Emerald Revealed as Pantone’s Colour Of The Year 2013
As 2012 draws to a close, Pantone is already giving us fashionistas something to look forward to as they announce Emerald, a vibrant lush green as Colour of the Year for 2013.
The authority on all things colour related has characterised Emerald as a hue that symbolises “a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.”
Following in the footsteps of last year’s spirited and energetic Tangerine Tango, Emerald is typically deemed as a “sophisticated and luxurious” colour and often strongly associated with precious gemstones, growth and prosperity, which leads me to believe that many of us will enjoy the journey through Emerald City this upcoming year.
In addition to this announcement, Pantone has once again collaborated with beauty powerhouse, Sephora to create the SEPHORA + PANTONE UNIVERSE™ 2013 Color of the Year beauty collection featuring PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, which will be available exclusively at Sephora in March 2013. The limited edition collection is set to feature eye shadows, nail polish and accessories and I for one can’t wait to see what they come up with!
Comfy Cozy Sweater Goodness
So Boston saw some snow the other day and I figured its time to start cracking out the thermals and sweaters in addition to dedicating a well deserved blog post to a winter necessity! Especially if you are like me who has to begrudgingly endure winter weather (I’m a summer lover at heart).
Nala sponsors this post and is a big fan of making herself comfy anywhere…
Check out some cozy comforts that can not only help you get through these next few months but you can look chic and stylish at the same time!
1. 2B Braid Front Metallic Sweater – $34.95
2. BeBe Cable Cowl Neck Batwing Sweater – $98
3. 2B Button Front Car Coat – $29.95
4. Anthropologie Velveteen Cowlneck Poncho – $148
5. 2B Metallic Belted Tunic – $29.95
6. Arden B Hand Knit Marilyn Sweater – $35.40
7. J.Crew Giant bow sweater – $98
8. J.Crew Lambswool diamond sweater – $89.50
9. Arden B Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Sweater – $35.40
10. Arden B Twisted Ribbed Sweater Tunic – $35.40
11. J.Crew Fair Isle ski sweater – $148
12. 2B Colorblock Cowl Sweater – $24.95
13. Vila Cable Knitted Dress – $43.98
14. NW3 Embroidered Yoke Jumper – $121.37
15. ASOS Graphic Jumper Dress – $66.84
16. Bellfield Riding Jumper – $79.16
Modernizing Disney’s Leading Ladies Fashion
In September, Sephora announced an exciting collaboration and revealed the Disney Cinderella Collection by Sephora. Finally I was able to see the whole collection up close and personal during one of my many spontaneous (and dangerous!) trips to Sephora and I have to say its beautifully designed with a whimsical nature that truly captures Disney.
Having said that and coupled with the fact that I’ve been watching the tv show Once Upon a Time (yes I’m hooked!) I was inspired to modernize the leading ladies of Disney’s fashion sense. Check out what I came up with and let me know what you think!
Ariel
Dress – Kaliko Satin Shift Dress, Mid Green – £82.50
shoes – Badgley Mischka PeepToe Pumps Humbie II – $200
clutch – Ivory Shell Clutch Evening Bag – $37.49
nail polish – zoya nail polish mimi – $8
Belle
Dress – Opulence England Embellished dress – $169.99
shoes – Fergie Bunny Pump – $69.95
clutch – Franchi Handbags Angela – $122.99
nail polish – Zoya nail polish cyma – $8
Cinderella
Dress – Notte by Marchesa – $274.99
shoes – Joan & David Outfit – $134.42
clutch – Franchi Judith Satin Clutch – $76.99
nail polish – Zoya nail polish LANEY – $8
Jasmine
Dress – BCBGMAXAZRIA Helyn gathered dress – $274.99
shoes – rsvp Gigi – $59.99
clutch – Lulu Townsend Ring Minaudiere – $29.95
nail polish – Zoya nail polish RICHELLE – $8
Pocahontas
Dress – Hervé Léger Fringed bandage dress – $1032.50
shoes – Franco Sarto Omaha – $41.99
clutch – FranchI Azure Tafetta Clutch – $109.99
nail polish – Zoya nail polish CHARLA – $8
Snow White
Dress – TED BAKER DANAH Drapped dress – $295
shoes – rsvp Sheryl – $55.99
clutch – DVF Tonda Weave Contrast Patent Clutch – $246.13
nail polish – Zoya nail polish Creamy – $8
Head Over Wheels: Spinning 101
I’ve always known that maintaining an exercise routine is important but until the start of this year I had never fully committed to it and kept putting it off. Now 11 months later, I’m here looking to motivate anyone who feels these familiar sentiments.
How did I motivate myself? A part of keeping myself motivated came with discovering different types of exercise routines. It started with using the elliptical that I have at home (definitely no excuses there, the gym couldn’t get any closer!). I then started getting a little restless and realized I needed some variety so over the months I added some Jillian Michaels dvds, outdoor cycling, treadmill and weight training in the mix. (image source)
So fast forward to now, I recently discovered a gilt city deal for spinning classes and decided try it out. As it got nearer to my first class I started to hear people telling me how hard it was and how they thought they were going to die and that your body just hurts so bad after! I thought to myself what the hell have I gotten myself into!
So my first class was on a thursday night at 7pm right after work, I had all my gear ready (check out the mini list below of some essentials I suggest taking). I hopped on the bike, the lights were turned down low and then the music started blasting. Our instructor explained a few simple positions and we were a go. Let me just say not only was it hard but it was actually fun! All the months of exercising had paid off, I managed to keep up for the most part and was proud of myself for getting through the hell that most people had described.
The whole point of this post? To tell you if I can do it then so can you! I’ve put together some quick points of why Spinning can be a beneficial addition to your work out routine. I haven’t been doing spinning for very long at all but I find it really fun and I feel great once I’m done so I wanted to share my thoughts and what I’ve discovered since I began.
If you are like me and need to stay motivated then keep reading and please don’t be shy! Feel free to share your experiences with spinning or any advice you may have in general.
What is Spinning?
Spinning is a studio cycling workout on a stationary bike that allows the rider to tailor the workout to their ability by adjusting the tension. At Sweat & Soul Yoga, I attend classes that use the RealRyder bike which is not only a stationary bike but it also allows the rider to engage the entire body with a range of motion as it allows you to steer left and right which emulates the feel of a road bike. So with this type of bike you are actually working your upper body, lower body, core muscles resulting in a great cardio workout.
Burn Baby Burn
Yes I’m talking about calories! Have you ever been on a treadmill at the gym and just felt that it was dragging on forever and you had barely any calorie burn to show for it? With spinning that is not the case, you work hard and you see the results. Typically a workout of 45 minutes burns around 450-550 calories which depends on the intensity of the workout.
Taking My Sweet Time
The stationary bike has the ability to adjust the level of intensity it takes to pedal. Your instructor will typically have a lesson planned and he or she will indicate when to adjust or alternatively you can adjust accordingly to help build your stamina and achieve your fitness goals.
Please Don’t Stop the Music
Not only do you have an instructor but music is also played which should help keep you focused on the task and not on the tension you may be feeling. Sweat & Soul Yoga in Allston, MA where I go has some great classes that offer themed classes such as Pop Princesses, Hip Hop, 90’s, 2000’s where they only play music from those eras or themes.
Baby Its Could Outside
If you are like me, then you probably hate the cold. I’m most happy when its nice and hot so having the option to throw on regular exercise gear and skip buying hardcore winter gear (costly!) is a huge plus. So Spinning can be performed at any time of the year.
Be My Motivation
Feeling a little deflated? Just getting yourself to the class is enough, its a huge commitment to show up, the rest will come naturally. All classes are held by an instructor who will motivate you throughout your workout and not to mention you are not alone! Seeing other riders push themselves allows you to feed off of their energy and keep going so its a win win.
How Low Can You Go?
Not very low! A great benefit of spinning is the fact that it is a low impact exercise which means it keeps the pressure of your knees and joints (they will thank you!).
I Heart You
Spinning is great for boosting your cardiovascular health and lung capacity, with time it begins to build endurance and you are able to better control your breath.
*QUICK TIP*
I suggest purchasing a heart rate monitor, I got myself this Polar HRM from Amazon earlier this year and its great for monitoring your pace, calorie burn and most importantly it sets an indicator that lets you know if you are over doing it.
Killer Legs
Another perk to Spinning is that as you are using large muscle groups in your legs (thighs, hamstrings & calves) you’ll begin to see some definition and start feeling stronger.
I Can’t Get No…. Satisfaction
So not true! You’ll have good and bad days just like you have with any other part of your life. Rest assured that you are doing something that is going to be good for you, your body and your mental strength in the long run. No matter how hard it is as I said before the fact that you showed up for the class is what matters.
I promised I’d share my work out necessities:
- Water bottle – Replenish your body as you sweat it out.
- Towel – To wipe away the tears! No just kidding, its for sweat 😉
- Tank Top – It will get hot so I suggest something thin and sleevless.
- Support Bra – the girls need some support!
- Capris/Leggings -no loose trousers because it can get tangled in the bike, always choose something thats fitted close to the body
- Protein Bar/ Energy Bar – I typically eat a cliff bar or odwalla bar before or within 20 minutes of my workout, it helps rebuild those muscles you just broke down.
- Polar HRM – to monitor my progress throughout my workout
- Fun socks – why not? I have some great bright coloured ones, just adds a bit of fun 😉
- Comfy Trainers – Or sneakers as they are called in the states 😉
- Additional Top – After I workout I hate going home all sweaty so I quickly change into a long sleeved fresh top until i get home to shower.
- Hoodie/Light Jacket – Because sports gear is generally thin, I prefer to have another layer under my winter coat (told you i hate the cold!)
Now for the fashionable side of working out 🙂 It should be no surprise to you that I was going to add some key essentials that can help make exercising more comfy and no I’m not suggesting extremely expensive work out gear, don’t buy into that.
Check out stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Old Navy, H&M & Aeropostale for some basic, inexpensive tank tops and pants. As for my UK people check out Matalan and George by Asdas, they also have good quality gear at low prices.
Here are a few picks of mine:
Absolutely Brilliant Racerback Yoga Tank – $11.25 *SALE*
Solid Basic Cami – $6.60 *SALE*
Solid Ribbed Tank – $4.95 *SALE*
Women’s Active GoDRY Tanks – $8.00 *SALE*
Women’s Active Control Max Capris (19″) – $24.97 *SALE*
Women’s Active Compression Leggings – $26.94
Women’s Active GoDRY Tees – $8.00 *SALE*
Active 3/4 Length Legging – £10.00
Performance Vest – £10.00
Out of this Universe Fashion
Being a fashion lover, I often see ideas for fashion in some of the most mundane places! These places, objects or things spark themes, colour choices, structural elements that can personify themselves through fashion.
My fiance Michael recently came back from working at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston (so proud of him!) which inspired me to browse photos of our universe. I was so inspired by the amazing colours and forms featured in their images that it began my quest to hunt down all things fashion related that harnessed this concept. I’ve put together some looks that would elevate anyone’s wardrobe and dare I say it make you shine 😉 I don’t know about you but me thinks that I need to own at least one of these pieces!
Share your thoughts below on these gorgeous galaxy inspired pieces or if you’d like to share a photo/object and have me blog about how they could connect or inspire fashion feel free to share! I’d love to have more readers participating by sharing or inspiring content for this blog! Contact me here if you are interested 🙂
– Crimson Galaxy Skirt, Organic Cotton – $138
Down & Dotty Fashion
I’ve never really been a fan of the polka dot trend or P.D as I like to call it, I always thought it just didn’t suit me or something, I felt it perhaps didn’t fit into my style… However, lately I’ve been browsing stores and I came across the photos below of bokeh photography on pinterest that made me see P.D through a different light, so to speak…
IMAGE 01 Source
& image 02 source
Am I now willing to give P.D a shot? I’d like to think so, below are some ideas for those who love dots or like myself are a bit skeptical when it comes to getting down and dotty 😉
Lady in Red Hawt Dress
Every woman should own a little red dress! At least that’s what actress Penelope Cruz’s recent photoshoot for 2013 Campari’s Calendar illicits and for a good reason.
I decided to do a little digging into colour theory where Mr Red is concerned and discovered:
Red, is associated with love, passion, desire, heat, lust, sexuality, romance, joy, strength, courage, vigor, rage, anger, danger, action, vibrance, radiance and determination.
How DOES THE COLOUR RED AFFECT US?
- Encourages action and confidence.
- Represents power and strength.
- Creates a sense of energy and joy.
the varying degrees of red:
- Light Red: Joy, Passion, Love & Sexuality.
- Dark Red: Anger, Leadership, Courage & Willpower.
- Pink: Romance, Love & Friendship.
- Brown: Neutral, Down to Earth & Stability
bottom line:
Wearing red can make you feel sexy, boost confident and create a sense of energy. It is a great way to stand out at an event and without further ado check out some looks that are bound to make you stand out at that Christmas party! So have fun and dare to be bold!
Pleated Strapless Layer Skirt Dress -Rami Kashou – $179
Floor Length Tiered Satin Gown – $298
Zilla Cross Over Tailored Dress – $33.62 *sale*
Lipsy VIP Embellished Maxi Dress – £130.00
Hybrid Strappy Criss Cross Panel Pencil Dress – $104.66 *sale*
Hybrid Dress With Bardot Neckline – $149.52
Donna Ricco Cowl Neck Matte Jersey Dress – $118
Adrianna Papell Sequin Sheath Dress – $218
Mesh Illusion Peplum Dress – $89
Honor Gold One Shoulder Maxi Dress – £55.00
“Hungry Eyes” By Burger King
The latest Burger King ad campaign in the Netherlands is quite a departure from the more traditional burger and bun ads that we are used to seeing. An unknown makeup artist was hired to create the striking hamburger inspired eyeshadow combo.
The campaign is definitely memorable and reminds me of the “Hungry Eyes” song for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, the question is will these types of ads garner more hamburger enthusiasts? Typically most women who take care of their figures attempt to stay away from this sort of junk food, so this begs to question who exactly is this campaign aimed at?
Nonetheless it will be interesting to see if this kicks of an eyeshadow trend and give the latest nail art craze a run for its money.
Fashion Inspired Wedding Cakes
Creating one of the most important day in a woman’s life can be stressful to say the least (trust me I know!) its the details that make your day unique and say a lot about you and your future hubby. Perhaps some decisions are easier than what you think? While browsing for wedding cakes I stumbled across an interesting post by Belle the Magazine on fashion inspired wedding cakes. Who knew that your wedding cake inspiration could be staring you right in the eye each and every time you put on THE dress. Below are some of my favorite wedding cake fashion interpretations!
Beyoncé Fronts New House of Dereon Campaign
Beyoncé has only stepped in front of the cameras a couple of times since giving birth to her daughter, Blue Ivy, on January 7. But news that the newly made mum is getting geared up to get back to work is on the horizon as a new photo of the superstar is released for her latest campaign for her clothing label, House of Deréon.
Shot by famed celebrity and fashion photographer Tony Duran shortly before Beyoncé gave birth, the only image released so far features Beyonce looking stunning and sultry wearing a structured stud embellished bodice accompanied by a fierce lion mane for her spring/summer 2012 collection.
The collection comprises of edgy to elegant evening wear as well as contemporary casual tops and jackets with bold use of stunning prints and a color palette featuring soft pastels, nudes and pops of coral and blue.
Below are some of my favorite pieces as well as the promotional video for the collection. Currently the House of Dereon US site states that the shopping online feature is “coming soon.” However if you are across the pond, you can purchase pieces from Lipsy, Selfridges and House of Fraser.
Adrianna
Adornation 