Every Mother Counts PART ONE

LisaG (me) 34 weeks pregnant ~ Photo by Heather Millennar


Mother's Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect not only how we appreciate and love our mothers, grand mothers, step-mothers, adoptive mothers or chosen mothers. It is also a time to reflect on how we got here, the actual process of child birth; a natural, relatively safe part of the female human experience, right?

WRONG! Worldwide more than 500,000 women die each year during childbirth and 90% of these deaths are preventable. Don't let your mind automatically jump to a hut in 3rd world or underdeveloped country right away. Developed nations like the US/Canada is included in that number.


Most of us remember Christy Turlington from the pages and covers of hundreds of fashion magazines. It can be argued that her face was one that defined the decade of 1990's fashion as she is one of the original "supermodels". She continues to model but is a lot more than a pretty face!

For Louis Vuitton 2011


She has now become the face and voice for the hundreds of thousands of women at risk globally for maternal death and complications. She has become a Maternal Health Advocate for the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) and enrolled in the Masters of Public Health program at Columbia University's Mailman School. She still did not feel like she was making the difference she desired so she has created an organization and associated web site called: EVERY MOTHER COUNTS (www.everymothercounts.org).



She has also created a documentary film called "No Woman No Cry" which will debut on the OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) TOMORROW SATURDAY May 7th:

9:30pm Eastern & West Coast / 8:30pm Central
12:30am Eastern & West Coast / 11:30pm Central

AND

Sunday May 8:
1pm Eastern & West Coast / 12n Central

In Christy's words:

"I was inspired to make a documentary film that would share the stories of women at risk of becoming a mortality statistic. I hope that by bringing people together through the universal experience of birth, we can help create a mainstream maternal health movement that ensures the lives and well-being of mothers worldwide, for generations to come."


FILM TRAILER:




Take the time to watch the film and let it inspire YOU as a woman, a mother and a human being to get involved and help!

STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO WHERE I HAD A CHANCE TO ASK CHRISTY A FEW QUESTIONS REGARDING HER CAUSE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP MOTHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Portable Luxury ~ It's in the bag

Twitter has opened up a whole new world of communication, instant digital gratification and by the minute information to me (and MILLIONS of others). I came across a very creative and kind lady in Lina of Analeena's Handbags (http://www.analeena.com/) or follow on twitter @LinaAnaleena (www.twitter.com/LinaAnaleena )





With a background in high-end fashion and accessories beginning at luxury fashion house Hermes, Lina Hamed is well versed in high quality, craftsmanship, and materials. She add's her own personality, attention to detail and artistry to each of her creations to create the signature Analeena bag! She has successfully merged luxury with practicality with her added touches that women need in a functional handbag; like an umbrella pocket, a torch (for keys) and a bag hanger (keep that bag off the floor ladies). The pieces are intended as a fashionable heirloom to be loved, used, treasured and passed down to the next generation of fashionistas.

My favorite part of her collection? THE BOLD COLORS!!! I love that the clutches are made in both jewel tones and brights ~ ORANGE being my FAV! (I also love the bright yellow, lime and the jewel tone green over sized clutches!)




Her collection is quickly becoming a favorite of celebrity Style Mavens as well. Dita Von Teese, Blake Lively and Molly Sims all share Lina's appreciation for fashion and luxury!



Style Maven: Dita Von Teese




Model & Jewelry Designer ~ Molly Sims


Blake Lively (Gossip Girl)

Character "Juliet" on Gossip Girl


I had the opportunity to ask Lina a few questions about her collection:

LISA: Where did the concept of Analeena bag's come from?

LINA: Analeena was created because I have a penchant for luxury, I worked in Hermes, which was one of the most beautiful and treasured experiences I have had. I always loved bags, and was always called the 'bag lady' by my family and friends. I love Exotic skins especially crocodile, and there was a boom in the market when I was doing my market research. I wanted to create a kind of universe of things that are classic, unique, eye catching, and easy to use. I mixed colours and skins together, I added the umbrella pocket, the rose gold metal buckles which I had not seen in the stores and a torch in every bag. I created the hand woven rock ‘n roll python bags with a metal thread and added the bag hanger, so you never have to put you bag on the floor. There is a superstition in South America and the Mediterranean that if a person puts their bag on the floor, they will lose their money. “Bag on the floor be poor"...but not with Analeena

LISA: What inspires you?

LINA: Everything. Nature, People...I am inspired by life. Everything that surrounds me is an inspiration. The fact I can never find my car keys lead me to create the torch in the bags. I can't stand to have my bag on the floor in case it gets dirty, so I thought to have a matching bag hanger in each bag. I love colour, I love emotions, feelings and I reflect that in the skins I choose.

LISA: Is the Analeena line all bags? or accessories as well?

LINA: Also accessories, such as belts, bracelets, diamond and crocodile bracelets, laptop covers.

LISA: Who are your style inspirations? or icons?

LINA: I'm inspired by many people, Gianni Agnelli, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, and Diana Vreeland.

LISA: Where can my readers buy your creations?

LINA: Harrods in the Uk, Javece in Hong Kong, Hip in Cairo. The online shopping is being launched but it will take sometime.

LISA: What is your personal favorite Analeena bag?

LINA: Oh that's a difficult one! As I carry all my bags, I designed each piece around what I need, carry and use. I even carry the clutches during the day!

LISA: What would you recommend for your readers for S/S 2011 from your line? for day AND night

LINA: All of them! But if one were to choose just one bag then id say the Analeena Over sized Clutch, that gets you through day to night

For those of you who are in LOVE with the line and are unable to get across the pond to buy one, start $saving ladies in anticipation for her on-line launch! Remember when making large luxury purchases, you really DO get what you pay for!

Patriotic Pairings for Spring/Summer

Patriotic pairings are a trendy choice for Spring / Summer 2011 ~ for us residing in the USA/U.K. embrace your RED, WHITE & BLUES with a little nautical twist and glam gold accents. To be Canadian CHIC, get rid of your blues and rock your red & white!! xo

*Trends are suggestions and not to be taken literally really. They are intended to be interpreted by you and your own unique and personal style. The color pallet can serve as inspiration. For example one of the colors is white - nothing is as chic as an all white ensemble with great accessories for Spring/Summer*

I got this fabulous R/W/B striped Vintage coat yesterday and it was instinctual that I immediately LOVED it for this season.

I then cruised by my p.o. box to pick up my mail and was greeted with the latest issue of Harpers Bazaar to find the following reinforcement (Click on images to ENLARGE):





CHIC confections from Evolution Vintage (SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/ )

SHOP: http://www.evolution-vintage.com/

No matter what flag you live under you can ROCK YOUR VERSION of the above or perish the thought all together, wear what YOU want for S/S 2011 and let your Fashion Forecaster Freak Flag FLY HIGH!! I will personally be waving BOTH flags this season.