December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM One in five US adults now uses a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or Google Assistant, and they’ve become the gateway to outfitting entire homes with smart products. Yet, while in the past, home tech’s primary purpose was entertainment (think: flashy TVs and an impressive speaker system) the focus now is on making life less stressful. “Whereas the majority of [my] clients are focused on ‘smart’ technology being integrated into lighting, security, and mechanical systems, more and more early adopters are looking to technology to empower wellness in other areas of their homes and lives,” says architect Veronica Schreibeis-Smith. People are turning to home tech to get to the bottom of all their wellness woes. Can’t sleep? Just ask your mattress to figure out what’s keeping you up at night. Don’t have the energy to figure out what to eat for dinner? Let your fridge suggest meal options based on what’s inside. Can’t get to the gym? Install a mirror that doubles as a virtual fitness instructor. And slated to launch in 2019 is a trash-can-looking machine that can be fed shirts, pants, pillowcases, and towels that will fold everything in less than five minutes. (For newbies not looking to make a major investment—yet—you can also get your smart home humming for as little as $30 to $50 for an Amazon Echo Dot or a Google Home Mini.) Don’t have the energy to figure out what to eat for dinner? Let your fridge suggest meal
Category: Fashion
The Rihanna Effect: Brands are getting real about sizing and shades
December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM At New York Fashion Week this fall, Rihanna showed the industry how to put on a show where everyone’s invited, thanks to the body-diverse magic of her Savage x Fenty lingerie line—capping off a year where she also revolutionized the beauty game with the “Fenty 40” spectrum of shades. And like the Fenty Effect on the beauty industry, there are major (ultra positive) changes happening in the world of fashion inclusivity, too. “The apparel industry is beginning to see the light—both in terms of financial benefits and the gains to the consumer,” says Alexandra Waldman, co-founder and creative director of Universal Standard, a brand with a mission to bring the same elevated shopping experience to a size 6 and a size 26. J.Crew, Madewell and Reformation are just three of the brands that have expanded their size ranges this year—and there’s more to come in 2019 from lingerie fave Lively and new denim brand ASKK NYY (founded by Rag & Bone alums Katrina Klein and Andrea Suarez), for starters. “The apparel industry is beginning to see the light—both in terms of financial benefits and the gains to the consumer.” —Alexandra Waldman, co-founder and creative director of Universal Standard Of course, the body-inclusivity movement has been the huge driving force pushing brands to change—but hey, a little Rihanna magic isn’t hurting, either. She makes inclusivity and diversity feel downright badass, as do models like Barbie Ferreira, Candice Huffine, Iskra Lawrence, and Paloma Elsesser. They’re not only
12 pairs of comfy jeans that’ll convince you to leave the stretch for your workout
December 03, 2018 at 09:46AM With the heavy influence of nostalgia in fashion right now, non-stretch denim is the look du jour, often with a high-rise waist and in a straight or slim-fit silhouette—you might also know them as “mom” jeans. But that moniker doesn’t really do this denim justice say those who are fans of the new styles on the market right now. “Non-stretch denim is one of our favorite fabrics to play with because of the cool, vintage attitude it gives to jeans,” says Jill Guenza, vice president of global women’s design at Levi’s. If you’re accustomed to super-stretchy jeans, rigid denim might feel like an unsavory style. But stiffer fabrics can actually be more flattering and get better over time, rather than breaking down and needing to be replaced after a season or two. (Let’s call it a win for conscientious consumption.) “The denim has just the right amount of body-molding give, yet holds you in and up in all the right places,” says Guenza. “Because non-stretch denim generally has more structure than high-stretch denim, it gives slim and straight-leg fits amazing attitude.” Warming to the idea of adding a pair to your wardrobe? Here’s a pro-tip for you: “With non-stretch denim, you can expect the jeans will expand slightly as they shape to your body, so be sure to buy them on the snug side,” Guenza advises. Photo: Tim Gibson for Well+Good Alaina Miller, women’s design director for Citizens of Humanity, agrees that a “perfect” or “snug” fit
APL just dropped its lightest, most sustainable sneakers yet
December 03, 2018 at 09:09AM Ask any barre babe or fitness junkie from New York City to Los Angeles for the name of her favorite pair of workout sneakers, and you’ll likely hear the same three-letter response on repeat: APL. That stands for Athletic Propulsion Labs, and the company’s grown quite a cult following since its launch in 2014. For the unfamiliar, APL is known for making cool, minimalist kicks in luxe fabrics like cashmere and other natural knit fibers that toe the line between fashion and function. And today, the brand announced that it’s adding another drool-worthy design to its collection: a next-gen running shoe made of Merino wool (yes, really!) that it created in collaboration with The Woolmark Company, a global authority on Merino wool. Dubbed the TechLoom Breeze , it’s APL’s coziest sneaker yet. “After spending more than 18 months engineering and testing, we finally created the first technical-knit footwear to be certified by The Woolmark Company,” said Adam Goldston, APL’s co-founder in a press release, meaning that the wool used in the shoes passed rigorous quality standards set by Woolmark. The shoes are made of 80-percent Australian Merino wool, which Goldston notes is “a naturally sustainable super fiber that helps protect against odor, is incredibly strong, yet is light enough to be worn during all of your workouts and has beautiful hand feel and texture.” (So yeah, this is way different from your grandma’s hot, itchy wool sweaters.) By using new technology where the shoe is knitted to the final shape
6 stretches to do before bed for a better night’s sleep
December 02, 2018 at 01:00PM As any wellness junkie—or, you know, human with internet access—knows, a solid bedtime routine is a #majorkey to success. And while you may have your pre-lights-out regimen down to an art (ILYSM, journaling and meditation), there’s one thing worth adding to your nighttime to-do list for the sake of better sleep: A series of evening stretches. “Stretching should be an important part of your evening routine,” explains international yogi Claire Grieve. “Regular stretching helps to melt away daily tension, stress and worry. Stretching your hips is particularly useful for clearing the emotional junk from the day. Stretching in a passive, restorative way will prime your body for sleep by helping you to enter a state of relaxation.” Cycling through a few cat-cows to start your morning may be second nature, but adding a bendy element in the evening can help you chill out while also releasing some of the daytime tension from your body. “Stretching at the end of the day should be more restorative than at other times of day when maybe you would engage in a more active stretch,” says Grieve. “The important thing is to listen to your body. What your body needs will be different from day to day, so take this time to really tune into what your body is telling you.” Meanwhile, stretching also boosts major gains for your brain as well. “While stretching, endorphins are released in the brain which can help improve your mood along with feelings
This week’s new moon (coming just as Mercury retrograde ends) has seriously potent powers
December 02, 2018 at 04:08AM Get ready for a week with two big celestial events. Thursday, Mercury retrograde ends (holler), and Friday we’ve got a new moon with some extra mojo for illuminating truths, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi. There’s major potential in these cosmic conditions—here’s her best advice on making the most of them with your fitness, food, and self-care habits, no matter what your sun sign is. Monday, December 3 The week begins with the moon waning, indicating now’s the time to let go of what’s no longer needed, to reach for something new. On the heels of a weekend where Mars, the planet of action, made a harsh and hard angle to the sun, Monday beckons you to get grounded. With the holidays in full throttle, self-care remains paramount. But self-care doesn’t have to be either indulgent or time-consuming. Prioritizing the basics like organizing your to-do list, desk, and/or home supports you to step into the week with strength. Speaking of force, how are you doing with your workouts and commitment to your body? Remember even a 20-minute walk has tremendous benefits, especially if it’s the only movement you can get in. Have time to do more? Go for it. Tuesday, December 4 Mercury, the planet of communication (which is still retrograde), makes a sweet trine to healing Chiron early in the morning (or late last night—depending on your time zone). While this cosmic configuration might bring healing dreams, most subtly, it encourages you to participate in your healing. Allow
I hereby declare that ugly nail colors should have a moment
December 01, 2018 at 04:00AM I’m not sure when the switch happened, but one day—fairly recently—my manicure colors of choice transitioned from your typical reds, pinks, and neutrals to what I can only describe as horribly ugly shades (I say that in the most endearing way possible). Think sewage and slime greens, burnt oranges, diarrhea browns, and neutrals that would match a turkey carcass. It’s not just my peculiar taste, either—I’m seeing the trend when I scroll through my Instagram feed, adorning the fingertips of influencers and celebrities alike (you know you’ve seen slime green rocked by Kendall Jenner and the Hadids). So maybe it’s been infiltrating my subconscious and influencing me on that level. Either way, it does seem to be a thing—and I hereby declare that everyone should try and be so daring as to decorate their nails with hideously cool hues. It’s certainly interesting, I’ll tell you that. The traditional, “safe” nail polish shades can get, well, boring. I’ve alternated between lavenders and barely there pinks for far too long. Reds? They stain my nails. Black feels outdated (to my Avril Lavigne worshipping days of middle school, to be exact). I find myself feeling incredibly liberated wearing bright and obnoxious shades. And I even get compliments. But celebrity manicurists beg to differ. “Muted browns, greens and burnt orange polish shades tend to look outdated and don’t agree with all skin tones,” says Jin Soon Choi of her eponymous nail salon. She would know—she’s manicured the hands of countless
Pass the trail mix because this new fashion trend is all about embracing great outdoors vibes
December 01, 2018 at 02:00AM First, there was normcore (dressing like a normal person, so creative right?), then there was dadcore (chunky sneakers, and all), and now, gorpcore is the form of fashion taking over the runways and streets. But what, exactly, is a gorp anyways? In truth, it’s an acronym for “good old raisins and peanuts” or you know, trail mix. The trend gets its fashion inspo from a recreational lifestyle and the items that go with activities such as forest bathing, hitting up Runyon Canyon, and camping (or glamping) depending on how you like to enjoy the great outdoors. Seriously, there’s never been a better time to dress like a badass woman about to hit the trails—even if your only form of exercise is walking to work or taking the stairs. So many designers are dying to dress you for said purposes, from fashion houses like Balenciaga, Acne Studios, and Alexander Wang, to boutique labels like Veja and Outdoor Voices, to mainstream retailers like Nike, Urban Outfitters, and Converse. All of them seem to be reading the same sartorially tea leaves—and they’re saying it’s time to take a hike. In a lot of ways, gorpcore is a breath of fresh air for a fashion industry that’s been slowly loosening up. “The rise of athleisure and normcore has put comfort at the forefront,” says Hayley Johnson, senior designer at Camp Collection, (a brand which lives in this post-normcore, active fashion world) “Gorpcore takes both of those movements to the next level by adding more cold-weather functionality.” It’s essentially the intersection
Thank God Youtube is finally giving us (okay, me) the Naomi Campbell series I’ve been praying for
November 30, 2018 at 11:58AM I have really never been the type to obsess over a celebrity. When I was younger, the object of my infatuation was not *Nsync or the Spice Girls, it was Eloise, the titular character from a children’s book published in 1955. The first non-fictional character I remember ever being taken aback by was Naomi Campbell. The OG supermodel has always been unapologetically vocal about her convictions. Sure, she’s been called a diva, but so have a ton of women who are just asking for what they deserve—or, arguably, what they think they deserve. *cough Mariah Carey* I don’t want to spend too long waxing poetic over why Campbell is essentially Mother Theresa to me. But, in essence: 1.) She overcame deep-seated racism in the fashion industry to become the defining supermodel. (This is a hill I will die on.) And she’s been a trailblazer for other women of color as they face similar battles. 2.) She has never feigned being chill, which is an attitude I’ve been channeling myself. 3.) Her philanthropic work is seriously inspirational. 4.) When life handed her a community service sentence, she did it in haute couture. Luckily, the universe must have heard my daily prayers for more Campbell, because yesterday she launched a YouTube channel. It’ll serve as home base for a new online series, Being Naomi, that gives an intimate look into her life. Before this, Campbell was in the first season of Empire and in the American, Australian, and British versions of her modeling
I took a DNA test to tell me how to work out—and apparently I’m a sprinter
November 30, 2018 at 08:12AM Earlier this year, I became one of the millions who’ve shipped a swab of saliva to a faraway lab in exchange for beyond-comprehensive DNA profile. Only, I wasn’t really interested in learning about my distant ancestors (sorry, great, great, great Irish grandma!) or which foods would optimize my genes. What I really wanted to know? How my deoxyribonucleic acid informs the time I spend at the gym. Because, yes—a test can totally tell you that now. To begin my journey of biological self-discovery, I tried both the Vitagene and DNAFit gene-testing options. By the time I’d taken my cheek swab sample, gathered up the courage to go to the post office to ship it off to the lab (because, ugh), and waited patiently for my results to come, two months had gone by. But once I logged into my online profile and discovered the bounty of info that literally encodes the foundation of who I am, I had to admit that the payoff was worth it. While I learned a ton about my individual strands of DNA—for example, I’m predisposed to injuries, yet tend to recover faster after workouts than others—my main takeaway was that it would be relatively easy to biohack my workout. Before testing my DNA, I resolutely subscribed to the slow-and-steady-wins-the-race cliché. I logged my three-to-four weekly runs with one goal in mind: I should maintain a steady pace throughout the duration of my 45-minute sessions. Interval training? Out of the question. Threshold pace? What even is that? On a genetic