What to Watch now

"Younger" on TV Land

   Yes our culture is youth obsessed.  Technology and trends are revamped every 6 months or less.  It is easy to get overwhelmed or feel as obsolete as a floppy disk.  Anyone over the age of 30 has been witness to how many changes and advancements there have been with communication, dating and getting ahead in the workplace.  My new favorite show deals with the ups and downs of the modern world and offers perspective from both the 20 somethings and the over 40 crowd.  

    The main character is a 41 year old mother, who took time off to raise her daughter and is forced back into finding a job after going through a divorce.  Her skill set and talents are overlooked based on the lapse in her resumé, and the fact that she is wanting her foot in the door against college grads.  When she is approached by a 26 year old man who assumes she is the same age as he is, she and her best friend get the bright idea to step back into the workplace as just that; a 26 year old.  She freshens up her wardrobe and hair coached by her Brooklyn-ite friend, and gets a crash course in todays lingo and emojis.  She gets hired as an assistant in a publishing firm and begins her double life.  I love this show for its asking of the question 'If I knew then what I know now, would I make different decisions?' .  Another discussion it brings up, is does the younger generation of today have it harder or easier than the previous Generation X?  

     The show is produced by Darren Star, famous for 'Melrose Place' and the innovative 'Sex and the City'. The wardrobe stylist is Patricia Field who is a living legend to me, and has created some of the most iconic looks of the past 30 years.  She was stylist for 'SATC' and most recently 'The Other Woman' starring Cameron Diaz.  I love her approach to styling someone who lives back and forth between two generations, all the while making it believable.  I recommend checking it out.  Happy viewing! 

http://www.tvland.com/shows/younger

The Met Ball Red Carpet

The Met Gala 2014

I miss the days when it was called the Costume Institute Gala, since it serves as a fundraiser for the Met and specifically the Costume Institute.  For whatever reasons, the name of the event was changed and it could just be my imagination but the outfits have gotten more true red carpet and less costume-y.  I personally favor the avant-garde looks fro its history and the fact that there is a correlating theme just adds to the creativity options.  I've always looked forward to seeing the looks in Vogue magazine following the event, and since launching my weekly blog post, I have been looking forward to reviewing the looks!  And here they are, in a best and worst how to showdown. 

How to, and how not to wear a ball gown. My best dressed of the night goes to Karolina Kurkova.  She looks like a walking art piece, her dress is so decadent and perfect I can't take my eyes off of it.  This is exactly what I would expect to see worn to an event that celebrates fashion and the Arts.  Sandra Lee's souffle of an outfit deflates and becomes too costume-y. The color is off, the fabric is wrinkled and it sadly looks like a second hand prom dress from 1989.  

How to rock a train. Sarah Jessica Parker channels 'Carrie Bradshaw' in this fun number.  I'm a sucker for a cinched waist and a tousled updo.  This is how you wear a lavish fabric.  Katie Holmes drowns in her yellow frock making her look frumpy.  The combination of poufy neckline with a gathered bodice to fullness again makes it look amateur.  

How to and how not to do a silhouette. Beyoncé kills it in this slinky dramatic dress.  I love the peekaboo openings, the see through pops to keep you looking and the hair and makeup make it one of the best looks of the night.  Kate Upton... why?  Celebrated for her curves, she does nothing here to showcase them with the way this dress explodes at the bottom.  It ages her and that head piece is just awful.  

How to choose a neckline.  I love both of these dresses and the opulence is so fitting for this type of event.  The color of Liu Wen's dress is just a bit more standout and the neckline is so much more interesting and just catapults the gown into stellar territory.  I have to give credit to Sarah Silverman for giving us a completely different look and this is so close to being great, but the neckline doesn't fit the splendor of the design.  

How to fashionista.  Part of being one to watch on the red carpet is a blend of attitude, taking risks and pushing the envelope. Anna Wintour's reputation precedes her and she surprises us with something much more colorful and cheery.  It almost has a graffiti feel to it and is considerably edgy compared to what you'd expect from a classic lady.  Lupita N'yongo misses the mark in this flapper disaster.  There's a lot going on here with the feather, beads, headband but I admire the attempt made.  

How to be bright.  I am such a sucker for bold colors and both of these ladies give some excitment on the red carpet.  Emma Stone wins me over in this pink on pink with a peep toe.  And Olivia Munn's yellow Hayworth-esque gown is sultry.  My only distraction in both cases is the hair.  Both styles feel like a mismatch to the dresses and leave me wanting more.  Go big or go home when it comes to being bold!

 

How to go metallic.  Rosie Huntington-Whitely looks ready for battle in her armored dress, very gladiator and with the shoes even more so.  She annihilates Kristen Stewart's mess of a dress.  It looks as though the designer had a few too many ideas and ran out of time in the sewing room.  

How to Lavender.  Nicole Richie keeps it simple and cool with her sleek gown.  So much movement and interest, and it keeps the focus on her pale violet hair.  Rashida Jones does herself no favors and needs to fire her stylist.  This dress is so wrong in proportion and confusing... why the cornflower blue extra ruffle, why the hemline?  No, no, no!

How to be Architectural.  When geometry, design and construction are executed perfectly it is breathtaking, as seen here on Greta Gerwig.  It is strong while maintaining softness and its timelessness has a place in every decade past and yet to come.  I cannot say the same for Kristen Wiig.  The halter is great but the black hole inspired Saturn ring thing is misshapen and doesn't make sense. 

How to Scale.  Both of these ladies hit the mark working interesting designs on the red carpet.  Marion Cotillard finishes off her classic look with a beautifully styled hair hat and those bright lips are superb!  Naomi Watts dons the mermaid ombre look, but if I could just see something a little softer with the hair instead of the combover and a brighter eye color or lipstick.  

How to Barbie.  Reese Witherspoon goes full Marilyn meets Grace Kelly and it is gorgeous!  Perfect hair that is coifed to look almost plastic and the makeup with a slight dewy quality finished the 'doll' look.  Emmy Rossum goes Tropical Barbie and while it isn't totes terrible, it isn't memorable either. 

How to be famous for marketing sex.  Dita Von Teese gives burlesque realness and stays true to her persona with the flawless hair and makeup.  The cream gown with red accents keep your eye dazzled and appear as if she's shimmying even in a still portrait.  Kim Kardashian goes for a silk sheet with a belt instead of the bedspread she wore to last year's event. (see here)  What can we expect from her next year? A dust ruffle perhaps?

How to Black & White.  Charlize Theron rarely disappoints on the red carpet and seen here in exquisite lines, she retains her Hollywood royalty title.  The jacket at first seemed to belong to Sean Penn and I would have left it behind personally but all in all she looks great.  Cara Delevingne goes B&W as well but wearing a seatbelt strap as a top and high-waters, its a total miss.  If you're going to go pants, go jumpsuit chic and keep it classy, but I just think this is way casual for this event.  

Thanks for reading this week's post!  Stay tuned in the next couple weeks when we review the Cannes Film Festival red carpet!  If you are interested in staying updated when I launch a blog post, please join my mailing list by scrolling to the top right area and enter your email address  in the box below the archives to be prompted and not miss any articles!  

Take Care,

Travel to... NYC

NYC Highlights

I am fortunate to get to travel to Manhattan once a year partly for work and also to curb my thirst for the cultural experience.  NYC is ever changing and the juxtaposition of the more historic architecture amidst the fluidity of the inspiring shop windows, keep me coming back for more.  I was ecstatic to hear that our L'oreal Professionnel Artist Foundation for fall will be held right in the heart of the city and a looking forward to see what Broadway has to offer in terms of shows during that time.  My last visit to NYC was centered around an editorial styling class I partook in, and I had the opportunity to learn firsthand the trends and techniques straight from Fashion Week, hot off the runway.  I packed my trip full of as many experiences as I could and am listing them in my first ever 'NYC Must List'.

The Meatball Shop

It always starts with food doesn't it?  Especially in a city bursting with most of the top culinary artists in the world.  I am definitely a meat eater and with the simple design-it-yourself options, this is a definite crowd pleaser.  You get to play chef with choices from the meat selection, sauces and a la carte sides.  I  opted for the smaller sliders so tha I could really get a true taste of what they had to offer.  

http://themeatballshop.com

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Completed over 130 years ago, this is an iconic NYC structure and I have walked across it in both day and night time.  Both offer spectacular views of the skyline, plan a sunset time walk across and enjoy the twinkling lights at night on your way back into the city.

Gild Hall Hotel

Located in the bustling Financial District, this woodsy hotel becomes so serene and offers a view of quite the different side of what you expect from the city that never sleeps.  I really enjoyed the modern cabin-esque decor and it offered nearby access to all the major trains and more importantly, great coffee shops.  Click here for the site.

Central Park

This is the crowning jewel of the city, the perfect blend of nature amidst man's handiwork.  The paths weave through trees, tunnels, grassy knolls and open up to show you the skyline from the true heart of the city.  You can get your cardio on and jog through the maze, bike and even take a horse drawn carriage ride.  The park is truly representative of the season, with its turning leaves in autumn, bare branches in winter, blooming flowers in spring and Shakespeare in the park in summer.  I don't feel complete without at least a visit to the park during one of my stays here.  

http://www.centralparknyc.org

Ippudo NY

Comfort food, ramen in the city.  With two locations, this is a perennial go to for me.  Start with the pork buns appetizer and then select your choice of base for your ramen, which sounds easy but with seasonal offerings and the option to add more noodles to your broth, my eyes are always way bigger than my stomach when I come here.  

http://www.ippudony.com

Shake Shack

Having heard that this was the In-N-Out of the east coast, I was curious to try out what they had to offer.  I waited in line and then for my meal a total of 45 minutes and must say, I was not disappointed at all.  This place lives up to the hype for sure, and maybe it's because I am spoiled with the opportunity to have In-NOut whenever I feel like it, but this is a very close comparison if not a bit better?  Go big when you try it and order the double stack, a portobella mushroom over a beef patty and get the cheese fries and shake.  It's the only way to do an accurate comparison.  

http://www.shakeshack.com

Broadway Show du jour

Countless offerings, there is literally something for everyone.  What I love about the theaters here is that they are intimate and it is hard to have a bad seat in the house.  I myself favor more of a dramatic play, there's nothing like being that close to that kind of art and watch a performance unfold and stay with you throughout the day.  'The Glass Menagerie' was the last performance I saw here and one of the best I have ever seen. Musicals here are pretty incredible, the amount of talent and dedication is on display and transports you to a Disneyland for all ages.

Laduree

A little taste of Paris on our side of the Atlantic, these little macaroons are so stylish and so addictive. I was ecstatic when I learned they opened a stateside location here in the upper east side, and this is the best treat to have while window shopping all of the Boutiques and Ateliers.  It's also the best packaging to souvenir gift someone you already bought two Statues of Liberty.

http://www.laduree.com/en_int/

The High Line

What used to be a railway for freight trains, is now one of the most enchanting walks and exhibit for modern art.  It was built to help carry heavy cargo between the west village and became dilapidated in 1980.  After many years of efforts, phase 1 of it opened to the public in 2009, and today there are three phases of it open taking you through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. It offers gorgeous views of the west side and has multiple entrances throughout the way.  The north end of it is still in development and will become a small shopping area with what appear to be restaurants and boutiques.  

http://www.thehighline.org

Museum of Sex

Located in the Flatiron District, this museum offers information on everything from reproduction in the animal kingdom, to human sexuality over the years in all its varieties.  There is a rotating exhibit as well as interesting art pieces made from objects that might surprise you.  You get a voyeuristic peek into many fetishes and the gift shop has some of the funniest souvenirs to bring back home.  There are only a few cities that would welcome and be home to a museum like this and for the adventurous tourist, I think it is worth a visit.  

http://www.museumofsex.com

Bleeker Street Pizza

No NYC list is complete without at least one mention of a pizza joint.  Sold by the slice so you can try a few different styles, this is my go to place for pizza.  Voted the best pizza by the Food Network, and endorsed by all the celebs you see posed with the owners on the walls, it does not disappoint.  

the ambience is more hole in the wall and it probably hasn't been updated since the mid 80's but that is what gives it its charm and authenticity.  

http://bleekerstreetpizza.net

This is the first of what will most likely become my yearly must list on NYC, as it has so manyexperiences to offer.  If you have a favorite, feel free to include it in the comment section below, and with that I will leave you with the inspired final look from the editorial styling class.  Until next week... take care!