BrandHabit Member: carla

Re: DO YOU: buy a handbag for its Label or its Features? - 07/31/08 17:07 PM

I always buy handbags for style and functionality; not for the label. I don't like to wear conspicuous labels. However, I do take pride in telling others about the fabulous designers I discover in this business.

Check out our New Blog - 07/31/08 05:07 AM

Some of you may have noticed that we have a new blog format. When you click on “blog” at the top of the page, you will see a chronological display of all of our featured posts, by all of our featured editors. If you want to read my posts, click on “CEO Blog” under “categories” on the right hand side of the page. Also check out our hysterical editor, “Boutique Peek” who highlights some of the best boutiques in the country. Finally, we have a new writer who focuses specifically on great fashion websites. This is under “Links we love”. There are more categories to come! Stay tuned!

My Photo Shoot - 07/12/08 08:07 AM

I did a Photo Shoot this week with a professional photographer. I’ve only done about 5 of these in my life. Once when I was 5, when I was 16 and getting into acting, when I was 20, when I was married, and when I was pregnant. This time, it was for business. When I arrived at Kathleen Harrison’s studio I had done my hair and make-up and I was armed with a bunch of outfits (all black and white-classic). I had geared myself up to boldly say: “I want you to make me look like a super-model who is being shot for a lifestyle magazine” Hell, if I am going to be shy about what I want, I won’t get it. Right? Kathleen shows me a few black and white photos of professionals. “No. No, no, no. I don’t want the corporate headshot stuff. It’s not me. I want these shots to be fun and flirty and casual and not too posed. This is fashion. I tried to fit into the corporate image and it just doesn’t work. I have to be me” Kathleen is probably thinking to herself, “Oh boy. I have a live one on my hands.” Realize that I make all of these demands with a big smile on my face while I am running around, digging though bags of clothes and accessories. I am a FUN, demanding bitch. We start the shoot on a white backdrop. I pretend I am a model moving to new poses between clicks. Kathleen encourages me for a while but I soon run out of moves to make. We take a quick look at a few shots on her camera and I my heart sinks. Where are my eyelids? My hair looks frizzy. Ugh, my mouth looks so tight when I try not to smile. Gosh. I am really not the person I think I am when I look in the mirror. Oh well. I look pretty good, FOR MY AGE. What a friggen show stopper that is, isn’t it? FOR MY AGE. What the hell happened to my eyelids? They are hidden beneath the upper brow. God, this is a reality check. So, we take a million more shots. I am having fun with some of them… it’s getting better. Clearly, I have no training in this because when Kathleen tells me to kick my leg up, I turn my ankle in a way that makes me look like I have a fat calf and no foot. We go outside where I can ham it up in natural light. I am embarrassed by the cars, bikes and people going by thinking, “Who does she think SHE is? A Super Model? NOT!” God forbid , I run into someone I know. A young man (boy of 20 something) walks by and then turns around to ask what we are up to. It’s perfect timing because we are having a hard time getting the reflector to stay still. He offers to help. Oh god, now I have an audience. Funny thing is, NOW I am really having fun. There is something about a young man standing there appreciating you that makes you feel… fun and flirty and sexy. These are the best shots of the day. I look at a few and recognize me for who I think I look like. Phew! Kathleen is brilliant. Here is her site http://www.kathleenharrison.com And here are a few shots.

Vince Bomber Jacket - 07/09/08 16:07 PM

On my most recent trip to drop off clothes at the consignment shop, I stumbled upon a medium brown leather bomber jacket by Vince. Okay, so “stumbled upon” is really too passive of a word, because the truth is that as soon as I spotted this jacket, I frantically dove on it, as if the only other person in the store would see it at the exactly same time and tackle me for it. I have been jones-ing for a little bomber jacket but have been a bit hesitant to buy one, fearing it might be a passing trend. Honestly, I only got rid of my red Michael Jackson jacket from 1985 in 2000! Not that I had worn the jacket since 1986 but I simply thought short leather jackets could never really be back in fashion for the long haul. Seriously, once you have done the 80’s trend once, it’s really, really hard to go back. In fact, it’s even embarrassing now to admit that I wore a Red Michael Jackson Leather Jacket at one time. How humiliating! So, back to the jacket. • Perfect condition • Barely worn. • No weird smells. • Original price: $700. • Price now: $250! • Size: Small. I am not a Small. But who cares? It’s super fitted and looks hot. Who cares that I can only wear it with a tank top? I’ll wear it on those coldish summer days in San Francisco. For that price, I have to have it. “This is darling! Why did the person give it up?” I asked the sales person. “She lost too much weight and it was too big for her.” Ah-ha! One of those poor small gals who loses too much weight. Too bad I don’t have that problem. Ah well; her loss is my gain I guess. Back at home, I put the jacket on. “Where did you get that?” my husband asks. “I’ve had this in my closet for a long time… (lie). What do you think of it? Isn’t it hot?” “You look like David Hasselhoff” Argh! I looked like a pirate when I tucked my jeans into my boots and now I look like David Hasselhoff. I’ll never wear this jacket in front of my husband. What does he know about fashion? “It’s The Look” I say to him “Yeah, that’s what you always say but you still look like David Hasselhoff” Here is a picture of a jacket that looks a lot like mine but this one is by Mike and Chris (Fabulous line). You can find this one at Intermix!

Playboy Mansion - 07/11/08 10:07 AM

I just received an invitation to a 70's Summer Party / Fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion in LA. Of course there is a fee to get in for the fundraiser. My niece's friend is working for the company in Events. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. This part is the best: "Ladies may apply at the website above for complimentary admission!" What do you think I might have to do for this? HA! I don't think so. Not really my style...