A ROYAL KIND OF POST

Since England in celebrating the Queen, I thought I would take this post out of the drawer and share it with you all.

In the last couple of years I have been learning about projections, as used in the field of psychology. What does that mean? Here is the definition:

1. The attribution of one's own attitudes, feelings, or suppositions to others: "Even trained anthropologists have been guilty of unconscious projection-of clothing the subjects of their research in theories brought with them into the field" (Alex Shoumatoff).
2. The attribution of one's own attitudes, feelings, or desires to someone or something as a naive or unconscious defense against anxiety or guilt.
   

In other words, when we look at someone and we judge him/her or make assumptions, we are really just recognizing something that we are:

a. capable of;

b. judging ourselves for/as;

c. not accepting about ourselves.

So, little did I know that this could also apply to the realm of fashion. How? Well let me explain (serious academic tone here):

I've been getting increasingly annoyed by all the attention that Kate Middleton has been getting since the wedding (I know, it's been a while, I know, I know). Yes, the wedding dress was beautiful (McQueen after all), yes she is pretty... but no, if you ask me, she is NO fashion icon. 

I was getting frustrated with people defining her as elegant, fashionable, stylish... to me she is just as bland as bland can be. I kept seeing pictures of her and Pippa, and just yawn. Wow, how groundbreaking, matching boots and bag, a red coat, nude pumps, shift dresses...desperately needing an espresso stat.. falling asleep here.

Soooo, how does this relate to the whole projection thing? Well, I was minding my own business the other day when I had a revelation. All of a sudden, I realized that last year, when I went to my bff's wedding, I wore a VERY KateMiddleton's outfit. OMG!!! Navy blue shift dress, nude platform peep-toe pumps, little cream purse, pearl necklace, a cute blue and beige coat... the only thing missing was... a fascinator!!!! (Yes, I even wore nude stockings... cringing.. but hey, it was COLD!!).

So yes, here it is, the truth. I am just like Kate Middleton. I play it safe, I wear classics, I am not huge on accessories, I'm not a trendsetter... and judging her is "a naive or unconscious defense against anxiety or guilt". The anxiety of being "as bland as bland can be." 

Now tell me, what is YOUR fashion projection? : P

 Baci e a presto,

CPS

A VISION IN MINT

Two of my favorite things: Diane Kruger + Mint - at the Cannes Film Festival - dreamy

www.vogue.it

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH

I had the time of my life at Richard Simmons' class this morning. I finally went, after almost 5 years in LA and after having heard so much about it. The great excuse was a friend leaving town for good. And here we were in class, jumping, dancing, sweating like crazy and having a ball. It is SO SO SO much fun!! How can I describe it? I can't, you just have to try it! But just to give you an idea, it's like going back to being a kid.

Richard is awesome. That is the only word that can truly convey his essence. He is:

♥ Incredibly funny
♥ Outrageous
♥ Fit beyond belief
♥ Kind
♥ Inspiring
♥ Generous

We all got to take pictures with him afterwords. When he heard my accent, he asked where I was from, and immediately started speaking Italian and sharing how much he loved Italy when he lived there. He gives hugs and kisses left and right, is cheeky and also very humble. His whole message is “be yourself, and love your body”.

I left feeling like this was the best day of my life. I know it may sound crazy. But it's the truth. He creates such a safe and welcoming place for people of all sizes, shapes, ages and fitness levels to be themselves, goof off, and work out. It was so refreshing to see so many different people, and not the usual crowd of lululemon-clad perfectly prim-and-proper robots I'm used to.

So, I will tell what I wish my friends had told when I moved here:

Don't waste any more time, you HAVE to go to a Richard Simmons' class. It is just that amazing!!!

Baci
CPS

CALIFORNIA GIRL

Today I checked all the boxes on the LA-girl-cliché list:

♥ I worked until 1PM
♥ had juice for lunch
♥ I got juice from a juice bar in a trendy health food store
♥ While waiting for my "lunch" I consulted the tarots and asked the Fairies about my future
♥ The Fairies told me “ change of location” (man, now that I finally have this LA thing down, they tell me to move!!!)
♥ I wore my Toms with yoga pants and
♥ worked out in the middle of the day, after which
♥ I drove all the way to the other side of town in rush-hour-traffic for a vegan dinner with my girlfriends

It has only taken 5 years but, as you can see, I am now officially an Angelina!!

And to celebrate that, let's watch this short clip that exemplifies it all:

Also, you may want to listen to this song as you read this post (well, at least this is what's playing in my head right now):

Baci, 

CPS

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Today someone told me my look was very Banana Republic... She meant it as a compliment... but how do I really feel about it?

OUT OF PLACE

Another lovely day in the City of Angels. The sky is blue, the sun is shining. Around me an explosion of colors. Floral mini-dresses, red espadrilles, tribal print tops, neon everything - socks, sunnies, jeans, lace - hot pink flats, green nail polish... and then there is me... a spot of black... Darth Vader's daughter: 

black jeans

black cardigan

black scarf

black boots...

… you can take a girl out of Milan, but you can't take Milan out of a girl.

MY TRIBE

Last night I was in shock when Becks told me she was thinking about getting green ombré hair. First I said NO, no way, you can't do that. And 30 seconds later I jumped on the bandwagon and was totally for it. Yes yes yes!!! Why? Well, first of all because it would look amazing on her blonde bob. Second, I am in an aqua phase and can't act on it, since it doesn't go with my complexion (it makes me look like a walking dead, seriously). Last but not least, I live vicariously through others when it comes to hair. Why? Well, you have been reading some of my hair dilemmaS. I've been wearing my hair the same way for a few years now and I've been holding on really tight to my comfort zone. I can debate on bangs for months, consider going darker, obsess over ombré, but won't go for any it. I often think my hair is incredibly dull and that I should be more adventurous. I judge it harshly. I obsess over it. I over-analyze it. Am I boring? Am I lacking style? Am I too conservative?

Hm, wait a minute, now that I think about it there's plenty of women who are geniuses and leaders in the fashion world and sport the most classic, conservative or totally-wrong-for-them hairstyles. Just to name a few:

♥ Anna Wintour - has had the same bob for what seems like a lifetime. Yet again she IS Anna Wintour. Period.
♥ Franca Sozzani- An incredible woman, who has just today been awarded the Légion d' Honneur . Innovative and generous, but man do I wish I could take her to a salon and give her a make over!! (perdoni l'onesta', Direttrice, la stimo molto per altri motivi);
♥ Carine Roitfeld - amazing style, so cool and edgy, yet she always seems to suffer from a bad hair day;
♥ Grace Coddigton - frizzy red hair - not a style that I think suits her that well - in spite of having one of the most amazing eyes in fashion.

So what can this mean? What if instead of being boring, I am just part of a group of amazing, talented, creative, smart, sophisticated women who find other ways to express themselves that do not necessarily involve their hair... ??!!!

Already feeling better. I can now live vicariously through Becks and her aqua ombré,keep my hair just the same and live happily ever after. Glad this conundrum is over!

Baci e a presto,

CPS

P.S.:  Hmm I wonder how pink ombréwould look on me... oh no, here I go again... help!!