Butter'd Up

If its not fashion at the forefront, then I'd have to say that its beauty in the lead as the most fretted about subject in Los Angeles. You can't throw a rock and not hit a plastic surgeons office or salon anywhere here...with that said, it brings me back into focus on my own beauty regimen. For years I have been a skincare junkie, taking many different routes to keeping my skin looking and feeling youthful. I have tried various different concoctions, from plain old soap n water (drying), to all Chanel skincare (lavish and luxe but too rich for my skin), to my current routine. It is based on using products of the most natural and pure ingredients or from lines in which they cull their ingredients from nature. And of course, human and animal cruelty-free. The products I use now I also wanted to have mutli-tasking functions as well. I have found that the less products I use, the better my skin is, and my well being. Find your regimen and stick to it. This is key; if you keep switching things up, your skin will get confused and show you just how (this is called acne)! And the two most important things in my regimen: rest and lots of water!!

Face:
Cleanser- Ole Henriksen oily skin cleansing gel
Tonic-Ole Henriksen grease relief tonic
Moisturizer- the roots 100% pure shea butter
Masque- Aztec Secret indian healing clay
Shave- MOP Leave-In Conditioner

Body:
Cleanser- Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash
Shave-MOP Leave-In Conditioner
Natural Sea Sponge and/or Yerba body brush
Moisturizer- the roots 100% pure shea butter

Hair:
Shampoo- Kerastase
Conditioner- Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner
Styling- my own mix (Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner mixed with Paul Mitchell Styling Glaze, quarter size amount daily)

Further product information:
Ole Henriksen  http://www.olehenriksen.com/
the roots  http://www.therootsproducts.com/
Nature's Gate http://www.natures-gate.com/
Kerastase  http://www.kerastase.com/
Paul Mitchell  http://www.paulmitchell.com/
MOP http://www.mopproducts.com/

-fgg

The Ultimate Suit

Ever since I saw the Chanel Autumn/Winter 2009 RTW show (alas, not in person but via video pod cast) I was struck by the sheer ingenuity and futuristic expression of the silk and cashmere geometric print body suit. My jaw dropped. I was struck by awe. It spoke volumes-both retro (print) and future (fabrication) time line straddling, the ultimate in body consciousness, sleek feline expressionism (who else better comes to mind but Catwoman)- this hot ticket item was/is perfect in pushing th Chanel brand into a new stratosphere. What also struck an interesting chord with me was "who is the Chanel client that would wear this body suit?" I'm sure she's not the classic older woman (the one who could afford the price tag). Perhaps her daughter? No kids, I think its her grand daughter! How genius actually. The body suit, with its strong aesthetic, really does cross all the age lines. I could definitely picture Betty Catroux wearing this (mixed with her YSL staples), or Ivana Trump (languishing around her apartment), or Rihanna (rocking the body suit on stage). We leave the target and its message to the designer himself. Lagerfeld clearly visualized his Chanel woman in this great look (perhaps this came to him in a dream?): she is timeless, she is fierce, she is chic, she is Chanel, she is woman.
-feelgoodguru
[photo credit: Style.com]

Commuter Chic

Only in an urban city can you spot real, living fashion in movement.
I spotted this very chic young woman today on the Rapid bus in Los Angeles. I absolutely love the pop color (and collar) of her leather jacket, her accessories (bangles galore), shredded denim, and her high ponytail.
Check her chic out and enjoy!!
-feelgoodguru

Good Inside

Perhaps it is the nature of the fashion/stylist business, or its deeper than that itself (human nature), but I know that there is heavy attention paid to how you look outside then how you feel inside. I for one am the last person to talk about this as it is, after all, my job to make someone look good more than anything else. Yet my apporach with every client, and every person, I encounter is to make them feel good-both inside and out. I find this to be very important (heck, its in my moniker). Feeling is an expression of many many things. More than emotion, it is an expression of your Soul, of your Self. This expression is what, I feel, makes us human. It is born of/from Creativity, which is vast and ever present. Look around you-Creativity is everywhere. You reading this now is a result of Creativity just as much as it is a result of me writing this because of Creativity. Delve into this feeling because it is good. Find what makes you create and do it. When you do, it makes you feel good inside. And that shows on the outside, definitely!!

-feelgoodguru

Crush

I was lucky enough to spend the evening last night with one of my crushes, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, at her show at the El Rey. I have loved her music and energy since she came onto the scene in the 90's. Her fashion style is simple and utilitarian, and veers toward what is comfortable for her (and her soul I gather). Last night she had me crushing even more because she was wearing a pair of Repetto leather lace up shoes, my current shoe obsession. Loved how she rocked it with cuffed black jeans, black tee, and black shrunken blazer!!

I have a new crush: Jack from the Neo Soul/Electro Band J*Davey! Why? Because fly girl had the fashion guts 2 wear a sheer silk vintage 80's bodysuit (w/shoulder pads) and a black silk teddy underneath and steal my fashion heart! The multi-looped strand of pearls were also perfect, and at the end of the show she shucked them off and twirled them 'round the air and made her exit.


Please check out this great band and keep your eye on her-she's the newness on the scene!!

-feelgoodguru

Under Construction

The hiatus is over!

Please check back in the next few days as this blog will be updated and enhanced and go live once again.

Thanks,
-fgg

San Francisco Treat (Epi 2)

What another wonderful trip 2 the fashionable city 2 the north, San Francisco!
Where else in CA can u get seasons? It was beautifully sunny and brisk all week that I was there and I got 2 see my fashion inspirations (my SF friends) and check out some of my usual haunts and meet the new fashion brigade (hi Marc Jacobs kids!!!). I of course did a bit of shopping and a bit of trend shopping while there, and here is the report...

Maiden Lane

YSL: It was just happenstance that I run in2 my NYC friend J there, who did the trek West and is now at YSL on Maiden Lane! I am very impressed with how YSL has changed and evolved as a brand and as a fashion look. Everything is very directional and forward, with trendy styles (bubble skirts, elongated tunic tops, slim cigarette pants) but still friendly 2 the ladies-who-lunch crowd. I've got my hot little hands pining 4 the "Limo" heel, at a 7" height! Yowch! J tells me that its the HOT seller in their store and I can see why! Stiletto sharp heel, covered platform, and very comfortable!

Helmut Lang: Theory's new sister company/store, I had 2 stop on in and do some credit card damage! I like the SF outpost better than the LA store. It's more accesible and has a real urban feel. I had 2 scoop up the cashmere/cotton assymetrical vest, which I L-O-V-E!!!
(check out G in HL's great men's sherpa lined trench...Yum!)

Marc Jacobs: I had the 4tunate luck 2 grab drinks with the MJ team the night b4 @ new lounge hotspot Azul, and meet up again on Friday 4 their Spring Trunk Show. I love the colors that MJ is going with 4 Spring, with a deliciously vintage-inspired floral/animal/bug print in pop pink, green, and yellow, his Spring color palette. I loved the tweed cape with chiffon overlay, and my favorite piece, a balck beaded wrap top wprthy of the red carpet. I've gotta see who's back I'm gonna get that top on 4 the award season! Such a coveted peice, and at $6,000 it wasn't coming home with me!

Noe Valley

On a quiet Sunday stroll I took up the charming district of Noe Valley, home to the fabulous and my dear friend Ian, and checked out what the area has 2 offer. I stopped in2 Noe Valley Bakery and grabbed a cup of sweet micha and headed down 19th Street.

Ambiance: This is the stop if u wanna get a quick and thorough lesson in SF trendy shopping. I have been 2 their Haight-Ashbury outpost and delighted in the store's unique set up of colored rooms (greens in the Green Room, reds in the Red Room, etc) and find that the Noe Valley shop is a little bit more "boutique". Antique decor and GREAT bargains all around, Ambiance is a hot little shop and a fave of mine in SF. I found a hot leather tote 4 $62 and a great vintage-y dot tunic top 4 $65!!

Nisa: The simplicity of this new Noe Valley shop is what grabbed me. Then the "designed in San Francisco" tag clinched the deal 4 me. Oh my! There was a red plaid fur-trim vest in here that would make Alexander McQueen proud! The range is made up mostly of knits (of which I am a freak about!), all soft and supple and whipped-thin. I scooped up 2 white teees 4 layering and a great vintage mustard leather clutch 4 $23 (yes, only $23!). I'm heading back next week-end 2 pick up the large navy leather clutch, which at a steal 4 $25 is definitely hard 2 beat! Asia, the desgner/buyer searches high and low 4 unique vintage pieces and also designs such great and simple basics, that it's not hard 2 add a it of Nisa 2 your closet. Check them out at: www.nisasf.com

Mission District

House of Hengst: I can't come 2 SF and not stop in one of my favorite stores, House of Hengst. Their Spring 2008 preview collection is in true Hengst style: sexy, demure, alluring, HOT! Check the website as their update should be happening in the next coming weeks!
www.houseofhengst.com

Castro District
After breakfast at Harveys (a MUST just 4 their pancakes and oatmeal!!Yum!!), I walked two storefronts down Castro Street 2 check out the only rival 2 Rolo 4 men;s clothes, Citizen (Castro St/16th St). Where as Rolo is full-tilt fashionisto, Citizen is young urban up-n-coming male. They have an eclectic selection, from Paul Smith trousers 2 Ed Hardy tees, and a whole lot in between. Z bought up 3 pairs of great boots that were on sale and at a steal at about $100 a pair! The staff is super-friendly and super-cute and this is such a great place 2 stop on in and see what the trendy boys r wearing...

I'm back 2 SF next week-end with another report 2 shell out. I'll be checking out the trendy Marina District and Hayes Valley, and taking another gander at Lower Haight and the Sunset District. Stay tuned 4 more!
-feelgoodguru

SneakerPimpz (part 2)

So here is the 2nd installment on my dissertation on men in sneakers. Last night at East/West Lounge with Z (the both of dressed "casually" in modern tuxs), I spied this guy in, yes, u guessed it, sneakers. Running shoes. He was well-dressed: fitted black collared shirt (Dolce & Gabanna), dark str8 leg denim (Prada), and, um New Balance sneakers. YUCK.
I went up 2 him and asked him about his shoe choice, from a fashion journalistic POV. I asked, "when u got dressed 2night, what made u choose your shoes?" "was your footwear choice the first or last decision in your outfit?". He told me it was his first. He purposedly wore those shoes with his outfit. He also told me he chose them because they were "comfortable" and it was "raining" and that he didn't wanna ruin any other shoes (I of course was in Manolo Blahniks in the rain but thats ME, along with all the other Euro-esque men in boots and loafers and shoes). I asked then what he would've worn if it were dry out. He told me flip-flops. MORE YUCK. He was the ONLY guy there in sneakers, um, no running shoes. He was the only drinking beer from the bottle as well.
There u have it...but my case isn't yet laid 2 rest...
-feelgoodguru

LoveofIt

"I Love It!"

When I am styling someone, I may, by sheer excitement or sheer ecstasy or a true combination of both, will say "I Love It!" when I see an outfit or look come together. This is truly an exclamation of joy and elation more than flattery. I really feel the synthesis of bring clothes together and seeing the happiness and confidence on a client's face when the really know that they look GREAT. Its because the not only look great but the FEEL great. I love being the person who brings them to this conscious awareness, gifting them this, as it were. Perhaps, actually, showing them what I see, sense, know, and feel that they possess inside of them all along.
I try to stress this sensibility in other stylists or retailers when it comes to the talk of our business. I call it what it is: Love. And its true, you can't love everyone nor can everyone love you BUT we in this business should LOVE what we DO and it is very disheartening when I come across someone who has lost this love and/or is in it for not this reason.

You can trust in this: I Love It!
I Love It because it is me, it is art, it is passion, it is appearance, it is confidence, it is you, it is fun, it is real, it is fashion...

-feelgoodguru

Finally Fall

The chill is now ever present in the evening air. We've had our season's first (and hopefully many) rains. I am wearing boots and have transitioned my closet, part one. I'm very excited now because it is Fall. And that means being able 2 bring out the big fashion guns and really dressing.
Layers. Chunky knits. Cashmere. Boots.
Spring may be eternal, but Fall is seriousy chic!!!
-feelgoodguru