Sunday's Mask: Honey Girl Organics Rejuvenating Mask

Sunday night often finds me indulging in an at-home facial. It's how I mark the end of the weekend while tricking myself into relaxing for the dreaded Monday morning. But then I also like to do a couple of masks in the middle of the week. Really, I'm just addicted to facials. Of course I ought to start a weekly feature on my favorite masks.

The star of this inaugural post is Honey Girl Organics Rejuvenating Mask.

A honey mask? was my first reaction when I saw this jar on the shelves of my co-op. Well, it makes sense. Honey is good for you when eaten, and royal jelly has long been recognized for its rich skin-boosting nutrients. Indeed, I've used moisturizers that contain royal jelly; I just never thought of slathering it on my face as a mask. I picked the jar up for a bit over $25.

Honey Girl Organics is a line that utilizes organic raw honey and other bee-based products from Hawaii. According to its copy, the Rejuvenating Mask enhances collagen production and stimulates new cell growth. It softens and moisturizes while providing the skin with the nutrition it needs to look and feel its best. The ingredient list almost fits on the fingers of one hand: organic raw honey, French green clay, organic diatomaceous earth, Hawaiian blue green algae, royal jelly, propolis.

I gave the mask a try last week, and was delighted.

First, the mask is a bit tricky to apply. The directions advise you to leave your skin slightly moist, because the consistency of the product itself is so sticky. I over-dried my face slightly, and found it difficult to spread the product evenly all over. Eventually, I managed it.

The stuff looks like something out of a green smoothie, doesn't it? The smell is very strong: a sickly-sweet mixture of honey and algae, but after a couple of minutes it dries down to a pleasant honey scent. Following the directions, I left the mask on for fifteen minutes (and marveled at how horrifying I looked with slick green goop on my face) then washed it off with lukewarm water. The mask came off easily, and I could feel granules rubbing against my skin.

The result was clear, soft, plump skin. My pores were cleared out, and that slight wrinkle above my left eyebrow had utterly vanished. Most amazingly, my naso-labial folds appeared significantly shallower. It was as if someone had come along and filled them in. I can name perhaps only two other products that have accomplished such a thing, and both cost considerably more than $25.

The next day, my skin felt and looked even better. Honey Girl Organics has made a convert out of me. Their Rejuvenating Mask is one of the best facials I have come across, dollar for dollar. Honey truly is a miracle ingredient from nature.

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White Pleats and Demure PVC

I apologize for my nearly month-long absence. The best I can do is call it an impromptu sabbatical. I am still in the process of trying to define my blog, my voice, my focus. In the meantime, though, there's no reason for me not to continue posting about whatever delights me. Thank you for staying with me, everyone.

As a high school teacher, I always love the first day back to school for its fresh sartorial start. Here's what I wore for the occasion:

The skirt is that billowy, perfectly pleated Jil Sander creation that popped up in every color on SS12 runways. The shoes are Oscar de la Renta's marvelous leather-trimmed PVC sandals.

Topped off with a J. Crew shirt in French blue, this outfit walks the line between office desk and tea party.

Does this outfit delight you too?

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Pretty In Chambray and Lace

Today was our first day back to work, teachers and staff minus the students. This outfit is a sweet balance of casual and lovely, summer and autumn.

The shirt is selvedge chambray, while the skirt is made of soft gray lace with a scalloped hem: both from J. Crew. The sandals are from Anthropologie, and the leather cuff (handmade from reclaimed materials) was bought at The Muse in downtown Frederick.

You can see the same shirt, styled for a colder season, in Modern Dickens. I love juxtapositions: they lend intelligent flair to an outfit.

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The Hourglass Waist: Fendi and Haider Ackermann Fall 2012

For Fall 2012, both Fendi and Haider Ackermann drew me in with their sumptuous treatment of the hourglass waist.

Between baroque tops and streamlined pencil skirts, Fendi interposed flared belt-slash-waspies paneled in rich dark colors and textures.

Haider Ackermann went architectural on the hips, folding and layering below the cinched waist to evoke associations of kimonos and queen bees.

These two designers have made me see the hourglass figure in an entirely new, exciting way.

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Shoe Porn: Givenchy Vittorias Heel in Gold Glitter

Totally unnecessary? Yes. Who on earth needs biker heels coated in sparkly gold glitter? Yet, that did not stop me from falling in love with these Givenchy Vittorias glitter heels with suede trim the moment I saw them.

Apparently I am not the only one who covets impractical chunky-and-glittery footwear, since the shoe promptly sold out in most places. Then a couple of weeks ago, a sample pair in 38.5 popped up for half off on Forward by Elyse Walker. The trouble? They were final sale and I usually wear 39 or 39.5.

Ought I to bite the bullet? After all, they're so glittery.

   
I went on the Internet seeking answers, and found these photos of Poppy Delevigne sporting the heels.

Oh, dear. I bit the bullet. This story has a happy ending: the shoes fit! Now I have filled that glitter-shaped hole in my shoe wardrobe.

Poppy showed me that the best way to wear such bold and glittery heels is with denim. I would wear mine with dark cigarette ankle jeans and a pale chambray blouse, tucked in.

Is there a pair of glittery shoes in your wardrobe? If so, how do you like to wear them? If not, would you go out now and get a pair?

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Design Gem: Reed Krakoff Orange & Nude

Two perfect ensembles from Reed Krakoff Resort 2012. Minimalist, monochromatic orange and nude: variations on a theme.

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