Tester Tuesday: Fresh Black Tea Perfecting Mask

Longtime Style of a 20 Something readers might remember a feature I used to do called Taste Test Tuesday. Well, I've decided to bring it back, but with a little twist. The newly named "Tester Tuesdays" will focus on more than just food. Each week I'll bring you a post reviewing a new restaurant, recipe, beauty product or store!

First up, a hydrating mask from Fresh.

 Fresh Black Tea Perfecting Mask ($85 for 3.4 oz)
Within seconds of applying the thick, whipped mask, I began to feel an intense cooling sensation. I liked that I could instantly feel the product working, but it bordered on uncomfortable. The directions suggest leaving the perfecting mask on for 5-8 minutes; I played it safe and washed it off after 6. Results were immediate. My skin felt soft and smooth. My pores were noticeably smaller, and my skin more luminous. If money is no object, you should definitely try this product. The price is too steep for me to invest in a full-size tub, but I recommend it to anyone looking for an effective hydrating mask.

Rachel Antonoff for Bass

When I was in middle school, we had at least one all-school assembly per week. Sing the alma mater, listen to a speaker about empowering women, take note of a few announcements, and I was out of there. Doesn't sound too awful right? Well...

It wouldn't have been bad at all, except all-school assemblies meant dress uniform days. At my all-girls prep school, the dress uniform consisted of a starchy white button down tucked into my plaid, pleated skirt with a pair of dreaded saddle oxfords.

If only Rachel Antonoff had teamed up with Bass back in the day. I would have loved to sport these sassy floral kicks or maybe even a pair of plaid to ironically match my skirt. Word on the street is her spring collection (did you see her gorgeous presentation set?) for the oxford king has some see-through styles, bright colors, and even a touch of glitter. The middle schooler in me just squeeled with glee.

P.S. Check out this DailyCandy video of designers talking about their favorite fall styles. I helped with the shoot, and Rachel could not have been sweeter.

Guest Post: Autumn Apple Tart

I'm so excited to have a guest post today from fellow blogger and NYU SPI Alum, Caroline Nitz. Caroline runs My Thing of the Day where she posts about fashion, food, and entertainment. After you try this tart, be sure to click over to her site!

Reasons I know that it’s fall: high of 65, leaves crunching under my running shoes, wearing my favorite boots (I’ve missed them!) and finally, apples. Instead of consuming mediocre apples year-round, I usually wait until the autumn months arrive and, quite frankly, go nuts. The harvest from the local Fireside Orchard & Gardens and the handful of trees in my grandparents’ backyard provides more than enough fruit to satisfy my craving. And it’s so worth the wait. Fall in Minnesota is a great time to eat apples. We created the ridiculously tasty Honeycrisp variety back in the 1970s and there are tons of apple orchards around the state where you can pick your own, or just pick up a bag.

Fall also means baking with apples. I love a good apple pie or crisp, but tonight I felt like doing something different. I flipped open Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics and discovered the beautifully simple French Apple Tart recipe. It was delicious. Not too fussy, charmingly rustic and an easy enough recipe that I could manage it, sleepy as I was, on a lazy Sunday evening.

Click below for this great recipe, and more photos!

New York Street Art

Rock on, SoHo. Rock on.

New York Fashion Week: The Lake and Stars

I reviewed The Lake & Stars' Spring/Summer 2012 presentation on the DailyCandy Tumblr, but I had to share a few extra photos with Style of a 20 Something readers.

The collection was striking. Inspired by the culture and color palette of Mexico City, design duo Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker created bold, yet feminine lingerie, swimwear, and for the first time, lounge wear. I loved the red and black bikini on the left--it was by far my favorite piece in the collection!

The styling for this show kept with the beachy inspiration. Each girl sported a center part, with hair slicked back into an intricate looped braid. Makeup was kept simple with dewy cheeks and a natural color palette.

The 21st Night of September

I'll admit, the video is a little trippy, but to me, this song screams sorority date function. As it's starting to get colder in the city, I can't help but feel nostalgic for college football tailgates and fraternity parties. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving life in the city, but sometimes I miss WFU.

Does fall make you nostalgic too? I think it's something in the air.

New York Fashion Week: Erickson Beamon at Milk Studios

How gorgeous was the makeup at Erickson Beamon earlier this week? Designers Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon transformed Milk Studios into a garden of earthly delights. With Eve's return to Eden as inspiration for their Spring 2012 collection, Erickson Beamon displayed jewelry alongside models-turned-fairies, dancers, a cellist, an opera singer, and a whimsical landscape of flora, fauna, and jewels. Their current line is available in select boutiques and on Net-a-Porter.com.

 

 A gorgeous necklace from the S/S line

 Dancers waiting in the wings.

 

Click below for more photos!

Missoni for Target

While some people are less-than-pleased with Target's customer service during the Missonipocalypse, I hardly have reason to complain. I set my alarm for 6 a.m. and was able to order exactly what I wanted from the line (the shift dress pictured above). For me, the real test lies in whether I like it once the package arrives at my door. Based on a few reviews of the collection I've seen already, I have high hopes.

That being said--the whole "Missoni for Target launches tomorrow morning" campaign on Twitter really irked me. Go ahead and say you can't release a specific time because you are attempting to avoid a site crash or that you are unsure of when everything will fully be available to purchase. People can handle it. I promise.

Also, I know it's not the capitalist way, but next time please set up quantity limits. Price gougers on eBay are profiting off your company and the poor souls who tried to log on to your website last night only to find nearly everything sold out. And I'm not just talking 1 or 2 inflated auctions. There are over 30,000 search results for "Missoni for Target" on eBay. Do you not take issue with them selling your products for two and three times their retail value? Hardly seems fair.

Just my $0.02.

Readers, what did you think of the Missoni for Target frenzy? Did you get what you wanted? Are you stalking eBay?

New York Fashion Week: Katie Gallagher SS12

One model gave us a sassy look at Katie Gallagher's Milk Studios presentation. I loved her pouty red lip.

Fashion's Night Out: DailyCandy and Fresh

As a rookie at this year's Fashion's Night Out, I wanted to fully experience the evening. I trotted from one side of Manhattan to the other, popping into Sephora to meet Kristen Bauer of True Blood fame, scoping out the insanely-long Missoni for Target Pop Up line, and getting my nails done at the Teen Vogue block party.

 

But my favorite stop of the night was DailyCandy's sweet soiree at Fresh because I got a chance to talk skincare with company co-founder Alina Roytberg.

Alina's secret to a beautiful complexion? Keep it clean.  
"Good skin starts with clean skin," she said. "My mother was always on my back saying 'Wash your face,' and it's true. Clean skin is very important."

Her must-have product? The best-selling Soy Face Cleanser. 
"I can't do without it. Sometimes I even buy it retail!"

The Fresh philosophy in three words: "Feel Good Beauty."
"We want the process of using our products to be as indulgent as it is effective"

Overall, it was a lovely evening. I even picked up a few samples to test out on my own. I'll be sure to post a review once the craziness of Fashion Week settles down.

Click below for more photos!

New York Fashion Week Street Style: Susie Bubble

The fabulous Susie Bubble outside Lincoln Center for New York Fashion Week.

NYFW: Bright Young Things Opening

I'm absolutely thrilled to be officially published on DailyCandy (even if it's just on our Tumblr). Check out my review of the Bright Young Things show opening party! And if you're in the New York area, head over to Mina Gallery in Cooper Square. Artist Justin Belmont's show is up until Oct. 1.

Here are a few more photos of the event we couldn't squeeze on the DC Blog:

PS Be sure to check back with Style of a 20 Something later today. I have a great FNO post coming up soon!

J. Crew Rain Flats

(J.Crew Rainy Day Bow Ballet Flats, $58)  

The New York thunderstorm raging outside has almost convinced me that I need a pair of these ruby red rain slippers. 

Readers, what do you think of the rubber flats from J. Crew? What's your go-to rain shoe?

Rachel Zoe Season Premiere

(Image Credit: She Finds)

For those of you living under a rock, last night was the season premiere of Bravo's The Rachel Zoe Project. The premiere was ba-nan-as as usual with behind-the-scenes looks at Rachel's new collection, her Yoko Ono-inspired photo shoot with Rodger, and her growing baby bump. All the episode needed was a bit of Braditude. Jeremiah might be cute, but will he have the sass needed to spice up the show?

Zoe fans, what did you think of the season premiere? Did you miss Brad?

Google Doodle

Stop whatever you're doing and click over to Google, right now. Today's doodle honoring the late Queen front man, Freddie Mercury is awesome!

One perk of post-grad life? I have Labor Day off from work.

Only in New York

Yes, that's a man with a cat on his head. Just a fun Friday photo :)

Happy long weekend readers!

Old Gold and Black

According to my alma mater's mystery blogger, Chic Deac, today is College Colors Day. After last night's disapointing loss against Syracuse, the Deacs' season isn't looking so hot. Good thing old gold and black is a classic color combo.

In honor of College Colors Day, I put together a wish list of Wake-themed accessories using Snagit. I'm just getting started with the program--Anyone have any tips?

Are you all dressed for College Colors Day? Which team do you think has the most stylish color combination?

 

September 1

 (Image Credit: the fabulous Fifi Lapin in Marc by Marc Jacobs)

Rabbit Rabbit! Can you all believe it's already September 1? It's crazy to think I moved into my apartment exactly one month ago. I put up a few more picture frames yesterday, but it still doesn't quite feel like home. Anyone have cozy (cheap) decorating tips? Feel free to send them my way!

Here are just a few things I'm looking forward to this month:


Fashion's Night Out (my first one in NYC!)
The launch of Missoni for Target
My internship
The return of The Rachel Zoe Project (it's going to be ba-nan-as.)

September is a bit of a fashion-centric month. So sue me. Readers, what are you looking forward to this September?

PS do you follow this silly superstition? With my current job search, I can use all the help I can get!