July 2009
41 posts
Give thanks.
I suppose there really is an art to writing thank you cards, letters and emails. For some wonderful reason this has always been a strong point for me and I have received “thank you” cards for my “thank you” cards! I got to thinking about it, and here are some tips for writing personalized thank yous that have an impact. ;)
Always thank! If you were invited somewhere,...
Matte Attack!
I love being right! I went to a new nail polish release party last night at Henry Bendel in NYC (via Jessica Schroeder- thanks babe!), and lo and behold- there was that matte nail polish I predicted about two months ago (hehe). Remember when I wrote about that gorgeous matte black BMW that passed by me in Chelsea and gave me whiplash? Yeah, that is where it all started. I saw matte bags, shoes,...
Buckle down on your bucket list for success.
Ah, the bucket list- the place where you can list off everything and anything you want to do in this life. Perhaps you did one when you were little and said you wanted to be in the circus or to live in a foreign country or go to the moon! The truth is, the bucket list has a powerful place in your adult life too. Many people forget to write down what it is they want to experience or accomplish in...
Etiquette tip: proud to be an American- just don't...
I am starting a new little insert into my Greta Guide guidance… Etiquette tips! Here is my first one. :)
Now back in the US of A after a two year stint in London, England, I have noticed some “Americanisms” that we really can do without.
1.) “Like”: like, really, do we really, like need to like use this word like that much?
2.) “For real”: For real?!...
Style tip: put your outfit together the night...
One of my standby tricks to putting together a fresh and fun outfit I can feel good in, is to pick it out the night before. Can’t quite remember where I got this beta, but it is my foolproof way to a stress-free super cute outfit.
During the day you interact with all kinds of fashion sources- people in your office or that come into your work, observing fashionistas on the street, daily...
1 tag
WatchSpeaking of things that make me happy… this is my antidote to busy city craziness. Breathe deep, watch and enjoy.
This is also a shout out to my darling friend Miss Jackie Prince who just started a blog- congrats MJ, looking forward to all your great posts!
Told you so.
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you what you already know. Someone to tell you that you are amazing and beautiful and strong. Someone to tell you that you don’t have to give your time and energy to just anybody or everybody. That it is okay to protect yourself and take time to reconnect with yourself and feel what is best for you- without being persuaded by other people (on the...
The love of my locks.
Yesterday I got my hair cut. Or, I should say, I got my hairs cut. But that is not all I got. I had one of the best haircut experiences… ever. Yep, that good. And I am very particular about my locks! I placed my very damaged and recovering hair (you read my post on apres extensions hair care right?) in the extremely capable hands of Monsieur Abell Ouhaddou at the Salih Salon in New York.
A...
Keep 'em guessing.
So, if you started a summer workout routine to get swimsuit ready and svelte, and feel like the initial effects of doing your body good have worn off- they probably have.
When you first start a new exercise regimen you see a big change. You are noticibly dropping weight (but a lot of that is water weight- another reason to keep your salt intake low) and of course you are reaping the benefits of a...
One for the boyz.
My blog is meant for the girls, but I know I have a nice male following (love it, btw) and so this one is for you. ;)
Have you guys heard of the Belgium designer Kris Van Assche? Came across his site the other day, and thought “wow- who is this and where do I get it?!” Touted as the master of nonchalant elegance, Van Assche’s label is the classic definition of Belgium...
Fall trend now: the sleeveless jacket.
This is one of the pieces I am looking forward to most this fall! A sleeveless jacket is the perfect blend of masculine women’s wear with structure and sexiness.
With more weight and substance than a vest, it is a perfect layer to jazz up any outfit. For daytime, you can wear it with skinny jeans and a long tank. I particularly like the more edgy take with distressed or shredded jeans and...
Well well wellies!
Wow- I thought that moving from London I would be seeing less rain this summer. I was so convinced that I left my perfectly good wellies there. But June has been one of the rainiest ever- 23 days out of 30, and July is doling out its fair share…
I found myself ruining my shoes and subjecting myself to all kinds of city grossness in my Havaianas, so I decided to get a new pair of rain...
People are like a box of chocolates.
I think people are like a box of chocolates. We change our outer packaging to accommodate the season, setting, mood… Yet, the same time tested and loved inner attributes remain the same. At times, those ingredients shift too- sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. But they are still always there. That is who you are and depending upon the situation (environment is the...
Excuse me while I geek out for a moment...
I think I may have crossed over to the dark side- the uber geeky side of the internet… I built and embedded my very own Hello Kitty MP3 player, and I don’t even have a degree in computer programing, nor do I speak Java!
You guys gotta try this! All you do is follow the link and instructions. You type in the name of your playlist, select your custom colors and then start searching for...
Blogger Beta
So, I was that girl who said, “I will never have a blog.” Just like I said, “I would never Tweet!” And here I am, blogging to my heart’s delight and linking it all the while through tweeting broadcasts… Oh well- guess I had my blinders on for a bit.
Now, it seems even stranger for me to be giving out the blogging advice, but there are a few tips that I can...
それは時間である (it is time).
I am a huge fan of the color statement watches right now, but I am an even bigger fan of the ones that not only look cool but make you smarter.
Allow me to introduce, Japanese talking watches.
They tell you the time, but English is not an option, so you gradually learn Japanese numbers while wearing a hot little piece of wrist flare. Arigato!
Shop it to me!
Hours upon hours have been spent sifting through the various sites of my favorite brands, navigating their sales- finally spying that shirt that, yes, I have to have- perfect color, style, price… I go to add it to my cart and am crushed when I cannot select my size.
Or I go to one of my favorite multi- brand carriers like ShopBop or Blue Fly and pain stakingly scroll page after page on...
The Sideways Stare Down.
Ladies, ladies- can we please own up to the fact that we all have girl crushes and that we check each other out way more than our male counter parts?!
So amusing and, of course, very flattering when you pass another female in the street and she lets her look linger just long enough to take in and categorize your entire outfit- the brands, the trend, how you wore your hair…
The only thing I...
Summertime hair: bed head style.
If you are like me, the evening shower-off during the summer is mandatory. The perks are at least three-fold.
First, you wash away the grime of the day and give your clean linens a longer life. Second, if you turn the water slightly cold right at the end of your shower you will increase circulation and sleep better. And third, if you decide to wash your hair, you can use the following tip to...
Tell it like it is.
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you the truth- no sugar coating and no stretching to see something they don’t. It may feel harsh- but it is the best thing for you.
And if it comes from a good friend or a respected colleague you can believe it. What makes this hard is that you have to be secure enough in yourself to initiate or receive this kind of feedback.
The good news is, when...
How to walk in Heels.
“A girl instantly drops a few notches in attractiveness if she can’t walk in heels.” A statement the men in my life have all agreed upon and offered up. It hangs in the back of my mind and haunts me…pressure much! As if it wasn’t hard enough to wear these stilts all day and exude effortless chicness!
Alas, I can see their point. All it takes is one woman clunking...
Coming up fast: Ellie Goulding
“Singing with vocals like they’ve been weakened by God and poured across some celestial folktronic backdrop nails the first remotely unique sound for ages.” Transparent
In total agreement. I am loving Ellie Goulding! The newest Indie Pop princess, she definitely has my vote for “Best New Comer 2009”. So new on the scene, it is hard to track her music down- but it should...
Fall Trend Now: how to wear over-the-knee boots.
Urban Cowgirl by Greta’s Guide featuring Long Tall Sally
Yesterday I sported my new pair of over-the-knee leather boots. They are awesome! They do to anyone what Chinese straight across eyelash skimming bangs do- make any outfit, any time of day, look totally in vogue.
Here is one way to wear them.
Start with a short jersey dress- it is important that it is fairly short so that the...
The personal one-off.
Just before moving to New York, my friend and I went for the glorious girl bonding ritual of having a manicure done together. She selected her favorite colors as did I. Essie Limo-scene was her choix du jour and I opted for a soft pink-based glitter vanish- only, I didn’t stop there. I was in a playful mood and feeling like I needed to express myself a bit further, so I picked out a second...
SoHo House Summer Style
It’s 82 degrees and sunny in NYC and this lucky girl is at the pool on the roof at the SoHo House. Quickly becoming one of my favourite places- the ambiance, wait staff and people watching is awesome!
So, here are the fashions I observed from the chicest ladies sporting casual cool summer styles.
Cut-off jean shorts (and I mean short!) with a black see-through 3/4 sleeve blouse- tunic...
Stop and Smell the Flowers.
Lately I feel like I am in continuously moving. In a way this feels really good- forward movement keeps ideas flowing and brings out great things. On the other hand, I feel a bit disconnected from myself. Like I am so caught up in the spokes of the wheel I can’t sit on top and enjoy the ride.
To get to that place of gracious enjoyment you need to stop and take breaks. In the morning, take...
Sipping life through a glass straw...
I really try to do my part as a conscious consumer- buy locally, support Fair Trade and most recently make a move against plastic production. One of the chic ways to do so is to buy glass straws as opposed to plastic ones.
I love the idea of hosting a afternoon summer cocktail party and offering my guests sustainable glass straws with their drinks. Glass Dharma is a company based out of...
My BlackBerry is prettier than yours.
After literally being stopped on the street, approached in restaurants and receiving bbm inquiries, I feel it is time to share my BlackBerry beta once and for all, so you can get a traffic stopping case like mine. ;)
The company is called Case-Mate. They make loads of cases, for all kinds of models and moods.
The one I have is called the BlackBerry Bold 9000 Smart Skin Case. It is the first...
Fancy a Poem?
When was the last time anyone wrote something beautiful or simply enjoyable to you? Not an email. Not a bbm or a text. An old fashioned letter, note or poem. Hmmm, I can’t remember the last time I received a poem- honestly must have been 6th grade or something.
Yesterday, on my lunch hour, I picked up a salad and absent mindedly made my way towards Union Square. I walked a block too far and...
My summer playlist...
Every month or so, I create a new playlist that becomes THE playlist. I listen to it around my apartment, getting ready to go out, walking around the City, on the subway…it soon becomes synonymous with that period in time- which is what I like best about creating a playlist. Just having moved to New York from London, I have compiled a list of songs that are my soundtrack during this...
The Joy of Closeting.
Recently I moved into a new city and a new space and had the joy of reorganizing my closet. I am not being sarcastic either- I really do mean JOY. So often we fall into ruts of just wearing what sits on the tops of our piles, is clean or visible from our closet door opening. There are loads of new outfits dying to be discovered and I would bet a few pieces that have never been worn ready to...
I'm having an oily hair day.
Yep, I am having an oily hair day- it happens, but this time I did it on purpose. Hair oil is one of the best things you can do for your hair.
Ok, here it is- my guilty admission: once upon a time (not so very long ago) I had hair extensions (yikes!) and whilst they made my hair look oh so lovely, long and thick they left my hair damaged, awkwardly layered and weak. :(
So, I began my road to...
It doesn't hurt to ask.
So simple and effective- yet often overlooked- is the power of just asking.
Asking for directions. Asking for recommendations. Asking for an introduction. Asking for an opinion. Asking if a seat is taken. Asking if an exception can be made (dressing on the side please). Asking for an upgrade.
The wealth of asking pours in and at no expense. The worst that can happen is someone says...
A new take on vintage.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Tumbler and Tipsy, an eco brand with attitude! Super playful and always unique. The designer, Michael Kuluva, creates one-off items from reconstructed vintage fabrics that he reworks into fashionably modern pieces. The result… at the moment… a prep school/ quasi military collection.
For that something in your wardrobe that is...
Mobile Photo Share- Awesome.
Acclaimed photographer Chase Jarvis, just concluded a competition to win his iPhone based on mobile photo merit. He asked the general public to submit pictures taken from their cell phones. The input is actually amazing! Check out the pics here.