Lust.Love.MustHave

American Boy

Look around you? Have you noticed lately how grown men are dressing? Everyone seems to have taken style tips from Charlie Sheen's character on Two and a Half Men; a man who is specifically dressed to look like he is a man/boy. But it seems to, unfortunately, be a common trend. I was in a mall parking lot in Palm Beach a few weeks ago and looked at the men around me. Shorts, t-shirts, socks and sneakers were typical.What's next, going out in your boxer shorts and bedslippers?

Gold digger express

It's probably the dream of every half-way attractive, relatively sexy girl/woman around the world to hook up with, even marry a huge movie star, athlete or musician if they can snag him and hold his interest for more than 2 minutes. But the recent exposure of the ugliness behind the relationship and breakup of Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva proves how far south these shallow relationships can go.


Women forget that the man they're with probably has nothing to do with the well crafted, carefully managed image we see in public. Behind his wealth and fame, a celebrity is just a man, usually with immense flaws and an even bigger ego. The now infamous Gibson/Grigorieva tapes put it all in perspective. Tiger Woods, Larry King, David Letterman, Charlie Sheen, etc., etc., blah, blah. Just men with the money and recognition to get anything and anyone they want without need for the consideration of others. So ladies, if you want one of these guys, just think of what you're in for on a daily basis, not just the glitter and glam of walking a red carpet every once in a while. Make your own money and fame... and be nice to everyone.

I don't have a picture to show you but....

Why does Ann Curry's hair bother me so much? For the past few weeks, the Today Show news reader has been wearing her hair in an updo that is reminiscent of great grandmothers from the 1800s. Is she growing it out? Is something wrong with her health that viewers have not been informed of? I guess in today's world of cougars and 40 is the new 20, I wonder why this attractive 53-year-old is, in my mind, deliberately making herself look old and fuddy-duddy. I don't get it. Although I love the Today Show I'll admit I'm not a big Ann Curry fan, and this new hairstyle has pushed me over the top. Call me shallow if you want, but news readers, anchors and hosts are there to be looked at; I didn't set the standards. The entertainment industry and society have. So unless Ann Curry is going through undisclosed personal issues, why make this choice? It smacks of a lack of complete self-awareness. Ann, honey, don't try to look 73 before your time. Life goes by fast enough as it is.

Why does Maggie Gyllenhaal look so awkward and uncomfortable? She just does not look confident in this gown. Maybe because she realizes that not every trend (the tie-dyeish look) is for every one. I wonder if left to her own devices and choices, what she would have really liked to wear to the Oscars? Maybe next year, if she's back, she and every other woman who attends will have to courage to follow their guts and not those of their stylists.

So over the top, but hey, that's Jen for you. Nuff said.

Oh my God, this gown looks like it's trying to gobble up Vera Farmiga. I love her work and believe it or not, she is one of the prettiest and sexiest actresses working right now, but between her hair and the gown, she's definitely channeling her grandmother here. Vera, lighten up. Ye Gads!

Melanie's gown is too black and shiny; too Vampira! What happened to the sexy, sultry woman we know from the 80s and 90s. Getting a little older doesn't mean that you have to hide your sexuality....

Too pale for Sandra's skin tone; hides her curves and makes her look like a vanilla ice-cream cone. Not for her and not Glam!

Oscar Gowns: Is it me, or did these gowns blow?

What was it about Oscar fashions this year that made me slightly nauseous? Overly elaborate, way too serious and much too "old" for the women wearing them, most of the gowns I saw were, yes, right off the haute couture runways, but what is the line between wearing the latest trend and being able to match the right dress with your true authentic self? Know what I mean? As my sister says, however, these gowns were appropriate for the seriousness of the occasion but does that mean that sexiness goes out the window too? It's an awards ceremony, not a wake. See above our take on a few of the Oscar frocks from Sunday night.

You know it's Art Basel when...

You see a girl casually traipsing around in a dress and purse made entirely of white clothespins. The girl is Gisela Cerra and her husband, artist Gerry Stecca, is known for his clothespin art. A concept that takes A. Lot. Of. Patience. He hand drills, paints and connects each one by wire. Over and over again. It's his way, he says, of bringing attention to the environment and its a "nostalgic reminder of simpler times." Who knew the little ole clothespin could be seen in an entirely new light and used so creatively? Gerry's work can be seen during Art Basel and beyond at the Bakehouse Art Complex in Miami. http://www.gerrystecca.com/

Mayu

What’s glam now? Neckwear like Mayu’s ruffled scarves. Working in Peru as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Kate Robertson fell in love with the local artisans and their hand-knitting skills. The Chicago native decided to start Mayu because she wanted to support the artisans as her time with the Peace Corps ended. They knit luxurious accessories made with high-quality pure alpaca fiber.

Robertson has spent years forming not only a business relationship but also friendships with the artisans and says they’ve been taught valuable business skills and earn fair wages, while still being able to take care of their children. “They’ve given us a stronger awareness of struggles women have in developing countries to provide for their families. They feed our passion to keep Mayu growing.” Mayu sells a bunch of products, including the ruffle scarf and an alpaca throw. Robertson says, “once you wear a Mayu product, you will not want to take it of!” Find out for yourself, http://www.shopmayu.com/

Kanye West: Not Glam

Kanye West started it. His casually draped scarf arond the neck took off like wildfire and now we can't get rid of it. Oh Vey. Every man (!), woman and tween sports the look which we now have to pronounce is so over, so not glam. If we see one more person with the, oh so lightly draped, ethnically correct, scarf draped around their neck, we will roll our eyes and try to squash every desire to rip it off and scream, "Find your own style, damn it!" Breathe. We do think it is dying it's own natural death and making room for way more creative offerings. See our next post to discover what we're talking about. And Kanye, after the fiasco of the MTV Video Music Awards, we hope you will scurry away and think about ALL the choices you make. Thanks.

Vat, Chen, Thai

We love Thailand. Exotic, spiritual, colorful and profound, it is a country of mystery and discovery. That’s why when we saw 360 Jewels it took us back to the contradiction of chaos and calm that embodies Bangkok. Designers May Vat and Belle Chen's jewelry line captures the essence of Thailand and brings exoticism home. Their pieces will spark conversation and curiosity. Vat, who was raised in the U.S. but whose parents are from Thailand went there for the first time several years ago and found that, once there, she couldn’t pull herself away. She stayed for several years. The seduction: Clear blue skies; flavorful food and fruits; the emerald colored sea; green mountains; ancient architecture and precious gemstones. Chen, Chinese by descent, was actually born and raised in Thailand. Her passion for jewelry was sparked when she visited a crystal factory in her mom’s hometown, Salzburg, Austria. She began to collect jewelry and then making it out of threads, beads and, yes, crystals.

In May 1999, Belle Chen and May Vat became friends, introduced by a mutual friend (still don’t believe in destiny?). They soon both quit their jobs to follow their passion. Today, Vat sketches the jewelry designs while Chen searches for precious stones in gemstone factories and mines in Thailand. Their pieces are made from 18K gold and up and 925 sterling silver with natural stones. Each design takes 3-5 months from initial design to production. The signature collection is priced from $400-$800. Buy here, http://www.360jewels.com/

Ed Hardy-Not Glam

Love Kills Slowly and so apparently does over-exposure. We think too much success has killed the Ed Hardy cool factor. If we see one more Ed Hardy anything, we'll scream. A brand born on the rise and acceptance of tattoo and graffiti culture, Ed Hardy was the epitome of modern-day counter-culture attitude, the purchase of a Ed Hardy t-shirt, sneakers, sunglasses or other product was your monetary entry into what was once a cutting-edge club. But too much of a good thing is never actually good. When disgraced husband and father Jon Gosselin becomes the poster child for Ed Hardy trendiness (he not only wears the t-shirts every single day apprently, we hear he may also be entering into some sort of partnership with the company) then it's probably time to put your own products out to pasture. Not to mention every other person you pass on the street has some type of Ed Hardy clothing or accessory on. Great for the company's bottom line but doesn't say much about your own unique personal style. So we say, enough of Ed Hardy, they're officially off the glam list.

Zoe on Zoe

Rachel Zoe is a fashionista's wet dream come to life. Deliriously glamorous, stylish and trendy, we love her ability to meticulously edit every single piece of clothing and accessory on her body. Yeah, yeah, we like what she does for celebrities too but understand, when Rachel styles celebrities she's basically playing with Barbie dolls, getting to dress them up any way she wants: Her style not necessarily theirs. But when Rachel decks herself out, oooh, la, la. One's heart beats a little faster at all the delicious colors, textures and shapes she pulls together and arranges like a perfect symphonic performance. Her natural ability to coordinate and craft each outfit is born of a true artist aesthetic. She may be obsessive, completely self-absorbed, and lives in a one-dimensional world but her passion and talent are also positively orgasmic in their consistent perfection. Whatever it is, she's got it! http://www.rachelzoe.com/

Net-a-Porter

Unapologetic luxury and glamour. Even in a recession, Net-a-porter's website doesn't have even one sale sign or click-thru button, so bargain hunters beware. This is the online shopping destination for women who aren't afraid to indulge, and who haven't missed a beat even when real estate and stock prices are falling all around them. Net-a-Porter says they "offer the style-savvy customer exactly what she wants - unprecedented access to the hottest looks of the season from international cutting edge labels." And they're not even remotely kidding. See the latest looks from Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler, Philip Lim, Balmain and Burberrry (among dozens of others) sometimes before they hit major retailers. For women who are beyond Bluefly, and have graduated from eLuxury, Net-a-Porter is a heavenly trifecta of glamour, luxury and style on the web, bar none. Happy Shopping.... http://www.netaporter.com/

Prison Dining in Tuscany

As your waiter - who is serving a life sentence for killing his wife - is pouring your wine, the chef at Italy's Fortezza Medicea prison is lovingly preparing your broccoli rabe and pasta dish in the kitchen. His sentence is twenty years for armed robbery. That's exactly the scenario that's playing out at Fortezza Medicea in Volterra, near Pisa, Italy where diners are subjecting themselves to strict security checks and patiently waiting - sometimes for weeks - to get a reservation to the prison's well-reviewed restaurant. The staff of 20 mafiosi, murderers and bank robbers serving life - or very long - sentences are monitored by armed prison guards and all diners are cleared by Italy's Department of Justice. Each meal costs approximately 25 Euros including a glass of wine. A bargain that has law-abiding citizens willing to brave the 60-foot-high fortified walls, watch towers, searchlights and security cameras of the 500-year-old prison for what some are saying is a delicious meal. And why don't you catch a show after dinner. The prison is also known for its well-regarded theater company, Compagnia della Fortezza, with productions staged by 50 prisoner actors.

Kelly Girl

Kelly Wearstler Kelly Wearstler's style is dauntingly beautiful and whimsically unexpected. This fearless designer mixes shapes, colors, textures and styles that continually emit phrases like, "Oh no, she didn't!" but yet it always works. Wearstler's style is on stage in her 2004 book, Modern Glamour, a great how-to for anyone who wants to know how to emulate a room or their entire home in her signature looks and designs. In Modern Glamour, she reveals her decorating secrets and dramatic approach to design. Her most instructional tip: Think of your room in terms of shapes and forms, graphics, texture and color, masculine vs. feminine, and unusual details rather than just furniture and color. She also explains the need for "icebreakers" in a room. Wearstler is one of Hollywood's most talked about interior designers, and has led her Los Angeles–based interior design firm, kwid (Kelly Wearstler Interior Design), to national prominence with an array of noted residential and commercial projects. Hubby Brad Korzen also owns several hotel properties that Wearstler has stamped with her immediately recognizable style. And check out the KW store within Bergdorf Goodman the next time you're in New York. http://www.kellywearstler.com/