NYFW: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2013

As fashion bloggers and editors Instagrammed images of the first day of New York Fashion Week, I discovered a new (to me) designer: Tadashi Shoji. And then I proceeded to slightly fall in love with his Fall 2012 Ready-To-Wear collection. It’s modest, feminine, and totally wearable.

I spotted the Russian influences right away: the voluminous backs and tops inspired by the robes Orthodox priests wear, peasent dresses, and textures, like velvet and lace, that could only be found on Russian royalty in the 1900′s.

I’m always fascinated by how fashion designers are able to translate their travels into a collection – the small innuendos and details that somehow translate into wearable art. Tadashi Shoji did a phenomanal job interpreting the Russian culture, and although some pieces felt a bit dowdy, the majority of the collection should belong in my closet. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Are you following NYFW? Any favorite shows yet?

-YB

Photos courtesy of Style.com

When the Bullets Flew, ‘They Didn’t Care That I Was a Woman’

Photo by Stacy Pearsall via the New York Times.

Women have been serving in the military officially since 1976 when Congress directed the Academy to accept women into its training program. But, women have served on the front-lines along with military personnel long before that – from Women’s Army Corps to nursing positions with the Red Cross.

Since 1994 though, women have technically been barred from serving in front-line combat. Today, the U.S. Defense Secretary, Leon E. Panetta and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin E. Dempsey, lifted this ban on female troops in combat. 

“Not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier, but everyone is entitled to a chance…They’re fighting and they’re dying together, and the time has come to our policies to reflect that reality.” -Defense Secretary Panetta

So what does this mean for young women today?

According to military officials, this now opens more than 200,000 potential jobs for women in elite Special Operations units like the Navy SEALs and Delta Force. The various military services have until May 15 to come up with plans to add in this policy.

This official statement is one thing, but in my opinion, it will take some time for adjustments in people’s mindsets and emotional acceptance of the thought both for men and women. It’s a work in progress.

Check out this great article that was on the front of the New York Times today – one woman’s experience on the front lines. The writing is superb and the story telling will keep your attention to the very end.

What are your thoughts on the topic?

-YB

 

Photo by Stacy Pearsall via the New York Times

Presidential Inauguration 2013

Photo via Getty Images.

Regardless if you’re a Democrat, Republican or any other political affiliation, this week’s events surrounding President Obama’s Inauguration remind us about how blessed we are to live in the United States. All the speeches, songs and actions are aimed to highlight the foundations of what this country was based on. So, as you follow the excitement online (or in person – lucky you!), take a minute to remember the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom and thank God for the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world.

Beyonce’s performance of the National Anthem gave me shivers and inspired this post. She is one beautiful and talented woman. And I may or may not have watched this video at least half a dozen times. Maybe.

 

 

And the first dance? The sweetest thing I ever did see – Michelle stole the night in her red Jason Wu gown and a new hairstyle (those bangs have literally made national headlines!). And even the cynic in me was smitten with the couple’s obvious displays of affections through out the night - the little quips, smiles and glances.

 

 

And finally, President Obama’s speech goes back to basics:

“That is our generation’s task: to make these words, these rights, these values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness real for every American.”

 

 

Oh, how I wish I was in DC right now to witness all this firshand. Someday though, right?

-YB

A different kind of class photo

Photo via BuzzFeed.

Yesterday, was kind of an important day in U.S. politics. In the aftermath of the passing of a fiscal cliff bill, the 112th Congress commenced around 11:00 am yesterday. Traditionally, they would end the session before the Christmas holidays, but since our country was on the brink of financial disaster, they put in some overtime.

But, all is well – the 113th Congress held it’s official opening ceremony yesterday at noon, and of course, I watched it most of it streaming live as I worked (multi-tasking at it’s best!). It was the traditional proceedigs – the swearing in of the newly elected and re-elected U.S. Representatives, election and swearing in of the speaker (John Boehner), nomination and confirmation of each party’s House leadership and finally a whole lot of amendments and suggestions on how the 113th Congress should operate.

I think my favorite part though, was watching the women of the Democratic party take their class photo. The House of Representatives, as of January 3, has 80 women. Of them, 61 are Democrats. Plus, there are 20 women elected to the Senate – Those are record numbers for the U.S. Congress! USA Today publishe a cool interactive graphic of women in Congress over the years – check it out!  Of the nearly 2,000 senators in the history of Congress, only 44 have been female. We’re making progress, but women still have a long way to go to be truly represenative of the U.S. population in our country’s leadership!

I particularly enjoyed seeing all the color and diversity that they brought to the floor – their hot pink and red suits and even fabulous hair accessories stood out in a sea of black suits. It sounds shallow, I know, but I think I hope that it is representative of their work in this session of Congress. You can read some of their bios here or read the first hand recollections of their swearing in yesteday. Reading their swearing-in accounts and watching some of it live on C-Span literally gave me the chills – it was absolutely amazing.

Who knows, maybe, God willing  that will be me someday? :)

Check out more photos here!

Watch Diane Sawyer sit down and chat with twenty of the female Congresswomen.

-YB