All Things Fashionating by tracy mausser

Almost a year ago, I first blogged about Pinterest.  http://allthingsfashionating.blogspot.com/2011/09/very-pinterest-ing.html   Unfortunately, I did not have the wherewithal to stick with it.  After one or two feeble attempts to create a board, I totally lost "pinterest."  Sorry, I know that was terrible but I just couldn't help myself. Fast forward nine months: One of my BFFs Rachel is planning her 40th birthday in Napa and sent an email directing us to her Pinterest board to learn more about her birthday inspiration.  It was brilliant!  I started to check it out and then found myself still pinning after two hours straight. I have always loved collages and getting things organized.  I find pinning to my boards to be so completely inspiring and fulfilling.  I even woke up this morning with the urge to start pinning.  Can you say addiction? I am still trying to wrap my head around the sharing aspect of ...

Even though it is a gorgeous day outside, I just felt like my blog needed a little love.  Although the Blogger Dynamic View was a super cool way to look at ATF, I wanted to allow my readers to access all the cool gadgets that weren't available in the Dynamic View. Please feel free to share my posts via Facebook, Twitter and Bloglovin'; become a Google follower; or get my fashionating posts delivered right to your Inbox if you don't already. Let me know what you think of this new look because I am always searching for ways to make my blog better and more user-friendly.  Without you, there would be no reason for me to continue posting. Happy reading!

Ralph Lauren Olympic Collection With only an hour until the official Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London begin -- which I will watch televised later this evening – it is apparent that American pride is beginning to swell. Personally, I am excited to watch all of the different 46 sporting events; with running, beach volleyball, gymnastics and swimming segments being at the top of my list.   However, since I am one fashion obsessed girl, I am also looking forward to checking out all the noteworthy fashions that will be on display. Usually, when you hear the names Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Hermés and Salvatore Ferragamo you think of fashion week.   But not in this instance, they are the designer names who are dressing the talented athletes of the world for success. It isn’t shocking that McCartney would be the ideal choice for Great Britain to lock down to dress the Brits as she has been designing for Addi...

I spent most of my morning yesterday in a work meeting at the Port of Los Angeles.   Due to the high level of terrorist threats in the Port, Homeland Security has amped up its security measures and the building was like Fort Knox and the screening process very hard-core.   However, I know the drill, and it didn’t phase me too much until I was leaving. I was the first to exit in my party. The security guard asked if I wanted the contents of my name badge back – a photo along with my name and company information were on that piece of paper –and I said no thanks. I was with my company’s senior counsel and, upon walking out of the building, she said, “With so much identity fraud, I didn’t leave my information.” As we walked back to our car, I almost asked if I could run back and get my name badge to shred back at the office, but thought I would seem a bit obsessed. (Who me?) But I couldn’t shake that nagging feeling that I had just done something stupid...

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Breathless With so many great designer jeans out there -- like J Brand, True Religion, Rock N Republic, Diesel and Hudson -- who would have thought there was room for one more...actually a slice of heaven that you can wear. The British denim label MiH (the name is inspired by the jean brand Made in Heaven from the late 60s) is all the rage.  The denim styles in this brand -- which is lauded by celebrities from NY to LA and across the pond -- are slim-fitting but not too tight and dressy enough to go from the office to dinner to playing it down in the park. I was uber excited to read that Glamour Magazine teamed up with MiH jeans and right now they are offering their Breathless skinny jean at only $116.50 (almost half the regular price). Check it out while supplies last:  http://us.mih-jeans.com/glamour/the-breathless-archive.html?linkid=2670&linkid2=2680

Mossimo Jumpsuit @ Target Two years ago, I was looking for an outfit for my husband's 40th birthday weekend in Vegas.  I found the perfect black strapless jumpsuit at Bebe of all places.  A bit on the dressy side, that one-piece wonder has certainly received its fair share of wear. However, one of the hottest trends of this summer season, still seem to be jumpsuits but not just your basic black.  We are seeing lots of prints in Diane von Furstenberg's collection and other top designers like Stella McCartney, Vena Cava and Elie Saab are in on the action too. Lightweight fabrics in sleeveless, strapless and halter styles are just a tad bit dressier than a maxi dress and keep you looking and feeling cool during these hot summer months. If you are concerned about breaking the bank,  Mossimo at Target has the cutest jumpsuit right now.  A convertible knit jersey gives you oodles of options to take this jumpsuit from day to night.  It comes in bas...

As reported by Racked LA last night, the Barneys LA Warehouse Sale -- which is annually held twice a year at the LA Convention Center-- has been cancelled.  With the exception of Barneys New York Warehouse sale which will still take place in the Big Apple (so jealous of all my East Coast peeps), the sale will be moved online. According to Racked LA, this is the official statement they received: "As part of our digital strategy to create a true omnichannel experience for customers, Barneys New York has brought the Warehouse Sale online this August. The exact launch date has not yet been announced. To accomplish this and allocate appropriate levels of inventory to the digital sale, the Los Angeles warehouse sale will not be taking place this season. Barneys will still be hosting the physical Warehouse Sale shoppers know and love in New York, August 23-September 3 at the 17th Street Barneys New York location." It is certainly an end of an era.  I...

Chama, New Mexico Howdy! Did ya'll think I forgot about All Things Fashionating?  Well, I don't blame you one bit because I have been gone for a while. My family and I landed in Santa Fe last week and then made our way up to Northern New Mexico to the Colorado border.  We had some tourist time in Santa Fe, a few days at a spa and then the remainder of a trip in a lodge on a lake.  It was fabulous and I had been planning to make some progress with my blog, but we were completely off the grid -- no Internet, no cell...no nothing except for the deer, fish and one bear. But I am happy to report that I am ready to get back in the saddle (figuratively speaking of course). All Things Fashionating will resume to its normal schedule next week.

Last night, on my way home from work, I was stopped at a traffic light next to a bus stop.  I saw a man -- probably not that much older than I -- get off the bus.  His body was crooked and misshapen from some illness and he carried a portable oxygen tank with him.  This man was dressed very nice and was attractive.  Obviously, despite his hardships, he had to live; Even if that meant taking the bus to get somewhere and carrying what he needed to breathe as a burden on his back.  And, he wasn't done with his journey, because he continued to walk along the main drag toward his home I assume. One thing that struck me about this man is how alone he seemed in his day. Yes, I drive to and from work -- solo -- as most of us do. But there is some sort of singularity about everyone being in their cars driving from point A to point B on the freeway. I suppose there is also a singularity with people who ride buses.  Yet, there was an intense sense of alo...

Usually, it is the winter month's that run my cuticles ragged but, this summer, my poor nails have been suffering.  As I am one to treat myself to a manicure more often than not, I was surprised to look down and find hang nails and a wee bit of blood last week.  Mind you, this was after a visit to the nail salon so I knew I needed to take matters -- or rather nails -- into my own hands.  (Yes, the pun was intended.) Digging deep into my bathroom vanity, I found my trusty bottle of Creative Nail Design (CDN) SolarOil (TM).  For more than 30 years, this award-winning product has been used as a nail and skin conditioner by nail professionals and average peeps like us.  It truly is a miracle product. After three days, my cuticles are finally healed and look normal again.  You can find it at beauty supply store, but Amazon.com has the best price for under $10.  "Live long and prosper!" http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Nail-Design-Solaroil-oz/...

Back in April, I bought this Sonia Kashuk five-piece brush set from Target.  Mainly because I needed new brushes but the Pucci-esque print really caught my eye. According to Kashuk in the May 2012 edition of Lucky Magazine , these are the 5 makeup brushes every woman should own. "The big one is airy, so both blush and powder go on subtle and natural.  The smudger diffuses any liner into hazy perfection.  The angled crease makes shadow go on in the perfect shape.  The domed shadow blender also works to spot apply powder where your shiny.  And the concealer brush is synthetic, so it smooths on foundation like nothing else." Sonia Kashuk Brush Couture Five-Piece Brush Set, $15 Target. http://www.target.com/p/sonia-kashuk-brush-couture-5-pc-brush-set/-/A-13955456