My Beautiful Hometown

I have been so lucky to grow up in arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Known as the Garden City, Christchurch New Zealand has the  majestic combination of rugged mountains meeting the white caps of the ocean, with the beautiful Avon river meandering through its heart. Parks, centuries old trees, gardens, stately old homes and gothic styled buildings, more than 100 years old make this city visually spectacular.

At the heart of the city the Anglican cathedral proudly overlooks Cathedral Square, and the entire city flows out in all directions from this point.

Christchurch itself is a celebration of the great outdoors.

Not just a place, it is a lifestyle. Cosmopolitan and international, a beautiful place to visit, a wonderful place to live.

On Tuesday February 22nd 2011 (local time) my beautiful hometown was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Centered approximately 3 miles from the heart of town, and at an incredibly shallow depth of only 2.5 miles, it has been devastating. Structures that have withstood many earthquakes over the years didn't stand a chance.

Christchurch Cathedral, moments after the earthquake

aerial view of the Cathedral

The once grand catholic Cathedral on Barbados Street

As I am writing this the reports are 75 dead, with hundreds still missing.
I hope the media outlets have it wrong. I hope and pray that the search and rescue teams keep pulling live bodies from the carnage.

The CTV building.

The Pine Gould building

At some point in time the earth will stop trembling and the city will rebuild, the way cities do. It may not look the same, but it will still be a beautiful city, and it will rise back up.
But families will never get their loved ones back.
I can't sit here and write anything funny today. I can't talk about fashion or skin care or makeup.
My heart is with the people of Christchurch.

You can help by donating to www.redcross.org.nz 

images via Reuters, Getty Images, NZPA

Dior Sandal

Sometimes you really just don't need any words.

I am in love with this shoe.
This picture is on my wall, above my desk. Love.
Dior Sandal, photographed by Jason Pietra for Harpers Bazaar, February 2011

Arizona Muse

Arizona Muse, Next Model Management

Since 22 year old model Arizona Muse opened and closed the Spring/Summer 2011 Prada Runway Show her career has taken off in a blinding rise that is nothing short of meteoric.

Arizona Muse Vogue UK

Starting with the cover of Vogue Italia January 2011, followed by spring/summer ad campaigns for Prada and YSL, and editorials in Vogue Paris, Vogue UK,  US Vogue and Vogue China, Muse, right now, is absolutely everywhere.

She even has her own Vogue Profile

Arizona Muse Vogue China

Don't you just love her eyebrows? She is incredible.

Check out this video by StyleCaster of the Arizona Muse Model Profile

New York Fashion Week F/W 2011 Anna Sui

I love Anna Sui. Have done for years. And she just keeps getting better.

I also love Victoria Beckham. Even more so since she re-tweeted/posted my blog with the video of her show.
I quite literally fell off my chair when I saw it, and was a giddy, giggling wreck the rest of the day.And the blog got about a billion extra hits. (OK, that was a tad exaggerated)
But I digress...

At Anna Sui, 60s-mod makeup and big, retro hair complemented the Boho chic style of the Fall 2011 collection. Pat McGrath for CoverGirl traced a bold dark line into the crease of the eye and applied white eyeliner on the inner bottom lids for a wide-eye effect. Cheeks were flushed with a hint of color and lips were neutral and glossy. Garren for René Furterer amped up the volume or the hair, heightening the back of the crown for a retro look.

source and photo credit: beautypress.com

I just absolutely LOVE this look!
The 60's hair with that gorgeous shine on it is nothing short of fabulous, and its not difficult for the average girl to recreate either.
The makeup also translates really well to street level. Maybe just buffing out the crease line a little so that its not quite so severe, but everything else stays as is. Its divine. And incurably pretty.

New York Fashion Week Monique Lhullier, Jenny Packham, Proenza Schouler, Pamella Roland, Victoria Beckham

For Monique Lhullier's luxurious and feminine fall/winter 2011 collection, the hair and make-up look was doll meets punk. Make-up artist Val Garland for MAC created a deep purple smoky eye, intense brows and berry-colored lips. Odile Gilbert for Kérastase created a doll-like, haute-couture updo, with ribbon-like curls topped off with a black bow.

source and photo credit: beautypress.com

Jenny Packham's feminine and fun autumn / winter 2011 collection included textured and delicate pieces, flowing gowns and beautiful metallic embroidery. The color palate featured nude, black and brown tones. The makeup and hair was very soft, romantic and nymph-like: Talia Shobrook for Temptu created frosted eyelids, warm, peachy cheeks and applied a soft coral color to the lips. Leonardo Mannetti of Community NYC for L'Oreal created long, flowing hair with soft waves, echoing Botticelli's Venus.

source and photo credit: beautypress.com

Jack McCulloch and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler took inspiration from Native American blankets purchased on a road trip from Santa Fe to Wyoming as the starting point for their Fall/Winter 2011 collection.
Strong geometry and homespun fabrics took on a complex sophistication and became the foundation for a brightly colored, bold and inventive show. Brilliant!

images by Mario Madeira

 Pamella Roland brought some old school glamour to her Fall/Winter 2011 collection

images by Getty

Victoria Beckham has such a fabulous understanding of theatrics and fashion. I love this highly dramatic presentation of her gorgeous collection

Rachel Zoe's Complete First Collection

Not to be confused with her QVC line, Rachel Zoe is debuting her complete first collection, Fall/Winter 2011.

The line is, quite frankly, completely fabulous.
From sequined cocktail dresses and faux-fur vests to wide-leg pantsuits and oversize bags, it’s an eclectic  mix of 70's inspiration and modern silhouettes. There are so many stand alone, classic pieces that become staples in your wardrobe. I am infatuated with the line!

The pieces will be available in stores this fall for $200 to $700.

Check out more from her lookbook:

 The shoes and boots are fabulous too!!

Jessica Simpson Covers New York Magazine Spring Fashion Issue

This makes me happy on so many levels!!
Jessica Simpson on the cover of New York Magazine's Spring Fashion Issue

Firstly, I am loving these images! If there is one thing Jessica Simpson knows, its how to take a great picture!But actually, there is something else she knows too, and that is how to build a giant fashion empire.

In 2010 Jessica Simpson's fashion empire rang up $750 million in sales.
To put this in perspective, that means she is selling approximately the same volume as heavy weight Michael Kors.
This year with the addition of a full ready to wear collection and a "career separates" line, sales are expected to hit the $1 billion mark.

In an industry where celebrity clothing lines are doomed to fail (with the exception of the Olsen twins brilliant lines, and Victoria Beckham's divine but tiny dress line, very few actually make it)
The magic formula seems to be the goal that: “A girl could go to the shopping mall with her mother and she’d have a great new outfit and still have some money left for lunch at McDonald’s. She can look like Jessica Simpson, smell like Jessica Simpson, and she can afford it.” 

After all the attacks Jessica has had to endure about her music, her acting, her love life and her fluctuating weight, you'd think she'd enjoy taking this moment to turn her nose up at her detractors.
But not so. 
 Everyone who knows her (as in people at my end of the industry) talk about how totally lovely she is. Even douchey John Mayer who famously labeled her "sexual napalm" (which has to be the best compliment ever, especially allowing for how much he gets around!), races to her defense, and tells what a sweet and lovely girl she is.
And so, with sweet grace and dignity she moves forward, looking incredibly hot as she takes it all the way to the bank.

images by Ruven Afanador for New York Magazine