Monthly Archives: May 2010
Monthly Archives: May 2010
Satisfying Retail Cravings Using Your Phone
Dovetailing my fashion phone apps review, here are some interesting factoids about shopping on our beloved phones. 17% used mobile phones to purchase applications, ringtones and other content* 6% used phones to receive coupons or discounts on items 6% used phones to purchase physical goods or non-mobile content or services You are asking yourself why does this even matter to her? As a stylist, I think this is an important shift to think about. One of the key challenges I am constantly confronted with is clients with overflowing closets with too many versions of jeans, trousers, shoes, suits, bags, and jackets. We buy and buy and lament that we have nothing to wear. Sound familiar? Mobile perpetuates this by providing instant gratification aka impulse shopping. Since part of my job is to guide clients to think before they buy, I strongly discourage impulse shopping. Quality versus quantity is critical. So before you hit purchase on your phone for another pair of black heels you absolutely must have, read this posting again. And again. *Factoids are courtesy of MediaPost
Fashion Apps – Don’t Believe the Hype
Well, only you can decide but here is my take on the ones I have used so far. GQ Style Picks – the only one I found for men that is free. Easy to use and provides short tips for just about everything. There are quality videos that are short and informative. Style picks from QQ and you can peruse items by brand and price. Closet Lite – this is the first one I used and I never got used to the dark, bland and somewhat confusing interface. It is purely meant to manage outfits – perfect for the the avid traveler who can use the calendar to plan daily outfits. Stylish Girl – I was happy at hello as I perused the bright, easy to use pages. It is also what I expected from a fashion app with not only the ability to manage my closet, but also shop and read content. This is the only that allowed me to write and save notes. Ask a Stylist from Glamour – was extremely disappointing. The app directs you to ask a question of a stylist of your choice. You are promised an answer within minutes. I sent a test question asking about what color couch I should buy. In return, I received an automated answer about what type of shoes I should wear. Nuff’ said. Gucci – kind of fun – you can play DJ and record a track, purchase Mark Ronson’s favorite playlist from iTunes and of course, pore over the collections. Style Tips – was painful and this is an understatement. The app is comprised of video clips providing fashion tips. In theory, this is a great concept but the reality is a poor speakers who say like, you know and um a lot. The video quality is equally as bad. They should be ashamed of themselves. Shop Style – provides the same easy to use experience as the site. Clean graphics and the ability to buy, email, or save to favorites. iShoes – if you are obsessed with shoes, back away from this app. Oversized beautiful magazine-style images of shoes are going to negatively impact your bank account. Once you read the dets, you can purchase or save to favs. You can also sort by shoe type and brand. Chic Feed – did nothing for me. Essentially the app provides look book images with links to buy. Moving on. Dior– what you would expect from a high-end designer. Beautiful black and white video vignettes (which were a bit too long for me), latest styles and store locator. Donna Karan – is kind of interesting. As expected, you can check out the collections but you also get DK’s favorite picks and why. She also includes her perspectives and inspirations as well as a short Q&A with a few celebrities that we actually like. D&G – this was like walking through an interactive print ad. Glam but boring – watch videos, check out the collections, store locator and download wallpaper for your phone. Fendi – Again no big surprises but I like the interface and content. Peruse looks, video clips or you can send an eCard or 4 to your best friend. I did. Fendi O’ – check out celebrity photos and videos from their events, if you are into that sort of thing.
What’s the Real Deal with Ceramic Products?
Ceramic hair dryers are supposed to be better because ceramic is a more reliable heat conductor. The thought is that it heats up more evenly than the traditional metal coils, eliminating hot spots. My thought on this is that it is not as important in a dryer as in a curling iron or a flat iron, tools that the heat is directly applied to the hair. It could also increase the life of the heating element, as ceramic is not weakened by the heat it conducts. I personally think that it is not a huge concern in tools that we use at home since they don’t get that much use relative to what a professional uses. My personal choice and that of some of the top stylists is a traditional heating element dryer, the Elchim 2001. By Jeannette Farrell, Master Colorist at Cinta Salon
Men can use a little Spanx too.
Women have been enjoying the invisible support of Spanx under everything for several years now. And now it’s time for the guys to enjoy it too. Shirts and pants will fit and look better. Check out these cotton, machine washable tanks and t-shirts.
Happy Feet are Here Again
I am not exactly sure when my feet lost their tolerance for my 4”heel shoe fetish but they have. Sad but true. What’s a girl to do if she wants to look sassy and have her feet respect her? Well there is hope for us. Back in the day, Aerosole was the only option. And there was NO way any prancing was going to be done in those frumpy padded big strap ugly shoes. Fortunately times have changed and there are tons of options to support your foot yet allow for your toes to preen. Glory Chen – is my top pick for functional yet absolutely beautiful statement footwear. They are pricey but I believe your feet deserve a little love. Besides you can run around in these all day long doing errands, lifting kids and still look gorgeous. Joy Chen – is the sister company to Glory and is equally unique with function and style the top priority. Sofft – Diverse collection of color and style and is extremely affordable. Cordani – feminine collection with eye catching palette of colors. I like the platforms and wedges the best although they are not as affordable as the Sofft collection. Taryn Rose – compared with the rest, this is a pretty conservative and classically styled line with little to no embellishment. It is also on the expansive side. Ecco – is consistent in their style and affordability, always receiving solid reviews from women. Pikolinos – has some interesting styles to try and they do a nice job adapting recent trends with comfort. Cole Haan – integrated Nike Air Technology into some of their designs and are incredibly comfortable. Not cheap though. Think! – is a little too Birkenstock for my taste however there are a few styles that are interesting. Here is one of them.
The Little Black (and White) Dress
For the ladies in San Francisco, tis’ the season for the Black and White Ball, May 22nd. Started shopping yet for the IT dress yet? Here are some gorgeous choices to consider. From the eeeny weeny mini to the classic to the trendy off-shoulder, there are almost too many options to consider. Splurge or not, you will definitely be able to find the IT dress. Happy Hunting!
What are You Waiting For?
When we were growing up, mothers gave us sage advice about saving a dress or dinnerware for a special occasion. Well, I never really understood that whole special saving concept. When something is sparkly and shiny, it is practically begging me to share it with everyone. I have visited with many friends and admired their pretty Waterford collecting dust in a lovely cupboard. When I ask when the last time the dishes were used, I am often told never or the right occasion hasn’t come up. C’mon, isn’t every day a special day? And wouldn’t it be fun to serve pizza to your friends on elegant bone china? As a stylist nosey friend rummaging through closets, I always discover some gorgeous something wrapped in plastic hidden so far back in the closet, it might as well be in Narnia. And predictably, I turn and say “Why have you not worn this?” Answer is always the same – I have not had anywhere to wear it to or my personal favorite “I am waiting for the right occasion”. Aaggh! They shrug and say “That is how I was raised. My mother taught me that.” Well, you don’t live under your mother’s roof any longer. Thank goodness. So if you wake up on a Tuesday morning feeling sassy, grab hold of that sequin top and pair it with a pair of skinny jeans or cool trousers. I guarantee a compliment or appreciative look is coming your way in the office. Gentlemen, don that pinstripe power suit and peacock about. Your special someone will appreciate the effort. Why do this? Because you can, that’s why. You don’t want to be predictable everyday of your life, do you? You don’t want to be noticed? You don’t want to be ready to take advantage of whatever situation presents itself? You don’t want feel attractive? Think about it for a minute. If you are approached by a handsome someone or a hot so and so, you will be ready have some fun. If you get called into an unscheduled meeting with your boss, you will be feeling confident and looking fabulous. I dunno, seems like a no brainer to me.
