Spotlight On: Tara Maria Famiglietti

How’s this for a cocktail of muses: Brigitte Bardot, Ursula Andress and…Grandma? For jewelry designer Tara Maria Famiglietti, that’s the inspirational formula behind her collection of glamorous boho baubles, which she named Nana Fabella after her chic nonna. Here, the New York native, who’s married to musician Matt White and once spent two years living on a sailboat, talks holiday sparkle and Ménage a Trois.

Tory Entertains: Caipirinha de Tangerina

When in Brazil, drink as the Brazilians drink — and that means plenty of cachaça. Here’s a recipe for a tangerine caipirinha that Tory picked up while in São Paulo.

Spotlight On: Amalia Spinardi

Amalia Spinardi is a self-professed bikini addict. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate a good maillot. Her tenure as an editor at Brazil’s top fashion magazines — and working with the likes of Gisele Bündchen, Isabeli Fontana and Raquel Zimmermann — informed her own swim collection, Jo de Mer. We caught up with Spinardi on Tory’s recent trip to São Paulo and asked about all things Brazilian and beach-bound.

Tory On: São Paulo

As the Paulistanos would say, “Bem-vindo!” This week, we’re celebrating all things São Paulo, as Tory and the team just returned from the Southern Hemisphere. They were there to celebrate our first boutiques in Brazil and present the Spring 2013 collection to customers and friends. Here, Tory talks about highlights from her trip, and all this week we’ll be featuring São Paulo tastemakers and entrepreneurs on the Tory Blog.

Word of Mouth: Aperture at Sixty

Photo-philes, you’re going to love this. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, nonprofit publisher and photo organization Aperture Foundation is holding a major auction Tuesday evening at Gotham Hall in New York, from 6-9:30 PM. There are 60 lots in all, everything from Chuck Close’s famous portrait of Kate Moss to a breathtaking shot of Grace Kelly by Elliott Erwitt. Also going under the gavel: works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Paul Strand, Dawoud Bey and Aperture co-founders Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange. Not in town? No problem; absentee bidding is available.

A Boy in Front of the Loew’s 125th Street Movie Theater, 1976. Courtesy and © Dawoud Bey and Stephen Daiter Gallery, Chicago.

Jordana Brewster On: Holiday Style

With the Holiday season around the corner, we asked the ever-chic Jordana Brewster to give us a few tips on cocktail dressing. But the Dallas star also opened up about destination getaways — and why instant oatmeal is a travel must — as well as her childhood growing up in her mother’s native Rio de Janeiro.

What’s Your Sign? Scorpio

Curious about what this month has in store for you? Then keep reading. As we move into the air sign of Scorpio (October 22nd – November 21st), astrology expert Susie Cox reveals all.

Dr. Sam On: Pioneers of the Breast Cancer Fight,

As we celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Samantha Boardman tips her hat to women who pioneered the cause — Evelyn Lauder, Betty Ford and countless women across the country and world who are doing something extraordinary this October.

Ask Barbara: Work-Life Balance

Q: I love my job. I love my friends. What’s the secret to a work-life balance? — Anjelica, Phoenix

A: As best as possible, try to focus on work while at work and your friends during social situations. Texting and emailing friends while at work or texting work issues during dinner with loved ones can throw everyone off balance.

Best Dressed: Francesca DiMattio

Rising art star Francesca DiMattio is a deft mix master both in the studio — she’s famous for her coolly spliced sculptures and paintings — and the dressing room. She’s not afraid of playing with proportions (as in this version of Tory’s Elise dress) or going super-tailored one day and dressing “like a six-year-old girl in striped leggings, clogs and short cotton dresses” another. Though busy with shows in London, Manhattan and Clinton, New York, the artist took some time off to talk inspiration and her go-to gallery style.

Spotlight On: Nate Berkus

Rather than serve up another book about decorating how-tos, Nate Berkus shares a more intimate story in The Things That Matter. In it, he reveals his backstory and spotlights his favorite interiors that echo with the owner’s personality, whether it’s Fabiola Beracasa or Dr. Ruth. “There’s so much out there — in shelter magazines, on television — that it gets confusing,” he says. “The goal of the book is to clear that up. People’s homes should tell the story of who they are.” Here, Nate continues the tale — and shares his advice on home entertaining and décor.

Expert Guide: Christopher & Heather Tierney

Siblings Heather and Christopher Tierney consider themselves “experience makers.” Mission accomplished. Their bar Apotheke is a throwback to Old Europe absinthe dens while restaurant Pulqueria (handily, right next door) is a virtual slice of Mexico City. To celebrate the start of holiday season and all things cocktail hour, the duo share secrets from behind the bar, including how turn kale into a sexy-sounding drink.

Tory On: The Little Black Dress

Gearing up for rounds of holiday revelry? No doubt, the Little Black Dress will (and should) be in rotation. We asked Tory why she loves the look and why it works for so many different style tribes. Here, she’s wearing our Bovary dress and Pixie pump.

Ruthanna Hopper Brill On: Marin County

Tempted by the idea of a California getaway complete with hippie vibes, fall foliage, sand castles and wine tastings? Then consider heading to Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Here, L.A.-based author Ruthanna Hopper Brill — who counts Marin as her childhood home — tells us all about its leisure life and why she keeps going back.

Spotlight On: Pools: Reflections

Pools: Reflections is author and photographer Kelly Klein’s follow-up to her massive 1992 tome on the subject. This time, she introduces us to a whole new series of pools, each tempting us to jump right in. To say they’re breathtaking is an understatement — the one in Peru’s Equis House, for example, is practically suspended in the air. Here, Klein reveals her favorite and why she’s long been fascinated by what she calls these “sculptures in the earth.”

Book of the Week: Rebel Chic

As a new book Rebel Chic shows, Katharine Hepburn was the anti-fashion fashion icon. Starting in the 30s, she ignored prevailing Hollywood notions of beauty (read: ultra-feminine) and trademarked a certain kind of nonchalant glamour. Throwing a long fur over jeans (in itself a revolutionary move) and flats? Genius. There’s an accompanying exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Here, our favorite Hepburn quotes.

Word of Mouth: Julian Opie

Artist Julian Opie is putting a whole new spin on the term “window dressing.” You can check out his current exhibit at Manhattan’s National Academy Museum & School just by rounding the corner of Fifth Avenue and 89th Street. No entrance necessary. A few selects from his famous Walking Series videos — where tech meets classic figure drawing meets everyday traffic sign — are on display in the museum’s windows. Not in New York? Watch one of his films here.

Verity Walking in Dress (2), 2011 by Julian Opie