Even if she weren’t 6 feet tall, Elle Macpherson would stand out in a crowd. We know from experience, after bumping into her recently at an industry soiree. Decked out in a dazzling white Herve Leger bandage dress, her signature mane flowing, she’s as stunning as ever at 46. Now, Macpherson will put her 25 years of firsthand modeling experience to work playing agency head Claudia Foster on The CW’s new series The Beautiful Life: TBL, premiering tonight at 9 p.m.
While wearing a new dress for the first time recently, we developed a paranoia that it was backwards. It’s a slightly ambiguous type of dress with an oddly placed tag. (We wondered if we could get away with pretending we were emulating Angelina Jolie’s look at the SAG Awards.) When we saw The Dress ($225), which can be worn either way for a different neckline, from Harputs OWN, we realized such dilemmas could be things of the past. The San Francisco-based division of Harputs Market is just one of several clothiers — including Butter by Nadia (left) and Max Studio — offering items that can be worn multiple ways.
When we worked for Condé Nast, one of our most memorable encounters occurred at the office building’s entrance. As we fumbled in our Coach bag for our key card, none other than Anna Wintour spun through the revolving doors, wearing her signature oversized shades and immaculate bob. The entire row of turnstiles that just a second ago blocked our entry appeared to magically open for her as she sailed through, heading straight for the elevator. We were too busy gawking at the Vogue editrix to think of sneaking in behind her. This was a few years ago, around the time The September Issue — which hit theaters nationwide this weekend — was being filmed.
When we moved into our first New York City apartment, we promptly installed Skype on our computer, which gave us free calling and saved tons of money on our long-distance chats. But these days, the Internet-based software is more than just a free phone service. Everyone from telecommuters to musicians use its crisp, full-screen video connections for a virtual jam session. Even shopping and fashion shows can be done via Skype, as designer Norma Kamali has proven.
We’ve made it a tradition to reread at least one of our favorite classics every year. It’s fun getting lost in timeless literature and reacquainted with unforgettable characters — from Jane Austen’s witty Elizabeth Bennet to Emily Brontë’s tortured Heathcliff. Now we have even more reason to enjoy these novels again. Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions is publishing Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights and The Scarlet Letter (left) with cover art by fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo!
We’ve been trying to eat seasonal, local and organic food when possible — not only does the meal taste better, but we often feel better. (Anyone who’s suffered from post-fast-food McTummy or had a salad made with ghostly pink tomatoes will understand.) So we were eager to read Clean Food: A Seasonal Guide to Eating Close to the Source With More Than 200 Recipes for a Healthy and Sustainable You (Sterling Epicure, 2009) by Terry Walters, a certified holistic health counselor and whole-food cooking instructor.
Ever since we read a New York magazine article about calorie restriction, we’ve been fascinated with the practice, developed to increase longevity and slow the aging process. Proponents, such as those in the Calorie Restriction Society, eat a nutrient-dense diet consisting of 20–25 percent fewer calories than the recommended amount — about 1,200–1,600 for women. At first, we were incredulous — who has discipline or desire to follow such a regimen of meticulous calorie-counting? But recent studies on mice and humans have substantiated the benefits of the diet, including decreases of age-related disease.
While we love action-packed vacations — whether trekking up the Spanish Steps on a whirlwind tour of Rome or climbing through Mayan ruins — sometimes a relaxing weekend getaway is just what we need. “Inspirations — A Women’s Retreat” at the Wintergreen Resort in central Virginia, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, sounds like a perfect way to recharge before the holidays and winter months. The weekend package ($475) features yoga, spa treatments, hiking and wellness education sessions — including a chocolate-eating lesson!
We’ve often thought it would be fun to live in the alternate reality shown in Bollywood movies and Bollywood-inspired music videos, in which people spontaneously break into song and choreographed dance. Thanks to Masala Bhangra workouts, we can experience the sensation — and burn calories while we’re at it. Since instructor Sarina Jain combined traditional Indian folk dance with cardio fitness to create the class 10 years ago, she has taught instructors throughout the country and tours internationally. Masala Bhangra has become so popular that Crunch gyms are offering the classes nationwide on the fall schedule, beginning Sept. 8.
Given the economy, we’re not loading up on designer bags and shoes like we used to — in fact, we’re cutting back on trips to the spa and may even postpone a trip to Europe. But lean times don’t have to mean bad wines, according to VIVmag contributor Victoria Abbott Riccardi. Click below for her tips on snagging great wine values this harvest season — and beyond.
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