Urban Pulse

Mother’s Day is this Sunday (wow that came quickly)! I know if you are like me you have been searching for a perfect gift to show your mom how much you love her…but it’s not easy. If you are looking for a yogurt date, comfort after heartbreak, or an honest opinion on your new dress, Mom is always there without fail. She has been through the same trials and tribulations that you are going through now and no one understands better than she does. So let’s get Mom a gift that she deserves for all her hard work of lovingly and gracefully putting up with you! We know that no gift can compare to what Mom has given us it is a good place to start.

Whether your mom like to cook, travel, be up to date on the latest technology, or just relax with the fam, we have some great gifts Mom will love!

For the cook:

We all know that there is nothing compares to Mom’s home cooked meals. Whether you mom is an amazing cook or baker making cupcakes with frosting that melts in your mouth…these gifts are perfect for her! Maybe she can even teach you a thing or two. The Manni White Truffle Oil is a great accent to any  soup, salad, or pasta Mom makes. You can never go wrong with Sprinkles Cupcake, but what is even better is that you and Mom can make your own Sprinkles cupcakes together. You can make your cake and eat it too!

For the Fashionista:

Everything I know about style comes from my Mom and my Grandma. I think I would be lost without them! Stationary is always a staple gift on Mother’s Day, but it doesn’t have to be boring. The MET Embellished Shoes Note cards are perfect for sprucing up your fashionable Mom’s stationary. The MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton Large Tote is perfect for any Mom on the go. I know our Moms are juggling about 20 things at once and as a result everything is thrown into their purse. So why not have mom carry around this stylish bag?

For Relaxation:

Mom more than anyone deserves a little rest and relaxation, especially on Mother’s Day. She should be pampered with love, but throwing in a spa package couldn’t hurt. Here are a few gifts that bring the spa home and can help Mom get the relaxation she so deserves. The L’Ombre lotion and Candle Set from Diptyque not only have a luxurious fragrance, but also will help Mom to unwind after a long day of work or shopping with you or both. The Michael Kors iPad Zip Case will let mom read her favorite book or watch her favorite movie while she is left alone with her iPad for a little peace and quiet.

Neon colors made a huge statement on the runway this spring and are now making their way into your home. Not to worry…this is not a throwback o the 80s, but instead a toned-down, sophisticated version of the fearless trend.

We couldn’t take our eyes of the neon trend this season on the Peter Som, Jason Wu, Rodarte, and Rag & Bone runways (just to name a few) featuring intense pops of electric neon that made us want to go bold and bright. Colors like cobalt blue and peachy pinks softened the electrifying colors to give us that amazing unexpected effect of sophistication that we usually don’t associate with neon.

Yes, the neon trend may be a little daunting to some, but there are a few rules to follow to make it easily accessible in both your wardrobe and your home.

Be prepared to experiment with color! You know you can pull it off, but maybe you are hesitant. If this is the case, start out small. Using neon colored accessories in your wardrobe or living room, will add that pop of color you are looking for without being too overwhelming. Once you know you have fallen in love with this trend for spring you can invest in some key statement pieces that will allow you to standout.

At the same time, you have to be careful that you don’t over do it. Neon is a trend that walks a thin line; using accessories allows you to rock the trend with refinement. Also consider only incorporating one or two neon colors to avoid drowning in the brightness. We definitely do not want to be brought back to the wonderful wardrobe that defined the 80s.

Pairing neon with neutrals is a great way to achieve that refinement needed for a successful neon color scheme in your home or wardrobe, and is a perfect fit for spring! This pairing allows the neon pieces to pop and energize rather than overwhelm.  Try colors like white, black, nude, or grey to give your neon that sophisticated look.

 Let us know how you will be bright and bold this spring!

-Sarah

The Countdown to Coachella is finally over! I don’t know about you but I get excited just thinking about all the great music that will be happening over the next two weekends. Not only is this a place of great music, but of great fashion. Every year we see performers, celebrities, and those in attendance rocking springs hottest trends. There is such a great range of music, which is reflected in the variety of styles and fashion on display. The relationship between music and fashion is a symbiotic one, with music inspiring a different sense of style. The Black Keys, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Florence and the Machine are just some of the bands that epitomize the different soundtracks to your style.

The Black Keys will be headlining Coachella both Friday the 13^th and Friday the 20^th. We love this duo for staying true to their vision; a soulful mix of blues and rock, creating a unique sound that resonates with listeners. For the past 11 years the rock duo has been able to successfully create an edgy rock sound with soul, giving them the rock credibility they deserve. The Keys inspire a style of that true rocker edge, so pair a denim jacket with a great pair of black boots and some accessories that add that cool factor.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is one of my personal favorites that will be at Coachella this year. The band mixes blues, soul, and rock from the 1960s and 70s giving it true grit and emotion. Grace Potter herself represents the band’s music through her personal sense of style, rocking sparkly fringe minis and heels, and mixing her inherent rocker sense with a girly edge. For a festival look inspired by the girly edge of Grace Potter pair a sequin mini with a white tee and a great pair of boots or wedges. You will be on trend with a spring favorite – white. It is crisp, clean, girly, and perfect for a hot day at Coachella.

It can’t get much better than seeing Florence and the Machine live. Their trademark sound of folk-inspired rock is unparalleled due to Florence Welch’s powerful voice and the band’s dramatic melodies and lyrics. Florence herself has a cinematic wardrobe adding to the drama and romanticism behind the band’s greatness. Florence empowers her audience and inspires a style of romantic dresses and floral statements, which is right on trend for spring. The softness of her style balances the powerfulness of her voice, and I cannot wait to see what she wears on stage.

Fashion Week is upon us, and as predicted, patterned pants are ruling the runway this season. Flowered, polka dotted, striped, and chevron-covered bottoms are the new “it” item to dress up any outfit, chase away the winter blues, and declare a bold fashion statement both on and off the runway.

Adding splashes of color to any outfits, these pants will be the “it” item of your outfit, allowing for the simplicity of solid colored basic tops and simple flats or boots.

Designers from high-end brands like Prada all the way to J. Crew are releasing their interpretations of patterned pants this season, and with the boldness of colors also come creative freedom to play with the pants’ silhouettes. We’re seeing slim-cut high-waisted pants, slouchy loose trouser with tapered ankles, and wide leg capris in bold prints.

With such a bold fashion statement in vogue, the styling possibilities are endless. How will you wear your patterned pants this season?

Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango to be the Color of The Year for 2012, and all of a sudden it’s everywhere. More vibrant and vivid than its 2010 predecessor Honeysuckle, this year’s cheerful reddish hue is inspiring designers worldwide. Appearing in couture fashion, interior design, handbags, and wallpaper, Tangerine Tango is officially taking 2012 by storm.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Now that you’re aware of Tangerine Tango no doubt you’ll be noticing its presence on the runway, in stores, and in interior design. We’re excited to see where it shows up next!

Color blocking became popular last spring, with bright, bold colors, but the trend has continued to grow and evolve. In the spring, countless designers and celebrities showcased bright pinks, purples, oranges and greens, combined together to create a striking effect. While these colors seem best suited for spring and summer, color blocking can be used with neutral colors for the colder seasons. This trend has even made its way to the home. A splash of color amid neutrals creates a sophisticated, yet bold look.

Check out this video on Color Blocking Fashion Tips and Refinery29‘s tips on Colorblocking Dos and Don’ts this winter.

With a camera in every phone and hundreds of different social networks to share photos on, we have become a society enamored with photos. Erik Kessels, a Dutch visual artist, was alarmed at the ubiquity of photography and so he printed out every single photo uploaded to Flickr within a 24 hour period. The results are staggering. Kessels explained his work, on display at The Future of Photography Museum at Foam in Amsterdam, by saying ““We’re exposed to an overload of images nowadays… This glut is in large part the result of image-sharing sites like Flickr, networking sites like Facebook, and picture-based search engines. Their content mingles public and private, with the very personal being openly and un-selfconsciously displayed. By printing all the images uploaded in a 24-hour period, I visualise the feeling of drowning in representations of other peoples’ experiences.” Are we over-sharing or simply taking advantage of an accessible art form and connecting with friends? Either way, that picture you absentmindedly uploaded to Flickr might currently be displayed in an art museum.

-Merany

Good Trend of the Week: Chevron Pattern

The chevron pattern began trending a few months ago and has taken off into so many different areas of design. From the recent insanely successful release of Missoni for Target, we have seen the chevron pattern incorporated into affordable fashions and home goods. We have also seen this dynamic pattern incorporated into many aspects of interior design, from fabrics and wall coverings, to tile and furniture. Chevron is so striking yet so versatile in it’s design aesthetic and creates such a bold statement. Chevron is clearly a trend that is here for the long haul!

Bento lunchbox ideas from Another Lunch.

When I was younger, Lunchables were all the craze, there is something about having individual compartments: one for your sandwich, another for veggies and dip, a third for fruit and maybe some chocolate. A bento style setup can make your lunch more fun and also pleasantly presentable. Now, there are several companies making eco-friendly bento lunchboxes such as ECOlunchbox. These stainless steel containers make it easy to pack a well-balanced lunch, and also helps you say goodbye to plastic zip locks and brown paper bags. Great recipes for kid’s lunches that follow a bento format are available at Another Lunch. Melissa Sharp’s website features links on how to choose and where to find bento packs, as well as helpful snack tutorials. However, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy these eco bento ideas!

Images from ECOlunchbox's website.

-Neko

Jacket and skirt from Schmidttakahashi's Reanimation Collection

When browsing through consignment shops and vintage boutiques, I never fail to find some cool garment or accessory, but its hard to ignore the former owner and the garment’s former life. But now the mysteries of our recycled favorites are being debunked by Berlin fashion label Schmidttakahashi (the name comes from co-designers Eugenie Schmidt and Mariko Takahashi) as it seeks to unveil the past, present and future of vintage fashion.

The way it works is that clothes are donated with each donor receiving an ID number. Every item is then saved in an archive before Schmidttakahashi goes to work dismantling and reassembling the clothes into new designs.  The information about the combined materials and other garment information is then stored in an RFID-chip and sewn into each new piece. The items in the “Reanimation” collection can then be scanned with a smartphone, allowing donors and new owners to visually see the transformation of their clothes, while also allowing the present owner to add to the clothing’s narrative. In the minds of its creators, “Reanimation” is a way of swapping identity. With each recycled garment we are essentially slipping into “the external skin of another”.

-Neko