Gorgeous Strikes Again..It’s the Little Attention to Detail
January 20, 2011
I’ve lifted this entirely from NYMagazine. but I have to say I go ga-ga every time Michelle makes at entrance for a big State Dinner. She has a way of striking the right fashion tone in her choices.
Michelle Obama Is Wearing Alexander McQueen to the State Dinner
By Amy Odell
The Obamas with President Hu Jintao.Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The State Dinner honoring the Republic of China is underway in Washington, and Michelle Obama has emerged for another super-glamorous State Dinner moment wearing a stunning Alexander McQueen gown, which could be a commercial version of a look like No. 29 from the label’s 2011 resort collection. She had good reason to get extra fashionable tonight, since the guest list includes Anna Wintour and Vera Wang.
It’s the Little Tokens of Appreciation
January 16, 2011
I have a gift box down in our family art room where I keep a collection of things I love….to give others. I have everything in there from girly cocktail napkins to small samples of spa scents (like lemongrass; yum!) that I’ve picked up at my favorite hotel to fun pieces of jewelry to soy candles that sweeten up a room. I use this box of treasures as a quick way to pull out a gift that I need in a hurry – for a quick “thank you” or a hostess gift or a small “happy birthday.”
I know, I know. It doesn’t sound very personal. In some ways, it’s not. It’s not the perfectly chosen monogrammed towel that screams “I spent time and organization working on this for you.” I know Gwyneth would likely not approve. (See her personalized gift suggestions on Goop.) Yet in a small way, it’s items that I love, that make me happy, that hopefully send a piece of me to the recipient. I will have some of my little favorites in the coming posts, starting with candles here. Several of the ones I like are found at the fair trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages, because, if you read my last post you know that with each purchase you also get the story of its creator:
These soy candles by Archipelago are larger than most but they burn for nearly a hundred hours and have tons of glorious scents from which to choose. The Paperwhite, Lemongrass and Verbena are my three favorites.
And in case you didn’t know, try to buy Soy candles when you are able. They burn clean, so you don’t have worry about black jars or walls.
The Little Story Behind the Purchase, Part I
January 12, 2011
When was the last time I really explored (let alone even wondered about) the process or story behind any of the things I consume, wear, even give? I will be the first to admit that I’ve become way too accustomed to relying on a few mass retailers for holiday (and post-Christmas sale) shopping. For me, it’s Target, Nordstrom (so much so they’ve offered me a Personal Shopper – eek!), BananaRepublic. It’s a good bet that most of what I have purchased came through mass production somewhere, likely China.
But even as I look at the full year ahead of me, as I teach my children to think about the concepts of consuming, creating, giving, I really need to do a better job myself — even if in little ways — of living an appreciation for others’ small stories which may help us to think beyond ourselves. I know of one very good place to start. It’s the retailer Ten Thousand Villages and its specific mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries and connecting them to our markets in meaningful ways.
Having tried it out for Christmas, I see they also have some great post-holiday deals. I found some earrings for my Sister in Law who wanted some hoops and gifts to replenish my gift box (of things I love and want to have on hand to give as small gestures of friendship and thanks). Here are the beautifully etched earrings I found from Indonesia. They tell a story of the APIKRI artisan group, located in Indonesian cities known for craft production.
Ten Thousand Villages actually provides not only a photo of the artisans, but a bit of their stories . Even though I will never know their life, Ten Thousand Villages connects me to them in a small way, perhaps to better appreciate their human experience.
Next post… I will explore some of my other Little Finds at Ten Thousand Villages.
It’s the Little Things.
January 2, 2011
It really is the little things that make life wonderful. Such a trite phrase, I know. But I keep coming back to it. Perhaps I am particularly reflective this holiday season…with the good fortune of having a birthday (and a big one this year!) so close to January 1st. What I’ve been pondering most of all is how the little decisions, little details, little subtleties in life really do make a difference – and in some cases — add up to BIG consequences.
– Will I get up 3x/week for 6 AM bootcamp?
– If I actually sit down to practice piano with my 5 year old – what a difference it makes.
– Watching a husband grow into his own personal style is quite gratifying.
– Birthday celebrations don’t need to include elaborate parties.. a carefully planned barbie cake and a trip to the movies with our little family are just as magical.
– A new glimmery eyeshadow can make all the difference on an important evening.
– There is no good do-it-yourself substitute for a decent pedicure.
– The press conference will not be seamless if you fail to work back the timing and message of each individual component.
And on and on and on…..all relatively random. All little, yet not so.
In 2011 I will embark on uncovering, showcasing, and celebrating more Little Things in life…..with a few big &*@#^! deals thrown in along the way.
Happy 2011!
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Tonya is a Community Content Producer for
WUSA9.com, DC's CBS affiliate.