Tag: women

When Maximilian Büsser, founder of cult avant-garde watch brand MB&F, first presented his design for the Horological Machine No.9, AKA HM9 Flow, his manufacturer simply said “no way.” But Büsser has never been one to bow to convention, often referring to his own creations as “crazy.”

Described as a “geometrically complex” combination of milled sapphire crystal and grade 5 titanium, the HM9 costs $182,000 and is limited to just 33 examples each of two different versions: an “Air” edition with a dark movement and aviator-style dial, and a “Road” edition with a rose gold-plated movement and speedometer-style dial. The movements are of course in-house, i.e. bespoke.

Resembling a jet engine and inspired by futuristic mid-century automotive and aviation design, the HM9 could be dismissed as deliberately provocative and impractical. But Büsser insists that’s (somewhat) wide of the mark.

“If it has already been done, what is the point in doing it again?” he once told me. “The watch industry has been taken over by marketers, who keep on copying whatever they think will sell. It’s a little sad and leads to a dwindling creative spiral.”

Outside the oil-fueled fantasyland of Dubai where he is based, Büsser’s designs, inspired by science fiction and his childhood dreams of space travel, can look a bit absurd. But well-heeled watch collectors have not only kept him solvent but made the business a resounding success. 

We still can’t see many people wearing a 57mm mechanical alien that costs nearly as much as a McLaren, but if you ever do spot one of these in the wild you’ll never mistake it for anything else.

Breast cancer touches most of us, directly or indirectly. What happens when someone you love is diagnosed, and the world keeps turning? So often, well-intentioned family, friends and coworkers want to be useful but realize they don’t really know how to be.

When breast cancer affects someone you care about, your greatest contribution can be offering both tangible and intangible support. Though not everyone will want the same things or react the same way, the most important takeaway is this: Don’t ignore the pink elephant in the room. Do something.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bare Necessities compiled the 10 best suggestions:

Listen.

If you’re not sure what to say, you don’t have to say anything. Your role isn’t problem-solver; it’s reliable shoulder. Always keep an ear open for clues that illuminate what she needs without making her say it. On the other hand, explicitly say that you’re there for her in whatever ways she needs, rather than attempting to guess. Take on the communications heavy-lifting: Send short texts or make quick calls, often. Tell her you’ll be in touch soon—then do it. Work around her schedule, or set up regular times to touch base, and return messages right away. Skip speaking in platitudes, too (“everything happens for a reason”). Not helpful.

Do your research.

However inadvertently, do not expect your friend to school you in the ABCs of breast cancer or walk you down from (your perfectly natural) worry while dealing with her own. Know that cancer is a rollercoaster and some days will be harder than others. Avoid sharing medical advice or opinions and other cancer stories you’ve heard about.

Be extra-sensitive and respectful.

Even if you didn’t before, always call before dropping by, don’t overstay and plan to come back soon to give her something to look forward to. Keep pity out of your tone, take a beat to think before you speak and don’t overreach: “You look rested” is preferable to a formerly offhanded remark like “You look great!” or “You’ve lost weight.” If you’re at a loss when she breaks the news, you can say something as simple as “I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this. I care about you, and I’m here for you.”

Just be you.

Treat her normally—not too much fawning. Be present, supportive and encouraging. Never assume it’s okay to share her story with anyone else. And while it sounds obvious, now more than ever, don’t be afraid to hug or touch your friend! She may be at the fore of your thoughts, but her mind is elsewhere; she may take awhile getting back to you. Don’t disappear.

Do the things you’ve always done together.

A perfect way to pitch in where others can’t is to take her mind off her diagnosis by having some fun. If she’s up for a manicure or a walk in the park, have at it.

Pick up some of the slack.

Thoughtful gestures mean a lot, so bring by her favorites, prep meals, help out around her house, do her shopping, drive her kids around. Volunteer to be someone she can count on to sit with her during chemo, send thank-you notes on her behalf or maintain a care page online (where people can sign up to receive updates without checking in with her individually all the time). Coordinate with your circle to send a bunch of uplifting cards. Whatever it is, if you say you’ll do something, follow through.

Become an advocate.

You can volunteer to attend doctors’ appointments and take notes so she can process better and verify what she’s hearing from someone whose mind is a bit less overwhelmed.

Stay the course.

Around diagnosis, it seems, everyone turns up—but support can flag as time passes. Sure, life gets busy, and there’s a new normal, but one of the best things you can do is to show up consistently.

Coordinate with her caregiver.

It can be incredibly helpful to relieve him or her for a few hours when you can swing it, or take care of the errands for them on the regular.

Help make life a little more pleasant.

Cancer survivors have suggested the following make great pick-me-ups: plush or silly socks, hats or pretty scarves, pajamas, bathrobes, a blanket and nice pillow, fancy soaps and lotions, favorite snacks, a gift certificate for a massage or to her favorite restaurant, funny movies, an e-reader or gift card to buy books, a journal—even a stuffed animal. And of course a charitable donation in her honor is always appreciated.

For information or support, the American Cancer Society is available 24/7 at 800-227-2345 or cancer.org.

The post Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 10 Ways to be Supportive appeared first on Bare it All.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: once in a while when I’m looking for a fresh story idea, I ask my friends what they wish we’d write an article about. What’s interesting is that, whenever I do, about 80% of the time their requests have something to do with jeans. Whether it’s that they’re looking for a new denim trend to try, need help finding a great pair, or are in search of styling tips, it seems like jeans are not just everyone’s favorite staple, but their most complicated, too.

Which brings us to today’s post. Let’s say you’ve got the jeans—it’s then time to start stocking up on tops to wear with them. After all, is there any easier outfit combo? Just add boots, sneakers, or mules and you’re ready to face fall effortlessly and stylishly. On that note, shop a cool 36 of my favorite tops to pair with your jeans for the season ahead below.

Up next? The secret Nordstrom section every cool girl should know about.

Now that spring runway shows are wrapping up, it’s safe to say logomania is here to stay. From brands like Prada with its iconic triangle logo on tops and nylon bags to Fendi’s logo biker shorts Bella Hadid wore down the runway in Milan, designers are plastering logos on more pieces than ever. As I pointed out last month with the best Manolo Blahnik shoes under $200, we all can’t afford a new “it” designer item every season or even every year (myself included) so today I’m spilling how I score logo pieces without paying the full price.

Some of my favorite luxury resale sites are The Real Real and Vestiaire Collective, which you can easily browse by filtering by designer and your size. Below I’m sharing the best vintage Prada items you can add to your fall wardrobe for less than $200. I sourced everything from shoes to the cutest nylon baguette bags that all have a very throwback yet current vibe, so scroll down to snag the goods before someone else does. Be sure to show us how you’re wearing your new vintage pieces by using the hashtag #WhoWhatWearing on Instagram.

I can’t say enough how important I think it is to cultivate your own jewelry look to ensure every outfit is as stylish as possible from one day to the next. I personally have a stack of hoops up my ears that, at any given moment, can be found to include a fun pair of hoops or a larger statement piece. No matter your jewelry look, there’s always room for a new piece to shake up your staple pair and this fall, jewelry designers really delivered in the earring trends department.

The earring trends we saw emerge on the F/W 18 runways was varied for sure. We saw all-out ’80s glam jewelry moments, thanks to the triumphant return of the decade’s maximalism to fashion. And then there were the more eclectic, art-inspired shapes and the pretty pearl pieces on offer. On the whole, this season’s earring trends prove one thing for certain: no matter what kind of jewelry wearer you may be, there’s a fall 2018 earring trend with your name all over it.

To get a look at the styles that will adorn everyone’s ears for the next several months, keep reading and then shop our picks of each trend.

Now your lobes are all up to speed on the latest fall earring trends.

Even though fall has barely just begun, the fashion crowd has been wearing the biggest trends of the season for months now. And since fashion month is wrapping up, four cities later, we can say with confidence that we know what the “It” items of fall 2018 are. 

Spotting It items is a big part of our job, and between street style, Instagram, and those waitlisted pieces that no one can seem to get their hands on, we don’t have any trouble with the task of pinpointing them. This season, we settle on 13 pieces that are defining fall 2018. Some of them are specific items and some are a specific type of item, all of which are informed by the season’s biggest trends (i.e. ’80s, Western, animal print, dad sneakers, and general “extraness”). 

You know the drill: Keep on scrolling to find out which pieces all the cool fashion girls are wearing this fall, and shop them for your own closet.

Next up, find out which high school clique you’d be in now, according to fall trends.

We’re all about the details and truly believe they’re the key to separating a chic outfit from a head-turning, street style–worthy look. Whether it’s a new pair of boots or eye-catching earrings, we’re advocates for punching up your look with a trending accessory. Shop the latest ones we’re eyeing from Matches Fashion now.

Elon Musk likes his weed. Who has a problem with that? Recreational cannabis is legal in California, he’s floating on oceans of money—anyone with a taste for it would probably be buying the green by the bushel. 

It’s not news that his yen for it got him in trouble after tweeted the following lame-ass 420-themed joke. On Saturday he learned how much his joke cost.

That dumbass crack, supposedly tweeted for his (then?) girlfriend Grimes‘ amusement, cost a lot of money. Maybe not billions—at least not yet—but Ars Technica reports that thanks to pissed-off investors it certainly cost enough. Money is coming out of Musk’s and Tesla’s pockets and some humbling changes in his position with the company:

Musk and Tesla have each agreed to pay $20 million in penalties, which will distributed to those investors that were harmed. “At the Commission, the interests of ordinary investors are at the front of our minds and, in matters involving misconduct, we seek to serve those interests to the extent practicable while also ensuring that we remediate and deter misconduct,” said SEC Chairman Jay Clayton in a separate statement released at the same time as news of the settlement.

On top of the combined $40 million in penalties, Tesla will have to increase the independence of its board, adding two new directors not linked to Musk. It will also have to rein in his use of social media, adding “controls and procedures to oversee Musk’s communications.”

Ouch. Kicked off the top spot and he has babysitters to boot. 

This won’t actually hurt Musk’s bank account and he’s still a part of the company, acting as CEO. It may curb his recent tendency towards public wilding out, removing him from the top spot as everyone’s favorite dope-smoking billionaire. 

Not to be unkind to Musk or Tesla, but the SEC could have fined them $420 million just to be sarcastic.

No one  knows how to have fun anymore.