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Beauty Buzz: Fresh Face- Spring 2014

By Kirsten|February 27th, 2014|Beauty Buzz|

It’s probably difficult to even begin thinking about your spring beauty regimen with lips scratchier than sandpaper, snot encrusted nostrils and eyeballs that won’t.stop.watering. I’ve basically thrown in the towel on a full face of makeup at this point… eyeliner is entirely out of the question unless I want to look like it’s the morning after while it’s still the night of. Sure, the winter is brutal for beauty, but let’s not forget that there comes a point in New York ladies’ lives, say around July, wherein we give up on makeup altogether again as it will have run down our faces and right onto our blouses before we’ve even completed our commutes. Therefore, spring is just about the only time where we can be playful with our makeup palette and anticipate our faces staying in place for most of the day.

The makeup and hair for spring this year was sort of divided into two camps. While some designers like Michael Kors and Alexander Wang went for clean, fresh, bronzed barely there faces and “I woke up like this” hair, others like Rag & Bone painted lips and eyelids with bright pops of colors. Most notably was blue for eyes and while red and berry lips were still very much trends, the most prevalent pout was lacquered up in orange. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen orange lips on the runways and I’m still not sold, but perhaps you can make the look come across as something other than having housed a bag of Cheetos. If you didn’t wake up with Olsen hair, a low sleek ponytail seen at Jason Wu or braided crown a la Naeem Khan are good ways to camouflage a potentially bad hair day. Wide cloth headbands at Vera Wang as well as flowered accoutrements at Zac Posen adorned updos as well. The cat eye remained strong. So strong, in fact, that makeup artists continued the bold black liner all the way around the eyes. And speaking of cat’s, claws were kept quite simple. Many opted for soft shades accented with silver space age stripes and others chose the reverse French manicure, both proving that nail art is here to stay for at least another season. So schedule your facials, ladies. It’s time to prep your canvas for a very colorful spring. If you would like to look for great makeup find out here how to obtain it.

1. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Reverse French Manicure Strips, 2. Smashbox Baked Fusion Softlights Baked Starburst, 3. Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Eyeliner in Black, 4. Mr. President & Co. Instant Cool Ponytail Holder, 5. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Timanfaya, 6. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, 7. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencil in Pool Boy, 8. nails inc. Fibre Optic in Hampstead Court, 9. Givenchy Ombre Couture Cream Eyeshadow in Bleu Sole, 10. Kevyn Aucoin Set of Four Loose Shimmer Shadows, 11. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Polishing Serum, 12. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Rose Délice, 13. Karina Black & White Headwrap Duo, 14. Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish

Why Did or Why Don’t: Skort Stop

By Kirsten|February 27th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

In the process of rounding up spring’s shoppable trends, I spotted yet another one making an encore performance from the 90’s… get out your Lisa Frank covered Trapper Keeper, kids, ’cause this one is a doozy. In line with Birkenstocks, but better than scrunchies (definitely better than skeggings), please give a warm welcome back to the clothing equivalent of the spork, the skort. Yes, that’s right. No need to choose between a skirt or shorts this spring because you can wear both! At the same time! Now, I get it because I do love a flirty little skirt. And there’s really nothing better than showing off those hard earned gams in short shorts. I’m also quite indecisive at times, so the appeal should be obvious. Not to mention, a skort would make having a Marilyn moment atop a subway grate far less likely. However, since I’ve done this whole “skort” thing once before, I recall them never being quite so flattering as one might hope. It’s awfully difficult to get the fit of both articles of clothing right in one single garment. Skorts tend to have the effect of “long ass” or “elephant butt” on most women who dare to wear them. So, like I said, I’m undecided.

1. Opening Ceremony Celia Crepe Skort, 2. Rag & Bone Knife Skort, 3. Bec & Bridge Gourami Shorts, 4. Vanessa Bruno Aimy Pleated Crepe Shorts, 5. Sachin + Babi Carmen Silk Short,6. Jonathan Simkhai Leather Shorts, 7. Rachel Comey Textured Stripe Asymmetrical Paneled Denim Shorts, 8. Nanette Lepore Striped Flirty Skort,9. Robert Rodriguez Textured Silk Wrap Shorts, 10. Michael Kors Silk Floral Skort

Will you be wearing this fashion mullet come spring?

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Spring 2014: Style Cheat Sheet

By Kirsten|February 25th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

Although it was fifty degrees over the weekend and snow flurrying today, we really are in the home stretch of winter. Just hang in there, pretty birds, relief is on the way. While we wait for the last frost of the season to cease, let us refresh ourselves on the clothing that is just waiting to make itself quite comfortable in our closets come spring. Since each fashion week presents collections a solid six months in advance of when we can actually get our greedy little hands on it, it’s easy to forget what we need to start scoping for and what to relegate to the back of our wardrobes for the time being. The fashion elite may be a bit clairvoyant perhaps predicting the dreadfully long winter we’ve endured as the spring collections did not shy away from color, bold patterns, and plenty of shiny embellishment. Though black and white were ever present, it’s time to drop the dull all black uniform and have a little bit of fun.

While florals are really nothing new for spring, this season’s are a bit bolder and less feminine incorporating the trend of black and white as well as darker tones as opposed to the predictable pastel colorways. Speaking of which, Easter egg colors abound and are best done head to toe, but if that has you feeling apprehensive of emulating Great Aunt Ida, the presence of a pastel leather jacket or clutch will do the trick.

Along with bold graphics that will have even the biggest globetrotters giddy, art aficionados rejoice. Patterns for spring give a nod to pop art using brights that make them downright framable. Wearable art, if you will.

Embellishment was big and came in the form of fringe, 3D embellishments and gilded golds, bronze, and silver. An alternative to shine in the form of straightforward metallics is presented in the option of iridescence.

And to those who attempted a croptop intervention on me… bad news: the croptop (which will live on through Fall 2014) is stronger than ever for spring. Might I suggest enrolling in a Pilates class, like last week? Though tops are shrinking bottoms get a bit of volume in the form of wide leg trousers and full skirts seen prevalently in the midi length.

Most notably to me was that all of the various trends seem to work together quite seamlessly and in some cases there’s quite a bit of overlap. Full metallic skirts, crop tops with sheer panels, and boldy printed wide leg trousers make hitting a few trends at once a spring breeze.

Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William Dress, Joie Talina B Pants, Elizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pants, alice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi Skirt, Lisa Perry Patchwork Skirt, M Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail Skirt, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh Skirt, Rag & Bone Molly Skirt, Rebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped Skirt, TOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed Shorts, Sacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi Skirt, Haute Hippie Fringe Pencil Skirt, Jason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy Blouse, MiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend Top, Jonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey Top, BCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison Skirt, Donna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg Pants, McQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette Shorts, Roksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
Global Graphics Clover Canyon Diamond Quilt Printed Cropped Track Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Phaedra Jacquard Skirt, Line & Dot Silk Palm Tree Print Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Hut, Set, Whatever.

By Kirsten|January 28th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

This Sunday the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will face off at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (full disclosure: I just Googled that to make sure). Besides being the best thing that’s happened to New Jersey since the Jersey Shore being canceled, this also means that we, ladies, have the opportunity to spend the afternoon in a room with a captive male audience. Oh, you actually came to watch the game? I’m actually here for the finger food and legitimate reason for pushing snooze on Monday morning.

My dad often texts me about football games and I attempt to give spirited responses because I know he cares… but sadly, I do not. I’m not like a football hater and I might care a little more if a team relevant to me was playing (Steelers, Giants), but I kind of don’t care either way. It’s the same way I feel about tofu. Meh. Without question, you will never see me in a bar wearing a football jersey. Or face paint. Though, Miley’s got me a little more interested in foam fingers as of late. I’m probably not friends with anyone wearing any of the aforementioned sports paraphernalia either, but I’m sure there are some exceptions. Like an actual football player. But alas, I do understand the need to show a little team spirt- I was cheerleading captain for heaven’s sake. Clever little ladies can achieve a sporty chic look by wearing a pop of their team’s color in slouchy sweatshirts, colorful kicks, or mini t-shirts boasting the teams logo. And denim is always a good look.

1. Nike Denver Broncos Super Bowl T-Shirt, 2. Nike Dunk Sky Hi Shoes in Armory Navy, 3. Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong in Screaming Orange, 4. Acne Studios Bird Fleece Sweatshirt, 5. Current/Elliot The Stiletto Distressed Skinny Jeans, 6. Seattle Seahawks Navy Antigua NFL Womens Signautre Hoodie, 7. Rag & Bone Capri Cropped Skinny Jeans, 8. Splendid Snowpeak Plaid Button Down Shirt, 9. Deborah Marquit Giardino di Fiori Lace Thong, 10. Vans Authentic Sneaker

But, if you’re anything like me and you could care less about either team and are betting only on running out of salsa before chips, then you may want to just stick to the home (New York) team uniform. All black everything. Not only will you still look slim after housing a plate of nachos, you also won’t look like an a-hole wearing the losing team’s color postgame– which really makes you the winner, now doesn’t it?

1. Towsen Reversible Leather Jacket, 2. Alexander Wang Drawstring Crepe Tapered Pants, 3. Only Hearts Second Skins Bodysuit, 4. Agent Provocateur Anoushka Lace Thong, 5. Jimmy Choo Lace and Leather Sneakers

Okay, break.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Let’s Keep This Private

By Kirsten|December 24th, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

As mad for plaid as I am? So are Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent, Rossella Jardini of Moschino, and Mr. Lagerfeld himself. But if you tossed that old school uniform or it doesn’t quite fit the way it did as a teen, do not fret. Perhaps it’s time to be the teacher rather than the pupil and there are some very grown up ways to add plaid that are more collegiate than kindergarten. Let me school you for a moment. Pop a varsity jacket on with distressed denim and pumps, add a plaid jumper over a turtleneck, or polish off those penny loafers- but never forget your over the knee socks. (Pro-tip: for cooler climates, layer over the knee socks atop sheer stockings in the same shade or patterned color family). Pick a piece or two to achieve the look, but don’t go for extra credit by overdoing it. You should look subtly nostalgic, not like you just stepped out of a time machine.