Ankle Boots + Dresses= Awesome
Posted by admin in Trend To Try
Dressing for fall, especially when you’re a lady, can be a bit of a rough thing… Layering always works but can look sloppy easily and aside from getting creative with hosiery, there are not many options. Since we’re in the midst of a steamy August right now, I thought I’d do some wishful thinking and think of the cooler autumn coming up (though, here in Texas, it’s still quite warm in the fall) and offer up a singular style solution for the colder but still in between weather.
Boots with dresses has been a popular look for awhile now, especially in Austin. There is, however, another similar look that offers just as much warmth with more style and minimal coverage. That would be the ubiquitous ankle boot paired with dresses and skirts. A stylish pairing that gained fans initially in the ’80s is making a welcome comeback. The coupling has been spotted on hipsters and runways the world over.
I personally think ankle boots (usually) look great in neutral leather or suede (or faux), flat or heeled and when paired with the grungy paisley and ditsy floral prints that are so in right now. However, it’s not the most flattering thing to wear a tight dress with the boots (though Gwyneth Paltrow manages to pull it off, above). You need the volume of a looser, babydoll style frock to counteract the skinny silhouette of the boots. Worried about the unflattering effects of such a style? Make sure you wear opaque tights or leggings underneath the dress tucked into your boots to streamline the figure (Spanx are a great option and comfy to boot). You might want to get the same color hosiery as your boots to create one long, lean monochromatic line on your body as well. Also, try to purchase boots that are not as tapered and close to the ankle for a thinner looking leg. Feast your eyes on the looks here, get some inspiration and start dreaming of an amazing autumn!
read comments (0)Best Coast
Posted by admin in Culture Clash
Of all the new reverb-drenched, girl group-inspired music out there (and there are a lot), Best Coast is possibly, well, the best. Composed of west coast natives (hence the name) Bethany Cosentino and Bob Bruno, as well as ex-Vivian Girl Ali Koehler, they make the best case for this type of nostalgia-tinged music. Cosentino has an amazingly sweet voice while Bruno and Koehler are also musically adept. She sings about boys, her cat and the beach to great effect. While these kinds of topics can come off as kitschy and twee, which they are, in the Best Coast trio’s clutches, they are heartfelt, quirky and yearning, bringing to mind innocent summer romps in the sand. The tunes are tender, fun and melodic and the perfect antidote to beating the heat. I stongly recommend closing out the summer by listening to some of their songs (especially off their recently released album).
A few years ago, Cosentino (a former Fader intern) was attending college in NYC, yet couldn’t stop thinking about California, which she had left behind. Accordingly, she started listening to typical, old-school Cali music like the Beach Boys and was inspired to start a new band. Enter old friend Bob Bruno (N.J. native Ali came later), and Best Coast was a done deal. Although, Cosentino is only hitting the mainstream recently (witness her collaboration with Converse and her being featured in Bust, Inked and a myriad of other magazines), she has been around in the music scene for a while, in the indie band Pocahaunted, which impressively opened for Sonic Youth at one point, before moving to NYC. After a coastal switch back to California, Cosentino and Bruno sealed the deal, with Bruno writing the music and Cosentino, the lyrics.
New Beginnings
Posted by admin in Goal Of The Week
You may have heard that my new salon at The Four Seasons hotel in Austin, Texas is opening soon. It seems like just yesterday I was writing about decorating it, and now the time to unveil the new location is right around the corner (probably next week)! As you may have read, I was going for a French feel for the interior of it to match the elegant and swanky vibe of The Four Seasons, yet that same Ron King hospitality and unpretentiousness (as well as a heavy dose of chic styling) will remain.
If you live in Texas, or are in the area, stop by the salon and get a free consultation from me. I will advise you about style and color for your mane and give my expert opinion gratis, in honor of the new opening (I will only be consulting and cutting, however, at the new salon and not at my other salon, Bo). You can then make an appointment with another equally talented stylist or with myself and change your hair up for fall!
Autumn is about new beginnings, after all, and what better way to celebrate that than by styling yourself differently? I recommend getting low lights put in your hair, if you are into highlights, to give your strands depth and dimension. It will also create an attractive contrast between your paler skin tone (due to the seasonal change) and your hair. You can also get a fresh, new cut or any other styling options you’d like to pursue. Longtime and new clients are always welcome as we make new friends but keep the old into fall. Here’s to a great start!
The Women of of Mad Men
Posted by admin in Style Stakeout
Much has been made of Mad Men star Christina Hendricks’ voluptuous figure and with good reason. Hendricks is earthy, beautiful and sophisticated, of course, but can we talk about her clothes on the show? After all, the wardrobe is sort of an additional character on it. Her character Joan, a confident career woman, knows the power of the phrase, “less is more”, especially when it comes to dressing her curvy shape. Fitted shift dresses, never cleavage bearing, and short, but not scandalous, hemlines in bold colors are de rigeur for Joan, which is perfectly in line with the style of the ’60s. The clothes were all about suggestion rather than out and out sex appeal. Joan’s hair is shiny, sassy, fiery red and always perfectly coiffed in some type of updo, while her makeup is truly a matte masterpiece, heavy on the liner and lipstick.
To get Joan’s sexy working woman vibe, I suggest heading to classic and vintage-inspired shops (or just going to a vintage shop). J. Crew has sweater sets, shells, retro heels and cute dresses galore. Fit is important when doing this kind of a look. Make sure everything fits like a glove or get it altered. In terms of makeup and hair, always go for a true hairdo and a face full of makeup. MAC has great bold, retro colors usually.
If you’re more of a subdued, quirky type, the character Peggy’s sweet and girly frocks will have you salivating. Head to Marc Jacobs for vintage-inspired ensembles that are geek-chic and modest. Natural makeup and some fringe will make you office ready. More into the Grace Kelly, icy and elegant thing? January Jones’ heartbreakingly beautiful character’s wardrobe is perfection. Solid or relatively low key separates and dresses fit the bill for this look. You might want to check out Banana Republic for restrained yet chic sex appeal. Mod nude lips and black liner with mascara complete the look… Just don’t forget the haughty attitude to go along with your Mad Men makeover.
People often complain that eating nutritiously, deliciously and on a budget is near impossible. With this economy, everyone is looking to save money but wants to stay healthy as well. I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks from my health-conscious pals about eating well on a dime and thought I’d share them with you… Some might seem disarmingly simple or obvious, but you’d be surprised about how much of a difference they actually make.
- Buy a combination of fresh and frozen fruits and veggies. Only buy what is in season because it is often cheaper and tastes better when buying fresh, and opt for frozen veggies during the winter months that are flash frozen (frozen at their peak of ripeness), thereby maintaining their nutrients and low cost.
-Go veggie. As I’ve discussed in other posts, not only is dining sans meat healthy for your body and mind, it’s also easier on your wallet. Delicious, easy to prepare dried and canned bean as well as whole grains, like brown rice and whole wheat pasta are inexpensive and delicious.
-Drink water. This seems like an obvious one, but those alcoholic drinks, sodas and juices add up to a good chunk of change. Not only will substituting tap water refresh your body, it’s obviously free (duh). Invest in an inexpensive Brita pitcher for safer water.
-Stay away from the processed stuff. Items that are prepared are laden with preservatives, added sugar and salt, and artifical ingredients as well as being pricey.
-Use coupons. If you don’t feel like spending your free time clipping them, sign up for a site like Shortcuts.com, which emails you coupons you would be interested in that you can print out and use at your local supermarket. Simple, thrifty and oh so easy!
-Start a garden. If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, start with growing herbs and progress onto veggies. You’ll eventually save a bundle when cooking.
Doing the Rosa Cha
Posted by admin in Line We Love
I realize it’s somewhat late in the summer to be doing a post on swimwear, but better late than never. This season’s bathing suits have been retro-inspired, glamorous and a bit more modest. One swimwear company that blows the competition out of the water is Brazilian label, Rosa Cha. Not only are designer Alexandre Herchcovitch’s suits sexy and high quality, they are also high fashion in a way never quite seen before. The label manages to embody drama, bright and splashy color and a playful as well as exotic feel, much like Brazil itself and the label’s clientele list, which includes Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum.
The line was launched in 1990 by Slama, a former history professor and his wife. After taking home a Brazilian Designer of the Year award twelve years later, Slama opened the first Rosa Cha store in NYC in 2008. A year ago, Alexandre Herchcovitch took the reigns from Slama and hasn’t looked back. His newest collection is lovely, a bit old-school, soft and even a bit tame but still with Rosa Cha’s signature bold femininity.
Every summer (AKA party season), I get an influx of short-haired women asking for ways to style their crops for parties or black tie events, instead of just doing it as they normally would. Short hair is sexy, sassy and all the rage right now, yet many people don’t know it can also be versatile. Simply glance at a fashion magazine and see a bevy of bobbed and cropped beauties making the look work on the red carpet for inspiration. Stars like Carey Mulligan with her Mia Farrow-esque look, beautiful and elegant Halle Berry and unpredictable Kelly Osbourne have all explored hairstyling options which make their short ‘dos festive and so can you.
The tried and true idea is to add hair accessories. Sparkly and vintage-inspired pins, combs and barrettes are all adorable but may be best saved for those on the younger side. Try piling 2-3 decorative bobby pins on one side of the head and play around with positioning for a more modern look. Headbands of every size and type are a great option as well. Funky ladies like Kelly Osbourne go for a not so subtle look of oversized bow headbands and bright colors. This is also a fun going out style but is not for the faint of heart. It helps to have a similarly unique hairstyle/color and clothing style to pull it off. For a more mature look, opt for a simple black or solid colored headband. Chunky bands work better on older ladies without bangs. For this sophisticated style, I recommend adding a little volume after the headband for a more fun and fashion forward style.
Another option is to change up your color, part or texture. Have stick straight hair but want to dazzle during a night out? Curl your hair with a curling iron or create some texture with a texturizing spray and a blow dryer. If you’re naturally wavy and want to switch it up, simply section your hair and blow dry then go over it with a flat iron for a smooth finish. For a more long term solution for boring short hair, add some color and shine with a glaze. On crops, I prefer solid but dimensional color rather than highlights. They are too much coupled with the short hair. If all else fails, you can always throw in some extensions!
Totally M.I.A.
Posted by admin in Style Stakeout
I was going to do a Culture Clash post on Sri Lankan singer M.I.A’s newish album… That idea was aborted when I started doing some reading about what the forever feisty lady in question has been up to. It seems there was a controversial New York Times Magazine article that portrayed her as hypocritical, naive and airheaded. After perusing said article, I decided to make this M.I.A. post about her completely singular style instead.
After all, there is a lot to be said about the eclectic pop star’s wardrobe. Much like her music, it is an amalgam of traditional, punk, English, ethnic and pop influences that is always thought provoking and attention grabbing. M.I.A. stomps around in Sri Lankan garb, studs, and hipster ware and yet it always looks effortless and not studied at all. There is an ineffable cool about her and a certain sophisticated playfulness at hand beneath the bright, clashing colors and patterns. Her makeup usually looks flawless, whether she’s rocking avant garde looks or a classic face. Likewise, her hair always looks up to date, hip and comepletely appropriate. She has gone from long, dark waves to short and highlighted, straightened and back again all within a blink of an eye. Yet, it always feels right. Like her predecessor Madonna, M.I.A. is genius at mining the zeitgeist and combining the best of it in a fabulously post-modern way. Who can argue her style (or street cred) after starring in an amazing Marc Jacobs campaign by Juergen Teller or sporting an outrageous sheer, stretchy mini dress while pregnant to a music awards show?
Hair Be Gone
Posted by admin in Other Awesome-ness
I had to tackle the topic of hair removal and waxing next because, well, it’s a sticky scenario (no pun intended) for both men and, particularly, women. Most ladies don’t want a whiskery mouth or chin and more guys are opting to wax or shave their shoulders, chest and back as well as doing a little pruning below, just like the ladies. We’re all a bit hairy, it just depends to what degree and if you decide to do away with your body hair, what type of hair removal process will you use? There is Nair, shaving, waxing, threading, plucking and a myriad of infomercial products and electric razors out there. At a loss still? I’ll walk you through each process a bit below, so you can make the best, informed decision for yourself.
Shaving is perhaps the most inexpensive, least painful and most common option which makes it a good, first step in the war against body hair. Then again, some people want results that last longer and don’t want to have shave their hairy bits everyday. Also, it might not be appropriate for certain body areas, such as your face or arms (if you’re a woman) because it can cause hair to grow back thicker and more noticeable and it’s not exactly a feminine thing to do. Also, your bikini line or eyebrows, since it doesn’t help to leave an already sensitive area subject to rashes, chafing and infection. Shaving is for you if you want quick, cheap results delivered in a user friendly way. Just stick to only your legs if you’re a woman and maybe your bikini line (if you’re careful).
Depillatories, like Nair, are also popular for good reason. They are virtually painless, also somewhat inexpensive, easy to use and immediate. You simply apply the cream, wait a few minutes and wash it away along with the unwanted hair. I recommend using depillatories on your ’stache or chin if you’re a lady and maybe your arms. Stay away from using it on your eyebrows or bikini line because, again, you can get irritated very easily from these products, especially if you have sensitive skin. It just generally might be a good idea to keep chemical laden substances away from those parts. Also make sure you get a formula that doesn’t smell rancid, is for sensitive skin and be sure to test it on a patch of skin first before smothering your body to make sure you won’t have an allergic reaction.
The third choice for hair removal purposes is perhaps my favorite to use on ladies. Threading, the old Middle Eastern art of removing small hairs by sharply rolling a single strand of strong thread over the hair, thereby cutting it, is great. It doesn’t usually leave irritation, is generally less painful than waxing and the results last a while. Try to scout out a threader with affordable rates because doing this a few times a month can get pricey. Also, make sure you go to a well-trained threader. You can do this on any part of your face, but it is probably best left for eyebrows.
Lastly, you can wax, which is another salon favorite. Waxing can be costly and painful, but it lasts a while and can be done at almost any salon. I suggest waxing for your bikini line, lip/chin and eyebrows or chest and back, if you’re a guy. Again, go to a reputable, clean and professional place and be prepared to feel the pain. If you’re body is very sensitive, you might want to apply witch hazel to the area that is getting waxed beforehand or take some Tylenol or Advil to ward off pain.
Then, there is always plucking but, who wants to patiently pluck out each and every hair and deal with all that self-inflicted pain? And you can always do laser hair removal, but only if you want a more pricey option. It’s a personal choice and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Just don’t get into any hair situations (pun intended) and think through your choice beforehand.
Sheena Matheiken, an Indian-American, youngish, Brooklyn type has all the great fashion options in her adopted city of New York. Yet this altruistic young lady opted to forgo these trendy mainstays and wear the same little black dress (albeit, she had 7 identical copies of the dress for each day of the week) for 365 Days (from April of 2009-April 2010) in an effort to call attention to the plight of schoolchildren in her native India and make a host of points about our obsessions with material things, sustainability and creativity/fashion. Sheena accessorized and styled her way into 365 different outfits successfully and documented the whole thing, calling it The Uniform Project and and blogging about it.
Soon, the media caught onto her clever plan and Matheiken received tons of press about her true cause, the Akanksha Foundation , an organization that is revolutionizing Indian education. They provide funding for children’s school uniforms and other educational expenses. Matheiken recalls wearing a daily uniform during her own school days there and how every child would manage to style theirs a bit differently, hence the inspiration for the blog. The dress itself was designed especially for her needs in minds, being a basic, black seasonless piece in cotton, fit for any time of year or occassion. If you’d like to make a donation to the Akanksha Foundation or learn more about this cause (or if you just want to purchase the dress Matheiken wore everyday and get some sartorial inspiration), click here. So far, $103,389, or 287 Indian children, have attended school well-equipped as a result!
