Toy Stories

Watcharapom - Bangkok, Thailand

This photo series, "Toy Stories," by Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti is incredibly endearing and endlessly fascinating to me. Traveling the world, Galimberti invited the children he met to put their most treasured possessions on display for his camera. The resulting images give incredible insight into the differences, but more so the similarities among these children from such disparate locales as Fiji and Malta. Their facial expressions run the gamut from unabated pride to timid uncertainty.

Bethsaida - Port au Prince, Haiti

Julia - Tirana, Albania

Kalesi - Viseisei, Fiji Islands

Alessia - Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy

Stella - Montecchio, Italy

Botlhe - Maun, Botswana

In his interview with Times Magazine's Ben Machell, Galimberti analyzes his experiences over the 18 months he spent on the project:

"The richest children were more possessive. At the beginning, they wouldn’t want me to touch their toys, and I would need more time before they would let me play with them... In poor countries, it was much easier. Even if they only had two or three toys, they didn’t really care. In Africa, the kids would mostly play with their friends outside.”

Cun Zi Yi - Chongqing, China

Pavel - Kiev, Ukraine

Naya - Managua, Nicaragua

Noel - Dallas, Texas

Puput - Bali, Indonesia

Chiwa - Mchinji, Malawi

 Often the toys revealed more about their purchasers than their owners:

"Doing this, I learnt more about the parents than I did about the kids. There was the Latvian mother who drove a taxi for a living, and who showered her son with miniature cars; the Italian farmer whose daughter proudly displayed her plastic rakes, hoes and spades. "

Davide - La Valletta, Malta

Allenah - El Nido, Philippines

Taha - Beirut, Lebanon

Jaqueline - Manila, Philippines

Tangawizi - Keekorok, Kenya

Reanya - Sepang, Malaysia

Abel - Nopaltepec, Mexico

Three Things for Spring: The Shirt Dress

Image Via

The final installment in my list of spring wishes and wants comes a week or two overdue, but with no perceivable change in the weather. Still it's a well suited choice for our still frosty mornings, as there is nothing more endlessly layerable than this closet staple, the shirtdress. Sweater over, tank top under, collared shirt under? Leggings, tights, boots, socks - until finally we start to thaw out, and then, what could look better than bare-legged, strappy sandaled perfection?

Office, weekend, date night, travel - this dress is the perfect multi-tasker.

Basic black either belted (can you imagine with brown boots?) by Michael Kors ($150) or LL Bean ($149) or a little looser: J Jill ($29.99) or Calvin Klein ($129.50)

Fluid crepe in nude either Suzi Chin ($103.50) or Kenneth Cole ($138)

Punchy brights from Banana Republic ($130) or Calvin Klein ($90.99)

Classic crisp cotton from Tibi ($262)

With partial buttons from Emerson Fry ($235) or Anthropologie ($118)

Or none at all; Tinley Road ($79) or J Jill ($39.99)

Denim darlings from Paige ($158) or Splendid ($198)

Pretty prints from Land's End ($70), Anthropologie ($118), Asos ($127) 

or Gap ($41.96)

Finally, free-flowing, floaty options that will be perfect for beach vacations (if we ever get there). Gap ($59.95) and Anthropologie ($198)

The alps

I'm headed here -- see you next week

Three Things for Spring: Anorak

Image Via

Once it's finally time to pack away the heavy down and wool (don't forget to dry clean them first!) you'll be needing a new light-weight topper to fight off gusty breezes and sudden showers for a few months. My typical go to is a classic trench, but something about its cinched waist, full skirted stiffness is feeling, well, tired. So I'm looking for something with a little slouch and maybe a bit of an edge, packable, layerable and fresh

Cropped nylon, either The Limited ($49), or Colosseum ($78)

Short safari, either Banana Republic ($130), or Michael Kors ($275)

Classic cotton in a very green green from Madewell ($138) muted olive from Nasty Gal ($68), slouchy black from Urban ($69) and a more structured waxed version from J Crew ($148)

A little bit longer and looser: with a nicely cinched waist, Penfield ($170), with roll-up sleeves, RD Style ($69), dark green draw string, Angie ($49) or subtly sequined, Haute Hippie ($595)

Even softer options in liquid twill from Hive and Honey ($69) or an edgier moto look from Free People ($148)

Finally something only slightly less monotone, either color-blocked from Wyatt ($119) or full on camo from Urban ($89)

Three Things for Spring: Nude Shoes

Image Via

I am so very ready for the spring. March is here, but it feels colder than ever, high winds and a big snowstorm headed our way this week. If only we had sunshine and 70 degree days, drinks on the patio and a stop to stuffy noses.

Dreaming of spring weather is only made worse by looking at spring clothes...still, I couldn't help but put together this little guide to three essential things to add to your wardrobe for spring, whenever it decides to get here.

Nude shoes are essential once the wool tights retreat into storage. Nothing makes legs look longer than flesh-toned footwear. Here are a few favorites to pick from.

Traditional round toe pumps, Nine West ($69), or some slingbacks with a twist, Elliot Luca ($95)

Peep toes high, Ivanka Trump ($120) or peep toes low, Wallis ($52)

Sharp and sleek pointed wedges, Lillybee ($84), D'Orsays, Sam Edleman ($110), or classic pumps, Lerre ($79)

Basic ballet flats from prim and proper, L'Autre Chose ($85) or Wallis ($49), to cute and comfy, Camper ($138) or Calvin Klein ($70)

Funkier flats either soft and sleek, Vince ($295), a flash of flourescent, Matisse ($69) or folded and layered, Kling ($47)

Sexy sandals, either perforated and pinkish, J Crew ($248) or simple and smooth, Corso Como ($139)

Color-block cuties in two hues, Dolce Vita ($169) or five, Nine West ($89)

Retro wedges, purely old-school, Kork-Ease ($140) or with a hint of metallic, Wallis ($67)

Finally, sandals for Saturday-Sunday, a hint of neon, Splendid ($66), simple studding, Corso Como ($109) or elaborate wraps, Matt Bernson ($105)

some notes on packing

Photo by Tim Walker

One thing that my odd assortment of jobs over the last several years has provided me with is the ability to pack like a pro. Whether for two weeks in China, five days of dinners and meetings in Istanbul or a lengthy trip that takes me from a ranch in Tampa to the streets of Manhattan (in November), I am a dedicated carry-on only traveler and have a fairly formulaic approach to what goes in the bag. Traveling frequently brings other troubles to the table (dry cleaning?!) so I have a few different versions of this clothing menu (namely blue, black and gray).

When it comes to toiletries I finally caved in and bought duplicates of all my bathroom necessities (in travel sizes) so I am more than halfway to packed and ready to go. For me this not only cuts down on packing time, it also ensures that I don't forget to toss in my toothbrush or contact solution after I'm done using them the morning before I leave.

Here's what I have been packing lately - it should take you through about a week of meetings, dinners and a little tourist-ing on the side.

In addition to your pajamas, a few pairs of black tights and all of your other unmentionables, these basics are essential. I rarely travel without each of the items above since they take up essentially zero suitcase space. My picks are a tunic-length racerback tank from here although this is a decidedly more glam offering.  For a long-sleeve tee, I'm very fond of this one... but people, Nordstrom Rack and Loehmann's are designed for picking up a stack of these for much less. For my short sleeve pick, I have entertained my family for the past several years by having a drawer literally filled with these, at $8 a pop I buy a new one every time I walk into a Target. Mediums, larges, extra larges, I have multiples of each. Stretchy pants are essential, and I am having a love affair with these leggings from Zara - so high-waisted, the perfect in-flight pants... but I might be convinced to stray for a pair of these.

Next - you shouldn't go anywhere without a black dress, I picked up this Theory one for a steal at Loehmann's. It's a great basic layer that works well by itself, with a collared shirt underneath or with a cardigan/jacket on top. With bare legs and heels or black boots and tights, you could probably wear it for five days straight. Dark or black jeans are a must, I am in good company with my love for Uniqlo's ridiculously stretchy pairs, they are so comfortable I'm not sure they count as real pants, must be the Japanese technology. The Tippi Sweater, another thing I can never have enough of. My former colleague and I used to have to consult with each other before picking up another color to avoid dressing like twins on a daily basis. I love this sweater because it's kind of slouchy, works under a jacket as part of a suit or by itself with a skirt or jeans. You don't have to tuck it in - a big plus in my book.  I love leopard print accessories, so I bought two pairs of my Bandolino kitten heels to ensure I had a backup when the first pair burnt out. Unfortunately the leopard print is no longer available, but you could try these instead. The Donald Pliner boots are my newest obsession. They never see the inside of my suitcase, but they are perfect for looking pulled together at the airport or trekking up and down cobblestone streets. Sleek enough for business attire, but comfortable enough to pair with jeans for after hours sight-seeing. The red roll is a Turkish towel, which I have re-purposed as the best airplane scarf ever. Amply sized, heavy-weight and beautifully textured, the only place where it attracts odd looks is in IST. Want one for yourself? Let me know before I leave town.

Finally, the suits. I'm a big fan of the 1035 trousers and jackets from J Crew and I'm always waiting for the 40% off final sale deals to pick up another piece. A great black pencil skirt is a no-brainer and I think a white collared shirt is so classy. For the latter I prefer something on the looser side that can pair just as well with skinny jeans as with suits. I've been coveting this one from J Crew forever. Throw in a few fun belts, and you're packed... well almost

I love a long cardigan for the plane, and it also does a nice job dressing down the black dress.  This one was a great deal at Loehmann's and I promise it's much cuter in person.  A clutch that packs flat like these from Claire Vivier is a handy thing to have when you want to leave your big day bag in the room for the night. Finally an assortment of fun jewelry can completely change the look of the same dress or sweater that you've been rocking for most of the week. 

What are your travel must haves?