Christina Yi SS14: Dimensions of Prey

Christina Yi is one of my favorite on-the-brink designers. She designs with an artful edge that is all her own – yes, it packs the same drama as a designer like Gareth Pugh, but it is all Christina Yi. Her clothes don’t look designed, they looked dreamed into reality.

Her SS14 Dimensions of Prey collection felt like something from my dreams, too. It had her same undertone of darkness, her same artisanal quality, her same innovative uniqueness. But there was a subtle nod to the pastel sporty look that has been proving its staying power. The result was the opportunity to wear the feminine yet modern, on-trend look, without sacrificing an ounce of individuality and statement-making appeal. Neoprene sweatshirts were beaded, trapeze dresses were perforated, tops and dresses were sculpted, overlays were spun like spiderwebs from pop-bright threads and beaded. The models looked like they were visiting from 2067, as if their everyday off-duty street clothes were so incredibly crafted and architectural. Together the looks are irresistibly avant garde yet wearable – apart piece by piece the edge is effortlessly worked into any outfit.

* Update - an online shop is coming on Christina Yi's site!

Handbags and Hugs,

Astor

Night Time Skincare Routine

Every night I have a must-do skincare regimen and you should too! I keep everything I need in my bedside table and get to work before I get some sleep. I often switch up my skincare products, but I always follow the same steps. You should be removing all eye makeup and washing your face every night. NYC grime on your pillow? I think not. Think washing your face and hitting the hay is enough? Think again.

I start by using a peel on my face, neck and the backs of my hands. Dr. Dennis Gross makes one of my favorite peels – The Alpha Beta Peel. This two-step process is gentle enough to use every night and leaves my skin soft and smooth. After wiping the first pad all over, I wait two minutes and follow with pad number two. 

 

 

 

I NEVER skip eye cream, no matter how tired I am. The thin, delicate skin around your eyes is the first area to show signs of aging. I am using Beauty Society’s Immortal Eyes. With time-released ceramides, Vitamin A,C,E, and peptides, this smoothing, lifting, wrinkle and fine line removing cream is perfection.

 

 

Time for a serum. Serums are liquid-like and penetrate deeper into your skin then a cream will. No matter what skin concerns you have, there is a serum for you - sun damage, acne, dark spots, signs of aging, dryness or oiliness, you will benefit from a serum. After applying your serum, wait a few minutes for it to fully absorb into your skin. (If after a few minutes you can still see and feel it on your face you're using too much.) I love Nature’s Gate Borage Serum. I know I will be waking up with smooth skin in the morning when I’m using this.

Lastly, I apply my night cream. A day moisturizer is not the same thing as a night cream. Night creams are often thicker and more moisturizing than day creams. I am using Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration NightCream –no wrinkles for me, thank you very much. Now that the weather is getting cooler I need some extra moisture.

 

Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton

Zang Toi SS14

The Zang Toi SS14 show opened with a ballet dancer - it was a pleasant surprise, a reminder of the world outside of fashion as well as a reminder to take it back to the basics and remember that fashion is about celebrating beauty. Whether that beauty is unconventional and edgy or timelessly glamorous as it is at Zang Toi, we should remember that at the end of the day, clothes are not about getting us photographed or upping our status, they're about making us feel beautiful and happy to be wearing something we love. Zang Toi's designs are always a clear path to that state of mind, and the SS14 collection was no different. From daytime looks that were feminine and classic yet decidedly modern, sophisticated and even subtly downtown (almost a '90s, minimalist, Soho look, on trend with what we've been seeing) - to evening looks that embodied Zang Toi's signature drama, this was the wardrobe of the girl who is busy and contemporary-chic but still wants to feel beautiful.

Handbags and Hugs,

Astor

What We're Wearing September 13th, 2013

Today I'm wearing Benefit's Body Balm - Bathina 'Take A Picture It Lasts Longer...'. The warm weather is not completely gone yet, sweaters and jeans haven't yet replaced my skirts and tanks - my skin is still showing and needs to look amazing. This balm leaves my legs and arms silky, moisturized, and with a hint of glimmer. It leaves my skin with a little sheen, but doesn't look glittery. Middle School dance much? Just use the 'puff' to apply this balm all over! I apply body cream right after I get out of the shower for better absorption. Then I wash my hands before applying hair products or makeup. A major bonus of this product is that you're applying the balm with their puff- it doesn't get on your hands, so no need to wash them after applying it!

Perfectly Glossed Kisses,

Sutton




I may have my closet still full of summer clothes (that I've grown quite tired of for this year, frankly), but I do have this Suno jacket out as I scored it at the Opening Ceremony sample sale when the weather was already warming. I was thrilled to pieces when the temperature got low enough to wear it. The pattern is so quintessentially Suno, and the back is cut with this kick pleat that gives it a dramatic silhouette. Plus it's soft and lightweight and basically feels like it was spun by angels that have a Masters degree in textiles. To play it down a bit, I paired it with boyfriend jeans and my Miu Miu slippers, and the Zara crop top I ran out and bought after seeing the 16th show this week featuring the midriff-baring style. And I topped it off with my Erickson Beamon Rocks necklace, as I have been doing with basically every outfit lately. Sorry I'm not sorry.

 (Here I am, sadly pondering the existence of this mailbox.)

Handbags and Hugs,

Astor