Glam Damn It New York

Take the Dive, Cut it Off!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:11:00 -0400

Yes! You should cut it! For those of us that are contemplating chopping off our mane. Do it! It's a liberating feeling plus it adds instant edginess and sexiness. Here are some short hair styles that are not boring.

Bob: The Classic

With this all one length hair style, the cut can be soft, innocent, or edgy. Take a look at Katie Holmes' style. She added bangs to her look to give it that chic look. Go with a blunt cut or rounded layers like Katie's. Either way, you'll give yourself a fun, feminine updated look!

The Asymmetrical: Go daring!

This cut is somewhat daring but can be worn in many ways. One would be surprised at how easy it is to transform this cut, from chic to rock, this style has a ton of versatility.

Our fave latest cut is the Asymmetrical. Bring this cut to your stylist and let them give it their own twist! It looks and feels great plus keeps you cool on these hot humid summer nights.

To Chop or Be Chopped: The latest killer cut, we dare you!

Take Ginnifer Goodwyn's latest style, her cut is probably the most daring of all! Some of you may have gasped and others might have been inspired. Her cut screams, "I'm cute, sexy, and cool!" an all round fitted style for any occasion! Day or night.

Are You a Fashiontechanista?

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:13:00 -0400

Are you an avid shopper? Do you have the need for fashion? Well, designers have made it easier for you to reach their products and services by placing it all in the palm of your hands, literally! Besides the Michael Kors and BEBE apps on my smartphone which I cannot live without, there are downloads more geared towards keeping up with your personal styling. These app tools vary from shopping, to styling, to staying up-to-date with the latest collections and designer deals.

With the iPhone and iPad comes an endless array of fashion related downloads in the Apple App Store. However, retailers are lacking in the investment of apps that are usable across all mobile operating systems. Expanding mobile reach is a beneficial two way street on Fashion Ave. For mobile users style apps become another way for shopping and making fashion decisions. On the other side of the street, designers and fashion sites can take advantage of the e-commerce and exposure it brings to collections and services. Not to say that if your phone runs on a different operating system such as Blackberry OS or Android you’d be outmoded; because these mobile platforms also have their fair share of fashion gadgets.

For the purpose of this list, I have searched, installed and uninstalled countless Apple apps so you don’t have to. Listed are top 10 style and fashion apps for your glam fancy.

Chicfeed – If you ever need inspiration with some panache, this is the app for you. Chicfeed compiles photos from style blogs all over the web and puts them in one convenient place. Users can sort through many styles for an eye-full.
Glamour Ask a Stylist – The mobile supplement to the magazine has on call stylists of all senses to help with all your sartorial uncertainties, and can relieve you of those fashion anxiety days that you just can’t choose what to wear. Just upload your pics and in not fashionably-late timing, a glamour stylist fit to your taste will comment on the best choice. This app puts your girlfriends in your pocket.
Gilt – Gilt Group is a website with endless names of fashion designers at half-off prices. The Gilt app allows users to shop and get alerts for sales and deals right at their fingertips. This is one of the few apps that are available for most smartphones.
Lucky at Your Service – “Your digital shopping concierge.” Lucky at your service features thousands of products and apparels. If you see something that you like you have the option to find the product online or have a store located near by that would have the product. And here’s the amazing part, this app lets you put the item on hold until you can go pick it up! The GPS search is limited to the greater NYC area.
Net-a-porter – Exclusive to iPhone, iPad and iTouch, is the luxury magazine app supplement to the website net-a-porter.com. As you scroll through the mobile magazine, users can browse through and purchase featured items.
ShopStyle: Mobile – Over hundreds of e-commerce sites are all in one place for one-stop shopping on the go. From Bluefly to Neiman Marcus, users can shop for products based on category, store, brand, keyword, size, color, etc. The wide range of selections is perfect for having many options when looking for something specific.
Style Caster – Style caster saves you all the aggravation of daunting questions like “What’s the weather?” and “What do I wear?” This app sends you daily style advice on what to wear based on the weather forecast in your current location. Another benefit is that you can always change the location for better packing when you just don’t know what to bring with you on vacations. Users also have access to style videos, fashion news content and shopping.
Style.com – Style.com brings the “fashion-action” live. Haute couture is brought to you on the go,
with runway shows of hundreds of designers with their new collections and also from past seasons. The app includes fashion show videos, pictures, and reviews from style experts and behind-the-scenes glance at fashion events. The mobile app also features the style blog, Style File.
Lustr Fashion Finder – So, you happened to have made that wrong turn 15 blocks back and you have no clue where you are. Lustr Fashion finder may not help you navigate back, but it will steer you to all the sales and promotions in the area based on your GPS location. You can narrow your search to product type (i.e. shoes), occasion (i.e. wedding), and style (i.e. Boho chic).
Stylebook – Last but certainly not least and my fav for wardrobe organizing. Stylebook allows you to carry your closet in your pocket. For $3.99, you can upload photos of your chic diggs and the app will help you organize and coordinate outfits. Unlike other closet organizing downloads, this one lets you mix and match, resize, layer and assemble your outfit straight from your phone.

Twilight Bridal Will be Worth Every Bite.. Errr, Penny

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:07:00 -0400

Not only can vampires read minds, see the future, and sparkle in the sun, but apparently they are amazing secret keepers as well.The only news that has surfaced about Bella Swan's wedding dress in the upcoming Twilight Saga film, Breaking Dawn, is that it's "beautiful, body-squeezing, and made by Carolina Herrera," reports MTV.com. All other details have been kept completely hush-hush.

But forget swooning after Edward and hating Bella while you stare dreamily at the movie screen; the impossible has finally happened! Every vampire-obsessed girl has been dreaming about having her own vampire wedding ever since she picked up her first Twilight novel. And now, she can.

"Bridal designer Alfred Angelo has secured the exclusive right to create and sell Vampire Wedding of the Century dress imitations," reports WWD. Twilight Bridal, the collections name, will not be revealed until after the already infamous wedding gown has appeared on the big screen.

Now all that's missing is a company that has the ability to mass-produce Edward Cullen clones.

Nordstrom To Open Charity Store Treasure & Bond in Soho This Friday

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:48:00 -0400

Nordstrom, the high-end department store, plans to open its new concept store, Treasure & Bond, this Friday, August 19th, 2011 on Broadway between Broome and Grand Streets. Treasure & Bond will house merchandise that falls into the gift and art categories, unlike Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack whose merchandise is mainly clothes, shoes, and accessories.

The New York Times reported that this new space "has a funkier feel than Nordstrom's other stores, with exposed pipes and wooden shipping crates used as display cases". Treasure & Bond will carry goods that the store's manager, Paige Boggs, described to Vogue as purely "awesome". Nordstrom is to "the perfectly coifed cardigan-wearing shopper" as Treasure & Bond is to her funkier "graphic designer younger sister", says the Times.

Despite the promise of amazing and unique merchandise, the most intriguing part of Treasure & Bond's concept is that all of its proceeds will be donated to local charities. The Times tells us that they plan to "rotate the children's charities they will donate to every three months" starting with the New York Public Library's youth programs and The Edible Schoolyard NYC, a gardening education group.

This will be Nordstrom's second store opening in NYC, the first being Nordstrom Rack in Union Square. The company is still searching for the perfect spot for their future NYC flagship store to call home. Analysts believe that the Seattle-based company is still in the process of decoding the Manhattan market; the establishment of a charity store believed to be an effort to build a positive image of the company in New York's mind.

Louis Vuitton's Scenic World Tour

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:31:00 -0400

It was roughly 6 months ago that Kim Jones replaced Paul Helbers as the head of men’s design for Louis Vuitton, and his debut line proves just how wise of a change that was.

Kim Jones may not be a household name, but that is not to say he has not been around the block. At the young age of 32 Jones has already worked for a variety of companies including Uniqlo and Mulberry, as well as showing 8 collections for his own line since September of 2003.

But now it is time for bigger things. At the helm of the legendary fashion house Jones worked alongside Marc Jacobs, the artistic director, to create the Spring 2012 line, which represents the designers aesthetic while sticking to the ideals that have made the label so desirable.

Showing at Paris fashion week this year the models for Spring menswear emerged from giants stacks of steamer trunks, to represent travel; synonymous with both Vuitton and Jones’ roots.

Everything from bright red and blue tartan prints to silk pajamas and khaki shorts with an explorer vibe walked the runway, bringing the viewers on a world tour with references to both Ivy League preps and an African Safari. With Jones’ first collection under his belt it will interesting to see what is to come; hopefully it will live up to the high standard his premier offerings have set.

Fashion's Night Out Reveals Its List of Participants!

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:02:00 -0400

With Fashion Week fast approaching, we are starting to get very restless! To add to the excitement, Fashion's N ight Out has finally revealed the list of retailers that will be participating in the 2011 shopping spectacular! Over 900 stores in the NYC area will be open the night of September 8th, 2011, inviting shoppers from all over to come shop and mingle with tons of celebrities, designers, and stars. The best fashion party in history is just weeks away! Start planning your night now online or with FNO's app for Iphone and Android.

LCN’s Magnetic Nail Polish Makes Nail Art Simple

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:13:00 -0400

Lately, I’ve been feeling quite restless when it comes nail décor. Sometimes I want something more than a one color job, but less than a circus act. There's been attempts with half-moon French manicures, stripes, dots, crackle, sparkles, etc. but my nails always wind up looking a hot mess. Only a dexterous few can actually follow those DIY nail art tutorials without getting a ramshackle result similar to that of a pre-pubescent slumber party manicure.

For those of us who want a new look without the hassle, feel free to freak over LCN’s new magnetic nailpolish, a beauty product that resides somewhere on the border of our “Cool Sh!t” AND “Glam Damn It” sections. We’re not sure about the scientific reasoning behind the polish’s reaction but here’s how the application process works:

1. Apply a thick layer of whatever color you desire. 2. Hold either the star-shaped or diagonal magnet over the polish for 10 seconds. 3. The polish will slowly transform itself into a trippy design 4. Take the magnet away and your nails will now resemble those of a sci-fi goddess.

We love the possibilities of this polish along with its easy application. You can magnetize your thumbnail only and keep the rest of the hand a one color deal. Or go crazy and just magnetize every finger.

The polishes are available online at www.shoplcnusa.com. Go for the starter kit ($115.90), which includes all 8 colors of the polish as well as both magnet designs. If you're strapped for cash, though, each color is sold separately ($9.95) along with the magnets (19.95).

MISSONI for Target

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:45:00 -0400

Target finally releases pictures of its entire Missoni Collection! From makeup brushes to scarves to bicycles, Missoni for Target covers a massive range of fashion and home. Since the announcement this past May, we've all been waiting patiently for a glimpse of the (already) sought-after collaboration. Following in the footsteps of previous high-end designers gone affordable for Target (such as Isaac Mizrahi and Versace), Missoni releases the biggest collection yet. Over 400 pieces containing women's, men's, and children's clothing, as well as housewares, bedding, picture frames, makeup brushes (and even a bicycle!) will hit shelves on September 13th. I imagine there will be a line out the door with shoppers waiting to snag the collection which is being sold for a mere 5 1/2 weeks! We're already in love and getting our tents ready for the stakeout.

For full photo collection, go here.

Visit target.com for more info.

All photos courtesy of Ology.com

The Kama Movement

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:40:00 -0400

Kama is the new women-only workout movement seducing the nation. A combination of Yoga, Pilates and sensual dance, this workout targets and tones your pelvic core including common female fat zones; the lower abs, hips, butt and thighs. It also works your internal muscles used for sexual pleasure and childbirth.

Kama was co-created in 2009 by dancer and runner-up Miss Canada, Halyna Skrypnyk and physician/author/fitness enthusiast, Dr. Melissa Hershberg, creator of the Hershberg Diet and the Rebel Diet.

There are two different kinds of Kama classes. Kama Sensual™, a slow yet intense workout where the mood is set with dim light and soft music. Kama Cardio™ is a high-energy, dynamic, dance-based workout that will get your heart pumping. KAMA Sensual™ group classes are currently offered at several Crunch Gym locations and a DVD series is in production.

Your instructor will explain and demonstrate the three main pelvic core movements before the class starts: Butterfly (pelvic lift), Unicorn (pelvic tilt) and Serpent (pelvic circle). These are performed standing, kneeling and sitting down in several different positions. According to the Kama website, “By completing exercises that target our internal pelvic core muscles, we direct blood flow to the area, which can have a positive impact on libido, sexual pleasure, and fertility as well as recovery and tightening post childbearing and into menopause.”

You might feel a little awkward at first, but stick with it and you'll feel great both inside and outside of the bedroom.

Fake It Til You Make It

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:00:00 -0400

Sugar, spice, and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of. That, and an infallible ability to fake anything. We've made faking it such a precise science that we can now effortlessly fake our hair colors, skin tones, bra sizes, and even one other thing we need not mention. Any true betch knows that to really get ahead, she's gotta fake it til she makes it. But, the age old question still lingers: how do we show off our amazing style and appease our affinity for extremely expensive designer duds when we're ballers on budgets?

After much careful thought, research, and calculation (and a sad realization that sugar daddies and magic lamps are not a "practical" solution) we've found the answer to this inevitable conundrum. So ladies (and gents), we reveal the best kept secrets on how to fake a majorly impressive, expensive, and "avant guarde" wardrobe.

Secret 1: Adopt

Luckily for us, stars like Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie have made vintage and consignment shopping a thing. Vintage and consignment stores are great places to score classic and unique pieces for your closet whether you are searching for designer labels or just something different. A Second Chance is a very noteworthy consignment store located in NYC that Sarah Jessica Parker has been spotted dropping her old clothes off at. Even though this store isn't exactly cheap, it is a great place to peruse through on a regular basis.

If the stock market as of late has you tightening your vintage Chanel purse strings, then check out vintage shops like Antoinette, Sweet Virginia and Horizons in New York where you have the chance of stumbling across an amazing $20 pair of 1990s Gucci pants or a $15 to-die-for McQueen blouse.

Secret 2: Wait

There are two types of women in the world: those that love a sale and those that cringe at the site of a 50% off tag. Unfortunately, if you fall into the latter category, it's time you get over your prejudice. Sales are some of the best times to stock up on great wardrobe pieces. But, be wary. There is a fine line between being a discount shopper and looking like one. Don't buy something on sale just because it's half off. Buy it only if you really love it and would be willing to pay full price for it.

Take advantage of sample sales, annual sales, and event sales, especially in cities like New York or Los Angeles. Barneys, Saks, Bergdorfs and every other big retailer have constant sales. So, if you can muster up the patience to deal with the crowds, definitely make it a habit to stop by these sales whenever they occur.

Also, pay attention to the sale sections of your favorite stores. Some retailers, like Anthropologie and Club Monaco, are notorious for eventually marking down most of their merchandise. If you run across something you love, try to wait it out because most likely you'll be able to get it for much cheaper within the next month or so.

Secret 3: Trade

A perfect wardrobe is a well balanced one. It's important to mix classic, high-quality pieces that you will have forever with trendy, cheaper pieces you will probably only wear a few times. So, when you can no longer stand the sight of your once favorite pink skinny jeans, trade them in for a "new" pair. Stores like Buffalo Exchange and Beacon's Closet in Williamsburg allow you to bring in your slightly worm clothes and trade them in for new (well, new to you) clothing or cash. These stores are very hit or miss; you may not find anything you like right then, but you can still walk away with a little lunch money.

Another great way to get new swag for your tired hand-me-downs is to check out Newlymaid. They will take your old bridesmaids, mother of the bride, social occasion and prom dresses that you will never wear again and give you a great new dress that you love!

Secret 4: Rent

Renting may seem somewhat counter productive when you're trying to limit your spending, but it can be beneficial every now and again.

If you have an important wedding, event, or party coming up, but you don't have the funds to invest in a brand new $1500 Dolce & Gabbana dress, you can rent it for much, much less from Rent The Runway. We love this concept for two reasons. First of all, it allows us to wear fabulous designer pieces that we otherwise would never be able to afford. Secondly, it is actually helping us save money because let's face it, even if we blew two grand on a fabulous Vivienne Westwood LBD, we would only be able to wear it a couple of times before people started to recognize it. Rent The Runway has great cocktail dresses, gowns, accessories, jewelry, and bags to choose from.

Like any normal red-blooded betch, you've seen the Sex and the City movie, which means you are familiar with Bag Borrow or Steal. Another great website that allows you to rent expensive designer handbags, sunglasses, watches, and jewelry at much lower prices. Rock that new Gucci bag for a week, then send it back when you're over it.

Happy Spending!