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Archive for January, 2013

Get Ready For Twitter’s New Video-Sharing App: Vine

Heard of Twitter’s new video-sharing app, Vine?

It’s super fun.

What Is It? Basically Instagram, but with 6-second looping videos (similar to GIFs, but a total no-brainer to create) instead of photos. You can create and share videos in seconds, as well as “like” and comment on your friends’ creations.

The Upside: Videos! That loop! Whee!

The Downside: You can’t post videos to your blog (unless you’re on Tumblr) without first sending them to yourself and then uploading them to YouTube or a similar video-sharing site. Facebook has decided that it wants no part of the whole thing. And the app doesn’t let you edit or even review your videos before you post them…which means I think we have a lot of bloopers in our future. Which might be an upside, depending on how much you enjoy seeing people accidentally embarrass themselves.

I made my first video this afternoon while going majorly blonde at John Sahag Workshop, and…well…I’m not very good at it.

Yet.

Check out the glory here (and remember to sign up for Vine and follow Ramshackle Glam for more on-the-go excitement).

P.S. Speaking of John Sahag Workshop, my colorist Doug is now offering a new service called Extensives – hair extensions that use an adhesive process similar to Platinum Seamless, but are more affordable thanks to the fact that the product is reusable (you purchase the extensions once, and then can have them reapplied to your locks every 2-3 months). Call (212) 750-7772 for more info (and be sure to mention RG for a 10% discount on Keratin treatments).



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January 31st, 2013 | Lifestyle | 4 Comments »

Capris & Bermuda Shorts & Alternatives, Please

Q. Jordan,

I have heard some fashionistas saying capri pants are a definite no-no. So what are the other options for bottoms in the summer for someone who is a busy mom but still wants to look stylish? Bermuda shorts, pedal pushers? I [don't want to] wear short-shorts…but I don’t want to look like a grandmother either.

- Hope

A. You know, I wouldn’t say that capri pants are “a definite no-no.” Mostly because I wouldn’t say that anything is a definite no-no…but it’s true: that length does have a tendency to sort of cut you off vertically, and just isn’t particularly flattering on many people, myself included.

Two alternatives to short-shorts: long (as in knee-length) shorts, and just-above-the-ankle cropped pants. First, let’s talk long shorts!

- Try pairing the shorts with a pretty, lightweight (and feminine) blouse to offset the sportiness.

- Along those same lines, add a pop-of-color clutch or some bold jewelry (in other words, accessories that say “I am not coming home from the beach”).

- Definitely go for heels; the cropped length can make you appear shorter if you don’t add a little faux height.

Next up, my very favorite cut for jeans this season…and a look that I think we’ll be seeing a ton of this spring. I love pants that hit just above the ankles (like the David Kahn jeans I wore yesterday): they expose just a hint of skin, and are a great way to show off your most fabulous pair of shoes.

Even better, you don’t need to run out and buy a pair: just grab a pair of skinny or boyfriend-cut jeans that you already own, and cuff them three times (like I did here).

Above, three more ways I’ve styled cropped jeans recently.

Hope that helps!

P.S. Your question totally got me excited for spring. I am so ready for sunshine.



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January 31st, 2013 | Style | 1 Comment »

Lucky Hat

This hat – floppy, fuzzy, blue – is kind of ridiculous.

I don’t care; I love it so.

I can’t even tell you where I bought it (although a street stand in SoHo is a decent guess), it was so long ago – but I remember I rediscovered it during the Cat-Carrying Romanian Royal Era, when I was wandering around the city in enormous brunette hair extensions that looked fine when I was being all royal and a little over-the-top and hat-requiring when I wasn’t…and decided that I needed to embrace my hat’s ridiculousness and start wearing it anywhere and everywhere, all of the time.

In fact, I was wearing this hat on the night that I first met Kendrick, for our 3AM diner date (weird hats, it seems, were a pattern of mine around that time). And he asked me out on a second date anyway.

…So I guess you could call it my lucky hat.

On me: Bobeau Stripe Hoodie Pullover, David Kahn jeans, Legacy Leather Carryall c/o Coach; Juicy Couture sunglasses, Penley Beige Patent Leather Pumps c/o CC Corso Como; Roman Luxe necklace.



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January 31st, 2013 | Style | 1 Comment »

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

If I haven’t yet sold you on the fact that you need to own a slow cooker…this recipe should do it. Seriously, it’s just so easy. Ten minutes of prep before you head to work in the morning, and you will return home to discover that your kitchen has gone ahead and cooked dinner for you.

Some evidence of how easy it is to cook with a slow cooker: I decided to make short ribs for the very first time just because I spotted them at Costco the other day (sidenote: Costco meat is awesome) and thought they looked fantastic, and figured I’d work the rest out once I got home.

And because slow cookers are totally unscrewupable…I did. I literally just threw in a bunch of things that I thought sounded like they would taste good together…and nine hours of ignoring the whole mess later, dinner was done.

And amazing.

What you need:

Short ribs (I used three to serve the two of us, with a little left over for the next day’s lunch)

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

3 tbsp butter

1/3 cup Coca-Cola (or similar)

1/3 cup dark beer

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp ketchup

3 tbsp brown sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

What you do:

1. Place the ribs in a bag with flour, salt (and pepper, if desired), and shake to coat.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, and brown the ribs on all sides.

3. Put the ribs in the slow cooker (pouring over the butter left in the saucepan for good measure, because why not). Add all other ingredients, and cook on low for about 8-9 hours.

Serve with sauce over garlic mashed potatoes.

(Here’s my not-feeling-so-well husband enjoying a very fancy dinner in bed.)



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January 31st, 2013 | Eat | 3 Comments »

Daily InstaGlam

…yes? (MinkPink, $80.)

(Follow along on Instagram and Twitter.)

(Or Facebook.)



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January 30th, 2013 | InstaGlam | 3 Comments »

Cosmopolitan & Olay CC Cream Shoot

Remember my shoot with Cosmo and Olay last month?

Presenting: the finished result! (You can find it in March’s issue.)

The product featured in the shoot (and what we used on set): Olay’s CC Cream, part of the next generation of all-in-one products. The CC Cream does about a million things, including fighting wrinkles, moisturizing, and protecting skin from the sun…but my favorite part is that it completely evens out your skin tone (we didn’t even use any concealer after applying the cream), while still feeling totally weightless.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes video in which we talk blog inspiration, beauty fixes, and secret indulgences (mine is actually not-so-secret; anyone who’s been reading here for more than a week probably could have guessed it).

Check out some more behind-the-scenes shots here, and “Like” Olay on Facebook to learn more about new products and special offers.



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January 30th, 2013 | Beauty, Best | No Comments »

How To Wear Black And Brown Together

Q. Hey Jordan!

I just bought a black dress, and wanted to know if I could wear it with brown boots. I know you’re not supposed to mix black and brown but…really?

Allison

A. I pay about as much attention to the don’t-mix-black-and-brown “rule” as I do to the one that says that you can’t wear white after Labor Day. Which is zero.

(Fun factoid: apparently InStyle agrees, because they sent out a press release stating that “a recent poll conducted by InStyle [found that] an overwhelming majority of their readers declared the old adage of ‘never wearing white after Labor Day’ to be an irrelevant and outdated styling rule.” So there you go.)

For your particular question, my answer would be to add at least one more brown element besides the boots, like a brown belt or cardigan. To tie the look together, consider including at least one two-tone piece, like a leopard bangle or a black-and-brown colorblock handbag.

More ideas (and tips) for black-and-brown pairings below!

While winter is still hanging around, try pairing skinny black jeans or leggings with rugged brown ankle boots and a sweater, and once spring starts making an appearance try a black t-shirt dress with brown knee-high boots and wood-and-gold accessories. (Product info here.)

- If you’re wary of looking mismatched, go for lighter shades of brown; the contrast will appear more deliberate.

- On the other hand, I love the look of layered blacks and espresso browns; it’s very warm and chic.

- Include a tortoiseshell or leopard piece in your look: the black-and-brown spots will tie everything together.

- If your goal is to look elegant and professional, make sure that the browns match (like the girl on the far right, above); if you want an edgier look, try layering different shades and including some two-tone pieces (like Olivia Palermo on the far left, above).

- Make sure to wear at least two brown pieces in an all-black look (for example, brown boots and a brown belt, or a brown purse and a brown cardigan; one brown piece thrown into an all-black outfit can look like an afterthought.

- That said: who cares? I wear a brown leather belt with my black t-shirt and black jeans all the time, and I love how it looks. When it comes to fashion, my feeling is if you wear it with confidence, you’re good.

x
J



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January 30th, 2013 | Style | 3 Comments »

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