Because close friends always make it better.

 I had hands down one of THE WORST days ever last Wednesday. What could have gone wrong, went beyond wrong. I was exhausted. Frustrated. I lost my personality, AND I just wanted to give up and run far away from it all. You know me!! The words "I give up" do not exist in my vocab! I was in a sorry state. But then I saw Andrew, Mark, and Joseph at the "My It Things" fashion show (I was a judge) and things looked a little brighter. There are a few select people that I can truly say are in the "inner circle of Hitha" and these three definitely included in that group. I am so incredibly lucky to have such awesome people around me always.

Andrew, me and Joseph (from left to right). Aren't they adorbs???

 

The super HOT Mark Pasetsky. I loved his outfit.

 

 

Inspired.

Wow what a day. This morning I went to a press preview thinking it was going to be like any other press preview (meaning, we look at the product, I take some pictures and then leave) until I met the designer and chief executive. Peeps, if you haven't checked out Mary Norton's accessories collection you MUST DO IT NOW. Not only is this woman SUPER talented, her story... I just... wow. I won't go into too many details about it in this medium, but just to give you an idea, this woman has seen HELL and bounced back like a freakin' champ. And you know what really brought tears to my eyes? She told me this story in the most sincere and nicest way ever. Not bitter. Not angry. Just this is how it was, now it's like this, and we keep moving forward. People, for once I don't think my words can convey how amazing this meeting was or how so unbelievably awesome Mary Norton is. I walked out thinking I can also conquor any obstacle whether it's personal, professional or a big rock in the road as I go on my 6 mile run in the mornings. What an amazing way to start the day. Oh and her accessories- are just as incredible as her!

Is NOW really the best time for J. Crew Collection?

OK, I know there are some INSANE J. Crew afficianados out there (me included) but I am on the fence about the opening of the new J. Crew Collection store on Madison Ave.  I mean, I get that on the Upper East Side (a place that sometimes feels like a totally different country instead of a different nabe) isn't really feeling the effects of the economic crisis for the most part.  I just don't know if opening a space right now that caters to rich people was the smartest thing to do. The only way that it could TRULY work is if it generates as much foot traffic as that crazy Abercrombie store on 56th and 5th- you know the one where you can smell the dudes cologne from a mile away? It would be interesting to see how that Lilly Pulitzer store is doing now that I mention it...

Money saving tip #2: Stop getting your hair done.

UGH. Everyone knows I am at war with my hair every. single. day. If I let it kind of go natural, it looks like a big frizzy mess that would have looked ok in the late 60s early 70s but definitely not cool now.  Pre economic crisis, I would get a blow out every two days. Yeah, not so much anymore.  So I was watching the local news the other day and to my surprise I found out that the Eliut Rivera salon in NYC is offering blow out lessons!! I love it.  How does the old adage go? "Teach a man (or in this case woman) how to fish and she will eat for a lifetime?" I think I just may sign myself up!

Money saving tip #1: The Duane Reade rewards card.

Whoa. I just got a coupon for $5 off a purchase at Duane Reade and I am PSYCHED. My face wash (Olay Regenerist-what? Did you really think I washed my face with La Mer??) costs $7 so that means I only pay $2!!  Since this little domestic economic crisis has now turned into an enormous global situation, I think we should all take advantage of money saving tools like the rewards card my ex made me sign up for years ago. I will FOR SURE post more tips as I find them...

Rochas revisited.

I know a lot of you hard core fashion gods were depressed when the fashion house, Rochas closed down two years ago. Well I have good news for you! There are rumors swirling that P&G will re-open the house as part of a licensing agreement with hi-fi Italian manufacturer Gibo Co. SpA. No one is confirming anything yet (typical) but according to this Wall Street Journal piece Gibo will produce a ready-to-wear apparel line under the Rochas brand. Hot right?

Let them eat cake.

Recession? Economic crisis? These days the fashion industry is (in Guy Trebay's words) having a "Marie Antoinette" moment. I have to tell you, I kind of agree. Between the half million dollar fetes I attend almost daily for a new book, store opening or product and the INSANELY expensive press kits I get FED EXED to me even though offices are just down the street, it seems the fashion industry continues to debauch out even though Rome is burning. I think we are gonna have a rude awakening...

Discuss: Vogue India

This story broke right before fashion week and I haven't had a second to discuss it. Actually I probably shouldn't discuss it since I contribute to ELLE India. BUT I am curious to hear what you all think. Without editorialzing the story is this (from the SAJA Forum): "A fashion spread in the latest Vogue India, in which poor, nameless Indians sport $10,000 handbags and $100 bibs, has catalyzed a profound reaction in the press and blogosphere. What is the acceptability, many are asking, of employing such jarring images, un-ironically, for the sake of commerce?"

This is a quote from Vogue India's editor-in-chief Priya Tanna:

"Lighten up...Vogue is about realizing the 'power of fashion' and the shoot was saying that “fashion is no longer a rich man’s privilege. Anyone can carry it off and make it look beautiful. You have to remember with fashion, you can’t take it that seriously. We weren’t trying to make a political statement or save the world." 

And lastly, a picture from the spread:

Thoughts?

Simply amazing.

St. Lucia's tag line is "St. Lucia- Simply Beautiful." My experience of the island was not only beautiful but simply amazing. I don't know if it was the timing of this much needed trip, the people that were with me, or the island itself but this experience was unbelievable.  Many thanks to Michelle, who is an executive producer extraordinaire, and Risa, Kelly, Matthew and Peter for being such awesome travel mates.  You all seriously rule!

More pictures of St. Lucia.

The hits keep on comin'.  I am also WAY behind in my blogging so bear with me. Photos taken again by the amazing Risa Merl.

This is the dock at Marigot Bay. I grew up in New Mexico, so being on a boat isn't something that is second nature to me (read: dealing with sea sickness). Regardless, my new friends (all boating journalists) gave me crash course on boating.

We were only at Marigot Bay for one night and then moved to this villa at Cotton Bay. It literally looked like the Real World house- think Hamptons share but in St. Lucia and sicker digs.

A picture of our pool at Cotton Bay. The beach was two steps away.

Every morning I would get up at around 6:30 am to go running. Ok, yes on a typical day I DO get up early, but it would get so hot in St. Lucia by 7:00am you had no choice but to get up at the crack and get moving. Risa left this totally cute note for me- I would go running then come grab her for beach time.  On this particular morning, she motivated before I got back!

See that hill in the distance? Yeah, that's where I would go running. It was SO gorgeous but desolate. My paranoid self could not stop thinking about Natalie Holloway. I know, I know... I need to stop watching Law & Order...

The other hill I would go running up. My running playlist consisted of Peter Tosh, Grateful Dead and The Buena Vista Social Club.

Ha! Part of a real deal rocket booster from a space shuttle (not sure which one) fell into the ocean and washed up on the shore. So nuts.

In pictures: St. Lucia.

There really isn't much for me to say other than I can't believe I was here just one week ago... *sigh* (pictures by the amazing Risa Merl)

Yeah, that's not a postcard. That was our view of the Pitons from Jade Mountain, one of the most unbelievable five star resorts in St. Lucia.

This is the BEDROOM at Jade Mountain. Notice it's missing the fourth wall so you can get direct ocean breeze while you are sleeping.

Another view of the beautiful ocean from Jade Mountain.

My Skinny Bitch lifestyle was put on temporary hiatus so I could eat my face off for three days and not worry about it. I do think this dessert (a chocolate mousse in a coconut) is organic...

I didn't want to be a complete sloth all weekend, so I got my excersise on by swimming, running and walking every day. This is a picture of beach we swam to while the boat was anchored in the ocean.

Speaking of boats, just one of our rides for the weekend. Pretty sweet.

For those of you that DIDN'T catch the Cavuto segment...

Shame on you! Just kidding! I want to reiterate my point I made on air today that everyone is getting way too entrenched in this "doom and gloom" attitude about the holiday sales season. The consumer should and will be jumping for joy- the prices are going to be so slashed (because reatailers want to move out that inventory STAT) we (meaning me)  might want to re-think getting those Chloe heels for a 42 inch HD plasma. Yep you heard me correct- a gigantic plasma TV will be in the price range of $500- the same price as the shoes I am currently coveting. As far as the retailers are concerned, I think they are gonna have to put in a lot of effort to make up some dismal same store retail sales numbers over the past year. But I wouldn't write them off just yet- these major companies and the aren't stupid. I bet we see some incredible promotions and creative advertising over the next couple months as part of a whole strategy to get shoppers in the door. Now, back to blogging about St. Lucia...

"Vacation's all I ever wanted..."

And that's totally what I got. Peeps, fashion week got out of control this season. It was fun but whoa was it really hectic (we still have reviews to post!). I had a trip to St. Lucia planned and I can not tell you happy I was to get on that flight on Friday.  Yes, I was working on a story so technically it wasn't a vacation, but none the less, it was pretty awesome to hang by a beautiful ocean for a long weekend. More pictures TK...  

Get your fash-on.

Amidst all of FashionRocks insanity, I almost forgot about fashion week. Just kidding! But seriously folks, it definitely feels like fashion week started days ago when really today was the first day. Since I was caught up making sure the Pussy Cat Dolls looked fantastic down the red carpet, Emma graciously went to Erin Fetherston for me. This is what she had to say: "Even though I was sitting behind a man with a straw fedora at the Erin Fetherston show, I still got glimpses of each outfit that was coming down the runway...hits of lime, lavender, sequins and gathered ivory skirts that looked like whip cream. I was sort of dissapointed that the man in the fedora didn't block my whole view. The collection was called, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon." It SHOULD have been called "25 going on 5." Though Fetherston is known for her designs as being feminine to the max, her Spring 2009 collection looked like it was taken from a 5 year old's closet and made into a woman's size 0.

The final dress was called "Sunset Ombre Flowing Cloud Gown" - and it looked exactly like that... but what's next? A model riding a unicorn down the runway or butterflies and bubbles flying out to the photographers at the end of catwalk? My wish to Fetherston is that she'd keep her femininity because that is what she is known for, but mature the collection so it would relate better to her audience."

Whoa Emma. Harsh but in a great way! If you were at the show, what do you YOU think??