I’m feeling emo and nostalgic today because the blog is turning 10 soon.
TEN.
I can’t believe it. On February 20th.
This is the longest project, or whatever it is, I’ve ever done in my life, and it’s been life-changing in many ways.
One of the cooler things I got to do because of the blog was get right up close to the one and only cat lady supreme, Grace Coddington of Vogue magazine.
It was at the Dolce & Gabbana show at Milan Fashion Week in 2011, and I was there to interview Pat McGrath backstage (She was lovely, by the way — poised, calm and kind, even amidst the backstage bustle.).
After I finished the interview, I spotted Grace Coddington kickin’ it in the front row with Anna Wintour. I got this close to her. *This close*
And it actually happened twice! OMG. This was the second time. The first time was at a Dolce & Gabbana gallery party the night before, and I saw her wandering around by herself, looking at the art. I remember saying to myself, “Just walk up to her, Karen. Do it! Show her all 5,000 pictures of Tabs on your phone. Grace Coddington will totally get you!”
But I lost my nerve. 🙁 I couldn’t do it.
I tried again the second time, but again I chickened out…
If I ever get another chance, I’m doing it. I’m going to show her Tabs in all his husky glory.
Also at that show, I saw this mystery woman sitting across from me in red lips, blue eyeliner and a funky top hat.
I bet she would have had the courage to talk to Grace Coddington.
Who is she, and what liner was she wearing? I always wonder about that lady…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The lady is Anna Piaggi, famous Italian fashion writer and favorite of Bill Cunningham
Well, mystery solved then! Thanks, Marguerite. She’ll no longer haunt my dreams. Now I can stalk her online!
What on earth is she wearing attached to her hat???
Yes, that was the late, great, colorful Anna Piaggi who passed away a couple years ago.
Well, third time lucky, right!!! 🙂 Also: happy almost 10-year blog anniversary, wowza!
Thank you!
I can’t believe it’s been this long! I started reading your blog maybe a couple of years after you started it. A lot has changed in my life since then, and it’s been great to have your blog as a steady presence. I love your writing style and watching your look evolve and change as time goes on. Keep on keepin on!
Thanks, Monika! Thank you for letting MBB be part of your day! Who knows? Maybe they’ll be 10 more years. 🙂
How has your life changed since you started reading?
So many ways! I graduated from college, have started and ended relationships, made new friends, started grad school. I’ve also had a chance to really get to know myself and appreciate the things that I do rather than beating up on myself for not being perfect all the time. It’s been a good chunk of years, and I think it’ll keep getting better!
I LOVE your blog! Thank you so much for the great product reviews, adorable cat (and baby!!) pics, funny, clever writing, and the sweet, smart vibe that comes through in everything you post.
Thank you, Barbara! I still can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years. 🙂 Thank you for reading the site; I’m so lucky to be doing it still!
Congratulations on your ten year anniversary! Wish I had found this blog sooner.
Happy 10th blog anniversary, Karen! I’ve always loved your blog <3. Thank you so much!
It’s so cool that you got to attend that show! I would die if I was in the same room as Grace Coddington.
Wow that’s is cool Karen! Also, congrats on the ten years. I love your blog and have been a reader for around 18 months now. Great, great work 🙂
Congratulations, Karen, and hoping you get your third chance! (And by some coincidence, I’m reading “Grace: A Memoir” right now, lol!) Ten years is awesome, as going to Milan and getting to interview Pat McGrath must have been!
The woman in the top hat did have an adventurous look, didn’t she?
Speaking of adventurous looks, I picked up a cray-cray sweater at Target today:
http://www.target.com/p/-/A-51882611
“Womens Floral Favorite Cardigan” in color Cream… it’s got this huge, bright floral print all over it. What caught my eye was how the raspberry and the periwinkle colors of the flowers are two of the colors that look absolutely best on me, and then what sold me was how carefully this crazy print was matched at the front, where it buttons, as well as at the shoulders through full-fashioned construction. Pretty danged good for $22.99, I thought. And 3/4 sleeves for spring, too, to go with the colors. Since I already have periwinkle tees to go under it, I picked up a raspberry tank to wear under it on other days. These little cardis come through the washer and dryer really well for a couple of seasons, then they retire to loungewear/play with the tiny hamsters duty. Gotta love ’em. (Have them in various black/white/grey prints and a navy/blue windowpane check; retirees include another huge floral print and a purple/black/cream leopard print.)
Ah, congrats on 10 beautiful years, Karen! I started following your blog shortly after the Blogger collection with MAC.
And YES you should’ve gone straight up to Grace and talked to her at the party. I’ve had a couple of run ins with rock stars (not fashion “rock stars” but real musician “rock stars”) and it all started with me making the first move. Yes, they must’ve thought I was totally annoying and a psycho but at least we…talked. Talked like normal people do about normal things. One of those rock stars even put me on the guest list for a show the following night. So, yes, sometimes you have to put fear aside.
But these are great stories to share with Connor Claire. Save it for one of those days when she accuses you of being very un-cool. Don’t forget to embellish the story greatly.
Congratulations Karen! What lovely memories you must have. Your dedication and work is greatly appreciated and I know that your blog will continue to be successful. Cheers!
OMGosh! 10 years? Congrats! Hopefully you’ll be sharing your wisdom with us for another 10. 🙂 Anna Piaggi has a lot going on but I was most curious about what she was holding. I’m going with Pink Puppy Dog purse.
Whatever she was holding was fantastic. It took the whole ensemble to the next level. (Maybe it was a Muppet?)
HAHA! I think I’ve been watching too much violent TV but I just picture her having a gun with a silencer inside that muppet! 🙂
PS I thought there was a crystal on the end of her cane but think it’s her watch face. There is a new gem (no pun intended) to be discovered every time I look at that pic!
It started out wrapped around her neck–you can see it in the photo on this page: http://www.thefashionspot.com/runway-news/175347-anna-piaggi-a-style-icon-to-generations-remembered/
I just read Grace Coddington’s memoir last week! I love that she loves fashion for fashion’s sake; the art is more important to her than the attending celebrities.
Hi Holly,
I’m going to put that on my list. Right now I’m reading Instant Mom by Nia Vardalos.