SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Sicka Than Average Chosen To Participate in Time Warner Center's Fashion Bloger Forecast !

 

                  

It's celebration time, chicas! To paraphrase the words from Zhané's "Hey Mr. DJ" hit, it's Friday, the weekend is here, and I need to unwind — and I'm sure all of you do too. And, in addition to the weekly T.G.I.F. exhales, there are plenty of reasons for revelry. For one, the countdown to the Royal Wedding is officially over, and I'm sure many of you will be hosting viewing parties this afternoon, sipping cocktails while you dissect every aspect of the televised celebration, from Kate Middleton's bridal gown to the her choice of bouquet flowers. 

So, given your jubilant spirits, it seems like the perfect time to share some exciting news of my own: shopping, dining, and entertainment destination Time Warner Center selected Sicka Than Average to participate in its first-ever Fashion Blogger Forecast campaign, along with the New York-based blogs Born & Bread, My Style Pill, and The Fashion Reporter. Each of us selected to participate in the campaign were asked to create an on-trend look for a specific experience at Time Warner Center (be it a performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center or a nightcap at A Voce) using apparel and accessories purchased at The Shops at Columbus Circle.

                     
     

My personal challenge: to style an ensemble for a "Girl's Night Out" at the Rande Gerber-owned Stone Rouse Lounge, located on the fourth floor of Time Warner Center. The after-hours look will consist of pieces purchased from some of my favorite boutiques inside Time Warner Center, and I'll be documenting my shopping spree so you can see how I came about putting together the final ensemble. Fun, right?

 

                

This weekend, then, I'll be heading down to Columbus Circle and perusing through some of my favorite shops inside Time Warner Center. I'm sure I'll take a few detours along the way — after all, aside from clothing stores, TWC houses a Sephora (among other beauty shops like Aveda ), a Borders bookstore, and some top-notch eateries (like Chef Marc Murphy's Landmarc bistro), plus it's always hosting great events like book signings and art exhibits (there's currently a Salvador Dali exhibit that I've been dying to check out) — but I do plan to shop my little heart out and find the perfect outfit for my night out on the town. At the top of my priority list is visiting the following five stores: Stuart Weitzman, bebe, BOSS Hugo Boss, A/X Armani Exchange, and True Religion.

 

                 

 

                

 

                                            

 

Ultimately, I'm hoping to find a nice dress in a vibrant shade (orange, red, coral, honeysuckle, and emerald green are all great for this warmer weather) that will hug all of my curves, a pair of sky-high heels that speak to the current style trends (perhaps some color-blocked platforms, some fierce animal print pumps, or a great wedge), and tons of rock-'n-roll flavored jewelry and accessories (punk-flavored accents with spikes and studs continue to prevail, and necklaces with snake, elephant, zebra, and insect motifs are abundant for spring).

On Monday, I'll share the details of my shopping spree and let you in on my final picks, so stay tuned! And, best of all, there will be a giveaway launching next week so keep an eye out for that as well! The winner will be announced on Time Warner Center’s Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

SANG A Sample Sale In NYC This Weekend -- Get A Sneak Peek!

If Nancy Gonzalez stands as the patron saint of handbag-hoarding, nose-raising, pearl-wearing society types in New York City's Upper East Side area (and other similarly posh, old money neighborhoods in cosmopolitan hubs), then New York-based, South Korean designer Sang A Im-Propp could be anointed the style leader of the Big Apple's downtown set, her handbag creations a beacon of edginess for a younger crowd with an equally insatiable appetite for elegant accessories but a fresher perspective influenced by hip-hop, rock 'n' roll, and the hard-scrabble aspects of urban life. Like Gonzalez, Im-Propp toys with exotic animal skins like python, crocodile, and ostrich, but it's the manner in which she uses these materials that's truly astounding. For one, her silhouettes are always inventive — take, for example, the Sang A Wave tote, a square, zip-top purse with three quilted, ripple-like grooves running from the top to the bottom of the bag,  creating half-moon shapes that face one another like a closed parenthesis. And then there's her use of color and texture: a large tote like the River style pictured above can be transformed into a Mad Max-ian piece with the use of iridescent, scaly, brushed silver python with rusty, slightly tarnished tones, or infused with a classic elegance with the use of a warm, camel ostrich skin.

Are the bags above enough to make you swoon? Then brace yourself: this weekend, Sang A is hosting a sample sale in NYC. Pieces on sale include the Tan Ostrich Large River tote pictured above (second from top), which was originally priced at $4570 and will now go for $900. The Ivory Stamped Alligator Flash Clutch, which boasts slanted sides and a sleek top flap, will be reduced from $941 to $200. To check out all the sample sale designs, swing by 524 Broadway, 2nd floor (at Spring Street) until 8 p.m., today April 29th and tomorrow, April 30th from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. If you have any questions, call 212.564.4433 for more information.

Not in the NYC area? Don't fret! You can also shop the sample sale online at Sang A.com to enjoy savings of up to 80% off.

 

Illamasqua Toxic Nature Nail Varnishes -- The Sweetest Poison

When I first saw the visuals for the new Illamasqua "Toxic Nature" campaign, I automatically thought of Camille Rose Garcia's artwork, which features creepy, child-like cartoon characters in apocalyptic yet fairy tale-worthy scenarios that critique humankind's destructive tendencies. Her "Ultraviolenceland" series, for example, incorporates dirty peach, bright orange, ink-y black, tarnished gold, and distorted brass tones to create a visual landscape that's eerie but fascinating, filled with luscious castles yet occupied by blood-sucking vampires and militant armies who relish violence.

Interestingly enough though, the Illamasqua Toxic Nature inverts the paradigm often seen in Camile Rose Garcia's work. In this case, the idea is that nature is fighting back against a society of Stepford Wives-esque clones, a society in which sameness and conformism have been venerated as opposed to individuality and creativity. The colors, then, are as unpredictable as the weather, and they range from a pretty pastel peach to a bright lime green and a mushroom-like gray.

The Toxic Nature collection includes five nail varnish hues: Purity, a perky, pastel peach color that has a milky quality, like a scoop of peach sorbet; Bacterium, a brassy, earthy ochre color like what you'd find in an Australian Outback quarry, accented with pearlescent, silvery ash gray undertones that transform the hue, giving it a corroded, cryptic feel; Stagnate, a deep creamy gray with mauve undertones; Radium, a neon green that mixes acid lime and olive tones, then incorporates iridescent blue and purple shimmer for an atomic quality; and Gamma, a summery, blindingly bright, neon orange that makes reflective vests look timid by comparison. In typical Illamasqua manner, the shades stand out among the fray due to their unique and oft uncanny blend of pigments, their unexpected finishes and textures, and their unapologetic, look-at-me-now quality. Forget X-Men powers — this is the type of mutation, of unapologetic and unorthodox beauty that should make makeup lovers feel like they can conquer the world.

In terms of performance, the nail varnishes dry incredibly quickly, plus the formula is chip-resistant so your manicure should last as many as ten days.

Below, you'll find pictures showing what the Radium, Gamma, and Stagnate polishes look like on nails — and, chances are, these nail varnishes, will have you slipping under faster than Britney Spears in her "Toxic" song, begging for Illamasqua to "intoxicate you now."

 

HEX Watch Bands For iPod Nano -- The Time Is Right!

         

           

 

When it comes to electronic gizmos, size matters — and this is one realm in which bigger is rarely better. The new touch-screen iPod Nano, then, is 46% smaller and 42% lighter than its predecessor — heck, it's even tinier than a Cheez-It cracker! But, when you have something so precious and so petite, you have to be extra careful about safeguarding it. If you toss it inside your hobo bag, you might spend hours searching for it to no avail (our purses tend to be bottomless pits, after all!).  If you tuck it inside your pant pocket, it might slip out and leave you in music-less tears. And do you really want to clip this tiny device to your shirt or jacket, practically taunting would-be pick-pockets, luring them to swipe it off your body and head for the hills? 

Thankfully, HEX provided the missing piece to this tech puzzle, creating a watch band that integrates the iPod Nano into its design. Rather than some dowdy nylon strap on which to clip on your petite portable music player, each HEX Watch Band is designed so that you can pop the iPod Nano into the watch case and secure it in place (and, of course, you can pop the device out when necessary). Each watch is made of premium silicone and features honeycomb-like grooves all along the strap, integrated control buttons, and an audio port for headphones. 

The HEX Original Watch Band is available in nine funky colors ranging from a periwinkle blue to a neon lime green and a tangerine orange. Fashion, function and a modest price tag? Believe it!

 

HEX Watch Band for iPod Nano, $29.95. Available at ShopHEX.com

MAC Quite Cute Collection -- Hello, Adorable!

Kawaii! One glance at the MAC Quite Cute collection and visions of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls crew, Hello Kitty lunchboxes, scratch-and-sniff stickers, oversize lollipops, ballerina slippers, candy necklaces, frosted cupcakes, dainty hair bows, and fuzzy plush dolls will swim in your mind. The collection, then, places a premium on adorability — in the sweetest, girliest, most innocent sense of the term,

And, if the real-life Harajuku Girls traipsing through Tokyo in their doll-like dresses, faux pearl necklaces, knee-high socks, barrette-adorned pig tails, polka dot headbands, and cardigan sweaters are any indication, candy-like pastel hues are the key to cuteness. The MAC Quite Cute collection, then, relies on soft pinks, lavenders, mint greens, understated violets, light magentas, golden peaches, and pale nudes to lure in fun-loving, giggle-prone customers seduced by all things precious.

Now, these aren't the type of pastel colors you'd expect to find in an Easter basket — in true MAC fashion (and as an additional nod to Japanese street style), these hues are given an edgy vibe thanks to unexpected textures and finishes, not to mention gorgeous packaging details like heart shapes baked into the center of blushes.

Read on for a look at all the products in the collection and swatches of all the cuteness!

Bands of Preppies -- Kiel James Patrick "Cape & Brighton Beach" And "Cambreshire Dunes" Bracelets

 

 

 

Look closely at the Spring 2011 Tommy Hilfiger magazine ads, which feature a country club's worth of Royal Tenenbaums-ready characters sprawled across a tennis court in their bermuda shorts, V-neck sweaters, letterman cardigans, crisp white button-down shirts, ribbon-trimmed visors and bucket hats, plaid shorts, khaki chino pants, and brown leather loafers. If you zoom in on the wrists of many of the male and female models, you'll notice ribbon-like bracelets with striped, maritime, checkered, and plaid motifs that perfectly harmonize with the "El Country de la Club-ius" print and commercial campaign.

Designed by Rhode Island native Kiel James Patrick, himself a product of a New England prep school, the bracelets feature prints classically embraced by the golf-playing, yacht-owning, Hamptons-vacationing, Ivy League-attending, tennis-loving set. From juxtaposed stripes running diagonally across the width of the bracelets, resembling traditional silk ties,to seersucker, madras plaid, and polka dot prints, the bracelets epitomize preppy chic style. All of the pieces were crafted using vintage-looking cotton, canvas, tweed, linen, silk, cotton rope, and leather textiles purchased locally in the Rhode Island and Boston regions.

The Cape & Brighton Beach collection, for example, draws inspiration from bonfires at the beach in New England during the summertime. The styles offered, then, include the Madaket Ocean Mist bracelet pictured at top, which features a sturdy ivory strap with overlapping, crisscrossing sky blue and navy stripes, chestnut brown accent stitching, and a light aqua, rope-like trim along the edges. For a more playful piece, check out the Bishop & Clerks Sound bracelet (shown last above), which features a navy ribbon with green whale designs along tis center layered above a madras plaid print.

If you'd rather keep your feet on dry land than venture into the open seas, you might find the Cambreshire Dunes collection more relatable, as it's inspired by rustic elements and features silks, tweeds, and tartans in neutral colors and relies on more unfinished edges and faded-looking fabrics to lend the pieces a vintage-looking, lived-in feel.

You can select the width of your bracelet (sizes range from Extra Small to Extra Large), so it will fit snugly around your wrist, and pick from a broad selection of brass buttons with either anchor motifs or colored enamel outer dials bearing the KJL name. We're sold on the nautical-flavored buttons, with their antique-looking, slightly tarnished interiors, embossed anchor motifs, and textured rope-like accents along their periphery.

With these bracelets, you don't have to be a Tommy Hilfiger model to join the "El Country de la Club-ius" crowd!

 

 

Kiel James Patrick "Rockwell in Berkshires" Bracelet, $35; Kiel Jams Patrick "Fahey Fayerweather Woodward" Bracelet, $40; Kiel James Patrick "Bishop & Clerks Sound" Bracelet, $40; and Kiel James Patrick "Madaket Ocean Mist" Bracelet, $35. Available at KielJamesPatrick.com

 

Theodora & Callum x Stuart Weitzman Collaboration -- I Spy Ikat Sandals!

Last week, I stepped into the Stuart Weitzman boutique inside Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle (I'm part of TWC's "Fashion Blogger Forecast" campaign, so make sure to stay tuned for more details on that!) and stumbled upon the most magnificent display: a wall of shelves lined with colorful espadrilles and platform wedges with ikat and tribal prints. The pieces showcased were part of the upscale footwear brand's new collaboration with accessories brand Theodora & Callum, the brainchild of Scoop NYC co-founder Stefani Greenfield and her friend, Full Picture president and Project Runway executive producer Desiree Gruber. Already, Theodora & Callum has amassed an expansive celebrity following thanks to the upscale nomad, jet-setting world traveler feel of their hand-printed linen scarves, which feature motifs ranging from feather prints to Bali-flavored mosaic designs and geometric tribal patterns.

The limited-edition collection of shoes and accessories was produced by Stuart Weitzman, so that their craftsmanship is top-notch. The Stuart Weitzman x Theodora & Callum footwear collection incorporates three basic styles: the Biarritz (pictured above in four different prints and color combinations), which features a printed 3 1/2" linen wedge on a 1" platform, a natural-looking woven heel counter, two colorful criss-crossed straps with whip-stitching accents positioned right above the toes, and colorful laces that wrap around the ankle and feature tabs bearing their respective shoe style's dominant pattern at their ends; the Sash (pictured below, immediately after the jump), a traditional espadrille with a rope-covered wedge heel and a halter-like construction for its straps, with their ombre-like coloring; and the Lobiarritz (pictured below, after the jump), which resembles the Biarritz but boasts a taller, chunkier platform with a flatter, less indented sole for more of a '70s groove child feel.

If you browse through the Theodora & Callum Spring 2011 scarves, you'll notice the similarities in patterns and colorways. The heel of the third espadrille style pictured above, for example, bears a print reminiscent of that found in the Theodora & Callum Blue Aztec Scarf, while the second style shown above incorporates the print seen in the Theodora & Callum Purple Ikat Scarf and the fourth style displayed mirrors the print of the Theodora & Callum Pink Ikat Scarf.

But my favorite style is the Biarritz espadrille shown above at the very top, which nods to the Theodora & Callum Blue Multi Navajo Scarf with zig-zagging lines and diamond-like patterns in a sky blue and a periwinkle blue, a candy apple red, and a cream-tinged white, with chocolate brown laces completing the tribal look.

Check out more styles from the collection after the jump and, to snag a pair of these co-branded shoes, stop by a Stuart Weitzman boutique near you. The Stuart Weitzman x Theodora & Callum espadrilles retail for $445 each.

It's The Finale Of Our Weekend-Long Earth Day Extravaganza!

Our eco-friendly fête is still going strong on its third consecutive day! Today, we'll be schooling you on everything from TSA-approved organic skincare travel kits to cozy and colorful 100% bamboo scarves. Check out our latest environmentally friendly picks below!

 

 

iWave Grass Roots Headphones, $29.95. Available at iWaveAudio.com

How can you make a sonic experience eco-friendly? Well, you can start by switching up the way you listen to music on your iPod or MP3 player. The new iWave Grass Roots collection features headphones and iPod cases constructed using renewable materials like bamboo, recycled wood, and hemp and packaged in recycled paper with graphics printed using natural dyes. The headphones pictured above, for example, feature recycled wood accents along the ear cups.

 

Nepali by TDM Design Bambi Bamilla Scarf, $100. Available at TDMDesignInc.com

This ultra soft, 100% bamboo scarf was hand-made and hand-dyed in Nepal. Measuring 28" in width by 80" in length, the Nepali by TDM Bambi Bamilla scarf features Boho chic stripes with a restrained tie-dye feel. Our favorite colorway is the deep eggplant purple with the blush pink contrast pictured above.

 

 

 

Davines Well-Being Natural Tech De Stress Yogurt Buffer Gel, $21. Visit Davines.com to locate a salon.

Eco-friendly and socially responsible, Italian haircare line Davines specializes in products that incorporate all-natural ingredients into their formulas. But rather than sticking to tired and true botanicals associated with healthy hair, Davines insists on exploring the potential benefits of plants, herbs, and fruits through its ongoing research initiatives. Because of this, then, you'll find such ingredients as fig leaf, tomato extract, pistachio oil, carrot extract, and barley extract in its potent formulations. We're currently loving the Davines Well-Being Natural Tech De Stress Yogurt Buffer Gel, which gives any style hold without damaging strands or leaving behind any unsightly flaky residue. Whereas most gels dry out your hair, this one nourishes strands with a combination of collagen, which defends hair from stresses like salt water, UV rays, and chlorine; and yogurt, which boasts a high concentration of replenishing minerals and vitamins, among them zinc, calcium, lactic acid, and Vitamins B1, B2, B-6 and B-12.

 

Collective Wellbeing Carbon-Balanced Travel Kit, $25. Available at CollectiveWellbeing.com

Though we appreciate all the efforts the TSA has made to ensure the safety of flight passengers, every woman who has sauntered down a security checkpoint at an airport can attest to being confused by the rules regarding the acceptable sizes of liquid and cream personal hygiene products. This handy kit from Collective Wellbeing features TSA-approved, travel-sized versions of its best-selling products: a 0.25 oz. tube of its Weightless Daycream, a 0.25 oz. tube of its Night Quenching Cream, a 1 oz. bottle of its Corrective Cleanser, a 1.5 oz. tube of its Dry Skin Relief Body Butter, a 1.5 oz. bottle of its Right to Shine Shampoo, and a 1.5 oz. bottle of its Quick Fix Conditioner.  Not only are all the products formulated with certified organic natural ingredients like aloe vera juice, ilipe nut butter, jojoba oil, pomegranate seed oil, and chamomile, but they're packaged in a jute and organic cotton pouch manufactured with a zero carbon footprint. But Collective Wellbeing's commitment to the environment goes a step further: for every travel kit sold, the company will purchase enough clean energy credits to offset the greenhouse gas emissions produced by one round-trip, cross-country flight.

 

 

 

Unite Smoothing Shampoo. $22.95, and Unite Smoothing Conditioner, $24.95. Available at Shop.UniteHair.com

Not only are Unite's haircare products sulfate- and paraben-free, but they contain no gluten (remarkable in and of itself) and are 100% vegan. The  Unite Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner both focus on eliminating frizz and fly-aways, boosting shine, and keeping hair looking straight and lustrous. To that end, then, they rely on guar gum to tame frizz, moringa seed extract to protect hair color, panthenol to condition strands, and botanisil to moisturize and protect hair from heat exposure. 

Celebrate Earth Day All Weekend Long With These Eco-Friendly Goodies!

Taking care of our habitat shouldn't be something we consider once a year, when April 22nd rolls around and posters bearing illustrations of lush trees and perky flowers cover every store window. So, at Sicka Than Average, we've pledged to cover eco-friendly fashion and beauty all year long. And, rather than limit Earth Day to a single 24-hour celebration, we've transformed it into a weekend-long extravaganza. Yesterday, we kicked off the festivities with our first Earth Day story and, today, we're offering you more coveted finds sure to induce a sense of eco euphoria.

 

 

 

Seltzer Seven-Year Pens, $7.50 each. Available at UncommonGoods.com

Think about all the pens you discard on a yearly basis, all those plastic cylinders en route to waste-ridden landfills. Sure, some pen brands have taken strides to green their manufacturing by turning to recycled plastic but few have really pondered how they can reduce waste by making each pen last more than a few months. Enter Seltzer's Seven-Year Pens. By increasing the barrel size inside the pen by up to six times the traditional amount, each pen is able to hold way more ink — enough to write up to 2 meters a day for 7 years straight.

 

NP Set Wake Me Up Day Cream and Say Goodnight Night Cream, $29 each. Available at Target.com

Though they're not 100% organic, the new NP Set day and night moisturizers rely on botanical ingredients to leave skin replenished, hydrated, and glowing. The NP Set Wake Me Up Day Cream features ingredients like: rice extract, which aids in short- and long-term hydration; rose extract, which helps to brighten skin tone by reducing the appearance of sun spots and other hyperpigmented areas; hydrating sodium hyaluronate; argan oil, which is loaded with essential fatty acids (80% of its makeup) that boast anti-aging properties and help to soften skin, reduce the appearance of scars, marks, and blemishes;   moringa seeds, which have an oleic acid content of 72%, helping to make skin look younger; and vitamin A, which helps to fight and treat acne. The NP Set Say Goodnight Night Cream, meanwhile, focuses on moisturizing and renewing the skin while you sleep, relying on ingredients like shea butter, ProVitamin B5, squalane, vitamin E, and moringa seeds.

 

 

                   

                    

                   

Vapour Organic Beauty Mesmerize Shimmer Eye Treatment in Dream, Lyric, and Sugar, $18 each. Available at VapourBeauty.com

The three new shades added to the range of creamy Mesmerize Shimmer Eye Treatments from Vapour Organic Beauty for Spring 2011 will make you rethink the way you view pastels. These 100% natural, retractable cream color sticks contain 70% organic ingredients, among them chrysanthemum, which boasts anti-inflammatory properties, brightening and soothing eyebright, and circulation-boosting horsetail extract. The angled tips of the Mesmerize Eye Shimmer sticks allow you to simply glide them across lids, thereby depositing a layer of sheer but buildable color with microscopic mineral particles that add an ethereal, stardust-style finish. The three new hues are: Dream, a minty sage green with golden highlights; Lyric, a soft lilac with iridescent blue specks; and Sugar, a baby pink with rose gold glimmer. Check out swatches of the three new Mesmerize Shimmer Eye Color Treatment shades here, and see how dreamy and romantic they look!

 

Frais Towelettes, $10 for Box of 7 Individual Towelettes. Available at Frais.com.au

What beauty hound doesn't keep a stash of makeup removing towelettes in her bathroom cabinet? Still,  many of the facial wipes in the marketplace contain cosmeceutical ingredients that dehydrate, irritate, and aggitate skin so that, while they're handy for removing makeup, they present major drawbacks. Australian brand Frais, then, offers a solution to this conundrum with their All-Natural Towelettes, which are formulated with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, moisturizing shea butter, soothing chamomile and brightening gingko balboa and alpha bisabolol. Each towelette is so saturated with moisture that it feels as gentle as a hypoallergenic baby wipe (minus the alcohol content). Thanks to a mix of eight essential oils (ginger, tangerine, lemon myrtle, niaouli, orange, basil, grapefruit and cardamom), each wipe boasts aromatherapy benefits, energizing you and lifting your spirits. Frais also gets extra points for individually packaging each towelette rather than stacking all the wipes atop one another and tucking them inside a plastic pouch with a peel-off sticker opening that will inevitably lose its adhesiveness and lead to the towelettes drying out way before they're ever used.

Ellington Handbags Bella Wallets, $69 each. Available at EllingtonHandbags.com

You don't need to limit yourself to hemp and organic cotton handbags in the name of eco-friendly accessorizing. Plenty of companies now offer goods in sophisticated-looking faux leather — or, at the very least, they produce leather goods using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes that minimize waste and carbon emissions. These leather Bella Wallets from Ellington Handbags, for example, are trimmed in the brand's signature ECO leather, which is made in an environmentally responsible tannery that insists on reduced water and energy consumption and minimizes CO2 emissions. Each zip-around wallet measures 4.5" in height, 3.5" in width, and 0.75" in depth. The inside of each wallet includes three card slots, to small slip pockets, a slip pocket for cash, and a coin pouch with a snap-on flap closure. You can pick between Seafoam Green, Tan, Lavender, and Blue.

 

 

 

Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser, $21. Available at Sephora.com

When I first tried the Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser, I felt like I was stepping out on my beloved Korres White Tea Facial Fluid Gel Cleanser, to which I'd pledged my undying love (and loyalty). My guilt notwithstanding, my experimentation paid off. The Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser smells like a cup of steamed milk sweetened with a touch of vanilla, and it lathers nicely on the skin without being overly sudsy. The paraben- and soap-free cleanser thoroughly removes impurities while hydrating the skin, without leaving it feeling greasy or balmy. The formula relies on lactose-rich milk proteins and amino acids that strengthen the skin's lipid barrier, improving moisture retention, as well as botanicals like: honeysuckle extract, which can increase circulation and has historically been used to treat topical outbreaks ranging from rashes to abscesses; hydrolyzed rice protein, a conditioning agent; hydrogenated castor oil, which can treat acne and other pesky skin conditions, as well as restore the skin's moisture balance; willow bark extract, which boasts astringent properties and aids in cellular renewal; glycerin, a popular humectant; and the anti-inflammatory whey protein.

 

Don't Stop The Music With Lyric Culture Teardrop Rings

Whether you want to call it kismet or just a colossal coincidence, last week Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" (and, for that matter, Janet Jackson's "Son Of A Gun remix) was replaying in a loop inside my head when I randomly stumbled across a rock-flavored, teardrop-shaped ring with the "clouds in my coffee" portion of the song's lyrics silk-screened along its surface. I decided to interpret the fateful jewelry encounter as a sign from the cosmos that I needed to incorporate this bauble into my wardrobe (can you blame me?). And now, well, there's no clouds in my coffee or stormy fashion forecasts.

If you're a music lover like me, you'll appreciate Lyric Culture's fun-loving range of oversize, teardrop-shaped rings, all of which feature silk-screened lyrics across the top surface. The "You're So Vain" ring measures 1" in width and 2" in length and is crafted out of silver-plated metal with an oxidized finish, intentional scratches along the flattened top surface for a grungy, lived-in feel, and a textured band with a V-shaped, rope-like, embossed embellishment.

The Lyric Culture "Heartbreaker" ring also pays homage to an iconic, trail-blazing female musician: Pat Benatar. The gold-plated metal ring features antique-style, crackled black leather along the interior of the gold-rimmed teardrop silhouette. The words to the Pat Benatar "Heartbreaker" song's memorable chorus are silk-screened atop the leather in gold lettering, bolstering the piece's rock-n' roll edge.

Heartbreakers, do mess around with these rings!

Lyric Culture "You're So Vain" and "Heartbreaker" Teardrop Rings, $58 each. Available at Nordstrom.com and LyricCulture.com