Cuts on the Bias

Bloody Hell

 

How the hell are we supposed to take her seriously with that heinous headband?   She looks like she's about to burst into a verse from Sound of Music.

Day After Diet

Ugh. I ate too much. Way too much. For some reason I'll need to examine before next November, we decided that three starch dishes would not be a problem. We added sugar and fat to them and still didn't see the implications. Topping the meal off with two extra rich desserts? Gastronomical suicide.

So today I will exercise--first, physically at a Zumba class which allows me to pretend i'm dancing while I sweat and  second, mentally while I resist all offers of left-over candied yams, garlic mashed potatoes, sausage fennel dressing or pumpkin cheesecake.

Will I squeeze some shopping in on Black Friday? No, unless you count donations. This is a great weekend to think about giving to those causes you support. Everyone's budget will come up short this year, so even a few dollars from new donors will make a difference. My extended family has decided to exchange donations this year as our form of gift. I have to give time or money to an organization that I think my sibling would support. This can be tougher than you think...if you're a die-hard Democrat, it's hard to give money to the NRA.

Morning Show Madness

Today I taped a LIVE segment for the Mike&Juliet morning show on FOX. Live TV is nerve racking and although 5 minutes seems short, it drags on when you're taping. I think they laid on the make-up very heavy, still attempting to wipe it off, but otherwise the show was very fun! Check it out here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Discount without Discomfort

What's the difference between Gilt Group and Rue La La? NOT MUCH. They both email me everyday around 11 to let me know whats up for sale that day (everything is at least 50% if not more). Some days are a snooze, housewares or cufflinks, but other days are a one-two punch to my checking account, last week was Chloe and Helmut Lang! I will say that Gilt Group has a sexier site and the photos are bigger, they also let you put your name on a wait list for something should it get sold out early. You have to email both of them and apply to be a member-just do it cause I don't think they're very picky about admission. If you don't hear back then email me, if I sign you up I get $25 credit and Prada and Fendi are up for grabs tomorrow!!!

Time for a Make Over

A few years ago I traveled to Beijing and Shanghai. I was writing a book on China's youth market with co-authors Cynthia Chan andLiAnne Yu (it's titled China's New Culture of Cool and it's still carried by Amazon). The day I arrived in Shanghai I told my friends I felt as though I had landed on the set of the Jetson's. The city has such a futuristic presence, I fully expected to see flying cars darting from one high rise to the other. 

As I read news of the need for the US to invest in its failing infrastructure, I can't help but think of Shanghai's beautiful skyscrapers, the high-speed MagLev train, and the general appreciation among the Chinese population for progressive government investment. I'm not naive on this subject--I fully understand the problems China faces over the next decades particularly in its non-urban areas, but I'm confident in comparing them to the US on the topic of infrastructure investment. We are like the once stylish woman who stopped buying new fashions and failed to mend the ones she had. We show up in scuffed boots; our underwear is torn, our hem is uneven and there are sweat stains on our once luxurious silk shirt. Our Chinese counterpart is decked out in Stella McCartney, she has several pair of Louboutin shoes and she's happy to discuss her plans for wardrobe expansion.

We need a make over from head to toe--a civic one--and it needs to be designed and directed by someone other than an Alaskan senator with a penchant for handouts. I hope President-elect Obama has a good stylist on board.

Opposite Extremes

It's still overcast in Honolulu, but it's hard to care. The temperature is 80 degrees and everything is green. The only harsh sights are the tent cities. I'm sure the tourist board doesn't want you to know, but the number of homeless in Hawaii has been rising rapidly. The state lost two airlines, Aloha and ATA, plus a large number of cruise ships this year. If you find yourself unemployed here, it's not that easy to move on. But it is easy to pitch a tent in a local park and call it home. 

Meanwhile, six planeloads of brand new Chinese tourists arrive weekly and head directly to the Ala Moana  Shopping center along with thousands of other tourists and locals alike. I visited there yesterday and could barely get through the crowds. The Apple store, in particular, was a zoo. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the tent cities have wifi.

It's the little things that brighten my day

I'm going to blog later about my online shopping "habit" (Rue La La vs. Gilt Group) but until then, here's some holiday cheer from Louis Vuitton on 5th avenue by my office.

Shoot Day!

 

 Day-glo accessories warm me up

Sexy Science

Relax, Kelley, it's overcast in Honolulu. And the event I attended was only half geeky. It was the kickoff of the Science and Entertainment Exchange, a collaboration between Hollywood creatives and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. The first night I shared dinner with two--yes two, sexy physicists. I didn't know there were any sexy physicists so imagine my delight. One was Lisa Randall, a Harvard professor who is on just about every Top Scientist list out there. The other was Sidney Perkowitz, an Emory professor who was the definition of "charming." Seated between them was the master of genomics, Craig Venter, who never fails to thrill. I would have been a happy camper to end with the dinner, but then I got an entire day of salons hosted by writers and producers hoping to inspire other creative types with the adventures of real, live scientists. Let's hope it works--we need thousands more scientists than we're currently producing.

Kelley, you'll be pleased to hear that most people at the event were attired attractively, but no one showed up wearing that aviator flap cap you're coveting.

Want vs. Need

No global warming here, its god damn freezing here!

Yesterday it was 36 degrees, but felt like 20. I am not prepared. Right now I'm previewing all of the Spring 09 collections, and while I'm fantasizing about dresses, a new trench coat and this black patent Stella McCartney bag...

What I really need is this.

If I don't cover my ears, the cold air goes straight to my brain.

Good Morning!

I always look forward to my early morning Calvin Klein appointments because they always have half naked models and yummy cinnamon rolls.

More models and Spring looks in the "Out and About" album. Enjoy!

Thats SO gay!

On Saturday I joined thousands of New Yorkers to Protest Proposition 8. I can wax poetic about human rights and injustice but I'd rather send you a link to make a change. Prop 8 is wrong, and you know it so do something about it.

Lemme just say it was also the best looking crowd I've ever seen at City Hall, leave it to the gays to make it the gayest protest ever!

I debated on what to wear, is this an occasion when I may want to look like a lesbian? Ugh, I hate cargo shorts...

Buy What?

Most of the time I love Thomas Friedman because he says things like "the House of Representatives is full of knuckle-dragging Neanderthals" in print (see his column in today's New York Times). But I can't reconcile his recent plea that consumer's start buying again for the sake of the global economy. I understand why this would help the economy, but Friedman has been one of the loudest voices warning about the climate crisis and the danger of over-consumption. Consumers are finally starting to heed that advice and now he wants them to revert to their spendthrift ways? Did the economic meltdown somehow solve the climate crisis?

 
I suppose there are enough people in the US who don't care about global warming to reignite consumerism, but most of those folks either don't have any extra money or they are hoarding what they do have along with their guns and gold. If Mr. Friedman wants to be more helpful, he should explain what he wants us all to start buying that is both affordable and won't hurt the environment.

Here's my attempt at a list--feel free to post yours:

--install solar panels
--repaint a room or your house with environmentally kind paint like Benjamin Moore's Aura
--buy a Prius or similar; better yet buy an electric bike like the AB2 from Ultra Motors
--swap your water heater for a tankless version
--install ceiling fans
--relandscape to a draught-tolerant garden using drip irrigation
--upgrade your windows to the most energy efficient models available
--install low flush toilets
--visit destinations with an active eco-tourism program
--buy a Kindle (and get over your attachment to paper)

Reassuring Words

I woke up this morning dreading what new crisis might be poised to strike, but there in my feed reader was a new post from the Obama team. It's Barack himself giving his first weekly address to the nation. I'd rather hear from him daily at this point, but it's a start. [Note to Obama stage manager, does there always have to be a flag and books in the background? What about putting a screaming fast up to date computer in the picture--that would be far more reassuring.]

New Graffiti in NYC!

Bite Me

 Kelley invited me to join her in a fantasy competition for Top Chef hosted on Fafarazzi. Here's an instance where the promise of worthy content trumps very poor style. I followed the link on her invite email, heading to Fafarazzi (ok name once you figure out how to pronounce it) where I was greeted by a request to register. Why most sites do this is beyond me--would you greet a guest in your store by immediately asking for their name, address, age and gender? Nevertheless, I registered....only to be then told I needed to be invited to join Kelley's group.  Fearing a circle jerk, I reluctantly requested another invite (which I got).

How badly did I want to play this game? Badly. After my second invitation, I returned to the site anxious to pick my team. Couldn't find the link to the game. Searched and searched. Luckily found the About page and liked the founder's message so kept searching. Finally found the game link, and watched happily as all the contestants' photos loaded along with a simple explanation of how to pick a team. Started to pick my team (adrenalin building), clicked the SAVE TEAM button and .... get a message saying team selection is on hold because the game started on East Coast time. WTF!!!!

I'm now officially hating this site, but I still persevered and picked my team this morning. Then they sent an email letting me know I scored zero points in last night's competition. Thanks. Love you too.

American Excess

American Express just called me. Nice greeting, friendly voice. Complimented me on my good credit standing, then swiftly segued into an offer for another credit card--probably a super-double gold with rubies version. I just as swiftly lectured the poor caller on the nerve and ignorance it requires to ask consumers to take on more debt in the current economy. Sorry about that--too much caffeine (but really, this type of call now?)

Bring it On!

I love Top Chef and I love competition so I've combined my passions and started a Cuts On The Bias  team at  Fafarazzi  ( fantasy football for women or others who like pop culture). I have picked my team, although I based my decisions on talent and familiarity (one chef worked at a restaurant in my college town, another down the street from where I live), which doesn't mean I will get a lot of points. You can score points if your chef curses, gets in a fight or cries!

WARNING-if this site is too difficult to manage or navigate today I'm going to sign up on Bravo's website-will keep you posted.

Staying Home

Thanks, Kelley. Can't get enough of the Obamas. May have to pretend they are relatives (the good kind).

I realized this morning that I am shopping. Despite my claims of not spending any money for weeks now, the truth is I have spent plenty--just not on clothing. Instead, I've spent money on furniture and home decor (we've nearly completed our "green" remodel). Before the melt-down, I browsed the designer showrooms, paying particular attention to green firms like Palecek. I still like their wares, but lately I've been cruising the aisles of Bed, Bath and Beyond and haunting sites like CB2 or West Elm. Surprisingly, I'm not alone. I'm not sure anyone is buying, but these stores have been more crowded than most.

It seems whenever we're threatened by terrorists, political or financial, we revert to "home." And speaking of home, Top Chef starts tomorrow. That takes care of my Wed. nights.

In Case You Missed the Obama Album

Behind the Scenes of Election Night

Shhhhh...

I have to give Net-A-Porter credit, at least they're keepin up with the Times. Buying expensive runway clothes is so uncool now that you have to hide your addiction with a brown paper bag.

Which gets me thinking about branding and logos. Those Chanel bags, and Prada glasses with their logos so prominent-what future do they hold? I can get the knock-offs in NY but do I even want to look like a label whore right now?

Luxury has been damned, which is just fine by me.

In other news, the house I put a bid on but was denied just had to lower their price by $51,000. You can't see it but I'm flipping off the broker and singing a little ditty about "I told ya so!"

Feed Me--I Shop!

Cosmetic retailer Sephora offered a full breakfast spread to anyone wandering thru their store at the Stanford Shopping Center in NorCal. No one was eating.

Pants and Publishing

Here ya go, J.Crew lined in flannel, comes in coffee brown and stone, best of all they're $80 and come in tall and petite sizes. No need to style this as sporty as shown, although I bet those Jack Purcells are easy to slip off at security.

In other news, Friday brings more heads on the chopping block in Publishing. Hearst folded O at Home, a quarterly home addition to O Magazine. Rumor has it Elegant Bride is about to fold as well, should know shortly. CosmoGirl, Elle Accessories both gone, Mens Vogue now only bi-annual, Portfolio now 10 issues with a staff of oh...8. Theres more to come I'm sure.

Back to Basics

New economic data out today--I think we'll be seeing alot more sweat pants, Kelley. As I feared, this downturn is not a minor blip. Retail sales fell off a cliff in Oct. as even the very well-heeled stopped shopping. Why?  It's become uncool.

When you have hundreds of thousands losing their jobs, when the stock market is hemorrhaging value and when a significant percentage of the population is heading toward foreclosure or bankruptcy, it feels frivolous and disrespectful to buy your 27th pair of shoes or your 40th sweater. I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have a strong line of basics to sell right now.

And speaking of basics, I understand Kelley's disdain of sweats but as someone who just wore them on my return flight from NYC, I'm at a loss. What can you wear that allows you to feel comfortable sitting in a small space for 6 hours? Oh and it needs to be something that won't show the coffee stains from turbulence and doesn't make me look like i"m going to be the one serving your meals.

My thoughts on Comfort

Next time you tell yourself that your sweats are totally acceptable out in public, remember this woman.

She's the only women I've seen wear sweats and sneakers and look stylish. The only one.

So help me god if I see one more Juicy Couture sweat suit on the plane I will slit my wrists.

photo from the sartorialist