Friday, January 30, 2015

Pouty Lips at Drop-Off.

Michelle. Hairstylist. Mother. Miami, Florida. January 2015.

First of all, Michelle is awesome, and if In lived in Miami, I would force her to hang out with me. I make a “face” when I pose. My brother Seth, still talks about how when we would fight as kids, I would stare at my reflection in the mirror, to admire my various facial expressions. So Michelle’s pouty lip face makes me beyond happy.

This was the day in Miami when I spotted those very sexy Colombian moms. I admit to being a bit intimidated to ask for a photo. I mentioned my apprehension to Michelle, she looked at me and said, “I’ll do it”, and with some Spainglish conversation, the beauties posed without question.

Michelle’s bag is by Nicole Lee. With a belt, Michelle created an empire waist – which is very flattering and very 1970’s.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Like a Man, a Good Bra is Hard to Find

The Bloomingdale’s salesperson greeted me, and offered me a drink. I figured she was trying to relax me, after all, it was about to get intimate between us. I took everything off, except my underwear. She told me I could leave on my jeans, but I figured she would need to see the entire picture to pick the perfect bras for my body. She measure and cupped my breasts with her bare hands. She returned to the dressing room with a boat load of bras, in a brand new size. A size in which I didn’t love, let’s just say it ended with double DD. The only thing that got smaller was my back.

http://huff.to/1zZCM1a

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Eyelashes. Eyebrows. Make-Up. Beauty in Winter is Haute.

April. Marin County. January 2015

Fashion Notes: Boots: Hunter, Puffy Jacket: Add Down

When I see April at school, I like to sing her that Sesame Street song, “one of these things is not like the other”. She usually gives me a look, but April is so chic and always looks polished, unlike me. Sometimes I think, if I have to get out of the car due to police interference, I may just refuse – this is what manifests from being late and barely having time to give your kid’s breakfast. And Neal and Liam are so quick to judge their mama, calling me “girly”, a horrible stereotype, when I put blush and mascara on…. This is where April has saved me.

April owns Dollface Beauty in San Anselmo, California. Dollface does it all…they know me so well there, I’ve been pretty much taken hostage, because according to these beauty experts, my unruly eyebrows were in need of major clean up..I obliged and they look great.

Dollface also provides the most addictive beauty accessory out there….Eyelash extensions. Yup, these bad boys will cut your “primping” time in half – -they are majorly addictive – because who doesn’t want to look like Cher in the late 1960’s?

The other option, to which Jennifer Aniston is a fan, is making your eyelashes darker…if you have light hair, this will make your eyes look enormous. Sometimes, when i’m feeling PMSie..I roll into Dollface and someone always makes me feel better – whether it’s a wax, make-up, eyelashes…and when I start getting invited to all the chic parties in San Francisco (hint, hint), Dollface Beauty will make sure I look slammin’.

http://dollfacemarin.com

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Haute Humans. Purple on the Pavement.

Tempe. San Rafael, California. January 2015.

“I need to move back to the city, I don’t drive”, said Tempe. After taking a photography class last week, I spotted this amazing woman dressed in head to toe purple. Selfishly, I held up traffic, while ignoring the honking of cars I was blocking. As usual, they couldn’t understand the photographic emergency taking place. Eventually, when Tempe told me I could take a few shots, I illegal parked and did my best.

I have a personal connection to the color purple. Now, I wouldn’t go near it, but as a kid, like Tempe, I wore it from top to bottom. And would re-wear the same outfit every day, because it had to be purple…not much has changed.

Obviously, I’m a much better conversationalist then a photographer. With gold sneakers, purple tinted hair and a willingness to talk to me – – this woman had me hooked. And what city does she love the most? NYC — Temple loves the colors, the people and energy. Not knowing her situation, but having an idea..I am pretty sure she’s in transition and alone. With tons of bags on her back and shoulders, Tempe is carrying around a lot of weight..but does so with style and class.

Clothing means a lot more than we think. I appreciate the effort it takes to express yourself – especially when life is not easy. Tempe turned and looked at me, as I walked away to avoid being ticketed, and said “I really do love purple and I really enjoyed our talk.”

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Brooklyn Family in Panama. Haute Drop-Off.

Veronica and Cruz. Eddie and Cruz. January 2015. Panama.

Eddie is a an incredibly talented advertising Creative Director in New York City. Working on television spots to online content. Eddie and his family live in Brooklyn, and like the city in which they reside, their family is a gorgeous mix of cultures. Half of Eddie’s family are New Yorkers and half are Panamanians. Eddie has made it his duty, to expose his son Cruz to his cultural roots. And the is why Eddie started a blog documenting their adventures experiencing his different cultures. Cruz is African-American, Spanish, German and Irish.

The first shot was on an island in The Panama Canal. The women are Embera indians, part of Eddie’s bloodline. They loved Cruz and were delighted to take this photo.

The second shot, is Eddie’s wife Veronica looking gorgeous and with a sundress, sunglasses and bright lips. The third shot was taken in front of Eddie’s childhood home in Panama. Cruz and Eddie were waiting for the bus to take them to their family farm. Cruz’s top is called a Montuno, which is a traditional shirt men where in Panama.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Mara Menachem, The Bill Cunningham of Parent Fashion

Well Guys, I’m pretty excited because this really authentic, cool and stylish Miami mama is giving me mad props (I know people don’t say that anymore, I’m bringing it back). Annhy is like many of my “sisters” who are proud of me, and show me off – usually it involves some weird dorky dance move. But Annhy who hardly knows me, has taken how embarrassingly describe Haute Drop-Off – usually in a low voice, to not get heels hurled in my direction, and vocalized it loudly. And I love her for that. We should all, including me, stop being so afraid of exaggerating our skills….Gosh Darn it, I am the Bill Cunningham for Parent Style, and soon enough, The New York Times will add me to their fashion section and my mother will be able to properly show me off.

So Annhy started a great blog, I mostly love it because she’s so honest and funny, and she’s a looker – which always helps. So enjoy this piece about your very own Mara, and read about why I feel guilty at Guilt Free Mom Moments, http://fomib.com/2015/01/23/hooray-haute-drop-off/

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Brooding Voice. Haute Musician Papa. Bohemian Drop-Off.

Jeremy. Dad. Musician. Fairfax, California. January 2015.

If anyone could be a style poster child for Fairfax, a bohemian town in Marin County, California–Jeremy would be it. Jeremy has the soul of an artist, and now the soul of a daddy. Jeremy is a musician, playing guitar and singing in the band San Geronimo. I first heard this band play at a bar, that to me, seemed like it had to be fake and on some movie set. But it wasn’t, this place called Rancho Nicasio is deep in Marin County, and feels like what my image of a 1960 rural hippie town would appear to be. I even spotted an identical human replica of David Crosby.

Jeremy’s voice is brooding and captivating, but I’m not really a music critic. What I do know, is that their version of Lyle Lovett’s If I had a Boat will touch you deeply..and make you fall in love with their sound. San Geronimo plays every Thursday at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, owned by famed Grateful Dead bassist, Phil Lesh. They’ve played at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, as well as many other Bay Area venues. Click the link below, to check them out:

http://www.sangeronimomusic.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Haute Fashion in Humid Climates. Miami Drop-Off.

Lisa. Coral Gables, Florida. December 2014.

Lisa always looks put together and does it in a natural way. This was a weekend morning and she’s sporting a long floral skirt that’s high waisted with a tight tank to show her naturally thin body. Her accessories are minimal, and I really like the addition of a few gold bangles. Miami is hot, and it’s hard to not wear cut off shorts every day – you kind of really have to think about your wardrobe from a “it’s hot as hell” perspective.

Lisa is currently raising these adorable little girls, while continuing her involvement in several Miami charities. She and her family live on Miami Beach.

Fashion Notes: Skirt: Ella Moss, Tank top: Theory, Sandals: K.Jacques St. Tropez, Bag: Botkier

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Bus Stop Fashion. Haute San Francisco.

Mara. San Francisco. January 2015. Shots by Dara Rose.

Fashion Notes: Frye Boots purchased at the Neiman Marcus outlet in Florida (yay), Bomber Jacket: Zara (purchased a few years ago), Leggings: American Apparel (apparently these leggings are similar to LuLulemon’s yoga pants, see through), Glasses: Aviators by Polaroid, Earrings: huge fake and gold door knockers, Fanny Pack: a Peruvian friend was wearing this baby she bought while in Peru, and my drooling and obsessing, finally got her to hand it to me..

I wanted to show you how I wore my Miami purchases in San Francisco. I’m also wearing my repeat accessory, the Colombian Mochila..I needed another bag for my camera and city stuff. The Mochila handbag, made by the Wayuu tribe who reside in an area that borders Colombia an Venezuela. The art of crocheting these bags are an integral part of the Wayuu tradition, carried on by the tribes matriarchs. My fanny pack from Peru and Mochila from Colombia, seem to go together. It’s cool wearing a bag that has such a rich history..and without a designer logo.

The City Bag: When you live in a city, you have to plan your day out and make sure you have everything you need with you. Not great for someone who finds planning in advance a bit overwhelming. People sport all sorts of day bags in San Francisco, but the back pack seems to rule the roost. I like a back pack, but kind of wish people mixed it up more, for my own visual stimulation. And I have to say, San Francisco is the only city where i’ve seen people wearing back packs at bars…No judgement at all, I get needing to have things with you, but maybe something a little cooler–like a vintage army bag, instead of a Jansport.

I’m still exploring San Francisco, and I’m not doing a great job figuring out the layout. Here I am, hailing a bus…do people do that? and it stopped..the Muni bus drivers are used to dealing with tourists and people like me, who like to ask people for directions instead of taking the time to read a map…

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Haute Papa at COSTCO. Yup, Mara has no Shame.

Darryl. Marin County Costco. (California) January 2015

Fashion Notes: Arm Ink: In Seattle at Slave to the Needle, fitted button down: Scotch & Soda, Shoes: Cole Haan for Nike, Jeans: Seven.

I normally attest Costco, and find myself annoyed at spending time at a land of consumerism with no windows and items in bulk. It seems so American over consumption..and maybe I sound snobby, but I will tell you I actually had a great time running around Costco this week. I snacked on delicious Marconi almonds and found a cool looking dad for Haute Drop Off.

I imagine Darryl didn’t expect to be accosted by a fellow Costco shopper, especially one walking around aimlessly quite distracted by all the choices. But he let me take some shots, and he even re-located to the Mini-Wheats for the Costco photo shoot.

Then, people started asking me for samples, so I ripped open the huge bag of organic dried apples. I was so good at passing out samples, until a Costco “employee” informed me that I really was stealing merchandise, and needed to leave. (yea, I know, it’s shocking, especially when I was doing a good deed)

Darryl recently re-located from Seattle to Marin County with his family. He works at Intel as an Engineer.

Haute Drop-Off

Capturing The Fashionable at School Drop-Off and Beyond

Monthly Archives: January 2015