Saturday, October 18, 2008
Happy Birthday Barneys Girl!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ctrl BG: A Shortcut to Financial News 10/17
On Tuesday the US government followed suit and announced that they were going to spend $250 billion to recapitalize banks, with $125 billion going into 9 major US banks (whether they want/need it or not..or so rumor has it). This directly pumps liquidity into the market and takes effect almost immediately to "unfreeze" the market, and indeed the market seems to be thawing. Banks are lending to each other again at least (also helps with the government acting temporarily as the insurer like the FDIC does for depositors). This will save many businesses who rely on borrowing to operate. So why didn't Paulson and Bernanke come up with this before? I'm sure they did. Probably because back then (has it only been 3 weeks?), with the public being so against the bailout of "Wall Street" such a plan would not have gone by Congress really well....... I suppose now it is ok since Britain and EU have announced it and it proved to be positively recieved. Just like in fashion, where the European runway leads, the New York runway follows.
Of course, this capital injection does not come freely. Not only do banks have to give the government preferred shares, but they will be more heavily regulated and they'll have to limit their bonuses and "golden parachute" compensations. Effectively, banks are becoming part nationalize (and to think Thatcher had to privatize sectors in her days to boost the economy- now we're going the other way and nationalizing everything). JP Morgan has already announced a 30-40% slash in bonuses this year (incidentally their quarterly report just came out and they had a 84% drop in profit- better less than none or negative!). Rumor also has it that GS is dividing their employees into four classes. The top percentile gets cash bonuses, the third percentile get stock compensation, the second percentile gets nothing and the last percentile gets fired! That's harsh! Sounds like it is no longer quite so lucrative to be a banker. While this plan temporary stops the bleeding, it doesn't address the heart of the issue though. The auction plan is still underway.
On Wednesday, the market plunged another 700 pts again on fears of a looming recession (aren't we already in one?). Job losses are up and it is not limited to the finance sector. And it's been predicted that holiday spending increased the least since many years ago this year. On Thursday, oil prices also dropped to $70, the lowest in a year! Hopefully this means more sales and lower commodity prices for us. The DOW finished off over 4% higher for the week though. Maybe more people are heeding Buffet's (who claims that for the first time he'll be buying American equities with his own account) words and snapping up "bargain" classic buys in the market. Smart shoppers.
Mail Bombs: Tyra's Top, Chic Raincoats, Raven's Boots, Baby Shower Style
I'm piloting just for today as Mademoiselle Sulmers makes her debut in Paris. She sends virtual "Smootches!" along with a few Mail Bombs, below. Let's get to it! Fashion Bomber Tonia asks, "I must cop this top Tyra is wearing. Can you tell me who makes it?"
Claire investigated and found that Tyra is actually wearing this modified Mara Hoffman dress from the designer's Fall 2008 line:
Next, reader India writes, "How can I find a dress like Kelis's???" Claire recommends any one of these options:1. Chaiken Mini Dress, $130 2. Tibi Shift Dress, $200 3. Taylor Eyelet Shift, $55
From Tolu we have: "I'm a college student looking for a rain coat (preferably hooded) that's cute and inexpensive. Any suggestions?"
Fall's a good time to get your rain gear on point. Here are a few ideas that hopefully fit your budget:
1. Andrew Marc Silver Hooded Rain Jacket, $135, 2. Aqua Cropped Waterproof Jacket (with hood), $42 3. Hilary Radley Belted Rain Coat, $90,
FB'er Tyi e-mails, "I would kill for the boots Raven is rocking! It's harder to find knee and thigh boots for thick chicks. Can you please help me out?!"
One of the go-to places online to find stylish specialty shoes is Zappos. Not only can you search by size, style, width, and color (all at once), but their inventory is endless and shipping is free (even if you decide to return your shoes). Check out these fabulous boot selections that accommodate fuller legs:
1. Bouquets Wide Calf Boots, $94 2. Stuart Weitzman Best Boots, $263 3. RSVP Elana Boot, $154
FB Mom-to-be Cleona writes, "My baby shower is in November and I have nothing to wear. I want a look that's cute and sexy that will still compliment my growing belly and figure. Any ideas?"
Congrats! As for baby shower outfits, I really like these pieces from Liz Lange Maternity for Target and Gap Maternity: 1. Gap Tie-Front Dress, $58 2. Liz Lange for Target Ribbed Empire Dress, $30 3. Liz Lange for Target 3/4 Sleeve Wrap Dress, $30 4. Gap Ruffle-Neck Dress, $78
Finally, Nicole asks, "I want to inquire about the sunglasses that Will Smith wore to the Secret Life of Bees premiere. I've looked everywhere and can't find out who makes them." We couldn't find the designer, either, but here are some shades similar to the ones Will sported: 1. Yves Saint Laurent 2218S Sunglasses, $205 2.D&G 6016 Sunglasses, $139
That's a wrap for Mail Bombs!
bon weekend,
Adriana
NYScene: Levi's Fall/Holiday Preview
Adriana
Friday Video Fun
Play this jammer before hitting the clubs!
Have great weekends!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hot! or Hmm..: Keyshia Cole, Mel. B., The Simmons Sisters
And Vanessa and Angela Simmons, seen here attending Crispin & Basilo's Spring 2009 runway show in L.A. earlier this week, are rep'ing their usual casual-chic style: Angela in a red satin number with a sweetheart bustline and a tutu skirt, Vanessa in simple leggings with a white tunic and cinched black leather belt. I feel more Hot than Hmm here but maybe I'm biased because I usually enjoy the Simmons sisters's young and fresh style.
Thoughts, FB'ers?
P.S. For those of you who asked which designer yesterday's Hot or Hmm (Beyoncé) was wearing, we're pleased to report that La Knowles-Carter was wearing a bodysuit from Etro's Fall 2008 RTW line.
~A
Patricia Field for Marks & Spencer
Slink into a bold backless sequin dress for 125 Pounds or look perfectly pretty in a prim red dress. Cute, but you know that exchange rate is killer!
Drool over the rest here.
Fashion News Roundup: Chanel in Central Park, More '90s Trends, Last Night's Red Carpet
Aunty Cannot Read and Write?
Today every one uses the telephone and the mobile phone. But how does an illiterate person make a phone call? Perhaps he or she can read at least 0 to 9 but what about names? In Chinese? In English? Can he/she remember? Yes today you can still find some illiterate people. And they need help.
This situation brings me back to the olden days when I had to help my relatives to make phone calls. We devised various methods. One was just to write down all the important numbers and names for them in a little note book with certain symbols and the aunty for example carried that note book for dear life. We found that very useful and she could get just anyone to dial the right number. Most people were kind those days.
In connection with illiteracy the rotary telephone was more friendly than the pressed or touch phones. They were also easier because the person dialling could dial slowly and see the number rotating. Here are two of the old telephones that I really like from the long ago days:
And this is how one relative helps her illiterate mother dial the most important telephone numbers in her life. Like many old widowed ladies she often lives alone when her children travel on business. So this white board is indeed a useful method devised by her loving children.
You can figure out how she makes out the numbers and the loved ones she has to call.
What method would you devise for your loved ones who cannot read and write should the problem arise? I know many famous dyslexic people who have personal methods of knowing what numbers to dial.(see another post on dyslexic people...soon)
Hey Beauty Queen, you're a Rockstar
My own style doesn’t exactly incorporate the idea of “girly," however, I do develop the occasional crave to buy everything in powder pink. I love glitter and glam, but it's even better when you mix in some grunge, a little gaudyness (think Sonia Rykiel jewel studded bags), and a lot of black . Once you do that, you'll arrive at the whereabouts of what I'm drawn to.
I find that Balmain creates this fascinating balance between something macho but ever so complimenting to the female figure. Oh! Those studded heels!
And after seeing this magazine spread in Numéro, shot by Camilla Akrans, I want to dress like this everyday. So bring on the sparkles and the studs. I'd love to hear all about your style, so let me know!
Image source: Style.com, Numéro 97 - Night Fever