Happy Halloween! Hope you’re stocked with candy, and ready for the goblins at your door this afternoon/evening. While you wait for the doorbell to ring, enjoy a few of my Halloween 2012 favorites:
- A Halloween Treat/Edward Gorey because it wouldn’t be Halloween without Gorey’s macabre-yet-sweet illustrations.
- Where the Wild Things Are “Max” costume/Pottery Barn Kids I am really hoping that a Max or two stops by my house this year.
- “Boo Flags” card/Sugar Paper perfection in letterpress.
- Pumpkins of course.
Trick or treat, and save some Peanut Butter Snickers for me!
image credits: 1/book cover from bloomsbury.com 2/catalog cover from potterybarnkids.com 3/image from sugarpaper.com 4/jane potrykus/flickr
layout and type by jane potrykus
Carta Pura excels at stationery and paper goods that are as beautiful as they are functional. Sold primarily through wholesale and to professionals, products range from sumptuous Carta Varese Italian wrapping papers, to minimalist Rivoli papers (in a variety of muted hues), to a plethora of clips, fasteners, ribbons, and book binding supplies. Each quietly speaks of Carta Pura’s dedication to elegant design and the utmost in quality. I wish the line were more readily available in the US (though I’d be broke), but thankfully, this month saw the launch of the Carta Pura website. I’m using it as my visual wish list until I can get to Papierladen, Carta Pura’s retail shop in Munich. (Another good source is Berlin’s RSVP.)
carta varese papers
carta pura products
rivoli paper line
custom products
carta pura’s retail shop “papierladen” (munich)
all images are screenshots used with permission from cartapura.de / photography for carta pura by vera schwamborn
My makeup philosophy is to look like I’m not wearing makeup. You know the look: epitomized to great effect by many a J.Crew model over the years. (For those of you across the pond, Margaret Howell also has it down cold.) The unfortunate reality is that the older you get, makeup that looks effortless and fresh requires strategy, compromise, and effort. Through trial and error (and there was a lot of error), I’ve managed to find a routine that works for me:
face
FACE
The biggest obstacle in my makeup routine is that I hate wearing foundation. Not only is it difficult to find a good color match, applying foundation is also the quickest way to make me feel uncomfortable in my own skin. The formulas that offer coverage feel heavy and fake, and those that don’t, well, what’s the point? That said, I still want to cover imperfections and even out my skin tone. My compromise is to dab a concealer on any glaring areas (Clé de Peau’s concealer stick is pricey but lasts a long time as I don’t use much), and then follow up with one of the two powders I keep in my makeup drawer.
- Chantecaille’s HD Perfecting Powder love that it’s one-shade-fits-all, and it seems to give sheer coverage while blurring imperfections.
- Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder “Matte Translucent” this pressed powder is a light green, which cancels any bit of ruddiness I have going on. Especially helpful in the summer. (The green is imperceptible once applied.)
cheeks
My ideal blush is any color that gives you a rosy, healthy glow. I prefer colors that are subdued and allow for a light touch, or layering for a bit more depth.
- Sunday Riley “Blushing” (101) a straight-up pink blush.
- Chanel “Orchid Rose” (15) (discontinued) I had to try this when Lauren Santo Domingo described it as a “non-color” at Into The Gloss. She was right: it’s super-subtle yet I look better when I’m wearing it.
- Chantecaille “Fun” an understated apricot color (best for paler skin tones) that is my fall 2012 go-to blush.
- Stila “Hint” the makeup police would probably come and confiscate this blush if they knew how old it was. (I think it’s been discontinued.) Looks super pale in the pan but shows soft pinky-nude on the cheeks.
- Chantecaille “Wind” probably my favorite of the set (see a swatch here), as it’s a no-brainer blush: it goes with everything + is incredibly natural. Nearly impossible to overapply (a plus) and it perks up my face.
eyes
I have only recently started to wear eye makeup, as I’ve determined that a bit of eyeliner (on the top lid only) goes a long way toward giving me that “polished” look. Chantecaille’s precision eye pencil in “ink” (a dark blue that looks more slate gray) is perfect: it goes on easily and doesn’t smear. Drawing a thin line on my top lid right at/into my lash line really defines my eyes, but you probably wouldn’t be able to tell I was wearing it. (As for mascara, like foundation, it makes me crazy and I only wear it on special occasions.)
lips
All caution regarding color is thrown out when we’re talking lipstick. I think a bright lip can carry a bare face with panache. I’m forever adding new pinky-corally-red lipsticks to my arsenal. I’ll try any sheer, moisturizing product that has a decent amount of staying power and gives my lips a shock of color. My current rotation, mostly similar in hue, consists of:
- Laura Mercier Gel Lip Color “Rosette” (discontinued) rosy goodness + lovely, moisturizing formulation.
- Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Lipstick “RD03/Pink Red” was skeptical that this had enough pigment, but was pleasantly surprised at the natural pop of color it gave me.
- Poppy King for J.Crew (discontinued) the most orangey of the bunch, the most matte of the bunch, and perhaps the most sophisticated as well. A slightly muted “red” lip. (If you’re new to colorful lipstick, Poppy’s Lipstick Queen line is worth checking out. Great formulas and range of colors. I think Poppy is genius.)
- Nars “Manhunt” I reach for this whenever I need staying power as this formula is sheer, but seems to leave a slight stain of color even after it wears off. Looks orangey-red in the tube but on my lips reads almost watermelony pink.
- Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment “Coral” the best invention ever: a lip balm/color combination that is moisturizing, smells terrific, and comes in a range of colors. Go try them on + find the color that gives you the best “your lips but better” look. Love love love. A cold weather must.
image credits: top photo of anouck lepère from a 2007 j.crew catalog, via jcrewing.tumblr.com/other photos by jane potrykus
look 4
Loving new-to-me design team Apiece Apart: the spring collection is awash in relaxed, simple looks that are oh so appealing. See the complete presentation at Style.com.
look 15
look 30
image credits: photos by tim hout, courtesy of apiece apart for style.com
** don’t miss apiece apart’s concept video at style.com. it’s beautifully done, and made me an instant fan.
Tom Dixon’s new “Eclectic” range, inspired by British heritage, perfectly embodies the utilitarian luxe aesthetic. My favorites from the collection are the pieces in copper. The cast shoe would serve as an elegant (and whimsical) door stop. Per the Tom Dixon website, the “London” candle recalls red bricks, parks with crocuses and nettles, and the salty smell of the Thames at Dagenham. Swoon.
images from tomdixon.net; layout and type by jane potrykus
