OUT OF TOUCH: Harper's Bazaar Dec 2013/Jan 2014

I'd like to start by saying that I back the sentiment of this article wholeheartedly: I'm a huge fan of thank you notes.  I was raised to write them, and to be thankful in general.  I'm flexible - in-person or internet "thanks" counts - but if I send you a gift and never hear a thing from you, I judge you.

Where this piece loses me is that it's not really about how the author was raised to send thank you notes.  It's a page long humble brag about her wealthy family.  She'll have you know her grandmother not only vacationed in Biarritz (I had to look it up, it's a coastal city in France) but she also had her portrait painted by Dali.  And her mother taught the Duke of Windsor to do the twist.  You know, as you do when the Duke comes to your house for a visit.  Makes my typical childhood thank yous ("Dear Grandma & Grandpa, thanks so much for the Strawberry Shortcake doll") seem silly in comparison.

TRENDY: Harper's Bazaar Dec 2013/Jan 2014

Let's take closer look the trends page.  If you are still wearing your class ring, you must immediately pack it away.  Also pack away brown clutches.  Clutches of all colors that are not brown are still acceptable.

WANT: Harper's Bazaar Dec 2013/Jan 2014

I've long said that black is my signature color, and Harper's Bazaar had page after page just for me this issue!  (I suspect this is an unstated homage to Chanel, which is featured for its 100th anniversary.  LBD's for everyone!)

There's more, all of which I love:

And they've even got me set up for every age, though I would wear every bit of this at all my ages!

GOOD JOB: Harper's Bazaar Dec 2013/Jan 2014

At first I was surprised by this choice, but I took a closer look at their examples and now I'm into it.  I'm not going to say that I love everything she's wearing here (in particular I really would've put a different slip under that Marc Jacobs in the center), but Miley's been wearing some big names, and she's been rockin' it.  I love love love the Marc Jacobs outfit on the left - adorable, youthfully appropriate, and an homage to her history, all in one ensemble!

COMPLETELY RANDOM: "Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's" is on Netflix streaming.

"Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's" is a documentary about the famous department store in New York City.  It's a great intro to modern fashion in many ways, showing you faces to put with the names of current designers young and old (with a particular concentration on Americans) and also discussing the merchandising process that is so important to building and maintaining a fashion house.  And, if you grew up loving "Mannequin" (as I did), they show the process of creating their famous window displays!

Fun fact that is briefly mentioned but not overly discussed:  During the first half of the 20th century, the major department stores sold couture that was made onsite to fit the customer, having licensed patterns from the major European houses.  This way ladies could get the European fashion without all that time-consuming travel - Neiman's would happily take your measurements in Dallas and sew up your Chanel suit made to order!

GOOD ADVICES: Harper's Bazaar Dec 2013/Jan 2014

Diamonds are truly forever - because you can wear them day or night, big or small, with anything.  Particularly earrings.  Don't worry, they don't have to be "real," they just need to sparkle.  If you don't own some diamond studs, you need to leave your house right now and buy some!

I'm more iffy on this advice, because while I think most people can wear a jumpsuit, it's harder to find the right one in the right proportions.  I also personally am not the biggest fan of jumpsuits in general, since a visit to the ladies means stripping.

REDONKULOUS SHOES: Elle December 2013

It's a new year, but the mags are still pushing those fug Celine sandals.  Not once, but twice in the same feature.

Oh, but these are the shiny version, when all the others we've seen were matte.  As you can see, now it's all completely new and different!  I have to say, if you are going to lash two snakeskins together with a belt, there's no better birkenstocks to pull the ensemble together.