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Q: What is appropriate to answer the door at home when UPS could ring the doorbell at any time? |
A: Given today's more casual corporate and social climates, this is a great question. I think the best answer is to not only choose something that makes you feel comfortable, but makes your guest - or a stranger, for that matter - feel comfortable as well. The good news is that there are more suitable options available today than ever before. I often opt for a pair of simple, yoga-style pants and a coordinating top that keep me feeling comfortable and looking attractive as well. |
Q: I often visit friends in the summer. What is an appropriate hostess gift for a weekend spent in someone's home? |
A: I love this question because opening one's home is a gracious thing to do and I think it's important to respond in kind.
When I spend a weekend in someone else's home, I like to give them something warm and inviting - pajamas and a bathrobe, for instance, extend that sense of graciousness. If you prefer something less intimate, bringing something to cook is always welcome. I've found these great Italian pestos from Bella Cucina that are absolutely deliciously. Of course, offering to cook is a lovely gesture as well. |
Q: I'm having my first baby soon. What should I plan to wear in the hospital? |
A: Having your first baby brings with it all kinds of excitement and, of course, a hint of the unexpected. One thing you can do is in advance is to pack something that is both comfortable and pretty to wear - something you are comfortable receiving guests in. The ease of button-front pajamas can't be beat and may be worn with a matching wrap robe or bed jacket. |
Q: I always try to make my guests feel at home. What should I keep stocked in my guest bathroom? |
A: I like to make my guests feel as comfortable as possible. So I leave plenty of empty containers and baskets in which they can store their toiletries and other belongings. I also like to stock the guest bathroom with cozy towels, bathrobes, favorite shampoos, extra toothbrushes and toothpaste. Not only will it make overnighters feel at home, it alleviates a late night knock at the door when inevitably you're already tucked in and ready to drift off to sleep. |
Q: I hear that going "green" is the wave of the future. What simple at-home measures can I take? |
A: I've read so much lately about the waste caused by plastic water bottles. The good news is that replacing them with a water cooler is an easy step we can take toward conservation. Another at-home measure is to monitor your energy output. I find that by wearing pajamas that are a bit warmer than what I would generally opt for, I can keep the thermostat down a few degrees lower during the winter. Every bit we can do counts |
Q: Where do you come up with the ideas for your collections? What inspires you the most? |
A:I've always loved fashion and buy just about every magazine on the newsstand. Another great everyday inspiration is the streets of New York City - the vibrancy of the people here is unlike anything else in the world and I feel lucky to be part of it each day. When it comes to sitting down and designing, I often find myself considering what a younger woman would like to wear and then building from there. |
Q:I find myself with less and less time to shop. What online sites do you recommend? |
A: I'm a great browser of the web and love to look at all kinds of sites - from huge "malls" to smaller, trendier boutiques such as Fred Segal in California. When it comes to actual shopping, I stick to Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue - stores I love and have frequented for years. |
