish, good-girl is not just acceptable, but the trend.

It started with my Salt Water Sandals by Hoy in navy. My mother-in-law, and fellow fashion junkie, A., wore a gorgeous navy satin shift dress to my wedding with navy patent flats. Then I bought a couple of summer dresses--one navy voile and one navy and white--and now my new bag from Tory Burch.

The Nautical Tote is the epitome of summertime. The body is nylon (nice and light for travel and commuting) the handle is rope and it has an adjustable, disconnectable cross-body strap. The trim is croc-embossed patent, navy leather. I'm going to carry it into fall. Just for kicks.

I'd like to say that all of you can purchase this bag, but alas, I got a private sale email with select sale items. If you wish, I can forward the email to you.

You can view her other items at http://www.toryburch.com/ or visit her retail boutiques across the US.

Note: this is not just lip service.

When I get ready to leave the house, no matter how early, no matter what I look like, no matter where I'm going, I need lip gloss. Lip gloss and sunglasses. Lip gloss, sunglasses and bronzer. That's all, nothing else.

Finding the perfect unmade-up color is the challenge. I want something that looks like my lips are just shiny, pink and full, naturally. I don't go for nudes or berries or mauves because they look too opaque.

What I do go for is glossy, pinkish, reddish translucence. MAC makes a fantastic product called Plushglass and the best color by far is Plus Luxe. Ooo la la.

I was introduced to this magical lip product by my cosmetics comrade, A. who gave me a sample size of Pretty Plush. I was hooked.

My dear friend N. said she went through a tube of Fulfilled in under 3 weeks.

While finding the correct consistency (not too gooey) and flavor (all lip products taste like something, this one happens to be vanilla-ish) are of utmost importance this one also plumps a little. Who doesn't want plump?

And when you have 6 empties from MAC, they have the Back to MAC recycling program. At MAC retail stores you can trade 6 empty or used containers of anything and get a free lip gloss, lipstick or eyeshadow. I love that.

MAC Plushglass retails for $17.50 and can be purchased at MAC stores or www.maccosmetics.com.

In Memorium

For today's post I will forgo my usual subject matter to remember my friend Rodney T. Jack.

Rodney was a man I met my first day of graduate school at Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers. He quoted a line of my own poem prior to introducing himself to me.

He was an excellent poet and one of the sadder people I have known in my life.

Though I haven't seen him in years, his death and life have touched me in a way I hadn't expected.

I want to remember him as I do from when we first met: smiling, shy and excited to be a writer.

Here is a poem he wrote:

Stonefruit

To you whom I've hurt
not meaning to

I offer this plum this drupe
no shell but a thin skin purpled

I tender to your mouth the muscle
the sweet sympathetic scar-tissue

surrounding the stone the seed
which wants to be buried

Rodney was 43 years old and died on August 6, 2008.

Not without my Muji (hat.)

I have been labeled a "hat person" by my mother who, by her definition is "not a hat person."

I am not sure what makes someone a "hat person." Perhaps it is just the love of hats.

I do love hats. I've loved them mostly in the winter but also have a couple of lightweight summer hats that I like very much.

But I love my white linen hat from Muji.

It has a floppy bendy brim that is wide but not too dramatic and I've taken to wearing it during lengthy stints outside because my skin doesn't act like it used to. My hat also has the perfect band inside to protect the clean whiteness of it on the outside from any makeup or perspiration that may be on my brow.

My hat is not fancy, but it upgrades a summer dress and sandals in a way that I enjoy. It makes me feel like I'm on my way to lunch or the beach--not to work. If I wear big glasses with it I feel like people are wondering "Who's that mysterious woman," or even "Who's that married woman from Brooklyn who doesn't have to work."

Either one is fine with me.

My hat is available at the Muji store in Soho for $35 or online in beige or black.

Awww, sugar...

Ever want something for a really long time & then on a whim buy it for yourself?

There is a certain feeling that comes over me once the purchase is made. It is that of anticipation (not being able to wait to use/wear whatever it is) and then feeling the need to clean my medicine cabinet/bathroom/closet/apartment to house my newest precious item/items, so that they may live in a clean, pristine environment. Just as I imagine the cosmetics sales girl imagines my home to be. For some reason, I believe this kind of thinking is linked to my therapist asking me what my fantasy of what the inside of her refrigerator looked like.

Perfectionism is a dangerous trap.

But this is why I yearn for expensive beauty products. So that I feel perfect. Perfectly groomed, perfectly manicured and perfectly smooth.

Anything made by Fresh, for some reason, has this luxury feel that is just a little too pricey to buy on the spot. Will I spend $8 on nail polish once a week, 4 weeks in a row. Yes, I will. But with Fresh, I have to covet an item for about, I don't know, a year? Perhaps longer.

Do I need it? No. Do I want it. Of course. Will it make me feel beautiful...this is the real question.

This is where luxury beauty items get you. They are just better. Better smelling, better working, better looking in my bathroom. But really, the thing that made me happiest about my Fresh purchase (and free samples) was M.'s reaction to me. When he came in the door after work on Friday eve, the first thing he said was, "You look pretty."

Fresh makes Sugar Face Polish which has a consistency like whipped up dark brown sugar and butter. But the fragrance is like a freshly popped can of Coca-Cola. Application is to either wet or dry skin and all you do is leave in on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse it off. My skin has never been so soft or fragrant. M. kept sniffing my cheeks and neck the whole weekend, saying I smelled delicious, which, I did.

My Fresh salesperson also gave me plenty of samples, including one of the new Cannabis Rose fragrance which is almost gone.

Fresh Sugar Face Polish is $55 at Sephora and Sephora.com.

I feel like a teenager.

The day before yesterday I bought a bottle of Angel Food nailpolish by Essie. I used three coats and wasn't sure of the results. Too pink? Too chalky? Too...I don't know.

Normally, I am a user of the dark vampy shades: Russian Navy by OPI, Siberian Nights also OPI, Wicked by Essie. Going light takes some getting used to.

The light pinks on short nails have always interested me but aren't me.

So yesterday, I was going about my workday--it was pretty quiet.

I am not usually star struck. I see celebrities a lot at the store where I work.

But, B., is another story. She is in a tween movie out this summer. On a teenage show about the priveleged. She is absolutely impeccable in her toussled, blonde, uppercrust, young way. Her jewelry is exquisite, organic and mixed. Her style is undeniably New York.

I've spoken with her on several occasions. I wouldn't say she was unfriendly, more cool. But yesterday she had the tiniest teacup poodle with her and when someone has a really cute dog (this one was copper colored and tiny) I turn into a squealing child.

So she let me pet her dog, and when I did she said, "I love your nailpolish, what color is it." To which I responded, "Angel Food, by Essie, it's not too chalky?" To which she responded, "No, I love it."

I painted my toes with it today. The look is clean, fresh and spa-like.

What can I say? A compliment from a girl of style goes a long way.

Not just for your wedding day.

On June 25 of this year, M. & I got married in the south of France in a village called Roubia.









Roubia is a tiny village beside Le Canal du Midi with a market, a wonderful restaurant (La Fourchette Folle; where our reception was held) a boulangerie and a clock tower with a bell that chimes all day.

There are many details of the day that I love, such as M.'s boutonnier and my bouquet: both of freshly cut lavender.

I knew the days would be quite hot so I picked a blue and white seersucker suit, a fine gauge chambray shirt and white bucs for M. He chose his yellow bow tie and suspenders from Brooks Brothers. He may not consider himself a man of style but he is definitely a man of taste.

My white silk headband came from France Luxe, and my white cotton lace gloves (an afterthought, really, but made the outfit) came from gloves.com.

My look was parred down and simple. I wore a white cotton trapeze dress by See by Chloe, silver lurex flats with big floppy bows at the toe and pearls in my ears. On my nails I wore "Great Expectations" by Essie, a light dove grey with a hint of shimmer. My wedding rings were the only jewelry I wore besides my pearls.

My makeup was also simple--bronzer, rosy cheeks, subtle pink lips with a nude liner--but on my eyes I wore Pearl Beach Cream Liner by NARS with a black caviar colored gel liner pressed into my lash line. Pearl Beach is the most gorgeous, pearly, luminously opal color, that, when added to my look gave a subtle radiance and reflective quality without making me look made up. The look is summery yet cool.

The details of our outfits are the easiest things for me to share but the feeling I had that day is what I remember most.

I got nervous. Decided to stay in our room mostly by myself getting ready. N. brought me a brioche and coffee in the morning. M. took his things to another room to get ready.

Before our wedding, while we had our photos taken we reveled in our quiet excitement together with our wonderful photographer beside the canal.

Everything we planned came to life the day we were married and reflected our personalities perfectly: careful, tasteful and a bit reserved.

When I look at the photos I am filled with all the joy of that day. And when I put on Pearl Beach in the morning before work I am reminded of all the small details that add up to love.

(after my conversation with J.)

Drink Me.

Drinks come in and out of fashion just like, well...fashion.

The Cosmopolitan is now a cliche thanks to Sex & The City. And the fact that it's a terrible tasting drink.

I'll tell you what's not a cliche and probably the most delicious cocktail I've had since my own homemade Whiskey Sour: the Ramos Gin Fizz (RGF).

(Of course M. and I have put our own spin on it, in that we've added St. Germain liquor.)

The RGF was popularized in the 1880's by Henry C. Ramos of New Orleans.

It is also referred to as the New Orleans Fizz (NOF.)

This cocktail was so popular then, that "shakers" were hired to do just the shaking of the drink for the masses.

Here is the recipe for the RGF:

2 ounces Plymouth gin (from the freezer)

3 drops orange flower water

1 teaspoon super fine sugar

1 egg white

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1/2 ounce lime juice

2 ounces cream

2 ounces soda water (floated on top)

shavings of lemon and lime peel

*We added St. Germain (Elderflower Liquor) in the amount of 1 ounce to the above recipe, plus a coating of the glass. The coated glass should stay in the freezer while the recipe is shaken.

M. sets the timer, fills the shaker with ice and shakes everything together (except for the soda and the shavings) for 5 minutes.

Just an FYI, "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead is exactly 5 minutes long in case you like to shake to music. Perhaps the name for our recipe shall be the Grateful Germain Gin Fizz (GGGF.)

The result is a floral, frothy, tangy, almost herbal white cocktail not comparable to anything I've ever tasted. The taste is complex; not sweet, the texture creamy and fluffy, the temperature; almost frozen. The way the cream fluffs up with the egg white at the top of the drink and holds the flavor of the orange flower water and St. Germain is divine!

You must make one for yourself.

They were an absolute hit at our party which was lots of fun. And the St. Germain--so good in a Champagne cocktail as well.

And the food at our party, ahhh...for another post, my pretties.

Shower with a doctor.

When the summer is at it's hottest here in NYC I take a shower as soon as I walk in the door after work.








Correction: if M. is home I give him a kiss & a hug and then I take a cool shower with Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap. It cools, soothes sore feet and is awesome as a pre-hair washing scalp massage. It's also great for shaving your legs.

Contrary to popular belief, it is non-drying and doesn't burn your eyes.

Dr. Bronner has been in my shower since childhood.

My father would buy it at the Co-Op in Tucson when they used to sell it out of giant drums. It had sort of a hippie connotation then, and perhaps still does.

The bottle is really fun and weird and has all sorts of declarations:"ALL-ONE! Cleanliness is next to Godliness."

I've been reading the bottle for years. It also has recipes of use for the soap itself. Handy.

One thing to keep in mind: in the winter it can make you colder. I put M. in a bath with it and he nearly froze. During that time of year I would recommend the Almond fragrance or the Eucalyptus (M. uses the Eucalyptus at the gym.) The Lavender is also very nice and subtle.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Hemp Peppermint can be found for a song at iHerb.com, $8.44 for 32 ounces.

I am serious...and don't call me Shirley!

This pair of shoes is on sale half price for $168 at shopzoeonline.com.

This shoe's name is Shirley.

They are made by a Brooklyn shoe company called Devotte.



I want them.
I want them.
I want them.

They are so cute. I saw them at a store in my nabe called Stuart & Wright for $338.

I want them.

Size 9 aka 39.

Singing the praises of Seche Vite.

These days, on my toes I'm wearing "I'm Not Really A Waitress" by OPI. This is the most brilliant ruby slippers red I've found. My pedicures last forever. I do them myself with the help of Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat that I heard about from one of my customers when I worked at the Buffalo Exchange in Tucson. She always had the most perfect translucent, pale pink, shiny, short nails.

Seche Vite Top Coat bonds to polish and makes it even shinier. I can paint my nails and leave the apartment within 7-10 minutes. If you use it every other day over your existing manicure and pedicure it makes your nails look like you just got them done.

You can find Seche Vite at ulta.com for $9.95 or at an Ulta store near you.