Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Discover Your Inner Goddess With CoCo PART II: Style

I adore CoCo for many reasons and when it comes to fashion and personal style she certainly has her own unique perspective and philosophy which I both applaud and respect. She embraces her body and compliments it with her unique style. Because of her vulnerability, honestly and authenticity her on-line following is able to feel a true 'CoCo Connection'. She and I have different style aesthetics and tastes, but we are birds of a fashion feather when it comes to empowering women and of course sole sisters (aka fellow Shoe Freaks). CoCo is convinced that EVERY woman has an inner goddess.
 She is building her brand based on this theory to which I whole heatedly agree. Regardless of age, size, and shape, ALL women possess an inner goddess that we should celebrate.  We talked about her brand recently and she is providing woman on a global scale with the tools to discover that inner goddess through all facets of life; Fitness, Fashion, Personal Style, and embracing their Sexuality all within CoCo's World.


FASHION:  She and I have talked fashion before but she shared an update on her clothing line Licious. CoCo s vision, "I am trying to make women feel good about their body and look good with my clothes. Everything I do, I personally do it and I am trying to help the masses."  We talked about the importance of fit and she conveyed her favorite piece from the Licious line, it's all in the 'jeans', "The classic jeans are the best fitting jeans you will ever wear. People always ask where did you get those jeans? I say they are mine, they are Licious, they are not too low and there is a little flare at the bottom to even out the hips. They make you look good and are so comfortable. Every item in my Licious website is stretchy and machine washable.".  
 Don't worry if you think you missed last seasons pieces CoCo told me, "I don’t do the four seasons, I just do Winter and Summer. I leave all the clothes on the website but I may I put up more jackets and pants on the website just before winter. I just did a photo shoot for Licious and I am putting up 5 more outfits and more jackets and 5 new swimsuits. With the swimsuits I focused on covering the stomach. A lot of girls don’t like to show their stomach."


CoCo Loves her coats: "I wanted more of a “red carpet” jacket for Licious. The paparazzi took more pics with the long jacket than the actual outfit underneath." 
CoCo Photogrphed in one of her maxi-jackets 
from her personal collection.

PERSONAL STYLE:   Thank's to CoCo's partnership with the subscription service Quarterly you can have CoCo's personal style picks shipped right to your door, every three months for $50. You get a fabulous box of goodies hand selected by CoCo for you with products she herself uses. She told me, There is a list of people from DJ’s, fitness experts, chefs, to models. If you are into their style and if you sign up for their box.. It is a one time fee $50.00 and you get a box every quarter of the year. The box just shows up at your house and it is full of surprises. So for $50.00 you get four boxes. In the box you get things that you personally picked out, so if you picked me you would get glam, fun, blingy stuff. Anything I am into I will be putting in this box, like things I personally use. I have a new sunglasses line and actually prescription glasses too so you could just pick the frame. People can actually sign up for the box I already sent out. 

For example, I gave a free gift card and you can go to my website and pick out any pair of glasses that you wanted. That is worth $150.00. I also sent in a personal magazine that I love and it is called “Shoeaholics”. The whole about how shoes are made, the influence that shoes make nowadays. That’s why in the box I am trying to get you thinking there is products so cool out there and you may want to used them down the road. I’m just giving you what I use to deal with life and you might like it too.Each of my boxes will be themed. The next box I come out with will be in about a month. If someone picked me .. my next box will be a “Glam” box. So anything in this box will be glamour. Then the next one will be a fitness box.

EASY ON THE EYES:  CoCo also has a new line of eye wear  called 'CoCo Licious'. There are a selection of shades as well as frames for your prescription. As with all products in CoCo's World she wears them herself. 
CoCo Wearing "Mafia Wife"

SEXUALITY:  I personally am a sexually liberal person. I have never understood the shame and guilt that is often associated with sexuality, especially women's sexuality. I think it is a part of life that deserves to be celebrated, talked about and explored. Coco and I once again are in agreeance that is an important part of women's lives and a component of connecting with your inner goddess. She has a line of CoCo Licious Pleasure Products hitting stores this MARCH. She says, "Sex is is natural. My pleasure products may even help your relationship. Everyone has an inner goddess you have to work with it and anybody can bring it out. We are going to have different collections. The first collection is things you can conceal in your purse. Like a cute little ring you can wear, but it is a vibrator. We actually have a compact and when you open it up it is a little bullet with a mirror."
The pink that we use is a color that was made specifically for me. It is Coco Licious Pink. It is a fluorescent pink that no one has ever seen before.
CoCo has curated a collection of items that can make any goddess shine. She has shared her life with the world and in doing so has created a brand that is truly reflective of herself and her ambition to empower women. I applaud her efforts and look forward to what is next in CoCo's World.
Stylish Selfie: CoCo & I Post Peepshow - Las Vegas July 2013

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Style sHERO


A sHERO to me is the female version of a hero, understanding completely of course the "proper" term is 'heroine' but being a sHERO has little to do with social convention or being what the 'herd' would deem proper. 

Today I have to say my STYLE sHERO is the brilliant British Actress/Writer Emma Thompson. Not only did she star in and write one of my FAV films; Sense and Sensibility, based on Jane Austen's 1811 novel. 
Emma as Elinor Dashwood

She became my style sHERO by casting off style convention and wearing a 1930's Vintage dress to the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) awards tonight with Christian Louboutin FLATS. This is her second award show in a row in a Vintage frock. Proving once again that Fashion's Past will always be chic, current and present!
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She wore a 1930's Dress with stunning beaded bird applique on the shoulder. The hem is unique and the silhouette on her is perfection. The dress came from William Vintage in London.
The choice of shoe is authentic and amazing! We all know how uncomfortable heels can be and although they have a time and a place flats are still a fabulous alternative, even on a red carpet.  The golden glitter D'Orsay flats were Christian Louboutin. 

A Style sHERO is someone who dresses authentically and ignores trends and traditions.

BRAVO Emma!!

I have some fabulous Vintage frocks for you at Evolution Vintage lets touch base before the Oscars!

LisaG
XO

Friday, January 17, 2014

Discovering Your Inner Goddess with CoCo PART 1: Fitness First

One of the things I adore about CoCo is her authenticity and her true desire to help women. In her own style CoCo is creating her empire/brand by using the things she loves to help women discover their inner goddess.  The first step is FITNESS. CoCo is bringing you into her "Workout World" with her new App for iPhone/iPad.
Launched recently as CoCo's Workout World (Powered by Skimble)

This is a comprehensive fitness application covering all aspects of fitness; training, diet, tips and moves based on what got her the body she is famous for.
She told me, "I want to help women reach their inner Goddess. To do that I want to make them feel sexy about their bodies so I came up with this fitness app . This is the number one question I get on my website for the last 15 years. Questions like, what is your fitness regimen? How do you build the booty?"
This was a perfect opportunity to show everyone. I was going to start out with a fitness DVD but it just makes sense with all the new technology, everyone has a cell phone so why not make a fitness app? So basically I can train you from your cell phone. You can be at home or at the gym and we can train together. Basically my workout is just showing you what I’ve done personally and have done for years. I incorporate my dance moves, stretching, body building moves. It is all moves I do at the gym. I also tell everyone up-front, it may not work for every body type but it has definitely worked for me. I believe if you listen to me and work out you will see a difference. It is called World for a reason, it has fitness tips, it is not just working out. It is so much more.
I wanted to know WHO the app is tailored for. There are many people pressed for time, beginners, those who may be intimidated or who make excuses not to work out. According to Miss CoCo this app is for everyone, "It is for every level. There is a collection on the app of five - 8 minute workouts. So, you can do 3 different workouts in 8 minutes. That is really fun if you are on the go."
Her favourite work out of course is for your beautiful backside ladies. She recommends SQUATS if you only have time for one exercise. She said,  I suggest during the day if you have a minute do a squat but try to have something in your hand while you are doing it. Squats are my number one move in the Gym and there are so many different ways to do them. Try them with weights, without weights, with your hands, without your hands."
Here's how it works:
*$2.99 Gets you the App with 20 Exercises, 9 Workouts
*Included also is Photographs and Fitness Tips
*No Internet Required
*Unlock PREMIUM exercise routines for an additional $6.99 (Ex: “Booty by Coco”)
*The app will be continuously updated with new and exciting content.
*Cheaper than gym membership, lots of variety and a unique format to train.

I'm personally not a gym person. I prefer to train in the privacy of my own home. I am also pressed for time and a busy mom on the go. The notion of quick workouts that I can hand select to target my "problem areas" is a wonderful solution to help me eliminate my excuses.


CoCo truly believes that EVERY woman has an inner goddess inside.Will you connect with your goddess in CoCo's workout world? 

Comment below!
Stay Tuned for PART II of Discovering Your Inner Goddess with CoCo.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Letters for LIFE: Help Make SLAM A Reality

What a concept. Putting pen to paper instead of finger to keyboard or thumbs to phone screen. Remember the days of the thank you note, complaint letter or the hand written greeting? I do and to me there in nothing more powerful than a physical letter in your hands. E-mails are fine in the moment but to make an impression, I like the old fashioned LETTER.
When asked by my friend and brilliant author/actress Kristen Johnston what could possibly be done to get the attention of the New York City board of education in regard to her vision: SLAM ,I immediately thought of an old fashioned letter writing campaign. Others on her Facebook Page had the same thoughts as I and we are ready to put pen to paper for her and SLAM. She has worked tirelessly for the last 6 years to make this dream a reality. Now it's OUR turn to help!
We NEED YOU to write a letter to the NYC Board of Education in support of SLAM (Sober Learning and Motivation). Letters can be either legibly hand written or typed.

The letters need to contain the following:
1) FACTS about teen addiction (provided below). Or any others that are RELEVANT and CREDIBLE. Cite your sources.
2) Intelligent communication and not emotion.
3) Illustration as to WHY New York NEEDS this school supported by the facts above.
4) Use a personal story, if and where applicable to support the need for a school like SLAM
5) Mention Kristen Johnston's hard work, with over six years of effort put into this project.

The letters DO NOT NEED:
1) Foul language
2) Quantity over Quality. It does not have to be LONG. Include the facts and your opinion. 
3) Emotional Opinions or anything that resembles anger.  An assertive and direct approach is what will keep their attention. Stick to the facts.

You don't have to live in New York to write a letter and support this campaign. 
This is a HUMAN issue and not a geographical one. 

SOME FACTS:
"Drug use among Teens is a national health crisis. 9 out of every 10 chemically dependent Americans started smoking, drinking or drugging before age 18".

“Half of all High School students currently use addictive substances."
--The National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse (CASA)

“It is essential to begin to address the disease of substance abuse as early as possible. At 20, 25 years old … it’s too late. Not for sobriety, of course. But too late to stop the terrible negative toll Addiction will take on their lives, and ours, for years to come.”
--Dr. Scott Beinenfield, NYC Addiction Psychiatrist

“SLAM has to succeed. Without it, hundreds of NYC kids will be incarcerated – or die. My son nearly died of his addiction, which began in high school. I WISH I’d found a school like SLAM when he was a Teen. Instead, he went from rehab to rehab, relapse to relapse, ER to ER. Tragically, there’s no such school in New York City. What SLAM is doing can help countless numbers of children grow up to productive and fulfilling lives.”
David Sheff, NY Times Best-selling Author of ‘Beautiful 
Boy’ & 'Clean' 

"9 in 10 addictions BEGIN IN HIGH SCHOOL"
—The CDC

In Manhattan, aside from many regular public & private schools, 
there also high schools devoted to: LBTQ kids, construction, technology, law, asian studies, hospitality management, food & finance, science, French, fashion, economics, environmental studies, sign language, many schools devoted the arts: performing, music, directing, writing, composing, art, photography, etc. WHY NOT ADDICTION?

There are many, many schools focused on technology. as The NY DAILY NEWS wrote on Dec 2013: "New York City has been ramping up its focus on STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — to better prepare the city for the global economy. "

Kristen writes, "These are all WONDERFUL schools. I'm so glad they exist. 
Except many of NYC's teens are in a silent crisis no one will discuss.
I JUST CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY NYC REFUSES TO CREATE A SOBER HIGH SCHOOL."Especially if you realize there are 35 recovery high schools in US. 4 in Boston area alone. There are ZERO in NYC or New York State."
We can all lend a hand to the work Kristen has done. Together we may be able to make a difference or at the very lease get the Board of Educations attention.

I want their desk to look like this:
ALL Letters are to be sent to this campaign as they will be forwarded with a cover letter written by Kristen.

Mail your letter to: 
SLAM, 332 Bleecker street, NY, NY, 10014
** att: "SLAM letter campaign" on envelope***

LETTERS ARE DUE BY MARCH 1st

Write the Letters To:
Ms. Carmen Fariña (the brand new Chancellor) and/or  to NYC's Board Of Education.

The letters will take moments of your time and a stamp. This pales in comparison to the impact YOU can have on the lives of addicted youth and their families.

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST AND SPREAD THE WORD.

If you decide no to write the letter, not prioritize this small task or help out SLAM ....

Monday, January 13, 2014

Couch Critique: Golden Globe Fashion

I love award season. I always look forward to seeing the red carpet's to observe what Hollywood's finest (stylist's) assist their clients in wearing on the world stage. I like to keep things positive and highlight the  'fashion winners' from my humble PROFashional perspective. The not so fabulous are left off my list, enough said. Desginer of the night for me was GUCCI; 3 of my top pics were from the chic Italian fashion house. I was also happy to see some Vintage on the carpet, the coolest cape dress and beautiful black and gold. I always applaud 'non generic' fashion choices and the Globes had those too, Thanks Emma Watson and Diane Keaton.

 Best BUMP
Olivia Wilde in GUCCI

VINTAGE
 Emma Thompson in Vintage LANVIN & Daughter Gaia in Vintage Laura Ashley
Alexa Chung in Vintage Balenciaga from Decades LA

Best Vintage Inspired
 Zooey Deschanel in Oscar DeLa Renta


BEST Lace
Cate Blanchette in Armani

Best Beading
Elizabeth Moss in J Mendel

Best CAPE!
Upita Nyongo in Ralph Lauren

Best Black and Gold
 Julianna Margulies in Andrew Gn
Kelly Osborne in ESCADA

BEST Beaded Accents - GUCCI
Lizzy Caplan in GUCCI

Margot Robbie in GUCCI

BEST Red Carpet FASHION Statement
 Emma Watson in DIOR
This is what FASHION looks like on a read carpet.


BEST Acceptance Speech LOOK
Diane Keaton in a tailored suit and tie



Who's looks did you LOVE? Tell me in the comments below!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

I LOVE RockNPole: Fitness AND Fun

Graphic: RaraSilhouettes

My sister Lori has had the coolest business since 2009, The ORIGINAL RockNPole
It is a FITNESS business utilizing Pole, Music and FUN!

RNP has evolved from 2009 being a 2 pole, in-home business to her recent expansion in 2013 into a 6 pole fully functional studio space in a commercial location in Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Above Image: Eric Chappell
The most frustrating thing to me while watching her journey has been the misconception, misinformation and stigma that surrounds Pole Fitness. Her biggest task is EDUCATION and INSPIRATION. The public needs to be educated on what Pole Fitness really IS and be inspired to give it a try!

RockNPole IS NOT:
*It is NOT Stripping
*IT is NOT Sex
*You are NOT Naked
*You do NOT have to be fit/thin to start to train.

*Fitness - Building Muscle Tone, Strength and Flexibility
*FUN
*Challenging
*Empowering - Building Self Esteem and Confidence
*Inclusive to ALL - No matter who you are you CAN Rock the Pole

Who can Rock The Pole? Any woman or man, any shape or size willing to step outside their comfort zone and give it  try.

PARTY WITH THE POLE
The most unique part of RockNPole are the Pole Parties.
RNP brings the pole to YOU. The ultimate girls night in and perfect for ANY celebration! 
Check out this informational video:
I've had TWO Parties and LOVED IT! 
When I tried it alone with my sister as trainer I could not get over how difficult it really is and how challenged I was. I also have a pole in my home to practice and train. I wish I was closer so I could train at the RNP studio.
RockNPole offers classes at all skill levels, one-on-one private lessons AND in home or in studio Pole Parties!

Lori has AMAZING Merchandise too; T-shirts, Shorts, Shoes and everything you would possibly need to reach your pole potential (merchandise coming SOON to the RNP website)

My FAV Piece:
HERE is the  Class List/Description and Schedule

 Will you give it a try? 
Not local to Barrie, Ontario? No problem. Find a reputable pole fitness studio in your area and give it a try!

NO MORE EXCUSES! GET READY TO ROCK!