... some images from our last shoot of the year. Hooray Spring!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
There is a better way...
I hate it when people dress up their dogs. In the words of my editor at the magazine, "That's just abuse." And it is! Let's think about this:
1. Putting extra clothing on your pet can overheat them. Your dog has fur, which is sufficient to keep it within a homeostatic temperature range in the climate for which it was bred. Generally, this climate is analagous to your climate controlled apartment, house, or office. So putting something extra on top of all that insulation makes them hot.
2. Pets don't give a damn about the latest trends. Their brains just aren't large enough to take that all in and process it. In the evolutionary process from which they emerged, "fashion" and "clothing" are just not part of the vocabulary. In their minds you're just doing something strange and unnatural to them.
3. Pet clothing and costumes are not comfortable. The last time I checked, I get terrible headaches from headbands, if my scarf is too tight it makes me feel like I'm choking, and I can't think of anything more frustrating than the limited mobility that many dresses and jackets cause. And these are all things I electively put on myself. So think about how your pet feels in that stupid birthday hat with elastic strap, or those silly Santa pants.
4. Dressing your pet makes you look like an ass. Basically for not taking any of the above into account.
Now, having said all this, I do realize that there are some legitimate reasons for pet clothing. Many smaller, slimmer breeds - such as chihuahuas and Italian greyhounds - get cold easily and require an extra layer to keep warm. The same is true of aging pets and larger breeds with short coats. Below are some options I turned up while hunting for a winter layer for my pit bull, Mia. Please consider one of the following instead the next time you get the urge to purchase a dog-sized Juicy Couture hoodie.
Having grown up around horses, I've always been familiar with the
concept of a turn-out blanket, which is basically a blanket with strategically placed straps that hold it in place on a horse without encumbering its movement. The key is functionality. Baker, one of
the best companies for these, also makes dog-sized versions...
...which is what Mia now wears for walks when it's cold outside.
I love that it's a legitimate, well-made, working product that wasn't slapped together in China for idiot Americans.
$65 at doversaddlery.com
Foggy Mountain Dog uses the same idea of functionality over frivolity, but takes into account that there are some oddly shaped dogs out there. They have specially sized blankets for breeds like dachshunds, french bulldogs, and grehounds.
from $20 at dogcoat.com
If you must accessorize your dog, you might as well go with something they already need, like a collar. This one has tons of personality, and totally looks like it could be from Burberry's fall collection. Bonus.
$25 at fordogtrainers.com
1. Putting extra clothing on your pet can overheat them. Your dog has fur, which is sufficient to keep it within a homeostatic temperature range in the climate for which it was bred. Generally, this climate is analagous to your climate controlled apartment, house, or office. So putting something extra on top of all that insulation makes them hot.
2. Pets don't give a damn about the latest trends. Their brains just aren't large enough to take that all in and process it. In the evolutionary process from which they emerged, "fashion" and "clothing" are just not part of the vocabulary. In their minds you're just doing something strange and unnatural to them.
3. Pet clothing and costumes are not comfortable. The last time I checked, I get terrible headaches from headbands, if my scarf is too tight it makes me feel like I'm choking, and I can't think of anything more frustrating than the limited mobility that many dresses and jackets cause. And these are all things I electively put on myself. So think about how your pet feels in that stupid birthday hat with elastic strap, or those silly Santa pants.
4. Dressing your pet makes you look like an ass. Basically for not taking any of the above into account.
Now, having said all this, I do realize that there are some legitimate reasons for pet clothing. Many smaller, slimmer breeds - such as chihuahuas and Italian greyhounds - get cold easily and require an extra layer to keep warm. The same is true of aging pets and larger breeds with short coats. Below are some options I turned up while hunting for a winter layer for my pit bull, Mia. Please consider one of the following instead the next time you get the urge to purchase a dog-sized Juicy Couture hoodie.
Having grown up around horses, I've always been familiar with the
concept of a turn-out blanket, which is basically a blanket with strategically placed straps that hold it in place on a horse without encumbering its movement. The key is functionality. Baker, one ofthe best companies for these, also makes dog-sized versions...
...which is what Mia now wears for walks when it's cold outside.I love that it's a legitimate, well-made, working product that wasn't slapped together in China for idiot Americans.
$65 at doversaddlery.com
Foggy Mountain Dog uses the same idea of functionality over frivolity, but takes into account that there are some oddly shaped dogs out there. They have specially sized blankets for breeds like dachshunds, french bulldogs, and grehounds.from $20 at dogcoat.com
If you must accessorize your dog, you might as well go with something they already need, like a collar. This one has tons of personality, and totally looks like it could be from Burberry's fall collection. Bonus.$25 at fordogtrainers.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Stylista Finale
The season finale of Elle-based "reality" TV show Stylista just aired, and, um, it was amazing. The show itself has been sort of tedious and irritating. It would have been nice, for example, if they had actually shot in the Elle office instead of a set, if the staffers were actually able to walk in their 5-inch heels instead of tottering awkwardly, if Anne Slowey had just been herself instead of some absurd Devil Wears Prada knockoff... but I digress. The final episode was fantastic. I was actually really impressed with how well Johanna conceptualized her cover shoot and the way it turned out. I've been rooting for her the whole time - Joe and Anne made the right decision. I have to say though, my favorite part was either Megan arguing with the show's producer in the garbage hallway, or Anne dropping a James Joyce reference during the review. Brilliant.
Snow in New York
Probably I should have posted this yesterday as it was happening, but I was hustling between selecting Dr. Seuss-esque head pieces from Suzanne Couture Millinery for a cover shoot and an appointment with a new jewelry designer 30 blocks away. Next time I'll be more on the ball. Anyway, it snowed properly here for the first time all winter. It was magical! It was beautiful! It happened all at once, and every pedestrian stopped for a moment to watch and marvel. And then, in true New York fashion, it all turned into nasty gray mush about 5 minutes later. Here's proof.
1:15 PM
1:16 PM
1:18 PM
1:20 PM
1:15 PM
1:16 PM
1:18 PM
1:20 PMMonday, December 15, 2008
... And Artistic, Too.
Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure it's not cosmically fair for a woman with this bone structure and these legs to also be quite good at something that requires talent, intelligence, or artistic capability. And yet. Tonight I went to the opening of Helena Christensen's latest exhibition, "Far From, Close" which is being held at the Dactyl Foundation - and it was pretty great. I really wanted to complain that the turnout was due to her supermodel status, that anyone can take a black and white photo that looks artsy and brooding; but the crowd wasn't the typical mash of party/fame seekers (Michael Stipe was there, Michael Lohan was not), and the photography wasn't all black and white. Below are some of my favorites. It's just not fair. When I die, I'd like to come back as a supermodel/poet laureate. Work that one for me, ok karma?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Best Hair - Class of Spring '09
I'd like to take a moment to go all high school yearbook and award a superlative. I am so in love with the hair from Gucci's Spring 09 runway.The dark-on-top-light-on-the-bottom effect adds so much depth and texture and is SO much fresher and more subtle than streaky highlights. Luigi Murenu, who created the hair for the show, should be commended for rethinking the dip-dye trend. Here I thought I would gag if I saw one more ombre anything, but this look was so good that I went out and had it done. I do suggest leaving this one to the pros though - like Marco at Sally Hershberger Downtown, who did mine. I could see an at-home job on this going seriously bad.
Friday, December 12, 2008
All I Want for Christmas...
... are a few things totaling $949.49. Now what's all this about a recession?
Lanvin flats. They're beautifully crafted, interminably chic, and way more comfortable than the 4-inch heels that are altering the shape of my feet by slowly increasing increments each day. Also, they're Lanvin.
$319 at barneys.com (normally $530).
Anthropologie ornament. Ornaments are something you should gather and collect from special places and from occasions you want to remember. That way decorating your tree each year becomes an evolving and personal experience, and your end result is something unique, instead of something that resembles the decorations at Duane Reade. This ornament is a sweet and simple take on the classic Christmas ball - AND it's on sale!
$12.60 at anthropologie.com (normally $18).
Cavallini leather notebooks. I love Moleskine notebooks - they're minimalist and sleek and perfect for carrying everywhere in case you have a sudden spark of an idea, want to take notes at Fashion Week, or feel the constant, compulsive need to create To Do lists. These Cavallini journals are the next step up - equally simple and totable, but just a little more special.
$38 at katespaperie.com
Alexis Bittar bracelet. What's not to love about a cuff that looks as though it sprung fully formed from the earth? Well, possibly the price. $400 is possibly justifiable for gold, tourmaline, and iolite, but I for one still wish that his pieces were available on the corner of Prince and Greene.
$395 at alexisbittar.com.
Ric Burns' New York: A Documentary Film. You have to imagine that the city that never sleeps has generated plenty of history over the years. Who better to tell it than Ric Burns, brother of documentary veteran Ken? With a seventeen and a half hour run time, though, I may have to cancel my Netflix for a month or two. Or three.
$117 at amazon.com (normally $130).
Snuggie - the Blanket with Sleeves. "You want to keep warm when you're feeling chilled, but you don't want to raise your heating bill! Blankets are ok, but they can slip and slide. And when you need to reach something, your hands are trapped inside!" I never knew how truly inconvenient blankets were. I want a Snuggie - the Blanket with Sleeves!
$19.94 + $7.95 p&h at getsnuggie.com.
American Fashion Accessories, by Candy Pratts. My favorite part of every new season is Mrs. Pratt's Accessory Report on style.com, even if the animated Candycasts are a little creepy. This is a much-needed coffee table update.
$40 at barnesandnoble.com (normally $50).
Lanvin flats. They're beautifully crafted, interminably chic, and way more comfortable than the 4-inch heels that are altering the shape of my feet by slowly increasing increments each day. Also, they're Lanvin.$319 at barneys.com (normally $530).
Anthropologie ornament. Ornaments are something you should gather and collect from special places and from occasions you want to remember. That way decorating your tree each year becomes an evolving and personal experience, and your end result is something unique, instead of something that resembles the decorations at Duane Reade. This ornament is a sweet and simple take on the classic Christmas ball - AND it's on sale!
$12.60 at anthropologie.com (normally $18).
Cavallini leather notebooks. I love Moleskine notebooks - they're minimalist and sleek and perfect for carrying everywhere in case you have a sudden spark of an idea, want to take notes at Fashion Week, or feel the constant, compulsive need to create To Do lists. These Cavallini journals are the next step up - equally simple and totable, but just a little more special.
$38 at katespaperie.com
Alexis Bittar bracelet. What's not to love about a cuff that looks as though it sprung fully formed from the earth? Well, possibly the price. $400 is possibly justifiable for gold, tourmaline, and iolite, but I for one still wish that his pieces were available on the corner of Prince and Greene.$395 at alexisbittar.com.
Ric Burns' New York: A Documentary Film. You have to imagine that the city that never sleeps has generated plenty of history over the years. Who better to tell it than Ric Burns, brother of documentary veteran Ken? With a seventeen and a half hour run time, though, I may have to cancel my Netflix for a month or two. Or three.$117 at amazon.com (normally $130).
Snuggie - the Blanket with Sleeves. "You want to keep warm when you're feeling chilled, but you don't want to raise your heating bill! Blankets are ok, but they can slip and slide. And when you need to reach something, your hands are trapped inside!" I never knew how truly inconvenient blankets were. I want a Snuggie - the Blanket with Sleeves!
$19.94 + $7.95 p&h at getsnuggie.com.
American Fashion Accessories, by Candy Pratts. My favorite part of every new season is Mrs. Pratt's Accessory Report on style.com, even if the animated Candycasts are a little creepy. This is a much-needed coffee table update.
$40 at barnesandnoble.com (normally $50).
Habiliment?
ha⋅bil⋅i⋅ment
[huh-bil-uh-muhnt] 
ə
–noun
| 1. | Usually, habiliments.
|
| 2. | habiliments, accouterments or trappings. |
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME (h)abylement < class="ital-inline">habillement, equiv. to habill(er), abill(ier) to trim a log, hence, dress, prepare
Thank you, Mr. Noah Webster.
1375–1425; late ME (h)abylement < class="ital-inline">habillement, equiv. to habill(er), abill(ier) to trim a log, hence, dress, prepare
Thank you, Mr. Noah Webster.
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