First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Do You Wear Red?

Living in San Francisco, my wardrobe palette ranged from gray to black, a perfect accent to the perennial fog. My East Coast sister-in-law used to say, “Would it hurt to wear a little color?” Here in L.A., with its long season of white hot sun, I’ve loosened up, and now own clothes in coral, yellow, mint green and white, none of which I’d be caught dead wearing in the Bay Area, for fear of being scorned as a tourist. But red lipstick still intimidates me. Each time I apply a coat, I tissue it off before leaving the house. Beginning on March 11, the wonderful Neue Galerie in NYC is presenting an exhibition of the German expressionist, Otto Dix. In honor of this exhibit, Estée Lauder is launching two limited-edition beauty products: A lipstick called Berlin Red ($30) and a Bauhaus-inspired mirror compact ($55). I might have to give red one more try.

Image: Portrait of the Dancer Anita Berber by Otto Dix, 1925.

What To Wear To a Check-Up

I have “white coat” syndrome. Just walking into a doctor’s office sends my pulse through the roof. I’m sure some nasty disease is waiting to reveal itself during a routine visit. So it took me 3 years to make an appointment with an internist, and as it turns out, he’s pretty cute. He told me to call him Mike. On command, I opened my mouth and said, “aaaaah,” he checked my vitals and gave me a Tetanus shot. When the exam was over, I reached for my clothes and Mike said, “I knew you were healthy as soon as I saw your shoes.” (I’d worn Salomon trail runners and a comfy T-shirt that day.) “Don’t get me wrong,” I answered. “I love girlie shoes. I didn’t feel like wasting them on a  doctor.”

(Image: Lady in Satin, 2009, by Andrea Michaelsson of Btoy.)

When No Means No

I have a problem with authority, which is why through the years, I’ve been far happier as a boss than an employee. Some might say this attitude has had an impact on my being single, but hey, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, has a husband (in fact, she’s had 2). Yet when it comes to a 50-75% discount on designer clothes, I can learn to behave.

Sign from the Barneys Warehouse Sale in New York, going on now through February 28th.

It’s Tough Not to Be Girlie in L.A.

The other day, I heard two women having a spirited conversation about their “Brazilian.” I assumed it was some chitchat about a bikini wax, when, in fact, they were swapping stories about the latest trend in hair straightening. But you probably knew that. With my short, curly hair, I’m an anomaly in Los Angeles. I haven’t been near a brush or blow dryer for years. There are times I feel misunderstood, especially when “friends” tell me that a longer coif might increase my dating pool.   But I gotta go. Haircut at 4.

Photo: Gents by Eric Ogden, part of an exhibition at Hous Projects, now through March 4th.

Why It’s Great to Be Single on Valentines Day, reason #4 from Amber:       Continue reading »

In Search of the Perfect Man (or T-Shirt)

I’m a pragmatist. When I can’t find pleasure where I’m supposed to (e.g. love, marriage, or an occasional date with a semi-coherent man) I turn to fashion. And since I’m a pragmatist, there’s nothing like the pleasure of finding clothing I can really use. So I was thrilled to have received a tip about J. Crew’s tissue tees (only available in their online catalogue). They’re a sleek fit, which makes them the perfect layering piece under sweaters and tight jackets, and sorry James Perse and Theory, they’re at least half the price. So far, I can vouch for their basic colors: black, navy, white or gray. And as of right now, there’s a 20% off sale.

(This image is one in a series of paintings by Jacob Dahlgren based on his personal collection of 900 striped t-shirts, one of which he wears every day.)

Whatever Happened to the Briefcase?

I have a gorgeous Il Bisonte briefcase tucked away in the closet, that doesn’t get used anymore. I first spotted the bag in a San Francisco shop window, and lusted after it for a whole year, before plunking down my hard-earned cash and taking it home. I thought of the purchase as “investment” shopping, never imaging it would one day become a relic, replaced by a less expensive, and far less beautiful (though much lighter) tote. Does anyone still carry a briefcase?

This image is an art piece by Michael Johannsson called Pack Daddy’s Suitcases, or in his native Swedish, Packa Pappas Kappsäck. It is 100″ x 120″ x 100″.

Is There a Link Between Dating and Exercise?

In a few days, I’m scheduled for a coffee date with a guy from Match. But you never know. Online daters have horrible etiquette, and saying and doing can be worlds apart. In any case, I’m prepping. My body is in pretty good shape. Yet, just the thought that a new man might eventually see me naked, adds some AB crunches to my workout. Perhaps an even bigger motivator is the desire to look good in a slinky dress.

Have you ever “exercise-crammed” for a date?

(The ultimate slinky dress is from Katie Gallagher)

Date update: POSTPONED

Shopping Tale from Cyber Monday

On Black Friday, against my better judgment, I went shopping. On the hunt for a marked down “puffer” jacket, I roamed through crowded stores ranging from The Gap to Neiman Marcus. I need the jacket (really, I do!) for a trip to Memphis this weekend, and though it may seem over the top to bundle up for Tennessee, I’m an L.A. weather wimp, with no real outerwear to call my own.

No one dragged me shopping, and I love a bargain as much as the next woman, but I lack the patience to comb through racks of unsorted merchandise for a gem in the rough.  (I’m not a flea market shopper either.) I prefer experts to do the curating for me, so that everything I look at is beautiful and easy to find. I often sit out sales, and live in regret when I hear about the amazing discounts I’ve missed. Which is probably why I hate online dating. Spending hours squinting at thumbnail photos of men I have no desire to go out with, in the hopes of finding that one decent guy (that fits), really depresses me.

On the bright side, it’s Cyber Monday and I counterintuitively darted to the mall, and found the cutest black puffer at H&M. This one fits like a dream, for only $49.95.

(Photo by Trent Parke, 2006, Magnum Photos.)

How To Tie A Scarf

I used to be intimidated about wearing scarves, imagining it was best left to Upper East ladies with their latest Hermes. But I was wrong. All I needed was a little guidance and the eternally chilly weather in San Francisco, to convert me. Even now, living in L.A., I don’t hesitate during most seasons to grab a wrap. (They’re no longer as woolly). A friend recently admitted that she had no idea how to tie a scarf. Here’s a short video that demonstrates my two favorite ways of wearing one. Add some swagger and you’re on your way.

How a Mouse Saved My Week

This was NOT a case of shopping therapy. I really needed it. Not want. Need. The last few months, the only way I could keep my old mouse functioning was to wipe the scroll bar clean EVERY day. I hate cleaning. I finally called it quits last week, and went to my neighborhood Apple Store, money in hand. A sales clerk told me to hang in there, and come back next week for delivery of the new MAGIC MOUSE. I’m a gadget girl, so I was thrilled to think of owning visionary touch screen technology for under $70. Since I’m not good at hanging in there, I went directly home and ordered the Magic Mouse online, just to know it would soon be in my hands.

I’d been having a tough week. You know how that goes. Nothing was going my way. When the box arrived today, I ripped it open, as if it were a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Apple products are so elegantly designed, and this one does not disappoint. The entire curved “body” of the mouse is sensitive to touch. You can scroll up, down, sideways, zoom in, with just the lightest movement of your fingers. I know. I’m gushing. But my new toy put me on a happier track going into the weekend. And then, a friend called about an interesting guy he wants me to meet. Life is looking up.