Author: MS

fall fashion 2010 trends – part 1 – white stockings

Yes, Fall is just around the corner and the  fashion trends are being unveiled everywhere around the world in anticipation that this particular style will revamp the economy and boost confidence in women to shop, spend money while knowing they are going to feel the best they have ever felt. In light of the statements and the promotion of Fall fashion 2010, I have decided to include several back to back blog articles to introduce what is in and what’s not this coming Mid-September to Mid-December season. So here we go: One item of importance for this Fall is WHITE STOCKINGS. It is back in and according to the fashion industry is most useful in many ways to compliment your attire. I have included photos of examples of how to wear the WHITE STOCKINGS and although I don’t see myself wearing any of the outfits in the photos, I do see perhaps adding off-white thick lacy stockings under a nice just above the knee wool skirt with some above the knee boots or just below …

books i added to my to-read list

Here is a list of books I saw at Barnes and Nobles which I added to my to-read list for 2010. 1. Good To A Fault by Marina Endicott 2. Purge by Sofi Oksanen 3. A Happy Marriage by Rafael Iglesias 4. Lonely: A Memoir by Emily White I would love to hear from anyone who has read any of the books. Are they a good read or not.

foggy days in san francisco

Being a sun worshiper, I actually dread summers in San Francisco. Most everywhere around the globe experiences sunny, warm and even hot days in the summer months where people can actually dress colorful, have picnics and frequent the beaches or community pools for those living more inland, as well as outdoor concerts, sidewalk cafes and a stroll through a central park. It is a time to really enjoy the outdoors and get a dose of the old Vitamin D the natural way. But in San Francisco, that is not the case of course during the summer months. Those of us who live here seem to be the most depressed in the summer because all we do is bundle up and turn the heat on while indoors just to stay warm and dry.  The only folk walking the streets are the tourists, who often come here in shorts and t-shirts, and are always shocked at how the weather is. So, in an effort to cheer myself up and to shift my eyes from seeing nothing but …

megapixel and hd nightmare

I understand advancement, enhancement, upgrades, more, much more, sharper, deeper, 3-D and all the jazz associated with making photos and film more appealing to the eye, but for heaven’s sake, these enhacement are really not good for the aging man and woman. It not only makes the photos clearer and sharper, but it also makes every wrinkle, blemish, scar, unwanted hair and other scary facial and bodily defects more visible and troubling, to the point where any person over  40 and some under 40, should probably avoid being photographed or filmed EVER. So what now? How do the inventors plan to address this MAJOR problem? Even celebrities are beginning to look scary on the screen. There is only so much that can be done to edit a film, or touch up a photo shoot before the person begins to look like something out of a wax museum display instead of a their natural self. What went wrong? Is more truly better than less? I mean I for one am probably going to retire from having …

naomi watts makeover

Although naturally beautiful, Naomi Watts, in my opinion, was in a much-needed makeover, so I was really happy to come across recent photos of her where it seems she has a new look (I hope) and  not just a one time look for the SALT premiere a couple of weeks ago in LA. Watts, who is 41 has two kids with her long time love Liev Schriever and in the recent years has looked particularly tired (understandably so) and I suppose hasn’t really focused much on herself as a result of her family life. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but I always want to see women make an effort to take care of themselves no matter what, just to keep themselves psychologically motivated to endure life’s *** on a daily basis. I especially appreciate coming across a positive makeover and feel more inclined to push myself harder as a result of it. I do believe that the first step to feeling good is looking good no matter what the body makeup …

frozen yogurt craze

This past week I was in L.A. again and for the first time in a while I decided on venturing into one of those frozen yogurt shops popping up everywhere around the U.S.  I fought the urge for the longest time because I had heard some interesting stories about the makeup of the yogurt ingredients in the past, but for some reason the one I visited in Calabasas and Beverly Hills was really good and I suppose worth my dime (yes I meant dime) It is called  Menchie’s Yogurt and the store is set up something like a Hello Kitty store with bright colors and characters. At first you think to yourself, is this place really for adults also? But when you actually go in and create your own yogurt cup, you start to feel like a kid again and it doesn’t matter much anymore after that.  They have about 10 different flavored yogurts which is sold by weight (very smart business practice) and you can mix them in a one size for all cup, …

1001 gardens to visit before i die

I don’t know if you have noticed but in most museum stores, there is a book perfectly displayed, titled 1001 Gardens You Must Visit Before You Die.  Although I hate the words visit and die in the same sentence and normally don’t really look at such books, but because I am a garden phonetic, I actually flipped through the book when I was in the Getty Museum (Center) bookstore couple of weeks ago. From the 1001 gardens listed in the book, I have visited perhaps two or three thus far, and although I would love to make a point to see a hundred of the gardens in the book, I know I am not really going to get a chance to do so, for one reason or another and mostly because some of them are in countries I don’t really plan to visit in my lifetime. So, I would love to  hear from anyone and everyone who has had the wonderful opportunity to visit any of the famous gardens around the world listed in the …

here’s looking at you babe

I love it when I flip through print and online magazines and see a well put together outfit which in my opinion is versatile enough for the woman over 40 to consider wearing. Here is one I found in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sales Magazine which had me run to the store just to check it out in flesh (for lack of a better word) and believe me, the dress by Suzi Chin.Maggy Boutigue is a must add to my wardrobe. The only concern is the high-waisted pencil skirt for some woman but otherwise it is a classic ensemble of beads, mesh and rosettes on a heather/black duel colored two-piece dress. The dress on sale is $98.00 until August 2nd and then it’s going to be $148.00. To complete this amazing look, you are welcome to consider the Kenneth Cole New York Emcee Squared large satchel $198.00 pre-sale, $298.00 after. Which I am going to pass up and consider an imitation. What I love about this dress is that I can consider wearing it during the …

marisa tomei suggests belly dancing and protein

Marisa Tomei (45) is on the cover of Shape Magazine ( August 2010) and not sure if she is airbrushed (yes I am sure she is, just my inner voice wants to believe otherwise ), but she looks pretty good. According to her, when asked how she stays fit, she starts off her day drinking a cup of hot water with lemon and a boiled egg drizzled with a little olive oil or some fresh berries and granola with whole-milk yogurt. And since she loves to eat, she keeps high protein snacks on hand in order to keep her feeling full until the next snack attack. She also belly dances and this I can vouch for myself, it is a very good form of exercise. (Note: If you are a patient of Kaiser Permenante, they offer belly dancing classes now as a form of excercise). It is something to consider if salsa dancing isn’t available in your neck of the woods. She is a girl after my own heart because she also believes in playing, …

midlife crisis in film

I watch movies like it’s going out of style. I enjoy watching and reviewing them and of course often offer my two cents worth on a good movie which in my opinion go unnoticed as a result of all the 3D craze. Here is one I highly recommend for the woman over 40 and even some under 40, which in my opinion, although pretty predictable, is an eye opener for all of us who go through the crisis in either denial or in silence. The film is called The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, which probably lasted in theatres about a week or so and since it was an independent film, it wasn’t marketed like Avatar and Alice In Wonderland and so not too many people have heard of it. The film stars the beautiful Robin Wright Penn, who at the time the film came out was going through her own personal struggles with Sean Penn. It is a simple film, very touching and one that alot of women can relate to one way or …