I Didn't Prepare A Speech...

I'd like to thank the Academy (and by Academy, I mean "Cupcake" from the blog Fashion Tarts) for nominating me for the Stylish Blogger Award!  I can't believe I won in the midst of all the drama and turmoil I've gone through in the past couple of days.  Did I actually manage to be stylish when I called the bitch at the Jet Blue counter an idiot?  I guess so!  I suppose that somehow I maintained a sense of style and a sense of humor through the ordeal because I've learned over the years that you have to laugh a little bit at ridiculous circumstances.  If you can't beat 'em...

Anyway, for those of you familiar with this prestigious award, you know that it comes with the requirement to divulge seven secrets facts about oneself.  I hate to disappoint my taffetadarlings with the ultra boring life I lead, so I'm considering making up some juicy tidbits.  Nah.  I'm too damned honest, I'll just tell it like it is...

1. I have a problem with wide flaired pants.  Always have.  I like to torment my mother about this because I blame her for making me wear them when I was little.  Nobody else was wearing them to school, just me.  I hated them and swore I would never wear them once I had a say.  I never have.  As a designer, I've grown to appreciate a slight flair extending smoothly from a tapered knee on a gorgeous pair of Italian trousers, but I still tend to steer clear of wide legs.

2. As if that's not weird enough, I have an extreme phobia of worms.  Now, I'm trusting all of you with this information and that means that you are not allowed to scare me or play tricks on me.  I've literally darted into traffic to avoid ones I have spotted on the road while running on a drizzly day.  In other words, I completely lose my rational mind and that can be a dangerous thing.

3. Despite my wimpy fears, I'm actually quite tough.  I was a competitive swimmer from ten years old until seventeen.  I even competed on a Masters team in NYC in my twenties.  I've done triathlons, taught Spinning classes (for seven years) and run several races (though nothing over 8 miles).  When I am passionate about something I am extremely driven.  I can be quite serious and focused.  I am hyper competitive.

4. I adore animals.  I am a huge softy and would rescue hundreds of dogs and bunnies if I had the space and the funds.

5. I had a little, brown Netherland Dwarf bunny named Miles for nine years.  She was a total house bunny and was even litter box trained.  She was gorgeous, funny and super clean.  I miss her.  Oh yeah... I thought she was a he when I got her.  Very hard to tell when they are little!

6. I knew I wanted to be a designer after reading my first Vogue in 1985.  I bought the book, Couture for $15 at a Flea Market that same year and absorbed every bit of information I could.  I also purchased a dress form for $15 and I still use it today.  A store in the mall was going out of business and I begged my mom to drive me over to buy the form.  I guess 1985 was a very pivotal year in my life.

7. Before I had dreams of becoming the next huge American designer, I wanted to be a comedian.  I idolized Carol Burnett and Steve Martin.  In fourth grade, I had a Steve Martin poster in my locker while most kids had Shaun Cassidy or Leif Garrett!  I still think Carol Burnett's Gone With The Wind skit is one of the best ever.  I'm convinced her curtain rod dress has influenced designers such as Hussein Chalayan!

Thank you and good night!  Oh, before I go, I must nominate some stylish bloggers....

Wendy Brandes (my mentor) from Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Elena Daciuk from Fabulous Finds

Kristin from K-Line

Melissa from Jewelry Dose Daily

Amy from Midtown Girl

Congrats girls!!

Winter White

White after Labor Day?  Yes!  I've already made my policy known back in April, and again in June when I was wearing my summer bleaches head to toe.  I'm a fan of white, and worn correctly, there is no reason it can't be carried forward when it gets cold outside.  Of course, there are some general rules to follow in the winter months such as; cotton poplin, eyelet and crochet are not acceptable;  Be careful how pieces are layered -- pay attention to proportion and fabric textures.  And finally, white shoes are almost never a good idea.  Below are some examples of the right way to handle winter white...

Burberry Prorsum, Pre-Fall 2011

Calvin Klein, Pre-Fall 2011

Celine, Fall 2010

Michael Kors, Fall 2010

Max Mara, Fall 2010

Phillip Lim 3.1, Pre-Fall 2011

Above Photos: Style.com

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season whatever your beliefs or nonbeliefs, traditions, etc.   While this can be a stressful time of year, remember to just have fun, take things in stride because it could always be worse.  And with that, I will leave you with Clark W. Griswold...

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

This is actually an update to my previous post.  I found this vintage photo today at my parents house and I wanted to share a better view of my favorite gift ever -- my dollhouse.  Note the patterned polyester pants I was sporting, while my sister was trendy in tartan!  I'm not sure why I have a pointed head, but I still look pretty happy sitting in front of the mansion. 

my sister and I circa 1975

I also came across the illusive Dusty Gymnastic Set!  I couldn't so much as even find a photo of this on Google when I checked last week, so for all I know this could be the only one in existence!  You get a clear view of all of the gymnastic apparatus on the box and you can see just how elated I was. 

shredding presents in 1976!

Well, this year it's all about my nephew.  There is something therapeutic about spending time with a kid.  So innocent and pure, it is hard to even comprehend.  No pressure, no worries.  The most exciting part of the day is -- ALL day and the most depressing part is going to bed.  I think, just for one day, it would be nice to be a kid again!  Have a fun and fantastic day my taffetadarlings!

my nephew... happy as a clam

Regifting?

Are you guilty?  Have you ever regifted?  When is it okay and when is it not... or is it never okay?  I'm sure we've all gotten our share of strange or cheeseball gifts that we have no use (or desire) for, so what's the harm if you stick a bow on it and pass it along to some semi-friendly coworker or to your neighbor or perhaps your postal carrier?

What's the worst gift you've ever received?  I've gotten plenty of bombs, but I think quite possibly the worst was a coffee maker.  Sure, it was a top-of-the-line DeLonghi ranked the best on the market, but being that it was from my boyfriend (at the time) and he had just gone shopping with me a week prior and witnessed me purchase a new coffee maker, it struck me as unbelievably thoughtless.  Sure, he had gotten me some great things in the past and he actually thought he was giving me something fantastic (guys can be so dumb), but after five years together I was hoping for more than a damn coffee maker.  Needless to say, we broke up a few months later!

Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop

vintage Barbie shoes (on Ebay)

The best gift?  It's hard to say.  I've been lucky enough to have a lot of wonderful people in my life who consistently do nice things for me (and get me nice things too).  I tend to remember gifts from my childhood more so than recent years.  There is just such a thrill attached to the holidays when you're little.  I'll never forget opening my Dusty Gymnastic Set or shredding paper to reveal an Ernie & Bert radio and Play-Doh's Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop.  And Barbies!  The Barbie car, Barbie clothes and those tiny little spiked shoes!  Barbie is the reason I'm a designer today (thanks Barbie, holla!).  My sister and I were just not satisfied with what was offered in terms of Barbie's wardrobe and we started making our own little creations.  Teeny weeny little toiles, I suppose.  When I was very young (about 4) my parents and grandparents built me the most insanely detailed dollhouse complete with 70's wallpaper and handmade furniture.  The best dollhouse ever!  Best gift ever.

me and my dollhouse

Ho Ho NO!

'Tis the season!  One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to observe holiday attire.  There's never a shortage of tacky, ornate Christmas sweaters milling about.

Ebay is probably the best place to look and I browsed the site for a bit so that I could bring you these...

Kwanzaa and Christmas meet?

This little treasure (below) is listed on Ebay as the number one winner for an ugly Christmas sweater contest.  Is it a sweater or a vest?  I can't really tell.  Either way, it's hideous and I'm not surprised that even though it's listed at the bargain price of $19.99, the crafty patchwork jumper has ZERO bids.

it's a quilt, it's a vest... a quilt, a vest...

And last, but certainly not least, I'm going to leave you with this decorated train wreck complete with Christmas bulbs, blinking lights and a stuffed reindeer.  Good news -- this gem can be yours for just $59.99!  Still a bargain even though it's listed as "pre-owned" on Ebay.

does this remind you of Alien (the baby scene)?

So my taffetadarlings, your assignment is to send me photos of awful holiday sweaters and we'll try to keep this list growing for the next couple of days!   

Weekend Wishes

My latest little wish list...

Pringle of Scotland -- Pre Fall 2011

Photo Source: Style.com

The 90's

What comes to mind when you think of the nineties?  Flannel shirts?  Pearl Jam and Nirvana?  Bill Clinton?  Desert Storm?  The tragic losses of Princess Diana and JFK Jr.?  Perhaps you're reminded of a white Bronco racing down the highway ("the glove doesn't fit!"), or Jack Kevorkian or the Columbine massacre or the Oklahoma City bombing.  And on a lighter note there is, of course, Seinfeld, Friends, The Spice Girls, Baywatch (the "Hoff!") and Britney Spears. 

Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in plaid

Well, this was a nice little walk down memory lane, but I'm talking about a different kind of nineties.  You know, nineties as an age not a decade.  If you're lucky enough to live that long I don't suppose trivia or pop culture really matters at that point.  What's important is family, friends and living each day to the fullest -- actually, that's the trifecta of importance at any age!

my dapper Granddad -- looking good at 90!

A couple of weeks ago, my Grandfather celebrated the big Nine-O and I headed to Florida to join in the festivities.  My Granddad still rides his bike every day (or so he claims) and he has managed to maintain his girlish figure as well as a good bit of hair on his head.  That's pretty good, I think! 

me with my Great Aunt Alice and her "Great Ball of China!"

I was surprised and ecstatic to see that my 93 year old great Aunt was able to make it to the soirée.  She walked in, accessorized perfectly down to her bright red nails that she manicured and painted herself.  Always the party gal, my Aunt Alice wore a simple black tee bedazzled with a few little martini glasses across the chest.  Perfect!  As if that wasn't cool enough, she whispered to me that she was wearing her "sexy lingerie" that day and pushed a sleeve off a shoulder to reveal a leopard printed bra strap.  Divine!  But, perhaps my favorite part of the outfit was her ring.  She told me that she got it years ago in China when the wall was still up.  Since the ring is a large gold sphere, she cleverly dubbed it "the great BALL of China!"

Copy Cat!

I just couldn't resist this adorable photo of my 1 1/2 year old nephew, Adam, and then it hit me -- acorns!  No, not an actual acorn (although that has happened more than once and I always feel like such an idiot -- I look around wondering, "Did anyone see that?").  Darling WendyB blogged about her wee darling nephew, Sebastian, a few days ago and mentioned his obsession fascination with acorns.  I guess little kids love acorns.  And sticks.  And holes to put the sticks in and pretty much anything on the ground.  So, since I have nothing inspiring to blog about today, I thought I would copy WendyB (everyone else does!)

Adam and his acorns.  Amore!

Trapped!

Every winter in NYC, I make a pact with myself to move south -- which I inevitably break after spending a significant period of time there during the Holiday Season.  I know I'd be bored to tears.  The ideal situation would be to have the means to travel to a warm place at the drop of a hat.  Since, unfortunately, that is not my reality and I'm trapped, I just have to tough it out and bundle up!

I won't be taking a trip anytime soon...

I guess I will ice skate at Rockefeller Center

An appropriate coat is key and of course, gloves.  Being that we lose a lot of heat (80% is a myth) through our head, it's really important to cover it in some way.  I've said before that I do not have a "hat head," so I have tried hoods, earmuffs and fleece headbands.  Not my style.  I've been kind of obsessed with trapper hats for a long time now, but I see very few people who actually look good in these functional and fashionable head ornaments.  I'm not one of them.  I have, what I like to call, a "pinhead" therefore, most hats just swallow me up and hang down over my eyes.  The trapper hat is no exception.  And with it's massive top and giant ear flaps, I look even more ridiculous.

gorgeous model "working" the trapper hat

Source: Fur Hat World

Joey Ramone is a pinhead too!!

Still, I won't give up.  One day, I will find the perfect trapper hat and I'll be thrilled.  I may have to shop in the children's section, but I'll never tell.  Although, that wouldn't be as embarrassing as Samantha's "mini boyfriend" she had for a couple of weeks who shopped in the boys department -- talk about a deal breaker!

Dialog from Sex And The City -- Season 3 Episode 2 "Politically Erect"

Samantha: I'm not feeling very well. I've got to go. Goodnight.

Jeff: Wait, I'll take you.

Samantha: I'm not really sick. Look, Jeff. I can’t do this. It's not a very good idea. I don’t want to lead you on.

Jeff: Lead me on? You came five times the other night.

Samantha: It's not really that...

Jeff: Then, what? What happened in the past five minutes?

Samantha: You shop at the boy's department.

Jeff: So, what? The clothes fit me better, plus they're cheaper. Where do you shop, the big and tall whore store?

Samantha: You're nothing but a big dick with a little man attached.

Jeff: You're nothing but a big pair of tits with too much extra leg room.

Surprisingly, Samantha had found what she was really looking for. And it had nothing to do with size.

Somebody get me a booster chair.

She'd found a man who made her laugh. They dated for two weeks. Though he was short, it was a long relationship for Samantha.

 

So, now that I've gotten completely off the subject... where were we?  Ah, trapper hats.  Not only do you have to worry about the fit, but quality is another issue.  I'm not exactly pro-fur since I am an animal lover and member of several animal protection foundations, but I have to say that real fur looks the best when it comes to these hats.  Just be sure that it's not rat fur a la George Costanza's Russian "sable-esque" hat he purchased on the street.  OK... I'm clearly watching too much TV!

 

George rocks his Russian "rat hat"

"ratty" looking faux fur trapper hat - maybe it had previously been road kill?

Source: Zappos

Kiss My Grits!

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.  Over the past week or so, I've celebrated two birthdays (mine being one) and two Thanksgivings.  I've pretty much eaten enough cake and pie to feed a small country!  In addition to the sweets, wine and Prosecco flowed freely.  I wolfed down turkey, mashed potatoes, lobster macaroni and cheese, crab cakes, steamed shrimp, cheese, crackers, cashews, quiche, stuffed peppers and giant Florida tomatoes and grapefruit.  Being that I was in the south for these festivities, corn bread and collards took part in several of my meals.  To my surprise, the one southern staple that I didn't have was grits.  Oh well, I'll save them for Christmas!
My gluttony over the past week reminded me of this old INXS video... beware of the 80's hair!

Michael Hutchence plays with his food

Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving taffetadarlings!  What are you thankful for?  I'm thankful that I don't have to dress like a pilgrim.  First of all, I don't look good in hats and that goes for bonnets, babushkas or any type of kerchief.  Second, the idea of donning an apron makes me want to put pins in my eyes.  OK, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but a domestic goddess I am not.

traditional Pilgrim woman

Furthermore, I don't look good in anything that even resembles a dirndl skirt (not many do!) and although black dominates my closet, I wouldn't want to wear it as a uniform every single day.  BOR - ING. 

quadruplets??

Actually, I grew up near Lancaster, Pennsylvania so I am very familiar with this type of dress as I got to see the Amish and Mennonite quite often.  I'm not positive, but I think the Mennonite people are a less strict version of the Amish.  They wear the "tea strainers" (I credit my mother with that description) over their bun-like hairdo's and I'm pretty sure they're allowed to use electricity... and they may even drive cars!  Still, their outfits have a lot to be desired.

Mennonite woman with her "tea strainer"

When I first came to New York (too many years ago to reveal), I used to tell people that I was Amish and I busted out one day because I was sick of the lifestyle.  Sick of wearing the same damn thing every day and the same damn thing as everyone else.  That's why I became a designer.  I could usually keep people going for a while until I tried to describe my escape -- riding my horse and buggy up the PA turnpike into NYC.  Can you imagine? 

A couple of years ago, the great Steven Meisel did a shoot for Italian Vogue where they featured Amish fashion and their way of life as the concept for the spread.  Interesting.  Of course, they used a lot more color and pattern not to mention sexy, young models.  Still, I thought even they looked a bit frumpy. 

cover, Vogue Italia, February 2008

The Answer

I've kept you waiting long enough!  The answer to Thursday's designer guessing game is Carmelo Pomodoro.  I'll credit Madeleine (In New York Paris Tomorrow) with the win since she mentioned him in her well thought out response. Her prize?  Well, maybe we can work out a deal on a Dolce Vita dress!

Guessing Game

We haven't played in a while my taffetadarlings!  I pulled out some more pictures from my archives and thought I would see if anyone can guess this (relatively) obscure designer.  Jeffrey, from Fashion By The Rules, is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to designers, so my money is on him!  He keeps a running list of what he calls "Designers Who Have All But Been Forgotten," which he updates frequently.  It just might serve as a little cheat sheet!

Hint:  This young, promising designer led a new generation of talent during the 80's, but was taken from us (and fashion) too soon.

Feeling Like A Bitch

Well, that title got your attention, huh?  I am, in fact, feeling slightly bitchy today, but that could be due to the fact that it's Monday.  I suppose the lack of water in my building for the last 18 hours hasn't helped my mood either.  At least I had some bottled water in order to make my coffee this morning, otherwise there would be real hell to pay.

Isabel Marant cropped biker pants - $2350

available at NET-A-PORTER.COM

I've always fancied biker/motorcycle jackets.  They represent rebellion, toughness, freedom.  But, to be a real biker bitch you need the pants.  Sometimes, I actually have dreams about clothes/shoes that I want (is that weird?) and lately, I've been dreaming of these babies...

Versace cropped motorcross pants - $2641.70

available at LUISAVIAROMA.COM

Anyone can rock a leather jacket with some zippers, but it takes a pretty confident person to pull off (well, pull them on first!) some tight, leather pants with quilted knee patches.  They immediately suggest "attitude."  Attitude I've got (at least today I do), it's the funds and the gams that are lacking!  A girl can dream...

Rain, Rain, Go Away

OK, I'm thankful that we had an Indian Summer, but Fall has officially arrived in NYC and along with the cooler air we've had for the last couple of weeks, came the rain.  Lots of rain.  Just after we adjusted the clocks on Sunday to deprive us of an hour of light, we entered the week with freezing rain and high speed wind.  I struggled down Park Ave. on Monday morning on the way to my eye exam and cursed every step of the way, fighting against the wind, umbrella whipping about and sleet pelting my face. 

Lemon Print Hunter Boots

I have sixty pairs of shoes, I thought to myself, and not ONE pair of rain boots.  Every year I swear that I'm going to run out and purchase them after I've gotten soaked walking a couple of blocks to the subway station, shoes like sponges and legs soaking wet.  I never do.  This year will be different.

Kamik "Heidi" boot

Rainbops "JoJo" 

So, the selection process begins.  I thought I'd take the lazy way out and shop online, so I brilliantly typed in "rain boots" into a Google search and came across an equally brilliant web site titled "Rain boots Online."  Great minds think alike!  Talk about selection.  What a huge market this has become!  It's not just your basic "Welly" anymore.  Rain boots are offered in a huge range of colors, crazy print patterns and a variety of boot and heel styles.  Are you feeling like a paisley printed cowboy boot?  You can have it!  I don't know why you would want it, but it's certainly available.  As is the wedge heel (which I imagine would make me even more of a klutz in the rain), the motorcycle boot and, of course, the animal print.

Rainbops "Art Fusion"

Michael Kors wedge

Hunter motorcycle wellies

For me, I think some things are just meant to be classic and traditional.  Like a tuxedo.  Or a Wellington boot.  Most likely, I'll veer toward the Hunter Original.  Now, the question is... hunter green, basic black, or metallic silver?

Traditional Hunter Original in Black

Steppin' out in Silver

Noticeable One

I should begin by saying that I'm a product of the 80's and I'm not ashamed to admit it, in fact, I'm quite proud of it.  The 80's brought us MTV, and back when they used to actually play videos, MTV was great!

Adam Ant (the real one!) in 1980

WendyB (or Adam Ant??) in 2010

WendyB and I started planning our Halloween costumes last November (uh, yeah we are ridiculous) and when she told me her idea of dressing as Adam Ant, I felt comfortable enough to let her in on my secret desire to dress as Dale Bozzio from Missing Persons for years.  I never had the guts to prance around in a plastic bra and then, Lady Gaga happened.  Since Gaga practically stole Dale's look initially (though the Lady certainly has had some wild wardrobe ideas of her own), I didn't think anyone would pin me as Ms. Bozzio anymore.  I was sure that if I attempted a Dale outfit, I would be mistaken for Lady G. and would be lost in a sea of  hundreds of other Gaga costumes.  So, I switched gears (but not decades!) and came up with Siouxsie Sioux as an alternative.

Siouxsie Sioux

UPDATE: This photo just in! Thanks to beautiful, blonde, bombshell blogger, Tina (of the Occasional Cook).  You can even see my "feather lashes."

Julie (Marie Antoinette), Me (Siouxsie), WendyB (Adam Ant), Tina (blonde bombshell)

We were an 80's power couple!  Wendy was such a convincing Adam Ant, I wasn't sure I trusted myself to be alone with her.  Kidding!  I kid, people, I jest.  But seriously, her outfit and make-up were dead on... perfect!  I, on the other hand, wasn't quite so perfect.  After two hours of fussing with my eyes, lips and hair, I pretty much looked like a punk rock Cleopatra.  I'm not saying that's such a bad thing, but it seemed like a little too much effort to fall short of my goal.  Anyway, it was still a fun Halloween so I can't complain.  Maybe next year I'll just go for it and rock a blonde wig with a shock of pink and blue, some silver spandex and a plastic bra...

Dale Bozzio is most definitely a "Noticeable One"