Size Matters: 5 Things Guys Need to Know About Clothes

March 12, 2014, 11:14 am

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I love to shop for clothes, but with my 5'6" frame shopping excursions often turn into scavenger hunts because most stores offer few or no choices for body types like me. I'm just a few inches shy of the height of an average American male who stands at approximately 5'8", yet the average extra small or small is often too big, and most men don't realize it. Over a lifetime of struggle to find clothes that not only look good, but fit right, and designing a fashion line for guys 5'9" and under, I've discovered five essential things every shorter stature guy needs to know about clothes, but was afraid or didn't know to ask.

1. Shirts -- Not All Smalls Are Created Equal.

When is a small not a small? There are a lot of size discrepancies between brands. One designer's small may be another's extra small or even medium, so make sure you check out these five critical parts of the shirt to make sure it fits you the way it should.

• Cuffs should fall where your palm meets your wrist or about three-quarters of an inch beyond the wrist bone. The cuff should not hang over your hands, not even
  a little.


• Sleeves should not be loose or billowy. If you can grab more than two inches of fabric near the bicep area, either the shirt is too big or you need bigger biceps. Also, check out the armholes. They should sit higher and closer to the armpit for a more streamlined fit and to avoid the batwing effect, unless of course you
  are Batman.


• The shoulder seam should sit on top of the shoulder bone. If the seam extends beyond the shoulder bone, go for a smaller size or a different shirt.


• If you can fit more than two fingers inside your buttoned collar, the shirt is too big. If you can barely fit your finger inside, unbutton the shirt immediately and keep breathing until your color returns.


• Finally, pay attention to shirt length. Many standard sizes have shirttails that are too long. This can create bunching when tucked and almost a dress-like effect when worn untucked. The length of the shirt should end midway down your
  pant zipper.

Courtesy of JadenLam.com


2. Pants -- Proportion is Everything.

Men 5'9" and under should avoid trousers that are too saggy or bulky. Wear pants that have modern flat fronts. Pleats are bulky and can make you look wider and shorter than you really are. Too many guys wear pants that bunch at the bottom and pant legs that are too wide for their body type, even you Tom Cruise. Pants should fall to the top of the shoes and have just a little break. Also, remember the rise. A standard or low rise on men with shorter legs can create an unnecessarily top heavy and disproportionate look. Try to find something I call a "short rise," where excess fabric is eliminated and the distance from the inseam between the legs and the top of the waistband is in proportion to your height and waist.



3. Blazers and Suits -- Wear the Suit, Don't Let the Suit Wear You.

Blazers and suit jackets with narrow peak lapels and a tapered waist work well for shorter stature men. Two inches or less should separate your torso from the front of the jacket to create a slim fitting, elegant look that is both comfortable and stylish. The jacket must be long enough to just cover your backside and the button in front should sit just above the belly button. Any longer, and you can look like you're wearing your father's suit. If the jacket puckers around the shoulders or pulls when buttoned, try a different size or see a tailor. Remember though, tailors can do minor fixes of off-the-rack clothes, they can't completely redesign them for your body type. For that, go custom, or find a designer who makes clothes that not only match your style, but your fit.

4. Colors and Fabrics -- Things are Looking Up.

Look for styles and patterns that draw the eyes up to your face and not down to your shoes. Narrow vertical stripes or pinstripes, micro checks or small prints work well on shorter guys. Avoid major color contrasts between shirts and pants. This visually cuts you in half. You want colors and fabrics to work together to create a clean and fluid look from top to bottom.

5. Quality Comes in All Sizes.

I don't have anything against fast fashion. In fact, some of the better-known fast fashion retailers offer a greater selection of smaller sizes for guys than traditional stores. I applaud them for this, but sometimes quality is compromised for speed. Fast fashion is fun and will always have a place in someone's closet, but high quality garments never go out of fashion. Look for high quality cottons and blends, tailored construction and attention to detail. These clothes may cost a little more, but I'd rather have two or three great pieces than a dozen items that fall apart faster than the fashions change.

Keep these things in mind no matter what your height or body type. What was made for someone six foot or taller, probably won't look as good on someone who is 5'6" and vice versa, so be careful when buying clothes off the rack. Don't accept sizing imperfections that cannot be addressed with simple tailoring. Find the designers who design for your body type and your lifestyle. They are out there, you just have to know what you're looking for. Nobody care what your height is, as long as you look good.

Jaden Lam is a menswear designer. Learn more about his work and see his collection at www.jadenlam.com

Be sure to visit Jaden Lam
on Facebook.

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Campbell's Scoop No. 1: Going Nude

March 13, 2014, 3:49 am

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This week's episode of The Face was centered on modeling a new hairstyle. The challenge was a shoot to impress the one and only, Frederic Fekkai.

But you would be forgiven if you thought the episode was about skin: the bareness of it, the colour of it, the thickness of it.

Beyond their newly coiffed hair, our girls had to do the shoot completely nude. Let me tell you, it is a very intimidating experience being nude for the first time in front of a camera! I remember one of my first nude shoots was for the Pirelli calendar, shot by Terence Donovan. I couldn't sleep the night before. When I arrived on set I didn't know whether to act cool about the situation, or whether it was okay to show that I was a bit nervous. Terence was a true professional who must have known I hadn't done a shoot like this before and so he was very kind and patient. The team you are working with makes all the difference.

When going nude in any setting I think most of us initially worry about being judged and feeling vulnerable in that there is no place to hide our insecurities -- they are totally exposed for everyone to see. But being nude can, in fact, be very liberating. I'm not saying everyone should go out and become a nudist, but what I am saying is that accepting yourself without clothes can be empowering. No matter what shape or size you are, if you can love yourself stark naked, you have the makings of a healthy self-esteem.

It is this confidence that we are trying to bring out of our girls from the start. Of course there were a few initial nerves on set, but overall our girls confronted this task with professionalism and they rose to the challenge.

During this episode we had to address a troubling incident in relation to skin -- prejudice based on the colour of it. Most will be aware of my work with Bethann Hardison and Iman in drawing attention towards the lack of Diversity in fashion and trying to redress this issue, and there has been a little improvement since we spoke out last autumn; the recent fashion weeks were a bit better, there are more black models being used in advertising campaigns, and we have seen some amazing black models coming to the fore like Jourdan Dunn, Riley Montana, Betty Adewole.

So when discrimination came up in the episode, I think you will have seen that I was not mad or upset, I was shocked at what I was hearing. I couldn't believe that in 2014 one contestant would even think that another contestant would not win the competition because of the colour of her skin and the country of her origin.

It goes to show there's still work to be done with regards to racial equality -- and it is important for us to realise ignorance still exists... Even today.

Finally, and still on the subject of skin, thick skin will be an ongoing theme of the show. Thick skin is a good thing to have in life -- and a very important thing for our aspiring models to develop. In our challenges, the mentors have to give tough love in order to push our teams to excel. I know I can be a bit of a drill sergeant, but it is because I see what my team is capable of. It's a competition and none of us mentors want our teams to be the weakest and risk losing one of our beautiful girls in an elimination.

In my nearly 28-year career I can't tell you how many times I've had to face rejection and have someone criticise me. Early in my career I was put up for a campaign that I really wanted. I knew I was right for the job and I knew it was going to be my big break. Then the call came in from my agent to tell me I didn't get the job and I was crushed -- I questioned whether I was in the right business, felt sorry for myself for a day -- but I picked myself up and carried on. Funny thing, I did actually get the job a few years later. Tenacity and perseverance in life pays off, you just have to trust in whatever higher power you believe in that things will work out... because they do!

Our girls were put through their paces this week and I hope it has taught them a thing or two; not only about the real world of modeling, but also about being a strong female in the world.
Skin, it has so many meanings, but as a model the most important thing is to be comfortable in it.

Don't forget to tune into The Face next week on Oxygen at 10pm for more lessons in fashion.

Love and light,

Naomi
xoxo

I Hated My Body Until I Let a Stranger Draw Me Nude

March 13, 2014, 5:24 am

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This story was written and performed by Allison Hatfield for the live, personal storytelling series Oral Fixation (An Obsession With True Life Tales) at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, TX on December 16, 2013. The theme of the show was "When In Rome."


Oral Fixation creator Nicole Stewart says, "Allison's singular writing style draws you in with its unique mix of vulnerability and humor. Her deeply self-aware insights toward the end of the piece are breathtaking. If only all of us could learn to love and embrace ourselves as she has."

When my friend Julie told me she was thinking of hosting a nude sketch party for her 39th birthday, I was finishing my second glass of champagne. She announced this over dinner, at the end of a long day. Our friend Jennifer was also there. Without much discussion, and with the kind of thinking that comes from alcohol on an empty stomach, we both replied enthusiastically that we thought it sounded like a great idea. Then we ordered our entrees.

But when I arrived at Julie's house in Richardson on a Saturday night last June, my thinking was clearer. I'd had months to decide that a nude sketch party was a ridiculous notion. I'd also decided that the only way to face the awkward situation ahead was in disguise. Which was why I was wearing a long, luxurious, red wig. I may as well have been wearing a t-shirt that read "This Is Bullsh*t," for though I was once a wild thing and quite free with my body, in the last decade, I have become a person who would prefer to shower with her clothes on.

As I barreled up the highway to the party, my thoughts went like this: Strip down in front of a strange man and let him draw me? I don't think so. Not tonight. Not these jiggly thighs, ever. Not this fluffy 40-something tummy in a million years. Getting in touch with your inner sex goddess (Julie's words, not mine) is for other people. Confident people. People who are into things like "Fifty Shades of Grey."

It was with that attitude that I reluctantly walked into the house with my bottle of wine and my wig, the last guest to arrive.

There were 14 of us girls, and we were a marvelous mix. Single ladies and married ladies, we ranged in age from our late twenties to middle forties. There were women who were size 2 and women who were size 12 and every size in between. There was a marathon runner, someone who worked out feverishly several times a week, and those who didn't know a Pilates reformer from a Cowboys linebacker. An intermittent diet and exercise enthusiast, I fell somewhere in the middle. Each of us was beautiful in our own way, but none of us were models. Except that was the plan: to be a nude model for the night. There was a part of me -- the dirty hippie deep inside -- that wanted to do it, but the more conservative part of me was winning the debate and petting her wig. I had started saying to my pals, "I don't think I can do this."

The wine flowed like a river, as wine does when you get a bunch of women together on a Saturday night. At the bar, bottles of red and white and bubbles stood like cheerleaders at a pep rally. We filled our glasses with spirit and made pyramids of Caprese salad and olives. We vowed to save the birthday cake until after our turn with the sketch artist.

Ben Vincent normally does the kind of caricature sketches you see at Six Flags; colored-pencil drawings that over-exaggerate nose or chin, that make you feel slightly embarrassed, and get shoved to the bottom of a desk drawer the moment you get home. Julie found him on the Internet. He had never drawn a party full of nudes before. Yet there he was, a slight, middle-aged figure in eyeglasses and a vest, tucked away with his easel and box of charcoals in a guest room at the back of Julie's house.

The birthday girl went first. When she returned to the group, she dangled her picture in front of us. It was a tasteful, topless pose that reflected her interest in flamenco; her most private parts were covered by a flowy scarf. To my surprise, it was absolutely lovely. After Julie, a lady I didn't know had a turn. When she shyly showed the group a sketch of her bare back, with a long pearl necklace trailing between her shoulder blades and an inch of butt crack peeking above a bed sheet, we fell into silent awe at her grace and beauty. I eyed her picture, gulped my wine, and thought, "Maybe."

While each lady was back with Ben, the rest of us were drinking, snacking and working up the nerve to show our tits to a stranger. We pored over the Internet, looking at images turned up by typing "nude sketches" into the search bar, discussing which poses would best showcase our assets (Oh, we have assets!) and disguise our wobbly bits (So. Many. Wobbly. Bits.) One friend would lie on her stomach, with her knees bent and her head propped in her hand, to be sketched from the side. Another would sit on her knees and drape her lower body with a sheet, showing off her perfect store-bought D cups. Absolutely no one would spread her legs and use a house cat to cover up her kitty. (This exists in several iterations. Feel free to give it a Google.)

And me? What would I do? By now nearly three hours had passed. Fueled more by the conversation than the alcohol, I'd begun to think, Oh, what the hell! When in Rome! Waiting for the brave souls who went to be sketched before us to return and show us their stuff, we talked openly and honestly about our bodies; without false modesty, without shame and without the harsh critique we women so often heap ourselves. The bonding was real, and it made me feel safe. I snuck off to the master bath to find my best angle.

When it was finally my turn to be sketched, I boldly removed every stitch of clothing, flung my long, red wig over one shoulder, threw one arm over my head, crossed my legs at the knee and told Ben to work fast. In my wine-soaked state, I wasn't sure I could hold my complicated pose very long. Ben tried to make small talk, but standing still with a belly full of Pinot Grigio and all my weight on one foot required concentration; soon my back began to ache and my hand grew numb. And then, Ben handed me a charcoal sketch of myself in the buff.

When I saw it, I gasped. I nearly cried.

It told no lies, offered no flattery. It conveyed the reality of heavy breasts, hips built for child bearing and the stomach of a 42-year-old who has made cupcakes a religion. And yet, instead of appearing lumpy and fat, I looked like Alexandre Cabanel's Venus. I was completely exposed -- the full monty, people -- and I looked gorgeous. The experience of seeing myself through the eyes of an artist was exhilarating.

The next weekend, I proudly framed that sucker and hung it on my bedroom wall. When I see it each morning I am reminded that my womanly curves are beautiful. Which is a sharp contrast to the feelings I have held about them for so long.

I do not love my body. I cruelly blame it for my recurring unhappiness. I have made it the culprit for my failures in love. I spent years starving it and then stuffing it and certainly talking horribly to it. I have piled hate upon it while simultaneously piling cheese onto my Doritos. I have not been kind to this flesh, and changing my destructive attitude is the work of a lifetime.

I have considered myself too fat from the moment I was aware people could be too fat. I can tell you with disgust how much I weigh in every single photo that's been taken of me since I was 15. I even spent a couple of years (not long ago) obsessing that my muffin top was unlike other muffin tops and was instead a grotesque deformity, and that no one had the guts to tell me.

But in the course of trying to find peace with this 5-foot 5-inch package, I have let some of that go. I no longer get on the scale every morning to decide whether I should feel good or bad that day. I hardly eat processed food at all. I can buy a pint of ice cream and forget for a month that it's in my freezer. Last year, I bought a two-piece bathing suit -- and I wore it in public. These days I laugh when a man I date comments on the junk in my trunk, and I focus on being strong and healthy instead of two or four or six pounds lighter.

And when I am invited to a nude sketch party, I go. And I take off my clothes in a well-lit room with a person I have never met and let him sketch every inch of me.

Dear Em & Lo: My Husband Photoshopped My Nude Photos

March 13, 2014, 7:30 am

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Dear Em & Lo,

While on our honeymoon, we took advantage of a rainy day to stay lazily in our beautiful hotel room all day. We crossed a boundary we hadn't crossed before: nude photography! We'd been playing with the idea for a while, but I was a bit hesitant because I'm overweight and don't always like how I look in pictures, and it felt like a huge step. After the wedding though, I was feeling like a million dollars and told my husband I was ready to go ahead. We made that big legal commitment, I was ready for the emotional commitment of nudes as well.

It was an incredibly sexy to be in front of my husband's lens, he checked in often with me to see if I was still comfortable, we talked ideas through before going ahead. I felt very safe and in control. We also agreed I could veto any photo I didn't like, and it would be immediately erased. We ended up with a set of pictures we both liked, and my husband was going to do some post-production in photoshop, to fix lighting problems and get rid of power outlets etc.

In most pictures, that is exactly what he did, but I recently found out that in some pictures, he also slightly photoshopped my body: he made my upper arms and thighs a bit slimmer, smoothed out my love handles, minimized cellulite on my bum. It's not extreme: I don't suddenly look like a supermodel or anything. It's just a slightly glamorized version of me, but I still can't help feeling hurt and confused. Yes, the pictures look a bit nicer, but I was very happy with how I looked in the originals.

I know my husband adores me, but I suddenly feel like I have to compete with a digital version of myself and I'm afraid I won't live up to the challenge. I am working on losing weight (have been for a while) but weight loss isn't like photoshop: you can't target offending points and trim those and keep other spots as they are. I think I'll still have slightly flabby arms when I'm slimmer and I might just lose the fat in the wrong places...

How do I get my self-confidence back? How do we get past this?

Thanks for your advice,

Digitally Altered


Dear D.A.,

Oh, man. Serious honeymoon period buzz kill. We are so sorry that something that started off so wonderfully -- hot monogamy! breaking taboos together! loving your naked body! -- ended up hurting you so much.

Your husband sounds like one of the Good Ones. He made you feel sexy in front of his lens, he made you feel comfortable, he made you feel safe, and he made you feel in control. That's the million-dollar combination -- no wonder you felt like a million bucks! And then he went and screwed it all up with a little Photoshop. But given that he's one of the Good Ones -- we're going to go out on a limb here and assume that he is -- we're convinced his intentions were good.

He wasn't trying to make you feel bad about yourself -- he thought he was doing something nice for you. And he wasn't trying to make you look the way he wishes you looked -- he was trying to make you look the way he thinks you wishes you looked. Stupid women's magazines/celebrity anorexics/looming billboard advertisements. They are a hundred times more to blame than your husband is. Remember, he took the original pictures. He asked you to get naked. He married you. He's turned on by you. That way you felt under his lens? That's more real than anything else. Unless you catch him jerking off to your digitally altered picture every night instead of ever jumping your bones, we're pretty sure he prefers the real, live, fleshy you.

If it makes you feel better, you're in good company. Every single actress -- even the underfed, underweight, seriously malnourished ones -- get Photoshopped on magazine covers. Even the mutantly, impossibly gorgeous ones. Even the ones who make public statements about women's body image and how fucked up Photoshop is (hi Kate Winslet) -- even they get Photoshopped. Which doesn't make it okay, it's just a reminder of how insidious this is. Be glad that you don't have a job that requires you to starve yourself, shun all carbs, and then, after all that, STILL get Photoshopped on magazine covers. Be grateful for ice cream and french fries and sexy curves and bones that don't break under the weight of making love.

We know it seems like your digitally altered image is a figment of your husband's imagination, someone he wishes you could be, and someone you now feel like you're in competition with. (Em sometimes looks back at her high school yearbook photo and is astounded at the golden, glowing girl she sees there. And then she remembers how the studio photoshopped out her raging acne -- and she is touched by how brightly and optimistically that girl smiled despite the acne.) But people are constantly presenting glamorized versions of themselves -- online personal ads, for example. Or the way we are at happy hour drinks with co-workers. Or the images and status updates we choose to post to Facebook/Twitter/Instagram et al. Or the way we look on a date night. The great thing about marriage is that you get it all -- you get to live with each other's glamorized selves, AND you get to live with the real selves. Your husband isn't choosing between the two, or favoring one over the other -- he wants it all.

By the way, in a slight defense of your husband: Nude photos are tough. The wrong angle or the wrong lighting can be disastrous, even for Angelina Jolie (okay, maybe for everyone EXCEPT her). This is why we often recommend people use Polaroids (or Polaroid-style filters) and candlelight and even an artsy blurred approach. There's nothing wrong with giving yourself a little artistic license in the nude-photo department.

But. There's nothing wrong with cellulite, either, and we hope your husband realizes this. Have you told him how hurt you were by his amateur Photoshopping? You should. Be kind and gentle, but tell him. Tell him how much you loved the original photos, and how much it meant to you that he took them. Chances are, he had no idea his actions would upset you so. You're still in the honeymoon period, after all! The way you get past this is to be honest with each other, to listen to each other, and to be kind to each other. Also, to lust after each other!

As to how you can regain your confidence: Be patient. Accept your husband's compliments. Initiate sex. Work out* (for the psychological boost as much as anything -- it will fill you with energy and confidence). Be more patient. Take more pictures of each other (we highly recommend photo filters!). Make a saucy video together. Google celebrities who have been Photoshopped. (Okay, we realize that isn't so high-minded or mindful, but sometimes it helps.) Take up yoga. Write in a gratitude journal each day, focusing on your sex life -- focus on what you love about your marriage, your husband, your body. Have more sex. Enjoy ice cream and french fries.

Smooches,

Em & Lo

* Sure, weight loss alone isn't like Photoshop in terms of targeting the spots that bother you -- that's what exercise is for! (Combined with portion control.) And everyone has time for a 7-Minute Workout each day.

MORE LIKE THIS ON EMandLO.com

You can submit your own advice question to Em & Lo here.

-- 10 Tips to Stop Hating Your Body Enough to Have Sex
-- Bad Boob Day? Here's What Normal Breasts Really Look Like
-- 10 Yoga Skills That Will Boost Your Sex Life

Calvin Klein Every Day

March 13, 2014, 7:39 am

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Last month, global superstars Calvin Klein wowed us with their new initiative, "show yours. #mycalvins." This campaign called forth fans from all spheres and corners of the world -- including superstars such as Miranda Kerr and Trey Songz -- to create user-generated content and proudly show off their favorite styles from Calvin Klein. Using the hashtags #WaistbandWednesday and #mycalvins, the initiative is already a hit all over social media; and, we over at The Underwear Expert are amped to jump on board.

With that being said, we've decided to put together a Weekly Style Guide for Calvin Klein. One pair of underwear for every day, so that you're never without this timeless and classic brand. Check out some of our picks below.



1. Monday, Classics Low Rise Brief

Made out of 100 percent ultra soft cotton, this is the perfect pair to start your week with.

2. Wednesday, Athletic Trunk

Heading to the gym? This trunk is lightweight, smooth and moisture wicking so you have one less thing to stress about.

3. Friday, Dual Tone Hip Brief

End the work week in bold style with the latest from Calvin Klein. This brief, made out of lightweight and ribbed fabric, is ideal for going out.

4. Sunday, X-Micro Low Rise Trunk

Luxurious and bold. We especially love the graphic waistband on this one (and you will too!).

For more suggestions, visit The Underwear Expert.

The Inside Scoop On Modeling

March 13, 2014, 7:53 am

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Beauty fascinates me. Modeling fascinates me. And I am blessed to have many beautiful girlfriends -- including a couple who are professional models. One is Cecilia Singley (you can read her interview here); another is Kate Michael, who is based in DC. While we usually get together to discuss things other than work, I had to ask her about her modeling career, and the reality of that lifestyle. And about her diet...

AP: What kind of model are you?

KM: I do a lot of different types of modeling which fall into a couple of categories... Here is a short form tutorial of some of the different types of modeling:




Runway: models that walk the catwalk/runway in a designer's clothing. The requirement is usually that they be 5'9" or taller, slender... and can walk in heels!

Editorial/Print: modeling for publications like magazines, billboards, calendars

Informal: modeling fashion in an informal setting, like a department store or other off-runway location. Responsibilities are usually the same, though you're also expected to talk with customers to encourage the product

Fit: modeling for a fashion designer or manufacturer to check the fit of a design on a real human form

The pay rate for each of these differs. I consider myself mostly a runway model, but I definitely take informal work to pay the mortgage and love to do photo shoots when they come my way!

AP: Tell me more about the modeling "industry" in DC. Why don't people think that there is any?

KM: I'm always amazed when people are surprised that many of us work, either full-time or part-time, as fashion models in DC. DC is a stylish city and has its fair share of local designers and fashion and lifestyle publications that need models for lookbooks, editorial shoots and other purposes. And a lot of your favorite retail stores are headquartered in "smaller markets" and have their promotional collateral made closer to home. And don't get me started on HSN and QVC -- great work for career models located in suburban spots!

AP: OK, tell me the truth. What do you do for diet and exercise?

KM: As a former ballerina, I'm blessed to have great muscle memory for long, lean limbs -- which are perfect for modeling! Every so often, I try to get back in a dance class, but I have to admit I'm not as diligent about exercise as I should be, and I'm even worse with my diet! It may not be what people want to hear, but I don't work terribly hard at maintaining my weight. I realize that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes (and, aside from runway, there likely is a modeling category for just about all of them!), and while I'm a small size 2, I am real.

AP: What are your favorite things about modeling?

KM: It's glamorous! It's exciting! It's fun! Not always, of course, but it certainly can be. And why not spend some of the best years of my life wearing beautiful things, showing off in front of a crowd (I used to be a dancer, so performance art is one of my very favorite things), and making a good living at it? It's work, of course, but this means of supporting myself also allows for creativity, and a little something different every day, and I love it!




AP: Are there any aspects of the job that you hate?

KM: It's a competitive business, and I'm not just talking about the other girls or the agents. I'm in competition with myself! It's frustrating to try to live off your looks because you'll always be too small, too big, too muscular, too tall (or have a nose too big) for someone. Thankfully, everyone sees beauty differently!

AP: Do you get keep the clothes and other modeling myths?

KM: This question makes me laugh. No. I've gotten to keep the clothes exactly ONCE. I was simulating a gym workout with Stella McCartney activewear and they let me keep the running shorts after I had perspired in them for a few hours! With gowns and most designer pieces, they are traveling the country to many different markets, to be worn by many different models. Besides, a sample is a sample... and sometimes not even finished or completed exactly as it will be in production.

AP: What is the model's retirement plan?

KM: We call fashion an industry because it is a multi-trillion dollar business, and serious models treat themselves as a business as well. Of course that financial planning and retirement saving can be difficult when work isn't as steady as a 9 to 5 and you're keeping your fingers crossed for every gig.

I've completed my MA/MBA so I know I have options. I run my own local online business and I keep a few other irons in the fire. But my best retirement plan is to treat the modeling work like work and make sure I always give the job my best so I can be doing it for as long as possible.

AP: Any last words?

KM: While there is some benefit to the public notion that modeling is fascinating and romantic, I think it might be more accurate to consider us a community of artists.

Hollywood Stylist Gives Survivors New Hope

March 13, 2014, 8:24 am

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There's no debating that when it comes to finding a job, appearance matters. In fact, studies have shown that well-groomed, "better-dressed" candidates have a significant leg up on their competition.

But being buried in medical bills -- and coming from modest means -- makes it hard to shop for new clothes to wear on a job interview. Christine Pechera, a young woman living in Los Angeles, and Angela Williams, a 40-year-old single mother of four living in Detroit, both faced life-threatening illnesses and survived. When they were finally deemed healthy enough to rejoin the workforce, however, all they had to wear were the old, ratty clothes they'd worn at the hospital. Neither of them had the financial means to shop for professional clothes to wear on their interviews.

Then, a twist of fate brought these ladies the surprise of a lifetime: $10,000 worth of designer clothes, courtesy of celebrity stylist Sam Russell and his Giving Closet.

When Russell presented them with dresses and shoes from Tory Burch and Adrianna Papell, he gave them much more than just a new wardrobe: he brought them confidence, hope, a way to feel beautiful again and a chance at financial independence.

Christine, who lives in Los Angeles, was more than deserving of this gift. She had become a champion for cancer related causes while still in the hospital herself, believing she only had weeks to live. She survived thanks to a last minute bone marrow donation, but, once she was released, had a hard time finding work among the other crisp, stylish, well-heeled interviewees.

"I didn't have the work experience that most people my age had accomplished. It looked like I'd have no way out of my situation, no matter how hard I tried," she said.

Enter fairy godfather Sam Russell, who has dressed everyone from Sophia Bush to Stevie Wonder.

"Something about Christine was so selfless. You talk to her, and you see that she's a good soul," said Russell. "We're always catering to actors and celebrities, throwing all this free stuff at them. Why can't we do that for every day women like her?"

After years of feeling like "damaged goods," Christine finally feels beautiful again.

"During treatment, I lost my hair, I became bloated, and then too skinny, I had dark circles under my eyes. I felt so unwanted and unattractive," she said. "This made me feel beautiful, like I was amongst the living. No hospital gowns and sweatpants anymore!"

In addition to the new wardrobe, Russell used his connections to help get Christine a paid internship with production company KO Paper Products, and she began working on the show Sleepy Hollow.

"I could step out of my house with a confidence I hadn't felt in years. It seems like such a small thing, but when you're just climbing out of a dark place in life, it means everything to feel joy and freedom again," she said.

That was one year ago. Today, she's still volunteering at cancer fundraisers and helping to spread awareness for bone marrow donor registration. Last week, at Cancer for College's yearly benefit event, she took her annual photo with Will Ferrell and moved him to tears when she spoke.


Photo courtesy of Cancer for College.

Last Friday was also a big day for Angela Williams, who Russell surprised in Detroit.

It's been a tough road for the divorced mother of four, who has undergone multiple surgeries for severe kidney obstruction and a heart murmur. Despite her own health problems, she insisted that her mother, whose chronic pain had become unbearable, move into the home she shared with her four children so she could help take care of her.

When Russell called the nonprofit Jackets for Jobs and asked them if they could suggest a deserving woman for him to gift, they pointed him right to Angela, and he jumped at the chance to surprise her.

"Despite her obstacles, her kids are all on the honor roll, in study groups and at home with mom doing homework," Russell said. "If you're single, broke, and have no man, with four kids in a challenged city like Detroit, managing to keep them all in line and off the streets is an amazing accomplishment."

After the extreme weight loss that resulted from multiple surgeries, all of her old clothes were huge, and any money coming in went right to her children. She never bought anything new for herself.

On March 6, she was told she was going to do a public service announcement for Jackets for Jobs, and while she did expect to be met with several cameras, she wasn't expecting the 50 dresses, 15 pairs of shoes, and five handbags that awaited her.




When she modeled the new outfits for her youngest daughter, eight-year-old Jade, her "little ladybug" said her mommy looked like a queen.

"You won the clothing lottery!" she squealed, putting on her mother's new heels as they took a lap around the room together.

Angela is currently pursing her dream of becoming a culinary chef, and The Professional Careers Academy has promised her a job once she graduates. Fortunately, she says, she's got presentable clothes to wear.

"If I didn't have to wear uniforms to class Monday through Friday, I would already be dressed up every day," she said. "When I can finally go back to work, I'll be ready for the world. Yes, I'll be ready for them."

Wine for Your Skin: 29 by Lydia Mondavi

March 13, 2014, 8:55 am

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Say the Mondavi name and one word pops into your head -- wine.  Another word should come to mind too -- grape seeds.  That's right, those beneficial, high-in-antioxidants little seeds, which add tannin and flavor to red wine, are about to go big time.  Lydia Mondavi isn't a winemaker; she's a skincare and cosmetics expert.  She's bringing all the goodness of the grape seeds from Napa Valley to your skin on a Target shelf near you.





This month 29 by Lydia Mondavi rolls out nationwide at Target, part of the retailer's new luxury beauty beauty department.  "They called me out of the blue," Lydia says, explaining how the collab between her established skincare and makeup line 29 Cosmetics and Target came about.  Her brand was selling well at Cos Bar in Aspen, Co., and the Cos Bar owner, who has partnered with Target on other projects recommended 29 Cosmetics.

I remember when Lydia launched her makeup business seven years ago.  At the time I was producing the TV show In Wine Country, and we shot a feature on 29 Cosmetics with Lydia and her husband Rob Mondavi.  He's a third-generation winegrower and grandson of Robert Mondavi, the Napa Valley icon who put Napa Valley wines on the world wine map.  We shot Lydia and Rob in a vineyard during harvest, where they were not only picking grapes for wine, but also for the grape seeds for Lydia's makeup and skincare.  I'm tickled that you can see this video on the 29 by Lydia Mondavi page on the Target website!

"We have a whole new collection, 29 By Lydia Mondavi Napa Valley, 12 new exclusive products developed for Target," Lydia says.  Just like 29 Cosmetics, all of the skincare is "organic, paraben free, sulfite free, sodium laurel sulfite free and alcohol free."  Most importantly, every cream, lotion and cleanser is made with those fabulous grape seeds in a way that Lydia's calling "grape seed age protecting."

You'll find two of 29 Cosmetics best sellers in the 29 By Lydia Mondavi line, the Lip Scrub and Wine Blot, which are also Lydia's must haves.  She also created D'Vine Day Cream with an SPF of 30, and she tells me she designed it so you can put it on over makeup without ruining your foundation.  "Most women apply their day cream at about 6 o'clock in the morning or whenever we get up, and we're out the door and going to work," she says.  "When we're going to lunch or something and it's one o'clock in the afternoon your sunscreen is not working from when you applied it in the morning.".

That is so my issue, since I literally put my sunscreen on that early.  So I had to run out and buy the D'Vine Day Cream ($20) and try it out.  I cannot believe it, my makeup isn't smudged, my face isn't shiny or greasy or a whiter shade of pale.  It works.  I am keeping a bottle of this in my handbag from now on.





I also tested out the Right Off the Vine Replenishing & Restoring Mask ($16).  I wasn't expecting such a rich, luxurious texture -- and the hint of rose aroma is a nice touch.

Lydia says 29 by Lydia Mondavi is more than a natural for her, telling the story of Napa Valley, grapes and just how good those grape seeds are for your skin.  As an anti-oxidant, grape seeds are "50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more powerful than vitamin C," she says.

By the end of April, 29 By Lydia Mondavi will be in 750 Target stores, or you can buy it online now.

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Correcting the Rumors

March 14, 2014, 7:00 am

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Four years ago, I chose to primarily ignore a cycle of Internet gossip and false accusations against me. At that time, I felt that to dignify them with a response was a betrayal of my work and my character. When these allegations resurfaced over the past few months, they seemed especially vicious and distorted, moving outside the realm of critical dialogue and becoming nothing more than an emotionally-charged witch hunt. Enabled and protected by the freewheeling and often times anonymous nature of the Internet, people have become comfortable concocting hate-filled and libelous tales about my professional and personal lives. In writing this, I make a humble attempt at correcting these rumors, because I have come to realize that absent my voice in the conversation, all that remain are the lies.

When I moved to New York in 1990 to take pictures, a lot of my work was a documentation of my life in the East Village; it was gritty, transgressive, and the aesthetic broke with the well-lit, polished fashion images of the time. My first big campaign, shot in 1994, was a provocative picture of a couple embracing in a bar. It was a shocking image for its time and the first instance a photograph of this nature was used in a major fashion advertisement.

Like Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, and so many others before me, sexual imagery has always been a part of my photography. Ten years ago, in 2004, I presented some of this work at a gallery show in New York City, accompanied by a book of the photos. The show was very popular and highly praised. The images depicted sexual situations and explored the beauty, rawness, and humor that sexuality entails. I collaborated with consenting adult women who were fully aware of the nature of the work, and as is typical with any project, everyone signed releases. I have never used an offer of work or a threat of rebuke to coerce someone into something that they did not want to do. I give everyone that I work with enough respect to view them as having ownership of their free will and making their decisions accordingly, and as such, it has been difficult to see myself as a target of revisionist history. Sadly, in the on-going quest for controversy-generated page views, sloppy journalism fueled by sensationalized, malicious, and manipulative recountings of this work has given rise to angry Internet crusades. Well-intentioned or not, they are based on lies. Believing such rumors at face value does a disservice not only to the spirit of artistic endeavor, but most importantly, to the real victims of exploitation and abuse.

People will always have strong opinions about challenging images, and the dichotomy of sex is that it is both the most natural and universal of human behaviors and also one of the most sensitive and divisive. Over the course of my career, I have come to accept that some of my more provocative work courts controversy, and as an artist, I value the discourse that arises from this. I can only hope for this discourse to be informed by fact, so that whether you love my work or hate it, you give it, and me, the benefit of the truth.

Read more HuffPost coverage of Terry Richardson here.

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day

March 14, 2014, 7:52 am

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St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and like always, we over at The Underwear Expert want you to look your best. Whether it's four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, or "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" buttons -- chances are, you're going to run into some green once the weekend and March 17th hit, and what better way to prepare than by donning some green hued undies? We've picked out some of our favorites, in a variety of styles, designs, and shades. Check them out.




1. Go Softwear, Synergy Trunk
This trunk from Go Softwear's California Colors collection features horizontal stripes and is made out of an ultra comfortable blend of 58 percent rayon, 32 percent polyester, and 10 percent linen.

2. aussieBum, Classic Original Army
We love this bold brief from Australian brand aussieBum in a luxurious olive color. Ideal for St. Patty's.

3. Ken Wroy, Angry B Brief
Made from 94 percent cotton and 6 percent elastane, this pair provides premium softness and all day breathability, making it the perfect every day brief.

4. Bodyaware, Sneak Peek Short
If you want to go all out -- go all out. Vibrant, loud, and as neon as you can possibly get, Bodyaware knocks it out of the park with their Sneak Peek Short. You'll love the way it looks as much as the way it feels.

For more suggestions, visit The Underwear Expert.

What Attracts Women to Purchase Fashion Footwear Online?

March 14, 2014, 8:28 am

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Too many websites and too many shoes too choose from! So what attracts women to purchase fashion footwear on some of the most popular online websites such as Solesociety.com, Zappos.com and Shoebuy.com?

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Andrea Wasserman, the CEO of Sole Society a website that sells women's fashion footwear. I also spoke with Natasha Pace, the Trend Manager for Zappos.com and Erin Maratea, director of public relations and social media for Shoebuy.com.

I asked Andrea what she thought the reasons that attract women to buy fashion footwear on the Sole Society's website. "She indicated that her customers look for good value, shoe quality and comfort as well as the many varieties of shoe styles that they offer; so women can have options depending on the type of work they do or events they go to."

She says:

Women searching for the perfect shoe for that special occasion want shoes to fit properly and would prefer not to have to send the items back because they were not comfortable. Andrea also noted that the shoe construction and materials that make up the shoe were important to her customer base. Women want to look professional and stylish; they want to be able to wear the same shoe to work as well as to an event that evening.

Erin said that,

women shop on Shoebuy.com because they offer many brands of footwear with different price points. They carry a large range of footwear and you can purchase for any season any time of the year. She added that women can find a variety of widths, heel heights and colors on their site. One of the Perks for their customers is that they were one of the first to offer a rewards program that gives customer's money back with every purchase or if they write a review about the product.

Natasha noted that "women buy from their website, Zappos.com because of the ability to select from a wide variety of brands, shoe styles and colors from snow boots to fashion footwear. "

In my practice many of my female patients are professionals and must dress the part. Many of them buy their shoes online because of the many styles available, price, comfort, convenience and shipping/return policies. Shoes are an important part of the uniform, so style and comfort is a priority!

Women's fashion footwear can create foot problems when wearing them for long hours and standing on hard floor surfaces. Most of the complaints I hear about from my patients are that the balls of their feet burn or hurt after a long day in a pump. They also complain about arch cramps or tired feet after standing all day. The reasons the ball of the foot may become painful or burn is because of the pitch of the footwear is too steep throwing the ball of the foot forward and directly on the ground. Most fashion footwear does not have adequate padding present in the innersole of the shoe and the ball of the foot becomes exposed to the thin leather outer-sole and a hard floor surface. Grinding the ball of your foot into the floor of the shoe causes the burning pain.

Arch cramps are another byproduct of pumps because of the pitch. The muscles in the foot have to adapt to different shoe angles and can spasm or cramp because of the angle of how the foot fits in the shoe.

Traveling is also tough on your feet because of standing in long lines and then hitting the floor running once you have reached your destination. That is why you should make sure you are wearing the right footwear.

There are some simple solutions to help mitigate these foot problems women experience when wearing fashion footwear. Full length soft insoles can be placed in the shoes to reduce the burning pain and friction caused by the foot sliding in the shoe. Arch support products from companies such as Superfeet, Instant Arches and Spenco manufacturer arch support products that can fit into pumps and provide women instant arch support. However, some of the products can be bulky and take up to much room in the shoe which can make shoes uncomfortable.

Quality, variety, price, convenience, style, comfort, how the shoes fit and customer service are some of the many reasons why women choose to buy shoes through the online websites such as Solesociety.com, Shoebuy.com and Zappos.com

"So let your fingers do the walking and walk happily ever after"!

Shear Madness TV Personality, Natalie Redding Models California Boho Fashion Exclusive

March 14, 2014, 9:07 am

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Photo credits Scott Chebegia, 'Shear Madness' Nat Geo Wild TV Personality Natalie Redding rides her horse in Etsy bikini by D Leather.


Shear Madness TV personality, Natalie Redding poses for a fashion photo exclusive on the eve of Episode 3 to air on Nat Geo Wild Saturday, March 15, 2014 recreating the iconic image of Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear and The Valley of the Horses by Jean M. Auel as she rides her trusty equine mount.


Photo credits Scott Chebegia


Boho chic Natalie wears white linen pants by James Perse, a white cotton shirt by Free People and she accessorizes with an apple floral print scarf.

California dreaming of white sandy beaches and warm summer sun as Natalie tiptoes through the water with her adorable animals Phoenix the two-week-old preemie Angora goat and Wonder-Elle the Great Pyrenees Natalie rescued from the Arizona Great Pyrenees dog rescue.

Adorable tag-a-longs both Kimberly (Featured in photo below) and Phoenix required CPR when they were first born. Each clung to life while Natalie saved them. Phoenix's entire resuscitation is on livestream. (Click this link)

When I asked Redding what's the most important message she hopes to inspire, she replied, "Being a female lead in an unscripted and authentically real reality show is challenging. I want women to believe and relate to me, I want men to respect me for being a hard worker and in general, I want people to see my authenticity. I feel like it's the fight of my life."



Photo credits Scott Chebegia


Natalie poses with Kimberly a two-year-old white Angora goat wearing a grey peasant blouse by Jenny Jen, denim boot cut jeans by AG Adrian Goldschmeid and croc boots by Guiseppe Zanotti.



Photo credits Scott Chebegia


Vintage designer fashions are must-have essentials in Natalie's wardrobe. Here she models a vintage (Circa 2007) black corseted Dolce & Gabbana dress with Gucci (Circa 2008) Nero pumps alongside her Wenslaydale sheep named Ewe.



Photo credits Scott Chebegia


O Henry (Her dog) photobombs Natalie holding a baby Angora goat named Marky Mark while she wears Stuart Weitzman 'Over the Knee' boots, Paige Denim dark indigo jeans, a vintage underbust corset and a black tank top from Target.



Photo credits Scott Chebegia

A Tragic, Real-Life Tale of Oil Pulling

March 14, 2014, 11:08 am

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I'm sitting here trying not to gag on a mouth completely full of coconut oil diluted with saliva.

Apparently this is good for me.

Ayurvedic practitioners calls this oil pulling. It's the big, new, ancient thing -- thousands of years old, and suddenly super popular again, thanks to digital trend-setters like Pinterest and Facebook.

Hold on. Deep breath. Not. Going. To. Heave. I can do this.

Oil pulling has been all over my Facebook wall for weeks now: promises of everything from whiter teeth to help with allergies to relief of chronic pain. I read somewhere it could treat cancer and AIDS. I was in open-minded awe -- until I read claims that it could improve digestive issues.

Because it's currently causing me new ones.

In fact, if you have a sensitive stomach, now is where I tell you to run. Run far away from the rest of this harrowing tale. Chances are, you'd never try oil pulling to begin with, anyway.

Maybe I need to last the full length of time, rise mind over nausea, and gargle this oil for the recommended 20 minutes.

When my husband said he'd be working late tonight, I realized I had my window; if he ever caught me doing something like this, I'd never be kissed again. Even more, I'd never stand a chance of succeeding in his presence.

You see, my husband and I both have overactive gag reflexes, to the degree that it's a contributing factor why we never plan on having more children. You try changing a molten diaper while simultaneously trapped in an uncontrollable duet of dry-heaving "huuuu-hhhs," each one setting of the next like diaphragm Dominoes. Just the memory is pushing me closer to sharing my coconut spit with the keyboard.

Speaking of, the longer you keep this oil in your mouth, the more liquid your mouth produces, and the harder it is to keep it in. My cheeks are inflated like a squirrel. Every minute is worse than the last.

Must. Distract. Self.

I'm committed. I've made it this long: 11 minutes. Eleven long, slobbery minutes. I'm not giving up now.

I've played a game like this before, but it was a dare and I was 9, playing with the older neighbor kids. I was not alone, as a sober, educated adult, during my rare free time after my kid goes down to bed, by my own free will, and based solely on a Facebook forward that I totally didn't research first. Nope. Just decided to jump right in. Just marched right on downstairs during my window of opportunity -- because you don't want to miss a chance like this, no sir -- and scooped a spoonful of thick, white coconut glop into my mouth.

And then instantly spat it out onto the counter, and stared at it in confusion.

I pushed it into the sink and rallied. I scooped another half a spoonful. Hesitated before closing my lips around it, and then shoved it right in.

Plop. My reflexes betrayed me again, as my tongue refused to participate in this game.

No, mouth, we're doing this. This time, I filled only a tiny, wee portion of the teaspoon and took it like a shot of cheap tequila. Almost swallowed, which ignited the gag reflexes again. I tried to take a deep breath, but my nose was partially clogged. My lips parted and my slimy punishment tried to break free again. Stay! I squeaked a congested breath through my nostrils and began immediately distracting myself.

I decided to put on a face mask.

But know what you can't do while gargling a mouth full of fat wad? Lean your face over the sink and wash your face. The motion swished the slop around in my mouth and my lips engaged in tug-of-war with my will to to keep them shut.

Now I could barely breathe. I grabbed a Kleenix to blow my nose, but you know what else is tricky without the ability to mouth-breathe? Blowing your nose properly.

To the Interwebs, the great distractor.

After the damage is already more than halfway done, now seems like the perfect time to do some research on this tactic.

Best done in the morning on an empty stomach. One to two teaspoons full? It's bedtime, and I had a massive dinner. And I only used maybe ¼ of a teaspoon, with generous exaggeration.

After all this, I've done it all wrong.

Eighteen minutes and I'm sitting here with a mouth of lukewarm, fatty spit and am unlikely going to reap any of the benefits from it.

Then I stumble upon an article by Discovery.com.

Saying there are only a few medical studies of oil pulling, and none particularly convincing of a consistent benefit for "any particular condition." The verdict: Oil pulling probably doesn't do anything.

Nineteen minutes. And it's on my desk in a sad pile of failure.

Read more articles from the weirdest city in America, Boulder, here: Only In Boulder.

Green With Envy: 6 St. Patrick's Day Looks to Try

March 14, 2014, 12:19 pm

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St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and we're prepping all of our favorite green pieces. Whether you're off to the pub or celebrating with corned beef hash at home, shamrock-colored clothes will get you in the holiday spirit. From flirty dresses to statement-making sunnies, take note of these street-savvy blogger ensembles as they show off 6 ways to incorporate this lucky color into your St. Patty's Day attire.




A green pencil skirt makes a statement in this otherwise-neutral office look on dashofdarling.




A printed green dress is further feminized with a floral blazer and yellow bag on halliedaily.




Reflective sunglasses and a bright clutch pops against a white tee and black skirt on jenagambaccini.




Lend a flirty and fun finish to a classic striped dress and denim jacket via thezoereport.




An emerald clutch dresses up a monochrome dress on sydnesummer.




Huntercollector balances green pants with a neutral black blazer and heels.

Which Countries Are All 295 Victoria's Secret Models From?

March 14, 2014, 12:21 pm

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Credit: Shutterstock

If you've ever flipped through the Victoria's Secret catalog and wondered "Where are all of these beautiful models from, and how can I meet them?" we've got the answers.

There have been 295 Victoria's Secret models over the years (including Geena Davis!?), and they hail from 53 countries. And to display exactly which ones, we've created a visual representation almost as stunning and desirable as the models themselves. Or something. Whatever. It's nice.

More: The World's 7 Best Party Countries (Other Than The US of A)









More from Thrillist:

15 Things You're Doing Horribly Wrong While Drinking Abroad

Secrets Of The World's Elite Pickpockets

Follow Thrillist on twitter: www.twitter.com/Thrillist

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Interview With Jen Selter: 'Fitspo' Queen, Global Social Media Icon and Friend

March 14, 2014, 2:47 pm

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Jen Selter on the red carpet at an NFL party in NYC.
Makeup By: Nicole Bryl, Make-Up New York

Dear Huffington Post Makeup Readers,
A funny thing happened on the way to the gym, the gym in my own residential building, that is: I ran into Instagram icon Jen Selter and her cool mother Jill, aka @mamaselter. Ends up we all inhabit the same NYC skyscraper. Totally hysterical coincidence and lots of fun! I love bumping into them every day and hearing Jen's success updates. They are a cool, upbeat family and Jen is a good girl, a total sweetheart who really cares to inspire people to get fit and get moving! Heck, she's even gotten me to the gym more times in the past few months than I've gone in years. Think everyone around the globe has started to "Selter" in one way or another because of Jen's fun fitness approach. Even 84-year-old TV legend Barbara Walters, star of the hit ABC morning show The View, was on all fours doing leg lifts when Jen Selter made an appearance. Jen just has something about her that causes you to want to be better. She gets you believing and realizing you can, you can get fit and it's enjoyable! This is her gift.

Jen, her mom and I and even her adorable sister Stephanie have all quickly become friends and now Jen just runs down to my place for makeup on those days when she needs to be red carpet-ready. During our makeup sessions we blast the music, talk squats and get glam! Hey, girls will be girls! At just 20 years young with two new fitness deals on the table, a Vanity Fair spread, nearly 4 million social media followers in less than a year and globally known for the images she posts daily, this little fitness powerhouse is on the rise and fast! Go get 'em, sistah! Proud of you!
NB! Xo

Jen Selter and Nicole Bryl, Make-Up New York
horsing around after Jen's makeup is finished.


Behind the scenes with Jen Selter.
Makeup By: Nicole Bryl, Make-Up New York


Jen Selter "#seltering" at a NYC subway entrance.


#seltering

INTERVIEW WITH JEN SELTER BY: NICOLE BRYL, MAKE-UP NEW YORK

NB: Jenn, what are a few of your favorite personal activities to do when you are NOT #seltering, #instagraming, #facebooking or #tweeting?

While taking time off from my busy life of #seltering, I enjoy shopping, going out with friends, reading, and simply just hanging out with my family. Although I am very social, I also love my alone time. I think spending time alone is very important.

NB: What's a typical day of eating look like to you when you are in serious exercise mode?

Regardless if I am in serious exercise mode or not; eating healthy is always a part of my daily routine. A typical day for me starts with either oatmeal, or egg whites and toast for breakfast. I truly believe breakfast is the most important meal. It provides the energy I need to keep me going for hours and keep me as productive as possible! For lunch, I usually will have a salad with tons of veggies. The more colorful the salad, the better! In between lunch and dinner I always have a protein bar; it's the easiest snack to refuel with and the easiest to have when on the go. Dinners are always different. I will have anything from a nice pasta dish, grilled chicken and veggies, a nice steak -- or of course, my absolute favorite, sushi! In terms of dessert, dark chocolate is definitely my go-to.

NB: Any Jen Selter beauty tips that keep you feeling your best?

My ultimate beauty tip I can share with people is to drink water. Drinking water is extremely helpful across the board. Making sure you are hydrated is especially beneficial in terms of skin, it will help with any dryness one may experience. In New York this is often a problem especially during the colder months! I also find that using a daily moisturizer is necessary for getting your skin to be the best it can be! I make sure to drink the appropriate amount of water every day and to moisturize every day.

NB: Music plays such an important part to any great workout. Who are your absolute favorite musical artists that help you kick it up a notch and push you to finalize those squats and run that extra mile?

I have a few different work out playlists that I choose from depending on my mood. I have always loved music, and I cannot imagine working out without it. Most of my playlists consist of lots of hip-hop and house music. Some of my favorite artist are: 2 Chainz, Drake, Rihanna and Lil Wayne.

NB: Any specific tips on acquiring the "selter butt"?

Anyone can acquire anything they set their hearts and minds to! It takes dedication, perseverance, hard work and consistency. There is no secret pill, no special diet. What it comes down to is how hard you push yourself and how you overcome the mental challenge of getting yourself to the gym even when you really don't want to. Consistency leads to results. Diet is also important. I eat every few hours to keep my metabolism running and I try to stay away from overly processed foods. Lots of lean meat, vegetables and fresh fruit. Fitness is a lifestyle. You must be mentally prepared to commit to it and be consistent with your health and fitness lifestyle in order to see results and as we know results don't happen overnight.

NB: What have some of the challenges been for you in becoming an overnight global social media icon at age 20?

The only "challenges" I have to mention are the negative comments I often receive; however, I don't know if I would even consider them challenges. There are days were I can get a comment talking about how ugly I am followed by another comment from another person telling me how much I have inspired them; the latter, of course, overpowers the first comment. The negative comments don't really affect me; the positive comments, on the other hand, are amazing. Keep them coming! Going back to the challenges, I don't really feel that there has been any major ones so far thankfully!

NB: Are there any charities that speak heavily to your heart whom you are currently involved with or look forward to incorporating into your life?

Bullying. I have been bullied since I was a child. First because I was too skinny and didn't have a small enough nose and now for other things -- it has continued as an adult. I would love to try to make people feel stronger about themselves where any negative or mean comments don't effect them because they have built up their self esteem. This is something I will actively continue to help people with.

Any final words you'd like to convey to your fans and followers? Anyone in particular you'd like to send a shout out to?

All I have to say to my fans is thank you so much for all the love and support you have given me to date. It is all of you who motivate me to keep doing what I am doing. Knowing that I am motivating so many people around the world is what motivates me, every day! I love you all!


WATCH the first 15 second Jenn Selter excercise video: I came across that motivated me to get to the gym and made me say, "wow, who's that girl???" -Nicole Bryl, Make-Up New York


Watch this video and MEET JEN SELTER

Why Dating Exit Interviews Should Exist

March 15, 2014, 7:05 am

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The other day, I paused while deep conditioning my hair in the shower and began to think long and hard about what I did to screw up my last date with this guy I was starting to like. Like really like.

We went out twice and after our second date, I dialed three people on my favorites list to tell them all about it.

That sounds crazy, doesn't it?

But it's not.

I go on dates every so often, and after most of them, I want to toss my phone across my living room and enter a time machine to go back three hours and pretend none of it ever happened. I'm left feeling discouraged. Or digging a spoon deep in some Cherry Garcia.

But not this one.

No.

I had such a great time.

But then I didn't hear from him. So my persistent personality kicked in and I texted him a few days later. He responded with one word. To which I responded with another question and then he didn't respond at all. Ever again.

I got the hint. I totally and fully understood that he was not that into me.

But what happened?

Date two: I had him laughing and then halfway through lunch, we were making plans to explore The Museum of Natural History next weekend.

If I brought this problem to the brunch table for my girlfriends to dissect, they'd assure me nothing is wrong. With me. That I'm a perfect princess and clearly, he wasn't ready to handle someone so awesome. That maybe he's not over his ex. Or just really busy with work. Or maybe he's an alien and secretly lives on Mars and is not ready for a long distance relationship.

Now that one sounds crazy.

Because it is.

But that's what our friends are for. Aren't they? They are the padding on the walls for us to slam into and then bounce off of and be just fine. I'm thankful for that.

Sometimes.

But come on!

After this one, I wanted to know what I did wrong. I thought about maybe emailing him and saying something like, "Listen -- I get the hint. I mean I saw that you logged back on to Tinder three hours after our last date (OK, I'm done with the crazy). Clearly, I blew this and I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what I did wrong. So that in the future I don't do it again, or I'm aware when I'm doing it or I work on censoring it. Throw me a constructive criticism bone here, will you?"

I guess I'm not ready to do that -- yet. So instead, while I was in the shower deep conditioning my hair and contemplating what I did to mess things up, I came up with this dating exit interview that I hope to have the courage to send to the next guy who gets my heart pumping, then leaves me cold.

Jen Glantz's Dating Exit Interview

Name (*required): _________________________

Length of time "dating" Jen Glantz: _________________________

Reason for leaving:

Lack of interest: She talked about three P's I couldn't care less about: poetry, pizza and punctuation.

Better opportunity: I'm not ready to kick my Tinder addiction. I even tried to swipe right at a girl I met, in person, last night at a bar.

Relocation: She says she's from Florida like it's some place special. Would I ever consider moving there? I don't know. Maybe when I'm 65 and my only handicap isn't on the golf course.

Better compensation (salary/benefits): She's a writer. I'm looking for a sugar momma or a stay-at-home momma. Not someone who has a work to-do list that resembles some people's Costco grocery list.

Lack of advancement: She didn't have any "game" and didn't lend me any flirtatious gestures. When I went in for a kiss, she turned her head and for two seconds, my tongue got real intimate with her cochlea.

Lack of training and development: If dating was a course in school and it was pass/fail, Jen would fail.

Working conditions: There might have been a stain on her silk gray blouse. There certainly was lipstick on her teeth for a good 45 minutes.

Job-related stress: Our debate over Obamacare got so heated, the people at the table next to us asked to move to a quieter, less hostile location.

Other.

All of the above.

Jen Glantz is sorry for any emotional or personal property damage she caused you. She knows a really good dry cleaner on the Upper East Side who gets stains out really quickly. Say you went on a date with Jen and they'll give you 10% off and a hug.

SXSW Street Style: Cool Blues and Electric Kicks

March 15, 2014, 12:04 pm

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Stomping around the grounds of SXSW, I canvassed events from FADER Fort to The Illmore that featured artsits ranging from Sam Smith to Future.

As I hopped around from one event to the next, two major fashion trends stood out: neon sneakers and vintage denim pieces.

Neon sneakers brought a funky twist around town!













Vintage denim was used in multiple ways from oversized shirts to embellished shorts to add that true festival flair to the streets of Austin.













Either trend is definitely a win in my book. Each look works to bring spunk to a casual look!

MEOWWWW!

SXSW Street Style: Who Says Good Things Must Come To An End?

March 17, 2014, 4:44 am

≫ Next: St. Patrick's Day Chic

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Wrapping up the last days of SXSW I got a chance to see Bird Man, Erykah Badu, Cam'ron, and a few other artists that took me back to the early 2000's. That idea of nostalgia inspired me to hunt for a few trends that never seem to die out!

Jerseys (but this time the girls were making them extra sexy) worn oversized with sneakers or heels!









Plaid was everywhere in ever color on both artists and fans!

















A good leather piece always does the trick!

Leather jogging pants


Leather jacket


Leather hat, especially if you can tie in "Wu-Tang."



MEEEEOOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day Chic

March 17, 2014, 4:49 am

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By Katherine Hahn, Beauty Style Editor for GalTime.com

Whether you're hitting the bars or hanging with your girls, there's zero excuse not to look like a million bucks this St. Patrick's Day. You can totally have the luck of the Irish without resorting to tacky dollar store hats or stick-on tattoos. We've rounded up some of the chic-est finds to get you ready to shamrock everyone's world.

Lucky Leprechaun



Nasty Gal, $68.60

We'd drink a pint (or two) to this little number. If there's any day of the year you can pull off green sequins, it's St. Paddy's Day! The off-the-shoulder cut is sexy and perfect for adding a simple necklace.

Arm Candy



H&M, $7.95

Try this on for size - the delicate combination of gold, white, mint green and rhinestone makes a perfect St. Patrick's Day accessory you can wear any day of the year. Style tip: If you're wearing a statement bracelet like this, skip the necklace and go for a pair of stud earrings in rhinestone or pearl.

Sporty Lass



Forever 21, $15.80

Hitting some casual bars and want to be comfy but still channel the green vibe? Try this jersey crop top. Pair it with some high-waisted jean shorts and some fun bracelets for a sporty St. Patrick's look.

Hot in Heels



Asos, $207. 01

In a snappy mint, these pointy toe pumps were made for getting up to St. Paddy's Day shenanigans. They're chic enough for an upscale restaurant but cheeky enough for a bar crawl. You'll want to break these babies out year-round.

Short and Sassy



Windsor, $19.90

Who says you can't do St. Paddy's Day with patterns? This awesome print shorts are a funky twist on chevron, with just enough green to do the trick. Time to order another round!

Permission granted from author to use all photos.