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OLD SCHOOL STYLE/ NEW SCHOOL TEXTILES: OR TRENDS 2016/17

Pendleton's row of plaid wool shirts...classics never get old-but a TAD less multi-tasking... PART ONE: BACK in the day-our older siblings used to pile on the thermal long underwear from the local ARMY/NAVY store...heavy wool knit sweaters from Ireland or Norway (courtesy of globe trotting grandparents) and not water tough varsity jackets...for all day ski jaunts to Hunter Mountain. Maybe teenage youth kept them warm enough---but nowadays-most folks of all ages take advantage of late 20th-and 21st century textile breakthroughs...and attire themselves with winter appropriate warm-and waterproof fabrics for hours outdoors in the cold. AND each year, the fabrics lead the way for making even our 4 year old stuff -outdated, JUST like buying anything tech these days. With the emphasis on warmer when wet, lighter and stretchier....plus sustainable-eco ( bluesign ® certified)-traceable cradle to cradle-including down from Allied, Downtek and Downlite ...the recent textile ...

OUTDOOR RETAILER A/W 2016/17 THE BIG GRIP:Trends

SLC ICE BLOCKS DEMO GRIPPY OUTSOLES-Slip N'Fall Fears Banished VIBRAM- MERRELL-SPERRY-WOLVERINE- HANWAG- ICEBUG- ALTRA-BAFFIN- KODIAK-KAHTOOLA Sloooowly -encompassing the urban kinds of customer (see a 2012 Prez. election voter map for where they live...it's the blue spots)... ...the exhibitors at Outdoor Retailer  -we'd say deftly---cater to the elite winter backcountry extremist - adventurers who have 'the seven summits'  done ---as well as NOW the city types-who more likely "venture out" for day jaunts, travels, indoor fitness centers-including yoga, Cross-Fit and climbing...and who may only see the skies/feel the weather when walking to mass transit hubs. Smart: the authentic outdoors-ness of the brands-remain-for both older and new labels (like Under Armour moving their outdoors bunch to Portland)...an important story to keep on telling to sell to hard core and casual types alike. It's like ...as competitive triathletes...still look...

Beauty 2016 -4 Effective Time Savers

REVIEWS: DERMAFLASH, MOODSTRUCK 3D Fiber Lashes, Earth Kiss Masks, j.f.LAZARTIQUE A NEW YEAR----always tempts us to try out new beauty 'stuff' at home-that importantly will save time/$ and mimic for results that we would pay for, service-wise -at a salon/spa... First Up: Smoother Skin One of the RHWONJ  got belittled-in an episode we saw...because she mentioned how she used a razor on  her face-in the shower-with moisturizer as shaving cream...and how it left her skin so smooth. Made total sense to us....and what we thought about when we read up on DERMAFLASH  ™ - a new-use  at home-we got to review.  This new  face beauty exfoliating tool  works via sonic-slight vibrating handpiece that is loaded with an exfoliating edge (razor like)... that gets stroked or 'edged'- over bare, clean skin...avoiding sensitive areas (eyes, lips, nose...).  The instruction book is easy to follow and there is a quick start guide, included too. Usage is intuitive...

BRING THE BRUNCH HOLIDAY FARE SUGGESTIONS

There are plenty of seemingly effortless holiday hosts...who always manage to stage a festive fare for friends/family -to celebrate the holidays. We're not one of those people...but we certainly known how to please the givers with a unique gift of our own---that can be deployed almost as soon as the welcoming front door threshold- is crossed. SOME IDEAS: Offer up your mixologist skills  La Quintinye Vermouth Royal opulent French vermouth-crafted from South West French white wines Pineau des Charentes-a fortified wine of fresh grape juice and Cognac from a single estate -plus carefully curated herbs and botanicals-aged for a minimum of 12 months in French oak barrels-yields a distinct, aromatic multi-layered sipping pleasure-that- like sherry-is growing in popularity. Not much skill needed the way we enjoyed the La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Rouge (16.5% abv/33 proof)...pouring 1 oz over a cube of ice-with its pretty burnt amber red color- licorice, vanilla and chocolate-toffee...

WORK WEAR-EVERYWHERE by Walls, Wrangler

NYC: Any Manhattan subway rider-around 3PM---will notice the influx of construction attire- wearing fellow passengers...as they leave their work shifts and head home.... realistically, the Big Apple will be a truly great city when it's finally built... ALSO  noticeable-the ubiquitous  rugged work wear label- Carhartt -even by those with the most outdoor physical labor task  = climbing up/down subway steps and dodging the tourists clogging the sidewalks, insulated core, plenty of zip pockets, center zip cage, cozy wear anywhere multi-tasker-impervious to cold/wet weather  One reason-this kind of apparel sells =classics, easy to maintain, last for years, and impart a bit of cave-dwelling swagger missing from a lot of modern lives. Multi-tasking durable separates from growing outdoors label Walls -  owned by Williamson - Dickie -featuring super tough Kevlar® fibers, Dry IQ™ water repellent finishes--- and staple Wrangler's RIGGS Workwear-recently...

SPRING'16:New- 22 Bold+Beautiful Baubles

THE BLUE LINE cluster frontal -shiny gold +turquoise, multi-beads....$85 CAROLEE New York,  and TRINA TURK, ABS by Allen Schwartz, FRENCH CONNECTION (by Carolee) A CAROLEE media preview a few months back-reminded us of how well made 'costume' jewelry ---is no longer the has-been/ step-sister second status of accessories-but -in fact= beloved necessities of the high-low way of dressing up (and down)...mixing luxury with mass market attire-with bejeweled equivalents. SOME HIGHLIGHTS: CAROLEE New York...pays homage to Big Apple destinations-with earrings, bangles, cuffs, ring, and all kinds of necklaces...from the delicate to the statement...thematic interpretations of the shapes and colors conjured up by these distinct locales. CONEY ISLAND collection Thread Wrap Frontal 12K shiny gold with multi-colors $150 irregular stone collar $250 South Sea Port Collection The Plaza Pearl Drop Silver/White Pearl/Crystal $50 RADIO CITY  Shower Bib -Shiny Gold/...

Spring 2016 Women's Sandals, Slides, Flats, Pumps, Booties-36+ New Looks!

 EMU AUSTRALIA, BERNARDO, SUMMIT by WHITE MOUNTAIN, NINA ORIGINALS-Shoes+Handbags, FRENCH SOLES/NY New summery footwear looks from re-energized-dependable-stylish-fashion brands that won't have you tearing off your feet-the sec you get home. With notable Spring 2016 trends and retro references done well... EMU AUSTRALIA: Say hello to beach boots when it's HOT...LORNE (l) and TARA) (and NUMERELLA pull-ons similar look)- perforated suede+leather in fun Spring bootie-treaded durable lightweight natural gum rubber outsole...practical and cool counterpoint to perforated- uppers (suede, leather)...removable insole... logo-represents the footprint of Aussie's EMU bird +  radiating circle design is for extra traction   EMU AUSTRALIA :Pemberton suede slip-ons- EVA cork mixed midsole and EVA wrapped footbed=cozy casual EMU AUSTRALIA : Ibis-smooth pull-on with crackle metallic leather w/ durable rubber forefoot and heel pods +wrapped EVA footbed fo...