SICKA THAN AVERAGE

STA Readers Save 20% On Their Next Purchase At Sine’s E-Commerce Store

To celebrate the launch of Sine's brand new e-boutique, Sicka Than Average readers (that's you!) will receive 20% off their online purchases throughout the month of March by simply entering the code "Spring20" at checkout. If you log on to the e-boutique, you'll find spring dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, jackets, and jumpers from the contemporary fashion brands Sine, Laila and Parameter.

Pictured above are some of my favorite pieces in the Sine e-boutique. At top, you'll find Laila's Starlit Riviera Dress, which features tiers of silk ruffles along the top of the bodice and throughout the skirt. I love how the ruffles along the decolletage stop just above the midsection of the fitted bodice —which, in turn, streamlines the silhouette, minimizing the volume created by the ruffled areas. I'm also fascinated by the watercolor-esque geometric print and the choice of hues, which range from slate gray to forest green, deep magenta, asphalt black, and burnt ember.

Next, pictured above (at the center), you'll find the Sine Showcase Peplum Dress, an indigo-colored strapless dress with a fitted bodice and three rows of zippers along the waistline, as well as a single ruffle over the pencil-like skirt. It's a sweet, slightly '60s flavored design, with just a touch of spunk courtesy of the zipper details.

Last, you'll find the Sine Surprise Encounter Romper (my personal fave), a silk piece in cobalt blue and black with gold snap buttons along the front. The black piping along the top of the cobalt blue bodice, combined with the thin spaghetti straps, create the illusion of a sexy, boudoir-ready camisole, but the romper's lower part is constructed so as to give the appearance of high-waisted, loose-fitting, knee-length shorts (which adds some restraint to the design). Together, the combination is versatile, frisky yet sophisticated — this is the type of romper that you can dress down with a pair of sandals or which you can dress up by adding some stilettos, a nice jacket, and some statement jewelry.

This is just a small sampling of the pieces in stock, so make sure to visit ShopSineNY.com and take advantage of the 20% discount. Just remember to enter "Spring20" at checkout!

Laila Starlit Riviera Dress, $298; Sine Showcase Peplum Dress, $248; and Sine Surprise Encounter Romper, $248.Visit ShopSineNY.com

Posted at 11:29 AM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 27, 2010

FACE Stockholm Chrystal Deodorant — So Fresh And So Clear

First things first, let's debunk some of the myths surrounding perspiration and the products made to address the phenomenon. There are two basic categories of products that tackle that unpleasant odor emanating from sweaty armpits: antiperspirants, which focus on controlling the amount of sweat released by your body (and most rely on aluminum salts to do so), and deodorants, which seek to kill odor-causing bacteria as opposed to regulating the amount of sweat released. Personally, I've always preferred deodorants since I feel like sweating is a natural process whereby the body expunges many toxins and hence I don't feel like it's wise to hamper that process from taking its natural course. But, even if you opt for deodorants over antiperspirants, there's the tricky issue of aluminum content. Some scientific research has linked aluminum content to Azlheimer's disease and, since most deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum, that means many of us might be putting ourselves at risk by relying on this products. The most obvious precautionary message: finding an all-natural deodorant that's effective and contains none of these potentially harmfully chemicals.

Sounds easy enough, right? Not so much. The truth is I hadn't found an all-natural deodorant that I truly loved enough to have replace my stash of Secret roll-ons — that is, until I tried the Chrystal Deodorant from FACE Stockholm. For one, it has a roll-on applicator, making it a cinch to apply. Next, it goes on clear (as opposed to, say, the Lavanila Healthy Deodorant or the Toms of Maine deodorant sticks). Unscented and hypoallergenic, the Chrystal Deodorant focuses on neutralizing odor-causing bacteria through a mixture of pure mineral salts, while chamomile soothes the skin.

I found the deodorant extremely effective — it kept me feeling (and smelling) fresh even on days when I had on about a million layers of winter clothing and was forced to stand in boiling spaces where shedding some of these layers was simply not an option. I also appreciate the fact that the deodorant doesn't try to conceal odors with artificial baby powder or floral fragrances (those never fool anyone, right?).

If you're looking for an all-natural deodorant, I definitely recommend checking this one out!

FACE Stockholm Chrystal Deodorant, $9 for 90 ml bottle. Visit FACEstockholm.com

**This review is based on a press sample submitted for review by the company's publicity department.

Posted at 12:38 PM in Beauty | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 27, 2010

Freestyle 20×10 Special Edition Shark Watch — Prime Time

Like clockwork for the next ten months, Freestyle USA will be unveiling a series of limited-edition Shark watches, each in a color scheme commemorating the notable events taking place during the month of release. Only 500 pieces of each 20×10 Special Edition Shark Watch will be released, and each will feature all the standard features: day, month and time display, two alarms, a stopwatch with split screen function, a countdown heat timer, a night vision backlight display, and water resistance up to 100 meters.

The introductory watch, introduced earlier this month, features a bright yellow and blue band, a green rubber casing along the dial, and another red square along the perimeter of that green square casing. I'm still speculating about all the different colors and why they were selected. I'm assuming the red is a reference to Valentine's Day (or maybe National Wear Red Day on Feb. 5th), and I'm guessing the blue references winter sports (and maybe even the Winter Olympics). As for the green, it might perhaps be a nod to Super Bowl (as in green football fields), and the yellow could maybe evening primrose, since some say the evening primrose is the flower of choice for the month of February (though if I let my imagination roam, I start thinking it might be a reference to Mardi Gras since yellow, green and purple tend to abound in decorations for the festival).

I can't wait to overanalyze the March edition!

Freestyle 20×10 Special Edition Shark Watch, $60. Visit FreestyleUSA.com for a list of retailers.

Posted at 12:15 AM in Fashion, Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 26, 2010

Shades of Love — Oh-So-Fab DSquared2 Sunglasses

It seems practically demented to write about sunglasses in the midst of another round of snowstorms, and yet I'm finding it oddly comforting to envision and anticipate the warm, sunny days of spring. Maybe it's a Field of Dreams effect, where my subconscious mind trusts that, if I expend enough energy visualizing this weather, it will somehow actualize the fantasy. All I know is this: my fantasy warm weather ensemble isn't complete without a fetching pair of shades, and these DSquared2 sunglasses are just the ticket.

I love the octagon shape of the DQ0039 black frames (pictured second from top) and how the long, rectangular strips along the frame's exteriors add a bit of Miami Beach Art Deco panache to the otherwise simple style. As for the DSquared2 DQ0037 shades, former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams was actually spotted wearing these in black while attending the Tracy Reese Fall 2010 show at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week. We actually spotted Michelle Williams backstage minutes before the show, but we didn't catch her wearing her DSquared2 shades since Williams was kind enough to take them off for all the photographers lurking about, angling to take her picture. Still, it's clear why she'd pick such a classy pair of shades — the teardrop-shaped lenses flatter almost any face shape, and the thickness of the arms adds that "I want to go incognito" Hollywood flavor. Personally, I find this style particularly alluring in the purple shade (pictured above), which features translucent print (it's an almost tortoise shell-esque effect) but in an unexpected color scheme.

Now, doesn't your outlook seem a bit brighter? See how far thinking about sunshine goes?

DSquared2 DQ0037 sunglasses, $330, and DSquared2 DQ0039 sunglasses, $450. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue locations across the US.

Posted at 07:51 PM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 26, 2010

Come Here, Kitty! — Katy Perry’s Trash & Luxury “Cat’s Meow” Tee

The ever-cheeky Katy Perry was recently spotted wearing this Trash & Luxury "Cat's Meow" tee atop a black sports bra, a piece she paired with a pair of sporty black spandex leggings and kicks (presumably her choice ensemble for a trip to the gym or a yoga class). The vintage-looking tee features a reworked image of Julie Newmar, the beloved actress who played the original Catwoman in the late '60s Batman television series. Newmar paved the way for actresses like Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry, who would all later add their own flair to the famous Catwoman persona, and she beguiled audiences during her many TV appearances, quickly becoming the most popular villainous character during the TV series' short-lived run (1966-1968).

I love how the tee immortalizes Newmar in a demure way. Even if you don't know whose luscious red pout, long eyelashes, and arched eyebrows are being depicted, you do appreciate the image's retro glamour. And, of course, the "cat's meow" reference is a rather clever, tongue-in-cheek nod to the purrr-fection of Newmar's Catwoman role.

Trash & Luxury "The Cat's Meow" T-shirt, $46. Visit TrashandLuxury.com

Posted at 05:00 PM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)