'I've Got Spring Fever'

With thoughts of gingerbread houses and mistletoe banished from our minds, there is one thing to look forward to this time of your: the Spring-Summer 210 Collections.

From tribal and military green to boudoir and body-con, this Spring has exciting styles to suit your every mood. Here are my top first two. Look for later installments to find out more!

Boudoir Faire

Clouds of chiffon. Tufts of lace. Designers like Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana venture to the bedroom, proving that innerwear can be even sexier as outwear.

High-waisted culottes and lace-infused satin slips might resurface in stores as the runways of Tuleh, Nina Ricci, Victor & Rolf and Etro played with sleepwear and lingerie elements. At Prada, silk short bottoms in a tropical blue island print matched a cropped jacket and jewel encrusted satchel. Tuleh topped the tiny bottoms with a bow and floral-applique corset. The combinations - and unexpected colors and prints now (think red leopard or mosaic prints) make boudoir dressing a daytime option.

Tribal Society

Be it the Orient or the Sahara, spring fashion celebrates its ‘tribal rite’ to animal prints, earth tones, intricate geometric patterns, and feathers.

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac used raffia to create what looked more like a large African tribal mask fit for dance around a bonfire than a black and acid green halter dress.

Chances are you will find a linen jacket embellished with small stones browns and blacks – similar to the one at Carolina Herrera. Or for the more bald-faced, Malandrino has a flouncy one-sleeve dress that three different patterns in bright pink and purple.

My suggestion: Don’t overwhelm your look with too many patterns and scale back on the accessories if the print can hold its own.

Below is a look at the Spring-Summer 2010 tribal trend in the November ’09 issue of Vogue. I’m already inspired, thinking about a possible concept for my next fashion editorial shoot…

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of style.com and www.fashionising.com

'Still Some Wrapping Left'

Say 'goodbye' to all your holiday decor

Sleeping in, shopping, munching on brownies, boycotting the gym, visiting family, partying one last time at the Tavern… this past holiday I managed to do all of my favorite things.

But the holiday is over, and with it comes the last of holiday wrapping.

All the initial excitement from unpacking ornaments and decorating the tree is gone. Putting the decorations away is not nearly as fun as taking them out.

Yet with a few tips on how to best tackle the storage of your holiday décor, the process will seem less painful.

All Together Now

Ever lose 30 minutes of your life rifling through boxes of wires and adapters and not finding the cable you need? For the perpetual nomads (myself included) that change addresses every few months, this happens all too often.

The solution: Keep your holiday décor all in the same place. Be it Christmas lights, inflatable snowmen, a menorah, or plastic reindeer, it will be easier to find come next year if you store these pieces in one central location.

*Certain items like dishes and heirloom items are better stored in the home where temperature can be controlled, away from the garage or basement.

Put a Label on It

Or else you will be opening a lot of unmarked boxes before getting to the one you need.

Make sure to write on each box a list of its contents. Place an itemized list inside the box for further specification.

Another suggestion – and one that 99 percent of the population do not practice – is to attach tags ($4.49) to cables and cords that explain their purpose. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that the green cord connects to the singing Santa Claus and not the light-up archangel?

The Right Stuff

Everyone loves bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts. But if you want to protect and better organize your holiday decorations, you’ll have to do better than that.

Find a quality container that will protect against accidents, pests and the occasional water damage. For ornaments, a container with cubbies (example below) and loaded with tissue paper will best separate and shield your ornaments from bumps and spills.

Until next year…

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of countryliving.com; www.rodandjess.com; amazon.com; 2.bp.blogspot.com

'Let's Get this Party Started'

It is perhaps the one rare occasion throughout the year when our hearts and minds are focus on the past, present and future all at once.

The New Year.

This year, I will be saying goodbye to 2009 and New York City’s iconic Tavern on the Green at the restaurant’s farewell party. The Central Park landmark since 1939, known for its blowout parties and the annual marathoners’ pasta fest, will close its doors January 1 – a victim of the financial crisis and high-priced operating expenses.

It will be my first time at the famed restaurant, with its wonderland décor that includes 45 chandeliers of glass and stained-glass, 600,000 tree lights and topiary animals in its gardens, etched mirrors, and copper and gold-leaf weathervanes.

It once was a place frequented by celebrities like Grace Kelly and John Lennon and where former owner Warner LeRoy would open champagne bottles with the swing of a sword.

Kicking the New Year with the best that my city has to offer is the precedent I’d like to set for the coming year. And if that precedent is to be made in style, my New Year’s outfit better be a show-stopper.

Dramatic textures, shimmering embellishments and sumptuous fabrics guarantee that my New Year’s ensemble will deserve nothing less than the spotlight. Here’s my ultimate party wardrobe:

Fancy Feet

I like to party with the best – that includes my shoes too. Nothing comes close to the quality and craftsmanship of a Prada shoe. This suede bootie in (sold out) has a slightly pointed toe, but with its black suede straps and heel adds a cool contemporary spin to a classic silhouette.

Bare It All

This black BCBG (on sale now) with an overlay of tulle and asymmetric shoulder shows the right amount of skin. No need to wear a statement necklace because this neckline says it all. The zip closure on the side ensures a snug fit and the strap is adjustable. I plan to pair this top with a banded mini skirt, but on another occasion can be worn with leggings or even jeans. And I do admire the ruching of tulle along the bottom, which accentuates the waistline.

Rock N’ Roller

I don’t need arm candy; I need an accessory that will pack a punch. This Rebecca Minkoff 3-zip clutch (sold out in yellow) with its exotic leather print and leather fringe is sure to infuse a bit of rocker glam to a rather simple, yet stylish party outfit. Its bright yellow shade will break up the black and gray, bringing some much-needed color and attention to my New Year’s look.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of annaginzburg.com; yoox.com; BCBG and handbagsdir.com

'How Does Your Garden Grow?'

Being green doesn’t have to mean purchasing all new energy efficient appliances or light bulbs - or that the truck parked in the driveway now has to be exchanged for a compact hybrid car.

Nope. It could be as simple as keeping a few potted plants and flowers inside your home.

This Christmas, give the gift of Mother Nature to someone special. From Redbook Magazine, find out how you can grow your own indoor garden with this do-it-yourself recipe:



What you will need

· Glass covering to place over the terrarium (i.e. bell jars, glass cake cover, vase with wide enough rim)

· Pot or some kind of base

· Plants

· Potting mix

· Pebbles, gravel

· Stones or moss

· Pruners or scissors

· Charcoal

· Spray bottle with water

· Either a fork and spoon, or a small rake and scoop

1. The first step is to decide where you will keep your plant (s) and to pick a plant species that will grow best under those conditions. Those suggested are ferns, violets or mosses because of its small size, slow growth, love of shade and tolerance to humidity.
   
   
2. Spread about one-inch of the pebbles or gravel at the base of the pot with the fork/spoon. Layer it with some charcoal – this will help filter water and prevent the growth of fungi once you’ve closed the terrarium.
   
   
   
   

3. Now you can place the soil (potting mix) on top of the charcoal. Create a small mound in the center, where the plant will go.

4. Use the scoop to dig a hole in the mound of soil. Place your largest plant inside and make sure to cover all the roots with the soil. If you plan to have other plants, make sure there is enough space between them to grow.

5. The moss and/or pebbles will serve as a decorative layer to top off the terrarium.

6. Use the pruners to trim the plant leaves if they extend past the edge of the pot. Keep the spray bottle to lightly moisten the soil.

7. ***Before you cover the terrarium, let the plant “air out.” (This is important; otherwise mold can grow when you close it.) Once you place the lid on top, the terrarium will become its own ecosystem and watering will not be necessary. But every weeks, test the soil to see if it’s dry. If it is, lightly mist and repeat airing it out before closing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of Redbook Magazine