"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue"

So goes the rhyme many of us were taught as a child. It doesn't really matter, I suppose, that he didn't reach the American mainland and the Native Indian peoples until 1498.

Christopher Columbus is my shoes. What do you mean by that, you ask I've recently developed an obsession for Minnetonka moccasins. I know the moccasin trend had its moment three years ago--started by a very hard to obtain Prada shoe--but my obsession has a little twist.

It's the Thunderbird Moccasin in pebbled leather with a boat sole in white. They are a hybrid cross of nurse shoes, Sperry Topsiders, and traditional suede moccasins. They are extremely comfortable and surprisingly inexpensive. I'm wearing mine with wide leg jeans and shorts this summer.

This is perhaps the perfect shoe for discoverer Chris and his "sailing" adventures or just for the girl about town wanting to be cute as she discovers the city.

Labels: shoes

It's funny. There are certain items of clothing I find myself consistently drawn to. They become the essence of my wardrobe a signature style if you will. My husband teases me when I come hope from shopping excursions with a "let me guess what you bought; a horizontal striped shirt?"

"Dammit!" I think to myself. Am I that predictable? Looking through my drawers, the plethora of stripes betrays my personal style aesthetic. I am a creature of habit.

I've questioned why I'm drawn to this particular item (predominantly small stripes with alternates of black or navy) and have arrived at the conclusion that its because of versatility.

Anyone can wear a plan solid shirt but it often looks casual and boring. I have found that stripes makes an outfit and are surprisingly neutral when layered under solids or florals. This red-and-white striped shirt with a boat neck from Splendid is a perfect addition to my stacks of horizontal glory. I could wear it under an menswear style vest, with a black lace cami on top, over a collared shirt, or on its own with a pencil skirt or jeans. This shirt is a perfect example of how a signature pattern can become an indispensable tool in forming an overall personal style and serve as a starting block for different incarnations. So what for predictability.

Labels: essentials, shirts

Walking home on what seems to have been the 50th rainy day of the year in NYC, I was reminded of my detest of umbrellas. I owned one once in California, but found it of little use since it was always cumbersome entering in and out of car doors in the once-yearly rainstorm.

My new home has "summer rain" (I thought I was in a Twilight Zone episode when, not long after moving, I was caught in torrential rain in the middle of July. My paradigm dictates dry heat upwards of 105 in summer months). I bought an umbrella soon after. It was okay until I walked down a busy sidewalk with it and pandemonium hit... similar to today's experience.

Most people use umbrellas even if its just cloudy & misty and insist on opening them the second they enter the subway stairwell. All this does is create the kind of congestion that makes you suddenly claustrophobic. The same people crowd the street taking up large expanses of space with their extra-large umbrellas (made for families it seems, but favored by small girls in high-heels that walk imposibly slow & hold it a height that guarantees impalement if you try to pass). In fact, everyone walks so slow because they can't really see where they're going with black, opaque domes held over their heads.

I gave up. I don't want to be one of the aimless sidewalk umbrella holders who shuffle slowly in front of a trail of pissed, soaked souls. For along time, I haven't carried an umbrella--unless it seems God is trying to flood the world again or at least the island of Manhattan (oh the debauchery) .

I think I found the answer to my dilemma with the Bubble Umbrella from Urban Outfitters. Its see-through oval shape allows easy weaving in-and-out of the sea of these inconsiderate sidewalk-hogging impalers of NYC: the Umbrellables.

Labels: accessories, pet peeves

For some reason, there is a current obsession with the leg as an erogenous zone. Every magazine claims that spring is all about the mini. I am, however, not the biggest fan. Maybe its because knees have never really turned me on... or the countless pasty white legs of New Yorkers who insisted spring began weeks ago despite 40 degree weather... or maybe i just enjoyed being one of the lucky few who had a flat stomach and enjoyed the midriff's moment of sex appeal.

For the first time in years, I too have started to crave all things short. While I have some booty shorts, I have yet to find many dresses that a flatteringly-sexy and not slutty-short. I also have the feeling (hope) that this trend will be over soon (despite what Fall 07 runways dictates).

In the end, I am a slave to fashion and must embrace the look... and what better way then in Delia's Lana Eyelet Babydoll lavender dress. The color boosts anyone's tan, the length is short but the detailing is sweet, and the slightly trapeze shape keeps it from being clingy... which would, of course, equate to sleazy which is the mistake so often made with mini's.

I'll be wearing this throughout the hot summer and please, if I see you sporting something similar: REMEMBER SELF TANNER.

Labels: dresses

I’ve had short hair since I was little. I have often thought I needed it because I’m lazy and prefer sleeping over primping. I have Curling irons and flattening irons because I’ve always felt that what girls should have, but they get little use. I have long hair now for a while, and find it a chore to have to brush it and curl it to wear down. By the end of every day it ends up in some sort of messy bun on the top of my head. I like the look, but find it not very polished.

These metallic headbands from Forever 21 are a steal. In a triad of metallic hues, I can see myself putting these on to spruce up my requisite bun. A little shimmer cleans up any look and headbands always look feminine and polished. With these I might hold off cutting my locks.

Labels: accessories

High school graduation seems to necessitate the giving of useless gifts. I’ve never really used my "Class of 2000" mini grad hat and the Dictionary of Musing on the Turn of the Century rarely served as a usable source for the many college papers that came after.

You’re lucky if you get money, but that’s spent by the end of the summer.

It’s interesting that the only item I have left from the landmark event of my graduation and the parties that followed is a simple gold hinged bracelet. The bracelet was never intended for me, it was actually given to a wealthy friend of mine who with her enormous piles of gifts found little use for it. So for some reason she gave it to me.

I don’t talk to her anymore. No big loss I suppose, but I find myself consistently drawn to the little gold bracelet. I have very small wrists so most of the bangle and charm set fall annoyingly down upon my fingers instead of highlighting the curve and articulation of the wrist bone for which they were intended.

My little gold bracelet is perfect, but it’s getting lonely. This summer the jewelry obsession is once again the bangle and for reason already mentioned we just aren’t made for each other. So to remedy the desire for a multi bracelet look, I’m going to pick up some Vita hinged bracelets to accent the gold one. I’m particularly fond of the cream snakeskin one. These bracelets do what they should; gliding slightly over the smallest of wrists.

Labels: jewellery

I saw the movie 300 about two weeks ago and I know everyone can agree that it’s was beautiful. I tried to engage my movie date in discussion of its connection to the legendary ancient historically referenced movies of the past like The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur and its ability to act in much the same epic way--only modified cinematically to accommodate an audience entranced in a fast visually-stimulating world of videogames. He didn’t really agree with my postulate but it made for good conversation on the way home.

What I found intriguing (but didn’t talk much about since I know he would be of little interest) was the outfits of the hero’s wife Gorgo. They were very sexy and provocative yet refined. They seemed simultaneously period-appropriate and modern. I found myself wanting to wear Gorgo’s floor-length white voile and leather strapped numbers. I thought about seeing if I could find something similar, but in reality dresses like Gorgo’s would get so dirty… and think of the tan lines!

Anthropologie seems to have read my mind for a 300 aesthetic in a sensible wearable way. The treasure chest sandal references Greek/Roman eras with a distinct urban warrior feel. Flat sandals can tend to look flimsy and cheap, but these have a refined elegance with a tough undercurrent. The embellishments are mix of grommets, studs and pearls perfect for combating any 21^st century battleground.

It’s funny I don’t remember Gorgo’s shoes but, if they looked like this, I would have to have them. And just maybe my movie date would’ve had to suffer through some 300 fashion talk.

Labels: Antropologie, shoes

I worked for BCBG for many years and as some of you may know, it ended somewhat dismally. For a company with such beautiful clothes you think they be able to find decent management.

I recently flew back to California and being of the “one carry-on bag” mentality I’ve had to learn to pack with the utmost flexibility. The number one item I brought was my black BCBG cardi-wrap (I’ve had it for 4 years now and consistently find it useful). Quite possibly the best item of clothing I own. You can wear it about twenty different ways, but my favorite is to put the sleeves on curl up and wrap the sides around much like a blanket one side over my right shoulder the other over my face. This comes in handy on long plane flights when your flanked by to obscenely-large people who feel the need to hack up a good portion of their lung for the duration of the flight. But in my black cardi-wrap cocoon I’m free and cozy.

They are hard to find in stores now but I did find some at great prices on eBay.

Labels: BCBG, essentials, sweaters

When I was a little girl, I would often spend weekends at my Grandma Angel’s house. She is an eccentric sort who saves everything, and as a result, her home offered an extensive collection of raw materials for constructing just about anything. From creating outfits out of spare computer paper to interesting culinary concoctions, she would let you cook from a pantry, the contents of which would surpass most groceries.

For all her idiosyncrasies she was practical in one thing alone: her beige/taupe LeSportsac bag. Anywhere we went, she had it with her. It was always filled to the brim with a number of useful items: Kleenex, change, little scraps of paper to draw on, or a whole meal--complete with a can of soda and cups--for the afternoon movie theatre. From my early experiences with the taupe bag, I’ve had the notion that LeSportsac was the bag of grandmas no matter how angelic they may be. Not for a young woman (or rather “lady” as she would now describe me). However my notion completely changed with the new Fafi for LeSportsac bag. With a whimsical print that encompasses my love for pop-surrealist art and its French designer’s burlesque “Fafinettes” to the silver webbing detailed straps that are right on trend for spring 07, I’m in love! I can haul all my stuff and its still incredibly light and easy-to-clean with its nylon construction. And at $68.00 it’s a bargain--not counting its inherent nostalgia factor.

Labels: handbag