Style Bust
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Preen Spring 2012
I learned about fashion label Preen while scouring the pages of fashionologie.
I can’t speak for any designs London-based label Preen has produced in the past, but I’m in love with Preen’s Spring 2012 collection. Design duo Justin Thorton and Thea Bregazzi combined feminine, soft and oh, so modern silhouettes for this collection. The result? It’s very, very chic. As I’ve looked at footage from the Spring 2012 collections, I’ve wondered what I’ll actually wear next season? I’ve seen preppy, crisp white palettes, the ’60s and a ton of floral prints. Preen puts all of these looks together the right way. Pastel palette, lace fabrics, floral prints and modern silhouettes. I’m sold!
Preen can be purchased at shopbop, yoox and net-a-porter.
Photos by Getty
German Designer Steffen Schraut
I just learned about the self titled German womenswear design label Steffen Schraut while browsing STYLEBOP for Black Friday – Cyber Monday deals. I was immediately drawn to his leopard and frappe animal prints; I’m usually not a fan of either because they tend to be too loud for me – his prints are not overstated. I also really appreciate the polished, clean looks of his leather blazers and leather skirts. They are cut and tailored very well and look uber sophisticated, which is uncommon for leather pieces.
I did some digging on the label, and was surprised to hear that Steffen Schraut has been around since 2001. And that his collections have been featured in major publications such as Vogue, Elle, Grazia and Apropos; yet an avid fashion follower, like myself, didn’t know of the line! That’s probably becuase Steffen Schraut has never shown at fashion week, and a google search “find Steffen Schraut” will bring back few retailers who sell his collection and hardly any articles about the designer.
Images of Steffen Schraut Winter 2011 Collection (source: steffenschraut.com)
Since his debut in 2001, Steffen Schraut’s collections have been consistently minimalistic and yet reveal extraordinary attention to the details. The styles combine sophistication and flirty femininity through the thoughtful use of fur, lace, bows, fringe, ties, rhinestones and color-blocks. His pieces range in price from $150-$1200 USD.
Steffen Schraut works with one of the best European photographers, Gyslain Yarhi for his seasonal lookbooks. He worked with Anselm Woesler for a Spring 2011 collection video.
Black Friday – Cyber Monday Deals 2011
Online discount codes (in alphabetical order) for some of our favorite online retailers.
- American Eagle: Up To 40% Off. Enter code: 72429831. This code is also good at Aerie and 77kids.
- Ann Taylor: 40% Off. Enter code: THANKS.
- ASOS: 30% Off Winter Style Sale.
- Banana Republic: 30% Off. Enter Code: BRJUMP30.
- Delias: $20 Off $75. Enter code: 75VSD
- DL1961 Premium Denim: 25% Off. Enter code: INDIGO25.
- Ella Moss: 30% Off. Enter code: GLITTER.
- Express: 20% Off. Enter code: 1983.
- Folica.com: $25 Off $75 Order. Enter code: NOV25.
- French Connection: 30% Off. Enter code: FCH11.
- GO Smile: 20% Off. Enter code: SMILE20.
- Karmaloop: 25% off & Free Shipping on all orders over $65. Enter code: BLACKFRI (Valid 11.25.11). Enter code: BLACKWKD. (Valid 11.26.11-11.27.11). Enter code: CYBERMON (Valid 11.28.11).
- Kiehl’s: $20 Off $65. Enter code: HOLIDAY.
- Lands’ End: 30% Off & Free Shipping on all orders over $50.
- Levis: 25% Off. Enter code: THANKS25.
- Loft: 40% Off. Enter code: SHOP40.
- Macy’s: 15-20% Off. Enter code: THANKS.
- Nike: 25% Off Clearance items. Enter code: ADVANTAGE.
- Shoes.com: 25% Off Sale Items. Enter code: YAMS.
- Shopbop.com: $50 Off $250, $100 Off $500, $150 Off $700. Enter code: BIGEVENT.
- Smashbox: 25% Off & Free Shipping. Enter code: SBXFF11.
- Soap.com: 20% Off for new customers: Enter Code: TODAY20.
- Spanx: 20% Off. Enter code: SPANXEMP20.
- Splendid: 30% Off. Enter code: GBESTGIFT.
- Steve Madden: 25% Off & Free Shipping: Enter code: TURKEY.
- Yves Saint Laurent: 20% Off & Free Shipping. Enter code: CYBER.
A season of stylish men
As you may know, I’m quite obsessed with women’s fashion. But this season, it’s the men that have caught my eye.
I’ve seen some trends that would work with any guy in your life – easy sweaters and boots for all seasons – now it’s just a matter of getting them to shop!
Key trends:
A version of the “Hitler Youth” haircut – a great style that looks polished, yet very trendy.
Lots of layers – whether it be a 3 piece suit or a cardigan under a blazer, layering pieces creates a cool and interesting look.
Comfortable/all-weather shoes – there are tons of shoes and boots this season that are both comfortable and stylish for men. From sneakers to suede desert boots – men have it SO easy!
Brazilian Peel
The latest advance in the fight against aging is the Brazilian Peel.
Brazilian Peel is the first 30% glycolic acid, medical strength peel for at-home use. 5x stronger than other retail products, this unique new Brazilian style peel is clinically proven to visibly brighten, smooth, firm and tone skin for a more youthful appearance. All the benefits of a professional peel in an easy do-it-yourself treatment.
I had a chance to try it thanks to a sample from Sephora and I was very impressed with it. The treatment consists of four once-a-week applications that come packaged in a small double syringe. The way to use it is by opening the syrenge, dispensing the contents in the palm of your hand and mix it with the fingers, once it feels warm, then it’s time to apply it to face, neck and decollete. Rinse after 10 minutes and pat dry.
Since this is a stronger peel than most of the commercial ones, it does warn against using it on irritated or damaged skin and to avoid long exposure to the sun for at least one week after the treatment. In my case, I’ve used peels for a long time and didn’t feel any discomfort with this one, but I can say I did notice a big difference on my skin afterwards. It was incredibly smooth and that was with only one application. Another thing I’ve noticed is my skin looking slightly shinier, but not oily, in a way more alive.
If you have thought about peels, but maybe hesistant to go for the Brazilian Peel which is strong and costs $78 for the four once-a-week applications, then you can start slow with Avon’s Anew Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System.
Advanced Dermabrasion, the first 4-level at-home system, is so effective because it starts at a lower dose and gradually works up to a maximum dosage of resurfacing ingredients.
I’ve tried this one and it also works great on the skin, but is much gentler, it starts you at a very low level and each week the dosage increases. In this case I also felt a very big difference from the first applications.
It’s always such a treat to touch your own skin and feel it as smooth as it can be, and even better when people around you notice it as well.
The Aussies have it!
Okay, we all know how pricey cosmetic brushes can be so why be neglectful with their care – stay on point with these suggestions!
First off, realize no two brush cleaners are created the same. There are a myraid of choices, from: soap, cleansers, sprays, baby shampoo’s, some resort to Dawn Dish-washing anti bacterial liquid – yup!, you read that correct. Now in previous post, I’ve recommended how often you should clean your handy dandy tools but today’s post is to target what I deem “most effective cleanser’s”.
Below, a short list of tried/true ways I’ve banished dirt, build-up, bacteria, and makeup residue.
SOAP – For $15 bucks, you will simply lust this bar after only trying it once. Becca (Aussie brand) designed this goodness, it nourished my bristles like no other. I know what you’re thinking – “you can just bounty up some hotel soaps and call it a day” – WRONG, this is different! Those other soaps can’t claim they lengthen the lifespam of your brushes like Becca can. When you open up this baby, your nose will know too…I inhaled a beautiful scent, later learning its made of plant-based oils which double as a cleanser & conditioner, who doesn’t want 2 in 1.
For a visual:
Where to buy: Becca Cosmetics, Henri Bendel or locally here in SF: Ron Pernell Studio.
(If you choose the later, you’ll walk out with more than just a bar of soap honey! – but a couple of laughs & compliments from Ron himself).
Other ways to wash & preserve your dirty brushes but aren’t as luxurat(ing) include:
Brush Spray – Nowadays everybody and they mama’ makes a brush cleanser. I’ve used M.A.C., Japonesque, Sephora, the list is endless. Pros: you can travel with spray but no real purification takes place outside our bathrooms. Cons: many of them leave a residue or funny oily slip to the bristles, anyways.
So no thanks, onto the next…
Shampoo – From day one, old school Makeup colleagues of mine suggested using Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo – its gentle, no tears -ha! It works but like I said earlier…I found the Pro Bar (made by Becca) far better, it really IS bar-none!
Bottom line, your brushes deserve something gentle yet effective and whether you pick a spray, shampoo or soap bar (like me). You must wash, rinse bristle thoroughly, squeeze excess water and reshape.
Speaking of reshape…boy! do I have a product to plug for this, until next time beauties…
Bite Beauty
While I’m pretty low maintenance with regards to make-up–I wear a little concealer, more mascara, lip balm, and plenty of sunscreen–lately I’ve been hunting for some bright, fun lipsticks. I’m very passionate about natural ingredients, which is why I stay away from most brands and which is why I’ve certainly struggled to find a brand with fun colors and natural ingredients. Recently, however, at Sephora, I discovered, Bite, and I’m quite taken with the brand. Aside from having all natural ingredients like organic shea butter, superfoods, and food-grade colors, their lip products contain resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant. Resveratrol is supposed to act as an anti-aging agent, and each lip product contains enough of the agent to equal five glasses of red wine. Bite products are formulated without the following: parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, and Triclosan. Sounds wonderful, right? In addition to the safe ingredients, the brand offers a solid array of beautiful colors and lip products, including lip treatments, lipstick, lip gloss, lip rouge, sheer balm, and lip pencils. Being the lipstick amateur that I am, I purchased a few different products and colors to try, and so far, I have been so happy with the results. The lipsticks and lip pencils are smooth, feel great on lips, and provide vivid color. While I have not tried each product, I highly recommend Luminous Creme Lipstick and High Pigment Matte Pencil. And did I mention how affordable they are?
My Ideal Closet
One of my favorite things to daydream about is my ideal closet. I live in a 1200 sq ft apartment in downtown SF, so spacious closets and vanity areas are literally the stuff of my dreams. As you’re about to see, I have some seriously high expectations for my dream closet space.
My dream closet is more of a dressing room than a closet. Not only would it be a place to store my clothes, but also a place to put on my makeup and do all of the “getting ready” tasks that I normally have to run between my closet and bathroom to do. There would be a chair and a side table so that I could chill in the closet, read magazines and drink champagne.
I like the idea of a white-on-white or neutral color scheme so that I’d have a clean backdrop for putting together outfits and trying things on.
In most closets the clothes are stored behind doors or tucked away in cabinets. While I love the clean aesthetic that creates, I also like to see all my stuff at once. This next picture reminds me of a clothing store (for whatever reason Mango comes to mind). I like that everything is out, yet still looks neat.
I love the chevron counter top in this next image.
Finally, the purple closet. This one is decorated so well! I love that it incorporates the open closet and drawer space. The ceiling looks fantastic and the mirror is to die for!
Which closet is your favorite?





















