The day I met the Olsen twins

Happy 2013!!

Kicking off the new year with the story behind one of my fashion highlights of 2012.

It started with a text from my sister from another mister, Jean Bean, that simply read: "Can you interview the Olsen twins?" Just like that. Just like interviewing THOSE Michelle-Tanner-turned-mini-moguls is no big deal. 

For a hot second, I tried to roll like it was no big deal too...but my mom quickly called bullshit. She was MUY excited. On the morning of the interview, she sent me a crazed text, demanding I send her photos with the twins. Who knew she was an MKA super fangirl? Must be a mutual tiny people admiration society thing.

I'd be interviewing Mary Kate and Ashley before an unpublicized appearance at NM Beverly Hills for The Row, the high end label they created a few years ago. Instead of a trunk show, they typically do in-store appearances that are more one-on-one sessions with clients. I think the only thing more surreal than interviewing the Olsen twins for your bff-slash-editor would be to show up at Neiman Marcus and get styled by them in the middle of the store floor in front of God and everyone. Can you imagine?



I got to Neiman's early and was ushered into a green room/fur salon. Fitting, I thought, since the Olsen ladies unapologetically love 'em some fur. While I waited for them to arrive, I chatted up two women who work with the Olsens on The Row and one who works with them on all their ventures.  All three were lovely, articulate and self-effacing. Always impressed by ladies who surround themselves with awesome ladies – in life and work. Feel like there are too few of us who do ;)



When the twins finally arrived and we were introduced, I think I had an out of body experience. It was beyond ODD to see these larger-than-life-mythical-creatures I've seen for decades standing there in front of me, shaking my hand, looking just plain normal, unassuming and young.

I was super struck by how tiny they were. To say they are petite in person is an understatement. I somehow wasn't prepared for it and felt very protective of them in an I'm-tall-enough-to-be-your-mother way.

You can check out my entire interview with the Olsens here on NM Daily
but here are a few more tidbits:

• They are both extremely soft spoken. To the point that I was worried my iPhone voice memo would not be audible even though I held it about a foot away from them.

• Ashley has a very open, sparkly energy about her that draws you in. I know it sounds obnoxious  but she definitely has that "glow" people talk about when they meet magnetic, famous types.
  
  For examples, she zeroed in on me the moment we sat down and asked me if I was based in Dallas or LA. I told her LA because I only freelance for NM and work full-time for Twitter.

Her eyes widened and she asked me what I did for Twitter. I told her and she said it must be "super interesting" to work there, holding eye contact and seeming actually interested. I said it was...most days...that it's just another new brand seeing if it can make it for the long haul.

(Earlier, I had a very interesting exchange about how social media is redefining celebrity with one of the women who works for the twins. She told me that the twins aren't into social media for themselves ["very private people"], but their Stylemint and Olsenboye lines definitely leverage their fan base on social sites.)

• While Ashley was super talkative throughout the 20 minute interview, Mary Kate took a while to warm up. Her answers were more clipped at first, guarded, cautious. Her whole energy was definitely more serious and wary. Must have been hard to grow up in such an intense spotlight. You likely either internalize it (i.e. that glow Ashley has) or you retreat from it. 

• Both women were extremely thoughtful. I was impressed with how knowledgeable they were about the business side of The Row. They were also very focused on emphasizing how hard they work: that they are in the office every day, that the CFDA award for womenswear (they were the youngest winners ever) makes them want to work even harder. Love.

But my favorite exchange was this one – during which they finished each other's sentences and looked at each other affectionately the whole time:

Me: The two of you have worked together your entire lives. How has that working

relationship evolved over the past few years with The Row?

Ashley: I do feel lucky that I have a partner. You definitely feel like you have someone…

Mary Kate: To bounce ideas off of...

Ashley: Definitely. And we’re so used to working with one another that we always have the same ultimate goals and the same vision. It’s nice to have a sounding board...

Mary Kate: It’s also been really nice to be surrounded by the creative people and the business people we work with on The Row. I feel like we’ve grown together and challenge each other, challenge processes. We face problems together – good problems and bad problems – and get through them in the most educated way. A lot of that, I think, comes through communication and talking though situations to get to the best solution and end product.

As the interview wrapped up, some tea and coffee arrived. They waited for me to finish before they helped themselves. They also apologized for being tired, gesturing to their faces. I told them they sounded very articulate and that I didn't want to hear them complain about their faces. Told them to wait 'til they were 35 and then talk to me about looking tired. They laughed and I think I detected a hint of surprise/horror at my age. 

On the way out, I asked for a photo for my mom and they said of course, "anything for mom." I told them that she was apparently a big fan, that who knew they had a 63 year-old Guatemalan lady demographic. They laughed and said that was "great to hear."  Super lovely kittens. 

Super lovely opportunity thanks to my Trojan twin!

The Outfit

Elizabeth and James top

J Brand jeans

Club Monaco anorak

The Accessories

Chanel bag

Kate Spade heels
Dita sunglasses

Hautelook necklace and bracelet

The Grade

D 

The Commentary

What does one wear to meet street style stars extraordinaire turned designers when one is feeling LARGE from Thanksgiving and tragically unfashionable from working in tech? If you are me, you turn to your friend, the Internet, for inspiration. Checked out what the twins had been spotted in recently. Even found a photo of Ashley arriving at the airport the day of the interview looking travel classic chic. 

Thought about similar dark trousers. Or liquid leggings. All black, maybe a camel coat with Louboutin nude heels. But then thought Id look like the stalker I am and just decided to keep things casual. Threw together a look around the one Elizabeth and James top I own and did matching lips and spiky necklace.




 Added the sparkly Dorothy shoes I've been living in this winter.




Fine look for work at Twitter. Not so much at Neiman Marcus where everyone was dressed to the nines when I got there. Doh. Thankfully the twins weren't. Both were art-school chic in all black layers. Ashley was wearing sneakers. 

She had on this super cool The Row sweater with a faint sparkly palm tree print. Very subtle, very chic.   

Mary Kate was in skinny leather pants and flat boots.



Should have gone all black, always safe, always chic...
also should not have ruined the picture for my mom by looking blind. F. 

Color Blocking Trend: One Zara Skirt Two Ways

My time in NYC---land of all black, somber wardrobes---was a reminder that color is the easiest way to stand out in a crowd.

Because even when you're schlepping around a strange city for work, you want to look good, be memorable and command respect.

And color, espcially this season, has the power to make you look fashion-y while still looking professional. Here I centered the look around one stand out piece: a Zara skirt in a gorgeous Kelly green. Paired it with an H&M striped tunic and one of my favorite Forever 21 jackets---both of which go with anything. Added little luxe accents like jewelry and studded carmel Tory Burch flats. Very clean, easy and comfortable look that still managed to look California-y cute.

The Inspiration

***
Another option with this skirt is upping the degree of difficulty with a WHOLE LOTTA color blocking. Swapped out the black and white top with this Elizabeth and James hot pink top. Added gold sandals that go with everything (read: tone everything down) and a vintage quiltted bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE this look. Felt so LA and me in it, NYC all-black fashionistas be damned.  

It was the perfect choice for a fab night out with two of my favorite misters



That started at Mr. NBC's amazing new apartment with lots 'o wine

All the better to enjoy his stunning view at sunset

And whet our appetites for a piggie dinner in Hell's Kitchen

Followed by more imbibing at a club to the strains of my favorite summer song, Edge of Glory

It's just the right amount  of 80s...just like my outfit ;)




The Inspiration

Shopbop Giveaway: $100 Elizabeth and James Gift Card

I've been addicted to Elizabeth and James shoes for a few years now. And I've been a Shopbop devotee for even longer.

So when Shopbop AND Elizabeth and James approached me to do a $100 giftcard giveaway, well, I'm pretty sure I squealed out loud. Lil' ole me only gets to buy Elizabeth and James on discount. F ;)

Here's how this super sweet giveaway is gonna work: 

1) Go to Shopbop 

2) Find your favorite Elizabeth and James item

3) Then come back here, include the link to your favorite item, and tell me why you heart it.  

That's it.  By commenting, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $100 Shopbop gift card!

The giveaway is *open to everybody, including international readers* and will run for 10 days, so you have until June 23 to enter. Good luck, pretty kitties!

And don't forget to do as I do:  follow Shopbop on Twitter and check out their always inspiring lookbooks when you're in a rut.

My Shiny New Toys: Shopping in New York City

Soooooo many fab stories to share about my whirlwind NYC trip.  Hoping to set aside some time this weekend to blog all the career implications and fashion and friends and meals and drinks and celebrity spotting.  But for now, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of all the dirty pretty things I picked up while I was in The Big Apple. Figured who doesn't like a little voyeuristic shopping on a Friday :)


1. L.A.M.B Z-Project Satin Platform Pumps
I've been lusting after L.A.M.B's killer heels for a few seasons now.  The Fall 2010 shoes per usual are TDF.

So when I spotted these little monstrous beauties for 60 percent off. I knew they were coming home to L.A. with me. Done deal.

They instantly reminded me of Giambista Valli heels

Crossed with the Cassedi pumps every fashionista and her mother has been sporting lately.

The shape of them is so exaggerated, unapologetic and down right odd-looking  - like the Christian Siriano and McQueen runway shoes - that you instantly feel like an adorable cartoon of a woman when you slip them on. Can't wait to pair them with jeans and short dresses alike.

2. Elizabeth and James Jazz heels

I have also been shoe stalking Elizabeth and James since it debuted a few seasons ago.  Like Gwen Stefani's line, the Olsen twins' line is fierce, fashion forward and allllll about the details. I love how on occasion they are a bit fugly and (gasp!) sensible. Very granny chic.

These sexy secretary pumps in particular caught my eye over the holidays. The cute as a button buttons KILLED me.  They are like a pantyhose seam for your HEEL.  My mom begged me to get them but at over $300 they didn't seem like a necessity. Sigh.





















When I found them for 60 percent off though they suddenly were. After all, this season is all about head to toe nude. PLUS a nude shoe is ideal for lengthening the leg and my ever chubbifying legs need some stretching of late.

3.  Saks Fifth Avenue rossette sandals

So just when I didn't think I could possibly find another shoe I've loved for ages, there they were. I could practically hear them hissing at me "You silly shoe slut!"   I had no idea Saks knocked off the Christian Louboutins' ruffle heels I was in lust with last year. I had seen the Pour La Victorie ones and a few others but wasn't super impressed.

The Saks ones, however, were identical to the originals.  They had them in about 5 colors and I narrowed it down to the snake skin and the peach.  The Louboutins cost over $500.  Mine?  $120.

I considered getting both but thought four pairs of shoes in one day was obscene. Even for me.  Plus I wasn't sure I'd be able to fit them all in my carry-on.

I was also worried that maybe the ruffle thing was a bit played out.  But then remembered Lanvin and even Louboutin is still doing frou-frou.

So I ultimately settled on the peach beauties. And thankfully the snakeskin found a good home too:  Jean Bean snatched them up before I could say "copy cat." :)






































4. Top Shop Peplum Jacket

Sad to report that Top Shop is kind of a wasteland right now. Last time I was in New York I wanted the entire store. I did find some cool sailor inspired looks but I have an almost identical jacket already and couldn't find the droppy diaper pants in my size.

I did end up getting this little peplum grey denim jacket.  Love the piping and the ease of it.

Had no idea it was very Vuitton Spring 2010 until Jean Bean and I went a few stores down and amidst all the monogram I saw a few similar looks.

But more than anything the shape and the color remind me of Victoria Beckham.  Would love to wear one of her dresses with the E & J heels.  So.freaking.hot.
























5.  Nars lipstick in Schiap

I've been wanting this lipstick for months.  First saw it on Kim Kardashian on a make up blog.  Love how bold and "haaaaaaaaaaaaaay, look at me" it is.   The complete opposite of the nude Cali good girl lip gloss I typically wear. 

But I was reminded of how amazing bold lips are at the Oscars.  My two best dressed Maggie and Sandra both looked radiant with their Nars Schiap and Chanel Rouge pouts.

So despite worries of resembling The Joker and KNOWING Mr. Diaboilna was going to hate it, I bought the pretty puta lipstick.  Helped that I was with Jean Bean and her gorg red mouth said I looked like a Barbie doll.  Loooove friends who encourage wrongness.



















Also love validation.  Here's the Who What Wear Daily email from yesterday.  I swear those girls are inside my brain.