Va-Va Voom Valentine

Love ever lasting is on all our minds as Valentines Day creeps closer and closer.  Whether you are single, or in a relationship… we are all subject to the emotions the day evokes.  We all start remembering the times we felt most loved by our partners, or how hard it was to see everyone around you showered in roses and have non at your own door step.

I believe valentines day should be a day we not only show our love for the ones we are closest to, but a day we show love and appreciation for ourselves.  Love cannot be received if we ourselves do not love ourselves.

Take this wonderful month to really take time and spoil yourself.  Maybe one day treat yourself to a day at the spa or the nail salon.  Men out there, if you really want your wife to be surprised, hire a maid service to come to the house tomorrow, so no house cleaning will need to be done by her for at least a few days. Wives, go out and get a Brazilian way, and a new set of lingerie to reward your man after all the effort he has gone through to make this day special.

Roses are always appreciated, and so are chocolates.  My favorite Valentines treat are the freshly made Godiva chocolate strawberries you can per-order.  Set on a beautiful white serving platter, or silver tray, they make the ultimate romantic addition to a bedroom with candles and rose petals.  All you need is a hot bubble bath waiting and a bottle of champagne chilling to ensure an evening she will never forget.  Remember all the cheesy stuff you see in movies that you and your friends laugh at. Women love all that stuff.  So take notes when you are watching a chick flick.

Single ladies, you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you do not have someone in your life to call your Valentine.  Schedule a 2 hr massage for yourself, spend the day loving yourself…. and stay away from lounges and restaurants. You do not need visual reminders of all the other people who do have someone to call your valentine. You can be your own valentine!

Well Whatever happens on the 14th, just know life is beautiful, and don’t be critical if your loved one does not meet expectations… And single people try to love yourself, because that’s the only way to attract new love into your life.

New Year TO-BUY List

I know everyone is struggling in this crazy economy of ours.  But just because our checkbook balances have shrunk, does not mean we cannot still enjoy the thrill of finding a new treasure for our ever-expanding wardrobe.

2012 will be a year of people sticking it to the depressive market, and saying I WILL pamper myself… I WILL find something so unique and amazingly perfect to update my Spring/Summer wardrobe… and I WILL NOT make myself feel deprived of what i love!

The trick for every one of us will be to find these worthy treasures… that truly deserve to go home in a shopping bag vs. trendy junk we wont want next year.  This may mean spending a bit more on a single item of quality… but hey you will still be able to wear it 5 years down the line vs that trendy piece you bought in the fall that already is out of style.

Spring  is all about vibrant colors… We are all tired of feeling depressed, bored, and restricted by the economic outlook.  Its time to live through fashion.  Bright Colors, Bold Prints, and Fitted cuts will be what 2012 is all about.  Recycled, Re-purposed, and Revival will be the theme for the future fashion outlook.

Don’t be afraid to reuse something from your fall wardrobe if it fits in with the style for this coming season.  Because before you know it, it will be Sunny, and warm, and you will start tanning your legs again with sunless tanning lotions.

Bright.Bold.Beautiful. Spring 2012…

Dealing with Emotional Rolercoasters in life

I know this post is completely off topic for my new blog, but sometimes life gives you moldy lemons and no matter how you squeeze the lemonade you try making just turns rancid.

I like to believe I’m a positive person, and I love affecting others in a positive way.  I like to be the rock everyone leans on… maybe that’s just stupid.  But I don’t like being the one who needs a hug, a good cry and a tub of ice cream.  I hate feeling self pity, and helplessness.  Maybe its my beliefs I’ve tried to live by my whole life, but sometimes all that constitution and holding myself up to a rigid standard just doesn’t work. Like the walls of Jericho, I thought nothing could bring me down. But right now i feel like i hear the trumpets in the distance.  I mean i don’t expect anyone else to be that way, so how can i expect that of myself.  I feel a little foolish holding my own self to an impossible standard.

I’ve been very fortunate to have found my soul-mate.  And no they don’t grow on trees.  I never was one to believe in marriage, or love ever lasting before i met him.  It was all good for movies, books and fairy-tales… but in my world it seemed a fantasy.  He is my rock, my heart, my everything.

But what happens when your rock starts to crumble.  Unfortunately he has been battling some very serious health issues, which i really don’t even want to discuss right now.   Frankly its just too much for me to handle.  I held strong through the worst parts of it.  But my biggest slip up in my plan to be strong was that my rock, my support was the one i now needed to be strong for.  Not a thought went into creating a support system for myself… because frankly before i had my rock, i was my only support.  I have many acquaintances, a scarce fragment of which i believe to be true friends & truly loving family… and out of all that almost none who i think could possibly be able to truly handle my distress right now.

I found myself lying to people… oh he is out of town, oh its just a minor thing he will be fine real soon… blah blah blah.  Keeping a happy face, while engaging in witty banter.  But that type of facade can only be kept so long before the facade just start eating away at your heart.  The small ache in your stomach, turns into a boulder crashing into your chest.  No matter how much you try to catch your breath, you don’t feel you can breathe.  No matter how much you sleep, you are never energized.  And no matter how much you smile, you are crying on the inside.

Small things like watching tv, walking the dog, cooking dinner loose all appeal.  All you wanna do is curl up into a little ball and wake up when its all over.  But life isn’t that easy…so i force myself to try to keep up my routine.  Wake up and spoil my fur babies, wash the laundry… and force myself to eat when all i wanna do is throw it up.  Get some sunshine, and blast some energy away on the golf course or tennis court… but all of it feels meaningless.  No amount of fun positive music, hrs of sunshine, and fresh air take away the growing hole of blackness that is consuming me slowly.

I’m lucky enough to have a person who spends the time to pry out my real feelings before i get too overwhelmed.  I really must get over my issues of feeling like a burden on people who care for me.    Its not healthy, and can lead to a meltdown.

Please learn from me, nobody can stand alone… because no matter how strong you are, if you get a big enough crack in your foundation it can only lead to terrible things.  Make sure you have a support system, someone to hug you while you cry… listen to your fears and irrational rantings.  But most of all people who love you unconditionally, and who support you just as much as you support them.

Vintage is in Vogue this Christmas!

I know its not even Halloween yet… but come on, you can’t deny it!  We all have the dreaded Christmas shopping list on our minds.  Be it that its time to start saving up, or you have that terribly annoying loved one who has everything.  Don’t worry, you have 2 months to get yourself prepared for the glutenous festival of materialism.

This Fall/Winter its all about taking neutrals, and adding a splash of brilliant jewel toned deliciousness to bring all of our moods up.

Vintage is so in this fall, whether for the home, women or men.  Think 60′s and 70′s Mod girl, flapper chic…. with streak of flowing hippie goddess(but please don’t take that statement as carte blanche to mix the looks). The great thing with theses styles are that they can be readily found from ultra chic boutiques, all the way to high end used retailers.  There is one in every city that is loaded with used treasures to suit this revival trend.

the new trends makes a great opportunity to be able to get luxury items for your loved ones, pay 1/4 of what it originally cost, and find an utterly unique item nobody else will have.  I usually recommend people look for cashmere sweaters, shawls, or vintage costume jewelry and handbags as nobody can have too many accessories.  But make sure to pick out pieces that you find beautiful, unique, and suitable to the person you are buying for.  Jewel tones are a great complimentary way to add to any closet, especially since they are the trend right now.  Don’t go for drab… Look for colors that are rich and luxurious.

A couple one of a kind vintage bracelets make an amazing gift for any woman since you can never have enough.  A great way to present them is to take the bangles and use a thick ribbon to tie a chic bow.  Take scissors and trim the ends of the ribbon at a 45 degree angle.  Take tissue paper and a small gift bag.  Walah!  A perfect gift for any female friend, co-worker or family member.

Large Silver tone Cabochon Cuff Vintage Bracelet

For men, a great gift would be an amazingly patterned vintage pocket square or tie, along with a unique set of cuff links or a stick pin. Fold and wrap in tissue in a flat box.  And tie the box shut with some of that gold elastic string tied in a simple bow.  Most men get frustrated with trying to untie double knotted regular ribbons.  They will appreciate the simple wrapping. By the way, never try to find matching ties and pocket scarves….its a big Fashion DON’T.  Its like as if you always matched your dress to your shoes and your handbag.

Vintage Pocket Square

Other Great One-of-a-Kind Vintage Gifts:

A Vintage Handbag

The trick is to make sure its in good condition and does not look over worn.  Men, don’t forget to look at the lining of the handbag, there is nothing worse than putting things in your purse only to find half its contents is littering the interior of the bag itself. If its a well know designer bag, it may be worth it to try to haggle the price if the interior is in bad shape, and used the saved money to have the bag refurbished.

Vintage Andrew Geller Handbag

A chic faux fur hat

Faux-Fur… Besides being budget friendly, cruelty free, is an amazing way to get the fur look without having to pay a furrier year round to refrigerate tour real fur furring the warmer months.

1960s Fur and Faux Leather Mod Cloche by Yves Saint Laurent

This is a timeless style that evokes a ‘Dr. Zhivago’ opulence, and is a great statement piece to liven up your winter nights.  Beware of a price that looks too good to be true, that usually means very cheap faux fur was used, and it will shed all over your loved one’s face.  Also I’d stick with designer labels on a hat because the cut makes or breaks the look.  The perfect accompanying gift would be a pair of gloves that compliment the faux fur hat.

A Vintage Luxury Overcoat

Now in Fashion, one thing remains… the Classic Overcoat.  A staple to any men’s or womens closet.    Being that less structured menswear seems to be all the rage and suits all body types.  Here is a coat that will last a lifetime and more, so spend the extra cash to have it altered to fit you by a skilled tailor.

Vintage Authentic Gucci Wrap Coat