Fall Color Palette

Though Egon Schiele is well known for his haunting figural work, his landscapes are incredibly striking and capture the vibrancy of seasonal foliage.  His color palette in Four Trees II (1917) of emeralds, mustard yellows, and periwinkles is the inspiration for these fall items that are necessary luxuries.  

1.) Outlaw blush by Nars is the perfect autumnal flush with just a hint of sparkle.

2.) Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Silk Eyeshadow looks like a starry night sky.

3.) Topshop's Floral Devore Kimono is too gorgeous to just wear around the house.

 photo credits: eyeshadows (nordstrom.com); blush (nordstrom.com); kimono (topshop.com).

Parisian Shop Girl Valentine

I recently started Elaine Dundy's The Dud Avocado that tells the story of a young American woman's escapades in Paris in the 1950s. If you want to look youthful, charming, and decidedly Parisian-chic like Elaine Dundy's character this Valentine's day (while you're whipping up a beautiful handmade dessert in the kitchen that you actually purchased from the bakery on the corner), then you must wear this apron from Anthropologie. Even if you're not

cooking anything (or pretending to cook anything), then you should still wear this apron while you arrange heart-shaped chocolates on an antique dinner plate to eat by yourself while watching Chalet Girl. The white lace and elegant shape make you look incredibly pretty in an I-work-in-a-boulangerie-in-Lyon way. The name of the apron is actually "Angel Food Cake." Spritz Hilde Solani Iris on your pulse points to complete the effect.

photo credit perfume: http://www.luckyscent.com

photo credit apron: http://www.anthropologie.com

Baby Blues

Sartorially-speaking, fall is all about earthy tones and organic textures that complement the changing leaves. If all the apple-cider-reds, rich emeralds, and butternut-squash-oranges have you feeling a little bored (and you want to wear something a little more unexpected) pick up some baby blue. It's just the shot of color that your outfit needs to make it more exuberant and playful.

photo credit:

jacket:

http://www.pixiemarket.com

body suit and cape:

http://www.bonadrag.com

wallet: Fendi Selleria Snap Wallet sold at Barneys.com

Sunshine Beauty Essentials

With the 70 + degree weather and the new portion of the High Line opening later this week, there's never been a better time to explore Chelsea. It's not too touristy yet, at lunch time you can actually get an alfresco seat at Cookshop (on a weekday), and the People's Pops are back at Chelsea Market serving rhubarb hibiscus popsicles. Summer beauty is the most fun (probably because it is the easiest, laziest, and most natural). Below are four of my favorite new items for summer besides of course sunglasses and a good book to read - I recommend The Dud Avocado.

1.) Sara Happ The Lip Scrub Sparkling Pink Grapefruit: Because it reminds me of Florida and feels so refreshingly summery.

2.) Tom Ford Beauty Neroli Portofino Shower Gel: The most amazing lightly citrus scent. Perfect for before you go yachting or engage in any other type of really luxurious activity. I love the perfume version so much that I even wear it when I'm just going grocery shopping. You can buy Tom Ford products at Jeffrey in the West Village.

3.) Coppertone Oil Free Foaming Lotion SPF 75+ Sunscreen: I'm always looking for the perfect sunscreen (an endless search ensues each summer), and I think I may have found it. The texture is perfect, it has a high SPF, and it won't make you break out. Pick up a bottle at Duane Reade, CVS, or Rite Aid.

Think Pink

Cotton-candy-pink always makes me think of the film Funny Face with Fred and Audrey, possibly the most elegant film of all time & definitely the reason why fuchsia is forever-chic. I've been filling vases in my house with pink peonies in anticipation of spring, and below are a few of my favorite pastel-pink items that are a cheerful and elegant cure for winter-doldrums.

1.) Cherry Blossom Ginseng Miracle Defrizzant Cream comes in this pretty pearlescent pump and smells sweet and softly floral. It gives hair incredible shine (use it overnight on parched ends), but the smell is divine and lingers all evening (when people give you a hug they'll get a whiff of cherry blossoms).

2.) I realize that fashion is in the midst of a Black-Swan-moment feather-wise. Though it's transient, I can't help but love this Cynthia Rowley tutu. Is this actually something that I can wear in public? I've decided yes, especially in my fantasy where I go ice skating at the newish Standard Hotel rink.

3.) In memory of Valentine's Day, I've been keeping a box of Sweethearts on my desk. I actually really like the taste, kind of tropical-fruit-like, but the new sayings are totally hysterical and a little bossy. I just ate one that said "Step Up."

photo credit tutu: http://www.cynthiarowley.com

photo credit cream: http://www.medichest.com

photo credit candy: http://www.necco.com

xo beauty

Worry Wart!

I feel as though I have been having a lot of (mainly irrational) worries lately - don't we all. Anyhow, I recently invested in some worry dolls, a childhood favorite of mine that I just rediscovered, and while these definitely help - buy some for anyone you love, they are adorable and according to Guatemalan lore you whisper your worries to them and put them under your pillow at night to banish the worry by morning - I needed something a little more intense. I love the concept. However, my worrying has apparently been causing some weird frown lines to develop between my eyes - only causing additional worries. Murad Sleep Reform Serum to the rescue! This silky serum has a cocktail of ingredients like melatonin, peptides, and anti-oxidants (basically the equivalent of worry dolls for your frown lines - genius!)

photo credit worry dolls: http://www.amazon.com

photo credit serum: http"//www.murad.com

Winter Warm-Up

Lately, I've been (to put it mildly) freezing!! It's been quite winter-wonderlandish in NYC these last few days. It puts me in the mood to ice skate or do some other form of winter sport that requires little exertion. However, I've been spending the better part of the last few days working from home and at night especially it's been chilly in the apartment. Here are a few urban-warming tips for those who are sans fireplace. I'm currently desiring the Malm Fireplace, but right now that's just a pipe dream (no pun intended).

1.) This tea with tumeric and ginger is the perfect cozy evening drink, and the spice tumeric has been lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties.

2.) The Malm Fireplace is definitely an investment piece but it could very well change your life - atleast for this season.

3.) Bigelow's Ginger Mentha Warming Body Scrub is like wrapping yourself in a warm and fuzzy blanket - utter bliss on a cold night.

Stay warm!

xo beauty

photo credit fireplace: http://www.dwr.com

photo credit scrub: http://www.bigelowchemists.com

photo credit tea: http://www.republicoftea.com