“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
While recently vacationing in Miami, I was introduced to the gorgeous and feminine dresses from Swedish designer, Acne by one of my most fabulous and fashionable girlfriends. There aren’t a lot of stores that carry this brand, but I was able to find many online shops selling their splurge-worthy designs. A fun mix of modern, girly and sexy, these draped, grecian-inspired dresses are super flattering on any figure. My friend looked amazing and raked in the compliments as she wore her dress to dinner and then out for a long night on the town. Since she was wearing one of their more revealing dresses, she paired it with a sleek black blazer to make it a little more conservative and sophisticated while at dinner. I love the neutral and bold jewel toned fabrics Acne has picked for their dresses- both styles look amazing with the most simple or ornate accessories. They’ve created a dress that will get a lot of wear if you decide to pick one up since they’re all so versatile and really fun to wear…now if only I could decide which one to get.
I love going to allure.com to see their best-of lists. Every year, the Allure editors test thousands of products to provide their readers with a list of the best of the best in beauty products. Whenever I’m getting sick of the items in my makeup bag or medicine cabinet and want to try something new, I consult this list to see what they suggest. Some of the products I’ve tried based on their recommendations have become my all-time favorite products I now can’t live without. To check out the Allure Beauty Reporter Best of Beauty Products, visit here
In addition to their Best of Beauty, Allure also comes out with a list of The Year’s Most Innovative Beauty Products. I thought it would be worth sharing a few of these items since I was really interested in several of the products listed. Enjoy!
There’s a whole new approach to adding oomph to your hair. Most volumizing products try to hold hair off the scalp with a gluelike ingredient…that falls apart in wind or when you so much as touch it with a brush. This mousse instead contains a flexible polymer (the company worked with MIT researchers to create it) that adds volume through the length of the hair and stays effective—through mussing and fussing—until the next time you shampoo.
Glycolic acid peels fight wrinkles and leave skin glowing. But the struggle has always been to find an at-home version that’s superstrong—but not so intense that you could risk burning your face off. This peel has a neutralizer—inspired by stomach antacids—that can switch off the acid in its 30 percent glycolic peel (this is high enough that, typically, only professionals use it) within ten minutes of it hitting your skin. In other words, there’s basically no way it can irritate. (The key is a double-barreled dispenser that keeps the glycolic solution away from the neutralizer until you hit the plunger.) “The strength of the peel brings a high percentage of glycolic acid to the home market safely,” says Amy B. Lewis, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “That means a better and faster improvement in skin texture and tone than can be achieved using at-home peels that aren’t this strong.” sephora.com.
Salon hair-straightening treatments have their fans—but the services involve long appointments with repeated applications of noxious straightening chemicals and a price tag that could make your hair curl. This kit gives a similar straightening effect, but at home—and the results last for up to seven shampoos. The first product in the kit goes on damp, clean hair and breaks down the physical bonds within the strands. After 20 minutes and a rinse, the second product, a leave-in smoothing balm, goes on. It contains rice oil that’s activated by the heat of a blow-dryer, allowing it to soak into hair to set a new, smooth structure in place. Flatironing is an optional next step, but recommended. ulta.com.
These product lines have technology that helps skin cells stay young. Skin cells communicate using various processes, including one called bioelectricity, in which small electrical pulses tell the cells when to repair themselves, store energy, and make internal changes necessary to stay healthy. The currents can slow down as we age, and this can make it harder for skin to recover from sun damage and environmental stress. The scientists behind these products found that copper-plated zinc helps boost the skin’s bioelectricity. They developed a serum with the ingredient and a moisturizing ”conductor” that activates the process—and found that this combination stimulated collagen and elastin production, helped reduce inflammation, and may fight hyperpigmentation. target.com, walgreens.com.
Some people love mineral foundation (it’s natural; it’s long-lasting) and some don’t (it’s heavy, cakey, messy). This version has a battery-powered sponge applicator that solves the problems by producing a smooth, uniform finish. You just dip the sponge into the mineral powder and press the handle’s “on” button, and the tip vibrates 7,000 times per minute—massaging the powder into skin evenly. “This oscillating applicator breaks down the fine particles in the makeup, eliminating the need to blend,” says Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist. “It also massages them into skin and fills fine lines.” nordstrom.com.
Coloring your hair has always involved a bit of suffering. The chemicals can sting the scalp and stink up the hair, and the color starts fading with the first shampoo. INOA professional hair dye replaces traditional ammonia with an odorless ingredient that only opens the cuticle a smidge (instead of lifting the whole thing like a flap). And to ensure that the color goes into the hair shaft, it is combined with oil right before application. The result is gentler to both the hair and the scalp, and the color is completely odorless and more resistant to fading. “What makes this hair color revolutionary is that it is not water-based—a significant departure from traditional coloring systems,” says Hammer. “The oil-based system provides excellent color penetration into the hair, which should reduce fading, and the process is far more mild, odorless, and nondamaging.” lorealprofessionnel.com.
for more information on any of these products, please visit here
When it comes to color, I tend to hold back a bit when I’m decorating but I’m really loving trendy Moroccan accent pieces for your home (this print is also so great for women’s accessories like scarves, etc.) They add such a fun and unique but sophisticated and exotic pop of color which instantly transforms and brightens any room. The colors and prints in these rugs are just so pretty I never could imagine getting sick of them or not being able to transition them around from room to room when you want to mix things up. Anthropologie is offering some really gorgeous Moroccan-style rugs made of shaggy but soft wool that are attracting a lot of attention from their long-time customers and high-fashion editors alike. “Anthropolgie buyers drove twelve hours through the Atlas Mountains and across a desert before finding the remote seaside town where artisans were still crafting beautiful carpets their ancestors once did.” This collection launched just yesterday and already the editors at Vogue say the tones and patterns of these rugs “remind us of Proenza Schouler’s recent pre-fall offering.” Now if only I had the space for one of these beauties…
Above: Anthropologie’s Agadir Twists Rug in Raspberry, Look from Proenza Schouler’s pre-fall collection.
Above: Agadir Twists in Plum. For more information on these rugs please go here
If you were to ask me about my favorite fitting pants, the perfect shirt, the jacket I throw on over everything?… It’s Theory. No one does staple pieces for day, work, night, and weekend wear quite like them. I’m obsessed with their clothing and I could wear only Theory for the rest of my life and be happy. I love their neutral/ heavy on black color palette and they have continued to create the perfect wear-to-work items for young, fashionable women who want to look the part without sacrificing style or youthfulness. Their fitted blazers, uber-flattering pants and shift dresses are their signature items and look good on everyone (bonus: they are now offering maternity wear.) Though their clothing tends to be a bit pricey and runs small (I always go up at least a full size in their pants & dresses) there are tons of Theory outlet stores across the country offering their clothes for at least half off the retail price (the outlets are where I get most of my Theory apparel.) Deal-a-day sites like Ruelala, Hautelook and Gilt.com also offer Theory fairly regularly at a steep discount. Here’s a little lookbook I’ve put together of some of Theory’s classic, clean-cut, minimalist yet feminine items currently for sale.
the following looks can be purchased here and here
British photographer Norman Parkinson is best known for his work during his Vogue years-though a bit dated now, these timeless images are still adored by women young and old. Many of these iconic prints can still be seen in dorm rooms and apartment’s across the country…despite the fact that they were taken over 60 years ago, they remain a best seller on sites like allposter.com and art.com
Mr Parkinson worked for Vogue as a fashion photographer from 1945-60 and is credited for taking fashion & photography out of the studio and into the urban environment. His work made fashion more spontaneous and dynamic than ever before and his use of color gave these now vintage prints a fresh, modern and timeless appeal. Here’s a compilation of just some of his work I adore, which combine ultra-feminine couture and beauty with refreshingly unexpected and exotic locales.
for more information on Norman Parkinson please click here
This post was inspired by my non-human hero, Zenyatta, winner of Horse of the Year…And a reflection on the What Films Made you Cry video I posted here . Nothing gets me like a tear-jerker featuring animals (Marley & Me, Seabiscuit, Horse Whisperer.) And although the legendary tale of Miss Zenyatta hasn’t translated to a feature film yet, nothing gives me chills and makes me love horses more than a reflection on her racing career through her short youtube videos. Over the course of her career, these videos of Zenyatta started popping up, spreading the word on our modern-day Secretariat. It was hard not to take notice of her winning streak, unique pre-show ’dance’ and my personal favorite clip, which took the viewer on a thrill ride of her ‘working’ courtesy of her loving jockey, Mike Smith. It was hard for me not to get swept up in the inspiring tale of Zenyatta and I was so devastated when she lost by such a small margin in her final race at the 2010 Breeder’s Cup. After watching such films as Seabiscuit, you really start to get a sense of the close relationship the jockey share’s with their racehorse, and my heart went out to Mike Smith on that day. With that being said, I was so happy to just come across this article here, announcing Zenyatta as Horse of the Year.
Video of Zenyatta working:
Never heard of Zenyatta? She’s the thoroughbred responsible for putting horse racing back into prime time and winning the hearts of millions of fans, young and old along the way. She has 60,000 Facebook followers, a feature in W magazine, 60 Minutes and for the second year in a row she came in 2nd for the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, this time to Lindsey Vonn. She is now retired, but was undefeated in 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career, never losing to a male and always sporting her signature teal and pink silks. She was purchased at the low price of $60,000 because she suffered from a form of ring worm but has since won over $7 million during her 4 season career. She has broken countless records, but is especially famous for being the first female to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic @ Santa Anita. She also quickly learned how to steal the show before the show with her unique and unladylike ‘dance’ where she would actually show off and get herself pumped up with her signature ”dressage goose-step’ moves before her races.
Here’s a video of her passing the best horses in the world, all of them male, in a breathtaking last-to-first victory at the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic:
Photo of Zenyatta at the Breeders’ Cup in 09 with jockey Mike Smith
When I think of Hollywood’s best dressed at award’s shows, the starlets’ that tend to stand out for me are those who wear the elaborate, haute couture gowns (think almost anything Penelope Cruz has worn, gowns by Elie Saab, Atelier Versace, Oscar de le Renta and Jenny Packham.) This year, at the Golden Globes, the best dressed were all about minimal, clean lines and low, open-backed gowns in retro, juicy, pinks and peaches. My two favorite dresses were both by Calvin Klein and they transformed the actresses wearing them; Claire Danes and Emma Stone looked unbelievable and neither women had ever looked better.
I think Emma Stone especially stood out with her flawless hair and makeup (she looks unreal as a blonde- remember her in Easy A as a brunette? Yeah, me either…) She looked amazing with her platinum blonde up-do and her makeup was natural, glowy perfection. Here’s a run-through of what her make-up artist, Mai Quynh used to create her Golden Globe makeup look.
Eyes
Mai applied I-mark eyehadow in Biscotti to Emma’s inner eyelid and I-mark eyeshadow in Gioia to her middle and outer eyelid, from the lashline to her crease. An angled contour eyeshadow brush was used to blend Gioia into the crease of the eyelid. Mai then applied I-mark eyeshadow in Java along the upper lashline using the hookup eyeliner brush and smudged Gioia along the bottom lashline. To finish the eyes, two coats of mark Lash Splash Mascara in Black was used.
Lips
Mai applied mark Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Bare Hug on Emma’s lips- available here
I love this little compilation of interviews by Lynn Hirshberg for W Magazine- here she asks actors from the ‘Best Performances’ category, What Movies Made You Cry? Featuring Natalie Portman, Nicole Kidman, Michael Douglas and Colin Firth to name a few. Check it out.
I don’t even know if I can do justice to the fabulous site, Pale & Interesting with a write-up because it pretty much embodies everything I love. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a fan of neutrals when it comes to my personal style and the same goes for my apartment decor (with the exception of art). I love a blend of textures, old & new, anything unique and items that offer a blend of feminine & utility function. Pale & Interesting.com is run out of England, by husband and wife with decades of experience in design, photography and publishing. Their website offers furniture, accessories, jewellery and books all hand picked by them. All items are a bit out of the ordinary, handcrafted and functional and some vintage pieces even have a bit of wear and tear, or ‘love’ to add to the charm of it all. I love the presentation of their website, their homey displays, and of course everything they sell. I’ve included some of their items in previous posts here and here . Whether or not you’re in the market for some fantastic unique finds for your home or just want to browse for interior design inspiration, you must check out paleandinteresting.com
Here’s a selection of item’s that stood out for me:
I first had this refreshing, slightly sweet and deceivingly strong cocktail spritzer at one of my favorite neighborhood bistro’s. Though I’m not normally a gin drinker, this cocktail left me wanting seconds…and a third. For a night in, or if you’re hosting a get-together, dust off your barware, shake things up and give this delicious little cocktail a go.
The Fleur Sureau: (also known as the Left Bank Martini)
1 part sauvignon blanc
1 part St-Germain
1.5 parts gin
fresh squeezed or muddled lime
splash of champagne, cava or seltzer
Shake over ice and strain into glass. Top with champagne & garnish.
To take the presentation one step further, rub the top rim of the glass with honey (before adding any beverage) and then dredge through sugar for a delicate, professional looking cocktail that makes each sip even sweeter.
As a longtime lover, client and advocate of all things West Elm (no one offers neutral furnishings, accents and decor at affordable prices like WE) I became even more obsessed after learning of their latest fusion of fashion, function and flora. This time, they are bringing together my favorite home accent piece (plants!) and designs by Shane Powers starting at just $9. And wow has he delivered; bringing “high- style, low-maintenance, indoor gardens” for the masses and any size or style of living space, if you’ve got a green thumb or not.
“Shane came to West Elm with a completely new concept for the indoor garden. He devised 4 different kinds of vessels, each with a specific function. Hand blown glass bubbles hold dramatic looking air plants. Tall glass jars are designed for floating water plants. A series of classic Greek and Roman-inspired clay forms display every imaginable flower, leaf and branch. And a modular three-tiered mini-garden (that bears a striking resemblance to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum) adds architectural interest when planted with cactus and succulents. Most impressively, Shane created these vessels for plants that require only water and air to grow, i.e. hardy specimens that even the most luckless indoor gardener can’t kill.”
I have about half a dozen plants in my apartment already, and several WE accent pieces adorning table tops and windowsills, so these pieces fusing together nature and art will be such a welcomed addition to our home.
for more information on any of these items please visit here
Check out these eye-catching prints that instantly take you deeper at first glance. Jessica Craig Martin’s photographs are large, glossy prints of the action and reactions of high society galas and benefits. Instead of giving a straight on, paparazzi close-up or classically framed image, she zooms in on the accessories and details that tell the entire story while pushing the viewer to possibly make up a story or two on what’s going on. These pictures say a thousand words without saying a word. I love this concept, the strong vivid colors and point of view Jessica has with her work- so brilliant.
I love the combination of old and new, sleek and rough, urban and rural. One of my favorite looks for spring (or anytime, really) is a Barbour wax cotton jacket thrown over something dressy, casual or couture and modern. From city to mountain, coffeehouse to dinner, this look is effortless and fresh. Barbour jackets are a classic piece first introduced in Britain in 1919 for ‘country living.’ Recently, these timeless staples have been tailored down to fit a woman’s frame, making them more flattering and fashionable than ever. These coats have been making the rounds among NYC’s fashion savy trendsetters and spotted on the likes of Kate Moss, Lily Allen and Alexa Chung. They are available for purchase here
Here’s a photo I came across, courtesy of The Satorialist, which exemplifies Barbour looking chic and lovely
Here’s a peek at some of the looks spotted on the runways, setting the trend for spring hair and makeup Most of the ‘natural’ looks contained a full, filled-in brow, nude lips and dewy finished faces with a slightly dramatic swipe of black liner on the upper lids (this is so perfect for daytime or night). Prada and Lanvin chose to add a bit more drama to their makeup looks- they kept their faces clean while adding a brave wash of shimmery color to the lids in hues of purple, pinks, blues and green. Jill Sander left her mark with a nude face and matte hot pink pout (I Love it). Hair was generally slicked back, regardless of length. But if kept long, it was styled into low ponies or intricate braids at Lanvin, Herrera, Christopher Kane, Proenza Schouler and McQueen. Marc Jacobs broke the mold and went with smokey eyes, big & wild hair and medusa-like braids. I really love the look of minimal makeup and hair that’s less highlighted and more one-dimensional.
