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Observations in Fashion

6 Tips For Easily Fitting Everything You Need In 1 Carryon

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If you have been following me then you know I am a big fan of traveling light which means traveling for 1 week or 1 month with only 1 carryon and 1 personal bag.

 


As much as traveling is fun it can also be a lot of work. Moving from plane to train to car with a bunch of extra stuff you probably will never wear is exhausting. Packing light will make your trip so much more pleasant. Another benefit is that a perfectly curated suitcase will make dressing easier because you have fewer choices.

Here’s my first tip.

1~Pick a color story. When you pack make sure everything goes together. All of your tops pair with all of your bottoms. Pack more neutrals like black, grey, cream, and brown and then choose a few bright colors that will jazz up a classic look.

#2~Take colorful scarves. Instead of packing a lot jewelry to accessorize your outfit try adding colorful scarves. Scarves are light and can actually add a layer of warmth while jewelry can be heavy and very expensive. Loosing your favorite diamond earrings on your trip will only put you in a bad mood for the rest of your vacation.

#3~Bring clothing that does dual duty. For example pack a dress that is reversible, skirts that can be also be worn as a dress,  and tunics that can be worn as a dress or a top. You get the idea!

#4~Choose clothing that is washable.  Hotel cleaning charges can be outrageous and your hard earned cash is better spent on a great meal.  You can always wash items using shampoo or body soap that your hotel provides but in addition pack a Tide Stick. A Tide Stick will quickly remedy the stains on your shirt from the pizza you ate in Rome.

#5~Don’t waste precious space in your luggage by bringing a lot of product with you. Place a few of your favorite products in 3 oz containers because that is the regulation for carryon liquids. If you run out you can always buy more.

#6~Always wear your bulkiest clothing on the plane leaving more space in your luggage for an extra pair of shoes.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and travel chic!

The Stress-Free Way To Dress For The Holidays

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If there was ever a time to dress up it is the holidays. However, finding something special to wear for a holiday party can add anxiety to your already stressful holiday season. There are several options for you that will cost you $0 and other options that are simple and affordable.

~Embrace Black. I know, black seems boring but think of a black dress as a blank canvas where you can create a dazzling masterpiece. If you don’t already own a LBD then a pair of black pants and simple black top will do. Now that you have your blank canvas you can begin to accessorize with jewelry, colorful shoes, and luxe wraps.

~Layer your jewelry. Don’t be afraid to wear more jewelry than you normally would. If there was ever a time of year to add extra bling this is it! You may already have what you need in your jewelry box. Think about layering your pieces to create a statement piece or simply wrap a long necklace around your wrist.

Coco Chanel was famous for layering her necklaces.

I have found some of my favorite jewelry at secondhand stores but if thrift shopping is not your thing have a look at these steals from Nordstroms.

“Kew” Crystal Collar Necklace $68

If earrings are more your thing then go all out with something dramatic.

Nardi Teardrop Earrings $55
Crystal Pave Chandelier Drop Earrings by Jenny Packham Reg. $65 On Sale $29.97

~Wear Red. Here is the single most effortless tip yet. Paint your nails red and add red lipstick to your makeup routine. If you normally do not wear lipstick at all then you might be a bit shocked with bright red lips. Try instead wearing a red top with your black pants or skirt.

~Rent the Runway. If you must wear a fanciful dress to a holiday soirée and don’t want to shell out the big bucks for a dress check out Rent the Runway. Rent the Runway has an impressive inventory. Rent a dress for an evening and simply return it in their easy-to-return packaging. There are plenty of party dresses for as little as $35 but plan on spending at least $50.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Beauty Trends That Get Your Attention by Relying On Alternative Facts

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I can spend far too much time perusing articles on the latest and greatest cultural, beauty, and fashion trends. In fact, there are days when I spend so much time reading and deciphering what is real and what is nonsense.

One would think that some fly-by-night trends would never break ground because we are not so simple-minded that we believe everything we read. Unfortunately, consumers are all too ready to try the next best thing especially when anointed by a rock star celebrity. For example, Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of the website Goop, maintained that inserting a jade egg into one’s vagina will “increase vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance, and feminine energy in general” and thereby the inserter could “get better connected to the power within”. For a mere $55-65 anyone could add this practice to their wellness program.

However, these claims were not backed by any real science. If there is one single truth it is that facts have no place in marketing. 

According to Gwyneth’s beauty guru Shiva Rose this ancient secret (of placing jade shaped eggs into one’s vagina) practiced by Chinese concubines is a no-brainer and further points out that “This practice is nearly as old as time—many find value in it, even if modern-day research hasn’t caught up yet.”  Modern day research may not have caught up with the jade egg challenge but the courts have and fined Goop $145,000 in civil penalties due to unsubstantiated claims.

History is loaded with bad advice when it comes to beauty and fashion trends. Corsets were all the rage in the mid to late 19th century and contributed to serious health problems for the wearer. The most common health problem was damaging and rearranging internal organs. In extreme cases the whale bone which gave the corset its structure would break off causing puncture wounds and even death.

In the late 19th century consuming arsenic was believed to produce a radiant complexion. However, cautions were advised when ingesting arsenic. One was to consume it only when the moon was waxing. In addition, one was to initially begin by only taking in the smallest morsel at first in order to build up a tolerance.

But there was more bad advice. It was extremely trendy in the early 20th century to apply creams containing thorium-chloride. It is worth noting that thorium is radioactive and has sometimes been used in the production of nuclear energy.  These radioactive ingredients were not only added to cosmetics but cigarettes as well. 

Today’s beauty trends may not be as life-threatening as they once were but much like past products, some products today can still lack any scientific evidence of their effectiveness. 

The latest trend in skincare is taking supplements. It is worth noting that the vitamin industry is worth roughly $37 billion a year and is not regulated.

According to a recent article in Bazaar Magazine, “10 Big Beauty Trends To Watch Out For In 2018”, skincare supplements are marketed as the new fountain of youth. Skin specialist Dr. Sturnham is convinced that “introducing a supplement into our skincare will become commonplace”. She recommends supplements created by Sara Palmer Hussey PHD that are a “clinically-tested blend of anti-aging nutrients, helping protect against oxidative stress and damage”. 

However, disputing the claim of taking beauty supplements in order to improve the look and texture of your skin writer Jen Jin interviews several dermatologists for her article, “Ingestible Beauty Is Trending. Here’s What Dermatologists Really Think About It.”

According to JIn there is no scientific based evidence that proves taking biotin will increase hair and nail growth or that taking collagen is effective. Instead dermatologist, Ashley-Kittridge states, “Until we have better evidence for collagen supplements, I tell my patients the best treatment is to prevent collagen loss in the first place by using a zinc-based sunblock and living a healthy lifestyle (i.e., skip the alcohol and tobacco).” In addition,

Gabriel Martinez-Diaz  a physician at M.D. Aesthetics and Dermatology in Chicago says ‘Unfortunately, dietary intake of collagen is largely ineffective because it’s broken down by your digestive system.” 

With so much conflicting advice from the medical community on whether or not we should be taking supplements it makes it easy to accept the claims of brands, influencers, and even celebrities. 

However, given this climate of alternative facts I am in the mood for a little science-based evidence.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and Be chic!