Eat, Play, Love Everything at ABC Home!

I’ll find any excuse to head to ABC Home in NYC. It’s the best place for browsing, shopping and eating and it’s also my go-to place to recharge and get inspired! There are 6 floors to lose yourself in and hunt down that perfect piece or meander to your heart’s content.

Exquisite antiques and modern furniture live side by side. Looking for throw pillows? No matter what your taste, you’ll find them. They have the most gorgeous jewels by numerous designers, two favorites being Gabrielle Sanchez and Pyrrha. Need a children’s gift? Their tot department is overflowing with extra-special items that you won’t find elsewhere. Into celeb sightings? In the past I’ve seen Uma Thurman (with her head on Ethan Hawke’s lap!), Goldie Hawn, Betsy Johnson and  many others.

When it’s time for a bite, the on premise restaurants are phenomenal…my favorite being ABC Kitchen. It’s Jean-Georges  so you know the food is unsurpassed. The changing menu is organic and as local as possible, with the dishes beautifully presented. When dining there, I feel like I’m on one of those food shows except that everything is unique and delicious every time!

My kids (especially my daughter) love the experience almost as much as I do. When they were small I would bring them to ABC and tell them to keep their eyes open and observe, we were in a special place where things morph and change at a moment’s notice. I’d say there were hidden rooms and secret passageways–their imaginations always ran wild! I should probably feel a little guilty, but I don’t. They had a blast and I got my ABC fix. In my book that’s a win/win!!!

ABC Carpet & Home, 19th & Broadway, NYC

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The Perfect Product!

Product Review: Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30

When reviewing beauty products, every now and then you come upon one that is exceptional…Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30 is one of those perfect products!

It combines primer to instantly smooth skin texture, sunscreen to prevent environmental damage, anti-aging ingredients to build collagen and protect from free radicals and natural mineral pigments for a more even-toned and luminous complexion.

I had plans to go out last night (a beauty event in the heart of Times Square followed by Thai food with a friend) and decided to test it. Using my fingertips I applied it over my usual moisturizer and instantly noticed a difference. First of all, it is so velvety smooth to the touch, it just glides on and best of all, it made my complexion luminous, flawless, better than ever–more even-toned with a radiance that wasn’t quite there seconds before. It can be worn alone over moisturizer or also underneath makeup, so I spot applied a little foundation and under eye concealer for a slightly more finished look.

All night long I got more second glances than usual. Maybe it was the extra confidence I was carrying but I don’t think so…and I’m not taking any chances. Skinperfect  Primer is now part of my beauty arsenal.

Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30, $48 at www.dermalogica.com.

Happy Earth Day…Lather Up!

Today is Earth Day, a day to think about the environment and the issues that threaten it. Unfortunately, one of the greatest threats is woman! The beauty products we use on a daily basis can have a huge, negative impact on the earth. But, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for the sake of the environment. One way to lower your carbon footprint is to use eco-friendly products and packaging…and LATHER stands out as a shining example!

I first discovered this brand a few years ago while staying at a swanky Vegas hotel. The wonderful-ness of the lemongrass soap and body wash made me linger in the shower that much longer (I know…not so good for the environment). LATHER is a beauty company with skin care (face and body), hair care and aromatherapy. Besides formulas made with natural ingredients, pure essential oils and no synthetic fragrances or colors, nearly all the products are paraben and sulfate-free and their sample packs, shopping bags, and gift cards are all made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. Customers can even return empty LATHER containers to receive 10% off their next purchase. Not bad!

I recently received a box chock full of LATHER products to review…I’m in heaven!!! Though I’m taking my sweet time working my way through it, here is one notable mention in case you’re looking for that perfect body cream:

LATHER Coconut Creme Body Whip, $22 at www.lather.com. I applied it all over my body and my skin was instantly silky smooth without the least bit of greasiness. Truly!  And that scent…fresh coconut/vanilla. Perfection!

If shopping for beauty products doesn’t feel enough like “earth-day” to you, you can also get your hair cut or blown out at a participating Aveda salon today (see my previous post here). Still not enough? Plant a tree, pick up trash in your town today and everyday, always turn off the lights when you leave a room and recycle/repurpose whenever possible. Happy Earth Day!!! xoxoNancy

You are more beautiful than you think.

I’m crazy about Dove’s new social media experiment. It shows–quite blatantly in fact–that you are more beautiful than you think.

This experiment proves that we are  much too critical of ourselves. Gil Zamora (a gifted forensic artist) is on one side of a curtain, while a woman is on the other. They cannot see each other. He asks her point blank questions to describe herself in detail as he sketches. Then he asks a stranger who had just interacted with that woman to describe her in detail (without the woman being present) and he does another sketch. Time and time again, the self-descriptions focus on perceived flaws while the stranger descriptions are far more complimentary. What’s interesting is that the sketches based on the stranger descriptions are more flattering and more true to what the women actually look like. Clearly, we can learn a thing or two from this! Love yourself, flatter yourself, see your true self.

To see Dove’s video, click here.

 

Wardrobe Essential!

Nude shoes have passed from hot trend to wardrobe staple. The reason being that nothing is more flattering! Whether they’re flats, heels, wedges or sandals, they give the illusion of longer, leaner legs. And, color-wise they work with any outfit.

To reap the leg-lengthening benefits, choose a tone very close to your natural skin tone, from off-white (for the fairest among us) to cocoa shades (for those with darker skin).

Here, some great, new options:

  1. Baka Cut Slingbacks, $168 at anthropologie.com
  2. Joie Pinyon Bootie, $175 at zappos.com
  3. Sam Edelman “Gigi”, $65 at bloomingdales.com
  4. Steven by Steve Madden Wedge Sandals, $139 at bloomingdales.com
 

Most Wanted!

These extras add a bit of luxe to any occasion:

  1.  It’s a splurge for sure, but this timeless, one-of -a-kind hair comb will accessorize more than your little black dress. I’d pair it with heels, my go-to cargos and a tee. $300 at www.shopbando.com.
  2. Can you believe these are paper serving platters? They’re almost too pretty to use! $5.95 for set of 4 at www.modernlola.com.
  3. Embrace florals with a printed linen scarf in this year’s hottest hue. It’s as on-trend as it is practical. $55 at www.jcrew.com.

Thoughts on Boston

Once again we’re faced with the hateful actions of extremists who seek to strike fear in our nation and our people. The carnage near the finish line at the Boston Marathon yesterday is only the latest example on a list where even one entry would be too long. With at least 3 people confirmed dead and more than 170 injured, we still don’t know who is responsible. It has evoked strong emotions–among them fear, anger and helplessness. I am scared, but I am not hopeless. If 9/11, random acts of violence and the loss of loved ones have taught me anything, it’s that all we have is right now.

The saying “don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today” feels particularly poignant right now. Today, be kind to yourself and others. Today, take a step toward fulfilling your dreams. Today, tell a friend how much they mean to you. Today, show the people you love how much you love them. Tomorrow might be too late. Do it today. xoxoNancy

 

Jasmine Product Roundup!

I was recently talking with a friend who had just come back from Hawaii, which word-association-wise made me think of the Jasmine flower and how much I love the scent. It’s a known aphrodisiac with major de-stressing properties!

A few years back I was on a photo shoot on the big island and our resort was covered in Jasmine bushes..so much so that the air was literally sweet. I took up the habit of plucking a tiny white bloom off the plant and tucking it in my pocket so I could get my fix no matter where I was (in the wardrobe room, in my cabana, sitting poolside). Whenever I needed a hit I’d take it out and yes…I did inhale!!!

Here, three amazing Jasmine products:

  1. A few drops of C.O. Bigelow Essential Oil in Jasmine Absolute is the perfect soak after a trying day.
  2. I love Harney and Sons Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea and when empty, the gorgeous tin multi-tasks as a vase.
  3. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter, the perfect natural pink hue and it keeps your lips super soft. The scent reminds me of yummy caramels!

Hot Pants! Proskins Slim

Proskins Compression Wear SLIM leggings are being touted as the holy grail in the fight against cellulite and a great way to shape and tone the legs. To see results you need to wear them for eight hours a day for 28 days.

The beauty of them is that they look like a regular pair of leggings but their makeup is vastly different. Advanced technology compression fabric incorporates microscopic capsules containing caffeine, retinol, aloe vera and ceramides that actually improve the overall skin condition leaving legs softer, smoother, tighter. These micro-capsules are released in a controlled way throughout the lifetime of the garment.

Without a change in diet or exercise, independent clinical trials have shown a 76% slimming efficacy, a reduction in the diameter of thighs, and the vast majority of testers saw a reduction in cellulite and felt that their jeans were less tight.

Too good to be true? Not necessarily…but just in case, I think I’ll keep my gym membership! Proskins Slim Full Length Leggings, $120

 

 

The Things That Matter

Does your home tell your story?

When I spotted Nate Berkus’ book The Things that Matter I never imagined I’d be blown away by his story and his message.  I was literally transported and didn’t put the book down for 2 days straight!

Most design books are all about the images and Berkus’ book doesn’t disappoint there…but, The Things That Matter is so much more than that. It’s filled with intimate stories of his life that really give you a sense of what this man is about. FYI, he’s a good, kind, smart, funny and easy-on-the eyes man! It’s also filled with gorgeous visuals of his homes through the years, as well as beautiful interiors of twelve others and portraits of the inhabitants, some clients and some just people/homes he admires.

Nate Berkus believes that personal possessions matter, you should surround yourself with things you love and things that have meaning to you. I couldn’t agree more…these “things” are what makes a beautiful house a home with meaning!

Here’s a peek at a few beautiful shots from the book…but it’s the words that will stay with you forever.

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