I can honestly say that February in New York City is Hell.  It is like Hell on opposite day when instead of fiery damnation you get subarctic Siberian freeze.  Since being in New York around the winter I have learned a few things.  The first is that it can get SO cold that it burns.  The second is that a good Fashion-Eat-Star always needs to have a stylish set of hat and gloves ready to go.  Finally I have learned that the winter is survivable!!!    The key to survival is to have plenty of creature comforts and to know how to bring your spirit up.   We are smack in the midst of winter here in NYC and for the first year since her arrival Fashion-Eat-Star has stayed in New York for February.  Luckily for me, every year prior to this one Fashion-Eat Star has been able to escape the gruesome, torturous cold of New York by fleeing back to the motherland, London.

However, this year there will be no tea and crumpets for her…  Fashion-Eat-Star will weather the weather of NYC winter.  Despite it being brutally cold my bum foot has kept me warm indoors.   Out of necessity Fashion-Eat-Star has started to discover how to survive New York winter and identify the pluses when outside is in the minuses.

When Young Walter and Fashion-Eat-Star are not playing around nekkid she does from time to time put on Clothes.  Readers Note >> Going outdoors in NYC from the months of November–April is highly ill advised.  That being noted here is how to style up your winter outfits with the use of layers and accessories:

LAYERS:

You can go crazy layering all your new winter finds. Create depth and texture by wearing multiple pieces! Get that touchy, feely thing going!  Cashmere is super warm, cozy and soft and it is as enjoyable to wear, as it is to be touched in.   If you know how to orchestrate your outfits, manage, and take advantage of  all the assorted layers and protections needed for the blustery outdoors you can certainly stay warm while looking sooo super sexy!

Here is some Ace winter layering:

PICTURE

On to ACCESSORIES:

There are so many accessories you can purchase to finish off an outfit.  Fashion-Eat-Star is a fan of stylish gloves. My favorites are the long elbow length knits.

Tell me these don’t look elegant and cozy:

PICTURE

Despite having run away from every winter Young Walter still made sure that I have the goods to survive the cold.  The warmth of his heart shows not only in his love for me but also in his gift choices. Last year for Christmas YW surprised me with this awesome neck piece.  It is called a stole and is handmade by this great artist/designer on Etsy called Ellita.  Follow this link to her shop.  Fashion-Eat-Star’s is a cobalt blue thick knit work of art with vibrancy and life similar to this Carnaval stole.

We love this description from Ellita:

Made with the combination of wool and chenille yarn, embelished with attention catching details and horn button,this “neck and shoulder embracer” should serve as a guardian protector against the newely arrived winter days and bring you a festivity of a carnaval.

It could be worn over bear shoulders on on top of a turtle neck sweater. Looks great when worn either with jeans or with an evening dress.

I have a suspicion you would not want to take it off till its time to change into pajamas it is that cozy… and gorgeous…

YW also gave Fashion-Eat-Star the hood below except again in the cobalt blue.  It is great when the wind is blowing down the industrial vacantness of Greenpoint and it is an easy way to quickly add a hood and head protection to any luxurious winter coat.

So far in this blog we have covered a bit of fashion, as always she is giving out her star attitude and prowess, which means that now its time to cover a little from the “eat” category.

Fashion-Eat-Star’s Winter Warmer’s!

Every Friday, Fashion-Eat-Star and her husband YW RELIGIOUSLY go to their favorite wine shop Dandelion Wine. Honestly peeps, this little find is a fantastic gem and is one of the treasures of living in Greenpoint!  Each and every Friday since the store opened (a couple of years back) they have hosted the most amazing wine tasting.  The equation for this event is simple, wine cheese, meats, and bread but no other tasting has been able to come close to the spectacular event in Greenpoint.   The store is gorgeous inside and has a great vibe and being that it is nestled in the heart of Greenpoint everyone in attendance is chill.  If the TV show Cheers had taken place in a wine shop then this would be it.  It is a place where everybody knows your name, and where you know everybody’s name too.  The wines for the tasting are chosen according to a variety of themes, by region, varietal, season, employee favorites, etc. but no matter what the logic you will walk out knowing something new about wine, cheese, bread and life.  Come to the tasting and you will be ensured a happy, buzzy, Friday of growing your sommelier-ista knowledge, socializing, and of course leaving with a nouveau bouteille de vin!

The owner lily is a delightful soul with great passion for life and a vast knowledge of wine.  Often times Fashion-Eat-Star will tell her a mood or a feeling that she is trying to capture on a given night and Lilly will guide her to the perfect wine.  Alcohol is referred to as spirits and inside each bottle there is a different soul, vitality, journey, and experience to be poured and cherished.  We hyper<3 Lilly because she has “lived” every bottle in the shop and like a sommelier shaman can guide you where you want to be.

has presented to  It sounds crazy but we were walking around this super cool neighborhood and deciding whether we would want to live here when suddenly I clocked this cute, illuminated sign saying ‘ Drink wine’. I was immediately intrigued. “Yeah for sure! I’m ALWAYS up for drinking wine!” So we go into the shop and we were instantly greeted by Lili (one of the co-owners) Lovely lady! She gave us a brief history of the place. It opened in 2008 and then proceeded to tell us about the eclectic and sophisticated wines they stocked. We thought she was really knowledgable and super helpful. – totally down to showing us whats what. Something you don’t always get with wine shop owners or staff. I’ve come across a fare amount of snooty ones in my time and you certainly don’t get that ‘feel’ in Dandelion. I am now learning wonders thanks to Dandelion wine shop!
Anyway to cut a long story short, I was sold. Great neighborhood, cool and friendly peeps, awesome stores. We are sooooo gonna move! Our apartment with Manhattan views had nothing to do with the decision.Not one bit! I mean, I wasn’t moved in the slightest with BREATHTAKING views, pool and sauna bonuses!!

Dandelion Wine – wine and cheese tasting!

So, Friday’s Dandelion 6-9pm wine and cheese YES cheese!!!! tasting. It really is a fantastic idea. Not only do you get to taste a selection of fine wines, you can gorge on a mouth watering selection of cheeses! This place has really upped my wine education and they have introduced me to the wonders of cheese.
Two words, Pont L’Eveque. Wow!!!!!! The first time Mike and I tried this beauty we were quite literally in heaven! There I was, a cheese amateur (if you could even call me that!) thinking Morbier and erm…don’t take this piss guys…but Wensleydale with cranberries were the bees knees! When wham! slap in the face, Pont L’Eveque hits me, hits me hard! I’m officially hooked! Everyweek there are trips made to Murry’s cheese to satisfy my needs.
There are usually 3 or 4 different sumptious cheeses with fresh cut bread.
It’s a great, you can get a bunch of your friends to meet you there, enjoy some wine and cheese for some good amount of time, get a little educated so you can impress your other friends about your wine knowledge (or pretend to) and then buy a couple of bottles there and go for dinner (you might be too stuffed after all the cheese consumption!)
What we do is buy a few bottles, and have a further wine and cheese/tapas party back at our apartment which is only round the corner! Perfect! What better way to warm up than with red wine and lushious cheese.

So here are my all time favourites for Winter 2010

Red Wine:

Exlibris – Its a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Zin (mike help)
Relativity -Bold! Strong! Has some serious legs on it (not my wine lingo!!! He! He!
Volva – The name says it all! Spanish wine that gives you some ooomph in this freezing weather
Campa De (mike help)
MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO, Zaccagnini ‘05 Montepulciano – Abruzzo ( They also have this at Frankies 457 – I will talk more about this place in FAshioEatStar’s top Italian finds!)

As you are quite aware FashionEatStar is all about STYLE! So that applies to EVERYTHING! You gotta be in style sipping your wine dude! What better way to get you uber chic than to guzzle wine in your Reidel glass. Soooooo sexy darling. My husband bought me a set for christmas. I use it like I use my J-Brands jeans…EVERYDAY! well most days

Cheeses:

Pont L’Eveque (obviously!)
Epoisse – this is a classic cow;s cheese from Burgundy and quite frankly it STINKS!!!! i LOVE IT!! I’m definitely a stinky girl
Humbolt Fog – a goats milk cheese with a central line of edible ash much like Morbier. It’s midly acidic with getting stronger near the rind. I love the rinds!
Cayuga Blue – a mild blue goats milk cheese with an herbaceous grassy taste. Subtle and toned down with a rich creamy tate (yum!)
Stichelton – cows milk. Its a heavenly blue cheese from good old England – similar to Stilton. Its made with raw milk. Seriously good!

FashionEatStar all time favorite cheese shops

Murry’s – In the trendy Bleecker street.
http://www.murrayscheese.com/
They stock a good range. It’s the cheapest place to find Pont L’Eveque and they even do cute smaller sizes too. They guys behind the counter are ridiculously good at helping find what you’re after. Don’t be shy, you can sound totally ignorant when trying to explain a cheese or flavor, I did! There’s no need to know the cheese lingo in the beginnings of your affair – it naturally unravels each time you make a trip to this store. Arrive there a little peckish and you can leave pretty satisfied due to the amount of cheese you consume while tasting. It’s great! The first time I went there, I went up some stairs to what I thought was a bar with a tasting going on. Being all wide eyed and excited, with my sole focus on the beaming glasses filled with deep, red wine I stumbled up the steps like a mad, possessed FashionEatStar – busting open the CLOSED doors only to find like 1000 perplexed faces staring up at me. A voice go’s
‘Oh, we have a late comer. The class has already started but you can take a seat over there.”
I sheepishly apologized and stupidly said “I thought it was a free bar..” What? A free bar, what was I thinking. I shut the door and shimmied on down the steps.
So folks Murray’s also hold, er…Wine and cheese classes up the stairs.

Every successful wine and cheese party is in need for some top notch meats. I like Italian and Spanish hams.
Prosciutto Di Parma and Prosciutt Di San Danielle are fabulous. I find Di Parma more salty and I’m a bit of a salt freak. These two are Italian meats and go famously with your cheeses. Jambon Serrano is another great one. This is a dry-cured Spanish ham. Yum! Want a break from pork and something a tad leaner? Yes please! A my new favorite is Bresaola. Incredible! It’s an air-dryed salted beef/ It has a sweet, musty smell and comes from northern Italy.
Most cheese shops stock a range of meats but I find Murray’s the most affordable and they always have what I want in stock. Oh and of course, you always get a hefty hunk of meat to taste before you buy.

Bedford Cheese Shop
www.bedfordcheeseshop.com
This is my local as they a re located in Williamsburg. Guys, this really is such an awesome and quaint little shop but SERIOUSLY dude! Am I like paying out of the roof for this? Just a wee but pricey – sorry Bedford Cheese but come on! Really?! To be fair they do stock a phenomenal range including Stichelton! Word of advice, Don’t buy PG tips or HP brown sauce from here, you’ll be paying out of your ass! Go to Tops around the corner!

Whole Foods Market
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Go to the one on East Houston and Bowery. They have a huge cheese section. Sample away and try out new delights!

All the above have a fine antipasti selection. Who doesn’t love this Italian tradition eh? Olives, mushrooms and sun dries tomato drowned in olive oil. Oh! I almost forgot!!! My husband and I went on a little trip to Italy. One of my very good friends, Lili, got married in Tuscany. It was totally magical! They exchanged vows in a gorgeous medieval castle. We all got to sleep in the AMAZING rooms. The place is called Titignagno. It sits on top of a hill overlooking gorgeous valleys and an incredible landscape. Anyway, they made their own olive oil there!!!! There was no way I would leave without some so I enticed Michael to go for a huge can of it. It kinda resembles an oil tank can or something. But I’m am all or nothing girl so it had to be that or else… I think we took a big risk as we packed it in the same suitcase as, whait a minute!!!! I can’t actually believe we did this!!!! I can’t believe I’m writing this! We packed it in the same suitcase as my fabulous Chloe dress!!!!!!! What were we thinking?!  You can never trust the baggage peeps in the airport, they just throw your stuff about like no-body’s business – no cares for your case what so ever. I mean what if it the olive oil can burst. My dress would die a horrific death. Coughing and regurgertating olive oil until it drowned. Like a fish in the sea killed my an oil spillage. Enough!!!!
Chloe and Olive pulled through! All good! So as I was saying, the best olive oil ever. We are still reeping the fruits of our labor til this day. Infact, we transfered the oil into a stylish and sexy bottle. One of the wine bottles, Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, from Dandelion wines. It has this pretty rustic looking twig tied around the bottle. It justs looks sooo chic! Moral of the story, book a flight to Tuscanyand get yourself some seriously good olive oil. It makes the world of difference!
The other partner in crime is Balsamic vinegar. Of course, we bought ours from Italy but there are fine ones that are imported in NYC. The thicker the texture the better!

Bread and crackers:

Cranberry and Pecan wholewheat rounds – kick-ass bread with unbelievably crispy crust with a soft and doughy centre. Packed with delicious pecans and cranberries!!! Warm it up slightly and spread some delicious Artichoke and garlic cream (Crema di Carciofi e Aglio is my favorite brand, I get it from Dean and Deluca they also have this awesome mushroom and truffle oil spread) Mmmm it’s making me hungry! You can get the bread from Dean and Deluca- they have a good bakery section. If you go round the corner, Baltazar also stock this bread. Go for the oval shape as it tends to be less dry. Why get one bread when there is a whole array of tantalising delights! Go crazy! Don’t forget to treat yourself to a dessert there!

Scratch bread - http://scratchbread.com/
Go for the wholewheat sour. Great for all cheeses. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, which most busy New Yorkers SHOULD want to do then head to Brooklyn Larder. They stoke Scratch bread and some damn good fine cheeses and other tapas bit n bobs! I bought a pack of anchioves in olive oil there. Don’t cringe folks! They knock your socks off! Brooklyn larder is located in Park Slope.

Good old crackers.
I get such a kick out of biting into a crisp, nutty cracker with a soft and creamy cheese. (mike play on the polar opposites of this)
Once again, I have similar style requests to the wine glass issue. I’m a bit of a cracker snob. So much trial and error to get me to where I am now. Well worth it though as these crackers are here to stay! Lesley Stowe’s Raincoast Crisps! I go for the cranberry and hazelnut flavor. Michael even ditched his generic ol’fav’s to join me in the ‘upper crust’!!! Once you enter the world of sophisticats there’s NO turning back!

Mary’s Gone Crackers are also fab! A Healthy option. Gluten free and they’re lush alone to snack on.

So my sweetz that is FashionEatStar’s wine and cheese favorites. At lest for now. Watch out for pictures of the wine and cheese tasting at Dandelion, plus FashionEatStar’s very own wine, cheese and tapas party at our apartment. I’ll leak out some of my secret stylish and SEDUCTIVE recipes. Really guys it’s all about seducing your guests. I will tell you how to use your ’style’ to create mouthwatering delicases and to be the sophisticated host/hostess around!

Hello sweet peeps,

Fashion-Eat-Star here checking in with you all.

From the Book of Isaiah comes the phrase “No rest for the wicked” which is 128% applicable to Fashion-Eat-Star because she is always at least 1/3 wicked (he he I’m a little bit bad) on a daily basis.  Fashion-Eat-Star has however been prescribed “mandatory at home rest” by her doctor to heal her heel (stress fracture).  So, while her body is at rest and not out absorbing the fashion world and stomping around town her mind is still going 1000MPH.  Although resting physically I am still in a state of unrest.

I am still battling with my fractured foot and therefore I’m still stuck indoors.  Being incapacitated I have been trying to find ways to keep myself entertained and mentally stimulated.  I honestly believe that American TV is crap so it is not like I could sit around (like many a hung-over London Sunday) and veg out on T4.  Being stuck at home I have been passing my time with my various interests and hobbies.  Sometimes this results in me doing multiple things at once and getting myself into an over-inspired tizzy.  Its all about creativity.  Fashion-Eat-Star is a cursed creative!  As you get into this blog you may ask yourself, “Fashion-Eat-Star, what do art, fashion, You, Me, and Dupree, the devil, and Lady GaGa all relate to each other?”  Well just read on to find out.

As part of my ongoing creativity plan that I have set up for myself whilst stuck at home, or should I say part of my ‘rehab’ – I’ve decided to get back to my roots painting and photography. I am setting myself up for creating 6-8 works of art on canvas. I have given myself  a comfortable time frame to complete my mission. The theme? You may ask. Well, she will be continuing her passion and obbession of the concept Journeys (more details to come as the pieces develop).

Fine art has ALWAYS fueled my fashion hunger. It takes fashion to the next level. They go hand in hand. It’s what makes me “me”…

Fashion-Eat-Star!

I have tried to explain myself and how this comes into play on my website.

“Fashion is subjective and always changing, I use it as a basis when developing an individual’s image however I always call on my experience as an artist. I work with my clients as though I am painting a canvas. I define the individual and their frame relative to the space around them and then I dress them to make a masterpiece. I strategically add highlights and accessories, and I recall the relationships and psychology of colors.”

It’s great when you can quote yourself!  (the song playing in my head right now… “I don’t want anybody else.  When I think about ME I touch myself.”)  Slightly egotistical?  YOU BET!
I will keep you posted on my progress when I start painting again. I’m known to get crazy when I paint.  Maybe it’s the fumes?  My poor husband…  It’s going to be challenging yet lots of fun. I’ve already, in my days of being ‘out of service’, accumulated a ton of inspirational images for my future masterpieces (Yes I am deeming my blank canvases that I haven’t even applied one brushstroke to yet masterpieces!  Nothing like a bit of premature praising!)  As much as painting can be torturous I am looking forward to getting going on it.  The more I paint and create, the more fashion and style consumes my existence and the more I revel in being Fashion-Eat-Star.

Another absolute must do for Fashion-Eat-Star when stuck at home is watch a lot of movies. I love movies and worked in the industry for a number of years.  I love watching great films at home on our theatre with the surround sound blasting (the greater the decibels the more excited she gets) – Yes I am a horrible neighbor!  There’s lots of bad movies but there are also great ones and sometimes, I find profound perspectives or enlightenment in a film.  This recently happened with the movie You, Me, and Dupree.

This lighthearted comedy helped me to depict and proscribe a word to something that I try to convey all the time to my styling clientele.

Dupree deems it and goes-off, explaining the sheer importance and pure power of a person’s “ness.”  Your “ness” is your you!  It is your mythical beast swimming around in the giant pool of the rest of you.

Your “ness” can be hard to find and at times you may not believe it exists but if you learn how to identify it and harness it the world better LOOK OUT!
Dupree’s point which I wholly agree with is that everyone needs a “ness”!  You can’t simply be called Carl, its CarlNESS. That is your “ism”. Fashion-Eat-Star has always had a strong identification of her “ness.”

>>>GO ON HERE THE RANT, CLICK HERE >> \”ness\”

This all sounds out there but it really is true!  Just like Dupree seems really whacky you are likely thinking to yourself “Fashion-Eat-Star has eaten too much fruitcake” or “She’s starting to express the signs of cabin fever”

HeRE\’s SEtI! rEdRuM..

Watch You Me and Dupree again, think about it, and leave us a comment. Your “ness” is what makes you stand out from all the other Dave’s or Claire’s around the world. It’s what defines your soul.  Your “ness” is married to your style. My NESS has been taken to the next level. I can only equate it to a hierachy of “ness’s”.  Too sum it all up, I’m just simply Fashion-Eat-Star.

AFTER LONG WAIT – HERE COMES THE TIE IN!!! YAY!!!

FASHION IS A TOOL TO EVOKE YOUR “NESS”!!!  Let’s bring all the jigsaw pieces of the puzzle that I have thrown at you together now.  Art, “ness”, and fashion can all be combined.  I see my clients as works of art and I use fashion as a tool to bring out the “ness”. Your “ness” is the same as your (using a more fashion-centric meme) “signature style.”

Let’s put all of theory this into context to help you understand it better.  Lately, Lady Gaga has been “all up in everybody’s face!”  She is riding her peak fame wave right now and we have seen her all gussied up, and conversely all stripped down!

(Whoa GAga’s got balls!!! Miracul-HUGE-nasty-ous invisible balls that is! to sport this get-up)

I can literally smell her!!! She’s all over the tabloids with her fantastical and theatrical show pieces. She is in short a living work of art!

“Backed by designers like Alexander McQueen (R.I.P.), Romain Kremer and Gareth Pugh, Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta) has helped lead a fashion transformation among today’s female artists.” Lady Gaga’s fantastic fashions. By David Hellqvist.

I was telling my husband the other day that if Gaga morphed into some kind of semi 3D canvas creation, became the next subject of Damien Hirst, or got captured by the crazies behind the Bodies exhibit, I might consider buying her as another piece to add to our collection. This piece would not go in the bedroom mind you!!!  I wouldn’t want my husband or myself for that matter to be tantalized by Gaga’s sexual wizardry… or would I?  Her Gaga-ness!

But seriously, there is a great deal of thought and creativity that go’s into her style. Love her or loathe her, you gotta give her credit.

“These days, a budding diva can’t expect to just get by with good songs. Instead, the audience requires—at times even demands—a fascinating visual spectacles as well. And that is precisely what Lady Gaga both provides and inspires among them.” Lady Gaga’s fantastic fashions. By David Hellqvist.

It’s important to figure out and define your “ness” as each one of us is unique. When working with my clients, we talk about what turns them on and off. Their personal traits (psychology) are crucial factors when depicting their signature style (their ness). It would be just criminal to create a signature style suited for an extrovert and power hungry persona, and apply it to a more easy going, laid back and homebody dude. The homebody dude wouldn’t be able to carry off the outfit, the style personality and the NESS. It just wouldn’t fit the bill and it would reek of mismatch.  Are there any celebrities that come to your mind that have this mismatch going on?  The magic would cease to exist. That is why Lady Gaga is the best candidate for her works of art. Some of us (well, er, most of us) simply cannot pull off her type of panache.  I’d rather have a canvas morphed version of her on my wall than on myself…or my friends for that matter!

“Even with this stylistic headstart, it’s Lady Gaga’s unstoppable attitude that makes these clothes and outlandish outfits really stand out.” Lady Gaga’s fantastic fashions. By David Hellqvist.

The great Brits have their own take on her. I love it! Really guys British humor rocks!!!!

“Ah, Lady Gaga. You really deserve your own special corner of Fashion Statement. It’s almost redundant to comment on your three Grammy outfits – but since when has that ever stopped us? Starting from the left, then, a look best described as “accident in a candyfloss factory”. We’re also slightly perturbed that from the neck up she looks like a weird inverse negative of Amy Winehouse…..These outfits were all, naturally, designed by Giorgio Armani, a designer generally noted for his, err, understatement.” Kate Carter guardian.co.uk

Wow, that was quite a post if I do say so myself.  If you made it through this far then I will leave you in peace to ponder on YOUR “ness”.   If you do find that you want to become a Gaga-space-android or a Gaga-beast-from-the-occult then please let me be your stylist – We will have FUN!

Lately Fashion-Eat-Star has been a little less fashion!  I have been adversely impacted on the sartorial scale due to  a stress fracture of my right heel.  There is a formula that the doctors showed me to explain the situation…  It is really quite simple.

My Jimmy Choo electric blue stiletto boots VS medical boot brace & crutches

Stress Fracture = NO HIGH HEELS!!!

Of course as you can imagine I am devastated.  What is a girl to do without her heels?

Part by choice, but more as a doctor imposed mandate I have been forced to become a recluse and stay off of my heel.  You could say I am a “heel-less hermit.”

Here is where the sexy torture part comes in…

Being that I have to stay home and be a good little Fashion-Eat-Star resting up my foot, I have been passing countless eons of time on the Internet.  What does a self-respecting girl resort to when she has to rely on the Internet as her primary entertainment?  Yes the answer is simple.  Lets all shout it out together…

LOOK AT PORN!!!

Is your mind racing right now?  Are you picturing Fashion-Eat-Star as a bubble girl?

Sexy Sexy bubble girls

Before you get out the KY and become overwhelmed by your dirty, sordid, and overactive imagination you must understand that the porn I am looking at is fashion porn!

Handbags, dresses, all things couture, but most importantly SHOES are what makes my blood pump faster.

Shoes, shoes, shoes, how did this obsession start?  How did I allow footwear to become such a fetish?  The real question is how could it not have become a defining characteristic of myself and every other stylish woman?

Being all cooped up inside the house nursing my foot back to full strength I would catch myself staring out of the window thinking horrific thoughts like “will I ever be able to wear my super sexy Jimmy Choo stilettos again?”

I dream of strutting down Bedford Avenue in a pair of slick Balanciaga gems – halfway through this dream I come crashing down with the realization that I must wear my ridiculous boot cast and hobble around on crutches. For how long? I don’t know. All I can do right now is dream…
These unattainable dreams and my ongoing obsession with shoes was really dragging me down mentally. I am not prone to depression but imagining life without shoes is HELL!

But then at my darkest moment something awesome happened!  Just when all the doom and gloom was pouring out of my head and casting an evil shadow around my entire apartment, some god saving, life invigorating message appeared in my mailbox

Two words….

HEAVY MACHINE!

OHHHHH!  YES! YES! YES!

HEAVY MACHINE! – The best shoe porn I have seen!

While it is torturous to look at these sexy sexy shoes and know that I can not run out and buy them now I have something to aspire to when I am all healed (pun intended) again.  There is hope on my horizon!

What can I say,  Wow! Wow! Wow! Three simple powerful words to describe these sensational shoes!!

Ladies, brace yourself, because these revelations in footwear are what we have been seeking. Heavy Machine heels are Painfully sexy, but ultra-lightweight, and sturdy and (I love this) are designed to allow you to run.  With heels this sexy you’ll be running from foot fetish perverts and also running to the boutiques that sell them to get more and more of them.  I love the entire line!

They are, to put it frankly, the most innovative, sexy and avant-garde shoes you would ever be lucky enough to wear.
At a not too far off time I was thinking that I might have to ditch my heels and with that sacrifice my sophisticated and sexy existence in exchange for my health. High heels have for YEARS now have destroying my feet and spine.  But lets face it – Its impossible to tell a woman to stop wearing heels. Heels are what defines seduction, power and sophistication.

With the emergence of all the new focus on healthy beneficial footwear I am overjoyed to see designers taking those considerations and incorporating them with the amazing design. Because lets face it;

“We fashionistas will NEVER be reduced to traipsing around town in MBT shoes or some other orthotically sensible but disgusting shoe – NO WAY!!!” (you can quote me on that!)
http://www.heavymachine.eu

Heavy

machine shoes are designed by the GENIOUS Michelle Wu and Yoyo Pan. Michelle holds a Fashion Degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York as well as from Polimoda in Florence Italy. I mean, come on! That girl knows her stuff! We all know Italian shoes are the cream of the crop!
Yoyo (great name, might I add!) studied at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.
Together they have joined forces and combined their extensive experience and amazing design sense to give us something that we to this day could not get anywhere. Finally shoes that are highly stylish, sexy and fresh yet NOT at the sacrifice of our health.

When asked why Heavy Machine? What does it mean? Their reply is,

“High heels should be lightweight and sexy despite everyday expectations. But from a rational health point of view, high heels can harm your feet, legs, and your spine. It causes women to suffer but they love it anyway. If we could re name a high heel, we would name it ‘Heavy Machine’, a machine that drives women crazy to sacrifice their health for being sexy”

Now, don’t get me wrong. They are not an alternative to your sneakers. I wouldn’t recommend you go hiking around Central Park in them but you will be able to be in more comfort, they are far more practical than your Jimmy stilleto’s and you don’t risk losing your fashionista credentials!!!  As soon as I can I’ll be running to buy them and then running out of the store with them on to let the world bask in their sexy, stylish, brilliance!

So far they can only be found online and, if you’re in NYC, at Babel Fair

Get out there and snatch up Heavy Machine - you may see me hobbling nearby on my crutches.

Hey ladies! It’s mid week already. Wow, doesn’t time fly!
I know that you are a successful modern woman and that you are most likely pressed for time to plan your wardrobe and your fashionable lifestyle.  Despite the pressures put on the modern woman there has not, and will not ever be a slackening of the aesthetic and fashion demands put on us.  With that reality in mind it is time to make your wardrobe work smarter not harder.  You should always be able to fashionable and achieve that “je ne sais quoi” element to your style while still maintaining your office chit chat mantra, “This outfit literally fell out of my wardrobe…I never pre-meditate my outfits.”  – Yeah right!
If you have been struggling with the decision of whether you should wear a sweater with pants (considering it has been 40 degrees every morning this spring) or a dress with opaque tights, wouldn’t it be great if your wardrobe had something simple with a twist of chic? Good news fashionistas!  It is possible and it is called the sweater dress!

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Street-Chic/Shop-Chic-Sweater-Dress/(imageIndex)/1/(play)/false

Knitwear dresses are perfect for wavering seasons and they are ridiculously comfortable!  Even though you’ll feel like you are in your pajamas don’t confuse your office for your lounge when you are wearing these.  Can we take an official vote to have this classy and chic option replace the current trend of wearing, what we call in the UK “trackie B’s” but what are commonly known as sweat suits while on a flight?  For the past couple of years travel attire has gone the route of juicy couture!!!

Many of the top end designers are producing their own great versions of knitwear dresses this season.  Please don’t panic if your budget doesn’t cover high end fashion as many stores such as Zara, H&M and my old favorite, Topshop have plenty of wonderful takes on the sweater dress. Does the idea of purchasing knitwear in the Spring/Summer season seem a tad silly? The designers have tackled this issue with the wide array of fabric options.

The sweater dress can quickly and effortlessly be transformed from casual loungewear to eveningwear. For a more sophisticated look try adding a studded leather belt around your waist.
I have been pairing my knitwear dresses with “wet look” black leggings, platform ankle boots and a simple studded belt. To finish the look, I add a cotton scarf with a touch of metallic print to compliment the sheen of the leggings.

So go out there and experiment with this easy and stylish piece!

Tuesday night was the premiere of Grey Gardens! This new movie is based upon a documentary directed by Albert Maysles in 1975.
Unfortunately, Edith Bouvier Beale is no longer with us to experience this latest retrospective on her definitive status as a cult fashion icon.  Edie was a cousin of Jackie Onassis and believe me, she had some serious style!
Little Edie Beale is played by the lovely Drew Barrymore. The question is, is it possible that Drew can pull of and revive the very nature of Grey Garden’s style?

The Beales grew up in a dilapidated and ethereal mansion in East Hampton.  It’s interesting to experience the juxtaposition between their environment and their sense of style. Little Edie’s glamour remained entrenched, gliding around in gorgeous gowns, varieties of fur coats, swimwear and let us not forget her trademark headscarves.

The film was received well by the audience which leads me to believe that the director captured the very essence of his enigmatic subjects.
The after party was held at the Pierre Hotel where Barrymore looked sensational in a glamorous Alberta Ferretti dress. Drew successfully carried off sheer elegance and supreme style and judging from her wardrobe I conclude that that she must have fully immersed herself in the character.

Drew at the premier.

http://www.style.com/peopleparties/parties/scoop/newyork-041409_HBO_Grey_Gardens_Premier/

So my sweet fashionista’s, will the silver screen and femme fatales seduce us into new and exciting fashion? Will we see headscarves take a prominent position this spring or next season?  Will New York see it’s fashionistas adorn head accessories? I predict yes and I have always been a fan of headscarves so make room in your wardrobe for another accessory.  The good news about headscarves as accessories is that they are far more economical that running out and purchasing a new pair of shoes!  When your outfit calls for accessories this season “use your head,”  to create that super stylish outfit.  Let your spirit and sense of style soar on this one and experiment with assorted colors and fabrics.
If you’re not sure where to start or how to wear it right then get in touch with me!

Ok, the weather in NY this month is both confusing and frustrating. One day it is super bright, sunny and mild, then the very next day is blustery and rainy and cold.  Is this Spring?  Is anyone else frustrated with not being able to fully commit to their spring wardrobe for fear of frostbite?
I love dresses and just as we start to see new buds on the trees and flowers starting to bloom we also see flirty, sexy, fun dresses begin to emerge.  Spring is the time when everything comes alive and the birds and bees start chirping, buzzing, and reminding us of the “birds and the bees” – he he.  Spring is the time to dress sassy and sexy and to infuse some serious colors and styles into your wardrobe.  Go dress crazy ladies!!!

Fortunately (for my knowledge of style, not so much for my wallet) my route to literally EVERYWHERE includes a very delightful walk past a gem of a store called Pinky Otto.  I love to pass by and check out their latest unbelievably cool lines. After all peeps, it’s mandatory that I take a daily peek as it’s my job as a Fashion Stylist and Image/Lifestyle Consultant to know the latest and greatest in the wonderful world of fashion and style!

Pinky Otto is a visual bouquet of dresses with fabulous prints ranging from progressive florals (both bold or subtle), to ducks, owls and all kinds of playful creatures.  The designs are ingenious and they work for all sizes.  Obviously, certain cuts suit different figures better than others but there is something at Pinky for everyone!

Stuck on what dress shape best suits your shape? Then let me enlighten you! Contact me for a Image Consultation and we can get you outfitted for the season. By understanding your ‘style personality’ you can shop with more confidence and stock your wardrobe with pieces that are fresh and exciting every time you open it!

Are you looking to perfect your dressed in a dress look this spring?  Grab an elastic medium width belt and clip it on!  Many of the dresses at Pinky would look better with a belt.  How do you wear it you ask?  You should position it above your belly button or around your waist. Now the more difficult question arises… what belt? How will you know if it works with the outfit?  You’re in luck ladies because Pinky also stocks some pretty damn cool belts in a vast assortment of colors and fabrics.  Oh… yeah… Did I mention that I love dresses?  At Pinky Otto I could see myself buying a new belt (or dress, He! He!) every week….or every other day for that matter…Shh, don’t tell my husband!

I recently bought a black stretch belt with a gold small buckle/clasp at the front. The deal-maker with this belt was that it is made with a subtle sparkly black elastic which really adds pizzazz to my outfits each time I wear it.  Simply put, I love it! And I love Pinky Otto!

Brrrrr… are you still freezing on certain days?  Are you not quite ready to go all out and bare your pale limbs to the world just yet?  Don’t let the temperature or anything else hold you back from being the sexy lady in a dress!

While it is still pretty nippy outside you can pair your gorgeous dress with leggings.  Another one of my recent purchases is a pair of “wet look”  leggings from Topshop Soho NYC. They are seriously sexy!

Depending on your mood, or the weather, wearing a dress with leggings works really well with boots or flat shoes. Keep your eye out for French Soles if you go with flats.  This will add a little girly sophistication to your look.  If you choose boots you should know that I am a sucker for riding boots.  They are classic and timeless and deserve to be worn forever, or until you wear them out!  Sir is another great Williamsburg boutique in which I recently found some fantastic black riding boots. I love this store too and it has AMAZING clothes and accessories most of which are made by the store owner herself! I’m going to write a separate piece on Sir and all its treasures later!

Remember to dress to impress this spring!

Hello Good People,
Yes Barack Obama (Hooray!!!) has been elected and the world continues to turn.  Yes we are on the cusp of a new season and it is crucial time to be focused on our new spring wardrobes. And yes you may be tempted by all the spring fashions to go shopping and never stop but I implore you not to tune out to the political world and the underlying influences of the great fashion that we chase after.

You have probably watched the presidential debates or at least had heard of their existence BUT…
…there is another debate going on right now that you also should be following!  The central question being, “Is it Michelle Obama’s civic duty to be a fashionista?”

We all love Michelle Obama!  How could you not like not like her. Michelle is XXXXXXXXXXXX

Today is a happy lovely Monday!  Alright I am lying it is a rainy, rainy, rainy day and I can’t go out and play.   Curses to you weather!  Is this (to borrow a past political term) “flip-flopping” weather our payback from Mother Nature for global warming?  We had a gorgeous day this yesterday and then today I woke up to pitter-patter (more like pound-pound) of heavy rain on my window. Yes, I do know that I am dwelling on the weather too much – he he, that’s an old British habit!

Monday is a gym day so I dragged my sorry ass to my local gym and managed to get  a thorough shower in while en route!  I highly don’t recommend working out in wet sneakers!

Half way through my Eliptical workout I pulled my mind away from the sloshing feeling of my wet kicks to look up and see several rather fetching images of Michelle Obama on the TV.  Seeing Michelle in a sequence of gorgeous outfits, representing our country in true and tasteful fashionista style put a smile on my face and brought some brightness into my thus far gloomy and aqua-tastic day.  My endorphins kicked in and I began to feel euphoric.  My mind drifted away from the elliptical and over to visions of myself as the First Lady and how I would handle the FANTASY… WHOOPS I mean, burden of having to be so damn fashionable all the time.  Seeing Michelle always successfully enlightens me with visions of hope and prosperity. Both for fashion and for our future

How would you handle the burden?  Maybe we should all dress like we are the face of the nation and that our personal brand will fetch judgments about our citizens.  I am sorry I am digressing…

What are your thoughts on the debate? “Is it Michelle Obama’s civic duty to be a fashionista?”

Of course there are, and will always be critics in the world but a couple of times Michelle’s fashion choices haven’t been fully embraced by the big US designers. Why? Because Michelle has been being creative and fresh with her style and has been wearing both smaller fashion brands and upcoming young designers.

Just like many of the other facets of our economy the fashion industry is experiencing a crisis.  Is it Michelle’s civic duty to adorn and promote certain lines and designers over, others because of the impact it will have on those brands or the economy?  Everyday is an opportunity for Michelle to make a statement with her clothing.  The fact is that we are in the age of full disclosure and exposure.  This is a time when reality TV and all of the media sources including the Internet have us primed, ready and waiting for instantaneous comments, criticism, and thousands of pictures from every angle to back it all up.  The armies of fashion bloggers sit by their screens waiting to document and comment on every aspect of Michelle’s style.  She gets more exposure than fashionistas who are “out there”, represented by PR agencies and publicists and trying to lure in attention.  As a result of all this exposure the big name, power brand designers feel that she needs to support their brands as well.

What is your take on all of this?  Would you wear a certain outfit if you knew that it would keep people employed or generate money for our country?

Here is a critique from Bridget Foley at WWD on this matter:
“Like the auto and financial industries, fashion is in crisis. Yet the person in the administration best positioned to support its major players — those whose collective vicissitudes play into the economy in a considerable way and whose individual swings of fortune impact the lives of countless working people up and down the supply chain and their families — is giving them the cold shoulder.”

There is not a shred of doubt that Michelle is an influential figure with regards to fashion so is it surprising that the neglected designers are so nervous? Yet she is doing wonders for brands such as J. Crew. After wearing a beaded cardigan from the brand it sold out by midmorning!

Not all American designers are criticizing Michelle’s style:
Tommy Hilfiger takes a more temperate view, applauding Obama for not focusing only on the high end. “I’m happy that she’s wearing young designers and not only wearing [American] couture, which puts her more in touch with real people,” he says. 

Other designers snuffed her for wearing a cardigan to go to Buckingham Palace. However I think she looks fantastic. Super chic and she possessed a timeless look to her. It somewhat references Jackie O during her fashion reign.

I love how Michelle can really work a look and add pizzazz to it by wearing a studded Azzedine Alaia belt over her beautiful and vibrant Jason Wu dress and Michael Kors coat.  We see Michelle uses accessories to create a more sophisticated and tailored look which is one of the style pointers I often advocate with my clients.
“Kors, the only major designer to have found his way into a recent photo op, defends Obama’s range. “She’s the first First Lady who’s ever worn sportswear,” he says. “If you think about it, she’s worn everybody from Azzedine Alaïa to Michael Kors to Isabel Toledo or Jason Wu to J. Crew to Donna Ricco.”
Her ‘experimental’ approach to fashion has really inspired the masses to broaden their own visions and not to take fashion too seriously.
After all…life’s too short.

http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20253745_20253744_20602537,00.html

Hey folks! It is a rainy Friday here in New York very reminiscent of London weather. This post will have to be short and quick as I’m off to brave the storm outside. There’s nothing that will come between Setara and fashion.

I hope you are keeping dry today.  I am laughing because just now I almost jumped out of my seat and over my desk (no, not because of another fashion delight) from a terrifying stroke of lightening right outside my window!!!

Now that my heart is racing and my adrenaline is pumping let me share with you some of the hottest fashion from Topshop NYC which also makes my heart race.

I just love this simple yet highly chic oversized dress by Preen for Topshop. It’s flattering to all figures. The silk is so sexy. It really doesn’t need that much more to the garment except some gorgeous accessories. Personally I would keep this look understated with a delicate thin chain. Wear it with flats in the day and switch to some ankle tied stilettos in the evening!

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=151410&parent_category_rn=133427&productId=1063505&langId=-1

Another favorite of mine is this cute little number. I have a variation on this dress which I wear on for all occasions. I just change the accessories to fit the mood. Really girls, that’s the beauty of accessories. It can really make (or break) an outfit. You can contact me to get more info on this. With the right accessories you don’t have to spend a fortune on your clothes and they will transform from casual daywear to formal or sexy evening attire.  This dress is a modern take on the chic Parisian style.  Picture a French fashionista either walking down the Champs Eleysee or sitting at a café and this is the outfit that she would likely be wearing.  Confident, stylish, and understated, this outfit fuses both girlish innocence with womanly sophistication and essence of playfulness. This is what it is all about ladies…self expression and a hell of a lot of fun!

Be careful if you are big busted as it can create a top-heavy look. For the super slim, out there it this outfit helps to create a sexy curve around the waist.

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=151410&parent_category_rn=133427&productId=1040679&langId=-1

Finally, I am in love with this gorgeous top.  A siginificant part of my personal brand revolves around the contemporary vintage look.  When working with clients I teach them to identify and choose timeless classics.  With their newfound understanding my clients are always thrilled with their new purchases when we shop shop shop!

This is a classic look because the lace at the top and the bubble sleeve effect create a 1920’s feel.  It is not overly decorated yet it is still powerful enough to create an impact while remaining delicate and light. Wear it with skinny or straight leg jeans and you can also jazz it up by adding a longer small beaded or chain necklace.

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=148465&parent_category_rn=133431&productId=936473&langId=-1

So keep dry and happy shopping. More from me later!

Perfect timing! After a couple of months spent in London I’ve just returned to the wonderful city of New York. Believe it or not New York has become even more wonderful, just in time for my return, thanks to the opening of the, ‘oh so fabulous’ Topshop!!!! Many of us fashionistas knowledgeable of the London fashion scene have been anxiously awaiting the continually delayed opening of Topshop. It is a good thing that fashionistas and camping are like oil and water otherwise there might have been a barage of tents full of sexy girls with British accents clogging up the sidewalk on broadway. Ha ha what a fun image that would be something like a Woodstock or Burning Man festival happening on the sidewalk of New York with all the participants being lovely sophisticated British divas! The store was scheduled to open last September but it finally became a viable part of New York culture last night. There is no better treat that I could have hoped to bring back from London with me and you can expect to see great hoopla and fanfare over this London staple transplanted to the big apple.

Topshop will quickly become a great epicenter of creative stylish fashion in New York. The massive space is every fashionistas dream with 3 entire floors of absolute fun. If you partake in the pleasure of shopping at Topshop you will find it easy to discover amazing fashion and you will revel in its economical prices. While the fast fashion is present there are also key pieces that pepper the rails of Topshop. Is there any greater blessing in these tough times than amazing fashion at affordable prices? Despite the devastation of the global economy there is no excuse to let your image suffer! Recession or not, we can bring a little sunshine to our (and other peoples’) day by focusing on ourselves and picking up a must have outfit at a great price. Soldier-on fashionistas!!! Lets let our bright colors, sex appeal, and super gorgeous image of ourselves serve as a beacon of hope and light out of this dismal economic situation.

As a stylist, my job is to show you how to create and manifest the style and personal brand that you desire while not breaking the bank! Some women (and yes even a few men) have an innate talent for being fashionable, but if you are not amongst the few, here is a helpful pointer. The trick is to not end up looking like the masses. Okay, so now you are thinking “how can I create a personal style in such a mass produced fashion line? Won’t everyone be buying the same ‘must have’ top or dress?” Yes there is an inherent danger in the large retailers of becoming victim to fast fashion. You will purchase the must have “NOW” item and as quickly as the trend was created it will disappear. The key to shopping in these environs is to decipher what are the key pieces and what is timeless from the trends and the flash-in-the-pan styles.

If you need to outsource some fashion knowledge and advice remember that an experienced personal stylist can cut through the crap and get down to the nitty gritty.
As a London native I have been privy to the magic of Topshop all my life and know it inside out. In a matter of minutes I can pull some amazing clothes from the rails and steer you clear of what to avoid. It truly is an art successfully shop in a high street well established store and to emerge with the premier and sought after, timeless pieces.

Last night was the opening party of the Soho Topshop. It was inundated with fashion editors, celebs and dedicated Topshop fans. Our fav lovely lady Kate Moss was just one of the attendees – I would be worried if she wasn’t there as she rather successfully designs for Topshop.

Thank you Philip Green for making my life slightly easier across the pond!

Lets face it, we will forever be bombarded with ‘the latest’ trend. It’s coming at us bigger and faster than a giant snowball being rolled down Primrose Hill (which I know some of you participated in this freaky snowy Monday!)

It’s all very well to acknowledge what’s hot this season but really guys and dolls don’t be a slave to the industry. As a result of capitalism and basic economics designers have to continually revamp their collections, which we are happy about because we love fashion but need to be strategic in our purchases.   As I have advised in prior posts it is prudent to avoid fast fashion but there are times that we as good consumers will submit to the season’s latest look.

Here is my honest opinion on this seasons trends and some pointers on how to pick out what is ‘classic’ and ‘timeless’ (words I often use with my clients in Image Consultations and Personal Shopping sessions). You will be able to wear the following elements and outfits time and time again while mixing and matching them up to extend your wardrobe options. What more could you ask for? My advice will help you gain a seasonally refreshed look without looking like a fashion fad and a victim to the industry.

Although it is freezing and London has had its greatest snowfall ever, the fashion world is preparing for Spring and Summer fashion. Everything is white and covered with a blanket of snow outdoors but meanwhile all of the stores are chock full of color splashed about.  Whether you are in buying mode (yeah, yeah, recession, recession!) or not it is a great idea to tr on some of the vibrant colors and chase away any lingering seasonal affected disorder you may be feeling.   Everything from jumpsuits to 2009 version of the 80’s, good old nautical sport and tribal.
Honestly, how many times have you seen these themes come up every year? Exactly!
In Style/March UK 2009 includes some interesting trends for Spring Summer.
Take a look at, “How to wear the new season’s trends” (Edited by Des Lewis In Style). I love the Alexander Wang Spring/Summer 2009 dress in three tiers, black, turquoise and blue. Very sexy and fresh.
Also this season, the tailoring is far more relaxed. Don’t worry ladies; you wont end up looking like a sack of potatoes. Accessories such as belts do the trick. Why not include this seasons Japanese-style Obi Belt. (Featured in Elle UK February 2009 The Runway Edit) It’s so versatile and super stylish you’d want to wear it with all out outfits!!!!
The Nautical theme was given an edgy feel in D&G’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection (“How to wear wear the new season’s trends” Edited by Des Lewis In Style).
An oversized sweater in chiffon and sequenced blue and white stripes paired up with black fishnets and killer leather and wood platforms sandals in the nautical color theme. Wow!
You wont be deprived of bold patterns and strong color. Marni’s Milan Spring/Summer 2009 show really portrayed this. Check this out in “Elle UK February 2009 The Runway Edit”. You really have to be a fashion connoisseur to be able to mix a match patterns that have two or more different stories going on. For example, Marni mixes (very well I might add) A bold floral stretched design knee length purple skirt with a coral top in mauve oval shapes. A bright green plain cardigan with light pink lining and a bright red slouchy bag finishes off the look superbly.
There is no time to be shy this season. Go with your impulse!