Image Grenade

I love³ Victoria Beckham!!  (love³ that’s my symbol for love to the 3^rd power, and it keeps me from using the redundant love, love, love. Get used to it as I will be using it often.)  She’s a style icon who managed to parlay a modicum of talent, a short stint as a Spice Girl and a marriage to one of the worlds most handsome, and at one time, best footie players in the world, into an A list persona. She logs hundreds of newspaper and tabloid column inches a day, is know world wide and often times, we’re not really sure why.  Now that’s the kind of magic David Blaine only wishes he could perform.  Well today’s news was that David Beckham, the husband and afore mentioned footie star, bought his Missus a winery. With a figure like a stick insect, the girl may not know food, but apparently she knows her onions when it comes to grape varieties and after visiting a winery in California’s Napa Valley, Posh and Becks realized that producing their own wine wasn’t as much of a pipe dream as they first thought.  Personally, I think it’s a fab idea, owning several of South Philly’s finest vines myself. Color me pinot noir with envy. My only worry for the dear child is she hardly eats now. But then, saving the few calories she does consume for wine tasting, puts her on top of another hot  trend Alcorexia. So dahling Vic,  a word of caution dear, do have a bite or two of brown rice sushi before your tipple. The fall from the tops of those Christian Laboutin heels may be a mere four inches, but après cocktails, it ‘s along way down in hideous slow motion and as thin as you are, you could break, like your entire body.

Summer Trends-Eye popping shoesJust as the swallows returning to Capistrano portend spring, so do certain summer trends. While designers would have you believe that each spring/summer collection is completely different, the appearance of shorter hemlines, sheer fabrics and the reappearance of both brights and metallics that shimmer in the summer sun make a reappearance.Even if you’ve abandoned your summer shape-up program, you don’t need to be super fit to sport a fantastic eye catching shoe. If you shop now, you’ll have your pick of colors and on-line sites like Zappos and Shoes.com will allow you to sort by color. Finally, a fast way to find more than one pair of shoes in mint green.So if you love a purple wedge, and orange flat or a silver sandal for that fabulous after 5 number, now is the time to buy girls.

While several arbiters of style have declared Orange is the new Pink, for some of us, Pink is the new Pink. And that’s why when I saw this darling pair of stage heels at Office in London, I had to have them.

at £55 for such a fabulous shoe,

($110 USD) they’re worth the temporary downsizing from Champagne to California sparkling.

Twist n Turn £55  http://www.office.co.uk/ or at Office retail stores in London.

My cousin Roz is passionate about purple, but won’t isn’t willing to toddle on heels, so for her I’ve recommended the new Dr. Marten’s, Christina. Yes, I know you’re probably associating Doc’s with combat boots that were/are a staple in any Goth/Punk wardrobe, but these new flats are slipper soft and available in a Lovely Lilac color that provide a fabulous reintroduction you to a brand you’ve known for years.

Christina by Doc Marten’s

$64 at Zappos.com

And if you and the Dali Lama are big fans of orange, then how about this peep toe wedge from Grasshoppers. The swirl patter in Papaya Floral could be shrouding all but the toe of your fresh pedicure as you’re greeted by ooohs and ahhs of this easy to walk in shoe. Grasshoppers, Napa wedge in Papaya Floral From http://www.shoes.com/
$49.95.

I’m a big fan of the fake tan. Like my sister devotees, Posh and Jordan, I’m generally slathering something on my skin to give an overall illusion of sunkissed health. But after armloads of shopping in London, my account was bereft of the kind of dosh needed for industrial sized bottles of St. Tropez or another membership for the Instant spray tan at Hollywood Tans.

Fortunately I didn’t need a bank roll to fund my newest find, Jergens Natural Glow daily moisturizer. Because it subtle and gradually tans your skin over a series of days, I can slather it on in the morning après shower and dress without the need for the black only apparel. And they make a separate one for the face which not only allows me to achieve a healthy glow, but also spot free. Considering moisturizers plus heat and humidity usually equal a smattering of blemishes in my T-zone, that’s quite a feat! And the color is so even and smooth, it’s been over a month since I’ve worn any foundation or other tinted moisturizer.

Not only is Jergens a bargain, it comes in several shades ensuring that you look radiant as opposed to bright orange and radiating. So remember, while orange may be hot in couture, when it comes to skin tone, shun nuclear glow in favor of Jergens Natural Glow.

Jergens Natural Glow and Jergens Natural Glow for the Face About $7.99 in drugstores nationwide.

The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, recently shocked many with her brutally honest statement…

“Every minute of my day I think I’m fat, ugly and disgusting-that I’m unworthy and nobody likes me.”

Well sister, welcome to my world.
I’ve been dieting since I was a tween and despite having shrunk from a size 20 to a size 10, I still harbor a hate/hate relationship with my body.

I’ve spent thousands of dollars and hours with a personal trainer, drank enough water to fill several Olympic sized swimming pools and tried every diet on the planet. And let’s not forget the weight loss “aids”. If I’d put one tenth of what I spent on weight loss products in an ING account, well let’s just say I’d be composing this from my sunny veranda in Valletta.

But what can you do? Acknowledging those feelings only helps if you’re willing to use them as an impetus for change. So I continue to go to the gym, watch my diet and work on my appearance, but the more important work is what I do on the inside. And that means working towards self acceptance. Trust me, it’s a process; a long, long, process.

While I truly believe presentation is important and it’s fantastic to look clean and put together (I wouldn’t be writing about fashion and beauty if I didn’t), to elevate beauty and the struggle to achieve it, above all else, is ridiculous. I’ve met loads of stunningly beautiful people that were self centered, bereft of any social acumen, and thick as a plank, while the chunky woman in ill fitting trousers, who came to the party, without taking advantage of the + 1 invitation, is entertaining a cluster of the elegant and eligible by the punch bowl.

Score one for the Camilla Parker-Bowles camp.

Yes, there are throngs of us who share Sarah’s feelings, but what makes me a victor instead of a victim, is I press on. I hope that somehow, despite my own insecurities (and some would say body dysmorphic disorder) I manage to provide something to the world that transcends my “unconventional” beauty or the size of my thighs. I hope I present a talent, or wit or a knack for being compassionate and caring because I am, as opposed to acknowledged conventional beauties who revel in being cold, rude and condescending because they can.

Yes, I admit there are still days when I too think I’m fat, ugly and no one will like me.

AND?

Perhaps it’s because I got very tan while on holiday, but suddenly, every tube of pink lippy I own looks absolutely horrible on me now. Either the pink is so brite I look like I’ve swabbed pulsating neon on my lips or it’s so pale looking it harkens back to the days of mod when the skirts were short, geometrics ruled and over done eyes were balanced with white pink lips.

I dunno, maybe it was God’s way of saying, your vanity needs a big ol’ clear out!!

So I tried on everything and realized the best, most natural shade was a Raquel Welch, limited edition MAC lipstick called Legendary Femme.

Of course they don’t make it any more.

So what’s the one lipstick that’s going to hold me over until I find a number of shades to restock my lip color arsenal? Bobbi Brown’s brown. Believe me, I have a mental block to “brown” lipstick. While there are those who think it looks like a kid with chocolate wiped on their mouths, I’m thinking more along the lines of how the digested chocolate reappears. Not pretty!! But funnily enough,

 Bobbi Brown’s is more pink and really compliments my skin tone, especially when I’m more tan during the summer. And I’m not the only one as this color is her number one seller. Glad I’m finally backing a winner this time, but I still don’t like the name. Maybe she should rename it Chelsea. That’s the only way my boys in blue will be number one; at least until next season.

Bobbi Brown lipstick: $22 dollars at www.bobbiebrowncosmetics.com and stores nationwide.

Sure, it’s still a bit chilly, but with the official start of summer less than a week away, you’re probably chomping at the bit to look au courant for summer. And until you can risk the daring and baring (without freezing) try the BIG summer trend that will make you look ever so cool while the temperatures work their way up the Farenheit scale.

Whether it’s the big wedge, the big bag or Mr. Big (as Sex And The City hits the big screen at the month’s end,) this season, it’s the over sized that’s truly prized.

Big Sunnies!
Take a page from stars like Mary J. Blige and Victoria Beckham and go for face swallowing sunglasses. Not only will they lend an mysterious air to your look, but extra dark lenses will protect your eyes as the sunlight brightens even the drabbest corners of the northern hemisphere.

Like Chanel sunglasses. $10 Glamourshades.com

The Big Bag Theory!
While I’m a fan of huge purses, I’m not so big on those crafted of patent leather, but from late spring through summer, that seems to be what’s popping up in the windows of every high street shop, and dangling off the arms of those in the know.

NYC by Perlina. Shiny patent tote with bold hardware: Target and www.target.com $59.95

Cuff ‘em, girls!

Whether you choose a cuff or a bangle it’s the one single statement bracelet that’s being seen on the best wrists. Choose from silvery sequins or carved horn, just make sure it’s a large enough piece to grab attention and to be worn solo.

 La Vintage: Art Deco style hinged bracelet $198 QVC

                                                www.iqvc.com

 I should have given you a bit of warning that your lives would be temporarily bereft of my musings, but in order to be a jet setter with your finger on the pulse of international beauty and fashion, it’s imperative that you actually get on an international flight and check out the haps abroad. Now that I’ve returned, I’ve loads of new info on the fashion trends and groovy new products that will migrate west…. eventually.  Of course I’m letting you know first so you can be ever so daring and ahead of the trends.

What’s hot right now? Well in London it’s buying shoes from Office. I used to be a devotee of Shelly shoes, but as the shops are closing down, and styles became deadly boring, it is Office that is now wowing the high-street with it’s fashionable treds.

I grabbed six pairs while I was there including hot pink round toed pumps, a pair of ballerina shoes with a wedge heel, and the shoe that will be on chic feet from London to Leicester, from Stoke on Trent to Surbiton, the original French cotton, espadrille with rope sole. The hub and I both bought multiple pairs, and while I usually eschew a flat shoe having spent eight days walking up and down the streets of steps in Valetta, Malta, you couldn’t possibly imagine the relief a pair of non binding, cotton shoes imbued upon my poor dogs.

The best part, at Office is currently having a sale, offering the men’s pairs at  two pairs for 20 pounds and the women’s for two pairs for 15 pounds. That’s 20 and 15 US dollars a pair respectively. (And about $130 cheaper than the Michael Kors patterned version.)  While the husband, opted for basic ecru and black, I purchased them in a red floral, navy stripe, cream and green Hawaiian print. And at prices like that, we’ve nabbed a shoe wardrobe that should carry us from Memorial Day through Indian Summer.