I'M 50!!! 50% off!!

Remember when Molly Shannon made the phrase "I'm 50! .. 50 years old" the punch line of the decade? Well heading into the holiday season this year, it's retailers that are yelling "50 % off", at least.. as they rev up their engines for Black Friday.   That is what the industry calls the Friday after Thanksgiving - the day that many companies went into the black for the year historically.   Let's hope this year it doesn't come to be known as "Still in the Red Friday".    Check out the mall near you , because there are bargains like you have not seen in a VERY long time.   Having said that - please spend responsibly - this obsession with buying things we don't need played a big part in getting us into this economic mess in the first place!  We can all buy less this year and buy smarter.  Ok, so carbo load on that Turkey Thursday so you have energy to shop till you drop on Friday!!  One great gift to put on your list - even if it's a gift for yourself - SNL -Best of Molly Shannon DVD -  I challenge you to keep a straight face when you watch this one!  click here for links to the stores.  Happy Shopping!

ISAAC MIZRAHI designs bag for NY TIMES

In a follow up story to the Guggenheim and the "real" limited editions out there - I want to tell you about a new handbag designed by Isaac Mizrahi for the NY TIMES.   What a great idea and wonderfully unique offering this holiday season.   The global obsession with luxury gave us all a reality smack-down in the last few months and it is great to see Isaac design this SMART and CHIC accessory for the literate woman in your life.   They are truly limited to only 600 units!  Each bag comes with a certificate of your numbered piece.   Also a cotton dust cover and gift box with a NY TIMES embossed logo.    At a time when everything is mass produced - even some of the so called luxury items - it is great to find a bag that you won't see coming and going when you hit the town. 

The bag has classic lines - think Hermes tote or Chanel medallion bag - even featuring a big NY TIMES golden logo pull tab.   Women will be doing a double take to see what brand that is?   They won't know, they'll be embarrassed to ask, the stores will get calls, it will be hysterical.   Be the first and only one in your circle to get one before they are gone.  The bag is made from very durable  twill fabric / patent leather / and laminated fabric lining - making sure it will hold up for years to come.

Mr. M is a true NY'er.   He has had ups and downs and always lands on his feet and keeps on going - just like the best of the big apple!  

Order online at the NY TIMES STORE.

Guggenheim Museum offers limited edition jewelry collection

The term "limited edition" has been used pretty loosely over the last 10 years.   Finding collections that are actually sold in a limited, set quantity is rare.  The Guggenheim Museum has a new collection of jewelry that is about as limited as you can get!  RESTORATION ROCKS are made from pieces of the Landmark Guggenheim building.  Yes, this is true....  To celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary in 2009 of the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building on 5th Avenue, the Museum underwent some reinforcing renovations.   In that process, a certain amount of gunite debris had to be removed from the internal and external structure.   In a brilliant move - the museum kept the fragments and commissioned California Jewelry artisan Cara Tilker to feature them in a collection to be sold in the museum store.   Modern, Minimal, and beautiful the collection features a full range of pieces including rings, necklaces, and earrings.   Prices start at $175 and all pieces feature sterling silver settings.   Certain styles will be offered for custom production in 14k Gold.   These make truly unique holiday gifts.

To find out more about the collection visit www.guggenheimstore.org   

Editor in Chief reveals STOLEN MOMENTS from a friend - Pamela Fiori pays tribute to Ronny Jaques

Hollywood has many faces and sometimes our favorite actors are not necessarily the ones who are given all the accolades.   Have you ever had a favorite star that you just don't see enough of?  Well, so is the case for many talented people behind the camera.   There are amazing careers we just don't read about - without which much of the magic would not happen.   Celebrity and Fashion photographer Ronny Jaques is one of those names.   A body of work that rivals his more famous contemporaries such as Richard Avedon and Horst, Mr. Jaques was always just under the radar.   

That is until now.   Town & Country Editor-in-Chief and longtime friend of the photographer , Pamela Fiori curates a beautiful and touching collection of some of his finest work.    Looking through the collection you can tell in an instant this man had a given talent.   The best photographers have an ability to charm their subjects which produces the most intimate portraits.  It is not something you can fake.   It is that instant look that you see in page after page of some of Hollywood's and the Fashion World's legends in this new collection titled STOLEN MOMENTS.   A perfect title to beautiful pictures that make you feel like a fly on the wall to intimate friendships.   The list is long from Nat King Cole, Marlon Brando, and Bettie Davis to Givenchy, The Duke and Dutchess of Windsor to Coco Chanel herself!  Coco's portrait is proof positive of his ability as Chanel was never known to be a willing model -to say the least.   Mr. Jaques passed away this past summer at the age of 98.   A long life  filled with  amazing  career achievements.

Pamela Fiori is the Editor in Chief for Town & Country Magazine.   Month after month she reigns over all that is chic and tasteful.  Previously she was the Editor in Chief of Travel & Leisure and herself has been honored by several organizations for her humanitarian work.

It is obvious that Ms. Fiori was truly honoring a friendship more than a career with Stolen Moments.   It is a refreshing offering to the sea of photo books that adorn many a coffee table.   This is one you would be so pleased to find and one that anyone on your holiday wish list would be pleased to unwrap!   The book is in stores now.