Archive for May, 2009
The French pedicure: an American classic or tacky way of saying “Ooh, la la”?
I recently scheduled four sets of manicures and pedicures for my bride-to-be sister and her wedding party. Per her request, we’ll all shine with raspberry-colored raw silk dresses, silver strappy sandals, and complementary French manicures and pedicures. While taffeta and heels float my boat, I’m not so sure about my feelings towards a mockery of healthy fingernails.
Think about it. The purpose of a French manicure is to create the illusion of unnaturally healthy nails – nail beds so pink and smooth you’d swear they were salvaged from a newborn, and white tips so pure that one would think you’ve never lifted a finger in your life – and for an added cost of $5 to $15 per manicure and $10 to $20 per pedicure. And even then, the illusion is prone to crumble faster than you can say ‘croissant,’ thanks to the high likelihood of that delicate hot mess chipping away like a street performer at the Louvre.
Nude nails – a simple coat or two of beige, peach or sheer pink – look, ironically, more natural than a French manicure. Reason being: nude nails don’t try to hide and pretend they’re something they’re not. While the French manicure and pedicure attempts to defy physics with its unholy polish puzzle, a light coat of a nude polish keeps things clean, classy and under control – just how a bride wants to be on her big day.
Then again, it’s not my wedding, and I’ll not cry if I want to.
What are your thoughts on this nail color conundrum?
-Karyn Polewaczyk
Posted by Karyn Polewaczyk on Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 | Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment
Just say “no”
In addition to the Blackberry, Paris Hilton and Crocs, one of the modern marvels of the 21st century that continues to befuddle me is nail art. You know, delicately painted shapes – usually floral or holiday-related – that are offered towards the tail end of a pedicure. Often, nail art is further emphasized by the use of rhinestones (some nail technicians refer to these rhinestones as “diamonds” - I hope Sole Envie faithfuls know better than to believe it) and an iridescent top coat.
Perhaps it’s the overwhelming blast of formaldehyde, or perhaps it’s the insistence of many nail technicians who encourage salon goers to add a tacky rose or two to their big toes for the bargain price of $10, but women – adult, grown up women – continue to add insult to their feet by allowing this form of style torture to continue. Look around you, readers: nail art is everywhere. It peeks out from a pair of Havaiana flip flops on the 5:30 P.M. rush hour subway; it rears its ugly head(s) through a pair of strappy metallic sandals at a black tie function. It’s at the beach, the supermarket and Little League practice pickup. It’s inescapable and impervious to women of all ages. Or is it?
Ladies, nothing ruins a good pair of sandals like feet that have more bling than Beyonce’s jewelry box. Keep rhinestones on your wrist, flowers in your vases and class in your strut. Just say “no” to nail art!
Posted by Karyn Polewaczyk on Thursday, May 21st, 2009 | Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments
Sole Models
I know that no matter how much we all try to convince ourselves that we are entirely products of unique construction, individuals, etcetera, I am personally willing to acknowledge the fact that I have role models. And Sole Models. I’m sure that a lot of you model yourselves after respectable, generous, humanitarian individuals. Ghandi and his ilk. Personally, one of those individuals I admire and happen to identify with is la Daupine, Marie Antoinette Hapsburg Capet. J’elle adore pour plus than her fashion sense, but let us dwell on the sensory, shall we?
In order to completely own the term fashion icon and, the title of “Sole Model,” I believe one’s style must truly span eras and trends. Enter La Riene. When Sophia Coppola set out to give us the eternal gift of her film Marie Antoinette, she meant business. They filmed at Versaillies, with incredible costumes, breathtakingly beautiful and often ridiculous looking wigs, and shoes which had me watching the “I Want Candy” sequence over and over again. She enlisted Manolo Blahnik and L.D.C de Pompei to craft the perfect footwear for her actors and actresses. 
Mon Dieu! These are some of the most gorgeous shoes I’ve ever laid eyes upon, and yes, mes citoyens, those are screen caps from the film. They are feminine, well made, and varied enough that there is a pair to match the infinite number of dresses that Marie Anoinette owned throughout her lifetime (these are only a few screen shots of the hundreds which feature la Daupine wearing/acquiring shoes). If only every woman were in possession of her own little Versailles in which to store as many pairs of shoes as Antoinette.
Alas, I haven’t the room, even in my walk in closet for 900+ pairs of shoes (I figure if I were in la Dauphine’s position I’d change my shoes at least three times a day, and rotate out my collection every year, keeping a few pairs from the year before that I particularly loved to be re-vamped,) but I do have room in my life for pampering. As we all do. Choose footwear that makes you feel like a queen, so that even when you’re exhausted, slouched at your kitchen table or your desk in sweatpants and a t-shirt, with your hair up in a twisted knot as you diligently try to put a dent in your long list of daunting tasks we all seem to be adding to all the time, you can slip on your favorite shoes and feel elegant and indulgent despite sometimes feeling like less than royalty from the ankles up. I promise it will change your outlook for the better. Make us proud, cherie!
Posted by alyssa on Thursday, May 14th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Boys, Don’t Cry
As I sat, gingerly spooning my M&M frozen yogurt into my ravenous mouth at a favorite ice cream parlor of mine and my boyfriend’s…I looked over and spied one of the most puzzling combinations I’ve ever laid eyes upon. This gentleman was sporting Dansko clogs (strange enough seeing that he’s a man and not a chef), completely sockless. They lead the way up to jeans, a tight, dark grey T-shirt and, heavens, a gold chain around his neck. What was he attempting to accomplish? That Weekender Mafioso look? “I’m a dedicated foot soldier for Tony Soprano yet I also enjoy antiquing with my wife on the cape and feeling crunchy once in a while?” It was then that I realized: I am well aware that Sole Envie is a company dedicated to custom shoes for women….but as far as this blog has been concerned…Men have been allowed to roam free…completely off the hook. So this one is for the boys. Here are a couple of simple tips for the gentlemen out there, numbered for your convenience and short attention spans.
1. Socks Some men have the terrible habit of wearing socks when they are not supposed to (under Birkinstocks, for example, which, if you’re wondering, should just be eliminated alltogether), and not wearing them when they really should. Socks do not belong with sandals, and they do belong with sneakers.
2. Velcro Some men are allowed to wear velcro. These men are under 8 years of age.
3. Unisexuality Simply, if they make the same exact item for women with little to no variation, don’t wear them.
4. Pink I know you think you’re bold, daring and stylin in your popped collared bright pink Lacoste shirt. But “takin it to the street” as it were by putting it in shoe form on your tootsies goes waaaaay beyond the realm of acceptable. And straighten your hat, for heaven’s sake.
Posted by alyssa on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments
