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Charting the style of daily life...with the mouth of a sailor.

Beauty,Fashion

year of the snake...

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Feb 10th marked the first day of the year of the snake in the Chinese calendar. While the Chinese say that saving money and being thrifty should be a top priority this year, you still might want to pick up a few charming snake inspired accessories to augment what you already own. In vibrant colors the look is still exotic but a little more playful, less serious. If a snake print isn't for you, try a cuff or some little stud earrings. 

You might not think of beauty products getting in on the snake action but for the last few years, chemists have been including synthetic snake venom to attack fine lines and wrinkles. Peter Thomas Roth's UNWRINKLE range of serums, lotions and creams utilizes Syn-Ake, an engineered ingredient that smoothes wrinkles for a youthful appearance.

from guns to glamour...

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Yes, you read that correctly. The elegant bracelets that make up the Caliber Collection from an NWS fave, Jewelry for a Cause, are made from guns and bullet casings seized by the Newark Police Department. What an amazing transformation these weapons have undergone to become stylish arm candy!

In addition to the new Caliber Collection, Jewelry for a Cause, created by Jessica Mindich, offers a lovely collection of silver Talisman necklaces that support various charities, In Gratitude recycled newspaper necklaces crafted by Ugandan women and custom bracelets that can be used as a fundraising or marketing tool for your organization. Essentially, all of the beautiful baubles by Jewelry for a Cause have a deeper meaning and purpose, making it easy to be a fan of Mindich's brand.

Jessica Mindich, creator of Jewelry for a Cause

Check out the full steel and brass Caliber Collection here.

multi-use makeup...

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I was recently sent the latest and greatest in foundation from the geniuses at Make Up For Ever and I couldn't be more thrilled! Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation can be applied wet for a sheer finish or dry for matte coverage - both techniques offer flawless results. The texture is super lightweight and blends easily with the included applicator sponge, making this compact a perfect "on the run" option. Bonus: the formula is paraben free!

My shade is #117 Golden Ivory but there are 24 other shades to choose from!

Pick up what's sure to be your new fave foundation at Sephora, in store or online. $36

pregnancy is hard...

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I'm firmly in the third trimester of my second (and final) pregnancy. My first pregnancy was a dream - I felt so great and happy that I could have gone on being pregnant forever. This time? Oy...

This pregnancy has zapped my energy, my hair and skin are blah and my style has slowly been sucked away. I have massive lower back pain, can barely manage a quick trip to Target (sadness) and have hormones that make me quite crabby at times. I have been doing a bit of yoga and am trying to be as organic as possible with my food and beauty choices but I can't say I always succeed on that front.

In terms of style, I do have a little bit going for me this time around. I no longer work in an office so I don't have to worry about what's work appropriate. I've embraced a very easy uniform of black leggings and tanks under cozy cardigans and have been heavily relying on accessories and jewels to keep things as interesting as possible. As soon as I get home I throw on large men's sweatpants and a t shirt...the epitome of chic, right? 

my belly at 30 weeks...check out my outie!

priority parking for the expecting...so helpful!

I know there have been many pregnant women before me with the same feelings and I certainly won't be the last. In fact, I'm so thankful to have a cadre of friends that can relate. And, in the grand scheme of things, these issues of mine take a backseat to the more serious complications of other pregnancies.

The bottom line is...I don't know what the bottom line is. I'm just a little frustrated and needed to vent. I see a nap in my near future...

A few little things that have been bringing me joy during these last few weeks:

* peppermint tea

* Origins Ginger Body Gloss

* belly hugs and kisses from my 4 year old boy

* a kick ass Alexis Bittar ring that I want to wear 24 hours a day

* perusing Pinterest for nursery decor and baby announcement ideas

Happy 2013!

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Alright, my boy is back in school and I'm ready to tackle 2013. I have some major life events coming up so this year might shake out to be one of my most exciting yet!

I have some great ideas for NWS and hope to implement some of them before Baby Fox #2 arrives. At the same time, I'm also trying to simplify a few things before my life becomes a series of short naps in between diaper changes and feedings.

Besides the arrival of my babe, here's what I'm looking forward to in 2013:

* Emerald, Pantone's Color of the Year - I can't wait to see this brilliant color show up on accessories of all sorts, in makeup (espesh the Pantone-Sephora collab), home decor and clothing. Emerald will be the perfect punch of color this spring when we've all tired of the boring neutrals of winter.

* The Swinging Sixties - Marc Jacobs sent mod black and white stripes down his Spring 2013 runway along with winged eyeliner, nude lips, creamy nails and teased hair, deeply parted on the side (sexy swooping bangs). I'm excited to try some fun Edie Sedgwick style looks this spring.

* Colorful Eyeliner - This is a trend that comes and goes every few seasons that I normally eschew for my standbys of brown, black and deep purple. This spring I'll be trying turquoise, fuschia, emerald (natch) and possibly even yellow just to keep things interesting. This is a great trend to try without breaking the bank because eye pencils can be as inexpensive as $1 from brands like Wet n Wild and elf at Target.

Of course there are many more trends to try in the coming months...what are you looking forward to? Tweet me @navigatewstyle

style resolutions...

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As Christmas and the New Year approach, I have resolutions on the brain. Of course, I have some more meaningful changes to make in 2013 but let's just have fun with my style resolutions, 'kay?

* wear more color...It's easy to slide into a uniform of basic black so I'll be integrating more vibrant hues into my wardrobe this year. 

* embrace prints...I tend to have issues with prints due to my curves but I love to have fun with my clothing so I'll be pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone here.

* ditch nail art...I'm just a little sick of the sloppy looking polish out there. Classic mani's are where it's at! 

* get back to more organic/natural products...I haven't been as strict with my beauty purchases in the last few months so I'll be returning to my organic faves and trying out some new launches --- because I'm worth it.

* work with what I've got...I need to make more of an effort to wear what I already own, remix my closet, jewelry box, accessories. Part of the challenge here is to re-organize so I can see it all in the first place!

What are your style resolutions for 2013? Tweet them to me at @navigatewstyle

ps - My boy is now on school vacation so I'm taking a bit of a break from blogging to fully maximize my time with him. See you in 2013!

to poof or not to poof...

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If you know me but at all, you know that I adore cranial accessories. I love bows, clips, headbands, flowers, pins, feathers, turbans, hats, scarves, poofs and any other variety you could throw at me - even the fallopian tube fascinator worn by Princess Beatrice at the wedding of Wills & Kate. I wore a jaunty, minty poof on a television segment last week that drew some criticism on social media...

Like Andy Cohen says, here's what:

Style is subjective. Like any other form of expression, how stylish one might be can always be up for debate. I welcome this idea - it's part of the reason I felt compelled to start blogging a few years ago. Style can mean many different things to many different kinds of people and I like to embrace and celebrate that notion. I'm all about having fun and I love a good laugh...especially in my wardrobe. I don't like to take things too seriously and sometimes I just need some extra flair to get through the day. Sue  me. 

The critical post basically claimed that my poof was small town, not big city. On this I disagree. This person may not have liked my poof and that's fine. But to allege that such a thing would never be seen in a large metropolitan area is just silly. I have lived in Boston, Massachusetts and spent a semester of college in London. I have visited European cities and have friends from all over the world. While I wish I could travel more, I'm certainly not a stranger to culture or diversity of style. Furthermore, some very high profile ladies within the fashion industry are known for wearing such things as poofs atop their heads. Google Anna Dello Russo, Tavi Gevinson or Anna Piaggi to see some examples. In addition to women who are known for taking repeated fashion risks, there are others who occasionally step outside their comfort zone to try something new or edgy - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Yes, even Heidi Klum has had some misses

So, to poof or not to poof...I will always choose to poof. And guest what? I have bigger.

The offending poof...

why don't you...

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...clasp two different necklaces togezz and wear as one? I experimented with a few different styles but here are the two best I came up with:

There are some instances where the excess chain looks awkward but some necklace chains are more finished than others, as is the case with picture #2. The other thing I love about the second combination is that the purple end looked really pretty going around the back of the neck.

Play around with what you already have to come up with a no cost way to add to your jewelry options!

I'd love to see what you come up with! Tweet me pix at: @navigatewstyle

Stylish Holiday Gifts on #INsight...

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holiday makeup...

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Sublte sheen and targeted sparkle is all you need to transform your everyday makeup into holiday worthy looks.

BECCA's Shimmering Skin Perfector is a hydrating illuminator that imparts a subtle, pearly glow and comes in a six different shades. Use over or under foundation all over the face or highlight one area such as the bridge of the nose, the orbital bone or under the brow. If your complexion is glowing, avoid sparkling lipstick and glitter eyeshadow to avoid overload (it can happen before you know it)!

If you usually keep your eyeliner pretty tame, now is the time to bust out a winged cat eye. Too Faced's 3*Way Lash Lining Tool makes achieving said wings super simple. The three pronged tool can also be pushed into the lash line for a natural, full lash look.

Feeling extra festive? LORAC's 3D Liquid Lustre is a shimmering liquid top coat for eyeshadow but can also be used to highlight cheeks. In silver or gold, this product offers mega watt sparkle!

Fashionable Friends...Lorin!

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I spotted Lorin before we ever met. We were in a college lecture hall with 46 other students and their parents for a London study abroad orientation. Lorin was asking all the right questions and sporting that season's colorful Gap sweater that was all the rage. You know, the striped one from Winter of 1999. Anyway, my mother told me I should make friends with this girl while I rolled my eyes. Once in London, I did in fact make friends with her and almost 13 years later, we're still close! 

Lorin is the kind of girl you'd be really jealous of (she's charming, insanely pretty, funny) if she wasn't so damn nice! She modeled and acted for years and after earning a degree in Marketing, is now a Registered Nurse, wife and mother. This girl does it all...including a killer Phoebe Buffay impression.

A candid shot from Lorin's wedding.

1. Three words to describe your style: classic, comfortable and covered in baby drool

2. Desert island beauty product: sunscreen

3. The outfit that never lets you down: jeans, white t shirt and fun jewelry 

4. Signature fragrance: Trish McAvoy Sexy #9 in the summer and Hanae Mori in the winter

5. Fashion Hero:  I wouldn't call her a hero, but I'm incredibly jealous of Gayle Spannaus, the Fashion Director of J.Crew.  Would love to have her closet! 

Thank you, Lorin!

xx JDF

why don't you...

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...use two scarves to create one fab scarf?

Choose two scarves that are roughly the same size but with different textures, patterns or colors. Lay them flat on top of each other to line them up then twist or drape around your neck as you normally would. Voila! A new super scarf that didn't cost you a dime.

holiday shopping challenge...

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I believe it's terribly important to shop small and local - not just during the holidays but over the entire year. I admit to being an online shopper but only when I can't find the desired item in my city. There are many benefits to shopping small biz --- see for yourself by clicking here.

This year I suggest challenging yourself to shop small and local by using the following ideas for stocking stuffers, gifts and holiday trimmings:

* Patronize local boutiques, holiday markets and pop up shops.

* Shop local farm markets not only for your fruits and veggies but also small batch soaps and baked goods for fab hostess gifts.

* Check etsy for sellers in your area for unique handmade or vintage items which will allow you to take advantage of all the greatness of the site without shipping fees or wait time. Even if what you want on etsy is not in your local area, rest assured you're still supporting an independent seller.

* Buy gift memberships to local CSA's for the gourmand in your life.

* Local restaurant gift cards are always much appreciated gifts, especially when paired with an IOU for babysitting, if appropriate.

* Buy gift certificates for local experiences like winery tastings and tours, independent movie house tickets or a membership to a local museum.

Online Resources (just a few)

* Small Business Saturday is November 24th - check out the website for shops in your zip code and surrounding areas.

* American Design Club is an online shop dedicated to promoting independent artisans and crafters with an inventory of really rad items.

* Indie Collective is a "showcase of independent artists, artisans and designers."

Think big, shop small.

chapped lips...

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I'm having a bout of dry, flaky lips...I know, so sexy! I figure if I'm experiencing this ugly side effect of the cold weather, others are too. I'm using a moisturizing lip scrub to fight my chapped pucker:

Sara Happ Lip Scrub is the gold standard for lip exfoliators. I'm using this delicious scrub nightly to sweep away the dead skin cells that stand in the way of the balms I apply all day.

You can also whip up your own in the kitchen - it just won't be as lovely as Sara Happ's.

Mix equal parts olive, jojoba or sweet almond oil, warmed honey and organic sugar. If you like or need more grit, just add in more sugar until you're satisfied with the scrubbing power. Apply in a circular motion on the lips and surrounding skin. Tissue off and apply a super rich balm. I love Reve de Miel by Nuxe.

'Tis the season for kissing under the mistletoe...better keep your kisser smooth & soft!