Modest Operandi » Inspiration http://www.modestoperandi.com Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:06:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 . paul newman . http://www.modestoperandi.com/personal/paul-newman/ http://www.modestoperandi.com/personal/paul-newman/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:25:29 +0000 June http://www.modestoperandi.com/?p=115 I just read an article on Paul Newman in last month’s Vanity Fair and decided that he’s one of those rare celebrities who makes me want to be a better person. Not “better” in terms of skinnier, prettier and more fashionably dressed, but kinder, more humble, less aware of “my” world and more aware of the world that’s around me. His death makes me sad, but I have no doubt that his life and his works made the world a better place.

Though the quotes below don’t begin to explain the greatness that was Paul Newman, I think they give a good idea of what kind of person he was. When you have time, I highly suggest reading the entire article. I included some pictures because yes, he was as beautiful a man on the outside as he was on the inside.

He is more than a distinguished actor. He’s also an award-winning director, a champ racecar driver, a committed political activist, and, for the past 20 years, a truly amazing philanthropist. Newman credits his unparalleled success in so many areas to what he calls “Newman’s luck.” (He has always attributed his great good fortune to a series of “lucky breaks.”) “It’s allowed me to take chances, to take risks,” he has said. “To get close to a lot of edges without falling off.”

- Vanity Fair, September 2008

Paul Newman photograph of Vanity Fair Paul Newman Article

Movie star Paul Newman has quietly turned over the entire value of his ownership in Newman’s Own - the company that makes salad dressings and cookies - to charity. Completed over a two-year period in 2005 and 2006, the amount of his donations to Newman’s Own Foundation Inc. comes to an astounding $120 million. This is unprecedented for any movie star or anyone from what we call Hollywood. Of course, Newman and actress wife Joanne Woodward have never been Hollywood types.

- Fox News, June 11, 2008

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward photograph of Vanity Fair Paul Newman Article

]]> http://www.modestoperandi.com/personal/paul-newman/feed/ . blogger block unblocked . http://www.modestoperandi.com/fashion/blogger-block-unblocked/ http://www.modestoperandi.com/fashion/blogger-block-unblocked/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:13:48 +0000 June http://www.modestoperandi.com/?p=101 I’ve been tagging and bookmarking lots of things I want to share, but since more than half my company got laid off, I’ve actually had to work at work. Oh the horror. Mini update before I get into what really inspired me to finally add something to my blog - I didn’t get laid off (not sure if this is a phew or an aw shucks) but I didn’t end up getting the dress either because I’m not sure how long the paychecks will keep coming in.

Anyway, so onto more interesting things. I always get giddy and excited when I think about friends who are living the dream. I’m not talking private jets and houses in the Hamptons, I’m talking about actually doing what they love for a living. Sure, there are tradeoffs, and maybe sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it, but for those of us who are just clocking in and clocking out, you’re our inspiration and our hope.

I digress. I have many such friends, but one in particular has achieved a most coveted milestone in the life of any designer. She’s on men.style.com! Well, she’s not (though one day she will be), but the collection she designed for Yigal Azrouel is and it’s simply amazing. Enough words, here are some pictures of her collection. I’m so proud!!!

Yigal Azrouel Men Spring 2009
Yigal Azrouel Men Spring 2009
Yigal Azrouel Men’s Spring 2009 Collection via men.style.com

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