Cold Front

"Uh, Fable. Are you warm enough?

"Yup.

"But it's 39 degrees out here."

"So?"

"It's freezing. It's abnormally freezing and you're not used to this kind of freezing and aren't you freezing?"

"No."

"Where's your coat?"

"I took it off."

"But it's so cold!"

"I'm hot."

"Come on."

"What? I'm not cold at all. It isn't cold."

"How can you say that? I have seventeen layers on and I'm still freezing."

"Then you should wear a coat."

"I am! And a hat and boots. And a scarf."

"Here. I'll put my hood up. There. Happy?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Okay."

I trek back into the house under the weight of forty-seven blankets, nine pairs of snow boots and sixteen ski masks. 

Fable rolls up her sleeves.

GGC

188/100

We've been looking forward to DJ Earworm's "United State of Pop" and Daniel Kim's Pop Danthology 2013 (I posted his 2012 mix last year) for months and now they're here and we can't stop dancing. And dancing. (And also dancing.) I love me a good mash-up and DJ Earworm and Daniel Kim are at the top of their game. Party on, Wayne.

188. Pop Danthology by: Daniel Kim
+ United States of Pop 2013 by: DJ Earworm

***

P.S. The 2013 Pop Danthology is available to download for free, here.

Moonwalk Roger Rabbit Running Man out,

GGC

The Mother Co & Staying Safe without Fear

I met Abbie and Sam, founders of The Mother Company, over the summer and was blown away by their awesome. (ED: If you're unfamiliar with  The Mother Co, I highly recommend you check them out. Great parenting resource.) Over a recent lunch, Abbie and I got to talking about stranger danger/fear mongering/all of the things I wrote about here. She then told me about Ruby's Studio: The Safety Show and EMPOWERING children to listen to their "uh-oh feeling" instead of scaring them away from adults/human contact/life. (Amen.) 

I recommend their program with five thousand stars for parents and educators looking for an assist in the safety conversation. Ruby goes "there" in a way that isn't scary and I am so appreciative that there are women like Abbie and Sam in this space. (I get pitched the most insane fear-mongery "the world is out to get your children!" stuff ALL DAY LONG so talking to Abbie and Sam is a breath of fresh high-fives.)  Anyway. Mother Company 4 prez. Let's talk safety. 

Abbie & Sam: founders of The Mother Co

GGC: Why did you decide to do a show on safety?

Abbie: Because as a parent, I needed one. When my daughter was really young, I worried about her safety and wondered how to talk to her about safety and even how to teach her how to be safe. I knew I couldn't always be around her and didn’t know where to start without creeping her out or having a really icky discussion I wanted to avoid.  I went to a great parenting talk by a nationally acclaimed children’s safety expert, Pattie Fitzgerald, who basically taught me how to talk to my daughter about her safety by empowering her.  I left that parenting talk needing a totally entertaining show for kids that would be a tool for parents - that complemented Pattie’s wise approach.  I wanted a hero in the media - a modern day Mister Rogers mixed with the magic of Mary Poppins - who could reiterate the safety (and social and emotional) messages that would help my daughter become a good person.

Media is such a powerful educational tool when used well. But all the only video out there for kids on safety actually overwhelmed and scared my daughter. Not helpful.  I knew a smart, gentle, beautifully produced show was what we needed--and I vowed to make that show six years ago to help the millions of parents who shared my concern for our childrens' safety and who also wanted all the help we could get in instilling that wisdom in our kids. I’m proud that The Safety Show is all that I had hoped for and now thousands of other parents (and their kids!) are loving it too.

GGC: What are your feelings on "stranger danger”? 

Abbie: There are many things misguided about talking to kids about “stranger danger.” The unfortunate fact is that strangers, for the most part, aren’t the ones that most often pose a threat to children. Research shows that 90% of the harm done to children is by people they know.  Also, it’s misleading since we all live in a society where we have to talk to strangers all day - people in elevators, at stores, at school - interacting with them makes for a more pleasant world.  Additionally, “stranger danger” gives children the fearful sense that there is some kind of “boogieman” out there to get them.  But, again, the people who can cause harm don’t often look like they can. Predators are generally likable people with techniques that make both parents and kids trust them - there are almost never “boogiemen” (think of all those “trusted” examples in the news of teachers, coaches, boy scout leaders, and clergyman).  And finally, if children get lost - and 7 out of 10 of them will get lost in their lifetimes- they need to know to ask a “stranger” - a mom with kids, for example - for help and know that is a safe choice, even though she is technically a stranger.  With The Safety Show, we at The Mother Company feel its better to empower children around their safety and have them trust their “uh-oh feeling.”  Our bodies tell us when something doesn’t feel right and we should encourage our children to listen to that instinct.

GGC: How does The Safety Show empower parents/educators AS WELL as children?

Sam:  The Safety Show empowers parents, educators and children with knowledge and a positive approach to safety (rather than a fearful one).  The truth is that it can really be hard for parents and educators to talk to kids about safety:  we don't want to terrify kids and encourage them to live in fear - and some of the safety related topics can be uncomfortable to talk about, especially around safe touches and bodily safety.  So with The Safety Show, children gain empowering tips, tools and language around their personal safety without any scare tactics or "ick" factor.  We worked with Pattie's safety curriculum and came up with gentle, engaging and fun stories to explore what we feel are the four most important safety tools for adults to address with their kids:

1.) "The Uh-Oh Feeling":  this is the internal barometer inside all of us that tells us that something doesn't feel safe.  It's important to validate our kids' "uh-oh feelings" because then they will learn to trust their instincts and get out of harm's way.

2.) "Check First":  This just means that your kid should check first with you (or another safe adult, like a teacher or caregiver) whenever going anywhere or doing anything unexpected.  If checking first becomes a habit, even in perfectly safe situations, they will be less likely to find themselves alone in an unsafe situation.

3.) "Be the Boss of Your Body" -- This phrase empowers kids to say "no" to any kind of touch that doesn't feel right.  

4.) "Get Smart About Getting Lost" -- As Abbie mentioned, getting lost will happen in most kids' lifetimes, so it's important to have a plan.  Memorizing your safe adult's phone number is a great thing (and our craft in "The Safety Show" is all about that) and learning to find a "mom with kids" is likely to be their safest bet.

The show also provides our "Pop-Up Parenting" feature in the DVD menu, where Pattie offers safety tips for parents throughout the show in little subtitles at the bottom of the screen.  It's totally optional, but we figure it's an added bonus for parents and educators to gain a little more knowledge as they watch the show with their kids.

***

The Mother Co is offering 20% off Ruby's Studio: The Safety Show and all Mother Co items (that aren't already on sale!) with code GGC20. For more on The Safety Show go here. 

GGC

BLD: Mirrors of Krizia Sweater Dress (& Vintage Christian Dior Giveaway)

Hi, I've decided to bring back Gone Style as a monthly post option. Mainly because you asked and I thought it would be fun to talk about clothes sometimes because I like clothes and I like talking about clothes and linking to stores that rule around the Internet and Los Angeles. Plus, I get to hang out with one of my best pals, EvaLotta who shoots HiStyley and makes me feel like I'm at 9th grade sleepover when we're together. (She shot the below photos that do not look like they were taken on a cell phone.) Thank you, Eva. 

The concept for the "BLD" challenge is simple: One piece styled three ways a la Breakfast (coffee/school drop-off/casual am living), Lunch (meeting with colleague/friend/self) and Dinner (date night/girl's night/holiday party/get some). I'm starting with myself and next month will feature someone else and so forth... that's the plan, anyway. Every piece has three act potential. BLD 4 lyf.

***

Sweater dresses are on my top five timeless staples list that I carry inside my brain when I am in the market for something to purchase for my person. My sweater dresses are beloved and bear the bruises of a life well spilled on. They are also warm enough to wear without layering in the fall/winter here in LA, so no need for a coat which takes up way too much space in a bag that is more often than not overflowing with items. (Although... it is very cold for LA right now.  As cold as it gets, hence the rat problem that is now resolved, thank goodness.  Knocking on wood right now with my foot.)

Today's post features one of my favorite items c/o Rice and Beans Vintage, THE destination for designer vintage, especially handbags (her Chanels are BEYOND.)

The (Mirrors by Krizia) fox dress was a SLAM DUNK in my soul for many reasons, one of them being its resemblance to, well, a wolf... which gives me a sort of name pride fierceness* that doesn't happen if, say, a cat or a bird or a mustache graphic is involved.

***

Breakfast:
bunched up with a beanie, cut-offs over tights and moto boots:

Moto Boots: Rag & Bone

Glasses: Novelty shop, fitted with lenses c/o my optometrist

Bag: Kooba bag held together with super glue
lip color: Viva Glam II by MAC

ED: These photos were taken in front of Alfred Coffee which is a super chic little cafe on Melrose Place. Great coffee and fun place to meet up with pals.

Lunch: (Hal took these.)
tucked in w/ blazer, boyfriend jeans + booties:

sans tuck... w/
wool blazer: no brand name, consignment shop

Jeans: Joe's Straight Leg Jeans
Booties: nicole

***

Dinner: 

Worn with tights, simple accessories + red lip: 

Heels: Steve Madden
Clutch: Ellington
Lip color: Russian Red by MAC

***

And since today's post is featuring the badassness that is Rice & Beans Vintage (I die for this. And this. And this and this and this and this and these for a size 6 shoe I mean) and Sarah (who owns Rice and Beans) is so beyond generous, I am pleased as punch to offer you fine folks a chance to win this AMAZING vintage Christian Dior (circa 1970s) handbag/clutch, a $400 value.

I mean...

Mint condish much?

Ahjahkjshadkja

To win? Comment below and/or sign up for the Rice and Beans mailing list which delivers the latest and greatest in vintage finds into your inbox which is very exciting.

I'll be picking one winner next Friday, December 13th. In the meantime, you can shop Rice and Beans vintage and receive 15% off your order with code GGC2. Good luck and love to all!

*I assume this is not unlike how Laylas feel when this song pops on the radio. Also boys named Sue.

updated with winner: congrats to Brooke! Enjoy your clutch, Brooke! xo!

GGC

Eat Well: Go-To Dinner Salad

Oh, hi. It's me again. (Whenever I attempt an Eat Well post I feel like I'm stealing my mom's car or something. Like, WOOO! I HAVE A FAKE ID LET'S HIT UP REVOLUCION!)

This is actually a follow up to my go-to lunch salad post and I figured, since this is the time of year where we have little time/many boxes of treats in the pantry, I'd post another super simple easy healthy quick delicious filling feel good salad recipe (recipe?) which is more or less what Hal and I eat for dinner every single night. A pile of greens covered with stuff.

Here is what you need to make such a thing:

- Bag of herb salad mix from Trader Joes (if you do not have a TJs, you can use any kind of greens but please add dill and spinach leaves to the mix if you can. The dill is VERY IMPORTANT because dill + brown lentils = the perfect complement.

- Pre-made lentils. (I also buy these at Trader Joes. Actually, Hal does. He does the household grocery shopping. They are a timesaver/lifesaver/dietary staple in our house.)

- Artichoke hearts and/or hearts of palm OR garbanzo beans + avocado OR goat cheese and cranberries (pictured above).
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar

- Seasoning. If possible, this, because there is nothing better in all the land. (My mom has written about it before. It's avail at her Farmer's Market and online, here.)

(This one comes in second place.)

***

ED: Use as many greens as you can fit on the plate. Portion control does not apply when it comes to green leafy things. 

ED #2: Bo and Revi will eat this salad. Fable and Archer will not because they are "allergic to salad, gosh."

ED #3: xoxoxo.

GGC