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Chloe, Carlina
Accessories

An Eyeful of Chloe

I am lusting after these sunglasses by Chloe, the Carlina. I have a few pairs of Chloe sunnies and they are all characteristically round and slightly oversized but not so much that they eat up all of your face! They will remain on my Wish List until I can not break into a cold sweat when purchasing them (here). In the meantime, the round, slightly oversized, feminine, rose gold and brown, eclipse-looking sunnies will have to get some shade!

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Tom Ford, perfume, Black Orchid
Scents

Scents: Black Orchid

Tom Ford did it. Again. Luxurious and sensual. Spicy. Elegant. Iconic. Black Orchid. On Friday, I headed to one of my favorite Thai restaurants, Beau Thai, to grab dinner and enjoy an evening at home. As I’m coming out of the restaurant, I see my PR guru and give her a hug. I lingered longer than I should have….because she smelled so good. I asked and she said it Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. Needless to say, I was at Nordstrom

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biggest rpice drop
Stores & Sites to See

THE Ul-ti-mate Bargain Hunter!

I’m not a bargain hunter and everyone knows this….but there’s a new website that you need to check out because it tracks the real price drops across 54 online retailers! It’s devoted to fashion and, yes, you have to login using Facebook. Check out Biggest Price Drop! You now have an easy way to make sure those shoes you want are truly a bargain…! Caution: the prices change constantly so you’ve got to be vigilant. This ish just got real…

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Bottoms

GQ x Gap Menswear Collab [Video]

It’s casual. It’s relaxed. It’s designer-worthy. It’s authentic to the designer. It’s less Gap. It’s an overwhelming YES! Find your curated weekend casual pieces and just wear the hell outta them!! Literally run and “fall into the Gap” Take a peek at the video and see how amazed John Elliott of John Elliott + Co, Daniel Lewis of Brooklyn Tailors, Rob Garcia of EN/Noir, and John Moore of M.Nii were to see this collaboration come to life!

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Eddie Borgo, bracelet
Accessories

Make A Statement With Statement Jewelry

I’m in the camp that says your jewelry should make an impact on your outfit. If you’re wearing it and it’s “so-so…not much to write home about“, why wear it? About seven months ago, I started the search for a fabulous bracelet that would stand on it’s own but be equally as comfortable with my other arm candy, and I wanted it to have some element of navy blue since it’s my signature color. Clearly, the search yielded a few

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Travel Destinations: Mexico City, Charleston, Savannah

Not sure there’s a theme to today’s travel destinations. Having been to Mexico City several times, I’ve fallen in love with it a bit. There’s culture but also a wonderful sophisticated grittiness that makes it appeal to any urban dweller. And then South Carolina is one of those states that requires you eat your way through it…. Mexico City ~ the city has over 170 official museums and the Zocalo  is where you’d find me; and they have all of the

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Special Events

What I’m Reading Wednesdays

Last week was New York Fashion Week (#NYFW) so everything I read was focused on what’s on the runway and how to move from the catwalk to the walkway. And of course, I got to share my thoughts on some of the latest NYFW trends on Let’s Talk Live on Friday…along with two other fashion folks, Julia Farr and Grant Harris. It was such an honor and such a blast!! Fashion as an Inescapable Institution (The Society Pages) In fashion,

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Technology

How To ‘Pay To Play” (Or Shop)

A friend once told me the best way to make something viral or “sticky” is to join a conversation already in progress. Tradition says there are two ways to get your designer junkie on, cash or credit, but where there’s a need, there’s a startup. [Enter stage left] A service that provides fast, reasonable installment loans…CommunityLend. Here’s what I know so far: it’s payment at the point of sale not like an in-store credit card (interest rates as high as 29%)

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Travel

Travel Destinations: Basilicata, Tel Aviv, Seattle, Hawaii

Not sure why but my travel destinations this go round all center around food. I love food ~ I don’t think I eat a lot (ask any of my family or friends….) but I enjoy something tasty – and sweet doesn’t hurt too! That said, I’m not  a foodie but food is one of the visceral connections that crosses time. Basilicata, Italy ~ an old world beauty but a rich culinary heritage too; plus Francis Ford Coppola just opened a nine-room

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Features & Series

Seasonless Wardrobe: What To Add

This last in our “Seasonless Wardrobe” series is focused on what you should be adding to your closet. The list could be long but we’re not talking about building an entire wardrobe but rather supplementing and getting you ready for fall. On your short list for fall should be: Scarves ~ideal for drafts and travel Cashmere ~ this should be year-round so grab two great tops Cognac/luggage colored handbag ~ it goes from summer into fall effortlessly Prints ~ they

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Travel Like A Pro

I want to be the perfect travelista every time I’m on-the-road ~ that includes arriving at the airport with just enough time to get through security and to my gate but not so much time that I’m looking for something to do; with my one bag and carry-on that contains everything I need to look awesome but not so much that I’m annoyed when I find something and can’t fit it in my luggage; and, of course, looking and feeling

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DIY

Make A List, Check It Twice

I’m a huge fan of lists – I use them for my everyday to-do’s, for my desired travel destinations, for my will-have-at-some-point-in-the-future items, my bucket list, etc. Plus I have a strange but real love for paper…. I thought I was just a little anal retentive and then I found out a lot of my friends do it too! Well Business Insider created a list of the 22 lists everyone should make and I wanted to share it so you

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YSL, lipstick
Beauty

$35 Beauty Budget Buster

I was shopping for a client and after having walked by the Yves Saint Laurent counter, I decided to stop and find “my color”. I knew the objective was an everyday color that could give me some color but not overwhelm a natural look. As a full-fledged adult, I was also set on a “red lip”. I tried several colors quickly (if you try it on, you have to wipe it off fairly quickly because it truly stains) and settled

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Features & Series

Seasonless Wardrobe: What To Keep In The Closet

Last week we talked about what had to be stored or put away because it was just too summery. But there are some summer clothes that should ‘make the cut’ into your fall closet. These items pair well or layer nicely. Summer clothes to keep: White blazer White jeans ~ work them with off-white and cream well into fall Work dresses ~ these are likely some type of wool/poly blend which transcends seasons Cashmere tees ~ pair them with long sleeve shirts

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Travel

Travel Destinations: Instanbul, Chicago, Maine, Big Sur

It’s my new running list of where I wanna go….it may be a restaurant in a different city, or an actual city, or a place/area/store in a country, or whatever. We should all be keeping a list….I wanted to share mine! Instanbul {I want to go back now that I understand a little more about the people} Bar Harbor in Maine Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago ~ there’s a “David Bowie Is” installation, Sept. 23 – Jan. 4 Post

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Men's Matters

Men in Blue

I’m in love with this picture ~ and just know that you’ll see it again because it’s the epitome of relaxed style that isn’t overly stuffy or too young. Just awesome! A few key takeaways from the photo: Note where the blazer shoulder ends… In all three examples, we’re talking two-button suits In all three examples, the top button is buttoned and the bottom is not Note where the blazer sleeve ends… The two gentlemen with no tie have created

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Extra Size Style

Plus Size Shopping

When you’re plus size, shopping can be a b— (bear)! Just because there are a few extra pounds or curves doesn’t mean someone wants to wear flowers or look any less fabulous than the next fashionista. That said, Real Simple, recently created a great resource list of places to shop. I took a thorough look at the list and curated it ~ here’s what I came up with: ASOS Curve Eloquii Igigi Kay Unger Kiyonna Lafayette 148 New York Monif

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Events & Happenings

Seasonless Wardrobe: What To Put Away

One of the topics I discuss in my book is the percentage or amount of clothing that should stay in your closet at a certain age ~ simply put, the older you get, the less movement in and out of your closet. There are summer clothes that, regardless of age or stage or stylishness, need to be put away as we move into fall. Let’s start with: Swimsuits Linen clothing White eyelet Sundresses Strappy sandals Cotton footwear (espadrilles, etc.) Lightweight,

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September issue, pants, Real Simple
Books

What I’m Reading Wednesdays!

The #September issue of most fashion, style and/or lifestyle magazines is their biggest issue, so I am head-over-heels excited that your truly made a byline in Real Simple! Ok now that that’s out of the way, here’s what else I’ve been perusing over the last week. Given the VMAs and Emmys took place, some of what I read had to do with pure fashion and who wore what when…. See How Much Chanel Bag Prices Have Skyrocketed This Decade (Racked.com) The

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Hermes, Birkin, designer handbags
Accessories

Hermes: More Than The Kelly Or Birkin

We all get lost of the splendor of Hermès (pronounced “air mess”) and it’s easy to focus on its traditional beauties, the Kelly and the Birkin bags. Indeed the Birkin rests as the number two item on my Wish List (behind a specific Patek Philippe watch). Let me share some fun facts: The average size Birkin or Kelly bag takes fifteen to sixteen hours to make The bigger bags take twenty-five to thirty hours Most Hermès bags are built from

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pants trolley, closet organization
Accessories

Men & Their Pants

Space can be a problem for many of us( (I’m included) and while that can sometimes be because we on too much stuff, it can also be because we don’t know how to organize properly or simply because the closet space they give is barely big enough to fit a week’s worth of clothing (sad face)! A possible solution could be this pants trolley -it can fit up to twelve pairs of pants with the option for more, and it

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hanger cascader
Accessories

Men & Their Shirts

Across the last three weeks, I have been through at least seven (7) men’s closets and universally I am seeing too many shirts. I’m not going to rant about the quantity of shirts I’m seeing or that half of them are ready for euthanasia. Nor am I going to say that at least half of the remaining shirts don’t fit right…. All that aside….. At a bare minimum, the lack of space should be a guide post for the number

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Books

What I’m Reading Wednesday!

I’ve got all of these books to read for  Elle Magazine…..so it’s taking quite a bit of time needless to say. I should manage to get through a few while on my flight to Seattle (my book signing event is Thursday – you can still RSVP here!). In addition to these items, I found these reads to be enlightening and fascinating: Calling All Female Entrepreneurs: The Story Exchange Wants YOU to Share Your Story! (Tim  Shingle) Ralph Lauren’s Men’s RTW Spring

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Books

What I Read Wednesdays

I am  enjoying this new post series not only because it’s clearly inspiring some of you to read more but because it almost forces me to read more. While I’m  skimming lots of magazines, this post helps me to see if what I’m reading is actually worthy of being read. A kind of oxynororn, right?! This week, I managed to read quite a few short but totally fruitful….if popular culture, Beyonce, social media and  fashion are your thing: Beyonce, a

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roald dahl
Books

Book Review: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

You’ve got to be asking yourself, “Why did Monica read that book?” I don’t have kids and although I am fond of reading and did read this book as a kid, my motive was different this go-round. What would you wear if you visited Willy Wonka’s factory? This is a big question because, if you remember, Willy Wonka only chose five people in the entire  world to go….you’d have to make an awesome impression! I’m good but this took a lot

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