Engchik’s Fall Favorites- Part 2 Accessories

Next up is accessories. It's not fall without leather boots, a great bag, a scarf and fab sunglasses. See what else makes my faves list...

Layana Aguilar. You know her from Project Runway and you know her fabulous clothes and accessories! Working with memorable textiles and strong textures, this designer knows how to style the contemporary woman. Asymmetrical lines, warm wools and leathers present a strong woman with a sophisticated and fun edge. Aguilar has cornered modern design, not floundering in the familiar. Fashion cannot exist alone; life and all that is happening around the world create fashion. As a woman I have learned to design with my emotions and complications. All of my clothes and my prints carry my love, my passion and a little passage of my life,” says Aguilar.

Bag:  Sandast, the brand known for vintage-inspired American hand-made leather accessories, and Preserve, announced the release of the "James" limited-edition leather carryall that was co-designed by Blake Lively and Sandast designer, Chris Pak. The new carryall style was created following an existing partnership between Sandast and Preserve. In search for the perfect baby bag, Lively turned to the Sandast's founder Chris Pak in search for a baby bag that is extremely well made and highly functional. "Sandast's bags look like the most yummy, restored vintage pieces. They balance the details of beauty with those of function," remarked Blake Lively. "I didn't want a diaper bag that I would not carry if I wasn't a mama. I still wanted to be me. We loved the bag so much that we wanted to make them for more mamas," Lively added. "This bag will last a lifetime. That's what it's built for." 

Necklace: Sally Jane is a stylish jewelry brand that represents a super-inspirational message, “Bee Courageous, Bee Bold, Bee a Survivor, Just Bee!” Choose from an array of fashionable necklaces, bracelets, and trendy wrap-style bracelets. What’s more, Sally Jane donates to charity for each product purchased. The inspiration line was developed by an Aunt and Niece duo just before the niece was 7-months pregnant and diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. This jewelry line inspires women to be strong survivors and empower themselves.

Sunglasses: Ovan is a visionary optic brand dedicated to luxury design, quality and a higher level of thinking. It’s a culture blending sophistication and style, fashion and function whether you’re suiting up or headed out to the surf. Designed by world-renowned model Alex Lundqvist, snowboarding pro Bjorn Leines and their closest friends, Ovan is the epitome of elegance.

Boots: NAOT shoes, boots, and booties! Cute, fun, functional and stylish, NOAT has the look you want and the price you need. Shop now for the hottest fall looks!

Bag: The Healthy Back Bag by AmeriBag- a bag good for your back and a functional satchel. The Healthy Back Bag by AmeriBag comes in a variety of colors, sizes, styles, and fabrics to perfectly suit your needs and personality.

Scarf: Life is Good accessories. Follow the Life is Good tour! Positive lifestyle company Life is Good® announced it’s first-ever Life is Good Tour – an eight-week experience rallying communities nationwide to #GROWtheGood by focusing on the good in the world and supporting kids who need it most. Brothers and Life is Good founders Bert and John Jacobs will visit more than 40 communities across America throughout Fall 2015 to help people discover, embrace, and spread optimism. Plus, check out the amazing accessories this company offers- no longer just caps and shirts, but slippers, scarves, bags and more! Houndstooth Lightweight scarf just $24.

Earrings: Songa Designs International, an accessories line made by under-resourced women in East Africa to create economic independence, has announced their collection is available worldwide. The designs are created by founder Sarah Sternberg and handmade by women in Rwanda using all natural, eco-friendly and local materials, such as banana leaf fiber, sisal plant, pewter metal, recycled local fabric and paper beads, re-purposed cow horn and seed beads. Necklaces, bracelets and earring comprise this very important brand. Purchase a piece of life and your accessory will tell the world a story. Watermark earrings are $28.

So what’s your favorite fall fashion accessory? Share in the comments!

Engchik's Fall Fashion Favorites! Part 1: Clothes

Fall has arrived and with it gorgeous textures and fabrics! It's the perfect time to try something new, and with these fall essentials, you’ll have cozied up to every one of them! This is the first in a series of three- clothes, accessories, and shoes- my fall fashion picks!

All The Above Clothing brand brings rousing messages to stylish clothes that will inspire you all day long. Applaud your inner warrior as you take the day, knowing you rock! The brand is committed to producing high-quality sophisticated clothing that promotes self-expression. ATA takes some form of inspiration and builds an abstract, concept-based strategy around this theme.  The inspiration of each design is printed on the tag inside the shirt to remind the customer of the hidden meaning behind the design. 

When it’s time for yoga or a sassy night in, Enjoy Essential tee shirts and tanks are a perfect fit. With every shirt purchase Enjoy Essential gives a donation to a woman or child in need.  Sassy and fun, these unique shirts literally say exactly what you are thinking! I’m So Fancy, More Issues Than Vogue and Sorry Coffee This is a Job for Alcohol are just some of the cute shirts you know you’ve wanted to display!

Philly’s hottest contemporary clothing boutique is Ellelauri, with the softest shirts ever! Have you tried the Alexis Tank? Soft and stretchy with vegan leather trim. Adorable, and made in the USA- ellelauri! How about the Celeste Cape; it’s so great for fall!

Betabrand creates clothes designed by eclectic people, with design, flair, and fashion, and functionality in mind to keep you comfortable, stylish and happy. This crowdfunded Betabrand is popping up all over the internet by creating a platform for imaginative people to turn design ideas into fashion memes faster than any other brand.  Plus- yoga WORK pants?? Shut up and take my money!!

Chic at Heart makes stylish, wearable clothes for every day at the office that easily translates to an exciting nightlife- pencil skirts, dresses and tops for everyday wear. With peplum tops and lace overlays and sexy pants, this brand is one you want in your closet: Chic at Heart.

The button down shirt has been a staple in men’s wardrobes since the 18th century. And while some styling changes have been made over the years to the collar, cuffs, colors, and patterns, overall the shirt has not changed much…Until now! The MagnaReady shirt transforms buttons as magnets so the shirt will snap itself closed. Don’t ruin your manicure- just snap it! 

Elephant pants- harem pants for the new century. These comfortable and stylish pants give back to the community and feel so great all day long. A portion of every sale goes to the African Wildlife Foundation to save the elephants. Try the Mystery Box Pants! A special pair of Elephant Pants, and two free gifts! It’s like your birthday for a great cause!

What looks are you seeing this year? I’m all about cozy- comfy pants, slouchy sweatshirts, wool socks and hot accessories…stay tuned for part two of Engchik’s Fall Favorites 2015!

*Some items have been provided for review purposes. Thank you.

Lee Jewelers of Sag Harbor Creates Unique Visions

Fall is the perfect time to try some gorgeous, original jewelry.

Lee Jewelers of the Hamptons in New York creates original jewelry with unique designs ahead of his time. Lee Elliot began his craft in the 60s in Greenwich Village where people could get cool designs with gemstones, gold, platinum, silver and other metals and semi-precious stones.

Lee starting working on handmade rings and bands, trying funky designs and sculpting smooth asymmetry. He moved on to creating wire and hammered disk jewelry in all ways- chains, rings, bracelets, pendants, necklaces and more.

The amazing thing about Lee is his disabled right hand shows lots of love in all his designs. A prosthetic was never an option for him as he began his own designs as a teen, and his shop eventually became his dream in Sag Harbor.

When putting on these pieces, you can feel the love that has gone into creating these original products. All kinds of looks find their way into Lee’s designs, especially nautical designs. Being by the sea in the gorgeous village of Sag Harbor, how could he not?!

Lee’s daughter Dori is part of the jewelry world and has been around handmade crafts ever since she was a very tiny baby. She started her career working in the Southampton location Lee Gallery at age 14, and wanted to follow in the creative path of her parents.

She carefully watched her father Lee sculpt rings and her mother Terry wire-wrap stones and metals. She then went on start her own line of fun, unique jewelry- creating each piece with a personal touch.

The Elliott family also works together to promote all jewelry in the Hamptons store, designing pieces together, sometimes collaborating Lee's hammered metal circles with Dori's wire wrapped gemstones. The Elliott family also loves the Sag Harbor community and stays active in ton. Lee supports The Retreat of East Hampton for prevention of domestic violence and attends the school’s Career Day to show children that everyone can get past their differences because we are all different, and be awesome!

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind, customized piece for yourself or as a gift, Lee Jewelers can create it!

Lee Jewelers
631.725.7226
42 Main Street
PO Box 3171
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
lee@leejewelers.net

Get Your Beauty Sleep, even in the Middle of Center City Philly!

I'll take beauty rest any place I can get it..even in the middle of my busy city!
Did you know napping is more effective than coffee at keeping you alert?

Try out these fun nap pods the next three days!

CASPER PHILADELPHIA NAP TOUR:

The Nap Tour will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8PM.

The address is 1314 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, October 2 – 4!

PHILADELPHIA NAP STATISTICS:

• 74% of people in Philly would nap more often if their office had a nap room.
  
• Philly businesses should start considering naps as a new way to increase productivity. Naps can restore alertness, enhance performance, and reduce mistakes and accidents.
• Napping is more useful than drinking coffee to get over your midday slump as they increase alertness in the period directly following the nap and may extend alertness a few hours later in the day. Luckily, 52% of people in Philly would give up free coffee for naps at the office. 
• A majority of people in Philly say stress keeps them up at night (62%). Integrating naps into your lifestyle may fix this as they help you recover from stressful situations.
  
• Think in images, not words. It’s nearly impossible to clear your mind of all thoughts, but switching the language from sentences to shapes may help you doze off sooner.
• Counting sheep is too much work while trying to fall asleep, instead picture your next vacation. Napping has psychological benefits and can be a pleasant luxury, a mini-vacation in itself.
• A cold bedroom is a sleepy bedroom. Aim for somewhere between 60° and 67° F to catch some chill dreams.
• If a nap can help military pilots and astronauts, a nap can help you. A study at NASA on sleepy military pilots and astronauts found that a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness 100%.

Conclusion: Everyone should take more naps!