Archive for September, 2008

This story broke right before fashion week and I haven’t had a second to discuss it. Actually I probably shouldn’t discuss it since I contribute to ELLE India. BUT I am curious to hear what you all think. Without editorialzing the story is this (from the SAJA Forum):

“A fashion spread in the latest Vogue India, in which poor, nameless Indians sport $10,000 handbags and $100 bibs, has catalyzed a profound reaction in the press and blogosphere. What is the acceptability, many are asking, of employing such jarring images, un-ironically, for the sake of commerce?”

This is a quote from Vogue India’s editor-in-chief Priya Tanna:

“Lighten up…Vogue is about realizing the ‘power of fashion’ and the shoot was saying that “fashion is no longer a rich man’s privilege. Anyone can carry it off and make it look beautiful. You have to remember with fashion, you can’t take it that seriously. We weren’t trying to make a political statement or save the world.” 

And lastly, a picture from the spread:

Thoughts?

St. Lucia’s tag line is “St. Lucia- Simply Beautiful.” My experience of the island was not only beautiful but simply amazing. I don’t know if it was the timing of this much needed trip, the people that were with me, or the island itself but this experience was unbelievable.  Many thanks to Michelle, who is an executive producer extraordinaire, and Risa, Kelly, Matthew and Peter for being such awesome travel mates.  You all seriously rule!

The hits keep on comin’.  I am also WAY behind in my blogging so bear with me. Photos taken again by the amazing Risa Merl.

This is the dock at Marigot Bay. I grew up in New Mexico, so being on a boat isn’t something that is second nature to me (read: dealing with sea sickness). Regardless, my new friends (all boating journalists) gave me crash course on boating.

We were only at Marigot Bay for one night and then moved to this villa at Cotton Bay. It literally looked like the Real World house- think Hamptons share but in St. Lucia and sicker digs.

A picture of our pool at Cotton Bay. The beach was two steps away.

Every morning I would get up at around 6:30 am to go running. Ok, yes on a typical day I DO get up early, but it would get so hot in St. Lucia by 7:00am you had no choice but to get up at the crack and get moving. Risa left this totally cute note for me- I would go running then come grab her for beach time.  On this particular morning, she motivated before I got back!

See that hill in the distance? Yeah, that’s where I would go running. It was SO gorgeous but desolate. My paranoid self could not stop thinking about Natalie Holloway. I know, I know… I need to stop watching Law & Order…

The other hill I would go running up. My running playlist consisted of Peter Tosh, Grateful Dead and The Buena Vista Social Club.

Ha! Part of a real deal rocket booster from a space shuttle (not sure which one) fell into the ocean and washed up on the shore. So nuts.

There really isn’t much for me to say other than I can’t believe I was here just one week ago… *sigh*

(pictures by the amazing Risa Merl)

Yeah, that’s not a postcard. That was our view of the Pitons from Jade Mountain, one of the most unbelievable five star resorts in St. Lucia.

This is the BEDROOM at Jade Mountain. Notice it’s missing the fourth wall so you can get direct ocean breeze while you are sleeping.

Another view of the beautiful ocean from Jade Mountain.

My Skinny Bitch lifestyle was put on temporary hiatus so I could eat my face off for three days and not worry about it. I do think this dessert (a chocolate mousse in a coconut) is organic…

I didn’t want to be a complete sloth all weekend, so I got my excersise on by swimming, running and walking every day. This is a picture of beach we swam to while the boat was anchored in the ocean.

Speaking of boats, just one of our rides for the weekend. Pretty sweet.

Shame on you! Just kidding! I want to reiterate my point I made on air today that everyone is getting way too entrenched in this “doom and gloom” attitude about the holiday sales season. The consumer should and will be jumping for joy- the prices are going to be so slashed (because reatailers want to move out that inventory STAT) we (meaning me)  might want to re-think getting those Chloe heels for a 42 inch HD plasma. Yep you heard me correct- a gigantic plasma TV will be in the price range of $500- the same price as the shoes I am currently coveting.

As far as the retailers are concerned, I think they are gonna have to put in a lot of effort to make up some dismal same store retail sales numbers over the past year. But I wouldn’t write them off just yet- these major companies and the aren’t stupid. I bet we see some incredible promotions and creative advertising over the next couple months as part of a whole strategy to get shoppers in the door. Now, back to blogging about St. Lucia…

That’s right- people (meaning retailers) are already getting geared up for holiday shopping and I will be on Neil Cavuto’s show today to talk about it. Tune in on Fox News at 4:40 to see me have the best conversation ever with my favorite anchor!

Hitha: Is it really over between you and [redacted]?

[Redacted]: YES!! His stock price fell faster than Lehman Brothers!

And that’s totally what I got. Peeps, fashion week got out of control this season. It was fun but whoa was it really hectic (we still have reviews to post!). I had a trip to St. Lucia planned and I can not tell you happy I was to get on that flight on Friday.  Yes, I was working on a story so technically it wasn’t a vacation, but none the less, it was pretty awesome to hang by a beautiful ocean for a long weekend. More pictures TK…

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It’s damn near impossible for me to blog from my blackberry while I am at the Tents covering fashion week so for the time being follow my every move on Twitter!