Music Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j8IVKXGJ38

Get Your Mustache On!!

Above the Bowlmoor at 110 University Place, between 12th and 13th Streets, is a club called Pressure. This 16,000 sq foot multimedia lounge, located in what once was the Health Racquet Club, contains several party areas, including a billiard rooms, semi-private lounges outfitted with plasma screens and recessed seating pods and a large Screening Room with a 21-foot movie screen. There's a bamboo dance floor and a Living Room Lounge that offers sofa sitting and three 16-foot movie screens as well as access to the 22-foot long, porcelain canopied bar. They also have live entertainment that entices both the trendy bowling crowd from downstairs as well as other "hip" social New Yorkers.

On Thursday, April 2nd, DELLA VALLE , Jay Della Valle and his band, will be performing there to kick off their STACHE BASH 2009 TOUR. Doors open at 8pm, but the band will be going on at about 10:30 PM. If you like good old Rock & Roll and a good time head on over, of course check out the band's Music at their site http://www.dellavallemusic.com/

I think they ROCK!

Favorite War Movie Soundtracks

not necessarily in preferred order...

The Luxury of Mental Musings Tuesday

I once loved a man that used the net to play head games with women. As things were unwinding for us I found out that he collected them like I collect shoes. Finding this out negated anything he may have told me he felt for me or for us. His profile grew to over 89 provocatively posed and posting women vying for the affection and attention the man promised. Of course he didn't conquer all those women, but there were those who believed he was "special" because he made them believe they were "special. He was not up front about what he wanted with anyone. In the end the women that naively believed that they were the only ones he professed such things to were hurt. I don't understand why anyone who has 100s of opposite sex friends mentally masturbating them with provocative posts and promises would think that a man who reflects the same behavior would be sincere, but this post isn't about judging what went down between two adults but about considering what might have happened if the man had been responsible for his behavior.

You may be wondering how, if I was not part of his profile, that I found out about this behavior. Simple, he invited me to be part of it by "mistakenly" sending me invites to his various profiles. Though I declined, in not so nice of a way, I still naively believed we could be friends. The funny thing is that each time I thought I could have a sincere friendship with him the universe delivered more truths, without request I might add, that reminded me of his behavior and of the things I couldn't/wouldn't tolerate, dishonesty and indirectness and his behavior (which was my judgement and isn't what this post is about). The profiles I had discovered weren't private and were accessible to me and to other friends who knew of him and did not hesitate to make me aware of his activities in attempt to get me to stop being so trusting or stupid, depending on what angle you were looking at it from. I recalled who he use to be with me, not who he had become and believed that if I stood my ground he could relate to me respectfully and honestyly, but the more involved he became with his net women the more he treated me as if I were one of them, there to fulfill his fantasy of what women were rather than dealing with me as the individual he had gotten to know. I found myself constantly setting perimeters and trying to direct the conversations from a sexual nature. Maintaining the friendship was exhausting for both of us because we each wanted different things. More importantly I didn't trust him and he did nothing to regain my trust or friendship. Why should he? He had 89 other women to play with. Each time I chatted with him and listened to his "lies" I found myself clicking onto his profiles and was never disappointed to find evidence of his continued behavior. He "admitted" to me that they were "mental ticklers", nothing more and that he had only met one person. I found out later that this was the same line he used with other women who found him out as well.

After some time and much thought about honorable behavior I contacted this man and suggested to him that he set his perimeters from the beginning. I knew he wouldn't change, but being true to his self might save some of the women he hurt. I suggested that he tell each woman that what he wanted was to be mentally masturbated and that their connection would not go beyond a text box or heated phone call. I suggested that he be up front about his love of women and the fact that they would not be the only one he was wooing, reminding them that they too had a bevy of friends to play with. I know it sounds bitchy of me and perhaps a part of me was being a little bitchy. My ego wanted him to know I knew who and what he had become or has always been, I can't tell anymore. Because I knew parts of him to be direct, funny, intelligent and passionate about his work and his life there was a part of me that wondered if he could find honor in his behavior by owning it. I never heard back from him in regards to my suggestions but I suspect that being so honest would never meet his own needs, to win, conquer and prove his intellectual superiority to the women who so naively trust in him.

See I am a firm believer that there is honor in all behavior if one is willing to admit and take responsibility for their behavior by being honest about it. I believe owning your behavior makes you, good or bad, more honorable. I know that this statement can seem like justification for someone's bad behavior but in truth our bad behavior only reflects on us anyway and affects people when they have other expectations of us. The only person we can control is our self. Being honest about our intentions and behavior is that control. If we are direct about our intent others will know exactly who we are and what to expect from us and act accordingly. In turn it gives others the freedom to chose to deal with us or not. Should they accept our behavior knowing what that behavior entails then shame on them when they get hurt because they expected us to be or give more than what we have stated we will give or be. I guess the key is for each of us to take the other person's advice as truth, accept it and understand we can not change them. Only they can choose to change but knowing who they are allows us to accept or reject them accordingly. In the same instance being direct and honest in our intent also allows us the freedom to who we want to be and trust that people are accepting us as we really are. It may also give us the freedom to change our behavior when we realize that it isn't rewarding us with the things/people we desire and is also hurting those we have let into our lives. Of course this would require us to see past our own selfish needs, which is another whole Tuesday Mental Musing's post.

I know this concept is an ideal, one that may or may not be achievable considering the complexity of human nature and behavior, but it is in trying to make the dream reality that make life worth living.

Music & Video Post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txz9ncZJMA4&feature=related

Now and A Zen

I meditate daily. In the past I sometimes set aside an hour a day to do so, but like most as other activities take center stage in my life the time slips away and I am lucky if I can sit for 15 minutes a day in silence. I find the easiest way to meditate is to sit in silence and be aware of my breathing. Yoga practice aside, I make the effort just to breathe. Inhaling, holding and exhaling to certain count patterns has always worked for me. Sometimes I get adventurous and visualize color, concentrate on an affirmation or the sound of a vowel.

Recently I ran across Eric Maisel's Ten Zen Seconds and found reading renewed my faith in taking time each day to center. The book is a very simple Western approach to the idea finding calm immediately. I don't believe working with this book will make me understand the concept of Zen, but at least it will help me find the peace Zen promises for a time and for me that's worth the effort.

Music Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfb45Wqp1Q0

Before April 5th...

Get your self to the Brooklyn Museum to see the current exhibition
Burning Down the House: Building a Feminist Art Collection

The show consists of nearly fifty works of art by self-declared feminists and artists of later generations working within the historic framework of feminist art. Sooooo worth the trip...

Hurry, it closes on April 5th!

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/

Music Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaRGgeQ1lP4&feature=related

What A Pretty, Pretty Man

A childhood hero

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-PqasYEswc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

EARTH HOUR TODAY!

Today at 8:30PM join in the Earth Hour!

Millions of individual, businesses, governments and civic organizations around the globe will turn off their lights for for one hour today starting at 8:30 local time. This event, which started in Sidney, Australia, hopes to have over 1 billion people join together in a global effort to show that its possible to take action on global warming

info at http://www.earthhour.org/

Music Video Break ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgGMbp1rrfA

Heavy Metal

At the end of last summer I purchased some gold metallic accessories knowing that come every summer we're told to compliment our tans with gold and silver sandals, bags and jewelry. Paired with white it's a classic that we keep being reminded of each spring. Just when I thought I was ready to welcome the heat I opened this month's Vogue to find that the new metallics for Summer 09 are colored metallics.

Luckily I have some fuschia and cobalt blue metallic sandals and bags I purchased 4 summers ago that will work!

From Thursday, March 26th, through Saturday, March 28th Vogue Patterns are on sale via direct purchase from their website for $5.99 each.

I Stand Corrected..

Looks like someone at CoverGirl read my blog and changed their packaging to my favorite fuschia color!

I kid! I kid!

But I am liking the new packaging...still working on passing that block

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAiCYM5G8GQ

refer to earlier post!

I'm In Love

With this Spring/Summer's Liz Claiborne New York line.

The classically shaped clothes come in wonderful colors and patterns and sell at affordable prices, even before they go on sale!

http://www.lizclaiborne.com/

Music Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuxl0i7MYUk

An Oldie But A Goodie

Like most women I struggle with my weight and changing body. I have already mentioned I walk daily and do yoga every other day. I also enjoy working out with weights but struggle with the idea of investing $100s in a gym membership that might not be utilized enough because of my other activities and current goals to justify the cost.

About a month ago I ran across a copy of Workouts for Women: Circuit Shaping by Joni Hyde. This 2005 edition is an amazing resource book for those of us that want to train without stepping foot in a gym. The book contains 10 circuit routines that can be done with hand and leg weights, a chair and work out matte.

I purchased a used copy from Amazon.com for 1 cents!

Music Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBHO1wz_cjY

Sigh..now this is a video break...

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/20/fashion/20090322-street-feature/index.html

Luxury Time

This past weekend I spent some alone time with my mother. A luxury that a few years ago I would have considered pentenance. Like most daughters I have had issue with my mother. At times I still do, but in recent years I have come to understand that having a sincere relationship with the woman who gave birth to and raised me isn't something that I should take for granted and/or consider an option to be ignored because there will come a time when it will no longer be an option but a missed opportunity. We made a mutual decision to share quality time with each other at least once every 4-6 weekends.

Saturday night before we went to sleep my mother told me that she is grateful that she and I have gotten to the point in my our relationship where we have honest, truthful conversations she never dared have with her mother. I admitted that I am often surprised by the topics we recently can and do discuss. Our relationship isn't without issue. It is constant work that we both feel is worth the investment of time and effort. More importantly it is work we both are willing to do. Our relationship has allowed me to see her not as my mother, but a woman who lives her life the best way she can and made decisions based on keeping safe and secure her children and her self while still trying to honor the woman she is. This is a balancing act every woman goes through and being able to discuss our journeys while still setting and maintaining parental/child perimeters isn't something either of us takes for granted. Each time we share time together the bond of mutual respect and support deepens and I am grateful for that luxury.

I am a firm believer that very girl's hero should be her mom and every mother should be her daughters cheerleader. Spending time getting to know my hero helps me maintain this belief. This is a luxury I don't take for granted.

The Powder & The Glory!

Today, March 23rd, the 90 minute PBS documentary The Powder & The Glory which explores the rivalry between contemporaries Elizabeth Arden & Helena Rubinstein premieres.

Check your local listings for the dates and time.

Worth a sit!

Music Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP85mGkIToM

Totally into Sam Phillips CD too!

One Foot In Front Of The Other

Recently I have overwhelmed these pages with things to try and buy and places to go and see but I  have neglected to share free simple luxuries that don't require spending money, so today's post is about a luxury that won't got you a dime. Today's post is about the luxury of simply putting one foot in front of the other and giving yourself 15-20 minutes a day to walk, simply walk. 

I am a big walker. I try to walk 10,000 steps a day, about 5 miles a day, for at least 5 days of the week. I don't see it as exercise, even though I count it as such. Rather I see my strolls as a form of meditation. I didn't just start walking 5 miles a day either, but gradually worked my way up to it because taking the time to do so was more of a luxury than going to the gym and running for 20 minutes on a treadmill. I don't do all 5 miles at once. Instead I break the steps down into 3 sessions, one in the morning before I get on the train to come into the city, one at lunch which gives me a break from the computer screen and one after work which allows me to wind down. Sorting it this way allows me to set the pace and tone of each walk and rather than resenting the goal I find my self enjoying each session. 

So today take your self for a luxurious walk. Give yourself the time to hear your own thoughts, practice another language, see things in  your neighborhood or a neighborhood of interest you have never seen before, say hello to people you see everyday, pray, dream, visual, breathe.

Possibly A Non-Frivilous Post for My Friend Lars

In a world that is so materialistic it is hard not to be but our attempts to keep up with the norms of our times is, on many levels, killing us or rather distracting us from living. We are so busy trying to save this and that, live green and lean and still have the comforts we’re told to have that we often lose sight of what we truly need, what we truly have and more importantly what we truly want. We are bombarded with images and expectations that tell us who and what we should be to others as well as ourselves. We are told that our quest for fulfillment rests not within ourselves but without. We are constantly looking without instead of within because of this subliminal directive most of us aren’t willing to admit exists or rather admit we are we affected by it. We disregard clothing, products, furnishings, foods, directions, people and relationships as we reach for the next best thing that will finally make us “happy”. It’s easier to move on and acquire new things rather than invest and work with what is here in front of us. It’s easier to maintain a fantasy of what we desire rather than invest and use what we have. We believe that we need to own, have, behave, expect, give, get, experience things and people that are beyond the scope of the world we live in and miss the opportunities that are right in front of us now, here, today. So distracted by the possibilities and the “what ifs” we end up disappointing others and disappointing ourselves by disrespecting the simple sincerity of life and by making it so complex that we lose sight of core of what we want. So distracted we lose sight of the simple answers and our ability to learn and invest becomes scattered and almost non-existent.

And there are those of us that attempt to find balance and fulfillment by “studying” exotic cultures and belief systems foreign to our own understanding and true ability to accept and live within the boundaries set by those schools of thought and belief systems because they evolved and existed in cultures different from our own. We regurgitate those “teachings” either bastardizing them because of who and what we are or constantly “sharing” them with hopes of salvaging others and perhaps on some level validating those teachings new to us. In the end, regardless of what we tell others and ourselves, we still want to own those things and by publically elevating the exercise, music, art and dance connected to those teachings we push them beyond their purpose of wellness and personal and social expression in hopes of finding the spiritual answer that will make us whole. By doing so we lose sight of the present. We reach beyond a life we aren’t living to the promise of “better days”. This is not to say that fulfillment can’t be found in these pursuits or that these expressions aren’t spiritual but isn’t it funny how trends begin and end up costing us more because of their exoticism?

This observation isn't new. Just another person's observation of constant human behavior. We are products of our times as well as wheels that affect change. If we are living our lives out loud we can’t help but be. I am as guilty as the next person for trying to fit into her "world". I am always trying to balance and not get sucked in or distracted by the "what ifs" or the "maybes" so that I don't lose sight of where I am or what it is I have always wanted with the belief that I know my purpose. I think that this is the norm for all of us and believe that all I can do is continue to try to remain balanced between it all, which is hard when there are so many things whispering and enticing me to lose focus and direction. I guess the key is to balance is to constantly check in and confirm that our reality is based on where and who we are beyond the computer, beyond the clothing and accessories, beyond the classes and hobbies, knowing that all those things make up who we are as well…
Does that make sense?

Music Break

Changing the title to music posts because they oftn are more for your ears than your eyes...feeling a little PJ Harvey this morning..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF-JbVikO4Y

Baroque in Brooklyn

On Sunday, March 22nd, at 2PM, the BHS will host a chamber music concert

BaroQue Across the River Chamber Music Concert

Concert tickets: $25 for BHS members, $30 non-members. Seating is limited.

Please call 718-222-4111 x250 to reserve space.

Tickets include wine and cheese tasting.
The Brooklyn Historical Society is located at

128 Pierrepont Street, at the corner of Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Subway: 2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall, R to Court Street, A, C, F to Jay Street.

Hours: Wed. - Fri. & Sun., 12 - 5 pm. Sat. 10 am - 5 pm

*Picked Up From BHS Newletter

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi_QkBQiDWw&feature=related

Book Launching

On Tuesday, March 24th , from 6:30- 8:30 PM

The Sundaram Tagore Gallory at 547 West 27th Street

will be hosting a cocktail parting in celebration of the launching of

The Triumph of Modernism

Indian Artists and the Avant-garde 1922-1927

by Partha Mitta

There will be an author's lecture and book signing
RSVP - gallery@sundaramtagore.com

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDckI2P_DPA

A Needle, Thread & Lots of Time!

Currently showing at the Bard Graduate Center Gallery, located at 18 West 86th Street, is the English Embroidery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580-1700:'Twixt Art and Nature.

Have a look at the New York Time's interactive slide show for just a peak at the amazing pieces on display.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/19/arts/20090319-trove-pano.html

The exhibition runs until April 12th.

The Bard Graduate Center Gallery is located at 18 West 86th Street and is open to the public six days a week , Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Drinking In Style

As much as I adore Chanel I also adore Elsa Schiaparelli . Her creativity astounds me and her signature color, Fuschia pink, is one of my favorites. So I found myself extremely intrigued when invited to go to the Elsa Bar at 217 East 3rd Street. Of course I mixed it up with Ella Bar at 9 Avenue A, which has a 1920's piano bar feel, and went there first.

The Elsa Bar is where the old dive Hanger use to be and the transformation is amazing. Named after Elsa Schiaparelli, this cocktail bar is suppose to be retro and even offers up a drink named after its patron. The Elsa is a mix of applejack, gruet, Blanc de ment, lemon and orange bitters served in a Champagne glass. A brown sugar cube is dropped in when served for that extra fizz. The prices are geared towards the new "not so new anymore" East Villager as is the music played.

To be honest I wanted to make my way back to the Ella Bar...

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0y2dDlFmLg

(If you don't already us it, try pandora.com. You can create radio stations by genre or artist that will play a continuous stream of music that is in line with those selections. Today's post is the result of a James Brown listening station)

You May Already Know This

But today, Wednesday, March 19th,  the Matt Tyrnauer documentary 

VALENTINO The Last Emperor 

opens at the Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street.

Box Office 212 727 8110

This Morning's Video Break

Put on your sex socky and dance around the apartment with that sexy someone....lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0CUUxi01Q0

Forget the Corned Beef and Cabbage Left Overs...

Ok..so yesterday was St. Patricks Day, but one of the most recent exports from Ireland. Lily O'Brien's Chocolate Cafe, is still worth considering today. The cafe, which recently opened in Bryant Park sells chocolats made in County Kildare, Ireland.

Using all sorts of chocolates imported from around the world Ms O'Brien's bonbons are so worth the trip to 36 West 40th Street, (212) 575-0631, even if it's only to buy her confections by the piece, which are sold for 60 cents to $1.25 each.

BHS - Lecture Tomorrow Evening

Domestic Violence, Citizenship and Equality –

A Lecture with Professor Elizabeth M. Schneider

Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00pm

Co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association In celebration of Women's History month BHS and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) present a lecture with Professor Elizabeth M. Schneider. Professor Schneider is a Rose L. Hoffer Professor of Law and Director of the Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Law Fellowship Program at Brooklyn Law School. She is a national expert in the fields of federal civil litigation, procedure, gender, law and domestic violence and is a frequent commentator for print and broadcast media. Reception with Professor Schneider to follow the talk.

Free to BHS & BWBA members. $10 General admission

The Brooklyn Historical Society is located at 128 Pierrepont Street,

at the corner of Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights.

Subway: 2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall, R to Court Street, A, C, F to Jay Street.

Hours: Wed. - Fri. & Sun., 12 - 5 pm. Sat. 10 am - 5 pm

*Picked Up From BHS Newletter

A part of my family has lived in Brooklyn for centuries. This is something I am extremely proud of and grow extremely tired of defending everytime someone asks me what country I am from. This post isn't about defending being an American but about being a Brooklynite and supporting an institute that records and honors all things Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Historical Society at 128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street offers those of us that have been here and those of us newly arrived to the borough the opportunity to share some of the history of the area. Located in a landmark building the society, which was established in 1863, honors Brooklyn's past while welcoming in it's future through art exhibitions, talks and workshops. They maintain an extensively researched and archived library of all things Brooklyn and a staff that is beyond helpful in supporting your research efforts.

http://www.brooklynhistory.org/default/index.html

Worth the visit and the membership fee!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tnzTCWpp0k

Another Fashion Trend I Will Pass On

Does Anyone Remember Him?

And His Spawn?

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp5pg2B8JqU&feature=related

Natural Bed Bath & Beyond

It's been a while since I have posted about soap because it's been a while since I have purchased any. I am still using all those wonderful soaps I've already blogged about, but today the dry spell has ended. While roaming the recently added organic and natural items section at Bed Bath & Beyond I came across Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap. This all natural soap contains coconut oil, wild ginger and cinnamon and smells like incense..sigh..worth the $1.00 it cost!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkX_i3eYR3o

Because I Adore This Song

Soooooo there I was..

in Walmart, standing in the make-up aisle when I spied with my unbelieving eyes an advert for Almay with a woman of color on it. Almay has changed it's direction. Almay Pure Blends, now housed in peach/pink and white eco friendly packaging, boasts of being 95% natural ingredients and offering sheer light infused colors that have staying power. I have to admit that I was impressed by the new direction but I didn't buy any of the make up. Still working on that block!!!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_4-zRVFLnY

To Curl Or Not To Curl..

About 2 weeks ago I tried to curl my hair. I used the hot rollers and the curling iron and sprayed it to set the curl, but as per usual by mid day I had body but no curly bounce. At the encouragement of a friend I borrowed her bottle of L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style Glossy Curls Spray Gel, Extra Strong Hold to try again and loved the results. My curls lasted most of the day and my hair was pretty shiney. I wouldn't use this product every day, I prefer wash and go, but I am gong to purchase it for use when I want to make the styling effort. If you're interested walgreens.com sells it for $4.99 plus shipping

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod4267824&CATID=100316&skuid=sku4266694&V=G&ec=frgl_569172&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku4266694

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv3p-yLC1Ps&feature=related

(I loved this song..sigh)

Neutral Weather

As the season warms away goes the reds, wine and burgundy and out comes the coral, pinks and orange. If you don't know that I am speaking of make up you may be on the wrong blog (I kid, I kid!).

Each season I look forward to grabbing my first shimmer of spring in a tube, but this year I have decided to continue to use Sonia Kashuk's Perfectly Neutral Eye Palette and just add a bit of color on the cheeks and lips. The kit sells for $12.99 at Target and includes 8 colors and a base that allow you to go from natural to intense without reaching for any other shadow. But should you choose to add a bit of color you can do so without fear.

Worth the try!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSa1VtZhx2g&feature=related

The Luxury of One Egg

One of my favorite luxuries is a meal made of one baked egg.
I often make them on Sundays for breakfast but sometimes they also find their way onto my dinner plate. Accompanied by some mixed greens and multi grain toast points they make a quick elegant week day dinner. "Recipe" as follows -
Ramekin, lightly buttered or oiled
1 Large Egg
Salt & Pepper
Now here comes the creativity -Reach into your refrig for what ever left over meats or veggies you may have and place them in the buttered/oiled ramekin before cracking the egg, salt and peppering and baking the little pot of goodness in a 350F oven until the egg sets, about 20-25 minutes.
One of my favorite versions consists of prosciutto, sliced tomato and cooked asparagus tips. I line the ramekin with the proscuitto, add the sliced tomato, arrange the asparagus tips in a pretty pattern and then crack the egg over it all. Just before the egg sets I remove the little pot from the oven, top with shredded cheese and put it back in for a minute or two for the cheese to melt and bubble.
I also love making them with left over mushrooms, spinach and shredded turkey sausage but to avoid drowning out the sausage flavor I never add cheese to this version. Sometimes when I crave a little Mexican flavor I line the ramekin with a teaspoon of refried black beans, a few slices of avocado and tomato before adding the egg. Once baked I top with salsa verde.
The choice is yours, but keep it simple, I suggest no more than 3 flavors, and you can't go wrong.

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQhx4t1FmE

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQhx4t1FmE

Video Break

Feeling very Gin Blossom today..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM0NHtpI8cQ

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfyg3pz2b6I

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7WaJt02sTE

Influence..

As a daughter of a one time tailor I can't help but love men's clothing, especially men's tailored clothing. I adore men that accessorize and coordinate their looks and I am known for "borrowing" bits and pieces from the wardrobes of the men in my life.

Here are just a few men and their looks, and maybe a little bit of their attitudes, that inspire me...

The Rat Pack

Louis XIV

Steve McQueen's Americanism

Steven Tyler Back Then

Mr Jimmy Hendrix

Cary Grant

You Know A Recession Has Hit When...

Vogue has a section sharing fashion finds $100 and under.... http://www.style.com/vogue/mostwanted/021909/?mbid=rss_feature

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Aclm7frPc

Filling in the Gap

I love the Gap. I don't care what anyone says the Gap is worth loving. Because of the Gap most of the men I know started dressing with style that pushed passed their everyday jeans and t shirt. Because of the Gap most of those men I know went onto to develop their own style. Confident in their Gap button down shirts, flat front chinos and matching leather jackets, belts and shoes they found the courage to explore clothing options in stores they may never have considered if they hadn't walked into the Gap for 3 crew neck white t shirts and walked out with whole wardrobes and increased confidence.

A few years back I had all but given up on the Gap. They seemed to have lost their direction. The fit of their jeans was off and despite care the brightness of the t-shirts didn't last the season. But with the new designer Patrick Robinson at the helm the Gap seems to have straightened their course and added a sense of higher end design to the line. I know the Gap offers the same basics each season and there are just so many cardigans, trench coats, denim skirts and white cotton t-shirts one can own, but we are creatures of habit aren't we? There is a certain level of comfort knowing that I will be able to buy the same style t shirt and jeans, trends aside, that fit and flatter. There is a comfort level in knowing that in addition to those same styles there will be slight changes in fabrics and colors and new options that will either be added to the continous cycle or eliminated because it failed to inspire the Gap customer. I know dressing in Gap clothing is safe, but it's that safety that inspires me to reach for accessories, including jewelry, handbags, scarfs, hats, coats and shoes, that are in themselves signature pieces which need to be foiled and not fight against the backdrop of blouse and pant.

Thank You Gap
PS - I love your sale prices!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXHFIuW64S4

Ant Music Replayed

Back in the day I had a huge crush on this guy. I loved his style, had all his albums including a 4 cut LP imported from the UK and saw him in concert more than once. One Halloween I dressed up as him and then somehow the brass button jacket, a military school cadet's Salvation Army donation, found its way into my daily wardrobe. I wore it with jeans or vintage dresses, with my lace up granny or combat boots, eventually losing all the buttons and taste for the look and replacing it with a leather biker jacket, but, yet again, I digress. Now this trend seems to be back and though I vow never to wear full regalia again I do have a double breasted curved front blazer with brass buttons on the front and at the broad cuffs that might find its way out of the closet, even if it's only while I am lip synching to Ant Music!

Video Break

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcCDUUYAJLE&feature=related

Unused Make-up Brands

A friend asked me if there are some make-up brands I won't try or don't use and there are a few, but there are 2 brands that I never even considered reaching for.

I have never used the Almay and the CoverGirl Lines. I have no idea as to whether or not their mascara runs, their blush disappears after an hour or if their lipstick is moist or not. I have never used either line because I am not drawn to their packaging , which is white and blue for both lines. I have attempted to see pass this block but find my eyes quickly scanning the pink, green and blue make up colors that seem to dominate my vision whenever I look at their displays. I can't seem to find color swith depth and weight. Even the earth tones or richer colors seem to have too much mica-like properties. I know that Queen Latifah "wears" Cover Girl, but the photos look fake, the make up applied. And I can't recall a woman with color representing Almay. I fear if I reach for their burgundy it will be too blue or the brown eye shadow will have too much shimmer and look fake on my skin or the blush will only blend away into nothingness. Instead, regardless that it may cost more than these two extremely economical brands, I reach for packaging that has a bit of punch and brands with colors that say we have pigment and promise evidence of purchase on your skin, even if we end up looking natural...I know, I know, I need to push pass this block and try these lines to see if their quality outweighs my instinctual dislike for the packaging..sigh...

Video Break

Bargain Shoes Considered

I have a lust for shoes but I am a bargain hunter. I once found a pair of Manolo's for $25.00. Becuase of this "gift" I will never pay over a certain price point for a pair of shoes or boots that are not timeless or that do not serve a purpose, i.e. snowboots, skiing boots, running shoes, walking shoes, etc. I wait for sales and seem to have a knack for finding what I want at unheard of prices, even when shopping in vintage, bargain and used clothing stores. Having noted this there are certain shoe stores I will only buy certain shoes from, Payless ShoeSource is one of those stores.

Payless Shoes was never a favorite place of mine, instead I remember Parade of Shoes fondly. Toward the end of their run Parade offered some amazing duplicates of designer shoes in leather and fabrics at prices that rivaled most mid-way shoe stores offerring the same types of item. Payless Shoes was always a place to go to buy keds, flip flops and simple natural leather sandals for the season. With the demise of Parade of Shoes, Payless has taken the low priced trendy shoe market over and are really attempting to up the ante by pairing with some known shoe designers to improve the quality and style of their shoes. Their new collection features New York fashion designer Lela Rose, best know for her ready to wear and wedding collections, Alice & Olivia, a label that have been around since 2002 and is known for its youthful vibe and Abaete, a luxury apparel line. Prices range from $20 to $40.00 and reflect simplified versions of the current trends. The quality of materials and workmanship varies and if you're into buying shoes for a season or two it might be worth your investigation.

TWO DAY SALE FOR THOSE WHO SEW

Today, Tuesday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March 4th Select McCall's Sewing Patterns are on sale for $5.99 if purchased via their web site.

The selection includes the recent summer patterns.

http://www.mccallpattern.com/list/whats_new/page-1