Thursday, July 31, 2014

{style} balancing act

I've said it before and I'll say it again... it's all about mixing highs and lows.  This recent outfit [which you may have seen last week on Instagram with different shoes] includes pieces that were from $7.95 to a whopping $1,000+ [it was a gift mom, relax!].  To me, it makes an outfit a bit more interesting and balanced when it's not one extreme or the other.  And honestly, it's very hard to wear such an over the top statement necklace without a basic top to balance it out.


Elizabeth Cole "Taylor" necklace c/o Paire.us [similar color marked down on Outnet here]
H&M jersey tank 
H&M A-Line Midi [in stores, Asos version here, luxe version here]
Borrowed Kate Spade tote [similar low version here, higher version here]
Jimmy Choo "Typhoon" pumps - HUGE score from Saks' designer sale [seemingly sold out, alternative shade here]




Tuesday, July 29, 2014

{beauty} necessary objects

I am a creature of habit. I don't usually change my beauty regime often and when I find something good, I usually always stick to it. That being said, I also have been exploring more when it comes to products, mostly skincare for my face and a bold lip. When you are younger, changing the product that you apply above the neck is more harmful than good, but when you age this is something that you actually need to do. And, always being a bit bummed when the first week glow disappears, I am exploring my options.

Since I last shared the goods, I have tried out numerous things, and signed up for Birchbox to be a bit more proactive. One of my favorite products from there so far is a Cynthia Rowley silver eyeliner that works similar to Benefit's Eye Bright, but as my skin can get a bit oily and Eye Bright can sometimes get stuck in my under eye wrinkles, the eyeliner sticks a bit more and lasts longer for me. A brightener like this is the easiest way to make your eyes pop in a 'natural' way.














On the SPF front...what a journey. I used to have an amazing every day SPF that has seemingly vanished from existence, leaving me to experiment. I must have gone through 5 brands and always ended up with either white clumps on my face, a lotion that didn't spread well and a lotion that didn't absorb and made me look like Casper. The Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture hit the mark on every need, but I need to be clear, the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer line is the one that left white clumps on my face. You need to test. You also need to be open to returning the products when Casper is not your goal [I always made fun of my mother for doing this, but as I'm quickly turning into her, I decided to listen].

I've also started using the sensitive line of Roc products for nighttime. BUT, products like this need to be researched because as I luckily found out from knowledgeable colleagues, you should not use this on days when you go in the sun. The Retinol and the sun can damage your skin in ways you don't want to deal with. So, this becomes a Monday-Thursday nighttime routine, nothing more.

To quickly review the remaining 'tops', e.l.f.'s primer is so, so, so good. And it's under $6. And you can grab it from Target on your weekly run. The texture is perfect. I was also introduced to Buxom's line of lipsticks - matte is something I have usually ran from because of the drying affect, but this... this lipstick I can't get enough of. It has gotten me through HOURS of wear, through sips of a drink, and even through lunch. I still love my custom Bite lip, but I'm slightly obsessed with this new one and can't stop.

Lastly, I have been wearing nail polish since September/October without a break and my nails need some major TLC. Deborah Lippmann's nail care [you know how I adore the colors] are kind of key to having bare nails, but nice looking bare nails. Using the cuticle oil is a necessity always, but the Smooth Operator [any 4-in1 file, really] allows your nails to breath, look good and have a natural shine.

It seems like a lot, but each has a purpose, and each is used when needed. The key is to test it out and find your rhythm, like anything else.




Thursday, July 24, 2014

{style} white-out with Cotton

There are some pieces that you come across and have no reason to purchase it [been there done that], but you just know that it is something that you should bring home so you don't experience regret later. Seeing this Mantu 2-piece dress was just that instance. My justification is that it's 100% Cotton [which not much is nowadays, check your label!], so it's really easy to pack and travel to, I don't know, Italy, Spain, or a weekend in France.... 

I am wearing it here at an adorable cottage my friend and I escaped to in Montauk last week, but it also made quite an impression on the streets of Madison Avenue for work 2 weeks ago. That seems like it was worth the buy, already.


SHOP // Mantu 2-piece dress (similar styles below, Diana Broussard Plexiglass & Resin Chain Necklace, B. Makowsky clutch (old, similar here and here), Barney's New York sandals - best purchase of my life (old, similar here)




Tuesday, July 22, 2014

{style} Montauk getaways

I just took an unexpected, but much needed, girls getaway to Montauk early last week for the first time. While the weather was an unfortunate bust and felt like we were there in the middle of October, I was able to take a quick walk and sneak away to the beach with some necessary essentials.

I rarely wear this high-waisted bikini bottom to avoid strange tan lines, but as there wasn't too much sun, I was able to get away with that, a denim shirt thrown over me, and an easy Panama Hat. Just in case the sun did decide to come out... 



photo: Robin West [follow on Instagram for more!]

Target bikini top separate [style still available in stores, similar here], American Apparel bikini bottom separate [similar here], Urban Outfitters Panama hat [old, similar here], Ray Ban Full Color Aviators, Kensie back pack [similar sized options here + here]



Friday, July 18, 2014

{editorial} MakeSpace

If you live in a city like NYC, I don't have to explain how valuable space is. Even though I have a decent sized one-bedroom apartment of my own, closet space, and room to stack storage bins out of sight, I can never seem to have enough room. I DO have a shoe/bag/clothing problem.

I hate clutter. I hate the amount of books I have that I know I will never read again, but still won't get rid of. Winter boots that take up a beautiful vintage trunk in my living room because I have no where else to hide them during warmer months. The wasted space on thick cable knit sweaters and down coats.  [exhale]

I have never had a storage space because I'm lazy and the thought of renting a car/calling a cab to take you back and forth and lifting boxes by myself is not ideal and it is pricey. That was, until I was contacted by the brilliant minds over at MakeSpace and they opened my eyes the same way Uber has for transportation. 


Ok, so here is how it works. You create an account and schedule a time for their team to drop off bins to your door. You pack them up [mine included the random mixing of blankets, boots, more shoes, and travel books above that are more depressing than helpful], label each bin and schedule a pick up.

Here's the best part. Once THE nicest "Upload Team" comes and takes it all away, they create a virtual catalogue, a "Closet in the Cloud" if you will, of everything you are storing and which bin it's in. So, say in 3 months I'm ready for a heavier coat [heaven's forbid], I can log into my account, see which bin it's in, and schedule it to have it dropped off to my door. !!!!


Because they aren't awesome enough already, they have just launched a partnership with Goodwill NY/NJ for a donation tie-in [my weak spot]. They are supplying customers with a huge blue bag that a grown adult can fit in [trust me, I tried it] to put in anything you want to donate and they take it from you. For me, I focused on the bulkier items that I can't take on mass transit to drop off somewhere - gently used coats, shoes, bags, sweaters, a comforter - all those items that you hold on to for the sole purpose of just not knowing what else to do with them.

Ok, I need to wind down, but you know by now how excited I get by things that make life easier. Anything that can save a few moments in a New Yorker's life is worth a bit of a cheer.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

{style} All Saints leather shorts

Nothing really needs to be said about a quality pair of leather shorts. I recently came across this amazingly subtle pair at All Saints [now on sale!!] and decided now is the time to start showing my legs a bit more. I'm 31 and I have never been confident enough to show off my legs because of one stupid insecurity after another. Until now. 

Ladies, we waste too much time worrying about slight imperfections that NO. ONE. ELSE. SEES. and we should be wearing whatever it is we want to wear when we want to wear it. Well, maybe not to the office... let's just start using this rule after business hours and on the weekends, K? My one main rule... if you are showing a lot of skin or wearing a tighter piece on one half, balance it out with a looser item. Adds a touch of class. Wink wink.


Theory blouse [ON SALE], All Saints leather shorts [ON SALE, get immediately; similar here and vegan version here], Kensie back pack [similar sized bag here and here], Ray Ban Aviator Full Color, Buxom Full-On Lip Stick in Barcelona, Barney's New York sandals [old, similar here]




Tuesday, July 8, 2014

{runway} Giambattista Valli Fall Couture 2014

While my favorite Couture show usually hails to the wonder that is Elie Saab, there is something similarly attractive about the Giambattista Valli show that was presented in Paris. The ladylike silhouettes, the fanciful details, the elegance and mixture of prints - everything reminded me of a modern-day Grace Kelly wandering the streets and events in Monaco. Which, let's be honest, who wouldn't want to embrace that kind of style power?


images via Style.com