THE GIFT I'D GIVE EVERY GRADUATE: How To Steal Like An Artist

This does not exist as a book yet.  But it should.  Even if it's the slimmest, smallest book ever made.  The advice is so spot on, so smart, and presented with such clarity that I'd give it to every graduate that comes my way. Including some in mid-life.  I'd like to steal all the text and images from Austin Kleon's post, but instead I'll send you to his site to read "How to Steal Like An Artist and 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me."  Please come back after you read it and share what advice resonated with you most.

p.s. Here's a real steal: an original work of art by Denise Fike.  The winner of our Sponsor Giveaway,  chooses her own piece from a selection of 10.  Enter by Tuesday 5/24/11.

PLAN ON SERENDIPITY

"The best parties arise from a mix of 
intense planning and pure serendipity."

-- Style Maniac

Serendipity II courtesy Kerri Shipp

GET READY FOR YOUR HD CLOSEUP

 

First HD TVs, now HD camcorders and cameras.  So now when you're posing at a party, the camera is going to see absolutely everything. To the rescue: HD makeup of course. Recently at a private Sephora event I tried Make Up For Ever's version.  I'm not sure what impressed me more:  the product itself or that the Sephora expert matched the perfect shade to my skin in a nanosecond.  Yes, there are drawbacks: the makeup is expensive, you have to use a Primer to get the full effect, you have to apply it in a specific way (only downward strokes). But there's something to be said for having a pro match your skin tone with the actual product rather than DIY-ing it yourself with those useless drugstore color charts.  And then of course there's the promise of perfection.

So how did it work in real life?  I took home a sample to see.  On a day when I was feeling lousy and tired, comments ranged from "What makeup?' to "Oh, I thought you just looked refreshed from your vacation."  Since I hadn't been on vacation I guess that's a good thing. As for how it looks on camera:  I'll let you know after my upcoming headshot photo session.  (Upcoming as in ... been meaning to do it for months and still haven't.  But I will ....)

Image from Make Up For Ever's HD Not Retouched ad campaign

MAGIC WAND, anyone?

March, advises Frederic Fekkai in his book A Year of Style,  is the time to "clarify your look and re-create yourself."  Clarify and re-create, indeed.  While I'd love to have the sunny glow and carefree swagger of this model from his book, right now I'm feeling more like the old crone from the Wizard of Oz, with sallow winter skin verging on green, hair frazzled from indoor heat and feet not fit for public appearance.  Yes, I need a makeover from head to toe to get me into Spring shape.  Alas, there's no fairy godmother waving her magic wand over me, so I'm going to have to do it myself.  An at-home facial is definitely in order, so I'll slather on Guinot's Masque Essentiel Nutri-Confort, my long-time quick fix for some "instant radiance" (and no, Guinot's not paying me to promote this).  Next I may try some of Mr. Fekkai's other advice, and replace my morning coffee with hot lemon water for a week.  Not exactly sure what that does, but saturating myself in Vitamin C certainly couldn't hurt.  Other than that, I'm in need of suggestions. 

Dear readers, please tell me:  How do you shake off winter and revive yourself for Spring?

COME RAIN or COME SHINE

spring style in any weather by Style Maniac

Everything you need to know about spring fashion you can learn from the Girl Scouts: "be prepared."  Dress in layers, toss an umbrella and a warm scarf in your bag, opt for chic waterproof flats should the sky look ominous.  Add a bright top and crazy necklace for color and pizzaz, and give a pair of dark denim leggings a try.  They're cheaper and more comfortable than jeans and they travel great, too.  (My faves, Denim Jeanz Capris by Hue, cost a third of the price of the Juicy Couture pair shown here.)

spring into summer by Style Maniac

If it's hot, switch accessories to fun espadrille sandals, a straw bag, a great pair of vintage sunglasses and statement earrings; an ensemble that will take you straight into summer.  Come rain, come shine, come chilly, come sultry, you're set.

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Change Your China Wardrobe

Get a fresh look for not a lot of money by switching a few of your dishes seasonally. If you keep your main set of china neutral and simple, you can mix up and mix in fun finds like these colorful chandelier tea cups and lunch plates from Rosanna, which just shout "Spring!" when you open your cupboard.

Chandelier set from Style Maniac's collection.  For current styles visit Rosannainc.com
Photo by Doreen Creede.

SUGAR SUGAR

Sometimes  the loveliest little surprises (and laughs) really do come in small packages.  When we have overnight guests I leave these witty sugar packets next to the coffee pot and they never fail to delight.

Sweetness boxed set of about 50 sugar packets, $9.  Available through The Redecorators (215-429-2000) or by special request at www.cursivenewyork.com.  
photo by Doreen Creede

OOH LA L'OCCITANE

This time of year you need some little luxuries. One of mine is L'Occitane Creme Ultra Riche. Soft marshmellow texture, lovely smell, luscious moisturizing:  yummy! Expensive, but worth it. (I often pick it up while shopping for gifts and a year’s worth of beauty supplies at Blue Mercury’s pre-holiday sale.)

If you're splurging on this goodie, save elsewhere with a trick a manicurist taught me: instead of buying pricey hand scrubs, raid your kitchen cabinet. Combine a spoonful of sugar with some (cheap) olive oil and exfloiate away.

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Live In Your Living Room

When you live in a three-room apartment you're forced to make use of every bit of space.  What's funny, though, is how in bigger houses so many people basically still live in three rooms:  kitchen, family room, bedroom. Meanwhile the dining room gathers dust 364 days a year and the living room might as well have a rope across it.  To which I ask:  why?  What are you saving the space for?  If  the dining room's so formal it's uncomfortable, loosen it up. Take away the matching set of chairs and mix in comfy upholstered pieces.  Then use it for Wednesday night dinner.  Or add a wall of bookshelves and make it your study or the kids' homework spot.  Pile the living room sofa with cozy pillows and blankets, then retreat there to read a book on a rainy day.  Or paint the walls a rich, deep color, add gleaming silver accents and invite your husband for cocktails on Friday evening.  Or take all the furniture out and install the pool table he's always wanted.  Whatever works for the way you and your family live.

Photo by Doreen Creede

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Use The Good China

Why save your prettiest things for rare occasions? Savor coffee in a gold cup, lunch on a vintage plate, dinner on your wedding pattern.  Enjoy your "good" china every day.


Photo by Doreen Creede

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Set Up Bar

I could say that St. Patrick's Day and 21st birthdays have me thinking about setting up bar. But it's something Gina and I ask our client's about during every assessment meeting with The Redecorators. By bar we don't mean an imitation pub. Rather a simple area to corral liquors, liquers and glasses. Somehow having cocktail fixings out and accessible makes it that much easier to throw together a celebration--whether for two or twenty.

A bar set up can be as simple as a bottle of cognac and a cut crystal glass perched on a desk...


... a tray of drinks carried outside (very top) or a rolling bar cart wheeled up to a table (below).



For a special event, put together something quirky (like this Grinch-inspired bar/instant party we created for Citibank holiday event).



For something more permanent, repurpose a piece of furniture. At an event in the Grange Showroom in Philadelphia we set up bar in an armoire where a TV would normally sit.


Whatever spot you choose, cheers! cent d'anni! a votre sante!

Photos by Doreen Creede for The Redecorators LLC

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Play With Crayons

This month I'm leaving crayons and coloring books out on the table. Well, actually, Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils and Supertips Washable Markers. I bought them, along with giant coloring books, when my youngest nieces came to visit. Then one night my oldest niece, a college junior, dragged all the goodies out and we colored away as her mother and my husband made mischief with the Grey Goose. But that's another story.

Anyway, I found it surprisingly relaxing to just scribble. Turns out there's a basis for this. It's actually a recommended activity if you're trying to quit smoking and it reduces stress. Lord knows we could all use some stress relief right now.

The rainbow of colors livened up the room so much that I gathered the markers and pencils and stashed them in some pretty gold glasses...

...and found it looks great at night too, with candles aglow. A gold tray frames the vignette and keeps it from looking messy. We'll talk more about trays later. For now, color away!

Photos by Doreen Creede

EVERYDAY STYLE TIP: Mix Up Your Photos

Not every photo needs to have a face. A simple black and white still life can add dimension to a collection of framed photographs. I discovered this snapshot amongst my grandmother's things and the mystery of its origin and setting make it even more intriguing.