becausestylematters, advancedstyle
I emptied my suitcase this morning to start packing for New York, and decided to throw my 3-shoes-a-trip rule OUT the window. After spending the last 2 hours catching up on all the NYFW photos I missed last week, I was revitalized with inspiration to try all sorts of kitschy and fun layering. I don't know what it is about the city, but it breathes life and color in me in ways that LA can't. In NY I gain a sense of fearlessness to push the boundaries and wear things I'd only put together during a dress up sesh in my room. Maybe I'm just not there yet in my confidence level to push the envelope, but maybe some of you can relate. Rihanna has the courage to wear things that often raise eyebrows, but I'm not trying to wow you with WTF outfits, atleast not deliberately.
All fears aside, I've decided I'm too young to play it safe, though I don't imagine myself being any safer when I'm older. Reference: Advanced Style blog!! I grew up learning many lessons--mostly about manners, grammar, and how to be a lady--from Barbara, one of my mom's closest friends who is just couple years shy of my grandma's age. I haven't seen her in years since we moved but my strongest memory of her is her simple fitted white tee outfits with tailored, white Calvin Klein trousers or breezy summer linens in parchment hues. She would stack a half arms length of brushed gold bangles and thin-strapped watches, either all gold or leather band. She had many watches and had given me one with a thin lizard print strap and a delicate gold face. I couldn't appreciate it then, when I was into G-Shocks and all those ridiculous trends as a child, but now I wish I knew where I put it. What I do still have is the charm bracelet she gave me.
She never had children, but a thin svelte figure--thanks to her organic and Mediterranean diet of cous cous and vegetables (before organic was "all the rage"), and always a cigarette in her hand. She spoke with her hands, a husky voice, and her eyes, which she would roll as she tossed her head back every once in a while to show distaste or disbelief. She had many stories, really long ones, and often forgot she was repeating them. A "goodbye" during a phone call was merely a milestone that prompted we will be talking for atleast another hour. But I loved our talks because she had so much to say about life, maybe not so much about love, but about fashion, family, and being open minded to new things, destinations, and people. These were all details that passed me by when I was younger, but what build her into this glamorous figure that I remember of her now.
Iris Apfel, who recently collaborated with MAC cosmetics, is another one of my fashion idols. I'm hoping I have time to stop by the mall to get the orange red "Morange" and light coral "Flamingo" lipstick if they're not sold out yet. And have you seen her with her husband? Epitome of Cute Couple. I saw her at Coterie last year so I'm crossing my fingers I will run into her again this coming week so I can tell her how much I adore her!
