Hundreds Of Thousands Of Pairs Of Eyeballs? Yes Please!
[ 3 April 2012, 10:14 ]
I’m still offering ad spaces for small businesses!
This is a quick reminder that I’m still offering slots on my site for small businesses! This is for YOU if you sell vintage clothing on Etsy or eBay, if you read tarot cards over the web, if you’re a graphic designer or create amazing Youtube makeup tutorials! The same goes if you shoot portrait photography, run self-esteem workshops or even if you just have a rad blog you want to gather an audience for!
My intention was always to make these ad spaces ULTRA-affordable, because I know how hard it can be to kick-start your advertising, especially when you’re just starting out. I also know how hard it can be to find an audience which matches your own, & I wanted to make it easy for you to make a mint!
I made these spaces available at the start of December last year, & the response was so overwhelmingly positive that it was clear to me that I needed to keep them going! All the advertisers have been delighted with the response & the majority of them renew month after month!
The details:
How much? The spaces are $2/day, & you can claim it for as many days as you like—up to 30.
How big? The ads are sized at 125px by 125px. Like this:
Where will it be? Your ad will be in the right sidebar of the front page, & on individual article pages, underneath where it says SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!
Why should I do this? Galadarling.com readers are amazing. They’re smart, savvy, & love to shop online! Put another way, they’re exactly the kind of people you want to know about your product!
Don’t just take it from me!
“Gala D. is amazing, all around. Advertising on GalaDarling.com showed an immediate boost in site traffic, exposing my design consultancy and journal to new readers everyday. And from the look of it, many have continued to visit. On top of that, Gala was open and genuine with the communication, truly wanting the best possible outcome for me. Thanks, Gala D.!” — Steve G., RDQLUS Creative
“I’ve done several promotions on Gala Darling’s site, and the results have always blown me away. First off- there’s the sheer volume of hits she sends me- thousands and thousands of uniques a day. But, more than quantity, there’s quality. Gala’s fans are a sparkly, tight-knit community that love and believe in her. If you’re lucky enough to do a promotion on galadarling.com, you tap into that good will. Promotions on galadarling.com have netted me passionate fan letters, wildly creative responses, and new fans from all over the world. Working with Gala gives you big results for an affordable price.”
— Molly Crabapple
All you need to do is choose how many days you’d like your ad to run, upload your image (something colourful & captivating is best!), & submit your link. Then click Preview or Buy! It’s THAT simple!
Questions? Get in touch via email or Twitter!
Mega-lovin’, all day, every day!
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Style Direction 2012: Day Tripping Darling!
[ 20 February 2012, 12:05 ]
Every year (or thereabouts) I write up a little style direction piece for myself. It helps me to get really clear on my aesthetic & how I want to dress. In fact, I bookmark my style direction articles on my phone so that when I’m out & about, I can revisit them! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed & confused when you walk into a store, so getting really clear on what you want to wear & how you want to look can be a total godsend!
With my new inky black locks, I’m totally ready for a different look & a few changes! Here’s where I’m heading this year…
Day Tripping Darling is a progression from Gossip Girl On Acid & Psychedelic Ladies Who Lunch. It’s a look that takes the best from the past & mixes it with the crème de la crème of the present.
Day Tripping Darling is a violent & vibrant mingling for a thoroughly modern minx. Inspired by the recent collections shown by Betsey Johnson & Kate Spade, Day Tripping Darling is a celebration of eccentric girls. We’re not afraid to jumble up prints or wear pink with orange, & we firmly believe that the higher the heel, the closer to god. We are ladies with punk rock hearts.
Colours are bright & punchy, anchored by classic black & white. Hot, hot pink, day-glo orange, sunshine yellow, amethyst purple, emerald green & peacock blue all dance the Charleston on this stage. Patterns boldly rub shoulders: stripes, polka-dots, leopard, florals & brocades. We pair purple & green, paisley with stripes, & wear popping pink lip gloss.
Day Tripping Darling is not shy or coy — it is big & brash. Pastel colours have no place here, this is not a nursery! We wear huge striped sun-hats & oversized sunglasses; our shoes leave a trail of glitter in our wake…
Texture is big big big. (Always!) Wear an ostrich feather skirt with a simple cotton t-shirt & a leather motorcycle jacket. Mix sequins & candy-coloured patent leather. Pair a rough-cut citrine crystal necklace with an orange neoprene skirt. Do something unexpected, be a surprise!
Stock up on belts: skinny, thick, patent leather, bows, & crystal-studded. The focus is still on the waist, but skirt-lengths have shortened from the 1950’s mid-calf to the 1960’s mini. You don’t have to go ultra-short if you’d prefer not to show off your gams, but keep it above the knee. (Anything is more flattering than a mid-calf length skirt!) If you buy a dress from the 50s, take it to a tailor & have them hem it to just above the knee. I promise it will look so much more cute, not to mention modern!
To really embrace the 60s mod look, cut a blunt bang/fringe & flat-iron your hair. Use a good highlighter underneath your eyebrow, & open up your eye by using a flesh-coloured pencil along your waterline. Don’t forget a pair of fabulous false lashes! These retro 60s & Raquel Welch-esque make-up tutorials are gorgeous, too!
Details, of course, are of utmost importance. Paint your nails with holographic glitter or black & white stripes. Get your hands on a brightly-coloured handbag to cart around your essentials — Kate Spade, Cambridge Satchel Company & Zatchels have wonderful options. (I would go so far as to say that the Kate Spade New Bond Street Florence is the statement bag of this look!)
We’re never stodgy or old-fashioned. Though we may be wearing vintage dresses, we carry iPads in our candy pink satchels. We wear glittery sneakers to the gym, & get high-tech Japanese manicures. We talk with our hands & support independent designers. We’re never afraid to be different. We lead the pack, we don’t follow it!
LOTS of animal-print (every girl should own a leopard-print coat).
A bare head is akin to sacrilege — back-comb your hair, wear a hat, add a crown of stars or a huge bow. Something, ANYTHING! Scour Etsy for fantastic hats from the 1960s, there are some absolute gems to be found. My new favourite thing to wear on my head — also via Etsy — is a pair of Swarovski crystal-encrusted mouse ears. Love!
Go through your lingerie drawer & throw away any bras or knickers that don’t fit, don’t support you properly or are raggedy & uncute. Make a resolution to only buy underwear which fits you & makes you happy! Think of your lingerie as the essential foundation for your clothing. Seriously, you could be wearing an Herve Leger bandage dress, but if your underwear doesn’t fit, you’re going to look like a sack of potatoes. Anything that pinches or gives you unfortunate lines beneath your clothing is a definite no-no! If you have no idea where to start, Cosabella thongs are fab & Victoria’s Secret yoga knickers are excellent too.
A mix of shoes which are both practical & decadent. My everyday shoes are still my Frye motorcycle boots, but I love to switch it up & don a pair of purple pumps, sparkly ankle boots or crystal-covered platforms.
Chunky — & slightly weird — statement necklaces. One of my favourites is a cluster of candy-coloured skulls by Vivienne Westwood; the other is a bundle of oversized gold, bronze & silver stars from Topshop. Wear ‘em short, so they rest on the collar of your t-shirt. Gorge!
A steady hand for major cat’s eye realness! I used to be a devotee of MAC Fluidline & an angled brush, but my new favourite is L’Oreal Lineur Intense in carbon black. It has a felt-tip end which makes adding a little flourish to your eyeliner super-simple!
Stockings, tights & socks in every possible incarnation. They’re such an easy way to add some interest or a splash of colour to your outfit. I’m flying to Las Vegas right now & I have short socks covered in kiss prints, polka-dot anklets & long black over-the-knee socks all packed in my suitcase, because I know I’m going to need ‘em! I’ve had great luck buying fun socks & stockings at DSW — they’re always on sale & great value.
Fun separates. Look for brightly-coloured miniskirts, t-shirts with cute designs & blouses covered in wild patterns. Kate Spade have some super-cute t-shirts right now, & I always love browsing ASOS for well-made & inexpensive options. I especially like this tank covered in square sequins, this orange lace tank, this cheetah-print peplum top & this green neoprene top! Any of these paired with a colourful mini would make for a really sweet look!
What are you wearing this season?
Love & psychedelic colours,
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An Assortment Of Spooky Goodies To Delight Your Inner Goth!
[ 9 January 2012, 15:25 ]
You know, if you grew up listening to Bauhaus & Sisters of Mercy, it never really leaves you. Even though you may have moved on from the dog collars, PVC & eye of horus make-up of yore, a certain dark sensibility still lingers…
Do you think back on your goth day with a sense of nostalgia? Did you read books by Anne Rice & Poppy Z. Brite? (An aside: you can’t possibly enjoy Twilight if you’ve previously been introduced to Zillah.) Do you remember sitting in your friend’s room underneath a huge Bauhaus poster? Did you carry a black bag containing cheap black lipstick, a tattered notebook & crystals from the metaphysical store? Were all your friends much older than you? Did they buy you a pair of padded leather handcuffs for your 15th birthday… ?!
Maybe teenage gothdom didn’t affect you, but it could have touched someone you know! Even if your friend with the impeccable eyeliner won’t admit to ever having flirted with a goth phase, here are some things that are a dead giveaway: An obsession with Rick Owens; a fondness for Dr Marten boots; excited sniffing of the air whenever anyone smoking a Clove walks past; owning not just MAC Cosmetics’ Carbon, but a whole assortment of eye-shadow in varying shades of black; a feeling of tenderness towards Robert Smith, & your accidental discovery of their secret stash of ankhs & crucifixes!
Like I said: it never really goes away.
Maybe it’s the winter-time & all those bare trees, but lately I’ve been feeling the urge to goth it up. Just a little. Here are some of my favourite things from my recent window-shopping adventures, & here’s something to listen to while you peruse…
Sources: Pamela Love Antique Silver Cross Dagger Rosary; Charles Albert Skull Ring; Jessica Kagan Cushman Sugar & Spice Bangle; Alexis Bittar Druzy Droplet Gunmetal Bracelet; Jeffrey Campbell Revel; Marc by Marc Jacobs Dotty Snake Little Ukita Bag; Effy Collection Diamond Ring; Jeffrey Campbell Night Nail; Betsey Johnson Skull Boss Zip Around; Tom Binns Bejeweled Small Safety Pin Earrings; D&G Dolce & Gabbana Black Short Sleeve Lace Top; Pamela Love Small Pentagram Earrings; Betsey Johnson Lace Skull Clutch.
Sources: Gaga’s Workshop x Erickson Beamon Crystal Dangerous Liaisons Bracelet; ASOS Zatchels 13” Satchel; Topshop Premium Black (Faux) Fur Chevron Coat; Yves Saint Laurent Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses; ASOS Cross Charms Ring; CC Skye Pave Stud Bracelet; Wolford Lace Art Tights; Topshop Dark Square Ring; Helmut Lang Asymmetric Knit Sweater; Gaga’s Workshop x Erickson Beamon Silver & Crystal Spike Drop Earring; ASOS Star Hard Case Clutch; Topshop Angst Tee By Tee And Cake; Topshop Stripe Full Circle Skirt; Japonesque Criss Cross Eyelashes; Iris Van Herpen X United Nude Iris Shoe Laced.
Maybe this treasury of “haute goth” items will reinvigorate your desire to go back to black! It’s so nice to see dark done so well. I think that goth done properly can look irresistibly chic & elegant. (Don’t hold onto that fishnet shirt forever!)
P.S. If you’re hankering for some “grown up goth” looks to emulate, some of my favourite dark dressers include Nubby Twiglet, Alicia Hannah Naomi & Nadia Bailey. (Babes.) This Pinterest board is gorgeous, too.
P.P.S. If you still get excited every time you hear The Cure playing in a store or public place, don’t worry: you’re not alone!
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The Home Shopping Network... On Quaaludes
[ 8 January 2012, 22:53 ]
If Betty Draper lived in an alternate universe, this is how she would shop for clothes.1 Perfectly coiffed & immaculately presented, she’d teeter on the edge of her armchair, eyes fixed on the television set & glazed euphorically. Later, over supper, Don Draper would tell her his office couldn’t get through to her today. She’d look down at her dinner plate & neglect to tell him that she was on the telephone with the home shopping network for five hours.
Vogue Italia have done an incredible job creating this video. IF ONLY the home shopping network was as wonderful! As tongue-in-chic (ho ho! Fashion pun!) as it all is, it’s quite brilliant to be able to see the clothes moving. It’s a transformative experience.
I also think we need to pause for a second & talk about THAT HAT at 1:08! Some other favourites include 1:38 & 1:45. IT’S ALL SO BEAUTIFUL! I haven’t felt so excited about clothing in a long time. You can click through for the editorial itself which was shot by — who else? — Steven Meisel, but I think the video is better. It’s the music that does it for me, truly.
I just love the 1960’s on Quaaludes psychedelic feel of the whole thing. It makes me want to drink a martini & backcomb my hair until my arms go numb…
You know I don’t just post a video by itself very often — only when the subject at hand is very, very special. This qualifies. Drink it in with your eyeballs. Sweet dreams…
[1] Maximum points to Ashe who came up with this!
P.S. If you’re viewing this via email, there’s a video above which probably won’t appear! Click the title of the post to see it all in its full-colour glory!
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How To Feel Fabulous When It's Frigid Outside: My List Of Winter Essentials!
[ 29 November 2011, 10:06 ]
Winter is coming to New York City. It’s not even December & somehow, we’ve already had our first dusting of snow for the season! All signs point to the fact that it’s going to be a cold one this year.
When I first came to the U.S.A., I’d never really experienced winter. New Zealand’s winter, while chilly, is nowhere near as brutal as what North America is lashed with every 6 months. We don’t just get a light sprinkle of snow here on December 25th, no, no! There are blizzards, “Snowmageddons”, black ice & filthy slush which ruins your favourite pair of boots. It can be savage, but this of course only intensifies the need to properly outfit ourselves for the oncoming carnage!
It’s that time of year where we start to search through the depths of our closets & dressers to locate our winter woolies. When you go through your stuff from last season, you’ll discover whether you made smart purchases or not! If you have a closet full of old cheap, flimsy things, DON’T be tempted to go back to your favourite super-cheap retailer & stock up on a whole lot more of the same. Instead, make your money go further by investing in pieces that you’ll wear all the time. You don’t actually need that much in winter, & your coat is the only thing that will be on display 80% of the time.
Start with a great coat, & work backwards from there. A couple of good cashmere sweaters, some thermal underthings & a few pairs of wool stockings should definitely have their place in your stash, as well as the other things outlined here!
Being cold in winter is no fun, & one of the easiest ways to stay cozy is to wrap something lovely around your neck. I have always been a huge proponent of scarves, but I think I’m a bit over it. They’re always too long & tying them in a way that doesn’t look scraggly & messy is difficult. My new obsession — the cowl — is even warmer, looks cleaner & can be pulled up over your mouth & nose when it’s really, really freezing out!
The best ones come from Etsy, & are knitted by cute girls in their living rooms in Montana or Ohio or somewhere in the middle of the United States. Just have a look & see what’s available! I recently bought a chunky indigo cowl from Trisha in Colorado (SEE?! Totally knitted in the middle of the U.S.A.!), & it’s a little treasure!
Another way to spice up your neckwear is with colour. Instead of going for something which you think will coordinate with all your clothing (like, for example, black), why not pick a colour that complements your eyes?
If you have brown eyes, try green, gold, bronze, brown, plum, purple or blue!
Blue-eyed babes, go for a cowl that is grey, violet, purple, deep blue, brown, rosy pink or silver.
For green-eyed girls, experiment with brown, purple, pink or light green.
If you have hazel peepers, try teal, gold, pink, lavender, plum, khaki green or deep warm brown.
These colours will make your eyes POP & also add a great accent to an outfit!
Look… It’s cold. I used to think UGG boots were truly hideous, but then, I had never experienced a real winter. Once I’d had my first taste of snow, ice & sub-zero temperatures, I quickly changed my tune! I’ve had a pair of classic UGGs for a few years, & even though the shape still doesn’t really stoke my sartorial fire, I wore them for dog walking & quick errands because they really do keep you warm.
This year, I decided to go for an upgrade. After some deep & meaningful research on Zappos.com, I got my hot little hands on a pair of UGG Jillians. Unlike a lot of the other UGG styles, these boots are a tailored riding boot style which give your leg a bit of shape. They’re black suede with MILES of shearling inside, they’re extremely cozy & I’ve already worn them to death. I love ‘em!
If you can’t afford to splurge on a bit of shearling, don’t be sad! You can snap up a pair of wool insoles — which will fit in any pair of shoes! — or an UGG inner (which I have heard about, but couldn’t seem to find anywhere on the internet?!). Thick socks are also a great thing to have. I like really massive wool ones!
...Or you can just DIY your own furry sock — see above! — & call it a day!
Leather pants are effortlessly cool, & they make you instantly bad-ass. They also happen to be pretty damn toasty!
I was very fortunate to receive a pair of Ted Baker leather pants last year, & let me tell you, they barely left my body last winter. The same will be true this year, I’m sure. If you get a close-fitting style, they can operate as leggings under dresses or oversized sweaters, & slide easily into a pair of motorcycle boots. They’re an extremely versatile piece of clothing.
Leather pants are typically pretty expensive, but sometimes you can luck out & get a reasonably-priced pair. I bought a pair from Victoria’s Secret which I loved & wore for a while, until one day I jumped out of a cab in them & split them up the front. Classy! Thankfully, I was wearing a long sweater which covered the HOLE in the crotch! If you do go the less expensive route, you might like to take them to a tailor & have someone reinforce the seams… Just to be sure!
ASOS has leather pants for $179, & they come in either cobalt, silver or black. Fantastic! Have a little browse around & see what you can find.
Nothing is worse than cold ears. Okay, a few things are worse, but cold ears are definitely on my shit-list! While hats can definitely help you combat this problem, the very very best thing is to invest in a pair of cute earmuffs.
Again, I think the best ones come from Etsy. A cursory glance around will show you the infinite possiblities… Unicorn earmuffs? Pink candy earmuffs? Enormous panda earmuffs? How about white with pink bows, pink & white polka-dots, or blingy crystal pandas?!
See?! The choices really ARE endless, & you’ll surely find something to keep your ears icicle-free!
Something I always battle with in winter is dry skin, & this only gets worse when I have a cold & am constantly blowing my nose! Those aloe vera tissues help a little bit, & drinking as much water as possible to rehydrate does too, but sometimes your skin needs a little extra help!
Skin Drink moisturiser by Lush Cosmetics is the best thing I’ve ever found to treat really, really dry skin. It’s loaded with beautiful, rich, hyper-hydrating oils & butters, & it’ll make all those flaky, scaly, not-so-beautiful bits disappear like magic!
I keep a pottle of it in the house at all times because you never know when you’ll have a Dry Skin Emergency™! You can rub it into parched elbows, knees, hands & feet, too. It’s a wonder balm!
P.S. If you can’t afford to splash out for a whole pottle, next time you’re near a Lush Cosmetics store, go in & ask for a sample! (They’re usually pretty generous with their samples!) Just a little tip from me to you!
I don’t know how people function in cold weather without hats. I always suffer from the dreaded Frigid Ear™, which is something I’ve invented, but basically results in a horrifying headache from too much really cold wind rushing past your ears. If you experience this too, you definitely need hats… & ear muffs.
You should start out your hat collection with a couple of good, solid knit beanies. The two I wear most often are grey & black, because they go with absolutely everything I own, are comfortable & are perfect on bad hair days. I love knit hats because they add a finishing touch to an outfit, while at the same time dressing down something fancy. They’re a great accompaniment to sequins, a snazzy fit & flare dress, or a crisp white tuxedo shirt. Meow!
Take a peek inside my hot pink steamer trunk, though, & you will see hats stacked towards the heavens. I am a bit of a hat fetishist, you see. I have all kinds, from fedoras to bowlers to cloche hats, from fascinators to bunny ears to headbands embellished with enormous bows. They all serve their purpose & they are all fantastic in their way.
My two knit beanies actually came from Urban Outfitters, & I’ve had them for years, but in my experience, you can get great hats from Etsy. Etsy does vintage hats especially well; if you’re looking for something original & beautiful at a reasonable price, it is definitely the first place to check. When you search, set a price limit of $20. It may sound low, but you’ll find a plethora of treasures!
They’re so much more chic than wearing a real dead animal draped over you, & just as warm. If you ask me, faux fur coats never go out of style, though thankfully the high street is embracing them in a major way this year. Pretty much every major clothing chain has their own take on the trend, from dalmatian print to leopard, & they’re all pretty damn fabulous.
Having said that, go vintage if you can. The construction is usually better & the styling tends to be more timeless.
I’d also recommend going for a different colour than you usually wear! I bought a chocolate brown full-length faux fur coat last year, & while I was a little unsure about how I’d wear it, it turned out that I wore it ALL THE TIME, with EVERYTHING. It’s easy to go all black, sure, but adding in some brown or grey or blue (or whatever!) adds dimension & makes your outfit a little more interesting. I have a great wide stretchy belt with a beaded clasp that I always use over the top to give my coat some shape, too. It helps you feel chic when you’re wearing a million layers!
However… The other day, I left my beloved coat out in the living room & Dolly, who is going through a major Terrible Twos stage, ripped a whole lot of the faux fur off, leaving it looking dreadfully mangey. Thankfully, I found a great replacement shortly thereafter. It’s a vintage, knee-length black suede coat, with quilting on the inside (read: very warm), faux fur around the collar & cuffs, & a built-in belt for easy cinching! Love it! (Vintage is really the best!)
When it gets this cold, simple cotton leggings just won’t cut it. You can’t have all that frigid air swirling around your knees; you’re just begging to “catch a chill,” as my mother would say!
Cashmere leggings are the answer. Honestly. I know this sounds very fancy, but they’re actually very inexpensive & my goodness, will they keep you warm! I buy mine from Victoria’s Secret, & have done for a few years now. (Their sizing runs a little large, so size down unless you want your leggings to bunch around your knees after a few wears!) They’re so comfortable, essential for lounging around the house & imperative for cold weather missions! I wear them every morning for walking the dogs, under dresses or a big faux fur coat. You can even wear ‘em to the gym. Superb!
You can add glitter to your look in approximately 3 trillion ways: fantastic eye-glitters, sparkly hairspray & glistening lip gloss are 3 places to start, & that’s just on your head!
The good news for those of us who love a bit of sparkle is that this season it is IN, IN, IN! Of course, this means that we have a glut of glittery options to choose from. My advice? STOCK UP! From sequin Chuck Taylors to sparkling striped dresses, the options are endless.
A bit of sparkle can cure all kinds of doldrums, even if it’s just a mirrored bangle which flashes at you from time to time. Beautiful things are essential to the soul & the spirit, so don’t deny yourself!
I always think it’s lovely to wear a pop of colour in cold weather. An indigo hat, a mustard yellow peacoat, fuchsia stockings or an emerald green scarf make things so much less dreary!
In fact, I went back to pink hair in October precisely because I wanted something to ward off the oncoming cold! It’s hard to feel sad when you have raspberry locks, & the exact same theory applies to any brightly-coloured clothing you might own.
Don’t be afraid to be the one person in your office who wears red stockings, or a beautiful turquoise sweater! It will make everyone around you happy, & improve your mood too. Colour is powerful — don’t be too timid to use it!
You know, when I lived in New Zealand, I never needed anything more than a pair of fingerless gloves. Sure, sometimes my bare fingers were clutching a hot coffee cup for extra warmth, but you don’t need anything crazy to survive down there.
America is… well, different. Gloves with fingers are pretty necessary here. I can get away with a pair of black & white-striped fingerless gloves for about a month, & then I need to step it up a level! I’ve had great luck finding winter accessories at Century 21 though you do need patience (& nerves of steel) to deal with what can sometimes be an INSANE shopping experience. Anyway, I found a pair of Moschino gloves there, black with white hearts, & lined with cashmere. They’re pretty decadent & marvellous, & I’m really looking forward to busting them out in a couple of weeks time!
I also wanted to draw your attention to the Agloves touch-screen gloves, just in case you hadn’t heard of them. They are gloves you can wear & still operate your touch-screen phone (or iPad or whatever!). GENIUS!
Yes! A good ugly sweater should be a necessity in everyone’s life, & not in that silly “it’s ironic to wear something so unattractive” way. No, just wear it because it makes you smile!
I have this amazing (read: amazingly hideous) baby pink cardigan which is knitted with fuchsia flamingos. I mean, REALLY. I don’t even know where it came from, I think I bought it in a vintage shop in Los Angeles, but I love it. Whenever I put it on, Mike’s eyes get really wide. Other people have seen it & they have the same reaction… But either way, I absolutely ADORE it!
I strongly recommend going on your own Ugly Sweater Hunt™ before it gets really cold! EBay is an amazing source for these, too; just search for vintage sweaters!
There are few things as wonderful as surveying a bookcase bursting with fantastic tomes, especially when it’s cold outside! If you’re into books too, but you’re not sure what you want to read next, here are some ideas. These are all books on my Amazon wishlist!
Allure by Diana Vreeland; Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel by Diana Vreeland; Everything Is Going to Be OK by various contributors; The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin; You Drive Me Crazy: Love Poems for Real Life by Mary D. Esselman & Elizabeth Ash Vélez; The Fashion File: Advice, Tips, and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men by Janie Bryant; Be My Guest by Conrad Hilton; Tarot Diva: Ignite Your Intuition Glamourize Your Life Unleash Your Fabulousity! by Sasha Graham; Decoded by Jay-Z; My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living by Jonathan Adler; Shameless: How I Ditched the Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasure… and Somehow Got Home in Time To Cook Dinner by Pamela Madsen; Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman; From A to Biba: The Autobiography of Barbara Hulanicki by Barbara Hulanicki; Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French by Jean-Benoit Nadeau; The Unfolding Now: Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence by A.H. Almaas; Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion by Joseph Campbell; Initiation by Barbara Haich; ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley; Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman; Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything by Geneen Roth; Cosmos by Carl Sagan; Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie; Team Rodent : How Disney Devours the World by Carl Hiaasen; The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life by Steven Watts; Mr Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the American Dream, also by Steven Watts; The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbara G. Walker; Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with Artists and Outlaws in New York’s Rebel Mecca by Ed Hamilton; A Course in Miracles by Dr. Helen Schucman; Gypset Style: Jet Set + Gypsy = Gypset by Julia Chaplin; To India, With Love: From New York to Mumbai by Waris Ahluwalia, Tina Bhojwani & Mortimer Singer; The Cannibals of Candyland by Carlton Mellick III; Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein; I’m with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie & Let’s Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies by Pamela Des Barres; & Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?: Bodies, Behavior, and Brains — The Science Behind Sex, Love, and Attraction by Jena Pincott.
Wow… That’ll keep you busy, huh?!
When I think about winter, one of the first & most obvious things to be happy about is all that enforced indoor time. Sure, at some stage, cabin fever may strike, forcing you to run madly around the block in the snow, screaming, wearing nothing but your knickers & a faux fur coat, but until THEN, lots of wonderful things can happen inside!
It’s a lovely time to embrace all that your television can offer you: namely, a selection of fantastic comedy movies which will keep you giggling, laughing & guffawing all the way through to spring thaw. If you have no idea where to start, this list of laugh-out-loud comedies is an excellent jumping-off point. You might like to read 33 Movies To Watch When You’re Sad, Glum Or Bummed Out, too!
Laughter is the ultimate medicine, you know! Be sure not to skimp on it this coming cold season!
Winter just isn’t winter without a hot beverage by your side, & at some point you might get sick of your trusty old favourite. When this happens, it’s time to take yourself on a research trip to see what might replace it.
I love flavourful (soy) milky tea, & I also love anything which tastes like a flower, so my new favourite thing is a Versailles lavender earl grey soy latte. &%*$^@^*!!! You cannot even imagine! If you’re in NYC, I get this magical concoction from Physical Graffitea in the East Village. If you ask me, it is the ultimate post-workout treat!
There are lots of delightful things to suit every palate, though. From peppermint hot cocoa to jasmine pearl tea, a hot vanilla malted to ginger-spiced hot chocolate, a little investigation & internet snooping should set you right!
Winter can be difficult for even the brightest & sparkliest of us. The best way to deal with it is to prepare yourself, make plans & give yourself things to look forward to!
Some other things which aren’t necessarily essential, but definitely great for winter, include…
Ugly/fabulous beaded or printed maxi-dresses for lounging around the house Maxi-cardigans to go over the top A humidifier for your bedroom (to keep your skin from drying out overnight!) Kimonos or fabulous bed-jackets, again for lounging Velvet everything Coconut water, for ultimate rehydration power! Colourful blankets & cushions, to keep you smiling Vitamins Scented candles (Ladurée candles are my new favourites!) Lots of wonderful bath products!
Additionally, I’ve never used one, but have heard marvellous things about those lamps for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). The NatureBright SunTouch Plus Light & Ion Therapy Lamp gets amazing reviews & people say it really does help them stay happy in winter.
Good luck, & stay warm!
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