All Ties Are Not Created Equal

Happy Father's Day Weekend!  As some of you know, I am leaving for my honeymoon tomorrow morning.  But before I head out of town for a week, I am sharing this guest post on men's ties... hopefully it will help you as much as it helped me!

I asked Omar to guest post this weekend because he is always on the cutting edge of men's fashion.  Check out what he had to say:

Hi Natalie,

Great to see you this weekend.  By the way, I wanted to give you some pointers on neckties since you were curious.  The best neckties are called "sevenfold" because historically, they were made with one large piece of silk, accordion-folded 7 times.  However, those ties don't drape well and tend to wrinkle.  These days, most top-notch "sevenfold" ties are actually 6-fold silk, with a wool interlining.  The very best ties are all cut by hand, the "tipping" (the bottom of the wide part of the tie) is hand folded up and hand stitched, and the tie is entirely stitched by hand so it can shift/flex/give a bit.   Fabrics are typically cut on the bias to ensure they hold their shape.

This one-page photoguide explains the process:

Tie Guide

Some of the best ties money can buy can be found here:
Carlo Franco Ties

There are many other manufactures. The fact is, to buy a bespoke tie, you need to turn it over and see the back.    

My tie at the wedding was zegna couture entirely handmade "7-fold" (i.e. 6 fold with lining) silk tie.  

You can't judge by the brand: I have bought $250 ferragamo ties that were complete crap.  Some labels will, however, always have great ties like kiton and brioni.

Omar.

Makeup Style of the Week 6/17/2010 - Creme Highlighter

This image was taken behind the scenes at a Christian Dior runway show.  I was inspired when I came across the image on the  Vogue Paris website.  As such, I thought it would be fitting to write about creme highlighter as it is a staple for spring and summer beauty.  This summer I have been using Mary Kay's limited edition cream highlighter, but I just learned it is sold out.  Another option I recommend is the multiple bronzer stick by Nars in shade Copacabana.  No matter which highlighter you use, make sure it has shimmer to reflect light.  

The face has natural "areas of highlight" or places where the reflection of light is pleasing to the eye.  Two of the areas of highlight are:  a) under the browbone (from the arch toward the temple) and b) at the upper portion of the cheekbone moving toward the temple.  

I usually connect these two areas of highlight to create a "V" formation.  As a makeup artist, I must know the angles and proportions of the human body.  These proportions are made up of many ovals and triangles.  Hence, when I sculpt a face, I try to view it as a series of triangles and ovals; triangles for symmetry and balance - ovals for softened edges.  

After applying your foundation (before powder setting) using your ring finger, tap the creme highlighter gently onto the areas of highlight in a "V" formation.  Starting at your temple, dot upwards toward the browbone, stopping at the arch.  Beginning at your temple again, dot down toward the nose, staying high on the cheekbone (you should not be under the eye in the recessed area, but on the bone) stopping halfway from your temple to your nostril.  The product should make small ovals from your fingerprint.  Now go back and gently blend the ovals together by tapping lightly on the edges of the ovals you made.  Set your look with a finishing powder such as Makeup Forever's HD Microfinish Powder.  

To achieve this model's warm cheek, I recommend Mary Kay's mineral cheek color in Sparkling Cider.

Questions?  Hit me up at Natalie@ave42.com or just leave a comment below!  

Cheers! 

I am dreaming of styling this bride...

Today I am dreaming of a bride who does not fear a break from tradition.  This gorgeous Paget skirt by jcrew is my inspiration.  I love the way it was paired with a simple t-shirt.  If worn with a more fitted camisole, I dream of pairing it with this feather cape (instead of a veil) by Behnaz Sarafpour

Understated makeup is key for this look.  I used Temptu SB Foundation to achieve a clean, luminous finish in the photo below (photographed by Katie Stoops)

Etsy Love - QA Create

Today I am showcasing a recent Etsy favorite - QA CREATE

I stumbled across their lovely shop while looking for some groomsman gifts (we ended up getting monogrammed cufflinks made of old typewriter keys, shown below)

And that beautiful ring up top?  It's a ring made of the refurbished interior of a swiss watch...  Yeah, that's right.  

I get so tired of typical jewelry and thanks to the creative genius of QA Create, future suffering is optional.  SWEET! 

Snotty Salespeople. Don't do it.

I must admit, spending money on clothes or shoes or purses or jewelry these days can be difficult enough - especially in my rat cage of a mind ... "How much do I have in my account? Do I need it? What will my significant other think about them? Can I justify this?  Crap, they're so pretty.  Ugh, I'm never going to be able to buy ANYTHING. I'm leaving."

But, lately something that has made it even less appealing to shop is snotty salespeople or just simply useless ones.

Now, I think I say this because I, too, worked as a salesperson for retail clothing stores, so I understand the dynamic.

I have a perfect example from this past weekend.

My mom and I are in Saks and we are both holding shopping bags from other stores that suggest we are doing more than merely window shopping.  We explain to the salesperson that we'd like to find shoes to go with a dress my mother is wearing to my wedding and that we are going to peek around a bit.  She tries on a few pairs and buys one pair of moderately priced flats (not for the wedding but for fun) and as we break the news to him that we won't be buying the other pairs she tried on, he huffs and puffs and starts slamming boxes around.  You would think that we had just severely insulted him or his mother.

Of course I know he works on commission and I tried to imagine him having the hardest day of his life but it just didn't make sense in light of the way he was acting.  In fact, the lady next to us witnessed his attitude and said she had a similar encounter with him and refuses to work with him anymore.

I set our encounter aside for a moment while reflecting on the other stores we had visited that day.  It was 9pm and we had been shopping since noon, so there were quite a few.

The first place we went that day was a local boutique in Richmond called Blythe.  It's a fine lingerie and linens store where the women are absolutely helpful and then some.  A very wise and successful person once said "Do what is expected and then some."

As I continued to reflect on the stores we had visited, I kept coming back to our experience with Blythe. They walked us to the car and know us by name.  They have my cell phone number and have even called me.

As much as I love big name stores like Saks and the extensive product lines they offer, I would rather shop at a local boutique and be confined to fewer product choices with a pleasurable experience than deal with snotty salespeople at the biggest retail storefronts.

I realized this and thought maybe other people feel the same way.  Who really wants to go shopping - something that is supposed to be fun - and have to put up with rudeness?  And suddenly I realized that this man's rude behavior towards me was just job security for me... As a stylist, I can go brave the front lines for you and come out unscathed in vicious battles with snotty salespeople.

So, snotty salespeople, snot on.  I'll be spending my money at Blythe.

Fall in love with "Preloved" fashion

I've often thought about making new clothes out of old ones. That is exactly what Preloved, a Canadian fashion line, has done. I love what they're about and what's not to love with ultra-fresh pieces like those seen above. How cute is the girls' little "coco" sweater? They have everything from aprons to cocktail dresses and can even customize your order in a variety of colors.

If eco-fashion is up your alley, check out Treehugger.com for more great ideas like these amazing rain boots made out of plastic bags.

Go "Greige"

I told my nail technician (yes, I have a nail technician... or at least when I have money) that I wanted something "beige" for my nails last month.  I was shocked when she replied "Why?" (as in "Why? Don't you like having friends?")

Perhaps I had become all too accustomed to our otherwise phatic exchange during which I say "I'll try Sole Mate this week" (a dark red almost black favorite of mine) and she says "Great!"

What I really wanted was "greige" (grey and beige) but I couldn't say that...  conservative women surrounded me at the nail bar and I could feel their eyes darting over to us; the overhead pendant light was suddenly a heat-lamp.

I ended up going with a light pink.  UGH...  But two weeks later I got greige.

I feel so empowered that today I'm thinking of designing a t-shirt.  But it won't be stupid like the ones that say "I love hot moms." 


P.S. I hope my readers (all 3 of you) will forgive me for not writing lately.  I'm recommitting to you today.  Love and belief,
Natalie