Ladies’ Lounge

Kids and Fashion: How Much is Too Much?

May 1, 2012 at 10:56 am , by Sue Erneta

Last weekend, my parents stopped by for a visit. Somehow that always means that Sophia has a few crisp singles in her pocket so she asked if we could stop by The Children’s Place. She was ready to spend. Well, when we walked into the store, I wanted to open my wallet too. Cute fruit shaped purses! Neon hair clips! Flower-adorned headbands! Pink neon rimmed aviators! Ribbon-trimmed fedoras! Sophia and I were scurrying around the store like teenagers grabbing everything in sight. And when Lily asked her “Mimi” to buy her a sequin skirt like the one her sister had, I knew I had created not one monster, but two.
Of course, we had a fashion show back at the house to display our haul. But when Pablo got home, he was not as pleased. (It had nothing to do with what I spent. I mean, you can fill a bag with accessories at TCP, use a coupon, and barely need more than a 20 spot.)

For him, it was all just too much.

Granted, they did look a little crazy. But they had piled it on just for fun. You see, I’m working on teaching the girls that these fun pieces should be styled into their wardrobes of basics. It’s not about neon head-to-toe; it’s about a hint of it. (But try telling that to a 3 year old who wants to look like her big sister who wants to look like a Selena Gomez.)

He really shouldn’t be concerned though. On most days, they’re both heading to school in tunics, leggings and Vans. So, what’s the harm in owning a cute sequin skirt or hot pink sunglasses?

Yesterday he described Sophia’s going-to-the-supermarket look as “a 15 year old celebrity heading to a nightclub”. And this morning I swear he was doing an impression of my father when he said, “She’s NOT wearing that hat to school.”
(My dad used to disagree with my outfits back in my teenager years. He’d ask my mom if she had seen what I was wearing and mom would roll her eyes and say “Yes. I just bought that for her.”)

Well, thanks for backing me up, Mom. Someday my daughters will thank me too.

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You Deserve This: Win A Cute Lilly Pulitzer Phone Case

May 1, 2012 at 10:03 am , by Sue Erneta

There is no doubt that phone cases have become the newest accessory du jour! So, why not treat yourself to the adorable Lily Pulitzer iPhone case that was featured in our June issue? We absolutely love the sweet tropical print.

You could be one of the lucky 25 (that’s right! TWENTY-FIVE!) winners of a Lilly Pulitzer iPhone case compliments of Lifeguard Press (check out all their other Lilly stuff here).

To enter to win a Lilly Pulitzer iPhone case,  just leave a comment below!

Official rules

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The White Smile Diet

April 30, 2012 at 1:21 pm , by nykiaspradley

Admit it, we diet for every other reason under the sun, so why not for whiter teeth?
But this isn’t your typical diet. Think of it more as a compromise that will leave you with a brighter smile. Dr. Timothy Chase a New York City dentist dished on what to eat and what to give up to get your choppers their pearliest.

Do’s

Certain foods help to remove bacteria that cause plaque which hardens into a yellowish tartar if not brushed away soon enough.

• Crunchy fruits and vegetables work best because they function as an abrasive scrub for your teeth.  They also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to keep plaque from forming:
• Apples
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Celery
• Strawberries and oranges are both useful for polishing teeth.  Rubbing an orange peel or a strawberry over your teeth, following by washing out your mouth with water will get your noticeable whiter teeth after a few months
• Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese contain a lactic acid which may help protect teeth against decay.  Hard cheeses are best for whitening since they help remove food particles as well.

Don’ts

• It’s important to avoid stain-causing foods and substances as much as possible.  A simple rule is any food which causes a stubborn laundry stain can stain teeth too.  Brushing teeth or at least rinsing one’s mouth with water after consuming these foods is a great way to help prevent staining.  Foods to avoid include:
• Coffee
• Tea
• Blueberries
• Red Wine
• Soy Sauce
• Tobacco
• Soda

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Red Carpet Report: 2012 Matrix Awards

April 27, 2012 at 3:51 pm , by Rachel Shippy

In its 42nd year honoring “women who change the world,” the 2012 Matrix Awards ceremony, held at New York’s Waldorf Astoria this week, did just that.  New York Women in Communications honored eight deserving women for their various accomplishments in the industry, and both the presenters and recipients of the prestigious award left onlookers with a few laughs and lots of inspiration.  The Journal caught up with some of these heavy hitters on the red carpet at the annual fete:

Glenn Close (Matrix Award winner) on the awards and her fellow winners: “I think it’s very important for women to support women, and I really believe that for women to attain true positions of leadership it means that they’ve had to be 500,000 times better than any guy – I think that’s still very true. Whatever support and celebration we can have around that [like the Matrix Awards] is tremendously important.” Close received her award from NYPD Deputy Chief Theresa Shortell, with whom she prepared for her role in FX’s police drama, The Shield.

Tyra Banks (Matrix Award winner) on branching out from modeling: “When I was a model I knew that I wanted to produce television but I didn’t think that I would be in front of the camera, and I didn’t think that I would be using my voice to send a message… my biggest message would be to run toward your fears, run toward your insecurities because it means that something different is going to happen.  It’s a big risk but a crazy huge reward to be successful.” Banks received her award from seasoned broadcaster Katie Couric.

Katie Couric (Matrix Award presenter) on her advice for being successful: “Don’t let the turkeys get you down. I think that when you’re starting out in your career there are a lot of naysayers and people who think you may not have what it takes. And sometimes you just have to put your blinders on, keep your head down, stay focused and work your butt off.” Katie (pictured here on a stool to bypass 5’10″ Tyra Banks) later quipped about the ‘turkeys’ in Banks’ past who teased the then-gawky beanpole at school saying, “Oh please! Don’t all supermodels say that?”

Ann Curry (Matrix Award winner) on inspiring future generations: “We need a renewed call for action, to stand up for women… We can hear the clamor of smart, young women coming up behind us, calling out to us – we should let their voices embolden us.” Curry received her award from former TODAY show co-star Meredith Vieira who was a Matrix winner in 2007.

Barbara Walters (Matrix Award presenter) on presenting to Chief Communications Officer of the Walt Disney Company, Zenia Mucha, and succeeding as a woman in business: “I think Zenia is an example of how far one can come – she came here as a first generation immigrant and is in charge of all communications for Disney’s vast world. She is tough in the best way, she has a very sweet smile, but do not be deceived.  I think we would both say [success] takes very hard work and the will to hang in there when things are not so good. And if you just do your job and only open your mouth to fight the big fight when absolutely necessary, you’ll get there.”

Gayle Butler (Matrix Award Winner) on the advice that has steered her success: “One great piece of advice that I’ve always remembered is to be there on time, be there dressed to play, and be there with an idea in your head. I think that is something that has always stuck with me – to bring some original thinking to whatever task is at hand.” Butler, who is the Editor-in-Chief of fellow Meredith publication Better Homes and Gardens, received her award from celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito who added, “Better Homes and Gardens is one of the first magazines my mom could relate to after coming here from a different country [Italy].  I remember as a kid flipping through the pages with my mom at the kitchen table and am almost certain it has something to do with why I do what I do today.” Of getting to know Butler through their mutual presence in the food industry, DiSpirito jokes, “The truth is we met on Match.com like everyone else!”

This years’ winners also included social activist and wife of clothing designer Kenneth Cole,  Maria Cuomo Cole presented by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Laura Desmond from Starcom MediaVest Group presented by Songwriter Susan Werner, and Wall Street Journal‘s Peggy Noonan presented by 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl. Along with its award winners, New York Women in Communications also provided several scholarships to young women pursuing a career in communications.

Photos courtesy of maryannerussell.com

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Go Ask Gab: Clueless On What To Wear Right Now?

April 26, 2012 at 4:32 pm , by Gabrielle Porcaro

Gab, what the heck am I supposed to wear this time of year? The weather is crazy! Please advise. — Olivia 

This question might as well be from all the ladies I know since I think we are all clueless right now. On Monday night, I was wearing 5 different layers at a baseball game and two days earlier I was in a short dress and sandals. To be honest there is no right answer but here are some tips:

Bottom line: Like anything else, trust your instinct. If it seems wrong it probably is—so don’t wear it. Godspeed…

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Our Favorite Spring-Inspired Sweets on Pinterest

April 25, 2012 at 5:08 pm , by Rachel Shippy

Maybe it’s because there are baby showers, spring birthdays, and wedding parties coming up (or maybe it’s because I just miss the carbs and sugar I banned from my diet recently), but the desserts on Pinterest are more enticing than ever, and would be perfect to make for any spring occasion. Many of them were even created in the Journal‘s test kitchen by our talented food editors!  So grab a glass of milk and enjoy a sweet sampling of my favorite pins this week…

For more ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out our Delightful Desserts board on Pinterest.

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The Sound of Music Behind the Scenes

April 23, 2012 at 6:53 pm , by Julie Bain

The hills are alive… Raindrops on roses… I am 16 going on 17… Climb every mountain… How do you solve a problem… A drink with jam and bread… So long, farewell… Every morning you greet me…

If you can jump right in and sing every one of these with me, you’re officially a Sound of Music junkie. So are we. My colleagues Amelia (left) and Lauren (right) and I were so excited to meet with Kym Karath, who played Gretl, the baby of the von Trapp family, in the iconic 1965 movie. She’s holding the new book that all the “kids” worked on together, called The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook. As if you couldn’t tell that’s her. She looks exactly the same!

The book is a blast, full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, photos and memorabilia. It even includes a DVD of home movies. I love the section called “Rock the Boat,” about the famous scene where the kids and their governess return home from their revels wearing the play clothes lovingly made out of the ugly, about-to-be-retired curtains. All hell breaks loose when they see that their father, Captain von Trapp, has returned from his travels with the elegant baroness. They jump up to greet him and the boat capsizes.

Well, the water was murky and had leeches on the bottom. The kids had to do four takes and, worst of all, 5-year-old Kym didn’t know how to swim. Julie Andrews was supposed to fall forward and catch Kym at the same time, which she did perfectly on the first take. On the second try, however, Andrews fell off the backside of the boat and little Kym “sank to the bottom of the lake like a boulder.” “I swallowed a lot of lake water,” Karath says. “You can imagine my mother’s reaction. They had to restrain her from jumping in. She couldn’t swim either.”

Luckily, the son of the assistant director dove in and saved Kym, and the take was the one used in the film. But when you watch the movie, you’ll notice a jump cut to Heather Menzies, who played Louisa. They had to edit out the footage of the rescue, after which the poor girl, who’d swallowed so much murky lake water, promptly threw up all over Heather’s costume.

The book (which would make a great Mother’s Day gift!) is full of fascinating stories like that—guaranteed to make watching the movie again a whole new experience.

 

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