SICKA THAN AVERAGE

SOBRAL Sample Sale in NYC: Viva Brazil!

 

Just last month, I raved about Brazilian jewelry line SOBRAL, how it fuses together the vibrant, colorful, picturesque energy of Rio de Janeiro with the inspired surrealism of Joan Miró's paintings. Well, here's some fantastic news for those of you who were salivating over the resin jewelry pieces showcased: from May 2nd through May 6th, the SOBRAL boutique in NYC  (located at 412 West Broadway, between Prince Street and Spring Street) will be hosting a sample sale, with select pieces  at 60% off their original retail price.

If you need to buy something for mom or just want to spruce up your summer wardrobe, make sure to swing by the store! The store will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the duration of the sale, and all major credit cards are accepted. See you there!

Rebecca Taylor x Jurlique "Rebecca's Picks" Mother's Day Gift Set

 

Rebecca Taylor has impeccable taste — not just when it comes to fashion, but also as it pertains to her must-have beauty products. The New Zealand-born, New York-bred designer has been depending on Jurlique's luxurious botanical-based skincare products for the last decade. Her two current must-haves: the Intense Recovery Mask, which features a mix of moisturizing and clarifying ingredients like green clay, safflower seed oil, carrot root extract, avocado oil, evening primrose oil, green tea extract, grape seed extract, grapefruit extract, chamomile extract, turmeric root extract, and vitamins A, C, and E; and the Rose Hand Cream, which hydrates and softens hands via a mix of rose extract, safflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, daisy and viola extracts, macadamia seed oil, aloe extract, and glycerin. As a mother of three, Taylor recommends these products for any busy momma — and so she collaborated with Jurlique to create the above-pictured "Rebecca's Picks" gift set, a limited-edition release launched just in time for Mother's Day. The products hit stores May 3rd and will be on sale throughout the month of May.

I co-sign both of Rebecca's Picks — particularly the Rose Hand Cream. Jurllque's hand creams are all stellar, but the Rose Hand Cream is also my absolute fave. It's got the velvety scent of a freshly picked red rose, and it smooths hands within minutes after application (plus, it's easily absorbed by the skin) so that your hands feel as soft as rose petals themselves. I also love the texture of the Rose Hand Cream — it's the perfect mixture of fluffiness and richness to yield a deeply hydrating but non-greasy experience.

With the Rebecca's Picks gift set, then, the option of "smelling the roses" is literally at your fingertips.

Rebecca Taylor x Jurlique "Rebecca's Picks" gift set, $59. Available starting May 3rd at select Jurlique stores, the Rebecca Taylor boutique in NYC, Jurlique.com and RebeccaTaylor.com 

Elva Fields Jewelry — A Fashion Field Of Dreams

 

 

 

Though jewelry designer Emily Wheat Maynard launched her line Elva Fields back in 2003, I'm only now becoming acquainted with her work (yes, I'm beyond tardy to the party!). Named after Maynard's great-grandmother, Elva Fields offers distinctive, statement-making jewelry imbued with a vintage vibe, so that each piece feels like a rare treasure that was passed down from one generation to the next. The brand encompasses three lines: Elva, which consists of dramatic, one-of-a-kind necklaces; June, which features free-spirited dangle earrings (many featuring small faceted beads and stones); and Deb, which features pieces made exclusively from vintage materials.

Out of the three lines, the Elva features the greatest number of showstoppers (just look at the four necklaces pictured above!).  Each necklace incorporates a mix of old and new materials, with vintage earrings, brooches, pendants, and belt buckles taking center stage. Based in Kentucky. Maynard regularly travels to antique shops, flea markets, and vintage stores all over the nation in search of these majestic vintage pieces. I love the way she breathes new life into these found items, how each necklace manages to strike a balance between modernity and antiquity, between retro and contemporary. This is the type of jewelry I imagine would make vintage-loving vixen Zooey Deschanel swoon.

Take, for example, the "Against A Sky Blue" necklace (pictured third from top), which features a domed brooch encrusted with clear crystalline stones and opal white stones with gunmetal-colored settings, placed along the side of two strands of cobalt blue beads. The "In Peace" necklace, meanwhile, features Granny Smith apple green quartz beads in perfectly shaped gumball-esque spheres decorated with vintage brooches and earrings that date back to the '50s and '60s. The floral brooch detail is particularly charming, giving this necklace a hint of spring fever. Perhaps my favorite piece thus far is the "Dreams Unfold" necklace, which features three strands of coin-shaped black crystal stones with faceted and slightly ridged surfaces that magnify their reflective sheen — and, of course, there's that stunning vintage butterfly brooch, which features pale yellow enamel along the body of the butterfly and burnt orange, celadon, and citrine yellow stones and crystal accents along the wings. The butterfly's warm citrus tones pop against the obsidian black strands, creating an element of surprise and excitement, like fireworks in a midnight blue sky.

And remember: since each Elva design is one-of-a-kind, don't procrastinate when you spot a must-have piece!

Elva Fields "Dreams Unfold" necklace, currently sold out; Elva Fields "In Piece" necklace, $308; Elva Fields "Against A Sky Blue" necklace, currently sold out; Elva Fields "For Words" necklace, $308. All available at Shop.ElvaFields.com

Today's Treat: Clarins On Sale At Gilt.com

 
 

Starting today at noon EST, Gilt.com members will have the chance to nab some choice Clarins goodies at a fraction of the price.The products on sale include: Clarins' Multi-Active Day cream (priced at $32 from $64), Clarins Best of the Sun Ultimate Protection Duo (retailing for $33 from $65), Clarins Clear Skin Solutions Kit for Combination/Oily Skin (priced at $35 from $52), and Clarins Super Rest Luxury Collection 4-Piece Kit (priced at $149 from $196).

Not a Gilt member? No worries! Just click here and you'll be all set!

Be A Proud Pedal Pusher With Bike Boutique Adeline Adeline

 

 

The last bike I rode has a Strawberry Shortcake print along the seat, a pink front basket, streamers dangling from the handles, and training wheels (I was about five years old). Okay, okay, I'm exaggerating. I did ride a mountain bike as a teen (and promptly tumbled down a hill, scraping my chin right before a cousin's Sweet 16 part..Oops!). After that experience though, I let my cyclist aspirations fall to the wayside and began relying on public transportation: buses, trains, and taxis (all transportation devices that don't require me to keep my clumsiness at bay). Recently, however, I've been contemplating getting back on a bicycle — partly because of the exercise benefits and partly because of my growing eco-consciousness (after all, think about how much we could minimize our carbon footprint by simply eschewing fuel-based forms of transportation whenever possible). The challenge: after so many years off a bicycle (beyond a stationary one at the gym, that is), how do I even begin to shop for the right bike?

As a novice, venturing into a store brimming with intimidating (not to mention unsightly) BMX and mountain bikes, all stacked against one another under sinister, gym-like fluorescent lighting, just seems like too daunting a proposition. And frankly, I'm afraid the salespeople would laugh me out of the store. My other concern (ans yes, it may be superficial, but so be it!): I want a bike that''s, well, pretty. Heck, I want a bike that makes my eyes light up the way they did when I first saw the Strawberry Shortcake bike of my childhood.

So here's the answer to my prayers (and those of all bike neophytes): New York City's brand new bike boutique Adeline Adeline, located  at 147 Reade Street (between Greenwich St. and Hudson St.). This charming boutique features a handpicked selection of  bicycles infused with the retro style and charm of classic bicycles commonly seen on the streets of Amsterdam and Copenhagen (among other European cities). Take, for example, the Pashley Poppy bicycle pictured at top, a classic 3-speed bike modernized through the redesigned flat handlebar, the cork grips, and the sky blue frame. Every time I look at this bike, I think of the last scene in Amélie, when our heroine cruises through the streets of Paris on the back of Nino's bike  — not because the bikes resemble each other, but because the Poppy captures that exuberant, romantic, simple pleasure of pedaling through the streets, with the wind caressing your face and making you feel free and joyful.

Similarly, the Retrovelo Klassic Klara (pictured third from top) fuses together an American '50s vibe with beach cruiser and dutch bike elements for a sleek vintage creation.

Not only are these premium bikes (they hail from the foremost bike capitals of the world), but they make vociferous style statements. Even better, you can customize your bike by adding accessories like baskets, bells (available in classic ding-dong shapes, or in bright neon patters, like those pictured below), and changing the saddle to fit your particular tastes, Plus, you can get a sassy bike for your kid and adorn it with such whimsical details as ladybug bells (pictured below) and miniature baskets.

Hey, they say you never really forget to ride a bike, so it's never too late to brush up on those pedaling skills.

Pictured above: Pashley Poppy bicycle, $995; Nantucket Bike Co. Gull Kids basket, $30; Retrovelo Klassic Klara bicycle, $1445; and Nantucket Basket Co. Cliff Road Kids basket, $30.

Pictured below: Pashley Princess Sovereign bicycle, $1295; and Mirrycle Neon Bells, $9.99 each. All available at AdelineAdeline.com. Call 212-227-1150 for more information or to book a apppointment.

 

  
  

  

La Mer The Regenerating Serum -- A Skin Genesis

Think of your face as a helium balloon (it's an odd metaphor, but stick it out with me for a second). Now, once you get into your 30s (or sometimes even your late 20s) and skin cells begin to degrade and lose collagen, fine lines and wrinkles start creeping up, and your skin starts looking like a helium balloon three days after it was inflated, when the metallic foil material starts puckering and hence losing its luster.  So how do you get the surface of your skin to look as supple, smooth, and lustrous as the outside of a just-inflated helium balloon? You have to boost your skin's production of collagen and elastin and protect it from external stressors (such as UV rays). The new La Mer's The Regenerating Serum helps to create this effect, with its mix of marine ingredients.

I've been using this serum for a month, and the pesky lines around my eyes have started to diminish a bit. One of the things I most love about this serum is its consistency: it's a bit thicker than most serums, which are gel-like and fluid. This one feels a bit more like a creamy broth, falling in between a gel and moisturizer in terms of consistency. If you apply a dime-sized amount of the serum using the dropper, that should be more than enough to cover your entire face. After you apply it, your skin will have a delicious velvety feel that lasts for hours — I've noticed that as many as five hours after application, my skin feels as soft as it did when I first put it on. Crazy, right? That's La Mer for you! I will say this, however: I have dry skin and this serum keeps my skin feeling hydrated throughout the day, but I would suggest being way more conservative with the amount dispensed if you have oily skin.

Four years in the making, La Mer's The Regenerating Serum features ingredients like: the line's signature Miracle Broth (the vital formula developed for the Creme De La Mer); a Marine Peptide Ferment which features am mix of marine algae and peptides that have anti-aging properties; Lime Tea, an antioxidant-rich lime peel extract; and more importantly, the new Regenerating Ferment, a bio-ferment developed using Cellulosomes Eryngium, and extract of the stem cells from the marine plant Eryngium Maritimum or "sea holly." Cellulosomes Eryngium may be the next big thing in skin care since recent studies suggest it's quite effective in repairing photo-induced damage and in boosting collagen and elastin production. In fact, it's also a prime ingredient in Elizabeth Arden's White Gloves Extreme Skincare (though, having tried both, I'm team La Mer all the way). Another prime ingredient in the serum formula is Colloidal Gold or "nanogold," which is produced by reducing chloroauric acid to create gold nanoparticles. Recent research suggests that these gold nanoparticles can help relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, acting as an anti-inflammatory, and La Mer's research team has found it an also act as a super-conductor, helping to deliver the desired nutrients to the dermis.

I'm so in love with this product, that I'm literally scraping the last bit out of the bottle. And when your biggest gripe is that you can't seem to get enough, well, you've found yourself a winning product!

La Mer The Regenerating Serum, $250 for 1 oz. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and LaMer.com

New Balance x UNDEFEATED Desert Storm 1500 Sneaker -- A Style Coup

 

While I'm a make-love-not-war kind of chick, I've always been fond of apparel and accessories with camo prints and military-inspired designs. It's a common style paradox — after all, opposition towards the Iraq War is steadily mounting, we're poised to pull our troops out of Iraq, and yet fashion designers are incorporating epaulets, sandy camouflage prints, insignia patches, cargo pockets, and other combat-ready motifs into their collections. Maybe we just appreciate the idea of bravely battling through life's turmoil and deftly avoiding any landmines. Perhaps it's more of a metaphorical, ideological fascination with the idea of facing enemy zones (i.e. troublesome and trying situations and moments), fighting past them, and emerging victorious.

If, like me, you dig military-inspired fashions, you'll get a kick out of the New Balance Desert Storm 1500 sneakers, a new collaboration between NB and sneaker boutique UNDEFEATED. Available starting May 15th, the kicks were inspired by the uniforms our troops wore during the Gulf War (and yes, I do mean the Gulf War and not the current war in Iraq). Each pair of kicks comes with a canvas shoe bag featuring a sand- and peach-colored camo print.

But let's get to the actual sneaker. The suede uppers are a khaki beige color that pays homage to the color of soldiers' combat boots, while the shoe bed and interior lining feature a desert fatigues-like chocolate chip camo hue. The red and blue details along the heel, meanwhile, reference the Operation Desert Storm  patch which, in turn, features an image of an eagle holding a shield with the US flag colors in its claws, flying against a backdrop featuring the US flag juxtaposed over a desert-like landscape behind it. Along the front of the shoe, you'll find a red laceholder with the UNDEFEATED logo and, at the sides of the heel the "1500" numbering is embroidered in a matching earthy color.

The shoes are a limited edition release, so get them quick or finding a pair will be a true battle!

New Balance Desert Storm 1500 sneakers, $120.00. Available starting May 15th at UNDEFEATED stores in the US and Japan.

 

Zoya Reverie Nail Polish Collection -- Six Colors Worth Revering

When I was a little girl and I came across a puddle of motor oil in a parking lot or street curb, I'd stop and stare at it for a few minutes (usually while my mother gave my hand a firm tug to speed the process along). Usually, my fascination stemmed from the rainbow effect created by the oil puddles sitting atop a hint of water — to me, the shades' metallic sheen seemed like an extragalactic phenomenon.

The Zoya Reverie collection brings me back to these euphoric moments of childhood curiosity, when small things like oil puddles brought me tremendous joy. The six duo-chrome nail lacquers in the spring collection feature a stunning metallic finish that makes each color look a bit different depending on how the light hits it. The collection consists of the following six shades: Happi, a Babie-ready pink with warm yellowish undertones; Laney, a foil-like silver shade; Gwin, a vermillion hue with golden yellow tones; Reece, a plum pink with violet undertones; Adina, a greenish purple color; and Lana, a coral red with warm golden flecks.

When I saw the lacquers in their bottles, I was most intrigued by the Adina shade since it's the most unusual and enigmatic offering in the bunch — if you hold the bottle under yellow light, the predominant color is a deliciously exotic green, like the color you'd find in a Siamese Fighting Fish or another aquatic life form, but if you look at it under the white light (or in a dimmer setting), the dusty purple hue reigns supreme, while the silver and green tones take a backseat. The color is just as fascinating when applied on the nails, though I must say it's the moodiest, most eccentric shade in the collection.

I also adored the Reece and Happi shades since they managed to bring a sense of intrigue to common nail polish colors (magenta and bubblegum pink). Both of these shades actually look more interesting on the nails than they do in their packaging (which is amazing given how they lure you in right from the bottle).

Pictured below are photos of what the various shades look like on nails!

Zoya Happi:

 

Zoya Laney:

Zoya Gwin:

Zoya Adina:

 

 

Zoya Reece:

Zoya Reverie nail lacquers, $7 each. Available at Zoya.com

Tomorrow Can't Wait -- LORAC Sale On HauteLook.com Kicks Off Mañana

 

I swear by LORAC's TANtalizer Baked Bronzer -- it's got the right mix of copper, bronze, and terracotta tones, and it gives you a natural, sun-kissed glow without all that glittery shimmer you tend to find in most bronzers (this one has a more matte, baked, powdery texture). And that's one of my many LORAC obsessions. Another one: the Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Evening Star, which features three smoldering shades perfect for creating a dramatic smokey eye look. As a huge fan of celebrity makeup artist Carol Shaw's cosmetics line, then, I'm beyond excited about the huge sale of LORAC goodies kicking off tomorrow on sample sale site HauteLook.com

Customers will find an array of LORAC's single eye shadows, Glam Rocks (loose metallic eye shadows such as the one pictured second from top), On Screen Duos (cream eye shadows/liner with complementary powder highlighters), Gloss Sticks, and more at up to 80% off their regular retail price. The sale begins tomorrow at 11 am EST, so don't be tardy for the party or you might miss out on the fun!

Make sure to visit HauteLook.com

To Clog Or Not To Clog -- 25 Styles That Could Win Over Any Clog Skeptic

When I saw clogs strutting down the runway at Chanel's Spring 2010 show, my shoulders almost instantly crept up towards my ears and my nose crinkled — yes, we're talking major cringe moment. My sense of apprehension had nothing to do with the footwear styles being showcased but, rather, I shuddered at the idea of all the rink-a-dink knock-off clogs that would flood the market. Would more dreaded Crocs-like shoes be released? Would  we start seeing those orthopedic-esque rubber clogs with ridiculous prints on them? I feared for the upcoming "dreckitudes" (to quote André Leon Talley) that I'd see walking down the street in their clunky, grandma clogs. Yuck.

Much to my dismay, footwear companies have, in fact, embraced clogs as a spring/summer must-have, but they're reinvented the classic style to make it modern and chic, adding hefty platforms heels; jazzing them up with embellishments like motorcycle chains, studs, buckle straps, leather braiding, folksy floral embroidery and all-over glitter; and experimenting with materials like wool, suede, denim, leather, and satin. Even more interesting are the clog-inspired platform slingbacks, T-strap heels, ankle-strap sandals, and booties we've been seeing — with most featuring chunky wooden heels and exposed metal reinforcements along their periphery that bring home that pay homage to the traditional Dutch footwear style.

Here, 25 styles that would make clog skeptics like myself reconsider their position (and yes, a few of these are on my personal shopping list!).

MODERNIZED CLOGS

Chanel Suede Clog with Cap Toe and Lemarié Poppy Flower. Available at Chanel boutiques.

Miu Miu Cat Print Satin Clogs, $495. Available at Net-A-Porter.com

 

Sam Edelman Flair Clogs, $150. Available at Bloomingdales.com

 

Jeffrey Campbell Charli-C Clogs, $124.95. Available at Nordstrom.com

 

Miz Mooz Rain Clog, $89.99. Available at InfinityShoes.com

Seychelles Care to Dance Clog, $99.95. Available at Nordstrom.com

Sanita Mira Open Clog in Rose, $155. Available at SanitaClogs.com

Juicy Couture Olga Clog, $112.50. Available at Couture.zappos.com

 

Miu Miu Glitter-Covered Leather Clogs, $495. Available at SaksFifthAvenue.com

Jeffrey Campbell Karl Clog, $135. Available at FootNotesOnline.com

CLOG SLINGBACKS

Miu Miu Leather and Satin Halter Clog, $495. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

 

Cynthia Vincent Tamara Pump, $349.05. Available at Endless.com

Steve Madden Empiire, $119.95. Available at SteveMadden.com

Sanita Spica Plateau Sandal in Rose, $135. Available at SanitaClogs.com

ANKLE-WRAP CLOGS

Jeffrey Campbell Splendid Sandal, $199.95. Available at Nordstrom.com

Stuart Weitzman Ankle-Wrap Clog Sandal, $275. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ankle Strap Platform Sandals, $295. Available at Shopbop.com

OPEN-TOED CLOGS

Stuart Weitzman Open-Toe Platform Clog, $345. Available at NeimanMarcus.com

MaxStudio Abba Clog, $118.95. Available at Endless.com

  Robert Clergerie Daft Clogs, $290. Available at Couture.Zappos.com

Miss Sixty "Damien" Clogs, $170. Available at Zappos.com

Steve Madden Durann, $149.95. Available at SteveMadden.com

CLOG BOOTS

Swedish Hasbeens Lace-Up Boot, $364. Available at SwedishHasbeens.com

Opening Ceremony Wooden Platform Clog Booties, $514. Available at Shopbop.com

Swedish Hasbeens High-Heeled Jodhpur, $364. Available at SwedishHasbeens.com