Fun Surprises - Spring Shoes for All

Last week I met my father for a morning meal in my neighborhood on a chilly Spring Saturday. We sipped brunch cocktails at Indian Road Cafe, lingered over eggs both baked and scrambled, and talked about work, marriage and new babies (my lovely sister is expecting and I'll have a new niece or nephew in about 8 weeks!). After eating we slipped out for a stroll in Inwood Hill park and tried to soak in some sun, but we were sadly defeated by surprisingly cold breezes and parted ways soon after. But not before I was bequeathed with a fun pair of new kicks to see me on my way!

My father, ever generous and fun, noticed his three ladies cooing over these moccasins in an ad in the Sunday Times when my sister was last visiting. He's ever expanding on his Santa Claus act, and if dear old St. Nick wants to make an appearance in Spring who am I to say nay? I was gifted with a beautiful lemon shade, my mother with coral and my sister with mint. As three ladies who live fairly far apart (my sister is way off in Colorado) it's a fun feeling to think that we could be wearing the same shoes in different parts of the city or the country.

For all the things he does, both great and small, here's to my Papa!

 

Nadia Moc, COACH.

Put to the Test - Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24Hr Shadow

I'm always on the hunt for great beauty buys that, above all, are simple to use (yes, still woefully lacking in makeup application skills).  When I happened upon a review of Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24 Hr Shadow in this month's InStyle, I knew I had to test it out.

Purported to be the longest lasting drugstore eyeshadow, the hyper-pigmented gel cream shadow comes in 9 bold shades and 5 shimmery, metallic hues.

Unbeknownst to me, Fortune had already tried using the product a few months ago in 'Audacious Asphalt,' and found the smoky grey to be sorely lacking.  She put it on with a brush at the time, as the website indicates the best results occur when using a synthetic applicator.  The color didn't stay on, and the pot sat unused in her makeup bag.

I picked up 'Bad to the Bronze,' a deep, taupe metallic, from my local drugstore hoping to fare better.  Fortune, upon hearing of my experiment, wanted to give it another go, and opted for 'Inked in Pink,' a warm, rosy metallic.

Being the lazy beauty blogger that I am, I simply used my finger and dabbed the cool shadow on my lids.  Fortune tried the same technique this time around, and we both followed it up with a little eyeliner.

The results?

I LOVED the product, and am eager to try out a few more shades to mix and match (I'm obsessed with jewel tones coupled with gold, and am hoping to do my own version of the dramatic eye lesson on their website).  I have normal skin, and the color stayed put without reapplication all day long.  I wouldn't say it lasted 24 hours, though; by the time I got home from work (application at 6 AM, home by 6:30 PM), the color was still strong; afterwards, I hopped in the shower and took a bath, and, when I got out, the color was still there, but more muddled.  I actually got a bit of shadow on a part of my eye that extended out a little more than I wanted, and I could not get it off at work (water + paper towels just didn't do it).  While slightly irksome, it was also kind of an awesome problem to encounter since it truly lasted on me.  I'm completely happy with how it turned out, and the pots are so small, it's easy to just throw one in your bag and put a smidgen more on if needed for a night out on the town.

Fortune had a better experience this time around, but is still not fully convinced.  She has deeper set eyes than I do, with heavier creases, and, while her skin is also normal, her lids can be slightly oily at times.  She did her makeup around 7:30 AM, went to work, out to dinner, and to my trunk show, and was home by 11:30 PM.  When I saw her around 7 PM, the shadow still looked great, with the perfect amount of glimmer.  She noticed when she got home, however,  that the color had moved and was now all in the creases of her eyes.  She plans on sticking to color coupled with her Magic Potion Primer from now on (which I also have used in the past, and it really does work).

The verdict?

For an eight hour plus work day, this shadow definitely goes the distance.  But if you're planning on happy hour, reapply, reapply, reapply!

Maybelline 

What We're Buying - Casual Spring Jackets

Pie and Fortune had a minor crisis earlier this week: we both realized we were woefully short on casual Spring outerwear. Fortune purged her closet last fall, and Pie gave hers the same treatment only a few short weeks ago. We each have an adorable trench to get us through the work week, but what about weekends or a pants outfit we can dress down? True to our standards, we set out to find the perfect piece. Our one requirement? A hood. Nothing beats Spring showers like a hood- who cares about a sprinkle when your head is dry?

Pie opted for a more military vibe, looking at options in khaki and olive hues.



Fortune was feeling the need for something more vibrant. A Sam Edelman treasure was woefully disqualified due to lack of hood. There was much despair.

The pursuit continued, and was fruitful, but Fortune still wasn't sure she wanted to spend upwards of a hundred dollars on an anorak.

 
 

 

Maybe Target or JC Penney could save the day?

 

Ultimately, Fortune selected Vince Camuto's 'Scarlet' Roll Sleeve Jacket and Pie went for the Freestyle Utility Parka. Perhaps now, with hooded practicality safely in tow, a little whimsy can win the day? I'm watching you, Sam Edelman Colorblock Utility Jacket! May we meet again at a sale sometime soon.

Freestyle Utility Parka, Nordstrom; Hooded Twill Jacket, Nordstrom;
Printed Hem Parka, Asos;
Sam Edelman Colorblock Utility Jacket, Nordstrom;
Laundry Packable Anorak, Nordstrom; Safari Pocket Annorak, Nordstrom;
'Scarlet' Roll Sleeve Jacket, Nordstrom;
Mossimo Women's Anorak, Target; Xersion Anorak Jacket, JC Penney.

Inspirations - The Portraits of Sarah K. Byrne

 

I can't stop thinking about Sarah K. Byrne's double exposed portraiture.  A Portland based wedding photographer, I'm struck by how she responded to the forever-posed question of man's place in nature in such a weirdly wonderful way.  The snaps have an almost vintage quality about them that speaks to me, making me ache for a ramble through the forest on a warm, spring day.

 

Sarah K. Byrne Photography | Colossal

Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity at the Met

Last Friday the husband and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to check out their exhibit: Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity. Unfortunately no photography of the exhibit was allowed, so all photos here are accredited to the museum.

"The latest fashion . . . is absolutely necessary for a painting. It's what matters most."
—Édouard Manet, 1881

Fashion was, apparently, very important to the Impressionists and thus many of the paintings that we recognize as iconic. I've never really thought about this before, perhaps because an old dress is simply an old dress to me. I may be fashion-attentive to today's styles, but the modes and styles on the 19th century elude me. Who knew that a certain ribbon, overlay or color would have been considered particularly fashionable? Who knew that Manet and Monet cared so much that the ladies they painted be at the height of fashion? It's a little surprising, and certainly thrilling to learn that they did.

 

In some cases you can even see the dress that was used for a painting in the exhibit, such as the frock above which is featured in the painting to the left, In the Conservatory (Madame Bartholomé), by Albert Bartholomé.

I consider myself extremely lucky simply because one of my favorite Monet's, Femme à l'ombrelle tournée vers la droite, was on display. I haven't seen this beauty since I was last in Paris, as it is usually on view at the Musée d'Orsay.



This exhibit thrills for many reasons you would expect: the fashion, the color, and the way Impressionist compositions set their subjects on fire with halos of light. It also begs you to think on other aspects of the Impressionist movement that may be more easily forgotten or overlooked with exposure. Subjects stare out at you from off center, or with blurry faces- when they even face you at all. Inanimate objects can be given prized centered positioning while a subject is cast to the side. Garment hues are transformed by light and the mood of a painting. Unsavory or lewd (for the time) subject matter is given attention. These are hallmarks of Impressionism that are easily missed, but the exhibit at the Met demands your attention to them with clever justaposition of more classical paintings stationed next to their Impressionist counterparts.

I wish there had been more of these comparisons, but there certainly were enough to make a point: Impressionism may be the cult art of the masses (where it was once an estranged, and certainly loathed, distant relative), but it is most deservedly so.

Gatsby, Revisited

 

Last week in New York City, Tiffany & Co unveiled a series of gorgeous, art-deco styled windows to coincide with the release of their Jazz Age Glamour Collection.  A jewelry line created for the upcoming film, The Great Gatsby, the decadent installation was designed in part by director Baz Luhrmann and his wife and business partner Catherine Martin.  A huge fan of Luhrmanns work throughout the years (I was even lucky enough to see his interpretation of La Bohème on Broadway many moons ago), I can't wait to stop by and lose myself in his always visionary work.

 

Tiffany & Co. Jazz Age Glamour Collection | CBS

À La Mode: Perforated Everything

Perforations are just about everywhere, and can be found in virtually every type of clothing and accessory right now. I am in love with this look and the breezy, effortless vibe it emanates for upcoming summer adventures.

When sporting this trend in paler hues you obtain effortless ladylike romance. Neon is certainly back this season (this was instantly confirmed when I was shopping a sale rack at J. Crew last week), but don't the pieces below just send waves of cool peace through you? This is apparel for breezy beaches and refreshing lemonade sipped under tall tree canopies.

Maybe I'll put aside the neon more often this year, mix some perforation into my staple pieces and achieve a pastel-perfection this spring.

   

Mercer Isle Cindy Wallet, Kate Spade; Dolce Vita Razia Perforated Flats, ShopBop;
Eyelet Front Sweatshirt, J. Crew; See it Through Bracelet, ModCloth;
Tracy Reese Perforated Sheath Dress, Nordstrom; Reed Krakoff Boxer Perforated Tote, Net-A-Porter.

Movies We Love - Safety Not Guaranteed

*Wanted* Someone to go back in time with me.  This is not a joke.  You'll get paid after we get back.  Must bring your own weapons.  Safety not guaranteed.  I have only done this once before.

So begins Safety Not Guaranteed, an enormously rewarding film by the makers of Little Miss Sunshine.  The dark comedy follows three cynical journalists who stumble upon a mysterious classified ad seeking a companion for a mission through time.  On the hunt for the story of a lifetime, they head out to meet its oddball writer, and end up embarking on a very different kind of journey - one of self-discovery, love, and magic.

It's impossible to adequately write about this gem of a feature without giving away its many secrets; I struggled with the idea of even writing this blog entry; with so many plot twists and turns, I was petrified I would give away far too much in singing its praises.  I will say that the story reminds me a lot of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (a film that I obsessively love) in incorporating magical realistic elements to relate universal truths about relationships.  Throughout, the tale left me off-balance and unsure; the viewer is constantly left guessing about the motivations of each of the main characters, and never really knows what is and is not real until the very last moments.  I fought myself over and over, wondering if time travel was going to prove possible or if it was simply a hoax perpetuated by a lonely, mentally ill man. And what I found most important is the thought-provoking central question posed by the filmmakers - are we ever capable of stepping outside of ourselves, forgetting everything we may believe, to take a huge leap of faith for love?

The movie left me feeling breathless, and the adventure, both cinematic and in life itself, is more than worth it in the end.

Safety Not Guaranteed

Life in Photos - Spring in Riverside Park

The husband and I decided to take a long walk in Riverside Park after work yesterday evening. It finally felt like spring: the sun was shining, the air was warm and trees were just blossoming and budding in a flurry of soft color.

We took time to play on a seesaw. We got our faces right up close to daffodils, cherry blossoms and magnolias. We strolled up the Hudson River Greenway feeling revitalized simply by the temperate weather and the waves of people just like us who were out and enjoying the day. Runners, bikers, and walkers, some with adorable pups in tow, joined us in our springtime revelry. Here's to a slow march towards summer - and I do hope it's slow if it means more days like this one.

Zoo Portraits by Yago Partal

We could very well be taking this animals-in-clothes thing too far lately, but I can't help but adore Yago Partal's hilarious Zoo Portraits collection.  A Spanish film maker and photographer contributing to such distinctive films as The Skin I Live In, he brings his singular vision to a delightful photo series featuring adorable animals in the height of fashion. 

A dapper red panda?  Ostrich-as-hipster?  A ruffled, proper little bunny?  Yes, please!

Zoo Portraits | Yago Partal