I Let Those 20 Somethings Know That "Yes, There Is A Kick Ass Video For Eyes Without A Face"

I was in a rather popular lounge/bar in NYC's trendy meatpacking district last week. I was meeting up with groups of work related friends that had traveled in from all over the country for fashion week and it seemed like a place where people could easily come and go. The place was a good mix of relaxing, sexy, ambient, fun and at the same time cozy. But, the greatest thing was that it had the best music. A nice mix of European easy trance, jazz, underground alternative and fun 80's songs at the just the right moment. We were having some sing along time, when I noticed something cool. When "Eyes Without A Face " by Billy Idol came blasting through the bar, a big group of 20 something guys were singing along, and singing every world. As I stood next to one of them, I said "Man, you would have loved the summer of 1984 when MTV played this video about 19 times a day." He replied "Oh man- there's a video for this? I gotta check it out!"

Oh yes there is. The blue eyes. The lip. The singular head close up. Billy looking tender like he's gonna cry. Then, the guitar solo and leather, smoky segeway. The rebel yell fists. Good on Billy that rebel boys more than half his age are still singing along. .....It's a nice day for a White Wedding.

Unemployed In Summertime..Only Just at 21 by Emiliana Torrini

I liked this song initially because of it's sweet, ambient sound, but when I listened to the lyrics the second time, it brought that summertime, 21 year old feeling. I'd like to be romantic and say I wasn't working then, so I was JUST like the song, but I was waitressing like a dog. Yet, remember summertime then? At 21? Summertime was romantic then. You weren't living at home, and you were an adult....but not really just yet. You were still a residual 19 year old, but with your own place and lots of freedom. Maybe you were living somewhere totally new and strange. You weren't married or with child. If you were in college, you were not yet graduating and were not tied to a 'career'. If you weren't in college, like I wasn't yet, you may have been traveling and drinking too much, and doing crazy things and having one night stands and meeting interesting people who hand rolled European cigarettes for you, while you shared life stories at 2 am . You could probably just wake up at noon and roll to the beach anyway, so what the hell--stay up all night. Those are when the best stories come anyway. Layers are stripped in the dark late at night, I find. I think if we could learn to really do what Buddha teaches and truly "Live In The Moment", and not be planning and fretting about a future that doesn't exist yet, 21 years old wouldn't be only fun in a nostalgic, retrospecive way, but instead it would definitely have been one of those ages where we milked all the juice out of life...and loved every minute of it. Yes-- a juicy time of life. Don't let these moments now pass wishing for the past or worrying about the future. If you wish for the past, think of what you will feel about today when you are sitting watching dusk at 80. Don't wait for then to think this time of life isn't youthful and juicy in rich in it's own way. Carpe Diem!

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." – Eleanor Roosevelt

America's Poor Health Is A 'Culture Crisis' , Not A 'Health Crisis'

*A friend Stephanie posted this the other day and it is so full of truth and clarity and care for true health, that I had to share. (It has been circulating, so you may have seen it three times over..but maybe not) .I wish everyone had the desire for the best health for themselves, because I believe that one simple thing, would create his vision of eliminating bad health. We could try our best. ) Take a read, and as he says at the end-- if you agree, pass it on.

Pictured is a young physician by the name of Dr. Roger Starner Jones. His short two-paragraph letter to the White House accurately puts the blame on a "Culture Crisis" instead of a "Health Care Crisis"..

Dear Mr. President:
During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.

While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one pack of cigarettes every day, eats only at fast-food take-outs, and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer. And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture" a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear.

Respectfully,
ROGER STARNER JONES, MD
If you agree...pass it on.

Missy Higgins- Where I Stood

She's vulnerable, honest, and current. A kind of 2010, early days Sarah McLaughlin--less an ethereal quality and a more gritty, raw quality. I like her, maybe you will to. :)

My Job- Spring 2011 Collection

The collection I work with, Alice & Trixie, got lucky this week. The owner decided to shoot the Spring 2011 collection on her Soho loft's rooftop, and it was one of the most beautiful days we've had all year. Between me sneaking these candid shots, and re-tagging clothes, we got a little color like we spent the day at the beach. For just the three of us (owner, designer and myself), plus model, I think we are going to turn out quite a pretty look book. I'll be sure to post the official book here for buying in the New Year when it's available. Until then.....back to thoughts of boots and sweaters. :( Blargh..

Extended Fall 'Trailer Blog'

Hello Fall. Hello you! I haven't written on my blog in quite awhile. Reasons being rather non interesting. In addition to working 6 days a week, I have been spending quality time with my boyfriend and being a little more social. Now that I've bought a new (environment friendly) car and have gotten used to the place on Long Island where I have now lived for a year, I have not been as still as I was once. I admitted to my boyfriend tonite, that I miss the simplicity when I didn't have too many 'things' (material or social). A simple way of living. I wasn't allowing myself to get distracted by lots of other outside, unnecessary things, and I want to get back to that mind set, despite the changes in my life. I was more peaceful with less distractions and I want to keep it that way. I was more in touch with the truth. That's why I started this blog, because I was starting my life over with nothing I had before (physical or material) save a few dear friends, and I was face to face with myself. In retrospect, it has been a great gift. I think we should all be forced to purge everything at least once in our life and be a little shaken up by fear. But, those thoughts for another day. So, I am regrouping. I do miss writing about my life, the world, whats happening---and hearing from and sharing with you, so I'm glad to be back. That said, you probably also noticed a slight re-vamp in my blog. My 'mission statement' has changed slightly, and I figured while I was at it, how about I go from pink to a more neutral earth tone. Am I silly to think that maybe I'll be taken more seriously, less the pink? Hmmmm..... haha. I also want to be more true to things I say above. One of those being "send me what you feel about anything you read good and bad. I learn just as much from you". I do read your emails and very much appreciate them- yes the good and the bad- but I have rarely talked about the positive comments, the negative or opposing ones, nor your insightful inputs here on my blog and I want to do more of that. I want to be a woman of my word and not be afraid when I might be wrong, or when I have inspired you to share something. I will, of course, leave it anonymous, unless you want to be named. I truly want all of us to share. So, that will be a new addition I'd like to include when responses are plentiful. Different ways and points of view is what makes life tasty anyway. yum!
So, this is like a trailer to my trailer last blog, not the first true blog I want to share. Scott (that's my boyfriend, and I suppose we will give him a name. It has been almost a year now) got tickets to the movies and he actually approved my pick (shocker) of going to see "Going The Distance" with Drew Barrymore--so we are heading out momentarily. I know, rom-com---and I usually HATE romantic comedies. Like really won't sit through them hate. I never watched shows like 'Friends', or 'Sex In The City' and can't stand sitcom-ish story lines. I would much rather see a Godfather or Inception when at the movies. But, ever since The Wedding Singer and 50 First dates, I am a sucker for Drew Barrymore.
So, I promise tomorrow I am going to address some of the rather passionate questions, and very vocal thoughts and comments, I got about my 'Global Warming' post, where I talked about killing the environment. Some of you were up in arms and I wanted to defend myself in some instances, and agree with you in some. So, lets pick up there.
I hope you all had a great summer, and I look forward to being part of your Fall. ;)

Sleep, Fall, Blog

I haven't had a good exercise/sleep/discipline/work pattern the past month. I've been happy, but I have some important good changes to make. My blog has been suffering as well. Stay tuned this week. Lots coming. :) Thanks for the hellos! xo
Working on one tonite to post tommorrow. It's Fall-time to get into the swing. Stay tuned!

SOTD- Summertime Thing- Chuck Prophet

Happy Labor Day loves! This song always makes me want to drive with the windows down. Enjoy the sun as much as possible today! xoxo :) Hope you had an amazing summer season.

**" Take off your clothes and jump in the river!"**