Astrology expert Susie Cox tells us what to expect this month now that we are in Tory’s sun sign, Gemini (May 20 – June 20).

Gemini
Happy Birthday, Gemini! Venus is retrograde in your sign until June 28^th. Now is the time to go all out on pampering yourself.

Cancer
Mercury, the planet of communication, is in your sign from June 7^th – 26^th. Plan a family reunion during this time and you’ll see how easily words and stories flow.

Leo
Your power dates this month are June 12^th and 13^th. On those days, you will have high energy and feel almost invincible.

Virgo
Mars be in Virgo until July 4^th. So don’t fret if you haven’t organized your entire world yet, because you still have time.

Libra
The Libra story is Saturn, Saturn and Saturn! With only four months left in Libra, that planet of structure is going to help you with any relationships that need to be transformed.

Scorpio
With so many planets in Gemini now, you will feel more talkative than your usual private self. Your power dates are June 1^st – 3^rd — good dates to socialize.

Sagittarius
This month’s full moon is in your sign of Sagittarius, and it’s also a partial eclipse. Do you want some change in your life? Now is the time.

Capricorn
Your power dates are June 5^th and June 15^th. You will be persuasive on those dates and can be assured that you will get what you want.

Aquarius
Aquarius is the genius of the zodiac.  Your genius power dates this month are May 31^st and June 9^th.  You will feel like you’re tapping into infinite intelligence.

Pisces
Your sign is popular now because of the rare visit from Neptune there now. This is your time to develop your creativity or spirituality. Your power dates are June 9^th – 12^th.

Aries
Your power dates are May 30^th and June 12^th. High energy is understatement…more like inventive, sudden, brilliant and profound high energy.

Taurus
Jupiter has been in Taurus for a year and leaves your sign on June 11^th. Finish any financial planning or organizing by that date.

Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom premieres today at the Cannes Film Festival, and Randall Poster — Wes’ music supervisor (and our contributing music editor) — will be there with him. “Doing the music for Wes’s films is always an adventure and these projects have taken me all over the world,” Randall says. “What distinguishes the soundtracks is how indelible the music is from the storytelling. No one uses music better than Wes.” We hope Wes brings home the Palme d’Or. Here, Randall’s favorite songs from Wes’s movies.

1. Alone Again Or — Love
2. Here Comes My Baby — Cat Stevens, Alan Tew & Orchestra
3. Let Her Dance — The Bobby Fuller Four
4. Ping Island/ Lightning Strike Rescue Op — Mark Mothersbaugh
5. She Smiled Sweetly — The Rolling Stones
6. These Days — Nico
7. Life On Mars? — David Bowie
8. Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) — Peter Sarstedt
9. Farewell to Earnest (from “The Householder”) — Jyotitindra Moitra
10. Strangers — The Kinks
11. Queen Bitch — Seu Jorge
12. Ooh La La — The Faces

Rorschach test: What do you see when you look at this image? Our print of the season — the Duriez — is a floral take on camouflage in bright, painterly colors. Tory was an art history major in college, and often draws inspiration from the art world, which can be seen in this abstract print. After Duriez appeared in our runway show, it became an editors’ favorite, and has been worn by celebrities like Jessica Alba and Ashley Madekwe. From pants and dresses to tech accessories and flip flops, see all the places this print pops up: Shop all things Duriez.

Vincenzo La Torre has lived in five countries, but now calls Singapore home. To help us celebrate our new boutique in Singapore, the Deputy Editor of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore tells us where to go and what to see.

Singapore is…
Extremely international. It’s a bit like Europe — a lot of different countries and amazing cultures are just a short flight away. I love the blend of local cultures (Chinese, Malay and Indian).The endless summer and the food are another big plus.

First-time visitors must see… 
Haji Lane in the Arab quarter — a street full of cool cafes, vintage shops and local designers.
 Little India: Try any of the restaurants. 
The Botanic Gardens: A wonderful respite from the heat, especially the National Orchid Garden.

Place to stay…
Feel like you’re in Bali or Phuket at Capella, on Sentosa Island, just a short cab ride from the center of town. The St. Regis is in the thick of the action, near the shopping paradise of Orchard Road.

 And for a long weekend, locals go for a “non-beach” getaway to places like Amanjiwo in Java, Indonesia — just a short flight away.

Great window-shopping and more…
The shops near Club Street and Ann Siang Hill and the bookstores and design boutiques on Yong Siak Street.

Dish to try…
Chilli crab or laksa at any hawker stall. For a modern take on local food, the best restaurant is Wok & Barrel for classics like beef rendang.

Something only locals know…
The art of “marketing,” or shopping for fresh vegetables and fruit at markets like Tiong Bahru — an experience like no other.

A scarf for summer? Yes. It’s an essential layering piece for stylishly handling unexpected weather if you’re by the water or traveling. We asked our stylist to show us three simple ways to tie our bright mixed-print scarf for that nonchalant-chic everyone in Paris seems to have naturally mastered. Want to tie one on? Shop All Scarves

Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, our contributing art expert, recently visited the Brooklyn Museum’s Keith Haring exhibit. Here, her take-away.

“This show is mandatory for everyone living in New York! Keith Haring: 1978–1982 is the first large-scale exhibition to explore the early works by this downtown fixture. The works are astonishing; through rarely seen videos, works on paper, sketchbooks, journals, exhibition flyers, posters, subway drawings, and documentary photographs, the show gives us the mind-boggling background to the man who became one of America’s most important artists. Haring’s first video piece, Painting Myself Into a Corner, shows Haring doing just that; rapidly painting the floor to a punk rock beat, until he has worked himself into a corner. Echoing Jackson Pollock, the video takes a humorous look at the struggles of being an artist.”

Above: Untitled Journal Drawing, 1977. © Keith Haring Foundation

Dr. Samantha Boardman discovered that her mom Pauline’s advice about combing your hair, standing straight and smiling is the best medicine. (Dr. Sam is the one above in pink, with ears, with her sister Serena and mom Pauline Baker Pitt.)

I was a junior in high school when I discovered the boy I had a crush on had a crush on someone else. Heartbroken, I took to my bed. I wore a Lanz flannel nightgown for days and listened to Cat Stevens. Finally, my mother declared enough of this self-pity. Her instructions: “Wash your hair, put on a nice dress and, for goodness sake, smile. You will feel better.” I did as I was told and, of course, she was right. Finally, science has caught up with what our mothers have known all along.

Mom’s Advice: Comb Your Hair, Dress Your Best
Looking groomed and pulled-together matters. Research shows how wearing clothes that fit well and are slightly dressy affect self-confidence. Wearing clothes you feel good in makes a difference in how the world sees you and how you see the world.

Mom’s Advice: Stand Straight, Chin Up
It’s empowering. “Be as big as you are,” says Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard. She advises women MBA students to stop crossing their legs and hunching over. Men are more comfortable physically taking up space whereas women often minimize their physical presence. Sitting upright with two feet on the ground and outstretched arms in a high power pose correlates with higher testosterone (a hormone associated with dominance and power) and low levels of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress).

Mom’s Advice: Smile, Smile, Smile
Facial expressions reflect and affect mood. A smile has many proven benefits: optimism, motivation, immunity, stress release…and it makes us look younger. Plus, it’s contagious.

My mother’s words of wisdom echo in my mind constantly. And I find myself repeating them to my own children: “Be yourself — the best self you can be.”

Samantha Boardman MD
Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and Public Health
Assistant Attending Psychiatrist
Weill Cornell Medical College

“Motherhood is happiness — more rewarding and joyful then anything I have ever done,” says Jeanne Yang, Hollywood stylist and co-designer of Holmes & Yang, with Katie Holmes. For Mother’s Day, we photographed her at her Los Angeles home with her twin daughters Zoey (left) and Sydney Cort and her mother Helen Hahn, each wearing their favorite looks from Tory Burch. The twins both chose the Robinson Shrunken Satchel, in Mint and Pink Cloud (coming soon), Jeanne is wearing the Brigitte Blouse and Helen the Robin Tunic. Photo by Jeff Vespa.

Susan Sarandon is as famous for her activism as she is her acting. She’s passed both a sense of on-screen timing and social responsibility to her daughter Eva Amurri Martino — they’ve played mother-daughter in movies like The Banger Sisters and the upcoming (appropriately titled) Mother’s Day, as well as campaigned together against human trafficking. For the Tory Blog, Susan and Eva discuss what they’ve learned from each other.

What have you learned from each other?
Susan: That every day is a miracle.
Eva: When somebody tells you who they are or what they want in life, believe them!

Favorite memory from Eva’s childhood…
Susan: The first time she managed to pull herself up to standing in her crib…her face showed wonder and empowerment.
Eva: On our birthdays when we woke up, my mom would have tied the end of a ball of string to our bedpost that trailed all over the house. We would follow it to find our presents in the bathtub, in a cupboard, behind a plant…. It was an adventure. It made our day so much more special.

The key to getting the next generation socially aware is…
Susan: To educate them. Put faces on the issues, then give them the means to follow through once their imaginations and empathy have been activated. Please spotlight Somaly Mam — who is mother to so many.
Eva: Philanthropy is something you can work in to your everyday life. Donate toys, canned goods or clothes to a local drive. Donate your time to a local soup kitchen or shelter. It doesn’t have to be every day or some grand gesture. It’s important to be aware of your community and to do what you can.

Jewelry designer Ann Dexter-Jones is the rock ’n roll matriarch of five musically-inclined Mark, Charlotte and Samantha Ronson and Alexander and Annabelle Dexter-Jones. Here, what she loves about being a mom and the lessons – other than music appreciation — she hopes she has passed on.

My five children… Are a glorious blessing. They allowed me to see life again through the innocent eyes of a child — Disneyland never looked so magical.

An important lesson that I hope I’ve passed on… I tortured my children daily by having them recite, “We love to share,” and they actually do. I taught them that visiting a bookstore was just as exciting as an afternoon at FAO Schwartz. I encouraged them to give back (maybe they would anyway) and to follow their dreams.

Favorite childhood memory of my mom… My mother played piano. It was a time of fun, laughter, dancing the highland fling (she was from Scotland). My father played a lot of violin and harmonica after dinner — whether we liked it or not! My father called me his “little rock ’n roller” — I loved to dance all night.

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, mother of two sets of twins, contributor on CNBC’s Fast Money — Karen Finerman is our definition of a modern-day woman. Here, the Co-founder and CEO of Metropolitan Capital Advisors, a New York-based investment management firm, kicks off the first in a new series on personal finance. Her seasonally-appropriate topic? What her own mother taught her about money.

Rattan is as essential to summer as espadrilles and sunglasses. We dressed up our Woven Clutch with high-gloss patent and metallic leather, making it an easy evening-out accessory. We love it paired with our long goddess gowns for a dressy look with a laid-back vibe. We’re all about the clutch silhouette this season for carefree summer afternoons and outdoor parties. Shop All Clutches

A playlist to celebrate the women we love most — moms!

1. Tell Mama (Live) — Janis Joplin
2. Mother’s Little Helper — The Rolling Stones
3. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses
4. Mama Said Knock You Out (Edited) — LL Cool J
5. Mother and Child Reunion — Paul Simon
6. The Kids Are Alright (Edit Mono Version) — The Who
7. The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance — Vampire Weekend
8. O-O-H Child — The Five Stairsteps
11. Look What They’ve Done to My Song — Melanie
12. Mighty Mighty — Baby Huey & The Baby Sitters
13. Tell Mama — Etta James

On the set of our Pre-Fall Lookbook shoot (live on June 19), model Lydia Carron told us the best career  — and life — advice she ever received came from her mom Cathy. Once a banker, Kathy translated her love of knitting into a design and book business. “Do what you are passionate about and what will make you happy. Your life can take different paths so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find what you love right away.” Lydia, above right, is photographed with her mom and sister Emma (graduating from Harvard this year).

For Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, photographed with her toddler India, great style is in the genes.

Best advice your mother gave you…
She always encouraged me to be fearless and follow my passions.

What did your mother teach you about style?
Confidence — it allowed me to experiment.

Favorite thing to “borrow” from your mom’s closet?
I used to dress up in all her costume jewelry as a child, I loved it!

What does your daughter think about your style?
Yesterday she was stroking my Met Gala dress and said, “Beautiful, I love it!”

One thing you hope to teach your daughter…
Compassion and to follow her dreams.

Architect and designer David Netto learned everything he knows about entertaining and design from his mom, Kate Netto.

On entertaining…
“I had a wonderful mother, Kate, and she hated to entertain. Not that she was a recluse, she just didn’t like to cook and arrange flowers and do all the things most of us associate with being a good hostess. As one chic New York lady said to me when I was seated next to her at a party (with a hint of admiration in her voice), ‘I know your mother. She keeps to herself, doesn’t she?’

I was always trying to get her out, get her dressed up and part of the action. In the mid-90s there was a big party for the centennial of the East Hampton Public Library, and I knew this was a perfect chance because she loved that institution. I had visions of our A-list table, of all the players we would invite to sit with us, and how our lives were going to change that night and the glittering future would begin, which I could read all about in W.

After a while I called her to ask who we were inviting. She told me she had given the table to the library to bring staff members who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend, and the best part was she said, ‘Now we don’t have to go to some screeching party.’

The lesson: There are many ways to be a great hostess.”

On décor…
“My mom was not terribly interested in making an impression with her
decorating — she left that to my father and me — but she did give me one
lesson in style which — the more I learn about design, the more I appreciate.

It was this: Anything I ever gave her, she kept — and made a part of her room. When you were in her environment you had a feeling for the value she placed on love and relationships over all else. A small sculpture of a tennis player I bought her when I was 10 was on her bureau for the rest of her life…. An Indian wallet I had stitched in camp she not only displayed but used, as a change purse…. The books I gave her for Christmases past were always visible whether she cared about reading them or not. We lived in nice apartments in New York when I was growing up — some of them quite nice — but none of the fancy parts ever made you feel as good as her room did; full of tennis rackets, dog toys and pictures of me.

Her style wasn’t really about decoration, but it did do what good decorating always should do: Give someone a real sense of the character of who lives there. It also gave you something more valuable than people calling you chic: It made you feel loved.”

Dree Hemingway, our Summer Lookbook model, inherited more than just high cheekbones from her mother, actor and model Mariel Hemingway. She got mom’s down-to-earth attitude about style and life.

The best advice my mother ever gave me was…
Don’t get too comfortable with luxury because it’s fleeting.

The best advice my mother ever gave me about fashion was…
Pretty is as pretty does.

Photographed by Mark Squires

Before the klieg-light chaos of the red carpet at last night’s annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tory, Rashida Jones, Brooklyn Decker and Liya Kebede (all wearing custom Tory Burch dresses) took a moment to catch-up.

Looking for that perfect impressive-looking but easy-to-make Mother’s Day brunch? Jessica Merchant of How Sweet It Is created the perfect Caprese Baked Egg Cups. See the feature…

In less than 24 hours, Rashida Jones packed in work, play, a date with Amy Poehler, red wine and a red carpet. We the asked the star of Parks and Recreation and Celeste and Jesse Forever what she did the day of the Met Ball, where she wore a custom Tory Burch dress with a Raven Kauffman bag and Sergio Rossi shoes. See the feature…

Saucy Glossie blogger Lindsey Calla’s favorite way to see the world is with her mom Linda. 

On her favorite trip…
“My mom and I are so similar — it makes traveling together fun, because we always agree on the same itinerary. We took a trip to Positano and Capri a few years back. We packed our chic summer whites and set off to sample some of the best pasta and limoncello while taking in the scenery. My mom is an artist and I was an Art History major in college so we especially loved the art and architecture!”

[Editors' Note: Happy Birthday, Linda! ]

Brazilian Didi Wagner sees the world hosting the travel show Lugar Incomum – but when it comes to family time, she and her husband take their daughters Julia, Luiza and Laura to their beach house hideaway in Guarujá. Didi told us, “One of our favorite activities is playing in the pool. The girls use their imagination to create stories and play pretend in the water, and my husband and I always take the role of the king, the queen, the monster or the shark of the stories!”

In her first column for the Tory Blog, Jill Kargman, mother of three and author of The Rockstar in Seat 3A (out May 22), suggests an alternative to sleeping in on Mother’s Day. We promise you’ll learn a lot and laugh out loud.

In the Tory Blog’s third annual Mother’s Day series, we’re celebrating our moms all week long. Every day, designers, actors, bloggers and other experts will share memories and great advice. Here, Tory talks about what being mom to three boys has taught her:

1. Have fun. Children have fun no matter where they are. They create fun and live in the moment.
2. Take risks. My boys are not afraid to try new things. They know they might not catch the perfect wave the first time, but they will eventually.
3. Be curious. My children are always asking “Why?” Don’t ever stop asking why…or who, what, when, how.

When Elsa met Miuccia — it’s the premise behind this year’s exhibit from the Costume Institute at the  Metropolitan Museum. For Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, director Baz Luhrmann (of Moulin Rouge fame) created videos of simulated conversations between the two great designers, drawing a straight line between their ideas and designs, from their unconventional ideas of beauty to their love of exotic materials and surreal details. Tonight, the fashion flock is lining up the red carpet — the Vogue editors in Schiaparelli’s signature pink — in celebration at the annual Met Gala.

The Met gala isn’t the only hot ticket in town. Tuesday, Florence + the Machine is playing a single night at Radio City Music Hall before heading off on a year-long world tour. Tickets sold out instantly to see the flame-haired muse sing now-classic songs like Cosmic Love and Dog Days Are Over.

Photo courtesy of Interview Magazine

Our directive for Sunday, May 13th? Spoil thy mother. Big, bright and beaded, the Perez Necklace makes a great gift for Mother’s Day. It’s a stylish pick for all types of moms — cool, classic or eclectic. The coral color of these bold baubles instantly updates any look, whether paired with a printed blouse or plain t-shirt. If you need more help fulfilling your filial duties, we’ve edited a collection of mom-worthy favorites in our Mother’s Day gift guide…so, go ahead, make her day.

And now for a little Marrakesh in Manhattan…. Melissa Bradley’s Indagare Souk, an online marketplace for artisanal wares from around the world, is setting up camp at the Plaza Athenee through May 9. Stop by to pick up jewelry from Africa, textiles from India and more.

This Mother’s Day, fashion consultant and philanthropist Lillian Von Stauffenberg, reminds us that sometimes the only person who really knows how to help heal a broken heart is mom. A story about traveling with her mother, Lucille Wang.

“I remember a trip to China I took with my mom when I was 28. I took a break from working and had just broken up with my then boyfriend. I was telling my mom my woes and she suggested we just go to China and travel! She made all the arrangements and we were off within the week. We travelled for a month and went to Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Hong Kong. She showed me the places where she grew up, we went sight seeing, we shopped a lot and shared hotel rooms. We had a fabulous time. I realized my mom was a great sport and an amazing friend.”

Anyone flying over New York City of late will notice a white, snake-like tent lining Randall’s Island on the East River. Through Monday, it’s hosting London’s popular annual Frieze Art Fair, featuring over 1,000 artists in 180 pop-up galleries from 30 countries. Prepare to spend the day there — it’s 20 minutes by ferry. Good thing Fat Radish and Sant Ambroeus set up cafes inside, while The Standard’s Biergarten food truck is parked right outside.

Coloured Vases, courtesy of the artist Ai Weiwei and Lisson Gallery

In tune with our new Toronto boutique (open tomorrow), DJ Brendan Fallis, now based in NY, tells us what he loves about his Canadian hometown and shares his current playlist.

Favorite album is…
Do people really still listen to full albums? I hope so.

Favorite place to DJ…
A dance party in a club. Seeing everyone’s hands in the air and people losing control to what you’re playing is an amazing feeling.

I love Toronto because…
Of the cleanliness and because there are so many cool areas popping up — Ossington and Dundas West have cool restaurant scenes. The people in Toronto are also amazing and fill the “Nice Canadian” stereotype. When you live there you don’t realize it, but once you’ve left, you really see it.

Best piece of advice I’ve ever received is…
To be positive and live one day at a time. You never know what’s around the corner.

My charity is…
Pencils of Promise and Free Arts. Both having a focus on educating children.

Right now, I’m listening to…
Theophilus London – Wine and Chocolates
Q Lazzurus – Goodbye Horses (Extended Version)
Miike Snow – Paddling Out
Crystal Fighters – Plage
Starsmith – Lesson One (Extended Mix)

We put a new spin on crochet — that crafty bohemian classic — for summer. Combined with sporty stripes, it tackles all the tricky work of the season’s print- and texture-mixing trends. Here, two ways to work a handcrafted element into your look. See the feature…

We are opening our first Canadian boutique in Toronto this Friday. To find out where the locals go, we asked native Joe Zee, Creative Director of Elle. See the feature… And check out our own Toronto City Guide, too.

Adam Rapoport celebrates one year as Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit. See what he’s discovered in the last 365 days. See the feature…

Alex Katz paints what he loves most — his wife Ada and their beach life in Maine, done in his signature bright colors and strong lines. Through July, a selection of his graphic portraits and landscapes are on display at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Above: The Green Cap, 1985, courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston    

As poignant and powerful as ever, Nobel- and Pulitzer-winning author Toni Morrison returns with Home, a story of redemption.

Summer is just around the corner — we can feel it. We’re loading up on songs inspired by the cast of our Summer lookbook: Wolf Fleetwood Ross, Dree Hemingway and Ruby Aldridge (above, from left, in our Gail and Vianna dresses). It’s a bit of musical who’s who: Ruby’s father Alan designed album covers for the Who and the Beatles (John Lennon called him “His Royal Master of Images to Their Majesties The Beatles”). Wolf Fleetwood Ross is Mick Fleetwood’s grandson, so there had to be a Mac moment and, for good measure, a Jimmy Mack. And Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly inspired all of the above. Add Tennis, La Sera and Beach House, who we’re loving right now.

1. Heatwave — The Who
2. Summertime Blues — Eddie Cochran
3. Jimmy Mack — Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
4. Dreaming — Tennis
5. Dreams — Fleetwood Mac
6. Please Be My Third Eye — La Sera
7. Marathon — Tennis
8. Saltwater — Beach House
9. Think About Me — Fleetwood Mac
10. Rip It Up —Buddy Holly
11. Diet Mountain Dew — Lana Del Rey
12. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da — The Beatles

Read Tory’s take on tomboy chic, one of our all-time favorite styles. See the feature…

Lizzie Garrett Mettler, blogger and author of Tomboy Style, offers rules to live (and dress) by for achieving that classic sartorial girl-meets-boy mash-up.

1. Always make sure you have a stripe in your wardrobe rotation.
2. Don’t ignore the men’s department when it comes to watches, hats, belts and sunglasses.
3. If you can’t walk five blocks in it, don’t wear it.
4. It’s important to balance the masculine and feminine equally. Adding jewelry or a great pair of shoes usually does the trick.
5. Channel icons like Katharine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Jane Birkin, Coco Chanel, Francoise Hardy and Ali MacGraw for inspiration.
6. Never turn down an adventure!

Photo credit: Tomboy Style from Rizzoli. Photograph by Noa Azoulay-Sclatter.

Charlotte Rampling, Emmanuelle Alt and Gloria Steinem all have one thing in common — tomboy chic. Inspired by these icons and others, we’ve put together our TB ♥ Tomboy Pinterest page. See all of our pins here.

We’ve created a polka dot with extra personality. These bright bursts are actually hedgehogs, hand-painted and scattered to form a charming optical illusion. One of our favorite prints made just for Mother’s Day, it’s featured on our Tory tunic (available April 24), but you can download a wallpaper version today for your iPhone, iPad or computer.

When designing our quirky little hedgehog print, we were inspired by the book The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Published in France in 2006, it reflects upon everything from beauty and art, life and death, Dostoevsky and Japanese cinema to cat-ownership, Eminem and Blade Runner. Funny, full of life lessons and prescribed to patients by at least one French psychotherapist, it gives new appreciation to the ultimate anti-hero: the hedgehog.

Sloan Barnett, author of Green Goes with Everything, is an advocate for conscientious and stylish living. ”Life is way too busy: convenience and time are paramount,” she says. “This Earth Day, consider incorporating some simple ideas for just one day, one hour at a time.” Here are her tips.

9:00 AM: Replace your house cleaning solutions with a natural, nontoxic all-purpose one — you only need one. My favorite is Shaklee.com. Replace your laundry detergent, too.

11:00 AM: Take stock of all of your beauty products and replace with a safer, greener choice.

12:00 PM: Choose organic and locally grown meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

1:00 PM: For cleaner and healthier air, open your windows once a day when the outside temperature is comfortable.

2:00 PM: Replace plastic containers in your kitchen with glass containers. If you have little ones in the house, use BPA-free plastic.

4:00 PM: For your kids, avoid toys with lead paint and soft plastics that contain phthalates.

6:00 PM: Instead of bottled water, keep two water filter pitchers in your fridge.

8:00 PM: Think green when browsing the internet looking for new stuff for your home, like carpets or mattresses.

There’s just something about flipping through real live albums (cd and vinyl) in an actual music store. Today’s Record Store Day, and independently-owned music stores across the country are hosting live performances and offering exclusive album releases, from Leonard Cohen to Karen Elson (above) to Fun. Start flipping.

Astrology expert Susie Cox tells us what to expect this month, now that we’re in the sign of Taurus (April 21 – May 21). 

Taurus
Happy Birthday, Taurus! In addition to this being your time, Jupiter is giving you an adventurous spirit. Buy something a little different now to enhance your excitement.

Gemini
Venus is in Gemini now! It’s the perfect time bring beauty into your life. Pamper yourself now. Your power dates are April 23 – 25, when you will feel energized and full of sparkle.

Cancer
You are the sign that nurtures others, but now is the time to nurture yourself.  Your
power dates are April 18^th and 19^th when you will feel a surge of creative genius.  It will be fast and furious so grab it while you can.

Leo
Your power dates are April 28 and 29^th.  Leo is the queen of the zodiac, and you will shine brightly this month, which is just the way you like it.

Virgo
After almost three months of re-grouping with Mars going backwards in Virgo, he finally turned forward on April 14^th.  You should be totally organized now, right?

Libra
Libra is the romantic of the zodiac. Saturn is going through your sign and will be there until October 2012.  Saturn is ending his 2 ½ year stay, so you are now in the last phases of redefining your relationships.  It’s not over yet, but almost.

Scorpio
The full moon will be in your sign of Scorpio on May 5^th. That is one of your biggest power dates of the entire year. It’s a Saturday night, so plan something sultry.

Sagittarius
Your power dates this month are May 6 – 8^th and are especially good for travel. Sag is the sign of the world traveler, so start making plans if you haven’t already!

Capricorn
Your power dates are May 8 – 17^th.  This is a very favorable time for business deals to come down.  Think Big!!

Aquarius
Aquarians are unusual and proud of it. Your power dates this month are May 10 – 12^th.  Your creativity will be soaring high at that time.

Pisces
Pisces are the bunnies of the zodiac and have deep feelings. Your Pisces power dates are May 1 and May 13 – 15^th. Be gentle to yourself and try to make it a habit.

Aries
From April 17 – May 8^th, Mercury moves through your sign, giving you heightened mental restlessness. Have a project planned for those dates…you’ll be in the mood.

The epitome of effortless summertime chic, our eyelet Berdine Dress is the perfect LWD (little white dress). Essential for a season full of graduation parties, bridal showers, sunny afternoons outside or rooftop cocktails, here’s how to transition this versatile style — AM or PM. See the feature…

Gallerist Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn weighs in on the thrill of a young artist’s new direction….

“Francesca DiMattio is an intriguing young painter who recently ventured into ceramics. Her current show at our Bowery space displays breathtakingly large scale vases made of hand painted porcelain vessels — a dizzying, illusionistic body of works, constantly changing as you walk around them! Describing her process as ‘getting into trouble and getting out of it,’ Francesca explores shifting ideas of beauty, femininity and art through multiple sources — quoting 17th Century French Chinoiserie, mass-produced kitch object and the molten sculptural forms of Peter Voulkos. And these contemporary mash-ups are stunning with flowers!”

Francesca DiMattio’s Table Setting and Flower Arranging is on exhibit at Salon 94 Bowery until April 21.

Festival season is on! Cold weather didn’t dampen weekend 1 of Coachella, a wildly enjoyable mix of new classic rock, art stars, hip-hop legends and everything in between! There was a shift towards electronic music and the techy, including a holographic 2Pac who performed alongside Snoop Dogg. And it’s not over — here’s a little mix to keep you in the mood for weekend 2.

1. Our House — Madness
2. Ruby Soho — Jimmy Cliff
3. Common People (Full Length Version) — Pulp
4. Human Qualities — Explosions in the Sky
5. Perth — Bon Iver
6. How Come You Never Go There — Feist
7. Reckoner — Radiohead
8. Spitting Blood — WU LYF
9. Midnight City — M83
10. Animal — Miike Snow
11. Rescue You (feat. The Weeknd) — DJ Molasses
12. Novacane — Frank Ocean
13. 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted — 2Pac & Snoop Doggy Dogg
14. Still D.R.E. — Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg

Ashley Madekwe wears many hats — Revenge‘s assistant-on-the-rise Ashley Davenport and fashion blogger Ring My Bell. She showed us how she wears the season’s biggest trend — printed pants, teaming our most-wanted Tribley pant with our sheer Jared cardigan and feminine Durell shell. She finished the look off with hot pink sandals from Zara. Straight from the set of Revenge (10 pm ET on ABC tonight), she stopped for some qs….

I am… Ashley Madekwe, London girl living in LA. Actress and blogger with more shoes than sense.

My style mantra is… Mix it up.

The best piece of fashion advice I ever received was… Try it on. Every costume designer I’ve worked with tells me this and it’s true. What looks awful on the hanger may be amazing on.

I act because… I enjoy the process of creating a character and bringing a script to life. It’s basically make believe for adults.

I blog because… My love of fashion needed an outlet. I was so inspired by the many fantastic fashion blogs out there that I wanted to join in.

My charity… NSPCC, aimed at stopping the abuse of children in the UK.

My sign… Sagittarius

Photo by Jeff Vespa

It’s Day 1 of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. We asked Jane Rosenthal — who co-founded TFF in 2002 with Robert DeNiro, her Tribeca Productions partner, and husband Craig Hatkoff — about the spirit of the festival, her motivation and where film-goers really meet after hours.

My guiding principle when putting the festival together…
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Ghandi

Favorite TFF memory…
Nelson Mandela on the steps of City Hall at TFF’s opening.

This year, I can’t wait to see…
Booker’s Place, a short film called Asad and our Drive-Ins at the World Financial Center (free out-door screenings).

Favorite TriBeCa restaurant…
Locanda Verde. I always order the sides — broccoli, squash, potatoes….

A neighborhood/festival secret only a local would know…
Puffy’s Tavern 

My personal favorite movie of all time…
Mary Poppins. The original Superwoman – she did it all, magically, with a spoon full of sugar.

Rodman Primack, founder of RP Miller Design and Blacklots, let us see his vacation pics from Antigua, Guatemala. See the feature…

“It doesn’t hurt that we both love orange” is how Michael J. Fox perfectly summed up his partnership with Tory Burch. Last week, Tory hosted a shopping event in support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), where Michael, with his wife Tracy Pollan, spoke to guests at our Madison Avenue boutique about working to find a cure and to improve treatment for Parkinson’s disease. While 20% of the proceeds from the event benefited MJFF, Tory and Tracy also handpicked four signature orange pieces from our collection — through April, 20% of proceeds of these items, available at toryburch.com and our Madison Avenue flagship, will go to MJFF. Bonus: Every dollar raised by this partnership will be doubled by the Brin Wojcicki Challenge, sponsored by Google co-founder Sergey Brin and his wife Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of the personal genetics company 23&Me. Shop for a cause.

Lucy Danziger, Editor-in-Chief of Self, recently penned The Drop 10 Diet, reinforcing the idea of everything in moderation…including chocolate. She and Dylan Lauren, CEO and Founder of Dylan’s Candy Bar (above, left with Danziger) hosted a party to celebrate. We asked them about the merits of chocolate and more.

Favorite recipe from the book…
Lucy: Blueberry salmon dinner
Dylan: Chocolate dessert

Is chocolate really that good for you?
Lucy: You should eat it. Dark and in small amounts. It’s good for you and squelches cravings.
Dylan: In small doses it’s great for magnesium, antioxidants and energy.

My favorite restaurant is…
Lucy: The Standard. I love: the parmesan cheese and radish on the table; their Lift Ticket cocktail; the salmon; the brussel sprouts; the millionaire’s chicken for two (my daughter and I usually split it), and the Deal Closer dessert, which is chocolate mousse (though not dark chocolate it’s worth the “happy calories.”)
Dylan: EJ’s Luncheonette. I order their egg white omelet with spinach, broccoli and American cheese. And a house salad.

The Look: Espadrilles — the official shoe of summer — made modern.

Style Tip: Our summer mantra? Live on the wedge. With its leg-elongating height, our Linley High Wedge Espadrille works with everything in our closet: distressed cut-offs; skinny jeans; cropped pants; long trousers, and dresses both maxi and midi. It adds five inches, but a one-inch platform makes it a comfortable shoe for getting around. Plus, we love tomboy details like laces and canvas.

Music under the sun and stars — the yearly  migration to Coachella in the California desert is underway, with nearby mid-century bungalows and white-washed safari tents swelling with friends. This year’s lineup has marquee stars and cult favorites. If you’re going, don’t miss the main stage and Mojave and Gobi tents. We’re looking forward to seeing and hearing:

It’s been three years since we last sat in a movie theater and were swept away by Wes Anderson’s imagination (and soundtrack). We’ve been seeing previews and posters here and there of his latest, Moonrise Kingdom, a period romance set to open at Cannes in May. Mr. Anderson, welcome back. We missed you.

Getting enough sleep? Dr. Samantha Boardman discusses why we need more of it and how to get it. See the feature…. Also check out Tory’s Sweet Dreams playlist.

Like lullabies for adults, here are some songs to help you relax, tune out and snooze….

1. We Bought a Zoo — Jónsi
2. Lindisfarne II — James Blake
3. Dreams — Fleetwood Mac
4. Cyprus Avenue — Van Morrison
5. I Wish I Was The Moon —Neko Case
6. Tura Lura Lural (That’s an Irish Lullaby)— The Band
7. Innocent When You Dream (78) —Tom Waits
8. Bob Dylan’s Dream — Bob Dylan
9. I Must Be In A Good Place Now — Vetiver
10. True Love Ways — My Morning Jacket
11. Etude Op. 3 “Goodnight Michalek” — Lightspeed Champion
12. Dream a Little Dream of Me — The Mamas & The Papas

Belgian songstress Selah Sue wanted to be a ballerina, but the call of the guitar and heart-felt melody were too strong. Which is good news for those of us who love her smoky, reggae-vibe sound. Download: Summertime and Break.

Some are calling HBO’s new show Girls the Sex and the City for millennials. We call it darn funny and on-point no matter your age. And it has a pretty winning crew, from writer/filmmaker Lena Dunham and producer Judd Apatow to actress Allison Williams. We asked Williams, who plays Marnie, about the cultural phenomenon that is Girls.

“I think Girls shows that while every 20-something experience is specific, there are some fundamental explorative and discovery-related aspects that we all have in common. The girls on our show, like everybody my age (including me), think our predicaments are unique. There’s a great Joan Didion quotation from Goodbye to All That about this very thing: ‘One of the mixed blessings of being twenty and  twenty-one and even twenty-three is the conviction that nothing like  this, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding, has ever happened  to anyone before.’ How true is that? Even as I read it, I thought, ‘Yeah, but my life is unlike anyone else’s.’ That’s how right she is.” — Allison Williams

The billboard alone of the new Death of a Salesman revival on Broadway is like a roadmap of major literary and film names. Start with Arthur Miller’s 1949 Pulitzer-winning play that is still powerfully relevant, then add some Oscar winners (director Mike Nichols and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman) and finish with Hollywood’s new leading man (Andrew Garfield as Biff). Tickets are hard to come by, so in the meantime, we’re reading the great American story again.

How many ways is this street-chic girl on trend? Let us count the ways: Colorful fur; fresh, natural makeup; cross-body bag (our Amanda clutch also comes in spring-ready colors like bright blue, sunny yellow and a beachy white).

Image courtesy of Vanessa Jackman

From spinning to bootcamp to barre, everyone is working out. Here’s our playlist for keeping up the pace.

1. We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) — Rihanna
2. Feel So Close (Radio Edit) — Calvin Harris
3. Bulletproof — La Roux
4. Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars) — Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
5. So Good — B.o.B
6. Ni**as in Paris — Kanye West & JAY Z
7. Teleport 2 Me, Jamie (feat. Desire) — WZRD
8. Bad Girls — M.I.A.
9. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (feat. Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.) — Madonna
10. Stronger — Kanye West
11. Power — Kanye West
12. Make Me Proud — Drake Feat. Nicki Minaj
13. Fly — Nicki Minaj & Rihanna
14. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) — Kelly Clarkson

John DeLucie understands hunger…and how to satisfy it. The chef-owner of The Crown and The Lion, founding chef of the Waverly Inn, and co-author of The Hunger (with Graydon Carter) tells us about fresh mozzarella, where he eats and, yes, where he does the groceries. See the feature…

It was 70 and sunny last week, and today we’re in winter coats. Ah, fickle weather. No matter, we’ve got our Beach Getaway Pinterest page to keep us warm. See more…

Palazzo Margherita, in Bernalda, Italy — the birthplace of Francis Ford Coppola’s grandfather — is the grand 19th Century home that Francis, Sofia and family have been restoring (with the help of Jacques Grange) since 2005. It’s the molto romantic spot where Sofia married Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars last year, and recently, Francis opened it as a hotel. Its nine rooms are individually designed by Grange, featuring local craftsmanship, original marble pieces, art-like tiling and high ceilings. In our minds, we’re already checked in….

Talk about eye candy. Since 1998, Victoire de Castellane has been mixing wit, whimsy and wonder in her Dior’s fine jewelry designs. The new Dior Joaillerie book is an up-close look at Castellane’s craft and inspiration (she’s a fan of Disney!).

A dark Parisian alley. Hazy street lights. A nonchalant pose. Helmut Newton’s gender-bending 1975 photograph is as famous as its subject — Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking, in pinstripes. Through June 17, 250 of the late Newton’s stylish and often provocative images are on display at The Grand Palais. Incredibly, it’s Newton’s first exhibition in Paris.

Fashion King is the new Korean television phenomenon — and Tory has a cameo as a fashion school dean in this week’s cliff-hanger episode. The show stars Shin Se Kyung, Yoo Ah In, Lee Je Hoon and Girls’ Generation’s Kwon Yuri, and has won tens of millions of fans for its high fashion drama. Think Gossip Girl meets Days of our Lives. Tune in to SBS at 9:55pm KST or check your local listings.

Above: Tory on set with actor Lee Je Hoon

Everyone’s back from SXSW and raving about all the great music this year in Austin! Here’s a playlist of the bands we’ve been hearing about…some known, some unknown (before SXSW).

1. Hold On — Alabama Shakes
2. Love Interruption — Jack White
3. The Morning Sun — GASHCAT
4. Black Hills — Gardens & Villa
5. Like Me Meaner — Lanie Lane
6. Never Come Around — La Sera
7. Squawk — Y La Bamba
8. State of Mind — PUJOL
9. Have Fun — Bleeding Knees Club
10. Look Away — Nikki Lane
11. Elephant King — Yellow Ostrich
12. Cowboys in the Void — Quilt
13. Amor Fati — Washed Out
14. Lay Your Cards Out (feat. Mike Noyce) — POLIÇA
15. Honey Bunny — The Girls

Q: Horizontal stripes are such a big trend, but they make me look wide. How can I still wear them? — Chiara, San Francisco

A: Think vertical! Up-and-down stripes elongate and are just as of-the-moment as horizontal lines. They’re flattering on everyone. I love cropped pants, but because I’m 5’4″, they don’t always work. I wear our striped, cropped Emett pants with a tonal wedge, and I look taller instantly. — Tory

Our cropped, straight-leg Emett pant is also available in cream, and looks great worn with its matching Pennie Stripe jacket for a summery take on suiting.

A century ago, Japan gave the United States 3,000 cherry blossom trees as a sign of friendship. Today, those trees are a must-see for visitors to Washington D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Festival (through the end of April) when they are in all their pink blooming glory.

Spring’s bright prints are all about the clash. Here’s how to wear and pair multiple patterns. See the feature…

The Clash — when punk met dub met Motown met rockabilly. Somehow it all worked together. Sartorially speaking, we pay homage to their mix-it-up attitude with spring’s melange of prints.

1. The Magnificent Seven — The Clash
2. Brand New Cadillac — The Clash
3. Should I Stay or Should I Go — The Clash
4. I Fought the Law — The Clash
5. Janie Jones — The Clash
6. White Riot — The Clash
7. Tommy Gun — The Clash
8. Rudie Can’t Fail — The Clash
9. Train in Vain — The Clash
10. Spanish Bombs — The Clash
11. Lost In the Supermarket — The Clash
12. Police & Thieves — The Clash
13. This Is Radio Clash — The Clash
14. Police On My Back — The Clash
15. Hitsville U.K. — The Clash

Best friends Ferebee Taube and Eleanor Ylvisaker founded Feyt, a new styling site we’re addicted to. For spring, the best dressed duo can’t say enough good things about yellow. Read more…

The most coveted (and completely sold out) ticket in town this spring is for MoMA‘s 8-night retrospective for German electronic band Kraftwerk, beginning April 10. The cult-favorite band is credited by fans and critics alike for inspiring everything from hip hop to house to the current electronica craze. You could even draw a direct line from our our Fall 2012 runway soundtrack, which featured music from Michael Mann’s Drive, which was in turn influenced by Kraftwerk.

Not to be missed: Adrien Brody’s performance as a substitute teacher in Tony Kaye’s Detachment.

It might be spring, but we’re feeling the need for tweed. Our stylist shows multiple ways to wear our Marion Jacket and Curtis Dress. An editors’ favorite, this trend goes from ladylike to laid-back. Get each look:

Shift Chic: Curtis Dress, Adrianna T-Strap (coming soon)
Marry Two Classics: Curtis Dress, Prudence Blouse, Beverly Pump
Ladylike Suit: Curtis Dress, Liam Blouse, Marion Jacket, Ruth Loafer
Feminine + Sweet: Marion Jacket, Farran Skirt, Rachael Crossbody Wristlet Bag, Beverly Pump
Tomboy Cool: Iriana Top, Marion Jacket, Ollie Short, Printed Emmy Sandal

We’re counting down the days until Downton Abbey’s third season (January 2013 seems so far away). In the meantime, we have books like The House at Tyneford to keep the upstairs-downstairs drama going.

We wear our James Necklace with a plain white t-shirt or with sailor stripes for pattern play. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, you’ll love James’ versatility. Its four strands of printed fabric-covered beads will lighten and brighten your favorite neutral blouse, dress or sweater. See more style tips in our Spring Accessories Guide.

For the last few days, people have been emailing us a film by non-profit Invisible Children‘s Jason Russell, Laren Poole and Bobby Bailey (above, from left). It’s a powerful video that will make you want to get involved in the Invisible Children’s Tri Campaign to stop Joseph Kony, who has built an army of 30,000 kidnapped child soldiers to fight Africa’s longest running war.

Around the world, March 8 is International Women’s Day, the perfect time say thanks to the trailblazers in our life. We have also been reading Angela Nazarian’s Pioneers of the Possible, which pays tribute to 20 visionary women with the tenacity and moxie to change the world. She features everyone from Frida Kahlo, Ella Fitzgerald and Estée Lauder to Simone de Beauvoir and Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Last night, Tory and Dawn Ostroff, President of Conde Nast Entertainment, co-hosted a book party at our Madison Avenue flagship, and we were honored to have one of the pioneers with us — Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen Fund. Here’s to celebrating women every day.

How is Could I Have That? blogger Samantha Hutchinson spending spring break? By the water, of course. We caught up with the blogger on her way from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs (our Georgiana Tote in hand). See the feature…

Photographs by Leela Cyd

Our colorful straw tote and raffia bag were made by Madwa, a company we partnered with that supports and works with small groups of artisans in Madagascar. Handcrafted by women using sustainable materials and traditional basket-weaving skills that are passed through generations, Madwa preserves their craft heritage and empowers local communities. The weavers dye and prep the papyrus themselves, dry it out on their roofs, then create a variety of intricate patterns. We loved the straw tote so much we put it on the cover of our 2012 Spring Accessories Lookbook.

Table Fifty-Two’s Art Smith created an iced tea with kick. The James Beard-winning chef and Oprah’s culinary go-to in Chicago demonstrates how to mix a Sweet Tea Punch. Just add deck chair and sun.

A round-up of style tips, trends and how to wear the latest looks. See the guide…

Here, a behind-the-scenes video from our Spring 2012 Lookbook shoot.

Sometimes what happens off the runways is just as stylish as what happens on. Models Anna Selezneva and Ella Kandyba were photographed after the Isabel Marant show in Paris. Anna stars in our spring lookbook and Ella is carrying one of our popular Amanda bags, the Crossbody Messenger with a chain strap. Très chic, non?

Spotify, Italian and Greek getaways, music and a little Havanese poodle named Teddy. This is what Assia Grazioli Venier, CEO of London music management company Flypaper Media and host of an upcoming event in our London store, loves most.

I am…tired from all this flying and traveling!

In this picture I am wearing… Tory Burch’s Edie Cardigan, Super Saturated Skinny Jean, Resin Square Necklace and Stacked Square Wrap Bracelet.

Style mantra… Be true to yourself, who cares what people think, and have fun.

I love my job because…It’s creative. The music industry is evolving on a daily basis. I get to listen to great music all day. I meet eccentric and eclectic people, and there is never a dull moment!

Favorite Getaway… Il Pellicano in Tuscany. Nothing encapsulates la dolce vita like this slice of heaven.

Favorite Cocktail…Espresso martini

Favorite bands of the moment… We Are Augustines, Chew Lips, Japanese Popstars, Keaton Henson, Tune-Yards, Rhye, Planet Funk, Capital Cities, Boxer Rebellion and Kyla La Grange.

Soundtrack to my life… I’m obsessed with Spotify — for work I listen to my ‘chilled’ playlist; for pre-party, my playlist inspired by the NY-London venue of debauchery, The Box.

My favorite charity…NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), I’m on the committee. I’m looking forward to our upcoming Art Ball in London!

My sign… Leo, through and through. With this mane on my head would you expect anything else?

Photograph by Nigel Crane at The Hospital Club, London

Legendary documentarian Ken Burns discusses inspiration, history and the best advice he’s ever received. See the feature…

Claire Distenfeld gave us a preview of her NYC boutique-meets-gallery Fivestory. (Until the official opening day on April 18, she has a pop-up on the third floor.) Here, what inspired her stylish mish-mash of fashion, accessories and art, including hard-to-find labels like Mawi, Ellery and Schumacher.

What inspired Fivestory?
I really wanted Fivestory to be a haven for people looking to find unique and original product; things that will make people feel like individuals and not walking advertisements.


How did you pick the designers you carry?
I had a laundry list of designers that I loved and was never able to find in NYC. I love when people recommend brands. For a few hours a day I am knee-deep in the world wide web, reading blogs, finding new boutiques, seeing what people are responding to and getting excited by.


Who are your favorite designers?
Lyn Devon and Preen — both understand the beautiful balance between fashion, femininity and quality. Same goes for Mawi and Aurelie Bidermann jewelry, and I am a slave to Chrissie Morris shoes.

Favorite place to travel to and shop…
I was in heaven in Hong Kong. The stores there really push the idea of a retail experience. From Joyce to I.T. to Lane Crawford, I was so energized by the touch, feel and atmosphere of them all.

Photograph by Noa Griffel at Fivestory in New York. Claire is wearing a Tory Burch top, Lyn Devon pants and Proenza Schouler shoes.

For Hilary Lambert, founder of American Sports Bra, the answer to the question “Should I work out today?” should almost always be “Yes.” Here, she reminds us of the basics.

FIND YOUR OWN THING
“Find something you like to do: walk, dance around your house, swim, work out with a DVD — anything that works for your body. Not everyone likes yoga, spinning or running….”

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
“Drink water, sleep, breathe and eat right. Try stretching gently for 5 minutes every day.”

GET PSYCHED TO MOVE!
“Do whatever you need to get pumped up — listen to music, find a photo of someone who really inspires you and put it on your wall… Tell yourself: ‘I am going for a run to make myself feel happy and alive!’”

What would you wear if you went skiing in Aspen for spring break? John Fernsell, founder and CEO of outdoor clothing line Ibex, tells us what he wears to ski and more.

Ski in Aspen?
I’m a cross country skier and I prefer Vermont to Aspen, but I make sure my base layer is wool.

Jog around Central Park?
I prefer to go au natural…in Ibex wool, that is. Wool doesn’t stink so I can go straight from a run to the office.

Play paddle tennis?
Our Woolies. They’re light and dry quickly.

Hike in the country?
I’ll usually layer to account for any temperature change.

Comfort Beyond Compare: The memory foam footbed conforms to your foot for a soft, cushiony feel.
Minimalist Style: The sophisticated, streamlined design works with everything, from skinny jeans to skirts and dresses.
The On-the-Go Essential: Easy to walk in; easy to tuck in your bag when you switch into heels.
Color & Texture: There’s a kaleidoscope of options: neutral, bright, snake, patent, printed, jeweled….

See more style tips in our Spring Accessories Guide.

Even the Secretary of Defense needs chocolate. After years of working in The White House and on political campaigns, Dana Edwards Manatos joined forces with her brothers Christian and Mark to revamp the fourth generation of their family’s Edward Marc Chocolatier business — originally a milkshake factory based in Pittsburgh — inside the Pentagon. We caught up with the brother and sister trio. See the feature…

A person and a Polaroid. That’s all photographer Anna Bauer needed for Backstage, her new book capturing designers, models, editors and the like in the moments right after a runway show. With drama in full swing this Fall 2012 season, it’s fascinating to see Paul McCartney hug daughter Stella, model Freja looking especially intense and Phoebe Philo, Raf Simons and Marc Jacobs just trying to catch their breath.

Isca Greenfield-Sanders is famous for turning nostalgia-tinged photographs into paintings. She walks us through her process. See the feature…

There’s a lot Rodman Primack loves about St. Moritz, before and après ski. The founder of RP Miller Design and Blacklots tells all. See the feature…