Life's Petite Pleasures

Are you caught on the work-spend treadmill?  I stumbled upon a great article on the New York Times' website today called "But Will it Make You Happy?".  It's all about studies that show what really makes people happy and increases their quality of life.  Is it more money?  No, not really.  Not surprisingly, experiences as opposed to possessions are key ingredient in levels of happiness  Developing close relationships, traveling, appreciating life's small luxuries, and downsizing your lifestyle were components in creating a simpler and satisfying existence.  So, the next time you are debating whether to go on a shopping spree splurge or take a weekend jaunt with friends, you may want to hit the road instead of heading to the mall.  In the long run, you may just become a happier person.

Click here for the entire article.

Here are a few of my little luxuries I superbly enjoy.  What are yours? 

- The High Line in NYC

- Booking a vacation way in advance so I can look forward to it for months

- Buying flowers from the deli for my desk (especially tulips)

- Leftovers from a favorite restaurant

- Power walking like soccer moms with my friend Jess

- New socks/bath towels

- Water with cucumber slices

- Museums

- Skype-ing with Mom

- Tracy Anderson Dance Cardio even though I am a horrible dancer

- Taxi rides instead of the subway

- Reading my slew of magazines

- Having a Blackberry-free evening

- iTunes radio

- Pre-made Guacamole from Whole Foods

My Favs: Brix Smith-Start

Brix Smith-Start is nothing short of a hurricane of energy who has done (and is doing) the coolest things you can imagine.  I met Brix a little over a year ago on a whirlwind weekend trip to London.  My fellow traveler had met her on vacation a few months prior, and I was thrilled to finally meet the person he went gaga over.  So, a bit on Brix: She was a guitarist in 80's band The Fall and is now a fashion personality powerhouse and bellwether of up-and-coming trends with her three shops in the Shoreditch section of London: Start for women, Start for men, and Mr. Start bespoke.  Not to fret my fellow Americans!  Start's website ships globally (www.start-london.com)...now all you have to do is convert those pounds to dollars.  And, if you want to climb into the mind of Brix, check out her Start Television YouTube channel for the latest on her fashion picks, an insider's eye on buying trips and fashion week, and most importantly....the crazy fun that ensues.  I hope you all enjoy the first  Schitty-Chic My Favs from across the pond!

Beauty Products
Lipstick - Laura Mercier
Shampoo - John Frieda
Moisturizer - Dr. Sebagh
Hair Product - John Frieda Serum
Perfume - My bespoke concoction with petula and grapefruit
Toothpaste - Colgate Whitening
Nail Polish Color - Nude for fingers, fuchsia for toes
Where do you get your hair cut? - John Frieda London: cut by Gary Glossman, colour by Susan Baldwin

Clothes
Jeans - Prps
Underware - Hanro
Sneakers - Victoria
Watch - Cartier
T-Shirt - Rick Owens
Day Dress - Maison Martin Margiela
Day Bag - Mulberry Alexa in tan
Evening Bag - Pauric Sweeney
Favorite Accessory - My diamond ring
Favorite Designer - Maison Martin Margiela

Home
Where do you live - Shoreditch, East London
Favorite Art - Claes Oldenburg
Sheets - Handmade
Coffee Maker - Cafetiere (French press)
Stationary - Smythson
Flowers - Passion flower
Gadget - iPhone
Neighborhood Restaurant - Bistrotheque
Drink - Vodka
Dessert - Iced frozen berries with white chocolate sauce from The Ivy

Inspirations
Discovery - I have a photographic memory for colour
Who inspires you? - People who do random acts of kindness
Necessary Extravagance - Flying business class
Favorite Charity - Guide dogs for the blind
Movie - A Clockwork Orange
Vintage Store - The Marais district in Paris
Favorite Hotel - Kasbah Tamadot
Colors - Blue, fuchsia, and black

Images courtesy of Brix Smith-Start, start-london.com, kasbahtamadot.virgin.com, and spacenk.com

My Favs: Richard Haines

I truly owe a random morning of browsing through The Cut to meeting Richard Haines. Fashion designer, illustrator, teacher, and blogger extraordinaire (you must check out What I Saw Today); Richard has his fingers in many pots around the fashion world. After commissioning a portrait for a friend's birthday, I let my inner narcissist loose and sat for two of myself (one pictured and right, and one on the Shitty-Chic FB fan page). After hanging with Richard for an hour I knew he had to be my first featured My Favs male. Enjoy!

BEAUTY
LIPS - I buy a little jar of Carmex 2x a year: summer and winter. Then, I love it about two weeks later, my lips dry out, and I repeat the same process next season.
SHAMPOO - I use my daughter's Garnier Fructis stuff that smells like candy--it's kind of gross, but it's always available.
MOISTURIZER - I am adamant about Kiehl's Nourishing, Soothing Skin Cream for Men
HAIR PRODUCT- All kinds of stuff I buy when the person who cuts my hair uses it. But, when I use it it never looks the same.
SCENT - Nothing. I don't use fragrance or deodorant...
TOOTHPASTE - Duh, Crest.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HAIR CUT? I go to Erica Bennett at Damian West Salon. She's as lovely as she is talented (cuts men & women).

CLOTHES
JEANS - Uniqlo super skinny 000. People ask me if I'm wearing super expensive jeans, and they're like $39!
UNDERWARE - American Apparel color stuff and H&M makes a fierce pair of boxer briefs.
SNEAKERS - I bought some black sneaker/moccasins by Generic Surplus at Reed Space on Orchard Street. My daughter is mortified because I'm 'wearing skater shoes.'
WATCH - Bright blue Timex at Opening Ceremony
T-SHIRT - American Apparel or J. Crew
DAYTIME LOOK - See me in Burberry/The Art of the Trench: wrinkled shirt, tie, Uniqlo jeans, Prada lace-ups. Always with my 25 year old croc belt with silver Tiffany buckle to give it some 'history.'
BAG - J. Crew cotton bag with my drawing of their Broadway shop on it.
EVENING LOOK - Haha, that's funny...see 'daytime look.'
FAVORITE ACCESSORY - A wrist strap the Bray Brothers/Billykirk traded me for a sketch I did of them.
FAVORITE DESIGNER - Lanvin for men's and women's--it's modern chic full on.

HOME
WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Yo Bushwick!
FAVORITE ART - Impossible to answer. Good art restores my belief in the goodness of mankind to create beauty in the face of chaos and despair. I can't name one person...
SHEETS - I got some good stuff using a gift certificate at Restoration Hardware.
MORNING STARTER - Coffee! Trader Joe's or some amazing stuff from this hippie shop in Cape May.
STATIONARY - When I was a fashion designer I had embossed cards from Dempsey & Carroll. Now, I use a sketch pad.
FLOWERS - A big bunch of roses in different colors. Anyone reading this is more than welcome to send me some...
GADGET - iPhone apps. Right now the Scrabble app and the one that allows me to do portraits on the iPhone.
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT - Roberta's at the Morgan L stop is the shit. So is An Choi on Orchard St.
DRINK - I don't drink, so it would have to be Snapple green tea in the 17.5 oz. containers.
DESSERT - Anything that starts with the word 'creme.'

INSPIRATIONS
DISCOVERY - Brooklyn. Not news anymore, but a real discovery to me.
WHO INSPIRES YOU? My daughter--her curiosity, humor and intelligence inspires me every day.
NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE - Flowers, books, time, flowers, good candles, fashion books, massages, an occasional therapy session...
CHARITY - Anything benefiting children in orphanages.
MOVIES - Too many to say. But, the one movie that still resonates about how and where we live is Robert Altman's classic, 'Nashville.'
VINTAGE STORE - Didier Ludot in Paris--not your typical vintage place. Hermes and Dior--the real deal.
HOTEL - L'Hotel on the left bank in Paris. Small on size but grand in taste.
COLORS - Like art, too many to choose. But, I usually reach for any shad of blue colored pencil first...

My Favs: Ani Lee

Ani Lee is one of my favorite Los Angelenos. She is the designer of two clothing lines: Ani Lee and Ani Lee Oveture which features reproductions of amazing vintage fabrics. Ani creates vintage-inspired dresses that transcend seasons and trends but still have a modern and very "now" look. If that weren't enough to fill her plate, she also owns the Los Angeles boutique Jane Doe John Doe which carries men's, women's, accessories and shoes. Needless to say, the woman knows her fashion and has a taste level that is sky-high. Enjoy!

Beauty Products

Lipstick day - Shiseido Rouge Irise

Lipstick night - Love bright red or pink during the evening - Nars Funny Face
Shampoo - Davines
Moisturizer - Kate Somerville for face, Malin + Goetz for body
Hair Product -Bain de Terre shine serum
Perfume - Creed's Spring Blossom for day; Comme de Garcons - Odeur 53 for evening
Toothpaste - Go Smile
Nail-Polish Color - Essie's E Live on the Red Carpet for fingers, Essie's Fuiji for toes
Where do you get your hair cut - Byron Williams at Byron and Tracey Salon in Los Angeles

Clothes
Jeans - Ernest Sewn
Underwear - Hanky Panky
Sneakers - Creative Recreation
Watch - Homemade: White Freelook face w/white porcelain Swatch Watch band
T-Shirt - Bootleg Buddhist Punk's House of the Gods tees
Day Dress - Vintage
Day Bag - Balenciaga City Bag in Pebble
Evening Bag - Vintage Clutch
Favorite Accessory - Aztec Calendar Pendant
Favorite Designer - I have so many! Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood, Phillip Lim and Stella McCartney are at the top of my list.

Home
Where do you live: LaLa land
Favorite Art - All over the place with art.from Frieda Kahlo to Mario Testino to Os Gemeos to Thomas Gainsborough!
Sheets - Sateen
Coffee-Maker - Cuisinart - but I never use it!
Stationary - Legal Pads
Flowers - Sunflowers and White Orchids
Gadget - Blackberry
Neighborhood restaurant - Manis Bakery
Drink - Whiskey sour
Dessert - Apple pie with vanilla ice cream

Inspirations
Discovery - Ibiza
Who inspires you - My grandmother, my mother, Anna Wintour, Tom Ford, Dianne von Furstenberg, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Marion Cotillard
Necessary Extravagance - Traveling, especially weekend trips to Palms Springs with my girls
Favorite Charity - LA's Best: Any charity that benefits children
Favorite Movies - Love foreign films...Bella, Jeux d'enfants (Love me if you Dare), La Mala Educacion (Love Pedro Almodovar!), The September Issue, Happy-Go-Lucky, Bend it Like Beckham, Vicky Christina Barcelona

Favorite Vintage Store - Jet Rag
Favorite Hotel - Chateau Marmont
Favorite Colors - Black, Cobalt Blue, Crimson Red and Emerald Green

www.Ani-Lee.com

Jane Doe John Doe Boutique

8478 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles

My Favs: Sara Story

Where do I even start with Sara Story: Accomplished interior designer, business woman, style maven, mother, wife, friend, philanthropist, world traveler, elephant polo player, etc, etc. If you want to find someone who does it all, it is Sara. She is the principal of Sara Story Design and has been featured in Elle Decor, Domino, O at Home and countless other shelter magazines. Sara has an impeccable sense of style and a penchant for all things luxurious, so I was really excited to throw the My Favs questionnaire her way. Enjoy!

Beauty Products
Lipstick - Clarins Instant Light: It's gloss with a bit of color—LOVE everything by Clarins
Shampoo - Shu Uemura
Moisturizer - Patricia Wexler: It's about $40, and it rocks--has sunscreen too.
Hair Product - Barex Italiana
Perfume - Ambra di Venezia Toothpaste - Tom's of Maine in Spearmint Gel
Nail-Polish Color - Opi in Mrs. O’ Leary’s BBQ: It’s a super dark purple/brown
Where do you get your hair cut - Eugene at Rita Hazan Salon

Clothes

Jeans - AG or James
Underwear- Hanky Panky
Sneakers - Adidas
Watch - Rolex
T-Shirt - Splendid: softest cotton
Day Dress - Carolina Herrera or Calypso—(has the cutest dresses at really good prices)
Day Bag - Prada
Evening Bag - Lanvin
Favorite Accessory - My gold bracelets: Some are from loved ones, some from cool trips I have taken. I love wearing them all together.
Favorite Designer - Elber Albaz for Lanvin. I am obsessed with him. His clothes are my favorite.


Home
Where do you live - Gramercy Park
Favorite Art - Elizabeth Peyton
Sheets - Casa del Bianco
Coffee-Maker - Cuisinart
Stationary - Hazlitz from London
Flowers - Peonies from Plaza Florists
Gadget - iphone
Neighborhood Restaurant - Casa Mono
Drink - Dirty martini
Dessert - Lemon meringue pie


Inspirations
Discovery - Neue Gallery in New York
Who inspires you - Kelly Wearstler, Annabelle, Selldorf, Madonna
Necessary Extravagance - Travel, travel, travel. It always inspired and energizes me.
Charity - Charities for kids are among my favorites
Movie - Love Actually--is that corny? I can watch it over and over.
Vintage Store - Ina in SoHo
Hotel - Plaza Athenne in Paris: Chic, fun and super french
Color - Orange

My Favs: Shani Silver

Shani and I met our first week of freshman year at The University of Texas, and even though we haven't been able to live in the same city since graduation (We have shuffled between Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York) it's like a match made in heaven. There is something about Barton Springs and Thundercloud that bonds friends forever. She writes the amazingly entertaining blog London France (yes, as in underpants), is a budding photographer, loves dive bars and live music, and oh ya, in her spare time she practices law. Welcome the world of Shani's favorites.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS:
Lipstick- Nars Chelsea Girls
Shampoo- Anything that smells like mint
Moisturizer- Olay daily stuff. spf 15
Hair Product- Bobby pins.
Perfume- Majenty perfume oil, hidden cove scent
Toothpaste- Crest vivid white
Nail-Polish Color- Essie ballet slippers
Where do you get your hair cut- My girl Bria. She hooks it up with the mad bang trims.

CLOTHES:
Jeans- Online sample sales
Underwear- Hanky Panky
Sneakers- No
Watch- Broken
T-Shirt- Three Dots, Splendid, or American Apparel
Day Dress- Vintage
Day Bag- Ashley Watson recycled leather bags
Evening Bag- Vintage Gucci
Favorite Accessory- Maya Brenner Texas necklace
Favorite Designer- Alexander Wang, Pency, Mike & Chris

HOME:
Where do you live- Chicago
Favorite Art- The Post Family
Sheets- Not jersey
Coffee- Whatever Mexican coffee is on sale at Jewel
Stationary- Legal pads
Flowers- The kind that get delivered to my office
Gadget- iphone
Neighborhood restaurant- Tank Sushi
Drink- Yes
Dessert- Birthday cake

INSPIRATIONS:
Favorite Discovery- Free public pools
Who inspires you- People who use public transit
Necessary Extravagance- Hanky Pankys
Favorite Charity- The ones that feed people
Favorite Movies- Annie Hall, Harry Potter
Favorite Vintage Store- ebay
Favorite Hotel- Hotel Cass
Favorite Colors- black, white

My Favs: Heather Futterman

Heather Futterman is truly a budding style maven. She once told me that during her formative years she was so bored by school that she started dressing to "amuse herself". I have never seen such a rattletrap mix of high and low fashion look so effortlessly put together...and so completely fabulous. Heather has lived in NYC her entire life, and now as a recent college graduate, she is bartending and waitressing for the summer. Heather says, "I love my city. Although I miss the old New York at times, I love how the city is constantly changing, and the fast-paced lifestyle that I have become so accustomed to."

BEAUTY PRODUCTS
LIPSTICK: Chanel in Passion. This shade looks great on all skin tones. SHAMPOO: Joico for color treated hair. MOISTURIZER: I live by Maui Babe After Sun Lotion in the summer. It not only smells like the beach, but it also protects your tan from fading. HAIR PRODUCT: Tonic Water spray from Garren New York. It is the only spray that doesn't leave a greasy feel to my hair. PERFUME: Ralph Lauren Romance. TOOTHPASTE: I am a fan of Colgate or Rembrandt . Honestly don't have a preference as long as it has a very minty aftertaste. NAIL-POLISH COLOR: I love Big Apple Red by OPI, it looks awesome year round. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HAIR CUT: Garren New York Salon by the beautiful and talented Jordan Sparkes.

CLOTHES
JEANS: I have to admit that I am not a big jeans person. I am a fan of spandex. UNDERWEAR: I love Laina Jane, but Filene's Basement has awesome prices for designer intimate apparel. SNEAKERS: Nike's all the way! WATCH: Grandma's vintage gold watch. T-SHIRT: As overpriced as American Apparel is, there t-shirts are super comfortable and come in every freaking color. DAY DRESS: Multi-colored pastel vintage flowy dress. It reminds me of a layer cake. DAY BAG: Bright yellow leather bag that my sister gave me. EVENING BAG: Any of my cousin's vintage bags. FAVORITE ACCESSORY: A silver cuff in the shape of a feather. FAVORITE DESIGNER: Stella McCartney.

HOME
WHERE DO YOU LIVE: Born and raised in Chelsea, Manhattan. I am proud to say that I am a native New Yorker. We are, unfortunately, a rare and dying breed. FAVORITE ART: I love the Renaissance period. All of it. SHEETS: The best part about my bedding is the amazingly soft tan comforter that will instantly put you to sleep. COFFEE-MAKER: I own one, but I am convinced it is just there for a useless decoration. I end up buying coffee every morning. New York deli coffee is underrated. STATIONARY: Not a big stationary person, although I have always wanted personalized stationary. FAV FLOWERS: I love sunflowers. They make everyone smile. However, Barbara has a talent for making impeccable flower arrangements :) FAV GADGET: My Blackberry. Although it is a phone, I consider more of a toy. FAV NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT: Pepe Giallo. Soooo delicious, affordable, and the decor is casual rustic...the best kind. FAV DRINK: Honeysuckle Margarita from Little Branch- anything with tequila in it is fine by me. FAV DESSERT: Molten Cholcoate delicious lava cake.

INSPIRATIONS
FAV DISCOVERY: The toaster. WHO INSPIRES YOU: My Grandma Myra and my older sister Jemma. NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE: A pair of really expensive designer shoes. The kind that make any outfit. FAVORITE CHARITY: Seeds of Peace. It helps to unite Israeli's and Muslims. FAVORITE MOVIES: The Princess Bride is probably one of my top five favorite movies. FAVORITE VINTAGE STORE: New York Vintage. It is right next to my apartment building and I always gauk at their creative and beautiful window displays, and the fact that I can't afford anything in the store. FAVORITE HOTEL: The Standard. FAVORITE COLORS: Black, red, green, and anything that is bright.

My Favs: Barbara Kratus

I saw this questionnaire in Vanity Fair and decided to shamelessly rip it off. Of course I, Barbara Kratus, will be the first to answer, and I look forward to adding my favorite people to the list of honorees.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS

LIPSTICK: Not really a lipstick person, but I love Nivea A Kiss of Shine or Chanel Aqualumiere in Waikiki. SHAMPOO: Head & Shoulders 2-in-1--I have super fine hair, and this is perfection. MOISTURIZER: NeoStrata Ultra Smoothing Lotion. HAIR PRODUCT: Any kind of ultra super cement hold hairspray for the bangs. PERFUME: Marc Jacobs or Narciso Rodriguez TOOTHPASTE: Crest Vivid White--I have a slight obsession with teeth. NAIL POLISH COLOR: Seasonal, but I love Essie Wicked on toes, buff on the phalanges. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HAIR CUT: Jordan Sparkes at Garren New York.

CLOTHES

JEANS: JBrand or Goldsign---fit, fit, fit is key. Pay whatever you need to for them to fit perfectly. UNDERWARE: American Apparel or Elle McPherson Intimates--reasonably priced and super sexy. SNEAKERS: Converse All-Stars or Vans slip-ons. WATCH: Marc Jacobs blue patent leather--I always get compliments. (I really want a vintage Rolex, though). DAY DRESS: J. Crew, but mostly wear separates--increases the number of outfits exponentially. DAY BAG: Marc Jacobs Hillier bag in Black (although in hot weather it leaves black crap all over my white jeans!!) EVENING BAG: Clutch or super short strap. FAVORITE ACCESSORY: Gold ring with blue sapphire I got at Doyle & Doyle as a "Welcome 2009" present to myself. FAVORITE DESIGNER: Changes Monthly.HOME

WHERE DO YOU LIVE: Greenwich Village, Manhattan. FAVORITE ART: Elizabeth Peyton, Helmut Newton. SHEETS: Seriously, I have these sheets from Bed Bath & Beyond made of bamboo fiber that they are amazingly soft. COFFEE-MAKER: None, more of a green tea straight-up person. STATIONARY: Crane's in tangerine orange. FAVORITE FLOWERS: Hydrangeas, tulips, and bluebonnets. FAVORITE GADGET: Nike+ Ipod. FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT: Pepe Giallo in Chelsea---ridiculously cheap and ridiculously delicious. FAVORITE DRINK: Black Russian (Vodka and Kahlua) FAVORITE DESERT: Single scoop of ice cream in a sugar cone.

INSPIRATIONS

FAVORITE DISCOVERY: Yoga to the People and Tracy Anderson workouts online. WHO INSPIRES YOU: Diane Von Furstenberg, Barack Obama, Madonna, Anna Wintour. NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE: Pedicures and brunch with friends on the weekends. FAVORITE CHARITY: Children of Bellevue. FAVORITE MOVIES: Pulp Fiction, Marie Antoinette, Belle du Jour, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Gray Gardens. FAVORITE HOTEL: Hotel San Jose, Austin TX. FAVORITE COLORS: Gray, gold, navy.