Organizing 101
By: Mandi Pimental As women, we all have many things we are constantly juggling. Our careers, our families, our social calendars, charity obligations and, if we are lucky, time to shop to keep a wardrobe fresh. With all of these tasks one might wonder, when do we have time to organize such things, let alone do them all? Any girl with a fabulous collection of clothes, shoes and accessories deserves an organized home to keep it all in and I’m here to help you find a simple way to put your closet together nicely. First, you need to take inventory. Choose a day to sort through what is currently in your closet. Everything, every single thing. It may get worse before it gets better but I promise you it’s worth it. You will be making three piles: keep, donate and throw away. I know as a woman I get sentimental when going through this process, and I can tell you it’s taken me a few of these sit-down sessions in front of my closet to make myself purge the unnecessary items. For instance, I had a hard time parting with maxi-dress that I purchased while in the Caribbean. It no longer fit since my slim down, and I knew I never wanted to wear this dress again but I was determined to keep it because I felt it held memories of my trip. I finally compromised by pinning the postcard from the tropical locale to my office corkboard, said farewell to the dress and moved on. Once you’ve done this task, and I will you tell you it’s probably one of the most time consuming tasks of all, you can celebrate that the hardest part is behind you and now we will work on the closet interior itself. Making the space. This is your space, so make it uniquely yours. Unless you cohabitate with a spouse or roommate in which case you should get permission before making any permanent changes. A great place to start is with storage and shelving. If you have a traditional walk-in closet or sliding door closet, rods and shelves should already be installed. When deciding to add additional modular storage cubes or shelves take inventory of what you mainly use your closet space for. If you have a lot of shoes and handbags but not many dresses you could use more of your space installing shoe racks and upper shelving than long open spaces. If your collection is mainly long dresses, or work suits, use the higher storage for shoes and let the longer items hang freely without interference from beneath them. Once your storage set-up is in place, add color! Paint the back walls, or even just a coat of paint on an accent wall will make the space pop. Add a small mirror, a chandelier, or use a nice shelving paper to line your shelves. This doesn’t just help protect your shelves it also looks pretty. A word of advice: simpler is better in such a small space, so use a lighter palette. Your clothes are the main attraction, this just gives them a nice backdrop. Neat and tidy. One of the easiest ways to keep your closet looking organized and clean is to keep the floor clear. Resist the urge to use the closet as storage or drop shoes inside the closet on the floor. Pair shoes together on a rack or in boxes on higher shelving. It will protect the shoes as well as keep your space clear. Having a space for folded shirts, or jeans, is a great addition as well and gives it a clean retail feel. Who doesn’t love feeling that they are shopping every time they get dressed in the morning? Save the hangers for your dresses, suits, pants, wrinkle prone items and delicate pieces. I would advise investing in some nice hangers, a wood, satin or at the very least matching colors in plastic to help bring unity to the arrangement. Resist bunching clothes close together, as you want the fabrics to be able to breathe. This will also decrease the chance for wrinkling. Another added touch that is esthetically pleasing is displaying your items by color. It is pleasing to the eye and will make it easier to locate items when putting together your ensembles. Make sure you clean your closet regularly as well. When I am tidying my room I do a light dusting of my closet and run the vacuum throughout to keep it nice and clean so dust cannot collect around my clothing. Adding special touches. If you have a walk-in with space in the back as I do, you can add a simple vanity. It makes additional space to keep make-up and perfumes and allows you to have a mirror and small stool in the closet, which is convenient for seeing outfit pieces together or putting on shoes. If you have a walk-in that opens to the bedroom or bathroom, hanging a lace camisole, or feminine gown adds a luxurious touch to the overall look. Jewelry. If you are like me, you may have an abundance of accessories. Scarf, jewelry, and sunglass collecting seems to be my favorite hobby. As I mentioned earlier, I have a small vanity set up in the back of my closet, which is home to a nice jewelry dresser. I have my necklaces hung on decorative hooks to add a vintage feel to the overall look of the space as most of my necklaces are antique. Decorate hooks can be purchased at any craft store. You can alternatively use a beautiful wood frame with the glass removed. Insert chicken wire, or string thin metal wire behind and secure to the back of frame. This makes for a great earring or sunglasses holder. Scarves hang nicely on hangers or can be kept in small boxes. Remember: clean, efficient, and beautiful makes for the best space. This is a great rule for your closet or any room in your home. The closet is where you start your day to feel the best about you! Make it a place you are happy to be.
0 Comments
By Mandi Pimental
Serves 8-10 Summer brings to mind vacations, extra hours of sunlight and the delicious ripe, juicy strawberries that are in season this time of year. By incorporating the star of the berry family into your desserts, get a nutritious dose of potassium, vitamin K and magnesium. Strawberries also pack biotin, which helps build strong hair and nails. A dessert that can make us even more beautiful? Maybe we’ll go back for seconds. Ingredients: For the pastry 1 ½ cups plain flour ¼ cup organic sugar ½ c. + 1 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cubed pinch of sea salt 1 egg yolk 2 tbsp. cold water For the strawberry filling 4 cups strawberries 1 cup organic sugar 3 tbsp. tapioca flour 2 tbsp. cornstarch pinch of sea salt For the crumble topping 1 ½ cups plain flour ½ c. + 1 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cubed 3 tbsp. brown sugar pinch of sea salt Directions: To prepare the dough, start by adding the flour, sugar, butter and sea salt into a food processor or an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until it resembles a coarse crumble mixture. Next, add the egg yolk and cold water. Continue to mix on low until a dough forms. Gather the dough together and form it into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to set. While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Remove the strawberries stems and, depending on their size, cut them into two or three pieces. In a large bowl, mix the strawberries with the sugar, tapioca flour, cornstarch and sea salt. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a cast iron frying pan with butter. Remove your dough from the fridge and roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper, until it is large enough to line your frying pan. Gently edge the pastry into the frying pan. Press it into the corners, trim the edges and return to the fridge. Using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the flour, butter, sugar and salt together on a low speed. Mix for 4-5 minutes, until a butter crumble forms. Spoon the strawberry mixture into the pastry shell. Pinching the crumble with your fingers, sprinkle it over the strawberries. Bake for about an hour, until the crumble is golden brown and the strawberries are bubbling. Allow to cool for 2-3 hours, cut, serve and enjoy! A Summer Short Story
by Mandi Pimental In the dog days of summer we need to not only look stylish, we need to feel cool and comfortable. Jeans, the star of the casual wardrobe, are no longer the go- to option when you need to chill out or perfect your summer tan. Cut-offs, both bought and handmade, can be the perfect solution. As a fix to recycling worn-out jeans or a weekend project with a great thrift store or vintage find, do-it-yourself cut-offs can be the best part of a versatile summer wardrobe. To create your one-of-a-kind piece you will need a few tools of the fashion trade along with your chosen pair of jeans. The tools you will need are a marking tool, scissors, and an Exacto knife. An Exacto knife is used to create additional “cuts” in the denim to give it a more distressed feel, while optional, this really helps to mix it up and creates an edgier, more current, look and feel. Step one, if you have purchased a new pair of jeans for your project, is washing the jeans in hot water, and then drying them on your hottest dryer setting. This ensures that the denim is pre-shrunk and your leg lengths will remain true and equal. If you bought a worn-in vintage find, or are using an old pair of jeans you may disregard this step. Next, you will put the pants on and lightly mark the length you are wanting for your shorts. Always mark a little on the longer side just in case, and make sure to mark the front and back. A 1-2″ inseam works well. You can always cut more later. Remove the jeans once marked. You will then want to iron the jeans one leg at a time so you can have a smooth pair of pants that will allow you to cut evenly. Once you have ironed you are ready to cut! Using a ruler, mark the lines at your desired cut point so that your cut is straight. Fold the jeans in half and cut. This will help ensure that both sides are cut evenly. Try on the pants once again to see if you need to cut off more length, and to check that both sides were cut evenly. After you have cut your new shorts, you can play with distressing and adding embellishments. Using an Exacto knife on a cutting mat, you may slit horizontal lines in the denim. This will create frayed “cuts” upon your next washing. Make sure you wash them in a load of their own so the new frays do not get caught up on other pieces, creating unwanted tears. If you have simple sewing experience, the options are endless. First being, you can give them a finished look with a cuff. Once you have created your cut-offs, fold the bottom of each leg to create your cuff. Press with a hot iron using the steam setting. Turn the shorts inside out and repeat with the legs still cuffed. You may add a small amount of fabric glue to the inner cuff to secure. Allow to dry and they are ready to wear. Another popular trend this season is adding lace to shorts. One that is easy to accomplish without having to pay a high price for this popular look. All you need is two feet of white lace or crochet trim of choice, pins, white thread, fabric scissors and a needle. Lay your shorts out flat, right side out. Cut a triangle on each leg in the front about the size you will want the lace insert. It is important that it is centered on each leg and using a measuring tape may come in handy. Next, you will cut the lace or crochet to the desired size. Pin the lace in place over your triangle. Once you have threaded your needle with white thread, sew the lace (both the inner and outer edges) to the denim, tying a few knots where you finish to secure. It is an easy way to make your summer shorts really standout while adding a touch of femininity. Lastly, a trend that is popular for summer is colored denim. There are so many options when it comes to colored denim and adding texture. Do not feel tied to your tried and true blue jeans. Express yourself this season with colors. Add metal embellishments, lace, or experiment with bleach to create “paint” stains and tie-dye. The possibilities are endless. Be creative and let your style show the world who you are. by Mandi Pimental
When Runway decided to highlight five of the hottest salons in the U.S., we looked far and wide to find salons that were not just a hot spot that catered to celebrities or were large-scale in size and grandeur. We looked for character, a reputation for exquisite service and a great story behind these well-known hair artisans. And well, yes, most of these great picks do cater to celebrities and a few of our picks are beautiful and grand in size, they all had that extra definitive sparkle that everyone should look for when choosing the right place to look their best. Shin Santa Monica, CA Reigning at the top of Runway's list of the season’s five hottest salons comes Shin. Located in a modest, cottage-sized, 1,600 square foot building on Montana Street in Santa Monica, Shin is anything but your traditional salon. This small sanctuary's facade is warm and inviting, framed in a wood exterior with fiery red accents. Its outer shell hints at the admirable design that envelops you once you walk inside. Shin's owner, Shin An, is a Korean Wisconsin native and her Korean heritage's story is told with sculptures and paintings. Dragons and cherry blossoms are beautifully handcrafted throughout the space. The true beauty of Shin, however, is what takes place once you are in the chair. Shin, known for her “dry-cutting” technique has been artfully transforming client's hair for over 14 years. Being known early on in her career in New York City by Vogue as “the one to watch” before she opened her location in California. An's earned her clients trust in knowing what will look best for them before they even speak a request. Clients become works of art as she skillfully uses her renowned dry-cutting technique to add dimension and volume without product coming into play. Like any true artist, she makes something better and beautiful with the talents and tools she has been given. Cuts and colors both start around $90 respectively. www.shinhair.com/ Ginger Bay Salon and Spa Town and Country, MO Located in Town and Country, Missouri you may think this would be your average small town boutique salon. On the contrary, it is everything but. Ginger Bay Salon and Spa is a modern, gorgeous 2,800 square foot space filled with every delicious amenity to make you feel as pampered as possible. An Aveda salon, this spaces neutral backdrop gives a beautiful canvas to the bright colors that pop throughout and the ingenious set up of the flooring colorations and over-all design make the expansive space easy to navigate. This flagship location stands out, not only for their talented styling team, but for their philanthropic endeavors as well. Each team member commits eight hours of personal time to charity work outside of their work schedule and Ginger Bay, as a company, donates over $15,000 a year to local charities. With a staff this large and skilled, clients can be matched to receive the exact cut, color and look they desire. Ginger Bay also set's their stylists on level systems based on expertise to accommodate anyone’s budget. Cuts start at $65 with a master stylist, color starts at $55. www.gingerbay.com Dolly Rockers Salon & Boutique Anthem, AZ Placing third on our list is Dolly Rockers Salon and Boutique. Dolly Rockers shares a home with Runway Magazine headquarters in the Valley of the Sun and tells a story of one girl's dream come true: “To bring out a little dolly, and a little rocker in everyone.” Located in Anthem, AZ, Dolly Rockers Salon is a fun and funky take on an industry that is usually more esthetically neutral in design. Vibrant shades of purple, pink and gold’s, along with exotic prints welcome you as you enter this glam space where punk-inspired stylists, or “dollies”, warmly greet you before they create the look you desire. Owner Michelle Zeller's main goal is to recreate your inner beauty on the outside and she has just the team to do so in what she deems her “hair fortress”. Their cutting-edge approach can help clients step outside their boundaries, take risks, and embrace their inner “doll”. Another element that makes Dolly Rockers standout is their commitment to high quality hair products all of which are paraben- and sulfate-free. Now that's something to rock out about. Haircuts start at just $45.00 and color starting at just $55.00. www.dollhouseempire.com. Roca Salon and Spa Kansas City, MO Two salons from the “Show Me State” have landed on our top five and it is because of their raved-about attention to detail, top rated stylists, and beautiful salon spaces. Roca Salon and Spa in Kansas City, MO was created by two Vidal Sassoon trained stylists, husband and wife team Rod and Rhonda Carver. Their vision was to operate a full service salon using fresh, exotic products after being inspired on a trip to Hawaii. The inspiration can be seen throughout the largest salon on our list. At an impressive 8,300 square feet, you will see the Hawaiian features in the bamboo floor and specialty spa services that are featured. Like Ginger Bay, we give props to this salon for being so charitable. At their grand opening party, they raised over $3,500.00 for a local animal shelter and continue to give generously. Rhonda's vision was to bring a truly decadent salon experience to Kansas City and we believe she has done just that. Haircuts start at a modest $35, with color starting at $75. www.rocasalon.com. Corte Salon Washington, D.C Rounding out our top five picks is in the most talked about state this season, Washington D.C. In the heart of D.C. lies one of the most elegant and beautiful on our list, the regal Corte Salon. Politicos and civilians alike visit Corte to luxuriate in cream leather chairs that sit in front of stations beautifully decorated with Italian charm. White ornate sculptured framing hugs each mirror and sterling silver and glass touches are placed throughout with fresh purple tulips adding color. Sophistication plays a part in not only the setting but in the artistic works of the stylist at well. Founded and run by Carlos Perina, Corte is a one-person studio and his is a reputation for attention to detail. This attention to customer satisfaction in getting the perfect cut, color and style is what solidified Corte's final spot on our list. Cuts start at $85 with color starting at $100. www.cortesalon.com. by Mandi Pimental
When you walk into Craftsteak, a steakhouse recently named one of the top 10 newest hot spots in Las Vegas situated inside the MGM Grand Hotel, your senses are immediately awestruck. You’ve entered a beautiful place that is grand in size without being pretentious. The same can be said for the expansive menu. “Top Chef’s” Tom Colicchio opened Craftsteak this year with the mindset of simplicity and purity. Colicchio created his menus incorporating items from local family farms and fresh food is hard to come by on the strip. Colicchio, residing as head chef on every season of Top Chef since 2006, has been the recipient of five James Beard Foundation Medals for cooking accomplishments. He also was a volunteer serving food to the rescue workers outside of Ground Zero after the September 11th attacks in New York City. After a successful run opening restaurants in Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Connecticut and South Carolina under the Colicchio & Sons umbrella, Craftsteak is the latest to join the family and gives Las Vegas a taste of excellence. The ambience of Craftsteak is alluring and dark, wood panels cover most of the 250-seat interior while exposed Edison bulbs hang from wood planks casting a warm yellow glow throughout the space. Decorated with rich tones in leather, metal and wood, a relaxed masculinity is felt throughout. Bare wood tables and branches in large, dark vases hint at the overall purity Colicchio is trying to articulate through the craftsmanship of his latest culinary endeavor. Contemporary, yet casual, one doesn’t need to be fancy to dine at Craftsteak. Upscale, it may be but you can leave your gown and tuxedos home. Business casual is recommended for this chic eatery, so leave the flip-flops by the pool. As for the food, once a sliver of the Kobe skirt steak hits your taste buds your attention will no longer be on the look of the room, instead your senses will shift to taste and smell. The purest ingredients are used in dishes such as the bacon and gruyere cheese grits, thyme and mustard seed turnips, or the garlic oil baby spinach. And those are just a few members of the entourage to the main stars of the menu. Craftsteak is known for its beef, it is after all in the name, and you may order it however you wish. Not one to over-shadow his stars with fancy sauces that may take away from the true flavor, the choices are still extensive. You have the options of grilled, braised or roasted. You may choose where your meat has traveled from, New York, Idaho or from way down-under in Australia. Sizes range from six to a whopping thirty-two ounces and the signature selection in keeping true to the pure message Craftsteak is trying to put forth, you may choose if your beef was corn-fed or grass-fed. With that many options fifty-six dollars no longer sounds steep for a nearly handpicked filet mignon. If you are not a meat lover, fear not. Craftsteak offers delicious seafood choices including lobster bisque, shaved fennel sea scallops or a two and half pound lobster entrée. Vegetarians can enjoy the wide array of salads, the port wine and pear Market spinach salad is especially wonderful with its farm fresh ingredients. The mushroom assortment is also a great option. Not forgetting dessert, the must-try item is Craftsteaks chocolate soufflé topped with espresso ice cream & creamy caramel sauce. A decadent ending to a meal in sin city. And while you are splurging, during your meal you can sip on a rare wine that usually doesn’t make its way far from its California wine. The Ghost Horse label is available at the eatery and can fetch up to $5,000 for a bottle of this elusive wine. Visit www.mgmgrand.com for more information or to make a reservation. by Mandi Pimental Walk into The Mint and you are in the presence of money. Literally. Now an expansive, ornate, seven-thousand square foot restaurant and ultra-lounge, it was once home to a traditional bank, hence earning the lavish establishment its current moniker. Keeping true to its history and having been designed around the banks original vault, the space evokes an old Hollywood feel. Rich, dark woods and fireplaces are placed throughout, set off by a well-planned lighting set-up that changes the ambiance from dinner to nightclub in the right spaces throughout the evening. Pop and house music by resident DJ, DJ Design, bring the lounge to life. One of the most interesting pieces of design to note was not the beautiful and expansive thirty-foot bar that is situated inside the nightclub, although impressive, it was the more talked about champagne bar that sits inside the co-ed bathroom. So if any of the ladies or gentleman need a drink refresher while mingling in the long line for the bathroom you need to look no further than the champagne bar. A truly interesting idea, the original, refreshing touches such as these keep a jewel like the Mint on the radar. Having just celebrated its one-year anniversary with their clever “Heist” party on June twenty-second, this popular hotspot was in full swing. Patrons could pose with classic photos of Marilyn Monroe on the red carpet and additional touches of old Hollywood were highlighted throughout the evening and DJ Design provided the music until close. Having earned its title as one of the hottest, and most glamorous, lounges in Scottsdale, The Mint is in full swing at any event that is happening inside, and outside, their doors. The expansive patio is one of the largest for a nightlife venue. Having previous success with his former endeavors, Sandbar and RnR, Dean Slover is a conceptual genius when it comes to placing the right additions in town that Scottsdale partygoers are looking for. If a fantastic meal is what you are seeing, look no further than The Mint. The restaurants elegant menu, by master chef Johnny Chu, is Asian inspired and offers mouth-watering options from appetizers to dessert. An appetizer, such as the traditional edamame, is a dish that is taken to the next level by being paired perfectly with truffle butter and sea salt. Entrees include Chu’s Sugar Cane Pork, marinated in a pineapple ginger sauce, and the Spicy Saigon vegetarian dish for the herbivores who dine. The dessert menu offerings are equally delectable, showcasing the Japanese Green Tea Cheesecake and Goat Cheese Wontons, keeping with the menus theme. For a truly special experience, indulge in the Sunday Brunch from noon until four on Sunday afternoons. Appropriately titled the 24K Bruch, it features items such as Crème Brulee Oatmeal that can be paired with a fresh white peach Bellini, or their divine Nutella French Toast. If the perfect cocktail is what you have in mind, the drink menu cleverly ties into the bank theme showcasing drinks such as the Dirty Money martini and Liquid Gold cocktail options. If you are just simply looking for an exceptional dining or nightlife experience, make plans to visit the Mint. That is advice you can take to the bank. Fall Sweets – by Mandi Pimental Fall has returned and that inevitably means party invitations will soon fill your inbox. Parties where there will be tabletops of scrumptious treats, beckoning you to have a taste. If you, like myself, enjoy indulging but don’t care for the pounds that follow, I am here to help. We know that the ideal holiday diet scenario goes something like this: no carbs + no sugar = you will fit into your sequin leggings when the ball drops come New Years. However, for most of us, that’s not reasonable, and it’s been proven that abstaining completely can actually lead to over indulging in the long run. Instead, try eating smaller portions of the delectable treats you crave when the season of pumpkin and spice and everything nice is upon us. You can also alter your favorite recipes into healthier versions for a win/win situation. If you crave traditional Pumpkin Pie, we’ve included a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Pudding that is only 140 calories of guilt-free goodness. If you enjoy lighter fare, but still want a hint of sweet, these Lavender Scented Strawberries with honey cream are a 150-calorie luxurious dessert to serve at your own autumn soiree. If you crave a bowl of ice cream before the winter chill is upon us, you can switch to frozen yogurt or coconut milk based ice creams. So Delicious developed an entire line of dairy-free options that are kinder to your waistline than traditional ice cream. As for toppings, choose fall market finds like warm roasted nuts or apples drizzled in caramel. And who doesn’t adore chocolate? Instead of milk chocolate, opt for heart-healthy dark chocolate, or a mug of hot cocoa made from pure cacao beans. You still satisfy your sweet craving, but save yourself quite a bit of sugar. Chocolate is also a great addition when melted and drizzled over muffins or fruit dishes. Lastly, you simply can’t miss out on good ol’ fashion baking this time of year. Wrapping up a basket of muffins for a neighbor, or nibbling on a fresh baked donut as the leaves change color, is just something we don’t want to give up. Search for organic ingredients and infuse fruit, veggies and healthy or gluten-free grains to make it healthier. A big tip to avoiding the sugar crash is to omit table sugar all together and bake with Agave nectar, raw honey or a natural sugar substitute. You can also replace oil with lighter options such as applesauce or bananas, so that you can still maintain the level of moisture you are used to. Fall is a time to be creative, a time to come together with friends and family and bake goodies over good conversation. A fun challenge would be to host a potluck and have everyone bring something that is under 200 calories per serving. It gets everyone thinking outside the box, supports the local organic food community, and you have fun. And isn’t that what this time of year is all about? By Mandi Pimental
Hair trends for spring 2014 are classically feminine and range from the simplistic to the ornate. Mixed textures were seen throughout adding depths to the looks on the runway. Ferragamo presented their models with slicked, parted hair that featured soft, textured waves flowing from the nape. Dries Van Noten kept hair natural, adding a sparkling infusion of gold into the part by mixing strips of gold leaf and hair wax. Old world braids, worn in variations such as braided around the crown or down and teased, were popular with Rachel Zoe, Rebecca Minkoff and Naeem Khan. Valentino, always one to opt for regal beauty, chose an ornate pony, worn low and silky straight, while Tom Ford opted for a windswept up do. Lastly, a trend that speaks to the beauty of the season is the inclusion of floral embellishments placed in and around the hair. When you next take time to stop and smell the roses, maybe place one in your pretty little braid. (Fall Picks – 2014 - Handbags)
by Mandi Pimental Christian Louboutin - The Makimay clutch by Christian Louboutin is pure sparkle. Pink strass crystals lend this feminine accessory luminance, while the inner lining is comprised of red faille. The gold tone zip closure is hidden, for a sleek, elegant design. $2,895.00 Delvaux – Delvaux’s Brilliant Mini is the perfect handbag for midday fall lunch meetings. This cute and compact bag features a faux-gusseted body, rolled leather top handle and the distinctive "D" buckle closure in silver. $3,600.00 Dolce & Gabbana – The sophisticated Miss Sicily bag by Dolce & Gabbana is made of the finest grained-buffalo leather and is pictured in light brown. This bag features a gold-tone and silver-tone plaque that is logo engraved as well as polished gold tone hardware throughout. The leather-lined interior features multiple pockets for the girl on the go. $2,395.00 Gucci - The Jackie by Gucci is a buttery soft hobo bag with a fierce edge. The python print leather bag features hard painted edges and palladium hardware for durability. The perfect printed accessory to liven up a neutral fall ensemble. $3,950.00 Hermes –This high-end unisex shoulder bag is a luxurious way to tote your daily necessities. Whether for work, or weekend wear, the Hermes Jypsiere features a swivel clasp on a front flap closure and a padded adjustable strap for comfort. The inside features large and small pockets, as well as a specific cell phone pocket so that you are always connected. $9,100.00 Kate Spade- The Cobble Hill cross body bag by Kate Spade is sophisticated in its simplistic style. Clean lines and black leather make this functional bag versatile. The pebbled leather is smooth to the touch, and the bag features Spade’s signature bookstripe lining. $398.00 Lady Dior - This multi-colored, calfskin “Lady Dior” is couture with personality. Designed with classic Dior style, the Lady Dior is functional with its inner pockets and outer detachable envelope. And the oversized Dior charm will let everyone know just what, or should we say whom, you are carrying. $4,900.00 Marc by Marc Jacobs - The Marc by Marc Jacobs Luna cross body bag is a streamlined bag that features sleek golden hardware. The exterior pockets make accessing important items easy, and the strap is easily adjustable for optimal comfort. $348.00 Prada - This small white leather tote by Prada is a pretty little addition to have on hand when you want to add a touch of glamour. The multi-sized gold stud embellishments add a luxurious flair to the white handbag crafted from fine Saffiano calf leather. $2,150.00 Ralph Lauren – This timelessly structured satchel is made from the finest napa calfskin and features silver hardware accents and complimentary topstitching. The Ricky 33 by Ralph Lauren presents a preppy style that is both refined and functional. This moderately sized satchel will carry your day and evening accessories effortlessly, as well as a small tablet or makeup case for the woman who needs her world at her fingertips. $2,500.00 Saint Laurent - The Saint Laurent Moujik Box Satchel is refined luxury at its best. Comprised of suede and fine calfskin, this elegant satchel is for the sophisticated modern woman that enjoys a modest handbag. It also features classic golden hardware and tonal topstitching. $2,490.00 Valextra - Valextra’s Boston Satchel, shown in Oyster, is made of ultra-soft pebbled leather and lined with ivory leather in the interior. It features multiple inner pockets for organization and additional snap-button pockets for easy access and additional storage. A great choice for casual fall afternoons. $2,300.00 A guide to this seasons make-up trends.
By Mandi Pimental The overall look is au naturel this fall with accents that are daring and bold. This mix lends a nice balance that is versatile without being too overdone. From the catwalk to city streets, bare beauty with a touch of dark glamour reigns supreme. From a creamy, wine stained pout to lined eyes that sparkle, a girl will be happy to use all the tools in her make-up kit this fall. Face: Let us start with the basics. Your foundations, crèmes and setting powders will be a matte finish this season. The dewy days of summer are behind us, and a more natural and refined look is called upon for autumn. Great for all skin-types (it will tone down an oily complexion, yet lends subtle moisture to dry skin), a matte finish affords more room to play with eye shadows, liners and lip stains. When applying a matte finish foundation, make sure you first apply an oil-free moisturizer and neutral lip balm; as matte crèmes can cake on lips, eyelids and skin that is not properly cared for. A matte complexion does not equal a heavy base. You can cover problem areas with a matte concealer, without having to apply full coverage. By doing so, it will further enhance the natural look when the summery bronzers and dewy highlighters have been tucked away. A great product to achieve the matte-finish is NARS Sheer Matte Foundation. This foundation has a soft, matte finish that is sheer and is easy to build upon without being too heavy. The formula is weightless and absorbs oil, keeping your skin shine-free. In addition to its lightness, it possesses complexion-brightening properties, which improves your skins radiance and luminosity naturally. (Retail $44.00) Bare Minerals has a mineral matte foundation powder that provides the no-makeup look or feel that gives flawless matte coverage and lasts up to eight hours. Similar to the NARS foundation, the Bare Minerals matte foundation also absorbs excessive oil and will not dry out the skin. Both great options to obtain a flawless matte finish. (Retail $27.00) Eyes: As Miss Audrey Hepburn once said, “The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.” Truer words have never been spoken, as our eyes are truly the window into who we are. As women, we get the pleasure of playing them up to sparkle, to seduce, to tell a story or remain a mystery. This fall is all about drama and intrigue when it comes to playing up our pretty peepers. One of the eye trends you will be seeing this year is sparkle! Metallic shadows come into play just in time for the holidays. Natural metal shades of ore, gold, copper and silver are more fitting for fall 2013 than the bright colors that are best reserved for spring. Paired with a smoky, smudged liner it gives an air of sophistication and glamour. This brings us to our second fall trend this year: the undone, smoky eye. Unlike the artful smoky-eye that you’ve undoubtedly mastered in your early twenties, the grungy smoky eye of the season rocks an attitude that is more edgy than elegant and more flawed than flawless, but in a very good way. Liquid black liner and cat-eyes have made a comeback too and look gorgeous for a Saturday night evening on the town with your best little black dress. Meow! For day, the eyes are more understated. Extremely so, in fact. With just a light sweep of mascara, some concealer under the eyes and neutral or no shadow, the woman of fall 2013 incorporates color through her wardrobe and keeps her skin light and natural. For the best in metallic shadows: The L’Oreal Paris HiP Duo Secret shadows pair two complimenting metallic shades together to take the guesswork out of color pairing. (Retail $8.25) For the best in eyeliners: Whether you prefer liquid, gel, or pencil, you cannot go wrong with our top picks. The NARS pencil provides an intense pigment that glides on smoothly for precision. Its creamy texture is ideal for blending and smudging. (Retail $22.00) For a gel eyeliner, our top pick is Bobbi Brown’s long-wear gel eyeliner. It gives the appearance of a liquid with the ease of gel. Longwearing and water resistant it stays on without creasing. This is a great liner for pairing with your metallic shadows. (Retail $23.00) Lips: Fall is the best time of year for a perfect pout. Deep, rich colors make their dramatic appearance and this season it is all about wine. Deep burgundy, merlot and purple make up the delicious palette that works well with both a neutral and smoky eye. The purple lip caught on after making an appearance in Milan and it has made its way stateside. The deep reds seem to forever be a revolving trend and we could not be happier. Both provocative and sophisticated the deep red lip is a classic. Best picks for a dark lip this season: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This lipstick gives a hint of a deep, rich color without being too bold. (Retail $18.00). Too Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream in Devine Wine gives a deep, rich color for nightwear. (Retail $21.00) Best picks for a neutral pout: Lipstick Queen by Poppy Lipstick in Bare Nude. A full-coverage matte opaque lipstick with 90% pigment. An extremely creamy lipstick that glides on smooth and moisturizes. (Retail $20.00) Nails: Finally, yet importantly, a beauty routine is not complete without a perfect manicure and this season it is all about geometric shapes and designs, forgotten is the traditional French manicure and straight lines. Also trending this fall for your couture claws, is the repeating trend of the matte finish. Popular colors for your matte-finish manicure are maroon, black and mustard. Best picks for nail care: Butter London’s Matte Finish. This matte finish top coat will create a shine-free matte appearance to any nail lacquer. (Retail $19.00) Also from Butter London, the nail lacquer in Cheeky Chops is a wonderful shade of mustard that is perfect for fall. (Retail $15.00) For a dark, wine hued nail, look no further than OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark gel color. (Retail $9.00) Remember that fall is a time of celebration. Do not take yourself too seriously and take time to enjoy fashion. Every girl loves to play dress-up and with the delicious options available this season, there is limitless options in feeling and looking your best. |