Home & Away | Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 3

Home & Away

June 16, 2016

What’s Old is New Again When it Comes to Home Furnishings Fashions

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There’s no denying that the old, imperfect, interior objects of yore are certainly having a moment.  Paint-stripped cabinets, semi-rusty cannisters, and vintage lighting solutions are the look de rigueur, which you should expect to see a plethora of in-stores now.  I once again traveled to the High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina, known as the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, to get the scoop on the most important trends for this industry, and saw heaps of both vintage and new but aesthetically retro objets de art for the spring 2016 season.  Petrified wood has found its way into everything from lamp bases to tables, stools, and freestanding works of art, while the “it” exoskeleton to hang in your home as decor is that of a turtle shell – who knew?

The turn of the 19th century is alive and well, popular in all categories, along with global remnants from the far east, be it a tattered rug, carved horse head bookends, or teak window treatments. The most visible decade trending in the market is the 1950s; the “mid-century” look is sticking around for at least a few more seasons, evident in its color palette, modest furniture silhouettes, and space-age adornments. Succulents are also an integral part of interior design flora, with dozens of planter options spotted at the market, including some that sprout of of a table or eclectically hang on the wall.

See the slideshow above for nine examples of hot ticket items at the market in the home furnishings and décor categories for this 2016 season.

April 21, 2016

10 Things I Learned About Japanese Fashion & Beauty

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[The mall is a modern architectural and aesthetic marvel; Roppongi Hills pictured above]

Looking back at only a month ago, I still can’t believe that I was in…JAPAN! It truly was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life, and the way that I view its culture, and in a larger scale, the world, is forever changed. There’s so much I’d like to share from my trip, and short of saying “you really just need to check it out for yourself,” I’m going to zero in on the fashion and beauty aspects that struck me most profoundly during my 16-day visit.

Here’s 10 of my observations, when it came to fashion and beauty in Japan, during March of 2016:

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[From a Geisha performance in Kyoto during the spring festival]

The kimono is still often worn – and it’s stunning

I thought that on a rare instance I might see some ladies wearing kimonos while in Japan, but on the contrary – I saw dozens upon dozens of women wearing them, particularly at Jotaro Saito’s fashion show. Until seeing so many, and close up, I began to train my eye for the small details and nuances that shifted from one to another, picking up on which ones might be of higher quality and more costly. It was graduation week while we were there (in Japan, it occurs in later March), and as a result, we saw young men decked out in suits, and women dressed in kimonos, as their attire for this formal occasion. I really wish there was a US equivalent to this kind of traditional dress, and my appreciation for it grew ten fold after our visit. In historic districts in cities like Kyoto, you can even rent one for the day, and pay a la carte for accompanying services like hair and makeup.

As a side note, tabi boots still have a place in Japanese culture; the split-toe look was definitely spotted by rickshaw drivers (or runners, rather) in the historic districts, and occasionally on hip Japanese in eccentric prints and colors (see some by my new favorite brand, Sou Sou Kyoto), but we saw the most often on…construction workers!

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[One of many unexpected American brands spotted in Japan]

Odd, Sporty 90s brands are back in popularity

It’s true that classic Americana — Levi’s, work wear, and all things generally found on Huckberry.com are majorly trending in Japan, however I saw an amusing addition- 90s sportswear brands that have fallen out of popularity here, such as Starter, Champion, Dickies, and Fila, have revamped and re-branded themselves into top tier street wear looks once again. Very curious indeed was this discovery, but it seems like cross-culturally, this tends to happen with brands. It really brings the whole concept of fashion context and relevance under scrutiny…
Continue reading…

February 1, 2016

The Art of Doing Nothing

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[The view from room 10 at the Spruceton Inn]

It’s exceedingly difficult for me to be able to relax; I pretty much ease into a massage or spa experience toward the very end, and for this, I blame it on being an on-edge, high strung New Yorker, who always need to be aware of her surroundings, rendering the disability to let go and disconnect. Take me out of the city, however, precisely two and a half hours north, and I can’t help but succumb to a much more zen state of mind. With sparse internet connectivity and cell phone service, Google Maps falls to the wayside and observations and instinct kick in as my navigation device, finding along the way a reverence for idyllic nature,  serene country roads, and a general sense of leisure and adventure. The few trips that I’ve made to the Catskills have been tremendously enjoyable from a cultural standpoint, along with allowing for a much needed pause to reset and refresh for the coming days and weeks.

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[Enjoying a snowy morning surrounded by the comforts of the Spruceton Inn]

This January, I found respite at the Spruceton Inn, a lovely place nestled in a little valley 4+ miles down a winding road (Spruceton Road, to be exact) in the blink-and-you-could-miss-it town of West Kill, NY.  Originally built in the 1960s and passed through several owners before becoming the Spruceton Inn, it has since been revamped by  innkeeper Casey Scieszka to include clean, minimalist decor, with touches of its history here and there; the original sinks and tubs have been left in place that lend a retro cool aesthetic to the largely modern space.

Billed as a “bed and bar,” the first of the 10 rooms has been converted into the front desk and bar, encouraging patrons to stop by for a night cap or Pop Tarts and premium coffee in the morning.  A creek runs through the back of the property, and several trail heads lie a bit further down the road.  Fire pits are generously spread throughout the property to encourage some barbecuing or marshmallow roasting, which, if the farm animals that you passed on the road on the way in didn’t cements the fact that you’ve most certainly left the city behind at this point, cooking fireside most certainly will.

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[ Scenery from an early morning trail hike through the woods.]

Fashion Pulse Hubby and I  spent a lot of time in room 1, drinking coffee and chatting with Casey and other guests of the inn, reveling in the welcoming, intimate nature of the establishment and wishing we would have booked an extra day there so that we could have taken one more walk on the trail as it snowed, or spent a few extra hours reading from the comfort of the room, gazing out of the window and up the hill at the snow capped densely populated trees. If you need a quick reprieve from the daily grind, head to a place where you’ll find good company, delicious coffee, and QUIET, peace and quiet! Oh yeah, and if you’ve just got to use your phone, there’s free wifi too!

Full Disclosure: Fashion Pulse Daily was granted a press discount during the stay at the Spruceton Inn.

December 8, 2015

Prepping for Holiday Visitors

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It’s inevitable that visitors will be on the rise in the coming weeks, and for me, that starts as soon as tomorrow. Besides straightening up and cleaning, I like to make  my guest accommodations as luxurious as possible, even if that means resting on an air mattress in our tiny office. The experience can be elevated by little touches that go a long way, like high quality bedding and luxe products for the home.

I recently tested two that stood out from the rest, and complimented each other so wonderfully, you would have thought it was meant to be! The first, Brooklinen, is a very hip company whose sheets arrived in a handy tote, offers sets and a la carte options for sheets, comforters, pillow cases, duvet covers and the like feature fine thread, single ply, long-staple Egyptian cotton (aka the good stuff!) at 300 thread count. Sets start at $99, and offer simple yet stylish prints and paired down color options with unisex appeal. It’s a great gift-giving idea, but also guest welcoming one too!

The second, Caldrea, elevates home products into a rich sensory experience is launching  a new scent, Tangelo Palm Frond, which is as delightful as it sounds (coming this February). Notes include apple, melon, pineapple and orange, with grape, apricot, tree moss, cashmere wood, and suede musk to name a few. The pretty packaging lives comfortably among countertops and bathroom space, concealing cleaning goods and making them one with the setting in which they are placed. Caldrea’s fragrances, and the product’s effectiveness can be dispersed through the home thanks to an all-purpose cleaner, hand balm, lotion, hand soap, dryer sheets, linen & room spray, laundry detergent, candle, dish soap and more. If you’re looking to really get in the holiday mood, choose from the scent options of Saffron Winter Rose, Juniper Laurel Mint and Plum Bergamot Clove. Basically, all of your home bases are covered with Caldrea!

Although it can be hard to control delayed flights and the discussion at the dinner table, when it comes to visitors around the holidays, and at least your home will look, feel, and smell amazing this holiday season with Brooklinen and Caldrea!

Full Disclosure: Fashion Pulse Daily was given samples for editorial consideration.

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