Five Tell Tale Signs That Your Friend May Be A Bridezilla

One of my very best friends in the world and college roommate of 4 years, HLL, is getting married in a mere few weeks. She is 6 feet even in height, thin, blond, beautiful, and smart. If I didn't suffer from inexplicably high and unwarranted self esteem and was in the business of hating people, I would hate her. But even if so, I don’t think it is possible to hate her- especially not, if you are her bridesmaid.

Heather is pretty much the perfect bride to be a bridesmaid for. She is easy going, thoughtful, and extremely appreciative (yes, she really is that nice…). She is even so kind to let us pick our own solid colored bridesmaid dresses- talk about trust. After taking a moment to admire my dear anything but a Bridezilla friend and coming to the honest conclusion that my bridesmaids will have no such luck when it comes to attire (let's be honest, I would tell my guest what to wear if I could get away with it), I started to think of those that are not so lucky. It’s no secret that being a bride can really push some people over the edge- heck, they even made a show off of this premise (ever heard of a little show called Bridezillas?). What about those whose friends are nothing at all like H-Dawg? Those who have the tragic experience of seeing their friend turn into the tragic, the scary, and ever so terrifying beast that is the dreaded Bridezilla….

In dedication to these ladies here it is, the five tell tale signs (I use the word “tale” because that’s just what it is- the stuff that tall tales are made of) that your friend has left her building and you are dealing with a Bridezilla.

1. If your friend thinks that it is normal to hold a prenuptial event at least once a week for an entire month prior to her wedding, she may be a Bridezilla.

When I first joined my sorority at Vanderbilt, a new "sister" pairing was revealed to us once a week. There was your big sister, your gold junior sister, senior sister, etc. At first it was exciting and as much as I was a sorority die hard, I am not going to lie, it eventually became a little exhausting. At one point my roommate Heather, you know the ideal bride to be friends with, chimed in, "Patti, who knew? You are going to have to go to Tri Delt and get a new sister every Wednesday now until the day you die..." Eventually, the sister reveals came to an end and it was well, a little bit of a relief. I suppose this is the relief that those feel that’s Brides feel the need to throw a weekly event for the entirety of the month pending their nuptials. Two weeks in a row I get, perhaps even three out of four weeks before could possibly be understandable. However, if your friend feels a need to hold a party in her honor or rather the honor of her wedding on a consistent weekly basis for the entire month pending her wedding, she may be a Bridezilla.

2. If your friend obsesses over Emily Post's bridal etiquette and points out those that wish her "congrats" rather than the more appropriate "best wishes" she may be a Bridezilla.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Emily Post and etiquette just as much as the next manners guru. When I was in middle school I used to sit and read my mother's copy on a frequent basis. I believe in manners and for whatever it's worth in today's society- and I don’t think it's worth much- I was a debutante for goodness sake. Thus it is with this luck into birth right- I mean good breading- that I stress that a compliment is a compliment, and a well wish is just that, a well wish. If someone wishes you congratulations just take it as that, if a bride to be feels the need to correct this person or later points out that traditionally "congratulations are for the groom and best wishes are for the bride" you may be dealing with a Bridezilla. Would you correct someone that complimented and called you radiant rather than stunning? I hope not and if so, you will probably be a Bridezilla as well.

3. If your friend suggest dying your hair or permanently changing your appearance in anyway, she may be-scratch that- is most definitely a Bridezilla

I've worked in the fashion and entertainment industries for a while now and if anyone understands getting the "perfect" shot, I do. But it is with this same experience that I say, that there is no such thing as the perfect shot and what really makes a shot beautiful is the natural energy that exist in it. If your friend suggest altering your appearance in anyway other than having your hair put in an up do for her nuptials, she is a Bridezilla- no ifs, and, buts, or maybes about it. There are few things I know for sure and this maybe the only one I can think of off hand at the moment. Tell her to hire a good photographer and in the words of my maternal grandfather, the always eloquent yet blunt Grady Moore, "to worry about her own darn self..." Ok, perhaps the use of four letter words is a little much. (Trust me, Grady’s version had a real four letter word, sub out the last two letters of mine for a “m” and a “n”- I am just trying to keep it classy on here…) Just ignore her if you can and hopefully your friendship can survive this irrational request; if it can, then you really do deserve to be her bridesmaid and be sure to make her wear a horrendous dress in your wedding (just kidding... kinda). If your friend still insists that you permanently change your appearance, she is most definitely a Bridezilla, and you may have to contact a medical professional...

4. If your friend has tunnel vision and is "seeing white", she may be a Bridezilla

I suppose the above scenario could perfectly apply to this situation. You know how when people describe performing a heinous act they often cannot recollect all the details. In some cases they sate that they could only see red or blackout. I suppose if an envious person can only "see green" a bride on the verge of crossing that threshold into being a complete Bridezilla may only see white. If your once best friend, appears to be a stranger and is performing inexplicable acts that are totally out of character, first check her drink for alcohol and if her breath is clean assume that she is purely seeing white, has checked out of her body, and mentally left the building. If the person you are interacting with is simply a shell of their former self and blinded by a pure state of "seeing white", your friend is probably a Bridezilla. However, have no fear. She will most likely return to her old self after a week or so in Fiji, Maui, or wherever she ends up honeymooning, and in the worst case scenario- will most definitely regain all logic just in time to judge you for being a crazy person right before your wedding...

5. If your friend cannot see that she is being a Bridezilla, then she may be one.

Lastly, if your friend does participate in the above yet is able to refer to herself as a Bridezilla she is probably not that bad in the first place. On the other hand, if she fails to note this erratic behavior with any sort of jovial disclaimer, she may be a Bridezilla. While some brides may joke that they are a Bridezilla, I am a strong believer in the theory that the first step is admitting and if you are in a situation in which one refers to herself as such you are really not in that bad of a situation to begin with. When a person refers to herself as a Bridezilla they are simply feeling for boundaries- like what a small child does when disobeying their parents. Sure they may be difficult, but they are merely testing the waters to see how far they can take their moderately ridiculous behavior. It is when an out of control bride cannot see her irrational behavior as rational that we really have a problem. Let's face it, we are all, well most of us anyway, capable of irrational and ridiculous behavior. It just comes out in different forms. Whose to say that I wont be a Bridezilla one day (no comments from the peanut gallery, please- I can hear my sister snickering as I type) and if this is the case here's hoping there will be no camera crew around to document it. How's that saying go again? Takes one to know one?

On that note, a much needed thank you to my favorite bride-to-be of the moment, Heather, for being anything but a Bridezilla- I make no promises for my wedding day, so my apologies in advance,

P Chic T

xoxo

Wedding Bell Wednesdays: Because Weddings Are Fun, Even If You Claim To "Hate" Them

Recently, I have found myself on the wedding circuit and in the off chance that I am not on the circuit, I have friends that are. Since weddings are fun and no doubt comprising a huge part of my misadventures, I've decided to develop Wedding Bell Wednesdays. Though it is not Wednesday, I am so hyped up on wedding-ness right now that I can't contain myself and since I just dreamt up this idea, this week's Wednesday post will be posted later today. For all you negative nuptial Nancy's out there, just admit it, weddings are fun! They are fun to go to, they are fun to dance at, and depending upon your picking your poison- they can be fun to drink, eat, or even make poor decisions at, as well. Even those who claim to "hate" weddings seem to speak of such and thus must be having a good time complaining about them. See, all around fun and if not fun, oozing with good material to write about... So there you have it, it's official, Wedding Bell Wednesdays are on...

New York Fashion Week: To Blog Or Not To Blog, That Is The Chic Question Indeed

It's New York Fashion Week and as droids of editors, celebs, and super serious fashionistas flock to sit runway side on the east coast, we on the west coast like to admire NYFW from a distance, while focusing on what really matters... you know like who will get custody of the Melrose Fred Segal in the Wentz-Simpson Divorce and just how Kim Kardashian plans to shed that extra 10 lbs put on thanks to the the uber delicious NY food trucks.

Now, I know you all consider me to be a real Anna Wintour and are on the edge of your seats awaiting my sharp critique of the latest runways happenings. ( You know, as if Style.Com doesn't exist and every other blogger isn't logging into share their ever so "one of a kind" opinion.) However, I think this year I am going to observe from a far, both literally and figuratively. I will happily tune into style.com and WWD every day to check out the latest goings on but in an attempt to assimilate to my new sunny home, I've decided to attempt to be "chill" and hold my fashion horses when it comes to vocalizing my oh so loud but not so much pertinent opinions on what is to come in Fall 2011... for now that is. However, I make no promises, so do not be surprised if you find me on here at 3 am spewing on about my latest loves from Rodarte's most recent collaboration for Opening Ceremony...

Now if you'll excuse me, I am late for pilates followed by a debate on just which dairy-free option is better- rice or soy cheese? Hmm, perhaps I will be blogging on NYFW tomorrow, as it appears that the sun in LA LA Land may just be getting to be after all. If you find me with a blond extensions looking like one of The Girls Next Doors please have me committed or at least take me Bergdorf's and make me eat lox bagels until I have come back to my senses....

To the unveiling of what to covet most for Fall 2011,

P Chic T

xoxo

Palm Beach and Ronald Reagan? The Same Age? Who Knew?

What type of BASP or Taft would I be, if not a fan of the late and great Ronald Reagan. The 40th president of the U.S. (nothing like a nice solid number) who was born in the Midwest, moved to LA to pursue his creative dreams, named his daughter Patricia (not to make it about me or anything...), and somehow managed to make an entire population of people to live lives of total and complete yuppie excess all thanks to a little thing called Reaganomics. I mean really, how could I not love him? Well, according to the press this week, apparently I am not alone in my affections for this movie star cowboy turned politician.

Mr. Reagan graces the cover of this week's, February 6 2011 issue of Time along with none other than our current leader, Mr. President Obama. While a multitude of other outlets revisit the life, times, and policy of R.R as well. This sudden surge of Reagan politics is brought on by the passing of what would have been the 100th birthday of the former president, this past sunday, February 6th. Sharing this 100 year mark as well? The city of ultimate retiree excess, Palm Beach, Florida.

As much as I would like to attribute my knowing this to sheer excellence in civic knowledge, I must admit I have Bottega Veneta to thank. That's right, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of The City of Palm Beach, Bottega Veneta is releasing a special edition bright cerulean blue nappa leather hand-woven beach bag to be available exclusively at the city's Worth Avenue Bottega Store and I am a little obsessed with it. So obsessed that I am tempted to stop by and pick one up while in the area this weekend.... Hmm, where is Mr. Reagan and Reaganomics when you need him?

Happy Birthday To The Late Ronald, Lots of Love to Palm Beach, & Wishes For That Fabulous Bottega Veneta Bag,

P Chic T

xoxo

M is For Monday.... And Monokini....

So now that we have gotten that pesky Super Bowl out of the way, I say it's time to turn our heads forward and look to the future. While for some this may mean baseball season or debating if the football player formerly known as Ocho Cinco will indeed flee my native stomping ground of Cincinnati, this is not the case here (not this blog, not today at least). What I am referring to are The Spring fashion trends that are waiting right around the corner. Seeing as it is 80 degrees and sunny here in CA (my condolences to east coasters and Chicagoans...) and I am venturing to MIA this weekend, more specifically, I am speaking of the swimsuit trends around the corner....

The Miami Beach Scene is not that of which you might find on your typical US costal city. To say the least, there is a lot of bling and a lot of brights. Which is good I suppose, since all this flash may be able to make up for the one thing there is not a lot of...skin coverage. While the down side of this may be a few extra trips to the gym and a shot of liquid courage, the plus side is some definite room for creative license when it comes to conjuring up your sun worshipping must have look. Always game for a styling challenge and insomniac online shopping (a beyond dangerous combination, i know), a new infatuation began. A bit resistant in the past, all of a sudden I was fixated on the Monokini. It was as if this bikini-anything-but-practical-one piece-combo is that guy you hate but one day find yourself liking even thought you cannot really figure out if dating him is a good idea or a complete disaster.

Thus, for myself, the jury is still out as I anticipate the arrival of my potentially fave (or most detested) new swim find. (Yes, a big thank you shopbop.com and your free next day shipping and returns policy.... )While I await the moment of truth, I must say that I am a huge fan of a few snazzy finds by designers L*Space, Alexis, and Mara Hoffman. The California based L* Space's "Swanky One Piece" as seen on Marissa Miller in this month's Shape (I know, how hard is it to make a supermodel look good...) and "Audrina Monokini" named after none other than fit body herself, Audrina Patridge of The Hills, provide surprisingly classic takes on this not so conservative trend. While pieces like Mara Hoffman's "Carnival

Embroidered One Piece" and "Chelsea Cut Out" by Alexis provide a little more edge for the truly bold and self assure. Whatever your poison, all of the above can be found on my very fave sites, Revolve Clothing, Shopbop, and Singer 22, so you can be the judge for yourself. I, for one, am just hoping this Monokini thing does not end up being a misstep of the likes of Ms. Aguilera mis-singing the words in last night's Super Bowl performance of The National Anthem....

Happy Monday,

P Chic T

xoxo

Christmas Comes Early... An Elephant, 3 Marchesa Dresses, & Serenades By Lionel: Nicole Richie Weds

I love Nicole Richie. It is simple and as plain as day as that; and as all you frequenters of my blog shall know, if ever there were anything that warranted a Chic Taft posting it would be the wedding of the one, the only, the most fabulously boho chic of them all, rebel turned organic mama-entrepreneur, Miss Nicole Richie... or shall I say, Mrs. Madden.

That's right, Christmas has come early this year... well, for this BASP, anyway. This weekend my favorite fashionista and forever "it" girl in my heart, wed her long time rocker companion, Joel Madden. The vows were exchanged at the Beverly Hills estate of none other than the proud papa of the bride, Lionel.

As we all know, Miss Richie has always marched a bit to the beat of her own drummer. So why should we expect anything less when it came to that of her wedding? That's right, no commonplace organ tune for this daddy's girl. Instead, Nicole strutted down the aisle in Marchesa to Lionel's hit for which she was the muse, "Ballerina Girl", while daughter, the oh so adorable, Harlow, served as flower girl.

And really, what would any fabulous wedding reception be if not with a few Lionel Richie hits on the play list? Obvi this proud papa serenaded the newlyweds' first dance to none other than... wait for it, wait for it... Lionel's own, "You Are". Yes, it is on rare occasion that a couple is able to find a song, such as this one, that I, personally, feel to be the perfect blend of upbeat yet romantic tune tempo, while still encompassing all that is just so magic-tastic about what 1980's adult contemporary music has to offer. One can only hope that Lionel performed an encore of the likes of "Dancing On The Ceiling" and "All Night Long".

Currently, a bidding war is taking place over the pictures from this fabu-tastic event. Throw in an elephant plus an officiation by the hippest holy man in entertainment, Rev-Run, and a for sure radiant Nicole donning more than two bridal fashions, and I, for one, cannot wait to see these photos! Hmm, I suppose, I owe The Richie-Maddens a thank you for serving as a distraction and giving me something to anticipate other than my far too rapidly approaching, dreaded, 26th bday.... eek!

Congrats Nicole on finding her peace and for all of us finding a little of our own this holiday season,

P Chic T

xoxo

InTheMO Is The Social "Rec" Guide Mister of Our Dreams.. And Oh Yea, Call Off The Search Party, The Chic Taft is Back

Like any good BASP, I find myself travelling from city to city on many an occasion. Between having a a long distance Mr. Wonderful in Chicago and personal ADD when deciding on which coast to call home, I find myself riding on a magic carpet of travel far more than I could have ever imagined in my wildest jet setter dreams. Add to this my newly developed status on the wedding circuit, love for reading Vanity Fair while at cloud eye level altitudes, and a very dangerous (not to mention expensive) recent addiction to upgrading from Delta Silver Medallion to Gold Frequent Flyer Member, and I am a City Searcher's or Yelp's dream. Too bad neither City Search nor Yelp fulfill my dream of what an ideal social recommendation site should be. Thus, here enter, InTheMO. Put more in Chic Taft terms, if social recommendation sites were Mr's, Yelp and City Search would be Mr. Talks- A-Lot-But-In-Reality-Tells-You-Nothing-At-All and InTheMO would be, well, Mr. Wonderful (and we all know how I feel about Mr. Wonderful...).

Unlike any other site of it's kind, InTheMO, allows you, the user, to recommend what you like while using your input to generate a guide to cities, here and abroad, that is specific to individual tastes, likes, and preferences. It's what Bill Nye The Science Guy (very aware that I am dating myself here) would refer to as the the ideal symbiotic relationship. In other words, if there were an Oprah episode geared toward healthy relationships and you were married to InTheMO, you would be the poster children for ideally functioning love bird duos and receive a huge thumbs up from even the grumpiest of grumps, Dr. Phil, himself.

Yes, InTheMO is the social networking "rec" guide mister of our dreams. Start off playing the "rec" game and continue on to allow City Hosts and Trendsetters to guide your way, while the site's extensive video library provides an ongoing plethora of detail oriented insights into the latest going ons, retail rendezvous, restaurants, and hot spots of your dreams. Yes, InTheMO is not only the hippest social guide to hit the web, it is the smartest and might I say, most stylish one as well. These traits paired with the the site's superb efficiency and accuracy equal less time required to search where to go tonight and a little more time to focus on what really matters- like what stylish ensemble to strut out in...

Much love to InTheMO from chic jet setters everywhere,

P Chic T

xoxo

P.S. I hope this recent post can serve as a sign to call off the search party. Yes, yes, I am alive and kicking... well, styling, rather. My apologies for temporary abandonment of my wee little fabu-tastic blogging post for a life of being overworked, underpaid, and to my current doubt of personal sanity- loving every fashionable moment of it. ( No, Suri did not finally answer my plea to assist her... though, my fingers are still crossed) Anyways, all aside, I am back and cannot wait to share all the amazing things that La La Land has to offer. Don't believe me? Just ask InTheMO...

Chicago's Bucktown: It's Like The West Village Only W/Affordable Rent & Minus Those Charming Cobblestones My Heals Were Always Getting Stuck In

If I had a buck for how many times I declared my love of Chicago's Bucktown, let's face it I would be well, rich. (Yes, its an ever so cheesy play on words, and yes I so went there...) How rich you ask? So rich that I could pretty much shop 'til I dropped... dropped all my money that is, at this neighborhood's plethora of fashionista money pits, otherwise known as stores.

The first time I ever spent quality time in Bucktown was in February 2009. It was for a long weekend visit. I arrived on a Thursday evening, and with Mr. Wonderful locked up at the old 9 to 5 all Friday, I was left to my own devices. I stumbled out to explore with my New Yorker low expectations for the second city and was pleasantly surprised. I first spotted Intermix (I could spot that white lacquer store and pink logo signage from miles away). This was then followed by stumbling upon a Scoop, Nannette Lepore, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and a slue of local boutiques.

I did not even know where to begin. Thank Jack Frost for the frigid temperatures or Mr. W may have never seen me again. I can see it now. Poor Mr. W would have to issue a search party for my whereabouts, relying solely on the tracks left by my metallic silver Hunter boots; only to find me fainted, due to excitement, and buried under a mountain of shopping bags below the Blue Line Train on Damon Ave. Missing persons signs would read "P.M. Taft, last seen in Burberry snow boots and black leggings accompanied by a grey Alice + Olivia knee length sweater with ruffles and black down jacket." Hmm, thank goodness for those pesky Chicago wind chills because I am pretty positive that as far as last impressions go, this is not exactly how I would want my description to go down*...

Tangent delusions aside, I was in love with Bucktown. The buildings were charming and overpriced designer goods were everywhere to be seen. It was like the New York's West Village, only with affordable rent (earmuffs for you Manhattanites) and minus the cobblestone streets that despite their charm, my heals were always getting caught between. Yes, that's right, it was like the mother ship was calling me home to a land where names like Elizabeth and James were code for well tailored blazers and shoes, with price tags beyond practicality, contained labels that read Brian Atwood and Sergio Rossi.

From snagging trendy pieces at Hunny/SheShe and Roslyn to picking up indie designers duds at Clever Alice or shopping for the fellas at Apartment Number 9, Bucktown is a true treat for fashionistas of all tastes and styles.

Happy spending, cash dropping, and let's face it, in this economy- perhaps, just window shopping,

P Chic T

xoxo

*I, for one, would much rather prefer a "last seen in vintage Halston, Christian Loubitins, and perfectly messy yet freshly blown out hair" ...

Say What?!?... Suri The Stylist: Please, Let's Not Even Pretend To Be Surprised & Oh Yeah, Maybe She Can Give Me A Job

Yesterday, E! News Now broke the story that Suri Cruise is now apparently a stylist. I, for one, am about as surprised to hear this as I will be to discover Amanda Bynes in a movie after declaring her "retirement" from acting, to hit up Robertson, Melrose, and Fred Segal and suddenly discover that the only thing I can afford to eat now is oatmeal for the rest of the month, and to wake up this morning and see, oh yeah, the sky is in fact blue.

Let's face it, between the trendsetting hair cut, high heels, and plethora of designer duds, TomKat pretty much did everything except stick the steamer in the fashionable tot's hand, with double stick and measuring tapes in tow. That's right. Suri who? Tom and Kate may as well had put their little beauty in a white robe and a curly blond wig with roots, and named her Rachel Zoe.

Apparently, Suri makes her mother one of a kind clothing and has been designing since the mere age of 18 months. Next we'll here that Suri's first words were " I Die" and that she cannot get enough of "Ba-Na-Nas". Speaking of which, perhaps this is what Tom Cruise was so excited about when he was going bananas on Oprah's couch five years ago; he was to some day spawn Hollywood's youngest and most adorable fashionista and stylist to date (I swear that these thoughts are genuine and that I am not just saying this to get a job...). Hmm, I suppose the jokes on us....

None the less, it is at this time that I find it pertinent to put into use the ever so wise phrase of "don't hate, congratulate". Congratulations, Suri! I can only but dream to accumulate a wardrobe such as yours and work with such A-List clients such as your mummy dearest one day. Actually, let's not get to over ambitious. I'll settle for your closet.

To someday accomplishing the success that little Miss Cruise has already acquired at the mere age of four,

P Chic T

xoxo

P.S. Suri, please feel free to call me if you are ever in need of an assistant. Have your people call my people and I will shoot you an email with my resume ASAP. Trust me, the pleasure would be all mine...

Westward Expansion: My Modern Day Oregon Trail Back To The CA.. The Only Things Missing Were Cholera and a Covered Wagon

Sound the alarms. It's official, I am back on the west coast of Southern CA, where it is always sunny and the dressing is always on the side (believe it New Yorkers, it really is that healthy here). I have been in this fair City of Angels for roughly a week now and I am pleasantly delighted to say that is ever so good to be back. To this a have a huge sigh of relief, as my dreams pending this move of western expansion were plagued by ill fated episodes involving Hugh Hefner, The Girls Next Door (original cast, obvi), and my being shunned due to my brunette locks. Clearly, this nightmare was a situation that those supposedly "roughing it" on The Oregon Trail during the westward expansion of the 1800s could not have imagined in their most wildest dreams...

I arrived at LAX about a week and a half ago with 3 overweight pieces of luggage (your welcome Delta, as always it's been a pleasure letting you take all my money when I am in my most vulnerable states...), an additional checked duffel (obvi larger than the government regulated size for carry ons), and an over sized Marc Jacobs tote that I had not so cleverly written off as a "purse".* After a few bruises due to baggage claim, car shipping mishaps, a heated disagreement with driver necessary to deliver me to discover previously mentioned mishap, a 4 days late bed with a whole in it (that's right, I couldn't make this stuff up), and some shed tears of frustration (what? don't act like you are surprised...) I am one happy La La Land Camper.

Aha, perhaps my journey was more like The 1800s Oregon Trail than I had realized . I'd see their covered wagon, lack of indoor plumbing, cholera, and typhoid for a smart cart full of tumbling luggage and sleeping on a twin air mattress and looking like a squatter in my very own bedroom... Actually, scratch that. To quote my roommate of four years H-Dawg Leslie "The only thing Patti hates reliving more than colonial times is western expansion... ". Amen to that, sister. I couldn't have put it better myself.

Hmm.. Dare I suggest the pioneers and I may have found some common ground to shoot buffalo over? After all, they moved westward in search of Manifest Destiny and I came to Cally to manifest mine. A stretch but give a girl a break it's midnight and I haven't had a slice of New York Pizza in over a month...

Good night on the west coast, good morning on the east, and you're so very welcomes to those of you old school computer game junkies that have been loving every single minute of this old school Oregon Trail reference (you know who you are),

P Chic T

xoxo

*Hey, if Delta is going to take all my money, I see no reason to play fair... and let's face it my MK Olsen's standards, anything smaller than that which you would be able to carry a Doberman around in is a purse, and we all know how I feel about my MK and Ash...