Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to rush the time along. I try to enjoy each moment, whether good or not-so-much, making the most of each day and experience. I must say, I am definitely looking forward to spring. Growing up in warm climates, I love being outside, working in the garden, enjoying the sunshine.
I'm definitely a nostalgic person. I love handwriting greeting cards. I prepare family recipes. Once I establish a system for doing something, I do it the same way, every time, without fail. I'm a creature of habit, and I'm ok with that.
At this time of year, I always find myself gravitating towards all things water related - sailing, swimming, and all that is associated with the categories. Nautical inspired fashion. Seafood dishes. Decor with a splash of sailing. Yacht-chic. I love it all.
Maybe it's because my father is a retired Naval Officer, and I always think so fondly of sailors and the Armed Forces. Or maybe because I grew up around the water, and associate the smell of the sea with childhood, family, and all things holy. And maybe because I love warm climates and traveling, so just the thought of boating transforms my mind to an adventure, an exploration, and good times. Regardless of motivation and nostalgia, here are a few sailing inspired looks and brands I'm loving:
-- Saint James has been making wonderful woven clothing and accessories in France since the mid-1800s. Their Minquiers 10 unisex top is one of the most iconic sailing shirts imaginable. Available in more than a dozen color combinations, the long sleeved tshirt features a round neck, straight shape, and the most breathable combed cotton, perfect for a crisp day on the water and warm days in the sun. My favorite is the blue/white combination. US$75.
-- Whether spending the day on the water, playing urban hiker and exploring a new city, or biking over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house, a backpack to keep your treasures dry is definitely essential. Since 1897, Filson have been making quality goods with both design and function in mind, and are particularly geared towards the great outdoors. I'm particularly loving the Dry Day Backpack. A lightweight, vinyl-coated polyester backpack with sonic-welded seams,
padded ergonomic shoulder straps and rolling hook-and-loop closure. US$125.
-- I love bracelets, for both men and women, and think they look best when stacked with three or four different fabrics, metals, and designs. Really love the maritime rope bracelets with silver plated anchor from Miansai. Available in several color combinations, fabric and metal options. US$60.
-- We all know our bodies are composed predominately by water, and how important daily hydration is for normal system function and optimal health. Water is also incredibly important for our skin. Biotherm Homme has an entire range called Aquapower, packing the equivalent of 5,000 liters of thermal spa water into their face care. I really love their Aquapower cleanser - leaving the skin feeling squeaky clean and super soft. US$29.
-- I love the warm, natural glow candles add to a room's ambiance, and particularly the light fragrance they bring. What better way to spring into 2016 and set the mood for successfully navigating the year ahead than with Nest's Ocean Mist & Sea Salt classic collection? The refreshing essence of a gentle ocean mist is combined with hints of sea salt, white tea and coconut. What's not to love? From US$16.
-- Sheila Bridges is one of the coolest interior decorators on the planet. She holds a special place in my heart, because Mom and I used to watch her show on the Fine Living Network together. On the show, she always had an undeniable authenticity, encouraging her viewers to live their best life, finding what makes you happy, and creating a space that reflects where you've been, where you are, and where you're going. And she's studied in Polimoda in my beloved Florence. Sheila offers an extraordinary collection of hand-screened wallpapers. My favorite are any of her toile collection, but the sailor in me adores her nautical stripes. In my dream home, Sheila will do all the wall designs.
-- Whether cruising through Norwegian Fjords, enjoying a day cruise on the sea, or sailing through the Arctic, Norway's Helly/Hansen keeps you protected from all the elements with a dash of style + class. I'm particularly loving their Salt Jacket, packed full of functional details like hand warmer pockets, fleece collar, adjustable hood, water and wind repellent, and super handy hanger hook.
What trends are you loving? Regardless of where we go in life, I wish you all the best health, happiness, and harmony in 2016. And of course, all with an added dash of style + class.
Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we're all connected to nature and Mother Earth. When the seasons change, it's easy to implement other changes in your life as well. Wash away the winter blues and prepare to blossom with spring cleaning. Shed those unwanted pounds and dull skin in the spring with a fresh outlook and lifestyle for summer. Now that it's all, we're bundling up more, enjoying time outside as much as possible, and preparing ourselves for holidays, family gatherings, and other traditions. Here are a few things I love, that just may help you get in the spirit, add a little dash of style + class to your day, and optimize your time so you can ultimately be your best self.
I've talked about the many benefits of candles multiple times, but it's always worth mentioning again. Candles are the easiest way to add ambiance and festive cheer to any space. As autumn's crisp nights creep upon us, I love the warmth, soft glow, and pleasant scents that great candles provide. Choose candles that are as natural as possible, so they don't leave soot or irritate allergies. In the fall months, I love fragrances that are a little spicier, like amber, cinnamon, and clove, with dashes of brightness, like citrus or herbs, and deeper woods, like sandalwood, teakwood, and oud. Agraria Home has a fabulous bitter orange, Nest offers Hearth, Diptyque Paris now features Oud, and Firefood from Henri Bendel are all sure wins.
You've spent the summer outside, holidayed as much as possible, and exposed virtually every inch of your body to the summer sun - it's time now to prepare for the cooler, drier months ahead and refocus your skincare routine.
Exfoliating is very important. Once or twice weekly, gently slough away dead skin cells and other icky irritants. You can either physically exfoliate, by using a textured masque or scrub, mechanically exfoliate, with a sonic brush that literally polishes the skin, or chemically exfoliate, with powerful acidic solutions and serums. Choose a natural product, free from fillers and other harsh ingredients, and always consult your dermatologist if you're going to try something drastic. I love Origins' Never a Dull Moment. It's made with ground mango and apricot seeds, crushed walnut shells, and powerful papaya and grapefruit extracts, dissolving lackluster dead skin, revealing more radiant, fresh, and renewed skin. It's good for all skin types, smells delicious, and is gentle and effective enough to use a few times per week. My skincare maven and friend for life Linda F. recommends Peter Thomas Roth's firmX peeling gel - a potent potion of multi-action enzymes from pineapple, pomegranate, and keratinase, with cellulose
that effectively peel and help uncover a smooth, fresh, new complexion
without drying, irritating or causing undue stress to skin. Also excellent at removing impurities and decongests clogged pores for a youthful, radiant look.
Cleanse the skin, preferably both morning and night. Look for a wash that leaves the skin feeling crisp and cool, without over drying. Face washes don't have to be complicated or overly fragrant - I look for one that foams, leaving behind no residue for that squeaky clean feel. In the summer, I find my skin is a bit more oily, so I'll look for a wash containing a bit of salicylic acids and fruit enzymes, to cut down on the shine. Intended for acne, Philosophy's Clear Days Ahead is frequently in my rotation - this gel packs a powerful punch on bothersome breakouts. Plus the orange extract leaves skin feeling fresh and radiant - and smells incredibly refreshing. Because Philosophy's Clear Days Ahead can be a bit too drying, I limit its use to the summertime or for troublesome times only. Year round, I love Biotherm Homme's Aquapower Cleanser, This powerful double-action daily cleanser, which also includes a small dose of exfoliating power,
effectively removes impurities while refreshing the skin. Its
ultra-cleansing fresh gel formula contains a combination of
oligo-elements and potent cleansing agents that leave the skin soft,
comfortable and exceptionally fresh.
Moisturize and Protect - after you've exfoliated and cleansed the skin, it's time to moisturize and protect. I look for products that protect against dehydration, deterioration, and oxidation, like Origins' A Perfect World serum, Just one tiny drop of this workhorse literally stops the clock on aging, protecting the skin from damaging environmental factors like smog, stress, and other oxidizers and keeps skin looking fresh, toned, and radiant. I also love Murad's Invisiblur Perfecting Shield - a one-stop-shop for anti-aging, flawless looking skin and protection from the sun's harmful rays (and is really great for both men and women).
And I'm absolutely adoring Tom Ford's oil free daily moisturizer for men. This lightweight,
quick-absorbing,
skin-mattifying
moisturize urses
the
Tom
Ford Skin
Calming
and
Infusing
Complexes
with
a
combination
of
luxurious
butters
to hydrate
your
skin,
help
reverse
dullness
and
help
reduce
the
look
of
fine
lines and pores.
It
leaves
your
face
looking
toned,
polished
and re energized, without looking primped or too done.
Spot treat with masques: sometimes all you need is a quick "rescue" - whether sudden dryness, breakouts, or too much oil and shine, a quick masque will often steer your skin back on track in no time. Exfoliate and cleanse as normal, then apply a thick layer of the masque to face, neck, and decollete. Let the masque work its magic for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and continue with your regimen. For dry skin or a quick moisture surge, I love Fresh's Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask - their special blend of black tea ferment and extracts of blackberry leaf, black tea, and lychee seed pump the breaks on free radicals and restore skin's elasticity, while Belle de Nuit extract soothes and rebalances the skin to optimal condition, peptides firm the skin and visibly defy the signs of gravity, and hyaluronic acid attracts and maintains moisture for smooth, sheer suppleness. Origins' Out of Trouble is a just what the doctor ordered to fix over productive pores, prevent pesky pimples, and put the kibosh on shine. It packs a one-two punch with super absorbent zinc oxide and sulfur. (Side note: If you didn't already know, products with zinc oxide naturally block harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun and light sources, has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is a natural astringent, and reduces pore size. If you suffer from Rosacea, Psoriasis, Eczema, diaper rash, or dandruff, products and foods with zinc may be your answer.) It also contains Camphor, which naturally calms the skin. You'll notice a smoother texture and clearer skin in no time.
If you travel frequently, or want to make sure you're prepared without breaking the bank, Origins offers the perfect dose of masks in convenient travel or "just in case" sizes.
If you're like me, you can't live without your iDevices - whether iPhone, iPod, iPad, or iWhatever, they're an essential part to our everyday function. And that means one thing - we must always have power. My favorite chords and charging accessories are from Blue Flame. The cables are brilliantly braided and secured, preventing the dreaded "cable split" so typical of the basic white bits provided by the fruits at Apple. I had a Blue Flame cable last several years with my last iPhone, and immediately went out when I updated last. Especially handy if you travel or are frequently on the go, I've had no problems whatsoever.
Makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift at the office holiday party, too.
Don't get me wrong - espresso has a place in my life, regardless of the temperature outside or season we're celebrating, but it's nice to finally enjoy hot beverages now that the temperatures and leaves are falling. I'm loving hot beverages, especially piping hot coffee. Williams-Sonoma stocks a delicious concentrate of five different apple varieties, making for a quick and easy pot of mulled cider. I can't get enough of Teavana's Pineapple Kona Pop herbal tea, either. When I was growing up, my Mom would make a delicious "percolator punch" - a marvelous mix of equal parts pineapple juice and cranberry juice, with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and ginger in the percolator basket. I think it'd be really nice to mix this Pineapple Kona Pop with Mom's "percolator punch" for an added layer of tasty treat. And for a boozy punch, a mighty measure of Solerno Blood Orange liqueur will make mouths happy.
My favorite activity during fall: spending time with family + friends. Get outside. Throw a cocktail party. Just because. Take a hike. Literally! Keep a soccer ball in the trunk (boot) of your car for a random pickup game in the park. Open the windows, feel the fresh air, and remember why you're alive. Be spontaneous. While it's important to look to the future, don't forget to see your now.
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