HOT 5 - 5/28/22
Dear HOT Friends,
Happy Memorial Day weekend! I typically look forward to this particular holiday because it's the unofficial start of summer, my favorite season. However, in all transparency dear readers, I'm really struggling these last couple of weeks to find my usual joyful anticipation. I'm heartbroken over the racist murders in Buffalo, the looming end of reproductive freedom, and now the insane and tragic murder of 19 children and 2 teachers in Texas. I can't remember feeling as pessimistic as I currently do about the direction our country is going in. I'm trying my best to reset and regain some equanimity although I'm finding it difficult. If, like me, you feel helpless and need to DO SOMETHING NOW here are some links to help the victims of gun violence and support the anti-gun movement.
Here's this week's Hot 5:
1. 3 Spring Trends I've Spotted All Over NYC
2. This Week's Hot Pick - 6 Summer Hats
3. My Skincare And Makeup Routines
4. It's Time For Summer Reading!
5. Romanticize Your Life!
1. 3 Spring Trends I've Spotted All Over NYC
I often play a game when I'm walking around New York City which I call and 3 makes a trend. It's especially fun to play it at the beginning of a new season to see what looks resonate most with New Yorkers.
I spotted Trend #1 this spring on mostly younger women and I understand its appeal since it instantly gives you a pulled-together look. It consists of a khaki trench coat belted over a t-shirt and a pair of black leggings. All it really needs to take it up a notch is a chic colorful scarf like one of these from Lalela Scarf on HOT.
Trend 2 is the sharp little black and white checked suit and I've actually been surprised and happy to see it on women of all ages! They're dressed up in a little more structure and style although still paired with bright or white sneakers to keep the look slightly more casual. Wouldn't a Lalela pocket square be perfect? Or one of the Hot Pick hats below?
Trend 3 is the ubiquitous tiered maxi dress which is already set to be the look of the summer. I counted way more than 3 recently on the first warm day of spring and who can blame them? It's roomy and cool, comes in a million colors and patterns, and is one and done! Just add pretty jewelry to complete the look like these earrings from Hot. For a little motivation, how's 25% off all jewelry for Memorial Day?
2. This Week's Hot Pick - 6 Summer Hats
I love a summer hat! They immediately thrust me into vacation mode and remind me of great times spent exploring a new city for the day or lazing about on a beautiful beach. It's such a fabulous accessory for adding a certain spiffiness and polish to your casual summer look, not to mention hiding a bad hair day and keeping the sun off your scalp and face. Check out my picks for you below, all of which seem immensely packable!
Asos Collusion Bucket Hat $25.99
Memorial Day Plaid Crocheted Hat $165
Eric Javits Packable Sun Hat $285
Kangol Tropic Halifax $53
Asos Reclaimed Denim Bucket Hat $29.99
San Diego Raffia Hat $70
3. My Skincare And Makeup Routines
I'm often asked about my skincare and makeup routines so I've decided it's time to share them here. As you probably know I spent many years working in the advertising industry mostly on beauty accounts where I had constant access to all the newest skin and makeup products, thus began my addiction to "new". Now though I have a very defined daily regimen and it incorporates those products considered essential for maintaining healthy, glowing, and protected skin. Here's what I use:
Treatment products night: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid Serum, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment
Treatment products day: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, Augustinus Bader the Eye Cream, Osea Essential Hydrating Oil, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
Makeup: The Ordinary Undereye Concealer, The Ordinary Serum Foundation, Winky Lux Universal Eyebrow Pencil, Nars Exhibit A Blush, Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Skin Highlighter, Surratt Beauty Auto-Graphique Eyeliner, Lash Princess Mascara, Milk Makeup Name Drop Lipstick
I highly recommend every single one of these products, especially the skincare ones. Also, if you're looking for other new skincare or makeup ideas, why not start by checking out the Allure Readers' Choice winners?
4. It's Time For Summer Reading!
I'm excited by the new crop of books right in time for summer reading. Is there anything better than curling up with a good book outside on a lazy summer weekend? I love how The Atlantic's Summer Reading Guide is organized by what reading mood you might be in. I'm in the mood for reading what my friends are reading and You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi is at the top of my list. On this list, I'm excited about reading Dogs of Summer by Andrea Abreu. I was hooked when it was compared to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet, which I loved. I'm confident you'll find an engrossing summer read from either list.
5. Romanticize Your Life!
Have you heard the phrase "romanticize your life"? It's a movement that's been swirling around social media the past couple of years which calls for appreciating and celebrating the small wonderful moments in life, to always be on the lookout for moments of beauty that are right in front of you. It's hard to think of a better recipe for living in these grim times we've all been through for several years and recently, more than ever. I'm going to try and make it more constant in my life and maybe it will serve as an antidote to some of the feelings expressed in my opening paragraph. Are you with me?
I'm going to leave you with a magnificent poem we all need this week by the extraordinary poet Amanda Gorman. It was sent to me by a very special person in my life who knew how I was feeling this week. Thank you.
Terry xoxo