By mid-October every year, I’m reluctantly packing away my summer clothes, with only a few apparel and accessory items remaining behind, with the hope of layering them to transition into the colder weather, or for positive thoughts of a freakishly warm day or two in the near future. I simply adore the summer, and feel like I relish in dressing for the season; the thought of endless summer days are what makes me most happy. Meanwhile, when winter rolls around, I feel the effects of seasonal mood disorder rapidly set in, missing my summer-centric belongings and fighting the sense of ‘blah’ that I feel when it comes to the season’s clothes.
October 9, 2015
Fashion Pulse Flash
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve put a Fashion Pulse Flash together, but rest assured, there’s been plenty that I’ve experienced, tested, and loved that I’ve been wanting to share!
Let’s start with some of the cool happenings and products tested from the past week:
This past week, I spent a little extra time with one of my favorite outdoors apparel and footwear brands, Columbia Sportswear. Highlighted were some of Columbia’s seasonal collections, tested true to its heritage in the Pacific Northwest, displayed in a range of items meant for impenetrable rain, chilly temps and sunny days. Great quilted boots and jackets, along with more casual offerings like canvas sneakers and light weight parkas were presented, all geared toward the company’s branding of “tested tough,” which reintroduces a return to the brand’s roots with ad spots and promotions that feature Gert Boyle, Chairman of the board of this family-based company. Since the weather is on the verge of getting cold here in NYC, I had my eye on the Columbia Titanium Heatzone 1000 TurboDown™ Hooded Jacket!
I’ve spent a lot of time with my friends from Sorel this week, starting off with a sneak peek at the fabulous spring collection (more details coming soon!), and capping it all off with a launch party in its flagship store in NYC’s hip Meatpacking District, honoring the fall footwear and apparel items and hosted by costume designer Jenn Rogien. Toward the end of the evening, Rogien (of “GIRLS” and “Orange is the New Black”) spoke and held a q&a session, perfect for budding costume designers. Always a good time at a Sorel event, and of course, some boots were involved!
[The morning view from Elk Lake Lodge, North Hudson, New York]
Continue reading…
October 6, 2015
Mastering a Runway Worthy Messy Pony with EcoTools

[An ideal messy ponytail look from Banana Republic’s spring 2016 collection]
Focusing on my favorite version, an unfussy, fast, messy pony, I created the look with the help of some tools, starting out and finishing with the EcoTools Ultimate Air Dryer Hair Brush. This brush not only helps to dry hair 40% faster, but also is extremely gentle, perfect for the backcombing involved in this style.
In order to achieve a ponytail similar to the one featured at top, apply volumizing mousse to the hair roots and lengths, dry the hair with the EcoTools Ultimate Air Dryer Hair Brush, and add in some texture or “beach waves” spray a few minutes into the drying process. With a big barrel curling iron, loosely curl the ends in varying directions, gather, and secure with an elastic at the mid-crown. Add some dry shampoo for even more matte texture to the lengths and crown, and mess up a bit by lightly scrunching the hair. Use a distinctive elastic, like mine picture with some hardware on them for extra visual interest, or wrap the hair around the elastic and secure with a bobby pin to conceal it.
![[Christine Symonds' Messy Pony look for EcoTools]](http://fashionpulsedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/christine-symonds-ecotools-1.jpg)
[Christine Symonds’ Messy Pony look for EcoTools]
Full Disclosure: This post is brought to you by EcoTools. All opinions are my own.
October 6, 2015
Join Sorel & Jenn Rogien at the NYC Flagship Store Fall Launch Party!
There’s nothing that kicks off a new fall season better than a shiny new pair of stylish, warm, high-quality boots, and Sorel certainly fits that description! Come and pay a visit to the Sorel Flagship Store in New York City’s Meatpacking District (located at 345 West 14th Street) this Thursday, October 8th from 7-9pm for the launch party, a chance to check out the latest and greatest in the brand’s footwear offerings for women and men, plus a look at the debut of the apparel collection. I can’t wait to check out the newest offerings, and if the website is any indication, the Conquest Carly Moto Jacket in Olive Green and Major Low Premium Print Bootie are on my must-have list!
![[Jenn Rogien putting together looks for the SORELstyle shoot]](http://fashionpulsedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sorel_Fall2015.jpg)
[Jenn Rogien putting together looks for the SORELstyle shoot]
I hope to see you there!
P.S.- Do you live somewhere other than New York City? Why not show off your fabulous style on social media, using the hashtag #SORELstyleCONTEST for a chance to win a shopping trip with costume designer Jenn Rogien in NYC? (contest ends at 11:59pm, PT, on October 15th; more details here)
Full Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sorel; all opinions are my own.