By Courtney Maum •
January 14, 2009
The Top Five Secrets of Indian Beauty
Slumdog Millionaire is a great movie. Uplifting and heartwarming, without being cheesy. But let’s be honest for about 45 seconds, shall we? Freida Pinto is a total babe. I’m a straight woman and I’m halfway in love with her. Want to know her beauty secrets, other than unfair genes? Here are five, for starters.
1. Aromatherapy
Most of us know the benefits of aromatherapy, but it’s useful to know the individual benefits of the plants, herbs and fruits used in this wonderful form of alternative medicine. Basil, for example, helps with digestion, while cinnamon acts as a stimulant and lemongrass helps reduce cellulite. Florapathics has an extensive selection of aromatherapy products with prices as refreshing as their ingredients.
By Courtney Maum •
January 13, 2009
Steampunk Hits the Streets
If you’ve seen anyone walking around recently with parasols, goggles or ray guns, cancel that call to Homeland Security. Metropolitan cities are being invaded, but not by anyone hostile. The trend is called steampunk, and it’s something of a treat, especially if you’re into transforming metal, wood and brass into fantastic, handcrafted creations. Here’s a few tips on how to recognize (and understand!) this interesting sub-culture.
1. Steampunk: What is it?
The term Steampunk refers to the Victorian age that this trend is primarily influenced by, an age where steam power was used almost exclusively. Steampunk draws from a Neo-Victorian aesthetic, in which human potential, incredible inventions and fantasy abounds. The French author, Jules-Verne is a fundamental source of inspiration, and his Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea exemplify the aesthetic and cultural landscape of the Steampunk mindset.
By Courtney Maum •
January 12, 2009
Five Places You Might Not Expect to Find Stylish Yoga Wear:
As environmentalism enters into the collective conscious, designers and retailers alike are looking to the healing arts for inspiration and guidelines as they embrace a greener lifestyle. Here is a list of the top five places to find affordable, well-designed yoga wear near you:
1. Banana Republic
Even the brand names are jumping on the bandwagon of sustainability. In honor of earth day, Banana Republic unfolded an eco-fashion line of 50 summer staples in April of 2007. For the duration of Earth Week, the retailer pledged 1% of all its in-store sales to the not-for-profit Trust for Public Lands. This eco-friendly initiative is part of the company’s quest to reduce their environmental impact in the coming years.
2. J.Crew
Inspired by the enthusiasm of its customers for the practice of yoga and the parallel ease and simplicity of this ancient art, J.Crew launched a line of yoga wear for its 2008 fall collection. In an article from Women’s Wear Daily, J.Crew CEO Millard Drexler explains, “We kept hearing from our associates about yoga, hearing from our customers about yoga, and hearing from people who do yoga. We always want to be where our customers are, and where they are going. That’s our mission. Today, any retailer’s job is always looking to the road that has to be traveled.”
By Courtney Maum •
January 9, 2009
Bespoken: Revisiting the Belle Epoque
This spring, recessionistas will adapt Edwardian, utilitarian silhouettes to suit their personalities….and their wallets. Here are simple ways to greenify the top 5 trends from spring from the Paris runways:
1. Elegant Fluidity
Monochronistic palettes in nude, beige, rose and cinder will take over the runway and the streets as designers downscale fuss, and play with wearability. This is good news for the eco-conscious consumer because most of us have one or more of these color combinations in our own closets. Keep it simple, and keep it solid. This season, subtile is sophisticated.
2. Simplified Safari
Drawstrings, snap buttons and cord will tie up one-pieces, trench coats, dresses and vests, while the cargo pant takes a hint from the harem. Fluid pants will be ankle length to show off strappy sandals in thick, braided plaids of metallic leather, while tulles, frills and petticoats move the safari on towards the prairie. What this means for the eco-sophisticate: go through your mother’s closet! Borrowing is the sincerest form of flattery, so if mom doesn’t have it, check in on your roommate. Infuse spring frocks with flirtatious energy by pairing them with petticoats and bustles gleaned from your favorite second-hand store. Recycling fashion is the new black!
By Courtney Maum •
January 9, 2009
Music festivals without the mud
I like giant music festivals- what’s not to like? Well, the mud, the cold, and the total lack of privacy for starters. And what about all that waste? Glass bottles, plastic containers, and empty potato chip bags (that’s “crisps” for you Brits!) can lead to a major case of eco-guilt for festival attendees.
Thankfully, 2009 brings good news for eco-concious festival goers. Not only have major music festivals like Glastonbury and Bestival gone green, but the clever folks behind MyHab have come up with a better way for you to recuperate in style.
