Aerial7 Earphone Beanies? Yes!

Aerial7′s Headphone Beanie!

My ears are frizzzeeeezinnnn here in NYC. So, when I heard about AERIAL7, knitted headphone beanies, I said… “Dame! Dame!” (That’s Spanish for “Gimme! Gimme!”) Serving as the perfect winter accessory that are as functional as they are stylish, they’re a versatile, ”wear with everything” accessory with built-in headphones to use with your iPod, mp3 player, smartphone or other mobile device. Yes, the Sound Disk Beanie keeps you entertained and digitally connected all day long.

But these aren’t your ordinary headphones. AERIAL7′s sound disk speakers – circular, on-ear headphones – are thin enough to fit inside the beanie’s special compartment and are also adjustable and removable, so they can be worn a ton of different ways based on your winter activity, whether it’s running morning errands in the cold, out on the powdery slopes, or even when you just want to channel your inner DJ/Rapper/Hipster.

The Sound Disk Beanie retails for $60 and comes in four styles and an array of colors so check these puppies out!

www.aerial7.com

One of My Favorite Shampoo and Conditioners Yet

Some of my loyal readers know should by now that I have curly hair that requires a lot of attention. Well, okay, maybe attention isn’t the right word. It’s more like… moisture. Mama needs moisture!

This is particularly true when I travel and even more so in the wintertime. But… just like there’s no universal foundation shade, there’s no universal hair product. From extremely porous to tightly curled, let’s just say that ethnic hair types present their own unique set of challenges, but the pain is worth the “You’ve got really cool hair” reward. Which is why I was over-the-moon about Philip Kingsley’s latest innovation, the new Moisture Extreme Shampoo and Moisture Extreme Conditioner, developed specifically to address the styling, processing and nourishment needs of ethnic textured hair, reducing breakage and protecting against friction. The great thing about this product is that my mom tried it too and, although she doesn’t have ethnic hair (in fact, she’s got baby fine slightly wavy hair), she fell in love with it too. It smells delicious and left my hair the softest it’s been in years without any greasy buildup.

Based on 55 years of Trichological expertise, these new formulations provide the perfect amount of hydration for hair like mine, which often suffers from low moisture content and elasticity shortcomings.  The formulations help lower the surface tension of hair and give extra surface glide, making it beneficial for chemically processed and synthetic hair, too, including extensions. Without stripping the natural oils from the hair, it uses mild cleaning agents while the Moisture Extreme Conditioner contains a combination of four naturally derived oils that work together to condition the hair from the cortex to the outer layer, including, Almond Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Avocado Oil, and Babassu Oil.

I’m in haircare heaven, guys. I mean it. And yes, these bad boys come in handy travel sized packaging, as well.

Retails for $22-$27.

PhilipKingsley.com 

Bathing Suit Cover Ups Worthy of St. Barths

I don’t know about you, but when I go to St. Barths, I really require some nice luxe caftans and cover-ups. Enter: Marie France Van Damme, a new luxury resort line featuring timeless yet modern classics including signature caftans, swimwear  and exotic accessories with a “wear anywhere” appeal. The 2012 collection offers an elegant palette of chic neutrals, bold metallics from bronze to gunmetal and vibrant prints in opulent fabrics ranging from diaphanous silk chiffon and luscious silk sateen, to an effortless jersey material.

Defined by a monochromatic color palette, versatility and an edited collection of elegant staples including glamorous caftans with every piece designed to be worn from an afternoon at the beach to an evening out, each silhouette is carefully considered so pieces are wearable yet alluring. The exceptionally well-made and feminine collection, created by fashion veteran Marie France Van Damme, was inspired by her love of The Riviera and Corsica and born from Van Damme’s frustrations with the lack of resort wear for every occasion. French Canadian, Van Damme incorporated her knowledge and experience garnered from designing and producing private label brands for top retailers in Europe as well as the experiences from her cosmopolitan lifestyle to create a line dedicated to savvy, sophisticated women with a sense of style.

In November 2012, Marie France Van Damme is also introducing her first coffee table book R.S.V.P (Simple Sophistication. Effortless Entertaining) being published by Thames & Hudson November 2012 focused on her philosophy of “effortless entertaining” with photographs by Herbert Ypma who invented the Hip Hotels series. The idea of the book came from her good friend Raphael who is CEO of Shanghai Tang. An improvised, last minute dinner on a deserted white sand beach in Thailand, convinced Raphael that she should share these moments with friends and others. Later that year, Raphael asked her to work on a small project and create for Shanghai Tang “Art de la Table”, dinnerware and objects for the table.

We think that’s all pretty chic.

Retail from @ $95-650

www.mariefrancevandamme.com

Available also at: Harrods, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and select high-end retail boutiques and resorts including One & Only and Aman resorts.

Travel Beauty: Rodial’s Dragon Blood!

I’m a sucker for all things travel and beauty so when I came upon Rodial‘s new line of product called Dragon’s Blood, I was anxious to dig in. How cool is this? Dragon’s Blood is sourced from the red sap of the ‘sangre de drago’ tree in South America, and works to form a second skin­like film, protecting against environmental damage and containing anti-inflammatory properties. Dragon’s Blood Hyalouronic Moisturiser, which has built-in SPF 15 that works hard to plump and firm dehydrated skin for 24 hours. This light and easy-to-apply cream soothes and protects sensitive skin while providing long lasting moisture and tightening fine lines; a must­ have for thirst quenched summer skin. Plus, who can’t resist a line of product called Dragon Blood? I bet that’s what the khalessi on Game of Thrones wears. Duh.

Retail price is $60.00 at www.nordstrom.com

Travel Lotion… in a Stick!

 

Coconut Mango - Skin Stick

Whether on a plane, a train, car, or just at home, we found a moisturizer that’s good enough to eat with 99% natural Skin Sticks. So here’s the story: Heather Swanepoel, founder and chief formulator at Rinse, dreamed up the perfectly portable lotion stick straight from her own fiascos.

From lotion bottles exploding in her purse to TSA nightmares, Heather knew there had to be an easier way to stay moisturized on-the-go. With lip balms being so common and handy, she wondered why a regular lotion hadn’t made its debut in the format?

Soon, the Skin Stick recipe was perfected and ready to wow. Cocoa and Shea butters paired with soothing scents and oils, create a rich yet non-greasy lotion that is great for cuticles, knuckles, elbows, and anywhere else. It’s even helped with some user’s eczema and psoriasis spots as well. Each batch is handmade from premium ingredients and are gluten free.

With birthdays always on the horizon, and the holidays rapidly approaching, Skin Sticks and Pucker Sticks are a great stocking stuffer. Choose from fun scents like Ginger Lemongrass and Coconut Mango, or go with something more decadent like Chocolate, Almond and Honey, or Fresh Fig. For gift recipients with special lifestyles, Rinse also has a whole line of Vegan Friendly products they can feel good about using. Rinse Bath & Body Company all began in 2002 when Heather Swanepoel, a national account manager for Supercross, (yes that’s Supercross….meaning nothing but dirt bikes and man-made race tracks!), needed a more creative outlet. A simple class in soap making soon turned into an obsession that had friends and family members requesting her special concoctions. In 2003 the company was launched and now operates out of Monroe, Georgia with the help of other stay-at-home moms. Rinse Bath & Body products can be found in salons, spas, and boutiques nationwide, and at the International Food & Wine Festival and Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot.