Monthly Archives

February 2015

style setter

Spring Handbag Forecast: Bright

February 12, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Spring’s hottest handbags are a lively bunch. Boasting candy colors, mixed materials, even patchwork and tweed. Sherbetamethyst, tangerine, or crimson, the colors have a range as vast as a rainbow.

If you shy away from colorful handbags thinking black and brown are the only colors that work with everything, take note: statement handbags are also surprisingly versatile. A bold bag can be the perfect finishing touch when paired with a neutral outfit, and just as nice with a contrasting color, for a color-block effect. 

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style setter

Valentine’s Day Finds for Your Favorite Guy

February 11, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Hey SIMONistas!

This Valentine’s Day, win the award for Best Valentine with these great gift for guys. Though the holiday is centered on romance and lovey-dovey sentiments, sometimes it’s best to treat your man to the things he really wants. So put the giant teddy bear down, and consult these too-cool gifts he will remember for February 14th’s to follow.

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style setter

Valentine’s Day Gifts That Will Steal Her Heart

February 10, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Hey SIMONistas!

Sometimes the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that are unexpected. Treat your lady this Valentine’s Day with a unique and unforgettable present that will have her raving to her cheesy card-carrying girlfriends – although, a card is a nice addition (hint, hint).

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style setter

Valentine’s Outfit Tips: Love Looks Good on You!

February 9, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Hey SIMONistas!

The most romantic day of the year is upon us. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Are you still clamoring around the closet for the perfect outfit for date night? Don’t let the heart-shaped sweets get to your head; fresh fashion on your figure is a surefire way to signal your significant other to feel the love this February 14th. Take notes, ladies – these looks will scream sexy, sweet, and everything in between.

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arts & entertainment

Atlanta Ballet Brings Roméo et Juliette to Magical, Maddening Life

February 9, 2015

Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot is back in town, reviving one of his most impressive creations for a two-week run at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Accompanied by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet‘s “Roméo et Juliette” is a sleek, simple modern reincarnation of William Shakespeare’s classic love story. When I attended the dress rehearsal and press event that kicked off the performance, I was blown away by the beauty of his stage work and the talent of the dancers who bring each character to life.

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style setter

Meet Marsala, Pantone’s Color of the Year

February 6, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Hi SIMONistas!

Since it was selected as Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year, Marsala has hit the style scene with a spicy saunter. Once the hue was declared as the bearer of our year’s future, Marsala has garnered a bit of backlash. People want to know: Why such a subdued swatch? Will this years fashion offerings feature blah-filled styles?

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style setter

Winter in Harem Pants

February 5, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Harem pants are a perfect mix of serious street-style and comfort. They are a style of pant popularized by M.C. Hammer, but they’ve been seen recently around the streets as they try to make a come back. I personally don’t know how I feel about this trend yet, but decided to give it a try before I write it off. Since we are in the midst of winter and the snow and cold temperatures that do not seem to be leaving us anytime soon, I styled the harem pants to fit the season.

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style setter

What To Wear: Vacation Style

February 5, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

If the thought of hopping on a plane to somewhere tropical is on your mind lately, you are not alone. A mid-winter vacation is nothing short of necessary for some of us living in colder climates in order to maintain our sanity, and it is also great motivator to keep our gym memberships active. Packing light makes traveling so much easier. Here are my five must-pack items:

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style setter

Valentine’s Day Inspiration

February 4, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

 
 

 

Sunglasses | Earrings | Jacket | Cover-up | Bag | Heel

 

This month, in honor of my favorite holiday, Valentine's Day, I am inspired by the greatest love stories of all time. However, the most popular version of the origin of Valentine's Day actually began with a true tragedy. Catholic Emperor Claudius decided unmarried men made for better soldiers, so he made marriage for young men illegal. Saint Valentine rightly felt this to be unjust, and was said to have defied this law by performing marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. As a result, he was ordered to be put to death. 

 

True love has arguably been described best by famed Sufi poet Rumi: 

 

"Through Love all that is bitter will be sweet, Through Love all that is copper will be gold, Through Love all dregs will become wine, through Love all pain will turn to medicine."

 

Very often throughout history, love stories have also been tragedies. Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Roman Mark Antony were lovers caught in political turmoil, eventually committing suicide together to avoid capture. These Oscar De La Renta earrings could have been a gift from Mark to the Queen, and this Mara Hoffman cover-up is reminiscent of the caftans commonly worn in Egypt even today.

 

The Taj Mahal, often noted as the ultimate declaration of love, was actually a mausoleum created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The design on this bold bag by Popinjay reflects the geometric patterns used to build the structure, a design mastered by artisans during the Mughal empire.

 

 Most everyone knows the love story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, famed literature characters Romeo and Juliet, and (even it it’s own twisted way) Humbert Humbert and Lolita. A mirrored pair of round sunglasses is a fresh take on John’s iconic eyewear, and the mixed-material heel by Nicholas Kirkwood, at one time edgy and beautiful, reflect the twists and turns of bad romance.

 

But love shouldn't only be celebrated after it is gone. I propose we look for it in nature, fashion, and especially in the mundane. We should all take a moment to appreciate the love all around us, and of course take this advice from Kanye West: 

 

If you admire somebody, you should go ahead and tell them.

People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.

 

Source: Simon Style Setter

glam on

Top Beauty Essentials to Fight Dull Winter Skin

February 3, 2015

Fashionably brought to you by Simon Malls

Fellow Style Mavens!

We have all been bearing this winter chill for months and the harsh conditions of the season are taking their toll on our soft skin.  Both men and women need to pay special attention to their skin or risk dealing with dry, dull, and lackluster complexions. Luckily, I have faced the possibly overwhelming shelves of Sephora at The Fashion Mall at Keystone to bring you my top beauty essentials for banishing winter skin blues.

 

1. The Cleanser:  GLAM GLOW Supercleanse – It all starts with a great cleanser. At the end of any day, we all need to wash away impurities and this mud to foam daily cleanser is the latest and greatest for reducing imperfections, absorbing excess oils, and leaving you with a matte clear complexion. With ingredients like Bamboo charcoal, Mediterranean clays, and licorice Root Extract to calm redness and irritation, men and women are sure to get that Glam Glow back. ()

2. The Cleansing Tool: FOREO Luna Mini T-sonic Facial Cleanser – Just the bright poppy color of this little treasure is enough to bust us out of our winter rut. The non-abrasive brush is ultra hygienic and does not need to be replaced like some other models. Plus it only needs charging once every 5 months, so it’s the perfect travel companion. Sending T-sonic pulsations through the soft silicone touch-points, this nifty device gives a deep yet gentle cleanse. It acts to remove dead skin cells, remove makeup and oil, and unclog excess grime from pores. It also enhances the absorption of skincare products and can be used with any cleanser. As an added bonus, it pairs perfectly with the above recommendation! (9)

3. The Moisturizer: MURAD Essential C-Day Moisture with SPF 30 – This antioxidant rich moisturizer is perfect for protecting your best asset as it aims to improve your skin’s barrier function to maintain the best possible hydration. The sunscreen blocks UVA/ UVB rays, preventing sun damage and the Vitamin C helps to improve your skin’s clarity, firmness, and elasticity. ()

 

4. The Sunscreen: PETER THOMAS ROTH SPF 30 Powder – I’m a big believer in keeping it simple and this is the perfect solution for sun protection. I like to use this as a finishing powder after applying my make-up, but you can use it anytime and there is no need to wait the usual 30 minutes before stepping out into the sun. ()

5. The Hydrating Overnight Mask: FRESH Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask – Our skin has a natural repair process that happens when we sleep. With intense moisture, this mask works with that process to help lift and firm.  I like to use this nightly as the final step of my skin care routine before bed. With ingredients like black tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, and lychee seed extract, it’s like a free-radical smashing smoothie for our face! ()

6. The Hand Cream: L’OCCITANE Shea Butter for Dry or Damaged Skin – This hand cream has honey, almond extract, and coconut oil mixed in and leaves skin soft and smooth without the oiliness.

7. The Lip Salvation: FRESH Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment – We all know the vicious cycle of licking chapped lips which then become more chapped and irritated. Enter this lip treatment, which will boost moisture, enhance volume, and improve definition. () You can also use with the FRESH Sugar Colored Lip Treatment with SPF 15 for sheer coverage with buildable color. ()

8. The Dull Hair Fix: PHYTO Paris Intense Hydrating Brilliance Mask – This mask can be used in the shower for a quick fix in 2-5 minutes or left on overnight for deeper hydration, leaving hair with a shine and vitality. No more dull, thirsty hair! ()

 

All products can be found at Sephora at The Fashion Mall at Keystone.

Happy shopping, and here’s to keeping that refreshed looking skin year round!

Bronte xx

Source: Simon Style Setter