Kids Book: Fashion-Money-Being Kind
A friend recently gave me a copy of a kids book for my niece called Pretty Penny Sets Up Shop and I just finished reading it (ya, kids books take time with all the photos 
)
Penny visits her grandmother Bunny for the summer and it’s Bunny’s birthday but she doesn’t want to celebrate it because she’s old. That upsets Penny so she sets up shop in the attic to sell all of her granny’s items to raise money for her surprise birthday party. The book teaches kids about money, it’s thoughtful, caring and well, fashionable.
I suggest you buy a copy for a loved one. My four year old niece is goo-goo over the character and her pet pig, Iggy.
Teach Kids (Fashion) Early On
Kids who know better do better. Important lessons are best taught at an early age. Lessons like, manners, sharing, not eating with your mouth full, and fashion must be taught early. That’s why I’ve posted this video of Amelia Molis (from Massachusetts) declaring her “I WUV IT” statement while selecting her daily outfit. This is what I call great parenting. Great job to her parents, Steve and Cynthia Molis of Massachusetts. Teach them young and they will “JUST SAY NO” to khakis and college sweatshirts later on.
Accessories: Affordable and A Must Have
The right accessories can bring any outfit from “you look nice” to “Holy shit balls, you look AMAZE-ING.” Which would you rather hear?
I love jewelry, scarves, glasses, and hats. But what I like even more is accessibility. Stella and Dot is an easy and affordable way to build pieces in your accessories collection. I recently met up with my friend Carri Dolce who is a sales rep for Stella and Dot and I played and tried on many pieces. Here’s a few of my faves.
Check out Carri’s Stella and Dot site and let me know if you need help picking out pieces to best suit you or a loved one. That’s what I’m here for.
(Don’t forget Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13)
Body Image Speech At Umass Lowell
I was thrilled to be part of the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. (Sisters of Integrity Towards Empowerment, Respect and Success) during their second annual I LOVE MY BODY event at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell on April 12th.
The evening was designed as a safe place for all involved to share their stories.
It began with two students sharing their personal stories about their own struggles with their bodies and outside influences that have shaped their own views about themselves. Wow!! How amazing that there is a place that provides a platform for young adults to talk about this. The students were open, sincere and inspiring.
When it was my turn my heart was pounding. I had been so excited to speak to the students and now it was time.
(Here’s a pic of me driving with tissues stuffed under my arms to stop the sweat…so classy…I know)
I stepped up to the podium looked out at the sea of faces and began speaking. I also decided to be sincere, raw and authentic. I talked about one of the darkest times of me life. After my father was murdered I recalled a portion of that difficult time. Here is part of what I said:
I set my mind to recovery early on but it took me years to get here to where I am standing in front of you. I remember a few years back my mom was telling me a story about someone and she said the following:
“THEY ARE THEIR OWN WORST ENEMY”
It’s as though I had heard this phrase for the first time. I realized I was my own worst enemy.
All the: fat, ugly, disgusting, no man will ever like you was me being my own worst enemy.
I decided then I would become my own best friend. I would never speak to my best friend and tell her she’s fat, ugly, disgusting and no man will ever like you so why was I saying it to myself?
It ended there. Every time a negative thought came in I was aware of it and told myself I was my own BEST FRIEND. No more. I was my own best friend and there began my new business. How to be the best version of myself.
We all have a path to choose. Follow your instincts, remember we are all here for a purpose, and I believe our purpose is to follow our passion in life while helping others. Your instinct is your best friend, and I wish you the strength and courage to choose what is best for you.
(Photo with some of the members of S.I.S.T.E.R.S)
POP OF COLOR on YOUR NAILS
Everyone is talking color this season. The term “pop of color” is now making my ears pop and I don’t want to wear neon anything nor would i recommend buying neon colored clothing. It will be a trend for about 2 months then you’ll be annoyed you spent money on the jeans, shirt, or jewelry. So spend $10 (depending where you live) on a manicure and have your “pop of color” on your hands.
I was a daredevil and tried a different color then I normally would. Here it is. It’s my new fave color by Essie called ONE OF A KIND, cuz darling, you are one of a kind.
STYLE VIA DIY
I went shopping for a gift today at the Jonathan Adler store on the UES (Upper East Side) and was greeted by a cool girl named Holly. I immediatly asked where she got her shirt because I noticed the little detail on the shoulder. Shirt is H&M and studs ($10) Holly put on herself. Yes, it took her 1 hour but it adds that “dressed up” feel to a shirt that cost $19.95. Holly is also an artist and takes old vintage jewelry and gives it new meaning. So if you have something your grandma gave you and want to make it more modern and wearable contact Holly. She can also Stud your shirt or anything out.
Check out her site called The Yellow Mannequin. Holly is now my go to guru of all things DIY.
CLOSE UP OF STUD WORK
My Oscar Fashion and Style Winner
She may not have walked home with Oscar but she walked on that red carpet feeling confident and elegant. Viola Davis, skipped her wig (which many models and actresses wear to protect their own hair from becoming damaged) and wore her natural locks. She admitted on the red carpet that her family encouraged her to go wigless. She recently told InStyle that her husband was the one who first suggested she attend the event sans wig. “My husband wanted me to take the wig off,” Viola tells InStyle. “He said, ‘If you want to wear it for your career, that’s fine, but in your life wear your hair. Step into who you are!’ It’s a powerful statement.”
Ladies and gents, you were born with your curly, straight, wavy, fine and curly kinky hair. Work with what you have. There are so many products on the market. Here is a link to treating your “condition.” Now, go on, “Step into who you are.” (Beautiful)
HER DRESS: GORGEOUS in Vera Wang. Notice no boob spillage. If I see another woman (especially you brides to be) trying to squeeze your triple D’s into a dress and you are spilling out, the dress doesn’t fit. Keeplookingandmoveon.com. Viola had just enough support to stand tall and not have to tug the dress up. If you are constantly adjusting you will not feel confident. Keeplooking.com
The key to Feeling Confident is being yourself. You, your natural hair, stand tall (ok throw on heels if you’re short) and a smile. Sounds so cheesy, I know but true. A man never looks at a woman and says, I loved her foundation or lipstick, it’s always: SHE HAS A GREAT SMILE or GREAT HAIR or GREAT BODY or GREAT PERSONALITY. BE THE BEST VERSION of YOU.
Oscar-Worthy Fashions
Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji. Congratulations on your big guy, Oscar. Beautiful gown and perfect sleeve length for your physique.
Classic white. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. She looks exquisite. I love her looking regal when she seems to have such a laid back personality on her blog, GOOP.
Glossary to Bernadett’s language
I abbreviate almost everything. So if I were to rewrite the previous sentence it would read:
I abreev ev. These are common Bern (what my friends call me) terms my friends hear me use:
PMS= Perfect Man Shoe
LSD= Long Sexy Dress (you must be height appropriate to make LSD work)
LBD= Little Black Dress
BS= Blue Shoes
SIT ON YOUR MOUTH= (Loose Hungarian to English saying)= Stop Talking
YUMMA LAMMA DING DONG= Delicious, Thank You, More Please
LYLT= Love You Long Time
BALOOBAS= Insanity/Crazy/Out Of This World
FU-N= Fun
BONJOUR= Hello
MERRY CHRISTMAS= When I Say Bye to Someone Cuz Everyone is Usually so Damn Cheery During the Holidays
(If you even think about using my material you can deal with my size 9.5 shoe and attorneys.)
Thank you. Love you Like my love handles
Hillary Clinton and Bernadett Vajda
Yes, that’s me when I was 19 years old and a City Year Corps member in Chicago with Hillary Clinton. I look back and think, God, I so didn’t know how to pose for a camera. I chose this picture because clearly I’ve been through a style transformation, but our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has really come into her own. I saw a photo of her today (see photo below) with Kareem Abdul Jabbar and thought, Woman oh Woman have you grown into your skin. Bravo Hillary!! Thanks for letting your hair down. Women in politics (any field really, yes even models) have to be smarter, wittier, dress better, our nails must always be manicured with (sugar daddy nail color by Essie, of course), our character must also be impeccable and we must have degrees in every subject matter. Therefor, Hillary is my Golden Globes Hair and Style Winner of 2012. It’s all about staying power. Continue to seek your dreams and style goals.
