Yes

I love astrology. Not only do I think I am the consummate Aries (headstrong? impulsive? ambitious? that's me!), but it's just plain fun in the morning when I'm getting my day started to have a little preview of how things might go. Or, at the end of an awful day, it's nice to check out my horoscope, and feel a little better for the fact that the constellations predicted it. Sometimes the galaxies are dead on. Do I always take forecasts from the cosmos to run my life? With a grain of salt.

Well, for the past few weeks, all horoscope signs have been pointing to a major planetary shift turning the typically assertive Aries into a powerhouse who can make anything happen. Yes, the stars are asking me to go out there, grab my dreams, and make them a reality. Over and over again. And you know what? I think I'll listen. I'll take this opportunity to say yes, I'm going to make things happen the way I want to. Thanks for the hints universe!

Think about it. After the year is through, what will you look back and wish you had said yes to?

I wish I had said Yes!
beloved
When you asked me out to walk
among the leaves
the turning leaves
You were offering me
the sound of dreams,
And I turned you down
politely.

Not today, I smiled
Perhaps,
Maybe, tomorrow?

But I wish I had said Yes!
beloved
I wish we had shared this light.

Next time don't ask
Just take me!
Order me to dress!

I am going to need your help
beloved
To begin the Year of Yes.

by Shaista Tayabali (Via Yes and Yes.org)

Pet Peeve

I read a lot of magazines monthly. My most recent tally of subscriptions is up to 10 including Vogue, Marie Claire, W, Self, Allure, Lucky, Glamour, Women's Health, Vanity Fair, and Harper's Bazaar. I love magazines. I like the pictures, the glossy feel when I flip through the pages, the ads, and of course, the articles--the main meat. I love reading them cover to cover. I'm a traditionalist. I read front to back, skipping over anything that doesn't hold my interest along the way.

The only thing I dislike about magazines? They way they always have to split the articles. When I am midway through reading, I CANNOT stand when it says in tiny print, "continued on page 263." Then I have to find a bookmark, find the tiny little page numbers, and scan through all the other bits of columns they translplanted to the end of the magazine that should be reserved for weird little ads. It disrupts my whole reading flow. Then, when I've finished the column, I have to find my way back to my original spot if my bookmark has not fallen out.

Why? Why can't they just put it on the next page?

Going Retro

Normally, I’m not really into the whole retro look. I can’t find a shade of red lipstick that doesn’t look garish with my pale skin, and waving my hair is just too much work. I don’t tend to wear vintage clothing, because as much as I love the idea of thrifting, well, the idea of wearing someone else’s old clothes just really freaks me out. I donate to thrift stores, but I never really find myself buying anything. Though I admire the 50’s pinup look, it’s never been something I’ve been able to find the appropriate pieces for to really pull off.

I’ve been swimsuit shopping lately. I am heading to Hawaii in a little over a month for a good friend’s wedding, and I’ve been on a mission to get in shape for my birthday. As a reward, and a little birthday gift to myself, I have been planning to get a new bikini. I’ve tried on many, but as all of you ladies out there know, finding a flattering, but cute swim suit can be very difficult. I don’t know about you, but no matter how much I work out, and no matter how long I hold my plank and side plank poses for, there still tends to be a little pocket of fat on my lower belly that just.won’t.go.away. My solution? Cover it up.

Enter this year’s wonderful retro swimwear collection. I’m not sure where the retro styles came from, but I’m going to go ahead and give the credit to the hipster population that stores like Urban Outfitters cater to. There is a ton of high waisted, halter/bustier style suits out there right now, and I, for one, am thrilled. With a bottom ending just below my belly button, who needs hundreds of reverse crunches when my lower abs will be nicely concealed under the blue stripes of my suit?

I searched far and wide on swim wear sites ranging from Asos to Figleaves. I tried on suits at Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, and the Gap. I settled on the hot little number you see on the model above. It’s the Long Soak bikini from Anthropologie in Blue Motif. If you’re looking for a high waist suit, they have a plethora. And, since it looks so pretty on the model’s perfect body, it will obvi look just as gorg on my normal person body. I love the classically nautical fine blue stripes, while the well placed darts and ruching on the bum should create a lovely hourglass illusion. Fingers crossed I like it as much when it arrives in my mailbox!

Obligatory St. Patrick's Day Post

May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.

Art Into Fasion

The museum exhibit I’m dying to see? Art Into Fashion: Roberto Capucci at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It opens this Wednesday, and runs through June 5^th 2011. It is the first time his work is collected en masse for an exhibition in the United States, and it will cover over 80 of his works, including his drawings and sketches from the very start of his designing career to as works from as recent as 2007.

You may well be wondering who is Capucci, and why should I care? He’s an Italian designer, born in from in 1930. He is known for his sculptural dresses made from innovative materials ranging from pebbles and raffia, to liquid filled pockets of plastic. 

Capucci is best known throughout the fashion world as an architect of fashion, a sculptor of clothing. His dresses can be described as nothing else but lavish show stoppers. Their dramatic silhouettes are not for everyday wear, but to be admired as a spectacular display of beauty during a grand event. Customers of Capucci include screen sirens Marilyn Monroe and Gloria Swanson. His skill with pleating is unrivalled. His use of contrasting colors? Gorgeous. His creativity of design, and color palette? Sheer genius.

Lindy Promotions

I'll give you one guess where I am right now. That's right, you've got it, celebrating St. Patrick's Day again with a lovely stroll around the Seaport sponsored by Lindy Promotions on this wonderful NYC day.

If you live in NYC, and haven't heard of Lindy Promotions yet, it's time you did. They organize loads of seasonally fun, and affordable events. AND to top it all off, they partner with the City Harvest food bank to give you a discount if you donate. So, all your fun is getting cheaper and going to a good cause. What could be better?

Friday Fun

Check out these cute little folded paper creations. These are some of the most original origami creations I've seen. Makes you want to go do an art project. Am I right?