What Are You Wearing to The Olympics?

Olympic fever is here. Opening Ceremonies take place Friday night. Will you be bringing your best Olympic fashion to the party? Ralph Lauren may be the official Olympic outfitter but Gap has come out with some incredibly cool vintage Olympic tees. I might have to get a men's tee in a size small as the selection is much better than the women's! Here are a few of my favorite Olympic fashion looks for the entire family.

Women's Vintage Olympic T's and Tanks from Gap, $25.00 to $30.00

Men's Vintage Olympic T's from Gap, $30.00

USA Women's Vintage Tank Top from Ralph Lauren, $50.00

USA London 2012 Flag T-Shirt from Ralph Lauren, $55.00

Team USA Graphic T's from The Children's Place, Clearance price$2.99

Sugar, Spice, and Something Nice: 5 Items Your Closet Can't Live Without

As pointed out to me by a client this week, I am a preacher of proactive shopping. Why? Because those last minute shopping jaunts are almost never successful and definitely not worth the stress factor. Which came first, the fabulous cocktail party to which you are invited, or the perfect dress you have hanging in your closet, ready to go at the last minute? Does it really matter? If you have to go shopping before saying yes to a fabulous invitation, you are definitely going to miss out on some of the finer moments in life.

Here are 5 items you should have ready to go in your closet at all times, lest a fabulous opportunity pass you by because you didn't have the right outfit. And for those of you who don't think that happens, I've heard many stories from clients and friends alike...

1. What's your Spice?

We should all have a go-to piece of Spice in our closet. What do I mean by "Spice"? I mean a piece that makes you feel and look special and sparkly! Speaking of sparkly, my favorite spicy piece right now is a sequined jacket. It doesn't have to be all gold and blingy or expensive either; mine is vintage with tiny ivory iridescent sequins. I bought it so long ago (probably in college) that I can't even remember where or when I bought it! Good thing this sort of thing never goes out of style. Your spicy piece could be a statement necklace that makes an all-black outfit chic and powerful instead of safe and boring, or a pair of shoes so fantastic that is almost doesn't matter what else you are wearing. The point is, if someone were to call you for a last minute dinner date or tickets to an awesome concert, could you be out the door, looking and feeling special and spicy, in 5 minutes?

Fabrizia Sequin Jacket from Nonoo, $495.00
As seen on Karen Elson in the most recent issue of Lucky Magazine

2. The Perfect Cocktail Dress

And no, it doesn't have to be black, but it could be. The purpose of this dress is that you know it fits, flatters and makes you feel good. This dress can be "dressed" up or down with shoes and accessories. Dressed up? Door-knocker earrings and metallic heels. Dressed down? Diamond studs, a blazer and a pair of leather pumps.

Vera Wang Lavender Draped Cocktail Dress from Neiman Marcus, $395.00
Why not try an inky navy instead of the usual black?

3. The 3 Ingredient Makeup bag

I feel like I always get stuck on a conference call or feeding the baby until 5 minutes before I need to run out the door, at which point I suddenly remember that I haven't put any makeup on. For these situations, you only need 3 steps in your makeup routine.

Step 1: Treat, moisturize, protect your skin from the sun, and provide coverage in one step with one of the new BB Creams. I can't wait to try the one from Dr. Brandt.

Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream from Sephora, $39.00

Step 2: Curl your eyelashes. I use a basic Tweezerman model. 

Tweezerman Pro Curl Eyelash Curler from Sephora,  $20.00

Step 3: Do you have the perfect bright lipstick? I'm partial to red or orange right now. The new color "balms" provide impactful color and moisture without looking too "made-up". You can (and should) put a little on your finger as a quick cream blush!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple from Drugstore.com, $8.00
My current obsession!

4. Jeans That Work Now

Jeans that will work well in 5 lbs do not count here. You must have a pair that fit you EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. The structure of the jeans will actually make you feel more confident than anything else, I promise. The best part about a good pair of jeans? No Spanx required! Wear a cute cropped pair in the summer. Pair with a basic tank and your Spicy sequined jacket and run out the door!

The Stilt Crop: 17 Years Soft from AG Jeans, $188.00

5.  Essential Accessories

Heels you can walk in and a leather bag that works day or night. Don't argue, just buy them if you don't have them.

Carma Open Toe Air Sling from Cole Haan, $140.00
 and
 Lauren Merkin Iris Snake-Embossed Clutch from Neiman Marcus, $395.00
These Cole Haan shoes have Nike Air technology and this Lauren Merkin bag goes with everything.

Why (Almost) Every Girl in Yoga Class is Wearing Lululemon

If you are like me, and I'm sure you are not, you use your yoga class as a chance to check out other practitioners' outfits. I'm fascinated by what some consider practical and comfortable (loose cotton pants vs. black spandex), or stylish (matchy-matchy colors or all black), and how what one wears is indicative of a comfort level with the body.

I've always been aware that the more in-shape I feel and look, the tighter and smaller my yoga clothes become. However, no matter how good I've felt, even at the age of 25, I would never ever EVER consider baring my midriff. My version of daring is a tank top and shorts versus my usual short-sleeve tee and capri length yoga pants. Then I started taking yoga class with women in bathing suits. Allow me to explain...

Have you ever been to a Hot or Bikram yoga class? Hot yoga is hot but Bikram is like practicing yoga inside a furnace for 90 minutes. With every class I am more comfortable in fewer clothes, regardless of how I look. That is because you POUR sweat in these classes. A lot of men wear actual bathing suits and the women wear what look like bathing suits in order to stay as cool as possible. This got me thinking, what could one wear to stay as cool and comfortable as possible, while not baring all?

But I digress. The point here is that at some juncture in my yoga practice, I looked around and realized that 9 out of 10 people in any yoga class (men and women) were wearing something Lululemon, and I was person number 10! Having begun my practice before Lululemon became the gold standard of yoga clothing; I had just continued to do my own thing with regards to my yoga "wardrobe". I mean, what you are wearing is really not the point, right? However, staying cool and comfortable is always helpful and Lululemon has the right fabric combined with the best fit in the industry. This is why they sold over a billion dollars in merchandise last year and sell 95% of it at full price. That was not a typo. A billion dollars' worth of yoga clothes.... Yes, women will pay and do anything for pants that make their butt look good and that are cute enough to wear when not exercising. This is what Lululemon does best.

Lululemon's "exercise" clothes are so stylish and comfortable; it is getting hard to make some of my Mom clients wear anything else. I mean, why confront the denim monster post-baby when you could just live in Lululemon pants? The answer to that question is a whole other blog post and why I have such a successful business!

Here are a few of my favorite Lululemon pieces and suggestions on how to wear them.

Hot But Not Tank, $64.00
An interesting alternative to wearing a sports bra alone. Check out the back of this tank to see the genius of its shape.

Wandering Yogi Tank, $48.00
The perfect after-class layer over a skimpy or tight tank.

Cool Racerback, $48.00
I can alway tell when a woman is wearing a pre-baby tank by how short it is. Invest in some longer ones, please!

No Limits Tank, $64.00
Love the "loosey-goosey in the belly" property of this tank!

Turbo Run Shorts, $54.00
Shorts that keep you cool without looking like underwear. Check out how cute the tush is too!

Daily Gym Bag, $108.00
An gym bag nice enough to carry around the rest of the day.

Namaste Yoga Tote III, $38.00
You know I couldn't resist the neon of this mat bag!

Not Your Father's Custom Clothing (Happy Birthday, Dad!)

If you have a husband, boyfriend, father, or brother who could use some help in the sartorial department, you need to know about Alton Lane. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a special discount offer!

Just as a custom suit does not fit like any other suit, a visit to Alton Lane's bespoke atelier is not like most shopping experiences. One, you peruse the fabric and style choices at a fully stocked bar, and two, you get completely naked during the process. But more on that later...

My husband woke up one morning last week and had such a GIRL MOMENT, I almost had to laugh. Except that he was freaking out. Why do women freak out in the morning? Because THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. Between weight fluctuation, a delayed trip to the dry cleaner, and just plain old wear and tear on the suits he had been wearing, he really and truly had NOTHING TO WEAR. Of course, as a fashion stylist who lives to relieve others of these painful moments, I was devastated that this had happened on my watch. A plan was hatched to rebuild his wardrobe. Unlike my female clients, however, instant gratification would not be his. As long as we were going to rebuild his wardrobe, we decided to do it right and GO CUSTOM. Enter Alton Lane, both a fabulous value and a fabulous experience, even for the man who hates to shop.

A friend told us about Alton Lane (see it featured here in my Father's Day Gift Guide) after he had his wedding suit made there. He couldn't stop raving about the transparent pricing, process, and style of his new suit. After attending his wedding, I was hooked on the idea of bespoke tailoring for the modern man. With locations in New York and DC, as well as a virtual service, no man need be without a proper fitting suit!

Step 1: Choose fabric and cut for your suit. Prices start at $525 for a 2-piece suit.

Step 2: Pick super cool lining, piping and even contrast buttonhole stitching if you want. We chose pink piping with light blue lining for a navy suit.

Step 3: Body scan- naked! Good for figuring out overall body shape.

Step 4: Put on an Alton Lane shirt and pants in your approximate off-the-rack sizes while they take 12 measurements by hand.

Step 5: Suit arrives at your doorstep within 4-6 weeks. About 70% of clients need no alterations the first time around. For those that do, Alton Lane provides a list of tailors and reimburses you 120% of the tailoring cost, up to $100. Notes are then added to your account so your next suit is perfect.

Stay tuned for details of the final results!

Discount Alert!!! Does a man in your life need to experience proper fitting clothes? Real Life Style is lucky enough to have discount cards available for our readers. Book an appointment or order your suit online before July 30th, 2012 and you'll receive a $50 discount off your first suit! Want one? Post the details of your man's sartorial stress on my Facebook Page!

Cool, Comfortable Sandals for Summer

One of the hardest items to find for clients are cool looking but comfortable sandals. It is harder than you think! As someone always on my feet, I have particular affection for this category and have built up a very diverse summer sandal wardrobe over the years. By diverse I mean my sandal wardrobe includes everything from Prada to Cole Haan to Naturalizer. The same rules apply no matter the price point: they have to be fashionable but not too trendy, and I must be able to pound the pavement of NYC in them all day. Here are some ideas (in a range of price points!) from this season's offerings. Happy Shopping!

Cole Haan Air Catalina Flat Sandal, $120.00

Cole Haan Bridget Two-Tone Flat Sandal,  $99.00

Jimmy Choo Patent Flat Gladiator Espadrille, $251.00

Taryn Rose Padded Thong Sandal, $195.00

Left: Donal J Pliner Cork-Strap Sandal, $215.00 and Right: Pedro Garcia Jackie Flat Velour Sandal, $395.00 

Naturalizer Women's Ravanna T-Strap Sandals, $75.00

Naturalizer Women's Danielle Sandals, $50.00

Merrell Women's Flaxen T-Strap Sandals, $95.00

Indigo by Clarks Women's Tres Belle Sandals, $80.00

Merrell Women's Henna Strappy Sandals, $100.00

Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor, $62.00

Born Yancy, $105.00

Born Martine, $95.00

Dansko Tory, $105.00

Gentle Souls Break My Heart, $185.00

Left: Kork-Ease Katherine, $135.00 and Right: Kork-Ease Gabi, $165.00

Make Up Artist Favorites (and Mine)

This week I’m super excited to bring you some of my favorite beauty products. My obsession with (and spending obscene amounts of money towards) makeup began when I met Alison Valk Woolworth, NYC makeup artist extraordinaire. I'm not kidding when I say that for at least a year after I worked with her, I would repeat the mantra, “Alison Woolworth changed my life”, everytime someone told me that I looked good. I’ve asked her to comment on some of my current obsessions as well as add her own. Enjoy! Oh and if you are interested in working with her one on one, scroll to the bottom for more information and contact one of us to get on her DC waiting list! 

Youngblood Mineral Primer, $41.00

Lani says: My favorite of all the products recommended by Alison. Think Primer is just one extra step that costs more time and money than it is worth? Au contraire, my friend! This Youngblood Primer not only seems to fill in ALL of my pores, making my foundation about 300% better looking, but it also makes my makeup last for about 12 hours. 

Alison says: This is my favorite primer because it can be used on all skin types and it is packed with vitamins. This provides the perfect base, locks in your moisturizer, and smoothes away fine lines and skin imperfections while protecting your skin from environmental hazards. Buy and learn more at ybskin.com.

Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder,  $32.50

Lani says: I first pulled this out of my sister’s makeup bag when we were on vacation together and I hadn’t brought any loose powder. Needless to say, it came home in my makeup bag.  I don’t have redness issues but I do have a yellow/olive tint to my skin and this blends in perfectly. Of course the idea of wearing a more yellow powder was first mentioned to me by Alison!

Benefit Erase Paste, $26.00

Lani says: My sister should really never let me into her makeup bag! I pulled this one out when I was over at her place one day after another baby filled, sleepless night. She took one look at how it had literally “erased” my circles and promptly traded it to me for a Chanel Lip Gloss from my makeup bag. 

Alison says: This is a great creamy concealer that truly helps combat under eye darkness.

Dermablend Professional Cover Creme with SPF 30, $35.00

Lani: My friend Leah introduced me to this concealer years ago. I actually layer it underneath the Erase Paste as my everyday concealer routine. When you have circles like mine, you need a routine! And a concealer that is meant to cover scarring and hyper pigmentation, not just dark circles.  The SPF 30 is a great bonus! Also, it lasts so long you’ll have to replace it before you can use the whole jar.

Revlon Super Lustrous Teak Rose Lipstick, $8.00

Lani says: Do you have that one lipstick color that EVERYONE asks you about EVERY time you wear it? This is mine. The best thing about this color? It looks good on EVERYONE, pale, dark and in-between. It also layers well with lip gloss. Try it, you’ll see! This is also a great stand in for the Coco Rouge Lipstick from Chanel. 

Lash Ink from Hardy Candy, $7.00

Lani says: In the old pre-baby days, I would get my eyelashes dyed at the Red Door Spa. Now that I’m lucky to make it in there for a pedicure every 2 months, and do not have the energy to take off my mascara every night, I use this inexpensive miracle to get the job done.  The mascara slowly wears off over a few days so apply one day, just curl your lashes the second, and reapply the third. And you pretty much never have to take it off! My Body Shop eye makeup remover, which I love, is feeling awfully neglected. 

Mary-Lou Manizer from the Balm Cosmetics, $21.00

Lani: One of my many Alison Woolworth finds. Think you don’t have time for things like highlighter and bronzer? This is only because she’s never shown you how to do it quickly and easily, so you don’t know HOW GOOD YOU COULD LOOK!!!!

Gerlan Nailcare, $21.00

Lani says: As someone who had had soft, peeling, weirdly shaped nails her whole life, I LOVED the long, strong nails of pregnancy. In fact, I got so used to them that I thought I’d never lose them. Unfortunately, all those naysayers were correct. 3 months after Max’s birth, the nails were gone (and my hair started falling out), within a one week period. My old trick of keeping my nails polished didn’t seem safe with Max teething on my fingers. I found a new trick with this obscure German nail product they gave me at one of my bimonthly Red Door pedicures. All I have to say is, IT WORKS, and IT SMELLS LIKE FLOWERS. You rub it into your nails once a day et voila, nails without toxic chemicals.

Eye M Glam Highlighter from Giella, $35.00

Lani says: I’ve saved the best for last. I know I said that the Youngblood Mineral Primer was the best thing that Alison introduced me to, but it might actually be this bronzing highlighter from Giella. This isn’t just face powder, this is “I get stopped on the street and asked what I’m wearing/Makes me feel like a Celebrity/12 hours of sleep last night/I just got back from Turks & Caicos” kind of face magic. Or as my friend Marisol (Latina and with completely different coloring from me!) put it, “This is the blush I’ve been looking for my whole life.” Now if only they would make it in compact form, I would be able to travel with it!

Alison says: I tell ALL of my clients this is a must-own! This amazing bronzing highlighter gives an airbrushed glow to cheeks and eyes. Kim K's make-up artist developed this with my colleague, Giella, and there is a reason Kim’s skin always looks so dewy, supple and gorgeous! Email awoolworth@gmail.com or call Alison Valk Woolworth 646.239.9090 to order $35 + shipping

More of Alison's Favorites I Can't Wait to Try

Tinted Moisturizer by Jouer, $38.00

Alison says: This spf of 20, oil-free, dewy moisturizer is amazing. Use alone or mix in with your current liquid foundation. And the price is right -- $38! Everyone sitting in the sun will love this product – it is perfect for summer. I became such an addict that I wear it year round.


Tarte's multipleEYE™Lash Enhancing Liquid Eyeliner, $22.00

Alison says: The easiest way to have a sexy thin controlled liquid eyeliner. This fine tip marker allows you to create an easy Hollywood cat-eye. My newest purchase that I can not live without!

Andrea Redi-Lash #53S, $4.00

Alison says: These strip lashes are natural, but flirty. The self-adhesive makes for an EASY self-application. For those of you who hate lashes because of the mess that glue makes, these are a must buy try!

Carmex, $4.00

Alison says: The best, cheapest, and easiest lip exfoliator is to mix Carmex and sugar in your palm. Rub this mizture on your lips at night. Remove and then apply straight Carmex before bed. Your lips will fell like butter in the morning!

Mally's Cancellation Conditioning Concealar, $35.00

Alison says: Personally I use Mally's Cancellation Conditioning Concealer (in Light) because I have super oily skin and htis is smudge proof. It does not budge once applied -- it dries and stays throughout the day!

Blink Brow Bar, Prices May Vary Based on Treatment

Alison says: For those of you who live in the NYC area, go to Henri Bendel to get your brows perfected and threaded. The two sisters who run this operation are geniuses. They transform faces by creating the perfect frame for each individual's eye! Call 212-904-7979 to book your appointment!

Alison Valk Woolworth is a trained make-up artist, licensed esthetician and skilled custom cosmetic mixologist who works in the New York City area to help women enhance their own natural beauty with make-up and skincare suggestions, applications, and lessons. Alison suggests the appropriate products for each individual’s needs and esthetic preferences. She has a mixing studio in her Upper East Side apartment where she creates custom lipsticks, glosses, nail polishes, foundation, lip and eye pencils, powders, eye shadows, and cheek tints. Check out her portfolio at http://awoolworth.carbonmade.com/.