A Gilty Pleasure

With a few exceptions, you need to live in New York (or travel there often) to take advantage of the best sample sales. Thanks to the founders of Gilt Groupe, you can now attend equally fantastic sample sales from the comfort of home. Gilt Groupe is an invitation-only, online shopping experience. Visit their Web site for details on how to join their waiting list. You can find deals for women, men and children as well as luxury home goods … up to 70% off retail.




Gilt Groupe also has a division called Jetsetter, which offers travel discounts at luxury resorts around the world.

Whether you’re interested in browsing designer clothing or just looking for great deals, I recommend signing up to become a member of Gilt Groupe.

Talent Squared

I love learning about the unique qualities of successful entrepreneurs. I knew a little about the brothers who started Dsquared, Dean and Dan Caten, but recently learned more about their story. The 46-year-old, identical-twin brothers have worked their entire adult lives bringing their fashion line to fruition.

Tonight, they could gain more global notoriety than they ever have before. The brothers were selected to design outfits for a number of athletes and celebrities attending the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. While this isn’t the typical high-fashion audience, it’s an amazing opportunity. Their talent and hard work got the Catens to this point, but they also seem like genuinely nice people.

Being especially close with my sibling, I think this quote from one of the Caten brothers (I’m not sure which one), touchingly sums up their relationship:

“Together we’re one really strong person. I don’t think we’re not strong as individuals, but together we have a force that’s stronger than anything else.”

Good luck tonight.

Intense Nutrition (for your hair)

There are many lotions available that protect your skin during the brutally cold/dry winter air. When it comes to your hair, there aren’t nearly as many effective options. Conditioners, which are considered solutions for dry hair, can do more harm than good by irritating your scalp. Another option, hair oil, typically reduces volume and leaves your hair feeling stiff. Rene Furterer, the French hair products company, may have the best solution for defending your hair against the winter elements - at least among those I’ve tried.

Karite Huile oil conditioner works differently than typical conditioner. Instead of using it on wet hair in the shower, you spray it on dry hair the night before a shower. If you spend extra time working it into the ends, you’ll notice the difference the next day. Depending on the natural level of oil in your hair, you may want to use it more sparingly at the roots. Even if you can't escape winter, your hair doesn't need to suffer the effects any longer.

Tragedy

As I sit down today to write a new post, it is difficult to focus on anything other than the situation that is unfolding in Haiti. It is a helpless feeling to watch something so tragic without being able to directly reach out and help. The profound loss of life and the incredible emotional and physical suffering is unbearable. My heart goes to those in Haiti and their many loved ones around the globe.

NBC has posted a list of charitable organizations that are helping in Haiti. Also visit Yele Haiti, "a grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti."

What Are You Eating?

I just completed “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer, one of several books I’ve recently read that highlights the issues of factory farming in the United States. Foer does an excellent job of outlining the issues with persuasive anecdotes. Similar to Foer, I’ve vacillated between full-fledge vegetarianism to eating meat in moderation. After reading his book, I may have made up my mind.



Foer echos Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"… convincing a new generation (who may not want to hear the gruesome details) how the treatment of animals should change the way it looks at food. If you’re as interested in the topic as I am, definitely pick up Michael Pollen’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.” I’m also looking forward to reading Pollen's new book, “Food Rules.”

You might also be interested in Food Inc, an excellent documentary that also tackles the state of food production in the U.S.

New Year, New Skin

Skin brushing (aka dry body-brushing) has been popular among European women for many years. It improves skin tone by stimulating blood flow and encouraging new cell growth. It also brings nutrients and oxygen to the outer layer of the skin. There are even claims skin brushing prevents and helps eliminate cellulite and that brushing your abdomen in a circular motion can help improve digestion.

All you need is a natural-bristled brush, which is available at many natural products retailers (I purchased one at Karyn’s Raw). Just start at your feet and sweep upward with the brush. If nothing else, it feels great and it’s an easy way to exfoliate your whole body. Just brush for a couple of minutes in the morning before your shower and start the day with healthy, glowing skin.

Suiting Up ... Or Not

Fortunately, women’s “professional” attire is no longer limited to boxy, male-inspired, business suits. There are a variety of flattering women’s suits available, but you may have to spend extra time locating them (or visiting a good tailor). Look for designs that follow the curves of your body. The suit should be fitted in the waist rather than forming a straight line from shoulder to hips. It’s surprising how few of the major retailers get it right.

My personal favorite option, which didn't used to be universally accepted, is the “work” dress. In reality, most dresses can transition into this role as long as they’re close to knee-length. The neck can be open but shouldn’t be too revealing. Like all good dress designs, the work dress should be fitted to move with you naturally. In the summer, a great option is a sleeveless dress paired with a matching jacket - giving you the option to head out comfortably after work.

Even better, today’s business attire is not bound by traditional black and gray. I love incorporating violets, blues and greens (like the dress pictured above). White is always fun in the summer and cream is a great alternative in winter. It’s amazing how liberating it is when your work wardrobe doesn’t look (or feel) like a uniform.

Monika Roy Style Influence: Zoe Saldana

For those who have not yet heard of Zoe Saldana you may recognize her from her starring role in Avatar this season (which is a fun movie if you haven’t seen it). Zoe always looks polished and beautiful whether she is wearing jeans or a distinctive dress.

She is fearless when it comes to wearing colors and rich fabrics. She has a unique ability to wear almost any dress style/color and always looks extraordinary.