[Icons of Style] Babe Paley, Society Diva

Babe Paley was born Barbara Cushing, daughter of a neurosurgeon and a Pulitzer Prize winner. Though not born into a family of society, Babe was encouraged to marry a wealthy man by her mother. Her first husband came from the Standard Oil family, and her subsequent beau, William S. Paley, was a chairman for CBS who was rich and powerful; kind and gracious; and worshipped her absolutely.

After her marriage to William Paley, Babe quickly appeared on the map of fashion. Her name remained at the top of the 'Best Dressed List' for most of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Her fashion statements - wearing pantsuits and letting her hair go gray - were emulated by women all across the country and still influence our style today. Babe became such a model of fashion that she could make fashion headlines just by leaving her house. Once in a hurry to get out the door, Babe wrapped a scarf around the handle of her purse. She was spotted by photographers and the image, appearing in fashion magazines around the country, sparked a trend that lasted for years. Her immaculate quality and immense serenity were easily discerned through photos and articles, and earned her the appropriate nickname, "the beautiful darling". Vogue dubbed her style "effortless chic achieved at great effort".

Aside from having amazing style, Babe was also known for her beauty, manners and kindness. She was considered so extraordinary because her inner beauty was equal to, or greater than, her physical charms. Many felt that she lived in a bubble of perfection: her multiple houses were decorated by Billy Baldwin, premier interior decorator to Society; her hair was never out of place, even when sailing on their yacht, and her clothes betrayed nary a wrinkle. One admirer was quoted as saying, "So great is her beauty that no matter how often I see her, it's the first time". She is still used today as a reference point for style, and the fashion coverage of the 1998 Oscar de la Renta summer collection praised its "Paley chic, that says, "I'm rich, but I don't have to flaunt it"".

However, like so many great women, that outer perfection masked a very shy interior. Babe suffered her entire life with a lack of self-confidence that she allowed few to see. One of those she let closest to her was Truman Capote, whom she sensed was also crippled by shyness and lack of self-esteem. Capote had the unique ability to listen closely, and make one think that they were all that mattered in the world. In him, she found both a sympathetic friend and companion for her many social obligations around the world. Truman became a regular visitor on the Paley's yacht, a frequent houseguest, and a mainstay of their many parties. Babe also began confiding in him the details of her marriage, in spite of Slim's repeated warnings. Babe felt he was so sympathetic and discreet that he could be trusted with the truth. Mr. Capote, however, had other plans.

Key Elements of Babe's Signature Style:

Knowing exactly what her style is

A focus on the classics

Not being afraid to take a risk

Understated elegance

Your Assignment:

Find a way to mix your look up, whether classic or funky, and put a fresh spin on it. Find a look that you know deep in your heart looks for you and wear it, unabashedly. Feel the confidence it can conjure up!

Excerpted from Divasthesite.com.

Big, Beautiful Bras

So long, 34B. The new median bra size for an America woman is now a 36DD. Yet finding beautiful, supportive bras in plus-sizes may not be as easy as you’d think. OneStopPlus.com offers a wonderful selection of bras for women in a wide variety of feminine styles in close to 200 sizes. Styles range from strapless to sporty, colorful to nude and simple to luxurious. So whether you’re naturally well-endowed, have enhancements or are temporarily a little more busty due to pregnancy or nursing, you can still look pretty in a sleek and sexy bra from OneStopPlus.com. Prices range from $7.99 - $49.99.

Come Sail Away!

As you head to the beach, the pool or just the gym, why not stash your items in a cool, recycled tote bag from Ella Vickers? Made from recycled sails, marine grade canvas, corrosion resistant zippers and other durable materials, these bags were meant to withstand all the harsh elements of the shore and beyond! Created by Ella Vickers in Wilmington, NC, these bags range in size from wristlets to diaper bags and large totes and offer up functionality, durability and a flair for the seaworthy and retail for $40 - $158.
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Further Than the Eye Can See…

As the sun’s rays get more intense most of us will find ourselves reaching for our sunglasses. If you find that you need a new pair, why not treat yourself to some chic specs and do a bit of good to boot? Amy Sacks' eyewear offers exceptional quality handcrafted eyewear at a good price. Each pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses has a frame constructed from bamboo, making them not only stylish but sustainable, too. Plus, each pair of specs comes with a lifetime warranty.

But the best part is that with each purchase, all profits go to support the Pixie Project which helps to provide homes for animals as well as assist with training, spaying and neutering. The Julian sunglasses (pictured, in caramel) are available for $130.

[Icons of Style] The Inimitable Style of Iris Apfel

Calling herself a 'geriatric starlet', Iris Apfel just goes to show us that great style knows no age limit. At the ripe age of 88, Iris exudes more style that many of us have at even half her age. A legendary tastemaker, Iris Apfel was the subject of a recent exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusettes, called "Rare Bird of Fashion."

“Her creation of her image is just as artistic as any of the individual haute couture pieces from her wardrobe,’’ says Harold Koda, curator of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the show originated in 2005. “It’s art in the sense that her materials are from this incredible collection she has amassed, and she uses them the way a painter uses paint.’

Key elements of Iris' Signature Style:

Iris clearly understands the secret power of accessories and uses it to help set her apart. Whether she's wearing a designer label or a mass produced outfit, it's her use of accessories that elevates her look to the next level and makes a stand-out impact.

Bold, statement jewelry and oversized glasses create balance and a consistent look, as well as a 'more is more' philosophy. When Iris walks into a room you don't see one element of her outfit, you simply see her.

A gal after my own heart, Iris is a big fan mixing haute couture with dimestore finds. True style comes in your mix, not from wearing labels and brands. Iris is a world-class shopper who readily confesses that it’s not about how much you spend, but what you dig up.

Your Assignment:

As with Iris' example, accessories can be used to help you create a look that's all your own. Take a look at how you use accessories and note what you wear consistenly. Do you wear a certain motif, a stack of bangles or the same pair of earrings? What accessories make up your Signature Style?

New Series [Icons of Style ]

Today marks the beginning of our new weekly series, 'Icons of Style'. Created to bring to light some of the great style icons of our time, both those widely known icons as well as those who may be a little more underground. We'll be featuring one amazing, stylish lady each week to entertain as well as to educate you on how to create your own Signature Style. We'll also offer up a little 'assignment', if you will, that will help you to take a look at your own style and offer you some ideas for trying new things.

We can all learn a lot from history, and the women we'll be featuring on these pages are no exception. Full of charm and armed with a personal allure that makes them irresistible, we'll take a look at how style has changed through the ages as well as what looks stand the test of time. Hope you enjoy it!

Get Sexy, Go Sleeveless

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, chances are you've been tempted to pull out your favorite sleeveless dresses. But once you pull one on and realize how your arms, after being hidden for so long, are not exactly what you would describe as being 'cut'. In fact, you start to think you might just need to get rid of your sleeveless tops and dresses this year and become a sleeved kind of gal.

Wait just a second! Don't throw in the towel so easily. Having great arms is actually not as hard as it may seem. Just grab a copy of celebrity health and nutrition expert, JJ Virgin's (right), new book, Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy. JJ walks you through a holistic program that is more than just working out with the big boys - hers is a no-fuss approach to eating (that will even increase your energy!), help you build lean muscle and and get off diets for good! JJ also offers simple strategies for reducing stress and getting plenty of sleep. And she wants to make sure you make the most of your 'guns' so she even gives examples of arm-enhancing outfits, poses that make the most of your biceps and more insider secrets!

Grab a copy of Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy for yourself (get one for a friend, too!) and start counting down the six weeks until summer. Your arms never had it so good!