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. 

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. 

   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. 

Vanessa Nocei is a Los Angeles based makeup artist who owns Doll Face Makeup.  Her portfolio is incredible.  She’s definitely one of the best in the business.  She does everything from head-shots, fashion/editorial, retro, fantasy, ad campaigns and fashion shows.  Her work is simply beautiful.  Visit Vanessa’s website, www.DollFaceMakeup.net to see her entire portfoli0.  Make sure to check out her self portraits.  Gorgeous!

    Oh how I love Christopher Lowell, interior designer extraordinaire!   Christopher has been working his magic for years across Hollywood and beyond.  His design is just magic.  His design made me fall in love with neo-classical style.  From tricked out sleigh beds to gorgeous crown molding, he teaches you how to work your own room and make it gorgeous.   He proclaims, “no white walls”, and teaches us how to use color to warm a room, to make a room larger, and to make your house feel like a home.  I’m so excited to learn of Christopher’s new show on Fine Living Network, (a station that’s on my TV regularly.)   His new show, Work That Room, will show room makeovers and how to achieve them.  He’s the answer to interior design junkies everywhere.   His fun, infectious spirit will inspire you and make creativity flow from your thoughts to your hands.  You’ll absolutely adore Christopher Lowell.  Make sure to catch his new show, Work That Room, on Fine Living Network.   

Six.  I have six subscriptions to different magazines.  I also borrow at least 25 others per month from the library.  I’m really into periodicals because I love the constant surge of information.  I’m the kind who likes to know at least a little bit about everything that comes my way.  Beyond that, magazine advertising keeps you current on what’s hot.   Here are a few of my favorites. 

   Prevention magazine.  It was years ago I found an article in this magazine about Jorge Cruise’s exercise program.  It kick started my fitness into high gear, and I’ve never been the same.  In theory, this magazine is responsible for the size of my jeans today.  Thank you!!!   Great articles on health, fitness, diet, and overall well-being. 

   Shape magazine.  Whether you workout or not, Shape magazine will get your mind going in the right direction.  Excellent health and fitness articles, trend-tracking, girly-slant.  Great stuff. 

   Self magazine.  I really love the random facts throughout this magazine.  Every issue has a section of “did you know” type of facts.  Very interesting.  Very motivating.  Much like Shape, but different features.  Both are equally great, in my opinion. 

   Domino magazine.  This magazine is sensory overload, a design-lovers dream.  Fantastic design ideas from interior to jewelry to clothing to beauty.  Retro-cool.  Excellent articles.  Girly-girl stamp of approval.

   Real Simple magazine.  Real Simple is about making life easier.  It’s like Martha, simplified.  Ways to make your life easier and more beautiful.  Fun how-to sections, great party ideas, current ads. 

Under The Tuscan Sun, starring Diane Lane, remains to be one of my top three favorite movies of all time….for lots of reasons, but one of the things I love most is the beauty of Tuscany, with it’s picturesque rambling hills, fields of grape vines, and sun-washed villas.

Diane looks stunning in this movie.  Her hair color for this movie was reminiscent of Tuscany, colors of terracotta, yellow and gold, of which they emphasized with her wardrobe for the set in shades of oranges, reds, and creams, which looked amazing on her already beautiful complexion.  This sun-washed look works well with many skin tones, sizzling up mousy-brown hair and giving blonds depth and dimension to their monotone color.  

 Get The Look:  If you love Diane’s look in Under The Tuscan Sun, try hair coloring in shades of golden and amber.  In clothing, stick with colors you see in Tuscany…terracotta, orange, red, amber, browns, creams, yellows, (think fall colors.)  When choosing red in either clothing or lipstick, make sure your color is orange-red, not blue-red.  Don’t know the difference?  Hold several shades of red up to the light.  Reds will have undertones of either orange or blue and you’ll notice it immediately once you know to look for it. 

Try to go Tuscan, even if only for the Fall.  It’s the perfect season to purchase clothing and cosmetics in the colors of Tuscany. 

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!