Cocktails with Yvonna

I had a gift card for a makeup application in my International Emmy's Gala swag bag. So off I went to the Le Parker Méridien Hotel to Blushington  before attending The Rita Hayworth Gala last night. What a find! Pretty salon with a wonderful staff.  All the best brands Nars, Estee Lauder, Clinque Urbaan Decay you name it. Keyerra did my makeup beautifully. I will definitely return again and again.

Madame X I was so inspired seeing Sargent's Madame X  at the Met I wrote  a HuffPost , Little Black Dress . I love the power, mystery and sexy feel of wearing a LBD. My summer reading led me to two wonderful novels  of lives touched by the glamour, elegance and romance of dressing well.

When Donyale Luna was discovered by photographer David Mc Cabe  she was a creature of her own invention. Behind her was her family in Chicago where  she was raised by her mother who was  a nurse and father who worked in  a construction. She was no longer Peggy Ann Freeman  who performed in local theatre productions.  She had come to New York City to be a model and fate answered. The  editor of Harpers Bazaar  sent her to an illustrator and used the drawing  for the cover. The 6’2” stunning beauty went on to take Europe by storm walking in the haute couture shows.Then the achievement  of any model Donyale  became the first black model to grace the cover of Vogue. She was lionized by the press where she gave colorful and controversial interviews. She partied with Salvador Dali, the Rolling Stones and had a romance with Maxmillian  Schnell. Film roles followed in Skidoo, Andy Warhol’s Camp, Salome, and the lead in director Federico Fellini, Satyricon. Unfortunately Donyale had a drug hab

Schwinn Cruiser Everyone thinks it's vintage I get so many compliments on my Schwinn cruiser I bought  at Toy R Us. I love packing my basket with lunch, books and a blanket and riding around the Pier or through Central Park. Sometimes  I ride to parties just like Bill Cunningham. I wear flip flops and put my stilettos in the basket. More difficult is sticking to a two cocktail minimum. Below are some images of Bici Chic. Doris Day Bill Cunningham Audrey Hepburn David Lauren Brigette Bardot

Nicole Kidman Kendall Jenner, Kate Beckinsale and Angelina Jolie in Romona Keveza The woman that wears couture designer Romona Keveza is a star of the red carpet or her wedding. My first impression of her designs was seeing Arianna Grande in her sleek  red gown at The 2016 Grammy's.   I went to her elegant penthouse salon for a cocktail party for The 11th Annual Taste of Hope . I took the phots below of her stunning creations on her beautiful house model. Romona Keveza cocktail sheath Romona Keveza gown Romona Keveza gown Salon

Jennifer Lopez Monica Brown Jennifer Morrison I hate to comb my hair. I usually use my hands. So anything sexy, messy and easy is my go to look. I am loving The Bird's Nest. I found a fabulous  YouTube to help me out on the construction. Now all I need are cute earrings to accessorize.

Dior Norell Chanel Chanel  CHANEL Excited to see the press preview of Manus X Machina at The Anna Wintour Costume Institute at the Met this week. My Mom was a seamstress in Philadelphia. Often she would bring home piece work to make extra money. Many of the 175 haute couture dresses on display featured beautiful handmade details. The exhibition is breathtaking  and timeless. Here are a few designs featured. I also added my favorite red carpet looks from the Costume Gala. Beyonce Karolina Kurkova Anna Wintour Karli Kloss Zoe Saldana Cindy Crawford Emily Watson Lupita Nyongo

The  Emily Dickinson's quote, " I dwell in possibilities " is one of my favorites. I have a screenplay, " The Billionairess" I have been working on for three years. It has gone through a few rewrites. First the location was London. Susan Seidelman gave it a read and gave me great notes. I've also been researching my character. What would she wear? Where would she live? I have a wonderful opportunities to explore. I went to a Resident Magazine  party for Dylan Lauren. I attended a live auction at Christies. Last week I went to a cocktail party at Romona Kezeza's penthouse salon. But my lightbulb moment came when I realized basing the character's father on  the richest billionaire Carlos Hedi Slim was too literal.  What did I believe was possible? Can two people find each other that need each other despite financial, social and spiritual differences? Yes! So if you see my dream leading ladies Beyonce, Halle, Taraji or Kerry please

Century 21 These things start innocently, I was in Century 21 getting washcloths. I found a great deal on periwinkle 100% Egyptian cotton for .69. Then I wandered  into designer shoes. Who am I kidding I went out the store. Maybe to Sushi Bento and went in the designer shoe department in the basement. The designers shoes are 75% off. I know not to go there! I've always been loyal to Manolo Blahnik so sexy and elegant. I have a side thing with Stuart Weitzman but that's just boots. I went and fell for a pair of Gucci sandals. So impractical and decadent. There was another time to with a pair of Diors sandals. I have to walk so slow and I love it. Now Manolo's teamed up with Rihanna on a new shoe collection. I know I will be good. Gucci Dior Manolo Blahnik and Rihanna collection

Hillary Clinton When you are running for Leader of the Free World you have to have your power look on lock. Hillary Clinton who has been  First Lady, Senator of New York and Secretary of State owns it. As the Democratic front runner for President of the Untied States of America, Hillary is working the pantsuit. All hail the pantsuit!                        HM                          Zara

Read books by my sheros Mindy Kaling, Candice Bushnell and Shonda Rhimes recently. I came away with wonderful inspiring lessons from each one to take into 2016. My favorite came from Shonda Rhime's commencement speech at Dartmouth. How she dreamed of being Toni Morrison but found her own dream. " Don't  be a dreamer. Be a doer ". Words to live by.