~ It's The Thought That Counts: To Alexander ~

My man Alex has never been a very zealous receiver of occasion-specific gifts. He gets bashful, squirms in his seat and attempts to refuse said gift, as though he doesn't deserve it or couldn't possibly accept it. And this happens every time since ever, since the first holiday gift I placed in front of him. As someone who loves nothing more than to begift loved ones, this quirk baffled and frustrated me for quite some time. However, after four + years with the guy, I've think I've finally begun to accept this eccentricity as something that will never change.

And thus my own style of gift giving must.

So these days I surprise him with gifts on non-holiday occasions. I've also worked out a new birthday gift plan for Alex, whose birthday is today. He has happily agreed to spend the day together doing fun things that don't involve lavish displays, guessing, unwrapping or guilty feelings of any kind whatsoever. Hah!

And as far as material gifts go, I've decided that my gifts will be virtual this year. Since I have no money and he has no patience for gifts, this arrangement should work out just fine, indeed.

So Happy Birthday, Honey. I hope you enjoy guiltlessly ogling these gifts as much as I did imagining them for you.

#1. A pair of custom designed wooden specatacles that will fit the strange bump on your nose.

#2. A weekend getaway to this place {I'll figure out where it is before I get tickets, obviously}.

#3. A little tree that will continuously bear flavorful limes for your favorite mixed drinks.

#4. Your very own reading chair, stocked to the brim with exciting new materials.

#5. A boy min pin to balance the gender gap in our household. He shall be named Monty, of course.

#6. A large print of this image {an amalgam of 2001 A Space Oddyssey scenes} for your office.

#7. A month-long supply of chocolate-coated tuxedo rabbit Peeps.

#8. An advance, private screening of Hanna {with 30 minutes of incredible trailers beforehand} at Living Room Theaters {hummus plate/beer/Haribo included}

#9. A bike to ride around St. Johns, to work, and with your brother on occasion {and I'll pick you up anytime you want a ride home, no questions asked}.

#10. My expert help in the re-negotiation of contracts for Mad Men {allowing filming to commence sooner, and thus our viewing enjoyment}.



xoxo H

~ Family Fashion Icon #2 : Great Aunt Frannie ~

The stunning, vivacious and fashionable Italian woman you see below is my great Aunt Frannie {aka, Frannie The Great}. This photo was taken at Christmas, circa 1972.

I credit Aunt Fran for my love of bright bling and big hair, as well as my desire to go seriously platinum someday.

Aunt Frannie was also the first person I knew who sewed. I remember watching her work on her machine on Jasmine Ave. in Los Angeles when I was really little, and she was the first person I asked {prompted by my mom} to make me a dress. It hadn't occurred to me at the age of 5 that dresses were actually made and didn't already exist somehow. I first experienced the magic of fashion when I described a pink dress with puff sleeves... and got one.

Frannie doesn't sew as often these days, but the magic is still there. For example, she's taught me that some bright lipstick, a good pair of dangly earrings and a raucous sense of humor can be all you need to look great and feel fabulous. Below are some photos I snapped at her favorite breakfast spot last month.

See you in a few hours! xoxo

To my family, what are your favorite fashion memories and lessons from Aunt Fran? I'd love to hear them.

Ps- Thanks for making Frannie move, Kelty!

~ Heavens to Gidget: Swimsuits ~

One week from today I will be basking {more like reflecting} on the beach in Mexico. I've got a feeling these waters aren't as spandex-optional as the Mediterranean ones I'm accustomed to, so I decided to browse suits at one of my most beloved/despised shops of all time: Anthropologie.

You'd think that minoring in anthropology in college would garner me some sort of clout with these people... but it doesn't, I'm afraid. And this is where the "despise" part of the relationship comes in. The cost to take a dip in one of these babies? Anywhere from $170 to $370 for a one-piece, and $75 to $138 per bikini piece. Per PIECE, man!!!

And then the love part sneaks up on me. Aren't these just smashing swim suits? So colorful, imaginative and exciting {by traditional suit standards, anyway} that I'd even dare to call them "swimming costumes", as they say in Britain.

I doubt I'll reconcile my conflicted feelings for this marvelous/infuriating shop anytime soon, but in the meantime it's inspired me to try to fashion my own affordable and fun "swimming costume". I'll let you know how it goes.

These rants and raves also remind me that it's not always what you wear when you hit the beach, but rather how you wear it. See below for some of my favorite beach bums rocking it in whatever.

~ Grace Kelly ~

~ Karin {mother in law} ~

~ Goldie Hawn ~

~ Joanne {aunt} ~

~ Brigitte Bardot ~

~ Jani {mom} ~

~ Anne Bancroft ~

~ Family Fashion Icon #1: Mom ~

My mom, Jani, has never been one to follow trends {she channeled David Bowie- hair/makeup and all- for a solid year high school}. 

Or to shy away from her height {6'0 + 4-inch platforms, anyone?}.

Or to take pride in purchasing particular brands {she always made her own clothes or claimed used gems}.

Over the years I've noticed that the key to my mom's effortless style is she herself: Jani is the consummate anything goes, be comfortable, and have fun in the process kind of person... so why wouldn't she dress the same way? 

Some of my favorite photos of Jani are from the summer of 1978, when she hit the streets of Paris and Barcelona.

Although I adore everything about these photos {from her hair to her clothes to her jewelry}, I would be remiss not to add the final {and crucial} element to Jani's impeccable style: love.

These photos were taken by my Dad, Price. After meeting only once and corresponding for a year, Jani flew from LA and he flew from his Ivory Coast Peace Corps shenanigans to meet up in Paris and Barcelona. And they got engaged.

Personal style is one thing, but the love that is so apparent from both sides of the camera is what brings out the best in my mom, and has for over 32 years. 

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad.

xoxo H

~ Makeover: Merci, Ma Soeur ~

As you've no doubt noticed, my blog is looking quite a bit snazzier today. All thanks to Kelty, my woodsy doppelgänger with brilliant brains and a magical touch. Below is one of my favorite photos (and memories) of Kelty, huddled up in her element.