Family gatherings—favorite holiday decorations…the wonderful smells of baked goods— the holidays are full of familiar rituals and special memories. Traditions are part of what make the season so enjoyable.

For many, this time of year means baking family favorites—how many times do people ask you to make grandma’s bread pudding or your special cookies? The holidays wouldn’t be the same without them.

(Part four of a four-part series)

The shelf life of the average urban streetwear brands is surprisingly short. By year seven, ironically a number that symbolizes completion, most hip-hop-inspired fashion lines have fizzled and become yesterday’s news as a young and fickle consumer market has moved on in search of the next big thing.

But Baby Phat has defied the odds, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. While no one knows whether the privately held company is the most profitable urban streetwear brand, it is arguably the most widely recognized, the most ubiquitous, and the most influential.

FAMILY—Kimora Simmons with daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee after the Baby Phat show.

Some of Baby Phat’s longevity can be credited to design teams that gradually transitioned the women’s sportswear from throw-away hootchie gear to fashion that reflects more taste and sophistication than when it started yet is still young and fresh. Baby Phat’s maturity from looks totally reflecting an “urban youth mindset” in its early years to an aesthetic that appeals to aging original devotees while continuing to attract younger fans has not escaped industry observers. And much of the credit for that must go to the line’s irrepressible chief creative officer, Kimora Lee Simmons.

Tribute concert

NOV. 11—Clark Memorial Baptist Church, 1301 Glenn St., Homestead, will host a 13th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration. The celebration is in honor of Rev. James Douglas Burwell. There will be worship services in honor of the celebration that will run through Nov. 15. The theme is “Raising the level of our commitment through kingdom service.” For more information, call 412-462-1011.

I must be getting old. How stupid is that statement? Of course I’m getting old, but it does beat the alternative.

The other day I was walking through my favorite spot, the mall, and I spotted something that made me do a double take. I spotted a collection of open-toe also known as peep-toe boots. As first I was confused. I just can’t imagine putting on boots with an open toe. I do understand that boots are now more fashionable than functional but the lack of a toe really surprised me.

The next day I took a look through the latest issue of Vogue and there they were, open toe boots. The boots really looked rather strange. I guess I’m not up on the latest fashion. I better hurry up and get with the program but I don’t think I’ll be buying what I hope will be a fleeting fashion.