Lizard skin is for lizards

Every winter my hard-working hands face the same dilemma: how to avoid looking like a lizard. Experimenting with different products I came across this Raw Shea Butter Hand Cream from Nubian Heritage. Made with organic ingredients its all-natural recipe is rich with Soy Milk, Vitamin E, Frankincense and Myrrh. Heavy enough to fight against brutality of cold winter weather and too much hand-washing, this miracle cream smooths away rough lizard scales leaving hands soft and silky. Available at your local Whole Foods Market for $10.00 per 4 oz.

Rule #1: when in doubt – wear black

When you are invited to a dinner at one of the hottest restaurants in town you start debating whether or not your closet has just the right outfit. You are, after all, trying to compete with two things: the outstanding view about 450 feet above the ground and your not-so-close fiend who was kind enough to invite you and has a body of a goddess, always looking so impeccable. Madly sorting through your wardrobe you decide to go back to Rule #1: when in doubt – wear black. It has been tested many times and it works. A classy choice of color, it slims one down and gives much confidence. To spice it up you add a Full Bouquet Clip in silver. Available at Anthropologie for $18.00. Good Luck!

Colleen Mauer Jewelry

San Francisco based Colleen Mauer creates her masterpieces using texture, color, sounds and tones as her tools for transforming a simple section of material into a unique piece of jewelry. When I saw these gold earrings I immediately fell in love with the unusual take on traditional hoops. They are available for $168.00. Contact Colleen for purchasing or custom design tweaking at info@colleenmauerdesigns.com.


This beautiful stackable ring set consists of 5 bands: three sterling silver and two 14k gold fill (each 12 gauge). The imperfect hammered edges make this an exquisite find. Available at Etsy for $224.00.

Be Verte!

This eco-friendly candle from Vie Luxe International is good to have for two reasons. First, its fragrance makes you believe that the winter is long gone and a fresh gust of spring air is filling your room with notes of Hyacinth, Narcissus, and Green Leaves. Second, all of the components of Verte are 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Plus, a percentage of proceeds from Vie Luxe Verte sales will go to the NRDC (National Resources Defense Council), a non-profit dedicated to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment for all life on earth.
Available at Bluemercury for $28.00.

Sherman rocks the British flag

A very stylish friend of mine requested a custom sweater for her dog named Sherman. She commissioned Jennifer Nye, who has an amazing knitting technique and craftsmanship to take over the project. Sherman ended up to be a very happy dog showing off his new and one-of-a-kind sweater:



(Photos by Royce Epstein)

If you are interested in learning the basics about knitting visit Bernat.

Some Boots Get Better With Age

It is hard to imagine how a pair of boots can compare to a good bottle of wine. But I stand behind my viewpoint of Fiorentini + Baker.The philosophy of this brand is quality, style and comfort. The vintners of my wine analogy hale from two great origins: one from Italy, another from the UK. They put their minds together to craft an ultimate vintage boot. Perfect for almost any occasion they are made out of leather inside and out. The more you wear them the more beautiful they get as these boots acquire a signature patina, while molding perfectly to the shape of your foot. You would never want to wear another brand, ever again! And while the company is about to present their new collection during the Fashion Week in London at the end of this month, I still admire my favorites from the Winter 2010:

Available at Barneys.
P.S.: Taking your boots to a knowledgeable cobbler is essential: they will serve you longer and age with grace.

If only Fresh would work on snow!

As I look outside the snow that was only days ago fluffy and white has now turned various shades of gray - no longer fresh. We want it out; we want something new and spring-like, something that will uplift our spirits and our complexion. That something must be the amazing Soy Face Cream from Fresh. It is not going to disappoint anyone with its 100% natural fragrance of rose water and cucumber extract. It is as fresh as could be! The paraben-free formula instantly delivers optimum moisture to thirsty skin in search for a relief from the drying freezing weather. Available at Fresh for $38.00 for 50 ml.

Purple Rain

Everyone who knows me well can assure you that purple will be the last color I will add to my wardrobe. But the true color admirer I am, I do appreciate its royal beauty, though from a distance. The reality is, its power can be dangerous to a sensitive eye and when used in a certain shade on a certain skin tone it may appear sickly. As I am typing this away my perfect nails are painted in a perfect purple that I discovered. Nars Cosmetics just came out with a perfection of a purple nail color in their Spring 2010 Collection: it has just the right amount of red and blue notes. It is neither too dark nor too light, yet it would look gorgeous with any skin tone! Purple Rain (gothic purple) is available for $16.00 at Sephora. But hurry! Its popularity is wiping out stores' shelves!


Purple Rain

Crochet, crochet, crochet!

Searching through Etsy's website for hand-made crochet items I came across this beautiful pillow called Almost Home. The spring is around the corner, and the birds will return to their homeland. This one is on the way to the house of a lucky shopper who happens to see the opportunity.


Almost Home Pillow

And with the warm weather more style will awaken. A new Anthropologie catalog was awaiting me in the mailbox when I got home last night. A beautiful crochet background is complementing this equally gorgeous cardigan with intriguing crochet detail (shown on page 33 of February issue).


Bluebells Awaken Cardi

Same background became canvas for this next shot of the catalog. It harmonizes with the embroidery of roosters of this sweet green dress (shown on page 28 of February issue).


Cockadoodle Dress

... on this snowy day

I am excited to begin my blog on this snowy day. Everything outside is like a big white sculpture: houses, trees, cars... In my mind it comes together into a great texture of white-on-white. It is fresh and clean. Inspired to begin something new I say to you: Welcome!