Natalie Portman is one of those rare creatures with an innate sense of style. The fact that she is completely tuned in to what works for her bodyline is a refreshing change from most stylist-employing starlets (Mischa Barton we’re talking to you). The cobalt blue is so of-the-moment and I love that a petite girl can pull off a full-on ruffle look that doesn’t swallow her whole like this.
Agree, disagree? Comments please and vote for your fave!
You’re So Vein. If you’re on your feet a lot then chances are spider or varicose veins are a concern. Veins become visible due to faulty valves that control blood flow – exercising daily helps increase circulation, which minimizes this malfunction, as does taking Vitamin C. Horse chestnut pills have been known to reduce inflammation, but check with your health care provider to be sure they’re right for you.
Hairy Scary. Shaving is the quickest way to de-fuzz but it can also be the most painful when not done correctly. Ideally, you should try to limit the shower-time, as exposure to warm water for long periods will cause skin to get “pruney” and create an uneven surface. To avoid ingrown hairs, try shaving more frequently but not as closely. Use a sharp blade as a dull one will grab skin, not hair. Use a body lotion soon after to seal in moisture.
Beyond The Pale. There are so many ways to get tan without the sun. Lotions and sprays are always nice options but exfoliate, moisturize, and blend well to ensure a consistent, all-over color. Even products that claim to be “streak-free” can result in a zebra look. If you do get some unwanted stripes, try pre-moistened make up remover wipes to erase noticeable lines. Alternatively, you could use shimmery bronzing powders that add nice color without the risk of streaking. The added bonus of a faux-glow? Bronzers can be used to easily “sculpt” legs to make them appear leaner.
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Style is not about blindly following trends, it’s about finding what works for you. We love the look of a chunky artisan necklace but admit it can be easily goofed if you’re not too careful. Fortunately, we found two prime examples of great personal style over trendy fashion.|
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Since booking our trip to Sicily, I have been obsessed with finding cute lounging-around-the-pool tunics or cover-ups that pull double duty.
First, it’s gotta cover up the ol’ pooch I’ve managed to acquire after months of sitting at my computer revamping our website: www.alwaysinstyle.com for our beloved members and blog readers; and second: it must be versatile enough to go from our beach front rental to some spur of the moment vineyard hopping wine-tasting and still look fabulous.
Though a terry number would be a perfectly acceptable, albeit tired choice for the pool, it is severely lacking in meeting criteria due.
Enter this utterly chic Velvet tank dress:
I adore the I-don't-obsess-too-much-about-my-outfits-but-still-look-freaking-cool vibe that it projects. I’d pair it with a delicate gold pendant; a pair of gladiator sandals and a straw clutch.
And that thing about double duty? Well, iThreads has got you covered. Buy from them and not only receive superb customer service, (After a recent order I received an unexpected and very kind follow up email) but a portion of the sale proceeds go to families with children who are undergoing cancer treatment at Albany Medical Hospital.
They symbolize love, smell fabulous, and just so happen to be good for you. Really. Since ancient times, roses have been prized not only for their great beauty and fragrance, but also for the restorative effects that rosehip oil has on skin.
Rosehips are the little pods that are left after buds have fallen off the flower. These pods are high in Vitamin C and naturally contain something called trans-retinoic acid, a form of Vitamin A effective in not only helping regulate skin’s sebum production, but actually regenerating skin damaged by acne, eczema, and sunburns – rosehips even help fade post surgical scarring. If this sounds familiar, it’s because rosehips are a distant relative of the popular prescription Retin-A.
In addition to its curative powers, rosehip oil is also highly moisturizing without being too heavy, so it is ideal for all skin types. Although it may sound counter-intuitive, if you’re blemish prone, apply a little of this non-greasy oil before bedtime to help heal any flare-ups.
Look for products containing rosehip oil to prevent or reverse the signs of aging or scarring, counteract dryness, or prevent inflammation. As is the case with any beauty product, you must use it frequently and for a long period of time before you see any results – so hang in there.
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I have a confession to make. I’m hopelessly addicted to The Knot message boards. The fact that I was married nearly two years ago doesn’t preclude me from delighting in “knottie” bios in search of gratuitous engagement ring shots, dress fitting successes and failures, and hair trials from hell pics.
Needless to say, the wedding of our Commander in Chief’s daughter Jenna is no different. Unfortunately, online images are scarce. This one is lovely but just leaves me champing at the bit to get my fix for more bridey goodness!
Since finding the right dress is almost as difficult as finding the right guy I had to comment on this exquisite Oscar de la Renta. I love the juxtaposition of the intricate details of an haute couture gown with the low-key mussed up hair and simple accessories – Jenna pulls off the whole outdoor, casual yet elegant wedding vibe flawlessly.
I’m still waiting for photos of the undoubtedly fabulous Lela Rose designed attendant dresses…
What do you think?
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
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An unseasonably cold day this past weekend was a not-so-gentle reminder that Mother Nature, not yours truly, calls the shots in matters of style.
With visions of a balmy evening sipping cocktails on the terrace at Chez Wedding Palace, I had spent an embarrassing number of hours picking out the perfect (read: sleeveless, light, airy) outfit for this black-tie event. In my sartorial daydream I hadn’t even considered an appropriate cover-up.
Though the pashmina I chose as I dashed out the door was perfectly acceptable for the occasion I still felt a tad under-dressed.
I managed to find two stylish and affordable alternatives, after the fact, to spare others the same drama. Get them now before they’re gone!
Shrug from White House Black Market.
Ruffled capelet from Newport News
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Rompers, playsuits, onesies, shortsuits…surprisingly we’re not talking about the latest in toddler fashions. When Stella McCartney first started showing this look on the catwalk last year we were a bit skeptical the trend would stick around for long – but it only seems to have picked up momentum. The romper is hot this season.
Admittedly, it can be a hard trend to pull off, but allow us to provide some guidance.
Cut. Many of the new styles offer drawstring or sash belts, which are especially flattering if you are Curved or Straight-Soft. Alternatively, a drop waist or loosely-fitted tunic style will easily suit Straight and Soft-Straight bodylines. Sleeve choices run the gamut from strapless to spaghetti to long, so choose according to your comfort level.
Details. The romper offers plenty of accessorizing options, so once you’ve found the silhouette that flatters your bodyline, doll up to match the occasion. A thin metallic belt, an armful of sparkly bracelets, even pumps can take a casual one-piece into evening. Don’t believe us? Check out Nicole Richie looking fabulous in this Alexander McQueen number.
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If you read the previous post about my unremarkable quirks you’ll remember I have a penchant for instruction manuals. It’s a strange fascination I know but I’m funny like that. I’m also a die-hard fragrance junkie. Florals, woods, citrus – you name it, if it’s appealingly smelly then I’m all over it.
The latest tome to land on my desk is Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez. Touted as the “definitive guide to perfume,” it’s actually little more than a few tidbits of perfume history and FAQs served up with a healthy dose of snark in the form of expert reviews. My main beef with the book is that the reviews, although often amusing, leave me feeling gypped.
Case in point:
p. 199 Individuel (Mont Blanc)
A laundry-soap formula, apparently for individuals who can’t yet afford the Mont Blanc pens.
Um...cute.
I’m not familiar with this scent, and after reading this I’m still not. What I would like to know, however, is stuff like what its notes are, dry-down, history, etc.
Truth be told I’ve gotten more valuable information on the blogs, most notably Now Smell This or Blogdorf Goodman.
Another minus: define “definitive” – some of my fave scents are nowhere to be found:
Kai,
Ineke After My Own Heart,or
Profumum Ichnusa.
Granted, these aren’t blockbuster scents, but they’re not exactly rare either.
Having said that I do think it’s a fun read, maybe in small doses, and taken with a grain of salt.
Buy it on Amazon.
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