Special thanks to Brian Wood for this cute crewneck and nice note…check more of his pieces at

BRIANWOODONLINE.COM

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SOREL BOOTS are the authority for warm footwear with style. OSCAR and I both had a pair in 2006 and it got us through some freezing weather in fashion. Special thanks to Chandni for hooking her Indian Sistren up!

*The ones I picked are called the WOMENS 1964 PREMIUM CANVAS and they retail for 130$

As you may know, I love food…in particular RAW,VEGAN GOODNESS. Since I was 12, I’ve mainly kept a VEGAN styled diet (with moments of not here and there) for ethical and health reasons. Basically, I just function more productively that way. I’ll try and do a separate post about my diet history this week, but for now…

I present to you some deliciousness courtesy of EMMY’S ORGANICS. Don’t you wish you could sample it? I hate watching cooking shows for that reason, you never know how they really taste and that frustrates me. Anyways…

*I don’t really do reviews on things since it’s not really my style, but I will for things that are natural to my life.

I first rolled up on EMMY’S ORGANICS last year when my sweet tooth had me browsing for Vegan treats at my local health food store. I bought the EMMY’S ORGANICS macaroons and was smitten. Raw, Gluten-Free and Delicious! It became my go-to. When I learned more about the company, I became more and more interested in their products and wanted to spread the good word.

EMMY’S ORGANICS was born in 2008, shortly after SAMANTHA and IAN met in Ithaca (where the company lives). Fresh out of college, Samantha was experimenting with Raw recipes and Ian had just re-located back to his hometown of Ithaca after working as an artist and a Raw Food Chef in San Francisco and New York. The two have continued to create products that are not only super delicious, they are also made from raw, gluten-free, organic, non-gmo ingredients and sold in recycled or sustainable packaging.

If none of that interests you, then on a basic level let’s just say this – you can have your sweet tooth without the guilt of excessive calories. Seriously, it’s super low in calories since the bad stuff is not an ingredient.

*SUPER GOOD INGREDIENTS & LOW IN CALORIES!!!

*I love seeing the makers of products on their products. It’s rare, but super re-assuring…

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You can find EMMY’S ORGANICS at your local WHOLE FOODS and you can also order online at their site:

EMMY’S ORGANICS . COM

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It’s a New Year!

Why not start it off with some healthier habits (that contribute to a healthier earth)!

You don’t have to stop eating sweets entirely, just eat the good ones like EMMY’S ORGANICS!

There are so many options out there – just explore (and I’ll always put you on to what I find in the meantime).

I was first informed about HAIR STEAMERS by my lovely friend and makeup artist – TAI LOTSON. When I asked about how she kept her luscious locks so healthy, she mentioned that the use of her HUETIFUL HAIR STEAMER helped keep her hair in check and insisted I get one. I was open to the idea, but  I was not really open to changing my already simple routine of literally wash and go and a “hair steamer” sounded so complicated.

When TAI sent me the link to the site, HUETIFUL.COM, I was immediately pleased by the site’s design (I admit, I judge websites/books by their main page/cover – I’m a design snob). I checked out some of the images and videos of the their hair steamer and it appeared to be very simple to use and conducive to healthy hair. I even double checked on YOUTUBE.COM to see regular people reviews and girls with all different kinds of hair were RAVING about it.

As I read more about the HUETIFUL STEAMER, (which is a play on the word beautiful and hue – meaning its for women of all shades) I read interesting facts…

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THE HUETIFUL GUARANTEE.

We offer a 45 day, 100% Money Back Guarantee.

If you are not completely satisfied with the results, Huetiful will pay for the Return and refund you 100% of your money.

Restores moisture to your dry hair 5x better than deep conditioners or hair treatments alone

Replenishes moisture lost from chemical or heat treatments

Reduces future breakage and split ends caused by dry hair

One year replacement warranty

*VLADIMIR was skeptical.

The equation was simple. In the comfort of your own home, you sit under one of those dryer thingies (that I refuse to sit under at the salon because I’m claustrophobic and the one time I sat under it, it felt like my scalp was melting) and let the steam do the work. It opens your hair cuticle – allowing 5x more moisture to penetrate your hair than conditioner alone. Although they do not make claims of hair growth (which I think is smart), I can’t see why the equation couldn’t help in that department if you’re interested.

So…I decided I needed one. Thanks to MYLEIK I was granted one for review and here it is children’s…but before that…here’s some…

VASHTIE HAIR-STORY

I realize I’ve been lucky when it comes to my wig. I’ve never had much of a complaint in that area (except my junior high obsession with wanting bone-straight hair). Since I’m super low maintenance and no patience – I just wash my hair and go. Especially now that I am color free (for the moment) and organic, my hair is very healthy. The few times I have colored my hair, I was always left with dryness and since I didn’t take much care with it – my hair suffered.

*AGE 14: EXPERIMENTING WITH BLUE MANIC PANIC & RED KOOL-AID.

I had an artsy musician boyfriend who had blue hair and decided to try it on me. My sister got me hip to the Kool-Aid trick.

(Me talking to my high school boyfriend CHRIS on the phone while spending the night at my friends house in the ‘burbs rocking  her soccer sweats.)

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*AGE 15: CHUNKY BLONDE STREAKS.

This was done by a crazy man who owned a fleeting salon on Lark Street in Albany.

My mom almost had a heart attack when she saw me because

I didn’t have her permission, but I didn’t ask so in my adolescent mind —

“you never said no, mom”

Some of my hair eventually fell out from breakage due to the bleach…to which my mom replied – “thats what you get”.

(ME, CHRIS, LIZ LUPO)

*Too bad “16 & Pregnant” wasn’t around when I was a teen. I so look preggo here.

(ME & SUZY)

*Eventually, I just added more streaks…

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*ART SCHOOL DAYS: EXPERIMENTING WITH AT-HOME KITS FOR RED HUES

(NO PHOTO of me, but I thought this was perfect timing to add a picture of my boo – ZOO KID aka KING KRULE)

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*2006: GOLDEN BRWN HIGHLIGHTS BY STYLIST

(AND MY BROTHERS EX) TERRY TURINO

In hindsight, it always kind of looked the same when I colored it…but Terry made is super nice.

(LOIC, ME & PHILLIP)

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THE REVIEW

Ok, so now that you’re done having a good laugh at me let’s move on to my review…eh em.

I went to RICKYS NYC (our bomb beauty supply store in NYC) and got a couple of leave-in-conditioner packets. I washed my hair and left the leave-in on and prepared for my session. I got the steamer ready to go (HUETIFUL provides a thorough “HOW TO” video on their website and YOUTUBE.COM) and it was super simple. Basically, you fill the container with water and press the two on buttons (you should definitely watch the video before hand for all the specifics).

I cued up an episode of MARTIN, sat under the hood and chilled. 20 minutes later, I rinsed my hair in cold water to seal in the moisture, then I added leave-in conditioner again and wrapped it to dry. I noticed that my hair felt the same as always, despite hearing other girls reviews where they said their hair felt softer…but I assume maybe their hair had some damage or dryness.

After my hair dried a couple hours later…I did, however, notice it had more bounce to the ounce. The curls were perkier and felt fuller. Even until a couple days after.

*Fresh out the steamer…

you probably can’t see much of a difference, but my curls felt plumper.

*BABY HAIR pumping and askew.

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*I ain’t never lied. I have a unibrow.

*VLADIMIR approves…sort of.

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I give it 2 THUMBS UP AND A SNAP! If you are interested in repairing damaged hair, adding more moisture or just general maintenance - this might be the product for you. You also have the option of a FACIAL ATTACHMENT, which acts like a facial steamer. It works just as lovely. BUT – just like anything, I highly suggest you research the product on your own and see if it’s something that works for you. I always look for all the good and bad…just so I know.

I’m not sure how often you should use it, but I use mine about once a month. I also have a phobia about my body not naturally taking care of itself because it’s used to products doing all the work – don’t ask, but I always imagine the end of the world and how I would look if I didn’t have all the things I “needed” to keep me in check so I like to live as though it’s the end of the world. Does that make any sense to anyone? I know…it’s crazy.

If you’re in the market for getting a gift for some lady or ladyboy, this would be nice and it retails for $114.95. Or – treat yourself for the holidays!

Special thanks to BRICK and the ODD FUTURE FAMILY for all this merch!

*VLAD?

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Shout out to TOBY MORSE for my shirt and bracelet!

I met dude when I was 14 and it was super nice running into him and his wife when I was last in LA.

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Thanks to my boo ANGELO BAQUE at SUPREME.

This is the exact vintage “stanky chambray” that I wore for 5 years straight…

I’ve been waiting months for these bad boys, but I’m glad I didn’t have to buy them. Special thanks to JAN and TEAM EPIPHANY for these brown babies!

Got these in the mail two days and was stoked! Holler!!! Thanks to Brand Jordan!!!

I’m eagerly awaiting the orange ones…

Thanks to Gabe over at KID ROBOT who sent me this enchanting, seductive and frightening 8 inch vinyl mold of LILITU (ironically, those are the same 3 words that describe me).

Created by TARA MCPHERSON for KID ROBOT BLACK, LILITU is described as:

“There is no hiding. A succubus walks. Lilitu. Sexually charged, violently destructive, A Sumerian myth, a demon to be feared. To love and to kill without remorse, one man at a time.

The unsuspecting only see the near-perfect human likeness – enticing eyes, supple mouth, lithe body – little noticed are the breasts of dripping poison and malicious intent.

Emerging from the cool, smoky depths, fresh from one kill, looking for the next, Lilitu is poised to allure. Calculated stance, intimately glossy, designed for desire – come nefarious courtesan.

Who can resist?”

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*booty…

*taking this shot made me giggle…

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THIS GORGEOUS DOLL GOES ON SALE SOON AT KIDROBOT

Special thanks to the homie JAY CORBIN!

I first learned about WARBY PARKER a couple months ago when I complimented my dear friend ERIK’S chic eyewear, which happened to be WARBY PARKER frames.

He briefly explained the company to me. Affordable and stylish eyewear, filled with your prescription, for only 95$.

95?!

Yes.

Anyone who has imperfect vision like myself (I blame cheating on a vision test because I wanted specs so bad in 5th grade as the culprit) you can appreciate this. All of you folks who think it’s cute to wear clear framed glasses (imitating a near-sided person like myself) will never know the difficulties involved or the costs that set you back. Shopping for eye wear is the pits. Even if you have insurance – which would seem awesome, but isn’t when you realize your insurance won’t cover those NAUTICA frames you’ve been fiending for. Okay, so maybe it isn’t NAUTICA and it’s not 1995 – but, prescription glasses are pricey…300$ and upwards.

The most important and interesting fact about WARBY PARKER is their mission statement…

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Eyewear with a Purpose.

We believe that everyone has the right to see.

Unfortunately, millions of people around the world today don’t have access to proper vision care.

To help address this problem, Warby Parker partners with renowned non-profits, such as RestoringVision.org, to deliver one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair that we sell.

In doing so, we enable you to share the gift of vision with someone who can’t see today and give them the opportunity to read, to work and to live a fuller life.

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You read that right! It’s like TOM’S SHOES, but for eyewear. How neat is that?! It’s such a revolutionary idea that is VERY NEEDED!!! They were just featured in GQ, THE NEW YORK TIMES and VOGUE.

After recently kicking it with KARL and our lovely friend LAUREN, she noticed I was resting my eyes behind my RAY BAN WAYFARERS. I explained that I wear contacts more, but I’d wear my glasses just as much if they weren’t beat to shreds. I mentioned that after getting them in 2006, I put off the expensive and painful process of getting a new pair. She then reminded me about WARBY PARKER and personally introduced us via email that week.

BRIAN MAGIDA invited me in for a tour of their new NEW YORK showroom. Shortly after, the office all bent down on one knee and asked me to be an ambassador in unison. Hahaha, no – not really. They did mention that it would be cool if I was open to the idea and I was more than stoked about it. So here I am, Ambassador to Warby Parker.

*Choosing frames was SUPER hard. I naturally can’t make a decision to save my life, but luckily I had help from BRIAN!

*BRIAN let me know my eyes were symmetrical. No wonder I’m such a handsome man!

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Check out my frames…

*nice fancy box.

*JASPER in MARINE SLATE (after seeing these on the male model I was sold!)

*OWEN in REVOLVER BLACK MATTE

WARBYPARKER.COM