Indulge Decor Blog

Oscars 2013, Bodice-Seam-Gate & Pit Crew Suggestions

 

Bodice-Seam-Gate

&

Pit Crew Suggestions

 

All the pretty people. All the pretty dresses. In my humble opinion, such perfection is exhausting to witness in such numbers, let alone comment on.

Kudos to the following designers for being the 'chosen ones' selected on Oscar night to have their dresses paraded on the red carpet before 1 billion eager fashion forward thinking viewers. Because let's own it girlfriend, - We (the morons who watched the ridiculously long winded 4 hour live telecast & 1 hour red carpet special) are way more into the dresses than the award speeches.

Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani

(I know I'm not going to win an award tonight, but in this dress, I don't even care.)

 

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta and Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture

    

(Jennifer's Dress is from Dior's 'fall' collection, ha ha)

 

 Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen

(As the gossip trail goes, Amanda's dress trumped Anne's.)

 

Anne Hathaway in Prada and Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

         

(Thinking Anne really regrets her Prada selection - booby seams & she hurt dear Mr. Valentino's sensitive paternal feelings, pride- double ahem.)

 

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille Couture

  (Dear Bradley, have fun going home with your mom tonight. Here's to all the losers, God bless them all - snaps.) 

 

Halle Berry in Versace and Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan

     

(The heavy hitters.)

 

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott and Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab

    

(These 2 working their 'Practical Magic'.)

 

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen
    

(Salma sporting the Westminister doggie face lift - poodle pouf.)

 

Catherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad and Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera 

     
(Looks like sweet Renee might have missed her hair & makeup appointment)

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

In an awards show interview, Jennifer Lawrence referred to her 'beauty team' as 'The Pit Crew' - funny, very funny. So, I asked a few friends for their 'pit crew' suggestions and compiled this black book list for you. 

 

The Day Before:

Define Body & Mind (for a little tone-on-tone action)

Teeth Whitening by Dr. Tjoa - Brush

Facial - Brad, Michael Kemper Salon (hydrate, hydrate, hydrate)

Massage - Sanctuary Spa (sheer bliss)   

Air Brush Glow - Sanctuary Spa (a light morning glow not a blazing sunset)

Alterations - Ultra Design (last minute nip or release)

 

Event Day: 

Hair - Joel, Michael Kemper Salon (Anna Wintour goes to him when she's in town, shhh it's a secret, wink)

Makeup - Laura Mercier Counter, Neiman Marcus

Lashes - Amazing Lash Studio (ask for Tish)

 Mani/Pedi - Roxanne, Michael Kemper Salon

 

The Following Day:

 Goode Company Taqueria (the Migas chemically breaks down the lingering effects of the one-last-2-a.m.-cocktail, ugh)

Coronet Cleaners (chemically breaks down the mystery stain which was probably attributed to the one-last-2-a.m.-cocktail, double ugh.)

 

*Disclaimer - all photos downloaded from MSN, thanks guys :-)

Kate And Her Amazing Snowballs

 

Kate And Her Amazing Snowballs

 

 

Last week when I was at the grocery store loading up on Valentine's candy for friends and loved ones, I spotted the Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition 2013 cover featuring Kate Upton and her amazing snowballs. I glanced at the cover quickly, shuddered, blinked hard, and tried to pretend that 'said' glance had never happened. Then I did what any typical warm blooded woman my age would do - I reached for People Magazine.

People Magazine is my comfort zone. In fact, I have the People App downloaded on my phone to keep me updated on my celebrity news (gossip) even when I travel. The headline - How Kate Upton Got In Shape for Her Sports Illustrated Cover caught my attention, only slightly.

OK, whatever. I thought. I'll read yet another tedious article on how-to-get-a-flat-tummy-in-5-days-or-less-using-these-5-easy-at-home-steps.

Surprise . . . !

David Kirsch, Kate's trainer, (who must be a very motivating individual!), describes how he got Kate into snow queen shape.

"Kirsch began working with the supermodel back in August, and for the first 2 weeks, Upton met with him for sessions twice a day. From then on, the model exercised 5 to 6 days per week for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until the photo shoot in December.

Kate did boot camp circuit training mixed in with cardio. Running, rowing, and the eliptical. He adds that there are 6 regions a model needs to focus on for an SI: Swimsuit Edition shoot: Legs, inner thighs, hips, butt, abs and arms. Anything that shows when you're wearing a bathing suit. Which is . . . everything!

It wasn't just the constant sweat sessions that got Upton ready to strip down: she was also extremely careful about what she ate. She followed my ABC's - no alcohol, bread or processed carbs - and no sugar - 24/7 with no cheat days," the trainer reveals."

The truth of the matter is - Kate Upton looks incredible on the cover of SI  because she is one of the most physically motivated beauties in the world, Antarctica included! Kudos to Kate and her unrivaled tenacity to look and feel her best. Although the majority of us (normaltons) can (should) honestly admit to ourselves that our own personal icebergs have begun to melt and turn into mush, we can still feel motivated to try harder with our exercise and diet.

A few years ago, Indulge started selling swimsuits & beach cover ups out of my own personal necessity. Every spring, I would venture to the Galleria in hopes of procuring an appropriate swimsuit & beach cover up for my summer holiday to Harbour Island only to return home with yet another all season raincoat and sans swimsuit, ugh. Yes, I know, beachwear is a bit of a reach for a home decor store to sell, but why not - no other stores seem to be motivated to give swimwear a presence. In fact, Neiman Marcus doesn't even host a beachwear department any more. And one more curse, have you ever tried to order a swimsuit online, really?!? Nothing on earth could be more misrepresented - the model's 'bits' versus my 'bits' again, ugh.

For inspiration (and plagiarism), I turned to the fashion magazines & celebrities . . .

Following - Kate Middleton, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce, Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson, Cindy Crawford, Jessica Biel all featured in Melissa Odabash beachwear, United Kingdom.

 

Perfect timing - our first shipment of Melissa Odabash beachwear arrives Friday! Ahem, for those of you who live in the moment (denial), Spring Break begins in a few weeks, Mid March.

Not to worry, as the Brits would say - Keep Calm and Carry On. We have lots of gorgeous beach cover ups in the shipment!

And for those of you who are planning a ski-vay, don't forget your swimsuit for the apres ski hot tub, wink.

Hope my little green friend is careful in the hot tub, ha ha :-)

 

Red Carpet Review: Oscars 2010

 

Indulge

I love award season in Hollywood.

Can you imagine being a starlet during award season - the stylists, the fittings, the jewelry, the hair and make-up, the butterflies (you know, the ones in your stomach when you're getting your fabulous self out of the limo and onto the red carpet)?

Obviously, some do it better than others. Which is lucky for me - because really, what's fun about being the Fashion Police if everyone dressed utterly impeccably?

I've decided to break it down by the noticeable trends. My favorites are dispersed throughout. Spoiler Alert: Don't worry, I still managed to give out a few "WTF" awards at the end.

 

First, three of my favorites. Sandra Bullock, dressed to win in Marchesa, Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta, and Julianne Moore in Calvin Klein. Three of my favorite ladies in three of my most favorite designers. Love their shiny gold-hues and love their Veronica Lake-1940s-sideswept glamour hair.

    

Um, I'd just like to point out that Julianne Moore is turning 50 this year. Yes, FIFTY. Meanwhile, Sandra is 45 and Cameron is 37 - I'd like to know their secrets, for sure.

 

Another noticeable trend was the open-front gown. Of course! Why didn't I think of that! Show off the shoes. Here's Demi Moore in Versace, Zoe Saldana in Givenchy, and newcomers Carey Mulligan and Anna Kendrick in Prada and Elie Saab, respectably.

   

  

These are all very different gowns, yes, but they're all showing a little leg and a lotta shoe.

 

Ladies in red. Here's Vera Farmiga in Marchesa and Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan.
 

While Vera's dress is more fruit punch, Penelope's merlot red gown matches the red carpet to a tee. Check out Sigourney Weaver, also in red, checking her out in the photo above - I wonder how many people stepped on Penelope's gown that night?

 

It's pretty rare to see prints at a red carpet event, but this year two young starlets opted for a printed gown. Here's Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten and one of my favorites, Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab.

 

Love Rachel's dress. Who knew a print could be so glamorous and classic; so red carpet? She looks like an impressionist painting or a watercolor.

 

Another red carpet trend this year was the more structured, architectural gown. And more neutral, pale hues. Here's Kate Winslet in YSL, Jennifer Lopez, and Amanda Seyfried, both in Armani Prive.

   

Now, if you watched the red carpet live on t.v., you probably noticed how stunning Jennifer looked. But there is this picture which tells a different story (i.e. very unflattering bottom half). I loved it when I watched it live on t.v., but I guess she should have been more careful about how she posed or what angle the cameras caught.

 

Speaking of unfortunate red carpet incidences, another "trend" I noticed this year was that a couple of my usual faves fell short. Let's call it my "WTF" (What The Fudge) award.They chose the right designer but sadly not the right dress. Here's Charlize Theron in Dior and Diane Kruger in Chanel.

  

Eek. I don't know what Charlize was thinking with those Pillsbury rolls over her breasts. To think that John Galliano did that to her! What were they thinking. As for Diane - I'm all about
Chanel and I'm definitely all about a vintage-vibe - but if something's not flattering, don't wear it.

 

And now for my "On The Fence" award, which goes to Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel.

She has a beautiful figure, and you have to admire her risk-taking, but I just can't seem to get behind this dress. The color's great. The bangles are lovely. And even though she's fifteen shades darker than her husband (don't they both live in New York?) I like her hair and make-up. I don't love it. And I don't hate it either. I'm on the fence.

 

My Most Improved award goes to Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham.

Other than her sometimes-bad posture which pains me so, Miley looks better than she ever has. Great hair, appropriate make-up (remember, she's 16!), and a great color for her. 

 

Now, my "I-Don't-Know-Why-She-Was-There-But-I-Loved-Her-Dress" Award. That goes to Nicole Richie in Reem Acra.

 

Again, I'm not so sure exactly why she was there, but I do love this gown. Considering she didn't live in the 60s and 70s, she always get the groovy 70s hippie chick vibe just right.

 

Last, but not least, my "Wish You Were Here Award." Weren't there some celebs you like seeing on the red carpet that you missed seeing this year? Some of my old standbys that I missed seeing this year, the winners of the "Wish You Were Here" award, in last year's gowns, are:

Reese Witherspoon

In vintage Dior 

 

Anne Hathaway

In Armani Prive 

 

Angelina Jolie

In Elie Saab and gorgeous Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings. 

 

That wraps it up for my Academy Awards Red Carpet Review and sadly, for award season in general. Luckily we get to do it all over again next year!

 

Paris / Capri, September 2010 - Pre Voyage Shopping

 

Paris / Capri, September 2010 - Pre Voyage

I love Paris in September! But really, who wouldn't? It is with that thought in mind (Paris in September!) that I will explain to you in advance how I happened to ditch my First Class ticket home (Paris to Houston) in exchange for 5 days in Capri, Italy. You do the math: 10 hours on a plane First Class versus 5 days in gorgeous Capri, Italy!

My booked-way-in-advance 9 days in Paris holiday/work trip miraculously escalated the week before we (sweet husband and moi) were supposed to leave into -

My sweet husband and moi are going to Capri for 5 days for a dear friend's daughter's wedding and on the way there we have a one week layover in Paris, woohoo!!!

For the last ten years, I have attended the Maison & Objet show each September in order to buy lovely European products to delight your senses with for the Indulge Stores. Each and every year, I have left for Paris the day after Labor Day; I know this because I distinctly remember that the timing of the trip is ideal for any noteworthy fashionista. I have all day Sunday to relax by the pool and peruse the grand-slam September issues of the Fashion Holy Trinity- Vogue, Bazaar, and Elle for fall shopping ideas. 

6 1/2 pounds of pure want & desire, and some interesting editorials.

          

Then ideally, I also have Monday off (Labor Day) to go to the Galleria to do a little reconnaissance shopping (item selections & price comparisons) before I settle on my 'shopping list' ('The Chosen Ones'- ie - handbag, shoes, scarves) to be purchased in Paris.

Fashionista Shopping Abroad Tip: When shopping with sweet husband, it is best for noteworthy fashionista to be well organized and precise. Sweet husbands can tire quickly from shopping (spending his hard earned money in slightly elevated Euros) and potentially cut shopping short (aghast!). For instance, choose lunching spot near located target (YSL) and casually mention a pop-in to look at charming kitty-cat print scarf in the window (score!)

"Why don't you go ahead to the cafe and order a glass of wine while I pop into just one more shop, sweetie." Tee hee.

Husband is happy and relaxed enjoying a glass of wine at Cafe Flore while you have an extra fifteen minutes or so to shop (do some real damage). Did I mention that Tod's and Prada are most conveniently located just across the street from YSL? The French just make shopping so easy.

Slight Fashionista Confession - while at The Galleria, I might have bought an item or two. If you read this Blog with any consistency then you have surely heard me drone on and on about what is age appropriate in fashion and what is not. It can be very confusing to someone my age (46) to look in a fashion magazine and think - Can I wear that? I know the girl in the picture looks adorable in that outfit but she's probably only 16.

This was my feeling in regards to the new jean - the Cargo Jeans. After two straight years of the ink dyed J.Brand 'skinnys' I was ready for a change, but Cargo Jeans?

So, I turned to my twenty-something fashion counsel - my lovely shop girls. Since I don't have a mean teenager of my own at home to warn me if I look stupid or embarrassing, I rely completely on these girls (my lovely shop girls) for their honest opinions.

Just so I don't sound too stupid, I lead in with a very general fashion question. "So M.M., have you bought the new Cargo Jeans yet?" I asked, trying to sound confident and like I know what I'm talking about.

M.M. replied, "Not yet, but I'm getting some for sure."

I dig further. "What about your mom, do you think that she (very tasteful mother) would wear the Cargo Jeans?"

"For sure."  M.M. replied without hesitation.

"Really? Your mom would buy the Cargo Jeans?" I asked again, needing further verification and substantiation.

"Uh, yeah."

"Your mom doesn't think that they (Cargo Jeans) are a little young?"

 Rolling her eyes, M.M. replied, "My grandmother bought the Cargo Jeans." M.M. really knows how to make a point.

Wow, M.M.'s grandmother bought the Cargo Jeans! M.M.'s grandmother is beyond fashionable and beyond reproach. That was all I needed to hear.

  I am so getting Cargo Jeans!

Cargo Jean Warning! - Note: Not All Cargo Jeans Fit Alike.

In my personal Cargo Jean experience and tribulation, this is what I learned - Cargo Jeans are not something you want to order on the internet. You will need to take the time, visit the stores, and try the jeans on. On my quest for the perfect Cargo Jeans, I started the hunt at Saks.

Saks was completely sold out of most every style, in most every color, in most every size.

Uh ohh, I thought.

Next stop Barneys Co-Op. I'm not even sure why I stopped into Barneys Co-Op because I think the Co-Op caters to a younger clientele, but what can I say - I am a thorough fashionista. I hit all the stores. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a pair of jeans you want to make sure you get the 'right pair' and not something that is going to end up on the bottom of your closet shelf until enough time has gone by and you can give (pawn) them to your maid.

Score!!!

J.Brand is making a Cargo Jean exclusively for Barney's Co-Op and they had just gotten them in the day before and had every size available in 2 great colors - a khaki color and a military green color. The Cargo Jeans are a slightly looser fit and not so distressed. I guess you would say that they are 'dressier' (older / more mature) Cargo Jeans.

I did not hesitate after the Saks experience, I bought both color Cargo Jeans.

J.Brand Houlihan Cargo Jeans - Sateen Skinny Cargo

        

As I said, I'm thorough. So, I went the extra mile (not really a mile but it's a long walk from Saks to Neimans) and went to Neiman Marcus to see their Cargo selection. Neimans had the same brands, styles, and colors as Saks and a huge selection. At Neimans, I ran into a dear friend of mine who was shopping with her mother.

As I glanced over at the mother (Houston Best-Dressed-List-Hall-Of-Famer) I noticed that the chic mother was wearing the new Cargo Jeans with a beautiful silk blouse and that the ever-stylish daughter had a pile of Cargos slung over her arm waiting in line to check out. It seemed that everyone in line had ventured to the mall that day for a pair of Cargos.  I loved it that the tres chic mother (an actual grandmother 60+) had brought her ever-stylish daughter (35+) to purchase the new style jean (stylish daughter must have been as reticent as moi.)

Fashionista Disclaimer: Over zealous in my Cargo Jean success, I tried on several more C.J. styles at Neimans. Warning - do not pick up anything that has the words - 'Japanese Twill' or 'Leggings' on the tag. By the time the cute, eager sales girl had brought me the 3rd size up from my 'true size' I'd had enough.  

"That style runs a little small." Sales girl explained, in a very non-judgmental way. "Let me get you another (bigger) size." Tiny sales girl said, scampering off and leaving me immobilized in a pint-sized fitting room flooded with florescent lighting, three-way mirrors, and a pair of Cargo Jeans in my 'true size' wedged just above my thighs but just below my hips (the ripply zone) with no hope of going any further up or down.

I immediately start to sweat. The florescent lighting starts to heat up the dressing room. My knees become claustrophobic in the jeans (leggings). I can't sit down and I can't stand up. I must get them off !!! 

Just as skinny sales girl arrived with the 3rd size up, I had managed to de-tangle myself from the jeans (leggings) and am sprawled out on the Neiman's dressing room (public) floor in a thong, yick.

As I said (warned), Cargo Jeans are something you will want to try on in person. The sizing can be a little off (3rd size up still didn't go up over the hips, grrr.)

My Fashionista Holy Trinity Tips: 

Please think of these tips more as inspiration rather than acquisitions. Warning - very pricey.

Military Style Jackets in Olive Green

by Burberry 

          

Shearling by Burberry
   
      


Kitty Cat Print, Everything

            

Lanvin                                                 YSL

                                                                                                                                                    
Lanvin                                                               YSL   

       

                  

Mulberry                                          Gucci

       

                            YSL                                                  Louis Vuitton  (dyed mink, ahhh)   

 

           

YSL                                                                    Gucci

Something Casual to go with New Khaki Cargos

        

Hermes Bracelets in Taupe

    

Like my mother always told me - It is better to have one thing that you will wear a hundred times rather than a hundred things you will wear only once. 

I'm going to start saving now for one of those jackets!

Or maybe,

The New YSL Roady Hobo Bag in Olive

 

How great would the bag look with my new khaki and military green Cargos?!

Perhaps the bag is a bit more practical in the Houston weather than a heavy shearling jacket. Let's see - what did my mother say . . . . 1 item / 100 times. If I buy fab Roady bag next month, I will have worn new bag over 100 times by New Years!

I guess, the sooner I buy the bag - the better. Who knew how completely rational and cost effective it is to shop the season so early! Tee hee.

As Seen In Elle, September 2010 Fall Shopping Guide:

 Military with Kitty

 

 Kitty with Military

Check Back Wednesday For Next Fun Blog Post - More on Travel and Travel Tips!!!

   
 

 

Sole Man

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Christian Louboutin is to shoes as Madonna is to pop music. The famous French Sole Man's name has become synonymous with women's footwear, arguably even more than his predecessors Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo.

 
  

 

His signature red sole has become almost iconic - seen on red carpets, ladies luncheons, carpool lines, and sticky club floors alike. The Neiman Marcus in Houston has more styles of Louboutins out than any other brand. In fact, Jennifer Lopez staged her after-twins comeback with a song dedicated to the shoes called "Louboutins." 

If you're a woman and you don't own a pair of Louboutins, you've probably tried on a pair/lusted after them/are currently saving up for some right now.

 

Next month's issue of Vanity Fair (May 2010) features an article, written by Vanessa Grigoriadis, about the "Godfather of Sole" himself.

 

 

The 46-year old shoe god (pictured above in his custom atelier) heads an empire which, by the end of this year, will include 32 boutiques around the world, up from just 19 in 2009. Over 340,000 pairs of Louboutins were sold last year - keep in mind these shoes start at $495 and go up into the thousands (five figures for custom pairs). Mr. Louboutin laughs when eager customers approach him at events and shows and proclaim "I am your biggest customer - I have 15 pairs of your shoes!" He says a "big customer" is somebody who owns at least 500 pairs of his shoes. That sounds like a lot.

But he declares that "about 3,000 women have 500 pairs. But those aren't the biggest customers. Those costumers have about 6,000 pairs." These costumers include a Moroccan princess, the widow of French mogul Jean-Luc Lagardere, and a Lebanese billionaire.

 

Danielle Steel  

 

His biggest costumer? Famed romance novel author (and apparently the new Imelda Marcos) Danielle Steel. She owns over 6,000 pairs, "if not more." Another one of his most loyal customers is Toni Morrison - will someone explain to me what authors, people who are largely out of the limelight as they are writing their many novels, needs so many pairs of very expensive shoes? Another is Sofia Coppola - a director. Again, behind the scenes.

So what gives? All they ever talk about on the news and in the media is the recession and the economic downturn; open this month's Vogue magazine and instead of full-page couture ad campaigns you'll find White House/Black Market, Express, and Banana Republic ads; walk around the Galleria and everything is on sale and marked down and red-tagged. So how is it that a company which has made its name in high-end expensive footwear is seeing so much growth and such high sales volume? How is it that other high-ticket items like cars and jewelry sales are so down but extravagant Christian Louboutin shoes - articles you wear on your feet, which touch the yucky ground, which you walk in - are up? 

 

Celebrities in one of Christian Louboutin's bestsellers - a platform pump.

 

Although, not everyone who is buying Louboutins can afford them - one woman interviewed at a Louboutin shoe-signing event in Orange County told Grigoriadis "You know, I've run away from repo men in his shoes. My mom has even declared bankruptcy to buy me his shoes." To which her mother interjected "It's no biggie. Bankruptcy just sits on your credit report for a few years." A brazen attitude in an economic recession, don't you think?

 What's even more fascinating about Louboutin's immense success is that his company, unlike most luxury designer brands, doesn't advertise or market their product. He says he doesn't believe in it. What's more, the company remains independent and owner-operated, another very rare thing in the fashion industry (I imagine he's had many offers for buyouts, hello LVMH). And, while most designers (even the big-name designers) cultivate stylists and celebrities by gifting them with their clothes, shoes, and accessories, Christian Louboutin does not "push" his shoes on celebrities or onto red carpets. He says that while he sometimes gives celebrities a discount at his stores, he never gives shoes away. He doesn't have to!

 

More celebs in his shoes

 Again, we're talking about shoes here. Not jewelry, which you can wear for the rest of your life and pass on to your heirs and their heirs and so forth. Not handbags, which you can use and stick in the top of your closet to be brought back out every few seasons. Shoes - things you put on your feet. Feet which can sweat and smell, feet which walk on the icky ground of city streets, through rain or shine. After I wear a pair of heels just a handful of times I can already see that the sole is worn, the heel is becoming exposed, and that the leather is scuffed.

 

 

 

If I spend $6000 (that's 3 zeros) on a pair of shoes (the price tag of the Marie Antoinette shoe, pictured above, of which only 36 pairs in each color were produced), I wouldn't have the heart to wear them out of the house. I'd put them on a pedestal or in a case and call them art!

I always remember that infamous episode of Sex and the City, in which Carrie, unable to afford to buy her apartment, figured out that she had spent over $40,000 on a hundred pairs of Manolos and Choos. "I will literally be the old woman who lives in her shoes," she laments.

 

 

 100 pairs of shoes for $40,000 - that's $400 a pair. Now, imagine a Louboutin price tag.

 

 

This pair retails for $1095. A hundred pairs of Louboutins like these would be over $100,000. If you have 1,000 pairs of Louboutins like these you've spent $1 million. If you're one of Christian's better customers and you own 3,000 pairs, you've spent $3 million. Now, if you're Danielle Steel and you own 6,000 pairs, you've spent $6 million on shoes!

Recession? What recession?

 

Straw Bag Chic

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Sometimes the many fashion magazines subscriptions we get in the mail every month provide us with ideas for new things to carry in the store. Hats, Missoni towels and beach bags, Safia Day jewelry, Petit Bateau t-shirts, scarves - we see it in the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Elle and we think maybe we'd like to have it at Indulge. I always joke that Cynthia would be able to dress and accessorize herself if she came to work in nothing but a robe!

Last week, C. brought in the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar (I of course had already read it) and wanted the girls to research the great-looking woven bags in one of the photo spreads...

 

 

 

 

 

C. loved the bags featured in this Moroccan spread. As she turned the glossy pages of Bazaar she strained her eyes to read the details listed in the fine print in the corners of the pictures. On most of the pages she saw the line "Bangles, Belmacz. Bag". Of course, had she read the next line she would have seen the words "Michael Kors", "Dolce & Gabbana", and "Bottega Veneta" immediately following the word "Bag". Here she was thinking this great Belmacz guy was making all these cute straw bags, which couldn't have been more than a couple hundred dollars, right? Don't you just hate that pesky fine print?

Okay, so we can't get Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana and Bottega Veneta at Indulge. But we can post the cutest straw and woven bags of the season on our blog.

 

This gorgeous Bottega Veneta woven calf-skin bag was featured in the Bazaar spread (the last page on the right, above). Okay, so it's not straw. But it is woven and Spring-y and delicious.

At the bargain price of $7800, all you need to do is sell a kidney on the black market to get one. And it would be so worth it.

 

After that sticker shock, you might be more inclined to look at a designer's mid-tier line - how about a beautiful MICHAEL by Michael Kors straw carry-all?

  

 These retail for $248 and $328 - pocket change compared to the Bottega.

There's also this adorable D&G by Dolce & Gabbana.

At $449, you could wear it to a ladies' lunch and to the beach (if you were somewhere chic like Majorca or St. Tropez).

 

Gucci makes this chic straw tote and this too-cute white leather bamboo-handled bag for the spring and summer.

    

The perfect carry-all straw tote for day ($990) and the cutest white-leather-with-grommets bag for night ($2350).

 

I also love this not-straw nautical rope-handled bag by Louis Vuitton.

 

Don't we all need a purse that we can take poolside? This $1225 number would be just as cute with real clothes, too.

 

Yves Saint Laurent makes this patent leather-handled black raffia Roady bag for $1045. 

Just don't wear it with white jeans - the black-dyed raffia tends to wear off on light colored fabrics.

 

I especially love this Balenciaga straw bag. Love how they used their signature "motorcycle bag" leather and metal finishes on the color-blocked straw.

It also comes in a tres French sailor navy stripe version. At $945, it's the Balenciaga look for a fraction of the leather Balenciaga bag price.

 

Prada makes this straw and leather shopper. The grassy raffia at the top is too cute for a garden party.

It retails for $1295 and comes with a great detachable shoulder strap.

 

And now, the ultimate favorite. The straw bag of all straw bags. The Jimmy Choo snakeskin and raffia hobo.

 

What's not to love?! It's leopard print raffia, elaphe snakeskin trim, gold hardware, purple trimmed, and wonderful. It retails for  $975 - and, I know I must be drinking the blogger kool-aid because that seems perfectly appropriately priced to me (come on, that Bottega set a high bar!). And, insider blog-reader tip: I saw it just this week at our very own Neiman Marcus. 

Paris - January 2010: Shopping

C:

Fashionistas around the world flock to Paris in January for the winter clothing sales. And, one of my favorite places to start is the legendary Le Bon Marche. Founded in 1852, Le Bon Marche is often referred to as the world's first department store.

  Shopping at Le Bon Marche is also a favorite rainy-day-in-Paris past time for many fashionistas, so expect a crowd. The store is so beautiful and inviting that even my husband didn't mind coming out of the rain to help me shop.

 

As you step off the elevators, you are reminded at every glance that there is a big sale.

         

  

Look how cute the Balenciaga straw tote is! Wouldn't it make a really cute new beach bag, hmmm? Of course, the one thing I really wanted was not on sale, typical. 

Take note of Le Bon Marche clever window display! All windows turned into framed fish tanks.

And yes, that is not a cold rainy day mirage! It is exactly what you think - a cute little fish swimming around a pair of summery white Havaiana flipflops. I would love to see Anna Wintour's contorted face as she falls over from fashion shock. Is this the end of fashion as we know it in Paris or just a cute visual?

 

Cute Merry-Go-Round in little park across the way from Le Bon Marche.

Perfect for nannies to distract unruly children while mommies shop.

Window shopping in Saint Germain:

Prada

Gray for spring?

Shoes and bag - crystal clear this season.
           

YSL

Our little Ali would look so great in this dress!

   
Fabulous agate necklace sold right off the mannequin while I was taking the picture. Notice how great the matching bracelet is.

And, my YSL window!

             

Love the new YSL Roady bag in black raffia with patent leather handle, hmmm. Maybe that's my new summer bag! Shown with simple black dress and kitty-cat heels.

Christian Dior

Love thy purple. White is nice for spring too.

 

Hermes 

Coming 2010 
 
(Adjacent to Hotel Lutetia )

Louis Vuitton

Do you ever get the feeling of - Being 'caged in' by your designer handbag and designer sneakers?

 

Window Shopping with the 'big boys' - Right Bank:

This would be a good time to ask you dear, sweet husband if he would like to see just one last great monument erected in Napoleon's honour. You know, something historical that he would enjoy.

Vendome Column

 Vendome Column was made from 133 captured enemy cannons from the battle of Austerlitz, you explain oh-so-matter-of-factly.

"And, oh look at all the pretty stores," you innocently point out with just a hint of a smile. "While we are here, we should just have a look around."

Van Cleef & Arpels

My husband is so relieved we do not have a VCA store in Houston.

  Gifted very thoughtful VCA gift certificate for Christmas. Just showing my husband some of the pretties that I may choose from.

     

What you don't see is my husband clicking away on the calculator on his little iPhone to see which is the better deal - Euros versus dollars. Answer: still dollars.

The Others:

  
   

         

 

Goyard

Can you believe they leave that 'stuff' just sitting around? What is that about $20,000 or $30,000 in street signage?

 Wondering what I bought for presents on my shopping expedition?

 

A puppy dog purse for her (my niece) and a French soccer ball for him (my nephew).  

Laduree

Macaroons for everyone else.

And oh, maybe a few for the plane ride home, wink.

Coming Soon: Pictures of all the 'good stuff' I bought for you at The Objet Show.

Au revoir for now!

Paris - January 2010: Preparation & Packing

C:

Paris in January is cold. And, when I say cold, I mean sunny cold, windy cold, cloudy cold, drizzly cold, rainy cold, and snowy cold - in any combination on any single day. I will be in Paris for a week, so I am completely expecting to enjoy all the 'states' of cold weather, after all - if you can't enjoy yourself in Paris in January than you just shouldn't have come. If what it takes for you to have a 'nice' holiday is warm sunny weather than may I suggest a Carnival Cruise, those boats are full of fair-weathered tourists. I, on the other hand, am happy to be in Paris. I share a more 'the-wine-glass-is-half-full' type of sentiment and enjoy Paris any time of the year and am thankful to get to go at all.

My trip to Paris is mostly for work. I am to attend the Maison & Objet Show held January 22-26 at the Villepinte - Parc des Expositions (You might notice the sign along the freeway just as you leave the Charles de Gaulle Airport.)

 

But alas, not to worry too much for me because I hope to have at least a day before the show and at least a day after the show to sightsee. (Trip shortened greatly because crammed between Harbour Island and New York - 3 great trips - 1 short month)

PROPOSED SCHEDULE:

Leave Tuesday afternoon - 3:30 p.m.

Arrive Wednesday morning - 7:55 a.m.

Travel Tip: For those of you traveling from Houston or anywhere else that the airline drops you off inconveniently 7 hours before hotel check-in, I wisely book the hotel room for the night before and tell them that I will be a late check-in, very late. That way, when I get to the hotel, I can have a bath, take a nap, and wake up refreshed to start my day with brunch at none other than my favorite serves-breakfast-all-day cafe - Cafe Flore.

               

Thursday - Sightsee

Friday - Showday

Saturday - Showday

Sunday - Showday, expect to skip out early

Monday - Sightsee

Tuesday - Leave Paris 9:25 a.m.

PACKING:

Apparently, I must be drinking from the 'Blogging Kool-Aid.' I wrote that blog (The Concealer) right before I left for Paris - Coats, scarves, boots, sunglasses, jewelry, purses - all 'Concealer Clothes.' All tips ideal for traveling, too.

On the way to the hotel, 12 hour travel day later, ugh. 'Concealer Clothes' holding up better than 12 hour travel breath. Notice darling husband not sitting very close.

My husband has a saying - "If you can't carry it, don't bring it." Translation - he, too, only has two arms and can not manage to schlep more than two bags at a time. Meaning - one reasonable bag for him and one over-packed bag for me. The rest of the so-called necessities (my stuff) is up to me to carry. So over the years, I have managed to convince myself that I can do without a lot of incidentals when it comes to traveling. Besides, if I do conveniently forget something or gleefully managed to way under pack, I am in Paris, and, almost anything can be replaced (upgraded).

Here is my 'Winter Concealer' packing list for Paris in January: To include - show clothes, sightseeing clothes, and special 'date-night-out' clothes.

Full disclosure - this is everything I took to Paris. Including my sleepy-time clothes.

Coats:

• Black Cashmere - for the coldest days.

• Brown Suede - for sunny days.
  

• New Shortie Trench coat - for all the drizzly days. (Which happened to be all but 2 days)                                    

Scarves:           

• Black and Gray Cashmere - (Gifted to my husband years ago, but absconded by loving wife, wink.)
• Kitty-Cat - just for show.
• Mink - showy and warm! Perfect for dress up.

Purses:

• Grey Bag - for all occasions
• Kitty-Cat Satchel - the ideal show bag (I get tons of compliments on this bag. Don't tell, purchased years ago with HSC, shhh.)
• Petit Evening Bag - brought for date-nights. Restaurant tables in Paris are positioned so closely, that I have learned it can be very awkward for waiter and neighboring tables if you have huge purse that needs to be put somewhere. Small bags are tres chic for dinner.

Footwear:

• Work Boots - several years old, way comfortable.
• Glam Boots - for 'date-nights.' Look great with all the dresses I brought.
• Flats - known as my 'shoe-shoes.' Comfortable for walking around the show for hours on end. Who would think flats could be so comfortable.

* Note how small hotel closet is. If my feet were any bigger, I don't think my shoes would have fit!

Shoe Tip: Compede

I buy 2 packs of Compedes at the local Pharmacie as soon as I arrive.

My year round madness of Havainas wearing leaves my feet quite unprepared for the 8 hour grueling show days. I don't care how comfortable those shoes or boots are - there will be blisters. There are always blisters!

  

Jewelry:

I only bring what I will wear constantly. Without hesitation, I took the ring my husband so lovingly purchased for me for our tenth wedding anniversary (After he was reminded on blog that he had forgotten - 3 months later, tee hee. Love the blog!)

 

Notice - French girl carrying an umbrella, hum. Rain is certainly a motif for Paris (and Houston) in January.

T-Shits & Sweaters: for layering.

T-Shirt Tip: I like to wear T-Shirts under my sweaters. Don't think that just because it's winter that you don't sweat. Well, maybe I should make that an 'I' statement. I sweat regardless of the temperature. I think that my sweating is spurned on by the claustrophobic-ness of wearing so many clothes at one time. Just thinking about it makes me sweat.

Jeans: Of course. Jeans are not just American, anymore. You see lots of jeans being worn in Paris - both styles skinny with flats or tucked into boots, and fuller cuts worn out over the boot. Jeans worn with long sweaters, short jackets, and gorgeous minks. (Even in the Anna Wintour movie The September Issue, 'Anna' dares to mention J.Brand jeans in her opening interview, aghast!)

Hair: I know! I know! It wasn't for trying. I remember very well my 'Personal Resolution.' I brought the stupid thing (Chi) and it would not work with any of the converters we brought. So, of course, my hair was wildly frizzy the whole time. I tried to keep it (the heap) up in a ponytail as much as possible but even I started to get a 'pony' headache. 

And, don't even get me started on that 'thing' (apparatus) the hotel calls a blow dryer. My dog Spotswood emits 'toots' with stronger currents than that damn thing had on 'high-speed.'

 

My Packing Essentials:

Products:

The older I get the more 'products' I seem to use. Even though hotels usually provide lovely bath products, I like to begin my day smelling like 'me.' I can not live without my Frederic Fekkai shampoo and conditioner (I buy the large size for home and a special small size for travel.) My own personal crack cream - VRAI.

(Ignore image of Chi. Am still mad at it.)

Things to swallow:

Melatonin - a tablet under the tongue and I sleep like a baby until the dreaded 4 a.m.

Flaxseed Oil - because I can feel the elasticity evaporating from my skin on the plane.

Psyllium - will not explain further. If you know what it is you probably have to take it too. If you have never heard of it than lucky you, for now.

*All pills dumped into convenient ziplock bag because bottles are large and cumbersome.

Hope you enjoyed the first installment, tomorrow is Hotel Reservations.  Au revoir.

The Concealer

C:

Every season I buy one thing I absolutely can't live without. Now, I admit that I have an unfair advantage over most local fashionistas because I get  to go to New York twice a year (Aug., Feb.) and Paris twice a year (Sept., Jan.) And, don't forget about the piles (4 'subs.') of fashion magazines that find their way to my mailbox each and every month to aid me in any self-important purchases that I might need to make for myself. And, not to mention the fact that I work with a handful of darling, beautiful twenty-something young ladies who come to work everyday with their hair and makeup done and a too cute age/work appropriate outfit on. It all makes me realize that my old hair in a ponytail - When was the last time I washed it? and - makeup - Did I remember to put any on today because I certainly can't tell by looking in the mirror anymore?  both subjects (Hair & Makeup - H&M) leave a lot of room for improvement.

Conclusion: Getting much to old for 'weekend look' during 'the week.' So, this season will concentrate on 'fabulous-blown-dry-straight-hair (may even try using Chi - purchased over Memorial Day weekend last June and taken out of box twice.) And, not leaving the house without an appropriate amount of makeup on (meaning at least brows, shadow, mascara, blush, and lip stuff.)

Now, I don't make this kinda stuff (Hair and Makeup-H&M) part of my New Year's Resolutions because let's face it - that would be pretty shallow even by my standards. Perhaps H&M fall into more of a 'Personal Resolution' rather than a N.Y.R. category.

Personal Resolution now being made (witnessed on blog) for rest of entire life - Will leave house with hair 'done' (at least secured) and makeup 'applied' (Or, at least wearing  fab sunglasses. It's always good to have a contingency plan.)

I think that there are three types of women in this world (at least in Texas):

• Those who walk out their front door looking like they just stepped out of a photo shoot. Just under 10%.

• Those who walk out their back door and should turn right around and go back inside the house and change (after they pick up discarded outfit off the floor and throw it away for good this time.) Just over 10%.
  

• Those who fall somewhere in between . The other 80% of us
  

***Who knew my 80/20 rule applied to fashion too!

Over Christmas I caught myself several times complimenting a customer on how beautiful she looked that day (hair, makeup, fashion, jewelry) and would ask if she had just been to a luncheon or party, and she would blankly reply, "No, why?" And you say under your breath, "Because I don't look that good on my best days, let alone a Tuesday afternoon?!"

Then there's that group that remarks, "I shouldn't be out! Look at me, I'm a mess! I shouldn't even be wearing this old thing" And again, you say under your breath, "My God woman, what are you thinking - You should have tossed that coat twenty years ago." Some things will never be good enough to be vintage

And, then there's the rest of us who sort of look like we are dressed to run errands our whole life.

3 Categories:

Fashion-Glossy -10% of female population

Turn-Around-and-Go-Back- Inside-the-House - 10% of female population

 Perpetual-Errand-Runner - 80% of female population

So, I think our 'Personal Resolution' goal here should be somewhere between Fashion-Glossy and Perpetual-Errand-Runner.

Think of it this way . . . Picture the one person in the world - critical mother, snarky girlfriend, old boyfriend, new wife of ex-husband . . .

How horrified would you be to run into them?

Or, would you be able to throw your head high, cinch in your belt, and go up and give them an air-kiss and tell them how wonderful it is to run into them. . . bullshit, bla, bla, bla. And, walk away smiling because that really wasn't that bad. (Of course, they will never know you still have you pajama bottoms on under that fab coat, tee hee.)

My Top Ten Fashion Concealers:

First, let's remember cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Brush thy hair! Or, at least secure it somehow.

A little blush, mascara, lip goo go a long way.

A great pair of sunglasses hides a multitude of late night sinning.

A fab trench coat covers it all - short or long.

Jewelry, we all have a little crow in us. Our eyes will always follow anything shiny or sparkly. (Only the good stuff, nothing wood, acrylic, or plastic, uhem.)

Finger nails and toenails should always be clean. You may not notice them but others do.

Accessories can make (or break) any outfit - meaning scarves, hats, belts.

Love thy purse.

And, smile. Remember you're from Texas - one of the 'friendly states.'

Here are a few 'notables' out and about who always manage to look their Fashion-Glossy / Perpetual-Errand-Runner best. Think of them for inspiration!

Angelina Jolie:

Apparently, doesn't concern herself to much with fashion. Much more interested in handsome husband, 1/2 dozen children, Oscar winning career, and all around do-gooding.

               

Rascal children in toe and still manages to look absolutely beautiful.   

Kate Moss:

Waif turned supermodel, mother, fashion empress, and the face of Burberry, YSL, David Yurman, and Longchamp.

       
A sunny day, a windy day, an awful rainy day, and she still manages to look tres chic in her kitty-cat coats.

Kate Hudson:

Dating champion, mother, adorable Oscar winning actress, and avid 'ball' fan.

 
It really can be that black and white, oh, and grey.

Victoria Beckham:

Rock Goddess, ball player's wife, mother, fashion designer, and collector of Hermes Handbags.

   
Yes, I put her on my best dressed 'concealer' list. You have to admit for yourself that she looks pretty incredible - bag, coat, sunglasses . . .

Conclusion: These gals all know how to fool 'em. They could be wearing their skivvies underneath those fab coats and the papparazi would be none the wiser, tee hee.

And, the most famous "Concealer" fashionista of them all . . .

Holly Golightly:

Cigarette girl, friend to prison inmates, wife, flirt, cat lover, lover of all things Tiffany, "Is she or isn't she?. . . A phony?"

Who would ever question a gal in a mink hat? 

C:

Shop Keeper, Blogger, wife, and mother of two furry Briards.

       

Fooled ya! All pics taken in my skivvies and no makeup.

 

    Ta Da! Here I am in my new (must-have-this-season) YSL shortie Trench Coat purchased as gift to myself. I have already worn it everyday since I bought it. Perfect for all the rainy January Days and my upcoming trips to Paris and New York. Just call me 'The Concealer.' Will be delighted to run into whoever . . .

 

Party Stresses and Dresses

A:

Predicament: I’ve been invited to several black tie events in the coming weeks that I have to find dresses for.  I’m not tooting my own horn, so to speak , complaining about how popular I am this season and how busy I’ll be every weekend - but because I have been invited to such events, I have had nothing but party dresses on the brain. Now, for somebody who keeps every issue of Vogue magazine from the last ten years atop the shelves in her closet (they’d go back further than that, but I only started subscribing when I was 13), this predicament is a fun one. Since as a recent college graduate I obviously have a budget that prevents me from buying a half dozen or so couture dresses - one for each event - I’ve had to be creative. Work with what I’ve got. You know, add glamorous costume jewelry, have alterations done, update with tights and trendy shoes, etc. 

What can be fun about dressing for a black tie event in this day and age is that it doesn't have to mean gown. With the right accessories and hair and makeup, girls like me can take the right above-the-knee dress from cocktail to black tie. Most of the events I'll be attending in December are short-cocktail-dress-appropriate. But I have a very formal event in early January that requires me to wear a long formal gown. Here's where my creativity comes in...

For this event, I tried on what felt like a thousand and one dresses, to no avail. I'm on a budget, sure. I'm picky, yes. But the real problem is finding a floor-length gown when you're almost 6 feet tall. People always tell me that models are tall like I am, and that clothes are made for models. Where are these clothes, I ask you? Whether it's department store or couture, I challenge you to find a dress that would touch the floor on me. It's impossible! They must hem the dresses for normal-sized people before they send them out to retailers. So what to do?

I decided the best thing for me to do, as I had a dress in mind that I knew I'd love to wear, was have something made. I asked around and found out the names of some of Houston's best and most-suggested seamstresses and alterations places. I went to a few different ones, with several pictures, snips of fabric swatches, and drawings in tow, to get an idea on what it might cost to make my dream dress. Turns out, the woman who made Cynthia's wedding dress (you may remember these pictures of it) was the one. She quoted me the best price, and she was very obviously the person who best saw my vision and who seemed they could best create it.

 Her name is Maryam, and she's at Ultra Alterations (3209 Westheimer, between Bammel and Sackett). And she's my new best friend.

These are the three pictures I brought with me for our consultation:

   
 
The first (Cameron Diaz at the 2003 Golden Globes in Prada) for style, the second (Natalie Portman in Rodarte at 2009 Oscars) for the detailing on the bodice and the fit of the skirt, and the third (Angelina Jolie in a custom St. John at the 2009 Oscars) for color, fabric, and texture. 

I have my first fitting in the next few days - I'll keep you posted!

Being creative with my own wardrobe hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about some of my favorite party dresses from over the years. Here, I’ve compiled a list of my personal top ten favorite party dresses of all time. Some are simply iconic, some may be only iconic in my mind.

 

10. Olivia Newton-John in White in Grease

Grease was my favorite movie as a kid. I used to watch it - no joke - every day after school in the 3^rd grade. I’d love to wear this dress to a party where there’d be dancing! I love the way it moves. Plus, that shape is universally flattering.

 

9. Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci at the 2007 Golden Globes

I didn’t intend to have two yellow dresses (spoiler alert!) on the list, but I couldn’t leave this one off. I need this dress in my closet. Love it with the unexpected red shoe and "undone" hair.

8. Jennifer Aniston in Prada at the 2000 Emmy Awards

No more Brad, so sad. But I love this simple red dress and simple swept up hair; even though it's Prada it's such a Calvin Klein look to me.  The dress even looks like it could be a silk jersey which is not only chic but comfortable too.

7. Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

 

Need I say more?

 

6. Julia Roberts in Polka Dot Dress at Polo Match in Pretty Woman

Who doesn’t love to see her transition from the hooker boots and micro mini to this chic ensemble? And I think everyone needs a cute polka dotted shift in their closet - always and forever fashionable.

5. Jackie Kennedy in her own design at the 1960 Presidential Inaugural Ball

Even almost 50 years later, I think most women would love to wear this dress. Incredibly, she designed it herself and had someone at Bergdorf's in New York make it for her. I wish people still wore gowns and gloves like this - maybe I should have been born in the 60s!

4. Cameron Diaz in Chanel at the 2003 Golden Globes

As a 23 year-old who loves showing off her gams in minidresses, this is perhaps only memorable to me. Love Cameron Diaz’s style. And I love that she took such a risk by going so short at the Golden Globes - it was certainly a first.

 

3. Kate Hudson in Versace at 2003 Academy Awards

She’s undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s best dressed. Love her boho-hippie L.A. street style and she always pulls out all the stops on the red carpet. This dress is such a classic. The deep plunge looks so pretty on her small chest (I can relate, ahem).

2. Sienna Miller in Balenciaga at the Premiere of Factory Girl in 2006

I may be one of the only ones that even remembers this look, but I love this dress. It was created based on the archived sketches of Cristobal Balenciaga, so I think that warrants being called "iconic." Of all the dresses on the list, this is one I can see my wearing to one of my parties this month. Even though Sienna wore this in 2006, it’s very "now" - she might have even started the tights craze, I don’t know. I can forget about all that dating-married-fathers-of-four thing when I see her on the red carpet - I think she’s one of the best dressed in Hollywood. I could have filled a list with just things she wore!

1. Michelle Williams in Vera Wang at 2006 Academy Awards

This dress took Michelle Williams from Dawson’s Creek to viable actress. I, like most Americans, never noticed her before she wore this mustard-hued Vera Wang to the Oscars, when she was nominated for her role in Brokeback Mountain, three years ago. I love the red lipstick and the side-swept hair. Talk about a memorable look and a memorable role. This color looks great on blondes, who knew? I would love to wear this color to a party (maybe not someone's wedding!).

 

Obviously, with all of these looks, it's not just about the dress. It's about looking polished, poised, and red-carpet-ready. You need fabulous hair, beautiful make-up, and glowing skin. The same goes for a black tie event or party that doesn't involve celebrity guests.

Party Tip: For glowing skin, I use Vrai Sugar Scrub and Body Cream before a night out. I use the sugar scrub on my arms and legs to exfoliate and moisturize, then follow with the body cream to make them shiny and soft and to smell amazing. A must if you're wearing a short dress that shows leg.

After-Party Tip: Partying into the wee hours of the night makes for an exhausting morning-after. I like to lay around sipping my coffee with an Elizabeth W. eye pillow over my eyes. You can even stick them in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes first - great for eliminating bags under the eyes. (Available at both our Saint St. and R.O. Blvd locations.) 

For all you Holly Golightly party girl sleep-till-nooners, I also love the Elizabeth W. silk eye masks. Perfect for keeping out the light until you're ready to reintroduce yourself into the world. I use them on long flights, too! (Also available at both Indulge and Indulge Linens)

With This Ring . . .

C:

With this ring, I thee wed. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, . . . but please God, don't make me say that I'll promise to wear that ring for the rest of my life. I know diamonds last forever, but does an engagement ring have too? 

I remember when I graduated from college a girlfriend of mine got engaged and a bunch of us gals met for a celebratory glass of champagne and an official viewing of 'the ring.'  The boy, I mean the groom had selected 'the ring' all on his own and surprised my dear friend, and it showed. The only thing that came to mind was - why? Why that ring? How did he settle on that particular ring? And, where were his people - mother, sister, best-friend . . . anyone who could help him through this monumentally important decision? Poor girl, she really tried hard to be pleased and bond with the ring. (I might have said at the time that he spent way more effort buying a set of new tires for his car than he did picking out that ring.) Over the next few years, girlfriends got engaged in succession only to endure comments by not engaged flip-minded girls without current boyfriends - "Well, that rings a grower, not a shower. Ha, ha." and, "Oh sweetie, don't worry, you can upgrade in a few years." or, "Won't that make a pretty clasp on a necklace someday."  or, the one comment that actually does seem to play out quite often, "Down the road, you could get a matching diamond and they would be cute little diamond stud earrings. You know, something comfortable to play tennis in or give your daughter for her Sweet 16."

 

Couldn't there be 'starter rings' like there are starter houses? Why is it that everyone is so O.K. with buying a 'starter' house and moving to a bigger house later, but the ring is supposed to be forever? Do we believe that because De Beers tells us that it should be so? If the price of the engagement ring is based on some archaic three month salary formula and the price of your first house is based on a similar but different salary formula , why is it O.K. to flip the house as the hubby moves up the corporate ladder and not exactly O.K. to flip the ring? Are we really that sentimental about rings and not so about houses, even if little Jimmy took his first steps in the living room of that house? 

What is the actual 'shelf life' of an engagement ring?

Years ago, when my husband and I started to talk about marriage he said that he would like for me to go with him to pick out the engagement ring - there was some muttering about even if he got what he thought was 'the right one' it probably still wouldn't be 'the right one.' (so true, tee hee.) I already knew exactly what I wanted (but, who doesn't, really.) - a simple diamond band set in platinum, but not too simple - meaning, not too refined.  A classic. I told myself that I would never outgrow or tire of such an ageless, traditional band. I would want to wear this ring forever.   Actually, this was the style band that I had decided on for myself way before the 'groom' came along. Thank God he was so cooperative in thinking that we had made this very important decision together.

My Classic Diamond Band:

 

My Sentimental Moment:

               

Seven years later I came down with a case of the 'Seven-year-wedding-band-itch.'  I felt like it was about time to start thinking about replacing my current classic, timeless ring with a newer, more classic and timeless ring. Something even more everyday,  something even more current, something that was even more me. The seven year older me?

The Cartier 3-Gold Trinity Ring w/ Pave White Diamond

My new - purchased to scratch itch.

Cartier Large 3-Gold Trinity Ring

His old - original band given at ceremony.

The replacement was made under the guise of - matching bands, how charme! The  idea of the new ring seemed to work - he was delighted with my thoughtfulness, and, of course, I was even more than delighted with my new band. Actually, looking back on the conversation, he was probably relieved it was just the band I was thinking about replacing and not the bearer of 'said' band.

Over the next several years, I have noticed a good many of my girlfriends wearing a various assortment of different types of rings and bands on the fourth finger of their left hand.

Fashion Rings: Pretty pink, light blue, or yellow diamonds in the spring and summer - pastel colored diamonds seem to be very much in fashion these days. Recently, someone was even telling me about black diamonds. Are the black diamonds supposed to go with the black nail polish? Are we really thinking as fashionistas that our diamonds should match our current Chanel nail polish craze? Would we really spend thousands of dollars to match something that costs $25?

Harry Winston Colored Diamond Rings

(Nail polish should not match.)

Reset Stones: Original wedding-day-diamonds reset in antique-like settings are very popular at this time - very Vera Wang. I also see this choice of settings on many of the new, young brides too.

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Engagement Rings

           

 Charme.     

Super-Sized Rings: Don't forget, I live in Texas - that ring isn't big if it isn't causing some kind of traffic disturbance from the sun hitting the diamond as it casually rests on the steering wheel in carpool line and causing temporary blindness to all in it's wake. Crossing guards take heed, wear your polarized sunglasses at all times!

Cracker-Jack Box Diamond Engagement Ring

Warning for husbands - could cost more than starter house.

 I, for one, am an advocate of rotation. Maybe two to three options that can be changed up easily depending on the day or event - a band, an engagement ring, perhaps some beautiful guards in some of your favorite primary colors - sapphires, emeralds, rubies, (I'm a blonde, so I think that I would look stunning in yellow diamonds just in case he's reading this.) And, wouldn't it be lovely for your husband to know that there could be more guards purchased easily if the occasion arises, and he wouldn't have to trouble you for suggestions. And then, the surprise would really be something to look forward to! And, that buying the perfect birthday or anniversary gift for you could actually be easier than selecting a new set of tires for the car.

Can be purchased new, or in an antique jewelry shop.  Or, inherited from dear old Aunt Jetrocks!

I actually had an old Aunt Jetrocks and have several bands that look just like these that she left to me. I love them and wear them all the time with just jeans and a t-shirt.

   

And now, I already have a new band selected for the next time my one-and-only feels inspired to gift me with another sparkly pretty. (I hope it doesn't take another seven years. My itch could be a  burning rash by then!)

Van Cleef & Arpels Perlee Rose Gold Diamond Ring

If he's feeling respectfully generous. Perhaps, I should even contact Santa about this one and explain to him how good, or naughty, or good at being naughty, or whatever - the ring should go on the list! 

Cartier Trinity Ring Paved w/ Pink, Yellow, and White Diamonds

 
If he's feeling crazy out-of-the-ball-park generous. This ring is bigger than Santa, will have to wait until respectfully big anniversary (lots of scratching until then.)

 

Both of those bands would fit perfectly into my band rotation strategy. And, as I always politely remind him - it can always be worse. The concept of more can be so overwhelming to people of my gender, sensitive nature, and compulsiveness.

Cartier Trinity Bracelet Paved w/ Diamonds

 

The Mother Ship of the Trinity Collection!

(Price upon request- not from me, call Cartier! You know it's bad when Cartier won't put the price in the catalog. I'm sure I'd have to sell my house and live in my car for this beauty. Not actually on my list, but sometimes it's best to raise bar so high husband feels better and relieved when real, more reasonable target is presented. I'm sure this bracelet falls more under the category of entire block of 'starter' houses.)

Cartier Love Bracelets w/ Diamonds

 

Please someone, put them on your list! They are too charme!! How would you choose? Wouldn't three be better than one? And then, which three! They make it so hard on us!!! Manipulators.

I love accessories! Or, at least the idea of all the accessories I could buy with my lotto winnings.  Although,  for this page of pretties that I've prepared for you, I should be playing Mega Millions.

My personal fashion philosophy so often falls under the category of the Texas Two Step - Diamonds and Denim! They both go with almost everything!  A big 'ole gold Rolex wouldn't hurt anyone either. (Again, if he's listening.) Though gauche, and very 80's - what can I say? The cornerstone of my fashion philosophy seems to be 80's Texas Gauche! That's probably why a little YSL Rive Gauche helps balance things out a bit, Frenchy - Texan Gauche.

Insider Tip: You could accidentally forward to your husband, oops - am I bad?

Note from C.: Sorry I didn't post some type of warning at beginning of post - Could cause unreasonable and unjustifiable amount of desire that may or may not go away, ever.

And oh, just to make myself feel a little less rotten and materialistic, may I add - I wish for world peace, also.

Scarves - The Underrated Accessory.

A:

Why is fall always about the boots? In most parts of the country, Fall is all about sweaters, heavy coats, and boots. Here in Houston, Fall is... well, unpredictable. Some days its 90 degrees and some days its 50. In fact, some days its 90 degrees when you wake up, and in the lower 50s by the time you go to bed.

What to wear in such a volatile climate? How does one Fall-ify their t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops? Scarves!

We found these wonderful scarves this year in New York at market (Remember these?) made by this girl in L.A. All the Hollywood starlets and tabloid darlings wear them. 

Look how cute Jessica Alba is, in three different scarves, worn three different ways, with three different pairs of sunglasses, three different hairstyles, and three different outfits. Three different looks!

I'm telling you, these scarves are the perfect weight for warmer weather. They're not too heavy or itchy or woolly, and they look great with everything from tanks to sweaters!

They're too cute with jeans and Petit Bateau tees.

Perfect for scooting around town in a cotton dress and tights.

 

Like I said, perfect even with Havaiana flip-flops on a muggy afternoon at our neighbor on Saint St, Tiny Boxwood's.

Look how they can easily update and coordinate an outfit!

Perfect to throw on with jeans for breakfast at Tiny's and girl talk.

I even like to wear mine with cut-offs, a J. Crew sweater, and flip-flops. Throwing on my scarf over it is what I like to call "Insta-chic".

 

We think they look superb with some nice bling. Here's Julia at Mariquita Masterson next door to our River Oaks Blvd store - the colors in her scarf match their decor!

Unisex: We think they look great on men, too. Here are Steve and Issac at the dessert counter at Andre's, another neighbor of our River Oaks Blvd store.

 

Okay, maybe Ricochet the dog in a scarf isn't so practical, but even she looks tres chic in them!

Scarves sold at Indulge on Saint St. and range in price from $78 to $90. All models courtesy of (and can be found during the week at) Indulge on Saint St. and Indulge Linens on River Oaks Blvd.

The Anna Wintour Challenge

C:

 

My Mirror Has Two Faces:

 

It occurred to me today while I was laying in bed flipping through my myriad of magazines and reading yet another article on aging written by somebody younger than me accompanied by a photograph of a beautiful young woman with skin gifted from the Gods (and, who was probably in her teens.) It was at that exact moment that I had an epiphany - I will never be this young again ! At this exact moment - I am younger than I will be in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a year (I think you get where I'm going with this.)

I decided that today will be my new ground zero. I am 46 years old. My mother is 85. And, both of my grandmothers passed away in their 90's. So, in all sense and purpose, I have a really long way to go. So, according to this time line, on this very day, I look good. In other words,  I will look back on this very moment in time for the rest of my life and think - 'Wow, I wish I still looked like that!'

Upon further contemplation, I have decided in my layman beauty psycho-babble terms that there are 4 components to aging, not the standard three that most beauty experts exploit:

Genes:

Helpless, nothing you can do about this one. You either have great aging genes or you don't. Mother Nature decides this one, not you.

 

The statuesque Blythe Danner and daughter Gwyneth Paltrow

 

The infectious Goldie Hawn with daughter Kate Hudson 

 

 

 

Lifestyle:

 Have you ever heard the phrase - 'Rode hard and put up wet?'  Well, I'm from Texas and every young lady down here is familiar with that one.  Eating, drinking, smoking, the sun, and an abundance of revelry and debauchery will catch up to you in the end. 'You've got to pay the fiddler sometime' - yet another endearing Texas phrase, but you get my drift. How you live your life in your 20's and 30's will surely show up in your 40's.

The lovely Kate Moss

 

The consummate Working Girl, Melanie Griffith - work'n it.

 

 

Potions and Procedures:

You must set a financial budget for this. This can turn into an endless financial black hole quickly. And, although there are a lot of really great procedures out there that you can have done, most people just don't know when to stop. It's like accessorizing, most people just overdo it.

 

America's Sweetheart, Meg Ryan

 

The jokester, Joan Rivers - live not claymation

 

Jocelyn Wildenstein, New York Socialite - still wild about plastic surgery.

 

So, let's focus on the one thing we can control. 

  

 Mental:

American women are terrified of aging? Why??? I think aging is like having a mosquito bite. If you try not to scratch the mosquito bite than all you can think about is scratching the stupid mosquito bite (that comes from someone who lives in a swampy climate and is allergic to mosquito bites - it can be all encompassing.) If you are trying so damn hard not to age, than all you can think about is aging. Why not just quit thinking about it so much? Try!

• Put away that horrible magnifying mirror in the bathroom - really, why would you ever need to use that!
  

• If you can see your breath in the mirror - scoot the chair back! Try to look in the mirror from the safety of say - how close you would stand behind someone in line.

• Quit talking about it so much! If you quit talking about it so much, you would slowly, hopefully, quit thinking about it so much.

• Change your perspective - you will never look like you did in your 20's and 30's again, but so what - who wants to?! That was fun, but this now, in fact, this is the rest of your life.

• Avoid the cliches - the most over used phrase of the year - Cougar. The first couple of times it was funny, now it's just annoying.

• Come up with a new word to describe yourself and your friends - years ago men latched on to this way of thinking and came up with 'distinguished.' Now, us gals are on to their tricks, and we can come up with a better word for ourselves, maybe je ne se quoi- 'She has that certain something/' or 'isn't she so attractive.' Let's just use the term 'hot' from here on out to refer to the tea in the kettle.

I think that if we start thinking that aging is not that big of a deal, then that in itself will be one less worry line across our forehead.

 

   

 

So, what normally is something I really look forward to - a full Sunday morning with a stack of new fashion magazines and no where that I have to be, quickly grew into a source of irritation.

I, for one, am going to quit looking so closely at the fashion magazines. I don't get who their target market is? When I was in my 20's, I would strictly adhere to the pages of Vogue on my tiny clothing budget looking for some 'like piece' at the Galleria. In my 30's, I would actually try to buy two or three really great key pieces right out of the magazine pages. Now, in my 40's when I could actually afford to dress more in designer clothes, and I do travel to Paris and New York so frequently, and, I actually do have occasions to wear 'said' clothes, I can't. Those clothes were not designed for me to wear.

As Karl Lagerfeld so wisely surmised recently,  "This look is not back for people who wore it when it was new."

Fashion magazines are so geared toward the young, that the only pages that would possibly pertain to me are the endless array of articles each month on aging. I can't believe that I am reduced to text! GRRR!!!

I would like to challenge Anna Wintour to do a photo spread of what she is personally going to buy this season. I don't know how old Anna Wintour is, nor do I care. But, I do not think that she is wearing the clothes that she so meticulously handpicks for these Vogue spreads - with their short skirts, sheer blouses, and mile high heels. Is there a second 'secret closet' at Vogue with all the good stuff for people who are not living on the footsteps of a nightclub?

Anna Wintour - beautiful, age appropriate outfit never photographed for Vogue

 

If you ever want to try something new, these are the facial products I like and use.

Lavender Cleanser - Source Vital (great for sensitive skin)

Aromatic Emulsion Pure - Source Vital (melts blackheads away)

Jojoba Day Moisturizer - Jo Malone (goes on so smooth)

Orange & Geranium Night Cream - Jo Malone (rich and thick)

Vitamin E Gel - Jo Malone (sticky like Vaseline, I forget to use most of the time)

 

And for my body, which makes up for the other 90 something % of my skin, I use Vrai all over, morning and night. The soap, body oil and body cream are all incredible and one of the best selling body care lines in the store.

 

C. and I. vacationing in Harbor Island 

  


C.'s personal beauty secret - charming husband 10 years older! "I will always be young to him."

Fashion: Flip It

C:

For me, Sundays are the day of rest and laundry. All week, I find myself hanging up dirty clothes on the back of closet doors and stashing t-shirts safely out of harms way - and by harm, I mean M., my trusty maid. M.'s approach to laundry is the exact opposite of mine. M. has more of an "all encompassing" style - meaning she dumps it all in together. Whereas I'm a "sorter." And by "sorter" I really mean "sorcerer." I am truly gifted with laundry. It is one of my hidden talents. I don't even mind doing laundry because I am that good at it. Every Sunday morning when I start the process, my husband groans like Lurch (from the Adam's Family) "Ugghhh, not the laundry." He chooses not to participate in my weekly ritual, which is fine. We can't all be passionate about sorting things.

There are three key elements to being a kickass laundress - sorting, detergent, and patience. Follow these simple "laundry rules" and you won't be groaning like Lurch every time you have to do laundry.

Sorting: Three simple stacks.
Blacks
Colors
Whites

Sub-Sorting: Results in three more stacks. (This is my personal insider tip.)

I subdivide each stack by fabric - translation: his and hers. His clothes are obviously a little less precious than mine and usually a whole lot dirtier, so I wash his on the "boil - heavy load" setting and mine on the "cold - delicate" setting. Most of his go straight into the dryer, and mine are hung to dry at their convenience. And, as you might expect - ironed, lovingly (ha!), by M., aka The Iron Maiden.

Tip: I do the whites last so the white-y lint stuff doesn't get all over the black stuff.
Tip: Begin to fill the washing machine with water and pour the detergent into the water before you pile the clothes in. (Does not work in front load washing machine, obviously.) I like liquid detergent better than powder - those blue crystal-ey things can make even more stains.

I manage to conquer all my stacks in a day because I get up so stupidly early. You may be a one-load-a-day-kinda gal. You could do a load while you watch T.V., you could do a load walking the dog, you could even do a load while you're out for dinner with a friend (so-called multi-tasking.)

Detergent:
I actually use Tide For Sensitive Skin for everyday clothes - meaning most of his and some of mine. 

 

 

You may, on occasion, need to use a little Shout for the impossible hard to reason with stains.

 

On my precious favorites I use Le Blanc Linen Wash. I use the Original Fragrance for my clothes and the Lavender for the boudoir.

So, I'm sorting, and I'm drinking my coffee, and I'm grooving to my caffeine rush, when my very good friend A. called, "I started The Flip." she said excitedly.

Personally, I hadn't even thought about starting 'The Flip' yet. It's still 93 degrees out and she's already flipping her closet. Well, I'm always up for a challenge. How about you ? Shall we flip out together?

Before we do flip, there's something we have to do. I know you don't want to do it, but it's necessary. In fact, it's mandatory to a good flip.

The Weed: Be brutal, if you can't be brutal invite a friend, or sister, or even your mother if you have to. Do not ask your husband - that falls into the same territory as - "Does this outfit make me look fat?" line of questioning.

Fit - If it doesn't fit, it goes in the pile.  Be honest with yourself, you probably are never going to have a stomach or legs like you did in college - just let it go. If it doesn't look good now, it's not going to look good tomorrow.
Style - Clothes do go out of style.  Those jeans from 5 years ago - in the pile!
T-Shirts - Check under the arms. Do I need to say more - pile!
Appropriate - If your teenage daughter wants to wear it chances are you shouldn't be - pile!
Frequency - If you haven't worn it in a year, omitting ball gowns - pile!
Age - If you think it's back in style - pile. Unless it's Italian, then just put a jacket over it.
Shoes - You can have too many - pile.

Handbags - You can never have enough. Store!

 

 

 

Most maids are thrilled to be asked if there is anything they or a friend might like in the stack. There is also Purple Heart, Goodwill, The Covenant House, The Womens Alliance, all of which are in need of items that you no longer need or desire.

The Flip:
There is a 20/80 rule in economics that I'm sure if studied in context would surely apply to womens' closets - you probably wear 20% percent of your clothes 80% of the time.

The Fall Flip:
Whites, pastels, and sleeveless are "put away." Grays, browns, kitty-cat, and long sleeves move to the front. Black and khaki stay in the neutral zone. They can be worn year-round depending on the weight.

The Order: I organize my closet by use - my top 20% is always at the front.
New - everything with a price tag goes front and center, regardless! Especially since I know you paid full price for it because there haven't been any sales yet.
Daily - next, put the type of clothes that you wear the most toward the front - i.e. if you work - then work clothes, if you just workout - then workout clothes, if you lunch then - lunching clothes. The front clothes should be lifestyle clothes.
Weekly - next-next, these are the weekend clothes. i.e. sexy kitten top for dinner with your one-and-only-someone (or potential OAOS), or maybe church-mom dress. The tennis outfit that doubles (tee, hee) as the errands ensemble.
Monthly - next-next-next -Best friend or family member's birthdays and anniversaries.
Special Occasion - next-next-next-next- engagement parties, weddings.
Destination Locations - way back of the closet (maybe even a hallway closet) -ski clothes, hiking gear, sailing, or just that perfect turquoise caftan for beside the pool in the Bahamas.

Tip: Shoes and accessories should be put under the same rigorous tests as clothes.

Today:

 

Tomorrow:

 

Yesterday:

 

Reward - now, maybe there's a little extra space for something new. See, I got this really cute pair of gray J. Brand jeans and this too cute gray print kitty-cat sweater set. I couldn't decide which I would wear more  - the cardigan or the tank, so I compromised and got the set. I hated to separate the cubs. Tee, hee. 

 

Indulge Tip:
For his closet  - try Antica Farmacista - Cedar and Lime Reed Stick Diffusers

For your closet - try Elizabeth W- lavender hanger sachets, square sachets and drawer liners. The lavender reed sticks are pretty incredible too. (Did you know lavender is also a natural moth deterrent? I don't know why because I love the smell.)

 

 

Look forward to a fun new blog post most every Monday.

 

Paris Part VII: Window Shopping

C:

 

Given the right conditions - a faint breeze, comfortable shoes, and a patient husband, window shopping in Paris can be just as fun as shopping-shopping, but without all the cumbersome bags and obviously, a lot less guilt.

For the best-of-the-best, head over to Rue de Honore.

Chanel - No shirt, no shoes, no service. Admittedly, in some cases, the whole no shirt thing might  get you a better table. Not me, maybe you.

Hermes - My highschool colors were purple and gold, I never thought I would see that particular color combination on purpose. Off a football field. Looks like the set designer for Priscilla Queen of the Desert is working again. I'm not even sure Victoria Beckham could use a suede purple and gold Hermes bag.

 

La Perla - Sometimes, it's not the clothes.

 

Lanvin - Are they getting up or going out?

Count the Kitties! 20% discount off any one item at either store (Indulge and Indulge Linens) if you guess the correct amount of kitties in the picture!

Laduree - In this case, it is the 'window shoppers themselves' that we were taking a picture of - pink bermudas or a 'onesie' go with any style man-bag. 

 

 

Penhaligons - Don't know what to get your father for Christmas - anything in this store!

 

 

Goyard - Thank God they don't have anything to fit my woolly mammoths!

 

Pascal Mutel - the 'new' Christian Tortu

 

Colette - For the person who really doesn't need anything practical.

 

La Coup d'Or Cafe - A location where you will find many exhausted and slightly less monied husbands sitting and patiently waiting with the wives' (or girlfriends', after all, this is Paris) shopping bags. 

In conclusion, I saved $150 on my new French handbag when I purchased it at the Galleria, which left more money to spend on more things. Wink.

 

Paris Part Deux!

C:

SIGHTSEEING/SHOPPING:

For the sake of simplicity, let's pretend you just finished breakfast/lunch at Cafe Flore, you are well caffeinated, and your wallet is full of Euros. Your goal is to find presents for friends and family. This just happens to be my personal favorite past time of Paris - the sightseeing / shopping excursion.

If you start on Rue Bonaparte you will find:

Achiles - a store for crazy socks. My husband must own at least 50 pairs by now. I call these 'airplane socks' because the person across the aisle on the plane is going to laugh at you when you take your shoes off.

 

Pharmacie - for the 'compedes' (buy these now for the walking blisters you'll get later, ha); known to be the least expensive pharmacy in the area for some reason, so expect a bit of a wait.

Le Jacquard - wonderful table linens!

 

Pierre Herme - the latest and greatest pastry guy - formerely the head pastry chef of Laduree. Expect a bit of a wait again. Macaroons said to be better than Laduree! Can't we just say that they're both incredible? A cookie tie!

On Place St. Sulpice, you'll find:

Yves Saint Laurent - Fashion's Monument

 

Annick Goutal - Monument to Perfume

 

Monument St. Sulpice - that other kind of monument

Jardin du Luxemborg - Whenever the opportunity arrives, walk through a garden. 

 

This is one of the only places in Paris where you will actually see people jogging. I just happen to notice a curious "-ism" in the garden - female joggers entered the garden and turned right, while male joggers entered and turned left. 

 

In economics, this is called the 'law of marginal return.' One group of joggers figured out that if they started their run going in the opposite direction that they will get to view the other group twice as much. Hmm.

La liberté éclairant le monde (the actual model for the Statue of Liberty)

      

L'Ecole D'Horticulture du Jardin du Luxemborg (Bee School) - Honey Sale September 26-27.

On Rue Vavin, you'll find several of the brands we carry at the store:

 

In the area still:

All roads lead back to the horse's ass. Five roads, literally, intersect with this guy. If you're ever lost, just keep walking until you find him.

 

The whole St. Germaine area has the best shops in Paris. Later, we visited Eres, known to make the best bikini 'known to man,' and Poilane, the most famous bakery in France. Every restaurant that cares about their reputation serves their bread. Buy a bag of butter cookies to take with you back to your room!

Obviously a cruel twist of fate that the swimsuit store would be just a few doors down from the bakery. It is obvious to me that there would be no reason to visit Poilane and Eres on the same day or even in the same season for that matter.

Comtesse du Barry sells assorted pate snacks that you can also take back to your room:

Down the street is the Mens' version of Eres, Vilebrequin.

 

But don't try to go to Vilebrequin for a bathing suit in August, when you'd need a bathing suit, because they're on vacation, grr.

I like to also visit Repetto, a store for the little ballerina in one's life. My niece is going to squeal when she sees her present!

 

Not enough for you? In the area there is also Herve Chapelier and Longchamp - if you need to buy an extra sack for the airplane like I always do...

 

I must have about eight of these by now - somehow, I always seem to over do it on the shopping.

Did I mention there is also Etro, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Armani, Marni, Sonia Rykiel, Custo, Max Mara, Burberry, Zara, newly opened Hermes...

 

The new Hermes Store opened while we were there. It was fun to walk by it each day to see all the worker frenzy. The store was built out to be open for only one year and then they will move to some cool grotto - swimming pool 'building' adjacent to the Hotel Lutetia, which is across from the Bon Marche.

The new store is very young and cool with concrete floors and two giant trees made of 'recycable cardboard tubes' with canopies made of Hermes scarves. Even Hermes is going green! (No silk worms where injured in the making of this canopy, ha)

...and coming soon is Ralph Lauren.

 

Sooo American! Can't we even TRY to fit in? Grr.

Began the day in Prada Python Gladiators...

Ended the day in Havaianas...

 

Shopping Tip: I always have a coordinating pair of Havaiana flip flops in my purse - would never want to cut a shopping day short due to a shoe malfunction.

I knew I was on to something with the whole gray thing when I noticed a tradtional French blue or green door painted cashmere gray.

August 14th, 2009: New York

 

I always book my trips to arrive around 6:00 – I hate to miss a meal – especially in New York!

RESERVATIONS: La Goulue –  This is my favorite old stand by- I have eaten at this French restaurant every trip to New York for the past twenty years. I can’t believe it or I are that old. I had heard rumors that it was closing or moving or ….? I have it on record that they don’t know what they’re going to do. So, for the time being “nothing has changed” – just like I like it!

 

My Restaurant Tip: I love a Kir Royale to start, so refreshing! The “Price Fix” Menu - usually, three smaller courses of “House” favorites is a great way to go. And, don’t forget the frites! 

WINDOW SHOPPING: Another reason I love La Goulue is because it is a “short New York” walk from our hotel. Located at 746 Madison, La Goulue is just past the three “B’s”- Bendels, Bergdorfs, and Barneys. I would imagine window shopping done well is equivalent to ‘level two’ on your “PRECOR.” The perfect antedote to the profiteroles you just polished off.

My Shopping Tip:

 

 

Look at the window at Barney's on Madison! Ha, Ha! Man, did they get it right! Purses on top of the mannequin’s heads!!! At these prices, you might as well wear the damn things on your head.