fash movies on Netflix...

I adore fashion...I adore movies...I adore fashion movies!  Below are my top picks available for streaming on Netflix:

Bill Cunningham New York - The most recent addition to my list of favorites.  Bill is an amazing, one of a kind character that literally set the gold standard for street style photography ages before everyone else.  He is charming and humble and revered by all the major players in fashion, past and present.

The September Issue - Any movie with that much Anna Wintour is a must see in my book.  The inside look into what it takes to assemble the biggest issue of the year in the most important fashion magazine is fascinating!  Bonus: I fell in love with Grace Coddington...worship!

Picture Me - This documentary about model Sara Ziff follows her from the start of her career and chronicles the highs and lows of her journey through the industry.  The footage is shot by a combination of people, including Sara herself.  What I thought would be a fun, frothy film wound up to be a compelling inside look at an industry that isn't always as glamorous as it seems.

Pret a Porter/Ready to Wear - A super fun, star studded Robert Altman romp through Paris Fashion Week.  It's a hilarious, tongue in cheek look at what is sometimes a ridiculous, overly dramatic industry.  Major fashion cameos are included as well as actual runway shows chock full of amazing clothes...and the soundtrack is perfectly on pitch for fashion in the 1990's.

Seamless - A fascinating look at the process of winning the first ever CFDA Fashion Award...won of course by fashion darlings, Jack McCullough & Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler.  Doo.Ri almost steals the show with her endearing personality and incredible work ethic against major challenges.

Designers, Fashions &  Runways - A 26 episode series of behind the scenes footage of world renowned high fashion designers.

Starz Inside: Fashion in Film - Examines fashion's impact on film.

Unzipped:  This documentary follows Isaac Mizrahi as he produces his New York Fashion Week runway show in 1994.  The scene of Mizrahi in his bed, waxing poetic about walking a dog in a fur jumpsuit still has me laughing today...

ps - I didn't include Valentino: The Last Emperor as it is not currently available on Netflix but it's a wonderful film and should not be missed...

What is your favorite fashion flick?

Pantone colors for Fall 2011...

The Fall fashion season is well under way and, while it's still blazing hot in some areas of the country, style waits for no woman!  I love to reference the Pantone Color Trend Report for Fashion each season as it helps me to determine my own personal palette and gets me excited about what's to come.  This report was issued months ago (in conjunction with the Fall 2011 fashion week, last February) but since I'm in the thick of planning my fall wardrobe I wanted a refresher on their picks.  I figured you might want it too...

Check out the Pantone report as well as insights from featured designers here.

ps - the names are kind of ridiculous but at the same time...I adore them.  Emberglow...lovely.

ACK...!

The gorgeous and storied island of Nantucket is one of my very favorite places on earth.  I spent two summers in college slinging sandwiches by day and drinking gin and tonics on the beach by  night.  This summer I took a day trip back to ACK to revisit some of my favorite haunts...
Nantucket Natural Oils is an amazing resource for me (I left with three fragrances after this years visit).  I love perfume but have grown disenchanted with overpriced "designer" fragrances in alcohol bases that evaporate quickly and contain toxins like hormone disruptors (nothing glam about that)!  Nantucket "Nose" John Harding's emporium can recreate virtually any scent you can dream up by using organic, essential oils for a fraction of the cost of traditional fragrance brands.  They also offer a gazillion single note fragrances as well as their own Nantucket inspired blends.  The About Us section of the website explains in perfect detail why Nantucket Natural Oils has been the choice of savvy Nantucketers for years... 




Vis-a-Vis (the website is terribly lacking...) always stocks a literal ton of jewelry and clothing but I was particularly smitten with the vintage inspired, over sized handbag below...



The charming cobble stone streets of "town" are picture perfect no matter where your eyes fall...



Murray's Toggery Shop is one of the most famous Nantucket landmarks.  They cater to the blue bloods of the island with uber preppy gear like the signature "Nantucket Reds" collection of clothing and lobster embroidered mules.  Also on the racks are whale belts, loafers, polo shirts, madras tennis skirts and sweaters (to tie around your neck, of course).  I don't buy something every time I visit but I always love to look...



New to me and fairly recent to the island is UK import Jack Wills.  I am a sucker for the Union Jack as well as almost anything British. In a previous post about shopping in Boston I stated JW is the Anglo version of Abercrombie & Fitch which is why I left with only a mug (pictured below)...But I loved the shopping experience and worn in feel of the store.  The striped fitting rooms, set up as college bedrooms, are a cheeky touch.  And I discovered my life just won't be complete until I own a Union Jack chaise lounge...




I love the scenery of Nantucket...everything is so damn charming!!  I had to snap a picture of the water meter cover made in Wabash, Indiana...




Now we're getting to the good stuff.  Henry Jr is where I worked once upon a time so I went back to yet again taste the awesomeness of a Henry Jr roll...it was everything I remembered and more.  And NO trip to ACK is complete without a coconut macaroon from the Nantucket Bake Shop.  Their Boston Cream Pie is also TO DIE FOR!!!



During my first summer working I earmarked money from each paycheck for a Peter Beaton hat.  By the end of summer I was the proud new owner of a fabulous and timeless straw hat that I wear to this day.  I popped by the shop for some new ribbons and critters...



Behold the Lily Pulitzer wrapped Jeep...only in Nantucket!



I have purchased my share of Cheryl Fudge scarf tops in years past but this year I discovered her Fashion Camp where campers learn to design and sew their own clothes...so cute!



I always love the crisp and clean yet colorful clothing and accessories of the island's shops...and nothing screams "I have more money than you" than a tote bag emblazoned with your very fancy zip code...



The tiny red row boat below is the "007"...my (now) husband and I spent many nights taking in this exact scene, dreaming of what our futures would hold.  Seeing the gorgeous sights of the harbor always takes me back to the magical summers of Nantucket Island with the man who would turn out to be the love of my life...ok, enough sap...Nantucket is really cool and you should visit.

Bahhhhhston...

During my east coast vacation I'm spending some days in my former home: my beloved Boston!

I had to visit my "go to" shops and tour my favorite neighborhoods to see what's new on the style scene. The Boston culture is a great mix of brains, history and innovative thinking but clothing trends aren't as fast moving as NYC. I love to check out the sartorial contrasts between the biz peeps in the Financial District, the students walking Newbury Street and the international crowd shopping at Copley Place & the Pru.



Louis Vuitton windows in Copley are always inspiring and creative.  I would love to have a life sized version of that boat...what a beauty!

Club Monaco had a lovely mix of textures and colors...a bit of sparkle and sheen with military inspired twill pants and jackets. I have pieces already in my closet I can use to replicate some of these looks.

Wagamama for lunch...one of my favorites from studying in London many moons ago...



...and Pinkberry for an après lunch treat. Their little lounge is super cute!




Vineyard Vines is such a fun store for a dash of preppy chic...just a dash though!  I can't bare to drink the kool-aid and go "full Vines" as it's just a little too pretentious for my taste...I fell in love with this men's belt.



I shopped the giant Sephora store but I can't even begin to go into what I saw/wanted/inevitably bought so I'll move right along to the flower vendor in the Pru.  The blooms are always very fresh and they have such a great selection of exotic varieties...




Had a quick visit to Gretta Luxe to check out their dizzying array of handbags that I can't afford.  The Chloe clutches were particularly calling to me...huu huu huu...



Of course I love shopping Marc by Marc Jacobs for many reasons ($5 rubber rat key chains, anyone?) but I particularly love seeing the selection of fashion, art and style books they offer.  I saw so many titles I have to save them for a different post...



Kate Spade is a brand I really adore due to the whimsical twists they add to each and every product.  I love stopping in to their Newbury Street shop to see how they've merchandised for the season.  I fell in love with the dressing room, clad in fresh green palm leaves and a bright red chair.




Boston girls REALLY love Longchamp Le Pliage nylon totes.  You literally see them everywhere...I was pleasantly surprised to see the more stylized version below.


 
Boston based New Balance recently rolled out the Hubway system of bike sharing (no doubt inspired by another local company Zip Car).  It's a brilliant concept for a city that really embraces this form of transportation.  I'd like to see this pop up in other cities across the country.




Jack Wills is kind of like the British equivalent of Abercrombie & Fitch - but without the overwhelming stank of cologne and overly sexualized catalogs.  Although, this prepster brand is more refined than A&F and is, of course, "fabulously British."  Outside their store on Newbury Street were extremely charming branded bicycles...they look perfectly at home on the tree lined street.




Newbury Street has a ton more to see, do and eat.  To learn more about all the stores, salons and spas and resto's click here.

summer road trip...

I'm getting ready to embark on a 15 hour (if all goes smoothly) road trip with my husband and our newly potty trained 3 year old son.  An undertaking such as this takes some major strategery (thanks, Dubya) to ensure we arrive at our final destination in good spirits!

I've packed a cooler bag full of healthy snacks like apples, granola bars, Metro Mint water (a fav of mine), nuts, squeezable apple sauce packets, apple juice and the like so we can do our best to avoid the guilty road food of McD's and pizza.  Of course, I'll need to stop at every Starbucks for an iced latte...

I've also packed a "doo dad" bag of goodies and activities for the boy...new board books, Crayola Color Wonder paper and markers and never before played with Matchbox cars to keep him content and busy while confined to the back seat.  We drive overnight which helps get the bulk of the trip done while our little guy is asleep...this helps tremendously.

I try to be as comfy as possible when we do these long drives but I certainly don't resort to grungy sweats.  In colder months I'll do a tunic with leggings and cozy boots or slip on flats but since this is the hottest effing summer my regular uni will not do.  A mid length, jersey tee shirt dress will be comfy yet not totally dumpy during the day and easily serve as a nightgown when it's my turn to rest.  Of course flip flops are really the only choice for this occasion...

I don't wear makeup during the trip but I freshen up with a periodic spritz of face mist, a swipe of tinted lip balm and rely heavily on my extra large sunnies to make me appear more glam than I am.

I've downloaded great road trip media to my iPad in preparation:
* podcasts - The Bugle, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Radio Lab, WTF with Marc Maron and Get Mommy a Drink (really excited about that one)

* kiddeos (did I just make up this blend of the words kid and videos?) - the usual suspects of Thomas & Friends, Winnie the Pooh and The Polar Express (my kid loves trains)

* apps - Quick Sleep (to provide soothing, non car sounds to encourage the boy to be quiet already), Priceline (in case we do need a hotel) and Best Road Trip Ever in case we want to stop to check out offbeat attractions and resto's along the way.

* books - I'm just now starting Kelly's Cutrone's "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside" then I'll start "Film Flam" by Larry McMurty, the famous Hollywood screenwriter.

* music - I just rediscovered Matt & Kim so I bought their newest album "Sidewalks" which will keep me alert and engaged during my turn at the wheel.  Sidebar: I watched them perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and their enthusiasm is so infectious...

Now I just need to start packing...yikes!