August 2010

Go Ask Gab: Fall Pants

August 31, 2010 at 3:23 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

Gab, what are the fall trends for pants this year?  —Caroline

Pants are big for fall, which I know is silly to say because obviously unless you’re Lady Gaga pants are always “in.” But seriously, they are very relevant this season.

A trouser is always a classic to have in your wardrobe. Gap just came out with a new line of pants and their trouser and modern boot are both great options.

Straight skinny pants are certainly everywhere as well. I love these ponte pants from Loft.  Side note: Loft is now featuring all their pants in petites sizes: Good news for ladies under 5’4!

Cropped skinny pants are also a cute option. J. Crew has a great selection of pants they call “Minnies.” Wear them with heels or oxfords for a very chic look!

The military trend is huge for fall. There are lot of army green pants and cargos hitting stores. These MICHAEL Michael Kors twill cargos look super comfy. So do the caravan pants from Madewell. I love the look of cargos paired with a navy- and white- striped tee or sweater.

Pleat front pants are also big trend for fall. Although they’re super-stylish, they don’t look good on everyone—so if you’re brave enough to give them a try just know you’ve been warned!

And of course, jeans are always in style. Like ‘em or not, skinny jeans are still big (I refuse to use the word jegging) but wide leg jeans are in too. Talbots and Tory Burch have some great styles, and we are loving the Levi’s new curve ID line.

If you’re still lost on how to find your perfect pair, check out Clinton Kelly’s 7 tips for finding jeans! They are definitely rules to live by.

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The Power of Good Posture

August 31, 2010 at 10:40 am, by Julie Bain

I’ll never forget my first elegant New York dinner party. It was the late 1990s and I was invited to a seated dinner at a posh Upper West Side apartment, attended by a fascinating assortment of writers, artists, photographers and musicians. As I sat down next to a very attractive gentleman, he noted, “You have really good posture.” Maybe it wasn’t the compliment of my dreams, but it was memorable!

I do have good posture. I don’t know if my mom instilled that in me, or if years of yoga classes straightened out my spine. But for those of us who sit at a desk for hours a day, good posture is vital to our health. So I was thrilled when we ran a story in our September issue called “Don’t Be a Slouch,” and when the Today Show asked me to come on and demonstrate some of my good-posture moves.

Check Out My Posture Moves with Hoda and Kathie Lee on the Today Show
I was in the Today Show studio for a run-through the night before with producer Bruce Lamb, above, and we decided we would demonstrate the old “balance a book on your head” posture move. It’s not as easy as it looks! To see how Kathie Lee and Hoda did with their book balancing (and to see my techniques for sitting at a computer, holding a cell phone and carrying heavy bags), watch the Today Show video clip here. It’s a blast, and I guarantee it’ll have you practicing your dance moves while carrying books on your head—and sitting up straighter, too.

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Go Ask Gab: What we can learn from Emmy fashions

August 30, 2010 at 4:39 pm, by Gabrielle Porcaro

Another awards show, another reason to critique celebrity fashion. Instead of doing my list of who looked hot and who did not from last night’s Emmys, I thought I would turn this into a little lesson and share what we can learn from celeb fashion choices:

1. Classic elegance works at any age. Glee star and nominee Lea Michele looked amazing in an Oscar de la Renta gown. Navy was certainly the big color of the night -  I don’t want to say it’s the new black because I don’t believe you can ever replace black- but it’s right up there next to it. I loved that Lea choose a dress that was timeless and not too young or too old looking, which some young stars tend to do. Just because you are invited to an awards show doesn’t mean you need to wear an old lady gown

2. Play up your assets and accentuate what you’ve got. Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara saffron colored Carolina Herrera dress certainly showed off her much admired, voluptuous shape. My thought is, if you got it flaunt it but remember to keep it tasteful and not vulgar. There’s a line and it can easily be crossed. Case in point, Heidi Klum can look sexy in a paper bag and I always dig a short dress but I felt her Marchesa was too tiny. Personally, I think it’s sexier to leave something to the imagination though I am sure Seal would disagree.

3. Fashion risks are always good, BUT …make sure you sit in a dress when you try it on. January Jones of Mad Men always takes risks on the red carpet and I love that she steers clear of what might be expected from her (you’ll never see her looking like her character, the ex-Mrs. Don Draper). But when January was seated in her Versace you could see right up her dress. Who wants to take that risk?

4.  Guys can have fun too. I loved that Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee, thanked Tom Ford for his tuxedo in his acceptance speech for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series. A little pop of color is always good. guys, but don’t go overboard – only Elton John can pull off an Elton John suit! It also should be noted that you can never go wrong with a classic tux… thank you Jon Hamm and Alexander Skarsgård!

5. Age appropriateness is key. I always value a star who stays age-appropriate. It’s my favorite comment to make while watching the red carpet (as those of you who are lucky enough to attend my award parties know). A far cry from her Sue Sylvester red tracksuit, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series winner, Jane Lynch from Glee, picked an asymmetrical eggplant dress by Ali Rahimi. She stuck to a timeless style and looked fabulous. I think when a star (or anybody for that matter) doesn’t keep in mind their age or body shape is when fashion disasters happen.

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Is Louisiana Seafood Safe?

August 29, 2010 at 1:26 pm, by Julie Bain

As I was heading to New Orleans for a Rebuilding Together project, some of my foodie friends said, “Don’t eat any oil-covered shrimp!” That’s the kind of comment that drives Ewell Smith crazy. As executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, Smith is working hard to communicate that while things aren’t perfect, there is plenty of carefully tested, clean and healthy fish and shellfish coming out of these Gulf waters. Since 70 percent of the seafood from the Gulf comes from Louisiana, he has his work cut out for him!

I met with Smith at the suggestion of Susan Ford, publisher of Louisiana Cookin’ magazine. We gathered at La Petite Grocery, one of Ford’s favorite restaurants in New Orleans. That’s Smith, in the red shirt, with Chef Justin Devillier, who creates spectacular dishes using local seafood. Read more

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Cheat Sheet: Four Things You Maybe Missed This Week

August 27, 2010 at 12:11 pm, by Catherine LeFebvre

1. Anything Can Become Art

Including toilet paper rolls, evidently.

2. Who Needs a Babysitter?

3. Crazy Train

Ozzy Osbourne’s newest band mate is 9-year-old Yuto Miyazawa. This kid rawks.

4. Bulldog Watches TV

Apparently her favorite show is Family Guy. My dog is partial to Entourage.

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Rebuilding Houses in New Orleans

August 27, 2010 at 7:14 am, by Julie Bain

At Ladies’ Home Journal, we don’t just write about others doing good. We also practice what we preach! I’m honored to be in New Orleans this week for Rebuilding Together’s Fifty for Five project to rehabilitate homes damaged by Katrina. (LHJ‘s parent company, Meredith Corp., is a sponsor.) The Harris family bought this house in 1963 and it was almost completely destroyed by the hurricane floodwaters five years ago. Here’s our gang priming up the siding on this beautifully rebuilt house in preparation for its final paint job.

That’s Margaret Harris with me, right. When Katrina was coming, she said she didn’t want to leave. She’d ridden out many a hurricane in that house. “I thought my home was safe,” she said. She stocked up at Sam’s, and got out the generator. But her son convinced Mrs. Harris and her husband to get in the car and evacuate. They made it to their daughter’s house in South Carolina after more than 20 hours on the gridlocked roads, and they stayed  several months. When her son could finally get into the house, he saw the devastation and said, “Mama, don’t come back.” But eventually they did come back and lived in a trailer for years while they worked to restore the house. Soon it will be a welcoming haven again for their five kids, nine grandkids and three great-grandchildren.

After filling, sanding, priming and painting all day Thursday, our group of volunteers was tired but happy. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were so appreciative, and let’s face it, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as doing a little good. So we’re doing it again on Friday. It all culminates in a giant musical celebration to the renewal of the Gulf Coast on Saturday. I’ll report back.

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Everyone Needs A Portable Perfume

August 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm, by Mandy Hendrix

How do I love rollerball perfumes? Let me count the ways…

• They’re perfect for travel. I love taking these little slivers of scent with me anytime.
• They don’t spray everywhere. I can be discreet when I need a scent touch-up. Instead of filling the air with an odorous cloud, I simply rub the wand on my skin and leave the scent only on me.
• They’re much cheaper. I can buy at least two rollerballs for the price of one perfume bottle. And even though I’ll gladly shell out for a bottle of my favorite scents, these let me experiment.
• They’re made for mixing. Bored with your current scent? Layer one of these scents over your everyday favorite to add a little something extra.

Ready to try? Bliss’ Eau De Toilette, $18 for the rollerball, feels like you’re at their spa, wearing the cucumber-infused water, but in a good way. It’s a refreshing pick-me-up.

I can’t stop dousing myself in Pacifica’s Calfornia Star Jasmine, $12 for the rollerball. Of course, it’s anchored by a sweet jasmine scent, but has a fresh, grassy note so it’s not a knock-your-socks-off floral.

And Lisa Hoffman’s Madagascar Orchid Day and Evening Fragrance Oils, $39.50, are completely genius. Inside a little pouch she gives you a lighter oil for when the sun is up and a second, sultry blend that’s perfect for nighttime.

Want to learn more about Lisa Hoffman’s creations? Tune into QVC August 27^th at 9 am EST to hear from the creator.

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