Category — new age

A plethora of inspiration boards.

I like to think of myself as a renaissance woman.  Inspiration for me is everywhere but I do have an abundance of sources… 

On Fashion – Working in the industry, I am constantly surrounded by clothes and accessories.  Like a chocoholic in Serendipity.  I have many wonderful fashionistah friends who always have their own distinct personal style.  Brunch is never just brunch — it’s a lookbook.  Reading magazines (my faves are Harper’s Bazaar & Vogue) and fashion blogs will also keep you up to date on how to adapt a trend. 

Whoa gorgessity! Emma Stone covers July Vogue. As far as I'm concerned, it's the fashion bible.

On Beauty – The best resource for beauty is Allure.  I learned how to apply makeup from reading the tutorials, collecting books from Kevyn Aucoin and practicing on my friends.  I still beg them to let me before we go out; but they willingly oblige because I do a fierce smokey eye.  In my early 20′s I visited my first Sephora in Paris.  As you can imagine, the clouds parted, the rays of sunshine beamed down and angels sang ‘Alleluia.’  Then I entered, sprayed glitter in my friends’ hair, sampled eyeshadows and played with lipgloss for two hours.  A heavenly experience.

The glorious Sephora on Les Champs Elysees, Paris.

To Live Well – As a bohogi, it sounds cliche but I value every experience from having sangria with friends to afternoon walks in the park.  I love to travel and experience different cultures, so I constantly look at Conde Nast Traveller and dream of an exotic adventure.  I never know how or when I will get there, but I put it out there and make a plan to go.  The universe always delivers!   

Read more about finding inspiration on living well on BlogHer and don’t forget to enter the Life Well Lived Sweepstakes.

My absolutely favourite museum Caixa Forum in Madrid, Spain. They have installations, documentaries, live performances and an amazing gift shop.

I mean, I'm allergic to most animals but I would suffer the hives to snuggle with this bunny. Please, you would too.

Are you having a challenging week too?  I feel you.  I’m getting roughed up by Mercury in retrograde but trying to maintain my optimism because of Spring Equinox.  It’s a fine balance.

To cheer you up on this very dreary week, BUNNIES!  Growing up my nickname was Bunny – perhaps it’s on my totem as a power animal.  Anyhoo, this very random blog post should lift your spirits if you are feeling low.  Another yogini trick is to change your state – like crank some tunes, get up and dance.  But if you’re lethargic, read my blog and stare at cute bunnies.

Asos Bunny Sweater. There is something kind of menacing about this bunny that reminds me of Donnie Darko.

"Oh these old things!" Miss Stam in designer bunny ears for Louis Vuitton 2009

The time of times: Patron saint of the LC, Rachel Bilson in her Primp bunny thermal with the love of her life, Adam Brody. Le sigh.

Perhaps when I'm stressed I allow myself a creamy White Rabbit candy, but not too many because then I'm letting them win!

Parting thought: Shhh! Just enjoy the moment. Close your eyes. You ARE the cute bunny. (Bunny meditation)

Happy birthday LC! I confess I enjoy fireworks, especially in the shape of a heart.

Writing my blog for the past two years has been both a rewarding and exciting endeavour.  I write about haphazard musings that have taken hold of my fancy, from the frivolous to the heartfelt.  Time and again, I am surprised to meet strangers who follow me regularly, am utterly thankful for your ongoing support and am touched by those who embrace ‘living with inspiration.’  In many exchanges, I am asked how it was that The Love Collage came to be (here is a refresher).

When I originally built my website in WordPress, you only had one instant to choose a title.  The title was everything and for me, it had to convey sincere meaning with a dash of wit. 

“What should I name it?  Hrmm, what should I name it?”  Perplexed, my eyes darted around the room searching for an idea to spark a revelation.  I stared out the window.  The afternoon rays were peaking through the wooden blinds.  I sighed heavily.  My head twisted to the left.  There it was.

A month prior I had decided to feng shui my bedroom.  In my tidied love quadrant, lay charms meant to invoke love, the theory being that a mini-shrine to love would create an abundance of love.  This presumption made sense to me and plus, there truly was no real harm in creating a tableau in hues of red and pink.  Sitting atop an otherwise empty shelf was a vintage postcard of entwined tango partners, a tanned Spanish George Hamilton look-alike in a 70’s one-piece dance outfit and his female dance partner attired in ruffled flamenco garb, an oversized faux rose bouquet and a love collage which I had painted and carefully pieced together on my birthday.

And so became the title of my blog, The Love Collage.

I have come to grow very fond of this title because it captures the sentimentality of memories, the passion of dreams and the small things we treasure.  The Love Collage is more than a diversion – I write because I love to write but am ever thankful that you love to read.

The Love Collage is inspired by…

Early Carrie Bradshaw. I do type in cute outfits where possible or paint my nails between checking emails. Mad skills.

Do you dream in black & white or colour? A sketchbook a day keeps the doctor away. The mini hoarder in me collects postcards, jots down observations and sketches inspiration.

NERD Alert: I am like reallyx3 into the library lately. I want to wear a tweed blazer with patches on the elbows and my Lisa Loeb glasses. Nerd pick-up lines: "Study much?" "Do you want to be my french tutor?"

The possibility of travel: In 2012, I have resolved to hang glide from Sugarloaf Mountain in Brazil (tandem of course). Oh yes, I am a fashionistah adventuress.

I have always been a dreamer.  An optimist.  Ever hopeful.  Always thinking.

But in all honestly, I have not always put fearless gusto into all of my endeavours.  Like many people, I have been the biggest obstacle in pursuit of my dreams.  For quite some time, I have harboured a secret desire to tour the southern region of Andalucia in Spain – to dance my heart away and to make a pilgrimmage (the camino) to Santiago de Compostela.  In an expected twist of fate, I also have the opportunity to visit Copenhagen Denmark, the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson.  After much thoughtful marination (as in I’ve thought about it soooo long, the idea has soaked into me like a piece of chicken, marinated in soy sauce), I will embark on my trip this Spring.   

Dear readers of The LC, I would love to take you with me, however, I need to take this journey to rest and rejuvenate.  Upon my return, I promise to share the highs of my adventures and hopefully my shared stories will stir up your own internal wanderlust. xo

Feria de Abril in Seville. During the festival, everyone dresses in traditional garb. Flamenco, bullfights, fireworks, partying. Me divertido mucho!

I like long walks on cobblestone streets in flowy skirts and gladiators. Marbella is Spain's answer to St. Tropez.

The Little Mermaid statue erected to celebrate Hans Christian Andersen. My mom let me watch the original Aesop fable! I remember having to concoct an alternate ending in my mind to save myself from despair. I cried for days. Super-tear.

A penny for your thoughts. I like to sketch. Lacroix Virgin Notebook

What the heck! Since I'm already over-sharing, my potential wedding dress. *lol* I'm putting it out there (the secret).

Mama Wolf tells it like it is. Little lamb, if you can't hack it, we'll just feed you to the coyotes.

Recently, I read If You Have To Cry, Go Outside, the autobiographical fashion and business book by Kelly Cutrone.  Watching her on MTV’s The Hills or The City, many people often lament that they would hate to have such a tough boss.  But I have a lot of respect for Kelly because I myself, as an impressionable, young fashionistah, had my own version of a ’Kelly Cutrone,’ a hard as nails, no nonsense successful fashion boss that mentored me and took me under her wing.  There are so many fashion wannabes (“Look at me! Look at me! ooh I chipped a nail”) show ponies (of the generational wealth, entitled Olivia Palermo variety) and back-handed, bitchy cutters (“You look really nice.  Is that last season Chanel?”), that when someone hardworking, smart and authentic comes along, it’s a breath of fresh air.  I totally get it. 

She had such faith in me, she would often ask, “What do you want?”  I would tell her and the next day I would have an interview and a referral.  She would sing my praises to anyone who would listen.  And when I was ready to leave the nest of her office, she took me to dinner and told me, “I am waiting for you to rule the world.”  World domination, of course, is still a work in progress. 

The ’Kelly Cutrone’s of the world want you to succeed but only if you have passion, are willing to work for it and are open to learning.  Fashion is a tough industry so you better grow a thick skin.  Your twenties are about taking the time to learn from industry professionals, cull your attitude, your style and your work ethic.  I highlyx3 recommend Cutrone’s book for any aspiring fashionistah who is still discovering who are they and who they want to be.  And for the jaded fashionistah to help you remember what it’s all about.

Never go to a meeting without a notebook and a pen. Take your glasses if you want to channel Lisa Loeb/or look more studious. For creative types, Moleskine Storyboard Notebook.

Do not show up to intern in your precious Giuseppe Zanotti platforms! a) Impractical for schlepping b) costs more than your boss' rent

Ferragamo, Ferragamo, Ferragamo. Learn the difference between between Fendi, Gucci, Missoni, Bottega by reading a book or magazine. Pronounce it properly.

Remember that scene in Clueless where Cher (Alicia Silverstone’s character) corrects Josh’s girlfriend for misquoting Hamlet?  It’s Polonius.  Obviously.  And sidebar, does Paul Rudd age?  Think about it.

As a bohogi, I thought I would write about finding meaning in an age where people feel increasingly disconnected from each other and from themselves.  It can be very easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of one’s purpose or dreams.  And speaking from experience, the further away we get from who we authentically are, the more challenging the notion to find our way back.  But we all know in our heart of hearts, the truth of our own potential to be better, to act on our impulses and create our happiness.  My free 3 step rehab: 1) Smile more 2) Laugh often 3) Do something you genuinely love at least once a day.  This is moi, planting seeds for the Spring. 

Some sage advice on living with inspiration:

“There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.” – Freya Stark

“If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.” – Woody Allen

“The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become.” – James Allen

“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.” – Sigmund Freud

Flashback 1995. Holy crap, that cellphone is gi-normous! Fun fact: I was voted Most Likely to Appear in Clueless 2. Lots of production delays.