Lights,Camera, Action at Jack Studios Chelsea

My day on the set of Jack Studios, 601 26th Street, NYC.

Chelsea, NYC I'm always looking for great on location spots to shoot fashion content for Best Picks Magazine and my Vanity Fair Looks page. We often shoot street-style here in NYC but as you saw from my reporting from Fashion Week 2015, weather and lighting conditions are often not ideal. This is especially important if you are doing a music video, commercial or film and need a controlled environment. This is when you will want to rent professional studio space for the day. 

Roy Schwalbach - President of Jack Studios

Lighting is Everything
I was told about Jack Studios which is conveniently located in Chelsea, at 601 West 26th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues. What you may not know is that this part of Manhattan does not have the same bedrock underpinnings of Midtown. Therefore there are not many skyscrapers in lower Manhattan which allows for gorgeous, unobstructed, natural lighting. I noticed this also in the West Village when we shot at Bobo Restaurant. Such is the case at Jack Studios which has amazing 360 degree sunlighting from all directions.

Roy showing me the incredible view & lighting in Studio 1.

Jack Studios (named after Roy's Chocolate Lab) has been in operation since 1995. Roy converted this building from a run down sewing shop to the bright connected space you see now with 8 stages that cover everything from commercials, print, video and feature films. The walls between stages are movable, allowing for even greater space and lighting possibilities. Jack Studios currently has over 850 active clients including Toyota, Dooney & Bourke,Vanity Fair, Victoria's Secret, MCM, and more usual suspects of the fashion world. The space also hosts live fashion shows, music events as well as operating as a show room for designers.

Iconic view of the New York Skyline

My Fashion Shoot at Jack Studios
Roy invited us to shoot our SS2015 Fashions & Accessories for Best Picks Magazine and my Vanity Fair Looks at his studio during our visit. We included his new line of elegant eye wear, namely The Super Model in Red Tortoise by Jack Eyes Sunglasses. 

On my way to one of the studios for the first shoot.

Jack Eyes Sunglasses, Cate & Chloe Jewelry

 

Travel Raincoat by ExOfficio. Winter Garden dress by Cindy & Johnny

This is just a tease, I know! More to come, I promise, for my Mother's Day special feature and on my Vanity Fair Looks Page. Suffice it to say that Jack Studios is the 5 star hotel of fashion studios. 2 million, three thousand square feet of naturally lit studio space. Absolutely immaculate, rest/makeup rooms and mirrors everywhere plus a Smoothie Bar to die for. Everything we needed was there on site. Editors, designers if you need space for your upcoming fashion shoot, runway show or a show room, THIS is the place to be. See more film, photography and fashion options online at JackStudios.com

SS2015 Travel Style - Lole Wrap Dress, Love Shawls and Natural Snakeskin Sandals

Travel ready: Cottony Lole Dress, Pierotucci Bag and Sublime Beauty pampering goodies to take along!

Spring/Summer 2015 Fashion that's easy and breezy answers the call of today's woman on the go. Want to get bumped up to First Class on that flight? Wear an outfit like this. Trust me, I've seen it happen many times. Dressing well is also form of good manners so I try to make sure to present myself in lovely packaging every day especially when traveling.

Lole Faux Wrap Dress
This wrinkle-proof traveler is so comfortable and perfect for everything from warm tropical beaches to air-conditioned flights, train rides and hotels. Sleeves come to your elbows and the dress fits in all the right places. Shown here with a MCM Leather Handbag from their current season's collection.

Love Shawl, MCM Leather Bag, Jack Eyes Sunglasses

Accessories: I've topped this faux wrap dress with a beautiful Love Shawl - In Blush.  It's like having a little extra warmth PLUS jewelry as the shawl has beautiful gems, fresh water pearls and gold accents. My eye wear is by Jack Eyes and as you can see, these tortoise shell frames are bold and highly polished. My Natural Straw Fedora is by Pistil Designs.

Traveling Shoes: This is a NEW design this season by Vionic. These Natural Snakeskin Sandals offer a comfortable foot bed yet with just enough wedge height to keep things interesting. The SS2015 Ralph Lauren Collection has a similarly pattered stack-heeled version sandal out. So natural snakeskin is definitely on trend this season.

Travel-worthy look.

Don't forget to take along a little comfort kit for those nights away. I adore my Sublime Beauty Sampler Set of 9 flight friendly products for face and body:  Vitamin C Day Cream SPF 30, Retinol Serum, Collagen Serum and Mask, Hyaluronic Serum, Glycolic/Salicylic Serum, Luxurious Facial Oil, Cellulite Whisperer Body Gel and Lotion.

Sublime Beauty Travel - Sampler

My favorite travel bag - Fine Italian Leather by Pierotucci

Special thanks to Jack Studios in Chelsea and MCM Luxury Leather Goods for affording us use of their stages and showrooms for this shoot.

New Skiwear Collection - Lole Sidonie Bib

2015 Skiwear with attitude. Lole Sidonie Bib

Winter 2015 is shaping up to be the season of bibs! Why are they trending so hot on the slopes this year? Well, perhaps because they are more technical and streamlined than ever. Nothing like what Fire Fighters wear! No, get that image out of your mind. The New 2015 Skiwear Collection from Lole will rock your world.

Lole Sidonie Bib
Here is the Description from the Lole Website:

Redefine snow slop chic in our modern update on the insulated bib. Get an edge on the slopes with its performance fit, breathable and waterproof four-way stretch fabric and powerful snow-stopping features. The supple Ski Softshell waist, slim legs with snow gaiters, and fully sealed seams keep the warmth in and the snow out. Articulated knees move with you and kick patches stand up to a day of endless powder runs. 

Lole Sidonie Bib

• Insulated bib 
• Softshell waist with center-front zipper to seal out snow 
• Adjustable, removable elastic suspenders 
• Two hand pockets with YKK® AquaGuard® zippers 
• Two zippered pockets with flaps on back 
• One zippered patch pocket with flap on leg 
• Mesh vents on inner legs 
• Slim leg with zipper opening 
• Gusset at leg hem 
• Abrasion-resistant kick patches 
• Snow gaiters 
• Fully seam sealed 
• Inseam 32 in./ 81.5 cm 




Sidonie Ski Bib Details
These bibs have a softshell feel with a hardshell attitude towards the elements. It sheds wind, snow and moisture like a duck and has some very tricked out details to keep you warm AND dry. Mesh Vents on the inner legs help prevent moisture and heat build up during heavy outdoor activity.

Mesh Vents on Inner Legs

Fully Seam Sealed Zippered Pockets
I really like like the two hand pockets up front. They have AquaGuard zippers so when you take a forward spill, the pockets and whatever is in them will stay nice and dry. 

AquaGuard zippered front pockets

Slim Legs with Zippered Openings
I like my ski and athletic bibs to have zippered legs as this is essential feature that makes getting them on an off much easier. The Sidonie also have built in gaiters which adjust to keep out wind and snow.

Generous zippered legs

Rear View - Two Zippered Pockets with Flaps on Back
I really like the abundance of seam sealed zippered pockets on theSidonie Bibs. A great place to stash tissues, SPF Lip Balm and some cash.

Rear View - Zippered Flap Pockets

The Wrap
I really like the slimmer fit of the Sidonie Ski Bibs.  I had merino wool base layer tights and shirt underneath when I went out as it was snowing today. I really didn't need the base layer as these insulated bibs were plenty warm on their own even in 19 degree weather. The stretch at the waist is genius and the center zipper is very comfortable. 

Lole Sidonie Bib with Ski Boots

The suspenders are also SO very comfortable and easy to adjust on the fly. Really perfect for all winter-snow sports.  Pop on your favorite ski jacket and hit the slopes in the Sidonie Bib which come in Black (as shown), White and Yellow. See them and the full 2015  Lole Winter Skiwear Collection at Lole.com

Ski/Snowboarding Helmet by Giro
This season's hottest snow lid around is Giro's Discord. Soft shell construction and ultra padded, it is very comfortable to wear. Has thermostat control, stack vent, vertical tuning and what I really like, a super padded strap with cozy ear covers. Perfect for all snow sports as shown here in Matte Dark Shadow. Check it out at Giro.com

Giro Discord Snow Sports Helmet

Moonstone Goose Down Ski Jacket

Slouch Foxie Cap by Pistil Designs
Ski Bibs c/o LoleWomen.com

New Year, New You - 10 New Health and Beauty Trends You Need to Try

Writing endless lists of New Year's Resolutions each January 1st rarely gives you any real or lasting change. I know! That's why I stopped doing it. What about a "game plan" for success to buff up key areas of your life? You will see results in under 30 Days which will motivate you enough to keep doing it to reap the full benefits all year long. Here are 10 new trends to rejuvenate and beautify yourself for the New Year and a New You in 2015:

1.) Moisturize from the Inside Out: Sublime Beauty Phytoceramides
Here is something you can do first thing in the morning before you take a shower. As soon as I wake, I get a tall glass of icy cold water from the water cooler. Drinking just 12 - 16 ozs of ice cold water boosts your metabolism by nearly 24%. Next I take my Sublime Beauty Phytoceramides. These Phytoceramides actually moisturize your skin from within and one capsule first thing in the morning is all you need for dewy, soft skin.

Phytoceramides and Natural Boar Bristle Brush

2.) Give Dry Skin the Brush Off
Next I head to the shower but before I hop in, I give my skin a vigorous dry brushing starting at the soles of my feet and working up towards my heart. Sublime Beauty has small, hand held natural boar bristle brushes and long handled ones that I like to use to reach my lower back. This helps stimulate the lymphatic system, rev up circulation and loosens dry, dead skin cells which are easily showered away. Start by doing this before every other shower using light circular motions. Get the Phytoceramides and Dry Skin Brushes both from SublimeBeautyShop.com

Dry Brushing and Shaving using the Butt Bench

3.) Antioxidant Power: MitoQ Supplements & Moisturizer
When I'm done showering, I take my MitoQ Targeted Anti-oxidant Supplements and apply the MitoQ Power Antioxidant Moisturizer to my face and neck. Really, you can apply it anywhere you have sun damage. MitoQ has an effective mitochondrial delivery system which works at the cellular level to deliver potent levels of CoQ10 where it is most needed. Order online at Amazon.com or visit MitoQ.com

4.) Healthy Hair and Skin, Naturally
2015 is the year to go natural in your skin care and hair care products. Everything we put on our skin gets absorbed into our body. So you might want to go with natural oils like: Vermont Premium Emu Oil, Coconut and Pure Camellia Oils for both your hair and skin. I have always used natural boar bristle brushes on my hair and body as they are softer and less damaging than nylon bristled ones. This Japanese Neko Cat Tsuge Boxwood Brush is first soaked with Camellia oil and then used to massage the scalp. It naturally pulls the oils evenly through the hair, conditioning it to the ends. Pure, natural Camellia oil is also excellent for dry skin everywhere else on your body.

Hand crafted Japanese Neko Tsuge Boxwood Hair Brush and Pure Camellia Oil

5.) Don't skip breakfast! This is a New Year and studies have shown that people who eat breakfast are better able to keep their weight in check. A good choice is to go low on the gluten and simple carbs by making an whole egg or egg white omelet with LOTS of tomato, peppers, onions, asparagus, etc. 

Breakfast Idea: Cedar Lane Egg White Omelet with Ranchero Sauce

The protein in the eggs will help keep you satisfied and you'll get in a much needed serving of veg to start your day. Adding a little salmon, rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids is pure brain food and great for your skin.

7.) Step Up Your Nutrition: Switch to Food Based Supplements
I take Rainbow Light Certified Organics Women's Multivitamins because they are food based and easy to digest even on an empty stomach. Still, most vitamins are better absorbed if taken along with meals. I take two capsules before breakfast and another two with lunch so I'm set for the day, whatever I'm doing: running, cycling walking, skating, snowshoeing. These are women specific and loaded with helpful herbs, enzymes and power foods for complete nutrition and improved absorption. See all of their nutritional systems at RainbowLight.com

Organic, Food Based Multivitamins for Women by Rainbow Light

8.) Try Some New Cuisines Which Offer Less Fat
This year, you can explore new flavors and exotic cuisines that don't rely on lots of fat, salt and sugar to taste good. Asian and Indian populations don't have obesity levels anywhere near Western Europe so this is a great place to start. I tried Tandoor Chef over the holidays and enjoyed the flavors, textures and portion control of the Indian entrees. They are very healthy, lower in fat and absolutely delicious restaurant quality meals. Find them at Wegman's and other food stores in the frozen section.

Steamed Dumplings, Tandoor Chicken and Palak Paneer Spinach Samosas

9.) Try High Intensity Workouts with Weights
You might be very surprised to know that Candice Swanepoel of Victoria's Secret Angel fame does little or no cardio. Instead she does a lot of weight and resistance training. Lifting weights helps build muscle which constantly burns calories. Done at high intensity, it is very fast and perfect for those of us who have very little available time.
Walk it Off: If you have to make that Pilates or Zumba class, try walking (or Scootering!) instead of driving. It will warm you up for the gym, burn extra calories and keep down air pollution in your community.

10.) Get Some Quality Sleep AND Boost Your Immune System
Studies have now concluded that we need between 6-8 solid hours of quality REM cycled sleep each night. Oh people may brag how they are able to get by on much less but this is downtime for your body to repair itself. According to the CDC, this winter is shaping up to be another epidemic year for the flu! With only one teaspoon of this delicious Black Elderberry Night Time Syrup, you can take care of both concerns naturally.
Elderberries are known for boosting immunity as they are rich in flavonoid anthocyanins and antioxidants. The added herbs (namely lemongrass and California poppy) help you to relax for a good night's sleep. Combine with a Lavender Sleep Mask and you'll be in La La Land in no time.  Find this and the regular Black Elderberry Syrup at GaiaHerbs.com

Nutritional supplements, health and beauty products c/o the companies mentioned herewith