You may be surprised to learn that I love, love, did I mention love, shoes… and lots of them. Hello everyone, meet the male “Carrie Bradshaw” of shoes.

It’s not my fault. Thanks to my Mother, my appreciation and obsession began as a young boy with my very first pair(s) of Buster Brown’s. She bought me three pairs and made me promise not to tell my brothers or my Father.

Today, you don’t have to be a woman to love shoes. A good shoe collection is an essential part of any gentleman’s wardrobe. I know shoes do not define the man (or woman), but boy can they tell you a lot about a person. Put it to the test by checking out the footwear of the next man or woman you see. Are they wearing sneakers? Are they corporate? Are they stylish? And most importantly, are they clean and/or polished? Then ask them what they do for a living. The shoes should match the person’s career.

No matter where I go, I always take plenty of shoes. My buddy Dave and his wife are visiting me this weekend and he too, has the male shoe bug. My pal Jason’s wife keeps telling me to please not encourage her husband with my shoe acquisition program. Both friends are creative, successful business men that also happen to enjoy the benefits of owning a good shoe collection.

As for the single ladies out there, when your Prince Charming comes along carrying that glass slipper for you to try on, make sure you check out his shoes first.

We did eyebrow makeovers today with beauty expert Christi Harris. Since I have pretty prominent brows myself and honestly carry my tweezers with me everyday, I understand the maintenance of perfect eyebrows. Harris designed a kit herself that lets you fill your brows in with a few natural colors that have fibers in it so it looks like you’re adding hair instead of just brown makeup lines. Plus, she taught us all how to shape your brows correctly, without using a sticker. She even tweeked mine.  www.christiharrisbrows.com

From supermodel to actress, now Molly Sims is a jewelry designer too. She stopped by our studio to talk about the launch of her “Grayce” collection. The name is inspired by her mother, who tells the triple threat to live her life with grace always. I’d say she does, considering Sims took a red eye flight from LA to our NYC studio and managed to look fabulous all while being super nice to boot. The collection is budget friendly with a vintage retro vibe. I’m wearing one of her necklaces above, along with a beautiful dress from Lord and Taylor — and Molly is sporting about five different ones because she loves layering them www.graycebymollysims.com.  Sims also confessed that she hasn’t given up on acting but is now waiting for the right part to come along.

Don’t you just love hair makeovers, I do!  Well today, we filmed 4 men getting new hair do’s, coiffed by celebrity stylist Riccardo Maggiore. Sure, most guys I know, would never ask for a style like Tom Cruise, Robert Pattinson, Brad Pitt or Bradley Cooper, but Maggiore says that’s what he’s doing the most of these days. The results were fab, regardless of if they actually look like that celeb. Plus, remember when Sarah Jessica Parker goes brunette at the end of the first “Sex and The City” movie, this is the salon she goes to www.RiccardoMaggiore.com.

Last weekend I had the pleasure to be a guest speaker for the Theatre of New Canaan’s Spring Awakening benefit at Le Beau Chateau, in New Canaan, Connecticut. The room was full of fabulous table-top designs by notable interior designers. The designs were inspired by popular Broadway shows such as “A Secret Garden,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Peter Pan,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “A Little Night Music.” These unusual tabletops offered a unique and inspirational environment for my lecture. I was also excited to work so close to home so I gave my assistant the day off and invited good friend Barbara, who was in town for the weekend.

My seersucker suit and spectator shoes were no match for Barbara’s heavenly white ensemble complete with a hint of magical sparkle and six-inch Michael Kors platform sandals. We made a good looking couple so we grabbed Miss Violet and off we went on a family road trip to New Canaan for the afternoon.

It’s been nearly 60 years since the chateau opened its doors to the public. So, I was very excited to arrive early and take a walk through and experience a touch of France. Situated on 52 acres and bought by Huguette Clark in 1952, it has sat unfurnished and unoccupied since then. Built in 1937 in French manor style, it is complete with a grand staircase, tall ceilings and multiple fireplaces. And now with my passport renewed, what better way to kick-start my European holiday tomorrow.

We arrived early to see the vignettes and decided to have some lunch on the patio where there is a delightful bistro menu. As we sat down, a woman next to us asked, “Are you Mar Jennings? Yes,” I replied. Then she proceeded to tell me how much she loved my book and how it helped her during a difficult time in her life. “Your book saved my life– the photos and your writing got me through it all. Your passion and love for gardening has changed my life.” I got up and gave her a big kiss and told her how touched I was.

Truth be told, Life On Mar’s, A Four Season Garden was dedicated to Edward R. Smith, my mentor and devoted friend, whose encouragement and wisdom, helped secure my life’s foundation. So if I can, in any way, help others find that same love and passion along the way, well then, my “guardian angel” has made another dream of mine come true.
We ended the event with lots of press photos and a book signing but my mind continued to wander back to that amazing woman on the patio. It wasn’t long ago, when I too, was touched profoundly by someone. Now, years later, if I can do the same–well then I have truly been “touched by an angel”.

Catch up with Mar–read more at www.marjennings.com

If you’ve ever seen—or heard of—the famous movie “Miracle on 34th Street”, you know it’s all about how something wonderful happens at Macy’s in New York City, on Christmas. While it certainly isn’t the Christmas season now, I think I can claim to have had my own “something wonderful” recently.

When my assistant told me that the wonderful people from Macy’s Special Events were inquiring about my availability for this year’s Macy’s Flower Show at Herald Square, I paused for a moment to reflect on the significance of the date. It would mark five years to the day when my dearest friend and flower aficionado Edward passed away. It seemed fitting in a way, since the Flower Show and Spring both symbolize re-birth. Of course I told my staff to clear my calendar and make it happen. Just thinking about participating in this world-renowned and iconic show made my heart skip a beat. Edward would be so proud of this achievement as it was he who pushed me to follow me passion.

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As you know these days I’m sporting a new look, wearing my Oliver Peoples glasses. And regardless if I’m wearing jeans or dressing up I have two distinct looks that work. I’m a “two” man: “too” much sometimes, “two” more, or my favorite: “to” you darling. Truth be told, the number “two” gives me great comfort when it shows up unexpectedly in my life. That said, I’ve been getting some great comments about my specs but last week’s experience serving jury duty was both unexpected and entertaining, and of course became blog worthy.

Jury service is one of the most important civic duties we can perform. So I embraced my public service and arrived, professionally dressed (wearing a sport coat) and carrying a briefcase because I’d planned to do some work while there. My assistant surprised me with The New York Times and the National Enquirer placed inside, with a Post-it note reading “relax and take the day off.” So with my Starbucks coffee in hand I was ready to go.
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My picks for Best Dressed at last night’s Academy Awards:

1. Sarah Jessica Parker, who made a daring yet timeless choice, and whose dress will be remembered for years to come (much like the black minidress she wore to her first Academy Awards, which was similarly controversial). Too much bronzer and kind of odd hair, but that dress made up for it.

2. Miley Cyrus, whose dress (and makeup) was beyond stunning. Yeah, she slouched, and I often question her clothing (and life) choices…but she’s 17 and she looked classy and lovely. Let’s give her a break.

3. Vera Farmiga (left), who I desperately want to look like, made possibly the night’s boldest choice. Not everyone will “get” it…but it’s the Oscars, and that is an Oscars dress if I’ve ever seen one.

4. Zoe Kravitz, whose understated gown was a great color, a beautiful shape, and perfectly suited for a young, trendy starlet not tasked with nominating or presenting.

5. Rachel McAdams, because she can do no wrong.

Who do you think did it best?

-Jordan Reid

Recently I was hired to be a guest speaker in Farmington, Connecticut, to talk about my signature style of creating casual luxury. I was joined by Lisa, my candle line business partner, and we were off to meet the ladies and enjoy a meal with them; my presentation was for after dinner. We left Westport around 5:00pm and as the sun set I noticed how difficult it was getting for me to read the street signs. Recently I also noticed I was having some difficulties reading the text on my iPhone. “Oh no!” I yell to Lisa, “It’s happening!” “What?” she replied. “My eyes are going, and it feels as if it happened overnight!” Turning 40 this year I had been told, “Just wait: once you’ve hit forty you’ll be needing readers,” but driving glasses—what gives?
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Tanning beds could be headed for tigher regulations.  The F-D-A plans to hold a public hearing in late march to review the growing evidence linking UV radiation and skin cancer.

The agency is considering stricter regulations, including limits on u-v exposure from sun lamps and stronger warning labels.

While I am pretty much a sun-block person, I can appreciate the summer glow look with spray tans.

I do worry about looking oily or “fake.

Luckily, Anne from Parents TV found some alternative tanning methods –including great spray tans — to help us get in the warmer weather spirit. -L