The Style Laboratory - Eventful Ramblings

Light and Airy, Dark and Serious

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:36:07 +0000

Fashion is always such a good indicator of what is going on in the world. If so, we’re obviously in a bit of a manic-depressive state if the runway is any sign. Fashion week seemed to include a lot of white and lighter fabrics and a lot of black and heavier fabrics.

Elizabeth & James

J. Mendel; photo Alessandro Viero for GoRunway.com

Marchesa; photo Filippo Fior for GoRunway.com

Narciso Rodriguez; photo Monca Feudi feudguaineri.com

Victoria Beckham; photo Alessandro Viero for GoRunway.com

Too Cool for School

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:19:50 +0000

The Bullying of Beverly

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:13:42 +0000

I have a daily reminder of being bullied as a child. A classmate (from a school that had just a handful of “minorities”) threw out a racial slur and swung a swing seat at me hard enough to chip one of my front teeth.

As I’ve been watching Top Chef this season, I find myself feeling increasingly unccomfortable. Children bullying children is often passed as “kids will be kids” or “children can be so cruel”. But to hear adult female chefs (specifically Heather, Lindsay and Sarah) zeroing in on one individual to consistently talk down to, call names, criticize and refuse to give props when she wins is so outrageous. Fortunately, strong chefs Nyesha, Dakota and Grayson stood up against the bullies in her defense.

What amazes me is the grace displayed by Chef Beverly Kim throughout the season. While comments on Top Chef blogs keep telling Chef Kim to “get a backbone”, I find her inner strength shows more backbone than any retort she could fire back.

“As soon as you lose faith in yourself is when you’re done.”

What a good lesson for all of us. Her quiet self-confidence is glaringly evident against the insecure bullying that has been occuring all season.

One of Chef Beverly Kim’s winning dishes.

Prayers for Jack

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:26:37 +0000

I had lunch with a friend, who is friends of the parents of the injured hockey player Jack Jablonski.

She tearily asked me why the public seems to be having such a strong reaction to the situation, whether they know the family or not.

I believe it is because life can change in an instant, but isn’t generally as tangible as a teenager facing paralysis for the rest of his life. A lot of people are struggling but it isn’t physically evident. In the past year, I’ve lost several people to cancer and to suicide.

It was a reminder: “Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato

I pray for a miracle for Jack to be able to walk and not only for him, but also for the boys who checked him to have peace. I also pray for a miracle, as it would do this cynical world some good to believe in miracles.

CB2, I Love You

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:11:12 +0000

In my old corporate days, Chicago was part of my territory. Almost every trip to Chicago included a stop in CB2, as I found the store to be an adult version of a playground.

Colorful, stylish and priced just right.

It’s taken years for CB2 to make it to Minnesota and it’s so fun to send friends there who don’t know what the store by Calhoun Square is all about!

Why do I love CB2? I think these images sum it all up.