Back To Basics

With fall/winter clothes appearing less over the top from several designers like Marc Jacobs, Celine, and Donna Karan, and more basic luxury items reappearing which can be worn in a variety of ways for multi-function, multi-purpose looks, I felt like it was time I had the pleasure of listening to Steve Tyrell perform at an old movie theater turned concert venue recently.

Lakewood Theater

He sang songs of yester-years from Nat King Cole to Frank Sinatra but added his flair to the lyrics to help keep them current just as I did with a past season-or-so pair of Nina Ricci pants that I paired with a new Louis Vuitton denim jacket.

Louis Vuitton jacket, Nina Ricci pants

a million hooks

Be&D python clutch

  I had a chance to catch up with Steve after his performance and probe a little into his personal life.  Soon, he will be performing for a two month run at the Carlyle in Manhattan which he states is one of his favorite hotels in the world.  He found a new love in life and is engaged after his wife passed away several years back.  I asked his fiance if she had found her wedding dress, but she said not yet due to his busy schedule.  Steve did mention that even though they were both from Texas, they plan on getting hitched in New York.  (I'm pretty sure I will score an invite to that one.)

Steve Tyrell

the fiance

Afterwards, I was encouraged by my friends to get a night-cap at the pub next door to the theater.  Actually this haunt was a karaoke bar to my dismay, and I'm not for sure which was more frightening - the Halloween decoration strewn about or the patrons' drunken courage to prop themselves up and attempt to sing.  After several unrecognizable songs and one Dolly hit, I was positive it was time to roll.  From an old school celebrity show and interview to the new-found performers next door, this was one night for the books that one could never describe as ordinary and definitely not sub-standard.

Spooky times at karaoke

Thought

This Halloween ditch your spooky costume and opt for a more on-trend one like this girl who is doing a bohemian, gypsy-esque outfit similar to Ralph Lauren's fall collection.

Skirt from Anthropologie with vintage scarves

Flea market necklace

Undone braids from the night before

Pick

One of my favorite fashion books is by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - Influence.  The huge variety of photographs are beautiful and range from high gloss portraits to worn polaroids.  The read is actually good too and covers the gamut of all that is fashion-able.  Check it out - available at amazon.com.

The Olsen's book

Street Chic

I love this lady's look.  It's well-balanced and totally confident.  She has taken several styles and combined them in just the right amounts to look really cool and hip without being too trendy.  Her dress is almost baby-doll inspired with its short poofy skirt, and she topped it off with a very urban leather jacket and slouchy leather bag both in black to help make the overall look a little more gritty.  She kept her hair slicked down and back in a low ponytail but softened that sharpness with large round sunglasses.  The unexpected splash of her green boots adds a little whimsy but because of their style, the look stays totally modern.    

Party Pooped

It's been so crazy with working six days a week and juggling somewhat of a social life, but some how I'm holding it together.  For example, David Yurman's store played host to a cocktail reception benefitting the Goss Michael Foundation which is George Michael and his beau Kenny Goss' charitable endeavor.  It drew a large crowd to kick off the season with some faces of plastic and others with plastic in hand for purchasing.  My eyes began to hurt from all the bling housed about in cases and thrown on young looking models (what am I bitching about, everybody looks a little younger draped in diamonds).

David Yurman diamond ring

David Yurman diamond and gold ring and mixed metal bracelet

Not exhausted yet, the next night was a warehouse party benefitting the Dallas Contemporary.  Forty Five Ten played host with a photography exhibit of their current in-store men's collections.  People were eating pizza out of the boxes with imported beer, and there were ping-pong tables if you were inclined to indulge.  A good friend who is an art curator was asked to DJ this fun event which made you feel like you were part of the cool crowd in Dallas at least for 30 minutes or so while there.

Party invite

The Dallas Contemporary

Playing ping-pong

Nina Ricci sweater, Marni pants, Christian Louboutin clutch

Last night, we were invited to the opening of a new store in town called Nest.  Actually, it's been around for a few years but has moved to a fresh location.  Champagne and miniature nibbles were passed around on Jonathan Adler trays as people mingled over Missoni.  I was impressed to see one of my BFF's candles being sold next to some Bell'Invito stationary.  Feeling like it was ground hog day, we slipped out the door to Jack in the Box and then home and called it a night.  I have to admit wining and dining can wear your Alexander Wang's  out.

Missoni bathrobe

Dierdre candle by George Sellers for DL&Co

Comme des Garcons ruffled top, Tuleh shorts, Alexander Wang combat boots

Thought

I love fresh flowers and plants around my place, but let's face it, I don't have a green thumb at all, and they usually don't last very long anyway.  Not to fret though because there are some plants that seem to maintain their life span for quite a while and look great doing so.  I love mid-century design, and my place is a mixture of that and contemporary, and a great plant found in lots of mid-century settings is mother-in-law's tongue.  I love the vertical, architectural structure of it and the variations of green on each blade has an almost striped, tie-dye look.  It's super easy to maintain as I never do anything to mine (in fact, I don't think I've ever watered it) so it's an easy way to bring a little plant-life into your home and make a beautiful design statement at the same time.

mother-in-law's tongue

The Uncommon Lady

With styles for fall having a prim look from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Nina Ricci (think knee-length skirts that have flounce and bounce, thinly belted cashmere sweaters, pumps with oversized bows, and an all around fifties ladylike flair), I decided to take a bit of this inspiration and create a look more suited for my style aesthetic.

Hotel St. Germain garden

Tom Scott top 

Marc Jacobs pants

Glasses by The Row

I headed over to a distinctive hotel in Dallas for photos.  This place is great for celebs and locals who are trying to avoid too much attention which has never been my concern.  From its lace tablecloths to its doll house facade, it brings me back to when I was around seven and my best friend Raegan got a Barbie dream house for Christmas.  I was so jealous of her thoughtful Santa gift that I rushed home every day after school and grabbed my one doll that was a Cher Barbie with long black hair, a pink jumpsuit, and platforms and headed over to Raegan's to have a make believe tea party and fashion show.  My mother caught onto my game and was so disappointed in my not so boyish behavior that she had a yard sale and sold Cher for a quarter.  I'm still in therapy over that one!

Cher CD - Essential Collection

Years later, we had a chance to catch up with a living Barbie - Lady Bunny - and watch her perform at a local haunt.  Her show was totally kitsch filled with sexual overtones and drunken debauchery.  As I sat there, I wanted to get closer and try to become friends and not just a voyeur and perhaps fluff her big blond locks, but before you could blink your eyes, that damn rabbit disappeared leaving me with that same feeling I had known many years ago.  I can only hope this girly clothing trend stays around longer than my Barbie and that bunny.

Lady Bunny eating a chicken nugget

Shaking those bouncy curls

There's more lycra on her pantyhose than in that drape

Thought

I have this crazy amazing blond fur capelet from a vintage shop in Los Angeles that I have had for years, but it's too good to let go so I rummaged through my closet to find a great accessory to attach to it so I could create a whole new look for the jacket, and voila I found an Ungaro pin.  Combining similar textures (both furs but two different types) can soften and complement the overall look and help a piece you've had for years look fresh again - so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Vintage mink capelet and Marc Jacobs sweater

Ungaro pink fur flower pin

Pick

As the weather begins to cool down a bit, it's time to start thinking about warmer fabrics and lots of texture.    There's nothing cozier than an oversized woven throw and when translated to an ottoman, it's even chic.  I love this really large looped footstool from Design Within Reach.  It comes in two sizes and adds a little architectural layer to any room, and it's soft and fuzzy on the feet.  Also if placed near a window, you'll never get your pets off this one.

www.dwr.com

Money Makes the World Go 'Round

Menswear is a big look for fall seen in collections from Calvin Klein to Krizia.  It always makes for a nice mix when some of the women's pieces have those masculine details from pleated and cuffed trousers worn with thinner belts or even suspenders to button down shirts with stiff collars or French cuffs.  Details such as gold pinstripes or butterfly sleeves keep it current and slightly feminine.  While in New York, I bought a Junya Watanabe jacket and pants and paired it with some new Ports 1961 green leather and hologram loafers that nearly broke the bank.

Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons suit, Viktor & Rolf shirt, Hermes belt

Ports 1961 loafers

Feeling very well-suited on a recent evening, we decided to go to the sypmphony to see a sold out performance by Liza Minnelli.  Having seen her on two other occasions, I had high expectations, and she didn't let me down.  Singing songs like "New York, New York" and "Cabaret" even with a recent hip replacement when she referred to herself as "Dorothy's daughter from the waist up and the tin man from the waist down", she was still able to saunter around with ease and every hand gesture was perfectly choreographed.

Meyerson Symphony Center

Liza's new CD - "Confessions"

Back cover - airbrushed to hell but looking great!

www.salumrestaurant.com

Following the show, we had dinner reservations at Salum which is one of my favorite standards to go to when entertaining with others.  A toast was in order to celebrate a friend's high-profile job in New York doing Bette Midler's Halloween party and Liza's sobriety.  I kept seeing glimpses of myself in mirrors as I admired my top with it's sheer star pattern.  After a meal of risotto and shoe string potatoes, I received and scanned the bill quickly and handed it over to the others to see if anyone would pay for it.  "Maybe This Time" ran through my head as we settled up.  Oh well, from concert to dinner to cocktails to outfits, it costs a lot to be social.