Simon Doonan Thinks Gift Guides Suck

I was reading Simon (my hero) Doonan's latest article for the New York Observer, and he had this to say about gift guides:

After a casual poll of friends and colleagues, I recently ascertained some important information: People HATE gift guides, universally. I was, in point of fact, unable to find one single person who liked them, is prompted to shop by them, looked at them or even lined the cat’s litter box with them.

Well said. I don't like them either, so I'm not doing one this year. I'm just going to keep posting as I usually do, and I'll do an end-of-year wrap-up towards the end of December.

If it's good enough for Simon, it's good enough for me!

• Read More......

Book Review Tuesdays: Eccentric Glamour

I picked up my copy of Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You at a cute little bookshop in the Village when I was in New York recently, and I'm so glad I did, because I would have Simon Doonan's babies. I mean, if he was so inclined, which he's not, and I don't really want any more babies anyway, but I love him.

Love him.

The entire theme to this book is this: "Say no to ho," and I think he's brilliant.

If you think about it, much of what women wear these days is kind of "porno culture," as Mr. Doonan puts it, and I think he's right. Instead of dressing in what they love, many women are dressing the same - like a ho. Examples? Bleached blond hair, ridiculous fake tans, fake fingernails, fake boobs, and lots and lots of "work" done. Low rise pants, halter type tank tops...can you think of other examples? I know I can.

Mr. Doonan encourages women to embrace their inner Socialite, Extentialist, or Gypsy and start dressing in what they love. With examples of eccentric glamour throughout the book, you get a real feel for dressing authentically, and not like a "ho."

It's fantastically funny, especially when he's discussing his own voyage through his fashion evolution. I love the fact that he's not scared of vulgarity, in fact, he considers it the spice of life. He truly thinks that thinking outside the fashion box is a necessity.

I also adore his thoughts on fashion week. Don't miss them.

• Read More......