Don't Hate Me Because I'm Temperate

If Southern California could speak, I believe it would be repeating this defensive (or is it offensive?) line more often than it could stand.  And I know East Coasters, who are feeling the nip in the air right about now, are going to have absolutely zero sympathy for my forthcoming complaint, but...where the hell is FALL?  2008 has been quite a year!  This crazy roller coaster of a Presidential election, China's deadly earthquake, the Mid-western flood, the Wall Street Meltdown, Eight Belles performing beautifully in the Kenutcky Derby only to run straight to her tragic demise (lest we forget) just to name a scant few.  And, due to what I can only speculate is a continuing global warming trend, 90 degree weather in Los Angeles in late October!  Yes, bikinis, flimsy dresses and flip-flops are fun for a while but I'm begging the universe to bring on the cool.  Nothing looks as sophisticated as winter dressing, in my humble opinion.

I Love Layers

There is something so luscious about three layers of t-shirts in complementing hues versus one lonely option.  Same goes for button-up shirts, sweaters, jackets and vests.  Even during the summer, doubling up on tank tops and lightweight dresses over tees just adds flavor and richness to the daily dress routine.  And in keeping with my shoe-string budget theme, it's another great way to "appear" to update your current, tired wardrobe pickings simply by mixing and matching unexpectedly.  With winter fast approaching, it's a different kind of layering that can take place, but it's just as fun.  Tights and thigh-high socks, scarves and elbow-length gloves and hats, hats, hats.  Do it your way, play around, but definitely Layer It On!

The Frugal Fashionista

Is anyone else feeling my ecomomic pain?  It’s been so tight for me the last couple of years, I have not been able to shop for even the essential seasonal updates.  Sad, you might say.  But I’m a realist who is unwilling to get bogged down in the “good” or “bad” of a situation.  It’s a fact, that’s all it is.  Armed with the truth, I’ve begun doing some fancy footwork in an effort to update the lack in my armoire, of late.  If you're able get past the slight pain of having to suck it up cause you don’t have the necessary bucks, these tacks can introduce you to giant treasure troves that help revive your closet’s “same old, same old”. 

Telling your close friends who aren’t feeling the crunch that you are happy and willing to adopt their hand me downs as your new pieces.  Your friends love you, they don’t judge you and they want to do all they can toward your happiness…for a woman, sometimes the greatest happiness is just a slipping on of a new pair of shoes or a sliding over the shoulder of a purse she’s never carried before.  If it’s new to your closet, it’s “new” to your life…no matter whether the price tag was cut off long ago by someone else!

Goodwill to the rescue…I’m not kidding, so stop laughing.  I have found brand new bras, top of the line blow dryers and designer shoes and belts in mint condition at my favorite local branch various times just throughout the last several months, that’s right now in 2008.  Not to mention, the ultimate score, designer handbags that you cannot believe!  I admit that clothes shopping here is an exercise in great patience, time and effort.  And you better be in the mood because it neither has the look, feel nor fragrance of a Neiman Marcus experience.  But for the woman with the right constitution, it can turn out to be a very rewarding scavenger hunt. 

Of course, over the last decade, some very excellent re-sale stores have cropped up throughout the US, such as Crossroads Trading Co. and Buffalo Exchange where the goods are either brand new or so gently used you have trouble believing they’re not.  The former is particularly stellar and each location tends to have slightly different current trends in stock because each buyer has his/her own personal style and idea of what’s hot.  These clothes are literally a tiny fraction of the price you’d pay at Barney’s or Bloomingdale’s when they first come out of the gate.  Guess what else?  They’ll buy YOUR gently used but still trendy duds from you for a little cash (if you’d prefer) or a decent trade so you can replace them with the new pieces you so desire. 

I’ve got to be honest, even when I’m financially flush once more, I’ll be stopping and shopping at Crossroads before hitting the fancy boutiques and high-end department stores.  It just doesn’t make sense in this day and age NOT to look fabulous for less…then the dough we save by shopping smart (and green by recycling!) can be donated to help feed and clothe those who don’t even have a kitchen or a closet.

Woman's Intuition

Men have it too! I have been almost eerily on my game lately when it comes to being advised by my gut instinct. Without getting too hocus pocus about it, I'm suddenly highly aware of being tuned in to some kind of "frequency of truth" (that's what I'm calling it) on a more and more regular basis. From silly stuff like knowing exact numbers that folks are going to say out loud BEFORE THEY SAY THEM to suddenly thinking of someone I haven't thought of in years and then hearing from them. Little synchronicities, serendipities or coincidences that we all experience occasionally when we're in the frame of mind to "connect the dots".

It's not that everything that happens is a "sign" either.  I imagine it'd feel a little like having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - to become concerned with the meaning of every single thing and how each one relates to another. I'm talking about a subtle, momentary spotlight on a thought (feeling?) that you recognize in a flash and proves true within a very short period of time. It's just so fascinating! Try to tap into this today and let me know what happens.

The Art of Kissing

The Art of Kissing
By Rosie von Stauffenberg


It’s true. Doing something very well can pretty much be summed up as an art form. It takes patience, practice, commitment and communication to become one of the best in any field. And if you haven’t figured this out yet, kissing is right up there on the list of what you want to be doing very well.

It’s much more simple and organic than you might think. Your mindset has as much to do with great kissing as your mouth does i.e. don’t rush! If you’ve been with a lousy kisser, you’ll know exactly what I mean. And if you’re worried you may be (or aren’t even aware that you are) a tongue-darting, face-sucking, throat-prober, I can only hope you are paying attention.

First, while seemingly obvious, make sure you have fresh breath. If you don’t ,then go get it. No one enjoys any kind of disturbing scent emanating from their kissing partner’s lips - not smoke, residual wine or alcohol, coffee breath, etc.. It’s not sweet, and it’s not a turn-on. I keep breath drops in my pocket for a quick refresher anytime.

Now for the good stuff! Lean in slowly, you don’t want to break a tooth or slam into any other facial parts. It’s awkward and too easily avoided. No rigidity here…graze your relaxed lips softly against your partner’s barely touching at first then adding pressure as the kiss deepens. Take your time with this part don’t just force your tongue into their mouth. It’s the buildup that teases and excites, while you get a feel for how you kiss together. Barely part your lips and softly slide your tongue over and just past their lips ‘til you meet their tongue. Here it's essential to keep it moist, but not sloppy wet - you're not kissing your dog. Play around with this. Again, softly, sensually, slowly at first. You can build up to any pace you want as you get into a kind of kissing groove with one another.

Use your hands! Kissing involves the entire body and if you’re doing it well, you’ll feel it all over, believe me. Hold your partner’s face in your hands. Glide your fingertips through their hair then down the back of their neck. Lean your torsos into one another. Depending on what you both like and respond to, this touch can be softer or a little firmer, but always pay attention to how your partner responds to what you’re doing. That’s your best gauge of their enjoyment level. Also, let them guide you in a different direction if there’s another technique they want to try. This requires a give and a take, after all. Be open-minded as you may discover something new and thoroughly enjoyable.

We are more than our lips. Don’t neglect the ears and neck. I reiterate, always begin with soft lips and a restrained tongue. Just grazing your mouth over your partner’s ear and softly nibbling on their earlobe could drive them mad. Don’t believe me? Ask your partner to experiment on you.

Remember these four things and you should become a stellar kisser in no time: 1. You are in this together 2. Slow and steady before deep and delving 3. Kissing is an incredible way to begin to get to know one another and develop a deeper level of intimacy 4. It is a lovely prelude of more to come.

New Article

Enter Text Here

My Favorite Pair

…Of boots, silly. That’s them on my gams in the picture: just-below-the-knee high, chocolate brown suede Isaac Mizrahi's with the slightest platform and 3.5 inch heels that aren’t too stiletto for strutting and striding. And, believe it or not, they're just as scrumptious on the inside (sorry no pic) lined with metallic gold leather making zipping and unzipping even more exciting. Why? They make everything look gorgeous including me and never, ever fail to go unnoticed. Where? Neiman Marcus post-season sale. When? TEN YEARS and counting...they are truly timeless! Now I’ve got to be honest with you about something. Isaac Mizrahi had maybe two great shoe seasons in him when he first got the notion, but IMO, he hasn’t really hit the mark since then. Must be all that designing for Target and interviewing folks on his Style network show (has that since been cancelled?) that distract him from focusing on the important stuff – gorgeous, comfortable, well-built shoes/boots for us to buy, wear and abuse! Regardless, he did do it right once which has made me the happiest of girls during the blistery Los Angeles winters. Here’s hoping Isaac shifts his focus back below the calves some day soon.