Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I am so glad this is the first book I'm sharing since rediscovering my inner Book Worm. Why? Because I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not going to lie, it took me a LONG time to get through, but that should not be reflective of how I felt about it. 

We all know who Steve Jobs is. I mean, he changed our world for goodness sake! He actually changed it. Love him or hate him, I learned so much about him in the book I didn't know and I'm sure never would have known otherwise. You can love him because he was so creative, artistic, innovative, and determined. You can hate him because he was emotionally immature, harsh, insensitive, and controlling. It was when he became ill that Steve Jobs actually asked Walter Isaacson to write this book about him and gave Walter full access to him and the people in his life (past and present). Steve figured that once he passed away someone would write a book about him, so why not endorse it, and make it one of truth, where people can know the real him. 

I am my father's daughter and am constantly interested in and intrigued by technology and innovation. This book also told that story. I thought learning about how it all (Apple and the Steve Jobs legend) began was interesting, but even more so how the technologies of late have come to be. The Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes... all of it! Each and every single one of those products changed the norm, shook up industries, and had people NEEDING something they previously didn't even know they wanted. 

Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page. - Steve Jobs

If you like biographies, this is a great one. If you love technology you'll love this one! I am definitely an Apple girl and I've always appreciated how they upped the ante for anyone in their lines of business, and it was taken there by Steve Jobs. The fact that this book is so well written and honest just makes you get lost in the story. Steve Jobs also had such a unique perspective of the world, that some of the quotes in the book are quite profound. I'm very much in awe of him.

One more quote from the book I'd like to share is something Steve said after he got diagnosed with cancer, and although it is a touch morbid, it is also very real: 

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choice in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.  
 

Style Icon: Julianne Hough

Not just for her style, but I think Julianne Hough is an icon in so many ways! She's absolutely beautiful. She's so smiley and bubbly it's infectious. She's got a beautiful athletic body. She's talented (triple threat). And then yes, her style is awesome! I should probably just go ahead and admit that my name is Samantha and I'm addicted to Dancing With The Stars. I love that show so much! Not just for the stars (quirky) or the dancing (can be awesome), but also for the overall humour and fun that you get with the way it's produced and the hosting. So fun. Anyway, that's where I (like most of America) first saw Julianne and started to adore her and her personality! She really is awesome. Since then she's gone on to sing and act as well. She's a little rough around the edges with both, but she's adorable and I think she's definitely getting better (and more comfortable) with time.

Here are some of my recent fave looks Julianne rocked on the red carpet:

Off the red carpet her look is definitely more simple but always on trend:

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I was also quite sad to hear of her and Ryan Seacrest breaking up a few months back. I thought they were SO cute together! Oh well, that is neither here nor there :) What do you think of Julianne's style?

Style Icon: Kate Moss

For my next featured style icon, I have chosen Kate Moss. I think she is an obvious choice having been in the fashion spotlight for, like, ever. Although she has had her highs and (countless) lows in the press and in her personal life, I still really enjoy her. Especially her fashion sense. Her style is very model chic, meaning lots of clean lines, neutrals and even more black! One thing I also noticed about her style is her overall lack of accessories. In my constant efforts to accessorize myself, it makes me feel better to be reminded it's not the be-all-end-all! 

Kind of the way I love old photos of Audrey or Marilyn, I also love the photos Kate has taken over the course of her career. For that reason I would LOVE to get my hands on her book Kate: The Kate Moss Book. I think it would be a perfect coffee table book! It comes in 8 beautiful covers (below) shot by shot by Mario Testino, Corinne Day, Inez & Vinoodh, Craig McDean, Mert & Marcus, David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, and Juergen Teller. Definitely not expecting a high-quality read out of it - but more as an adult picture book... :)

Style Icon(s): Jennifer & Justin

Imagine this: you're married to Brad Pitt. Then imagine, he leaves you for Angelina Jolie and they go on to have a humongous perfect beautiful family. Pretty hard to top right? Not as hard as you might think. How does one top Brad Pitt? With the much more manly, much more handsome, Justin Theroux. 

I am going to go ahead and assume that everyone knows who Jennifer Aniston is.  She really is one of America's Sweethearts. It's hard not to love her. And going back to her Brad-breakup, if there was ever a girl who knows what "looking better after breakup" is all about, it is her. She is coming up to her 44th birthday and has never looked more awesome! In my opinion she's always been fashionable head-to-toe... literally! Remember "the Rachel" hair cut? She also has the ultimate accessory now in Justin, that equally stylish finance of hers! I think they are just the cutest couple, and SO NYC chic with their classic black duds. When it comes to her man and her style, if you ask me, Jen has won both rounds!

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Style Icon: Kate Beckinsale

I think she is beautiful. In my opinion she has one of the most rockin' bodies in Hollywood (New Years fitness motivation anyone?). She is best friends with another of my style icons, Victoria Beckham. And she has impeccable taste. It was only a matter of time before I added Kate Beckinsale to my list of style icons!

I have to admit, although she's an actress, I tend to think of Kate because of her fashion first.  Of COURSE I know her from Serendipity (what a classic chick flick), another old time favourite Brokedown Palace, and am aware of her most recent work, but it's definitely her style on the red carpet or around town that catches my eye. She is always pulled together and looks "done" which is something I aspire to (not that I leave the house in sweatpants... often, haha). Also her style choices are always bang on! Sometimes daring, sometimes trendy, sometimes classic - she can't lose. And that pink jumper below? Enough said!

What Would Anna Do?

Previously I wrote a post about graphic shirts, and how to rethink and rework them by dressing them up! Well, it turns out, graphics can be more than that. They can also carry an important message. For example, when in (fashion) doubt, "What Would Anna Do?".  I mean, as the editor-in-chief of American Vogue for the last 24 years, she WOULD have all the answers. It's definitely fun to play with graphics and I think this new Sauce shirt just does that, while still keeping it classy, just like Anna would want... :)

P.S. I wore this shirt last week and someone asked who Anna was. Even after I told her she still didn't know. I don't know how that is possible but if you are in the same boat, the character of Miranda in the book/movie "The Devil Wears Prada" was loosely based on Anna. She knew that reference!

Style Icon: Lauren Conrad

Lauren is another starlet who came into fame from Laguna Beach and The Hills. Like Kristin Cavallari, I think that Lauren looks like the epitome of a California Girl. Her blonde waves are envied far and wide. She has a laid back style, but she is also the queen of party dresses!

Although she started with reality TV, Lauren has tried to separate herself from that piece of her past, and make a name for herself. She is an author; her books are for a young-ish audience and are super fluffy, but fun. They are based on a California girl who is asked to be in a reality show... I guess write about what you know! She also has a beauty book coming out and she is the subject of many beauty vlogs. I gotta say, she does know what works in that department! She is also heads up the fashion line Paper Crown. It's a fairly simple line, but it's quality and pricey! I think she did a great job with it. It's very her. 

If I have one suggestion for her, it would only be to lose the teapot arm!

Style Icon: Kristin Cavallari

Back in the day, Laguna Beach and The Hills were my absolute reality TV guilty pleasures of choice. If I'm honest I still miss them sometimes! It's on these shows that a reality star was born - Kristin Cavallari. 

Since then she's made other reality appearances, contributed to fashion lines, gotten engaged to NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, and just recently she became a mother. Just like Blake Lively, I always look forward to seeing pictures of her and what she's wearing. Unlike Blake Lively, I feel like she wears stuff that is not necessarily unrealistic for real life, or a non-Hollywood life. Fun dresses that show some leg for occasions, then very comfortable and practical wear for the everyday. No matter the outfit, they are so simple, fun and oh so stylish.

One last thing, let me tell you about that last picture in my selections... the one of her in that black dress. That is from earlier this week, just 2 months after having her baby. TWO months!!! Way to go Kristin.

Kristin's Event Style

Kristin's Everyday Style

Style Icon: Mila Kunis

From the 15 year old Mila Kunis we started watching on That 70's Show, to the movie star of today, we have pretty much seen Mila grow up before our eyes.

On the silver screen she has proven she can do it all, from funny roles like "Friends With Benefits" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", to the more serious and dramatic role she played in "Black Swan" (she blew me away with that one).  I think her style works in the same way. She can wear something chic and classic, but it still has an element of fun!

Mila Kunis Style

Style Icon: Nicole Richie

Around 10 years ago if you told me I was going to think of Nicole Richie as a style icon... well, I probably would have laughed in your face and called you crazy, but here we are! 

She has transformed. I love her style. Even when she is dressed to the nines there is a certain element of comfort. I think that has something to do with how her style always seems to have some bohemian undertones to it. Light and easy. Classic and cool. You can see that mindset reflected in her own fashion lines Winter Kate and House of Harlow. Both incredible. 

Even when she was pregnant she rocked the heels and clothes that weren't typical of maternity wear. And now as a mom, well, the photos speak for themselves... she's awesome!

Some favourite Nicole Richie fashions.

Phyllis Diller... rest in peace

Because I am a child of the 80's I did not watch Phyllis Diller rise to stardom and pave the path for future female stand-up comedians. But it's hard not to know who she is as she was quite the character. She passed away yesterday. In memory of her I wanted to share some great quotes of hers...

Phyllis Diller, 1917-2012

"Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight."

"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them."

"The reason women don't play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public."

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day."

"The only time I ever enjoyed ironing is the day I accidently got gin in the steam iron."

"My photographs don't do me justice - they just look like me."

Style Icon: Blake Lively

Whether she is on Gossip Girl, on the red carpet, or just rocking her everyday, Blake Lively has an enviable style. 

Every time I see her, she is so well put together and super chic. She's all about colour. She's all about cut. One thing I really appreciate is that's it's all her own doing. She doesn't have a stylist. Impressive right? She says it herself that too many times you will see a celebrity on the red carpet and immediately know who dressed them. Plus, who wouldn't want to take fashion into their own hands and have fun with it!

As time passes I think her style gets better and better. If I could clone a closet for myself, it would probably be hers!

Some recent red carpet faves.