Wednesday, June 16, 2010

So Who's Your Style Icon?

So I've had a few people ask me lately who are my style icons?  And although I may not regularly think about whom they are, it did get me to take a seat and start reeling through the images in my mind which stand out.  So here they are, in no particular order, the ladies that I've been inspired by stylistically...

1.  My Mom...

My mom is the first person who pointed out fashion in cinemas, walking down the streets and in magazines.  She didn't place emphasis on being a fashionista, but rather placed emphasis on realizing beauty in every circumstance.  I used to look through her make-up drawers and apply the olive green eye shadows from the 80's and her red lipstick which has always been a staple of hers.  She taught me not to be afraid of color, to know what looks good on my body-type, as well as compliment others when they looked amazing.  More than anything she gave me a sense of confidence, not ensued by beautiful and fashionable clothes; but rather an inner confidence that made the clothing shine even brighter. 
2.  Ava Gardner...


Ava Gardner to me has always been one who knew her assets and dressed in such a way to flaunt them.  I remember seeing her in Show Boat when I was a little girl and immediately was awestruck.  I've always been inspired by her body-hugging gowns, her shiny dark brown curls, her green eyes, creamy skin and red lips.  She had rocky marriages, affairs and scandal with which riddled her life.  But to me her confidence and attitude is what always kept me entertained.

3.  Rita Hayworth...


It's the hair!  What I've always liked about Rita Hayworth is that she herself was of mixed race.  She came from Spanish decent, but didn't really fit the look.  Although she started her career with dark hair; she pushed back her hair-line and dyed it red, thus becoming the Rita Hayworth everyone knows today.  She danced with my favorite male dancer, Gene Kelly, and covered many wartime pinups.  But what I like about Rita Hayworth was her humility.  She once said, "Men go to bed with Gilda, but wake up with me."

4.  Brigitte Bardot...


Again with the hair.  I've always adored the fashion of the 1940's but it was really the hair and makeup of the 1960's which have cemented themselves in my brain.  To me there is nothing sexier than the blown-out hair, thick black lashes with black eye liner and a muted lip.  Brigitte Bardot executed the look, and therefore every time I try to get inspired hair or makeup wise, I look at her.   

5.  Audrey Hepburn...


Ever since I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady, I wanted to be Audrey Hepburn.  Not only did I want her peculiar accent, I adored her simplicity.  Although stylists really aided her on movie sets, it was the cigarette pant and her staple of black in her wardrobe in which I aways admired.  I envied that she could pull-off a pixie cut, as well as many other hair-cuts in her lifetime.  She always seemed like a lady, and that to me was impressive.

So there you go, a few of my icons...who are yours?

Love and Peace,
G
    
     
 
 

Monday, June 7, 2010

I Could Run Away...


Do you ever have times in your life where you wish you can just runaway?  Runaway from life, from friends, from family, from problems, obligations, responsibilities, etc.

My grandma found out she had breast cancer today, and all I want to do is sleep, cry and get away.  But is strength running away from your problems, or is it facing them and getting through them?  I know everyone says that God won't give you more then you can handle, but do you ever get tired of hearing that?  Tell that to the young woman last week who lost her fiance to suicide, and she flat out said she couldn't hear that expression one more time.  To the wife, whose husband was having an affair after years of marriage.  To the girl whose lost her dad, her husband and now her mom.

Do you ever wish that God didn't trust you so much?

I used to sing a song called "I Could Runaway," and as I was sitting in my room alone, crying myself to some sort of a nap, I couldn't help but sing this song once again.

I could runaway, You will never leave, You will always stay, right by my side.  Everything I ever wanted I found in You; and I need You, every step of the way.
Forgive me for being a little negative, but I feel like I'm losing my ground.  And sometimes I think, "What's the point?"  WIll you pray for me that I will continue on this journey.  If I let you down, if I break your heart, if I don't meet expectations, I'm sorry.  But remember...don't hold me on a pedestal.  I'm only human.

G