Wrapped Beautifully

Hermes Silk Scarf- Are You Sure You Really Want One?

Appreciating the finer things in life is a good trait.  Like anything else, though, striking a balance is important. 

If you want to buy a gorgeous scarf,  are you going to automatically buy one that is the most expensive?

Why don't you try to find the "next" Hermes instead?  It could be a fun adventure and you'd save you a boatload of cash!

Have you ever watched ‘The Voice"? An interesting aspect of this program is the idea that as an expert (here, in vocal music), you could potentially identify a real, unknown musical talent and even be a part of their evolving story. That can be very rewarding. "America's Got Talent" has done something incredible here. Did you watch when they had Jackie Evancho on last year in August and September? She was just 10 years old. Without question, she is a gifted prodigy who sings opera essentially flawlessly.

Would you have any interest in finding the next generation of this or that? If yes, what topics do you think you are qualified to do this? Singers, actors, automobiles, food, clothing? And then, what do you have access, time and/or funding to do? With clothing, especially accessories, access shouldn't be too difficult and you might be able to find the next best ones without spending that much money. For example, have you ever heard of Franco Sarto shoes? They are made in Italy and have beautiful, timeless design lines, the best materials and are incredibly well made. I fell in love with a pair of Franco Sarto pumps several years ago that had a 3" heel and a strap that would cross at the ankle. For as long as this style was available (about 3 years), I would buy three pair at a time (I was in consulting and on my feet all the time). Believe me, when you consider the shoe, these were incredibly reasonably priced ($65/pair).

Let's talk about scarves. It's true, the top of the line is Hermes. And you pay for them, for sure. I've seen them run from $300 to $800. The price can drop quite a bit just switching to another well known designer. I have a wonderful Ralph Lauren chiffon silk scarf with a delicate paisley design that I paid $75 for. Some seasons Echo may have a couple scarves that have good material, colors and designs. I've paid around $40 for them. But, lately, I've seen that a lot of their scarf products are very faddish and not as high quality as they've been other years.

I think its fun to try to find scarves that approach or are equal to Hermes in terms of quality of silk material, design and color, but are significantly less in cost. You feel like you've accomplished something when you've been successful, not to mention the fact that you have saved a lot of money! In some ways, you might be able to compare this to the stock market. You want to catch a good stock on its way up in price, not when it has peaked, if you can help it, because you'll be paying top dollar for it then.

In your search for the next Hermes, you will surely encounter the fakes. They are out there. Whether their manufacturers are blatant and copy famous existing scarf designs or they just stamp out junk, I am stunned at the proliferation of pieces of material these companies are calling scarves. I wouldn't even want to use any of them for house cleaning rags. Really! The truth is, plan to see very low quality silk, colors, designs and processes during this endeavor.

I encourage you to become an educated shopper in whatever area you decide to try to find the next one for tomorrow. That will allow the process to be fun instead of frustrating. In the case of silk scarves for example, there are very specific qualities you should be aware of and looking for. Have fun!

Pareos and Sarongs: How Could Something So Simple Be So Gorgeous?

It was early June in 1989, and I was just married.  My husband had planned the most wonderful honeymoon for us.  It was a trip to Tahiti.  We visited three islands:  Moorea, Bora Bora and the island of Tahiti which is where the capital, Papeete is. 

Tahiti is below the equator.  So, winter, rather than summer was approaching. The days were quite short at that point. But because of its location, the outside temperatures were delightfully moderate (in the seventies).

Our first stop was Moorea. We stayed in over water bungalows at the Sofitel Moorea hotel.  We were greeted with beautiful  wedding pareos and flower crowns.  
Pareo is the Tahitian word for a wrap-around skirt.  Today, the word is used for any material that is wrapped around the body.  A sarong is basically the same thing. 

We were greeted with another pareo when we arrived at Bora Bora.  These were white pareos which were made out of cotton.  It was a great cover up for my swim suit as well as a nice wrap for over the shoulders after several hours in the sun.  A pareo is so much easier to deal with than regular clothes and when you fold it in half and wear it as a skirt, it's so much prettier and more flattering than shorts.  Not to mention, a lot cooler because the material is lighter.

These pictures were taken  on the coral reef ring that surrounds each of these islands.  They've been there so long, there is often a lot of vegetation.  Beyond these reefs is, of course, the Pacific Ocean. If memory serves, its about 4,000 feet just beyond the outer edge of the rings. 

The lagoon that is created between the island itself and the coral ring is only a few hundred feet deep and its filled with lots of colorful  tropical fish. If you have sufficient canoeing skills and can figure out how to stay clear of the currents that exist where the coral rings have breaks, you may be able to make your way safely around in an outrigger.  This can be a lot of fun!  Many parts of the coral ring surrounding the Tahitian islands have long stretches of magnificent beaches, which you can have completely to yourselves! Nothing like a romantic picnic lunch on a completely secluded, beautiful beach.  This can also become a nightmare if you don't know what you are doing.  For example, these currents can both prevent you from getting to a destination or getting back home.

More recently, I have discovered sarong buckles made out of coconut and mother of pearl.   And there is one particular tying technique that transforms  a sarong into a gorgeous and very sexy wrap sun dress or bathing suit cover up.  It's surprisingly simple.  You place the longest side of the sarong behind you just under your arms.

Hold the material by the top two corners and pull to the front.  For a moment, hold both corners in one hand. Hold the coconut buckle in front of you with the other hand.  Place the top left and right corners of the material  through the left and right holes of the buckle.

Pull the material  through until its very snug against your skin above your chest.  Then, bring these ends under your arms and tie in a simple knot behind you. Next, pull the gathered material that is above your chest over your chest.  And you are done! 

      

 

Video of How To Tie A Sarong For Sexy Sun Dress Look

Here is a video of the sarong tying technique I described in the last blog post.

What You Can Use To Reflect How You Feel Or Want To Feel Inside

I'm not exactly sure why, but  I have always bought scarves  that seem to reflect how I feel or want to feel inside: happy, beautiful, vibrant, and special.    Certain ones seem to be so perfect year after year for those formal important things like job interviews or weddings.    But, I also like to wear particular scarves for fun, casual things, like apple picking in October or going to a surprise birthday party.  Wearing a scarf is uplifting for you and sometimes even for the people you are with!

It's not that different for me when it comes to music.  I listen to music that reflects how I feel or want to feel inside.  So what I like in music is pretty distinct and diverse.   I am crazy about:

• "Early" music from these periods:
• • Baroque (1600 - 1750), which  includes the work of these composers: Bach, Handel, and  Vivaldi
  • Classical (1750 - 1825) which includes the work of these composers:  Beethoven, Hayden and Mozart
  • Romantic (1825 - 1900) which includes the work of theses composers: Brahms, Chopin, Mahler, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky
• Beautifully structured rock. There are too many groups to name.  But it starts with early 1960s material (like the Beatles) and even continues through today (Lady Gaga!) 

Music in particular is so powerful when it comes to being able to affect how you feel.  I can have the most draining day at work.  But on the way home, if I listen to a piece of music that is hopeful, energetic, and/or positive, I'm just about guaranteed to be heading in that direction by the time the song finishes.

My dad studied music at Boston University, both voice and instrument (clarinet). He taught music  in public schools to children for many years in Massachusetts and Maine.  Although I learned to play flute and piccolo in the 1970s (and here I am in this concert photo- the flautist in the striped shirt),  I have minimal skill.

My sister Sharon sings and directs choral music and teaches music to elementary school children at a private school in New Jersey.  She went to Westminster Choir College, has sung at Carnegie Hall a couple times and sounds like Jessye Norman. It's such a gift!  The next generation of children in my family could yield a couple musicians. 

And if not, we'll make sure they will know how to enjoy and use music as much as their parents do.

Coconut Buckles- Do You Know What They Are And What They Do?

If you wear sarongs and pareos, you need to know what a coconut buckle is and how it is used.  Wait till you see how it transforms your look.  You won't believe your eyes... really! http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/why-should-i-care-about-having-a-coconut-buckle-for-my-sarong-or-pareo-scarf-3110353.html

Be Ready In A Snap With A Shoulder Wrap

It's hard to believe fall hits in a couple days!  Time to pull out the flannel sheets and the sweaters.  There is a great alternative to sweaters.  Do you know what it is?  A wrap!  


They are really pretty and in many cases are a better choice than a sweater for keeping you warm.  Here's an article I just wrote on the subject:

Be Ready In A Snap With A Shoulder Wrap       

Jaguar E Type - Nothing Will Ever Hold A Candle To A Timeless Cat

 
This past Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday.  And, I always look forward to it.  Why?  It's not so much the great football that you MAY see.  But, it's the fact that it marks the half way point for winter. 

Once the snow melts, one of the things I get ready to do is  drive my  1972 Jaguar E Type.  Absence does make the heart grow fonder.  And, when I tuck her in for the winter every November, it's hard to believe I could become even more fond of this car by the time we get to spring.

 You might  be saying to yourself,  "What is she talking about?".  Well, let me share with you a story that I wrote over a decade ago.  And if after reading it, you are at all intrigued, I encourage you to get your hands on anything relating to the history of and specifications for this special vehicle.

I was a young child in the 1960s. And it was then that I first saw it. How is it that one could be so struck, so much in awe of this?

By the time I was seventeen, my first reactions had long since turned into absolute conviction that the Jaguar E Type was very special, exquisite.

In August of that same year, 1978, a friend, knowing how much I loved the automobile, took me to a Jaguar meet at the Transportation Museum in Boston. How great it was to see this masterpiece up close. I was positively breathless. A European contingent of Lotuses and Ferraris were in attendance, paying their respect. They were very nice.

Twenty more years have passed. Nothing has changed. Yes, there are new names, bodies and engines. But nothing will ever hold a candle to a timeless cat.

I didn't have to have one. I'd see them once in a great while, usually in the summer. Before the rest of the world had awakened for the day, as a fog blanketing the road would be burned off by the heat of the early morning sun, I'd first hear that incredible sound - huge amounts of raw power being harnessed so masterfully, yet civilly. And, then, I'd see it, that devastatingly gorgeous thing, flash before me as if it were part missile and ballerina. It would pierce through the air so quickly and precisely with amazing beauty and grace. It was enough for me.

My manager at work and I had one thing in common... we liked cars. We we each liked in cars was at opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's just say he was a fan of strange custom work and hot rods.

One day, John found an "E" advertised for sale in Queens, New York for next to nothing. He, of course, said I should get it because it had a V8 in it. I said someone should get it to save its life and put the V12 back in!

That person ended up being me.

The engine was just one of many problems. The car was in deplorable shape. It suffered from several botched restorations, very poor maintenance work, and tons of neglect.

Without hesitation, I decided to launch a ground up restoration effort. It took two years to complete.

And then, something wonderful happened. Just one day shy of owning it two years, I drove my Jaguar E Type home for the first time. I still can't believe I can listen to it and gaze at it whenever I want, never mind be the one at the wheel those summer mornings.

Here is video footage from my first test drive which was taken during the ground up restoration.  And here is video footage from the final body work and paint inspection.

 

 

Swim Cover Up: Did You Know About This?

The beginning of February marks the halfway point of winter.  Can you make plans to go to a Caribbean island or perhaps take a cruise?  I hope so!  Just one week away this time of year really helps you make it to spring.

When you are lucky enough to be lounging around in the sun whether it's this time of year someplace down south or in the summer, one thing women should be aware of is a swim suit cover up that is amazingly flattering and fun to wear.  Some of you may know about this already.  Based on what I see on the beaches and pool side, most don't yet!

Instead of shorts and a shirt to cover up your swim suit, there are sarongs and pareos you should be wearing!  They are slowing making their way to the United States.  I first saw them twenty years ago in French Polynesia.

If you get a traditional sarong, you can fashion it as a sexy sun dress. Nothing beats a beautiful color and print combination.

For those of you who want to keep it simple, there are now sarongs and pareos with no-fuss built-in ties.  A chiffon white or black sarong in half or full length is extremely attractive and easily matches your swim suits.

Silk Scarves - What Makes Them Special?

 

It's not your imagination.  There is something very special about silk scarves.  A picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look.   What do you see?

I  think it's  luminousity  and softness.  In this artice, I explain  the five aspects that control quality and need to be considered when making a purchase.

I've been buying silk scarves for 30 years. During this time, I've noticed there is an incredible range of quality that exists for what you can buy. "You get what you pay for.", is something you need to keep in mind.

Here are the five aspects that I recommend you evaluate when you are contemplating a purchase:

Weight Dimensions Design Color Finish

Weight- The heavier the weight, the more it costs to make. Silk is weighed in mommes. Retail labeling does not generally state what this is for a given scarf. But you can tell what it is to some degree just by holding it. If it has a very sheer gossamer look and feel, it's going to be very light, potentially 4 or 6 mommes. If it is fairly substantial with strong coloring that holds up to light, it is probably 10 to 12 mommes. Much heavier than that, you are getting into weights that are better suited for drapery and upholstery. My favorite weight for silk scarves is 12 mommes. It's a perfect weight, not too light or heavy.

Dimensions- Each of the possible shapes of scarves out there comes in different dimensions. The larger the dimension, the more it costs to make. In general, the larger the better. My favorite dimensions in a square are 35" x 35". And for an oblong scarf, 16" x 60". These sizes work the best with the standard ties you can make.

Design- We are getting into more subjective ground to a certain extent. But, if you begin to spend any time studying patterns, you can tell when they are thrown together or not. Yes, it's true, fads can include thrown together looks. A poor design, though, looks tacky, plain and simple.

Beautiful silk scarves have beautiful, well thought out designs. They are attractive to look at. You enjoy gazing at them. They always enhance what they are being worn with.

Color- This is fairly subjective too. I will say though, understanding good colors and how to work with colors seems to come naturally to some and not to others. And you tend to know, with time, which kind of person you are. If you aren't very good at it, get help! It is something you can get better at with a little training and understanding.

Beautiful scarves have beautiful colors, whether they are trendy or classic, timeless colors.

Finish- The main thing to be concerned with when it comes to finish is the stitching used for the edges. There are folks out there that like hand rolled hems. Hand rolled hems can still be done improperly. I have found this to be the case even with extremely expensive scarves (costing hundreds of dollars). When done improperly, the fabric may not be flat enough as it approaches the edge and/or the stitching (thread) can come undone fairly easily. I actually prefer a well executed top stitch, as it can give you a flatter, cleaner result.

There you go. I wish I had this information when I started buying scarves. Practice makes perfect! I'm also glad you can benefit from what I've learned!

 

Low Carb Diet Plan That's Simple and Satisfying and Works Great!

 
Warm weather is approaching.  Are we getting ready for looking our best during the spring and summer months?

I know from years of trying different diets or eating plans to maintain a good weight, if it's not straight forward, forget it!  I have too many other complications in my life to want or to be able to add another one.  The good news is,  it is possible to have a plan that is simple and satisfying and successful in terms of meeting your weight goals. 

For many of us, low carbs or lower carbs needs to be a way of life once we hit 25 or 30.   But, you do not have to feel you are making huge sacrafices and are going without something that you'd really like.   Did you know this?  It's true!  If you don't have a course of action set up for this year yet, you should consider this approach.   There is just one main requirement (I also refer to this as "the trick"!)  for this simple low carb diet plan.  But it's very reasonable.  See for yourself!

 

Infrared Sauna - Do You Know What You Are Missing?

Infrared saunas warm the body the same way as natural sunlight does.

Far-infrared radiant (FIR) heat therapy penetrates, refracts, radiates and reflects.  When it penetrates through the skin, the thermal effect causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate.  This promotes better blood circulation and elimination of  toxins via sweating.  

FIR heat therapy aids in weight loss by speeding up the metabolic process of endocrine glands and vital organs. 

Other information, including the specific benefits I experienced is provided here: Infrared Sauna - Benefits Are Unique and Real