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Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

Wednesday May 22, 2013

Summer ’13 Wish List


Summer is right around the corner. Literally. And boy, do I have some wants and wishes! Here they are:

Ace and Jig Dress

Yep -- totally obsessed. But how can I NOT be? I love the fabric, the stripes, the colors, the lightness, and the overall look!

Yep — totally obsessed. But how can I NOT be? I love the fabric, the stripes, the colors, the lightness, and the overall look!

Upstate Shawl

Silk tye dye scarf? IN LOVE!

Silk tye dye scarf? IN LOVE!

Josie Natori camisole

A necessary luxury. Soft, perfect, lace.

A necessary luxury. Soft, perfect, lace, and the just-right base lining.

Tocca Jumpsuit

Printed stretch silk jumpsuit in our black/grey totem print.  Deep v-neck.  Slanted front pockets.  Diamond inset in scaled down print at waist.

Printed stretch silk jumpsuit in  black/grey totem print. Deep v-neck. Slanted front pockets. Oh. My. God. Perfection.

Dalla Nonna calendar bracelet

 

A perfect way to remember a special occasion. Choose a color of metal and leather wrap. How fun and touching is it??

An original way to remember a special occasion. Choose a type of metal and leather color wrap. How fun and personable is it?? Hellooooooo (late) Mother’s day present!

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Monday May 20, 2013

Everything But Water


This past Saturday, we attended the grand opening of Everything But Water on 80th and Madison (1060 Madison Avenue).  I prefer shopping for most items (especially swimwear) at small boutiques, so this was a no brainer event for me. PLUS, my mother-in-law, Josie Natori was doing a personal appearance that made the event even more fun (combination of work and play). Check out the pics below of the fun event, and some great new swim items.  Enjoy!

Madison Avenue!

Madison Avenue! Swimwear shopping on a grey dreary day (Can we talk about this May weather???)

Pretty Natori swimwear displayed on the wall.

Pretty Natori swimwear displayed on the wall. Everyone has got-to-love the hot pink one piece. HAWT!

Racks of Natori.

Racks of Natori, for your racks.

Mrs. Natori in bright and colorful Natori ready-to-wear.

Mrs. Natori in bright and colorful Josie Natori ready-to-wear. Matching handbag. Obvi.

Personal appearance! No one more chic and stylish!

Personal appearance! No one more chic and stylish!

This hat with the swimsuit! Match made in heaven!

This hat with the swimsuit. Match made in heaven!

Favorite hat!!!

Favorite hat!!! I found myself a winner.

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Wednesday May 15, 2013

Bra Fitting Tips


I get it — I am lucky. If I want a bra, I can easily order it. Towels? PJs? Those too (thanks to my mother-in-law!). But one of the reasons why I am extremely lucky is having access to getting measured and fit FOR the right bra by one of the most amazing ladies ever! Now that is what I call lucky! Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with Lynne Reynolds to help me find the best bras and fit for my back-to-normal-post-pregnancy-just-weaned-boobs. I can’t even explain how amazing it was — her knowledge, expertise and experience was exactly what I needed to find the right bras for my now flat-chested body! Thank you, Lynne!

Screen shot 2013-05-15 at 7.11.45 AM

Not Lynne. Nor me. Models wearing Natori bras.

Lynne Reynolds is the National Fit Specialist and Manager of Retail Services for Dana-co, the licensee of Natori Intimate Apparel.  Lynne is a certified bra fitter and has been in the lingerie industry for 17 years (absolutely incredible!). She helps manage a team of dozens of regional fit specialists that travel around the country helping educate store salespeople and customers on all of the amazing features of Natori, Josie, and N Natori bras    Not only did she help find my bra size and three incredible Natori bras, but she answered all my questions, too!

Lynne!

Lynne!

So many bras to choose from!

So many bras to choose from!

What do you measure to get a proper bra size?

measuring tape

A measurement for a bra is a guideline or a starting point.  I always tell my fitters that bra fitting is an art and not a science.  I start by measuring around the rib cage, pulling the tape measure snug against the body.  The guidelines for band size measurements are as follows: 27”-29”- 32 band, 29”-32”- 34 band, 33”-34”- 36 band, 35”-38”- 38 band, and 39”-41”- 40 band) The best way to find a properly fitting bra is to determine how the bra fits on the body.

The bra band should be low and snug and parallel to the floor, the same level all around the body.  You should only be able to slide 1-2 fingers underneath the band.

For cup size, the cup should encompass all breast tissue.  If the cup wrinkles or puckers, the cup is too big.  If breast tissue bulges out of the cup, the cup is too small.  The center gore should “tack” or lay flat against the body.  If the center piece pulls out in front, you need to go up a cup size.  The wire should surround the entire “footprint” of the breast.  The wire should hit under the ribcage on bone, not on breast tissue.

How do you know what notch to put the bra on?

back

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Wednesday May 08, 2013

Josie Palms Pants


A new favorite Spring Lounge pant — Thank you, ever-so-stylish-mother-in-law, Josie Natori! Everything about this pant screams WEAR ME NOW! I love the easy drawstring low-drop waist, the black/white combination, and the fun palm print.

Palm pants

Palm-pants. Can’t get much better than this.

the tush

The tush.

Front shot. Too early to have a picture of my face.

Front shot. Too early to have a picture of my face.

Polish TUSH!

Polish TUSH!

Feather palm print.

Feather-palm-print.

Ombre.

Ombre.

I love the look — and not just for bedtime! Buy now here, and don’t forget to get an extra pair for your Mother! Happy Mother’s Day!

Anika Yael Natori, aka, The Josie Girl

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Monday May 06, 2013

Eau de Yosh


Contributing editor day at the JGB.  Take it away, Ali!

Did you know that perfume was originally used by ancient civilizations for communicating with the gods?  Yosh Han knows that and countless other elements about the therapeutic properties of essential oils and aromatherapy, or trans-aromation as she calls it.  I believe she was born to be a perfumer– even the Chinese character for Yosh means “fragrant”.  How cool is that!?

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Yosh is my dear friend and is truly an enlivened artist.  Always traveling the globe offering scented aura readings and sharing her full wardrobe of perfumes with those she encounters, she is a rare blend of wildly successful entrepreneur and feminine, passionate soul centered visionary.  Every time we are together the conversation takes us on a ride that stirs my soul and creativity.

Screen shot 2013-05-07 at 9.38.18 PM

Yosh Han began her career as an apprentice to a perfumer in Aspen, Colorado where she learned to identify and combine essential oils and perfume essences. Today, inspired by all things that evoke emotion and memories, she combines the art of perfumery with the science of aromachology.

She founded her company Eau De Yosh in 2002 by developing a strong clientele who wanted their own signature perfumes.  Yosh calls upon her deep and abiding connection to flowers and herbs instilled by her mother, a trained master of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging and a disciple of herbal medicine to fragrances that stir the senses, fascinate the mind and enchant the soul. Yosh integrates her spiritual connection with her aromatic artistry and teaches others about vibrational perfumery, edible essences and aromatic attunements—fragrant meditations.

 yosh

Based on moods, personalities and intuition, each fragrance is crafted using the finest ingredients from all over the world, then assigned a numerical value that corresponds to the fragrance family and resonates with principles of Chakra energy and numerology.  Tell me how many perfumers you know who offer scented aura readings at Barneys?  I know of only 1!

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Wednesday May 01, 2013

Surf Bazaar


Now that it finally feels like spring, I am even MORE ready for tank tops, sunglasses, neon, florals, gingham, and flip flops (birkenstocks, too)! After this never-ending east coast winter, I am itching for sun and heat (who isn’t???). Some of my favorite go-to summer looks are the multiple tops from Surf Bazaar.

surf bazaar

Surf Bazaar’s clothing is oh-so-summerish. All the clothing looks like vintage beach wear but updated and improved with beautiful natural fabrics and more progressive and flattering silhouettes. Beach heaven in an urban setting!

Easy, soft, light, gauze, flattering, fresh tank.

Easy, soft, light, gauze, flattering, fresh tank.

Perfect cover up for swimming!

Perfect cover up for swimming!

A little, light tee!

A little, light tee!

Dress for a pool party!

Dress for a pool party!

Pom Pom dress!

Pom Pom dress!

The fabric is unlined cotton gauze which everything look beachy, sexy, and airy. OR, you can wear a light white camisole underneath for a good layering look.

Me in the tank. But even cuter, the little baby girl!

Me in the tank. But even cuter, the little baby girl!

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Wednesday April 24, 2013

Ace and Jig / Ali


When I find something I love, I become obsessed. And that has officially happened with “Ace & Jig“.  I am head over heels in love and want absolutely everything in the collection. EVERYTHING. This fun, happy clothing line is part hippy, part urban, part country, ever so comfortable, totally stylish, and a must-have for everyone.

Screen Shot 2013-04-20 at 6.55.35 AMAce & Jig’s collection is made with the most comfortable, soft yarn-dye woven fabric from India. It is the type of clothing that is so uber wearable, that you never want to take it off.

UP CLOSE LOOK at the material. Soft, thick, substantial, and smooth.

UP CLOSE LOOK at the material. Soft, thick, substantial, and smooth.

Each piece of clothing has a stripe in the pattern. Some are solid vibrant stripes, whereas some are more subtle pops of color. And who doesn’t love stripes?

My parents with Baby Z. It is no surprise that I became a fan of stripes....

My parents with Baby Z last summer. It is no surprise that I love stripes….

Stripes (from a tank top)

Stripes (from a tank top)

Stripes on pants. With some sparkle and glitter. Even better!

Stripes on pants. With some sparkle and glitter. Even better!

Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson, the designers of Ace & Jig, describe their clothing as “aesthetically beautiful yet functional… Accessible clothes that are not overstyled, pieces that you keep forever and love.” And it is so true.  True love! And the price point is perfect, making it possible to buy not just one of their shirts or dresses, but multiple!

Call me a hoarder. Or obsessive. OR RAD!

Call me a hoarder. Or obsessive. OR RAD!

Some of the current Ace and Jig items that I am drooling over.

Some of the current Ace and Jig items that I am drooling over.

I love this tank. Effortless, easy, hippy, styling.

I love this tank. Effortless, easy, hippy stylin’.

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Monday April 22, 2013

theSkimm


I spend way too much time on the internet on pop culture, hot gossip, and the perfect outfit. Superficial, girlie, and way-too-blonde. I am trying to change, and one of my goals in 2013 is to make more of an effort to read and be more up to date with current events. No one likes a blonde who can comment solely on US weekly tabloid press….but watching the news puts me to sleep (seriously), and I barely have enough time to read the styles section of the NYTimes, let alone the front page! But I think I have a solution…

Thank you, theSkimm, for making keeping up with current events and news so cool, easy, and fun!

the Skimm

theSkimm is a daily newsletter that simplifies headlines for the educated professional (or stay-at-home mom). Delivered to your inbox before the start of the day (around 6 am), the Skimm summarizes all the current events in a fresh, smart, and tongue-and-cheek manner. It gives you enough information to have an educational conversation and does so in a fun and interesting voice! Their motto is “We read, you Skimm.”

The beginning of today's newsletter

The beginning of today’s newsletter

the Skimm was launched in July 2012 by Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin; two young, savvy, professional roommates who happened to meet while studying abroad in college. And look at them now! theSkimm is taking off and inspiring us all to be more informed, aware, and in touch with the news! I had the opportunity to interview Danielle and Carly — take a look! And don’t forget to subscribe immediately!

Carly and Danielle. Photo taken by

Carly and Danielle. Photo taken by Sophie Elgort.

Question: How did you come up with the idea?

theSkimm was born out of what we saw as a void in the market. In our former careers as TV producers, we saw that our friends, who were highly educated and had great jobs, had no time. They wanted to be informed. They wanted news on the go but there was no product out there that they felt connected to and wanted to come  back to each morning. We created theSkimm as a way to get your news in a way you enjoy and start your morning off right.

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Wednesday April 17, 2013

Underwear: Trio of Hippies


Girls, what is a better way to start fresh in the Spring weather than with some new undies? New undies are the freshest (and cleanest) way to start a new season! Especially when they are colorful, comfortable, and stylish. So toss out your old, tattered granny panties, and bring in some new Josie panties! Thank you, Josie Hippi for being the best undies out there.

Trio of Hippi panties.

Trio of Hippi styles.

Josie Hippies come in three different styles; Rio, Cotton, and Cotton polka dot! All are a must and a staple for your new Spring start. Rio is a fun alternative to the cotton hippi: a fun, flirty print which you can mix and match with your favorite Josie bra. 95% cotton, 5% lycra spandex, they are extremely comfortable, seamless, and mindless — you barely know that you have anything on!

I love this floral, colorful, polka dot pattern. Girly, cute, and playful.

I love this floral, colorful, polka dot pattern. Girly, cute, and playful.

PARTY IN YOUR PANTS!

PARTY IN YOUR PANTS!

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Monday April 08, 2013

Home Renovation Blog


Those of you that have gone through a home renovation, no matter how big or small, know how painful (not to mention time-consuming and expensive) the process can be.  It’s the nature of the beast: changing your mind, delays, and inevitably, spending more than you planned to.  Outside of envisioning the final outcome, one of the few sources of solace is that everyone goes through the same thing.

Screen shot 2013-04-07 at 6.36.20 AM

The Traditional Home website is hosting a new blog series by Jaqui Lividini, who owns and runs the PR agency that Natori has worked with for years. Diary of a Mad Renovator will document her major renovation of a dream home she found on the Connecticut beach right on the Long Island sound.  I thought we had renovation stress.  Jaqui has already dealt with: Hurricane Sandy, major damage, and new FEMA regulations forcing her to either tear down the house, or raise it above sea level (forcing her to completely scrap the plans she had already developed.)

Jaqui bought the house from the great-granddaughter of the original builder/owner, and had promised her to restore it to a modern day version of its 1901 self.

Jaqui bought the house from the great-granddaughter of the original builder/owner, and had promised her to restore it to a modern day version of its 1901 self.

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Damage from Hurricane Sandy

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