VALENTINE’S DAY ‘10: LOVE IN A NEW DECADE.

E! Net's 2009 Oscar coverage. Charlize Theron make-over.

It’s 2010 and if you are reading this it means we’re already a month into a new year. Time is moving quickly. The world is becoming more and more advanced. Is there time for age old conventions like ‘romance’ and ‘love’ in our modern world? I say yes. As we become more global yet separate with advances in technology, I for one think the human connection & its celebration is the most important thing we can do.

Who says valentines are just for lovers? You can send a valentine to any loved one. Here are 5 gifts that celebrate love in all it’s forms.
Parent to child:

The gift of reading is a life-long one. There is nothing better a parent can pass on to a child than a love of learning. Think about being read to as a child. Those private moments between you and your parents, where lessons are taught, stories are told and child bonds to parent. One of my favorite books is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Published in 1943 it is the story of a young boy’s search for love and self-knowledge. There are so many gorgeous quotes in this book. My favorite is “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” If only everyone believed this.

Co-workers:

Co-workers? Yes, I said it. Co-workers. Think about how much time you and your co-workers spend together. Often it’s more time than spent with friends or family. If you’d buy them a Christmas card, why not a Valentine’s Day card? In an effort not to make this creepy/stalker-ish I suggest giving EVERYONE in your office a valentine (like you did in primary school). How fun, right? And while you are at it give the classic Valentine’s Day candy hearts by NECCO. And don’t worry, some of the newer ones have replaced ‘Be Mine’ with ‘Tres Chic.’ Tres tres chic indeed!

Owner to pet:
Now I am not a proponent of bestiality. In fact I don’t really like pets, though I do have a black tetra named Marcellas. Love is love and people love their pets. I have to admit there are few things cuter than little dogs in outfits. Unless they happen to be held by annoying starlets named after major fashion capitals who have no style whatsoever. I love DoggieVogue.com. They make adorable little sweaters for dogs that I wish they made for humans! I love a Fair Isle knit.

Friends:

I sometime think I love my friends more than I like most of my suitors. To find a friend that you really connect with and trust is a rare blessing. It deserves to be acknowledged, exalted and rewarded. I never get enough one-on-one time with my ‘bestie’ so this year I’m treating my pal to a weekend at the W Hotel. We are getting massages, mani/pedis and salt scrubs at Bliss Spa. Then I’m hooking up with my beau all smooth and silky! See, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Lovers:

All the cliches apply: champagne and chocolates (Dom Perignon and Godiva), lingerie (Carol Malony), sexy undies (Hello Kitty), and sex. As I type this month’s article, looking for glamorous things to ignite passion or show love, my heart is not in it. Haiti has been devastated by an earthquake. A country already devastated by poverty and strife. My suggestion to show the one you love or desire the depth of your emotion? Donate money to the American Red Cross in their name. Then tell them you love them. Tell them that this world is better with them in it and you never want to know a world without them. Happy Valentine’s Day.

M*

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MARCELLAS STYLE! IV

This was either a good month or a bad month for shopping. In a way it was great because I spent very little money. But since I’m a consumer and consumers consume, it was kinda bad for the economy! In all honesty I don’t need a thing. I’m also on a new work out regimen. If I drop 20 it will be like having a whole new wardrobe since I can get back into my skinny clothes.

Without further ado here’s the list of what’s going and coming:

From Barneys New York -

Trovata Blue Bib Stitched Shirt $79.73 ($195 marked down to $119 then 33% off! I love it because it’s woven in mini blue houndstooth check with a tuxedo detail. Fab!)

Barney’s CO-OP Blue Stripe Shirt $59.63 ($145 marked down to $89 then 33% off.)

From H&M -

Red & White Stripe Shirt $15.00 (Originally $29.90 but all shirts on sale for $15!)

Heritage 1981 -

Black V Neck Cashmere Sweater w/Epaulets $21.90

Black V Neck Cashmere Sweater w/Epaulets $21.90 (Who can resist cashmere for $22 bucks?)

From Urban Outfitters -

Donny Readers $6.99 (Marked down from $10. My next look is gonna be Black boy ‘geek-chic’ meets prepster.)

Vulgar Tee $14.99 (Marked down from $24. Biting the (fashion) hand that feeds me!)

Generic Surplus Military Hi-tops $29.99 (Originally $70. I love these for spring! Canvas & suede, so very chic.)

I had to buy a few non-fashion things for the home. I’m ADDICTED to art, photography and fashion books by Rizzoli and Taschen. I’m also addicted to Kelly Wearstler. She’s like my hero. Effortlessly chic and has a profound impact on the style world around her. And she was a playmate of the month in ‘94!

From Amazon.com -

Hue by Kelly Wearstler $32.97 (32% off $49.95!)

Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style by Kelly Wearstler $32.40 (28% off %45. Kelly at a discount! Priceless.)

From Taschen  (Who was hosting a 50 - 70% off warehouse sale!) -

All-American Ads 50s $19.99

Film Posters of the 60s by Tony Nourmand & Grahman Marsh $7.49

Film Posters of the 70s by Tony Nourmand & Grahman Marsh $7.49

So that is it. A lil glimpse into how I shop, strangely how I live and actually my future. Which could be the poor house if I don’t slow down and stop shopping! Not gonna happen… This weekend is Bloomies’ 50 - 70% mark down sale on previously reduced merch. I love a sale! M*

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HAPPY GREEN NEW YEAR!

The Holidays are blissfully over. You have eaten and spent too much. Your New Year resolutions probably have something to do with more time in the gym and more money in the bank. Normally I’m a huge proponent of luxe. In 2009 I told you about the newest sports cars, a $15,000 chandelier and of course every gorgeous stitch sewn by Dolce & Gabbana, D Squared, Ralph Lauren, John Varvatos… Well the list is endless! I’m starting the year turning a new leaf (at least for one month). This month I’m going super green and I’m telling you how to clean up your act and give yourself a facial at home! With common ingredients found at your local grocery store no less!

Yes! DIY beauty. As you know I’m always on the forefront of the science of beauty. A virtual warrior against aging and wrinkles, I’ll probably drop dead at Target with a handful of Neutrogena products clutched in my claws. But wait, as we move forward into a new decade we can actually look back to nature for the newest breakthroughs in the science of skin care.

Here are some Do It Yourself beauty fixes for men & women that are guaranteed to have you looking fab in the new year!

From celebrity make-up artist and author of Eco-Beautiful, Lina Hanson:
CLEANSING: Start out with cleaning your face. A great DIY cleanser is mixing 1 teaspoon yogurt with 1 teaspoon baking soda. Apply the mixture and massage it into your skin. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse.

STEAMING: Next, steam your face by heating up a bowl of water and add some mint to the water. Drape a towel over your head and steam for 5-10 minutes. This is great for drawing out impurities and detoxifying your skin.

TONING: Next step is toning your skin. A great all natural toner is rose water. Just put about 10 rosebuds in a cup, pour hot water over the rosebuds and cover until the water is cool. Then pour the water into a spray bottle and spritz your face.

A FACE MASK FOR THE BOYS: I have a homemade recipe tip in the book (Eco-Beautiful) for men. A papaya mask. Its a great mask since the enzymes in the fruit halt free radical damage caused by enviromental stresses. Just mash up 2 tablespoons of papaya in a small bowl and apply to your face avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

From Supermodel and Actress Shalom Harlow:
FACE MASK: Take 2 egg whites, separated from the yolk and placed in a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (Shalom sugge Greek yogurt) and mix together. Apply to face, leaving on face for a few minutes then rinse face in warm water, followed by a warm washcloth. Shalom calls this mask “moisturizing and soothing.” If it’s good enough for one of the World’s most beautiful women, it’s good enough for me!

And finally from 2 of the fashion and beauty world’s top stars, Lena Korres, founder of Korres Natural Products, and make-up artist Jemima Kidd:
EXFOLIATE: Mix a tiny amount of brown sugar with olive oil in your palm. Once it turns into a paste, massage into your face. The granules of sugar gently buff away dead skin cells, revealing vibrant polished skin. The ladies also suggest curing chapped lips by mixing brown sugar with honey and massaging into lips. I don’t know if it works but it will at least result in sweet, kissable lips!

And from me, recovering product addict Marcellas Reynolds:
I love aroma therapy. Smell is one of our most evocative senses. I suggest adding your favorite fragrance to any of the above masks. Go to your local health food store and look for essential oils. Aveda sells them in tubes with their own droppers. Look for scents like ylang ylang, patchouli, lavender and sandalwood. These fragrances calm and even heal.

So that’s it readers! Instead of running to Sephora or you neighborhood drug store try heading to your local health food or grocery store for the newest in hip, hot beauty products! Who knew beauty could be DIY!?

M*

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MARCELLAS STYLE! 3

I’ve been on a major tear lately. I don’t need a single thing ever again. I’m one of those people who has things in his closet with the price tag still on them. I ought to be ashamed. This money I’m spending should be working for me in a money market account. There is no excuse. Maybe it’s because it’s Christmas? I’m on the West Coast when my family is in the Midwest. And since I don’t live there… Yes. I’m a lil disconnected… Could I be shopping to make me feel better?

I just styled a shoot for the January issue of Rage Monthly. As art director and stylist, I was really inspired. The chosen theme, Lost Weekend, made me shop for myself. I was also inspired by the new Tom Ford movie, A Single Man. The movie is gorgeous. The cinematography is stunning. Colin Firth gives an amazing performance. And Julianne Moore is as usual luminescent. Tom’s done an amazing job. The story actually resonated with me for several reasons. And not just the fashion. It’s sad, poignant & ultimately optimistic. It kinda mirrors my life. And it made me want French cuff shirts!

So here’s the list of what’s going and coming:

From Barneys New York -
Black Officine Creative Boots $240.53 (Marked down from $515 to $359 less 33%.)

Black Jill Sander Shoes $267.33 (Marked down from $580 to $399 less 33% off.)

Gray John Varvatos Trousers $119.93 (Marked down from $325 to $179 less 33% off.)

From H&M -

Seersucker Suit $48.38 (Started at $129! Super deal! 50% off, less 25% VIP discount. I’ll put in storage til Spring ‘10!)

Purple & Brown Plaid Dress Shirt $29.96 ($39.95 less 25% VIP discount.)

Navy & Brown Plaid Dress Shirt $22.46 ($29.95 less 25% VIP discount.)

Navy w/White Polka Dot Scarf $18.71 ($24.95 less 25% VIP discount.)

Blue Paisley Bathrobe $18.71 ($24.95 less 25% VIP discount.)

Purple & Black Striped Pajama $11.21 ($14.95 less 25% VIP discount.)

From Club Monaco -

Butler Blazer in Windsor Plaid. $139.30 (Marked down from $249 to $199 less 30% off. AndrewChristian is gonna kill me. He had it 1st! )

From Urban Outfitters -

Gray BDG Poplin ‘Cutaway’ Blazer. $39.99 (Marked down from $78. I love lil cotton blazers to just shrug on.)

From Active -

Stainless Steel Nixon ‘Private’ Watch $82.49 (Marked down 25% off from $109.99. Big play watches are super fun & fresh now!)

From Zara -

Black Zara Blazer $159.00 (I need another blazer like I need to be punched. This one was simple & elegant.)

2 White Zara French Cuff Cotton Dress Shirts ($39.90 each. I’m channeling Colin Firth in Tom Ford’s, A Single Man. Chic.)

From Macy’s -

Blue & White Striped Nautica Bathrobe $9.99. (Marked down from $45. How can you resist?! $10?)

Notice everything I purchased was on sale. It’s Xmas and I’m a savvy shopper. I wanted the Varvatos pants when they were $325. John must be crazy to think someone is going to pay full price for anything he does. He’s at far too many stores for that. In the next 2 months it’s about shopping the higher-end designer boutiques. They are always the last stores to go on sale and when it happens you must be ready! Merry Xmas and a gloriously happy, stylish and prosperous 2010! M*

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MY TV-INSPIRED HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR THE LADIES!

Here’s my newest FabTV.com Gift Guide for the woman in your life! Fab Gift Guides Inspired by TV’s hottest female characters — Kristin Cavallari from The Hills, Elena from Vampire Diaries, Mad Men’s Betty Draper, The City’s Whitney Port & of course, the DIVA herself, style queen Rachel Zoe!

Get out there and go shopping. I’m headed out right after I make this post! Happy holidays and stay fab!

M*

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THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS… 2009 LUXE GIFT GUIDE!

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens…
Brown paper packages tied up with strings…
These are a few of my favorite things…”

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Especially since I no longer live in the Midwest. No more trudging through the snow and waiting in long lines at the cash wrap for me! Gosh the Holidays in California are the most civilized! Gorgeous weather, access to the best, hippest things and these days, with on-line retailers offering free shipping and deep discounts, you don’t even have to leave the house unless you really want to.

Here are 5 gift ideas that are guaranteed to delight, awe and warm the heart of even the most grumpy Scrooge:

SEASON’S GREETINGS CAKES - BAKE ME A WISH: Everyone loves cake. Everyone. And what better way to send love and warmth to friends, family and maybe yourself than a Bake Me A Wish gourmet cake? You may have heard of Bake Me A Wish, it’s the bakery where President Obama purchased a Valentines gift for Michelle. Located in New Your City, BMAW uses only the freshest ingredients. What’s coolest about this bakery is 5% of each order is contributed to Bake Me A Wish!’s Operation: Birthday Cake, which, with their partner Soldier’s Angels, donates birthday cakes each month to soldiers overseas. It’s a tasty, tasteful gift that gives and gives.

FRANKINCENSE, MYRRH & GOLD CANDLE TRIO - FRESH: This limited edition collection of petite candles fills your home with season-inspired fragrance. Candles are always a welcome gift for men or women and these are as welcome as the three wise men. The set comes in a ready-to-gift artisan box and includes Gold a warm, soft fragrance that evokes the shimmer of precious metal, Frankincense an earthy scent, full of woodsy notes and a hint of exotic incense and Myrrh a fruity scent with wild berry notes inspired by the forest.

CASHMERE RUFFLE WRAP ROBE - UNDREST: Designed by Maria Paz Navales, Undrest is a Los Angeles produced luxury lingerie & swimwear line. The key elements are girly, feminine details, comfortable fit and high-end fabrics like supima cotton, silk and cashmere. The entire line is produced in-house in their Los Angeles atelier/warehouse. Undrest also donates surplus cotton to organizations that create blankets for children living with cancer.

STANLEY KUBRICK’S NAPOLEON: THE GREATEST MOVIE NEVER MADE - TASCHEN: It’s acknowledged by film buffs that Stanley Kubrick was one of the world’s greatest directors. Before his death, Kubrick was slated to begin filming an epic telling of Napoleon immediately after the release of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Here is a peak inside the genius and madness of a master film-maker. Tucked inside of a carved-out book are all the elements from Kubrick’s archives that readers need to imagine what his unmade film about the emperor might have been like. The coolest thing about this book? There are several actual script drafts with the directors hand-written notes. This collectors edition is limited to only 1,000 numbered copies.

CASCADE LANCASHIRE CHANDELIER - NEIMAN MARCUS: This is fantastic. For the home that has everything, British artist Michelle Brand has created a sustainable art chandelier that is absolutely beyond. Yes this work of art is made from recycled materials. With a personal and professional commitment to reduce-reuse-recycle, Michelle discovered that if she placed a cut just right, the natural shape of a flower appeared out of the base of a plastic soda bottle. She built the Cascade Lancashire using 366 plastic bottles from the landfill. Each bottle was then carefully washed, dried, hand trimmed, and hand sanded. The result? A waterfall of light that measures five feet long and two feet in diameter. Fabulous!

There they are, 5 fabulous gifts to make someone’s holidays very merry. Did you notice that many of them are gifts that keep on giving to the less fortunate? Happy Holidays readers. May your celebrations be joyous and your holidays be filled with love and light (and maybe a fancy new chandelier).

M*

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MY TV-INSPIRED HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FROM FabTV!

FabTV.com has been cranking out Fab Gift Guides for everyone in your life. But here they have me, celebrity stylist Marcellas Reynolds dishing out gift ideas based on TV’s coolest characters — you know Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass is in there, as well as Mad Men’s Don Draper and True Blood’s Bill Compton.

Get out there and go shopping. And pick me up a pocket square! I wanna look a lil Don Draper!

M*

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MARCELLAS STYLE! PART DEUX

I’ve been very good lately. I’m at a great place in the evolution of my wardrobe where I don’t need a thing (other than dropping 10 lbs). I know myself and my personal style very well. No more futzing with silly trends or adopting personae that feel like a costume. I’m a suit and a blazer boy. I like dressing like a man. I like an expensive watch, good shoes by Paul Smith & John Varvatos, pocket squares & bow ties. I like vintage western shirts, Daftbird tees, Earnest Sewn custom made jeans, G Shock & Nixon watches & old school trainers. And I love a trench coat. I like my pants boot cut, blazers double vented and love shirts with tuxedo detailing. See, I know what I like, what suits me and it makes shopping very easy.

So here’s the list of what’s going and coming:
Black Ted Baker “Hake” Calfskin Lace-up (a bargain at $170)

Black Aldo “Cingual” Lace-up (an even better bargain on sale for $60 & complete knock off of the amazing Hugo Boss)

Black H&M Jacquard Blazer (a lil shrunken, single vented. I’ll wear it with jeans, brogues, a crisp white shirt & a bow tie.)

2 sets of navy striped H&M Pajamas

Black Heritage 1981 Zig Zag Pintuck Shirt

Black w/Grey Stripe Heritage 1981 V Neck Tee

Grey w/Dark Grey Stripe Heritage 1981 V Neck Tee

Blue Plaid Modern Amusements Pitkin Shirt (20% off Friends & Family discount at Bloomingdale’s)

2 Grey Zara French Cuff Cotton Dress Shirts

2 Black Zara French Cuff Cotton Dress Shirts ($39.90 each. I’ll wear them under suits w/my Tiffany Cube Cufflinks.)

Grey and White Striped Giorgio Armani Pocket Square (really expensive and probably going back)

Navy and Purple Striped Paul Smith Pocket Square

Shopping in LA kinda sucks. American Rag Cie once was my fave store. Now it’s packed to the brim with too expensive, tricky clothes (Balmain, Comme des Garçons, Naked & Famous) and the sales people are so snotty you don’t want to buy a thing. It is a great resource for rare vintage finds. I always find a lovely blazer to put in storage in case I launch my own fashion line. Don’t get me started on Fred Segal! The worst. 200% mark-up on everything. Seriously if I see anything I like at FS I immediately search it online or at Barneys or Neiman’s because I know it will be less. Not that I find anything there often. Yes, they have the best designers and the newest lines but the things the buyers pick are odd. No wonder most LA poseurs have such bad style. They all shop Fred Segal. They do have a great denim bar.

And Kitson? Colete Paris called, they want their concept back. If you’re gonna rip something off get it right.

Now that you know what stores I dislike, let me tell you what stores I covet. Barneys Co-op at the Grove. Tiny yes but everything is wearable. And the sales people are nice and go above and beyond the call of duty! A good salesperson will keep you coming back. Visit Kevin there. I love Opening Ceremony. It’s too tricky for me and way too expensive but wow! What a place to see now, new, next and come up with ideas that inspire. For gifts I like Alpha. Their moniker is “Gear For Gents” and it’s true. There’s always some very male goodies there to covet, from a new shaver, high-tech skincare or a great book to own. And of course I love the Paul Smith and John Varvatos stores on west Melrose. They are both lovely examples of the designer and their points of view. I could live in the Varvatos store. Gorgeous.

M*

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