FINDING MY PERFECT MULBERRRY BRACELET AT NORDSTROM

Last week during New York Fashion Week I was invited to a Mulberry event at the New York City Nordstrom store. It was enjoyable creating a custom fit and personalized leather bracelet.

Seated on the store’s second floor with a few other guests at a table with a range of tools and boards, two professional and eager to help Mulberry artisans who work in the Company’s Somerset, UK Atelier guided us to create a fabulous bracelet.

The first step, choosing the color was tricky as all the choices were beautiful. I opted for a neutral shade. After that we used the tools to set the hole, placed it on our wrists for a custom fit, banged away and set the hardware in place. The last step was placing the monogram on the leather.  

In addition to this being an engaging event, it showed Mulberry’s commitment to circularity. The leather used is called an “offcut” which is a waste material that can be reused or recycled. In this case it created a lovely finished product.

The Made to Last section of the Mulberry website is a straightforward and an extensive description of the Company’s commitment to sustainability. As it is the largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods in the UK (according to the website) the Company’s efforts could be impressive over the long term.

With my interest in luxury resale, the website’s Pre-Loved section caught my attention and I explored further. It was comforting reading the pre-loved bags “have been expertly authenticated and by highly skilled artisans in our Somerset Atelier." Authentication is the most important aspect of luxury resale as it creates trust. The website has just a few dozen

handbags listed and this could be a growing segment for the Company.  I’ll be keeping my eye in this.

I’m glad to have been part of this engaging event. Not only did I find my perfect Mulberry bracelet at Nordstrom, I created it.

Maybe during the next New York Fashion Week Mulberry and Nordstrom will have an event to take it to the next level and work with us to create a personalized handbag!

A NEW YEAR - AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED!

The beginning of a new year is a time for many to make resolutions to feel and to look better and therefore they might start a new beauty or skincare routine. Trying new products is also driven in part by companies introducing new and highlighting existing products via advertising, emails, gift with purchase and other marketing techniques such as social media posts.

For me, a new year also means keeping products that have served me well. Rather than exploring new products in January I took advantage of a several beauty promotions and bought items that have been successful for me in 2023. Favorites are those providing medium to full coverage and last a long time.

Below are some of my favorites. For one stop shopping convenience, all are available at Nordstrom.

• Shampoo and Conditioner - Bleu (R+Co)

• Foundation - Make Up Forever

• Eyeliner - Trish McEvoy

• Lipstick - Dior

Starting from the top-- this shampoo and conditioner duo are great for colored hair.

Bleu (R+Co) Primary Color Shampoo is a fantastic product for colored hair that makes the locks shiny and provides hydration.

Link is here: http://tinyurl.com/bdhzn75j

(R+Co) Primary Color Conditioner provides deep hydration and maintains the vibrancy of the color. The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/54rh44fp

Foundation that lasts a full day could be difficult to find. What works for one person might not be good for someone else. At times I use a liquid foundation. But, I've found a superb matte powder foundation that provides all day coverage. And it has a long name to match! It is Make Up Forever's HD Skin Matte Velvet 24 Hour Blurring & Undetectable Powder Foundation. Offered in about two dozen shades, a leading product feature is that it is buildable. It does not crease or cake. The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/47t26j3n

I've been a fan of the Trish McEvoy brand since it was introduced. Lipsticks have been a favorite. One of the line's best products is the Intense Gel Eyeliner Pencil. II've tried other brands of eyeliner. Lasting all day, this one is the clear winner. Seven shades are available. I feel the deep aubergine shade was created just for me! It is a perfect color. The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/ycxux2rb

Dior has quite a few excellent lip options. I've liked the Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer Proof Lipstick but my favorite is the Rouge Dior Transfer-Proof Lipstick. It is a matte finish, feels light and best of all it lasts a long time, even after drinking from a cup or glass. There are more than two dozen shades to select from. I'm partial to the color Forever Grace. The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/5cxnkmuy

In January I did not try any new beauty products as I've been happy with the ones I was using in 2023. What beauty products changes have you made so far this year?

FASHION INSPIRED BY THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON

Since working in Hong Kong and experiencing a Chinese New Year celebration along with my eyes on fashion, each year since participating in the celebration I look for fashions created for Chinese New Year. In a number of cases, those promoting fashions and other items refer to celebrating Lunar New Year. The term Lunar New Year is increasingly used to refer to celebrations in other countries that take place at the same time along with many of the same traditions as those in China.

This post covers:

• Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong

• The Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop

• Liberty of London

• David Yurman

• Paul Smith

• Versace

One of the nicest memories of being in Hong Kong leading up to the New Year (It was celebrating the Year of the Monkey when there) was seeing the placement of mandarin orange trees throughout building entrances and storefronts. It was a surprise seeing one for the first time!

My photo posted here is a tree at the hotel where I stayed, the inviting, luxurious and detail focused Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. (MO_HKGT) This was just one of several thoughtful ways MO_HKGT celebrated Chinese New Year. The hotel's The Mandarin Cake Shop was another frequented venue during my stay and it had interesting specialties for the celebration. (The Shop's almond croissants continue to be the best croissants I've eaten.)

While researching the meaning of mandarin orange trees, learned tangerine trees are also used. (Maybe a reader could let me know the differences.) The Chinese word for mandarin is kam and it sounds similar to the word for “gold.” Therefore, having mandarin oranges at the New Year is believed to bring riches to one's life. The other custom I learned about and participated in is the tradition to give the gift of a red envelope filled with money. This gift represents good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.

Items produced for the ChineseNew Year often include the color red and the animal of one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. The dragon is the animal for 2024. I've come across a number of items with red and would like to share this attractive piece. This 100% silk scarf, by Liberty of London is named "Year Of The Dragon 45X45 Silk Scarf" This price is $130. The link is here:

http://tinyurl.com/mpw2ja39

Jewelry is another item adorned with the animal for the year being celebrated. David Yurman, as always is on top of things! (In previous posts I've written about David Yurman and my experiences with the brand. Links to theses posts are here: http://tinyurl.com/2r639c2e

http ://tinyurl.com/w4jp3btw )

Within the Amulets Collection for Women, David Yurman has a limited edition amulet hand carved from 18K yellow gold. The price is $1,950. The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/yejap9cs. This piece of jewelry includes a lovely packaged complimentary gift wrap, a red envelope embossed with the signature David Yurman cable motif.

Paul Smith, the British design company with locations in more than 60 countries has unique menswear products for the Year of the Dragon. In addition to cufflinks, and a billfold there is a selection of apparel including the one posted here, The Year of the Dragon Cotton T-Shirt It is fabulous! The price is $325.The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/bdhy3zem

As noted above, the color red is associated with the Chinese New Year. However, items for Year of the Dragon are at times offered in other colors. For instance, shown here is a Versace sweater. This pretty online exclusive sweater, a wool and cashmere blend is the The Year Dragon sweater is a light pink color. The price is $1,275.

The link is here: http://tinyurl.com/mpdbz366

Do you have any fashion favorites for the Year of the Dragon? Please let me know.