I’m also currently designing some incredible new jewelry pieces the creative process is like a drug to me (and habit forming) because designing gets me high and keeps me in a crystal haze… Austrian Crystal that is.  Maybe some Bohemian as well. 

www.MettleCase.com

LIV TYLER

Young, gorgeous, humble, elegant but with a rocker edge courtesy of bio-daddy, Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith / Red blooded American Rock n’ Roll Royalty.

So, the first time I saw Liv was in a movie called “Stealing Beauty” back in the 90′s.  Her beauty is indeed undeniable, and so natural.  I also love that she is trim but is not a walking skeleton.  She has curves – what a concept.  She has a very natural and effortless approach in her acting as well.  And let’s face it, she was born to play the elfin princess in “Lord of the Rings”.

Liv Tyler personifies everything good about young, modern Hollywood.  Liv is of Rocker royalty – who walks that edgy line but still “cleans up” even truer to a real princess than say, Ms. Hathaway, Ms. “Princess Diaries” herself.  Just a comparison, nothing against Anne, she is remarkably adorable.  However, Liv is otherworldly, simply ethereal in stature and persona.  What I like best of all though about Liv is that once again, like my other top ten female faves, she has the mettle to forge her own icon.  And she’s done a bang up job because its an icon of privacy, grace and humility.

Long live princess Liv!

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During our conversation, Des asked me why women lug so much crap around with them in their handbags.  I shrugged and offered that its probably because handbag designers decided to make enormous “Hobo Bags” and women feel they must have the so-called “it bag” and feel obligated to fill up the gigantic vessel with stuff they don’t need, and even forget they have — “Oh, I didn’t know that was still in there.”  Me, I have never been one to tote around more than absolutely necessary.  After all, I’m always on the go — either pavement pounding or subway jumping.  I’m not a hobo who has to schlepp all of my worldly possessions around.

That’s another reason why I’m a fan of the “hands free tote”—  and more so, the Mettle Case.  In fact, I carry the following essentials in my Mettle Case:  wallet, keys, cell phone, iPod, powder compact and lip gloss, Metrocard, and business cards.  Just what I will need during the course of the day/evening.  There is plenty of room for more essentials however.

These handbag designers have brainwashed many of us women into thinking the more stuff we tote around the more secure we’ll feel.  “Bigger is better” – Isn’t that what they say in the fashion industry?  Wait a minute… that doesn’t sound like the fashion industry.

If only the designers would promote “Bigger is Better” as the bone thin models are strutting down the catwalks.  According to the fashion “gurus”, the thinner the woman the better, yet the bigger and heavier the bag, also the better.  This makes no sense to me.  My backpack revolution challenges the fashion standard of what truly is functional and how fashion dictates function.  I intend to flip that fashion standard upside down and pull it inside out, until it’s turned into a Mettle Case. Remember, I have logic on my side.  Not so mental, is it?

Liberate yourself from all that excess baggage… literally!  Leave all those non-essentials at home, where they belong.  You really don’t need to take an extra pair of shoes to the grocery store.

Take off those heavy, heaving shoulder bags, ease back those weary shoulders and put on a perfectly sized Mettle Case.  It’s all you need!  And it will be all you want.

www.MettleCase.com

MERYL STREEP

Think back to “Sophie’s Choice” or “French Lieutennant’s Woman” or “Deer Hunter” for that matter.  Hello gorgeous.  Can you say cheekbones, people?  So many films, so many memorable performances.  Even if the movie was less than spectacular on that rare occasion, Ms. Streep still shined, outshined in fact.  

Thank God she didn’t have any “alterations” on that imperfectly perfect face or smile of hers.  Her talent is simply astounding.  She is the best actress on the planet — living or dead — period.  When I first saw her in “Sophie’s Choice” I thought  ‘Oh, what an attractive and intriguing Eastern European actress’.  Little did I know that accent was only the beginning.  When she did it again years later in “Bridges of Madison County” I wondered  ‘Meryl Streep as an Italiana?  No way’.   Uh, WAY!   Totally bought the whole package:  accent, mannerisms, story premise, heart wrenching emotion.  She’s a goddess.

As if all of that weren’t enough, Ms. Streep has a brilliant sense of humor!  She is so comfortable in her own skin and exudes such casual elegance.  I love that Ms. Streep’s daughter, actress Mamie Gummer looks so much like her too.  Goddess in the making?

Beauty, Brains, Talent, and Mettle = Meryl Streep 

You know I’m right.

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SUSAN SARANDON

This fabulous female is “Mettle” personified.  Ms. Sarandon is not afraid to be outspoken, even if not everyone agrees with her views.  She fearlessly stands up for what she believes in, pure and simple.  Her celebrity status enables her voice to be heard.  What a humanitarian. 

Also, Miss “Janet Weiss” is a cult heroine.  And what about “Louise”!  She’s an astoundingly talented actress.  Comedy, drama, she’s got it covered.  She’s played so many memorable characters in her career.  And let’s face it, Susan is still a hot mama.  Always will be.  Ms. Sarandon is a Manhattanite too, like myself.  

All my respect and admiration…

www.MettleCase.com

FRANCES McDORMAND

The first time I saw this chameleon of an actress was in “Fargo.”  I was instantly captivated by  Frances’ awesome (mettle) character “P.C. Marge Gunderson.”  How could ya not just fall in love with her irresistible appeal?!

Since then, Frances has played everything from uptight mom to reckless band manager.  She steps into these characters with seamless ability.  Frances is that “dependable” Hollywood actress:  she knows her craft, and has authentic charm.  And being married to a “Coen Brother” can’t hurt an actress either. 

She has a quirky, earthy beauty and I find her riveting to watch — not unlike another “unconventional” beauty and thespian mettle goddess, Ms. Streep (whom I haven’t had a chance to blog about, yet!)

Frances McDormand has definitely set herself apart from the rest of the Hollywood pack — playing by her rules and being celebrated because of it.  Let’s face it, the woman is like a ray of freakin’ sunshine amidst all that Hollywood smog!  Well, she is a fellow New Yorker after all…

www.MettleCase.com

JULIETTE LEWIS

Ms. Lewis is truly an original.  Fearless.  Dangerous.  An exotic beauty.  She seems to play by her own rules — if the roles she chooses are any indication.  They really run the gammut too.  Think about it.  Juliette Lewis is an indie darling, yet embraced by the Hollywood hub as well.  Plus, she is a genuine Rocker Chick!  A fashion envelope pusher, which makes absolute sense since Rock ‘n Roll is supposed to be all about fashion disestablishmentarianism.  Not Haute Couture at the Grammys!

Where IS Rock ‘n Roll by the way?  Has anyone seen it lately?  Juliette Lewis can’t carry the Rock ‘n Roll torch all by herself!    Or can she?

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HOLLY HUNTER

Holy sinew, Batman!   The woman would be in amazing physical shape at any age, let alone as a quintegenarian!  She has an undeniably riveting presence onscreen.  Plus, Ms. Hunter KNOWS how to dress.  Whether it’s rocker chick chic or red carpet couture,  she knows how to rock her simultaneously strong and feminine look.   How on earth does she do it?!

Holly’s trademark edge is pure gold mettle charm.

www.MettleCase.com

SANDRA BULLOCK

Clearly, looks-wise Ms. Bullock has it all over.  But refreshingly, her self-confident demeanor is without pretense, snobbery, or apology.  She really seems to embrace who she is  (then again, if I were Sandra Bullock I’d be embracing myself too!).  Married to Jesse James the hottie reality star biker dude who’s KICKIN’ A*S on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice show – Oh, how cool a place the Bullock-James’ residence must be!  

Down-to-earth authenticity is definitely a case of mettle in my book.

www.MettleCase.com

VALERIE BERTINELLI

Definitely beautiful and adorable.  Accomplished actor with an impressive resume.  Made a marriage work (to guitar god Eddie Van Halen no less) for 26 years!  Named her son Wolfgang (very mettle).  Lost ridiculous weight and now at 49 (WHAT?!) she looks unbelievably freakin’ hot!  Did you SEE her in that blue bikini in the Jenny Craig commercial?  Hello.  Admittedly, I’ve always felt a connection with Valerie, probably because I look like her, sans her new beach-ready body!

www.MettleCase.com