I have been in Las Vegas (aptly named “Sin City”) for the past 4 days putting together the remainder of our fall line and beginning on Spring ’08. Surrounded by masses of very fashionable people I felt this innate desire to fit in, to blend in with the other Prada wearing people. Dad, and owner of Christa Taylor, brought it all back into focus with his oft repeated phrase: “Let’s go make a difference. We aren’t here to match the fashion industry, but to transform it.”
Thanks Dad.

It has been a very long 4 days. It’s hard to tell you exactly what I was doing, it is so varied. In brief, myself and 5 other individuals from our team flew down to Vegas for the largest apparel trade show in the Nation. We were attending seminars, meeting new vendors and setting up overseas manufacturing for the Spring. We accomplished many of our goals and it was a tired but happy group that headed home this morning.

Some of the highlights:
1) meeting the owner and founder of “Molly’s” a modest clothing provider who predominantly sells camisoles, undershirts and bridal couture.

2) Seeing the impact a 3 month old baby girl can have on hardened, weary vendors, security guards, and fashion divas alike. (We had Trinity, my niece with us)

3) Enjoying the stunning Bellagio fountains

4) Laughing and chatting over a delectable dinner together as family and friends our final evening.

No, the burgeoning ELIZA magazine, wasn’t started by Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady. It was started, however, by a young women who wanted to honor the role Audrey Hepburn played in the 1964 film. I had the great pleasure of meeting with Summer Bellessa, a charming woman with a passion to see and create a fashion resource for Modesty conscious women. If I may say so, the mag is fantastic. While I don’t necessarily support all the beliefs of its founders, it definitely provides edifying articles, intriguing photography and boat-loads of creativity. Very boss indeed. Many of you would really enjoy it.

Summer and I had a delightful conversation, me questioning her about her vision for ELIZA, it’s inception and the growing publicity, she patiently answering my queries ; ). I appreciated her wealth of information, humor and cheerful smile…Thank you Summer!

Whew! Have you ever had a none-stop day starting at 4 AM ending at 12:00 midnight? It is exhausting, let me assure you.

Karen Davis, one of our superb stylists, and I headed down to LA this past Thursday for a variety of reasons. Primarily to meet with some new vendors, and meet with ELIZA editor, Summer Bellessa. I was also planning to meet with Christina Binkeley, Style columnist for Wall Street Journal, but because of conflicting schedules I had to postpone our coffee break till next time.

Here you can see Karen happy with one of our Handbag selections.

This one was rejected…but I do love purple handbags!

By the end of the day, my feet ached and I longed to wash my hands. (finding a sink can be difficult). Because of a few delays, we BARELY made our flight home…I was so thankful the Lord so clearly opened the way before us. We had 10 minutes till the last flight for home would be leaving. We dashed to the front counter (my appologies to all those people we cut!) with our stuffed army duffels and gasped out our desperate plight. They didn’t ask us a ruddy thing, but ushered us to the front of the very long line, breezed us through our baggage check and voila! All was love and joy and happiness!

Based on an article, by Christina Binkley, August 9th, Wall Street Journal

What is too much to spend on a Handbag? The questions weighed on the mind of experienced shopper and fashion connoisseur, Jamie Anderson. “Their prices were just ridiculous” recalls Anderson who was pursuing the Christian Dior fall handbag collection with average prices around $900.

We’ve all been there: a window display lures us into the store where we nearly suffer cardiac arrest after viewing the price tag.

It seems to happen more often these days as many luxury brands—selling everything from $14,000 Ralph Lauren handbags to $899 Bugaboo baby strollers and $6900 barbecue grills—push their top price points higher than they’ve every gone before. What’s priced below falls into that ever-expanding category: “affordable luxury”.

Some people flee when they are confronted with such extravagant prices. But for most Americans a strange psychological phenomenon takes place. We set a new ceiling for a “reasonable” price. Disinclined to purchase the trophy we settle for a consolation prize. Trombetta walked out not carrying a $1100 handbag but a $300 clutch.

This concept is one of the reasons for the proliferation of $300 designer sunglasses. The fact that Ralph Lauren is charging $14,000 for an alligator “Ricky” handbag makes it easier to justify the $300 for a rather simple sweater. The brains behind Coach are a master at this, look for a notably expensive bag in one of the company’s stores. Only one or two of them are available for sale. But scores of similar, smaller “wallet” size bags and accessories are available, primed to walk out the door.

What is the point in all of this?

The question nagging in the back of my mind is this: Are we investing our money and resources in things that will last? When you are around the world long enough one stops even feeling like $300 is a lot of money. I don’t want to be in that place.. Face it, we all typically spend far more money on ourselves than anyone else. It’s so easy for us to justify exorbitant prices on ourselves but when it comes to forking out that cash for someone else….we don’t even consider it. You don’t hear the fashion industry encouraging self-control and self-sacrifice; no mention of charity in the latest edition of InStyle. I want my money and my life to make a lasting impact. That means passing on the $300 clutch. =)

A Bare Bones Checklist of the indispensables You Need in Your Wardrobe


Two pairs of dark pants
- simple, skimming cut in a crisp fabric for day.
- Fuller leg in a fabric that drapes in black for day and evening.

Two pairs of jeans
- one hemmed to wear with heels
- one hemmed to wear with flats, sneakers

Three skirts
- Clean lines like a pencil, trouser, or an A-line in black or in lightweight wool
- A-line, bias, or circle in a fabric with drape for day and evening
- Neutral in a mixable fabric which can include a subtle chalk stripe or tweed

A white button-front and T-shirts
(of course)

Three Sweaters (seasonless, lightweight merino or cashmere for the lucky)
- black
- another neutral choice-skin flattering of course (I cannot wear mustard beige- blagh!)
- Rich color

Two Jackets
- Tailored jacket that matches one pair of your dark pants (think: suit, black is always a good bet)
- Sporty shape in a refined fabric, like a bomber, motorcycle jacket, or windbreaker style in leather, suede, corduroy, soft wool, cotton twill-goes to work and works for play

Three coats
- Trench coat or any riff on this classic that flatters you both for rain and between seasons in a light neutral or black
- Between season knee-length coat that works day or night; in leather, suede, tropical-weight wool
-winter coat (a regional consideration, of course) in the very best fabric you can possibly afford

Dress
- or matching separates that create a dress silhouette. Always have something that serves as a “Little Black Dress’ in your closet

I have been reading a most charming book entitled: A Guide to Elegance by Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux. This afternoon I came across this rather humorous excerpt that I would like to share with you. I have included it here, in a mostly unedited form. Madame Genvieve’s book was originally published in 1964, and although she is not writing from a conservative perspective she does seek to cultivate in her readers that effortless elegance that is integral for the classy woman.

“A kind of mythology seems to have been built up concerning men’s preferences in fashion, with the result that many a young woman who deliberately dresses to attract masculine admiration often inspires only astonishment and disgust. To separate once and for all the fact from the fiction, this is
WHAT IS REALLY ATTRACTIVE TO MEN:
–full skirts and tiny waists

–clothes that are in fashion, but not avant-garde; men follow the fashion trends more than you may realize, and even the Wall Street Journal prints articles about fashion.

–almost any shade of blue; white; very pale and very dark grey; certain men hate to see their wives in black; others adore it.

–perfume- but modern men appreciate lighter perfumes than their fathers did, subtle sophisticated blends rather than the simpler scents.

–collars on suits and coats.

[After asking my dad about this list, he pretty much agreed. As a single young woman, he is the only one I’m trying to please =) ]

WHAT MEN THINK THEY LIKE:
(but only in the movies)
–revealingly tight skirts and aggressively pointed bosoms

–false eyelashes

–musky, oriental scents. [yuk!]
–spike heels.
–yards of black fringe and miles or red chiffon flounces.

In short, men enjoy being envied, but they hate feeling conspicuous. And they particularly dislike vulgarity in the women they admire.”

I always find it refreshing to read about celebrities who aren’t consumed with the perfect body. Recently headlines blared about the dangerous epidemic of extreme skinniness among runway models. It’s disturbing when models look “starved”, malnourished even. In Hollywood celebrities are slipping well below the 100-pound mark with accusations flying about who’s to blame (their stylists? their friends? the gossip writers who accuse stars of being pregnant if they eat lunch??)

That’s why this gal caught my attention. Oscar Award winning Jennifer Hudson, though not a role model in some respects, has a healthy view of her body. She actually chose to gain weight for her electric role in Dreamgirls.

Its refreshing to see stars who haven’t attempted to diet away their natural curves or nip/tuck/laser/freeze all signs of aging.

Starving yourself into a size 0 should be no one’s great ambition.

Cindi Leive, editor in chief for InStyle Magazine writes:

“Life’s big prizes go to women who aspire to much, much more.”

We currently have over 100 ladies participating in our contest! I was corresponding with Tasra Dawson, our contest host, this morning, she will be giving her blog readers a sneak peak at our fall line soon. I am so excited!

Jackie Kennedy: Regal Fashion
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was the wife of John F. Kennedy and was known as Jackie Kennedy. She served as First Lady until her husband’s assassination in 1963.

Since her death, many Americans remember how she captivated the attention of her nation and the rest of the world with her intelligence and grace. With a deep sense of devotion to her family and country she dedicated herself to raising her children and to making the world a better place through art, literature, and a respect for history. She left a discrete legacy of strong commitment to many causes. She was no overnight, flamboyant, lightweight sensation but a generational force; a Madonna of the palace.

Her well beloved designer Oleg Cassini (who created her entire wardrobe while in the white house) described her as:

“In one exquisite moment, Jackie Kennedy became the epitome of glamour and elegance-the uncrowned Queen of America. Her legacy is one of beauty, grace and charm.”

Can you imagine her going to jail for a suspended license? I think not.

I need not go into details on Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. Their lives are plain enough. Their reputation as “the bad girls” precedes them. The tragedy lies in the fact that their mothers did not train them to become ladies, that our culture has forgotten even what a lady looks like.

Will they leave an enduring legacy? I think not.

The solution:
We can complain about the world’s woes all day long, but without any progress in the other direction we have no right to moan.

The destructive influence of foolish women is obvious in our secular world. We can think of others, besides the above three, whose lifestyles have wielded an enormous, negative impact on our entire culture.

But what is more alarming is the extent that this foolishness has entered our churches. We have blurred if not eliminated the distinctions between masculine and feminine character, behavior and roles. As author Nancy Leigh Demoss affirms:

“We have lost our moorings, our sense of what is pure and good, true and right. We have little comprehension of the meaning or importance of such old-fashioned words as wholesome, modest, discreet, and chaste.

The crux of the matter is this, we must return to the biblical teaching and thinking about our calling and roles as women. Our very families, homes, churches, governments and society stake upon this very issue.

John Adams illustrates:

“From all that I have read of history and government and human life and manners, I have drawn this conclusion: that the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit and their republican forms of government when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women”

Will we stand idly by? I think not

This humorous article from fellow blogger, Allison Shapiro of Modestly Yours, points out some utterly absurd behavior by celebrity Penelope Cruz. This lead to further thought very much in line with Wendy Shalit’s book, and the growing backlash against fourth wave feminism.

Why are the celebrities of today so much different from those of yester-year?

Let’s compare the lives of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton with that of Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy.

Grace Kelly: A Celebration of Grace

Though her film career spanned just five years and only eleven films, Grace Kelly has become one of the most famous and admired actresses of all times.

Her distinguished career, indeed Her life, has been characterized by an innate sense of style, classic beauty and inherent good taste. Always atop the “world’s most beautiful” lists, admired as a fashion leader and setter of trends, She “graced” the pages of many a glossy magazine with a dazzling smile, warm, enigmatic eyes and vivacious expression. “Grace Kelly style” or “the Grace Kelly look” is a well-known, well-used phrase in the English lexicon signifying incomparable beauty and all that is chic, natural and lady-like. She started a whole new fashion trend.
In her married years her public life was dedicated to efforts to raise funds and awareness to the plight of the less fortunate while treating all with dignity and respect

In his euology to Kelly Jim Stewart said:

“You know, I just love Grace Kelly. Not because she was a princess, not because she was an actress, not because she was my friend, but because she was just about the nicest lady I ever met. Grace brought into my life as she brought into yours, a soft, warm light every time I saw her, and every time I saw her was a holiday of its own. No question, I’ll miss her, we’ll all miss her, God bless you, Princess Grace.

Can you see such a lady removing her pants in Paris? I think not.

Audrey Hepburn: Lasting Elegance

she became a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and spent the rest of her life working to improve the conditions of needy children.

By the mid 1950s, Hepburn was not only one of the biggest motion picture stars in Hollywood, but also a major fashion icon.

Despite her stardom, Hepburn retained her humility.

She preferred a more quiet living with family and nature. Though she enjoyed fashion she did not place too much weight in it, but preferred simplicity. She lived in houses, not mansions, and loved to garden. Soon after Hepburn’s final film role, she was appointed a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Grateful for her own good fortune after enduring the German occupation as a child, she dedicated the remainder of her life to helping impoverished children in the poorest nations. Hepburn’s travels were made easier by her wide knowledge of languages; she spoke French, Italian, English, Dutch, and Spanish.

Can you picture Audrey Hepburn posing for a Girls Gone Wild video? I think not