A Signature Scent
The most effective way to choose a signature scent is to think of a happy memory and start your aromatic journey from there. Get super nostalgic for your childhood when cookies bake in the oven? Look for scents with vanilla base notes. Love fresh flowers? Look for floral notes. Our pick? The scent experts at Le Labo, who are located online, in Los Angeles and in Barneys stores across the U.S., will work with your body chemistry to help you pick a fave.
The Perfect Cut of Meat
It's daunting to stand in front of the meat counter and not know which cut to choose for a steak dinner or short-rib tacos. Choosing the best cut of meat can be broken down into: grade, cut and marbling. For grade, prime is the highest (and generally only reserved for restaurants), followed by choice and select. But you can never go wrong with filet mignon.
A Comfy Pair of Jeans
Finding the perfect pair of jeans sometimes feels impossible. Great denim is a wardrobe staple, and you want to make sure your dream pair fits you well and makes you feel great.
Our favorite denim hails from Madewell, J.Crew's trendy sister store. Their denim is designed in L.A. and uses premium materials that never bag out or lose their shape at the end of the day. With a variety of styles and every color imaginable, you're bound to find your perfect pair.
Running Shoes That Fit
Choosing the best running shoe for you depends a lot on your comfort, your needs and your arch. If you prefer the feeling of running barefoot, opt for shoes with less weight and support. Conversely, if you over-pronate your ankles, look for shoes with more structure and support. Try to replace your shoes when you start to see wear and tear.
Select Nike locations also offer a more technological approach—run for 50 meters on a treadmill fitted with a video camera wearing a variety of sneakers. Their shoe experts will check out the footage (so to speak) and help you find the perfect pair.
The Perfect Bra
We spoke to Sarah Carter, expert bra fitter for Cake Maternity, a gorgeous line of bras, sleepwear and underwear, about getting the right fit. "Getting a proper bra fitting by a certified bra fitter is vastly important to your health," says Carter. "Eighty percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra and most are wearing them too big in the band and too small in the cup. The support should come from the band; not the straps. The straps cannot and should not be carrying the weight of your breasts. It will cause your shoulders to move forward, creating poor posture and neck and back pain."
The Right Workout Clothes
The right workout clothes make you look good, feel good, and definitely make it easier to hit the gym. Our pick? Fabletics, a super-chic, highly functional line of workout gear from fitness guru and mama Kate Hudson. Take their short quiz, and they'll pick an outfit for you based on your workouts at a price that won't break the bank.
Image via ELLE
Cocktail Knowledge
Our Happy Hour series is one of our favorite features on the site. Every week, we visit a local bar serving interesting cocktails and learn how to make one of their signature drinks. In addition to picking up a new recipe, we've also learned a thing or two about making a great cocktail. Justin Fix of Blind Barber reminds us to look for the right balance of tart and sweet. Anthony Trincanello of The Roost at LA Farm advises that you always vigorously shake your cocktail to ensure the right level of chill and complete mixing.
Be Fluent
Knowing multiple languages is a priceless skill. As we get older, learning a new language is more difficult, until now that is. … Meet Earworms, where phrases are set to catchy tunes that get stuck in your head so you can easily order una botella de vino tinto facilmente.
To buy: Earworms, $11
Good Posture
Great posture is key for avoiding back and neck pain, for preventing muscle aches and fatigue, and you instantly look better (ahem, 10 pounds lighter) when you've got great posture.
Beautiful Stationery
We consulted the best of the best, James Hirschfeld, cofounder of Paperless Post for this one. For the perfect stationery, he loves "the tactile beauty of engraving and letterpress, so I would go for the old school printing methods and order note cards engraved on 100% cotton paper. The effect is subtle and the price point is a bit higher, but in a largely digital world it can be very impactful to receive a hand-made piece of stationery." What else is trending in the world of stationery? Metallics. "Our foil stamped designs give you the tactile feeling of letterpress with a contemporary sheen that feels luxe without being fussy."
Good Manners
Fresh Flowers
Flowers add a touch of elegance to every room and are the fastest way to make every day feel special … but they can come with a hefty price tag. Arranging supermarket flowers beautifully brings a little of that luxury home.
A few key tips: Try sticking to one type of flower or the same color scheme. Use tape to make a grid across the vase opening to help the flowers stand up tall, or choose a more natural rustic and wild approach by replicating how flowers look in the garden.
Scent Your Home
Though it seems simple, a lot of thought goes into choosing the right candle. For everyday dinners or fancy parties, opt for unscented candles (try a tealight or taper in candlestick holders) so the smell doesn't clash with the food. For common areas and entryways, a luxury-scented candle is worth the investment (we love Diptyque and Voluspa) for the gorgeous packaging and the fragrance.
Know Your City
Waze might be the app we use most on our smartphones. Its real-time, community-driven directions and traffic application make life a million times easier. It will help you avoid sitting in traffic, show you a new route you didn’t know, alert you to traffic snarls and accidents and let you know exactly how many minutes it will take to get there.
To buy: App Store, Free
Give Great Gifts
Sesame is an online store that takes all the hard work out of giving perfect gifts for any occasion. Each gift is themed around an experience, and the site goes that extra mile to make you look more thoughtful than you are. Is there a new mom in your life? Give the gift of The Ultimate Unwind, which will take her to the spa for a day with bath salts, cookies, lotion and more.
Cook Like a Pro
The Kitchen Aid stand mixer is an investment in your culinary education, but you (and your family) will reap the benefits for years to come. Not only does it work like an ox in a field, it also looks gorgeous on your countertop.
To buy: Amazon, $280
Tour Like a Pro
Through the Google Art Project, the greatest museums of the world are now on your very own desktop. With stunning 360 degree views, you can tour all the art at the Smithsonian Museums, The Getty and the Musée d’Orsay, all just a click away.
Proper Storage
Make sure your clothes stay gorgeous (and intact) for years to come with the following tips. Always store clothes in plastic bins after they have been cleaned to protect them from moths. Toss in a couple dryer sheets to keep everything smelling fresh.
Great Hair
The secret to great hair is to work with what you have, not against it. Always use products for your current hair type, and blot your hair dry—never rub, which causes frizz and breakage. For an at-home blowout, use tension, starting at the root of your hair and pull completely through a round brush.
Be a Wine Expert
When it comes to wine, we think rules were meant to be broken, but a few basic tips will help you navigate wine lists. Pair lighter wines with lighter food, such as Chardonnay or Riesling with chicken and fish, while full-bodied wines like Petite Sirah or Malbec go well with meat, game and tomato sauces. If your meal is spicier, reach for a sweeter wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
A Weekender Bag
Lo & Sons, a cool company started by two brothers, originated because necessity is the mother of invention. They created a line of bags for their mom that would be lightweight and roomy for essentials. Our favorite? Their Catalina Weekender bag for all the same reasons above.
To buy: Lo & Sons, $120
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Image via A Cup of Jo
Pack Right
With the rising costs of checked bags, many people are choosing to use their carry-on as their only luggage. The TSA liquid restrictions make packing your necessities difficult, though. The answer? gloProfessional's Body Travel Kit make your trips as luxurious and stress free as they were pre-TSA rules. With a sugar body polish, body butter, body wash and a travel candle, all meeting current requirements, you'll actually look forward to your next trip.
To buy: glo professional, $24
Steam Like a Pro
If you've been avoiding wearing certain wrinkly clothes because you hate to iron, prepare for a wardrobe-changer. Hand steamers are affordable, quick to use and can fit easily in a small cabinet, so there are no more excuses for looking disheveled or avoiding half your closet.
To buy: Amazon, $26
The Perfect Makeup Routine
A streamlined makeup routine can help get you out the door faster and help you feel your best. Give yourself two minutes for three products that will give you a healthy glow and a bit of polish. Our picks? A tinted moisturizer or BB cream you can apply (almost) without looking, black mascara to open your eyes, and pinky blush for a fresh-from-the-cold glow. Easy.
