WHO DOESN’T need a little luck—or at least some protection from bad things befalling you? When I visited Greece for the first time and bought one of those ubiquitous beaded bracelets with cobalt-blue “evil” eyes, I learned I was warding off malevolent forces. My grandparents didn’t have any beads or symbols, but long before I ever went to Athens, I knew that saying “keinahora” (kein in German means “no,” ayin ha-rah in Hebrew means the evil eye) was supposed to dispel any harm intended from malicious spirits. Kind of like a “knock wood.”
The evil eye spans cultures and generations and dates back thousands of years. It’s the belief that a look or stare, especially one prompted by envy, can bring misfortune to those on the receiving end. However, wearing or displaying an evil eye charm/pendant can help counteract that curse. Bragging about success or getting too much recognition can also lead to evil eye-based adversity. The symbol is particularly popular in Mediterranean countries. (LittleBird Nancy brought one back to me from her trip to Turkey a few years ago. I keep it on my desk.)
Facebook and Instagram make it easy to envy what we don’t have. Fashion designers, including Tory Burch, Kenzo and Alice + Olivia, have taken note and incorporated the ancient image in their jewelry and clothing.
LEFT: Chan Luu’s Black Mix Evil Eye Charm Short Necklace (approximately 15-17 inches long) sits comfortably around the collar bone. The18K gold-plated sterling silver chain suspends black agate, black spinel and black horn stones and charms. Be cool and layer it with a longer necklace. $225, Chanluu. RIGHT: Summer is not exactly around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be ready for its arrival. ThisElexis Fringed Clutch Bag is hand-crocheted by local women in Turkey, where the evil eye is a signature charm. Here, the motif gets playful treatment with cobalt, blue and white tassels. Perfect for future beach days. $225, Matches Fashion.
LEFT: You can’t be too careful about how the day enfolds. Take precautions and pour your morning brew into this bone china Evil Eye Mug, $31, Amara. RIGHT: Adorn your wrist with this hand-painted enamel Evil Eye on Navy Motif Bangle with gold-plated rims. Wear it by itself or stack it with other cuffs and bangles. It’s available in small (2 1/2 inch diameter) and medium (2 3/4 inch diameter) for $150, Scully and Scully.
LEFT: Perhaps Tory Burch was feeling the envious looks of her competitors and decided to cover her bases with this embossed evil eye on the back of her cheery, spring forward-looking Grier Leather Watch, $225, Shopbop. CENTER: Kenzo’s interpretation of the evil eye on this pink sweatshirt may not convey the seriousness of the symbol, but it’s darn cute anyway. $359, Farfetch. RIGHT: Activate the magical effects of the symbol withEvil Eye & Pearl Drop Earrings, again from Tory Burch. $138, Nordstrom.
LEFT: Hold onto Alice + Olivia’s Large Shirley Evil Eye Clutch with glass beads and amethyst closure, or swing it nonchalantly by a chain from your shoulder. Evil spirits, begone. $495, Saks Fifth Avenue. RIGHT: This Slim Slide Evil Eye Crystal Clutch from Judith Leiber Couture will set you back rent or mortgage money. To be exact, $3,195 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Consider it protective. It doesn’t ship until April 17, so no rush deciding.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
LAST EVENING, in a perfectly good mood and with nothing in particular troubling me, I happened upon an article originally published in The Atlantic that had found its way to my web browser as something I would enjoy. (God knows how such a determination had been made; no doubt some robot had a hand, or rather a gear, in it.) The title alone—”Why I Hope to Die at 75″ —should have steered me away, but I was vaguely intrigued.
The 57-year-old author, a long-winded writer named Ezekiel Emanuel, laid out his reasons in far too many words. I won’t bore you here as he did me, but instead will sum up his point as succinctly as possible. According to Zeke, life after age 75 sucks and is not worth living. This is because the body ages and withers and sickens, vitality diminishes, libido suffers, and it’s all downhill from then on, blah blah, blah.
Zeke carefully explains that he is not planning to commit suicide when he turns 75, but will simply stop taking care of his body from then on. This means no more doctor visits, no treatments of any kind for any conditions or diseases he may get, no more exercising to stay fit, no more colonoscopies or dental visits. I guess he’ll start eating total garbage to speed along a heart attack.
Well guess what Zeke: many people would disagree with your take on living and dying. I’m one of them. As a painter my work keeps on improving, and I have no doubt that my best work lies ahead of me. At age 95, famed Belarusian painter Marc Chagall was the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Louvre in Paris. At age 76, Nelson Mandela, a black man, was elected president of South Africa. (Four years later he married his third wife.) Grandma Moses (real name Anna Mary Robertson) didn’t begin to paint until 76, and when she died hundreds of paintings later at 101, President Kennedy praised her work for “inspiring the entire nation.”
Left: LittleBird Janet’s attempt at dolling up her black jacket. Right: Libertine’s Medal-Embellished Fitted Blazer, available at Bergdorf Goodman’s for $3,250.
MY FAVORITE black jacket was looking, well, a little too black. And although Punxsutawney Phil promised spring would come early, that doesn’t seem a likely outcome. Especially given the view from my window of 3 inches of snow cover and an outside temperature of 23 degrees. If spring wasn’t coming to me, at least I could bring a little lightheartedness to what I was wearing.
The first idea that came to me was to round up a bunch of brooches gathering dust in the drawer—my grandmother’s and my mother’s pins—and attach them to my jacket. Those, however, didn’t provide the powerful punch I was going for, especially once I noticed Libertine’s bright and kind of kitschy wool blazer embellished with a galaxy of sequined metallic medals. (If you’re not familiar with Libertine, it’s known for its quirky and irreverent designs—and its prices climb up into the stratospheric realm.) I conferred with managing editor LittleBird Nancy, who suggested I look on the M&J Trimming site to bulk up my limited collection with their varied appliquéd offerings (for example, a stick-on pink donut patch, an iron-on lipstick, a New York City subway appliqué, even a CIA patch—no joke.) With the help of a needle and thread or glue and an iron and about $100, I could up the cool quotient on my jacket and refresh my outlook or wardrobe, possibly both. If you have a large stash of brooches, you may not need to go this route. If you’re DIY-averse, try your local tailor for help.
Still, when plotting out the arrangement on your jacket, whatever raw materials you have, here are some useful tips from “How to Wear Jewelry: 55 Styles” by Judith van den Hoek and Abrams Books, 2016 ($12.95, Metropolitan Museum store):
1. Keep things looking cohesive by sticking to similar-looking colors and shapes. 2. Start with your largest two statement brooches/appliqués and pin each to a different side of the jacket for anchor pieces. 3. Surround the anchors with smaller pieces. 4. Create symmetry with equal amounts of medium- and small-size pieces on each side.
So, go ahead and find your inner craftsperson. Chances are you’ll have fun and end up with something new and interesting to wear. Plus, think how much you’ll save by not buying (ha!) the Libertine blazer.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Sew-On Bullion Crest Applique, available in gold or gold and silver mixed. $19.98, M&J Trimming. RIGHT: Bullion Anchor with Rhinestone Chain, available in gold or silver in 2.375 inches or 2.75 inches, $15.98, M&J Trimming.
LEFT: Made from 3mm rhinestones and one 8mm rhinestone in the center, the Rhinestone Petal Flower Applique is 4.5 inches, $29.98, M&J Trimming. CENTER: Intricate Knot Bullion Applique, 3.5 by 2.75 inches, $15.98, M&J Trimming. RIGHT: Bull Dog Applique, complete with cute red rhinestone collar, is 3.5 by 3.5 inches, $5.98, M&J Trimming.
LEFT: Made with beads, bugle and seed beads, the Sun Disc Beaded Applique is 2.75 inches. $9.98, M&J Trimming. RIGHT: Abstract Flower Rhinestone Applique, with golden rhinestones and beads, is 4.5 inches. $11.98, M&J Trimming.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
LONG AGO, a ringing telephone signified that something was about to change. Be it good or bad, there was always a surprise at the other end of the line. Just that one simple thing made everyday life more exciting. I can still recall, when I was finally old enough to be permitted to answer the phone at our house, feeling quite grown up and important. “I’ll get it!” was just about my favorite thing to say.
Flash forward to now. An article in USA Today details cell-phone etiquette in these times. First of all, youmust never call anyone without texting them first to see if they are in the right frame of mind to talk; if you do you are clearly an insensitive boor. As for landlines, which still exist in many homes, usually those inhabited by dinosaurs or rural folks who want the local emergency squad to be able to find them —I fall into both categories — the truly paranoid Caller ID function has removed all romance from the ring.
Now that you can see upfront who’s calling, and it’s likely to be someone or something you don’t want to talk to, those unexpected chance encounters never happen. Like just now as I was writing this, a call came from my good buddy, MEDICAL SUPPLY. I did not answer. But what if I had?
IN CASE YOU missed NYC’s Metropolitan Museum’s superb jewelry exhibit (examining how cultures incorporate jewelry and the power of adornment), you’ve still got time to catch a fascinating show—for history and fashion lovers—at the museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
“Fabric in Fashion” looks at textiles in Western women’s high fashion over the past 250 years in two ways: the mechanics of textiles (how they work on the body) and the cultural history of the four most prevalent fibers—silk, cotton, wool and synthetics. Raise your hand if you think about what materials you wear on our bodies. Newsflash: Fabric is essential to creating silhouette and aesthetics. Fibers can be manipulated to create diaphanous cottons and wools or sculptural silks. Synthetics can look sleek and futuristic or imitate natural fibers.
Elizabeth Way, assistant curator of costume at The Museum at FIT, and curator of this exhibit, aimed to encourage people to take a closer look at materials. She points to a “silver muslin” gown from about 1795 (see the gallery above). “The dress was likely sewn in the US, but the cotton fabric comes from India, probably Bengal, which was a center of luxury muslin weaving at the time. This fabric is finely woven and embroidered with real silver wire. The sleeves are made from silk. This dress’s silhouette shows the transition to the high-waist Empire style that was led by French high fashion. This one beautiful dress tells a story that spans from Asia to Europe to the United States.”
Silk was the ultimate luxury fiber; it was also the foundation of the French textile industry in Lyon, which helped Paris become the world’s fashion capital. Wool financed the growth of the British economy, beginning in the Middle Ages. Wool’s ability to contour with heat and moisture led to the Western fashion for tailored clothing. When, by the late nineteenth century, cotton became an everyday fabric, the effects ranged from disenfranchisement and oppression in India to slavery in the United States. Rayon was the first manmade fiber, marketed as an alternative to silk during the early twentieth century. Then came nylon (1935) and polyester (1941). Synthetics expanded the variety, function, and availability of textiles, although they also led to fashion’s pollution of the environment.
New fabrics are constantly in the pipeline, according to Way. Would you believe synthetic spider’s silk, pineapple fibers and milk proteins? For the present I’m taking to heart the curator’s wise purchasing advice: “We live in a world that is inundated with stuff of all kinds; by looking at fabric’s artistry, history and cultural significance, we can all be more appreciative and selective of the things we buy.”
The Museum at FIT is located on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street. “Fabric in Fashion” will run until May 4, 2019. Admission is free. Hours: Tuesday through Friday, noon to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
FLOODED as we are with news from all directions, it makes sense to be selective. For example, I just saw the headline, “Jogger Recounts Killing Mountain Lion With His Bare Hands.” It was supposed to entice me to click on it and read the story, at the same time opening me up to lots of paid advertising, which is after all what the Internet is all about. But why would I want to read such a gruesome story?
One reason might be that I could someday find myself in that very situation and thus would know what to do. It’s highly unlikely, unless a traveling zoo passing through my little town had some sort of mechanical breakdown and a mountain lion broke free from its cage and made its way to my home, and I was outside doing yard work and—well.
If that happened I would just lay down and die, thinking, “Huh, so this is how I go,” because there is no way, with any amount of training, that I could kill a mountain lion, or any sort of lion, with my bare hands. Or even with gloved hands. Maybe if I had a gun (something I have never held in my life) I might fire off a shot, but chances are I’d miss and he’d just get madder. It’s too horrible to consider.
I also did not click on any of these headlines, for obvious reasons having to do with falling asleep at night:
“Teen Texts for Help, Then Cops Arrive to A Chilling Scene“ “Man Gives Stranger $200, Then Meets Truly Grim Fate” “Reason Plane Cabin Lights Are Dimmed Should Terrify You“ “Rare Instances of Kate Middleton Not Being Camera Ready”
However, I did click on this one: “Man Allegedly Shuts Hot Tub Lid On Wife, Drowning Her.” Since I have both a hot tub and a husband, it seemed like information I might actually use should my marriage suddenly go downhill or if my husband and I become alcoholics, either of which could potentially happen considering the sorry state of the world today. (As my grandfather always said, “You never know.”)
HEEDING THE CALL from athletes and people working outside for more protection from the cold than their long johns could provide, Champion (originally the Knickerbocker Knitting Company) started manufacturing sweatshirts in the 1930s. They were made from thicker underwear material, and the company later added the hood for extra warmth.
Skipping several decades and the hoodie’s association with punk, hip-hop and skateboard cultures, fast forward to today and the fashion industry’s elevation of the humble hoodie into a modern style statement.
Though I love leggings and am a fan of sneakers for everyday wear, until recently I’ve never considered myself a hoodie-wearing kind of girl and have kept the only one I own to the confines of the gym (and the odd trip to the grocery store). But when I met a woman I know in a local store trying on an attractive ivory hooded sweatshirt and saying how she regularly wears “this look,” I understood why. She looked stylish—and comfortable.
Hoodies are available at every price point, in fabrics from fleece to cashmere, from mass retailers to high-end designers (e.g., Fendi, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent). They’re a practical (warm) wardrobe addition right now to layer under a winter coat that doesn’t already have a hood or over a sweater; come spring, they’ll be that perfect thing to wear under a denim or leather jacket or a trench coat.
LEFT: Rag & Bone’s fluffy Teddy Sherpa Hoodie, made from a soft, nubby fleece material, looks so cozy. And the loose fit means you could pop it on over a sweater. $295, Shopbop. CENTER: This Ribbed Wool-Blend Hooded Top from popular Danish designer Ganni is a lush combination of wool and mohair. Thin enough to slip on under a winter coat. On a cool spring day, pair it with white pants or jeans. $350, Moda Operandi. RIGHT: The name says it all. Give this Everyday Hoodie a regular rotation in your wardrobe. Keep it casual with jeans or ante up and wear with a skirt (shown below). It comes in gray, maroon and navy. Plus, it’s reduced to $42.99 at Eloquii.
LEFT: Faux shearling is the darling of coat fashion this season. It is put to good use on Vince’s Cozy Hoodie. Its slightly cropped shape over a midi-leather skirt is a combination I’d copy in a heartbeat. It’s reduced to $171 at Vince. RIGHT: How’s this for an excellent idea—a pink hoodie under a glossy trench coat.
LEFT: When you want to keep it casual, the mango color and the tiny heart on Topshop’s Heart Hoodie gets our nod. Reduced to $26.99 at Nordstrom. RIGHT: Thanks to its medium weight, ATM’s French Terry Zip-up Hoodie is a season-less buy. It’s spendy but details like raw-hem sleeves and pocket size update the classic sweatshirt and make it a wardrobe workhorse. $225, ATM Collection.
LEFT: Another wardrobe workhorse that I can seeing wearing for all kinds of reasons, especially in that awesome denim color. The Perfect Hoodie is $75 at Aritzia, CENTER: According to its website, 11 Honore “is a size-inclusive shopping site that for the first time ever, gives more women the option to experience the best designer clothing, sizes 10-20.” Wear the Red Arden Hoodie Dress as a mini or over leggings. $385. RIGHT: Yes, I know this BCBG Heathered Funnelneck doesn’t have a hood. But it’s damn cute, and it’s reduced to $54.39 at Lord & Taylor.
LEFT: Eloquii’s Everyday Hoodie styled with a leather jacket, patterned below-the-knee skirt and ankle boots. RIGHT: Everlane’s Square Hoodie is priced well for cashmere, but it’s only available in an extra large. $140 at Everlane.
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
HEALTH CARE in this country is up against two big problems.
First, despite spending more on health care than any country, our health outcomes rank far below most other developed countries. Why? The focus of our current medical system is on acute-care fixes, not prevention. Primary-care doctors don’t get paid to spend much time with you, unless you’ve shelled out extra dough to upgrade to the concierge level. Doctors get reimbursed for “procedures,” fixing what’s wrong, not preventing it in the first place.
Second, we’re facing a multigenerational epidemic of chronic diseases that degrade life span and quality, cost a lot to treat and, once developed, can typically only be treated symptomatically, not cured.
But here’s some good news: Simple, inexpensive and not very challenging forms of exercise can dramatically lower your risk for chronic diseases, extend your life and improve the quality of your years.
Based on more than 15 years of data studying more than 55,000 men and women, the nationally regarded Cooper Institute in Dallas has reported a remarkable difference between runners and nonrunners, regardless of how fast they moved or how far. The overall risk of dying for movers went down 30%. Even more significantly, heart-related deaths, the current #1killer in the U.S., declined 45% for movers vs. non movers.
Key takeaways from the Cooper and other recent studies are:
If you move some, regardless of pace or distance, you can add three years to your life.
Other exercises— walking and biking—provided a similar return on investment. That ROI, in the jargon of our financial advisers, is impressive.
Moving leads to a 30 to 50 percent cancer-death risk reduction.
A little moving also protects against neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Jogging and walking at even a moderate pace will reduce depression and work as effectively for some as antidepressants.
Walking at a moderate pace can lower memory-loss risk by up to 50 percent, and slow age-related declines in brain function.
Longevity benefits were found despite other risk factors such as smoking, drinking, hypertension or obesity.
Jogging actually can strengthen the knee cartilage that cushions bones and protect against inflammation-related arthritis.
The kind of stresses you apply to your bones when jogging strengthen your bones and make them more resilient to injury. This result is important for post-menopausal women, who typically have diminished bone mass as they age, and women who move generally have fewer adverse effects from menopause.
Now that you’re convinced of the big benefits from just a little movement, keep these six key action points in mind as you get going:
Whatever you do, however slow or short, fast or long, do it with consistency. If you’re jammed for time or feeling lazy, just go out for a shorter time. Your goal should be to do something six days a week, however modest. Even a 5-minute movement of some kind counts.
Get good gear for your feet. Your most important investments are shoes and socks. For many, a neutral shoe (meaning you don’t over or under pronate as you hit the ground) with good cushioning is ideal—go to a running store for a gait analysis. Consider the Brooks brand lineup with extra widths, comfortable cushioning, durable quality and 30-day returns if you don’t think the shoes are working for you. For comfortable socks in bright colors, look at those by DeFeet and Bombas.
Wear synthetic bright apparel. One iron rule: no cotton! Get a good wicking synthetic fabric to stay comfortable, summer or winter. And buy bright colors for safety. If you’re on the streets, you want distracted drivers to see you, particularly in low-light conditions.
Find a routine you like to be consistent. Are you someone who prefers to exercise with company or alone? An exercise buddy can make you more consistent because of your commitment to them. Or you may prefer the quiet Zen effect from jogging alone. Are you a morning, afternoon or evening jogger or walker? Try them all and see what you enjoy most, because that’s the key to consistency.
Don’t sweat your speed. Move, walk or jog at the pace that feels good. Some studies report high-intensity interval training is an especially efficient form of aerobic exercise. This involves short spurts at an intense speed, running the fastest pace you can, followed by longer slow periods at your regular pace. But the most recent studies also show — benefits from even the shortest and slowest moving around. Just do what feels comfortable to you.
Don’t just sit there. An analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks of dying posed by obesity and smoking. Sitting at work, in front of a TV or computer screen, or even reading—it all adds up. Even if you exercise, prolonged sitting can negate the benefits. So get up periodically, do some of your work, meetings, etc., while standing, and in general break up the sitting you do.
What’s the bottom line? You don’t want a long life with poor quality. You want to avoid the chronic debilitating conditions that result from just sitting, working at your desk or streaming entertainment. With doctors burning out from having to see more patients for less time, and no magic pills to fix chronic diseases, it’s really a matter of basic self-help to take the simple steps that will get you where you want to go, and keep you from going too soon. Eating in a smart way is important, too—necessary, but not sufficient alone for your quality of life. For that, the inexpensive and remarkably effective Rx is: just get moving, slow or fast, and do it consistently. The positive evidence is compelling, and there are no downsides. It’s the best deal you’re going to find this year.
—Alan Rudlin
Alan Rudlin is a freelance writer and retired trial lawyer, who often dealt with cases involving health and science issues. In years of running, he has evolved from a jogger to a slogger, but he still hits the streets consistently.
From left to right: Slouchy pantsuits on the runway for Tom Ford’s Fall 2019 show, a sequin polo shirt evening gown looked easy to wear at Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2019 fashion show.
DON’T WATCH the Oscars at home by your lonesome with a bowl of popcorn, make it an occasion. Put on your party hat and invite your friends. And while you’re at it, you could say, “black tie requested.” Why should Hollywood have all the fun of dressing up. No stylists required.
However, you’ve probably heard me rail before about matronly long gowns, made more so with frou-frou beading, ruffles—and trains (heaven forbid). Take an irreverent approach à la Sharon Stone at the awards ceremonies in 1996 and 1998. At the former she wore a black Gap turtleneck and long skirt, doubling down on this casual glam aesthetic two years later when she paired a lilac Vera Wang skirt with a white button-down shirt—also from the Gap.
Elaborate evening gowns may or may not be a relic of the past, but at New York Fashion Week, at least two designers showed their less serious side. Instead of his usual haute-sexy dresses cut way down low with slits up both sides, Tom Ford opted for filmy turtlenecks under ruby and shocking pink velvet blazers with jewel-tone satin pants. At Ralph Lauren’s runway show, a black sequined evening gown—okay it was long, but it was styled as a polo shirt—got a starring role. Equally fetching and black-tie wearable was a slightly cropped, close-fitting silk tennis sweater embellished with tiny sequins layered over the rib knit and striped trim, shown with a below-the knee accordion-style pleated skirt.
Black tie shouldn’t make you shudder. Heed our suggestions for more approachable ways to carry it off.
LEFT: Tadashi Shoji Lace Midi dress only looks as if it’s see through. No need to buy extra lingerie; it’s fully lined. $378, available in black or navy from Nordstrom. CENTER: This Jacki Sequin Skirt from Diane von Furstenberg merges two popular trends, alternating rows of sequins with fringe for a fun combination. Pair with a close-fitting turtleneck and party on. $498, DVF. RIGHT: The ruffled hem, balloon sleeves and a tie waist in satin must be resonating with buyers because there’s only one left of Stine Goya’s midnight blue Niki dress ($350) at Farfetch. See Net a Porter for more size selection.
LEFT: Western-influenced styling like the zig-zag paneling at the waist and a pointed collar dress down the shiny sequins of Ganni’s silver Sonora Midi Dress. The swingy skirt makes it perfect for swishing around and air-kissing your fellow revelers. $526, Matches. CENTER:When you need something out of the ordinary but don’t want to look too gussied up, go with this satin Aries skirt from Nanushka in an elegant midi silhouette with bow ties at the waist. Pair with an ivory silk blouse and it’s a wrap. $414, Farfetch. RIGHT: Pop this polka dot dress on, add sparkly sandals and clutch and you’ll feel pretty and in a party mood without a lot of fuss. Change the accessories for a downtown lunch date. Feel like you got a bargain. $69, Zara.
LEFT: Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Grammys in a shimmering jumpsuit. Make an entrance of your own in Norma Kamali’s Rectangle stretch lame jumpsuit. Thanks, Norma, for the V-neckline, kimono sleeves and sash-defined waistline. $195, Net a Porter. CENTER: A very spendy Saloni Daphne silk jacquard maxi dress. But don’t you just love the color? Amortize the cost over the years. The style is classic. $955, Net a Porter. RIGHT: Take a casual Belted Satin Boilersuit, up the ante in a luxe satiny fabric and make it in trendy khaki green. A win-win for an Oscars party or brunch on Galentine’s Day. $99, &OtherStories.
LEFT: Massimo Dutti’s Leopard print dress stands apart from the crowded field of leopard because of its refreshing dark khaki green hue. Points for versatility, too. Dress it down with boots, up with jewelry and silvery sandals. $160, Massimo Dutti. CENTER: Gold and velvet usually spell a fancy-pants look, but Rachel Comey, known for her cool, downtown-girl styles, adds a lattice pattern for texture and covers up the neckline to tone down the glamour-girl gold. The Ruched Velvet Jacquard Midi Dress is $550 at Nordstrom. RIGHT: Swan into the party in Mango’s long and floaty Lurex Jacquard Dress. The semi-sheer sleeves and hemline tantalizingly let a little skin show through and the bits of lurex light it all up. $149.99, Mango.
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
HAVING BEEN born under the astrological sign of Gemini, I have always battled with two conflicting, wholly different personalities. This explains how I could became fast friends with someone, travel to a foreign country on an extended trip with her, and decide a few months later that the two of us have nothing in common and end all communication.
Makes perfect sense: One of us (Bad Me) liked her goofy flair, until the other one (Good Me) finally noticed her utter superficiality.
Many people have this battle, even if they aren’t Geminis. The struggle between Good and Evil lives within us all, wreaking havoc on our best-laid plans like a flash flood ruins a picnic. Well, I’m tired of it and have decided to take drastic action: I am planning to kill Bad Me. Today is the perfect day to do it because she kept both of us awake all night, having weird dreams and waking up and looking at the clock every hour, and coughing. (I’m positive she’s the one who coughs.)
How will I do it, you may wonder? Obviously it will be a delicate operation as I don’t want even a scratch on Good Me. So that eliminates razor blades, drug OD’s, car crashes and falling from a great height. Instead it will have to be by starvation. I will deny her the unhealthy (but fun!) food she craves and all the petty (but fun!) pleasures she wastes time on, and she will simply die of boredom (and lack of fun). At least that’s my hope. Then maybe Good Me can get some serious work done around here, like washing the kitchen floor, getting a new toilet seat and making a website for her art. And who knows, even get back into those size 8 jeans one of them bought. (They fit then.)
A retinol, Vitamin C serum, sunscreens and more. / Photo by James B. Kelly.
SPENDING MANY months in the Middle East without benefit of sunscreen has led to my fair-skinned, blue-eyed husband’s many Moh’s surgeries. Moh’s is the gold standard for treating many basal and squamous cell carcinomas, often around the eyes, nose and lips. The procedure is done in stages (all in one visit) while the patient waits for results. After removing a layer of tissue, the surgeon examines it in an on-site lab. If any cancer cells remain, the surgeon removes another layer of tissue from that precise location, sparing as much healthy skin as possible. The process continues until no cancer cells remain.
So, who better to ask about must-have skin care products than Jim’s team of dermatologists in Pittsburgh: Dr. Melissa Pugliano, who specializes in Moh’s, and her partner, Dr. Stephanie Dietz. I was able to catch them on two recent afternoons for bits of conversation and emails in between appointments with patients.
They both agree on the importance of using at least a 30 SPF sunscreen every morning. Look for a broad-spectrum one that protects against UVA and UVB rays—even if you have no plans to go outside (UVA rays penetrate windows unless they’re tinted for protection). For discoloration like sun spots, freckles and melasma or rosacea, Pugliano recommends a product that contains titanium or zinc oxide. She also notes that sunscreens containing Mexoryl are useful for protecting the skin from UVA light for a longer time because of the compound’s good photo stability. Still,don’t forget to reapply after a couple of hours. (There is much debate about the potentially harmful effects of ingredients in sunscreens; look for The Environmental Working Group’s 2019 guide to sunscreens that comes out this spring.)
Incorporating a retinol in your routine is also one that both dermatologists recommend. Says Pugliano, “It can help with fine lines and discoloration of the face. Initially, it can cause some peeling or dry, red skin. If you’re not using it already, start slowly (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and then increase to nightly as tolerated. Retinols can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun, so if you’re going somewhere you’re going to get a lot of sun, say, on a beach vacation, skip it. Also, stop it 10 to 14 days before any waxing procedure. You can find retinols at the drug store, at the beauty counter or in prescription formulations.”
Dietz says she uses nothing special for a cleanser (Cetaphil or Cerave). Pugliano uses one with glycolic acid (to lighten brown spots, although none were visible to this eye). As for a moisturizer, Dietz says, “I know people who use Crisco. Bottom line: someone has to like a product or be able to afford it. Cream is more emollient than a lotion so better for dryer skin.” She recommends Vanicream for Jim’s sensitive one. Serums of all kinds may be popular, but Dietz’s only endorsement: “Feels nice!”
According to Pugliano, “Eye creams that include caffeine can lighten dark circles as well as soften wrinkles. Once you are tolerating your retinoid or in place of one, you can use a product with Vitamin C to help with skin brightening, fine lines and overall skin tone.”
“Purchasing products can be overwhelming as the number of choices are vast and confusing, even for me,” admits Pugliano. “Beware of products that tout they are “natural.” Just because it is labeled natural doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain preservatives and other ingredients that can irritate your skin. Talk to your dermatologist when choosing or ask for samples before purchasing a product’s retail size.”
Personal preference plays a large role in choosing skin care products; what feels good on the skin and “works” for one individual may not suit another. When I asked Dietz for her key recommendation about skin care: “Don’t overdo it.”
I couldn’t resist bringing in my latest skincare purchase for a quick evaluation— Neova DNA Total Repair, $99 at Dermstore. The packaging says:
Reduces visible damage from oxidative stress caused by free radicals
Visibly improves the appearance of every apparent sign of sun-inflicted damage to skin DNA,
Diminishes the visible signs of DNA damage, including fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations
Pugliano and her resident and fellow looked at the insert. Verdict: Even though it says “Validated in controlled clinical studies,” it doesn’t cite specific studies, so there’s no proof that it works. I must have looked disappointed because she told me to conduct my own experiment. “Try it on one-half of your face for a few weeks and then compare it with the other side where you didn’t use it. See if there’s any improvement.”
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
LAST WEEK’S International Holocaust Remembrance Day got me thinking. Growing up in the 1950s, I was always fascinated hearing how my parents, a young married couple living in Brooklyn during the years of the Holocaust (1941-1945), first heard about it and didn’t believe it, so did nothing. Not that there was much they could do. I often asked my father to recount his skepticism over the tiny news stories tucked away on the back pages of the New York Times alleging evil doings in Germany and Austria. Eventually the stories got longer and moved closer to the front of the paper until they consumed the front pages of every newspaper in the world. By then it was too late—the deed was done!
I am reminded of that each time I come across a news story alerting us to the inherent dangers of our dependence on cell phones and how those habits will ultimately rain chaos down on us all, individually for sure and possibly all of Mankind. There’s one of those in a recent NY Times article, relating how Steve Jobs never intended that his invention overtakeour lives, but rather enhance them.
This was perhaps the tenth such article I have read in the past couple of years, detailing how our relentless interaction with social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, in combination with texting, mapping our rides, taking selfies, checking our stock portfolios, looking at pornography, listening to podcasts, playing silly games and occasionally calling our moms, all the while rejecting face-to-face interaction with others, is slowly eroding the fabric of society, not to mention changing our posture from that of Homo erectus to Homo slumpoverus.
Isn’t it time to heed these no-longer-early warning sirens? I suggest we change our behavior now to avoid a horrific front page story with banner headline, “Smart Phones Finally Outsmart Humans!”—written by Siri and Alexa.
I AM enchanted by fragrance and happily spritz one on before heading out the door. The 2008 book Perfumes: The A–Z Guide, by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, which celebrated the great scents of the twentieth century, was an enormously fun read with its rhapsodic raves and rants. But 10 to 15 years later, Turin and Sanchez witnessed a dramatic change in the world of scent. Many of the classic perfumes were no longer around (or not produced in the original formulas). So, in their new 2018 book Perfumes The Guide, they review 1,200 fragrances, focusing on new faces—many of them independent, small brands not affiliated with multinational conglomerates. In the introduction, the authors admit that half the perfumes reviewed only rate one or two stars (“not good enough for you.”) But they were delighted to discover 20 that deserved five stars, “which you may not love but which are neither boring nor incompetent.”
And they report on the ins and outs of the fragrance world: the death of the celebrity perfume (no one’s mourning); oud (a rich smell of wood glue and leather that in my humble opinion smells like furniture polish) has replaced vanilla; launching one perfume instead of 20 is so last century (hello, Tom Ford); all perfume costs about $100 or more, despite the small bottle or cheap formula; and masculine fragrances have become too overbearing.
Anyone interested in perfume will value the book for its glossary of terms, its division of top scents into categories like feminines, citrus and retro. There’s a handy index by star rating and by brand; they even include a list of retailers who will send samples for a small fee and a list of places to take classes on how to become a professional perfumer.
As in Turin’s and Sanchez’s first book, the pleasure comes from reading the captivating reviews discussing the virtues and vices of perfumes.
Turin gives Sortilege (Le Galion) four stars: “To someone like myself, brought up in Paris at an impressionable age and an inveterate gawper into shop windows, the pairing of the words sortilege (magic spell) and galion (galleon), unlikely to collide even in the most arcane symbolist poem, became as obvious as steak frites…. This sort of fragrance makes you feel like a taxi is waiting outside to take you to the Opera ….”
Tania Sanchez awards Au Bord de L’Eau (L’Artisan Parfumeur) two stars: “An eau de cologne of paralyzing dullness and a harsh, thin quality that is impossible to interpret as anything other than cheapness. Wear 4711, it smells much nicer.”
Approach the book as you would a box of chocolates. The descriptions are rich, the humor irreverent. Pick the book up, put it down. Savor at a leisurely pace.
Below, a list of six of Turin and Sanchez’s five-star fragrances that are readily available online and at retail outlets.
Au Coeur Du Desert (Tauer Perfumes), $185, 50ml, LuckyScent.
Miyako (Auphorie), $7 for a 1 ml sample at Ave Parfum.
Narciso, (Narciso Rodriguez), $97 for 1.6 ounces, Nordstrom.
Twilly d’Hermès (Hermès), $79 for 1 ounce, Nordstrom.
Perfumes: The Guide, published by Perfuumista Books, sells for $16.99 at Amazon and $17 at LuckyScent.
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
I RECENTLY came across an article online about The Blue Zones Solution, a book in which author Dan Buettner reveals the eating and living habits of the world’s longest-lived people. For more than a decade, the author and a team of researchers studied five locations around the globe—the so-called Blue Zones—that have the highest concentrations of 100-year-olds, as well as exceptionally low rates of cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart problems. (See Well-Being editor Mary Carpenter’s in-depth post on Blue Zones).
Hoping to help anyone struggling with food issues make positive choices, I am passing along the wisdom of Buettner’s findings. Following is his simple plan of what to eat to live a long and healthy life. Although if you ask me by the time you’re that old, what with robots running the world and some rock star or other goofy celebrity as our president, you may want out. Still, if you’d like to be around to celebrate your 100th birthday, embarking on a healthy eating plan today can only help.
The Best Foods—include at least three portions of these daily:
This piece is from MyLittleBird’s fashion archive. We’ve updated it and decided to run it again. Twice can be nice. The original version appeared in January 2018.
WEAR RED to be noticed—for a TV interview, magazine cover, any occasion that demands high visibility—and to signal strength. Remember Hillary Clinton in red Ralph Lauren at her first presidential debate, Michelle Obama in red Narciso Rodriguez in Nov. 2009 on the evening of Barack Obama’s election, and, of course, who can forget Nancy Reagan in her signature color for so many events ? Most recently in a Politico story about the new class of women in Congress, we spotted 10 out of the 27 wearing red clothing.
But it’s the convergence of Chinese Year of the Pig (Feb. 5 to Feb. 19), National Wear Red Day (Feb. 1, to raise awareness about heart disease) and Valentine’s Day that gives all of us a reason to be women in red.
You say red’s not your hue? Too bold? Perhaps then Fogal‘s opaque cherry tights or a Fornesetti candle emblazoned with crimson lips to light up and scent your home decor. Here, some ways to energize the days ahead with red and as an antidote to a series of hard-to-stomach, let alone, imagine, political events.
LEFT: If confidence were a coat, this Lauren cotton trench from Khaite would get our nod. $1,941, Farfetch. RIGHT: After a hard day’s work, slip into Natori’s silky printed Dynasty Zip Caftan ($160, neimanmarcus.com). It will step up your lounging-around style.
LEFT: Drink your morning brew in Le Creuset’s bright cerise mug to ante up the alertness. $15, Le Creuset. RIGHT: The Eyebobs Losing It readers are a little pricey ($89, Eyebobs), but oh so cute and despite the name, unlikely to disappear—at least not easily.
LEFT: Lipstick empowers; red lipstick empowers more. And we just love the classy case of Yves Saint Laurent’s satiny Rouge Pur Couture Lip Color in Le Rouge (mais oui). $38, Nordstrom. RIGHT: Isn’t Lipstick Queen’s Eden, er, tempting? The semi-sheer red-apple hue will bring out the rosy blush of your cheek. And isn’t that what we all desire? $24, Lipstick Queen.
LEFT: Fornasetti’s wax “Bacio” candle in a ceramic vessel featuring the nose and mouth of Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri. Scented with thyme and lavender. $195, Net a Porter. RIGHT: Opaque 138N Rouge tights ($39.68, Fogal) give legs a subtle shimmer. You’re allowed. Consider it sartorial relief from black.
LEFT: When both your son and your granddaughter asks if you’re buying something, you know you’ve scored. Vans’ Old Skool Sneaker in Formula One Red with suede trim got their thumbs-up. $54.95, Nordstrom. Limited sizes available. RIGHT: Steal the show, if not the Oscars’ red carpet, with Brandon Maxwell’s pre-fall 2019 Cape-Effect Crepe Gown. Va-va-voom, but discreet with subtle cutout detailing and a cape overlay for camouflaging any upper arm imperfections. As if we had any. Check Moda Operandi for availability.
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
ONE OF MY favorite authors, Eknath Easwaran, the wise Buddhist teacher who is long dead but whose writings live on, claims that we are not our bodies, and we are not our minds. We are something else. Call it the soul or the spirit, it’s our essence. He insists that we simply inhabit these bodies which allow us to move around in the world —sort of like cars. We are at the mercy of our minds, which can make or break any situation. Our life’s work is to master these unruly “things” we are gifted (or saddled) with at birth. We can all agree, it’s no easy task.
This morning my body, which is not me, has thus far pestered whatever is me with the following, and I’ve only been awake for an hour: A headache, an odd itchiness on my right cheek, a throbbing pain in my left breast, and uncontrollable sneezing—so far there have been about 15 quite violent ones—along with a runny nose. One can only guess how it will terrorize me during the rest of the day.
As for my mind, it’s busy with the aforementioned activities of my body, leaving little time for any productive thinking. Supposedly this is where meditation comes in. I need to wrestle my mind to the ground and get it to stop thinking about the sneezes and the itching and instead focus on a spiritual passage that will soothe the savage beast, meaning my body.
If only I could figure out how to contact “my essence,” things might be a lot better. So far I’ve looked everywhere, but it’s like trying to find my cat when he’s hiding. I look in every closet and under every bed, behind the dryer, down in the basement, inside kitchen cabinets and behind the couch, but to no avail. I give up, and that’s when Lurch saunters in and sits down in front of me as if he’s been there all along. Maybe that will happen with my soul. Maybe I should stop looking and let it show up when it’s good and ready. (Is it right there in front of me now?)
MANY YEARS ago, when I was dating my husband, we went to a small town in the Italian Alps for a vacation. One afternoon, we met up with some of his former business colleagues and decided to go for a hike. I dressed appropriately (I thought) for the occasion with jeans, a warm sweater, down jacket and an old pair of hiking boots. No makeup. The three Italian women in our group wore shaggy fur coats, loads of gold jewelry and Moon Boots. Perfect makeup. I couldn’t figure out how they managed the rocks in those boots, but they did. It was my first lesson in bella figura — the art of looking good no matter the circumstances. Although I don’t recommend Moon Boots for slippery, snowy city streets, a new generation of winter-ready ankle boots with an athletic vibe can both master a slush-filled trek to the Metro and and still look fashionable when you arrive for a lunch meeting at a chi-chi restaurant.
We’ve chosen a baker’s dozen of booties that are up to the task.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: The Ugg Viki Waterproof Boot will keep your tootsies warm with a sheepskin lining. Seamed seals keep water out, plus a serious sole with non-slip rubber makes walking on ice much less treacherous. $220, Ugg. RIGHT: Sorel is a go-to brand for reliable winter footwear, including these sporty-chic Kinetic Waterproof Short Lace-up Boots. This made-for cold-weather hiking boot is waterproof and has a cozy fleece lining. $160, Nordstrom.
Just looking at these Ugg’s Y/Project Sheepskin Layered Boots make my feet feel warm. Still, with their Abominable Snowman vibe and breadbox shape, best for those who are very tall, very slim and will wear them with cashmere leggings. Right, Nancy McKeon? Lined in faux shearling with a light-treaded rubber outsole. Only a few sizes left. $925, Totokaelo.
LEFT: This Quinney Waterproof Bootie with waterproof suede upper, shearling trim and fleece lining from Cole Haan works well for nimbly navigating slushy streets. And zippers are a bonus for easy in and out. $219.95, Shopspring. RIGHT: A red, white and blue heel boosts the fun factor for this rugged-lace-up Regan Waterproof Boot from Blondo. A cushy cuff and serious treads up the comfort ante. $149.95, Nordstrom.
LEFT: Less bulky and heavy than most snow boots, these Sorel Phoenix Combat Boots in water-resistant nubuck leather are sleek enough to wear all day. And the black and white combo is a refreshing look for a boot. $190, Neiman Marcus. RIGHT: No, these Loeffler Randall Kassidy Stretch Kitten Heel Booties with bow aren’t made for snow days, but we just thought they were so damn cute. $395, Saks Fifth Avenue .
LEFT: Stay upright on icy streets with Cougar’s slip-resistant Dresden Waterproof Sneaker Boot. You heard that right—a sneaker boot. It’s temperature rated to 11° Fahrenheit. Plush faux fur trim is the topper. $149.95, Nordstrom. RIGHT: Triple-stitched seams add zip to the classic silhouette of a waterproof boot that’s temperature rated to -11º Fahrenheit. The Dallas Waterproof Chelsea Bootie by Cougar is $179.95 at Nordstrom.
LEFT: The fashion flock love the Ganni brand with its cool, colorful designs. Case in point: these Sarai Boots. Though not exactly snow boots, how adorable for a hike. Shopbop, $475. RIGHT: Jimmy Choo’s new smart-tech Voyager boots in water-resistant shiny leather with a black shearling lining feature heated insoles that can be temperature controlled through an app on your phone. Oh, how sweet to have always-warm feet. $1,795, Jimmy Choo.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
IF WE ARE NOT our minds and we are not our bodies, what are we? And if we have to be one of those two, which would I choose? These are the questions assaulting me at 4:05 one recent morning, while it was still dark outside and way too early to get out of bed. But tell that to my cat.
Awake in the middle of the night is a bad place to be, unless you’re in Paris or Venice or someplace you’ve spent a lot of money getting to and so every minute counts. But in your regular house in your regular town it’s unnerving, especially if that house is in the woods and the woods contain certain wildlife you’d be unhappy to encounter. This is the case where I live. No bears, but other things with fangs and long snouts and potentially malodorous emanations that can foul your life for a week or so.
So I got up and went down to the kitchen and made some coffee and fed the cat. I rightly might have written “fed the damncat,” but I love Lurch and thus can’t curse him. He ate and went out into the night, fearless about meeting up with any of the creatures alluded to in the last paragraph. (I’ve given up trying to keep him inside, since domestication of animals is hardly different from human trafficking or slavery if you ask me.)
Mildly anxious due to the blackness enveloping my house, I grasped my cell phone and turned on a familiar source of comfort, the guided meditations of Tara Brach, a Buddhist practitioner who’s actually a Jewish woman about my age who holds meetings in Bethesda, Maryland, my old stomping grounds, thus offering not a brave leap into the unknown but more of a friendly hand-holding until dawn. But today Tara’s soothing voice didn’t cut it and my anxiety actually grew listening to her.
I turned to Garrison Keillor and the gentle folks of Lake Woebegone. It worked. He was hysterical as usual, and once again I saw the truth of the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” I listened to small-town stories for about 45 minutes, eventually calm enough to make breakfast. After that, I opened my computer and looked around for awhile until I came to “Only 1 in 30 Women Can Identify These 60s Male Icons. Can You?” Up for a challenge, I took the quiz and aced it. At the end of correctly answering 75 questions I was told, “You got 100%! You’re hot!”
By then it was light outside, although still ten minutes from sunrise. But I felt better. My mind had stopped producing nonstop thoughts of a recently deceased friend, an impending medical procedure and a six-hour flight across the country the day after the day after tomorrow. Instead I was busy digesting my food and well into a second cup of coffee. I considered the possibility of moving to a place where it’s never dark, or at least not for very long, like the Land of the Midnight Sun. Wherever that is.
LEFT: Eloquii’s Everyday Hoodie styled with a leather jacket, patterned below-the-knee skirt and ankle boots. RIGHT: Everlane’s 
LEFT: If confidence were a coat, this 
LEFT: Banish the blahs of any outfit with a 
LEFT: Lipstick empowers; red lipstick empowers more. And we just love the classy case of Yves Saint Laurent’s satiny 
LEFT: Fornasetti’s wax “
LEFT: When both your son and your granddaughter asks if you’re buying something, you know you’ve scored. Vans’ 
