December 18, 2018 at 07:06AM If your birthday falls during the holiday season, I have to wonder whether you pissed off someone important in your past life. Like, you weren’t necessarily a serial killer or anything, but maybe you committed some sort of old-timey, horrific fashion faux pas? Because it seems like having a holiday birthday would be the worst and, based on what my friends who were born between the end of November and January say (AKA my Sagittarius and Capricorn pals), that’s pretty accurate. When your special day of birth is eclipsed by the likes of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the 1,456 holiday parties people are invited to, it’s easy to feel left in the festive dust. After all, everyone is already celebrating everyone else—giving gifts to all the people they know—so how do you make your birthday stand out and feel important? The doubled-up presents, couldn’t-be-more-belated birthday wishes, and general existence overshadowed by the holidays can be enough to make even the most practical and reserved of Capricorns want to scream. With that in mind, I tapped astrologer Juliana McCarthy, author of The Stars Within You, to share tips for keeping yourself and others psyched about your very special holiday birthday. If you’re a Sagittarius Poor Sags: Your birthday falls either around Thanksgiving, or when it seems like everyone you know has holiday-party plans basically every weekend. If you’re a Sagittarian (November 22 to December 21) whose bday is closer to the November end of the calendar, you may
Category: Fashion
How I reprogrammed my brain to stop seeing my cellulite as bad
December 17, 2018 at 12:22PM Cellulite! I have it. My ass-and-back-of-thigh area, specifically, has it. I have a thin frame that has always fit into the standards of beauty pushed forth by the media, fashion industry, and general celebrity culture industrial complex, and yet the cellulite-y part of my body is an area that has always refused to fit the silky-smooth body ideals we’re used to seeing in razor ads and reality TV. And, until I made a conscious change this year (thanks for the inspo, uplifting tweets and body-inclusive Instagram posts!), the voice in my head would automatically say “yuck” each time I’d look in the mirror and see cellulite. From an early age, I’ve been taught to think cellulite is something shame-inducing, a personal failure, an unpreventable thing that somehow women are still supposed to feel bad about not preventing. When I was 12 or 13, I remember there was a news item on a morning talk show about Howard Stern asking Ben Affleck if his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez (Is it dating myself to remember Bennifer so vividly? Probably…) had cellulite on her very renowned backside. Affleck answered that question with a casual “no,” as if Stern’s question was a normal thing to be asked about one’s girlfriend, and as if cellulite was something that beautiful people weren’t supposed to have. (Also can we talk for a second about how the word “cellulite” has the worst mouthfeel ever? It feels like a crappy cleaning product from the ‘50s,
Watch out, tread desk: These in-office abs moves are coming for your spotlight
December 17, 2018 at 11:20AM When it comes to exercising in the office, there are a few different methods you can use that get your body moving without even having to leave the comfort of your desk. There’s the tread desk that lets you work while you’re getting your steps in, the sneaky under-the-table elliptical, and even the yoga series you can do right in your chair. But if those aren’t enough, there’s a trained-approved way you can take things up a notch or two. If you’re not ashamed of crushing your #fitnessgoals surrounded by co-workers—and possibly getting a few side-eyes in the process—celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins has a not-so-discreet abs-strengthening deskside routine that will certainly make you feel the burn. Despite being a little extra, the fact that she’s worked with Alicia Keys, P!nk, and Serena Williams in the past is all the reassurance you need to know this workout is going to put you on the path to some seriously impressive results. So, ready to get after it at work? Jenkins’ series has eight different exercises you can do at your standing desk, or with any stable surface to hold onto. And don’t be fooled: Even though she doesn’t have a drop of sweat or a single loose hair post-workout, this fairly intense routine might require a trip to the bathroom to freshen up afterward. View this post on Instagram Tag a friend that’s at the office & give them a little movement break. You can do it together. Heels
Make any cozy winter outfit instantly more flattering with this accessory hack
December 17, 2018 at 06:19AM A belt truly is the MVP of fashion accessories. It can accentuate a little middle, add curves to an athletic figure, draw the eyes towards your, ahem, assets, and even work well on swimwear. But there’s one place you might have never thought to utilize the versatile accessory: winterwear. “Sweaters and coats can be so bulky and oversized that your figure gets lost in the added volume and thicker fabric,” explains Argy Koutsothanasis, a stylist whose clients include The Bachelor’s Jojo Fletcher and Becca Tilley. “A belt is a quick and easy way to cinch a thick sweater or puffy coat so that you give your shape some definition.” Not sure how to pull off the look? Koutsothanasis says it’s all about playing with what you’ve already got: “The trick is to select a style that works with your body and proportions. If you have a small waist and curvy hips, you can wear a larger belt to really accentuate your tiny middle. If you have a fuller or straight up-and-down torso, you can pick a thinner belt so as not to add volume to your middle.” Her only rule? Pay attention to where you place the belt—on the natural waist or on top of the hips are the two best positions; anything too high or too low will just look awkward. As for color and pattern, she says go with whatever you’re feeling with the outfit. A simple brown or black belt will do the trick nicely, but she believes
The at-work facial massage that whisks away any sign of jaw tension
December 17, 2018 at 03:30AM As my mom—massage therapist and regular therapist will tell you—I am a tense human being. Whatever anxiety I’ve got going on in my brain usually manifests itself in my body almost immediately, which means my jaw is constantly clenched, and my feet, hands, and shoulders pretty much always have some kind of weird knots or kinks in them. Not to mention, my post-workout muscle soreness seems to stick around for-e-ver. Despite religious foam rolling, I’ve just never quite been able to target those tricky, smaller spots that are really in need of some relief. But recently, I discovered a way to make my body hate me slightly less that doesn’t require me dropping the full contents of my bank account on massages and icy plunge pools: One itty, bitty cork ball from 42 Birds may have—dare I say it—changed my life for the better. Nowadays, when I feel tense, I pluck the cork ball (the size of an extra-ripe cherry) from my hiding place at my desk at work. While I brainstorm ideas and edit stories, I etch it against my jawline and trace the tense-feeling places that need relief, until my jaw tension is no more. I’d heard of using massage balls for muscle release on your glutes and hamstrings before (thanks, Charlee Atkins!), but I had no idea that with a smaller ball, the same principle could be translated to my feet, hands, and, here’s my face. “The smaller ball just works wonders on your face. We hold
How to wash your winter coat—without splashing big bucks at the dry cleaner
December 17, 2018 at 02:00AM Most of us would never dream of going an entire season without washing our go-to jeans or favorite white T-shirts. So why is it that winter outerwear—which gets just as much play as those other wardrobe staples, if not more—is so often left out of the fluff-and-fold fun? Okay, so your coat isn’t directly exposed to your bod in most cases. But even if it doesn’t touch your skin or sweat, it’s actually making contact with lots of far grosser things during the course of a day—car exhaust, polluted precipitation, latte drips, and energy-bar crumbs from your a.m. commute. (Oh, and fun fact: On the east coast of the U.S., at least, air quality is at its worst in the winter months. So that’s a whole lot of gross particulate matter latching on to your wool trench.) Cleaning your winter coat on the reg isn’t just a matter of good hygiene, say Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, co-founders of eco-friendly fabric care brand The Laundress. It’s also a win for sustainability, helping you get more wear out of your outerwear wardrobe. “Down coats will look deflated and lose their warmth [if not cared for properly],” Boyd says. “Wool coats are also important to wash in order to preserve the natural lanolin of the fibers. Add rain, snow, and slush to the mix, and your coat will begin to look dingy after seasons without a proper wash. Caring for winter coats will increase their longevity for
Velcro sneakers are the latest “so uncool, they’re cool” footwear craze
December 16, 2018 at 08:00AM Remember back in the day, when velcro sneakers were worn out of necessity rather than style? Well, get ready to channel your childhood because the laceless footwear trend is back with a vengeance. A new addition to the “so uncool, they’re cool again” footwear craze (hello, dad sneakers), velcro sneaks aren’t just stylish, but practical too. No more dealing with untied laces, tripping while in the midst of a killer catwalk-like commute to work, or trying to achieve that perfectly imperfect bow. Plus, as Jennifer Bandier, founder of the upscale active fashion boutique Bandier, puts it: “Who wants to spend time lacing up a sneaker?” Who, indeed. And while chunky sneakers are a decidedly tricky trend to pull off (and a divisive trend at that), you can’t deny the effortlessly chic appeal of laceless shoes. They are sleek, hassle-free, and comfortable. Better still? Brands from Vans and Adidas to Stella McCartney and Isabel Marant are getting in on the action, so you can try out this style no matter your budget. Scroll down to see 11 velcro sneakers to help you embrace your inner child—but still look like an actual adult. Photo: Veja Veja 3-Lock Sneakers, $130 Photo: Isabel Marant Isabel Marant Beth Suede-Trimmed Color-Block Leather Sneakers, $267 Photo: Vans Vans Ward V Sneaker, $70 Photo: Adidas Adidas Originals Stan Smith Vulc Running Shoe, $80 Photo: Greats Greats Royale Low Top Sneaker, $289 Photo: Sperry Sperry Top-Sider Crest Vibe Creeper Sneaker, $40 Photo: Veja Veja V-12
The dos and don’ts of getting through the holidays happily, despite hating your parent’s S.O.
December 14, 2018 at 10:02AM The holiday season is already rife with situations of unavoidable small talk. You gotta be your best, most social self at your end-of-year work party, at your significant other’s family dinner, and—especially when your own family is blended—the house where you grew up might not even be safe from cringeworthy communication this time of year. Maybe your mom brought her new boo to the Christmas family feast for the first time—and she’s a total snooze. And maybe it’s Dad’s girlfriend’s second stint of spending the most wonderful time of the year with your brood, but talking with her still feels forced at best. When you don’t like a parent’s choice in significant other, it’s basically just a rift waiting to happen—and there’s nothing like the holidays to highlight that reality. But as a grown up, you know that simply not appreciating the personality of your parent’s partner isn’t cause for ruining the holidays. Unless this person is abusive, a narcissist, or a sociopath, you gotta tolerate them—as tough as that may be. “Usually, your parents are the leaders,” says psychotherapist Aimee Barr, LCSW. “But when the parent and their new significant other need to be accommodated and tolerated, it alters the dynamic.” Now, instead of your parent serving as the welcoming committee to your new fling, you’re the one working to keep an open mind and heart. Still, since you may well just not like this person, experts share the dos and don’ts for dealing. 7
My holiday makeup inspo is quite simply: disco-ball-level shine from head-to-toe
December 14, 2018 at 08:56AM I’ll use any possible excuse to put together a look, but in spite of ample opportunities to do so, the holiday season overwhelms me. It’s two months of non-stop holiday parties, familial obligations, and social outings and I am not creative enough (nor do I have the mental capacity) to create a distinctive ensemble for each occasion. So, this season I’m using one glowing and shimmering product to do all the heavy lifting on my face and body. So that I can make the most of my pre-party time rewatching The Office for the nine-thousandth time, I decided I needed a strategy. When I thought about the common thread all of my favorite (and easiest to replicate) makeup looks have in common, I realized it was glitter and glow. I smother my face in Fenty Soft Matte Longwear Foundation ($34) and then I just go to town with a highlighting or glitter product of choice. Recently I’ve been into the Milk Makeup Holographic Highlighting Powder ($25) and all of the Rituel De Fille Rare Light Crème Luminizers ($29). After covering my face I use my fingers to apply the stuff on the highlights of my cheekbones, all over my eyelids, dot it on my nose, the cupids bow of my mouth, and if I’m wearing something that reveals my collar bones, I slather it on there as well. It’s great for a few reasons: I don’t have to spend hours agonizing about what to do with my face, it’s
This season, hiking boots are for more than hitting the trails
December 14, 2018 at 03:00AM The idea of a “dad sneaker” has always been a little lost on me, personally. When I think back to what my father stomped around in during my childhood, it wasn’t a chunky, white trainer—more often than not, he was clad in some kind of hiking boot. (As were many other parents in his upstate New York town, who spent as much time as possible escaping the suburbs for the nearby mountain trails.) And while I never would have predicted it back then, the fashion gods have recently turned their gaze to his footwear of choice, deeming hiking boots to be the it-shoe of winter 2018. Although, let’s be clear: The options available today go way beyond the ones you normally see in the wilderness, all high-performance materials in varying shades of muddy brown. Proenza Schouler’s take on the hiker is rendered in graphic, black and white leather, with a chunky lug sole and bold red cord laces. Gucci dropped a few different styles for fall ’18—its Flashtrek boot is sleek and sporty, while its Flat Trip Leather Hiking Boot is on the extra end of the spectrum, emblazoned with gold stars and faux pearls (not to mention a three-inch heel and ’90s combat-boot vibes). Moncler has a leopard-print calf hair version named Blanche, while Copenhagen-based brand Ganni collaborated with mountaineering mainstay Diemme to create leather-and-suede boots with ultra-grippy Vibram midsoles, like you’d find in a performance hiker. (The first batch of Ganni + Diemme boots sold out