Merry Christmas!



Every Woman Needs a Boudoir Vanity







Because the ritual of preparing to meet the world every day deserves a little decadence, however humble...



Grandma's porcelain top table, typesetter tray jewelry chest (prototype), etched glass mirror, 1970s cat planter brush holder, spice rack lipstick organizer.

Fashion Week, FW 2010

Ahhh, the magic ticket!!

I was so excited to be attending my first Fashion Week event, and what a wonderful time my friend Lisa and I had!  The layout of the venue was well planned, with not a bad seat in the house.  Small bit of irksomeness in having to check my digital camera, personally speaking, the rule against cameras was rather stupid, as the minute Giselle stepped off the double decker bus everyone whipped out their cell phones and began snapping away.  Those in the Premiere seats were fortunate to observe the headliner models up close and personal, as they primarily strutted down the main aisle and circled those inner perimeter seats.

The show started on time, and for the next 15 FABulous minutes it was as if the pages of September Vogue had come to life.  The segments which captured my fashion heart were the sinuous lines of Jazz Age Cool and the textural feast of Go Global.  The event was a true celebrity-fest, and I spotted Diane Von Furstenberg (surprised how petite she is in person) and Julianne Moore, among others, while Lisa was quick to point out Roger Federer (I'm not tennis savvy) and couldn't believe I didn't recognize Blake Lively standing next to me at the coat check when I retrieved my camera (guilty of not watching Gossip Girls either).

However, it wasn't hard to miss some of the models as they boarded the subway back:  Egle Tvirbutaite (Look 40/Tartan Twist) and Giedre Dukauskaite (Look 127/Go Global).   Sorry it took so long to post these, ladies, but I'm delighted you took the time to chat.  Happy Holidays to you both!


Giedre and Egle

Believe this is Aminata Niaria catching up on her Blackberry

Then it was onward to Fashion's Night Out.  My look, albeit a bit less runway-ready, was styled for comfort.  I'm wearing the Kalinger bracelet as a necklace by stringing it with a Miriam Haskell chain.  That's the Rodarte shower slicker over my lean-to Old Navy T and Jaclyn Smith cropped pants.  The turquoise/ onyx statement ring was purchased at Printemps in Paris a few years back and is one of my favorite pieces.  As you can see, I'm getting better at using my camera's self-timer.

My night started in front of Macys, where Neal Patrick Harris was filming the FNO for a CBS Special.  I then boarded the double-decker bus heading uptown to take in the festivities and do some seasonal window-shopping (and list-making).  Lord and Taylor was obviously looking to update their image with a DJ mixing tunes out on the sidewalk (Club L&T, perhaps).  There were mimes and freeze models performing in windows, the DKNY boutique was swamped with revelers spilling out to the street, and a trio of kimono-clad fashionistas attempting to hail a cab.  My last stop was Barneys, where I was pleasantly surprised to see the marvelous cloth art dolls of Andrew Yang prominently featured in their windows.  A special collection of OOAK dolls dressed in couture miniatures was displayed on the 4th floor, and how I wish I could find the Isabel and Ruben Toledo set under my Christmas tree (dreaming is good for the soul, keeps one motivated, yes?).  Then there was the thrill of seeing the Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington dolls being auctioned for charity.  According to Andrew's site they went for a whopping $4000 and $1000 respectively.  Way to go Andrew!  Be sure to visit The Cottage Couturière to see some of Andrew's magical Kouklitas.

While checking out the dolls who should I meet than 14 yr old wunder-blogger Tavi Gevinson of Style Rookie.  As I'm a fan of her fresh approach to fashion reporting I was sure to scoop up her limited edition Barney's tote.

Fashion's Night Out will be back again next September (see sidebar), but for now please follow the link to my Kodak Gallery album and enjoy the photos from this year's event.

Fashion's Night Out 2010

Color Trend 2012: Magenta

 

Thrifting Expeditions, Fall 2010

Closet revitalized until Spring 2011

It's been ages since I've shopped, as monies from eBay/Etsy go directly back into the business, with a (somewhat) meager deposit to the IRA.  BUT, frugality aside, the selections at Keyport Thrift Shop, Goodwill of East Brunswick, and Karen's Consignment Boutique were far too good to pass up.  Within a modest budget of $200 and a few free weekends, I've amassed a hoard that should take me through a Fall and Winter's worth of networking events!


Here's a peek at some highlights...

I'd just become a fan of Daphne Guinness when the Lulu Guinness bag leaped out at me. And I'm so delighted to now own a Dolce and Gabbana design, the fabric of this suit is 2Die4!  The DKNY brown denim and leather pants were a little tight in the waist, but luckily the previous owner had just nipped in the waistline without cutting so all I had to do was release those darts.

And, let's not forget the accessories...a few scarves and some heart-iful vintage jewelry.  Charm bracelets are my passion and I treat them like wearable journals of  my life.  I already may have filled this new one!

Ralph Lauren

America by Perry Ellis

Dolce & Gabbana



DKNY



DKNY

DKNY


   

Prada

   

Christmas Kitties!



Finally, every woman over 50 knows that even the most fabulous clothes need a little help in the foundations area.  Let's face it, gravity cannot be defied, even by Marc Jacobs. My quest appears to have paid off, after months of searching, as I've found some delicious lingerie from Soma that fits perfectly PLUS looks AND feels as sensual as the French styles I crave! The added bonus was the perfume sampler offer.  Sadly, I possess a nose which often can't distinguish a $5 cologne from a $500 perfume.  After some careful sampling I chose Gorgeous for its distinct fragrance.  I adore miniature bottles because once empty, I can fill with tinted water for my vintage Cissy doll's boudoir vanity diorama.

Hope everyone has recovered from Black Friday!  You'll find me decorating for the Holidays in two worlds, see my doll dioramas unfold at The Cottage Couturière.

I'm Watching You

Rebecca Ebony Princess

Renovation Update: Bedroom

If you've been following my blog you know that I've taken over caregiving for my parents and last December began downsizing their home.  In between, I'm freelancing as a CAD designer and doing some serious networking, which also meant I needed to renovate my personal space on the second floor for greater efficiency, i.e. no sense having a great wardrobe/art/furniture if it's not out and being used.

Renovation: Phase One involved taking personal inventory and selling off items no longer meaningful/in use via eBay/Etsy and my pop-up shop at the local markets.  Thankfully, I've always purchased with care and an eye for the long term so liquidation was only those items that were no longer *me.*

I'm now in Renovation: Phase Two, which involves repurposing furniture, redesigning room layouts, and selecting paint.  My doll collection is now housed in the larger of three rooms, I have a foyer/library for greeting guests, and a mock-up of the walk-in closet (one of two in the bedroom) roughed out so I can at least get to my wardrobe for work.  My Dad was always a great partner on these projects, sadly at 90 he has officially retired, so a local handyman will refurbish the closet walls.

Here's where I stand so far.  Click photos for a larger view:

Methinks He's Up to No Good

Christopher Mr. Purr Jangles

Kudos to Kotex

It's nice to see an American brand take chances when re-branding their product.  I did a double-take when I saw the new packaging for Kotex products at my local supermarket.  I normally expect this sort of "out there" creativity from European brands. 

Sleek...contemporary...modern...and BLACK.  It looks like a women's product, not something from the Barbie aisle.

Personally, I've used freshness products since the 1970s, and these new liners are not only comfortable (like you're "not wearin' nothin'" to borrow a phrase), their fibers are also non-irritating.

Way to go, Kotex!

Acquired: Kalinger Bracelet

Fell in love with this bracelet at the Hamptons Show House boutique.  Signed Kalinger, it reminds me of those beautiful pieces Lacroix used to accessorize his collections.