THIS TRACKSUIT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE

I'm a sucker for a man|boy or baby in an Adidas tracksuit. It has universal appeal and gives an air of "retro-I-know-what-I'm-doing-when-it-comes-to-style-I-don't-take-myself-too-seriously-and-don't-have-to-try-so-hard" cool. The tracksuit oozes just the right amount of masculine, urban fly-guy flavor that I need, and it's fashionable on practically every continent on earth.  This outfit can go anywhere!! I'll take the whole suit, the bottoms only with a t-shirt or the jacket only with a t-shirt and jeans. No matter. It is a fact however, that the ensemble is not complete without "shell-toe" Adidas Superstars !  Iconic rap pioneers Run DMC are responsible for putting this look on the map in the 1980's!

Available in sizes ranging from baby to adult and a myriad of colors from pink all the way to black, the popular 80's staple has withstood the test of time and still gets my vote! I think it's safe to say the Adidas suit will NEVER go out of style.  {I wonder if we'll be saying this about the Juicy Couture tracksuit craze 25 years from now!}

{THE TRACKSUIT - THEN}:  Rap Legends Run DMC in Paris

{A childhood friend of mine actually married Darryl McDaniels - the DMC in Run DMC}

{THE TRACKSUIT: NOW}

Little Boy Blue and Little Pink Princess Tracksuits

**Names by Roni**

**Suits by Adidas**

{{Too cute!}}

**On the red carpet: Actor Keith Robinson**

**Leaving Handprints: New Orleans Saints' Reggie Bush** 

LTLY,

 

Roni♥

THE "HIGH STYLE" OF BETSY BLOOMINGDALE

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night gala for the "Betsy Bloomingdale: The Haute Couture" exhibit at FIDM in Los Angeles this past Saturday. The elegant white carpet|black tie affair was held beneath a glamorous clear tent in the courtyard of FIDM's Downtown LA campus.  Among the crowd was Ms. Bloomingdale herself, Nick Verreros {Project Runway Alum}, and me {in a slinkly giraffe-print backless jumpsuit}.

The mixed-media exhibit showcases couture pieces from Ms. Bloomingdale's wardrobe from the 1960's all the way to the present. Each item features a description detailing the designer, information about the garment and where & when B. Bloomingdale wore it. A book titled, "Entertaining at Home with Betsy Bloomingdale" is also on display.  Clearly, she was a woman of distinction, style, grace and elegance. 

This photo is iconic. So 70's socialite chic.

Betsy Bloomingdale arriving at her daughter's wedding in Los Angeles, 1974.

"The Fabulous Life of B. Bloomingdale" could have easy been the name of this retrospective, which was certainly an inspiration to live a life extraordinary enough that your belongings would later be curated into a celebrated art exhibit! Who is Betsy Bloomingdale? She was once the wife of an heir to the Bloomingdales dynasty, a socialite, and best friend of former first lady Nancy Reagan.

I fell head over heels for a stunning mint green knit one-shouldered floor length column dress that needs to be put into production immediately, circa now {can't recall the designer, but it's been eating at me so I know I'll be going back to confirm}.  Go see for yourself.  Exhibit at FIDM from October 21, 2009 - December 13, 2009. Wednesday - Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Free.

@ FIDM | 919 South Grand Ave. | Los Angeles, CA  90015

LTLY,





Roni♥

OBAMA IS THE 2009 NOBEL PRIZE WINNER!

Just after 6 am this morning, President Barack Obama learned that he was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize!  What an absolute honor to have our very own President in such distinguished company. The President was humbled as he announced today that he views this prize as a "call to action".  The Norweigian Nobel Committee voted unanimously for our President, noting his efforts to solve complex global issues, and to move towards a nuclear-free society, among other accomplishments.

I am so very proud to call this man, "Mr. President" and also impressed that the Nobel Prize Committee took such bold initiative to recognize his contributions toward the betterment of mankind.

LTLY,

Roni♥

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA!

Barack Hussein Obama, our 44th President, is celebrating his 48th BIRTHDAY

today! He was born on August 4, 1961, and became President

of the United States on January 20, 2009!

LTLY,

Roni♥

THE JUMPSUIT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Leonard,

the iconic french fashion house adored by the fashion elite, has continued to give us the most beautifully exquisite, colorful and luxurious printed silk & knit garments in the industry for the past 50+ years. They are in my personal fashion Hall-of-Fame and share company with Missoni, Pucci, Etro, Roberta di Camerino, Matthew Williamson and Sonia Rykiel - some of my favourite iconic masters of color, craftsmanship & style.

This piece of gorgeousness right here, is the "Marcia" Jumpsuit from their Spring 2009 Collection, and is pretty much at the top of the Jumpsuit Food Chain in my book!

The deep plunge top is very sexy and modern, nicely juxtaposed with harem legs, which have recently been brought back into popularity. It's so, "I Dream of Jeannie" meets "Gossip Girl"!

How have they managed to stay off the radar for so long? I must admit, it has enabled them to maintain an exclusiveness and mystique that many fashion houses have lost through the decades. Well, I'm staking my claim right here and now... I've been loving Leonard for years, and after seeing this, I'm sure you will be loving them too!

The Marcia Jumpsuit... coming soon to a closet near you! (Mine)!

LTLY,


Roni♥

PS... If she were still around, would Carrie Bradshaw rock this? What do you think??? Visit us on Twitter to share your thoughts!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE... MJ TRIBUTE

MICHAEL JACKSON WILL BE LOVED FOREVER.

LTLY,

Roni♥

BILLIE JEAN... MJ TRIBUTE

MICHAEL JACKSON , YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Billie Jean - Motown 25 Edition!

LTLY,

Roni♥

ROCK WITH YOU... MJ TRIBUTE

MICHAEL JACKSON WILL LIVE FOREVER...

LTLY,


Roni♥

HUMAN NATURE... MJ TRIBUTE

MICHAEL JACKSON WILL LIVE FOREVER

LTLY,

Roni♥

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

TRR PREDICTS:

The next big fashion obsession will be all about Dorothy' s Ruby Slippers!

Ruby slippers were in abundance at last night's Warner Brothers and FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) hosted celebration of The Wizard of Oz's 70th Anniversary along with the opening of The Ruby Slipper Collection / Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Museum & Galleries in LA.

The enchanting fashion-meets-art affair brought some of Hollywood's finest to FIDM in Downtown LA, where the luminous yellow carpet served as our very own "Yellow Brick Road"! There were Dorothy's galore (including a very tall Drag version complete with a little stuffed "Toto" peeking out of her basket), delicious treats, and a colorful new 'Wizard of Oz' inspired Tarina Tarantino jewelry collection. (I was totally lusting over her "Butterfly Necklace", which model Holly Owens circulated the party in- see photo). Nick Verreos, former Project Runway contestant, was wearing a glistening ruby colored heart pin, also by TT, attached to his baby blue and white gingham button-down shirt. Add to that, an historic art exhibit for the salivating shoe-nista in us all! Purely fabulous.

Spotted out were Debi Mazar from Entourage, designers Kevan Hall and Tarina Tarantino, Comedian George Lopez, Kristin Cavallari from the O.C. (and now from The Hills), TV host Amanda Geragos (who was very sweet), among many others. Also spotted were the most ADORABLE items to nibble on, including these little "Mashed Potato Martinis"! Imagine that? Mashed potatoes served in a martini glass, with any topping you could ever want on a potato to choose from. (I'm SO doing that!)

The Ruby Slipper collection featured a collection of Dorothy's "No-place-like-home" slippers (as they would look today), re-interpreted through the visions of 19 celebrated fashion designers including Oscar De La Renta, Betsey Johnson, Moschino and more! Bellisima! Each special pair were shown in a dazzling installation that included the designer's drawing of the shoe hanging from the wall and the actual live pair suspended from the ceiling in a clear lucite bubble with sparkling crystals inside adding shine and sizzle. Some of my stunning favourites were by Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B., Jimmy Choo and Roger Vivier!

The Inspirations of Fine Art Collection exhibited spectacular paintings and mixed-media art - all inspired by Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, Toto, Auntie Em, Glenda, and the Wicked Witch of the West! The exhibit will be shown at FIDM for 10 days, then tour the country for the rest of the year, culminating at The Wizard of Oz gala in New York this fall.

LTLY,

Roni♥

ANNA WINTOUR ON 60 MINUTES

The fashion world's highest matriarch - Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine, takes off her sunglasses for 60 Minutes.


Watch CBS Videos Online



LTLY,



Roni♥

SHOPPING JUST GOT MORE EXPENSIVE

Life in LA-LA Land will cost a tad bit more as of April 1, 2009.
On April Fool's Day, California will impose a new sales tax increase of 1 cent per dollar, bringing our sales tax from 8.25% to 9.25%.

This increase is set to remain in effect until July 1, 2011 and may extend to July 1, 2012.

The good news is, this is the last weekend to save!
(Especially those in the market to purchase big ticket items.)

The bad news is, NOBODY is happy about this. (Lawmakers, get it together please)! Stay tuned...

LTLY,

Roni

MUHAMMAD ALI HONORED AT CAAM

Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Los Angeles California

The California African American Museum hosted their annual gala in celebration of their 30th Anniversary. Celebrities and prominent figures in african-american society were in attendance at this elegant, black-tie affair hosted by Dennis Haysbert (known for his role as The President on the popular show 24, and as the very familiar voice of Allstate Insurance).

Muhummad Ali (joined by his wife, Lonnie) was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian efforts worldwide as well as his inspirational contributions as an athlete, political activist and international ambassador. Even in a frail state, Ali continues to exude a very powerful and moving presence. There were many misty eyes in the room when Ali and his wife were presented with his award.

Guests enjoyed dinner in the museum's grand hall amidst beautiful purple and amber tablescapes, striking floral designs and flowing fabrics draping the room - all styled by the talented W.P. Miller (Celebrity Event Planner featured on the E! Channel's Married Away series).

MURAKAMI @ MOCA

The atmosphere was absolutely electric in Little Tokyo this weekend, where MOCA hosted the launch of Takashi Murakami's magnificent multimedia installation for members and friends on Saturday evening. Louis Vuitton followed suit on Sunday night, opening for the 'red carpet set', complete with a performance featuring Kanye West.

The exhibit of over 90 works attracted the bold and the beautiful, the young and old alike. Downtown gypsy-bohemian types mingled with the artsy crowd, who mixed with Hollywood Hipsters and the very Harajuku-inspired (one brave soul showed up in a wedding dress and another had a "baby" doll in a chest-carrier ensemble going on). They were definitely representing Tokyo style!

The beauty of Murakami's vision was genius, overwhelming, and complex. It was all so pretty & colorful in a very 'Candyland meets Willy Wonka' way. After navigating through two cheerfully bright Murakami-print wallpapered rooms, I officially decided that this exhibit made me happy! So happy and even childlike. At times I even wanted to break out and start skipping (although my extra four inches of height talked me out of it)! Uniquely, a very cool Louis Vuitton boutique was also part of the installation, with exclusive pieces (from the Louis Vuitton/Murakami collaboration) and one very cool Mr. Keanu Reeves in the house checking them out. Nice touch. I will never look at my Murakami Speedy Bag quite the same again - it will be cherished as a work of art from here on out!

The Takashi Murakami retrospective will remain in Los Angeles through February 11, 2008, but you need to get over there to see it quick & fast! You can not miss this one. You will be inspired.