Chic Scarves For Fall And Winter

If you want to add a splash of instant style to any outfit wrap a stylish scarf around your neck! My preference is for silk scarves with bright colors and bold patterns. Silk doesn't have the bulk of wool and don't look out of place indoors. They can also be worn with jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt or a classic black dress.

I have a huge collection of scarves that I've purchase around the world. My favorite source for silk scarves is SERRV International. SERRV is dedicated to eradicating poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans around the world. One of my favorites is the Sukhi Scarf with its Bangla-inspired design. The bold colors add a punch of color. If you like the neon trend but aren't comfortable wearing large amounts of hot color this scarf is just right.

Marilyn Monroe Sighted In Milan

This fall Marilyn Monroe was sighted on the runways of Milan. Monroes face was imprinted on t-shirts and paired with skinny black pants. It was part of the Seduzioni Diamonds line by actress/designer Valeria Marini. Her Spring/Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented in Milan, September 23, 2009.

This was not the first time during the year that Marilyn appeared on the runway. In March her images were the center of the Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter collection. A few of the dresses have been seen on the red carpet. A few dresses featured Monroe's face on both the bodice and skirt. It's a lot of look for most people to pull off. The Dolce & Gabbana collection also has a Marilyn t-shirt.

This is not Marilyn Monroe's first appearance in Milan. Her image was part of Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2007 collection. In 2006 in Los Angeles Valeria Marini featured a white "Marilyn Monroe" gown in silk satin. While it didn't feature images of Monroe you could easily see Monroe in the dress.

While Marilyn Monroe left this world over 40 years ago she still reigns as the icon of glamour and sex appeal. While you may not opt to have Marilyn on your clothes, let her inspire you to take full advantage of your spotlight moments.

I'd Like To Buy The World A Bra

Well, perhaps not the world, but a few million women. I wrote about the politics of bras in an earlier post. This post is a shallower reflection.

Where I work I deal with the public every day. I often wonder why so many women bother to wear a bra at all. They do nothing that a bra is supposed to do. That's not surprising. It is speculated by the lingerie industry that 70-85% of women wear the wrong size bra. Why would women over look this major foundational garment? Women spend hundreds of dollars on a handbag every season, but won't bother to buy a good bra.

Many get hung up on sizing. Women are in denial about their cup size. Women would rather think of themselves as a B or C rather than admit that they are an A or a D. Even though they have gained weight, lost weight, or had children, changing the size of the band is an emotional event. The question to ask yourself is, "Is the number more important than looking good?"

Women need to be sized and buy new bras every year. You don't have to buy a $200 La Perla bra. The best bra for you may be inexpensive. To find the best bra you need to try on different styles and brands.

I had given up on wearing underwire bras because they were so uncomfortable. I hate having the wires poke into my armpits. After I saw myself on TV for the first of my monthly PR appearances I decided that I had to find a better bra. I searched and searched. I bought a few bras that felt okay in the store, but were horrible after an hour. On a trip to to New York I went to the Town Shop for a fitting. Amazingly I knew what size I should be wearing. The trick was finding the proper bra for my shape. I explained my problem to the fitter. Within 2 minutes she had brought me an underwire bra that was comfortable and pretty. Within 10 minutes I walked out with two bras that were just right.

I began searching on my own and found that for work I really like the Bali Concealers Underwire Bra. It is comfortable and supportive.

Once you find the right bra you will start noticing the problems around you. You'll want to be a good friend and take all the women in your life for a bra fitting.

Gucci's New Perfume Ad

Most perfume ads are irritating. With the plethora of celebrity frangrances we are bombarded with images of Brittany, Jay-Z, Gwen, and others living a fabulous lifestyle. Even the late Luciano Pavarotti had Pavarotti Donna and fragrances for men. This leaves those of us looking for our own frangrance statement on the wrong side of the velvet rope.

I was struck by the beauty of the new Gucci commercial for its frangrance Flora. It is beautiful. Tha commercial captures the rapturous feel of being in a field of flowers, breathing in the scent until you become one with the flowers. Chris Cunningham has created not just a commercial, but a work of art.

Fashion Fascination - Giambattista Valli

Every now and then I find something that makes me wish I were 5'8" and skinny. I am in love with Valli's wrap shoulder jersey dress, hemmed with a peacock feather design. The Greek goddess look is given a modern makeover with this plum jersey dress. It doesn't look like a costume left over from Clash of the Titans. I know that I would feel like Hera, queen of the Gods in this dress.

Get a better view of the dress at LuisaViaRoma.

On Gay Marriage - IMHO

I'm going to shock friends and family alike with my next statement. I'm NOT an opponent of gay marriage. Why? I believe in the Constitution. I believe in equal protection under the law. The issue of gay marriage is a civil one, not a religious one.

Perhaps that is colored by my personal experience. When my husband and I married over 27 years ago we first had to be married civilly and then were married in the Church. What? We were married in Belgium which, like much of Europe, requires a civil marriage take place before the religious marriage. They are two different issues addressed in two different places. The sacramental nature of our marriage wasn't negated or diminished by the civil marriage.

I know it would take a tidal wave of change, but imagine if in the US couples were required to be married civilly first. It would remove many of the religious issues that surround the discussion of gay marriage. It would reframe the question--Is it legal?

Yesterday I attempted to have a discussion about the issue with a professional colleague in another state. She feared that her state would follow the "far right" to ban marriage as was done in California. I tried to point out that it wasn't us crazy conservatives that put Prop 8 over the top.

The problem in California wasn't just the "far right," but the huge turnout of voters for President Obama that voted for Prop 8 (banning gay marriage). Slate.com reported:

But for Golden State liberals, minority turnout was a mixed blessing. Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage, passed by about four percentage points. According to exit polls, Obama's African-American supporters helped put Proposition 8 over the top. That's the irony of Obama's victory: Had black turnout matched levels of previous elections, the vote on the gay-marriage ban—which trailed in the polls for much of the summer—would have been much closer. It might even have failed.

My colleague didn't want to discuss any of this. I was just "wrong." Why? It's easier to point to the evil conservatives than to discuss ways to ensure the government provides equal access to our civil institutions. Its easier than to admit the prejudice exists within our communities. Unless we can have honest discussions we won't be able to move forward.

Black and Gold for Fall & Winter

As I sat watching the amazing Girogio Armani Fall and Winter 2009 runway show (on FTV of course, not in person) I fell in love with a black and gold strapless dress. It is that perfect blend of lusterous black and luxurious gold that never dipped into over the top bling.

The black/gold looks of fall and winter are perfect for a holiday party or adding glow to a more casual outfit. I love this jacket from Coldwater Creek. Imagine it with a great pair of black trousers. If you shudder at the idea of heels pair it with jeans instead.

Assessories are a marvelous way to play with gold and black. This small cluth from Kenneth Cole is a great start. It's dark gold hues illuminate every evening look.

Sometimes you need something fun. Taryn Rose Women's Bonny Metallic Stud Flats are just the way to express this black gold fashion trend in your own personal style.