September Issue

After the disaster that was the Kimye cover of April Vogue, I decided to cancel my subscription. The issues in the months that followed did nothing to make me think I'd made a mistake. 

Then, I saw it. 2014's September issue. 

Finally! A cover that didn't feature an actress, singer, or (shudder) reality TV star. 

I think I read somewhere that it's been ten years since the September issue featured models. 

I'm hoping that this cover signals a return to the Golden Age of Vogue. I don't expect them to banish celebrities entirely, but a little variety would be most welcome. 

Quality over Quantity

One of the things that I think really characterizes the French style and mindset is the concept of Quality over Quantity.  It seems that the French are naturally inclined to think in that way, and to prefer something that is really good, even if it's in a small amount, to a lot of something that's only meh.

In the realm of food, that means preferring something like a filet with Bearnaise sauce, accompanied by vegetables sauteed in butter (real butter) and a bit of a delicious dessert (perhaps Tarte Tatin or some profiteroles) over the all-you-can-eat buffet cooked in hydrogenated oils and desserts made with high fructose corn syrup.

In the realm of fashion, that means having a few basic pieces (maybe from Zara or H&M) but dressing them up with some seriously fashionable accessories (Hermes! Chanel! St. Laurent! Oh my!).

I recently read Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris, by the American writer Jennifer Scott, who spent a year abroad during her college years.

According to Ms. Scott, one secret to the French's incredible sense of style is that they hone down their wardrobes because they just don't have the space for tons of clothes. She advocates getting down to a 10 item wardrobe (10?!?!) and creating multiple outfits through the clever use of accessories. (As a side note: it's no coincidence that her first three chapters are dedicated to diet and exercise. And, yes, she repeats what others have already said--no snacking, don't deprive yourself, and incorporate exercise into your everyday life.)

Anyway, her book inspired me to start a major wardrobe re-evaluation and a closet clean out. I don't expect to get down to 10 items, but I think there's plenty of room for improvement in my wardrobe.

I know that what I really need is to change the way I think and apply these new, basic principles to all aspects of my life. Not just to food or fashion, but to everything, in my pursuit of health, happiness and chic!

Style Inspiration: Costanza Pascolato

One of the blogs I read regularly is Garance Dore's. She "introduced me" to Costanza Pascolato, of Brazilian Vogue.

Costanza is 74 years old, and the woman has style in spades!  This morning, she made another appearance on Garance's blog. She was asked for her views on age and aging. Here's what she had to say:

“Here in Brazil, it is a very young country, with a new sort of middle class that is very aspirational. The “body” is the new status symbol. This means that women are in search of “eternal youth.” This is achieved, most of the time, very artificially (plastic surgery, treatments, drugs) that are starting to be a huge part of the economy.

I am a lucky person. All women in my family were strong and positive. They taught me to accept aging. But of course, they were intelligent, elegant, and my mother was very beautiful. The new generation follows their examples: my daughter Consuelo is 50 and looks great. And Alessandra is 48 and looks much younger than her age. We all have a sense that life is a privilege. So we treat our bodies (and souls) gracefully. I do a lot of exercise, eat well etc., but I do not try to look much younger than I am. I only want to look the best for my age (74), and that, happily, makes me stay away from anxiety.”  (Bold emphasis mine)

When I read her comments, they struck me as very in line with the French spirit and with the spirit that I'm trying to cultivate within myself.  I love how she says that the women in her family have a grateful, appreciative attitude towards life and towards themselves.  Although her comments are in response to the question of how she views aging, they also could easily apply to "How do you feel about dieting and weight?" I think her answer would be very similar, "I only want to look the best for my age, and that, happily, makes me stay away from anxiety" and it's one I want to apply to my life as well.