Intro to Fashion Week 2013

Fashion week is nearby and I'm so exited for this years shows and street style in New York, London, Milan, and Paris! I will be covering each place's highlights during each separate week according to the city. First up New York: February 7th through February 14th. The following video is a preview into what will be coming in the next couple weeks; a showcase of one of my favorite 2013 lines, Oscar de la Renta's current Spring/Summer line. Enjoy!

Silver and Gold

Music- A Playlist

I have just recently discovered Wild Belle's music and very unique style. She incorporates a 60's vibe into her music, very similar to Lana Del Ray. Unlike Lana although, I for one have found a more upbeat, psychedelic feel that just doesn't compare. Also check out Wild Belle's Keep You.

IT'S TOO LATE from Wild Belle on Vimeo.

Coldplay 'Yellow' from Pulse Films on Vimeo.

Live From Bad Racket: Saintseneca from Bad Racket on Vimeo.

The Black Keys "Gold On The Ceiling" from PEDESTRIAN.TV on Vimeo.
Eliza Doolittle "Rollerblades" from Cass Bird on Vimeo.

Kate Nash "Foundations" from AndrayNovak on Vimeo.

The Blow - True Affection (Type in an environment) from Delisa Williams on Vimeo.

Angus and Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane from kirill dolmatov on Vimeo.

I don't completely understand the relevance of the music video, I just love the song, and the fact that the girl's name is Lizzy.

My Natural Essentials (for skin and hair)

I've always been in to the idea of using the benefits of natural food for exterior uses, and after years of going through countless books, websites, and articles, I've decided to make a post of all my favorite natural elements and their numerous uses:

Aloe Vera

To start with, I love, love, love aloe vera; I use it just about everyday for my face and occasionally a hair mask with great results.

• Benefits
• Helps repair and moisturize skin and hair without adding oil
• Keeps hair texture light; no weighing down
• Aids hair growth
• How to use:
• Use as a daily moisturizer alone or on top of your regular face lotion
• Replace hair gel by putting a small amount into the palm of your hand, and applying to  slightly damp hair to add a weightless texture and hold. 
• (see more uses with Castro Oil below)

Castor Oil

Ok, after reading the endless comments and praise by a coauthor of The Urban Bush Babe's blog, I was keen on getting myself some castor oil . I had no idea that castor oil is in fact "a very effective laxative" on top of the piles of exterior benefits. I asked a lady who worked at the store where I could find some of this oil, and after giving me a weird look she said, "Ya, I'll look for some, and get back to you. . ." After the woman left us, my sister turned to me and told me what castor oil was usually used for. Minutes later, and, in front of a cute boy, the store lady returned to us and said, "Here's the castor oil you were looking for, hope it's a big enough bottle." So embarrassing! 

So, if after reading the benefits and deciding you would like to obtain in some castor oil, look in the place where the laxatives and ointments are; I advise you not to ask an employe.

• Benefits:
• Natural antibacterial for skin and hair
• Ultra moisturizing 
• Aids reduction of acne
• Breaks up acne scars
• Thickens hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows
• Makes hair shiny and soft
• How to use:
• Apply a liberal amount with your fingertips deep in your hair, on your scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave to sit overnight.
• With a small amount, simply put a thin layer over your face (if to sticky, flush with warm water)
• At night (or whenever your not wearing mascara) dip an eyelash brush into a small amount of oil and brush through eyelashes(this thickens eyelashes; for added length, mix with aloe vera gel)

Avocado

• Benefits:
• Moisturizing of skin and hair
• Repairing skin/hair
• Restoring natural elasticity in skin
• Vitamins are easily absorbed by skin and hair 
• How to use:
• Mash up avocado in a bowl with a fork like your making guacamole, apply to skin and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• For hair, mash up and do the same, but apply to hair from scalp to tips and leave for 30-45 minutes (if avocado mash starts to dry, apply coconut and/or olive oil for added moisture.)

Lemon

• Benefits:
• Fades acne scars
• Brightens skin
• Bleaching properties (for hair)
• Kills bacteria
• How to use:
• For skin: lemon can be harsh and irritate skin, but works very effectively with the help of honey (below). Make a blemish erasing mask by mixing one part lemon juice (fresh) and two parts honey and applying to your face. Leave to sit for about five minutes
• For hair: mix the juice from a quarter of a lemon with either deep conditioner or an olive oil-water mixture (enough to cover all your hair) apply, and leave in anywhere from 15-30 minutes.

Honey

• Benefits:
• Adds moisture to skin and hair
• Adds shine to hair
• Opens pores and rids acne causing bacteria 
• How to use:
• Use as a mask and let sit on skin for 10-15 minutes before gently patting with a hot towel 
• For hair, dilute with water and let sit for 15-20 minutes 
• Variations: mix honey with two egg yokes and one tbs. of olive oil and let sit in hair for 30 minutes, wash out and continue with your regular hair washing routine

Coconut Oil

• Benefits:
• Easily absorbs into skin and hair for deep moisturizing 
• Prevents hair breakage
• Has antibacterial properties
• Aids hair grow
• How to use: 
• With a very small amount, let melt in your hands and apply to face, no removal necessary
• With a liberal amount, run through hair and massage head with oil, put on a shower cap, and leave over night. 

Sugar

• Benefits:
• Natural Exfoliant- removes dead skin
• How to use: 
• Lick lips and rub between lips 
• Wet with water, wait until sticky but not dissolved, and gently rub to exfoliate face

Black Tea

• Benefits: 
• Adds shine to hair
• Reduces the loss and shedding of hair
• Brings out natural darks in hair 
• How to use:
• Steep four tea bags in two cups of boiling water, cover and leave in a bowl overnight
• With damp, and freshly shampooed hair, pour tea and let sit for 20 minutes
• Tea mixture still in hair, run deep conditioner through hair and let sit for another 10 minutes
• Wash out 
• Tip: if you really want the natural darkness in your hair to come to notice, do this routine two times a week for a continuos string of four weeks.

Chamomile Tea

• Benefits:
• Brings out natural highlights in hair
• Adds shine
• How to use:
• Steep four tea bags in two cups of hot water, leave overnight. 
• With damp, and freshly shampooed hair, pour tea and let sit for 20 minutes
• Tea mixture still in hair, run deep conditioner through hair and let sit for another 10 minutes
• Wash out 

Olive Oil

• Benefits:
• Lessens hair breakage with improved elasticity 
• Ultra hydrating for skin and hair
• How to use:
• Do a simple oil wash by rubbing oil lightly on face then washing it with warm water
• Mix honey with two egg yokes and one tbs. of olive oil and let sit in hair for 30 minutes, wash out and continue with your regular hair washing routine (also above)

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Benefits:
• Breaks down build up in hair follicles 
• Reduces shedding 
• Prevents dandruff
• Adds shine
• Corrects pH balance in hair
• Aids growth
• Downs frizz
• How to use:
• Mix 1/4 Apple Cider Vinegar with 2 cups of water, incorporated in your regular bathing/shower routine, pour mixture on scalp before your regular shampoo and conditioning.

The New Girl

Tavi Gevinson Closet Interview for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.

Photo courtesy of StyleLikeU

A fashion icon becomes just that- an icon, because they do something different. They dress differently, look differently, and have an aura; a presents that speaks differently. To say the least, Tavi Geveinson is a very different girl. As a 16 year old blogger and stylist, she has paved the way for a whole new generation in fashion. Her look doesn't represent the mainstream look of beauty, it's about personal expression. I love her character that bleeds through her clothes and her fearless style that incorporates a vintage and futuristic attitude. Each item that she owns is symbolic to her, bringing out a whole nether element to her styling. Watch the video above to see footage of Tavi, her clothes, room, and her views of style. 

• (P.S. I do not agree with her comments on Fashion Week.)

With the new year of 2013 green, Tavi Gevinson has made her stylist appearance more than ever. Discovered by her blog, The Style Rookie, at the young age of 13, Tavi has never failed to show us the cutting-edge of fashion with her very much personal and quirky style. At age 15, she founded the "Rookie Magazine" and before that was featured in not only Teen Vogue, but an issue of French Vogue. Now 16, her opportunities and spotlight have only increased as well as her style compass.

Tavi's institution of an completely new and inexplainable fashion has been made tangible to the day-to-day girl reading and observing "the Rookie" magazine and blog. Although difficult to emulate Gevinson's precise style, aspects are frequently borrowed by teenage girls, and grown women alike with the message of bringing out your own quirky differences within your clothes. As eminent designer Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” Tavi Gevinson is a prime example, never losing her style and taste with the ever-changing fashions surrounding us. I for one, have been utterly inspired by Tavi Gevinsons stylist choices and message. What she wears breaths; leaks the upmost elements of her personality with color, pattern, and shape. Here are some pictures of Tavi and her clothes (photo courtesy of StyleLikeU): 

The Red Photoshoot

Room Pallet: Winter Whites

Nothing blows the chilled, delicately iced breath of winter more than crisp whites, snug creams, and dainty pastels. Even with shorter days; dark, engulfing the world with only a few short hours of sunlight, methods can be used to capture the glow and add a blissful cheer to your own room. I was inspired by the glacial, snow-land just outside of my mountain house, 8,000 ft above sea level in Park City, Utah, a place where the powder is of an ample abundance and the evergreen trees not only pervade the mountain side, but the air, with its distinct, sweet smell. Inside my room, I shot the pictures below, finding that the afternoon light shining through my windows, created the pristine atmosphere.   

• Adding glass entities of different shades and transparencies creates a winter glow, developing contrasting light reflections around the room. Transparent or even semitransparent perfume bottles can be used as added decor along with glass jars, mirror-like jewelry boxes (image above), beads, and even lose jewelry. When going for a color theme, it's more than okay to try various different shades, tints, and tones of the pallet your working with. In this case, I tried to stay with silver metallics, anywhere from white white to a warmed cream, and accent pastel colors of powder blue, a blushed pink, and pale, citrus-y green hue. 

• This vintage, haute couture dress-form is a great accessory and focal point to add to a room and color play because of its coordination with not only the colors, but the style of the room. Although this particular piece will most likely not show up anywhere in the U.S. as for the fact that was made and bought in France, this is just an example after all, and different center pieces (not dress forms) can be added to your room in the manner of your style and own personal taste. 

• Different paint finishes on the furniture can either make or break a room. I chose a white/cream crackle paint for this dresser to accentuate the hues and styles found among other pieces around the room. Crackle paint (when used well and sparingly) can add a retro aura without the feeling of being outdated or old. 

• These ballerina shoes were received by me years ago when my dad asked one of the ballerinas at the end of The Nutcracker, for her used shoes. She didn't mind at all; being a ballerina, she rid of her heavily used shoes after every performance, granting me the opportunity to use them as added decor to my room. I used this country-French styled hanger with a simple flower print, and coordinating colors to display them. Adding a very much femme, delicate touch to this glowing, winter room.   

• At night, with a lack of natural light, it seems like the very much obvious thing to get a bedside table with a lamp. The question is, what lamp? Along with the other objects around the room, its important to think of the lamp as being an important aspect of decor to be treated with thought and care. This happens to be my great grandmother's lamp and is bright enough to light the space around me as well as dimly, softly light the entire room, as yours should be. The silver rimming of the lamp reflects the surrounding light in the day, giving it the true distinctiveness of a piece of decor.  

• To create the perfect winter atmosphere within your own room, a tip it to simply open the blinds and let the natural light in. Not only is natural light better for your eyes, but, in my opinion, has a better tone and feel to it. 

•  Lastly, to add to the cozy aspect of the room, a down comforter added with cotton sheets and pillow cases make you really just want to jump into bed whenever you see its potentially warm embrace. I loved the plush, baby blue color of the comforter, and the crisp whiteness of the sheets, taking this picture, I couldn't help but to think how I would love to take a dreamy, midday nap.