Showing posts tagged tumblrize
When in Rome, get outta there!
Over the past few weeks friends have been telling me they are off to Rome and Italy for vacation. (Lucky devils.) My concern for them was that they had booked so many days in Rome and not enough time in smaller towns. While I have great respect for Rome and truly love its history, the metropolitan life set amongst the ruins just doesn’t do it for me, especially in comparison to the rest of Italy. It shouldn’t shock you I feel the same way about Paris, French countryside, and Cote d’ Azur.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying don’t go to Rome, I’m saying, take it on as a tourist challenge. You can see SO MUCH in two days if you plan ahead. After you see the sites, then rent a car, hop on a train, and head to one of the more provincial towns (even Florence!) or the coast. The interior of Italy is so beautiful that getting lost on a country road is actually a great day. As for the coast, parts can be a bit touristy, but when you find a cozy hotel and stroll the cobblestone streets, you can’t help but fall in love with the provincial charm. It feels like the movies.
The key is to talk to the locals. They are SO friendly and enjoy sharing their culture, in particular the details of food and wine, with you.
I’ve had the pleasure of going to Italy several times and visiting Rome, Florence, Milan, Genoa, Naples, Portafino, Santa Margarita, Sorrento, and Capri. Florence and Milan were my favorite cities to explore while Portafino and Sorrento romanced my heart. Somehow Venice has not made it on an itinerary yet, but one day it will!
My suggestions for visiting Italy:
- Pick one or two major cities. Choose between Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice.
- Plan a road trip and interesting destination outside of one of them. The Tuscan countryside outside Florence was my choice!
- Pick a small town to be your landing spot for at least 4 days R&R. The Amalfi coast is the most popular, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere.
- Plan a day trip outside of this spot.
Guides to help you plan:
- Luxe City Guides to your major cities (order online or get the app) for best walking tours
- Michelin Green Guide for food. Michelin Maps for driving.
- Fodor’s gives a thorough explanation of the history of each place
More creative gift wrapping ideas
As I always say, if the package is pretty and the gift is thoughtful, the cost of the gift doesn’t matter. Due to your effort and the beautiful presentation, the person will love it!
I’ve done several videos on gift-wrapping, the “how to make the perfect bow” being the fan favorite, and now I have one more to add to the mix.
In this particular video I was presented with the challenge of going to a wedding shower that required the gifts to be viewable. Um, what?! Come to find out later Lauren, the bride, had asked the hostess to tell people not to wrap gifts to spare all of the waste! Not knowing this at the time AND being fully aware of the affluent company I would presenting this gift in, I went all out on wrapping these washcloths (quite pricey little pieces of terrycloth at Restoration Hardware). My washcloths ended up being notable amongst the rest of serving platters and crystal, so I considered my extra efforts a win.
Obviously the gift being viewable was a unique scenario, but you can still use the concepts to make your package special. Here are the ideas and a few more:
- Use a glass or crystal vase, lamp, or bowl to put the gift in and decorate around it.
- Adorn a package with fresh or silk flowers.
- Fill parts of a chocolate box with little gifts.Â
- Wrap gifts in interesting paper:Â their favorite magazine, newspaper, etc.
This is a birthday gift I wrapped for Kitty to give you an idea. I tore pages out of Elle and wrapped each thing in a different piece. You can’t really tell, but there are three packages here. The black and white Chanel ad is the base, and the two pictures of shoes are little gifts I stuck on top. Cute, right?!
If you have any creative ideas for wrapping please share them below. Also, send me a pic if you try out one of my tips. I’d love to see what you come up with.
For guys who like casual clothes, love discounts, and hate to shop.
JackThreads, that was bought by Thrillist, features trendy clothes for guys who like to roll casual. Think Gilt Group but with unique designers of casual clothes that are considerably less expensive. Don’t be afraid southerners, I found stuff even our more conservative guys would love. Check it out and add some funk to your man’s wardrobe.
This just in…
To my closet.
Top left clockwise: BCBG teal silk blouse, Parker silk blouse, J Brand jeans, BCBG silk shorts. From Tootsies. All are versatile and transition easily from day to night!
Not pictured: Neon green Mossimo short shorts from Target and a couple stripped tanks. They have a huge selection of shorts right now on sale. Also a black and white stripped cotton dress from Ralph Lauren.
To my purse.
Chanel Coco Rouge Lipstick in Plumetis (79) is my new favorite for everyday wear. It gives my lips moisture that a gloss doesn’t and a hint of shine instead full on glossy. The liner, Boise de Rose, is a darker pink I can use to get more color at night.
To my jewelry box.
Miguel Ases earrings from Toosties. (I had a credit I needed to spend, can you tell!) I’ve been a fan of Miguel Ases for years and have several pieces I adore. The designs are unique and always draw the eye to study the intricate beading.
To me, a change in season means updating my wardrobe. It’s funny after I left NYC and LA, I became so much less concerned with fashion and so much more aware of versatility and comfort. Now, summer screams jersey and loose fitting everything! After 2 years in Houston my wardrobe is stuffed with those things, so I took the day to find pieces to class up my act. LOL.
(BTW…Crazy how much better the camera is on my iPad!)
I finally bought a new pair of running shoes!
After much deliberation and hunting, I finally bought a pair of Brooks running shoes to carry me through the summer. Some of you suggested them so they were on my list to try. It was love at first slip on I tell ya. I’m not a big runner, but with all of the upcoming travel and my twice a week Blast900 classes, I’ll be running more and need something more supportive than Nike Frees, which they just brought back on the market.
Here’s what I like about the Brooks PureProject shoe: The sole is light and almost as flexible as a Nike Free. Inside there is substantial cushion so I land softly and a noticeable arch support that makes it fit like a glove. The design is not my favorite but it’s tolerable. I had to search for this color combo because it’s now discontinued. The purple one would have been fine, but I have a purple pair of Nike Lunars I wear to lift and lunge in. (It’s super sturdy.)
On the Brooks website, they have a quick Shoe Advisor questionnaire that will help you decide what model is best for you.
During my search, I kept my eyes and ears open to see what other people are wearing. Readers and Blasters have a huge love affair with Newton. I wasn’t a fan of the “Action/Reaction” technology that propels you forward. You can see the elevation in the right photo. They have two different levels of lift, but both were too aggressive for me. It’s meant for a runner who lands on the front of their foot and I am pretty heavy on my heels. Plus, the shoe didn’t fit as snug as the Brooks. It’s too bad, because like all of the other women who own them, I LOVE the colors!
In Atlanta, Newtons are to running shoes as Lululemon is to workout clothes. Great quality, fun female-friendly colors, and have become a trend. In fact, Deka, where they have the largest selection of Newton’s, is right next door to Lulu in Buckhead!
I think it’s hysterical that right after I tweeted one of my instagram pics above, I got this response from @Blast900.
Asics are also making a comeback in Atlanta. The shoe is too stiff and not at all cute which took it out of my consideration quickly. Houstonians love Nike Frees. Again, I think it’s the colors because most of the women I see wearing them are just lifting weights and not running.
Thanks again for all of your suggestions!
These rules to living skinny aren’t so bad
According to Trainer Bob (from The Biggest Loser), rules are meant to be followed, not broken. His new adage is live 80/20. In other words, follow the rules eighty percent of the time and give yourself the freedom to be human the other twenty. To me this not only sounds reasonable, but also a healthy way to live.
In his new book, The Skinny Rules, he outlines how you need to eat 80% of the time to be healthy and slender.
- Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and before every meal to get your metabolism working first.
- Eat protein at every meal.
- Eat either berries or an apple everyday for natural fiber and antioxidants.
- Go meatless one day a week to focus on eating tons of fruits and veggies.
- Got to bed early and hungry.
- Plan a splurge meal once a week.
I feel like this is pretty standard for me….with the exception I don’t follow any of these rules. I hate drinking water before my oj; protein at every meal makes me tired; berries and apples are hard to take with me on the go but I always keep them at home; I usually stay up late so I eat a late night snack; I splurge whenever I feel like it.
Well, I guess to each their own. I will try to drink water first thing in the morning because I believe that to be helpful for my body. Over the last few months, I have started eating more protein during the day - meat, fish and eggs instead of nuts - because it’s more filling and necessary with my active lifestyle. If I can get to bed early, I don’t mind not having a late snack. I just wish I could get to bed, more specifically sleep, early :)
What do you think about Trainer Bob’s rules? Are they naturally already in your routine or would you have to make changes to adhere? You probably already have a set of your own skinny/healthy rules? Do they work? Love them or hate them??
The voice of 20 something generation is WILDLY entertaining
;
Lena Dunham - creator, producer, director, writer, and lead actress of HBO’s new series Girls - is brilliant. (She’s the one in plaid.) I’m three episodes in and totally addicted. And totally happy to be OUT of my 20s listening to their dilemmas! The cast and characters are eclectic in a way that almost keeps you from buying into their lives. But YOU CANNOT DENY their brutally honest dialogue is 100% flawlessly real.
People Magazine referred to Girls as the new Sex In The City. I get that, but it doesn’t quite fit. Dawson’s Creek came to my mind as a reference and then it fled. These characters are sharp without being fake. Maybe it’s a combo of both with a dash of Portlandia and hint of the The Office. Yeah, it’s got a lot going on!
At the end of every episode Lena reveals her sources of inspiration. The insight brings each storyline full circle in a way that makes you cringe and laugh at the same time.
Watch it, love it. I feel like Lena feeds off of our praise and appreciation for her fresh style.
Help! Which dress should I wear?!
This weekend is Dominique Sachse and Nick Florescu’s wedding at Becca Cason Thrash’s house and I have NOTHING to wear!!! I realize those names mean nothing to most of you, but let me put it this way, it’s the Houston event of the year.
Back in the day when I lived in NYC or LA, getting a dress at the last minute was easy because I could just call a showroom and have a few delivered. Well, those days are LONG gone. I would call local designer David Peck, whose designs I adore for their style and price, but I heard through the grapevine (aka my Mom) that the entire city bought at least one at his Tootsies trunk show.
Thankfully I, you, we all now have RentTheRunway at our disposal!
Last night I browsed through their selection of gowns (the wedding is black tie) and found two I like. My absolute favorite was unavailable, but I love these for their classic silhouettes and bold color.
I’m leaning towards the first one - it’s a little more me while the second is a little more Julia. I guess it will come down to fit. Thankfully they send 2 sizes.
But I want to hear what you think! If you would be so kind to leave your thoughts in the comments, I would greatly appreciate it!!
(Full disclosure: RTR is generously sending me the dresses for free in exchange for an honest video review. I’ve never tried the service before. It seems like the dress will be wearable, but I’m hoping for amazing and not total disappointment.)
One of my favorite sales: 20% off Nike Clearance w/this code
No workout gear for me today. Love the dress to wear to a casual pool party. The hat got me excited for football season!!
Use discount code GRANDSLAM and get 20% all clearance items.
They have a good selection of tops with built-in bras right now!
Real Fashionistas Are Going Nude
After watching the Fashion Police review of the atrocious Met ball gowns last night, I think the actresses would have been better off naked! Of course I’m kidding…
What I’m really implying with the title is that fashionable women are neglecting color and opting for shades of nude, combining creme, beige, khaki, gold, and pewter to create super soft and sophisticated spring looks. It’s my favorite go-to right now.
My latest client, interior designer and Christmas specialist Regina Gust, strut her gorgeous stuff into our meeting wearing this flawless ensemble the other day. I love the draped silk and asymmetry of the Helmut Lang dress that she can reinvent a million different ways with accessories. Here she’s paired it with a leather-woven pearl necklace, bracelets around her watch, neon pink nails, and python Choos for a casual and funky daytime look. The women of Houston and Atlanta LOVE to “funk up” their classics. That’s been my MO for years now; being a gypsy forces you to accessorize. I have to say, it’s refreshing to see women get dressed being fashion-conscious, instead of corporate scared, especially living in Houston.
Finally, I’m sure you notice her glow and confidence, the true beauty you can carry even in your workout gear, is her passion for her business. Loving what you do makes all the difference in any and every ensemble!
Find new group fitness classes around you in one click.
I am a HUGE fan of group fitness classes these days because I just can’t motivate myself to go to the gym. I never thought I would feel that way, but here I am, looking for excuses every day. So, to combat this and get in a solid 1 hour workout, I carve out the time in my schedule for my trainer or a class.
GoRecess.com is a new site that instantly locateds the kind of workout you’re looking for near you. You put in the type of exercise - yoga, cardio, bootcamp, spinning, etc - your location, and the radius you are willing to drive (or even better jog or bike!). GoRecess then creates a detailed list like you see above. Such a great concept because I’m always looking for a way to change up my workout.
Also, most studios will offer their first class for free, so if you’re on a tight budget, you can jump around for a while while you save up some cash and settle on your favorite.
If you’re in one of the cities I frequent, I reccommend these studios and gyms:
New York:
- SoulCycle - where I used to teach spinning
- Equinox - take the 30/60/90 class
- Physique 57 - Total body toning. Will get your booty tight!
Los Angeles:
- Soul Cycle - just opened in WeHo!
- Equinox - group classes are totally worth the membership
- UpDog Fitness - for spinning and yoga. Take classes from Colin and Reilly. Meredith for yoga.
- Fitness Factory - “garage” style hideout where celebs train. Sam Upton is the best!
Houston:
- Fit Gym - where I teach spin
- Next Level Fitness - smaller and more affordable gym. I train with Cederick and box with Jason
- Joy Yoga - my favorite yoga in Houston!
- Yoga One
- Cura Yoga
- Define - like Physique 57/barre method. Great for toning.
Atlanta:
- Blast900 - most intense full body workout you’ll ever have
- Eclipse 1 on 1 - training only. I love Jeff and Julius.
- Stellar Bodies - SPX training
- Urban Active Gym
Austin:
I know I’m missing some; I can’t hit them all! Please share your favorites in the comments below. If you use GoRecess.com, let us know if you were pleased with the class you attend.
(P.S. Sorry for the blurry picture. PC’s just don’t have the same quality of screen grab as a Mac. I’ll replace it tomorrow!)
What if the airport was a huge farmer’s market?
Just go with me for a second.
When we go to their airport, we walk down an aisle of fast food and are forced to choose between the lesser of many evils - processed snacks, frozen and then fried meals, food infused with preservatives, sterilized or canned veggies, over-sized desserts, and candy bars galore.
Carrying my homemade salad, I pass by these “restaurants” feeling so bad for people who travel often. They have no choice but to consume this crap. Then I think about how uneducated people are surrounding what they eat. Even if there were fresh options, would they chose them? Finally I come to, it’s a shame this is all a money game. Processed food lasts longer and is cheaper than fresh food so the margin is higher for the airport and businesses. OR IS IT??!
Farmers produce TONS of crop they are dying to sell to sustain their business. The airport has a high demand for food, turns it over quickly, and sells it at high profit margin. What if the farmers created fresh meals everyday and came to sell them at booths in the airport? Since they wouldn’t need a kitchen or much manpower, the airports would generate a bigger profit. Travelers could then choose from a variety of fresh and healthy foods!
Put the current food vendors aside; they’ve had their hayday. Imagine they’re gone. All that is left are magazine stands and retailers. Now, fill up the old McDonald’s and Taco Bell that used to be dishing out deep-fried fat with friendly faces handing over sliced meat sandwiches and tossed salads. Baked potatoes, chilled veggie sides, and homemade pastries are other options for you. Each booth has a different flavor: Mexican, Italian, Greek, BBQ, etc. Everything was locally grown then washed and sliced that day before being made into a hand-crafted meal just for you. Take your meal to a group of tables or a bar nearby and enjoy!
Now my mind is going wild with ideas of developing the area around airports to support this concept. Farmers would plant their crops nearby; community kitchens open to prepare the meals; airlines join in and have their planes stocked with the local food.
Everyone wins!
A dream that will never be realized I’m sure, but my hope is that as mainstream America becomes more conscious, these changes will be welcomed and embraced by businesses.
DIY Mom’s gift instead of buying it, like the good old days
This is my mom and I last weekend at our friend’s outdoor wedding. She’s actually taller than me, but I’m in heels and she, being a smart mother, wore flats.
If your mom is like mine, she can be hard to shop for. DIY projects can be fun to do, thoughtful, and impressive. Sounds like we’re on to something here :)
Here are a few suggestions I found really interesting for Mom gifts.
1. Tin can votive holders with a luminous design.
2. Glass magnets with letters and/or words.
6. Dip-Dyed Stationary (maybe you get a stamp to personalize it more!)
7. Canvas tote bags with iron-on designs. Also see here.
8. Make your own vase for the flowers you buy.
Hope one of these is helpful for you!
I’m on to a new trend for summer
My personal style is classic, sleek, sophisticated, and influenced by trends. I’m most comfortable in a tank top and shorts or a dress accessorized well with some sort of fabulous shoe. I hate being too constructed or flashy. I’m not a fan of jeans either. With my figure, there are a few things I can’t wear, like capped sleeves. There are a few things I won’t wear, examples being kitten heels, pointy shoes, and capri pants (aside from spandex of course).
As far as trends go, I’ll try almost anything to see if I fall in love with it.
For fall and spring, three-quarter length skirts have been the rage. You mostly see the pleated variety in jewel tones on the racks right now. I picked up this silk, high-waisted, pattered skirt by Elizabeth & James at Neimans in January, thinking I would wear it constantly when the warm weather came around. To some extent I was right. I welcomed the opportunity to soften my look and and reinvented this outfit in several different ways. Surprisingly my favorite version involved my black Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater wrap. (Wait, that’s not surprising at all.)
Well, after 3 months, I’m over it. It’s too sweet for me. Too Anthropology for my taste. I have nothing against sweet or Anthropology, those words just don’t fit my style. What I really mean to say is, I don’t feel comfortable or confident wearing the skirt anymore. You know what I mean? All of that being said, the skirt itself is fabulous.
I’m a little late to this freight train, but I think summer will be about color blocking for me.
It’s easy, fun, and can be manipulated a hundred different ways. Shoe designer Betty Muller first got my mind in motion when I shot a video of her latest line of espadrilles (see it here). Because everyone is involved with this trend, I want to find a way to make it my own. Pictures to follow so you can see what I come up with.
