ROCKIN' RORANGE

A HOT color that I LOVE for Summer 2011 is RORANGE ... a rich combination between Red and Orange; Not quite Crimson and not quite Rust. I have seen the color on the red carpet from celebs like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston who usually sport a really Blah beige or a classic LBD's (Little Black Dresses). They are turning up the heat this season with Rockin' RORANGE

Nancy O'Dell @ 2011 Golden Globes

Can you ROCK RORANGE??

Sold

SHOP: EVOLUTION VINTAGE eBOUTIQUE

Grab Your Piece of the PIE

Photograph by Chris Woods

PIE Magazine is an affordable luxury lifestyle publication available three times each year and marketed as a book-a-zine in Canada. It is intended to be a collectors item with it's content that is un-dated and/or un-seasoned. The magazine is a gift to the reader and encompasses a wide range of topics; Style, Design, Art, Music, Photography, Travel, Finance and Culinary delights.

I was so thrilled to be able to contribute to PART 5, featuring Hugh Hefner.

My personal image

I had the privileged of sitting beside this iconic couch and interviewing Mr. Hefner for over 30 minutes. He was a charming and intelligent man. We discussed the lesser know aspects of his life and career. I am pleased that his feature and interview will be a tool to learn about his iconic and infuential life. My piece is entitled, Hugh Hefner: Publisher, Pioneer, Inspiration and Dreamer.

 It was also a very interesting experience to visit the Playboy mansion 8 months pregnant with my son.

Image: Chris Woods

In the pages of this issue I have also written an Elizabeth Taylor memorial piece.

And I had the pleasure of interviewing award winning costume designer Janie Bryant once again for PIE, regarding her work on the hit show Mad Men.

See Janie's interview for this blog HERE

The Bookazine is full of great content, stories and photographs.

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.

STYLE Never Takes Maternity Leave

I have about 5 weeks to go until I get to meet baby #2. I am bigger and more uncomfortable than ever but I have yet to sacrifice my personal style and hit perma-yoga-pant status. Many women's body image and view of themselves start to go south with their expanding figures, stretch marks and weight gain as their bodies are hijacked by the most amazing miracle. On my less than fabulous days all it takes is an amazing outfit to make me feel a bit better. It's like a confidence boost and energy via "Style Osmosis" ~ what's on the outside get's inside!

I wanted to share some celebrity maternal style inspiration's. If you are sitting at home reading this, pregnant in track pants, if you are not a mom-to-be yet let is serve as future Mamma Maven motivation AND if you never intend to be a mommy style maven then you can marvel at these women who do it all; spend their time building their empires, growing a person (or two) and still maintain themselves and their personal style.


I'm not suggesting to copy or strive to style yourself after them - just embrace your personal unique style and maintain it no matter what maternal phase you are in at this point in your life. It takes every ounce of energy I have left to put my best foot forward and dress to fashionably face the day - MY WAY!
SOME OF MY RECENT LOOKS! IN ALL MY REPRODUCTIVE GLORY!

My mommy must have for the 3rd trimester: The MAXI Dress. It can be worn a million ways. Dressed up or down, in a print or solid with various accessories! LOVE!

P!NK Rocking a Maxi @ Farmers Market in LA

CASUAL CHIC!

PRENATAL PRINTS

POSH and PREG

RED CARPET MAMMAS


My ultimate MATERNAL MAVEN is stylist Rachel Zoe. She worked all levels of Glamour during her pregnancy!

No matter what your size, shape, or budget you can maintain your personal style or even explore it while pregnant! A little effort will produce a beautiful result as Style NEVER takes Maternity leave!

SHOP EVOLUTION VINTAGE for my great selection of baby bump friendly fashion ~ Dresses and Maxi's fit for any Mommy Maven!

Don't take my word for it: Fashion Designer Michael Kors told me via twitter The S/S 2011 Maternity must haves: Chic caftans, empire waist dresses, great Grecian sandals!