Debate, Debate, Debate

I don't debate the big stuff the earth shattering issues of life, love, pain and sorrow. Those mind boggling  moments I leave to others. 

I go for the real stuff. Should I get one or two  or maybe no pairs of Marni boots this Fall.  No is the wisest answer but I don't stop there.  I fixate and fill online shopping carts hoping the inspiration of that will fatten my bank account.  I return to the scene of the crime so to speak, the cart ,(I refill it if need be)  the store ,the catalog, the magazine. Pros and cons swirling in my mind. Yes? No? Maybe so?  Why? Why not?  How do I expect to be hip and happening if I don't have these pieces. How can I write a fashion blog  if I'm not fashioned out. Once again that piece or this one will make all the difference in my life, I think.  Seriously.  And the famous : I'll never ask for anything else is another debating tactic in my arsenal.

I pace. I review. I give myself a few days.  Contemplating.  The interior debate continues ad nauseum.  If by then I feel the same way....blah blah.  Etc etc. And on it goes until some decision is made and probably with it the   momentary guilt of living with the decision. Who knows how it will all end.  Usually ends followed by another such obsession.  These are the shallow debates of fashion that sometimes fill hours of my day.  At least I'll be well dressed when it comes to debating those big issues with friends I think.  Shallow is the thought that follows.  Well. Ok. But then again a well dressed girl with cute booties can debate the big issues. She'll just happen to look good doing it. And then the credit card comes out of the wallet. Sometimes it has a life of it's own. Seriously.

Inspiration

It comes whenever,wherever. Hard to pinpoint. Always there. Today it was full force and fully amazing. Wondering around after running errands I was looking for respite from the heat and humidity. I knew I was in the vicinity of The Met and also knew I had wanted to go see their costume exhibit ending soon: China Through The Looking Glass. No time like the present. No day like today.

Walking in I was immediately seduced by the cool of the air. Initial motivation very successful. Went straight to the exhibit. Today only one thing.  Otherwise too overwhelming.  Some days are gems or else something in the day turns it into a gem. Today was one of them. I stepped into the exhibit and into heaven. Its crowded and sometimes noisy. It is one of their most popular exhibits almost rivaling Alexander McQueen. And so every now and then it takes a second to get lost again. But get lost you can. In the sheer beauty and artistry of it you can loose sense of where and when. It is everything that is beautiful and exquisite. The couture, the perfect use of fabric and color and intricate work in every detail overwhelms. People are really that talented . They really come up with  these creations bridging time and cultures merging things that were with things that are. Finding inspiration. It's all there and They are all there. The talented ones .Both those who are still with us and those who aren't. The strength of their individual visions is potent here. It is recognized and can't be forgotten. If you haven't made it over to The Met yet there is still time. Not much. The exhibit ends early September. You will be seduced too. Even if its only with the cool of the rooms compared to the heat outside. And some days that's enough. But here it's much more. It's beauty recognizing itself and we are lucky ones to bare witness.

Ah! Fall

On a whim in the mist of my summer vacation I longed for a bit of window shopping. Old habits die hard was my rationale as my head asked me if I were crazy. 'Shopping on vacation at the beach' it declared. 'A bit insane to want ot walk on concrete for a few hours. Something wrong with sand and sea?' Nothing I answered.' But you know me. We're going.'  Fall's on its way. I'll need stuff. Why shouldn't I go see what's new out there.

The sea and sky are in full bloom of summer as I leave to go shopping. Although there aren't many stores in the area the few that are here are fun. And lucky me dreamy fall stuff were already on the racks.. Calypso is here and it's one of my favs' They had just gotten a September shipment of soft cashmere cardigans and ponchos and their Gypsy print dresses were layered with an army green lightweight puffer that could almost look like a caplet. My heart skipped a few beats. The saleswomen in their cool Calypso looks were just as excited about the new merch. Not throwing caution to the wind  I brought a sweetly printed linen shirt on sale.  'Smart girl 'my head said.  Little did it know I was going to keep on shopping. A vintage leather bag from an old shop in town and two more, adorable, couldn't resist, beach style coverups from a great little shop called Marie Effifel camd next. She had oversized cashmere pullovers screaming my name. Not yet but soon I thought. I had dinner plans on the beach that evening and these coverups were too cute to pass up. Plus they were on sale. I didnt go looking for them but they found me. They could not have been anymore perfect. And I brought one  pretty dress I did need  for an upcoming family reunion. That is the main reason I 'had' to go shopping anyway. Mission accomplished. Went out for one thing came back with more than intended.  What's a girl to do? When love strikes it strikes. This was love. And for today it was enough. 

 I did walk out dreaming of the September Issue. In my mind I am dressed in noveau noveau whatever walking through falling leaves or on windy beaches. l love what I brought. I do. No regrets. My checking account on the other hand.....  But for the rest of the day I'm going to love where I am.  Beautiful beaches. Sundrenched paths and shady tree tops. September Issue and  sweater weather Fall  will come soon enough.

Beauty and the Law

I've always been fascinated by women who apply makeup in public. Not that I'm judging.    Applying makeup on in cars ,buses,taxis and especially subways is such a feat of dexterity. I stand in awe. When I put on eyeliner it takes about five Qtips per eye to get that line straight.  Angled Qtips at that and the myriad of makeup removing products I may need. In other words I need my own bathroom mirror. The comforts of home.

The MTA had recently started a campaign. It isn't called subway etiquette but it could very well be.Some very funny sound bites had made the nightly news regarding 'Man Spreading' The real campaign covers all sorts of subway  behavior. Small illustrations on most cars above the seats guide you through what one should and should not do. "Let's all help keep train cars and ridng the subway nice for everyone" is the message behind the cute drawings.

Stepping into a crowded morning car the other day I was crushed into a position hanging periously over two separate women applying makeup.For one it was eyeliner. Sitting next to a boyfriend, husband, partner she happily applied while keeping up a lively conversation. Instantly intrigued I was mesmerized. Not only do I need the comforts of home  I'm pretty sure I can't talk while I apply. Complete devotion to the cause is my motto. The other women I was standing over and she was applying concealer. All over.She yawned as she her fingers nimbly worked their magic  under and over her eyes. 

In true subway fashion like a dancer on a stage I was balletically twirled and whirled landing in a seat directly across from them. Finally settling into my prized seat -any seat on a subway is a prize- I was luxuriating in the thought of a long but comfortable ride. Looking up I suddenly realized the advertisement right above the makeup applying ladies was the MTA cartoon stating "No Primping" a drawing depicting a woman squeezed between two other passengers, mirror out, applying her makeup. 

Only in New York I thought. Only in New York. I would think those ads were the MTA's way of laying down the "Law" in a cute and fun way for weary and wary New Yorkers  who are a people, like pioneers in old westerns don't take  lightly to rules and regulations. But I came to realize as the  ladies exited at their stops, day face on and looking very pretty, that the only law in beauty is beauty. Looking good is the last defense. At any cost. I'm just hoping that the "Pole Hoggers" "Man Spreaders" and "Food Eaters"  don't feel the same way.

One Hit. One Miss

Needed new lip colors. Well maybe not needed but in my world I did. Had a few in mind. Its so easy to go into a place like Sephora and 45 minites later walk out with a cute bagful of lipsticks. $100 poorer you wonder what just happened. I had already tested several colors not long ago and had promised myself to only buy a couple. Wanting to stick to my guns,so to speak, I carefully chose my colors. An amazig matte red from Clinique: 'Matte Crimson' And another more natural color from Bite: 'Glace' Its also matte. Love matte lipsticks.  A good one isn't easy to find. Tested both of them on my hand. Tried others.Came back to those two. And finally decided. 

My new makeup routine is either do a strong eye or do a strong lip. Never both at once. So thought the Bite one, more skin tone and  natural looking, could work for the 'eye' day. The Clinique one ,which I had originally seen advertised  and knew I had to seek it out, would work on the strong lip day.

My immediate thought was 'I'm going to love the skin tone one. Surprise. Surprise. The skin tone worked well on my hand but its almost the same color as my lips. Even with the freedom of actually being able to test lip colors nothing is ever a sure thing. Its  great.I'll make it work. It can work as a lip balm. I'll apply less throughout the day too. No licking of lips. Lipsticks are good for that. The Clinique one is Amazing. Feel like a movie star or one of those 50's starlets who wears her lipstick washing dishes in one of those old black and white movies on TV.  Looks great. Feels even better. Matte like Muah! Really does make you  want to pucker and whistle.

Can't wait to wear it tomorrow and the day after and the day after that.

Lipsticks are very much like finding true love. You have to try quite a few and make some mistakes before you find the 'one.'  Unlike love they are dispensable. Its true love until it isn't. With lipsticks the next true one is always around the corner waiting for your credit card.  So Bite don't you worry. I'll be back.