Tag Archives: film

Il Tennis

April 30, 2013

It’s time to hit the courts.

There are a lot of things I enjoy about playing tennis. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, it’s a sport you can play for life, and the clothes.

I’m dead serious. From a very young age, I’ve LOVED tennis outfits. I like to keep my clothes simple, no lace or crazy patterns. I’m there to play a sport not to go clubbing.

Below are some of my favorite old school photos. It’s interesting, you could wear any of these clothes now (perhaps not the headbands) and they would look contemporary even though they are from the 70′s and the 80′s. Classic.

Hubbell! “The Way We Were” 1973

The late great Arthur Ashe.

Carrie Fisher in “Shampoo” 1975

Frenchman, Yannick Noah. Big crush on him back in the early ’80s.

Bjorn Borg, from Sweden, my other big crush.

Steffi Graf, in the 80′s.

John McEnroe in ’79 looking salty. As usual.

Photo: Guardian UK

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Good friends off the courts but had one of the best sports rivalries in history.

Photo: World In Sport.com

Other photos: Google

Weekend Inspiration – Audrey Hepburn In Rome

April 5, 2013

Fashion, I Libri/Books, Italy

4 Comments

Audrey Hepburn’s son, Luca Dotti, has edited a book about his famous mother.

“Audrey In Rome” has over two hundred photographs, many of them never published before, taken during the time Ms. Hepburn lived in the Eternal City.

Ms. Hepburn was a resident in Rome for over twenty years after marrying, Dr. Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist.

I cannot wait to buy this book filled with photos of Rome and of fashion from the ’50s to the ’70s. The release date is April 16th.

Hope you have a stylish and fantastic weekend.

Book Cover: Audrey In Rome

Weekend Inspiration – Kate Spade + Bicycles + Shutters On The Beach = Stylish Fun

February 22, 2013

Designers, Fashion, Italy, Me Myself and I

8 Comments

It’s a cloudy, rainy day in Rome.

To be honest, I’m so over the rainy season it’s not funny. Perhaps living in sunny Los Angeles for ten years has ruined my ability to cope with normal winter weather.

I went to college in Upstate New York. I’m from the East Coast. Now all of a sudden I’m a big wimp when it comes to the weather? I really need to stop complaining about the cold because in a few months it will be too hot.

It’s Oscar weekend. One of the most fun events is the Independent Spirit Awards, which were held under a big tent in Santa Monica with the after party at Shutters On The Beach Hotel.

The last time I went to the party, a friend and I kept ~~following~~ bumping into Daniel Craig. It was a glorious day.

Unfortunately, the upcoming forecast is not so glorious… rain for the next five days. Clearly, there will be no stylish bike riding for me this weekend.

Buon weekend a tutti!

THE DOOR by Ava DuVernay – Film, Dècor, and Fashion.

February 12, 2013

Design, Fashion, Film, Home Décor, Uncategorized

6 Comments

In 2011 the Italian fashion label Miu Miu started Women’s Tales, a series of short films about women directed by female directors from all over the world.

Their most recent short was directed by Ava DuVernay. Ava won the best director award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Here is more information about Ava’s short from Miu Miu:

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.” Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

Not a word was spoken, but Ava told a beautiful story. For some reason, I didn’t recognize Gabrielle Union at first!

The Door combines three things I’m passionate about, dècor, film, and fashion. Several of the pieces in the short need to be in my closet and hello, that house!

I’ve seen many films with “a glass house in L.A.” set design but this one really captured that L.A. loneliness vibe. I loved it.

Stylish Simplicity – Earrings – Me&Ro Jewelry

October 1, 2012

Design, Designers, Fashion, Me Myself and I

2 Comments

Years ago when I was i~~n the middle of hell~~ a Hollywood film development executive, I worked 24/7. I also made no money, but on my birthday I would buy either a bag, shoes, or jewelry.

For a few years (until the production company I worked for shut down) I alternated between which item to get, went go to Barneys, and put down my Barneys credit card. I would pay it off immediately with birthday money I received from my family.

I didn’t go crazy. I would buy, say a pair of Prada shoes (back then the prices were at least $200 lower) instead of Louboutins. That said, I think Marc Jacobs bags were/are completely over priced. Can someone please explain their price points to me?

One particularly heinous year, I doubled down and bought a bag AND earrings.

That year I walked pass the jewelry section on the first floor and a pair of earrings, similar to below, caught my eye.

Me&Ro Silver Multiple Flattened Dangle Earrings

I put them on and said, “I’ll take them.”

For a while I only wore the earrings on special occasions. Then I thought that didn’t make sense. Beautiful things should be worn.

I wear them all the time now.

These earrings are the only Me&Ro pieces I own. I love them and look forward to buying more pieces in the future.

The designer and CEO, Robin Renzi, used to be a dancer and started her company in the back of her Elizabeth Street apartment in the early ’90s. Me&Ro works with recycled materials and their designs are simple and stylish. The company has really grown since the mid 00s but the quality is as high as ever.

Also, I like that they still make and produce all their jewelry in Tribeca, New York City. I’m sure they could increase their profit margins if they shipped those jobs overseas. That they’ve been in downtown NYC all this time says a lot about the company’s values.

It’s Important To Treat. Yo. Self.

July 10, 2012

Uncategorized

1 Comment

For those who don’t watch NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”, here are two clips explaining what the heck the title of this post is referring to.

Not having a steady paycheck is of course one of the major downsides of starting your own company and/or being a writer. Your landlord doesn’t care if your latest script is hilarious. If it doesn’t sell, you can’t pay your rent.

Another downside is the lack of structure. I work from home. My laptop is always around. I don’t take the weekends off. I feel guilty if I’m not working on novel number two, tweaking the AGD business plan, finishing a rewrite on a spec, working on my TV idea pitches, etc.

The thing is, I’m producing diminishing returns. I’m fried.

I finally hit the wall last week. While I do have a slew of pitches coming up, (which I have no control over), I have to get some kind of schedule in place.

I also need to treat myself once in a while. I have been so severe with my budget, it’s insane. I can account for every single euro I spend.

I have no desire to have credit card debt or to be irresponsible. But I cannot continue to live the way I’m living. Something has to change.

So, I’m going to loosen the reins a little.

Treat. Yo. Self. 2012 has begun.

RIP Nora Ephron

June 28, 2012

Film

Buon Viaggio – Cannes and St. Tropez

May 25, 2012

Film, Travel

8 Comments

My first trip to southern France was incredible. My friend’s boss invited me to join them on his yacht. At first I wasn’t sure about going since I didn’t have a film at the festival and I had nothing to wear.

I like to have a plan. What exactly would I do in Cannes? My friend told me to get a grip as the trip was completely paid for. She had a point.

I’m very glad I said yes. Our host was lovely. Being a good host (and a good guest) is not something everyone knows how to do. I’m not sure why this is as there are a billion magazine articles and books on etiquette.

The attention to detail was impressive. The crew went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. The chef was OUTSTANDING. I ate well and drank some great wines.

On the first day, the water was extremely choppy. It calmed down by the evening and I had no problems sleeping. it was so quiet (unlike my darn neighborhood). The décor of my en suite cabin (and the yacht in general) was fantastic, very classic and understated. It felt like a home.

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It was nice, and surreal, to catch up with some Hollywood friends. There were multiple celebrity sightings. I did slip into a little funk after one exec said something bitchy to me. My friend and her husband cheered me up and reminded me why I left L.A. in the first place. Also, a good friend back in Rome told me to remember where I was staying and to forget about that miserable snobby person. Which is what I did as I drank some rosé.

On Friday we drove to St. Tropez. The traffic was bananas but it was worth it. We had a delicious lunch at Le Club 55. It was great people watching. Later, I read that during July and August the whole beach becomes quite the scene. When we were there the restaurant was packed with local families looking like the wealthy French version of J. Crew.

The sun came out during lunch and we drove back with the top down. It wasn’t a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon.

The village of St. Tropez is charming. I would love to go back and spend more time there.

There were many highlights during my short trip (French bread, excellent bath products, jogging through Cannes early in the morning) but the best thing about it was spending time with my friends.

Flashback: Françoise Hardy – Le Temps De L’Amour

May 22, 2012

Caribbean, Film, Music, Travel, Uncategorized

12 Comments

I went to Cannes last week for the film festival as a guest of my friend’s boss. I cannot get this song out of my head. It plays during the trailer of the new Wes Anderson movie, “Moonrise Kingdom”, which was the opening film of the festival.

The first time I saw the trailer I was worried the movie would be too “twee”. There’s a reason Anderson is one of the most polarizing film directors working in Hollywood today. I bumped into a film critic last week who told me the movie really moved him (after the first half hour) and I’ve heard the performances are great.

My parents had several Hardy records when I was growing up, but I was trying to fit into suburban America and wasn’t checking for a singer from France. Now, like many other things my Caribbean parents liked, I get it.

Here’s the “Moonrise Kingdom” trailer.

Tom Ford’s Stylish Simplicity At The Oscars

March 6, 2012

Fashion, Film

2 Comments

This Tom Ford dress is not an easy look to pull off. With a dress this “simple” the tailoring has to be impeccable and the accessories must be on point. That cuff!

There are no bells and whistles to distract the eye. It’s a formal gown, yet the dress looks comfortable. The cape was a daring and practical choice. It was chilly that day in Los Angeles.

Gwyneth was mentioned on many Oscar Best Dressed lists and I agree.

She said in several interviews that this was the only dress she tried on. Gwyneth was inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural gown which was made by Bergdorf Goodman’s Ethel Frankau.

Perfection.

—Arlene Gibbs Décor

Rome. Decorating. Stylish Simplicity.

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