Running through Rain to the Runways

Fashion Week hit New York City with a spash! The damp and dreary skies last Friday didn’t darken the designers’ runways though…and the puddle-hopping paparazzi still photographed the primped fashionistas who paraded around the park in their parkas and parasols…seriously.


Rebecca outside the tents Friday night.

Venexiana by Kati Stern kicked off show week Friday night as an excited buzz filled The Salon at Bryant Park. The designs were daring and drastic – the evening gowns donned dramatic low V’s in both the front and back to create a sleek look, but Kati's use of fur and feathers is not for the faint of heart…


Pretty like Barbie...


Scary like Chewbacca.


Designer Kati Stern


Next up was Miss Sixty in The Tent at Bryant Park Sunday night. Designer Wichy Hassan put on a show the audience would be “In Love” with, as his invitation predicted. From the 60’s-themed psychedelic vans in glowing neon colors to the flowy shirts, draping necklaces, and fur accessories the models brought down the runway in true free-spirited, flower-child form…the designs were so interesting I only had a little trouble keeping my eyes on the runway and off the A-list celebs decorating the front row. Anne Hathaway, Ashley Olsen, Milla Jovovich and Chloe Sevigny were definitely taking notes from Wichy on how to create their own crowd-pleasing clothing lines.


The funky cool designs of Miss Sixty.


The weekend rain turned to snow, and the snow back to a drizzling rain by the Malandrino show time Monday morning at the Chelsea Art Museum. The show started late – as most of them do – but after an excessively long hour of standing outside in the elements, the Fall 2008 line was worth the wait. The pleating and draping of the garments gave the collection a structural feel, and the designer’s use of satin, fur and colors created a texture only Catherine Malandrino can achieve.


Outside at the Malandrino show - the Women's Wear Daily used as an umbrella is evidence the fashion world does have its unglamorous moments...


...and everyone's high heels may look fabulous, but trust me - they don't feel fabulous!


Back at the tents Thursday on another grey but rain-free day, Naeem Khan's show was perfectly accented by the background music - sounds of a dark and creepy forest filled The Promenade before the show and was replaced with a James Bond-esque beat as the models hit the runway. The silver, black and gold looks of the first half of the collection had a sleek and dramatic effect befitting of a Bond girl. As I pondered why we'd been subjected to the creepy forest, my answer sauntered down the runway in a beautiful form-fitting skirt made entirely of green peacock feathers. The animal prints added a rich warmth to his Fall 2008 line featuring beautifully draped and pleated garments.


On the Bond side of things...


...welcome to the jungle. (The peacock skirt is on the left.)


The tornado lights - a metaphor to swirl the Bond and Jungle collection together?


My new favorite designer - Naeem Khan.


The sun did not peek from behind the clouds to bid Bryant Park farewell on the last day of Fashion Week, but the energetic mood inside the tents - no doubt due to the Project Runway show that morning - had a sunny vibrancy all its own.



Tadashi Shoji created a relaxed, excited atmosphere as he pumped Michael Buble's "It's a new day, it's a new dawn, it's a new life" through the speakers for his noon runway show. And who wouldn't want to have a new life outfitted in designs by Tadashi?? Bright green, yellow and purple pieces were either the focus of the look or provided a pop of bright color to a dark outfit. The accessories completed the looks by adding fine details - belts, scarves, grey tights, hats, and even the simple low bun of the models' hair. Perhaps Tadashi's most interesting detail is the gathered/cinched look - elbow-length leather gloves of all colors featured a gathered side seam for a textured look, and many of the dresses twisted and knotted at the front waist to create a flattering hour glass shape.


The cinched glove; the scarf-belt combination; and bright pops of color.


Two beautifully gathered dresses.


Tadashi taking a bow.


As the tents come down tomorrow, surely the sun will shine again to let New Yorkers bask in the calming expanse of the lawns of Bryant Park. Until the tents return.

Until September...

A long life, well-lived

Maudie Mashburn ~ July 29, 1904 - February 2, 2008

Yesterday I had to take a train to get from the city to the airport. My seat faced backward to the forward motion of the train. As I looked out the window and watched the scenery going backwards, my first thought was of my mother…and how sitting turned around on a moving train would make her sick as a dog! Then I thought of how fitting it was that my ride was taking me backwards, because as I rode on the train, my mind was rolling backwards through time – rewinding through thoughts and memories of Grandma.

While I rode, I thought of the characteristics that made up her personality. I tried to not just think of the ways I thought of her, but of how her kids, her friends, and the people in the community thought of her. I tried to think of what I know of her personality when she was younger…and all the many characteristics I could think of from the many different points of view and different times in her life were unchanging. Her values, beliefs and actions were constants throughout her whole life.

She always worked hard, always made the most of what she had, always cherished her family, always loved her home in Five Points, always sat in the same pew at church…and she was always, always scared of storms. She was always a good seamstress and quilter, a good homemaker and cook.

What an amazing life we are here to celebrate! Seeing all of you who care about her and love her is such a testament to her life and the way her humble personality endeared her to everyone she met. We are so blessed and comforted by the love and support God has sent us through friends. We thank the nurses at NHC for their love and care. We are so thankful for the time Charles, Lawrence and Doris were able to spend with Grandma and with each other this past week. A lot of laughter and tears and remembering took place...

I know they remembered how Grandma used to make them choose their switch when they were in trouble and had to get a spanking. I heard Lawrence would always choose the smallest switch, and Grandma would send him back out to get a bigger one!

I always laugh when I think of how her fear of storms overcame her during a particularly threatening storm. She gathered young Lawrence and Doris and took them down the road to a friend’s storm cellar late in the night…while Arvie and Charles slept safe and sound in their beds at home.

Mama always talks of how Grandma starched and ironed the pleats of her cheerleader outfit for Five Points School. All the other girls would comment on how beautiful Mama’s skirt looked, and Mama would just beam with pride.

One of my favorite memories is hearing Grandma and her sister Mae telling the story of a time they fed the cows, and somehow the cows tied them together in ropes. So - roped together and screaming - they fell to the ground, rolled in mud, and ripped their clothes. I’m still not quite sure how it happened or how they rescued themselves, but hearing them retell the story decades later – laughing so hard they couldn’t talk! – is one of the funniest memories I have of the two of them together.

My sisters and I spent our childhood playing with doll cradles Grandma and Granddaddy made for us. Granddaddy cut and assembled the wood, and Grandma made the mattress, sheets, and pillows. We loved running through the pasture, trips to the swinging bridge, and playing Bingo and watching Wheel of Fortune with them.

There are countless stories of times shared with her, and we all know her in our own way, but for me, I’ll always think of her when I see:

A perfectly blossoming flower

Cold biscuits waiting in the toaster oven, homemade that morning

Straight garden rows

The beautiful blue sky on a bright sunny day

A neatly pressed house dress

A hot pan of cornbread

A strand of white beads

The crunch of tires on a gravel driveway

Red berry trees and blue hydrangea bushes

A dreaded dark cloud coming from the west

A rolling green pasture

A wrapped present carefully untaped so as not to rip the paper

Cars passing by on a country road

A hot cup of coffee sipped from the saucer to cool it down

The moon shining brightly in the dark sky

And a little silver tin with a yellow gold label. ;)

It’s been several years since we’ve been able to really talk clearly with Grandma, but during that time she developed a little sing-song phrase that held a big message; her lasting advice to us all. It delighted us every time she sang it, and I think the phrase is a most fitting way to sum up her 103 and a half years.

In the precious words of Maudie Mashburn, “Happy am I each day, going along life’s way.”


Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Super Bowl SIXTY

With the New York Giants playing in the Super Bowl, and the best designers in the world showing in Bryant Park, the excitement in the city reached all-time highs on Sunday! My plan to watch Super Bowl 42 was interrupted when I got the call from Cameron to head over to the tents for the Miss Sixty show at 8 PM. Say no more! I grabbed Walton, and we were over there in two shakes of a model's tail! After a brief scare at the tent entrance - "No, Mr. Security Man, we don't have invitiations, buy my roommate is working the show!!" - we fanagled our way inside and joined the legions of fans waiting for the big game, er show.


Around the fountain in the tents...see the beehive blonde? She and two other girls (they didn't plan it) had on the same hard-to-miss strapless white with black, hot pink and green "Miss Sixty" written all over it dress. This has got to be a fashion show faux pas.

Since the Super Bowl means to the sporting world what Fashion Week means to the fashion world; and since The Tent in Bryant Park is the biggest venue in NYC fashion (think Michigan Stadium for football fans)...then what we witnessed Sunday night in midtown Manhattan truly was Super Bowl Sixty!


A capacity crowd of 107,501 at Michigan Stadium...


Aerial veiw of the Tents at Bryant Park, and inside "The Tent" Sunday night. The Bryant Park tents house three venues - The Salon, The Promenade, The Tent - The Tent is by far the biggest.

The preshow celebrity photographing, "reveal" of the runway and dimming of the lights could rival the pregame festivities of any football game...so we claimed our spots on the middle of the runway (the 50 yard line, if you will), and put on our game faces for show time!


The theme for the show was 60's inspired - from the invitations (I peeked over some shoulders to see what they looked like!) that said "In Love" written in funky 60's bubble letters to the 'magical mystery tour' vans...the entire collection had a funky 60's vibe.


These were THE girls to see at fashion week! Photos of them at this show circulated in publications for the rest of the week. From left: Anne Hathaway (her legs are visible), Chloe Sivegny, Ashley Olsen (!), Milla Jovovich, and Paula Patton.


Model Irina Lazareanu - she's really popular, and I've seen her in other shows, but I think she's really ugg!!


I wish the picture wasn't dark so you could see the audience better...tons o' people. I am obsessed with the pause at the end of the runway and all the photographers! Maybe because I used to secretly practice the runway walk, pause, hair flip and turn... :)


Designer Wichy Hassan...such a wittle wittle man.

Moi at the fountain inside the Tents!

The show was super fab and lots of fun, but I had to experience watching New Yorkers cheer for the New York Giants in a New York bar! We went to Sutton Place on 53rd and 2nd Ave near the apartment to watch the 4th quarter. There was a festive group in there wearing Giants jerseys and waving shakers. I watched their show of anticipation and exuberation as much as I did the plays on the TV! We celebrated the victory in the bar and then enjoyed watching happy fans spill out of restaurants and bars to continue their victory parade onto the streets as we walked home.

The Empire State Building was lit blue, blue, blue all weekend in honor of the New York Giants playing in Super Bowl 42.

The game had been over for at least an hour, but we could hear a roar coming from the streets of people shouting and celebrating and horns honking. So much of a continuous roar, I just HAD to go back down to 2nd Ave and see the action! Lots of cars out, but the "roar" from upstairs wasn't audible on the street. Just random shouts of "Go Giants!" and "woo-hoo"-ing from people on the streets.

No night for the classic stone-faced New Yorker on the streets...everyone was in prime mood for high-fives, so I handed a few out on my way home.

Please Pardon Our Appearance

On the eve of New York Fashion Week, Bryant Park appears quiet and calm. The tents, rising from the ground since last Friday, are in place. The gates to the park are closed off to tourists. The security barracades enclose the area. The trailers providing power and light to the tents line the entrance on 6th Avenue. The area appears poised for the fashion elite to arrive in less than 12 hours.


Signs hung along the fence outside Bryant Park.

But appearances can be deceiving. Take a look inside the main tent - ladders, signs, decorations, TVs, displays...it's a flurry of people scurrying to get everything in place.


The front entrance of "The Tents" at Bryant Park.

As I look at the beautiful tall buildings bordering the park and enjoy the quiet stillness of the chilly and damp evening, I think of all the designers, seamstresses, show planners, PR firms, models, etc., who have practically been living at their offices and showrooms the last few weeks, and who will most likely be there all night tonight attending to last minute details.

Because, as they say, the show must go on!


Looking at Bryant Park from 6th Avenue - back of the New York Public Library, a few of the tents, and the Empire State Building on the right.


View of the Chrysler Building from the north west corner of Bryant Park.

The Tents at Bryant Park.

No Recorded Snowfall

My first New York winter has been easy on me so far. Today the weatherman reported this was the first time in 75 years there has been no recorded snowfall in Central Park during the month of January.

I can't believe Alabama got more snow than I did this month!!

"Get Carried Away"

The first advertisements for the Sex and the City movie started popping up around the city today!


In theaters May 30...I bet I see Ansley and Crystal in NYC opening weekend! :)

Stovepipe

The quest to purchase a winter coat began months ago. Even before the first chilly breeze hit New York, I was asking friends about what kind of coat they had, trying to determine what I needed to survive my first northern winter. My quest became my dad's mission - he was set on finding me the warmest, most water repellant, biggest-hooded, heaviest down-filled, thickest fur-trimmed, double zippered, extra buttoned, EVERYTHING coat out there. I found a few coats I liked; they weren't so big and bulky, and I thought they fit the warm/water resistent requirements. But my dad's mission had a goal - a coat that was proven to conquer cold weather - and the coats I had chosen just didn't measure up.

He became focused on the "Ultrawarm, Three-Quarter Length" coat from L.L. Bean whose list of warmness features read like Tiger Woods' trophy list - in other words, this coat was the master of cold weather. My attempts at finding a cute warm coat were exhausted, and nothing I could find would ever measure up to the all-around perfection of the Ultrawarm from L.L. Bean anyway.

By mid-December, I agreed to let Daddy order it, "Just get it in black, okay?" Color was the only control I still had in the coat features discussion. And then bad news...very bad news. The coat was SOLD OUT in black. "How about periwinkle or red raspberry?" Daddy asks. "I would rather freeze in my black wool coat than walk the streets of New York City in PERIWINKLE!!" I screamed into the phone. What to do now?? Daddy settling for any other coat was like a little kid wanting to go to Disneyworld but settling for Six Flags.

We soon agreed on the Chalet Long Down Coat from Land's End - the company endorses it with "we doubt you'll be warmer in anything else this winter!" We got it in black, the coat arrived, I tried it on, it was big, it was ugly, but it was warm.

So warm, in fact, that the description Julie gave it has stuck: while modeling the coat for my family at Christmas, I pointed out how it's so big around it really doesn't touch me anywhere - it just keeps a perfect cylindar shape - and when I flip the hood up, I pretty much disappear except for my face and my legs below the knees. Julie exclaimed, "She looks like a stovepipe!"

With horror and laughter I realized I really do, but there's nothing like warming up inside my little stovepipe when the freezing cold wind whips around the buildings.

Images in the Mirror

I was pleasantly surprised when I returned to New York after Christmas to have received an invitation from Halsey Herreshoff to the "Ninth Annual Sailors Dinner." A black tie dinner at the East Village Yacht Club in New York City...with a bunch of sailors...and Katie Couric!

To everyone requesting a full report of the evening, I don't really know what to say. The best way I can think to sum it up is that during dinner I was seated at a table facing the wall, and a long mirror hung on the wall above us. It reflected the activity of the entire room; I could see everyone laughing and talking in their tuxes and dresses, the soft candle light, the waiters keeping wine glasses full, Katie Couric just a few steps away...and me right in the middle of it. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think of how natural it felt yet how surreal of a scenario was being played out through the images in the mirror - it was like looking at a picture I'd found myself painted in to!


Katie Couric! We discovered we had at least two things in common (well, besides both being loved by millions). 1) This summer was the first time we both sailed, and 2) we both had the same job on the boat...I think that makes us best friends!


Halsey putting Katie on the spot during dinner!


Michael, Rebecca, Halsey and Adam.


My new friend Halsey Herreshoff - a legend in the world of sailing.

After dinner at the East Village Yacht Club.

A New Year in the City that Never Sleeps

This is New York City, so the celebration couldn't be over at midnight. After returning to the apartment and enjoying a funny dance party there, we headed to the East Village and danced until dawn! When the morning news came on the TV's at the bar, we headed to a diner for breakfast, and were safe and sound in bed by 9 AM!

As the winds howled outside my window and cold-looking clouds descended, I fell asleep on New Years Day glad I had made the most of the night with my two best friends!




Still at my apartment with a long, fun night ahead. Don't have any pictures though...no room for a camera in the fabulously sassy clutch from my dear Melissa - thank you! :)

Rest, Exercise, Food

After sleeping most of the day, we went ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park. I thought the rink would be less crowded than Rockefeller Center - ha! The three of us had a harder time staying together on the ice than we did cattling through the crowds in Times Square on New Year's Eve! After dodging a million flailing arms and the fast side-stepping of those about to hit the ground, we traded our skates for a nice dinner in Little Italy.

What a great first day of the new year - plenty of rest, exercise and good food!


Jackie and Ansley