ghosts of NYFW past

Due to the world being upside down right now, NYFW has been put on hold. I wanted to take this moment to reminisce on some of my favorite looks from attending over the years.

Joining the Harem

 Don't laugh; I have been asked to join several harems since I began the Blaga adventure. Much love to my loyal Middle Eastern followers:).

I’m loving these Bali inspired, flowy pants. This whole look vibes so much with where I’m at mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. More open, more at ease, more feminine yet more empowered. As I continue to return to my natural flow state, I gravitate towards that sexy hippie look. This bodysuit is amazing. Designed by international Bali based yogi, Meghan Currie, it serves as a top, a bathing suit, or as a cute one piece lounging situation. This would look beautiful under a long skirt as well. You could even put a boyfriend blazer over this look, to take it from day to night. The pants are versatile; just pair them with the right accessories. Their elastic, scrunched waist is so forgiving, always a plus. This is the first time in my life I feel comfortable embracing a bodysuit. The less I limit myself, the better I feel internally. That balance of feminine and masculine energies, when achieved, radiates from within. It’s when I feel most at home in my person. Join me in that.

Capri Pants

Can’t a girl in quarantine fantasize about being in Capri, Italy in the 60’s? Of course she can. Especially when this DVF ensemble is just too fabulous to stay inside a closet all summer. Listen, I’m not going anywhere right now, but it’s fun to get into character when still pumping out style content. They can take away our travel plans, but not our imagination! This outfit is such a statement. Bold and bright, it flows and reveals just the right amounts of skin in strategic places. I love all the coordinating pops of color with the accessories. It was fun to play up the color scheme. Hey, if you have neon orange shoes, now would be the time to bust them out. The 60’s style headband worked perfectly, as did the large sunglasses. The cuff happens to be DVF too, but from a million years ago. It’s always fun to mix the same designer from different decades. In trying to evoke a vibe from another time period, choose accessories that support that mood. These pants can easily be worn a number of equally chic ways; with a white button down or tank top. Options are what make an item reasonably packable, when I will be able to actually get myself on a plane, hopefully to Capri.

Floral Flow

Sometimes all you need is that perfect breezy, floral, summer dress. This one from Warriors of the Divine, a Bali based company, puts me in that lovely, feminine zone. It flows, it moves with me, and it drapes forgivingly in a scrumptious way. Day or evening, this dress is perfect for many summer occasions, even a more casual wedding. With Corona weddings being smaller, more intimate, stripped down affairs, this look would be divine. Boho chic it up with mismatched turquoise and gold jewelry, and a flat sandal or kitten heel. It took me a long time to embrace florals; so glad I did. Lesson? Always stay open to new ways of being, including the way we dress. Going with the flow really does work.

Jungle Love

This is me ironically posing for a wild, vine swinging photo shoot. Two reasons why this vibe is a fantasy;

1) I’m terrified of heights so vine swinging ain’t for me.

2) WE ARE STILL TRAPPED AT HOME AND CANNOT GO ANYWHERE.

Travel via nature or man made modes of transportation are still out of the question. Creativity has been really helping to keep my mind healthy, though. This dress from Bali based yogi Meghan Currie, from her new line Isabelle Moon, helps me achieve that perfect sexy, lounge mood. This dress is great for chilling at home, as a cover up at the pool, or out to dinner post COVID. It’s so comfortable yet helps me tap into my wild side. Messy hair and gold and brown accessories drive home the look. That shell ear cuff is a new fave detail. Bali is definitely on my list of travel destinations once that becomes possible, but for now I’ll settle for wilding out at home.

New Patterns

I’m wild about this two piece ensemble from Century 21. I stopped in my bargain shopper tracks when I spotted this, while shopping for the Passover trip that never happened this year. It looks so high fashion. I love a good bustier, and this whole look felt clever. The over sized button down can serve as a caftan or loose dress without the belt, but the belt cinches for a flattering effect. There is a reason you’ve seen this belt a million times on me. A great belt is such a smart investment. I’ve had this one for 14 years. The bustier top can be worn in other ways as well; under a pantsuit, as a top with high waisted black pants or flared jeans, or with a long, full skirt. I love when the pieces of an outfit can go off and do their own thing, the mark of any healthy relationship.

Denim Daze

 Let’s face it; I’m going nowhere in this denim jumpsuit right now. I do love it though. It’s soft and is the right retro wash. I’ve been on the jumpsuit train for years now. The right one is such a cool and controlled look. Nowadays there are so many styles of jumpsuits to serve every mode of taste. This particular one would carry into cold weather over a warm toned turtleneck and high heeled boots. Hats and skulls are also fave details of mine. This fedora is almost 20 years old. There was a fabulous millinery called Cha Cha’s House of Ill Repute that made it. I was so in love with the name that I didn’t even care what the hat looked like. These days I’m more into a wider brim, but I hold onto all my stuff, knowing I’ll cycle back to anything rad eventually. Sigh, cycles. I can’t believe quarantine is still going on...

Slacking Off

For my son’s 8th grade graduation bbq I wore these fun, printed slacks. They were another find at Century 21, when shopping in an actual store was still a thing that didn’t require a hazmat suit. The bright green and lively pattern, paired simply with a clean white top, made for an effortless hostessing look. The top knot was not only cute but practical, since I hate feeling hot when I’m entertaining. The white shades that give faux Versace vibes was the accessory that tied everything together. The pattern on the pants felt retro and the big sunglasses did too, that’s why they worked so well together. An easy way to keep an outfit consistent is to play off of one thread that’s common in at least two pieces. It felt so nice to have a special occasion to dress up for, even while remaining safely at home. There still are, and always will be, milestones to celebrate. Finding these bright moments are so important. I was determined to look festive and have my son enjoy his special day.

Dazed and Confused

My friend Emily has named this summer “summer of the 70’s”. No one is going anywhere. Kids are home roaming the streets, having to make do without camp and fancy trips. Parents are home roaming the streets, having to make do without camp and fancy trips. In the spirit of this throwback summer, here is a look inspired by the film Dazed and Confused. A patterned bodysuit, bellbottoms, cool shades, natural flowing hair.
My 9th grade brain did not understand this brilliant movie at the time, but my 42 year old one sho does. I have actually been loving these simpler times lately... alright, alright, alright.

Spread Love Not Germs

I feel most beautiful in a natural state of giving. Giving love, giving birth, giving food, giving support, and giving musically or creatively. Since giving is our nature, when we do it, something within the innermost part of us clicks, connects, and lights up. That’s why giving is also seen as a selfish act; it feels really good when it’s done purely and with true intentions. It feels right. This past week I was given the opportunity to give on a mass level, through an event Lady Blaga hosted called Eats&Beats. This was entirely a grass roots effort that began just a month ago, with the intention to give love, support, and nourishment to the brave front liners fighting the war on COVID19. Our tag line was “spread love not germs”, which was printed onto thousands of masks generously donated by Swag.com. Being safe, thereby being considerate of others as well as yourself, is in fashion now more than ever. I felt beautiful putting this event together with my manager, Tzvia, and I was completely lit from within while DJing virtually for 15 hospitals in 5 states cross country. Giving with zero expectations for receiving is the most beautiful kind. All of our hard work and sleepless nights led to the most radiant hour and a half I’ve had during this devastating pandemic. Challenges great and small are an unavoidable part of life. The key isn’t to dodge them since they will always be flying at us in some capacity. But when we can stay open and keep spreading love during trying times of turbulence, we are reminded of the ever present beauty of life. The sun is always here, even on the darkest of days.

Floral Arrangement

 I have long been wanting to dress like Bruno Mars, in a matching patterned shorts ensemble, complete with straw fedora. It’s just fun. I love clothes that are “dripping with finesse”.

I am a huge Bruno fan in general. He’s gorgeous, tiny, and is obv psychotically talented. Everything he does feels electric to me. I once took my kids to his concert. He is pure fire on stage. The way he dresses is menswear at its most fun. I thought it’d be a nice quarantine change of pace to dress as though I would if I was actually attending a Memorial Day gathering. I love the Hawaiian print (BM is a native Hawaiian), unisex vibe, and brown and turquoise color scheme. This outfit was a gem find at Century 21, a few weeks before the pandemic hit. It was meant to be a Passover look that will one day make it out of my backyard, hopefully this season. My J Crew hat is a summer staple. I’d wear white sneakers with this to bop around NYC, hopefully bringing some Uptown Funk.

Eye 🖤 Stila

It’s always a joy and an honor to collaborate with Stila Cosmetics. Recently I DJ’d for their 3.4 million followers on IG live, for a dance party and fabulous giveaway. Dude, I was nervous! Let’s just say DJing for millions of peeps was a first. I never want to let my clients down, and my relationship to Stila has always been so cherished.

These pics are a throwback to when I modeled for their new line last July. This shoot was a blast! The entire team made me feel so welcome and glamourous. The fun continued when I DJ’d for the debut of the line at NYFW this past September. During quarantine Stila makeup has been a real help. Their products, especially the shimmer and glow eyeshadow allows me to be my very own glam squad. Zoom meetings, gigs, virtual get togethers? No problem. Stila is all so user friendly. The products glide on, don’t drip or bleed, and stay vibrant and lush for hours. This eyeshadow is a personal fave. It comes in a wide range of stunning colors to suit any look. My favorite color is “Blue Jean”. I’m a big fan of all kinds of shadow work...

Too Pretty To Nap In

You know those too perfect lazy day pics? Where the girl is wearing this ridiculously pretty, perfectly breezy yet rumpled, light as air dress? The kind of photos that had me feeling like I’ll never be able to pull that off. And where does one even acquire such a unicorn of a lovely garment? That vibe was my aim here with this yummy AF dress from Hill House. I have had some disaster purchases from Instagram shopping, but also some complete home runs. This dress is a triple threat. Pretty enough to wear outside, sweet enough to snooze in when you want to feel like Sleeping Beauty, and gooey enough to lounge about in on a delicious Sunday (or quarantine any day) spent with someone special. My daughter took these pictures and was like, “why are you getting into bed in that nice dress?” I love multi purpose garments. This wearable cloud makes me so happy in various ways. Like the peeps I love to lounge with:). 

Can We Still Swim???

I am optimistic that we will have some form of summer vacation. Here are some looks I’ve been digging, for what will hopefully not be an imaginary trip. I was supposed to take my daughter and her friend to the South of France. I found us the prettiest air bnb two blocks from the beach in Nice. I shall get myself to a beach one way or another.

I’m super into these sexy knit one pieces. I’ve never looked good in a one piece before, or so I thought, but thanks to SLT I think I can rock that now. The classic LBD as a swimsuit is always effortlessly elegant, and works for dinner under linen pants or a skirt/sarong (on my imaginary trip). The crochet two piece style is delicious and feels lovely on the skin. I also was really drawn to this tie front detail on the orange two piece, as well as the clean athletic vibe of the bright yellow one. The strong black and white color block is also big for this year. I used to be all about string bikinis since I deny they suited me best. These days I’m feeling more confident in trying other styles, and not just because this post now lives in my mind. Here’s to salvaging summer vacation as best we can!

Bridal Wave

Girls love weddings. Girls also love planning said weddings. The female species has been fantasizing about their Big Day ever since Eve told Adam, “Listen, Asshole. If you don’t put the band and smorgasbord exactly where I told you to in the Garden of Eden, that snake will be the least of your problems.” The Bridezilla is a curious creature indeed.

I was blessed to have had one beautiful wedding already. It was an enormous, expensive, circus like affair that suited a 20 year old Princess Bride. It would not work for me today. That’s cool, needs and desires change constantly. I have pretty specific ideas about how I want my second situation to be. Thinking about them makes me happy. And when we match our current vibration to sync with future feelings, we bring ourselves that much closer to that scenario. Sometimes for fun, when I lapse into unconscious scrolling girl mode, I’ll research boho chic bride’s dresses for fun. Play with me; out of the dresses seen here, which can you see me in?

Sweats OD

I. Needed. A. Break. From. Sweats. Maybe one of these days I’ll graduate to more structured denim, but until that day I shall turn to distressed overalls. Overalls are basically the denim of the sweatpants world since they’re so comfortable. I have loved them fiercely since Kriss Kross days in the early 90’s. Probably before that when I was 2 years old. It did feel quite nice to wear an outfit that I’d actually wear out of the house, some jewelry included. Nothing fancy, since that’s not my jam when the world operates normally. This change of pace was indeed refreshing; it was a little reminder of what it feels like to dress with a bigger purpose than “walk/crawl/ roll from bed to couch”.

Zoom Birthday Coffee Thing

Should I even be writing “zoom” anymore?? I think it’s redundant at this point...
One of my special ladies had a birthday over the weekend, so the rest of us decided to stage a faux iced coffee get together. We all committed to dressing as if we were actually in public at this cute brunch spot we all love. I bought this oversized shirt dress from Century a couple months ago, thinking I’d wear it in real time in Miami for Passover. But alas... it’s ok, we’ll get there. I love taking an oversized shirt and belting it. It’s such an easy, chic styling trick. This bright primary color pattern called for white shades as a contrast. Lockdown or not, Spring is coming. It is definitely a mood booster to be able to embrace a new mode of dress during these restrictive times. If we’ve learned anything here, it’s that the little tweaks we make matter. My friends are still awesome and deserving of celebration. The iced coffee is still refreshing. Spring is still doing her thing. All will be revealed, including this ensemble in a legit restaurant, when the time is right. Hang in there. I know it’s hard. I’m with you.

Virtual Date

Ok, gotta work with the times. No sense in resisting what is, or planning future outfits that we have no idea when we’ll use. For this virtual date concept I was imagining two peeps siting outside (if possible) around sunset, flirting and getting to know each other over a glass of wine. That sounds kinda cute and sweet).

I based this look on what would be sexy and pretty, yet natural and easy. Honoring the fact that you’re still having a date and want to look good, while keeping it comfy at home. Btw, a dress up zoom get together with friends is also a fun way to break up the monotony and make the best of these social restraints.
 I put on a mid length slip dress under a chunky sweater and poof; date ready. Jewelry, just some blush, a hint of a lip, bare feet (cuz I love that), and this loose half top knot that I’ve been loving. The large sweater acts as a yummy blanket as the sun sets and it gets cooler. I felt great in this outfit, and it was effortless to put together. Either way, it’s nice to look and feel amazing and comfortable, in person or via technology. A date is still a chance to flirt, have fun, and look forward to seeing each other again. Hopefully soon it will be in person!

Zooming In

 Times be craazzzyyyyy right now. No one knows wtf is going on. We are all doing our best at adjust, adapt, stay sane, and be healthy. The whole world seemed to change overnight, including how business is conducted. As we all know, Zoom meetings have taken over in full force. And though working from home can very quickly come to mean pajamas and old sweats, it’s still important to come correct in a business setting. With so many currently out of work, I feel extra grateful to still have meetings, projects, and prospects going on. Zoom doesn’t have to mean shlumpy, in fact I bet it will make you feel better to put yourself together. Those you are meeting with will probably really appreciate it too. It sets the tone that business still matters, and that despite physical distance, meeting members can still come together professionally. From the top that is. While I recommend looking good on top, take whatever liberties you want on bottom. What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right? You also don’t want to go too overboard since you are on lockdown. Authenticity is always key. It’s easier to connect with whomever when that factor is present. For this Zoom meeting I wore multipurpose black lounge pants, a button down, statement necklace that’s on the shorter side so it’s visible, top knot, and natural makeup. Any button down with an open collar and rolled up sleeves looks cool but chic. This is the perfect time to bust out that statement necklace you thought you’d never wear. Statement earrings would work well too, even a bold bracelet. Focus on what’s visible on the screen. Getting dressed for work immediately puts us in the right mindset. It also breaks up the day when life has suddenly become one big blur. Personally, any sense of structure or purpose now is good for my mental health. I obviously took these pics on my own at home, using the timer. They’re not perfect but they are real and honest:)
Wishing you all much health, peace, and happiness.

Sequins Queen

I. Love. Sequins. I will never pass up the chance to feel like a shimmery human disco ball. Shop selectively for sequined pieces; they can be unevenly cut and drag sometimes if they’re weighed down. I have this pantsuit in head to toe navy sequins as well, but I loved the two tone look to add extra flash to NYFW. Gold and navy are a beautiful combo. The shiny sequins used on a tailored silhouette spoke to my love of fitted flair with a chic, classic shape. True story; I frantically texted my dermatologist, begging to have her inject a zit (I’m 42!!!) with cortisone at 8:45 am before heading out to an early fashion show. I showed up to her office in this getup. The entire staff was like, “Ok, you must be just walking in from a fabulous all nighter since no one puts sequins on at 8 o’clock in the morning”.  Hey, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!

Adding to the fun of this look was a bright orange clutch patterned with horses. A statement suit needs follow through by accessorizing with personality and sass. This is one of those looks where you gotta go big or go home.

I wore this outfit to the Tadashi show and Fashion Hong Kong. Tadashi featured rich textiles and metallic colors. I felt like I was dressed appropriately for the runway in my sequined look.

Fashion Hong Kong is a series of international promotions organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) to raise the global profile of Hong Kong fashion designers and brands. The designers were HARRISON WONG (Harrison Wong), HEAVEN PLEASE+ (Lary Cheung & Yi Chan) and SUN=SEN (Sun Lam). It was nothing short of brilliant and one of my favorites this season.