05/28/2020

Ultimate Guide to Face Masks: Safety Precautions + Where to Buy

Fall fashions are going to look a little different this year, face masks are the It accessory. Thank you COVID-19. For Back to School, the trendy kids will have to slip off their llama-printed mask in between slurps from metal straws. Masks come in as many colors and patterns as a unicorn’s den. Designers have crafted options to provide a safe, fashionable mask to outfit everyone in the family and meet preferences such as ties, elastic bands and pointier cuts versus a strip of cloth. Aside from a way to exert the style trend of 2020, before donning your mask, follow precautionary measures to ensure good health as many sold are non-medical grade.

 

Fashion is taking note, masks are the leading accessory of 2020.

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05/22/2020

The Plus Side of Petite Sizes, You Can Wear Kid’s Clothes

The love affair has been a long one. It began when I saw a woman wearing the most remarkable black velvet pea coat. New York City, morning rush hour walk, but I had to stop her to ask where the coat was from, assuming it would be a couture piece with only five in existence. She pulled me aside with a hushed giggle and whispered, “Gap Kids.” Of course it was Gap Kids, I’ve always admired their children’s styles and wished they’d make the same designs for adults. As a true petite-sized woman their size 10 or 12 would fit. While I don’t actively look for children’s sizes because the cuts are created for females who don’t have a learner’s permit, the clothes offer a fun, stylish option. What’s even more fun is the kid’s clothes prices.

Borrowing clothes from your kids, shown here in a Ralph Lauren crewneck flag sweater.

 

For women who have a smaller build and tomboy style, here are our picks to add to your summer essentials list:

  1. USA tee 2. Eileen Fisher dress 3. Trina Turk top 4. PQ Swim shorts 5. Marc Jacobs blouse 6. Marine Layer raincoat 7. Gap Kid’s jacket 8. Alice + Olivia dress 9. Veronica Beard top 10. Appaman sweatshirt
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04/28/2020

The Extraordinary Life of Peter Beard

When news of artist adventurer Peter Beard’s disappearance was reported right when quarantine took effect, it was both shocking and apropos. This is a man who hung with elephants and icons with ebullience. Raised with privilege in Manhattan, earning an art degree at Yale University, he had every opportunity available but chose the path of an artist.

Peter Beard 1938 – 2020

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04/20/2020

See Ya Clutter: Taking Inventory of Your Spaces

Tripped on your kid’s chrome book yet? Have the conversation with your husband on his need to use a noisy pencil sharpener in a digital age? Taking Inventory of your spaces applies to all facets of living: home, mental, relationships, diet and health. Not to get overly existentialist, this is a forum that covers how to set a holiday table with gusto, but containment puts analysis into a deeper perspective. It’s an exercise on what works, worked but needs adjusting, or should be removed entirely. With more time at home, and the home becoming a tricky hybrid of work, family and even a classroom space, design needs to be as efficient as ever.

Editing rooms to its basic needs increases livability, especially when a house serves multiple functions during shelter-in-place.

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04/17/2020

Dressing in Your Little Black Dress, We’ve Got This

I’ve been wearing pajamas to pump gas. (Please refer to aforementioned story). The last time I let myself go like this was when I was a student backpacking in Europe, saving money for drinks over suitable lodging. Now all grooming efforts have been directed to the hands—makeup, blow drying and beauty treatments are so pre-COVID-19. Accessorizing is for virtual meetings. Socks are becoming threadbare.

A dress I designed, which I wore to one of the first Met galas.

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04/14/2020

All-Day Loungewear Will Be Hard to Shake After Quarantine

Crafty face masks isn’t the only trend coming out of COVID-19, everyday loungewear is filling up laundry baskets worldwide. The new norm has us going from waking up to starting the day with little deviation in our comfy basics. Zoom meetings don’t see the pajama bottoms beneath the screen. Dressing well is lost on infrequent essentials marketing trips with a covered face. Comfort directs style. Though, for those who are starting to yearn for the fun of fashion, we’ve been tweaking comfort clothes with a personal take.

Loungewear style is mainstream, even your most stylish blanket can be a dependable piece.

 

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04/01/2020

The COVID-19 Generation – Why these Kids Will Excel

During COVID-19 isolation, I’ve spent the most time with my 9-year-old son since maternity leave. His outlook has brought levity to the hushed discussions about another market run due to expired milk. Today, he recounted the days when kids put thermometers under hot water and dumped leftovers in the toilet in an attempt to sneak in a sick day. The idea is as bewildering as their innovative use of last night’s dinner.

Learning from home in COVID-19 isolation: Kids may be wearing the same pajamas as yesterday but they are more self-sufficient than ever.

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03/24/2020

Quarantine During COVID-19: 22 Positives

Worldwide everyone is sharing a collective first. One of those “who-were-you-with-during-COVID-19-isolation” moments. We’ve had to be inventive with new forms of toilet paper and virtual socialization. There’s the need to adjust to e-learning, where I see my son during snack breaks (hourly) or when he snatches the dog from my lap to use as a prop in his Tic Tok videos, but we’re coping for the sake of good health and to not transgress into one of those families who will forever be impaired. But there are upsides to doing our part to prevent the spread, and in the end we are sharing a challenge that will strengthen our bond.

Social distancing outdoors, learning the benefits of isolation.

22 COVID-19 Benefits:
  1. The family gets a glimpse inside your days and it doesn’t involve wearing workout clothes and indulgent beauty treatments.
  2. You don’t have to do the grind, can sleep in a bit longer and stay up later.
  3. When you do go back to the office, school or those places you once dreaded, you’ll have a more positive outlook to return. That office mate who once annoyed you? He may even get a hug.
  4. Everyone is on time for dinner.
  5. Refining important skills like cooking healthy meals, home maintenance, food storage and cutting hair.
  6. Understanding the importance of rationing and using what you need.
  7. Easier to let go of the insignificant things.
  8. Appreciation of the outdoors.
  9. More in tune with the change of the season.
  10. Enjoying exercise.
  11. Focused study time.
  12. Books are the new Netflix (without undermining the importance of Netflix).
  13. Supreme opportunity to find healthy outlets–philanthropic, spiritual.
  14. Being creative with free entertainment like scavenger hunts and telling jokes.
  15. Less traffic.
  16. Aside from potential toilet paper hoarding, limiting our carbon imprint.
  17. More quality time with animals.
  18. Wearing no makeup and being appreciative of your natural look.
  19. An uptick in leisure activities like puzzles.
  20. Being comfortable with alone time.
  21. Cleaning and organizing your home, storage areas and car.
  22. Strengthens the bond with your neighbors and community.
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03/16/2020

COVID-19 Survival Guide: 22 Ways to Cope in a Crisis

When you encounter fellow shoppers taking pictures of empty shelves and jamming jumbo packs of paper towels in the trunk of their car, it effectively defines a panic. We are entering a time of uncertainty, becoming a global community who share the challenge of isolation and its imposition. From hardship comes strength, so I find it productive to focus on the outcome. We will come through this and have a character-building experience, hopefully virus-free. Though loved ones and friends may handle adversity in different ways, be open to their coping methods, find ways to handle the challenges, and stay positive.

Art transcends the spirit in times of stress.

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03/09/2020

Pinkies Up: 5 Reasons to Make Tea Part of Your Daily Ritual

During COVID-19 isolation, ducks goose will be increasing coverage of wellness stories for simple, effective ways to stay healthy. Be well!

Why Tea?

In times of hardship, start drinking–tea that is. Prince Harry reportedly mended his rift with the queen over a cup of tea and, for avid tea drinkers, this does not come as a surprise. The warm elixir is more than a bag of leaves that detonates its amber glow in hot water, it transports without any narcotic side effects. Tea has traversed centuries and cultures for breaking down problematic talks due to the ritual. So what exactly is in this mystical cup that can soothe relations and the soul? Its healthy antioxidant properties, found in the flavonoids if you like to stay on top of your potential Jeopardy facts, may help prevent the free radicals found in cancer and heart disease. During this time of the highly contagious Coronavirus, warm liquids are natural decongestants. Use immune-stimulating properties like turmeric, ginger, honey and lemon for an added boost.

 

Have a tea tray readily available to promote hosting guests.

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