Made in New York: Beauty Labels Based in the Big Apple

Made in New York: Beauty Labels Based in the Big Apple

From offbeat to all-business, five entrepreneurs are bringing a locavore’s approach and an artisan’s touch to urban beauty




“I look to nature for inspiration but add the best of science,” says Francesco Clark, who was prepped for a career in botanical-based beauty early in life by his homeopath father. Formulated with a jasmine absolute that Clark created to treat his own sensitive skin, his products have earned a cultish following among fans like Emma Stone and Zooey Deschanel. New next month: Cellular Lifting Moisture Mist (above right).



The concept for TenOverTen—the downtown fashion pack’s nail spot of choice—grew out of a list of mani/pedi pet peeves jotted down on a cocktail napkin by best friends Nadine Ferber and Adair Ilyinsky one evening over drinks. In addition to their Tribeca location, they have opened a midtown outpost in Le Parker Meridien, with more spaces on the horizon. Their signature polishes stay close to their downtown roots, with shades named after favorite streets.



When David Seth (a.k.a. D. S.) Moltz met his future wife, architect Kavi Ahuja, six years ago, he nicknamed her Durga, after a Hindu goddess. At the time in Brooklyn, “everyone around us was creating things,” he recalls. Why not handcraft fragrances, too? Today, the highly original scents the duo dream up in a tiny atelier in Gowanus call on influences as disparate as a blues song (Poppy Rouge) and a Russian ball from a Tolstoy novel (Siberian Snow).



“In the food world, simple is better,” says Adina Grigore, a former holistic nutritionist based in Greenpoint. “That feeling of being artisanal, small-batch, and all-natural—I wanted to bring that approach to beauty.” Products like her Exfoliant have a fresh-from-the-kitchen look but a decidedly un-kitchen-sink-like approach, listing just three ingredients: sea salt, organic almonds, and oats.



“When I was a real estate agent, I spent hours each day traveling around the city,” says Bulgarian-born Silvia Dontcheva. Her first collection of soaps featured images of the Manhattan skyline embedded in the bars; her latest offerings are inspired by “Park Avenue’s tulips, a walk in Central Park. To be able to turn a lifelong interest of mine into a business—well, that’s the New York dream, isn’t it?”



Posted by:Georgie

Credit:vogue.com

Cranberry Cocktail

This time of year, it’s pretty hard to avoid cranberries: From baked goods and, of course, sauce to, yes, even cocktails, the tart fruit is everywhere.
Though the Cosmopolitan made the simple berry a year-round favorite, guilty pleasures like the Cape Codder, the Sea Breeze and the Sex on the Beach long ago established it as a bar staple.
And the ingredient is now featured in plenty of inventive autumnal drinks on menus across the country. While most recipes call for store-bought juice, Allen Katz, a Liquor.com advisory board member and co-founder of the New York Distilling Company, makes a delicious and easy cranberry syrup from scratch that he uses in seasonal tipples.
So next Wednesday night, fix a batch, and then on Thanksgiving, while the turkey and stuffing are in the oven, you can serve his tasty Here We Are, which includes the syrup, as well as gin, bourbon, lemon juice and grenadine.
To honor America’s first spirit, rum, during your meal (what could be more appropriate?), try his Colony Records (pictured above). In addition to the liquor and the special syrup, it contains grapefruit juice and bitters. It’s so good, you may want to stock up on cranberries. Cheers!

Here We Are

Contributed by Allen Katz
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 oz Dorothy Parker American Gin
• 1 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
• 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
• .5 oz Cranberry Syrup*
• .25 oz Grenadine
• Glass: Rocks
• Garnish: Orange twist

PREPARATION:
Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a broad orange twist.

Colony Records

Contributed by Allen Katz
INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Cruzan Single Barrel Rum
• 1.5 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
• .75 oz Cranberry Syrup*
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Glass: Cocktail
• Garnish: Grapefruit twist

PREPARATION:
Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

*Cranberry Syrup:
INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5 cups Fresh Cranberries
• 1 cup Water
• .75 cup Sugar

PREPARATION:
Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the cranberries start to fall apart, about 10 minutes. Fine-strain into a bowl, discarding the solids, and let cool. Cover, and store in the refrigerator.



Courtesy:liquor.com


Posted by Smooches

Biggest Toy Recalls 2012

Biggest Toy Recalls 2012, The products on this year’s recall list aren’t as bad as the scary toys in this classic late-night skit, but they did have some frightful defects. Keep reading to discover which toys and kids’ gear were included in some of the biggest recalls of 2012.

Why Car Tire Prices Vary?

We always publish the prices of the tires we test. But that often leads to a lot of comments from our readers and the manufacturers, mostly asking how we bought tires for so little (or so much) money. Actually, most people fail to read the fine print. And this leads us to how you can save money when buying your next car tires.

The numbers we publish are the retail price we paid, and for the size tested.
We buy the tires almost a year prior to the official test results are published, so in some instances we pay a premium to get our hands on a tire that was newly introduced. We realize that there is always the chance that prices creep up due supply, cost of manufacturing, and general inflation trends. There are also other variables that affect
pricing, such as:

• Tires often don't have suggested retail prices. The price is set by the tire retailer. But our advice still holds: Shop around for the best price - this can save you more than you think.
• We don't include shipping, mounting and balancing costs; road hazard warranties; disposal fees for old tires; or taxes.
• Size matters. Tires aren't like shoes: The bigger the size, the more you pay. Hence, you'll pay less for a smaller tire and more for a larger size tire than what we tested.

But how much can prices vary?

Great Bargain at Local Drugstores

Save a bundle by shopping for these items at the pharmacy.

 

The days of hitting the drugstore just to pick up prescriptions are long gone. You can now stock up on beauty supplies, laundry detergent and more for less than what supermarkets, big-box stores and warehouses charge. Why?

Ugly Shoes All in the Name of Fashion

We've seen many ugly shoes in our day, but a new pair dubbed "Scary Beautiful" is definitely the most treacherous footwear we've ever seen. The massive heels appear backwards on the foot, so the wearers feet point straight down the back, as if in ballet shoes, with their shin leaning against the front "heel" end of the design to balance. The shoes are a collaboration between artist Leanie van der Vyver and Dutch shoe designer René van den Berg, and serve as a commentary on today's impossible standards of beauty.

The ugliest shoes of all time

Van der Vyver is South African, and recently graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. We spotted "Crazy Beautiful" on her website, cargocollective.com, and reached out to her for the inside scoop.

Imelda Marcos' prized shoe collection is ruined

"After working in fashion for seven years, and therefore being well aware of the manipulation images in fashion suffer for a perfect result, I still compare myself to them and other current beauty ideals," Van der Vyver told Yahoo! Shine exclusively. "My frustration with my own inability to overcome these feelings of inadequacy was what brought 'Scary Beautiful' into fruition. The shoes formed part of my graduation project that was a result of my thesis. The conclusion of my thesis investigation was that people are not satisfied with what they look like, and that perfection, according to the beauty and fashion standards, has reached a climax. Humans are playing God by physically and metaphorically perfecting themselves. Beauty is currently at an all time climax, allowing this project to explore what lies beyond perfection. Scary Beautiful challenges current beauty ideals by inflicting an unexpected new beauty standard."

 

 

Unsurprisingly, Van der Vyver's "Scary Beautiful" shoes were nominated for a design prize at Gerrit Rietveld Academie. Jury members Barbara Visser, visual artist and Xander Karskens, and curator of De Hallen had this to say about the shoes:

"The object created by Leanie expands the concept of a shoe into multiple new meanings. The beautifully made leather object is accompanied by a video registration of a girl wearing it. One observes the design forcing the wearer to develop a new way of walking, leaning forward while refining a painfully fragile balance. The jury applauds the way aesthetics, ergonomics and prosthesis merge into an awkward choreography. The craftsmanship and strong conceptual way of designing also show in another work, a ceramic tea set in which reference is made to a building in South Africa. Leanie succeeds in translating political consciousness into form and is considered by the jury to be a meaningful future designer."

 

Alexander McQueen's spring 2010 Armadillo heels. Photo by Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty Images We find the clip shocking but also oddly moving. The shoes are obviously not practical, but as art they're intriguing. We can't help but be reminded of Lady Gaga trying to steady herself in the now-famous Alexander McQueen "Armadillo" heels in her "Bad Romance" music video. Major models like Abbey Lee Kershaw, Natasha Poly, and Sasha Pivovarova reportedly refused to wear the 12-inch McQueen heels out of fear, and were cut from the designer's spring 2010 fashion show. In comparison, the "Scary Beautiful" shoes make the "Armadillo" heels look like sneakers, but we had a feeling the always-outdoing-herself Lady Gaga would give them a spin one day. Sure enough, Van der Vyver confirmed our suspicions.

"Yes, on request I did actually send them to Studio Formichetti for a Lady Gaga music video, but I could not get confirmation whether she actually used them," Van der Vyver told us. "I did not charge for her to possibly use them. I would love to sell them to a gallery."

We're holding out for the "Scary Beautiful" shoes to appear in an upcoming Lady Gaga music video, but until then Van der Vyver is back home in Cape Town starting her own studio where she'll continue investigating fashion and beauty. We're anticipating her next creation.

Courtesy:yahoo.com

Posted by Smooches

Luxe Line of Bags by Michael Kors

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6 Surprising Uses for Lemons

Lemons don't just belong in your fridge! You can save money by using this fruit from head to toe in place of expensive beauty products.

1. Freshen bad breath. Gargle with lemon juice and water to kill odor-causing bacteria, or suck on the lemon wedge served with your water.
2. Soften skin. Combine lemon zest with sugar and soak the mixture with olive oil for 30 minutes for a homemade body scrub. Give a little extra TLC to dry patches on the elbows, ankles and knees.
3. Add sunny highlights. Want to lighten your tresses a notch or two? Mix lemon juice with your favorite conditioner and apply to damp locks before heading out to catch some rays.
4. Fix a streaky tan. To lighten a botched self-tanning job, rub a halved lemon over the area.
5. Whiten yellow nails. Soak fingers in lemon juice for five minutes. To prevent stains in the future, apply a clear protective base coat before nail polish.
6. Zap Zits. Try lemon juice on blackheads at night to clear up skin.

The acid in lemons has antiseptic properties and a fresh scent, making it a natural solution for your household chores. Save money by using this citrus fruit to replace costly cleaning products.

• Kill microwave smells. Fill a heat-resistant bowl with water and half a lemon and zap for five minutes.
• Bust dust particles. Mix 10 drops lemon oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a few drops olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray onto surfaces; wipe with a cotton flannel cloth.
• Attack a stain. Add ½ cup lemon juice to a load of white laundry, then let dry in the sun.
• Polish wood. If it's varnished: Add a few drops of lemon to ½ cup warm water. Spray onto a slightly damp cotton cloth and wipe furniture. If it's unvarnished: Mix 2 teaspoons each of olive oil and lemon juice. Apply to a soft cotton cloth. Use wide strokes to distribute evenly.
• Clean in the bathroom. Put lemon juice on a sponge and wipe shower doors to remove soap scum.
• Sparkle and shine. This natural bleach and disinfectant cleans brass and copper. Sprinkle salt over half a lemon, rub it over the metal, then wash clean.

From Allyou.com Posted by Mags

Custom Weeding Fabric

One of our favorite websites for creative inspiration is Spoonflower. Spoonflower makes it possible for anyone and everyone to design and print totally customized fabric. Whether you have a drawing you'd like to make a scarf out of, a pattern that would look totally amazing in curtain form, or an old comic strip that's just begging to turn into a 60s shift dress, Spoonflower's got you covered.

For your wedding, the Spoonflower possibilities are nothing short of endless. You want every part of your wedding to be perfect, and a handful of items created with custom fabric are sure to give your special day that extra personal touch. If your project is small, simply purchase a yard of fabric - there's no required minimum. If your project is more involved, Spoonflower offers $5 swatches so you can test out every piece of your look. All fabric is printed using eco-friendly textile printing and fabric options include silk, organic cotton and linen blend. And if you think your fabric is the bee's knees for more than just you and your honey, put it up in the Spoonflower shop and make a little dough for your honeymoon! :)

For Brit's wedding, she used Spoonflower to create custom pixelated fabric for her bouquet wrap, for the groom's tie, and for the dessert table.

Two other big fans of creative living, Youngna Park and Jacob Krupnick, worked with designer Kelli Anderson to create custom vintage-style handkerchiefs to serve as invitations to their wedding. (And P.S. If you haven't seen Youngna and Jacob's most recent creative work, Girl Walk // All Day, get to it!)

Other awesome uses for custom fabric at weddings include: photo booth backdrops; napkins and table cloths; tote bags for favors; neckties and blazer liners for groomsmen; bouquet wraps, custom ribbon, and so much more. What will you create?

Posted by Smooches

Courtersy: www.hellobrit.com

A Must Have for Expecting Mothers

www.google.com

Pregnancy may give your complexion a natural glow, but it can also wreck havoc on your body and skin. To keep yourself—and your growing baby bump!—pampered, you’ll need some special, Doctor-approved essentials. If you're a mom-to-be or know a close gal pal that’s expecting, check out our list of cult classic must-haves.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks

Prepping for the arrival of your newborn can be expensive! Luckily this beloved skin-soothing product is wallet-friendly, and it’s been a staple on pregnant bellies for decades. No need to splurge on high-priced stretch mark creams, Palmer’s blend of cocoa extract, coconut oil, and vitamin E in this lotion helps soothe itchy skin and will prevent future stretch marks from forming.

Mama Mio Skincare Boob Tube & Neck Firmer

Your tummy isn't the only area to grow during pregnancy! Avoid the stretch marks and sagging that comes with doubling cup sizes by applying this serum to your bust daily. The skin firmer helps maintain the strength and structure of collagen found within your delicate decolleté.

Basq Resilient Body Oil

Finding odd dry patches on your skin? You will love slathering on this ultra-hydrating body oil from head-to-toe. The light-weight formula contains all natural sweet almond and grapeseed oils which moisturize your skin without any greasy or sticky residue.

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Leg and Foot Cream

Happy feet! Swelling of the ankles and the added weight you are now hauling around can lead to sore legs and feet. Treat yourself to a mini massage at the end of the day by rubbing in this peppermint oil and rosemary extract enriched cream. The formula will instantly cool and soothe any foot aches.

Belli Acne Clearing Wash

Raging gestation hormones can result in blemishes and breakouts. Steer clear of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide (which many consider to be toxic for the baby) and instead opt for this safe acne-clearing alternative. The gentle cleanser contains lactic acid which exfoliates, lemon peel oil which brightens, and antioxidants such as green tea extract and cucumber—which fight free radicals in the dermis.

How To's For Perfume

Posted by Smooches

Moldy Tampon

Feminine hygiene products should be hygienic, no? Well, that was not the case when Danielle Parr went to insert a Kotex tampon into her hoo-ha and discovered that the tampon popped out of the applicator covered in mold. Let me repeat that: MOLD. MOLLLLLLLLLD. Luckily for her, she was, for some reason, removing the tampon from the applicator before inserting it so she was able to spot the black and green fungus before it was injected into her lady business. Can you imagine? I’m dry heaving.
Naturally, Parr called Kotex to complain and was told:

We understand how distressing it can be to find mold on a product that is used for personal hygiene and apologize for your concern. In instances where it has been found, we conducted tests on the product involved and have found the mold to be a common environmental species that carries no health risk. The vegetative mold is similar in nature to mold on vegetables or in baked goods.

WHAT? First of all, “in cases where it has been found,” PLURAL? This has happened before? And, no bigs, but this kind of mold is nothing to be worried about because it causes no health risks and is similar to the mold found on food? Oh, okay. Thanks for the lack of concern, Kotex lady! I don’t know about you, readers, but I don’t want mold — on tampons or on food — anywhere near my vagina. No. No. NO

Posted by Smooches



Courtesy: www.thefrisky.com

DIY Nail

I tried my hardest to wear dark nail colors these cold-weather months, but after just a few days I get bored of them and give in to fuchsia, teal and yellow. Luckily, I've discovered DIY nail art inspired by fashion house Honor's fall 2012 collection that is bold and bright.
Missladyfinger blogger Taryn Multack translated a graphic skirt in an electrifying shade of lime green (pictured below) into a zig-zag mani that is sure to spark conversation when clutching a book, cell phone or cup of coffee.


Photos: Honor fall 2012 model, AP Photo/Honor, Dan & Corina Lecca; Zoya Mitzi; Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen; Seche Vite Top Coat; Missladyfinger's Honor-inspired diy nail art. Courtersy:stylelist.com

Rug

betterlivingthroughdesign.com

Here is a simple touch to bring life to your kitchen, children's bedroom or your favorite room around the house.

Grip Tray Serving

betterlivingthroughdesign.com

This tray is serious about keeping things right where you want. It features a high-grip surface of smooth rubber studs (top and underside) so that your plates, glasses, and cutlery all make it safely from the kitchen to table and back.

Hope you find this product useful!

Veve Collection



vevecollection.com

VeVe Collection handbags are made with love by women in Haiti.  It is a marriage of color and fabrics that produces the most creative and unique masterpiece.  Each bag has  has its own sewn in tag for authenticity.  The entrepreneur behind this successful enterprise is the award winner Phelicia Dell.
Visit: vevecollection.com to purchase your handbag or contact them at the phone number listed below.

VeVe Collection's Boutique
(509) 34903223 / 3716 4212

Small Knit color Cozy Mug



betterlivingthroughdesign.com

When it’s cold outside, all you need to warm up is a nice tea/coffee/etc in this knit mug. Cozy, indeed! It’ll keep your fingers safe and your spirits bright (well, we can hope so, but there’s no guarantee).

Porcelain with removable knit cozy for easy washing.
3.5″ high, 3.25″ diameter.