Archive for November, 2009

My quest to find the perfect white t-shirt is sort of like Linus’s search for The Great Pumpkin in that I keep waiting for it to appear, only to be disappointed when when it fails to materialize.  At last count, I have upwards of 15 white t-shirts from various brands, in different cuts, and varying fabrics.  You may wonder how hard it is to find a perfect t-shirt.  But for me, the perfect white tee is described in many adjectives that appear to be contradictory: a light, but substantial material; slightly sheer, but not sheer enough that you can see your bra through it; a loose but body conscious fit; a flattering, elongated neckline; wide armholes;  and a long length that hits about hip length.  Do you see why it’s been so hard to find it?

I’ve tried many different brands and fit tips, and have accumulated a multitude of shirts. Some are bad and should never have been purchased in the first place because they aren’t even something I want for sleepy time wear, some are just ok and are the ones I will reach for on laundry days (Forever 21, Banana Republic, and Gap staples), while others are so very close to being perfect but not quite there (American Apparel’s Unisex V-Neck Tee and Splendid tees.)  I did try on a t-shirt from the Olsen’s Row line that practically perfect, except for its $250 price tag.  I had to put it down in Barney’s before I did something that I and American Express seriously regretted. (more…)

couple of days ago I came across this super cool site, Daily Drop Cap, which I have been obsessed with checking back every day since. Topograher and design guru Jessica Hische created the resource as a fun project to allow bloggers and web managers everywhere to add a little extra character to their pages. Daily Drop Cap puts forth a new hand-crafted decorative initial cap every day that is free for the public to use.  Each letter is truly a piece of art- I have yet to find one I don’t love!  She makes it super easy, writing out the HTML on her page that you can just copy and paste into your editor.

As someone who deeply appreciates beauty and creativity but without the personal design training or experience, I’m so excited to have found this site!  I’ve already added it to my Tumblr followers list and can’t wait to see the rest of the alphabet!

Winter is one of those times when my combination skin starts to go haywire, and really exhibit its Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality.  Its Mr. Hyde side, is smooth, unblemished and soft; its Dr. Jekyll aspect is easily prone to redness, one parts dry and flaky, and occasionally to breakouts.  I’ve taken to treating its Dr. Jekyll parts in a sectional method, depending on how it feels like reacting at the time.  Right now, it’s on its on a dry spell, but I tried out Kenzo’s Marshmallow Mask and was delighted by its restorative powers.  I’ve used face masks before that have made my skin feel softer and silkier, but this was the first one that actually made the lines in my face plump up and filled in, while still moisturizing.

The texture of the mask is white and creamy, with a consistency similar to marshmallow fluff, hence the name, but with none of the stickiness.  It has a light, whipped texture, that’s gently scented with a mix of fragrant floral and rice bran. Even with its light texture, the cream is still very rich and thick, with its key ingredients of cocoa butter, cameline oil, and cotton butter, all of which have hydrating, soothing, and nourishing properties. (more…)

Located in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins proved to be a solid hotel choice on my recent San Francisco vacation. The hotel itself is in of the quieter areas of the city, so if you’re looking for something more removed from the crowds and lights of Union Square but still in a convenient location, this is a great option.  It’s a short cable car ride (or hilly walk) to Chinatown, Union Square, and the Ferry Building, among other hot spots. (more…)

Have you heard about Ilha Organics? It’s a fantastic new line of organic skincare products from Karen Young, the creator of the home goods line Hammocks & High Tea. Ilha means island in Portuguese, and Karen was inspired by her roots in South America to develop this line. Her grandmother used to make amazing, all-natural skin care remedies right in their own kitchen! Using organic ingredients like calendula flowers, green tea leaves, and various essential oils, Karen has developed her own hand-blended body balms, massage oils, and soaks.

I tried a sample of the Flor Organic Body Balm, which I loved. Just smoothing a little bit on my legs, arms, and any dry spots seriously went a long way. The balm immediately softened under my fingers when I opened up the jar, so I didn’t need to apply that much. It’s incredibly moisturizing and soothing without leaving heavy or greasy residues, which some skin care products targeted at dry skin can do. I also enjoyed the warm, floral scent and the amber glass jar packaging, which was almost apothecary-esque. It would make a great gift or treat for yourself if you’ve got dry skin like me. For more info on Ilha Organics, check out hammocksandhightea.com.

As the beauty director of MORE Magazine, Genevieve Monsma dispenses monthly beauty advice to more than 1.3 million women. She has been covering the skin, hair, and makeup market for over a decade and has written about beauty for women of all ages. In addition to her tenure at MORE, she has been the beauty director at Shape Magazine, the deputy beauty director at Marie Claire, the beauty director at CosmoGirl, and the associate beauty editor at Redbook. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to interview this beauty veteran and find out what tops her must-have list!

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It’s getting mighty chilly now – even in SoCal! That means it’s finally the season where we can break out the scarves, which is yet another way to accessorize. I always think just one accessory, whether it be shoes or a scarf, can be a great way to add a bit of personality to even the most simple outfit.

Now is the perfect time to scout for some new scarves to add to your collection. I like ones that are on the thinner side because while they still keep you warm, they transition through the seasons much easier. This Bambi Betsy Scarf from Nepali by TDM Design is one of my top choices. Made 100% of eco-friendly woven bamboo, it’s plush, soft and beautifully made. I also love the bright ombre colors! Just throw it on with a tee, jeans and boots for brunch – or add it to your favorite LBD for a night out.

Retails for $78 at Shopbop.com.

As we head into the cooler weather in Los Angeles (finally!), I decided it was time to switch up my fragrance choices a little.  I sampled a bunch of different choices and there were two that really stood out to me. (more…)