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Great moments in Fashion

Ask almost anyone and they can tell you what they felt was an important fashion statement over the years. Some of my male relatives say it was the miniskirt or the bikini… hunting buddies say it was the foam beer can holder or velcro… everyone has an opinion…. which makes it fun.

Edna in the INCREDIBLES giving shocking fashion advice!

Edith Head of Hollywood fame must have been the person in mind for the person of “Edna’ in the “Incredibles”… and our family has laughed and quoted this scene far too much:

Bob: Weren’t you in the news? Some show in, Prayge… Prague?
Edna: Milan, darling. Milan. Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them… spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves. Feh! I used to design for *gods*! 
Edna You need a new suit, that much is certain.
Bob:: A new suit? Well, where the heck am I gonna get a new suit?
Edna: You can’t! It’s impossible! I’m far too busy, so ask me now before I again become sane.
Bob:: Wait? you want to make me a suit?
Edna You push too hard, darling! But I accept!  

Edna: It will be bold! Dramatic!
Bob:: Yeah!
Edna: Heroic!
Bob: Yeah. Something classic – like Dynaguy. Oh, he had a great look! Oh, the cape and the boots…
Edna: [throws a wadded ball of paper at Bob’s head] No capes!
Bob: Isn’t that my decision?
Edna: Do you remember Thunderhead? Tall, storm powers? Nice man, good with kids.
Bob: Listen, E…
Edna: November 15th of ’58! All was well, another day saved, when? his cape snagged on a missile fin!
Bob: Thunderhead was not the brightest bulb…
Edna Stratogale! April 23rd, ’57! Cape caught in a jet turbine!
Bob: E, you can’t generalize about these things…
Edna: Metaman, express elevator! Dynaguy, snag on takeoff! Splashdown, sucked into a vortex!
[shouts]
Edna No capes!

 

Remember: “No Capes!”

Roger Freberg

 

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CSU’s “SOVIET-style” Negotiation Style

Cal State University Systems Grand Mullah Charles B. ReedIf you have ever studied the art of negotiation or have read Herb Cohen, you’ll know exactly what it means to be ‘sovieted.’

However, allow me to fill you in, should this cold war term leave you wondering.

The Soviets employed a tactic in their negotiations that I’ll simplify by stating some of the more memorable strategies: 1) the object is to make the other guy move no matter how long it takes… and never move even after he ‘gives a little’, 2) Introduce competition into the negotiation ( increase the number of part-time employees not covered by the existing agreement) ,3) stall… then stall some more… he has a ‘deadline’ but you never do, 4) make an agreement that looks good on the surface , announce to the world how wonderful it is with terms like ‘merit pay’… but in reality it is nothing of the sort, 5) ignore outside recommendations unless they agree with you ( as they probably will with the latest impartial analysis).

Well, an impartial analysis has been undertaken and it seems to agree with the faculty’s position… let’s see what happens.

Roger Freberg
Ps. By the way, this is no way like negotiations in the private sector… where the market place has a profound influence on salaries and performance… this is the public sector arena and a battle between bureaucrats and faculty.

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The Scent you will love…. from ‘which flowers?’

some things from the past... need to be recreated I found a scent that, frankly, that was as unmistakable as it was irresistible… so I bought it for Laura…. But first, here is some background:   I could try to describe a great perfume or a great house, but I would not do it justice… so I will let others:   How the House of Houbigant is described:   “In the days of Marie Antoinette, women of the European noblesse prefered the perfumes of Houbigant to any other kind. To their cultivated taste, the inimitable charm of Houbigant scents made unfailing appeal. It is not strange, then, that when Houbigant perfumes were first imported a half-century ago they should have found instant favor with those discriminating and exacting American women to whom the whole world sends the finest of its luxuries. New Houbigant perfumes and toiletries have been sent from France from time to time and all have the same distinct style of prestige.”    Which Flowers?   One of the most renowned and admired fragrances of all time, Quelques Fleurs L’Original forever changed floral fragrances when it became the first true multi-floral bouquet 90 years ago. A classic that has endured the test of time, the fragrance is wrapped in a theme of sculptured petals in a frosted and clear French glass. In a 3.3 oz., 1.6 oz., or 1 oz. eau de parfum spray.The true Quelques Fleurs formula has never been published. An ancient formula still kept in the family archives, this fragrance will never be duplicated. The blend of soft, sensual florals uses over 250 different raw materials and more than 15,000 flowers to create just one ounce of Quelques Fleurs eau de parfum. To this day it is still produced in Grasse, France, where Jean Francois Houbigant first created his perfumes in 1775.   “Royal Perfume”   In celebration of the essence produced for Princess Adelaide d’Orleans 175 years ago—Royale Eau de Parfum. This latest scent blends key notes from the legendary Quelques Fleurs bouquet, and takes its name from its aristocratic history.• Fresh, sparkling top notes of Sicilian bergamot and grapefruit.
• Heart notes of Egyptian jasmine, Moroccan rose, and Indian tuberose warmed by hints of white acacia honey.
• Intense base notes of precious amber, sandalwood, orris, and white musks.
• 3.3 fluid ounces in a pink classic bottle of sculptured petals in a frosted and clearFrench glass.    


Roger Freberg

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Laura’s Burberry Surprise!

Burberry has been around for about 150 years of great fashion

 

While we were in Los Angeles enjoying the delights of ‘Fashion Week’, we took some time to try and find what I have always considered to be my biggest life challenge… to find a large bag for my wife.

My daughter Kristin is a big fan of Burberry… and needless to say, they have a great store right in Beverly Hills… so it was one of our must stops!

The attached picture is of a happy Laura with her new bag in Karen’s downtown Los Angeles apartment….. we’re off to a Trojan track meet at USC a few miles away.

Back to the story… buying THE bag was a challenge primarily because it had some many components… it had to be large, it had to have many zippered compartments, it had to be lined, it had to be soft…. and I interjected… it had to cost less than a car.

Finally, Kristin found the bag!

Roger Freberg

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Kristin’s Shu uemura Adventure at Neiman Marcus

Kristin spent nearly two hours in 'the chair'

If people know anything about Shu uemura, they know that they make ‘eyelash curlers’ mentioned in ‘the Devil Wears Prada.’ What many people do not know is that Shu Uemura offers a wide range of skin care, makeup, tools and accessories. Most women are astonished at the transformation that takes place with their makeup… but what impresses me most is their skin care products.

My daughter Kristin spent time in sandstorms in Iraq during the invasion leaving her skin in need of some tender loving care…Shu uemura was just the thing! I set up an appointment for Kristin while we were at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills and they brought out the best in my daughter. Beauty never comes cheap, but it was so worth it!

I’m sure they’ll give you the same great results… but make an appointment, they tend to get booked real fast.

Roger Freberg