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The S Factor

The S Factor

by Hadrian Miguel, Life & Style Director

The S’s Have It as the end of May kicks off our head to toe style guide with a lot of fun stuff that we just can’t get enough of.

Great finds for your little vacay or weekend trip that will keep you looking super cool and feeling oh-so good at a fine price, no matter where or how you summer.

Shades

Hey Ladies, Aviator sunglasses by Michael Kors  gets you to soak up the sun and be made in the shade with his fun and vibrant Aviators.

These sleek frames deviate from the classic aviator style that’s whimsical, playful, and retro-chic now in a rainbow of not-so classic hues. And you can’t beat this— at $99, you’re not skimping on fierceness while bleeding your wallet.

Shorts

For the guys, shorts have really become short again especially if you are so tired of the typical board short, cargo or usually knee-length shorts. Two silhouettes standout for summer: the short shorts and the harem short.

At Zara and Kokon To Zai, the harem short takes center stage by keeping it relaxed, cool, and fun. Something different that will get you noticed anywhere you go.

 

At TopMan, the short shorts are the latest trend to let you stand out from the crowd in a more tailored, micro fit that’s made to be worn well above the knee while at Chubbies, a San Francisco-based company that are proud of their highest standards for shorts excellence with their comfy, soft, radical shorts for men.

Swimwear

You can take a tropical journey as Brazil is the muse for a collection at Macy’s, with two swimsuits that are inspired by the beaches of Brasil!

The A.B.S. multi-colored animal print bikini has distinctive hardware, adds tropical appeal, and will make any surfside into a wild safari.

You can add Brasilian-inspired sizzle to your beach look with the Despi sequined, mosaic-printed halter bikini top and bottom!

 

Sneakers

At Adidas, the essential summer slip-on is the sneaker with pops of color to brighten things up. With classic takes of their running shoes from the 1970′s and 80′s that stay true to the original, but give you an updated and way cool retro feel in fresh new colors. It’s just the kind of sneaker to pimp your style.

 

 

The Marci by J. Crew / $198

Sandals 

The Marci Patent Wedge by J. Crew is our favorite sandal of the summer that packs a punch in glossy patent leather with a sleek and strappy silhouette that works wonders with everything you pair it with. 

With colors like Bright Dahlia, Bronzed Clay, Casablanca Blue, and Tangier Orange, a girl can step into the spotlight with a wedge that doesn’t have to be sky-high to boost basics up a notch…a sandal that allows you to rise and shine!

 

Scents

Nuit Etoilée by Annick Goutal, 3.4 fl. oz /$120

You can go from sunrise to sunset and smell absolutely sexy with Nuit Etoilée by Annick Goutal. The concept behind the fragrance “A Starry Night” is in reference to Van Gogh’s masterpiece. Perfumers Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen have created a dream world, inspired by their nightly escapades in pristine open spaces.

Two versions are available for both a man and woman, Nuit Etoilée is like a majestic forest at nightfall that’s citrusy, yet woodsy, and spicy with essences of  Citron, Sweet Orange, Peppermint, Siberian Pine, Balsam Fir and Angelica Seeds. In the USA, exclusively at Sak’s Fifth Avenue.

Skincare

The road to perfect summer skin is simple with two products for a smooth, well-balanced, and flawless complexion.

Body Time Radiant Skin Refining Cream, 1.2 fl. oz / $22.50

Let’s start with Body Time’s Radiant Glow Skin Refining Cream.

This extremely concentrated formula sloughs away dull, flaky skin and moisturizes with a balanced complex of 8% alpha hydroxy acids including extracts of sugar cane, orange, lemon, apple and willow bark. It’ll renew and refresh, and reveal fresh skin, as well as, reduce the appearance of uneven tone  and age spots by inhibiting excess melanin production and balancing skin. 

A rejuvenating blend of seven essential oils including ylang ylang, palmarosa, neroli, linden blossom, lavender and jasmine helps to exfoliate and revitalize the skin while stimulating cell renewal, increasing the rate of cell turnover and reducing dryness. Sea algae detoxifies by drawing out impurities, stimulates skin’s natural healing abilities, nourishes, protects and improves skin’s elasticity, leaving it silky, smooth and younger looking. Oat beta glucan acts as a humectant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory agent and forms a protective barrier against pollutants and environmental irritants. Aloe vera leaf juice provides a secondary protective layer, stimulating healing and encouraging the growth of new tissue.

A Perfect World UV Protector SPF 35, 1.4 fl. oz / $27.50

Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is paramount for keeping it looking youthful, smooth, and radiant. Look for multi-action, antioxidant-rich ingredients that help to boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Antioxidants play a role in mitigating sun damage by reducing free radicals and skin inflammation that sun exposure generates.

So, try Origins A Perfect World SPF 35 UV Face Protector with White Tea, which is a lightweight, broad spectrum sunscreen loaded with powerful antioxidants White Tea, Maritime Pine, Resveratrol, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract and Wheat Germ.

Winterize It!…in Cashmere

Winterize It!…in Cashmere

Hadrian Miguel, Lifestyle & Skincare Director

Today’s fashion spotlight is on how to winterize this season’s clothes in cashmere.

Cashmere is fine in texture, but it is also strong, and light. It’s characterized by its soft fibers and as providing a natural lightweight insulation without the bulk. The cashmere weave is clean, supple and touchable, available in way too many rich, tony hues.

Luxury finds itself in many, everyday cashmere silhouettes because it’s soft, easy, and versatile. Cashmere is so uber-comfortable, affordable and expensive all at the same time.  And, I’ll pick this any day over other wools’ scratchiness, thickness, or roughness…plus cashmere simply feels better when paired with a tee or tank underneath which is the way I like to wear it!

Cashmere sweaters, jackets and coats, pants, scarves and gloves, pajamas, pashminas, and even tracksuits are all perfect for the ice cold bite of Winter –  it’s cozy, light, and oh so warm!  A stylish way to stay toasty during the chilly months!

Banana Republic Scarf Sweater Dress

Banana Republic Heritage Dress


J. Crew Cashmere

J. Crew Hayward Coat

Three very nice, and beautifully dashing cashmere pieces comes from familiar, and popular retailers: Banana Republic J. Crew, and Macy’s:

Banana Republic has a super-cool scarf sweater dress combo called the Heritage cashmere dress. With a detachable cashmere scarf, it adds cozy style with button-tab in back to allow someone to wear the dress with or without the scarf. 100% cashmere, light gray heather color ribbed at neckline, sleeves, and hem with a straight skirt. So versatile, you can wear it alone, or over tights and leggings for a modern, chic look. It’s $198, a good price for good cashmere.

One of the finest cashmere selections is from J. Crew Collection…A double-faced A-line, deep V-neck cashmere coat with elbow sleeves that is incredibly soft, from a very old, very exclusive, family-owned mill in Italy whose specialty is cashmere—and cashmere alone. Called the Hayward coat, available in a pony-brown color at $1,299, it’s so luxe and well-constructed, it’s worth the steep price.

Webalina's the City by Josie Girl Designs

Webalina's the Grace by Josie Girl Designs


Webalina's the Grace by Josie Girl Designs

Webalina's the City by Josie Girl Designs

At Macy’s, cute, comfy, and stylish fingerless gloves by Webalina allow freedom of movement while keeping you warm with luxurious cashmere. They offer two styles: the Grace in black at $27.99 with a long cuff, vintage button, and a tonal scalloped trim at top,  and also the City at $33.99 with an elongated cuff and a contrast scalloped, crocheted trim at edges and center seam. Webalina Couture is a fashion line specializing in jewelry, cashmere, and accessories and is designed by Melissa Weber of Josie Girl Designs in Seattle.

Thanks to Holiday sales which have already begun, you can stock up on cashmere at some really good prices at many stores and specialty retailers – Macy’s, Saks.com, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Loehmann’s, Uniqlo, and Banana Republic – all have fantastic and high-quality cashmere apparel that will keep you snug and fab all winter long!

CashmerePage

White + Warren Cashmere Wash

White + Warren Cashmere Care

***Note: To keep your cashmere in tip top shape and totally save your pretty sweaters from a stinky, shrinky fate, use White + Warren’s specially-developed eco-friendly biodegradable Cashmere Care wash to maintain the color and feel of your cashmere! Lightly scented with sage and lemongrass and with ingredients derived from nature, it cleans and keeps your knitwear in beautiful, long-lasting condition. Available at White + Warren, and Neiman Marcus. $18-$20 for 12.5 oz.