Brains, timeless beauty & the pursuit of something real...

Conversations overheard in a powder room can be golden.  Catch a girl in a mirrored room with a tube of lipstick and her best friend and you'll inevitably get an outpouring of truth.  Such was the case on this particular Saturday night.  A Saturday night of extremely overpriced posh Mediterranean dining on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.  

Standing in the huge over sized brass mirror, I worked to powder blot the T zone oils of an extremely hot summer night skin in August. Mirrored compact in hand and bright orange floral sundress,  I was feeling pretty confident and on trend in my new pink heels. Now if I could only get this shiny face to cooperate.
Just as I pondered my very ridiculous girl problems, BAM!  The door flew open with the frenetic energy of two women on a mission and a gab fest.

Pouncing their designer handbags onto the black marbled counter top, they continued their conversation as if they were the only two in the room.  One quick reflection in the mirror and our eyes met.  Yep, I was caught.  Caught staring. Quickly looking away and back into my purse, I knew I recognized her.  Ooooo she was one of my favorites! One more tiny look and I'd be sure.  As I glanced again, I zeroed in on the telltale dimples and the voice.  It was undeniable.  I was now sharing counter space with a star.

Elegantly dressed in white, she wore flowing pants and a jacket perfectly tailored to her petite frame. Yves Saint Laurent or St. John, I thought, either way it was exquisite.  Just as famous for her infamous handsome husband as her successful career, I wondered if he was somewhere to be found in the restaurant as well.  Just then, she began speaking in that husky voice.  To me.

"Excuse me, do you have a mint?"
"A mint?" uh, I'm sorry. I don't, but I have some gum?

"Gum is great."  she said as she flipped her blonde hair back while giving her eye a pull upward with her fingertips in the mirror.  "Ahh this harsh lighting is hideous!"  

Unwrapping the gum, her friend continued with the banter...

"Remember what I said?!  It's not the lighting it's the warped world we live in. Don't obsess."  

Now actually including me into their conversation the blonde starlet shook her head at me with the sort of look I had only previously seen her portray on the big screen.
 "My friend and I have a ritual.  We often text one another beautiful photos of Jacqueline Onassis in her 60's or Diane Keaton or even our moms!  If we ever get the itch to do something drastic to our faces?  A text from one another can really save the day.  We're each other's rock.  It's important to be reminded what real women with intelligence and immense capabilities look like as they age.   L.A. is a strange land."  

Yes.  Yes it is.

Poof!  One door swing and they were gone.  It was as if my regularly scheduled life had been interrupted for an important message from the A List Glam Lady Society for 30 seconds of wisdom.  

In a world filled with Kardashians, today I will choose to celebrate timeless beauty, brains and accomplishment.
After all, that's what real starlets do.   ;)

Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams,

xo
Birdee Bow

No Apologies...

There is a  quiet hush across Manhattan during the days surrounding the 4th of July.  The type of quiet hush that is all at once eerie and serene.  A mass exodus of city dwellers racing to beat concrete jungle heat by escaping to charming Connecticut countrysides and other lush green destinations in search of cooler temps and slower paces.

Dressed up for my own early morning 4th of July style adventure, I hop in for a short taxi ride uptown, East 85th to Madison. As Madison beckons to me, it is as though I am the only moving vehicle on 85th this early morning.  The 15 minute usual journey becomes a 5 minute skip across avenues of non existent traffic.  Ahhh locals have spoken of this phenomenon.  Today should be lovely...

Making my way down an entirely closed for business and uncluttered Madison Avenue, I marvel at the emptiness of a usually hustling and bustling city sidewalk.  Now without any crowds to work my way around and the absence of friends, shopping companions or any ONE rushing me down the street, I am free to stop and peer.  I have a ticket to stop and stare inside the doors of Christian Louboutin as long as my heart desires. As unabashedly long as I like, without apology.  Time is all mine. I breath slower.  I feel lighthearted and content.

Taking in bold artistic visions and vibrant, intricate details, I am surrounded by lux therapy for hungry eyes.  I am high heels and ear to ear smiles. Elegantly executed window displays refined in utmost style. I envision teams of talented souls creating daring wearable art.  I imagine sketches drawn and re drawn until the perfect shade of posh becomes a reality.   Consumerism built this street, but on this day Madison operates only as my modern museum. I am mused by Chloe, Pucci, Lauren,  Nanette Lepore...even Laduree and the Dean & DeLuca grocery store!  I am intrigued by the passionate design surrounding me.

As a fiery sun rises higher into the sky on this morning of a hot July,  I am Holly Golightly starring in my own early morning Truman Capote scene.

Backyard BBQs are overrated.

May you always create your own kind of solitude.
May you never apologize for it.
May your February be filled with fireworks.

Hepburn Hugs & Ric Ocasek Dreams

xo
Birdee Bow