All Things Fashionating by tracy mausser

What’re They Thinking   When you forget about caring what everyone thinks of you, you can reach a place where YOU are happy with who you are.  -- Yehuda Berg

My dear friend Robyn sent out a mass email yesterday to check out a trailer for her girlfriend’s soon-to-be-released book.  The author is Jenna McCarthy – not to be confused with Jenny McCarthy – and the book is, “If It Was Easy, They’d Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living With and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So Handy Man You Married.” This is the first time I’ve heard of McCarthy, but she is brilliant. She is an internationally published writer and the author of several other books entitled: “The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties;” “Cheers to the New Mom/Cheers to the New Dad;” “Big Rigs for Moms;” and “Tea Parties for Dads.” According to her website, McCarthy started her career in ad sales but moved up in the world of publishing –  holding positions at Seventeen , Mademoiselle and Self – until she started free-lance writing full-time.  Since then, you may have seen her byline at such magazines as Los Angel...

If you are a fashion maven like me, you will be putting all prejudices of Lifetime Television aside tonight when you tune in to watch the number one-rated and most watched competitive reality show. That’s right; the ninth installment of Project Runway airs tonight. Heidi, Tim, Michael and Nina are back with 20 designers – the largest group in the shows history – who aspire to be the next best American designer. If you have been living under a rock for the past nine seasons, Project Runway is a television show that provides budding designers with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eye of mentor Tim Gunn, who is the Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne. I realize that I waste too much of my life watching reality TV, but Project Runway is one of my absolute favorites. There is something about this show that just makes me giddy. I’m not sure if it is the fact the show’s producers seem to find the best talent, or that one contestant whom you lov...

A few weekends ago, my friends – Rachel and Tracy – organized a spa day at the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills to celebrate my birthday.  We spent the afternoon indulging in sensual massages and cleansing facials. Afterward, we  lunched – where we had a Nicole Richie and Joel Madden sighting – and then we spent the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun at the roof-top pool.   It was a splendid day and the rooftop oasis was crowded. The Bday Girl! So once we were settled into our chaise lounge, Rachel took notice that a lot of the chicks were wearing ViX swim suits. We looked around the pool and then at each other, and paused, we were also all wearing ViX– different styles and colors of course. ViX swimwear – founded and designed by Brazilian-native Paula Hermanny – is known for its eye-catching prints and distinctive use of metal hardware, beading and stone.  Since 1998, Hermanny has been designing collections, for women of all ages and sizes, which ar...

Well, today’s post continues the thread of a theme.  Yesterday, I blogged the lyrics to the song “Home” by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes; If you didn’t listen to the You Tube link, shame on you, but do it now.  It is a fantastic song so you need to get it on your playlist. But I love this song because it represents how I have always felt about my husband Jason since I met him – and now our son Shane.  I am “home” as long as I am with both of them.  However, I can honestly say that I jumped for fricken joy last Friday -- July 29, 2011 -- when we closed escrow on our first house. When Jason and I got engage d, we deci ded to move in together.  For Jason, this was not an easy decision.  As I’ve posted before, my in-laws were very liberal yet traditional about certain things.  Living together before marriage was one of those controversial topics and Jason agreed.  Personally, I am of the, “Lets test drive this relationship before we ti...

"Home" Alabama Arkansas I do Love my Ma and Pa Not the way that I do Love you Holy Moly Me oh My your the apple of my eye Girl I've never loved one like you Man o Man your my best friend I scream it to the nothingness there ain't nothing that I need Hot and Heavy pumpkin pie Chocolate candy Jesus Christ Ain't nothing please me more than you [Chorus:] Home, Let me come Home Home is Whenever I'm with you Home, yes I am Home Home is wherever I'm with you Lalalala Take me Home Mama I'm Coming Home I follow you into the park, through the jungle through the dark Girl I've never loved one like you Moats and boats and Waterfalls, Alleyways and payphone calls I been everywhere with you (that's true) Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night never could be sweeter than with you And in the streets you run afree, Like it's only you and me, Geeze, you're something to see. [Chorus] Lalalala...

Expanding Their Vision Nine Ways to Help Others Awaken to Consciousness   By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see a living example of consciousness. 1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don’t hide – express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness. 2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear. 3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones’ curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul. 4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the pat...

Follow Your Heart It takes great courage to stand up for something, because the moment you decide you want to do good in this world, you are chased by forces looking to stop you. At any cost. Be brave in the face of criticism and opposition.  Follow your heart, you’ll never get lost, and you will prevail.

Beauty Supply Warehouse On Tuesday night, I was discussing beauty with Natalie, one of my closest gal pals.  We were talking about hair products and how expensive they can be to buy.  Natalie said she disliked when you buy one of those ginormous bottles of product and then, if it sucks, you are stuck with it for the next year; or you are just out money. I definitely empathized with her dilemma, but told her that now that I go to BSWRedondo, I am a reformed beauty sinner. No BSWRedondo isn’t another Baptist church; it is the Beauty Supply Warehouse in Redondo Beach.  I know you have seen it before; it is located on PCH near Torrance Boulevard and has a campy red and white sign which is quite eye-catching. I am frugal when it comes to buying my product.  I like the best -- which can cost upwards of $50 -- but it really bothers me when I have to spend a lot of money on it.  So thank you Jeannette – my stylist – for all the free products you share with me. But,...

During my last two years of college, my plate was full.   Twice a week, I commuted an hour and a half – each way – to my university.   I crammed all of my classes into two days – 12 hours each – so I was able to work at my unpaid internship in New York City the other two days. At the time, I was lucky enough to have my very own apartment.   It was on the third floor of an old Victorian house situated right on the shores of Sunset Lake.   My mom – and her then fiancé – had handed over the keys when they moved to New Mexico earlier that spring. I loved that apartment, but it wasn’t free; so from Thursday to Sunday, I worked as a bartender to pay the bills. I had gotten my first bartending job the summer prior at a Jersey Shore hot spot.   I had been a cocktail waitress in high school, but I had never bartended.   Luckily, my best friend Amy and I both got hired and started on the same night, but we were extremely nervous – especially when they assigned us to ...

Denim is back in favor.  I mean, it’s not as though I don’t own more than 20 pairs of denim jeans folded away on the shelves of my own closet. (No joke.)  I think denim has been a wardrobe staple since Levi Strauss first patented his version of the jean back in the late 1800s.  However, what I’m talking about is that denim fashion is back en vogue. From the runways in New York and Milan to the catwalks of life, denim everything is taking over the world.  It’s not only showing up in denim jeans, but cut-offs, jackets, vests, shirts and even dresses – all in indigo blue – but some in black, gray and brightly colored denim too.  Alas, we must not forget acid wash which is finding itself popular once again.  Although, I predict it will be a very small window.  I mean, we all pretty much live in our denim jeans.  The styles are plentiful for any body type or preference: boyfriend, skinny, straight leg, short, torn, and flair just to name a few....

Having grown up on the East Coast, I had the luxury of being a repeat patron of the theater in New York City.  I was introduced to my first Broadway show, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat,” while on a class trip in the 7th grade.  I remember the exhilaration of entering New York City – via the Lincoln Tunnel – on that spring day.  Of course, I also remember exactly what I was wearing: purple Candies sneakers; pink and white striped Sergio Valente Jeans; a pink asymmetrical snap top – very Michael Jackson; and, if it got cool, I had my Member’s Only jacket with me. Being to the Theatre made such an impression on me that I begged my mom to take me to see another show;  Even though my single mom – who worked full-time – didn’t have a lot of money, she would save up and we would see one hit show a year.  A few of our favorites were: “Cats,” “Les Misèrables,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Rent,” “Lion King,” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” which was my all-tim...

Judy Mausser Last Thursday, I paid homage to my late father-in-law Dan Mausser on his birthday.  Ttwo days later – it would have been his wife Judith – my late mother-in-law’s – 71 st birthday as well.  I would like to share the eulogy that I wrote about my friend Judith Mausser. If you had told me that, almost seven years after we lost my father-in-law, Dan, I would be standing here today praising Judith’s memory…I would have said you were crazy.  Even if you told me last year, I would not have believed it.     In my mind, Judith had a way of defying the odds…she was superwoman.  After getting some negative feedback from her medical advisers last year, she persevered.  She got married and became a newlywed again.  She traveled to Europe and spent two weeks at a tennis camp and then – to everyone’s astonishment -- she returned to her cabin and summered on Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes.  A place that was very, very special t...

  Strawberries, cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring My summer wine is really made from all those things. --Nancy Sinatra Lyrics to Summer Wine White wine is my poison.  It doesn’t really matter which varietal but the wild white – Sauvignon Blanc – is my absolute favorite.  But mid-way through my vacation, I had exhausted myself on Sauvignon Blanc and Champagne, and I wasn’t crazy about any of the Chardonnays. I recalled that my good friends – Rachel and Tracy – both wine connoisseurs – had recently taken to Ros é  wines . Now I’m not talking about Reunite White Zin which may have been a starter wine for some of us – especially if yous from Jersey.  As opposed to the overly sweet and inexpensive Ros é , the grown up version is one of the most versatile, food-friendly wines around. So I ordered a glass of Ros é with my lunch one day.  (Hey, there was a strong European influence and I was on vacation, so don’t judge my daytime libations.) I was pleasa...