Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall Fashion & Beauty: Moisturize

If you wish to know your local climate's effect on your skin, inspect your indigenous soil.  My hometown's earth is naturally arid, barren, and cracked. Should my skin be left unattended it would soon resemble my front yard complete with a patchy desiccant, stubble.  

While regular moisturizing is a year-round responsibility in Arizona, my four-seasoned friends may be feeling the upcoming ravages of winter approaching.  I believe this fact justifies a robust discussion on body bedewing.

Face: I swath my face and neck bi-daily with Olay Regenerist because the routine never completes with greasy, sticky, or eye irritating aftereffects.  My complexion is left silky and soft.  However, beware of the self-tanning, sunscreen included version which is entirely inferior.  

Now take this next statement with your critical cap attached, but my famous, emmy-award winning advertising brother-in-law reported that his television models engage in lengthy moisture massages.  According to these professional faces, time spent activating skin cell production is even more important than the moisturizing product itself.


Body: I acquired this beauty ritual from daughter Coco.  Every morning she gets a warm bath followed by a full body rubdown.  This luxurious process inspired my envy.  Upgrading from what I believed was an acceptable body wash moisturizing route, I added daily moisturizing to the process.  Everywhere from my inner heels out to Billie Belly receives a generous dollop.  My formerly parched shins have been rejuvenated to their 13-year-old fresh to shaving status.  I adore Aveeno because it is free of smells and does not encourage my generous inner thighs to adhere to one another. 

Lips: Lip balm quickly melts into the interior of my overheated purse when external temperatures rise above one-hundred degrees, I therefore opt to apply a healthy swab of Vaseline to my pout every night.  

What are your best beloved moisturizing tips?  Please share your secrets in the comments.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fall Fashion & Beauty: Sparkly Teeth


Arizona summers are persistent.  An afternoon of hopefully cool breezes will be followed by a triple digit dawn.  But whether the weather cooperates or not, I intend to welcome fall and its intended fashion companions: cozy sweaters, tweed trousers, leather boots.  

And speaking of persistent annoyances, although I love the warm spicy color palette of Autumn, I intend to remove it from my smile.  I plan to part with my dental discoloration.  A toddling run-in with the vacuum cleaner left my right canine cuspid a darker shade than the rest of my smile.  Too young for tact children have occasionally asked why my tooth is old and dirty.  Personally I affectionately call it my hobo tooth. 
 
Not that I oppose storytelling details or the graceful aging or our bodies, but I feel a pristine smile will still leave me with more than adequate visual character development. 

I therefore declare today the initiation of my teeth sparkling exercise, and I am fully armed with the Crest kit purchased at my local Costco (it currently includes a $10 instant rebate). 


The 3DWhite full bodied line includes:
  • Crest and Oral-B 3D White regimen includes the Crest 3D White Pro Effects Whitestrips ($50 for 20 doses)
  • Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste ($3.25 - $.4.25)
  • Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse ($5.89 & $7.29)
  • Oral-B Pulsar 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush
  • Oral-B Advantage 3D White Vivid Toothbrush ($3.49 & $6.99)

The Crest 3D White Pro Effects folks claim that combining whitestrips with the rest of the 3D White collection will result in a whiter smile in 1 DAY! 

I'll let you know how things turn out.

 Sponsored by


Monday, September 27, 2010

Attn Utah-nians: Chocolate + Literature + Ladies


Jo is my character darling in Little Women.  My summer in Cambridge was spent penning a comparative thesis on Austen and Bronte.  Margaret Mitchell, Sylvia Plath, Ayn Rand, George Eliot, Emily Dickinson, all bosom friends of my erudite hopeful heart.

When asked to write an essay glorifying my gender, honor filled my feminine breast.  And I couldn't be more delighted to have my praise included in the "We are Women" project.

"We Are Women" is a collection of essays and photographs depicting the divinity of womanhood. 

Tonight (Monday, September 27, 2010) from 6-8 pm the grand book will be released at an open house at The Chocolate in Orem, Utah.

Utah locals please attend that I may live vicariously through you. Those joining me outside the borders of the beehive state, the book will be released to the general public on the morrow. 

The proceeds of this effort will support the Campaign to End Fistula.


  (details about obstetric fistula)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Vintage: What to Buy



Once inside your emporium of antiquated epochs, your ocular capacities may be overloaded by the amaranthine amplitude of everything from houndstooth wool to organza silk.  Below are a few tips on how to sort towards a proper purchase:

Accessories: Jewelry accords one size fits all.  Handbags are universal matches.  Most hats fit most heads.  And gloves are ridiculously easy to try on.  There ubiquitous fit qualities make jewelry a simple origin for the vintage enthusiast.  However, if you're editing categories, skip the shoe rack.  Pristine footwear is a rarefied commodity, foot coverings are commonly and unknowingly abused—and while your local cobbler can repair soles, cracked leather or torn textiles tend to lead to a sad conclusion.



Clothing: 
Sizing: Over the years dress measurements have stretched to match average body measurements. In other words ignore vintage sizes and either try on or measure.
 
To avoid dressing room drama, dress in close fitting layers so you can easily pull pretties on and off if a fitting room is not at hand.

Also remember to favor too big over too small. Larger sizes can usually be reduced and tailored depending on the construction and fragility of the garment. The seam allowances of smaller sizes however rarely have enough extra  fabric to accommodate additional flesh.

If purchasing online or shopping without options to don the apparel, compare your body measurements to the garment measurements.

First, take your measurements (bust, waist, hip, arm circumference, arm length, and shoulder to knee length).  To measure and compare a garment, lay it flat on a solid surface  and use a quality measuring instrument constructed of fiberglass or flexible tape.  Measure the full circumference of the garment's bustline, waistline, hipline, sleeve opening, sleeve length, and hem length).  Hunt for garments which have slightly larger measurements than your lovely frame.  If the fabric has stretch, you'll need less ease, but as many vintage garments are not blends add up to 3 inches at the bust, approximately 1 inch in the waist, and 2 or so inches at the hip. 


Condition/Cleaning
: Use unadulterated sunlight to select fabrics that are in pristine condition. Some stains are fickle, but count on most to be stubborn.  Most of these soilings have had their way for years, and aren't willing to relocate.  The same goes for odiferous smells.

Next, inspect meticulously for holes, tears, loose buttons, and sticky zippers.  Rips along a seam are easy to fix with a needle and thread, but threadbare patches are futile rehabilitation efforts.  Ideally the apparel hardware like zippers and buttons should be intact and functioning, but these items can usually be replaced. However, have a button replacement plan in mind before committing to your well-storied acquisition.  Fading may be rectified by dyeing the garment, but ensure that said garment is a natural fiber that will accept coloring.

Also only buy an item with an imperfection if you can alter the pretty to avoid the sticky wicket altogether: dying, hemming, or tailoring could remove the mark from the equation. Otherwise, leave your possible friend on the rack.

Ensemble Choice
Finally, once you bring your purchases home, be sure to mix your antiquated items with avante-garde acquisitions.  Too much vintage can add up to a somewhat frumpy, grandmotherly closet raiding.  Mixing in a singular vintage piece lets this gem of history twinkle against the cut of a modern world.

Don't omit your entry to the Twig Giveaway.  If you haven't yet, jump on it like a flea market find.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Vintage: Where to Buy



Today's tips focus on how to find your vintage darling's temporary home.

Bricks & Mortar: thrift stores, vintage shops, or antique boutiques, each bell-equipped door can open to troves of untold vintage treasures.  Upon deciding which door to ring, read reviews on socially knowledgeable sites like Yelp or Citysearch.  Also, especially in the case of thrift stores where residents make donations, take into account the surrounding neighborhood.  If you crave pint size ensembles drive to neighborhoods with higher concentrations of younglings.  If your hunt is focused on young and edgey, frequent stores near local college campuses.  And if your tastes run ritzy, locate your shopping uptown. 

Online: If you have your heart set on a specialized vintage piece, its far more effective to employ computer robots to scour nations of online merchandise than rotate your tires across your city's much smaller selection of local wares.  To acquire seller credibility, check the vendor reviews on auction sites like eBay or selling communities like etsy.

Estate/Garage Sales: Forage Craig's List and local papers for prodigious possibilities.  Leave your fears of haggling at the edge of the driveway.  These sellers don't want to reshelve merchandise.

Event Boutiques/Flea Markets: As with all special event shopping, arrive early.  Give yourself a budget and purpose before arriving, so you can make informed impulse purchases.  Plan to close your transaction in cash as plastic money is not always an option.

Should you wish to put your newly acquired vintage shopping skills to the test, there will be a vintage event in downtown Mesa this Saturday (September 25th) from 7 to 10 am.

 


Don't omit your entry to the Twig Giveaway.  If you haven't yet, jump on it like a flea market find.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Vintage: Defined

 anachronous, antiquated, archaic... 

As it applies to apparel articles, let us ascertain the definition of vintage.

True vintage: garments that were born prior to the release of the Barbie Doll (1959)

Retro: clothing concurrent to the civil rights movement and/or the dawn of disco dancing (ie 1960s/70s)

Second hand: ensembles in existence during the reign of Madonna (ie 1980's to present)

Renewed/Reclaimed: modern garb crafted and dandified from discarded clothing from decades bygone.

Why it matters? Authenticity.
If you come across a minted pretty from the 1940's, a multi-digit price tag might be reasonable. However, don't fall prey to an inflated ticket attached to a late 70's curiosity supported by the claim of vintage allure. 

Whether you purchase bygone clothing for the ecological, financial, or historical benefit, be sure to acquire some basic knowledge on your favorite decades of clothing.  For example, zippers were invented in the 1930s.  So if a garment is aged to 1927 and includes a zippy zipper, something's awry, because Mr. Whitcomb L. Judson's invention had not yet been applied to apparel. 

Come back tomorrow for tactical vintage shopping strategies.

Don't omit your entry to the Twig Giveaway.  If you haven't yet, jump on it like a flea market find.

And, my Mesa-onians and Phoenix Valley Friends, mark you calendars for this Saturday, a vintage treat cometh...

Monday, September 20, 2010

Vintage: Twig Giveaway


This week makes good on our promise to deliver a week dedicated to vintage shopping tips.

But first, a vintage inspired giveaway from Twig Creative.

sponsored by:
Dandelion Earrings: Soft yellow dandelion colored bloom rose earrings. Sweet and pretty for any girl on any day.

Twig Creative transforms reclaimed items like buttons and flowered embellishments into shiny jewels for your pleasure and delight.

To win a pair of Twig's Dandelion Earrings for your own little lobes:

A) Select an item of Twig Creative couture.  Then post a comment below.
B) Provide a comment, detailing what vintage worthy ensemble you would pair these pretties up with.
C) Twitter, blog, Facebook, or otherwise spread the word about this giveaway and leave a confirming comment here.

Winner will be selected at random, Friday, September 24th.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Maternity Body Types: Petite Production

You tiny figure is dwarfed by traditional maternity options, even though you look like a boa constrictor digesting a bowling ball. Your aim: Showcase your baby-belly while alluding to dimension on your boyish figure.


Maternity Clothes by Mommy Appelseed - Trendy Maternity Fashions
$30 - mommyappelseed.com
Even your pregnant form can embrace horizontal stripes.  Their visual measuring tap will intensify the visual progress of your gestation.
Midi Ruched Skirt ; Maternity Skirts; Isabella Oliver Maternity
$115 - isabellaoliver.com
Opt for a stretchy and body-skimming.  This ruched skirt will hug and accent each curve of your figure.

Angie Gooderham Gem Cuff
$37 - asos.com

Multi Row Snake Chain Ribbon
£25.00/$39.09 - oasis-stores.com

Black & Purple Rendezvous Sunglasses
$12 - unique-vintage.com



Melie Bianco Ciara Clutch
$83 - endless.com


Maternity Body Types: Petite Production 2




Bump Wrap Top Raspberry
£36.00
/$56.29 -
seraphine.com
The gathers, ruffles, and ruching will add a ripe roundness to your delicate condition.

James Jeans Twiggy Maternity External Midrise Legging
$132 - piperlime.gap.com
Slimmer is better, hiding beneath boxy cut, oversized garments will only promote self identification with frumpy and masculine.
Wingspan Heels
$98 - anthropologie.com

Melie Bianco S10
$78 - lorisshoes.com

Future Reflections Necklace | Mod Retro Vintage Necklaces |...
$16 - modcloth.com




1 hundred 98 cents = your own maternity fashion look book cheat sheet.


Procure your own pregnancy focused fashion look book. Complete with all your own pregnant styling rules of conduct and much more.

This issue completes our series, but not to worry they'll be more fashion is on the horizon.


Monday, September 13, 2010

Maternity Body Types: Lush & Low

Whether you're baby egg is positioning herself to arrive or your little nester simply prefers the nether regions of your torso.  You can avoid repeated inquiries regarding your delivery timeline by rebalancing your proportions through visual fashion illusions. 


Juliet Dream Maternity 'Emma' Top
$45 - nordstrom.com
Begin with a top of adequate length.  Your child should never fall below the blouse hemline.
Splendid Supima Slub Drapey Cardigan
$34 - piperlime.gap.com
Layer a shorter length garment overtop to raise the visual length of your torso


$92 - duematernity.com
Lengthen the limbs below your low-slung belly with a dark, knee-grazing skirt

Three Seasons Scarf
$20 - anthropologie.com
Add balancing bulk above to balance the width below
Bowtied-Beauty Boots
$248 - anthropologie.com
Extend your leggies in knee-high riding boots


Cooperative Mini Flap Kisslock Wallet
$14 - urbanoutfitters.com


Bright Yellow Large Floral Wood Drop Hoop Earrings
$8.89 - avalaya.com
Migrate gazes north with a colorful pair of hoops.


Low & Lush 2

Low & Lush 2 by cardiganempire


$86 - duematernity.com
The v-neck of this lengthy tunic will redirect gazes to your smile rather than your bump.

Paige Denim Blue Heights 14" High Panel Maternity Jeans
$179 - piperlime.gap.com
Straight and dark, the ultimate leg lengthener

$79.95 - endless.com
Pregnancy appropriate height
brown wood studs bangle
$15 - shoptwigs.com


Steve Madden BBullet Clutch
$58.95 - endless.com




1 hundred 98 cents = your own maternity fashion look book cheat sheet.


Procure your own pregnancy focused fashion look book. Complete with all your own pregnant styling rules of conduct and much more.

Still to come, tips for the tiny.



Friday, September 10, 2010

Nesting: Thoroughly Modern Billie


So a momentary digression from our maternity body type series.  If you have not already, please review the two maternity body types already posted, and keep your pointer click poised for the remaining two figures to come.  

But last night as I was making dinner in my frilly, ditsy floral apron, dreaming about my vintage green, French Le Creuset...



Mister Andrew Thomas informed me that the little corn cob in my loins was decidedly modern.  In fact, Billie of my belly prefers clean architectural lines, minimalist abstract patterns, and bold color-blocking.  The fact that Billie's father is also a modern lover, was merely coincidental.  Although the genetic modern gene could indeed have been passed from father to son, but Andrew's analysis of the situation and his adamant abstinence from Boy Frocks has nothing to do with his findings.

So I began germinating the conception of Baby Billie's modern life, which naturally led me to shopping.  Below is what I fancy:

Baby Billie reclining in his espresso wood bouncer listening to Bossa Nova Jazz as his father reads One Red Dot with him.


Then his tiny, caramel colored head would lay upon his pristine Spot on Square Roh Crib, his view of his abstract mobile unobstructed by crib bars.





Snuggled up in his geometric Denise Schmidt quilt, the lights of his George Nelson Bubble Lamps would slowly dim.


As rays of sunlight filtered through the lace of trees outside his window, he would awake only to be ushered into his contemporary high chair of European design.  Upon seating, he would finger feed himself cold edamame as we prepare ourselves for a fine stroll at the museum of modern art.


It's a lovely daydream, no?  In reality, I really do want to buy this portable feeding chair from Phil & Teds, from which Baby Billie will eat multi-grain cheerios.  

 I'll keep you posted.

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