How to Tie Scarves

For those of us living in colder climes, winter is the time to pile on the layers. Once the temperature takes a nosedive, I never leave the house without a scarf.

I only have two ways of wearing a scarf -- either looping in around my neck or folding the scarf in half so the ends meet and then slipping the ends around the loop that the middle of the scarf makes. Ta da! I know, isn't this exciting?

This is why I was so excited to see that ModCloth (which is one of my favorite places to shop online) had a series of lessons on how to tie scarves on YouTube. There are four lessons total and they cover different types of scarves.

Now be ready to step out looking chic.



I love this video because I have a couple long scarves that I didn't know what to do with.

The Woman Behind the Cotton Mask -- Epielle's Facial Essence Mask

Today I was introduced to Epielle's Facial Essence Mask. It's a disposable cotton mask. There are three different kinds of masks: green tea & aloe, vitamin C for firming and lifting, and vitamin E for collagen. It's for all skin types.

You clean your face. Take out a mask from the packet. The mask is folded, so you carefully unfold it and you'll see that there are holes for your eyes, nose, and mouth. You apply the mask on your face and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.

I tried the green tea and aloe mask and I must say that I quite like this product. My face was moisturized and very soft. At $1 a mask, it's a very cheap way to pamper yourself a little. You can find Epielle's Facial Essence mask at Korean grocery markets.

Let it Snoflake!

Oh, the weather outside might be frightful, but Snoflake is so delightful! The East Coast is covered in snow and freezing cold, but the weather in Los Angeles is positively spring-like! Well, Los Angelinas might think it's cold, but nothing, that a warm pair of tights and a jacket can't fix. Which is why I bring to you -- Snoflake!

It's a little ridiculous to think about short summer dresses this time of year (unless you're living in the Southern hemisphere or a transplant from colder climes living in Southern California), but Snoflake is have a holiday 20% sale and free shipping.

I came across Snoflake while living in Toronto. Also an independent fashion design, just like Dagg & Stacey, based in Toronto, Snoflake makes lovely sophisticated fun clothes for young women.

And because they're based in Canada, all prices are in Canadian dollars, which means they're actually lower for us Americans! You can purchase Snoflake online or you can go on their website and see if your city carries Snoflake.

Temptu -- Temptingly flawless skin

"Doesn't my skin look fabulous?" I demanded as I sat down for a belated dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in a while.

She looked up from her menu and did a double-take. She was a bit flabbergasted and gasped, "Oh my goodness, it's amazing. You look terrific!"

I'm a minimalist, even when I go all out for a big night out on the town. I hate wearing foundation. Creams look like I just smeared something on my face and powders look like just that -- that I'm wearing powder on my face. So I normally go without. My skin color isn't too uneven so I feel okay about going out in bare skin.

Every once in a while I think to myself that I should give foundation another try. I go into a store, someone helps me out and the end result is usually my saying, "I guess it's better than nothing."

This was not the story with Temptu. I was in Sephora to find some other product actually. I took a look at Temptu and a sales rep offered to try it out on me. I agreed because I had some time to kill, but I really wasn't expecting anything. Temptu applies foundation (blush and highlighter) by airbrushing. You pop in one of these sleek looking pods into the airbrushing machine and begin the magic.

When I saw the finished product -- my face -- in the mirror, I was astounded. For once in my life, I was completely blown away by make up. My skin was luminous and beautiful. The airbrushing erased all of the little flaws off my skin and left with me with a perfect canvas. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the mirror. For once, I looked like one of those models with flawless skin.

My friend kept on looking at my face all throughout dinner, murmuring, "You look amazing." At the end of dinner, she decided that she too was going to Sephora to try Temptu. The machine costs $225, but seriously well worth the money because I've never seen anything that gave me perfection like this.

Nio -- Salt & Oil Scrub

I discovered Nio last year. Nio makes beautiful luxurious skin care treatment products; what they are most known for are their wonderful salt-and-oil scrubs.

I was shopping at the Union Square Christmas Market, when I walked past Nio's stand. They offered to wash my hands and I thought, "Why not?" I sniffed each of different scrubs (Eden, Milk & Honey, Lavender, and Jasmine) that they had and finally chose Eden.

I've used scrubs before, but haven't been impressed because of the gritty feel. I also couldn't feel the difference afterwards. Not so with Nio! The salt crystals are very fine. The oil gives a luxurous decadent feel. Warm water washed off the scrub and hands dried off. My skin was so soft and smelled sooooooooo good afterwards. I kept on petting my hands and bringing them up to my face to breathe in the delicate perfume of Eden. The luxurant feeling lasted several hours.

Nio offers five different scents, but my favorite is Eden. Eden is a unisex scent. I can't describe it, except it's clean and light. I can wear it all day long without tiring of it nor offending other people with a heavy cloying scent. I just love it.

A small jar costs $35 and a large $45. It's a great gift for family, friends, and/or yourself.

Collar detail

Just because it's winter, it doesn't mean that you need to cover up your style in order to keep warm. A good winter coat is an important investment, not only for keeping you warm, but also out on the streets during this time of year, it's the article of clothing that everyone sees. It's your statement style piece, so make it count!


I, personally, love collar details. Long winter coats which are often necessary for cold East Coast winters can often be heavy and drab, leading the eye to be dragged down. A beautiful collar detail brings the attention back up closer to the wearer's face. A beautiful collar adds sophistication to an otherwise simple coat.

I recently became quited enamored with this Spiewak Sonntag Coat in herringbone.

There are many beautiful details on this coat, but I think it's the collar that really sets this off. If you're in the New York Area, you can buy this coat at Alter. Or for slightly cheaper in black, you can purchase online at Karmaloop.

For considerably less money also at Karmaloop, you can purchase this Shearer coat, which also has an interesting collar detail. Keep warm and fashionable this winter!

One of a Kind Show New York

I'm so excited that the One of a Kind Show New York is happening this year. I looked forward to the OOAKS in Toronto every winter and summer. It's a grand showcase of clothing, jewelry, art, and other items made by hand by independent artists (usually local, but there were other artists from different parts of Canada and some of the US as well). I loved the OOAKS because it brought together so many amazing independent designers, artists, and craft artists under one roof and I had the chance to peruse and shop for many lovely things that I otherwise wouldn't have known about or have access to. Some of the artists became my favorites and I looked forward to seeing them every year.

Here are some items that will be available for sale at the OOAKS.

Baby, it's cold outside, but you won't be with this gorgeious scarf from Smartworks. Teal and chocolate brown is one of my favorite color combination. It'll be a lovely pop of color during the dark gloomy wintry days. It may seem as if spring is a long way off, but your spirits will be up and lively with this scarf, turning any outfit into a dashing ensemble.

Pretty in pink is what you'll be in this fantastic number by Selma Karaca. Do take a look at the rest of her collection in her website. Her talent is surreal. What I particularly admire about this dress is that it's delicate and dainty without being cutesy and sweet. The dress has an air of sophisticated style. A lovely piece for a Sunday afternoon outing all way to a romantic evening date.












There are many more beautiful surprises waiting for you at OOAKS.

December 11th - 13th
Pier 94, 12th Ave and 55th
$15 (good for all four days) -- Yes, it's worth the admission and I'm a cheapskate who thinks that I shouldn't pay admissions for an event where I'm going to spend money (and lots of it). This statement tells you just how much I *love* the OOAKS.

Get your Groupon

I love the good life, but alas my fiscal means don't stretch that far . . . unless I get my Groupon. It's a great site that holds a daily deal for various cities in the US. Look what New York had in the past couple of months.

Fantastic deals on various services and products, usually around 50% off (sometimes even more). I got the chance today to use my Groupon coupon for a facial. The experience of both buying the Groupon coupon and the facial was easy and wonderful. Bought the coupon, called the spa, booked an appointment, and printed out my coupon. No gimmicks. No hard sell.

Thanks to Groupon, I'll be able to indulge in the good life at a very affordable price.

Handmade Cavalcade 2009

Like many, I'm an avid fan of Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade crafts and vintage items. I'm eagerly looking forward to attending Handmade Cavalcade on Saturday, Dec 5, 2009 at Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street, NY (closest subway: 6 Spring St. stop). It's open from 11 am to 8 pm.


So many of the artists on Etsy are rather clever and imaginative. I love buying stuff from them because 1) I love knowing that what I'm buying is something that isn't mass produced and lets me be express my individuality away from the homogeneity of brand names, 2) I love supporting artists, especially local artists, and 3) I love getting stuff in the mail. No one sends letters anymore. I remember how as a child, I envied my mom for receiving letters in the mailbox and what an incredible treat it was when the magazine subscriptions that she got for me would arrive in the mailbox. That thrill of seeing something interesting waiting for me to open. Yes, so one of the things I love about shopping online is the delayed gratification.

But if you go to Handmade Cavalcade, you can support local artists and even meet them too. And no delayed gratification, which is also pretty awesome.

Dagg & Stacey

While living in the Great White North, I fell in love . . . with Dagg and Stacey, two wonderfully incredible creative and talented independent designers in Toronto.

I always am in lust for their clothes. Their style is simple and quirky, and yet still sophisticated. Their collections can be found in stores in the US and in online stores (just google Dagg & Stacey).

 A cool new jacket from their Fall/Winter 2009 Collection

I would love to wear this to work during the winter as a change of pace from the endless routine of a sweater and pants. Available at Plox Clothing Boutique.

Ken & Dana Design

As I said before, I tend to stick to classic designs, but I like my clothes and accessories to have a bit of edge to them. I think the jewelry from Ken & Dana Design are gorgeous and exemplify beauty with hard chic edge. Some of their stuff is a little too edgy and out there for my own personal style and taste, but even so, I always appreciate the design elements of their pieces.

 

Beauty doesn't come cheap. They have two lines BYLU and b-side. BYLU is the more upscale line, even still they have a few pieces that are under $100. B-side is the more downtown line with interesting pieces inspired by graffitti and geometry. Their jewelry is certainly very creative. I haven't ever seen anything like theirs anywhere else. If you lust after their more pricy stuff, but can't afford the full sticker price, sign up their their battle alerts. Once in a while (anywhere from once to twice a month), they'll send out a notice where you can pick up their latest novel creation for a song (relatively speaking).

I love these stacked rings.

Elle's World

This is my fashion outlook; this is my world.

I describe my sense of style as classic with some edge. I prefer the more timeless look, but I modernize my look with touches of the latest trend. I love antique and vintage style in clothing and jewelry. In the past, I have preferred the more quiet and demure look, but lately have been branching out by experimenting with bolder colors, chunkier jewelry (but not too big, I have a small frame), and an edgier look.

Let's see what happens!