Pasting a photo of one person’s head on the photo of another person’s body can produce some amusing results, particularly when the body type is all wrong. For instance, putting the photograph of a face of an average-sized person on the photo of a body of a professional weightlifter, such as that of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger back in his pumped-up days as Mr. Universe, can be hilarious. Or visit my town Hermosa Beach, California’s Fiesta Hermosa in May or September, where you can be photographed for a personalized postcard, putting your face through the cutout figure of a surfer in the mouth of a gigantic shark.

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Although my own personal style tends toward the elegant style personality with a strong dash of creative, the girly-girl in me (the romantic style personality) is swooning over the new crop of three-dimensional floral design bracelets and cuffs that perch on graceful forearms like so many wrist corsages. Profusions of posies at the wrist are both girlish and timeless, appropriate for women of all ages.

The May 2008 issue of InStyle magazine features a page devoted to these “haute-hous...Read More

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Customer Watch: Warm or Cool – Choice or Habit

We all know individuals who “only” wear white metals or “only” wear yellow gold. There are any number of reasons for this mindset, many of which have nothing to do with what actually looks best on the person. For example, the preference may arise:

• From a time when she could afford only sterling silver pieces, and she has built an entire jewelry wardrobe around those pieces;
• From her cultural and ethnic background;
• From her family’s view that only the best will do (platinum or high

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A perennial favorite, turquoise is once again catching the eye of fashion editors this season. What’s not to love about this affordable gemstone as an adornment as statement necklaces once again come into prominence?

The vibrancy of turquoise is perfect for sunlight-drenched days of summer and making “a bold, bohemian statement,” as suggested in the May 2008 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. The stone works with so many current trends:

• the 60’s look reminiscent of hippie fashion;
• the bright floral looks ranging from Liberty prints to huge, bright Prada flowers, and
• the bold h

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I got sidetracked this week on a project, and the pithy analysis I proposed to post here will need to wait until next week. Instead, let me share with you a bit of wisdom passed along to me today.

Conversing with my doctor this morning during a routine appointment, we were mulling over the state of the economy. So many friends who are entrepreneurs – talented designers, retailers, consultants – are seeing their businesses decline. Many long-standing businesses have been forced to close. Homes have lost substantial value. Properties are going into foreclosure. New home sales are at their lowest point in 16 years. People are afraid to leave toxic jobs for fear of not finding new ones. Gasoline prices go up and up.

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One can almost hear the advertising teams in their brainstorming sessions… how do we make our client’s product seasonally relevant as summer approaches? Let’s think… the sun, the sea, yes, the beach rocks.

Paging through the May 2008 issue of Elle magazine, one hits, in sequence,

(1) a model languorously lollygagging about on the beach in full makeup and pale skin without gleam of sunscreen, leaning on one arm, her hand anchoring her in the sand, wearing an evening gown, elaborate diamond and pearl ring and mega-length strand of pearls as the sun gets close to setting (assuming a West Coast perspective),

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Cosmetic dentistry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and a gorgeous smile, whether natural or enhanced, is the pride and joy of many an individual. Teeth straightening has become a rite of passage for many teens; teeth whitening has become a priority if not an obsession for many people of all ages.

Still, it’s nice to see a variety of smiles grace the pages of the magazines and to know that there is not just one perfect smile appropriate for everyone. Kudos to the May 2008 issue of Glamour magazine for its salute to unconventionally attractive smiles: 

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I am always delighted to see the fashion press give space to discussing jewelry that complements the fashions being shown. With the approach of summer, the May 2008 issue of Glamour magazine devotes a substantial number of pages to swimwear. Along with excellent coverage of the latest styles of bathing suits and tips as to which styles works best for various body types, the magazine includes a page devoted to colorful, sporty watches, proclaimed “a Do!” for the beach (in a photo caption) and for the pool. The headline reads: “7 pool-friendly watches: Swim into summer with a practical—and bold—water-resistant watch.”

The watches shown range from a $65 Swatch watch to a $5,365 Cartier selection, all of the timepieces pictured gleamin...Read More

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Inspiration. It can be elusive, as I find from time to time, staring at a blank page on my computer screen at 2:00 a.m. It can show up at the oddest time, while I am in the shower, driving on the freeway, or yes, bolting awake at 3:00 in the morning. HP has a clever “What do you have to say?” campaign and commercial running now where singer Gwen Stefani muses about the creative process and how serendipitous it is.

Celebrity is quite a burden, because unlike us average humans, celebrities can’t, or shouldn’t, be looking as though they are following someone else’s fashion lead. Inspiration is a key part of what makes a celebrity’s style look fresh and attractive.

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Like them or not, they’re back: head scarves. They seem to be a throwback to the hippie-influenced looks that have resurfaced this spring. They always remind me of Mary Tyler Moore’s (or should I say Mary Richards’s) friend Rhoda Morgenstern (played by Valerie Harper) on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 1970’s.

[Photo from ValerieHarper.com.]

Head scarves still represent a bit of insouciance, a creative vibe, and more than a touch of attitude. They’re fun, they’re casual, and they ...Read More

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I’m a huge fan of Michael Kors’ designs and of the designer himself, who adds immeasurably to the enjoyment and educational value of Bravo TV’s “Project Runway” each season.

But a recent Michael by Michael Kors ad had me scratching my head. It’s one thing to see a woman in sky-high shoes ascending the steps onto a private plane, but wearing those shoes on a private yacht is another thing entirely. I checked the item description on the brand’s official web site. Yes, the style of shoes worn by the model is a slingback with a 1 ½” platform and 4 ¾” wooden heels. Yikes! I can almost imagine the yacht owner wincing as those heels meet the polished wood of the deck. Not to mention wondering if a sudden lurch of h...Read More

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Back in February, I tore the “Update Your Look” page out of Harper’s Bazaar magazine for my style file, quite enchanted by the latest accoutrement to Hermes’ famous Birkin bag. It’s a pocket watch encased in leather customized to match the bag of one’s choice. The case is attached to a leather cord that attaches to the bag via a simple loop of the cord. What a charming idea! 

    

The April 2008 issue of In Style magazine shows that I’m not the only one to find this fresh take on timepieces, well, charming. Michael Kors, DKNY and Coach have all come out with c...Read More

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