The Froth Lives

It's ok. The Froth did not meet an ugly, premature end. No, The Froth was simply M.I.A. Yes, Missing In Action. And WooHoo! What action!!!!

Purely for the purposes of research (and the wedding of two dear friends), I ran off to watch the fashion tribes in the style meccas of London and Edinburgh. Boy, oh boy, were my eyes prized open!

On arriving in London, I dug out of my mother's house all my old '80s clothes and despite not still having my Jennifer Beales perm (oh I looked so good around 1986), I thought I had the look down again. So wrong. The '80s are not back, not the real ones. The '80s look of the naughties is totally reinvented, you can't get anyway with anything you had twenty years ago, so silly me for keeping it stuffed in my mum's house all that time. No, today we have an interpretation of the '80s, which is so damn annoying. The sequined jackets are minus the shoulder pads, the bad 'pixie' boots of yesteryear have a modern edge or a towering heel, the puff balls are more tulips. Even my beloved leg warmers were old Fame not new Fame.

But oh no! I have to stop because one piece of advice I received from my great friend Amanda is that people DO NOT HAVE TIME to read a long blog. So apparently, I have to keep it very short, to keep it sweet.

Before I go however, I must mention two quick things. One, it seems like everything has to have some accoutrement. Buckles, sequins, studs, whether you're wearing it on your head, feet or anywhere in between, it's like you daren't go out without wearing something that can be turned into a WMD, weapon of minor destruction.

The other thing is LEGS, LEGS, LEGS. Wow. What haven't I seen. My personal favourite, which you'll know if you've seen me or my girls recently, is shorts and tights, in all colours of the rainbow. But I also saw girls in minis with nylon tights and short and long socks in THE same colour and they looked fab! Big, small and kind of medium. Yes! All sizes, all comers can do something crazy with their legs this year. Liquid leather leggings, thigh boots, patterned tights (no your legs did NOT look like a car accident Chandree), ripped jean leggings or simply pop colour tights. Top it with a poncho or big woolly if you can whip one from your grandmother's wardrobe or a tight and tiny leather jacket, doesn't matter, everyone will be checking out your lovely limbs.

As for me, if you see me hobbling down the street, it's not an injury, just a fantastic pair of boots I succumbed to, that weren't really made for walking (much less pushing a triple stroller). Ah well. You do what you can.

LOVES: Alexa Georges beautiful, nature inspired delicate gold leaf jewellry, perfect price too for a perfect present. (see pics below or email her at alexageo@aol.com)

LOATHES: Jimmy Choo for H & M (I would say more but Amanda says I can't!)

LIKE WHO KNOWS: Stella McCartney for Gap Kids - what about the after effects?

Who's Cheating?

I'm not cheating, honestly I AM NOT. Ok, so my behaviour is slightly bizarre at the moment (my mother is in town); yes, I'm locking myself into the bathroom (but only to write this blog) and yes, there are strange expenditures appearing on my Amex (but that's between my dermatologist and I, a girl has to have some secrets). So why would anyone think I am?

Well, the other day as I perusing my favourite UK newspaper online, I saw this great article on - yes the A game!!! It wasn't exactly the same, in fact it was a pictorial equivalent. This journalist was saying how she has hated every photograph ever taken of herself until...wait for it...she had the 'Cover Girl' makeover!

'Cover Girl' makeover, isn't that a makeover by that ridiculous 'Colour me Beautiful' company who trowled on the foundation and told my friend Kendall, never to wear peach. Now this may be true. But looking at these pics of Lucy Cavendish, aforementioned writer, there's a great improvement.

And damn it! Now, I want to be a cover girl too. Who wouldn't? What's great about this idea is, it captures in FILM your A game. It can be a constant reminder that you can look that good; instead of looking 'that bad' as I do 364 days of the year. And it's not cheating either, it's just assistance.

So what to do?

First, we need to clear up the pressing 'cheating' question. And the Fashion Froth has it, we pipped Lucy to the post, posting on 28th Oct vs her 29th publishing date.

Second, if anyone is going to London (Mrs G, you are already there and I hope still reading your Froth!), trundle along to Harrods' (that most English of shops owned by that sweet Middle Eastern man) Urban Retreat and hand over your $1,000 or so.

Otherwise, I suggest we have a 'Cover Girl' night. We need a make up artiste, hair and a talented photographer (yes I'm thinking of you Natalie). I have no talent for any of the above but I can happily mix Martinis (or the like).

I'm serious. I too, would love one good photograph of myself. Not in a dangerous Narcissistic way but just so I can look back when I'm 80 and say, 'Oh I didn't look too bad on a good day'. Or to give to my parents/husband for Christmas to remind them they didn't raise/marry a troll - even though I'm a close relation on a bad morning.

Anyway, if you need more convincing, read my copycat friend at:

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1223692

Another thing I must mention this week is another article I was horrified to bump into in the same publication! Its theme was 'Flats are Back' - now I don't care for this kind of dangerous, mindless heresy. Of course I love the pretty and inviting brogues, moccasins and loafers they were showcasing but I've been wearing them since I was SEVEN! And now I need heels before I am so old I shall just fall over in them.

The only saving grace in this ridiculous piece, was that it DID add that these cutesy little pumps would only look cool in the following conditions:

a) you have 40 in stick legs like Alexa Chung

b) you are about 22 like Alexa Chung

c) you are recognised as a world wide style maven who "interprets" fashion in a unique way like Alexa Chung

d) you wear them with your rockstar boyfriend's jacket and pull it together with an amazing belt that Armani just gave you because you ARE Alexa Chung

For this senseless article se www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1223577.

LOVES

Long Long woolly tights which are contrarily sexy when worn with very short shorts so they become a great legging and stretch your legs by 2 inches.

Thigh boots, my amazing friend and fashion designer Vanessa, just confirmed, on a phone call from London, that if worn as a legging, I am not too old to wear them - (so this is double love to V and the boots)

The service where they come and find one pair of trousers, skirt, tee etc that fits your child and updates their wardrobes with only things that fit. They did it every season and give you a shopping list of things to buy, that they REALLY need so your child doesn't have to go around pretending they love capri pants and three quarter length sleeves, as poor Luciana does.

The A Game

The A Game

So I haven't looked really good since my wedding. It's not that I went on a seven day fast, had mud and algae wraps, hot stones pumeled into me and oil dripped on my forehead. It's not that I was wrapped in seaweed and cling film, dosed with freezing water, stuck in an ice chamber, plunged into a hot whirl tub or sweated it out in a sauna, steam or wave room. No, I just had me hair and nails done (fingers and toes), slapped on some fake tan and took time to do my makeup. Ok, I had an amazing dress and shoes too, but they aren't the only reason I looked so much better for just a few hours about four years ago.

Now my husband would say it was pure matrimonial bliss, that gave me a glow that day and while I have to agree, it was also something else. What was the elusive X factor? Simple, I had planned it all. Yes, I had taken the time to plan the dress to fit just so, the shoes to match so well and to twinkle so prettily and my hair and make up to be just right. I didn't leave anything to the last minute. Everything was planned and thought through and it worked together. In other words, I was playing my A game and I liked it!

Since then, I'm not sure I've got it together with quite the same success. While that's a shame, it's made me realise now, that's that's the difference between me and many of the most beautiful women in the world.

They take their A game out every time you see - unless you see them in one of those magazine 'caught' shots when for a split second they look, well, gulp, normal! Of course, I'm exaggerating, I have no real beauty to speak of like real beauties. But I probably have pretty much the same stuff of the pretend beauties.

What do I mean by pretend? You know the ones. They become famous, either through some hideous reality show or contest e.g. Kelly Clarkson or by marrying someone quite famous e.g. Princess Diana. Now, look really closely, they looked just like me or the girls you see in the coffee shop. They did, they really did. Their hair was a bit lack lustre, their faces unremarkable and their clothes really just ok.

Pretty or attractive maybe, but not stunning, or special. Fast forward a few months and every waxing, skin, hair, clothes, expert has been on their case and they are declared one of the most beautiful women in the world! Posh Spice or excuse me, Victoria Beckham, has literally, transformed herself from Essex girl (that's Bridge and Tunnel to you) to catwalk model.

I can see how this might just sound like green vitriol. It isn't. It's the opposite. I want you, my readers, to really see that the only difference between you and all these 'beauties' is the A game. Taking the TIME to make the most of what you've got. If you want to.

Sometimes it happens almost by accident. You know what I'm talking about, one morning you wake up, unsuspecting of something fabulous and whatever you throw on, just happens to look fantastic. You check out your hair and the look just gets better and then when you apply your makeup, it doesn't look fake or sloppy! Hallelujah! The fashion angels are smiling on you today. Who would have known today was going to be the day. Never me. Not only is this a very occurrence that all my beauty stars collide; but when they do, all I'm invariably doing is something ridiculously mundane (like visiting Winn Dixie) and my husband is ALWAYS out of town. As much as mychildren love me...you can understand why the word WASTE comes to mind.

My friends it appears are luckier. Jeanne, I saw you in the park about a year ago with wrap green dress, fabulous shades and your hair in a plucky blonde pony. You looked A list. Yvonne, saturday night, I know you were already at a fabulous party but with that silver outfit and hair blow out, you could have been on the cover of Vanity Fair. As for you Elsa, you could have given Katie Holmes or any Hollywood mum a run for their money at the school gates, in your running bottoms, rocker red zip up hoodie and fabulous Prada shades.

The point of this blog?

Well, first of all to remind you that EVERYONE has an A game. Yes, you do, and I bet it's last appearance wasn't four years ago.

Secondly, to advise you not to wait for the fashion angels to bring it all together, they can be pesky.

No, the answer is, if you want to look JUST like those magazine 'beauties' (yes Jennifer Anniston included, after all she's not famous as 'girl next door' for nothing) all you have to do is get your A game out more often. Can you imagine, every day, looking your best, whether sporty or smart, you'd be like Jen, looking good from leggings to lame. Your confidence would shoot through the roof; and you'd still look just like you, but the best you, you can be.

I hear the prophectic 'physician heal thyself' and the truth is, I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS. Yes, I KNOW how to take my A game out every day. And I can tell YOU how to do it too. Oh DAMN, I've just run out of space! Damn, damn, I'll have to wait until next week....

LOVES: My fantabulous friend Vanessa's new dress recommended by Vogue. Vanessa is a goddess (a good, kind one too) and she'll make you look like one too, just follow the link below.

http://www.isabellaoliver.com/womens-clothing/in-the-press/The-Goddess-Dress/D/30100/P/1:400:4030/I/DR428

LOATHE: Acid colours? I looked bad the entire 1980s, why would I do any of that again?

Kinky Boots Anyone?

Kinky Boots Anyone?

Boots, um, they are funny things. While I was writing this blog, I found myself using too many Benny Hill type innuendos and saucy puns. What is it about boots? Whoever coined the phrase Kinky Boots, was right, they are kinky, or at least sexy, whatever style they are, there's a sexiness to them; rain boots and flat riding boots included as Jilly Cooper will, I am sure, agree when she's reads this. So first off, an apology for the silliness racy asides below.

Secondly, is it only me or do your minds turn to boots as soon as you catch the first sniff of autumn in the air? Do you think hurrah, a chance to ditch the flip flops and cut some winter shapes? And do you start to ponder what kind of boot to set upon this year to add some wintery style?

While researching hard for this article, i.e. flipping through the pages of Vogue in carpool line, an humongous, mountainside, roadblock roared up in front of me. Page after page was filled with every kind of possible boot I have seen in my lifetime: the shoe, the riding, the thigh, the Ugg, the soft top knitted, the cowboy, the wedge, the shaggy, the ankle, the hooker, the mini stilletto, the platform....WAIT...STOP!!!! WHAT THE BLAZES??

Did the fashion designers forget to take their schizophrenia drugs? Did Miss Wintour and her friends go out to lunch and just threw EVERYboot going in our direction, hoping some would stick? Where's the direction, the insider tip, the fashion pack picks?

And what about us living in the Deep South? We can count the days that we can wear boots before our feet start to cry (i.e. sweat) for release so how do we know where to go?

Is a total boot bypass the answer? Not for me. I think we can sort through the boot mountain with just three simple rules:

1. Look into thy self.

Ok, I borrowed this from my fantastic yoga guru, Heather. But really, the answer is within us. Take me for example. This winter, my favourite clothes are leggings, contoured t/shirt / jumper and scarf. A medium heel, black patent knee high boot, which I swapped last Christmas in NY for four lattes, are my perfect boot. They seem to match anything I put on and I can go anywhere in them. They even fit into my skinny jeans and if my husband demands I wear a frock for his Christmas party, they'll even go with that. So, just look at what you are enjoying wearing most at the moment and pick a boot to suit. Forget the rest. It's you that matters!

2. The Sweet Treat

If however, what matters right now is a little sweet treat, how could you go wrong with a pair of those ever so dainty shoe boots? You know, the ones with just a few buckles, or studs, or a lovely pair of laces to suggest a little naughtiness. Patent maybe, with a thin, 5 lb eradicating long heel. They too, are magic with trousers, dresses, skirts or even less (if you're in that mood) and there are many sweet pairs to meet in shops near you.

3. Beware of the Boys

You know the boots I mean. Those rugged cowboy or biker boots that wink sexily at you from Steven Madden's window. But it's 10 am in the morning and we've only had one coffee, so don't be seduced. Unless you are a true devotee and promise to wear them come 100 degrees, take a pass. Go scrumming around the back of your wardrobes, attics and those of your friends too and odds are, you'll find a pair; hopefully more scuffed and 'authentic' than those in the shop windows; and as we all know the biker/cowboy/Ugg boots always work, always cool, but not always new!

Thanks to my friend Charlotte, we have some ideas for more inspiration, check out these beautiful pairs:

zappos.com - look for Kate Spade's Katrina down from $422 to $219

or Mia Roulette at $73 or Corso Como Violet down from $184 to $112 , all gorgeous

stevemadden.com - a fantastic pair of boots called "Cecce" for $119.95

saks.com - incredible pair of Sergio Rossi "Eeelskin" for a whopping $795 or pre-order Stuart Weitzman Platform Sandals for $395.

payless.com - has some great styles for around $25!

LOVES: Gap's new range of jeans by Anja Rubik & big zips all the way down the back of your dress!

LOATHES: Gap's range of white shirts (I yawn enough without this)

Skip the Macy's Makeover with Clinton Kelly

So my friend Jan tipped me off this morning, that the front page of today's Times Picayune Living section features Clinton Kelly of TLC's "What Not to Wear" He talks about his stint this weekend giving 15 locals a makeover at Macy's. He then dolls out some pearls of fashion wisdom. Or does he? I was so enraged at more generic advice being given out by someone posing as fashion sage, I had to blog!

His tips:

Dark Demin?

Really, thanks for that, but we'll still go out and figure skinny, straight, boot cut, wide, high, low, middle, all on our lonesome.

Suit?

Really? I haven't found one occasion to wear one in five years and even then I was over dressed for a board meeting. I love them but an essential?

Casual Pants that aren't Jeans: Khaki's

A pearl of fashion wisdom is to wear a pair of khakis. Wow. What does that say?

A Jacket

Agreed, brilliant for giving trousers a umph and turning them into an outfit. But what kind? You may as well say don't forget your underwear.

The LBD

Now I'm asleep. The LBD is a conspiracy, just like the perfect white shirt. The fashion industry survives on us constantly searching for the perfect one like the Holy Grail. Sorry, Clinton, we're not buying it.

BEST "SEEN"

Great Professional Sexy - An occasional fun shout out to someone cutting a dash, if I can catch you or bribe you for a photo that is! Becca, you're next!

Too many disgruntled readers have asked but where do I get this damn starter heel then?

Here are some ideas:

www.jimmychoo.com - truly beautiful in the $500 range and they have them at Angelique on Maple St.

www.ninewest.com - try "Oaks", "Campisi" and "Nunico" in the $69-79 range

www.target.com - try Women's Merona Leather Pumps in Black Patent for $24.99!