13 shortcuts for reviewing the year in record time - part I

Jan. 2 Stella McCartney is honored with the OBE

(same thing happened to Suzy Menkes and Adele, not remotely related but so damn brilliant both we can’t not mention that)

Jan 17 Man Fashion Week from the ladies’ perspective 

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Jan. 18 John Galliano + Oscar de la Renta make history and when, on 

April 20,  we were able to attend the trunk show and later the 'it's a tragedy' (cit. Suzy menkes) continuation of the story

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Jan. 22 Midsummer Night’s Dream is the theme of Chanel Couture that ends with 2 female brides down the runway and the debut of Lagerfeld’s godson. Not to be so mono-partisan, a Valentino cape inspired by the gate of a secret garden will do here.

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Feb.1 Riccardo Tisci still with Givenchy, but 2013 looks like the year of reshaping and rebranding 

Feb.10 Pantone declares the year of Emerald Green (we have a Pinterest board dedicated, do you?)

Feb. 24 Jil Sander was back and gone in the same year this time around. Third time is a charm? So far the design team is taking care of the new fall ‘14 We loved the collection and her one of a kind color combinations. 

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March 1 Couture is a Russian affair whereas the spring Couture in Paris is a Schiaparelli type of love (interpreted by Christian Lacroix).

May 9 The MET Costume Institute gala stirrup (we had some thoughts about it)

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June 23 Pitti and it’s summer at last #italiansdoitbetter

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July 4 Karl Lagerfeld is at it again, this time in a disheveled abandoned theater reminiscent of a scene from Les Miserables.

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July 12 Schiaparelli like the Phoenix resurges from the ashes at the peak of its glory through a tribute by Christian Lacroix.

TO BE CONTINUED

Bonus. Ever wander what’s behind a door? Kinda what pushed Alice through the rabbit hole and go ‘down, down, down’? If you are as curious as I am, I’ll take you to our trip to Paris. 

how to take charge of your too-close-to-Christmas birthday

I don’t make it a secret that I was born 4 sleeps til Christmas. 

If you belong to the 'my birthday is not Christmas' small niche, you may find any of the following extremely familiar. 

If you don’t, very funny. 

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A few quick tips to make your day as jolly as possible.

A birthday celebration is meant to give thanks to mother nature (and any spirit, soul, superior mind you believe in) for having sent to Earth that exceptional human being that you proudly count in your family, friends, colleagues, neighbor. 

When it comes to being born within those days when everybody is wrapped up into holiday shopping (pun very intended), it entails some more tactics to get attention and don;t fall in the lame excuse ‘buy 1 get 2’ shortage of ideas and thoughtful thoughts to make your day the happiest one. 

1- Take your own Santa list seriously

Think about having to go through the holidays shopping nightmare spree and having to deal with a birthday present. When you already have to take care of those tasks like that Secret Santa for the office, school’s teachers and in-laws (in order of sympathy), oh no! her birthday, what shall I get her?

That’s when shit goes down and those mall employees in the hallways come handy and they convince you that she will like the latest scent from whomever after spraying it allover your clothing and causing you to choke. 

So ‘making a list and check it twice’ is your job. Go through everything that possibly makes you happy and don’t be shy asking. You may very well end up winning that sparkler of the contest you never thought you were going to win.

FYI: I really won it, this year, a Net-A-Porter contest of the most sparkly crystal ear cuff by  Ryan Stover.

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2. Get the party started

Whatever is your favorite champagne, stock up on it.

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BTW, mine is Louis Roederer reserve, the one wrapped in yellow, it goes with everything.

What’s your birthday cake? Have it available, to make an impromptu visit another excuse to blow those candles.

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And here it goes to say that mine is shared with one of those Italian Christmas traditions that don’t even know how much Italian they are. A big Pandoro transformed in to a wonderful Alps village with whipped cream as snow and kids on a sleigh, snowmen and the biggest fanfare of sparkling candles to make it look like the one from the ‘Last Christmas’ video (if you are old enough to remember).

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3. Always wear your invisible crown 

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(you can always go all Kate and wear the real one) and walk like two man are walking behind you (Oscar docet here). 

Concept is: God forbid they lure you into the most unsuspected place where they have a surprise party set up for you.  Sooner or later it will happen, last year was my time: how could I end up believing that my own boss had ran out of gas and was in front of a random park where she knew I was going to pass by right then? 

4. Recycle your list

Not your gifts, but the items you have not received recycle them into your New York Resolution. Ship-shape Bristol shape and les jeux son faits.

P.S. do you have your secret tricks that always work when it comes to having your wishes come true? and … Happy Birthday