Yes, Chico’s is having a sale and here are some of Chico’s latest spring looks!
A Versatile Denim Piece – for Spring or Summer!
Wear this chic denim dress as a topper – it’s great for an all white look: a pair of white pants, a cami, a long necklace over it or this beautiful scarf. It truly elongates a petite frame! As a stand alone piece It can be worn loose or belted or as a swimsuit cover up like I did here. If you travel with this one item it will take you a long way. This will be a great addition to your wardrobe for spring and summer!
One Jean two ways!
This is the easiest way to go from a shopping trip to lunch or dinner. Dress up these trendy girlfriend jeans with a pair of heels and a jacket. Or pair the jeans with a comfy tie dyed tunic and sandals for a day of play!
Navy and white – A classic combo!
If you want to feel unfettered this look is for you. Easy pull on floral pants, a cami and an oversized shirt are my go to’s. Don’t forget the jewelry, it’s such an easy way to elevate a look.
Color color!
These floral slim cropped slacks are wonderful for a day of shopping or brunch. The shawl I bought from Chico’s last year, so find a coordinating one in your closet. Grab a pair of cute flats and a straw bag and you are good to go! Don’t forget a tassel necklace for fun – Chico’s has the best accessories. Chico’s sale is here for only a limited amount of time so check out Chico’s for the latest spring looks!
Don’t be afraid to add some color to your wardrobe, mix and match, and just have fun with it!!
As we all know, the fast fashion movement has had devastating effects on our environment. But what are high fashion creatives and brands doing to combat that issue? Alber Elbaz’s groundbreaking contribution to sustainable fashion combines the technology and fashion world together to create a truly innovative piece of fabric called ‘AnatoKnit’.
Alber Elbaz – A Fashion Innovator
Alber Elbaz knew he wanted to break into fashion since he was a little boy living in Israel. When he was only 24 years old, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion. Now, Albert Elbaz is a very well-known fashion creative/designer. He has worked with Geoffrey Benne, Guy Laroche, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin and many more notable brands.
In 2021, blurring the lines of the tech and fashion world, Alber Elbaz launched his own label, AZ Factory. In collaboration with Richemont, the AZ Factory caters to a whole new generation that cares about the environment and demands sustainable fashion.
Who are these Consumers of Sustainable Fashion?
While the baby boomers and Gen X used to focus more on the function, material and craftsmanship of products, the younger generation is all about ethical consumption. They only want to consume products that do not harm the environment and the people involved in creating the garments.
The development of sustainable fashion involves manufacturing made-to-last products while limiting the amount of wasted material. Sustainable fashion’s goal is to limit harm to the environment by making key changes in our process of consumption.
These young consumers of sustainable fashion aim to place environmental, social and ethical improvements on the fashion industry’s agenda. Alber Elbaz’s AZ Factory caters to these consumers by producing clothing that has limited effects on the environment and showcases it on different types of bodies.
How Alber Elbaz Blurred the Lines between Fashion and Technology
To launch his AZ Factory label, Alber Elbaz released a 25-minute video featuring the technology that went into creating a groundbreaking piece of fabric called “AnatoKnit.”
Taking women’s concerns of weight gain into account and not being able to fit into their favorite dresses, Elbaz fashioned a fabric that hugs and shapes each curve. The all-inclusive products’ sizes span from XXS to 4XL. The “AnatoKnit” fabric is an ultra-soft and flexible fabric that is developed to sculpt and support the body while allowing comfortable movement.
To make each dress fit like a glove and feel custom-made, Elbaz asked his design team to work like engineers. They delivered by using different quantities of lycra and various tension-techniques to make the dress snug, flattering, and easy to move around in.
Alber Elbaz’s collection also features ‘smart-fabrics’ created in collaboration with Nyalstar – a European yarn lab. This Nylon that can be produced with very little environmental impact and is used by the AZ Factory to create wonderful leisurewear pieces that can be dressed up to go from the gym to a Zoom meeting.
Alber Elbaz has beautifully married technology and fashion to create a truly groundbreaking product that is not only sustainable but also inclusive. I can see this latest trend being followed by many other high fashion brands to cater to the new generation. This ‘super tech to super chic’ brand is the next big thing on the market!
This post is in partnership with Hair Biology. All comments and opinions are my own.
Have you seen your hair texture change through the years? I certainly have!
I struggle with hair loss and changing texture not to mention my gray hair which gets dyed every three weeks. Which is why using the right products is essential for keeping my hair healthy.
As we age the biological traits of our hair also change, so the products that were good for our hair at 30, won’t be doing much for our hair’s health after 50. The hair care products we choose are vital to keeping our hair healthy. We take great care of our skin as we watch it change, but our hair sometimes gets left behind.
Today we have HairBiology now readily available at target.com that focuses on the unique issues presented to us as our hair ages.
With products that are infused with Biotene (known for supporting healthy hair) and free of parabens and dyes we can still have beautiful hair in mid-life that makes us look “Bolder not Older” and you know at 68, I’m all about that. The products I’m using are Full & Vibrant Shampoo, Full & Vibrant Conditioner, and the Thickening Treatment.
Hair Biology Results
After using @HairBiology for a month I have started seeing more growth and a thicker texture! I’ve also noticed my hair feeling softer and healthier than ever before. I can’t wait to see the changes as time goes by. Just 15 pumps of the thickening treatment on the scalp provides the nourishment we need for better hair.
Final Thoughts
I love that Hair Biology is a brand that provides hair care for aging hair. I’m happy to have started my hair care journey using Hair biology products and I’m looking forward to even better results. This product is versatile in the way that you can use it on wet or dry hair! Winning! Try it yourself. You can get this product www.target.com. You will be glad you did.
Is love really in the air? Dare I even ask on an iconic holiday like this one? But I will. Do you catch yourself or your significant other dreading Valentine’s Day? Do we feel pressured to top last year’s celebration? Keep reading to discover how to have a happy Valentine’s Day with your significant other! Chocolate Cake recipe included!
The History of Valentine’s Day
During the 3rd century, in Rome, Emperor Claudius II created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. He had passed a law preventing Roman soldiers from marrying so that they could stay devoted to Rome. To help the Roman Soldiers, a Catholic priest named St. Valentine began marrying these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies. He was jailed for breaking the law. He still cared for people while being imprisoned and legend has it that he even cured the jailor’s daughter’s blindness. St. Valentine was set to be executed on February 14. According to the legend, before his execution he wrote a love letter for her signed ‘from your Valentine.’
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that people began linking St. Valentine with romantic love thanks to Chaucer’s poetry about Valentine’s Day. In 1400, February 14 was marked as an annual celebration of love by a charter that was issued by Charles VI of France. People would take part in lavish festivities, feasts, dancing, singing, and poetry competitions.
Why do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Americans began celebrating Valentine’s Day in the early 1700’s. People were exchanging handwritten letters and notes known as ‘valentines’ with their partners. Commercially, the very first mass-produced valentines were made in the 1840s by Ether A. Howland. She made elaborate ones with lace and hearts on them. Since then, it has become wildly popular to buy your loved ones valentines and other gifts to express your admiration for them.
Often in films and television we see new couples excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Since it is a day to honour one another, there are usually expectations of gifts, flowers and chocolates. But when the honeymoon phase is over, couples don’t make an effort to celebrate it the way they used to and the once happy occasion becomes distressing for some. Usually women don’t see men trying to celebrate it like they used to. Does the love fade? Why do some men start dreading Valentine’s Day?
Why Do Men Think It’s a Hallmark Holiday?
Some people call Valentine’s day a Hallmark ‘Holiday’ – they believe it’s artificial and has no real purpose. You may have found some men using that as an excuse to not celebrate the happy occasion. Men might even complain that the holiday forces people to buy cards, chocolates and flowers. But why do they stop trying to impress their significant other? Perhaps they feel pressure to top the previous celebrations. Usually when expectations are placed upon you, you simply dread putting in the work to meet them. So should we just stop expecting the flowers and start asking for what we really want?
Taking Control of the Happy Occasion
Ladies, it is time to take control of Valentine’s day. If you truly want to have a happy Valentine’s day be transparent with what you want. Let the love of your life know exactly how you want to celebrate it! If you want a bouquet of roses, just ask for it. If you want a weekend getaway let him know where you’d like him to whisk you away. Not only will it take the pressure off of him, it will also make you look forward to the big day. But remember it’s also good to flip the script. Why don’t you make the plan and take all the pressure off. You might consider taking turns every year deciding what to do. To keep a relationship alive some mystery and mutual responsibility works wonders. You might find out you both get what you want!
How To Have A Happy Valentine’s Day
To have a happy Valentine’s day, dress up! Red is a classic color to wear on Valentine’s Day, it makes you appear more attractive than usual. So, put on that little red dress that makes you feel oh so confident. Wear your favorite jewelry, lately I’ve been obsessed with the bonbon ring from @pharaouncocktailrings. Make sure to indulge in some chocolates from @fameschocolates. Additionally, getting a card or a gift for your partner will express your love and appreciation for them. You can even plan a special dinner or bake a cake for your valentine!
Lastly, take a lot of pictures to commemorate the day and enjoy that wonderful gift of time you gave each other.
If you are taking a short trip, here is a way to pack light. One red jumpsuit with an evening blazer or bomber jacket for an evening out. Great accessories mandatory. The morning after, pop a sweater over the jumpsuit and you are good to go. Being “low maintenance” is also a gift.
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cake Recipe
An added bonus to make your Valentine’s Day even better!
My oh so simple cake for two!
Ingredients for the Cake
4 oz. butter
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3 whole eggs
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup cake flour
Topping Ideas
rose petal ice cream
whipped cream
health bar
cocoa nib
rainbow spinkles
caramel sauce
chocolate sauce
candied rose petals
raspberries
blackberries
marshmallows
Directions:
melt butter and chocolate together
whisk eggs and sugar together
whisk melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture
whisk in cake flour
Pour cake mixture into a small round tin can, bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes until outside of the cake is set and the center is still soft. Please note: baking times may vary. Top cake with your choice of toppings while still hot and enjoy!
How a luxury brand made sustainable fashion the latest trend:
One game changing company that has joined the sustainable fashion movement is The RealReal. This luxury consignment retailer asserts that “the future of fashion is circular.” Through its sustainability initiative, @TheRealReal allows people to sell and buy authenticated second hand luxury goods.
What is ‘Circular Fashion?’
Circular fashion refers to designing durable products meant to be used for as long as possible while limiting pollution and waste during the manufacturing process. When they can no longer be used, they are regenerated into new products.
This design process makes fashion incredibly sustainable and promotes guilt-free consumption. We all may like buying new products but at the same time, we dislike being wasteful. Through its sustainability initiative, The RealReal has made it very easy for consumers to participate in the sustainable fashion movement.
Rise of The RealReal
The RealReal was founded by Julie Wayne Wright as a small startup. It came into fruition because Julie believed that luxury consumers would jump at an easy and discreet way to unload last season’s looks. It opened a whole new avenue for mainstream shoppers to pick high-end items at a discount.
Now it’s been in business for 10 years and has turned into an authenticated luxury consignment venue, currently valued at over $300 million on the stock exchange.
The RealReal allows people to sell second hand luxury goods from handbags to fine jewelry, designer clothing to home decor and fine art. All available at a fraction of the price and all authenticated.
The excitement of in-store shopping has now also come to The RealReal with seven retail stores across the country. These stores allow people to drop off their consignment and shop the The RealReal’s most coveted pieces.
With commission structures higher than anywhere else and authentication being the benchmark, this female owned company has made it to the big time.
How The RealReal Promotes Sustainable Fashion
The RealReal has brought awareness to sustainability in the fashion industry with nearly half of its shoppers citing sustainability as a key motivation to consign. Most consumers are shopping The RealReal as a replacement for fast fashion.
The RealReal has shown its commitment to sustainability by creating a truly innovative ‘First-Of-Its-Kind’ Sustainability calculator. This calculator measures the total energy (greenhouse gas) and water saved by extending the life of a clothing item instead of creating a similar new piece. This powerful company encourages its consignors and shoppers to extend the life cycle of luxury goods. As a result, people would be less likely to harm the environment since the demand for fast fashion would decrease.
From easily wearable fashion to over-the-top pieces, this sustainable brand has something for everyone.
Sustainability being a key component of how we choose to shop going forward, there is nothing but an upside to The RealReal.
Often in films and television we see new couples excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Since it is a day to honour one another, there are usually expectations of gifts, flowers and chocolates. But when the honeymoon phase is over, couples don’t make an effort to celebrate it the way they used to and the once happy occasion becomes distressing for some. Usually women don’t see men trying to celebrate it like they used to. Does the love fade? Why do some men start dreading Valentine’s Day?
