mixology 101

if someone were to ask you, "what's your favorite cocktail?" how would you respond? would it be a quick, off-the-cuff, run-of-the-mill answer like, the cosmo? sure, cocktal trends come and go, but favorites last a lifetime.

my favorite cocktail has a bit of a story behind it, the infamous bellini. the name is as beautiful as the drink itself, a flute filled with a complimentary combination of white peach nectar and champagne. this world famous drink originated at harry's bar in venice, italy where, according to perfectcocktail.net, giuseppe "harry" cipriani was inspired by the venetian painter, giovanni bellini. this bar also gained its popularity from a recognizable list of patrons, including ernest hemingway and orson welles.

i must admit, my first experience with this drink is likely what prompted my prejudice towards them; my mom and stepdad brought me to the restaurant harry cipriani at the sherry netherland hotel in new york city at the ripe age of sixteen. being the impressionable teenager that i was, i could not help but take in the entire atmosphere; i was immediately entranced by the buzzing environment. the drink sitting in front of me was a bellini with veuve clicquot, a distinguishable champagne with an interesting history (i recommend picking up a copy of 'the widow clicquot'). the bubbles from the champagne along with the sweet nectar that left a delicious after-taste is something i will never forget.

fortunately i had the opportunity to extend my affinity with the bellini beyond manhattan. while studying abroad in italy, i traveled to venice for a weekend with my dad and brother. among other wonderful experiences in the city, i had the utmost delight of tasting a bellini from its birthplace, harry's bar. as i sipped on my bellini i couldn't be happier, i was gleeful and elated, with a smile showcasing every pearly white.

in the end, my favorite cocktail has a long history and personal story to go with it. but i wonder.. if i were a cocktail, would i be a bellini or something a bit more complicated? comparing oneself to the complexities of mixology brings a whole new level of creativity.

'tis the season for a wise investment

the new york times thursday style section recently summed up this season's trends with such precision i can hardly get it out of my head: "hemlines tend to fall with the economy." so where micro-mini dresses could be be spotted by the legs, i mean numbers, at any party last year expect them to be few and far between this season. simple standard lines are falling and filing in the gap between thighs and knees. to adjust for this extension many fashion houses are using bright colors to stir a little bit of mood into conservative cuts.

bad news bears, i know. but don't give up yet fashionistas, there is hope! with a tighter budget this season invest in two to three staples.. classic looks that can be paired with a mélange of accessories. adding sparkle and flair to your ensemble shouldn't cost a lot or take a lot of time.. try to focus on one statement piece like jewelry, a belt, an over-sized clutch, or a great pair of shoes (may i suggest patent leather??)

notice how banana republic
used a bright pink blend to make the dress pop

their use of solid jewelry makes a statement
and adds flair without going over the top

shoes, sorry hard to see, bright silver ones
carry an envious fashionistas eyes to the floor and back up again

this tadashi dress from nordstrom
is cut perfectly to show off your curves

accessorize with an over-sized clutch in a print or solid
it will add funk and flair to the simplicity of the dress

a bright shoe that sparkles can add color
and carry this dress through all of your holiday parties

happy shopping & happy holidays!

disney couture? i don't believe my ears.

(image courtesy of nytimes.com)
i love thursday's. i always look forward to thurday's because i get to read the styles section from the new york times! it's my favorite section from the periodical.. something to read between classes and something to keep me awake during boring lectures.. oops, did i just say boring?!

did you get a chance to pick up a copy of yesterday's edition? the top headline in styles reads, "disney, by design." i could hardly believe it.. disney, the untouchable media conglomerate who created the masterpieces i grew up with, will now be making couture clothes? i feel like i just fell down a rabbit hole..

sure, large corporations are known to dilly-dally into other markets and disney has done their fair share, from amusement parks to bedding. i don't doubt their accessibility to incredible resources, both personally and materially, however, clothing from disney should not cost more than what can pour out from a child's piggy bank.

disney keeps a tight grip on their brand image and jumps on a law suit at the drop of hat, so why are they loosening the reins now? i don't see the parallelism between wide leg jeans, long sweaters with a cowel neck, and cinderella's ball gown (unless of course you happen to be the ultimate fashionista tween!)

i can't imagine feeling comfortable walking into a formal in a evening dress that bears a label with a pair of ears and a script D. my suggestion? create a new brand within the corporation. disney did this when they jumped into computer animation with pixar. too bad walter is already taken..

Fashion Is Asymmetrical

in life there are three things we cannot live without; food, housing, and clothes. these staples are the basic necessities of life, but who says that they have to be conventional? the world's greatest chefs create gratifying, mind-blowing, gourmet cuisines. with simple combinations of ingredients that balance each other all the flavors can be tasted and appreciated. architects use lines, simply the connection between two points on a plane, the simplest geometric variable, to create unparalleled designs that can't help but leave their audiences in wonder. designers bring cloth and fabric to life. the master of a needle and thread creates artwork unlike any other.

fashion is not meant to be bland or boring. fashion is a personal expression of creativity through one of life's staples. clothing gives every individual the opportunity to be an artist. even the standard jeans and a white t-shirt becomes something more with personal flair. every style becomes unique when you put it on because your decisions are a reflection of who you are. will you add a belt? jewelry? how about sneakers or flats? is your hair styled or swept back in a ponytail?

you can tell a lot about a person through their clothing. and first impressions leave a lasting impression, for this reason i agree with coco chanel when she said "i don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. and then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. and it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

yesterday i was wearing a long sweater that fastens in front with an over-sized safety pin. when i closed my sweater i left one side hanging below the other so that they didn't meet up and form a "perfect" horizontal line at the bottom. when a friend asked me why my sweater was uneven, my response was... "fashion is asymmetrical."

so remember fashionistas: there are no rules, just suggestions.

SHOOTIES!!!!

okay, so unfortunately this name hasn't quite caught on as i hoped it would.. but i just love these shoes. this season they have been plastered all over the fashion mags, showcased in shoe stores everywhere, and spotted on the feet of quite a few [uber-fashionable] co-eds hitting up the college bar scene.

the shootie is a combination between the stunning shoe and the beloved bootie. i have seen this amazing concoction referred to as: the bootie (but it's not since your toes are out there for everyone to see! i mean, come on, you wouldn't call a peep toe a pump, now would you??), cut out sandals, etc.

i recommend going for this style in a solid leather color. but to stay with the trends, throwing in a little bit of hardware doesn't hurt. (in my opinion, peuter is best because it's the most neutral metal). try out the

i myself couldn't resist this trend so i bought a comfortable, affordable pair downtown.

(pictures courtesy of stevemadden.com) see any difference between these two? well, other than the price there isn't much change. steve madden makes both of these. the one on top is sold through the "madden girl" line, while the one on the bottom is sold through "steven." price difference? 80 bucks! $59.95 compared to $139.95... are they nuts?

unfortunately i don't forecast this trend pushing forward much past this year, so i would opt for the madden girl line... go splurge your extra eighty dollars on a night out! or, check out ruelala.com and find a great deal on designer labels with their fabulous on-line sample sales! it's my new fetish

ps - up-and-coming trend: over-the-knee boots! check out calvin klein's flat, black suede one at lord and taylor