How many questions can you make by combining the names Hedi Slimane, Raf Simons, Stefano Pilati, Christopher Kane, YSL and Dior?

This week has already gotten off to an intense start, both in the fashion world and the New York world (temporarily not the fashion world). With Milan fashion week ending, Jil Sander having officially returned to Jil Sander, and Stefano Pilati officially gone from Yves Saint Laurent, as well as so many unanswered questions like: Will Hedi Slimane REALLY take over YSL? and if not, Why would someone be cruel enough to start that rumor (#HediForever)? What is going to happen to Raf Simons? Is Raf Simons going to take over YSL/Dior? What is going to happen to Stefano Pilati? Who is going to take over Dior? And what is the deal with the Christopher Kane rumors? Is he next to take on Dior? You can create a lot of questions by combing the names Hedi Slimane, Raf Simons, Stefano Pilati, Christopher Kane, YSL and Dior (extremely similar to the 'How many different combinations can you make with these three different colored shirts and these three different colored shorts' question from when you were younger but with far more importance). With all of this design talent seemingly running free, you cannot help but to wonder 'what is really going on?' Who ever thought that the fashion industry would be so much like Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks (you know, 'She's filled with secrets'), and be so full of rumors? I mean we all know it is, but with this much #major (decidedly the new buzzword) news at one time it is starting to feel a little too prepared. Now, while I am certain that I am looking too deeply into things, I do not think I am alone and I think who ever has the answers needs to come clean quickly before I turn into the main character from A Beautiful Life (the fashion version) and start posting clippings from WWD around my apartment and connecting them with David Yurman bracelets and necklaces.

As I write this I am listening to Carole King's 'So Far Away' and I am honestly asking myself 'Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore?' Obviously not. Everyone is heading to Paris for Paris Fashion Week. Milan fashion week was as witch house as I expected it to be, further instilling my belief that Salem has the ability to influence culture on a global scale. After all, the lead singer was in the first issue of Style.com's printed magazine. At Versace there were literally garments drenched in crosses. Call it 'goth' all you want, at the end of the day we both know Donatella is listening to Ritualz while making collages of pixelated pictures of LiLo. Personally, I am extremely excited to see what this season's #pfw collections will have to offer. Especially Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs has been so total with the past two fashion week collections it would be a let down if this Fall 2012 show didn't live up.

Either way, with all of this going on, yesterday Jordan and I decided to escape it all with a walk around the village. We went back to the building from this post as well as this post. I decided to wear my vintage leather jacket that I rediscovered recently in my closet with a pair of Gap jeans and a waffle knit from BCBG. It was nice to be out in the sun even though it is still quite cold out. Hopefully everyone had a lovely weekend/start of the week. Miss you, love you, mean it later!

Top: BCBG MAXAZRIA / Bottoms: Gap / Jacket: Vintage / Shoes: Cheap Monday / Bag: Prada / Sunglasses: Ray Ban /

Makeup Essentials of the Moment

Jordan and I spent the afternoon wandering around in town and unfortunately it was too cold to get an outfit picture while we were outside. To make up for it, I thought I would post some pictures that were taken over winter break. I did not include them in previous posts because usually I am a little nervous about close ups and end up not including them. Also, I do not wear much jewelry so close ups for detail shots are not often necessary. Either way, I think these pictures show the makeup that I have been wearing lately, which makes them relevant! My makeup is a mixture of mostly these products (I do not wear them all at once!):

1. I usually wash my face with a cleanser a from Shiseido, I like their Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam. It is a gentle cleanser that lightly exfoliates and helps to keep your skin clear and blemish free.
2. Next I moisturize using a Cetaphil Moisturizer. My favorite is Cetaphil's DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion For Dry Sensitive Skin. It is perfect for fighting winter dryness and keeps my skin feeling so hydrated throughout the day.
3. I then apply a sunscreen from Shiseido, I like their Urban Environment Protection Cream.
4. Finally I apply Shiseido's White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment.

When I am putting on makeup:

1. First I apply Multi-Protect Primer SPF 30 from NARS.
2. After, I usually apply foundation, either Laura Mercier's Cream Smooth Foundation or NARS Sheer Matte Foundation with a moist wedge sponge. If I only want a little coverage I will sometimes add some foundation to my moisturizer.
3. Under my eyes and around my nostrils I apply YSL's Touche Éclat (sometimes I only apply this for makeup, I am sure you already know it works amazingly!). If I need a little more coverage and I am not using a foundation I will either use YSL's Multi-Action Concealer or M·A·C's Studio Sculpt Concealer.
4. For definition and warmth I use Bronzer from Shiseido.
5. If I am wearing blush I like to use YSL's Blush Radiance.
6. For a highlighter I use The Multiple in Orgasm from NARS.
7. On the inner rim of the bottom lash line I like to apply Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Santa Monica Blvd from NARS (a white eyeliner).
8. I then apply a liquid eyeliner, either Eyeliner Stylo from NARS or I make my own using a liquid eyeliner brush, Trish McEvoy's Finish Line or Laura Mercier's Tightline Activator with Laura Mercier's Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony.
9. For mascara I use Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara from NARS.
10. On my eyebrows I use an eyebrow pencil from NARS for added definition. If I want stronger brows I apply M·A·C's Eye Shadow in Corduroy (when doing this I think it looks best with either a natural look or with a bold lip) using an eyebrow brush.
11. On my lips I start out with Aquaphor for smooth, soft lips (I apply a lot of it before I start doing my makeup and then wipe it off before I start applying a lipliner). For lipliner I use Shiseido's Smoothing Lip Pencils because they have such beautiful color and double as a brush for applying lipstick. For lipstick, lately, first I apply M·A·C's Pro Longwear Lipcreme in a purple shade called Goes and Goes. In the middle of my lips I then apply either YSL's Rouge Volupté in a pink shade or a pink lip gloss.
12. The last thing I apply is Shiseido's Translucent Pressed Powder, either with a big brush or a powder puff.

Shoes Post Pt. 2: Acne, Chloé, Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy

Shoes that I am currently a little in love with: Acne / Chloé / Roberto Cavalli / Givenchy 

Shoes Post Pt. 1: Jeffrey Campbell, Charlotte Olympia, Chloé, Diane von Furstenberg, Yves Saint Laurent, Theodora and Callum,

Jeffrey Campbell is total blogger love for a few reasons: JC shoes are comfortable, inexpensive, and if you are in love with an 'it' shoe that is out of your price range chances are JC has a shoe that is similar. I am not sure if I can think of a shoe company that does cheap chic this well.

All shoes by Theodora and Callum

Jeffrey Campbell's Mariel, Turin, Iman Fab, Lana

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The first two shoes are by Charlotte Olympia / Jeffrey Campbell's Fruit Bowl

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Diane von Furstenberg, Yves Saint Laurent, Chloé

Jeffrey Campbell: Duncan, Munroe (in different colors)

Red Lipstick: easy application tips

Step one: Buff your lips with a tooth brush (some people apply a lip moisturizer like Aquaphor to their tooth brush or lips first). 

Step two: If you are like me and just simply buff your lips or you like to use the moisturizer while you buff, after you have finished step one liberally apply Aquaphor (or a similar product) to your lips. Leave it on while you do the rest of your make up.

Step three: When you are finished with your makeup and are ready to put your lipstick on take a tissue and wipe off the Aquaphor. You lips will be nice and soft. You can apply a thin layer of lip moisturizer again if you want to. Aveda Lip Saver is a nice product because it has SPF 15 in it. 

Step four: Apply a light foundation base. I find that using a dab of  concealer from a concealer stick from Yves Saint Laurent works well.

Step five: To make your lips pop, using a highlighter like the Touche Eclat from Yves Saint Laurent, your lips and blend. Also, for even more definition trace your lips with a white pencil. Some people like to do this at different points in their processes so do this step whenever you think works best for you.

Step six: Apply lipliner (some people may like to skip this part but I think it is necessary). I like the lips stick pencil/brush from Shiseido. 

Step seven: With a lipstick brush or just the lipstick, apply the lipstick. 

Step eight: Blot your lips five or six times.

Step nine: With a lipstick brush (you do not have to but I think it is a nice tool to have here because this is the most serious application part) reapply your color. 

Step ten: take your finger and wrap your lips around it (that sounds oddly sexual but it will prevent the lipstick from getting on your teeth.

You are ready to go!

Camp out for Swedish candy

On Sunday evening after the shoot, we pulled ourselves together and went back to the West Village. As we packed up we took some pictures. I am wearing my new black blazer and a top from H&M, my black skinny cigarette style pants from Marc by Marc Jacobs, and heels from Christian Louboutin. Jordan is wearing a shirt from Yves Saint Laurent, pants from Rag & Bone, and shoes from Louis Vuitton. 

Mobile Uploads

Although we have been taking photographs like crazy, I am posting the recent pictures I have taken with my Blackberry. This is because we have a rule that if a picture is made public it can no longer be used in our magazine. I have two smaller cameras that I am going to start using for blogging reasons. For now here is a little look at what I have been up to.

Makeup that I ordered. Cleanser and translucent powder from Shiseido; lipstick, concealer, touche éclat, and blush from Yves Saint Laurent; double wand mascara and liquid eyeliner from Guerlain.

My new pair of Lita shoes from Jeffrey Campbell

Me estate side before a shoot/interview that I did. I am happy to say that I can fit my laptop and camera into my new LV overnight bag and still have plenty of space left for one or two outfits and my overnight things.
Jeans: Hudson
Shirt: Button up oxford from Ralph Lauren
Vest: Gap
Jacket: Mine
(Shoes: My new Litas!)

My poodle Count Hans Axel von Fersen! So handsome!

A sketch that a man I was sitting next to on the train back to the city did of me.

My new Moroccan hair mask that I love.