Beyond Exhaustion

I just had a 16 hour work day. No thank you. I will look as chic as Jackie O did when she went to work. One day (when it isn't 16 hours long).

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Precious

I like to keep Poised Perfection relatively light-hearted. So I was hesitant to mention this movie on the blog. I knew that it would be a disturbing film after I read a synopsis online. It did indeed make me very uncomfortable on many occasions- at times it was right up there with movies like Schindler's List for me. However, the overall message is one hope and self-discovery. All of the actors (heck, even Lenny Kravitz) did an amazing job. Movies like Precious make the viewer think about their own lives. Are there really people like Precious out there? Are some people's lives really that tragic? I realize that I am indeed an extremely blessed individual, but movies like these make you think you're the luckiest person alive. Watch it and you won't be disappointed.

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When In Rome

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The Poised Perfection Literary Society...

Okay I need to go to style icon rehab. I am obsessed with books on fashionable women. My fave three (I'm sure it's very difficult to guess):

-Grace Kelly
-Jackie O
-Audrey Hepburn

I could start my own library. I'm reading yet another Grace Kelly biography. It's not like I learn anything new but I can resist. I'm reading the trashy True Grace (I got it for $2 at a book sale- I'm not impressed with the author). I just finished What Would Jackie Do? and Happy Times by Lee Radziwill. Seriously, a library.

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PS- Is that not a great shot of GK?

Drip Drip Drop Little April Showers

Whew! We had some bad storms roll through the Southeast yesterday. Thankfully, we didn't get any damage, just some much needed rain. Stormy weather can actually be a very chic time for clothing and accessories. Why not bring out the three rainy-day basics?



-Rain boots (no outrageous patterns please!)
-Classic trench ( a la Hermione Granger)
-Scarf (to cover your hair)



Photo sources: here, here, and here

Make A Difference

The other day I received an email from a very kind lady in Australia. Her company, HotelsCombined.com (very useful site- you can compare prices of hotel rooms in a city all on the same page), has a wonderful program to support 3 different charities. There a three ways to donate:

- Become a Facebook fan and $5 will be donated
- Tweet and $10 will be donated
- Post a blog entry and they will donate $20

I of course decided to blog about this wonderful cause! HotelsCombined.com makes a donation on your behalf to the charity of your choice. The three charities they support are:

-Make A Wish
-World Vision (The one I chose!)
-World Wildlife Fund

This is a really easy and effective way to give back to the global community. If you decided to do any of the three options, give HotelsCombined an email (charity@hotelscombined.com) to let them know.

I recommend HotelsCombined.com and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Photo source: here

PS- The photo is Audrey Hepburn on one of her UNICEF-sponsored trips. If only we coud all have as much goodwill as she did.

Graceful

Has anyone seen the May Vanity Fair? I don't usually peruse this glossy, but the cover features a radiant shot of Grace Kelly. Of course I picked it up. There are some shots of Princess Grace I have never seen before so it was worth it. Plus, how cute was Prince Ranier?

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PS- Tomorrow: how you can donate to a wonderful cause without spending a dime!

Louis Jourdan

If any of you have seen Gigi, you will agree with me when I say that Louis Jourdan was HOT. Even if my grandmother was trying to sell me out to a wealthy older man, you wouldn't have to twist my arm if he looked Gaston. Plus, as an added bonus, you get the ever-debonair Maurice Chevalier.

Photo source: here

Spring Cleaning

I have a lot of clothes. I use a spare bedroom in my house as a closet. I have clothes on racks in said room. This morning I found that one of those racks had fallen completely over during the night. Needless to say, this disaster sparked a cleaning streak. I've successfully weeded out some clothes and electronics that I will donate to Goodwill. Alas, my closets don't look like the picture above but one day they might.

Photo source: here

PS- Is there a better invention than Windex wipes?

Cheese!

So I confessed to my strange habit of my intricately named Ipod playlists. I'll come clean about another of my habits. I frequently watch children's movies. My Netflix suggestions go in this order: Violent Graphic Films, British Period Pieces, Children's/ Family. It's actually refreshing to be able to watch something without being embarassed by crude language or overly explicit sex scenes. One of my favorite cartoons (claymation actually) is Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-rabbit. Hilarious! I subject my family to watching it at least once a year. I highly recommend the other Wallace and Gromit short films as well.

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An Education

I just finished watching An Education. Great movie. Really, really excellent costumes. Pride and Prejudice alums, Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike, both starred in the film. Surprisingly enough, the only lackluster performance was Emma Thompson's (I usually enjoy all of her movies). I won't give any plot lines away but I will definitely be giving this movie 5 stars on my Netflix account.

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I Caved

That's it, I'm giving in. I usually try to wait it out for a book or movie to go for a really good price on Amazon but I can wait no more! I'm caving in and buying Vogue Living. With my obsession for interior design books, it's a wonder I've lasted as long as I have. I'll blog about my opinion when I get it.

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Go Ahead and Judge Me, I Would Too

I have a confession to make. I have a lot of different playlists on my Ipods. I like to listen to different playlists depending on numerous factors: day of the week, time , month, season, weather, etc. In order to keep track of all the different lists I have to name them very specifically. Here are a few playlist titles:

-"Burst Into Song Mix": Sound of Music, Les Miserable, Hello Dolly, etc.
-"Espionage Mix": James Bond music, A Shot In The Dark
-"Music I'm Embarrassed I Own": Lady Gaga, some Madonna, others I'm too ashamed to admit
-"Nerd Mix": Star Wars, Star Trek soundtrack, etc.
-"Romantic Music That Almost Makes Me Want to Get Married But Not Quite": Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Plain White T's
-"Southern Music": Allman Brothers, Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd

As you might guess, I never let friends play around on my Ipods for fear of an imminent shame attack. Does anyone else do this?

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Provence

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Oh Rhett

They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

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Shades of Caramel

Mmmm caramel...not only for chocolates and icecream.

Photo sources: here, here, and here

Mirror Mirror Behind the Bar

I do not like chain restaurants. I think they're tacky, noisy, and the food is usually not very good. I would much rather spend the same amount of money in a completely unique atmosphere that has infinitely better food.


One thing I do notice in restaurants are bars. I always notice the layout of bars, the glassware, and the selection or spirits (of course). A large mirror that spans the length of the counter is always a chic addition to any watering hole. Not only can you make sure your appearance is still impeccable, you can people watch without them knowing.


Or you could go iconic like the King Cole Bar.

Photo sources: here, here, and here

Perfect Easter Dress

I found this gorgeous little number on the Saks site.

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In honor of the beautiful weather, and Easter, here are a few of my favorite cities (Paris, London, and NYC) during Spring. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!




Photo sources: here, here, and here