Spring-Cleaning Out My Satchel: Time For The Mini-Bag!

Fall '09s cross-body mini bag is here to stay and if you’re not already on the train, it’s time! I’ll admit, it took me some time to get into this whole downsized look since I’ve always been the carry-all, satchel girl. But after some honest reflection, I’ve realized maybe I don’t need my mini hair-straightener with me at all times....

The perfect first step in a smaller direction comes from one of my absolute fav bag designers, Rebecca Minkoff. “The Clutch” is her version of a mini-bag which comes in a million color combos and is still pretty sizable. This is my favorite bag that I own b/c it still holds all of my evening essentials (swapped the mini hair-straightener for a mini bottle of Fekkai hair spray....I tried!) and leaves my hands free for swilling cocktails and wielding my camera. Oh, and it’s under $300!

JCrew has made an attempt at following trend by doing a less edgy (albeit, beige) version of the cross body. I don’t hate it and I applaud their acknowledgement of the studs this season. They call it “motorcycle chic”....nice try ;) Also, under $300!

Tory Burch has a darling mini that is just that...mini! I’m talking—iPhone, wallet, keys and maybeeee a gloss—mini. Also, under $300!
Finally, can I get a holy shizz up in here? MULBERRY under $300? YES! This is the most darling bag and will satiate my need to buy something Mulberry since their boutique is CONNECTED to my OFFICE!
.....Leaving the straightener home this season, I make no other promises :)

xx
L

iPod Addition: M83 "Saturdays = Youth"

I am absolutely crazy about this band and think it's time for more people to know their genius! M83 is named after a spiral galaxy Messier 83 which couldn't be more appropriate since their sound is dreamy ambient pop. Their 5th album, "Saturdays=Youth" can't be described in just one word-it's 80's teen angst meets contemporary synthrock. Every song is SO emotional in an ultra cool way, I guarantee you'll be thinking about a different old flame with every track. If you're only going to trust me with one $0.99 iTunes download I'd say start with "Graveyard Girl." I'm thinking you'll be hooked after hearing this one, at which point I'd say download "Kim & Jessie" then "We Own The Sky." Here's to making more weekdays that = youth!

xx

L

Take Note-Lacroix Style!

In the age of text and email, simply no one sends hand-written notes anymore! However, as an etiquette stickler, I write notes for just about everything. Whether it be after receiving a gift or concluding a job interview, I believe a sincere note on beautiful stationary makes a unique and lasting impression. The key here is to make sure your cards are representative of who you are - your personality and your aesthetic.

Since moving to New York, Kate's Paperie has become my mecca (conveniently located steps from my office!) On a recent trip for Valentine's paraphernalia, I came across these GORG cards by Christian Lacroix. These beautiful couture sketches are little pieces of art and could even be cute framed and hung as decoration. So send me some gifts and I'll send you one of these little gifts in return...seems fair to me :)

xx

L

Sunshine = Time For New Sunnies

Gorgeous sun and blue skies made a brief appearance in NYC this past weekend which got me dreaming about what I’ll need to be fully prepared for the seasonal wardrobe transition. I’m a fiend for accessories and sunglasses are a constant temptation for me. While I’ve held myself to the same pair of black Ray Bans for 2 years, I’m thinking it’s definitely time to add more to the collection. Do I lust over the Tom Ford Cyrille Aviators? YES! Is $430 too much for a pair of sunglasses? Depends....

Luckily our friend Tory Burch has a line of sunnies that are equal parts cute and affordable. While TB’s designs can be garishly preppy-bordering on mom-ish, these spectacles are surprisingly chic! AND if you don’t have access to her fab boutiques in Nolita or Meatpacking (poor you!), you can find these gems at your local Sunglass Hut. Check one more item off my looooong list of spring essentials!

xx

L

Beauty Must Have: NARS Orgasm Illuminator

We all know and love the "Orgasm" collection from NARS - the perfect hue for literally ANY skin tone in the form of blush, lip gloss, shimmer stick and nail polish. Just in time for Spring, Sephora has unveiled their newest addition to this sexy line: "Orgasm Illuminator." This is a deceptively sheer gel that is oh-so versatile! It can be worn alone for a natural glow, mixed in with your daily blush or even on your chest/collar bone for a shimmery glow. Thank you NARS for more of the "O."

xx

L

Marc Jacobs, My Valentine!

Marc Jacobs has teamed up with 80's stylist/designer/icon Maripol to create these ridiculously adorable coil bracelets. If you don't know Maripol - she's best known for styling Madonna's "Like A Virgin" video and her accessories in the video became a phenomenon. If you don't know Marc...well, I don't know you!

They go on sale at the Marc by Marc Jacobs store on Bleecker Street tomorrow (happy Valentine's day to me!) and they're only $10. Um...I'll take one in every color!

xx
L

iPod Addition: "Soldier of Love" - Sade

A little Valentine's week present! You must must must download the newest album by Sade (pronounced "Shah-Day") called "Solider of Love" just released on Tuesday. If you don't know this women's work then you should - she's only the most successful solo women's artist in British history!

A little back story, she's a British/Nigerian singer, songwriter, composer and record producer. She debuted in the 80's and really blew up in the US with her 1994 album "Love Deluxe" (download this immediately, so ahead of it's time!) She released her next album "Lovers Rock" in 2000 and it was totally mediocre. She waited 10 years to release this most recent work and it couldn't be more fabulous! The single you're seeing on VH1's Jump Start on the treadmill in the morning is the title track "Soldier of Love," and while it's good it's definitely not the best song on the album. If you decide to only trust me with one $0.99 iTunes download then go with "The Moon and The Sky," plug in and grooooove.

xx

L

"Almost Famous" - The HBO Series!

This may be the best news I've heard since finding out Joe's Jeans "jeggings" are under $100 at Saks!

The fabulously gorgeous Zooey Deschanel is executive producing and starring in HBO's newest show "I'm With The Band: Confessions of a Groupie." The series will be based on the 1987 memoir written by former 60s/70s rock scenester Pamela Des Barres. In it, she chronicles her adventures in a time where musicians were true artists and just plain cooler than famous people are today. She started out as a nanny for Frank Zappa before eventually becoming the love interest of Mick Jagger and Jimmy Page. JEAL-OUS! Des Barres was a member of a troupe of groupies that called themselves “the GTOs,” which served as the inspiration for the “Band-Aides” in Cameron Crowe’s "Almost Famous" (only my favorite movie of all time). Pamela was also the inspiration for "Penny Lane's" character in the movie.

Being the wannabe hippie that I am (still trying to figure out how I can get to Coachella this year), I already picked up this book and will begin living vicariously immediately. In the mean time, "Hello Time Warner...yes I'll need HBO added to my account!"

"I always tell the girls to never take it seriously, if you never take it seriously, you never get hurt and if you never get hurt you always have fun" - Penny Lane, Almost Famous

xx

L

iPod Addition (Super Bowl Edition): "Wake Up" - Arcade Fire

If you're watching the Super Bowl tonight, you've been seeing lots advertising money at work! What ads will you be talking about tomorrow at the office? While I'm not seeing anything overly impressive, I'm hearing a favorite song of mine that should be on your iPod if it's not already. Arcade Fire's "Wake Up" is being used by the NFL Network in it's Super Bowl ads (you have also heard this song in the movie trailer for "Where The Wild Things Are.") What makes this even cooler is that Arcade Fire is donating all of the licensing proceeds to Stand With Haiti relief efforts. Someone at the NFL network is a Brooklyn hipster, I just know it!

xx
L

Beauty Must Have: Smashbox Photo Finish

While the weather in New York is still very much Winter, the stores are brimming with bright and beautiful Spring clothes making my shopping trips a struggle between "do I buy now?" or "do I wait?" While the coming months mean less layers of clothing, it also means less layers of make-up which makes a Sephora-worshiper like myself cringe a little. Before you start peeling off the layers, you MUST get yourself some Smashbox Photo Finish foundation primer. This lightweight serum is full of skin-nourishing ingredients like grape seed extract, vitamins A & E, and green tea to feed your skin while it fills in enlarged pores, small scars, and fine lines/wrinkles to create a flawless finish. In the Winter months, I wear it under my foundation creating a the perfect canvas for my make-up. But in the coming Spring months, I'll be wearing it alone with a swipe of blush and a coat of mascara! If you don't believe me, it was a Best of Sephora product in 2008 and on Marie Claire's list of 25 Products That Will Change Your Life. Bring on Spring!

xx
L

Jay-Z In A Frat For The Famous?

Since Jay-Z premiered his video for "On To The Next One", I've been hypnotized by the incredible imagery -- a true piece of modern art! But I found the more I watched, the more I felt like there was an underlying message that I just wasn't getting. I decided to google it and it turns out the overwhelming majority of people believe his imagery is blatantly satanic and suggests his association with The Illuminati (other members said to have been Winston Churchill, The Bush family, Barack Obama, The Rockefeller's...) First, watch the video, then see what people are saying!

*Jay-Z premiered his video minutes after 2009 became 2010. I figured "On To The Next One" was a reference to moving on to the next year. In fact, 01/01/10 in Kabbalistic numerology equals 3 (0 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 1+ 0 = 3). There are groupings of 3 everywhere in the video, including the logo for his album "The Blueprint 3" which is 3 bars.

*Jay-Z shown with a halo-like crown above his head. We've all heard him refer to himself as "HOV" or "Jay-Hova" which is a reference to Jehovah, the proper name of God in Abrahamic religions.

*Dark liquid being poured on a jeweled skull. The Knight Templars (ancestors of the Freemasons--hello, DaVinci Code?) made new members drink wine from a human skull as part of their initiation.

*Images of horns which references Baphomet-the horned idol reportedly worshiped by the Knight Templars and later used by the Church of Satan.

I don't know about you but I loved all this stuff in The DaVinci Code and I love it even more now that the coolest hip-hop business man is involved! Believe what you want but it definitely makes you watch your MTV Hits a little closer. There's not enough time in the world to analyze a Gaga video....

xx

L

Less is never more!

"Less is more" is NOT a motto I subscribe to, especially when it comes to accessories! So obviously I adore Alex & Ani bangles because their look only gets cuter as you add more to your wrist. On a recent pilgrimage to Bendel's, they were having a trunk show complete with a make-your-own bracelet bar! However, I was on a very specific accessory search and didn't stop to indulge myself. Lucky for me -and you-Alex & Ani's website allows you to craft your own creations from the comfort of your little apartment. Choose from different metals, charms, and a huge spectrum of bead colors. Now get stacking!
xx
L