Supernatural Botanicals

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

A beautiful tribute to my ultmate style icon, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.  …..thanks for sending this, Grace.

Steal This Look

Miss Drew Barrymore has been looking incredible at the premieres of her newest flick, Grey Gardens.   This whole Valley of the Dolls, Barbarella meets Brigitte Bardot look is inspiring me.  I love it!  The hair pays homage to the 70s, but in a new millennium, sexy way.  Her dresses have been so perfect, showing her sculpted arms and newly slimmed down body.  Fierce!  Steal this look…which will require lots of long hair, and lots of backcombing. 

Gladiator Shoes

Gladiator shoes…..let’s discuss.  Everywhere you look, you see gladiator-inspired shoes.  Why?  Why would you take a part of your body that you want to be small and dainty, and decorate it with buckles and brass half way up your calf?  Why would you want to elongate your foot to make it look longer?  Before you jump on the gladiator trend bus, keep in mind that this is (A) just a fad and (B) makes your foot look equivalent to Shaq’s!  Who wants that?  Check out some serious offenders below.  This style shoe is heavy and chunky, making a beautiful dress look off balance.  It’s just a highly unattractive look and I hope it goes away soon.  Avoid straps and attention to the center of the top of your foot.  When you have too much going on there, it makes your foot seem enormous.  Unless, enormous feet are what you’re striving for. 

Will The Real Kim Kardashian Please Stand Up

We’ve all been there.  We’ve all looked at the magazines Kim Kardashian is in and wondered….how does that body go together?  How can she have a more than ample backside, yet her thighs are small?  How can she look so curvy, yet so skinny?  It’s something that makes you want to throw the magazine against the wall and jump on the treadmill for another hour. 

There’s absolutely no denying that this girl oozes good looks.  She’s beautiful!  Beautiful enough to make you jealous.  And the reality is, even though she is beautiful, she doesn’t have skinny thighs and a flat belly like we see in magazines.  Thank goodness for photo-shopping!  It’s out there just to make us feel horrible about ourselves. 

I understand it.  Beauty sells!  Even though we say we do, we really don’t want to see cellulite and flabby bellies on magazine covers. 

But I do love that this picture has slipped out.  That is reality.  When we wondered how her thighs seem so tiny compared to her backside…now we know.  She doesn’t have tiny thighs.  That’s the magic of photo-shopping.  When we wondered how her belly seems so flat compared to the rest of her…now we know.   They have photo-shopped about half of her belly out of the picture.  They have given her a lift in the chest region, and also made her skin lighter. 

Photo-shopped or not, Miss Kardashian is a stunning beauty.  I adore her fashion style.  And secretly, I’m glad Miss Kardashian isn’t the freak of nature that magazines make her out to be.  If anything, I’m all about promoting self-confidence and a healthy lifestyle.  So take a long look at this before and after, and remember that the next time you are looking in magazines and feeling bad about your appearance. 

Girlfriendology

   My friend Debba is a girl about town.  She’s in the know of everything, from networking, social media, blogging, pod casting, fashion, business, all things Cincinnati, and of course, the founder/creator of Girlfriendology and Cincinnati Women Bloggers.   Girlfriendology is a great website that celebrates friendships of girlfriends.  Debba just went to LA and hung out with Brooke Burke, selected by Frito Lay to help launch A Woman’s World.  Check out her home page for pictures and details.  You’ll love Girlfriendology.  There’s something for everyone there.  

Levi’s, Still Classics

Levi’s…they’re still the sexiest, most classic jean around for guys and girls.  And now, Levi’s has gone Green!  Levi’s new Eco line of jeans are made with 100% organic and recycled cotton, grown without synthetic chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  Lots of great styles to choose from for you or your man, with that classic Levi’s fit.  Always perfect.  I’ve never had a pair of Levi’s I didn’t like.  I’ve even belted on some of the Irishman’s 28 inch, super-broke-in jeans back in the day when boyfriend jeans were all the rage.   (okay, well I said it was back in the day, as in early to mid 90s.)  Let me tell you, when you start exploring on his side of the closet, it opens up far more wardrobe possibilities. 

Levi Strauss is another great company that recognizes our impact to our fragile eco-system.  Way to be Green, Levi’s.  Love that eco line!

Holiday Cocktail Parties

What could be better than a holiday cocktail party?  How about looking drop-dead-gorgeous at a holiday cocktail party?  Holiday cocktail party season is upon us.  If you like to shop online, it’s time to start shopping, ladies.  Order now to ease the pain of hitting the mall this time of year.  Don’t forget those accessories, like fabulous earrings and necklaces and, of course, a great pair of heels.   If you’re looking for bling without the sting, try www.emitations.com for great, inexpensive jewelry pieces.   

I mean, seriously, could I be any more in my element here?  Love, love, love this time of year!

Hey Now! That’s My idea!

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. 

Downy partners wtih MyShape

P&G’s Downy brand has launched a new website in conjunction with online retailer, MyShape.  The new site is part of an online campaign to support the launch of the new Downy TotalCare fabric enhancer. 

MyShape.com positions itself as a personalize shopping experience for women.  Simply answer a few questions about your body type and features, and you are directed to a personal shop with fashions from more than 150 designers that reflect your personal style and fit.  They also offer customers free shipping and free returns. 

Go to www.DownyDesignTags.com to hook yourself up with your own personal stylist. 

Peter Perfect On Style Network

   I love this man!  His name is Peter Ishkhans and he has a new show on the Style Network, Peter Perfect,  at 9:00 p.m. Saturdays.   The gist of the show is that he takes a failing business and gives not only the business a makeover, but also the business owners.  In almost every episode, the business owner fights him all the way to the end….and then they are floored with Peter’s genius. 

Peter knows design, he knows retail, he knows branding a company.  He has his own amazing hair salon in Beverly Hills with a client roster that includes Eva Mendes, Eva Longoria, Alyssa Milano, and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, to name a few.  His own personal style is flamboyant and over the top, but the style he brings to these failing businesses are pure genius.  He’s part stylist, part business CEO, and part therapist.  He weaves even the toughest customer into his web. 

Make sure to add Peter Perfect to your Tivo lineup.   He’s my newest addiction!   You can read about him here and link to the message boards.  http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/peterperfect/index.jsp   You’ll love his amazing transformations.