Resolutions

I've spent the last few weeks in Hawaii among family and friends. Life here has been simple and sweet - quite the opposite of a busy hub like NYC! While here, I have tucked away the noise of city-life far back in my mind. But now, as my trip comes to a close, I must shift gears a little and start to look forward to a new year...2011, here we go!

To me, the great thing about starting a new year is that you are able to kind of "clean off" your slate and set new goals for yourself - force yourself to think about where you are now and where you want to be. I often forget about looking ahead because I get too caught up in the now. Change is inevitable, so why not take back some control and make stuff happen for yourself? Easier said than done, but you gotta start somewhere.

So, some basic resolutions that I have set for myself:

1) Cook - not only will this save me money, but it will also allow me to stay aware of what I am putting into my body.
2) Read - time will be a huge factor here, but I would like to find mental balance by opening up to new genres and mediums
3) Budget - this is going to mean majorly cutting back on my shopping addiction...yikes. But a very necessary step and a huge reality-check.

These will probably be revised as the year goes by, but for now, there it is.

Happy New Year!

An "Acquired" Taste

A look by Viktor & Rolf

How is it that something that you once found unbearable can become one of your favorite things???

I remember the first time I tasted wine, I was 15 years old. The first sip made my face crinkle in disgust - it was sour, bitter, and woody all at the same time. It left a gross film in my mouth and I reckoned it tasted a bit like how I imagined dirt would. 'How on earth could anyone stand this stuff?'

Fast forward 10 years and there is almost nothing I enjoy more than chilling out and sipping a rich glass of red wine (right now chianti is my red of choice, cabernet sauvignon a close second). I guess it's true: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

In fashion, the same idiom is applied. Some of my favorite pieces are those that I could never see myself wearing and at first sight, they even confuse me a little. 'Do I love it, or hate it?!' And yet over time, when better understood, shocking pieces (like the ones shown above and below) can become timeless works of art that provoke and inspire. Fashion is art, and without some of the wacky creations put out on the runway, we would not be where we are today. In other words, your all-time favorite sweater or coat or dress has been, in one way or another, inspired by the runway! Go figure.

I guess fashion is just like wine - It might end up being your new obsession, if you open your mind to it!

One of my favorites from the late Alexander McQueen

A look from Yohji Yamamoto's S/S 2011

Travel Gear: Thanksgiving Weekend

I'm really looking forward to spending this holiday away in the company of my family and friends. Whenever I travel, I like to pack as efficiently as possible (a.k.a. stylish yet comfortable). Often, I revert to black because I find its the most versatile! But this has got me thinking about my perfect travel pieces...

The airplane can be uncomfortable (and static ridden...yuck), so its important to choose your outfit wisely. Like most, I try to wear my bulkiest pieces while on the plane so I don't have to waste room in my suitcase. For me, a large sweater is ideal - it can dual purpose as a pillow, it's super cozy, and easy-chic!  Pair that with shoes that are easy to slip off while on board, perhaps a cute accessory or two, and you're ready to jet!

Here are a few travel-friendly pieces I found on google's new shopping site, boutiques.com (which I'm loving, by the way! So easy and fun to browse!)

Shawl Collar Cardigan by T by Alexander Wang

Striped Sweater Coat by Vince

Oversize Sweater Coat by Marc by Marc Jacobs

Pair it with...

"Josephine"Clog by Dolce Vita

"Emmett" Boot by Frye

Floppy Fedora Hat by Rag and Bone

PS1 Lux Leather Bag by Proenza Schouler

"Railroad" Tote by Rag & Bone

Happy Thanksgiving!!! :)

"Mr. Ford" Returns

Read the full article at vogue.com

Curiosity killed the cat....but I'm only human! Here's a sneak peak at Tom Ford's much awaited Spring/Summer 2011 Women's collection.

Images from Vogue.com

Latest Crave :: Creatures of Comfort

This NYC hot spot has been dubbed by the New York Magazine as the "new Opening Ceremony". Boasting brands like Acne, MM6, Rick Owens, APC, Alexander Wang, A Detacher, No. 6, Surface to Air, and Rachel Comey, this place is like crack for the fashion addict.

The store space, at 205 Mulberry St., has a super chill vibe and the clothing is laid out in a way that invites you to touch and feel them. I'm all about being comfortable and fashionable at the same time, so no wonder I love this store. Each piece seems to be carefully selected because of its timeless and season-less characteristic, which helps quiet that voice inside me screaming "it costs how much?" Owner and buyer, Jade Lai, wins me over by showing me that sweatpants can still be super chic.

Rick Owens "Lilies" Capris

Check it - here.

Living in the 'Now'

"What's next? It doesn't interest me. I only know that my instincts work flawlessly. So I breathe in and out and sense what's ahead for me. It's that simple."

- Yohji Yamamoto

I came across this quote by famed Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto, and it really caught my attention. I can relate so much to this way of thinking - living in the now and trusting your gut. It sounds so simple, doesn't it?? As always, so much easier said than done.

As you move through life, in all of its mysteriousness, you can't help but wonder: "why am I here?" or "what will I do next?". In a way, constantly questioning yourself keeps you challenged and pushes you through difficult times. And just when you reach satisfaction if your life, it seems something else pops up as soon as you put your feet up.

But Yohji is as wise as he is artistically gifted - he is on to something with this "trust your instincts" type of thinking. By worrying about what's next, you are going to miss what's going on right now. We must give ourselves more credit and trust that our potential will shine through even the toughest of times.

Everything happens for a reason - if you give it one.

Style = Confidence

Our beloved Carrie Bradshaw sure wore some crazy outfits, but always rocked them with confidence!

I've been thinking about what it is to have "style" - how is it that some people just have it? They can put on anything and look fabulous, no matter what. I think so much of it is not in what you wear but how you wear it. Personal style is a way to express yourself and to show others what you are capable of. This is why it is so important to have confidence in what you put on your body - if you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, it will show. Fashion is just like an unspoken language with which you communicate your state of mind.

I believe the best styles are the ones that are natural and not overdone. Feeling good about yourself and feeling confident (but not too confident!) will help to give you the proper fuel to be the best version of your self. Everybody likes to look good because it makes them feel good. It's like dressing the part - having faith in your abilities and not worrying too much what other people will think of you (I find that often, you are your biggest critic anyways!)

The Gap changes logo....oh wait, nevermind

Gap's new logo

Last week, the Internet was buzzing about Gap's announcement that they had decided to change their iconic logo. As seen above, they reported a change from their well-known blue logo (on the left) to the "new & improved" logo (on the right).

But alas, today they announced they are going back to their old GAP logo and scrapping the new one after all.

What were they thinking??? One thing is for sure....someone's getting fired.

Latest Crave :: Vince.

Why do I love Vince? Well.......because it's awesome. Although the price-point is a bit steep for my likings, I can't deny that they make really great clothes. They use only the most luxurious fabrics, like soft cashmere and buttery leather, and they have a fabulous array of basic pieces - I know I can always find a new obsession with Vince!

I think their strongest pieces this season are:

This to-die-for shearling leather jacket -

This extremely versatile melton anorak coat -

And, this simple yet chic cashmere hoodie -

Check them out @ Vince.com

Art vs. Science: Living life to the fullest

It is a well-known fact that our brain functions bilaterally: the left-side controls things like logic, analysis, rationality, and objectiveness; where as the right-side operates more randomly using intuition and holistic outlooks. Most individuals have a preference for one of these ways of thinking and thus are said to be either "right-brained" or "left-brained". I know I can think of many people who are lop-sided when it comes to their outlook on life (myself being one of them). But to be successful in life, you cannot be either, or--you must find that delicate balance between the two, and therefore between science and art.

If we over-analyze the tiny details, we would never see the bigger picture. Sweating the small-stuff prevents you from moving forward and reaching that end goal. Conversely, if we only see the whole and don't take the time to look at the individual parts, we would miss those important elements that hold us back from true greatness.

This painting by Salvatore Dali challenges the way we think: Do you see what I see?

One thing that both sides of the brain have in common is growth through experience--that is, by going through the ups and downs of life and getting out there to experience all that it has to offer, you will gain strength through knowledge. We all have the ability to be true "renaissance" people, but it is our own responsibility to reach our fullest potential. In order to do this, we have to force ourselves to constantly think openly and not fall into old patterns.

Dr. Suess said it best:

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."