233 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446 TEL 617-738-5091 FAX 617-232-4434 TALK ode to friendship September, 2012 Volume 34 facebook.com/studio233 www.studio233.com Susan and I met in an elevator on the Upper West Side and bonded before we ever spoke as we Ilene eyed each other s very pregnant bellies. We were both having our first babies and it was easy to find things to talk about. Hours were spent sitting on Susan s couch turning the pages of The Child is Born and tracking our babies progress. As fate would have it, Susan s son David was born on my due date and Anya arrived 10 excruciating days later. The kids shared play pens, we shared babysitters, bottles and the joys and anxieties of new moms. Two years later we moved to Holland for a year and when we returned to the Upper West Side I was pregnant again. When a sonogram revealed twins sending me into a tearful tailspin, it was Susan s couch that I once again retreated to. But life went on, however hectic it was and our children and friendship grew. Then we moved to Boston, this time for the long term. So now Susan and I share our lives long distance, but still feel just as close. Is it any wonder that our shared experience created a deep and everlasting friendship one that, I think, is unique to women? Recently, on a soccer field in Prospect Park I watched my granddaughter and Susan s grandson play. I thought how lucky I was. A landmark UCLA study suggests friendships between women are special. They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe our tumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, and help us remember who we really are. UCLA Study on Friendship Among Women, Gale Berkowitz, 2002 I grew up with one brother, a really good brother, so I never felt like I was missing out Marcie on what I now know I was missing sisterhood. And when I met not one but two women who became just that, I was struck by the over the top connection that (I m sorry Steve) only women can share. I left New Jersey at twenty-two without much thought of or need for family. I had plenty of friends and they were enough while I charted an adult life. But it wasn t until Sandy and Ilene that I began to really understand the secret fraternity, ahem, sorority, and the role it plays in life. They were already married with children, balancing career and motherhood with skill and grace and I had just begun. My mother was 250 miles away and although a constant and adoring figure, she didn t live next door. So I was a little rudderless, especially when it came time to start my family. And then it just happened. I can t really pinpoint when it was or how I knew but I now had sisters. For those of you who do have sisters, you know what it means. For those of you who don t, it s hard to explain. I m an AAS (almost-a-sister) who found what she was missing. Lucky me. Growing up in Brooklyn in the fifties we didn t have play dates, we didn t e-mail or Sandy text - you just went over to your friends house and called for them. My sisters and I had many neighborhood friends, but because we moved around so often it seemed as if we were always saying goodbye. We went to eleven different schools in eleven different neighborhoods and were always the new kids on the block. I was lucky though, I had Ilene, my built-in best friend and twin sister always by my side. Over the years I made many new friends and formed relationships that have endured for decades, some even across continents. But, there s nothing like neighborhood friends. Some people have hundreds of friends on Facebook but it s not the same as the celebration and embrace of girlfriends up close and personal. Ilene lives two blocks away, Marcie s around the corner, Liz and Lorna live up the street and I walk into the warmth of The Studio every day - life is good! You might say I am living the childhood I never had. When my friends come and/to call for me, we hang out and catch up. I always walk them half way home and I get to be a kid again... how lucky I am! Need we say more? This 34th addition of Studio Talk is dedicated to the uniqueness of women s friendships.
FALL preview... hot picks SWEATERS If Fall is our favorite season, then surely sweaters are the favored category and this season s knitwear deserves the fanfare. Curio, a Studio favorite forever, is outstanding not only by virtue of its variety, but its unique styling and use of mixed yarns. Update your wardrobe with a fabulous knit vest with detachable collar or their two-tone slouch. You ll never doubt how good you look as you walk out the door. DRESSES Can t mention dresses without thinking Joseph Ribkoff, and for good reason... he really knows how to make a dress. But, leave your egos home, he runs one size small (so if you re an 8, you ll wear a 10). Try his reversible sexy little black ribbed dress (amazing) or a really beautiful rusched waist dress with hi lo hemline. The Studio welcomes back Babette with her intricate pleatings and easy to wear styling. We re into timeless and vintage dresses that never go out of style and evoke memories of kinder times. Kay Celine s flapper dress does just that in navy and chocolate chiffon with delicate beading. You can count on Nic + Zoe for beautiful knitwear with wacky names like back of the chair cardy and daydreamer cardy. Stripes, space-dyes, tweeds and geometrics dominate the Project J collection we had a tough time choosing, so will you. An oversized color blocked sweater from Lisa Todd to die for. Bailey 44 s Divorce Italian Style tweed cardies have the look of Chanel with a very hip twist and skirts to match to take it one step further. SKIRTS Novelty skirts have made a comeback and we re thrilled. Pair them with a sweater and a fabulous pair of boots (see Shoes) and you have your goto outfit for the season. Nic + Zoe s colorfield flirt skirt or tiny pleat skirt Linea Domani s Navajo print skirt and a fabulous colorful geometric from Joseph Ribkoff Ecru s very well-priced washable suede boot skirt corduroy It s anything but your old cords this season. Washed, distressed, over-dyed, boot leg, straight leg, skinny leg and pull ons in gorgeous colors from Yoga Jeans, Jag, XCVI and Christopher Blue. leggings Leggings are as popular as ever making them an indispensible item in any wardrobe. Add to your collection with dots, florals, paisleys, velvets, denims and cozy fleece lined (our favorite). LAST CHANCE Summer Merchandise up to 70% off original retail
fall preview cont. jackets Jackets for that suit look, jackets to complete an outfit and jackets just for fun. To meet the above criteria, we chose Elliott Lauren s unconstructed black and white knit chevron jacket. shine ON What s more eye-catching than a touch of glitter, sparkle or shine? Call it what you will, it s definitely lighting up Fall 12 and is the perfect answer for all out glamour or toned-down chic. So when you get an invitation for an event that requires a certain level of dress up that you don t necessarily want to invest in, start with your special pair of black trousers or skirt (from The Studio, of course) and go crazy on top with our sparkly sweaters, iridescent blouses, glittery tees and tunics and light up the night. p.s. A great fitting pair of jeans will work well too (see Yoga Jeans Trunk Show) friends with benefits Shop with a friend during the month of September and share a $50 Studio gift certificate as we celebrate women and their friendships. And, if you come with a friend who s never shopped at The Studio, share a $100 Studio gift certificate. Faux fur is in the fun category, and Cullen hits the mark with an adorable cropped jacket that you and your daughter might want to share. Damask s elegant knit (rather than woven) tweed jackets go just about anyplace. A sensational long swing plaid topper from Cheryl Nash. This is a limited one time only promotion with a $100 minimum purchase pp (per pal) and may not be combined with other promotions. girls Night out Our private shopping evenings will continue this Fall (for groups of 8 or more). So gather up a group of friends, co-workers, business associates or neighbors for a fun night. We ll provide wine, cheese, personal attention and 10% of the evening s sales to your charity of choice. We ll even include a mini seminar on accessorizing if you d like. Call Emily @ 617-738-5091 shoes Anything Fly London (see trunk show box) Ultimate comfort in shoes and boots from Gentle Souls Distressed leather and lamb suede boots from two new Italian designers.
accessorize accessorize accessorize Styling by Joan Durkee
accessories INDEX two exciting double bill events - mark your calendars Pearl suede necklace $69, suede pump $235 and mesh bag $85. Hand woven wool scarves $49, boiled wool hat $55. Chan Luu semi-precious stone and leather jewelry $62-$189. Japanese wool scarves and armwarmers $39-$99. Our famous suede mittens with fleece glove lining $39. Imported leather boots from Fly London and Gidigio $255- $329. september 13-15 g.e.t. rainwear Leather wrap belts and sashes $39- $129. Hand woven fine wool shawls $82. Liebeskind leather and suede bags $199. Italian print scarf $64, leather glove with knit arm-warmer $85. Marjorie Baer brass and silver jewelry $39-$79. suede and leather footwear Tall leather boots by Gentle Souls & Dolce Vita $229-$299. Stay current - visit our website - www.studio233.com
Our best collection ever made this photo shoot even more fun than usual. Takes, re-takes, lots of clothes and the enormous patience, good humor and talent of photographer Shelly Harrison. Visit our site studio233.com and see a short video clip of all the shenanigans and back scene antics. And to our models, as always, many thanks. Sandy, Marcie & Ilene
news AND newsworthy To all the women whose friendships have enhanced our lives, we will be making a $1000 donation to the Friends of the Dana Farber in your honor. On June 9th, our beloved Saturday Girl, Leila Sbi, was awarded The Studio Scholarship at Brookline High School. Leila will be attending the University of Maine this fall. Manager Susan Golden s daughter Kate gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on June 9th. We welcome Nina Rose. A must read - Emily Rapp s essay The Power of Female Friendship. http://tinyurl.com/7tv4pd7 A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. - William Shakespeare 233 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446 Greater Boston s Best Kept Secret PRESORT FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE P A I D BOSTON, MA PERMIT 54601 reminders Yoga Jeans/g.e.t. rainwear September 13-15 Fly London/Ecru October 4-6 Studio Talk Visit www.studio233.com Vol. 34 facebook.com/studio233