Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 355

December 9, 2012

Great Gift Ideas: Craft Coffee

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Fashion Pulse Daily wouldn’t exist without coffee. Point blank, I just wouldn’t be able to function without it, and to add an extra layer — GOOD, delicious, coffee is mandatory.  Coffee snobs, unite! All kidding aside, I do love trying new kinds of coffee, and enjoy the experience of smelling freshly-ground beans and tasting a warm, just-brewed cup.

Luckily, I was recently introduced to the team at Craft Coffee during a tasting that they recently held, and got to learn more about their subscription artisan coffee service, which certainly makes a perfect gift this holiday season for coffee lovers everywhere.

After trying coffees from three featured roasters, I gained some tips on the process of making the perfect cup of pour-over coffee (one tip: quickly rinse the paper filter before adding the grounds) and the flavors which were featured in a recent monthly shipment (as you can see, the one pictured above includes the flavor of apricot, dried red fruit, and honey-coated marcona almonds).

The roasters in this month are Sightglass Coffee, Drumroaster Coffee, and Gimme! Coffee, who source their beans from Guatamala, El Salvador, and Honduras. To explain a bit more about the company, Craft Coffee evaluates 50 coffees per month, which works out to 55 hours of tasting, to narrow it down to just three coffees a month that go out in the mail to their subscribers.

The roasters selected come from across the country, and the beans that they use are from all over the world. Everything is packaged, vacuum sealed, and shipped out ASAP from Craft Coffee’s NYC headquarters to ensure the freshest tasting cup o’ Joe around. In order to subscribe to the service, depending on your plan level (you can do a one-month trial, 3,6, or 12 month package), the price ranges from an ultra-affordable $19.99-$29.99 per month (with free shipping).

You also can further customize your service by  selecting your grind (or whole bean) preference. Check out the video about Craft Coffee here, and if you’re as passionate about your java, and like supporting new start-up businesses as much as we do at FPD, treat yourself or a loved one to the fun and flavorful world of Craft Coffee, which will keep you on your toes every month with a new trio amazing of roasters delivered to your door.

-Julia DiNardo

SPECIAL BONUS: CRAFT COFFEE HAS OFFERED FASHION PULSE DAILY AN EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT! Use code  “juliaholiday” at checkout to get 10% off any holiday gift! Coupon expires at 11:59pmEST on 12/23. 

December 9, 2012

We Dare You To Resist These Cozy Shearling-Lined Sneakers! (thefind.com Guest Post)

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From our friends at thefind.com:

As if stylish takes on the tennis shoe weren’t having a big enough moment, they’ve just been winterized to suit the season at hand and tempt us even further! Our favorite casual-cool styles, from classic Converse flat tennies to ultra-trendy hidden wedge sneakers, are adapting to the cold weather by offering up comfy shearling linings. Now it’s even harder to resist going super-casual with your footwear this winter, especially as the temperatures drop and the holiday shopping season intensifies and your busy feet require some serious TLC! It’s hard to say no to a style that’s effortlessly cool, practical, on-trend, and basically feels like slippers. In fact, we’re pretty sure that even heel fanatic Carrie Bradshaw would trade her Manolos for one of these sweet shearling-lined styles!

Pictured above: Topshop ‘Accabusi Hiker’ Sneaker, Converse Monks Robe Suede Shearling Lined Hi Sneakers, Ugg Australia Evera Shearling-Lined Sneakers, and Tory Burch Benjamin Shearling Sneakers.

December 7, 2012

Street Peek: Fall/Winter Trends

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In my latest Street Peek: Fall/Winter Trends video for Style Coalition I spoke with several stylish New Yorkers about how to transition their look into the colder months with color and fabulous style. You can see all of my Street Peek videos here , as well as the three other original series: Beauty Extract, Behind the Seams, and Retail Bootcamp.

December 7, 2012

The Best of Eye Primers

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[Image by Julia DiNardo; backstage at the Betsey Johnson Spring 2013 show]

Of course you have your eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara,  application routine down pat but what about adding an eye primer into the mix? Like any kind of primer, eyelid-specific primer is used as a base layer for your eyeshadow to make sure it stays put and looks fresh all day long. Similar to concealer most brands offer a selection of hues that you can select for the eyelid primer  based on a match for your skin type, while others have an all-encompassing shade that works well on a variety of skin types and shades.. The real difficulty comes down to finding one that works for you, at a price point you’re willing to do. Dont worry, we are here to help! Selected below are top picks that will give you the ultimate bang for your buck.

e.l.f. (eyeslipsface) is a good, inexpensive option that  you will love to keep in your beauty armada.  The e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer costs just $1, and comes in four shade options; several of them have some shimmer to them, hence clear is our absolute, versatile, favorite.  The e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, $3, is 100% mineral based with no parabens,  preservatives, or chemical dyes, available in two shades (sheer or blush), and is an important tool to keep mineral eyeshadow, which is known to quickly fade, in place all day long.

NARS Cosmetics is a favorite over here at FPD, so the brand’s Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is constantly in-hand! It  has a slightly thicker, but still lightweight, translucent consistency that is perfect of keeping eyeshadow from creaseing and smudging. Plus, the product uses polymer and mineral power to cling to color and reduce blemishes. At $24 it is a bit more of an investment, but trust us; it’s worth it for a long-lasting look.

bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer, $18, not only helps preserve your eye makeup, but also gives your eyes a little highlighting action. You can choose between a gold or pearl sheen to revamp your color, whether you choose to wear it with or without eyeshadow. The product is, of course, made with 100% bare minerals and vitamins, so it is great for sensitive skin too.

LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer, $21, takes a slightly different approach; first, it is packaged in a slanted tube rather than a footed wand, so you apply it directly to the lid for a clean and controlled application. It is also made without oils, fragrances, dyes, and parabens, meaning it is absolutely ideal for those with skin issues.

Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube, $20, produces a primer that comes in a variety of colors from shimmery gold and sheer nude to matte tawny. Depending on your style and outing, Urban Decay is sure to have a primer to match. The product is also meant to be multipurpose, used as a brow bone or inner eye highlighter.

–Danielle Sepanek

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