All Things Fashionating by tracy mausser

I have not been in the mood to post this week due to my concern for my family and friends back home in New Jersey.  Hurricane Sandy has wrecked havoc in the Motherland. I am happy to report that -- so far -- I have been able to confirm that all my peeps are safe but I am so sad for those who were not so lucky.  Sandy made landfall right where I grew up on the Jersey Shore and it is devastated.  Many have lost everything.  I have had very limited correspondence with my family because they have no electricity, gas or water back home.  Phone service -- cell and landlines -- has been spotty.  They say it could be another week before power is restored.  The water is undrinkable due to elevated sewer levels.  Fires still burn. Power lines are still down and, it is not only still dangerous, but it is a mess. I feel so helpless and frustrated being all these miles away and unable to help support my family and friends. In the...

Andy Warhol Flowers Eyeshadow Palette in 1, $55 Andy Warhol may have coined the phrase, “15 Minutes of Fame” but Fran ç ois Nars’s homage to an iconic pop artist with his limited edition Any Warhol collection is “15 Minutes of Vain.” The collection, which is exclusively available at Sephora, embodies various artistic tendencies of the late-Warhol which include: the infamous lips of Warhol’s muses and the sparkle of the artist’s silver studio with Kiss Me Larger Than Life ® Lip Gloss Coffret; a Walk on The Wild Side Gift Set pays tribute to the vivid bright flowers and the high-impact contrast of the silver factory walls—a peek into Andy Warhol’s artistic world ; pop star meets pop artist with Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette; and my most favorite item, Andy Warhol Flowers Eyeshadow Palette in three different color variations According to Sephora’s website, “ Andy Warhol’s vibrant poppies were among his most iconic paintings.” Created exclusively for Sephora,...

Shane and Mom at the MB Summer Solstice 5K On Sunday, I will be participating in my 7 th half marathon.   I will wake long beforedawn and make my way to the heart of the City of Angels to run in the LosAngeles Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. This year, the course starts in downtown L.A.and will take me running down to the University of Southern California andaround the L.A. Coliseum; returning back through downtown and passing throughthe warehouse district and Japan Town; and ending back at L.A. Live just intime for The Dirty Head’s concert. Ahalf marathon is only 13.1 miles and not 26.2 like a full marathon. But ittruly takes dedication and perseverance to just get out there and go that far.Not to mention the importance of a training regime to prepare not just yourlegs and body for the long run, but your mind as well. As far as I can remember, I have always lovedto run.   When I was a little girl, mypediatrician said that my legs were made to run and I just sort of...

Ok, call it what you will: Oxblood, Maroon, Bourdeaux. The color is rich, sultry and mysterious all at the same time.  I am loving it and it has nothing to do with Halloween. Here are a few of my favorite Bourdeaux things: Prada Saffiano Oro Metal Wallet with Chain, $595 Manola Blahnik Suede BB, $595   Voluspa 'Maison Rouge Figue de Bordeaux,' $27 Rogue Allure Lipstick in Pirate, $34   Hudson Jeans LeeLoo Color Block Super Skinny Jeans in Bordeaux, $198  Sephora by O.P.I. nail color in Bordeaux Brown, $9.50  

This past week, the fashion industry in Los Angeles hosted its own version of Fashion Week to showcase the Spring/Summer 2013 Collections of local designers.   Considering its Tinsel Town locale, LA Fashion Week (LAFW) did not seem to exude (to me) the same level of glitz and glamor in which the New York, London, Milan and Paris runway shows are so famous. Ultimately, I am very happy to report that the Los Angeles fashion industry is alive and thriving in this challenging economy; however, I was disappointed because LAFW seemed to be strictly an “industry” event for buyers and media (which didn’t include me…wah). My disclaimer is that I did not actually attend any of the runway shows or events because most were not open to the public and all of my research was done online with the exception of my opinion. I was very excited for the 12-day event which started on Wednesday Oct. 10 and will conclude this coming Sunday Oct. 21. I know LA is not New York, ...

Right at this very moment, I am living in dread as I am having dresser’s remorse. This morning, I had a 7am dermatologist’s appointment. Now don’t get me wrong, I love that my doctor’s office will see me so early in the morn. However, typically, I lay out my outfit and pack for work the night prior to my early wake-up call. As you can probably imagine where this is going, I did not take the time to style myself in advance and am now having what I think is worse than a bad hair day – wait for it – a bad outfit day. At least with a bad hair day, you can always swoop your lack-luster locks up in a pony or – if you are not in a professional setting – a hat works just fine to keep those frizzes under control but, with a bad and ugly outfit, well there is just no getting around it. I knew I was in trouble when it was 6:55am and I was still at home deep in the bowels of my closet. My dilemma stemmed from the fact that the Santa Ana winds have rolled into Los Angeles and we are ha...

Last week, I saw a post come through via DailyOm that just warmed my heart. I had been sick for a few days and just wanted to find a hole to crawl up in and be left alone. Due to feeling under the weather, I had been abnormally silent and keeping to myself, which is so UN-Tracy. Despite not feeling very social, it was so nice to get an email or two and a phone call from a few of my closest buds checking in to see if all was well and why I had been so silent. It made me reflect upon all the amazing women in my life and how much I appreciate each and every one of them. I am blessed with so many besties and I hope you are too. Repost from DailyOm October 10, 2012 Best Friends A Warm Refuge by Madisyn Taylor Our best friends are a warm refuge in which we feel free to be fully ourselves. By the time we reach adulthood, many of us have had the good fortune to have at least one best friend. If we have moved around or changed our life situat...

I know Halloween is upon us and I certainly could have been mistaken for the "Walking Dead" -- the new AMC zombie television series -- over the past few weeks.  But alas, I just had a very bad sinus infection; however, I am happy to be back among the living just in time for spooky all hallows eve. I always know that I am really sick when I can't even think about nor do I even care about fashion as that is what is on my mind 24/7.  So as my haze started to fade, I realized that I still hadn't reconciled my fall boot dilemma even as Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations start filling the shelves at local stores. Back in September, I was contemplating a pair of knee-high wedges, but now I'm feeling a little bit country and contemplating a low-heeled Western bootie.  The pros: a comfortable heel that I could wear and wear and wear; perfect for all my skinny jeans; cute with long skirts.  The cons: Too trendy and bit costumey since I don't live in Wes...

Well, I just had to let you all know that All Things Fashionating will return to its regularly scheduled format tomorrow. With the start of school and a change of the season head cold, I have been down for the count for the last 10 plus days.  Just existing in my own skin has been a challenge. Since ATF is my baby, I always feel super guilty when I don't give her the attention that she deserves and I have missed posting in a big way. I am glad to be feeling better and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Cheers!

    With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to share some information with you.   I think almost every person out there has had the "Big C" affect one or more peeps in their lives.  My family has lost some very important people -- such as my mother- and father-in-law -- to lung cancer.   Most recently, my Aunt Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Due to her annual mammogram, she caught it early -- at stage one -- and is in the process of battling it as I write these words.   Ladies, we must focus on early detection and healthy habits to win this war.  Breast cancer experts say that by implementing these 10 rules to live by, you can help minimize your risk:                            1.               Stay...

   Weekend Acetate Sunglasses, $39, Spitfire, ilovespitfire.com           Since I'm not really in the market for a new pair of sunnies -- although I am desperately feeling like my sunglass repertoire is lacking -- I found these super affordable but stylish shades online. The Weekend Acetate Sunglasses, which are UVA/B protected, can be found on Spitfire for a mere $39. Interestingly enough, I would like to shed some light on Spitfire which is one cool website.  The site sells hip sunglasses, colorful headphones and MP3 players that look like old school cassette players. With disco balls, aliens, giant Japanese good luck kitties and ducks dotting its pages, Spitfire is a very random site but all of its creativity and cool products just sort of..."makes the future look bright."   http://www.spitfire-design.com/