#TBT Tara Lipinski, figure skating, and Anastasia

February 27, 2014 in INSPIRATION

#TBT As a figure skating enthusiast I loyally watched the 2014 Olympic figure skating programming as it was happening in Sochi. My days last week were filled with triple loops and double axels between 11am and 2pm. Surprisingly though, the best parts of figure skating this year were the commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski! They wore fabulous matching outfits, were sassy and giggly, and definitely stole the show. Basically, I already miss them.

Which led to me watching Tara Lipinski's Gold medal winning performances during the 1998 Winter Olympics.

The crazy thing is ... Tara Lipinski's short program performance featured music from my all time favorite childhood movie Anastasia. Remember Anastasia? Orphan teenager pretends to be the long lost Russian princess, only to find out that she IS the princess. Of course she gets to wear pretty dresses, find her long lost grandma, and fall in love along the way ... best movie ever.

I'm pretty sure my 7 year old self was as in love with Tara after this performance as I am now because of her amazing style and instagram account with bff Johnny Weir (taraandjohnny). I never thought 3 of my favorite things could personify themselves in a single TBT, but life is full of surprises. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvfJlT4yY0Q

P.S. In case you missed them in Sochi, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will be part of Access Hollywood's Oscar Coverage!

Valentine's Day Inspiration

February 13, 2014 in INSPIRATION, IN THE STUDIO

Remember chain letters? Real chain letters? Will someone please send me a letter once I have a new address? If you don't remember those, I'm sure you remember email-chain letters. And how much you didn't want to spam your friends and how annoying they were. Well, I got one a bit ago and it was actually to send inspirational quotes and such as the 'act' in the chain, so I had to do it and I was really delighted by the things that came my way -- and by the people from whom they came. Some people I knew, some people I didn't know. The whole thing was pretty cool and hopefully I only annoyed a few people.

Below is one of the emails I received. So utterly perfect. I love Jorge Luis Borges' work, in both languages:

Uno Aprende

Después de un tiempo, uno aprende la sutil diferencia entre sostener una mano y encadenar un alma; Y uno aprende que el amor no significa acostarse y que la compañía no significa seguridad; Y uno empieza a aprender que los besos no son contratos y los regalos no son promesas; Y uno empieza a aceptar sus derrotas con la cabeza alta y los ojos abiertos; Y uno aprende a construir todos sus caminos en el hoy, porque el terreno de mañana es demasiado incierto para planes y los futuros tienen una forma de caerse en la mitad. Y después de un tiempo uno aprende que si es demasiado hasta el calorcito del sol quema. Así que uno planta su propio jardín y decora su propia alma, en lugar de esperar a que alguien le traiga flores. Y uno aprende que realmente uno puede aguantar, que uno realmente es fuerte, que uno realmente vale, y uno aprende y aprende… y con cada día uno aprende.

And in English...

You Learn

After a while you learn the subtle difference Between holding a hand and chaining a soul, And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning And company doesn’t mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts And presents aren’t promises, And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child, And you learn to build all your roads on today Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn… That even sunshine burns if you get too much. So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure… That you really are strong And you really do have worth… And you learn and learn… With every good-bye you learn.

Happy Valentine's Day! Love yourself and your favorite people and places and words.

watch #NYFW from the comfort of your home (or the W)

February 06, 2014 in TRAVEL, INSPIRATION, STYLE, IN THE STUDIO

Not in NY? Don't want to wait for Style.com to post the shows? Follow these steps for instant access to #NYFW:

1. Follow Leandra Medine. AKA the Man Repeller. She'll show you what she'd wear (which is kind of everything, but in the best way). Not only is she witty and smart, she has a sharp eye and does not hold back. @manrepeller

2. Follow your favorite designers that actually post things (other than glossy magazine ad shots) on Instagram, like Creatures of the Wind @creaturesofthewind or Maison Martin Margiela @maisonmargiela or BCBG MAXAZRIA @bcbgmaxazria or Mara Hoffman @marahoffman. Don't waste time searching for them on Instagram--just go here, click on the designer for profiles and official social links.

3. Follow Mercedes Benz Fashion Week @mbfashionweek because, well, they have a vested interested to show you everything.

4. Follow Solange Knowles @saintrecords Just because.

5. Watch live streaming of four shows at the the W Washington D.C. Living Room starting tonight with Diane von Furstenberg! RSVP to wfashion@brandlinkdcrsvp.com and find show listings here.

that time in Cannon House

February 04, 2014 in TRAVEL, INSPIRATION, IN THE STUDIO

Last week my grandmother was invited to go to the State of the Union address by a congresswoman in Arizona. It's so interesting to be in and around the people running the government, especially when it seems straight out of VEEP or House of Cards. They were literally trying to put a pin on a magnet so as not to puncture the congresswoman's clothes as she apparently does not like pins. Hey, I don't like holes in my clothes either, but the way in which it happened could not have been scripted better. There's more strangeness still sinking in, but the point is--life and people are strange. And that strangeness is funny.

It was an honor for my grandmother to be acknowledged for the work she has done for Veterans and everyone was very nice to us. My sister and I got to watch the event at a wine bar down the street and play bingo. Though I wish more things had been crossed out, at least some things were said. And it really is in our hands to create change. How, I'm still trying to figure out, but we will.

The strangest part was when my grandmother told a bunch of staff assistants a story about me as a child. Apparently I was about four, it was the Easter Egg Roll, I had met the Vice President but kept asking for the President and was very disappointed that I could not meet him. Everyone laughed at the cute story, how adamant I was and how much attention I demanded, and all I could think was: What was wrong with me? Why was I so annoying? Why didn't I meet the President? What ever happened to that Easter egg?

My dad always tells me how I used to do the wave on the mall. Like literally run around the mall and try and get other people to do the wave with me. I guess I haven't changed all that much.

And so--people do strange, annoying things and we still love them. Sometimes we vote and follow them. Sometimes we keep believing in them even when they just aren't quite doing enough. In light of the fact that we are all human, I guess the State of the Union was alright. Nothing terribly shocking, some of the unexpected, like the apolitical standing ovation, lots of sneers from the sidelines, and some great delivery, packaged hope and more rhetoric for us to trudge through. Like snow, it will melt and everyone will start slipping and sliding over it, or simply forget about it. I think I felt hopeful, but I also felt a bit like I was forced to enjoy something that was slowly, silently killing me. Rhetorically speaking, of course.

Anyone wanna start on a new constitution?

Cat Forever: New Art by Primo Pitino at Alley Cat Books -- San Francisco

February 05, 2014 in TRAVEL, INSPIRATION, STYLE, IN THE STUDIO

I always loved running into Primo--and dancing to his record spinning--and seeing his posters all over town. I first met him at a NYE do-over party at 3435 Cesar Chavez and have been following his work ever since. I wanted to do a Betabrand piece of clothing inspired by his artwork, but it never got through development. Who wants to wear these CATS?! I do!

If you are in San Francisco, go check it out before it is too late--Cat Forever: New Art by Primo Pitino. If you aren't in SF, check out this 360 degree view by Han Lee (made with app bubbli). Alley Cat books has this sweet gallery space where they feature local artists such as DJ/Artist Primo Pitino. And when they don't have art shows, they have a ping pong table up. So no excuses to not check out my favorite book store on my favorite block on my old favorite place to live. Ah, I miss 24th Street. But, not as much as I love where I am now. And since I've discovered Harrar Coffee, I've solved the Philz problem. Now I need to find an 'Oldies Night' and '2 Men Will Move You'...oh Primo nothing can replace you! Thanks for making SF so fun and don't ever change. If you move, move to DC.