Happy Holidays!

Christmas is tomorrow, a time of joy and celebrated with our loved ones. Or so Hallmark would have us believe. Personally, my family, gives me a headache. As much as I love them, I prefer to love them from afar. A significant amount of Americans must feel that I feel. After all, Americans take more anti-depressants during the holidays than anytime else. All the forced festivity reminds some of us of what's lacking in our lives, such as a family so perfect Kodak will ask for tips, a significant other so thoughtful he/she will bring breakfast in bed and administer a foot massage everyday, an income so obscene Rockefeller will roll over in his grave or a body so hot others will have to wear sunglasses. If these expectations sound exaggerated, I'm trying to make a point. Society constantly bombards with ideas of what is "perfect," raising the standard so high that no one can reach it, whether it's family bliss, romantic aptitude, earning potential or physical beauty. Perhaps if we adjusted our expectations to a more realistic level, we would be significantly happier. Happiness is a state of mind, so I choose to be positive and count my blessings. I want to thank everyone who made this year so amazing and for all the opportunities that were presented to me.  

And what would Christmas be without glittery make up, beautiful cocktail outfits and presents? Here's some of my picks.
1. Nothing says Christmas like shimmering eyeshadow! It's the only time of the year when you can wear as much glitter as a drag queen and no one can call you out on it.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore $24, available at Sephora

2. Kissing cute boys is one of the great appeals of Christmas parties and this bright red lipstick will definitely get their attention. Ironically, kissing would ruin this dramatic statement lip. So just wait until afterwards.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture 1 Le Rouge $30, available at Sephora and most department stores

3. The classic little black dress is always perfect for holiday parties. Metallic tweed, the loose sleeves and trapeze shape give this LBD a festive, modern update. On a practical note, this swinging sixties silhouette allows for the wearer to eat as much as she wants. We all know how tempting those trays of snacks are.

Giambattista Valli dress $2,995, available at Net-a-Porter

3. Sky high platforms elongate the legs. They do hurt. But if you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. 

Charlotte Olympia "Minerva" Laser-Cut Suede Pumps $1,190, available at Net-a-Porter 

4. After the party, relax in a silk dressing robe. And with such elaborate details, you can pretend you're an 18th century Venetian courtesan waiting for her lover. 

Carine Gilson Venice Short Kimono $1,260, available at  www.nancymeyer.com

5. And here's some presents I recommend. I tried to make them cheaper than my fantasy cocktail outfit, gender neutral and not edible since some people have food allergies. Keith Richards just released his autobiography. Who doesn't want to read rock n' roll's original bad boy's memoir? He describes his life long love affair with music, his tempestuous relationship with Mick , the women in his life from groupies to his mother to the hypnotic Anita Pallenberg. Richards entertains the reader with the various exploits of The Rolling Stones, from their humble beginnings to the height of their decadence in the 70s to their present.

Life by Keith Richards and James Fox $16.18 at www.amazon.com

6. A great speaker at an affordable price is great for everyone. But its tiny pocket size makes it perfect for the consumate traveler or anyone squeezed for space. It stays charged for a long time, up to 11 hours.

X-Mini II Capsule Speaker $21.99, at www.amazon.com

7. Miracle on 34th Street tops most people's best Christmas movie list for good reason. This heartwarming family story released in 1947 tells the story of a man fighting to be legally recognized as Santa Claus, convincing a young girl and a doubting realist that he is indeed Father Christmas. This acclaimed film stars Edmund Gwenn, in an Academy Award winning role, Natalie Wood, emerging as a young child star, Maureen O'Hara and a brilliant supporting cast.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) $8.99, available at www.amazon.com

Merry Christmas everyone! And don't party too hard on vacation or else you'll need a vacation from your vacation!

 

 

The Beauty of Libraries

I am currently in a library, squirreled away underground as I attempt to say something brilliant about the Manifesto of the Communist Party. Oh procrastination...my constant companion. Speaking of procrastination,  the New Yorker wrote a fascinating article about it, which I ironically read while I was previously putting off yet another paper. Here it is: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki?currentPage=1.

But back to the topic of libraries. People in libraries are so interesting. There's the kind that brings enough food to feed a family of hamsters or elephants. I fall in the latter category. There's the kind that watch TV shows or movies. There's the kind on the omnipotent Facebook. Of course, everyone's plugged into their music. I'm currently listening to Chopin's "Fantasie Improptu." And there's those ghastly people that actually study.

Hello World!

Hi! To whomever is reading, welcome to my blog. In the words of Emily Dickinson, "this is my letter to the world that never wrote to me." I will share my thoughts on food, fashion, current events and life in general. Blog posts are more patient than man so I hope this will be therapeutic. Here's 4 likes and 4 dislikes as an icebreaker.

4 likes
1. I like people watching.
2. I like cloudy, gray skies.
3. I like bright colors (I know...total contradiction to #2, but I think this applies more to clothing)
4. I like food.

4 dislikes
1. I dislike getting up in the morning. I don't understand morning people.
2. I dislike it when you open a door and someone else opens the door at the same time from the other side. So awkward.
3. I dislike raw broccoli (probably the only thing I won't eat).

4. I dislike people who put others down to build themselves up.