Archive for April, 2016

Things I bought, things I want

I am always fascinated to learn which products make it into the makeup bags of beauty editors, who see and try absolutely everything. So when I read somewhere that It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara was gaining a big following among that cohort, I was too curious not to order some up for myself. Also, I was looking for redemption: The last time I heralded a mascara as my new favorite, the fact that it rang in at close to $50 did not meet with universal enthusiasm. This stuff goes for $24—not drugstore cheap, but not bad—and I think I like it about twice as much as that other, pricier, one. It goes on cleaner than any mascara I’ve ever tried—like, apply-three-coats-and- still-no-clumps clean—and lengthens and thickens like crazy.

We all, from time to time, find ourselves on a Shopping Mission (some of us perhaps more often than others). And at the moment mine has been to find a good A-line denim skirt; one that doesn’t have a weird, super-high waist—so many do; I know not why—and is neither too short or super-long midi, which inevitably looks very Sister Wife on me. This suffers none of those plights, and would appear to be the answer.

I know the print here is borderline frump, but I find myself inexorably drawn to this jacket nevertheless.

Print of the week

I thought nothing could get me excited about going to the gym. I was wrong.

What do you own altogether too many of?

I have a bit of a sunglass problem. Also a denim problem, a Fornasetti problem, and a lipstick problem. And you?

Wednesday links

• For the 70s nostalgists among us: wild tales of Studio 54. (Mental Floss)
• It turns out that dogs hate hugs, which is both good to know and such a drag. (The Science of Us)
• Anyone who has struggled with depression will likely find this amusing. (R29)
• What it’s like to fly on Air Force One. (BBC)
• Your morning weep. (Time)

 

The sartorial minefield that is the polka dot

Because there are so many ways polka dots can go wrong—they can come off too costumey, too young, too goofy—I’ve got some pretty tough criteria for choosing them. To wit: I like them in the most limited palette of colors, all of which are dark and none of which are earth tones. I like when the actual dot is not a perfect sphere. And I like them on clean, sophisticated shapes. The dots on this shirtdress from Marimekko are much, much bigger than I usually find acceptable, but it works, in a poppy summery, fun way.

A small dot print on a straightforward button-down feels pretty classic to me.

The subtle dark-on-dark palette is what makes this sneaker chic and not crazy.

The easiest way to incorporate this (or really any) print into an outfit is with a scarf, and the pattern on this one is so pretty and painterly.

This tee is Proenza Schouler, so of course it costs a fortune, but boy, would it look cute peeking out from under a blazer.

Dots can be pretty genius for print-mixing, and this sweater quite conveniently does all the work for you.

Tuesday links

• These photos of Japanese professional female wrestlers are on the intense side. (Atlantic)
• Hey guys, it’s the trailer for the Anthony Weiner documentary. (Vulture)
• 14 fun facts for Veep fans. (Mental Floss)
• Swearing: good for you! (Laughing Squid)
• And finally, because I can’t resist: Prince’s party playlist is about as awesome as you might imagine it to be. (Boing Boing)