It is a Wonderful Life

Click to watch my favorite scene!

Christmas time always reminds me what is really important in life- family.  I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful loving husband who is my best friend and favorite person in the world!  I couldn't imagine riding the roller coaster of life without him by my side.  I feel blessed with the unconditional love, support, encouragement and happiness my family and friends bring into my life.  My girls, Cocoa Chanel and Stella Artois, fulfill each day with endless joy and laughter.  YES, they are my girls . . . I may not have given birth to them but they are still my girls!  Even driving up our driveway into my husband and my first home constantly brings a smile to my face.  Happiness is a choice . . . a dear friend and I decided yesterday over lunch. 

You wrap Christmas gifts for your loved ones and place them under the Christmas tree in hopes to see joy and excitement over come their faces when they open it.  You spend time traveling to family Christmas parties, work Christmas parties and have holiday parties with your friends to show them how much you care about them.  It's a time you and I express our gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and show each other the kindness and appreciation we have for them.  This is the time to rejoice in all that is good in life and be thankful for those many blessings.  Take the time to let your dear ones know how much they mean to you.

You may not be exactly where you want to be in life.  You may not have achieved all that you wished you would have this year.  You may still be searching for "more."  But have faith in all good time, it will all work out the way it's suppose to.  When God closes a door, someway he opens a window.  I believe this.

With the holiday of Christmas here in two days, I wish all our family, friends and readers a blessed holiday season.  To quote one of my favorite Christmas movies It's a Wonderful Life, "My teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel get his wings.  That's right . .  that's right!  That a boy Clarence!"  MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Quality over Quantity



My besties in New York



A good friend pointed out to me one day shopping that I'm a texture girl.  I feel fabrics, pillows, lamp shades, etc. before I buy.  Until that day, I never realized that she was right!  I can tell a lot about the quality of my purchase by the way it feels.  And I am definitely a quality over quantity kind of gal! 

Here are a few tricks though if you cannot afford every piece you may want (neither can I).  This is applicable to your wardrobe, housing decor, doggie fashion . . . you name it!  You need to start with a good foundation and have at least one nice button down shirt, one nice dress pant, one staple skirt and one nice handbag.  This means each piece fits you well (no saggy butts!) and a neutral color will allow for easy mix and matching.  Spend a few extra bucks on these items and then mix and match with a few of your frugal purchases.  If you are willing to spend a few extra dollars on a few "must haves," you are ensuring pieces that will actually last longer because the fabric will hold up better and will wear better long term.  Here's the big secret!  Shhh . . . if you buy a few staple pieces and pay a little more for those items, people inherently assume you spend more on your wardrobe overall!

One of my favorite stories to share is that my husband and I never went engagement ring shopping.  He picked out my ring all by himself (and he did a GREAT job!!).  But when he would ask me for generic details of what I might want, I told him I would rather have a colorless diamond and sacrifice size than have a large ring on my hand that is not good quality.  I know he wasn't buying me a Canary Diamond so I did not want a yellow hue to my stone!  Well I have the same preferences for clothing and home decor.  I believe a few good staples of clothing in a person's wardrobe is the foundation of a versatile style!

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on every piece you buy for your wardrobe.  However, a few quality pieces in your closet can really enhance the quality of your wardrobe and will serve you well in the long run. 

Designers of Rag and Bone

The name Rag and Bone was inspired by this man who
collected trash in London while wearing a suit.

You may or may not have a favorite designer that, for one reason or another, attracts you to their brand.  But I know I do . . . however if I can afford all of them is another topic.  But I just read about a company that you may be familiar with named Rag and Bone. I've seen some of their clothing line at Macy's and have always liked their style.  To me, the brand has a sort of "opposites attract" theme with new and old style that seems very authentic.  But a little bit about the designers . . . not so typical. 


One founder was a British investment banker and the other decided to move out of London on a whim and relocate in Mexico.  Both men were looking for something more in life.  They left their jobs and decided to try their hand at making and designing men's jeans.  As novices, they began by visiting a denim jean factory and then learning how stitch their own clothing.  They started their brand without any employees, supported by their wives, and making their clothes by hand in a showroom in New York City.  Once their brand started to grow, the designer's of Rag and Bone committed to having their clothing made by hand in the United States.  That means while their production line is not cheap and is not quick like so many other designers who choose go outside the United States for quick mass production of their brand, the quality of  product by Rag and Bone cannot be beat!  And yes, their clothing is very affordable.  Hats off to the British designers!! 

Like most jobs, unless you have worked "behind the scenes" so to speak, you may not realize nor appreciate how much hard work, time and energy goes into making clothing and pairing it up with the right accessories to pull off "the look."  But when I read or hear about designers (or anybody really) who are not typical in their path to success yet find great success by believing in their talents and drive, I think it is worthy to acknowledge.

Girl Power!!!

Looking for something to peruse today?  Check out this website Glamour Vanity.  It's an overview of the latest current fashion trends of the season and gives you a glimpse of where the fashion world is taking us in 2011.

Shapeware Is the Name of the Game

As we head into this holiday season, you may be looking for something to hold in or hide your lumps and bumps underneath your clothing.  Shapeware is the way to go!  Many women wear them, so there is no reason to be embarrassed.  I'd be willing to bet that 90% of celebrities wear them too!  You work with what you have (your body), then you go get what you need to polish off your look.

Look for a bra with a smooth, firm cup to hide any nipple display that may be showing. If you want slenderize yourself in a dress or a pencil skirt, look for special body shapers meant to be worn underneath dresses. If you are wearing pants, you want to look for shapewear with a seam in the buttocks. The seam will provide a tight and separated butt as opposed to a flat, frumpy and bumpy butt. REMEMBER to wear a thong pantie if you are wearing dress pants ladies!!!! Otherwise you will end up on my Wall of Shame. 

For those looking to tighten up your mid-section, look for either shapeware with tummy control or you can buy under garments that fit just around your stomach.  If your area of concern is your arms, there is shapeware out there for you too!  It will serve you well if you pay close attention to avoid shapeware that can easily be visualized underneath your clothing.    

You pay for what you get when shopping in this department.   Personally, I think SPANX makes some of the best apparel.  Men, SPANX makes items just for YOU too!  And I just recently found out SPANX makes maternity wear.  Who knew?  Sometimes there is more than meets the eye when it comes to looking fabulous.  My Mom always says, "It's not easy being beautiful."

An Extension of Your Personality and Fashion?

With the holiday cheer and gift giving surrounding Christmas, I decided to let my girls (Cocoa Chanel and Stella Artois) experience luxury and fashion this season. Yes, both girls have their own Christmas stocking. Yes, we wrap Christmas gifts for our dogs. Yes, we have Christmas accessories for them to wear thanks to my time living in New York City.

In New York, most everybody has seasonal outfits and booties for their dogs to keep them warm and protect their paws while walking on the salt and ice.  But for us, it is about enjoying our pets and not taking life so seriously.

On my quest for the perfect way to keep them off our laps and on the floor (for some reason they feel a need to sit their bums on soft surfaces much like they are princesses instead of rescue pets), yet very stylish and chic, I found a website appropriately named Bitch New York.  They carry a variety of doggie accessories and items such as doggie beds, canopy beds, furniture and sports gear.  I realized I found my match for our dogs en vogue AND our home!

I've heard it said before your pet can say alot about your personality.  If that is true, what is your pet saying about you?  

The Barbie Christmas Tree

I just had to share this!  This may be the perfect Christmas tree . . . even if it is just for fun.

What More Can I Say?

Need I say more?  Really?  No, this is not okay to be wearing denim (either tapered-leg or tucked in) with stark white tennis shoes.

Sense of Self or Completely Cent-less?




Bloom Zebra Red Rose Romper w/ hat


My little niece is growing up so fast!  She is 9 months old now and brings nothing but joy and happiness into everyone's life.  But who knew babies could be so fashionable?  OMG!  There are clothes designed for children . . . BABIES . . . that cost as much as a pair of heels for me and you.  WHAT!??!  Who can possibly afford to pay those prices when children grow out of their clothes at a rapid rate?

I remember something my Mother taught me.  My sister and I would each get a certain amount of money before each school year that was ours to spend on clothes, shoes, ect. as we wanted. My sister (very independent, stubborn, and cost-efficient) would come home with 30 great outfits.  Myself, however, (very independent, stubborn and cost-efficient as long as it's not pertaining to my clothes, shoes, purses, or home decor) would come home with 10 FABULOUS outfits. 

My philosophy was (and still  is at times) "If it's on the sale rack, it's because nobody else wanted it either!"  When I was little, Mom would say, "Okay, but I'm only buying one pair of Guess jeans for you."  Remember when Guess jeans were the bomb?  LOL  I would wish I had parents who spoiled me and bought me whatever I wanted like everyone else's parents did!  Famous last words for a child.  Mom would reply "You are growing too fast.  When you stop growing, then I'll spend that kind of money on you and your clothes and shoes." However, the joke was on ME!  By the time I stopped growing, I was making my own money and bought most of my clothes.

I believe in spending, but I believe in spending consciously.  For example, I think it's impractical and silly to spend so much money on children's clothes, at any age, when they continue to grow and develop.  Not all your baby clothes need to come from Jack and Jill.  Christmas, or a baby's first birthday is a possible exception.  Not giving your children everything in the world builds character and a sense of pride.  If everything is given to you, then what can you truly appreciate and be proud of?

Likewise, when it comes to my current spending habits, I believe in being very disciplined and cost-conscious with my finances for most things I buy. I pay close attention to my spending on most things so I can spend money on the things I really want, which is typically something that will look fabulous in my closet (or going out on the weekends!).

In order to be truly fashionable, it takes time to develop your sense of style.  Style comes from trying what trends are in at any given time and what works for YOU.  Even copying someone else's style for a while is okay until you find your own natural look.  It doesn't evolve overnight.  It's not supposed to.  Personal style comes from building of your own character and then discovering your own sense of self, or maybe self-confidence. 

For me, that sense of self came in part from not always getting what I wanted as a child, but always wanting more.  "Shoot for the moon, even if you fall you will land among the stars."  If something is worth having, it's worth working for~ right Momma?  I look back and thank my parents for instilling in me and my sister a sense of "self."  It's fashion on a whole new level, perhaps even the best kind.

Here Comes The Bride . . . Oh No She Didn't

While I was out of commission for a week now (hey, life happens and being sick is no fun), I watched a tv episode about wedding dresses and a bride looking for her perfect wedding gown. I started reminiscing about our wedding day. Our wedding day was beautiful and perfect for us! Consider it a compliment when guests remember the way you looked on your wedding day or how much fun they had or how great the food was over a year later.  Consider yourself a successful wedding planner when more than your mom, sister and yourself and maybe your best friend remembers the details of your wedding. 

As I was watching this episode, I was frankly appalled at the behavior of the bride.  I found the bride repeating choice words as she talked about "This is what I want" . . . "This is my day" . . . "This day is all about me".  Excuse me, notice a theme here?  Isn't a wedding day as much about the groom as the bride?  Would the bride even be having her day if it wasn't for the groom proposing?  Aren't weddings about two people joining their lives to become one?

I agree that men do not get involved or even care about the details of the wedding day like you brides-to-be.  In general, men are patiently awaiting the day to come and couldn't care less about the nitty gritty details, except for the Bachelor Party.  Men will organize and plan ahead for that epic night!  However, pay attention to what is important to the groom.  For example, it was very important for my husband to get married in a Catholic church.  And it was very important to him we make the ceremony about us.  So we did and personalized it with unique details that reflected 'us' as a couple.  We wanted our families involved because our special day was also our parent's special day. 

The point is that weddings, in general, have gotten out of hand.  We are taking what should be a very special, intimate day and turning it into a huge extravaganza more about the drinks and after-party.  Some weddings are bigger than New Year's Eve parties!!  Hey, if you have that kind of money . . more power to you!  But I think it is kind of selfish to be so demanding about your wants for your wedding day, especially if you are not the one paying for it.  It is easy to get lost in the hype of the day and forget about the meaning behind it.

So this one's for the men!  Considering your man's viewpoint for your wedding day is not only fabulous, but more meaningful.  Your wedding day is equally important to your partner as it is to you . . . just in different ways.

Beauty Lab

Do you know someone who has no style?  Well I was reading the Five Best Gifts for People with No Style so I thought I needed to share those ideas with you.  A word of caution before you throw somebody under the bus though, don't use their birthday or Christmas as a passive aggressive means to tell them how bad they look.  It may not be as well received as it will be if you are genuine and polite.


1. Books about style to provide them with information
2. Classic pieces, including the little black dress, tailored white shirt or a
    stylish tote bag
3. Stylish accessories like a cashmere scarf, a leather hand bag or diamond   
    stud earrings
4. Gift certificates for a spa day, hair cut, manicure or facial so he/she feels
    pampered
5. Stage a Fashion Intervention . . . but only if you are really good friends!!!!

I know a few people who are in need of an intervention- like women who wear sports bras under a fitted shirt.  And you know you didn't just leave the gym!  Or how about those of you who know people who are still trying to convince themselves they are a size 4 and they clearly are NOT!  It's okay, it happens.  You can look fabulous at any size- just make sure it's appropriate.  Men, showing off your David Hasselhoff like chest hair from underneath your shirt is not a turn on . . . and neither is the Night Rider himself.  Or how about men and women who still wear high socks with shorts?  And then put on a pair of tennis shoes!  1980's demands you cut the sock off at the ankle and throw the extra material back its way.  Welcome to the 21st Century!

2010 Winter Trends

D&G Fashion

As you shop this holiday season, what winter style trends do you see emerging?  Have you noticed the color purple is the new trend this winter?  Or that a red jacket is a must in any wardrobe?  Bright, bold colors surround you as we head into the new year.  For those looking to kick your style up a notch this season, have you thought about dressing up your style with a pair of gloves?  Not your ordinary mittens or gloves, but a sleek pair of fingerless gloves?  Consider long leather, satin or velvet gloves up to your elbows to add a bit of sophistication in your look.  Gloves are a quick and simple way to update and accessorize any look! 

Belts are another great way to update your look- but this season it's all about thin belts.  Marc by Marc Jacobs, D&G and Prada really influenced this winter's style by wearing the belt over cropped tailored pieces, even coats.  Keep your style fresh and fun!  Don't be afraid to think outside the box when you're mixing and matching your outfits.  This is where you assert your individual style and flare.

Fur is another hot commodity.  Personally, I don't wear fur and rarely buy anything faux.  However there are some great printed hats displayed in many different shapes and styles.  Leopard hats are highly sought after.  Even the 1950's hats are back!!!  I love the romantic feel of the 50's hats.  There is something about that era of fashion that is really attractive.

If you're following jewelry trends, big chunky jewelry is still in.  Big, massive rings and over sized stones require a lot of attitude.  Maxi necklaces are hot this season and made of various combinations of stones chains.  Be creative and playful with these pieces.

Don't be afraid to show off your attitude and confidence through any of these fashion trends.  Friends will sometime say to me when they find a great outfit "But I don't have anywhere to wear it".  Come on!  You can show off your fashion sense and style anywhere at any time.  Who cares what others say or think?  This is about YOU.  As my good friend told me when I moved back from Manhattan, "Faye, never be afraid to be the one who is overdressed.  Think of everyone else as under dressed".  And she's right!