What is ART? Thirty years ago, not
knowing what to do with a totally crushed vintage fender that was
dumped on to our driveway, I hauled it up to my apartment and hung it
on the living room wall. I had a brass plate engraved: UNKNOWN
ARTIST. Was that fender bender ART? Who decides?
Dale Chihuly, the glass sculptor
impresario extraordinaire, is known for his signature Pollack-like
shoes. We all love him and his “go ahead, put a smile on my face”
sneakers.
This season, the meaning of “a splash
of color” is being brought to entirely new and low levels. I guess
that ART is... in the eye of the beholder. I'd invest in the
stilettos; the brogues... not so much.
Sequins are at the top of the hit
parade for yet another season. From dressed down Friday mornings... to
dressed up Saturday nights... I'm lovin' this hip-n-fresh-n-new
layering look.
Daytime to evening, sequined pencil
skirts are in, in, in!
Trends influence fashionistas and spark ideas.
This mosaic-like skirt drew me to peek & purchase...
a
“ditto gotta have it” bargain of a jacket at the flea.
I nearly
wore it to death on last month's Mexican Coast Cruise.
This was an easy “copy cat” project. After seeing Marc Jacob's black & white island collection...
I played “follow the fashion leader's lead” and
trimmed an otherwise
boring noir-knit top with a yard of sassy tassel
trim. Back-atcha and thanks Marc.
Faux, faux faux-bulous fur trim is
still poking it's little head out of fabric stores
and on to every
accessory imaginable. No animals are harmed... just a bit of Polly &
Esther.
Why not go for it! Let your wild & crazy side surface
and
have a hand at gluing a bit of fluff on to... well on to
practically anything.
If you have space for it and you love
it, my passion philosophy is: keep it!
After seeing pages of
fishnet tee shirts, I riffled through my closets
to find my little
peek-a-boo number. No luck.
While pushing and pulling tons of tops,
my multi-colored happy lips blouse surfaced.
Hooray for keeping it 'cause...
“everything that's old is new again”.
Clearly, Karl is “The Master Of The
Fashion Universe”.
Gabrielle, his muse and mentor, born
like moi on August 19th... was “Perfection Galore”.
His sketch of COCO is charming to the Maxims.
With all due respect, I must say that
this Chanel season: “What is ART?” comes to mind.
His classic
Chanel bag smacks of Chihuly's sneakers.
His Chanel tote
resembles a way tired dish rag.
I love you Karl, but this season:
sorry, I'm not buying it or purchasing it.
On the subject of dish rags (where is
she going with this?) while in Mexico and wandering through street
bazaars ... I was intrigued with the texture and weaves of Mexican
dish rags. I mentioned to a fellow cruiser: “these rags could bring
a primitive and rich vibe into the fashion world”. Upon my return
home, time and time again, look what I saw... hoodies made with Mexican dish rags.
This Spring/Summer, rather than the
normal matchie-matchie... miss-matched is the norm.
Trust me...
choose two pieces that do not go together at all... and you will be
totally on trend.
Simple elegance. Twelve years later, my
wedding shoes are back in style.
25 years later my Calvin Klein canvas
skimmers get to have a catwalk kind of run for their money.
In my mind (not in my closet) this
space age shoe is worth every penny in my piggy bank.
Designers have a lot to say this
season.
Here's an easy ME TOO. It's simple to
update a denim vest. Simply invest in a handful of huge crystal
buttons and sew them above the button holes. How hot & cool is
this!
OK guys: I did it first. A few years
ago... I made this “disco-down” necklace.
Today, this one is the “show off”
piece of 2014.
Go Figure... FYI: this 24/7combo
works.
Models and magazines are both sporting light weight
“shoulder
duster” earrings and simple stretch headbands.
Clever, creative, chic; maybe a
hairdresser dreamed up these two pieces of jewelry.
They are both
simple as a pie crust to make.
Final jewelry idea: a perfect balance
of a jawbreaker-sized jeweled ball and a wire choker.
Both elements
are ready for your neck at any hobby shop.
I take my hat off to Kate Spade. This
is a useful wall décor.... just behind her store counters.
Colorful bags & boxes at the ready for your purchases. Brilliant
colors and a brilliant idea.
From year to year I wonder, how do
designers all come up with the same sensational silhouettes? In the
large bag department, the latest design is a block of a neutral
leather on top of a dark pattern or print. Need has nothing to do
with it... I simply want one!
Sharon Stone is the latest star to hit
the chopping block with what is labeled: THE CHOP.
The only regret
I have about my CHOP is that I didn't do it long ago.
When traveling, some yummy little: “I
thought of you while I was away” remembrance is so dear. A sweet
friend just returned from “The City Of Love” with this “two
for tea” thoughtful urn of leaves for us. Every time I get a whiff
of this LOVE brew, I think of her. Yup, it's nice to be nice.
In closing... here is a worthwhile
investment: a never ending roll of cellophane.
Any gift presented in
this crystal wrap...turns the presentation into an extra special
magical treat.
