Editor’s Thoughts: Ten Items I’m Throwing Out During Spring Cleaning (They Might Surprise You)

It’s that time of year where we comb old t-shirts, excess mail, that pair of jeans we keep swearing we’re getting into THIS summer – it’s all got to go. I’m working on my own spring cleaning list and I’m ditching some things you might not expect:

Clothes That Don’t Fit: Let’s be clear about how hard this will be for me because, hey, the smaller stuff? Gone. However, I tend to hang onto larger clothes, things that used to fit when I was a larger size. I’ve seen photographs of me in my adult fashion versions of the security blanket and I look frumpy and sad. I’ve shed the weight, why not the clothes? Gently used clothing will be donated, anything that looks like a costume from Les Miserables needs to go in the trash.


Old Beauty Items: I preach this, I practice it ,and I’m getting in your face about it. You cannot hang onto makeup past its expiration date. It’s not only unflattering, it’s unhealthy. Mascara wands and applicators can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Hey, this also goes for old manicure and pedicure tools, worn-down pumice stones, back brushes and bath items that have that weird rust look to them, shower caps that smell, etc. Why would you use a dirty loofah to clean yourself? Exactly. Out it goes.

Shoes That Can’t Be Repaired or Will Never Return to Style Again: I recently rediscovered a pair of jelly shoes that had a wooden sole. I can’t tell you exactly how intoxicated I was when I bought them (because, let’s face it, that’s the only valid excuse) but they have to GO. I’ve also been holding onto a pair of shoes that looks like I wore them hiking through Middle Earth. If they’re beyond repair or will never return to style (or were never in style – BE HONEST with yourself), buh-bye.


Food and Beverages That Aren’t Good for Me: Out of nothing but a lack of time, I have fallen into the pre-packaged food rut. This has led to an unending battle with the spare tire around my waist and it’s starting to piss me off. If it comes in a box and has an expiration date of six months from now to, oh, the Apocalypse, it has to be donated or go out. I’m determined to eat and feel better about myself and I can’t do that shoveling crap into my mouth.


Bad Relationships: I’ve taken my share of hard knocks recently in the relationship department from both a friendship and romantic perspective. Here’s the truth: people are in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Hanging onto to relationships that aren’t good for you is counterproductive to your life and adds incredible amounts of unhappiness. Plus, wrinkles suck. Be kind, but let go.


Putting My Health On the Back Burner: I recently discovered that I have a heart condition because I sensed some warning signs that I learned from the American Heart Association. The information basically saved my life and I can now live with, and manage, said condition. My doctors told me if left undetected I would have had either a heart attack or a stroke within a year or two years. Nobody likes a dead blogger and your health is nothing to screw around with. Go to your doctor, get checked, get tested, know your stats and take care of your body. It’s the only one you have and once it’s broken, it’s really hard to fix.

Regrets: Learning from our mistakes is what makes us human, but carrying guilt around for things you’ve done (or for things people perceive you’ve done and they try to make you suffer for it) is negative energy that is highly destructive. Throw that out, then forgive yourself or whoever it is and move on. While you’re at it, throw Shame, Angst, Fury, Greed, Coveting and Rage out with it.

Fear of Success: Think of any time in your life where you’ve had some success and “something happened” to snatch it away from you. Were you really a victim or were you so intimidated by your own success that you did something to sabotage it? The mind is a powerful thing. If you don’t believe you deserve to be happy, you will create unhappiness. Throw that fear out and believe you truly deserve the abundance coming into your life. I promise you right now that you’ll always get what you THINK you deserve.


The Inability to Say “No”: Gets me in trouble every time. I love to be of service to people and, honestly, I’m a people pleaser. This means that I over-commit or wind up regretting the Hell out of it later. I’m working to correct the situations this has gotten me into in the past but moving forward, look for the word “No” to come up way more often than it ever has.


Being Anyone Other Than Who I Am: Look, I’m quirky. I like to stay out late, I love stupid jokes and sometimes I laugh too loud. I eat applesauce with mashed potatoes, I think the ‘h’ in the word ‘vehicle’ should be silent, and I really hate when people bump into me without making eye contact (the laws of physics don’t just magically disappear because you want to be an obstinate asshole on the sidewalk today). This is who I am. These are just a few of the things that I stand for. If this isn’t for you, I suggest you move on. Everyone deserves to be exactly who they are. Love me or hate me, I demand you respect that about me and I think you have the right to do so for yourself.

What are you getting rid of this season? Leave your comments below or feel free to email me. Would love to hear your thoughts on this piece and what changes you’re making in your own lives.

New York Fashion Week: Ten Things NOT To Do

We’re off and running at the tents and there are a few things to remember when heading into our beloved Bryant Park and MAC at Milk. There are many things to do, but what about some things you might want to consider NOT doing? Here’s a quick primer for first-timers and a mild reminder for those of us who’ve been here a few times:

1)    Don’t be rude to PR people: Look, they’re human, just like you.  Schmoozing, insulting, threatening them, hurtling items at them and acting like a total asshole will not only ensure you’re not invited back but it can get you ejected and banned. Be patient and wait. Manners go a LONG WAY.

2)    Don’t forget to eat: The Fashion Week diet usually consists on coffee, water, food no larger than your finger and copious amounts of alcohol. This is really no way to live. You’ll lose weight by default because you’re racing from location to location, so make sure you eat something substantial at least ONCE. If that means you break your “no white flour” rule, so be it. Fainting dead away in line for a show isn’t cute and your attitude when you’re hungry is NOT attractive.

3)    Don’t push: I have a rule this yea: if you push me in line, I will most likely push back. I am tired of people shoving me. We are all in the same line, going to the same place. Feel free to race to the front if you’re in the standing section once you’re up the stairs but the angry shoving is insane and it could get someone hurt. I saw a woman get pushed to the ground last year going into the main tent and I am NOT going out like that.

4)    Don’t complain about having to wait in line: It’s a cattle call, people. There’s a lot of waiting for a very brief event called a show. We all know it so come prepared. There’s a ton of reading material at the front check-in desk. WWD and The Daily are there. Strike up a conversation. Check your email. Chill the Hell out.

5)    Don’t complain about your feet hurting: You will get sympathy from no one. Those stones are hard on your feet, your knees and your back. If you wear high heels on them for a long time, one or all three will eventually start to ache. Either bring a pair of shoes that are more comfortable or suffer in silence. Some of us bring more than one pair of shoes. I suggest you do the same.

6)    Don’t forget breath mints and gum: Remember that advice about eating? Well, standing in close proximity to someone who has eaten something kinda stinky or who hasn’t eaten at all is not pleasant. A curiously strong mint will make everyone happy and it might add one calorie for your brain to function.  We all win.

7)    Don’t be a swag whore: We all get excited about the stuff we get during Fashion Week.  It’s chock full of goodies. However,  asking for more than one swag bag, looting other people’s bags, requesting swag, getting upset because there isn’t a gift on your chair and tweeting about the swag you get is what gives us all a bad name. Be gracious, say thanks and take it somewhere you  and your friends can enjoy it later. No one walks away empty-handed anyway. You got to attend New York Fashion Week. How many people can really say that?

8)    Don’t name drop: We all know someone important.  This really doesn’t matter inside the tents. Real VIPs don’t have to announce they’re important. Posers do. That is all.

9)    Don’t freak when someone famous walks by: There are celebrities EVERYWHERE. By all means, when Anna Wintour walks by, you can look at her with reverence but screaming her name and mugging her for a photo with your or an autograph is unprofessional and it screams “tourist.” This is the one time you can mix and mingle with celebrities as just one of the crowd. Don’t ruin that opportunity for yourself and all of us.

10)    Don’t forget to have fun! It’s Fashion Week. Take tons of photos, tweet like Hell and enjoy. Our favorite holiday comes but twice a year.

Countdown to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: The Equinox Dress Size Challenge

They say that Christmas only comes once a year but for me it actually arrives three times. Obviously, it comes on December 25th but twice a year the tents come out and I start making my list and checking it twice. Those times are February and September and if you haven't guessed it already, it's New York Fashion Week.

While I'm coordinating show invitations, a contributing writing staff (all of whom you will meet soon) and the myriad of details that come with attending The Big Show, I made a decision right before the holidays that I wanted to add one more badge of honor to receiving my press pass (thanks, IMG!): I have to drop one dress size before Fashion Week.

I've already had people make comments regarding this personal challenge about the fashion industry and trying to get "model skinny" and I feel I should clarify that this is no different than someone wanting to look good for a wedding, a high school reunion or any other big event. Mine just happens to be Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I'm doing it for myself. I'm basically down an Olsen twin from my maximum weight of 241 lbs and, honestly, it's just time to take off the rest of it. I have no illusions that I'll lose all the remaining weight in the next three weeks but having started a couple of weeks ago, I think one dress size is completely doable.

How am I doing it? Diet and exercise. There are no magic bullets and I knew I needed some help, which is why I went to the good people of Equinox Fitness and signed up for a membership.

You want to know why I shell out money for a premium fitness facility? In my opinion, I want to make sure that every time I work out, I'm going to look forward to it. When I walk into my gym, I'm automatically the Happiest Member on Earth. Amazing classes, instructors who are deeply focused on results as well as safety and form, state-of-the-art machines (including a pool that has a resistance lane that simulates open current water for triathlon training), and that's just the beginning. The Spa, the amazing instructors (Kristin McGee and Mardi Sykes teach at my facility - amazing) and personal trainers that are just as cute as they are effective (Taraji is the guy who will eventually show up in photos making me feel the burn).

So, I'll be documenting my experiences to drop this dress size by posting a diet and exercise diary daily and hopefully if you need a little bit of inspiration to get cute for an event you'll find it humorous and get some good ideas from it. Because this time when I walk into the Tents, I want to look as fierce as I feel. I want to have a total package look that says, "I'm the Editor of this fabulous site, people. Recognize."

Get a Handle on Snacking This Cocktail Season: Carry a Clutch.

Photo: AMC

It's almost that time of year: holiday season. The time of year where the number of invitations to parties double, the pressure to get into that skinny, slinky dress is higher than ever and there are hundreds of temptations at every turn, from cocktails to passed appetizers. How do you keep your girlish figure through the gauntlet through the holidays?

First tip: eat before you go. I don't care if that means stuffing a bag of raw almonds in your handbag or keeping a banana at your desk. If you walk into a party famished, you will want to eat everything in sight. The other trick fashion folks use? Carry a clutch! You don't even have to carry it in your hand: keep the clutch under one arm and keep your drink in the hand of that arm. This leaves your other arm free to shake hands and socialize but there's no room for a plate full of goodies. Passing trays work the same way: if you only have one hand, whatever it is needs to go into your mouth immediately and you'll eat less. Trust me, it works every time.

Everyone needs a great, fabulous clutch for evening and this season the options are better than ever. Here are some of my favorite picks:



This Coach Poppy Zip Clutch is gorgeous. Because it's Coach you know the quality is impeccable and it's fabulously priced at $78.


This Tory Burch Logo Clutch ($295) is a great classic and a pop of color that will work with all seasons. Plus, c'mon, it's Tory Burch. Love.




I love this Foley + Corinna Washed Leather Fold Over Clutch ($390) which can easily go from day-to-night by using the top handle feature. Plus, it's leather so it will last you a lifetime if you treat it properly.



Of course, if we're talking dream sequences here and you want to inspire murderous envy in every woman in the room, then I would highly recommend this Carlos Falchi Jeweled Python Clutch ($910).

Keep your hands busy while looking fabulous? Sounds like the chicest weight loss strategy ever to me. Give it a try this holiday season or just out for your next party and you'll see exactly how fabulous this little weight-management tool can really be!

NYFW: Getting Down to Fashion Weight

If you're going out for cocktails or dinner anywhere in Manhattan at a spot frequented by fashion and beauty media, socialites, buyers or anyone associated with Fashion Week, you'll hear almost all of us talking about the fact that we're on diets. Specifically, the "Fashion Week Diet". Is it a regular program? No. Is there a book with a diet and exercise regimen. Not really.

The "diet" is very simple, really: do whatever it takes to look your absolute best for the tents, the parties and the amazing clothing you will wear. Think of it as the prom, a first date and swimsuit season all rolled into one.



As someone who is now down 72 lbs (and it was no easy feat, let me tell you), I am determined to do this the right way, which is with diet and exercise. Since I have absolutely no time for the gym, I rent workout DVDs from Netflix and do one a day (sometimes two if I have the time). I'm also on The Fresh Diet (the way Sheri Shepard lost all that weight on The View), which is an amazing diet delivery service that drops three meals and two snacks on my doorstep every morning so I don't have to think about what I'm eating. The diet is teaching me all sorts of things about eating, from proper portion size to the fact that really healthy food can taste AMAZING! The dishes are really delicious: today's menu is as follows:

Breakfast: Spinich & Feta Cheese Egg Bake with Fresh Papaya
Snack: Charred Lamb Loin on Whole Wheat Crostini with Oven Roasted Tomato
Lunch: Tofu Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Sun-Dried Tomato, European Cucumber and Caesar Dressing
Dinner: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon Pepper and Garlic Sauce with Roasted Sweet Potato and Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Dessert: Cherry Vanilla Cheese Cake

The best thing about The Fresh Diet (other than home delivery and absolutely delicious food)? When you sign up for the service, you log into an account and give your food preferences (I don't like condiments like mayo and ketchup, so those aren't in the foods delivered). It's like having a private chef that controls your calorie intake and makes smart food decisions when you just don't have the time or, like me, don't know how to eat properly. They currently deliver in South Florida, Chicago, NY Tri-State area, Southern California, Boston and Philadelphia so if you're in any of these areas and you want to lose weight in a healthy manner while eating delicious food, contact them today.

So, as I race to the finish to get into the gorgeous vintage dress and some pretty fabulous clothes for Fashion Week, my diet and exercise plan will consist of more than a deep breath at meals and a cigarette for dessert. I'm already down 7 lbs so it's definitely working!

See you at the tents, slimmer and fashion-ready!

#NYFW

FSB On The Scene: Blueprint Cleanse Boot Camp

Sometimes you just need to give yourself a break. Whether it's working too much, recovering from a traumatizing situation or you're a working mom with too many things to do, hitting the "reset" button is exactly what you need in life. I got the opportunity to check out a full-body restart at Blueprint Cleanse Boot Camp yesterday and let me tell you: it was just what the doctor ordered.

We arrived via chartered bus to the gorgeous house you see in the photo, then started our day with morning yoga on the immaculate lawn.



This was followed by a great raw food cooking demonstration, which produced amazing food that tasted fabulous (I'll post recipes later). We then proceeded to relax by the pool while we waited for treatments like scalp treatments, nutritional counseling, massages and facials. We were sent home at the end of the day refreshed, relaxed and extremely healthy.


The founders, Zoe Sakoutis and Erica Huss, created this day to show us what the Blueprint Cleanse is all about, which is treating your mind and body with the utmost care and respect. I'm trying a three-day cleanse to abolish the appetizers and cocktails I've been subsisting on for the past few weeks. I feel amazing and I want to continue this feeling.

If you're in the mood to hit "Restart" on your body, you might consider doing this amazing cleanse, which is produced from all natural juices and ingredients. It's not meant as a weight-loss tactic (although you can drop some lbs from trying it), but more of a way to give your body a break from the stress and strain you put your organs through on a regular basis (Happy Hour is a great way to unwind from the week, not so great for your digestive system or your waistline.)



Like with any other dietary program change, you'll want to consult your doctor prior to trying, but this introduction to a healthier, self-aware lifestyle was an amazing wake-up call for me. I also was thrilled to spend a rejuvenating day with my friends. Clockwise from the bottom left, that's Aly Walansky (eBeautyDaily), Katie Ryan, me and Dina Fierro (eye4style) toasting with our cleanses (which are delicious, I gotta tell ya) by the pool at the estate.

Check out Blueprint Cleanse on the web to find out more about their amazing cleanses as well as tips and tricks to live a healthier lifestyle. For me, this day and the experience was the perfect reminder to treat myself with grace and respect, which is essence of all style.

New Makeup Bag Obsession: Huge Lips, Skinny Hips

We once read that the average woman will ingest some unbelievable amount of lip product over the course of her lifetime. As fans of multi-tasking, we think that if something goes across your lips, shouldn’t it do double duty for your hips? Purple Lab Cosmetics thought so as well and came up with your new must-have makeup bag item: Huge Lips, Skinny Hips lip gloss with appetite suppressant ($20).

Possibly the hardest working lip product in the business, the glosses contain Hoodia which some experts say can help suppress your appetite AND they're also packed with Vitamin B3, which stimulates blood flow to the lips and diminishes the look of fine lines around the mouth. It doesn’t stop there: each gloss also contains lip conditioning vitamin E, lemon peel oil, and meadow foam oil - all natural moisturizers. Something that is good for your lips AND helps your hips? We had to try it.

We road tested the six shades and not only did they give us an Angelina-sized pillow-top pout but we can safely say that we felt no urge to dive into dessert after application. You can choose from the rich rose that is Worship Kate (an homage to Kate Moss), the sexy nude that is Kitty Poledancer, Red Sole (inspired by the red soled Christian Louboutin heels), the flirty coral that is Love Your Thighs and a frothy peach that is Lychee Martini. Be sure to grab No Panty Lines (a clear shine) and dab it at the center of your top and bottom lip on top of the colored glosses: guaranteed sexiest lips out there. That advice is boyfriend-tested, FSB-approved.

Huge Lips, Skinny Hips is available at Space NK and Scoop stores right this minute and will soon be available online so drop the laptop and get one or all of the six shades for your collection. Really, how can you resist a sexy lip gloss that makes your lips plump but your hips smaller? Feel free to thank us later.