Holiday Gift Guide: The Hip Gentleman

Confession: I know more about men’s fashion then I do about women’s and love to style guy’s outfits (when they let me, which is rare). Here are my fave picks for the hip, modern gentleman:

 

 1. KRIS VAN ASCHE – Elongated waistcoat: $500, farfetch.com; Want to spend a little extra change on your fashionable guy? Try this “waistcoat” that he can wear with everything from tee shirts to a suit. I’m also a fan of the John Galliano Double Vest Jacket. Look for similar styles at Nordstrom and Macy’s. 

 2. Fossil Analog Silver Dial Watch: $75, fossil.com; This modern cuff watch features a sleek dial, date window, is water-resistant up to 5 ATM and has an 11 year warranty. Look for similar, less expensive styles at Target. 

 3. Pinstripe Paisley Tie Mens Fedora: $16.99, tillys.com; This cool grey fedora features a subtle paisley print that will look smart with any look from casual to dressy. 

 4. D & G 6 L’AMOUREUX & 1 LE BATELEUR: $65 each, sephora.com; This series is modeled after tarot cards and features simple yet elegant 3.3 fl oz bottles at an affordable price. The collection is genderless (for neither man or woman) and each fragrance is designed to be worn alone or layered with another in the collection. L’Amoureux is the “lover,” sensual and romantic with notes of musk, woods, bergamot, and cardamom. Le Bateleur is the “magician,” is seductive and features notes of an aquatic accord and coriander, vetyver, and cedarwood. I really like the advert for these fragrances, especially Le Bateleur with Tyson Ballou. Click here to see it on youtube. 

 5. BKE Argyle Skinny Tie, $24.50, buckle.com; This grey, black, and white silk tie is a go with anything essential. Also available in blue argyle. 

 6. Banana Republic Black Split Leather Belt: $49.50, bananarepublic.gap.com; Sizes 32-46, 100% leather, 1 inch width. Look for similar, less expensive styles at department stores, discount stores and Target. 

7. Personalize your gift with a mixtape or mixcd. Or, if you can get ahold of his mp3 player, a special mix playlist.

Holiday Gift Guide: Eastern Influence

 

1. Eastern Inspired Throw Pillows: $14-$24.99, worldmarket.com; With several patterns, colors, and styles, World Market is a great place to shop for unique decorative pillows. Check out more styles in-store and stop at the sale section.

2. Carved mirror: Various prices in-store at World Market. See store finder for the location near you.

3. Blue Velvet Mary Janes: $21, amazon.com; Other material options include cotton, silk, and velvet. This pair only in size US size 5-7. See seller for other styles, colors, and sizes.

4. Woven Tray: $39.99 sale price, westelm.com; This 24″diam x 14″h woven tray is perfect to use as a table, as a breakfast tray, catch-all, magazine, tray, the possibilities are endless. Stand not included.

5. Cargo Eastern Eye Pencil Set: $18 for five, sephora.com; This set of five mini eyeliner is perfect for any fashionista, girl on the go, or anyone that likes to emphasize their gorgeous peepers. Make sure to pick up a pencil sharpener, too.

6. 1928 Middle Eastern Style Jet Black Filigree Hoop Earrings: $15, 1928.com; Polished, textured hematite is finished with grey and black crystals.

7. Chinese Nylon-Cloth Fan: $11.99, amazon.com; Also available in yellow, magenta, and black.

8. Japanese Cherry Blossom Hanging Paper Lantern: $13.95, amazon.com; 10 mini paper lanterns are lit by 10 mini lightbulbs (included).

New Moon: Which “team” am I on?

I saw New Moon with my cousin today and let me tell you, If I were 15, I would absolutely be all about team Jacob. What a little cutie-patootie.

Since I’m not predatory, I’d much rather be team Peter Facinelli (aka Carlisle) but that’s not an option since he’s much too old to be a 17 year-old vampire or a 16 year-old wolf:

 

Oh, forget it. I’m team Jacob, too. I mean, after this movie, who wouldn’t be?

I <3 Going to the Theatre

 

I’m a busy bee this week so I won’t be blogging again until next week. The photo above is a peak of the show I’m currently working on.

Next week I plan to review Bare Escentials Matte Foundation. I’m generally NOT a B.E. fan (the bismuth oxychloride makes me itch soo bad) but I’m trying to give the new formulation the benefit of the doubt. I’ll  let you all know how it goes after I’ve been wearing it for a few more days.

SF: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

The de Young Museum in San Francisco currently has an exhibition showing various items from King Tut’s tomb. It features artifacts from King Tut’s tomb as well as his ancestors (Note: there seem to be more of his ancestors items then of his on display). The museum advises that the self guided tour takes about 90 minutes. My mom and I finished in 45. There is an audio tour for $7 that you can follow, although we did just fine reading the signage for free.

General admission on weekdays for adults is $27.50 and $32.50 on weekends. For what it was, I felt the tickets were a little steep but you also get to view the rest of the museum. One of the most impressive pieces Tjuya’s gilded coffin (thought to be Tut’s grandmother). It was huge! And gold! There was also a fairly large head from a broken statue of Akhenaton (Tut’s father). The rest of the items were smaller, everyday objects like jars for ungents and oils (I was excited to see these after studying about the role of fragrance in ancient Egypt for my Fragrance Foundation certification). I was blown away by the amount of gold used, but then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less for a king and royal family.

I wouldn’t recommend going to the city just  for the exhibit. Plan a day around the city to make the most of your time. By purchasing a ticket, you will receive a Pharaoh’s Gold Card, which offers discounts and perks for various businesses around the city. There are quite a few restaurants that offer 10% off or a complimentary dessert with purchase of entree. There’s also tons to do in SF, and if you don’t want to venture too far from the museum, there are several things to do and see within the park: Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Arboretum, and California Academy of Sciences, to name a few. Sutro Heights, the beach, and the zoo are also close to the park.

Read on below for information about handicap access at the museum and the exhibit.

Chica Girl Magazine

I did makeup for a photo shoot a while back for this awesome online magazine, chicagirlmagazine.com. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance. The issue won’t be out for a little while, although you can register for the site and read back issues. It features real women and girls with real stories to share.

Also, check out the newscast as well (I’m mentioned in the very end!) http://gooddaysacramento.com/features?articleID=55996

NYLON Magazine: Going Digital

Quite honestly, I think NYLON Magazine is one of the biggest publication eyesores when it comes to layout and design. Yes, I know that’s probably their intent as a ploy to be different then other publications, and at the same time it looks completely unappealing.

I do hold a subscription, but only because it was a gift. I also promptly give said subscriptions away, never bothering to even flip through the mag. It gives me a headache. Note to future gifters: I totally appreciate your generosity and please don’t subscribe me to NYLON.

I received an email today letting subscribers know that our current and future issues will be in digital form, sent via email as attachments, unless we request otherwise. Oh. Hell. No. Somebody overpaid for my subscription and it better come in paper form.

I completely understand wanting to go “green” by reducing paper (and of course the publication wanting to cut costs on printing an actual book). At the same time, magazines are little luxuries that many people like to tote around and read at their leisure. When I read magazines, I like to devour them in one or two sittings, then look at the advertisements. There is no way I would carry around a lap top just to read a magazine and it’s impractical to tote them to the beach or doctor’s office.

I know the digital age has been among us for some time now and the future of the written word is and will continue to rapidly change formats from paper to electronic. I’m aware that someday perhaps all of my favorite publications will only be accessible via Internet and it makes me sad. For now, I expect to be able to tote them around in my handbag and be able to access them without being logged on.

Yes, I do indeed read a lot of articles online. It can be convenient and I totally appreciate it but there’s just something about feeling a glossy page between my fingers and hearing pages flip that makes me happy.

Want to read the email that was sent out? Click below.

Valentines Day Gift Ideas

For her, from top: Fresh Rose mask, $55 for 3.4 oz , Fresh boutiques or Sephora; Lush SEX bomb bath bomb, $5.95 each, Lush; Large bird tray, $17, Target; Heart rings, $5 each, cherryredboutique.com; Stone Buddha candle holder, $14.99, World Market; Viktor and Rolf Flower Bomb Eau De Parfum, 1.7 oz $95, Nordstrom; Hello Kitty Sterling Silver Pendant with Diamonds and Pink Sapphires, $795.00, Zales(or find faux versions at mall kiosks); Juicy Couture layered necklace, $88, Juicy Couture. Or forgo gifts for dinner and drinks at home followed by a Blockbuster night.

For him, from top: Jack Black Jet Set travel skincare kit, $32, Sephora; D & G aviator sunglasses, $135, eLuxury.com; YSL L’Homme Eau de Toilette, $55 for 2 oz, Sephora; iHome Dual Alarm Clock Radio for iPod, $100, Target; Radiohead In Rainbows CD (or perhaps a CD he’s been lemming), music and electronic stores; Milk flask, $18, Urban Outfitters; VOLCOM Mens Sweater, $24.97, Tilly’s stores; Scott Kay UnKaged Skull cuff links, $465, Saksfifthavenue stores. Or take him out for a mini-adventure like a day trip.

<3 Dishwalla <3

Last week, as I was sorting through old CD’s, I discovered Dishwalla’s Pet Your Friends tape and And You Think You Know What Life’s About  CD. Love, love, love. And, yes, I said tape. Pet Your Friends came out in 95 and I didn’t get a CD player until 96. I don’t mean to oogle, but it also doesn’t hurt that frontman J.R. Richards is a hottie. I didn’t think so back in the day when he was sporting longer hair. Perhaps, like Dishwalla’s music, he just gets better with time?

James Iha

One of my most favorite bands in the 90’s was The Smashing Pumpkins. Sure, Billy Corgan is awesome, but I always liked D’Arcy and James Iha the best. When Iha came out with a solo album (Let It Come Down) in the late 90’s, I was super excited. I thought it was really good. Looking back, it was okay. I lost that CD years ago but came across a few tracks on an old mix tape recently. You know, that thing that’s not a CD but also not vinyl. Not sure what a mix tape is? Oh, you kids these days…google it, k?

I have to say, I still love the song Lover, Lover. It’s calm. It’s melodic. I used to fall asleep to it. Okay, maybe not, but I did really like it. I know B.C. is loved by all, but sometimes I felt like he got all the credit for a band that wouldn’t have been the same without the other founding members.