Loulou Says Thank You

It's Thanksgiving! I love this time of year, when I get to spend tons of time with my family and close friends. I have so much to be thankful for this year!
1. Mommy, Daddy and my sister Lana
2. Stephen
3. My girlfriends
4. My fans!
5. Shoes and bags for pulling my ensembles together and making me look so good!
6. My metabolism! Today I really outdid myself - I ate three bites of turkey and almost half a slice of pumpkin pie. Thanks to my skinny genes, I can still fit into my skinny jeans! (Especially my current faves - my Victoria Beckham waxed black skinnies!)

It was the SHOES

How could I ignore the obvious????? As much as I adore fabulous footwear, you would think that it would have occurred to me that Brian Atwood's combo of clear plastic and black leather studded with crystals was a real headturner! I LOVE these shoes, and apparently so did everyone else on the beach. Add to this the fact that they are SOLD OUT everywhere,  and I can see why they were stopping traffic. They probably thought I was a royal or something, traipsing by in shoes that all of Hollywood wants and no one can get their hands on! I am so relieved, although sadly that means the Atwoods will have to stay in my hotel room for the remainder of this trip, even though the plastic and thick chunky heel makes them so perfect for the beach! (Stilettos would be all wrong, as everyone knows pointy heels would simply sink in the sand!)

Loulou Lays Low

It's very hard going incognito, even in a smaller city like Daytona Beach. For one thing, I have discovered that here, my clothes are kind of conspicuous. In New York City, you could walk around town dressed as a Christmas tree and no one would even notice! Not that Loulou would ever do that! (I dressed as a poinsettia plant for a Christmas costume party once, but that was totally different. For one thing, it was red, not green, a color that is not at all Loulou-friendly. Also it was couture!) Anyway, it's so hard for Loulou to blend in. For example, some of my outfits are getting some unwanted attention here, hard as I try to keep a low profile.
Just yesterday, not wanting to draw too much attention to myself, I hit the beach with my cousin! Wanting to protect my delicate skin from the blazing Florida sun and to go undercover, I decided to wear something subtle and flowy, rather than the showy bikini I had packed. So I chose this soft, silky Cavalli kaftan.

I don't know what caused that ice cream truck to veer off its path and nearly hit those teenagers, or

why those German tourists were taking all those pictures. Maybe they thought I was Eva Longoria. (I get that all the time, and I am very flattered even though I never, ever plan on being 30. By the time I get anywhere near that number, I am sure they will have a cream that cures aging and birthdays and all that nonsense!) Since the kaftan was so discreet, I can only conclude that it was the hat that caused such a stir. I personally thought my Philip Treacy sun hat was the perfect accessory for the dress!

No, it couldn't have been the hat! After all, it's Florida, where sun hats are as commonplace as sunscreen! Maybe it was my beach bag? I know it was last season's Juicy bag, but I couldn't find this season's. I'm sure it's buried under the avalance of bags that hit me as I was frantically packing to leave town!

No, everyone in Florida has a beach bag! I really don't know what it could have been... But I plan to get to the bottom of this! I'm sure those unfortunately-dressed German tourists were really paparazzi in disguise, and I can't afford any more publicity right now!

Loulou Visits Daytona Beach

Loulou is trying to lay low these days, until all the hubbub over the Gaga debacle dies down. And since Stephen is in Eastern Europe on business for a few days (I'll have to ask him what he does one of these days - it hasn't come up. Work talk is so boring!), I've decided to jet down to a darling little resort town called Daytona Beach. My cousin lives there, and she needs my help preparing for the Miss Beach Beauty pageant!

Since I have years of pageant experience, both as a contestant and behind the scenes, I thought pageant prep might be a good distraction, and a few days of hanging out with the family and exploring the local haunts should do me good! So here I am at the Shores Resort & Spa, which is so charming. I love the little pool cabanas - so Miami-esque! My cousin Lucia decided to show me around the historic main street of Daytona Beach, called, appropriately enough, Beach Street, and it is so lovely and European-ish, with quaint little shops and restaurants, all set across the street from a pretty park on a river. Love it!

After doing a little shopping and antique-ing, we popped in for a light dinner at Ivy Lane Bistro, and I was in heaven. It was reminiscent of a cafe in Paris, except that I could understand everything my server was saying! I ordered the Avocado Blinis, which is like an avocado pancake with this lemony sauce and crabmeat on top of it, which was out of this WORLD. We also indulged in a fruit and cheese plate and it was massive but so so yummy, with big blocks of amazing cheese, fresh and dried fruit, and blue-cheese stuffed olives. I was in heaven. Lucia, who is on one of those meat-only diets, ordered the filet, and she said it was one of the best she's ever had. I love the old-world ambiance and the stylish crowd. Definitely our new spot to eat in town!

While I was there, I made quite an impression on the servers with my Loulou-esque ensemble, and I am sure they will all remember me, so if you drop by, tell them Loulou sent you!

Loulou Needs a Hobby

I am used to having my face plastered all over the pages of style and gossip magazines, but usually it's because of my adorable outfit or my adorable boyfriend. I have never made headlines for upstaging a headliner before! So I've decided to lay low and just hang out with Stephen and my best friends for a little while until the whole Gaga Scandal blows over. That's why I've decided I need a new hobby. Here are my ideas, so far.

1. Jewelry Making: I love the idea of working with diamonds and precious metals, but I think that there may be tools and sharp pointy things involved, which may pose a safety hazard to my manicure. Plus, tools are not Loulou-friendly!

2. Shoe Designing: The last time I attempted this I envisioned and sketched the most beautiful shoes imaginable. Unfortunately, according to all the cobblers and shoe engineers I consulted, it is physically impossible to stand on razor thin 11 inch stilettos. Clearly they lacked vision! I could give this another shot.

3. Art Collecting: Usually involves leaving the house and going to high profile auctions, galleries and museums. Next.

4. Baking: SO much potential with this one. First of all, boys like it when you bake for them. And there are so many cute things I could buy to support my new hobby: aprons, cookie cutters, an oven!
5. Perfume Making: Loulou has a superior sense of smell, so it makes sense that I would dabble in perfume making. Should I start creating personalized scents for all of my girlfriends, or focus on one developing my own signature scent and make it available to the public!?

A Showstopper

Oh what a night! I am still recovering from my amazing evening with Stephen at the Lady Gaga show! Have you ever had a moment when it seemed as if time stood still and all eyes were on you as you serenely, sophisticated-ly glided across the room? No? Well I have! First, let me start by saying that Stephen wore a simple, understated black tee and jeans. Yes, jeans. But I know it was because he is such an unselfish sort of guy and didn't want to steal the spotlight from me. And they were very nice jeans. And his shoes were soooo cool! But anyway, because he has so many amazing connections, we got backstage passes to the show. We didn't actually get to meet Her Royal Gaga-Ness, but we did get to meet the guy who is in charge of delivering drinks to her dressing room. (Gaga doesn't eat - a position I wholeheartedly endorse. Eating is such a waste of time and can very quickly guarantee that you won't fit into all your cute couture!) We also met the makeup artist for the backstage dancers, and he was very nice and down to earth and everything! Then we watched the show from backstage for a couple of minutes, and then, loyal Loulou-fans, as Stephen and I emerged from the blackness to take our places with the throngs of Gaga-ites, everything stopped. And the entire crowd, all 6-gazillion-schmillion of them, turned to look at me! The combination of Loulou and that genius design duo Marchesa was just too much for them. Even the music stopped, and as I looked up at the stage, I saw the Pop Princess peer down at me. She wasn't smiling, but that's probably because she was afraid she'd crack her face with all that makeup, but I could tell there was a glimmer of warmth in her eye. She was also wearing pink, and let's just say we had a moment. She knew that she had met a kindred spirit, an artistic, girly soul just like herself. Then some roadie plugged the music back in and the moment was over! As I sat down, there was much twittering and talking, and I know that some people think I tripped over the cord and disconnected the music during Gaga's opening number, but I know they're just jealous because they don't have the style to make a pop diva stop singing and take notice!

A Loulou-Worthy Look!

Legions of Loulou-fans (and my own infallible intuition) can't be wrong: The Marchesa dress wins. It's the most Loulou-esque, and I think I stand a better chance of standing out by being true to my own, inner Loulou-ness than I do by being a second-rate Lady Gaga. Plus the dress is PINK! Anyway, since I found the frock, I needed to act quickly and assemble a concert-worthy outfit, starting with the hair. This dress practically screams (in a subtle, ladylike way) for a fabulous, full 60s beehive. I'll take this photo along when I get my hair done, for inspiration!

These gorgeous snakeskin pumps from the late, legendary McQueen are ladylike, but the skull adornment is so edgy and rock and roll.

Only Bottega Veneta could make bugs look beautiful. I love this cool, edgy clutch, even if it is a serious splurge!

 Ta da! I have the ensemble, the appointments (hair, nails, love guru!), and the accessories - all ready for the big night. I wonder what Stephen will wear?

Going Gaga

Aagghhhh! It turns out that no legitimate, upscale store in New York City sells anything worthy of Lady Gaga. I know her wardrobe is completely custom, but I only have two days - not nearly enough time to have something made! Stephen got back late last night, so now that he is back in town, I can finally concentrate on the important things, like finding an outfit for the Lady Gaga concert! Here are my options, so far! I need your help, and fast, so please vote!

Loulou-Look #1: Isabel Marant Folco Sequin Leggings and Gulu Silk Blend Brocade Top: These are sparkly enough to razzle dazzle a crowd, but are they wild enough to upstage Lady Gaga?

Loulou-Look #2: DSquared2 Spinal Cord Dress: This dress is wild enough for Lady Gaga, but is it ladylike enough for Loulou? Also, the detail may not show in the dark.

Loulou-Look #3: Now this is Loulou! I don't know whether I will buy this dress. I just don't know whether it's right for a concert or a cocktail party!

I think I am having an identity crisis! How do I outshine her royal Gaga-ness without losing site of the ladylike Loulou?

Sad, Sad Loulou

Stephen is out of town for two whole days on business, and I have been too sad to write anything at all! I don't know how he could leave during such an important week. This is the week that I need to be spending all of my time and energy making myself look way cooler and way hotter than Lady Gaga, without revealing a lot of skin. I do not need to be spending my time pining away over my absent boyfriend! The concert is on Saturday and I haven't come up with a brilliant outfit idea yet. Now this might seem like a dilemma for lesser shoppers, but I am a trained professional, and I know that inspiration will strike. But not until Stephen gets back. I haven't managed to do much of anything in the last couple of days, except buy half a dozen pairs of shoes at Jeffrey, get three massages and an acupuncture treatment, and start researching destination wedding locations. 

Outshining Lady Gaga

Stephen is seriously the perfect boyfriend. He calls often enough but not too often - 2-3 times an hour, which is exactly the right amount. He dresses really really well, but not better than I do. He is very romantic and considerate. He even said the word wedding. He wasn't referring to ours, unfortunately, he was talking about his college roommates' upcoming wedding, which is still amazing because I know some guys never even breathe the word. And we have so many of the really important things in common:
1. We both believe, although we are still compiling the evidence to prove it, that excessive exercise (more than twice a month, three tops) can lead to premature aging and depression.
2. We both have French names. Loulou is even the French spelling of an already French-ish name, and Stephen goes by Stephan, which sounds very French.
3. We both hate coffee but love coffee shops!

This weekend he is taking me to a Lady Gaga concert. He has these incredible seats because his little brother, Sawyer, used to date one of the backup dancers! (Stephen has so many connections but he is so modest and low-key about it all!). The concert is Saturday night, which means I have only 5 days to choose the perfect outfit. I know that people will be coming to see Lady Gaga, but I want them to be gaga for Loulou, instead!

What I Love About Stephen

I know I promised the scoop on my memorable first date with Stephen, and here it is! So sorry about the delay, but since I am usually a few days late for everything, and this is only one day late, according to LoulouLogic, that makes me early! Please forgive me if you operate on dull, boring clock time...
Now back to my favorite subject, Stephen. When he arrived to pick me up for our date, he looked so dapper he reminded me of Cary Grant or Cary Elwes or someone famous and very good looking like that! He wore this jacket and pants combo from Armani, but with just a button-down shirt underneath, and he's so much better looking than this model!

Also, I recognized his cologne, which is subtle and masculine and perfect. It's Acqua di Parma Essenza... Yummy! Then we had a lovely romantic dinner at a very, very nice restaurant. I'd love to tell you the name, but I am afraid the paparazzi will swarm us next time we are there. I am hoping it will become "our place!" (Even though it's my career as a hand model and all the good work I've done as a socialite that initially made me famous, since my publicist broke the news of the possible 2014 drop of my debut cabaret album, Loulou Rocks!, I can't go anywhere without the paparazzi following me! And Stephen is very very famous because his mother's great aunt was once photographed kissing Elvis! Also, his family is very distinguished and his father is in some kind of banking.) Anyway, after dinner, we went to his friend's housewarming party. He just bought a loft downtown (normally, I firmly stand behind my design philosophy that lofts are ugly, but his friend had hired a really, really good interior designer who made it look less, well, loft-y). We had a fabulous time and I was able to meet a few of his best guy friends, and they all seemed like really nice guys, which was obvious just by looking at them. Creeps do not wear corduroy or tweed, in my experience. We stayed at the party until almost 1 a.m., dancing and talking. I even had half a glass of champagne, but I drank it over the course of three hours, so I was only a little bit tipsy. There was just this buzz of electricity in the air all night long, and it wasn't just because Stephen's jacket was kind of staticky. It was the buzz of promise, of a future with a big white wedding and little Stephen Jr's running around. Did I write that out loud? I digress. I'll just wrap up by saying, once again, that it was definitely the best. date. ever.

The Male Loulou?

It. Was. The. Best. Date. Ever. I'll fill you in on all the date details tomorrow, when I hope to find a little sliver of an opening in my social calendar. In the meantime, let me just say that we have SO MANY IMPORTANT things in common. Here are just a few:
1. We both love pink! (I love a man who is in touch with his feminine side.)
2. We have both been to Los Angeles, and we both liked our hair better there!
3. We have both worn a Chanel fragrance at some point during our lives.

He's just like me, only he's a GUY. Amazing, right? And it gets BETTER, I promise! A bientot!

A Perfect Match

In just a few minutes, Stephen will be picking me up for our very first date, and I have spent the last 24 hours getting ready. Dating is hard work! First, I needed to find something absolutely incredible to wear. I wanted something understated, so it didn't look like I was trying too hard, so I chose this dress from Sass & Bide. It's beige - what could be more subtle than that?

Since the dress is so simple, the shoes had to be fierce and fabulous - leopard print Louboutins!

I needed a pop of color. Ta da! A red silk clutch from Alexander McQueen.

This Stephen Webster cocktail ring will keep my fingers from looking so bare. Hopefully, the big rock on my finger will give my Stephen (love how that sounds!) the right idea!

For my face, I picked up Dior's new Evening Gold collection. So chic!

After my Red Carpet Facial, I got a mani/pedi, a massage, an eyebrow shaping, lash tint and perm, deep conditioning treatment and style, a body scrub and a wrap. I've also been drinking lots of water and using tons of moisturizer so that my skin looks more youthful. (Sshhhhh... I'll be 22 in March. I guess you can't stay 15 forever!)

Sooooo excited about tonight! I can't wait to see what Stephen will be wearing! Details tomorrow - promise!

The Scoop on the New Boyfriend!

Okay, I know everyone's DYING to know who Loulou is dating, but the last 24 hours have been such a whirlwind that I've hardly had a moment to write! His name is Stephen (pronounced Ste-FAHN, as a nod to his French heritage - his mother's cousin has a vacation home in St Barths!) and I met him yesterday morning when I was scouring Soho for this chic little new boutique that is so exclusive there is no sign or anything. Anyway, I was lost, and the GPS on my phone told me to head east, so naturally I turned right because that's always where east is. I am so glad I have a good sense of direction! Anyway I was so focused on my mission (I can be so driven sometimes it's scary!) that I wasn't paying attention and ran smack into him. It was like something out of a Mentos commercial! It was love at first sight, the only kind I believe in anyway. (Who wants to wait until someone grows on you, like a fungus, before deciding it's love?) Of course it was mutual. He didn't even seem to mind the fact that I was only wearng my thirty-minute-face. You know it's love when a guy likes you even when you are wearing next-to-no makeup. Sigh. So we got to talking, and it turns out his roommate at Brown was my sister Lana's ex-boyfriend's former rugby teammate's twin brother. Wow! I can't believe we've managed to miss each other all these years! We continued our chat at a coffee shop and I confess I forgot all about my errand. Our first official date is tomorrow night (dinner and a party) but we've already spoken on the phone three times and he has sent me 7 1/2 texts (I don't think "LOL" counts as a real text). Off to get ready now. I only have 24 hours to prepare for the big night!

Status: In a (Squeaky New!) Relationship

Can't talk now... I have a boyfriend! More on the (new, improved) man of my dreams tomorrow!

Bags are Better than Boyfriends, Part Deux

Now that I have endured four days of singleness, I have a whole new perspective on the life of the single girl, and it's not easy. You have to attend parties and premieres solo, and answer mean questions about why Bruce didn't appreciate your unique Eau. You have to hold your own door open. And you have to buy yourself jewelry. But somehow I can always find a silver lining in every fur coat, and here it is: You can shop as much as you want, and no one, except your pesky accountant Howard, can say anything about it. The stores must go on, and I am here to make sure they do! And since I consider it my civic duty to boost the economy, here are a few bags that will help you make the credit card companies so happy!

6. Jimmy Choo "Ubai" Clutch, $595: This bag is sparkly and pretty, like jewelry for your hand. And since my hand is currently rock-free, this will do nicely in a pinch!

7. Fendi Floral Baguette, $1960: This slim straw bag is embroidered with colorful flowers. Just looking at it makes me long for sundresses and warm summer days, walking hand in hand with Bruce. Or was that Baylin? Or Boris?

8. Prada Rete Metal Mini Bag, $2100: When I see art of this caliber, I am reminded of all that is good in the world, and my heart is filled with gratitude. Thank you, Miuccia.

9. Bottega Veneta Woven Satin Minaudiere, $1220: This bag is so pretty it's inspired me to ignore my own "blue is for bores" rule, just this once!

10. Christian Louboutin Pave Clutch, $1295: It wouldn't be a Loulou List if my future friend Christian did not show up at least once. This stunning metal framed bag has the cutest little red-soled-pump closure! Magnifique!

Bags are Better than Boyfriends

Being single really does free up your time to do all sorts of useful, helpful, interesting things! Only today I managed to buy half a dozen cardigans, phoned up three friends to dish about Bruce, and reread the entire first 12 pages of this September's issue of Vogue. I also managed to squeeze in some time in the bathtub and a trip to the coffee shop on the corner. All this in ONE day. But don't be intimidated just because I seem to have it all together. None of this fabulousness would be possible without my most cherished accessory: a handbag. With several showstopping new pairs of shoes, my closet is practically begging me to buy a handbag or two to keep them company! Here, a selection of my favorite bags of the season:

1. Alexander McQueen Britannia Patent Leather Clutch, $1525: Since I plan to be a member of a royal family someday, I try to dress the part. This cheeky (just practicing my British lingo!) red clutch is edgy and girly at the same time - classic McQueen.

2. Anya Hindmarch Marano Mirrored Leather Clutch, $530: Anya invented the bags with the photographs on them, but don't hold that against her. This glam little bag is perfect for parties, and it doubles as a mirror, so it's practical too!

3. Valentino Rose Shopper, $1595: Valentino is my very favorite bag designer, I think. His styles are the girliest, what with the bows and flowers and things. This bag has a huge rose on it, and it's the prettiest pale pink! What could be more Loulou-esque?

4. Marc Jacobs Alexis Sequin and Leather Clutch, $1095: This bag combines black leather with golden sequins, which means its cool and sparkly all at the same time. Marry me, Marc.

5. Jimmy Choo "Candy" Clutch, $550: I love this chic little envelope of a bag for its superglossy finish and shocking pink shade. This bag would be fabulous with something more conservative, which might make it the only good reason I've ever found to wear navy.

More beautiful bags tomorrow, I promise!