Decisions --- The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

"Once there was a tree....and she loved a little boy."  So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.  This book is for all ages offers readers an interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

I have bought this book many times as a gift and also for my own children....the message in this book is incredible and touching. 

Happy Holidays --

F A M I L Y = the early days

Grandma's Front Yard - Los Angeles, Ca 1963

this is one of my most favorite picture taken of myself with my brother and cousins and Grandma Gertie.  I am standing in the front row between my two cousins, Howard and Paul Zager.

Behind me is my Grandma and older brother Gary Zager and now famous cousin Lynnanne Zager

This photo is taken in Grandma 's backyard - 1981

For different reasons this is one of my favorite photographs of myself with my cousin Howard Zager, my brother and cousin Lynnanne. I am on the left side wearing a cowlneck blue sweater dress and I think it's Thanksgiving Day 1981.

Everyday answers to everyday questions....

Sweaters
Men - you may think you're doing your  sweaters a favor when you leave them on hangers, in dry cleaning bags, until you wear them next.  This is not the case.  Its important to remove them from the hanger and the bag as soon as you get them home.  Sweaters need to be exposed to the air, and folded, not hung. so they don't lose their shape.

Style tip:
Don't be afraid to let your favorite sweater add interest to an outfit in an unexpected way.  You can always layer a fine-gauge hoodie under a blazer or wear a cashmere pullover as a stylish alternative to a sweatshirt.

Handbags, purses, retro, beaded an Accessory with a delicate balance than can make or break an Oufit !!

A bag that's chic is a bag that you can wear everywhere, day or night,  office or date night.

I first fell in love with handbags at age 16....I had always admired my Mother's bags.  Her purses sometimes reminded me of Doris Day or Mary Tyler Moore.

when I was able to afford my own purses, my standard favorite was Dooney & Bourke, or back then the everyday purse was called the Duck purse, since it repelled water.

when my children were little - I carried a Dooney & Bourke saddle stitched, riveted and all leather bag.  It was sturdy and appealed to Soccer Moms that drove Volvo wagons -- which was myself in the 1980's.

Gucci bags were the rage in the mid 1970's with the traditional stripe down the middle of forest green and red.  I was a graduating senior in 1975 and my parents bought me a Gucci purse bucket bag with a metal clasp in the middle, and I still have it to this day.

Later on in the mid 1990's we all grew up and wanted our own Louis Vuitton with the famous logo.

We love our Fendi bags also -- 

Class Acts: ...Elegant Icons

Purses equal power, remember former parliamentary power Margaret Thatcher she never went anywhere without her chunky purse. which she called her trusty companion, more that just political power - a great purse can define a lady.  Grace Kelly is the most famous and fabulous example of this.  Grace  carried a Hermes bag in 1956 to shield her pregnant belly from photographers.

today regardless if you wear a novelty handbag or carry an American classic - we all are obsessed with grand handbags.  It gives us the illusion that a commoner can become a princess with the right BAG!!

Here's hoping you get your favorite bag this Holiday season from your special sweetheart.

Here is a picture of a Birthday CAKE, made to look like a Louis Vuitton,  even the zipper and the handles on the cake look like the real deal.

Updated version of the Dooney & Burke circa: 2010, brought to you my the Mouse. Colorful and practical with Mickey Mouse whimsical and fun.

My every day go to bag -- COACH.....looks classic and holds much of what I need.