Style Inspiration: Audrina Patridge

This is not the fever talking. Audrina Patridge (and perhaps her stylist) have great taste. This girl can do the rock look without being cheesy, but also cleans up very nicely. And of course, Audrina is obviously a beautiful girl. She has amazing eyes and hair, and a great smile. Reminiscent of a brunette Ali Larter, no? I covet her collarbone and eyeliner application, and while she sometimes can't forumlate whole sentences, I thank Audrina for being a seemingly good-hearted person on a show full of fame-whores. I also thank her for bringing Justin-Bobby into the picture, because for all his douchey behavior, he also provides the only quick wit on the show, and it's fun watching him leave people with only an "Omigod dude, like, seeeeriously?"

Quarantined

That's right folks, this NY girl has caught the flu. I guess this is what happens when you shun constant bathing in antibacterial soap as the pasttime of paranoid mommies, and decide that waiting in line for a flu shot that might just give you the flu isn't worth it.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, but with the harsh headache, body aches, hacking cough, fever of 101, and congestion, it's pretty much a sure thing that I have the flu. Naturally my roommates don't want this passed along like my latest Chinatown pashmina, so I have been quarantined to my bedroom and the bathroom nearest. According to the CDC, I should be using a separate waste basket, laundry hamper, towels, dishes and Lysol spray. Yes, even my germ-fighting substance is at risk for carrying... germs.

So with strict orders to stay home for a few days from work, I'll have plenty of time to waste here. I usually like to refrain from talking about Christmas until we're closer to Thanksgiving, but this flu has pushed me over the edge, and given me lots of time for online browsing. So wash your hands, cover your mouth and be careful, kids. I'd rather be at work, for sure.

Style Inspiration: Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger is truly a versatile lady. She's 33 years old, and looks fresher than some haggard starlets 10 years her junior. She is a German bombshell, in the most elegant form of the word. She can go edgy with thigh-high boots and and plaid, she can do the New Look in Giammbattista Valli, she can be ladylike on the red carpet and she can rock some blond beachy waves that make me want to attack my roots with peroxide. She has a fantastic figure, but it's not vulgar or gaunt; she's shapely and petite, and can carry off a baggy t-shirt dress as well as a bikini or cropped top.

Style Inspiration: Audrey Tautou

Too chic for words.











This last picture proves that Miss Tautou has a sick body underneath those ladylike clothes. Just cause ya got it, don't mean you have to flaunt it.

Autumn Around the World

Autumn is a beautiful season, and it looks a little different everywhere you go. Here are some images of my favorite places around the world during arguably my favorite season.


Middleton Place Plantation, Charleston, SC



Bennington, Vermont



University of Oxford, UK



Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy



Whistler, British Columbia, Canada



Provence, France



Chianti Region, Tuscany, Italy



Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, France

How do you say no?

I'd like to get the opinion of some other girls on an issue that many mid-20s women face inevitably: being asked to be a part of a bridal party for a friend's wedding.

As a preface, I'd like to make it clear that I think weddings can be a hallucinogenic amount of fun, I believe in true love and I am happy to be generous when celebrating the milestones of my loved ones.

Now that that's out of the way... here is something that's been on my mind a lot. I have been asked by two friends to be a bridesmaid in their weddings. They are both in 2010. They are 2 weeks apart.

Aside from the obvious financial burden of dresses, shoes, accessories, hair, makeup, gifts and parties involved with being a bridesmaid (or worse, Maid of Honor), I had another small issue with this: to say that I see these two brides 5 times per calendar year would be a generous estimate. And they do not live abroad or even on the west coast; they are in New Jersey and Long Island, respectively. Admittedly, I haven't openly confronted either of them about how our once incredibly close friendships (in high school, parts of college) have diminished to friendship for longevity's sake, and why I only seem to see them around holidays.

Both girls have a few things in common: their wedding month, their lack of effort to maintain a solid friendship after my failed attempts, and their certainty that I would say yes. It's like it doesn't matter at all that I hardly see the girls. They knew I would say yes, thereby agreeing to spend exorbitant amounts of time and money on their special days.

Indeed, I said yes, and I'm not about to back out. But is it wrong to expect a little two-way street action when it comes to making plans and seeing each other? It's almost audacious that they asked so nonchalantly, as if just because we've been friends since 7th grade, that I would be all eager to put on an orange dress and drop change on showers, engagement parties, bachelorette parties...

Here is my question: Where were you before you got engaged?

You were watching your future fiance play softball on Sundays when I had called you to go shopping. You were cuddling with him on Saturday night when I invited you to see a show. You were "too busy" to go dancing, hit Boston for a weekend, or even watch some MNF.

But now... there is a ring. There is a date. And we must find girls who are willing to dress alike, drop a huge amount of money on this wedding and smile all the time, even though we blew them off repeatedly in the past.

But you can't say no. Saying no makes a statement, a much bigger statement than a small gift. Saying no is the official end of the friendship, in girl world. Forget the wedding invitation, forget ever seeing this girl again, you're done. Your choices are suck it up, shell out and put on a happy face, or cut ties with the girl forever. Nevermind what that would do to your mutual friendships.

And so I guess all I can do is hope that when the time comes for me, they will all eagerly do what I did for them, but even that is small comfort. I don't want a big wedding, or to be stressed out by table seating, species of lilly, or how to pay for a $5,000 dress. I will want the shower, the bachelorette party, the support and the celebration that my friends had, but I doubt I will ever be the self-absorbed bride, too involved with herself and her fiance to squeeze in a girls date once a month with my friends.

What do you say, girls? Can you ever say no? Have you ever wanted to?
Hayley

A Retail Diet

Have you ever been in the mood to go shopping, then looked around your apartment and realized that there is absolutely nothing you need?


In the clothing department, I have at least 8 pairs of trousers, a handful of work-appropriate dresses, 4 pairs of jeans, a dozen pairs of shoes, and countless tops and sweaters, plus several jackets, blazers, and fancier dresses.

In accessories, a basket full of scarves, a drawer full of jewelry, a few belts and some headbands I never wear anymore.

In beauty, I have a Vera large cosmetic that I can barely find things in, a shelf of lotions and soaps in my bathroom, 3 sunscreens, 2 toothpastes and plenty of hair products.

Chez moi, the small apartment is furnished and decorated. And as we know, in a small space, keeping clutter at bay is key. My kitchen, closets, bathroom, and bedroom are all full.

I need nothing.

There is not a cream, lip gloss, ballet flat or even a bra that I could justify right now.

I feel like the guy in that online services commercial from a few years back, who finally hit the end of the web, and had seen every website in the world. He seemed shocked, bewildered, and a little bit sad. That's me.

And so... this is a good time to embark upon a retail diet. Just as Columbus Day and end-of-fall sales are raging, and we've already been inundated with holiday season regalia, it's a hard time to resist. But we have to cut back some time, and this will be good preparation for the shopping that will commence in about 6 weeks.

I have never been a financial whiz, and things like interest rates, annuities, finance charges and fine print put me immediately to sleep. But everyone has a responsibility to own their financial destiny, especially women. I have always sworn to never be dependent on a man, or anyone else, and if we want the big house, or the luxury car, or the sailboat, or even to just have a few nice dinners out a month, we need to make it happen for ourselves.


My situation, without giving too much detail, is that I have student loans to pay off, bills and rent to pay, and am trying to get my credit card balances (two of them) down to 0, and finally I am trying to save up a down payment for my own condo or co-op someday. Whew!

I'm no Suze Orman, but here are some savings techniques I'll be implementing over the next few months:

1) Throwing away coupons (except food). This may seem silly, but I receive almost a dozen coupons a week from various stores, in email and snail mail. I use coupons to justify purchases, and when I don't need to buy stuff, I don't need the coupons tempting me. So when I throw them away, I'm less likely to go shopping on principal, because I don't have a coupon. Exception: food/health coupons that I'll need, and anything that takes effect after January 1, 2010.

2) No shopping for clothes, shoes, accessories or makeup until January 1, 2010. This deadline is a bit arbitrary, but first, the sales after Christmas will be insane. Second, 2-3 months on an extreme retail diet is enough time to make a serious dent in debt and rack up savings.

3) Opening a 6-15 month CD with my new savings after January 1, 2010. When your money's locked away, you can't touch it. I'll set aside the necessary funds for bills and a little fun, then sock away what I save and resume the savings cycle.


And while we're on the topic, here is how I already save money in everyday ways:

• Turn off lights when you leave, and unplug appliances you're not using, including your computer. This is good for the earth and cuts down your electric bill.
• Bring lunch every day. You can seriously save $50-75/week doing this, especially in NYC. Plus it's usually healthier.
• Shop early for others. If you see a fabulous gift for someone and it's on sale, nab it! Even if it's months in advance! Especially for the holidays... spread out the spending.
• Don't buy packaged, processed foods. Stuff like crackers, cookies, cereal, ice cream, microwave meals, and frozen foods are not only unhealthy, but usually expensive. Using simple vegetables, starches, protein and fruits is actually cost-efficient, and healthier. I make an exception for occasional Special K and Carr's water crackers, but fresh, natural foods go a long way and are lower in sodium and fat, often.
• If you want to donate but are low on cash, donate time instead. Volunteer at a pet shelter or the NYC Mission for the Homeless. It's free, and you get a bonus warm+fuzzy feeling too.
• Hold on to your student ID after college and use it to pay reduced admission at museums, concerts, and more.

And finally, here are some things I won't compromise too much on:

• Going out for drinks and dinner sometimes. As long as it's not always top-shelf, it's ok. And come on people, you have to have a life!
• Ski trips. For a great day of exercise, stress relief and a hobby I've had for 20 years, the cost of a day trip is worth it.
• Live music and performances. Food for the soul.
• Enough heat. There's no price for avoiding pneumonia!

How do you share money? Will you be tightening the purse strings a bit this holiday season?