A Star Is Born

June 1, 1926 was the day that a real star was born. Norma Jean Baker AKA Marilyn Monroe. She would have been 86 years young today. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge this day and all that she has done for popular culture.

Funny that I just booked my summer family vacation in Palm Springs, California and realized that the GIANT Marilyn statue that was once housed in Chicago has now taken a new 12 month home in the center of the dessert; Where old Hollywood used to live and play. It is the famous scene from the 1955 film "The Seven Year Itch"

The statue is 26 feet tall and weighs 34,000 lbs. It will stay in Palm Springs over the next year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of her tragic death.

Stay tuned for pics of me an a mammoth Marilyn in July! 

So to pay my own homage to her I'll be watching my FAV Monroe film: "How To Marry A Millionaire" - 1953. 

 3 major Hollywood starlets in one witty, funny film with FAB wardrobe.

CHEERS Norma Jean!!! You have inspired generations of women to be sexy and fabulous! Often imitated; never duplicated. 

XO

Want Marilyn's Look? Check out this great Make-Up Tutorial.

It's All Up To YOU

Don't you think it is time to take accountability for your own life? I hear a lot of people blame the universe for their circumstances, or the lack thereof. It is an empowering thing to KNOW that YOU are in control of your life and where it goes. Make a mistake? Fix it. Make amends and learn.  If life faces you with things that are out of your control only YOU have the power of perception. You can perceive it as a negative or try to find the good, the lesson or the reason as it applies to your life path.

I came across a book today gifted to me by my Aunt Glenda as I was ready to move from Ontario, Canada to California to follow my dreams and start a new chapter.

It is called "Always Believe in yourself and your Dreams" - (WAYANT) - Blue Mountain Arts Collection. It is full of some great, simple wisdom about life.  In it was a few words I wanted to share.

"It's All Up To You" ~ Linda E. Knight (p. 17)

This life is the only one you are given.

Look for opportunities to grow and never be discouraged in your efforts to do so.

Replace your weaknesses with positives;

take life's broken pieces and recreate your dreams.

Never measure the future by the past; let yesterday become a memory and tomorrow a promise.

Begin each day by focusing on all that is good and you'll be in a position to handle whatever comes along.

Take responsibility for your action; never make excuses for not being the best you can be.

If you should slip, be comforted by the thought that we all do at times.

Determine your tomorrow by the choices toy make today, and you';; find yourself living in joy and triumph."

This seems simple enough to me.  Can you apply this to your own life? Try it and start TODAY because it's ALL up to YOU.

Evolution Rewind: Past/Present Fusion

Image: Hayley Marie

Today is a BIG day for me and my eBoutique EVOLUTION VINTAGE. I have been re-styling fashion's past current for over 2 years and servicing clients around the globe.  Today I launched the new accessory division of EV: EVOLUTION REWIND. This is where fashions past and present collide!

The Ring line is the first in my accessories that fuse the past and present together. I personally LOVE mixing elements from fashion's past and present to create a beautiful and eclectic mix. I love the craftsmanship of Vintage jewelery and specifically Vintage brooches. The metals, stones and crystals are not utilized in contemporary factory manufactured, mass produced  designs/products. I stood in an antique store last July with a broken brooch in my hand. I silently mused to myself how amazing it would be to wear it as a chic, cocktail ring as I held it up to my finger. The concept for the ring collection was born. Sadly I have never seen the brooch really come back into the fashion fray as a chic or stylish accessory. I wanted to change that by re-styling it into a contemporary cocktail ring women of all ages can wear, gift and enjoy.

I'm not the first to mount Vintage brooches as rings. I have seen earrings and pendants too from other designers and crafters who sell them. I however want to offer my clients the following:

* Fabulous costume pieces.

* A one-of-a-kind design.

* Adjustable ring mounts accessible to everyone

* High end costume mounts (24k gold & silver plating) in 3 different finishes

* Rings mounted by hand by a professional jeweler (utilizing jeweler's grade epoxy cement in lieu of traditional welding methods - See my ABOUT page for more details on the process).

There is a wide variety of rings for every age, unique taste and budget.  The price points range from $35-$150. There is a selection of Figural, Gold Tone, Silver Tone, Crystals/Stones and Floral designs.

The rings are fabulous costume pieces and the brooches true VINTAGE. They have some imperfections and slight signs of wear also knows as character. Some colours may vary slightly due to lighting and photography. All stones and jewels are intact.  Clients in USA/CAN/AUS/UK can enjoy complimentary shipping!

Can't find the one you LOVE on the REWIND site? Have a look at Tori Spelling's selections from the line and shop her store InvenTORI

Obsessed: Marine Motifs & Beach Inspiration

I'm not sure if it is because summer is just around the corner or that I live by the sea now but I am kind of obsessed with Marine motifs, beach/sea themes prints and jewels. This attraction reminds me of the beach themed Gianni Versace collection from Spring/Summer 1992.  He was a master mixer and alwys combined the most amazing pieces.

Ooooh to only get my hands on even just the shoes and accessories from the collection!! The BOLD colours, mixed metals, Mixing sea and animal prints, marine motifs, studded leggings and silk crepe .....  

As with everything in fashion it's all coming back again.  

Even Ga Ga Dipped into the Versace archives and has rocked the sea side shell pants from the S/S 92 collection

Flash forward to CHANEL S/S 2012 showing "shell" clutches and embellished purses. 

and the house of LANVIN with their clam-tastic bags.

Even Donatella Versace dug into the archives for the 2012 season with shell motif jeweled pieces and beach themed accessories.

Other beach themed pieces I LOVE:

ArtBox Sold Via: M.Fredric - Avail in Gold & Silver Tone $32

I also feature many beach themed rings in my NEW Vintage Re-Styled Ring Line: EVOLUTION REWIND

I have re-styled authentic Vintage Brooch's into fabulous cocktail rings on 24k Gold & Silver plated mounts.  They are available on-line and via InvenTORI LA. Each piece is ONE OF A KIND! Pricing ranges from $35-$150

Image: Hayley Marie Photography

 Image: Hayley Marie Photography

 Image: Hayley Marie Photography

SHOP the REWIND "Beach Themed" COLLECTION 5/21

Equality: A Human Issue

After another ridiculous constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state of North Carolina I feared that the United States, once again was going to take a big step backward with respect to equality. I was disgusted and reminded of the days where the schools were segregated and different races were not even permitted to share the same water fountain let alone the same bed or life. I questioned the amount our society has really evolved since then.  The injustice that prejudice has caused in this country is still being felt from the days of segregation. History is still repeating itself, just focused on another group.

My common sense has always told me NO ONE, much less the government should have the right to dictate who you should or can spend your life with. The government should not be able to distribute rights to one group and not another at their own discretion or deny rights's because they feel like it. Don't even get me started on the judgemental, hurtful and hypocritical institution of the church with respect to these issues.

I was pleased that President Obama FINALLY spoke up and declared to the world the way I somehow knew he felt. He has now publicly stated that he is indeed in FAVOR of same sex marriage. Imagine letting two people lawfully make a commitment, love each other and have the same rights as all other human beings. What a concept.

I hope to soon see equality across the board for everyone. LOVE, RESPECT and EQUALITY are 3 items our world could use a lot more of. It is not an issue for Government or Church, it is a human issue. We therefore should all be part of the dialogue on our road to positive change.

Well Said:

"Gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths, they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes and whether we know it, or whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends, and our neighbours.  Being gay is not a western invention. It is a human reality."  ~ Hillary Clinton

We are ALL Models

This post of mine first appeared in a guest blogger spot on Loren's World. Loren Ridinger is a business woman who truly inspires me and others with her relentless positive motivation for women in business and in life.  I had the honor of being a guest blogger on her fabulous site. You can see the original post HERE

Kaleigh Rain & I

As my daughter ages I see more and more how she takes EVERYTHING I say and do, repeats it, and mimics herself and her conduct after mine. It is a HUGE responsibility and I try to stay aware of what is going on around her.   

I wanted to share my post "We are ALL Models" as I think we all take for granted the impact our actions and words have on the people and the world around us.

My Daughter Kaleigh Rain. Age 4

We are all models, but not in the conventional sense that your mind automatically jumps too.  I’m sure as women at one time or another you have pictured yourself walking the runways of Paris or Milan with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld or the late great Gianni Versace who are proud of us as their muse of the moment.  Oh wait, is that just me?  Anyway we are all models in this life: ROLE MODELS. We are living examples to those around us.  

You would be surprised who is listening to what we say but to a greater extent who is really watching what we DO.  It is wonderful to be able to talk about intentions, dreams and goals but let’s face it folks, it’s just words until you have actions behind them.  Your actions speak volumes about the person you are and what you are trying to accomplish. People may be modeling themselves after you or you have as a role model inspired something in them to take action in their own lives.  It is the most apparent in children and they don’t even have to be your own. 

As part of normal child development and socialization children look to adults (parents and others) as models for behavior both the acceptable and unacceptable. Try to be cognizant of your actions, not just your words and set a good example for them.  They will in turn be your greatest teacher and source for personal growth to be a better person overall.  Be aware of your role model status, or even your potential role model status and it may force some introspection and self examination you may not otherwise do. Think about the concept of being a model in your everyday life even to strangers.

A great place to start thinking about what kind of model you are could be by the simple use of manners or politeness, participating in random acts of kindness or helping out a stranger for no personal benefit whatsoever. Even taking the time to smile at a stranger may set the tone for their day and they may model this kind of behavior and use it in their own daily dealings with the world. Think also about the people who have been models in your life or whom you model yourself after.  IT is a role that is very important in the grand scheme of your life and how YOUR actions impact the world around you.

No matter who your audience; ALWAYS put your best runway foot forward when you step into the world. Remember; you are strong, fierce and fabulous. You’re a MODEL!

MET Ball Beautiful

                                                       The Met Gala Red Carpet. Photo Courtesy of Kevin Tachman/Vogue.

The Annual MET Gala was last night in New York and after watching the red carpet I have only one word: SHOCK! 

There were substantially more misses than hits for me but it is not my style to point out all the fashion blunders I want to share instead the looks I LOVED! I must say however that the stars (or their stylists) need to invest in portable steamers, perhaps glasses and a little bit more taste. I look forward to the MET red carpet the most as I expect to see the most Stylish, Creative and Amazing looks. Let's just say I was underwhelmed this year.

The Looks I LOVED - Top 5 :

MY FAV!

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe Collection.

I LOVE how Vintage-Inspired CHIC this is. The turban is the most amazing touch since the exhibition is about Elsa Schiaparelli & Miuccia Prada (Impossible Conversation). This is TRES GLAM! Exactly what I expected to see at the MET.

Elsa knew how CHIC a turban is - Vintage Style

 and the contemporary turban via PRADA

Rosie Huntington Whiteley - Burberry

Jessica Stam - DIOR Haute Couture

Rachel Zoe - Rachel Zoe Collection (I'm a sucker for FRINGE!)

Jessica Pare - L'Wren Scott

BEST DESIGNER DRAPE:

Michael Kors

 Jessica Alba

Hillary Swank

FAV Jewels

January Jones wearing Vintage Cartier (1955)

What were your favs????