Supernatural Botanicals

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have a beautiful new coffee table book out called Influence.   It’s a collection of photos, quotes, and insight from of all the people who have influenced them in the fashion industry. 

Here’s what Ashley says about the book:  “The book is comprised of conversations my sister and I have had with artists, designers, photographers, writers, and personalities who come from different backgrounds, industries, age groups, and points of view. … It’s my hope each one will remain a constantly evolving conversation that will continue to influence every project that I do – and perhaps by reading, you will be similarly affected by these interviews too.”

I think this is an excellent idea for a coffee table book.  You know why?  Because it’s my idea!   I had the idea for this book some years ago.  Evidently, they did too.  I also had the idea for front loading, entire bottle of detergent holding, washing machines.  I really need to do more about bringing my ideas to fruition.  Turns out, they are good ideas!  ha!

This is a beautiful book with gorgeous photos.  It’s a perfect holiday gift for those fashionistas on your list. 

   Burlesque artist, Dita Von Teese has been wow-ing us with her amazing style and grace for years now.   Her two year marriage to shock rocker, Marilyn Manson, left us all saying….what the….???   But there’s very little about Dita that makes us question her judgement.   This girl is the epitome of old-school class.  I have never seen her present herself less than perfect; the hair, the clothes, the body, and signature red lips, she just looks amazing.  I’m a signature-red-lip girl myself and have been for about 20 years now.  Dita is old school glamour and she’s doing it perfectly.  Completely gorgeous!  Notice the picture below…she’s a natural blond.  Who knew?

Dita is, without a doubt, a style icon of our time (but of another time.)  Love Dita’s style?  Shop here http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/ for some gorgeous, Dita-esque style clothing. 

According to Wikipedia, a metrosexual is a neologism generally applied to heterosexual men with a strong concern for their appearance, or whose lifestyles display attributes stereotypically seen among gay men. Metrosexualism is closely related to Dandyism.  Debate surrounds the term’s use as a theoretical signifier of gender deconstruction and its associations with consumerism. The word was coined as a tongue-in-cheek play on “homosexual”.

The Power Metrosexual:

Where does one draw the line between a man that pays attention to detail, and a full-blown metrosexual?  For instance, take Gordon Gekko, the character played by Michael Douglas in the 1987 film Wall Street.  Gordon’s persona didn’t strike me as particularly metrosexual in the very least, after all, he was tough, smart, and clearly the ladies man.  But you’d be blind to ignore his obvious attention to detail, i.e., impeccable taste, tailored suits, gorgeous cuff links, crisp starched shirts, and perfectly slicked back hair.   Personally, I think Gordon Gekko had serious style, serious attitude, serious power, and serious appeal.  Of course, he was an ego-maniac and a monster at the end of the day, but Michael Douglas’ ultra-appeal made you want to buy every bit of what this bad boy was selling.  Gordon Gekko is truly the “ideal” metrosexual of his day.   In fact, to this day.  Realistically or even fictionally speaking, there’s never been another like Gordon Gekko.

The Rapper Metrosexual:

But let’s delve further, shall we?  Kanye West is best known for creating great tunes, having an attitude, making Mike Myers extremely uncomfortable during the Katrina telethon, and being a metrosexual.  He’s rather good at all of those things.  The picture below portrays a stylish Kanye…..love the sweater which appears to be cashmere, love the tailored fit, love the khakis with the belt, and the shoes can even stay.  Here’s where being a metrosexual tests the limits of masculinity….a man purse?  Not the man purse!  It’s just one step over the line.  Men aren’t supposed to be carrying purses as much as women aren’t supposed to be wearing wallets in their back pockets, in theory, anyway.   I know that sounds completely stereotypical, but some things in life ARE black and white.  And what I know for sure, is that men shouldn’t be carrying handbags.  Period.  It’s far too feminine a move if you are a man.  Love the look, Kanye….but let your lady carry the bag, please.   Otherwise, it’s completely gorgeous.

The Rocker Metrosexual:

Rockers have always been able to cross over into the land of androgyny without receiving too much grief over it.  David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Marilyn Manson, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Axel Rose, and Steven Tyler are some examples of men with particularly feminine qualities.  What’s more disturbing is the trend we are seeing today with our rockers.  When you think rockstar, the last thing you think of is flat irons and guyliner.  Sadly, this is the look of our modern day rocker.   From Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora to Pete Wentz and Keith Urban.  In my opinion, once your man has crossed over into flat ironing his hair or even worse, strung out on guyliner, it’s time for a testosterone intervention, ladies.  While all four aforementioned rockers possess tremendous amounts of good looks, the Jennifer-Aniston-Shag and guyliner are just too big a pill to swallow.

The Pretty-Boy Metrosexual:

Ah, the pretty-boy metrosexual, perhaps one of my favorites.  Not that I’m condoning pretty-boys, or even metrosexuals necessarily, but I find this group to have the perfect balance of personal grooming and masculinity.  (okay, so maybe I do condone pretty-boys!)  They never look unkempt, even if they are unkempt.  Always in perfect taste, always classy, always on the money!   Andy Garcia is perfection, as was the eternally beautiful JFK, Jr.  Jude Law is today’s metro meets sexual.  He has an urban coolness and attention for details, yet stays completely masculine.   And for obvious reasons, we see why Halle Berry loves Gabrielle Aubry, who is also as close to perfection as I think is legally allowed.

Men need to find the balance of attention to details and masculinity.  (Translation….ladies, show your men that certain things, like pedicures and man purses, are for the ladies only.)

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, better known as the late Mrs. JFK, Jr., is immortalized, at least in my mind, as a supreme style icon.  I’ve always adored her gorgeous style and mysterious allure.  I’d love to see what Carolyn would be doing today.  I miss Carolyn.  I miss JFK, Jr., too.  I loved the fact that they were Kennedy’s, but were grounded somehow. They never took themselves too seriously.  They always seemed overtly approachable.  I liked the fact they lived in TriBeCa.  I liked the fact that John-John would ride his bike to work.  I liked that they would play football in Central Park. 

 I love this….     

John had incredible style in his own right.  Carolyn’s style was clean, minimalistic, polished, and tailored.  Her style was monotone, mainly consisting of black, tan, and white pieces, which stands the test of time over the years….classics! 

Your look can be on the money every time, but it requires thought and planning. 

Purchasing smart clothing choices, applying the minimalistic combined with the monotone, you are purchasing pieces that are, and will forever be, classics.  Carolyn’s style stands the test of time, without a doubt.   I have pages and pages of Carolyn’s style in my fashion files that I constantly refer to.  I’ve often given pieces I’m considering purchasing the “Carolyn Test.”  Is this piece something that Carolyn would wear?  You’d be surprised how easy it is to construct a beautiful wardrobe when you are putting thought behind the purchase…when you have a plan.   Don’t buy on impulse.  Know what will be an acceptable purchase for your wardrobe plan.  Think before you buy.   

Being a New Yorker, as Carolyn was, she had a bit of an urban edge.  But she continued to stay true to classic, tailored looks.  Whether she was wearing a long camel  coat with dark boot cut jeans and high heeled boots, or a stunning little black dress, she did it all with such grace and style.  To this day, I continue to refer to my fashion files and to my favorite style icon, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.  Her style and grace is truly missed.

Get the Look:  Stay monotone, consisting of black, white, and tan.   Purchase good basic pieces such as a black turtleneck sweaters, black fitted jackets, tailored black dresses, tan-colored body-slimming skirts that hit just below the knee to give a long and lean look, crisp white shirts, boot-cut jeans that have appropriate length to wear a heel or boot with, sexy heels in black or tan, boots in black or tan, winter coats in black or tan (you can use scarves and hats for a punch of color.) 

You can develop your own personal style if you have a plan.  Give yourself guidlines, a game plan, so to speak.  Be cognizant of your purchases and be true to form.  Be a style icon! 

When I think of the perfect smokey eye, I think Kim Kardashian.  This girl can work the smokey.  Admittedly, the smokey eye is difficult to achieve if you don’t know what you are doing with eye makeup brushes.  Fortunately, the gorgeous Kim Kardashian did a short video on her blog with the insanely talented Stephen Moleski who teaches us how to get the smokey eye.

You can learn application techniques from Stephen, but you’ll have to practice to perfect the technique.  Like everything, the only way to get better at something is to do it, and do it, and do it. 

 So….do it!   It’s a great look for a night on the town.  Vamp it up a little!  Try different colors, try different skin care lines. 

Check out Stephen and Kim here.     http://www.kimkardashian.com/2008/08/make-your-eyes-smokin.php