by Liz Finkelstein | Jul 11, 2010 | Fashion, Most Popular Posts
- Read fashion/style magazines– Editors at these magazines are at the cutting edge of what’s available now and what’s coming next. They are literally the experts, and the best stuff goes into the magazines. While I don’t feel that all are equally useful, Lucky, Elle and Bazaar are the best (I would stay away from Vogue and W which are high on fashion, low on practicality). I get at least one idea every month from Lucky alone.
- Get a manicure– I can’t explain why, but short, painted nails are the perfect accessory. They make an already great outfit better. And if you’re like me and chip your nails just by looking at the wrong, I’m gonna say 3 words that will change your life: OPI Gel Manicure. It has all the benefits of acrylics (no chipping) without any of the cheesiness. Added bonuses: it looks good for weeks at a time, keep cuticles from growing in, and is bone dry (from UV machines) immediately.
- Stop matching– This requires the least amount of effort. If it matches, don’t wear it. Instead, try working within a framework of complementation.
- Light on the makeup– Fresh faced and natural never goes out of style. A good guideline is just enough makeup to cover and blend imperfections (concealer), make eyes pop (mascara applied conservatively and eyebrow pencil if necessary), and add color to the skin (lightly dusted bronzer and blush).
- Get on Gilt– Gilt.com is the pantheon for online designer shopping. New York Magazine recently published an article about Gilt. Apparently at 10am (when all sales for the day start), fashionable offices around New York City are silent as women intensely peruse the merchandise. People take Gilt very seriously. The reason? Top of the line designers (Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, Donna Karen) so heavily discounted they’re practically free. The downside is that merchandise goes fast, and it’s an oddly competitive experience (you have 10 minutes to decide once something is added to your shopping bag, otherwise it goes back on the ‘floor’.) But, and this is a big but- when you score, you score BIG.
- Commit– like everything else, being good at something requires practice, dedication and effort. While I’d like to say that improving your style is effortless, this is not the case. Most of the work necessary is mental: thinking about what you’re gonna wear, how it looks, why it does or doesn’t work. Don’t be lazy. Be inspired!
by Liz Finkelstein | Jul 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
Have you ever spent the night in a luxury hotel? Noticed anything special about the beds? Hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and St. Regis pour money into their beds because they know the investment pays off. The Ritz beds have featherdown mattress pads and the Four Seasons uses a special line of mattresses manufactured by Sealy. Add to that the highest quality sheets on the market (usually Frette), and you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.
The ‘hotel bedding’ look has become very popular, as people want to create the peaceful, comfortable feeling they have when staying at one of these high-end chains. And while I’d love to tell you I can provide this on the cheap, I cannot. Bedding is expensive. However, I’ll tell you where to buy exactly what you need and save money.
For New Yorkers, Schweitzer Linen is a bed and bath staple. Next to Bloomingdales, most NYC residents buy their bedding from this store. They do so because the products are top of the line, (think Frette), half of the cost (think Restoration Hardware) and come in the widest variety of patterns and colors. You can, literally, get anything you want at this store, and thanks to 21st century shopping technology, you can buy it all online. Washing is simple (gentle cycle and consider getting a special detergent) and after about a year, they double in softness.
As far as Down Comforters go, Scandia is the best. If you can afford to add (approximately) $200 to your investment on a comforter, or another $100 on a pillow, this is the way to go. Their Pillowtop Featherbed is the closest thing to cloud conditions. There is, quite simply, nothing like Scandia.
Once you have the basics, add on 2-3 throw pillows. West Elm offers many chic and affordable options. If your bedding is basic and in the hotel aesthetic, pillows are the place to play with color and pattern so mix them up! Add one of these with one of these. Or one of these with one of these. If you’re looking for fun, humorous pillows, Jonathan Adler is the gold standard.
by Liz Finkelstein | Jul 4, 2010 | Uncategorized
Coasters are a fabulous gift for a variety of reasons. They are functional, affordable, and are an easy way to add color, pattern, glamour and personality into a tablescape.
by Liz Finkelstein | Jun 28, 2010 | Fashion
Not everyone knows about Smythe. But trust me when I tell you that Smythe jackets are like a perfect red-soled Louboutin high heel, an Hermes scarf, a Cartier watch: timeless. They run small, so if you’re bigger on top, consider ordering one size up. And get ready for the compliments!
Photo courtesy of James Christianson.
by Liz Finkelstein | Jun 17, 2010 | Fashion, Most Popular Posts
I remember the first time I spent over $100 on a pair of pants. They were black stretch from Barneys and made my butt look great! I remember being so hesitant to pull the trigger, to cross that symbolic spending threshold of ‘you spent WHAT on WHAT??!!’
However, those pants became the go-to for every occasion in which I needed to look good. I finally retired them after many years of wear, dry-cleaning, repairs, folding and unfolding, and the natural neglect a 20 year old assigns to her stuff. They were worth every penny and taught me an invaluable style lesson: when you pay more, you get more.
Very often, spending more money will garner a bigger return in the form of longevity. Since the clothing is made of higher quality materials, constructed with more time and attention spent to detail, it will stay a part of your wardrobe for years, not months, amortizing its cost.
Additional returns on your investment come in the way of better silhouettes, a wider variety of colors, enhanced detailing (buttons, clasps, trims, etc) and more originality. So consider upgrading appropriately. Three $20 Target tops equal one from J.Crew and on up the spectrum until you end with a closet full of beautiful items that although cost in the short run, saved in the long.
