Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Poetry in Motion

It was a full house last night at LaMaMa!
How wonderful it was to see so many friends and such a pleasure to read with such spectacular poets!
If you missed it, or maybe want to see me read from my book,
In the Spirit of Grace, again, here it is:
CLICK CLICK!!

Sunday, November 21, 2010



Peacock strut
Timeless peacock strut
in jasmine and lotus perfumed air
serves a purpose
to inspire dreamless sleepers
in waking hours
as they sit and stare.




painting by my mom Lady Bird


More of my poetry on November 22nd 2010, at the Lamama Theater .
http://lamama.org/poetry-reading-series/womens-words/









Friday, November 19, 2010

V-DAY!!!!

So . . . 
V magazine's Fall/Winter 2010 "Who Cares About AGE" issue has multiple covers with outstanding actresses Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon, and Sigourney Weaver . . . 

In a little pictorial,

 

on page 90 . . . there's this:


Many thanks to Cecilia Dean, Stephen Gan, James Kaliardos, & the incredible Cedric Buchet and Clare Richardson and the entire crew @ V, the most gorgeous magazine around!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Another Colorful Evening

 
The Asia Society Event @ the Waldorf Grand Ballroom.
The atmosphere was bathed in delicious music from two of the New York Philharmonic's best: Michelle Kim on violin & Vivek Kamath on viola.

I was also thrilled to meet Melissa Lee the host of CNBC'S "Fast Money"
as well as the mistress of ceremonies for the evening. 
With so many important international CEOs present, who could be a better host?
There were also many traditional Asian clothes worn by the guests, from turbans to sarongs . . . All of this grandeur transported me to another world!

(All photos: Guest of a Guest)

The dinner decor was done by Thuy: beautiful, sparkling branches that reached toward the ceiling. Thuy also designed our beautiful dresses. 
Above, the adorable Thuy between Anna and me.
By the way, I felt very sexy in my zipped number . . . and during desert, Thuy gave all her girlfriend guests beautiful cuff bracelets! So nice to be cuffed by Thuy! 
Oh, and yes, black and white goes perfectly with a colorful evening clutch!!
Peace. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Go East!

Tonight I'm attending the Asia Society Awards Dinner
@ The Waldorf=Astoria. 
This is my 2nd event in their historic grand ballroom in a week! 
(And I've yet to have a waldorf salad!)



I'm very excited to celebrate world and business leaders from Asia and New York, but thrilled to hear the New York Philharmonic play their hearts out after they receive the Cultural Ambassador Award.
Can you say, "HI, Drama!"

The dress code reads: "Asian National Dress or Black Tie" . . .
I'm honored to have been asked to carry a clutch designed by Thuy, who also designed the decor for tonight's festivities.
It's not often one must match a gown to an accessory, and since it's all about color, I'm torn between two dresses: a Thuy gown or a Stephen Burrows. With choices like these, how can I go wrong?
Check in tomorrow for pictures and posts
and see which one I eventually don.
I'll be curious to know myself!
Peace.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

paying attention to detail

Paying attention to detail . . . as in my now-favorite earrings (glimmering, above).

Thinking clearly between events.
Have a lovely weekend....

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Go Global/Go Green!

Last night I attended the Global Fashion Awards at the Waldorf=Astoria. 
A gorgeous event!

Here we are outside. Photo by my husband, Paul Van Ravenstein
Note Anna's silver gown by Zac Posen and my attempt to "go green" for the night in a flowing teal chiffon gown by Stephen Burrows
Mr. Burrows was also there looking fabulous--as always--in black tie!
Many thanks to the brilliant Karen Erickson at Showroom Seven for the beautiful (last-minute!) earrings that topped off my look so perfectly! 

I had a lovely talk with Harold Tillman, head of the Fashion Council. It's wonderful what he's doing for young people.

What a thrill! Standing between my daughter, Anna, and Nigel Barker to present the "Sustainable Retailer/Brand Award"--which went to People Tree, who also took home "Most Influential Fashion Label."   
(Photo by Paul Van Ravenstein)

When I got up onstage the teleprompter decided not to work for me--AND I had left the script back at my table! A great lesson reinforced: If you don't have the words in your head or your heart, it don't mean a thing! 

Lots of flashbulbs. Feeling like a moth to the light.  
As we used to say in the 70's: TO DIE FOR!!!
Love it!
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images North America.)



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Making Plans For Nigel

Tonight is the first annual Global Fashion Awards at the Waldorf=Astoria.
My daughter, Anna, is in her luxurious silver Zac Posen gown and I'm still in-between . . .  trying to decide on a final look for my presenting duties.


The host for the ceremony will be the debonair Nigel Barker, with whom I've had the privilege of serving as a judge on America's Next Top Model.
There are certain to be lovely people in lovely clothes from all over the globe.
And not just vying for the Waterford crystal trophy by John Rocha!

I will be posting my reflections on the event tomorrow.
I guess that's why I have a blog!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Poem for Wednesday

Smile

Change your diet routine
nurture
your smile
for awhile
then you will have great style
set a trend
that may never end
be happy and smile.

Go fly a kite!

Welcome to my first day on the blog!

I'm sitting here with my friend Tom and we're enjoying the moment, creating this blog.
There's nothing like a friend to help you communicate.
So get in touch with your friends and communicate today!

Me & Kevin Arpino 
@ Patricia Field's Keith Haring Collection 
@ Good Units 
(February 11, 2010)