Executive decision

I've decided if it is going to be this f'ing cold out then life needs to look exactly like the Gorsuch catalog. Clothes included please.

It's starting...

I have been craving a pair of beige/tan colored wedges for spring. Something neutral enough to go with everything and high enough to give me a super long leg line for all those short hemlines.  Prada, Chloe, and Pedro Garcia all have the right idea.   

Round 2

Happy New Year everyone!  One of my resolutions this year is to get this blog back on track so bear with me over the next few weeks.  I am glad I took a little hiatus, but I'm also ready to get back to posting as well.  

So what have I been doing with all my free time?  Personal shopping.  I figure if I can't shop for myself the next best thing is to shop for other people.  One of Wonderboy's friends recently moved back from L.A. and enlisted my help to re-vamp his wardrobe.  We have spent the last two days compiling an array of dress and casual shirts, as well as some basic pairs of jeans.  The shirts have been an interesting challenge, because he really really likes plaid, but I have tried to steer him towards a more chic version of plaids and checks.  This navy button down was a hands down winner for both of us:

Burberry check shirt

We also picked up these Rock and Republic jeans.  Normally, I would never ever consider Rock and Republic "basic" but these pockets were about as understated as you can get on R&R's.

Rock and Republic Neil jeans

Next, I need to find to find a sturdy jacket that doesn't look like a parka, fleece, or anything slightly "winter-y".  He's back from Los Angeles, remember?  The 6 degree temperature is enough of an adjustment without me making him look like the Michelin Tire man.  I'm thinking about something like this:

J. Crew Fatigue jacket

And last but definitely not least, his bright green Converse sneakers need to be updated. Stat.

Converse by John Varvatos Chuck Taylor Slip-On Sneakers

Prada Nappa Leather Sneakers

Genevieve Waite

I literally just finished reading Mackenzie Phillips' new book High on Arrival. And by just finished reading, I mean I read it cover to cover in one straight sitting while neglecting all other responsibilities because I simply couldn't put it down. I won't bore you with a full out book review, but it transports you - sometimes uncomfortably - into her world of celebrity, drugs and well, more drugs. Before reading the book, I didn't realize that South African model Genevieve Waite was also Mackenzie's stepmother (and mother of her half-sister, Bijou). During her modeling years Genevieve took some amazing photos, even if she did give birth Bijou while high on heroin on the family's sofa.

Lace it up

Product whore

If you A) live in on the beach slash California slash I hate you or B) never have to deal with dry, flaky winter skin and hair, just stop reading right now. If not, then keep reading and we're still friends. For the majority of the year, I have moderately dry to normal skin. Then the second the temperature drops, my skin takes a running leap to the far end of the spectrum and suddenly I am a red, flaky, chapped ball of grossness. My hair is nothing good either, as coloring always dries it out, but the winter just wreaks havoc on long ends as well because I can't go out with even slightly damp hair, so I am blow drying my hair exponentially more from November to March.

That being said I have tested and developed an aresenal of products that will keep you in that moisturized, healthy glow all winter long. From the top down...

Umberto Beverly Hills blow dry lotion is one of the best products I have found for heat styled hair. It is kind of random that I stumbled across this bottle in Target late at night and bought it on a whim, but I swear it's one of the best 10 bucks I have ever spent. It detangles and moisturizes in one step and seriously protects you hair from frizz. I now also use Umberto Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner because I loved this product so much. And the smell - it smells just like salon hair. I happen to love that slight chemical smell of just getting your hair colored, but if you don't, I would recommend Kerastase in the orange bottles. Great product, heftier price tag.

After showering, I cover my bod in Kiehls body lotion. I have narrowed it down to two that work really well and keep your skin soft and hydrated, without being greasy. For a richer texture that you can really slather on the Creme de Corps lotion is great, but if you are about to get dressed and need something lighter, switch to the Instant Satin Soft Body Rub Moisturizer.

My face kind of works the same way: In the morning I use Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15. It's really light for the moisture it delivers, great under makeup and it doesn't get greasy. Then at night I slather on a much creamier version by Eucerin, which I would not recommend for people who battle acne. There is a silver ling to every cloud, and the blessing of dry skin is that I rarely, if ever, break out.

I used to swear by Bare Escentuals powders for coverage (which I still use in the summer), but my dermatologist recommended using liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer in the winter instead. At first, I was really turned off by the idea (I think it might be a generational thing, but liquid foundation makes me think of gross cake-y makeup and demarcation lines along the chin) but these two have worked great so far and are really easy to blend. Trish McEvoy Even Skin Foundation is really sheer and great for a natural looking face. When I need a little bit more coverage, I mix the Light and Medium shades of Keihls Tinted Moisturizer. Oh and I always use a primer before anything goes on my face, it really does make a huge difference when applying makeup. Right now I am using Bare Escentuals Prime Time which I really like, but I think I want to try some different brands. Any suggestions?

My biggest challenge are the serious dark circles I get under my eyes, so I usually use a fairly heavy duty concealer by Laura Mercier called Secret Concealer. It doesn't settle or get flaky. However, if dark circles aren't an issue for you, Lorac makes a great dual concealer and highlighter stick called Double Feature, that is easy to dot on and lasts all day. Either way, I finish with a very light dusting of Laura Mercier translucent powder.

And just cuz I'm on a roll, not that these are winter-skin specific, but I swear by Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes pencils and Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Mascara. If I am going out and want more oomph to my lashes, I add Lancome High Definicils Mascara, but I always wipe the brush clean first because I think this can get a little clumpy. Allure told me this mascara would never, ever clump, but they are LIARS. A coffee filter works great to do this, because it doesn't leave any white particles the way kleenex or toilet paper can.

The one thing I haven't found yet is the perfect chap stick. I never wear color on my lips, because they are what get the driest of the dry and I feel like I have tried every lip product and still cannot find that super moisturizing, but not sticky solution. And so the search continues...

Souffle and shoulder pads

On Saturday night we had a little welcome home dinner for one of Wonderboy's best friends who just moved back in town. It was definitely a jeans and t-shirt kind of night, but hey, if you are gonna wear a t-shirt, why not one with sweet shoulder pads sewn in? I believe I was telling my dogs to "just look at these bad boys!" Yes, I talk to my dogs. All the time.

Wonderboy whipped up petite filet au poivre, french green beans and goat cheese and chive souffle, followed by apple pie with crumb crumble topping and almond gelato. I learned the souffle dish has to be wrapped in paper or else it overflows everywhere.




Annnnd the best part of the night was catching this on camera: dog in Wonderboy's lap. At the dinner table. Eating gelato. From a spoon. Nope, he doesn't spoil our dogs at all... And next time he accuses me of doing so, I think these pictures buy at least three get out of jail free cards. At least.

A little more catch up

This past Halloween I hung out with Laura Planck, designer of Laura Kathleen, who recently showed at Saint Louis Fashion Week. Her designs are fun, flirty and feminine - the perfect thing to wear when you want to feel like the prettiest (and classiest) girl at the party. Even dressed as a race car driver, Laura still exuded femininity and elegance. Please someone tell me how this is possible. Because I was dressed as a tornado and spend the latter part of the night drunkenly spinning around the party. Yes, a tornado: grey spandex suit, matchbox cars and plastic farm animals sewn on, hair back combed within an inch of its life. I believe I even referred to myself as a "natural disaster" multiple times that night. Definitely not the classiest girl at the party...

Laura and I actually spent a lot of time talking about her craftsmanship and attention to detail. She really understands the construction aspects of a garment, and that's rare in such a young designer these days. At Saint Louis Fashion Week, I particularly fell in love with her retro inspired swim wear and wedding designs, as well as the bits of glass on her models faces. That one little aspect added so much to her looks, and truly made the models sparkle head to toe.

Because my mom reads this blog...

and she likes to see me actually doing something (anything) ... so watch all the action of STLFW in this snazzy little video that recently came to my attention. Yours truly is in it, but I warn you, I have the voice of a 16 year old valley girl.

CLICK HERE

I am also happy to report that am I finally starting to get out of my slump. I was recently alerted to an exciting new fashion-y project that will breath some fresh air into my life. Exactly what I need. More to come soon!

Perspective

Today I bought sympathy cards for a mother who has just lost her daughter.

They don't make one that says parents are not supposed to bury their children, that it is simply not the natural order of things.

Tomorrow I will attend the funeral of my friend, my peer and one of my first style inspirations.

From her I learned how to tie a perfect pashmina, that all you really need is a big gold cuff and a men's watch, and that a vintage pair of Prada heels are truly a girls best friend.

I will eventually have many things to catch you all up on, but for now, I just don't have many words to share.