“The ability to fascinate, to please, to allure, to enchant and to bewitch.” Or so says a dictionary when you look up the word “charm.” That’s a lot of abstract verbs, don’t you think? What does it really mean to be “charming?” I recently had someone tell me to be less charming, so I must possess charm to spare. And beauty? Well, Poetic & Chic does not aim to be another beauty column that simply makes its readers feel lacking in some way – you look pretty! But we’ll shoot straight about what products work, what we love, and why you’ll love it too.
How much closet space do you have? Well, darling, it isn't quantity, but quality. Okay, for closets, yes, you want both quantity AND quality, but we live in a city so we'll take what the landlord gives us. The Closet Space section actually takes you inside of the closets of those characters whose closets must really be something - at least, if one goes by what they wear each day. Where do they find their stuff anyways? How do they wear it? What trends do they love and which ones do they think are worse than the revival of acid-wash? Closet Space gets you in the closet and shows you what's there...
If there's one thing we know about, well - other than clothes, shoes, style, and what's happening, it's food. We love to eat. Foodie Chic tells you what we're eating and where, why it's great, and sometimes how to cook it yourself.
How many crushes do you have? Personally, p&c loves a good crush. The crazy obsessions, the achings of desire, the longings to posess completely. Latest Crush shows off some of our recent crushes and why they're so crush-worthy.
Milieu - your environment or ambience, Métier - your life's calling, work one is particularly suited to, one's specialty... Between Milieu & Métier is where p&c finds trends. We observe our environment and apply our well-honed talents to single out what's next, what's out there, what makes us pay attention. Well-seasoned flâneurs that we are, we can tell when there's a certain something in the air, a je ne sais quois...but it's going to be big, and very poetic & chic.
Everyone needs to court their muse now and then. Like leaving oranges for the Buddha at the turn of the New Year, everyone must make some kind of an offering. The Muse is the section where I tell my stories, adventures, star sightings, stylish philosophical ramblings... Although my muse is more than likely a terrier named Archie, I like to think the contributions are tasty enough to be relished.
Like a weatherman on The Today Show, poetic & chic asks "What's going on in your neighborhood?" Here is where we get out in the world and snap up some images of the latest style goings-on. We find themes, ideas, and trends in their manifold interpretations. If a mysterious fashionista ever interrupts your evening and asks to photograph you in your new ______, you'll know you're bound for the pages of p&c!
Everyone knows how to make something...and most everything can be made - by you, yes, at home. No, there's no need to spend all that dough on that silly thing when you can make it yourself! (Caveat: Really good shoes cannot be made at home. There's a reason why Jimmy, Manolo, and Christian are so good at what they do. No one else can do it! That, and where would I put my last?) On the Make brings you projects simple enough for every p&c reader to make for themselves. Food, fashion, crafts, home design - make it your way!
Who doesn't love a great party? Party Me Happy will disclose the ins and outs of parties - which ones are good, how they made it happen, and how you can make a party or two yourself. If being poetic and chic is anything, it's about how to host great gatherings.
Fashion, probably more than any other industry, repeats itself over and over and over again. Inspiration is recycled, reused, reinterpreted, and revamped, and sometimes without even the slightest attempt to spin the original in a new way. Past is Present will feature tidbits of fashion history that are relevent to our current fads, trends, obsessions - where did they come from? who started it all? why should we care? Let P&C give you a glimpse into the past so you can be chic in the present.
Ever watch your old loyal favorite turn into something new and spectacular? It's always great when that happens - it's called getting "pimped". Lately, brands have been getting pimped right and left in a constant effort to remain fresh, edgy, and attractive to buyers. Modern commerce is all about branding: who has one? why is it great? what does it convey? Every company is now brand-obsessed and we customers are too. But what does it mean to "build a brand" or "manage a brand"? The Pimp My Brand column takes a wry view at modern branding, how it's changing, who are the winners and losers, and most importantly: why?