Fashion fades, only style remains the same – Coco Chanel
Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma
God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things – Pablo Picasso
Comments below taken from REUTERS reporters…..
at the GLOBAL LUXURY and FASHION SUMMITin fashion capitals ranging from Paris to New York. Here are some memorable quotes from the summit (like being a fly on the wall – we can Yvesdrop a little):
CARVEN CEO HENRI SEBAOUN: On DESIGNERS’ CREATIVITY –
“There has been a big gap between what was done in the studio and clients’ expectations, but a new generation of designers is now trying to reconcile creativity and clients’ needs.”
SOCIETE DES BAINS DE MER CEO BERNARD LAMBERT: ON PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE:
“It’s a smile at reception, calling the guest by their name, serving breakfast on time, not making any mistakes with the bill.”
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER CEO JEAN-MARC JACOT: ASKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF HIRING GOOD STAFF –
“There’s experience and there’s conscientiousness. Conscientiousness is harder and harder to find. It’s the culture of constant channel-hopping.”
FASHION DESIGNER DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: ON FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO (previously with Dior) –
“It’s very unfortunate what happened, the state he was in, the stupidity that came out of his mouth, the fall. But it’s not just in fashion that you fall. Strauss-Kahn had a bigger fall.”
“I wanted to be an independent woman and I wanted to be in control. I became that woman through fashion … Everything about my life is all about the same thing. It’s about empowering women.” my side note:I met DVF one night at a nightclub in New York – many eons ago. The friends she sat with offered me some champagne and a seat beside them. She was once on the cover of “TIME” Magazine with her famous wrap dress. One I tried very unsuccessfully to copy in a sewing class. A testament to things that look simple but are not. ALL women look good in THAT DRESS.
LE PRINTEMPS CEO PAOLO DE CESARE: ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY – “Higher-end customers don’t want to trade down. Maybe they delay the purchase a little, but they stay with the brand. Even if times are tougher, they stay with the brand.”
“Russians are coming back. There is a clear correlation between the oil price and the number of Russians coming to our stores.”
BARBARA BUI (BBUI.PA) DEPUTY CEO JEAN-MICHEL LAGARDE – “I have the impression that many brands are re-centering their production in Europe. Many people tried to make shoes in China and it didn’t work.”
YOOX (YOOX.MI) CEO FEDERICO MARCHETTI – “Russia will be a very promising market, probably faster than many other markets like India. I think Russia is probably around the corner, while India is a few miles far from being a really interesting market for luxury goods.”
“Opening in China was a big challenge. We had to check 103 to-do-list items. From big issues to small issues. It’s definitely not an easy job to localize in China.”
Fashion is something that comes after style – John Fairchild quote
chocolate, men, coffee – some things are better rich.
I don’t know about you, but I start all of my mornings with two cups of Bodem (French Press) coffee with 2 tsp. of organic cane sugar (I’m refined until it comes to sugar) and cream. Not going to compromise on the cream. For the added calories I’d rather have that than watery tasting coffee with skim milk anytime. I’ll have to cut calories elsewhere. Maybe ½ tsp. less sugar or honey – but honey doesn’t really replace sweetness in coffee the same way sugar does. Oh well…
And who invented decaf? What purpose does it serve?Decaffeinated coffee is the devil’s blend. It’s not even that the taste of coffee is so amazing it’s only to WAKEUP! But I do like the taste and smell of freshly ground organic coffee beans…..even if it’s a morning ritual while checking mail and catching up on others’ daily blogs while drinking the stuff. I’m not looking to replace that. Even fresh juice or smoothies don’t replace it – it’s just an ad-on to the morning ritual. I know it’s good to switch up the workout routine now and then but NOT my mornings. Typical morning: roll out of bed, quick stretch & brush teeth (can’t even drink coffee without first brushing), lazily make my way downstairs to a Bodem just waiting anxiously for me to press down on. S L O W L Y beginning to wake up. Second cup – finally awake. Then it’s usually off for either a run or yoga class before coming back to shower and start the day……..I’ll spare you all the other amazing details of the rest of my day.
Okay so while drinking my morning java the other day I came across an interesting article on the health benefits of caffeine (and happy I’m so healthy as I sip and read). DID YOUKNOW that for all the potential benefits of coffee – from decreasing your diabetes risk to protecting against Parkinson’s – research now shows that the brew isn’t without its dangers? Luckily there are simple ways to avoid them. So before your next cup…. Spoiler alert:
You should use a paper filter if you have HIGH CHOLESTEROL. Every cup of unfiltered coffee (think my French press daily habit) contains cafestol – the most potent cholesterol-elevating substance we know of in the human diet, according to researcher Marie-Louise-Ricktts, PhD, of the University of Nevada, Reno. One study found that drinking roughly four eight-ounce cups of French press coffee every day for four weeks could increase your cholesterol by about 8 percent. To remove most of the cafestol, brew your coffee with paper filters (single-serve options like Keurig K-Cups, already have them built in), because they’re more effective at removing the compound than permanent metal filters. Ooops……I’ll have to go back to my “one cup” with the natural paper filters at least a couple times per week….just incase.
If you’re at risk for developing HEART DISEASE switch to decaf. Sorry for putting you down decaf. Caffeinated coffee may increase your odds of having a heart attack if you already have three or more heart disease factors (such as being overweight, smoking, or having high blood pressure). Caffeine will cause your blood pressure to briefly spike, and when you already have plaque buildup in your arteries, this can loosen and block blood flow, leading to a heart attack, explains study coauthor Ana Baylin, MD, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Even small amounts cam be harmful.
If you experience ACID REFLUX– brew a darker roast. Dark coffee may taste strong but according to one study, they’re gentler on your stomach. The roasting process produces a compound that slows the production of stomach-irritating acid according to researcher Veronika Somoza, PhD, a professor in the University of Vienna’s department of nutritional and physiological chemistry. Darker brews are roasted longer than their lighter counterparts.
If you suffer from INSOMNIA know when to say when. Conscience keeps more people awake than coffee. The time it takes for half of the stimulant to leave your body is between four and seven hours. Okay now there’s even an app (surprise, surprise) called Caffeine Zone 2so you can enter how much coffee you drink and the app will predict how long your buzz should last. What did we do when we didn’t have apps?
I hope you find this helpful & interesting and that I didn’t spoil your day. What about you? What gets you off and running to start the day?
Also: **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST onVoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.
If you were in need of a gift for any person or occasion; didn’t have either the time to spare or the inclination to venture out into the vast shopping universe yourself and don’t mind paying a bit more for the stress-free convenience of having another person do the work for you, then you should hire a professional.
I’m talking about a personal shopper now referred to as your “personal buyer“. Somebody who will care to take the time to carefully choose the perfect gift (be it clothing, jewelry (albeit more personal), chocolate, beauty products, perfume, books, toys….the list goes on – even BIG toys). Everything with a money back guarantee and assurance that any discount or savings will be passed on to you, the customer. Also someone who can choose a card, gift wrap it “even in a brown paper bag” & ship to recipient if need be and remain discreet. Personal buyers are more and more in demand as people’s busy schedules don’t allow for the extra time it takes to go searching. If major department stores like Bloomingdale’s have personal shoppers WHY NOT YOU?
We’re finding out more and more people don’t like to SHOP. Some even break out in hives!
This is done by first filling out a short questionnaire based on your needs and then a follow-up with the P.B. calling or e-mailing you back to discuss & finalize details and making payment convenient with any credit card through secure paypal method.
Both the customer and recipient have to be satisfied.
What do you think guys/girls – would you do it or do you know someone who would? If so, here’s a convenient link:
More and more women are choosing gorgeous underwear as one of life’s little luxuries. Need is debatable, it’s about enjoyment.
From the jf couture collection. With lingerie a woman can feel special every day.
Name me one woman who doesn’t love lace? For every one who does not, there are 1,000 more who do. It’s been in fashion forever. It’s so pretty and feminine that it’s no wonder season after season, lace is featured on catwalks from New York to Paris.
Italian Silk & Tulle with French Lace – handmade in Buenos Aires by jesus fernandez collection
While these exquisite lingerie sets are not your typical everyday wear (but why not?) for most, wearing them brings you up a notch in the glamor department or at least it makes you feel that way which is the most important.
Chantilly Lace and a Pretty Face makes for a winning combo
Chantilly handmade lace is known for its fine ground, outlined pattern and abundant detail. Today’s resurgence in fashion for all things bedecked with ribbons and bows have hip lingerie designers turning to vintage details for their divine INspiration.
Italian Satin & embroidered French Lace. No wonder she’s smokin HOT!
From the jesus fernandez (made in Buenos Aires) RETRO collection – *french sizing. Available in very limited supply at http://www.intrigueimports.com
*Make sure to check the sizing chart on website for the equivalent North American sizes.
We’re celebrating GLOBAL STYLE with elegant ethnic prints. They were everywhere to be found on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways but they mostly remain constant.
The world just got bigger. Remember when you bought that exotic colorful dress and jewelry on one of your faraway travels? Remember once home you couldn’t wait to wear them only to feel they just kind of looked out of place? Now in fashion you can incorporate almost any fabric into your look and not feel too out of touch. Have a look at some recent trends….
You don’t have to be Italian to cook like one – although it helps!
Once again when “glamping” we try to keep it simple for obvious reasons while coming up with restaurant quality dishes as often as possible. This is one of them.
Don’t you love the elegant name of this dish – which is simply a glorified sounding Italian staple synomymous with Pecorino Romano – but Pecorino clumps when cooked. Add it at the end, instead, which also makes the most of its sharp flavor. Lemon adds spunk – that is, acidity and freshness. Before assembling please see note at bottom for the distinct differences when using Pecorino and Parmesan. I guarantee you will love this.
Recipe:
8 ounces thick spaghetti or linguine
½ stick unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, softened or at room temperature
2 ounces Grana Padano or Parmigiana Reggiano cheese grated (1 cup)
2 tsp. freshly cracked pepper (use a mortar and pestle or the coarsest setting on a grinder), plus more for garnish. Pepper flakes for finish (optional)
¾ ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/4 cup)
1 small lemon (preferably Meyer)
High quality extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1)The first thing is to undercook the pasta (al dente). Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until very al dente – about 2 minutes less than called for in package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2)The key to a lush, silky sauce: Transfer pasta to a 12-inch skillet (preferably non-stick). Add butter and ¼ cup pasta water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The heat helps the starch in the water meld with the fat from the butter, which prevents the Parmesan cheese from becoming stringy in the finished dish.
3)Parmesan (either GP or PR): Reduce heat to low, and mix in whichever grated parmesan you chose with the cracked pepper. I use Parmigiano Reggiano in all my pasta dishes as a personal preference. Both are softer than Pecorino Romano. It will melt into the butter water, creating a sauce as the pasta finishes cooking.
4)Toss and Simmer with tongs to thoroughly coat it with the sauce. Keep everything at a gentle simmer just until the cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.
5) Pecorino and Zest: Remove from heat, then stir in the Pecorino Romano. Always add Pecorino off direct heat: it clumps when cooked. Zest lemon over the pasta to catch any extra. Any type will do but a Meyer is particularly nice in this dish. It’s sweeter in flavor and aroma, with back notes of orange and lime.
6)Finishing Touches: If pasta looks dry, toss it with a bit more pasta water until it has a glossy coating. Divide between 2 warm (preferably) bowls. Drizzle each with oil and lemon juice and garnish with more cracked pepper & red pepper flakes. Top with fresh basil leaves or flat-leaf parsley for added presentation. Serve immediately.
And know that sometimes the dishes with the least ingredients are also sometimes the most satisfying.
Parm vs Pecorino – these hard cheeses enhance nearly everything, making them both winners in the kitchen. Knowing their differences will make you a smarter shopper and a better cook.
Try to buy the block verses “already grated” unless you’re in a super hurry. Grated is more convenient so if you must then buy it from the refrigerated section. The blocks are more versatile as you can also shave it into salads. It can keep for several months wrapped in parchment and plastic. Bonus: when the cheese is gone, Parmesan’s rind can be used simmered into soups to add rich flavor.
Parmesan vs Pecorino Romano
Made from Cow’s Milk Sheep’s Milk
Rich, Nutty, Salty Sharp, Earthy, Robust
Pricey but worth the splurge A bit more budget friendly
Parmesan: domestic varieties are available but classic Parmigiano-Reggiano is made only in a certain region of Italy. A stamped rind lets you know it’s the real deal.
Pecorino: Feeling fancy? Go for Locatelli brand *Pecorino Romano, a famously delicious pick imported from Italy. *Use this strong cheese sparingly. To use in place of Parmesan use less than the recipe calls for.
“glamping” is a glamorized version of regular camping – camping with flair (plus I don’t like to sleep in a tent). But you can make this any old time.
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. – Dr. Seuss
The joy of life consists in the exercise of one’s energies, continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every new experience. To stop means simply to die. The eternal mistake of mankind is to set up an attainable ideal. – Aleister Crowley
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. – George Bernard Shaw
In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away. – – shing xiong
It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives.
It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you’re the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.
In the last couple of months I was lucky enough to escape the cold by going to places like California and Arizona. You can’t beat the heat! I live in a mostly damp environment so it was a welcome change for winter. But I also managed to gain a few pounds and go up at least a size. Even one size makes a huge (no pun intended) difference when you’re not so tall to begin with. Then my running suffered because it was either too hot to run, not convenient or I was feeling the worse for wear from the night before or just plain didn’t feel like it (on vacation after all). That combined with eating everything in sight and partaking in happy hours (which always makes me happier) did not make me a happy camper on the return home.
Now I have to start all over again – back to square one and not only that but my sister signed me up to do the annual 10K Sun Run right after I got back and I tried to figure out how to get out of it. I was feeling anxious and sorry for myself. My first yoga class in almost 3 months was a disaster and my “starting to get back into shape” run started out with me eating a freebie (although tiny) bag of promotional potato chips handed out at Granville Island within the first 10 minutes. I could have said No but I weakened. They were pretty good.
Then something happened to put everything into perspective. We found out that our lives can change in a Boston minute. Life is full of ups and downs but sometimes it’s not even in OUR own hands. What happened in Boston was tragic and unthinkable and lives were lost and many more could have been. Innocent people died or were maimed. This should NEVER have occurred and it hit home for ALL. The fact that it took place at an event where people trained for months on end to run for hours on end to cross a finish line at the world’s most renowned marathon is even more difficult to fathom. It makes you stop and think – about life and the stupid little pressures we put on ourselves. At least we can change them.
We have to WALK before we can RUN and not take that for granted (that we’re able to run in the first place is something). So…
If we’re healthy enough to begin with we can work a little bit harder to lose those measly extra pounds (even if it means pushing ourselves), eat healthily, laugh lots and just ENJOY LIFE. Because……you never know what’s around the corner. Moving on…
After all that I did better than expected (even though in the past it’s been well under one hour) at 1 hr. 4 min. I’m pleased.
I love birds of flight so it makes sense that the “Bird of Paradise” flower is a favorite. They look almost human & so very PUNK ROCK. I love the orange/purple mix. Ohhh….the perfect flower!
The original “punk rock” as seen in Oceanside, San Diego.
So, how do you like all the choices? I personally love to incorporate a little something African, Hispanic, Indian or Asian inspired – it makes for an interesting mix and makes the world go round.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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