Friday, September 30, 2011

Friday's Fancies



Last year one of my favorite fall/winter "go-to" outfits for a night out included tall black boots, skinny jeans and a flowy top. Wish I could trade in my boots for those YSL beauties. Enjoy the weekend!

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Thursday, September 29, 2011

I mustache you a question...

Are you drinking enough milk? I love the new got milk? campaign featuring actress Maggie Gyllenhaal with a a "nutritious" latte. Not that we really need justification to treat ourselves to a seasonal pumpkin beverage.


While on the subject of mustaches... have you noticed the trending quirky motif? Is it me, or is it popping up everywhere?


I love the fake stache for photo ops...




and anything wine related!



But bedding? Cookies? Really?!


Just in case you were wondering, Chicago was recently named America's most "Mustache-Friendly" city by the American Mustache Institute.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

What I'm Loving...

Apples, cinnamon, ginger, cloves... wine! Loving this fall spin on one of my favorite concoctions. Doesn't this Honeycrisp Apple Sangria look amazing?


Absolutely loving this how-to! I am all about scarves and always just wrapped them around my neck without a strategy. Check out 6 ways to tie a scarf from Coldwater Creek that has been all over Pinterest to change it up.


At the end of the summer I realized my skin was in need of major TLC. For the past couple of weeks I have been using this toner from Kiehl's oil-free line featured in Harper's Bazaar and love the results. I have combination skin and definitely see a reduction in t-zone shine. Alcohol, parabens, silcone, fragrance and oil not included. (My friend Lindsay would be proud, see her Skincare Ingredients 101 guest spot!)

via Instagram

Love the eyelashes on Sephora's Mini Coopers in Manhattan... but is same day delivery service really necessary? I guess for Grandma it is. Otherwise, walk your butt to one of their 16 stores in the city New Yorkers!


Finally... love this guy! xoxo
(Photo taken prior to the scarf how-to... )

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Skincare Ingredients 101

Hi all, meet my friend Lindsay. She is a self-proclaimed product junkie but very selective about what she puts on her skin. While I am getting better at checking out the ingredients on product labels, I still get overwhelmed. Here is her skincare ingredient 101 guide, combining all the information we've read here and there. Check out the breakdown for reminders of what to look for when you're in the market for a new product!

Ladies, just because summer has come to a close doesn’t mean you should fall out of your SPF routine! At the very minimum, moisturizer with at least SPF 15 should be applied daily to ward off sun damage and consequent wrinkles. Anything over SPF 30 only contains more chemicals. As a general rule, the best products are those formulated for your skin type and do not contain fragrances, preservatives, surfactants and chemicals.

If you are not a chemist, it is difficult to evaluate the long list of ingredients found on most product labels. With that said, the next time you are in the market for a new SPF moisturizer, or any skincare product for that matter, I suggest you avoid purchasing products with the following ingredients, or ones with the least amount of red flag perpetrators as possible. Keep in mind that ingredients are listed on the product label in descending order by prevalence. Those at the end of the list are trace amounts.

Ingredient Red Flag List:
  • Fragrance - skin irritant; proliferates wrinkles [Smells Like Trouble!]
  • Parabens - preservative; linked with breast cancer [Dangers of Parabens Uncovered]
  • Triethanolamine (TEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) - emulsifier/surfactant; banned in Europe due to carcinogenic effects [Six Chemicals to Avoid]
  • Phalates - solvent; linked to the disruption of the hormonal system
  • Mineral oil (i.e. Petroleum Jelly and Petrolatum) - moisturizer; suffocates skin like Saran Wrap; pore clogging culprit – think acne!
  • Formaldehyde/Aldehyde/DMDM Hydantoin/Diazolidinyl Urea/Imidazolidinyl Urea - carcinogenic chemicals and irritants; linked with joint pain, headaches, and chronic fatigue
  • Alcohol – astringent; strips the skin of moisture and creates a dependency for moisturizers
Ingredient Wish List:
Antioxidants - Great for fighting free radicals that are responsible for aging and skin damage!
  • Amino Polypeptides -  “alternative to botox”; anti-aging 
  • Green Tea Extract - acne prevention
  • Vitamin C - anti-aging
  • CoEnzyme Q-10 - anti-aging
  • Hyaluronic Acid - superior moisturizer; anti-aging
  • Caffeine - reduces puffiness and inflammation; anti-aging
#1 Oily/Combination/Normal - $
Basic ingredients and the economical price are this product’s selling point. The formula is fragrance free and contains minimal chemicals compared to most drugstore brands. It also softens the skin, and claims to be free of oils. However this product should be applied sparingly, otherwise it tends to feel greasy and heavy. Trader Joe’s offers a similar version of the product, Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 15, at an even more wallet friendly price $4.50.

#2 Oily/Combination/Normal - $$
This moisturizer provides completely natural defense minus many chemicals found in other brands of sunscreen. It is especially perfect for oily skin and doesn’t leave behind a white mineral mask like many other natural moisturizers with sun protection. However, you may need to be patient and wait a few minutes until the lotion is completely absorbed into your skin. The Skin Organics line is sold in Whole Foods Market and online at Lucky Vitamin discounted.

#3 Dry/Combination/Normal - $$$
This moisturizer is gentle and natural along with the rest of Boscia skincare line - all fragrance and preservative free! It is lightweight and non-oily while providing generous moisture. It also absorbs into the skin immediately without leaving traces of white behind. Although this tube is on the pricier side, it lasts a while and is packaged in a leak free dispenser pump tube. One or two pumps of this potion goes a long way. You can find this one at beauty retailers like Sephora.

What are your favorite skincare products sans the red flag ingredients? I'll share a current favorite tomorrow!
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Monday, September 26, 2011

Stripes Please

The first time I watched a rugby game I was confused. What is going on? Is that a cheerleading lift?


I'm going to be honest, I'm not much of a fan of the sport but I will most definitely take the stripes.


I picked up the white and red shirts (also available in chalk) on sale over the weekend from J. Crew. They are available online but slightly lower in price in store.


I hope someday that I will have a small dog that will love stripes too. Good to know I can outfit my future pup in Ralph Lauren.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Elephunk

I've emerged from my blog funk this evening since learning that today is National Elephant Appreciation Day from Lilly Pulitizer's Facebook page. I assume if you have a Lilly agenda you would know this already. (Sidenote - Disliking the new Facebook layout. Please, make the changes stop.)

1. Critter Belt $48 // 2. Bow Tie Clutch $128 // 3. Luck Be a Lady Necklace $48 // 4. Tusk Tusk Cuff $48




Elephants have made quite a few appearance on Vineyard Loveknots. I can't get enough of my favorite good luck charm, this keychain is the latest addition to my growing collection. Happy almost Friday :)

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bear with me...

Taking a bit of a blog break... transitioning my summer to fall wardrobe has been a little exhausting.


Goodbye color...


Hello darkness?!
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Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday's Fancies: Game Day Chic


Back in college it was no question what I would be wearing on game day...


That's me on top in my favorite stunt. Gooooo Hawks!


Gucci Bella Monogram Canvas Tote, $1,790
Michael Kors Showstopper Classic Chronograph Rose Gold Watch, $275

It isn't too hard to wear brown and white to represent Lehigh since that is what my fall wardrobe consists of anyway. I'll be heading back to campus for our rivalry game against Lafayette and would loveeeee to be wearing this ensemble. Screw Tarjay, I'll take the real deal Missoni scarf please.


With my girls in 2010, a Patriot League Championship year!

Head on over to Long Distance Loving for more game day chic - can't wait to see what the ladies of the South will be wearing.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Pink and Green Thursday: Fall TV Lineup

via Google Images
I'm trying to get my fall TV lineup in place, which includes the last season of Desperate Housewives. I loved the first few seasons and hate to say I thought it went downhill over the years... but I have always loved Bree! It wasn't hard to find her in pink and green and I'll miss her on Sunday nights.

Sunday
Desperate Housewives (9/25)
PanAm (9/25) *NEW*

Monday
Gossip Girl (9/26)
How I Met Your Mother (9/19)
Dancing with the Stars (9/19)

Tuesday
Dancing with the Stars Results (9/20)

Wednesday
Suburgatory (9/28) *NEW*

Most of these shows I will DVR and catch up on marathon style. Sadly I know I'm missing something from this list, just not sure what.  And this doesn't even include reality shows, which reminds me...


Did anyone catch Dina's Party on HGTV last week? She planned a prom themed party for a New Jersey couple and completely transformed the first level of their home. I was sad to see her leave Real Housewives of New Jersey after the first season but she has made a few Watch What Happens Live appearances since. Happy to see her again on a regular basis.

What will you be watching this fall? Any new shows you're excited about? Or do you think I watch wayyyy too much tube? I can't argue.


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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Relieved this is over.

Did you get your Missoni at Tarjay? I wanted to escape the hype... but it was impossible. For the past couple weeks I've been walking by the NYC pop-up store on my way into work and this giant doll was outside my office after FNO reminding me to set my alarm for Tuesday AM. And obviously it's all over mags and online. Why do I stress over these things?


I logged on early and loaded up my cart but narrowed it down to a few scarves before the site crashed. Fingers crossed my order is fulfilled! I then sent my mom on a mission to hit up the store in the burbs to check out the clothing but everything was long gone. She snagged these heels as they were unpacked. I thought they would be too wide but they fit perfectly. Keeper!


One of my girlfriends was up at 5:30 AM and ordered about $800 worth of goods in my favorite pattern "Colore." She will remain anonymous as her husband is not to find out about this little shopping spree. Hmm... good luck hiding all those boxes and zig zags when they arrive!
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Redzone

I will leave the New York Fashion Week reporting to the professionals, but I did want to share Kelly Bensimon in head to toe red from J. Crew over the weekend at the Luca Luca show.


The only time I would purposely ever wear that much red... SantaCon. Look, both Kelly and I had a touch of fur and animal print.
...College Flashback...In a rush to geology class, aka "rocks for jocks", I threw on my Sundance II Uggs over my burgundy velour Juicy suit. I was mortified when a friend said I looked like Santa.

It must be nice to pull off wearing anything... I sure can't.

Back to Fashion Week, J. Crew is presenting for the first time in New York. I found this quote in USA Today from lead stylist Jenna Lyons depressing:
"We had been labeled as a preppy retailer. And as much as preppy is wonderful, it can be a little bit exclusionary. We've been trying to make it a bit more modern."
Sigh.

Kelly's J. Crew look... yay or nay?
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Monday, September 12, 2011

Night Owl





What do you think of the Kate Spade Night Owl Bag? Cute or creepy? I laughed the first time I saw it, very clever. I swear that I am nocturnal... this night owl needs her morning coffee!
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