The Great Beauty

The Great Beauty, directed and co-written by Paolo Sorrentino, stars Toni Servillo as a celebrity journalist in Rome, who in his youth, wrote one great, wildly well-known and influential book. The celebration of his 65th birthday begins a journey through his glamorous, beautiful and very Roman life.

Italy's 2013 submission to the Academy Awards, it won the Best Foreign Film award, as well as Best Foreign Film from the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. 

The film is original and memorable but if subtitles make you shy away, the suits alone make this film worth watching. The main character Jeb Gambardella's are impeccable in their tailoring and attention to detail. Nearly every scene brings a notable clothing combination. The talented costume designer for the film, Daniela Ciancio, discusses his style in this Esquire interview. 

Photographer Scott Schuman of the blog The Sartorialist often photographs a well-dressed Italian named Alessandro Squarzi, who came to mind during the film. When I look for ideas for men's clothing, I always check out his street style. 

Photo: thesartorialist.com

Blazin'

This 2009 collection by Band of Outsiders put the brand on my radar.

The east coast had a hard winter, I know. 

But in San Francisco, the summer is tough. I am east coast born and raised and a sworn lover of heat and humidity. Temperatures in the low 60s with almost 20 MPH winds - in late June - is no fun.

Before I get carried away, this post is really about clothes. Working in the start-up world for the past few months, my wardrobe has shifted toward jeans and linen t-shirts and away from dresses and heels. I still want to look polished, but without being too conservative or overdressed. Then add the complication of San Francisco's cold summer.

Blazers are the perfect layering item, but they remind me of my corporate days. I have been looking for a fresh take on the standard blazer, and my current favorite is made by Los Angeles based Band of Outsiders. Its designer, Scott Sternberg, is best known for menswear, and the label broke out after his 2008 CFDA emerging menswear designer of the year award and his 2009 CFDA award for menswear designer of the year. The women's clothing, sold under two labels, Boy by Band of Outsiders and Girl by Band of Outsiders, strikes a sophisticated balance between tomboy and feminine style. 

Band of Outsiders, Pre-Fall 2014. From Style.com

Pre-Fall collections are great for San Francisco's climate and often seem to go on sale [use code SS40 for 40% off] early in the summer. Since it doesn't make sense to stock up on cute summer dresses, at least I can invest in stylish pieces that I know will last. Check out the brand, and the blazers.

Bathing Beauty

Photos of glamorous bathtubs, candles and rose petals never really caught my eye. Baths weren't a part of my beauty ritual. Then a chronic pulled hamstring forced me to seek out a way to feel better after running. I started taking baths with epsom salt and consistently notice a positive difference the next day. 

What are Epsom salts? First, they should be capitalized, because they are named after a saline spring in Epsom, England. Scientifically, they are known as a mineral compound: hydrated magnesium sulfate. Both magnesium and sulfate are easily absorbed by the skin, hence the popularity of using them in the bath. 

The press around magnesium reminds me of Vitamin D. Most credible sources say it is good for you and that many Americans are deficient. Most commonly, the deficiency seems to result in fatigue and weakness. Why do I like it? Creating a bath ritual has made me feel better, physically and mentally. Epsom salts are inexpensive and it is fun to throw a bunch of salt into the bathtub. Now that I pay more attention to bath-related personal care, I've realized there is a large industry around it. So many salts are on the market - in every fragrance flavor and with all sorts of beneficial oils and herbs. 

The first brand I used was Swan White Mountains Epsom Salt. I have been mixing it with Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes. I also like Kneipp Joint & Muscle Mineral Bath Salt with Arnica. Arnica is an excellent homeopathic remedy for joint and muscle pain, and I use it frequently in gel form.  Adding it to the bath also seems to help with muscle pain. Kneipp makes great bath products - from foaming gels to all different types of salts. EO Products Bath Salt also makes many choices of fragrant salts. Be Well is my favorite for the added Arnica.

Some of the instructions for use seem a little heavy handed - for instance using an entire bag of magnesium flakes for one bath. I keep a measuring cup under my sink and generally like to fill the bath with 2-3 cups of whatever scent of salt appeals to me the most that day. 

Most days after running, I try to take a bath in the evening. Relaxing with a book in the bath is a very pleasant way to end the day. With the help of Epsom salts, I wake up with looser muscles and a calmer mental outlook. Sadly, all these gorgeous bath photos are from Pinterest and not my apartment. Still, I really enjoy this new ritual and am a believer in the powers of magnesium sulfate.

One in every pocket

 

What is a skin stick?  

Until recently, these multi-hyphenate cream/gel/goops were just confusing enough to keep me from buying them. Full disclosure: I like skin sticks best on my lips.

I received a sample of One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm. The texture is soft and smooth and the scent is subtle. I don't use this word often, but it really smells delightful! One Love Organics offers helpful video tutorials on their website. In addition to lips, the skin savior can be used as a cleanser and moisturizer. The ingredient list reads like a farm to table restaurant menu: organic virgin coconut oil, organic sweet soy seed oil, organic beeswax, mango seed butter and chia seed extract, among others.

Earth Tu Face makes fantastic products that I have written about before. The products are developed by two herbalists so in addition to smelling amazing, natural herbs heal and improve one's skin. The Skin Stick includes geranium, which prevents & fades scarring, vetiver, which promotes cellular healing and pure beeswax, which heals and protects skin.

 

A telltale sign of my love for a product is when I feel anxious because I only have one. Both of these multi-use balms are the kind of product I want in every purse and jacket pocket.

Ceramic vases by Health Ceramics and Missoni Home, Napkin by Libeco Linen.