The New Essentials

January is my favorite month. Yes it's the dead of winter and the buzz of the holidays are long gone but this month signifies reinvention - the perfect moment in time to pack up the old and bring in the new. What's out? My collection of 4 inch stilettos, my jeggings/tee/military boot rut, my addiction to Starbucks double lattes and my penchant for anything fried. What's In? Clean eating, fun wardrobe additions and a year full of new adventures. Here's a short list of my essentials for 2011:

The Clean Program - I've heard nothing but amazing things about Dr. Junger's cleanse. If it's good enough for Gwyneth and Demi, it's good enough for me. I'm just hoping my less than stellar willpower will stand up to the 21 day challenge.

The Selby is In Your Place - A fresh take on my old standby, the Proust Questionnaire. I'm a big fan of Tod Selby's blog and this book is full of interesting people, places and things.

Stripes - I'm having a preppy moment and gravitating towards all things striped. Blazer by Elizabeth and James, pants by Missoni and skirt and jacket by Isabel Marant. All amazing.

Camel Nails and Apricot Lips - I think I overdid the smoky eye in 2010. Looking for a make-under and came upon the Dior Addict spring collection in the January issue of Elle - the perfect anecdote to my heavy handed ways.

Modern Jewelry - Loving the more minimalist jewelry for Spring. Less mixed media, more simple lines. Arm cuffs by Maison Martin Margiela. Necklace by Dannijo.

Navy Shoes - The new black? Not sure but I have these YSL's on pre-order and can't wait to break them in with my stripes. Really liking the lower heel + platform combo.

Guest Stylist-Shannon Chapman

Shannon Chapman is your modern day Jane Goodall meets California babe. Smart, scientific and fashionable. Pretty much a win win across the board. She's my hero, my husbands hero and my kids hero because she is a brave teacher and researcher and yes she really does wear Chanel in the bush. When we stayed at her lodge in Zululand ridden with zebra pillows and safari chic, riding jeeps that brought back a nostalgia of watching Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, you couldn't help but desire a life less traveled. And the sundowners with the South African wine and some cheese.... you just can't beat the life. Shannon will laugh at me and say I'm the "least stylish of all of our friends"! But as I look at her, in the most beautiful of landscapes, with giraffes and zebras in her backyard, khakis and a natural setting that will blow your mind, I laugh. Because style is truly not about the latest bag or best city to dine in, style is about textures and visual richness, nature and all that inspires us and doing it with grace. She has this in spades. But oh, did I mention she also studies Cheetahs too? Probably the most fashionable and smartest feline of all... just like her.

Shannon Chapman

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Who is your style icon?

Angelina Jolie. The woman knows how to do casual. Gorgeous fabrics, neutral colors, and everything she wears fits her perfectly. Totally simple, yet feminine and sexy. She always looks stunning, but you can certainly see that she is foremost a mother and a humanitarian, and that, to me, is real style.

Images courtesy of Annie Leibovitz, and umm tabloids

What is the one item in your closet you cannot live without?

My Chanel sunglasses. My lifestyle means that most days I’m wearing “utilitarian” clothes…things I can get dirty or won’t rip if they snag on an acacia thorn… but the one little bit of glamour I can sneak into everyday is a fabulous pair of sunglasses. I am probably the only girl who works and lives in the African bush who wears designer sunglasses. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

My home in northern Zululand, South Africa.

Photos by S.S.

What are you obsessing about owning right now?

I know a house is a big thing to drool over, but I’m obsessed with The Homestead at Phinda Private Game Reserve. Dreaming of building our own place in the same style on our reserve… the ultimate in African safari luxury living.

What is the most used item in your makeup bag?

Dior’s Diorshow Mascara. Hands-down, the best mascara in the world. It actually curls your lashes and is very natural looking. If I want a bit more drama, I add a coat of Dior’s Black Out Mascara.

What is your favorite neighborhood restaurant?

I live in the middle of nowhere, so no neighbourhood restaurant here, but when I visit my sisters in Los Angeles my favourite place for my Mexican food fix is Hacienda del Rey. A real local’s place, authentic-style Mexican food with the best margaritas and enchiladas I’ve ever had. I get hungry just thinking about it.

What is your necessary extravagance?

South African wines. Locally-grown, world class wines at affordable prices. One of the biggest perks of living in South Africa. Our Method Cap Classique (SA’s champagne-style sparkler) and Pinotage (a spicy SA red varietal) are particularly brilliant.

How do you define perfect happiness?

Living your dream.

Photo by Shannon Chapman

The Couture Show

What's better than Paris in the springtime? Couture shows+Paris+springtime. Fashion's heavy hitters spared no expense of the imagination for the Fall/Winter 2010 Couture shows. Between the runway and the front row, I've never seen so much eye candy for the fashion-obsessed. Here are some of the highlights from Chanel, Givenchy, Valentino and Christian Dior.

Chanel

The amazing Chanel set...an homage to Coco whose sign was Leo

The Runway

The most amazing bracelet I've ever seen

The last look...Chanel's Bride & Groom (as a Lion)

The Front Row: Carine Roitfeld

The Front Row: Leighton Meester in the sickest Chanel dress...LOVE

Givenchy

The 'Runway' (in this case a beautifully ornate white and gold room)

Front Row: Jessica Alba in Valentino

Armani

The Runway

Gorgeous Detailing

Front Row: Olivia Palermo in Armani

Christian Dior

The Runway

MUST HAVE THESE SHOES

Sunny Day

We are down right giddy that our guest today took time out of her insanely busy schedule to share her talent with us. We'd like to introduce you to Sunny Ravanbach, event planner to the stars, and owner of White Lilac, Inc. Sunny's photos will speak for themselves so all the gushing we'd LIKE to do we'll refrain from, but... Sunny, we're in awe, you are a magician and an artist and we'd love to live in your world of fantasy, but for now we'll just enjoy our visit. I asked Sunny how she approaches an event and she said, "I've never really thought about that, it just happens." Ahhhh, sheer talent. Thankfully Sunny thought about it for a few days and here's her answer....

Sunny Ravanbach

I approach any event with the client in mind. They often come in with a vague idea of what they are attracted to and by looking at how they dress, their jewelry, their manner of speech, I pick up a vibe ... From there I embellish their taste and lead them to the proper color composition and proportions of necessary elements.

Let's look at the recent dinner I planned for Dior (photos below)... I had a meeting with three of their reps who all came in monochromatic attire (note to self: they appreciate tone on tone). Next, they presented me prior pictures of Dior events and all had a very white and silver color palette (second note to self: white is important). Then they proceeded to say they wanted more warmth without deviation from white (substitute the cool silver with a warm glow) So I knew right away that the look must be anchored around white completely washed by the warmth of candle light.

Other clients come in with what I call confused style. They will show me a watercolor of butterflies in tones of purple lavender and orange, along with the Fall line for a major clothing designer, picking up on similar colors but very structured and geometric. I then help the client understand that although they are drawn to a specific color scheme, their styles are opposing (totally Anthropology vs. Narcisco Rodriguez). So can it be done? Yes, the event therefore will follow the colors but mix the styles through minimal flowers and small eclectic whimsical touches.

Lastly, there is the client with, we'll just say interesting, taste. The one who is hell bent on red and white for example. I ask them where they have seen red and white that appeals to them. More often than not, it's an image of a red and white oversized whirly pop or a red and white polka dotted piece of clothing. I then communicate to them that they are more drawn to the happy whimsical aspirations of the color scheme and in a large scale a red table cloth with red and white won't work. I show them a way to blend color and whimsy, i.e. all red tent all red flowers with stark white chairs and a fun whimsical dance floor ceiling treatment made of all red and white candy chandeliers. (I never mix opposing colors in florals and linens) See, it can be done! The client gets everything they want, without it looking like red and white polka dotted muumuu.

The final result in all of these cases, is a singular environment derived from multiple inspirations.


Dior Dinner...




Weddings, celebrity parties, showers, birthdays, any reason to celebrate...

































Cheers to celebrations!