Category — liFESTYLE

This past weekend, I took the 4 train to the Bronx on a quest to see the Yankees take on the Cubs in the new Yankees Stadium. Not only was it exciting to know that I was the second person to ever sit in my seat, but I also enjoyed the overall feel you get from going to baseball games.

For one thing, they remind you that warmer days are ahead. And nothing gets you in the spring/summer spirit quite like spending a day partaking in America’s favorite pastime.

I put a lot of thought and care into picking out the quintessential all-American outfit this weekend. (However, due to overly windy weather, I realized I was ill-prepared as I stepped out into the bitter cold in a sundress, leggings, and a cardigan. No pictures, please!)

Since there are definitely more ball games to come, I thought I’d put together a couple of looks perfect for indulging in a soda and hot dog (vegetarian, of course!) while watching hot guys run around a diamond!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame! by reLYME featuring Converse sneakers

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If you’ve been reading reLYME for any length of time, you probably know by now that I’m gung-ho for a eco-conscious lifestyle! Well, here’s yet another reason for me to get excited…and you to get involved!

Starting today, Origins stores will begin accepting all of your empty beauty product containers from any brand as part of their new recycling initiative for Earth Month. (Yes, any brand. Not just Origins!)

And, in select stores (scroll to the bottom, please!), the first 100 people to return empty containers will receive a deluxe sample of A Perfect World Intensely Hydrating Body Cream. Of course, you’ll have to call your nearest Origins location for more info!

For complete program info, check out the event page:
http://tinyurl.com/cjsehc

Also, Origins is also inviting bloggers and Origins fans to share event info and pictures of their beauty recyclables:

Here’s what you can do:

♥Upload images to the Origins Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Origins/19777183712

♥Post images on Flickr, make sure to tag all photos with “Origins Trash Talk”

♥Tweet to your green heart’s delight using hashtag #OriginsTrashTalk

Here’s my contribution SO far. I still have more cleaning to do!:

Your good deeds won’t go unnoticed! For every new Facebook Fan and every image (of your long-forgotten beauty empties) that’s uploaded to Flickr and tagged “Origins Trash Talk” the brand will plant a tree in your honor.

Regional event locations:

♥New York – Origins Headquarters, General Motors Plaza Fifth Avenue at 58th Street New York, NY

♥Austin – Origins at Central Park 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. Suite 570 Austin, TX 78756 512-302-3267

♥Boston – Faneuil Hall 1 Faneuil Hall Market Place Boston, MA 02109 617-742-7447

♥Cambridge – Origins Harvard Sq 8 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA 02138 617-868-8090

♥Denver – Origins Cherry Creek North 2800 E 2nd Ave Denver, CO 80206-4902 303-388-0018

♥LA – Century City: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90067 310-772-0272

♥San Francisco – San Francisco Centre: 865 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415-537-9440

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When I heard that my friend and fellow social media enthusiast, Alexis James, co-founded a line of eco-friendly dog clothing, I thought it was nothing short of brilliant! The concept of going green is a very popular lifestyle option these days, with the popularity of reusable shopping bags and energy efficient cars on the rise. Why can’t your precious pooch go green, too?

Enter Earth’s Best Friend.

All of the clothing is made from organic cotton, as well as sustainable and biodegradable hemp, ensuring that your doggy is both stylish AND green. And get this! All of the hangtags can be planted and will then bloom, so that you don’t have to throw them away!

Alexis has been working on the line for years in hopes that our canine pals would have access to “Eco-friendly, sustainable pet clothing items – and other products – that were actually cute and fashionable.”

My own doggy, who recycles by turning empty paper towel rolls and bottle caps into chew toys — her idea, not mine — is ecstatic about the line. And come spring, my little Cupcake will most certainly make the other dogs at the dog park feel green with envy, as she sports one of these little gems. (How can I resist purchasing one of these???)

Aside from making your pup look adorable in one of these jackets, you can also train man’s (or woman’s) best friend to become Earth’s Best Friend

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To achieve any Oscar look, it’s all about 4 main signature stages: drying, sectioning, curling and styling.  David Babaii shares how he achieved Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman’s hair for this star studded night.

Angelina Jolie

Nicole Kidman

Janice McCafferty

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With events, backstage appointments, and hopping from Bryant Park to some off site location, with hardly any time to upload photos and videos before the next show, my life would be a nightmare if it weren’t for a couple of handy gadgets.

However, I’d like to share two of my greatest digital loves, pictured above.

1) Flip Video Ultra – Sure, there are newer and fancier models out since I snagged this one. (And believe me, I’m pining after the new Flip MinoHD!!!) However, I am constantly saved by this handy little cam. Not only is it small and compact enough to fit in my purse, but it also makes uploading so cinchy. Plus, the quality is amazing!

2) MIMOBOT – This adorable little flash drive is a complete blessing. I have the 4GB version so it stores tons of files. You have to imagine that taking hundreds of photos a day can way a bit heavy on a tiny little flash drive, but this baby’s powerful enough to handle everything I send to it. And, it’s quite the conversation piece, as everyone wants to know just where I got it.

Special thanks to my Starbucks card, Swedish Fish, and Snapple Diet Peach Tea for providing me with the afternoon pick-me-ups required to maintain my fashion week readiness.

What did you keep at the ready in your NYFW bag?

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The sweet and beautiful Jennine from The Coveted, who is also the genius behind Independent Fashion Bloggers (I’m telling you, this entrepreneurial girl is going to go far!), put together a meet up for NYC fashion bloggers. Or at least those who would be in the city for NYFW.

It was a blast! It was so great to meet so many other bloggers I greatly admire in the flesh. I also enjoyed meeting some new faces. I feel like it reaffirmed my love of blogging. I look forward to connecting with these folks in the future!

A special thanks to Jennine, and to all of the others who made this night happen.

Check out some photos from the event:

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When the fabulous Kate from Treslola volunteered to do a guest post for reLYME, I said an ecstatic, “YES!” Not only does this lady know her stuff, but her blog is incredibly fun to read. In this post, she talks about one of my favorite ways to unwind: red wine. And the good news ladies? It’s even better for you than you might have thought!
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It is important to be informed about ALL aspects of life, including choosing which tipple can be fun for our Saturday night out AND beneficial in the longer term. The answer is not vodka shots.

If one of the resolutions you are so far struggling to keep is to do with controlling your alcohol intake (or keeping an eye on your bank balance!) then this is some important knowledge to heed. A night on the town can be expensive if you’re out on the spirits. Why not take some time out from the spirited side of Saturday nights and spend a bit of time mulling over a class of wine & educating yourself on the finer side of alcoholic offerings? You’ll spend less because you won’t chuck back the glasses quite as quickly & you may even help your health out a little along the way!

So, without further gaff, lets get a little refined for a moment, lets say a big hello to Red Wine. An acquired taste, some say, but if you consider the health benefits associated with this fine wine, you may well be won over. Next time you and your platform heels & hot new sequin mini strut up to the bar, consider a glass of red instead.

Here are just a few reasons why you should become a red wine convert (aside from the fact you’ll look impressively sophisticated drinking it):

Prevents cancer? Well it has Resveratrol & Flavonoid which are powerful antioxidants. Resveratrol, which is naturally occurring in plants, has been said to inhibit the enzymes that assist in the growth of cancerous cells, which has to be a good thing. And Flavonoid, well it is contained in the red grapes and it is also considered to be one of those super powerful antioxidants fighting the good fight against cancer.

Boost the Immune System. Unlike other alcohols that suppress the immune system, red wine actually assists in maintaining our immune system. Our immune system is all about keeping us fit & healthy and so to get the most out of life we need a strong immune system – give it less of a battering next night out & get on the red.

Heart Health. Studies on red wine drinkers from the Mediterranean region has yielded some pretty incredible results that go as far as to demonstrate a link in regular and moderate consumption of red wine lowering the risk of heart disease. Again, it’s those antioxidants that are assisting in these findings. Flavonoids exhibit the ability to assist in preventing blood clots & decrease damage to the blood vessels (caused by fatty deposits).

Okay, so here is the important stuff: while red wine is certainly fair from a being the worst vice you could have, this is not your ticket to binge drinking on the red wine front. Like all things, particularly alcohol, a fine red is best enjoyed in moderation. And so, armed with this knowledge – go forth & enjoy responsibly!

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With my upcoming move, I’m getting to thinking about decor, particularly in the room. I have always had two distinct views in mind for the kind of design I would like in my bedroom: Victorian or Modernist.

Here are two takes on my would-be bedroom:

A Victorian Boudoir:

Victorian Boudoir by reLYME

A Modernist Lair:

Modernist Lair by reLYME

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I haven’t done a favorite things list in a while, so I figured that the close of 2008 deserved a list just as grandiose as the year itself. Below, are my choices of Beka’s Besties of 2008.

enTERTAINMENT

Best New Show: Gossip Girl – The book series turned drama has millions of fans tuning in each week to find out what will become of our conniving Ms. Waldorf and her brooding, arrogant love interest, Chuck Bass. I’ve never read the books, but I’m loving the show. Especially the style!

Best Album: Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak – Though I’m not typically a hip hop fan, I’m very much a Kanye fan, and each song on this album promises booty shakin’ and finger tappin’. I have yet to find a song on this album that I don’t like.

Best Movie: Dark Knight – C’mon, wouldn’t you have been the least bit surprised if I didn’t choose this movie? As the late Heath Ledger’s last iconic film, Dark Knight proves to be the best of the Batman flicks. Even better than my personal fave, Batman Returns. If only I were convinced that hottie, Christian Bale, is well-suited for his role as Batman. (No pun intended).

Best Book: Tori Spelling, sTORI Telling – No, I can’t believe it either, but I did actually enjoy this book. Perhaps it’s because I love biographies, but Tori’s tongue-in-cheek accounts of her past and present make for one interesting read. Plus, I might even appreciate her career a bit more. On second thought, maybe not.

beAUTY

Best Facial Scrub: St. Ive’s Invigorating Apricot Scrub – Call me old fashioned, but I’ll never stop loving St. Ive’s scrubs. And this one is no different. Tough enough to give your skin the exfoliation it needs, but gentle enough to retain skin’s moisture, this miracle scrub remains a #1 Best Seller for a reason–it works!

Best Facial Cleanser: The Body Shop’s Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash – I started using this in 2008 after undergoing a constant struggle with facial cleansers. They were either too harsh or too gentle. Not this one. TBS finally hit the nail on the head with their Seaweed line, and this wash cleanses skin without over-drying leaving my face perfectly radiant. Love it!

Best Lipgloss: NARS Lip Gloss in Giza – I love nude lip glosses. This gloss by Nars, who in my opinion is the world leader in lip glosses, gives my pout just what it needs to feel soft and subtly colored. Unbelievably magical!

Best Mascara: Rimmel London’s Lycra Lash Extender Mascara in Black – I have short lashes, that definitely need more than just an eyelash curler can give them. Enter, Rimmel’s Lycra Lash Extender Mascara. This amazing little tube not only lengthens my lashes, but also curls them big time. The best part? It’s pretty darn cheap, too!

faSHION

Best Accessory: Scarves – One of the biggest trends this year was the popularity of scarves. I have always enjoyed wearing them, and thanks to stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 who created lightweight scarves, I was able to wear them year-round.

Best Trend Comeback…It’s a tie!: Animal prints – I’m so glad animal prints returned in 2008 (and might stick around in 2009!) From leopard to zebra, these wild patterns made their mark on everything from shoes to accessories, and even handbags.
Welcome back! Also returning this year, Leggings – They never really left stores, but their flame did die down for a bit. The reawakening of leggings in the fall took the guess work out of outfits for me, and kept my summer looks hanging on a few months longer.

Best Figure-flatterer: High-waist – Whether you’re a size 0 or a size 20, I’ve seen high-waist looks dazzle every figure. Although I never could quite find a decent pair of high-waisted pants, I did fancy a couple of black high-waist skirts. When coupled with a belt, it was a match made in fashion heaven

Best T-shirt: V-neck – No, I didn’t identify a particular brand with this one, (although thumbs up to my gray American Apparel v-neck I wear just about every other day…ask my bf!), these babies made their appearance in stores and on celebs. And they always look great. I don’t care if you’re packing A-cups or DD-cups, v-necks seem to look pretty good on most everyone. I snagged them from every store I saw them, and you know what? I was never disappointed! I hope this trend sticks around!

inTERNET

Best Web Addiction: Twitter – If you’re not using Twitter, why not? Easier to update than any other social networking site, Twitter has become THE site to use in 2008. Hailed by social media gurus as one of the best ways to expand your brand online, Twitter keeps your followers in the know with what you’re doing every second of the day. Like when you’re eating a sandwich with pickles and lettuce, or you just broke a nail, or your dog just peed on the carpet, or when you’re cell phone rings, or…

Best Fashion & Beauty Blog(s): OK, so I can’t quite pick just one so I’m going to give the five blogs I felt were the most innovative in 2008. Ready?

• I am Fashion – Whether it’s their eye for beautiful editorial photos or their ability to track down the latest trends, these three prove they ARE fashion.
• StyleIt – Sarah know beauty. Sarah shares her secrets. Sarah’s blog was and is a must-read blog.
• Dapper Kid – One part educational, and two parts fashionable, the UK’s Dapper Kid knows good writing, and what to do with it!
• Dressed Up Like a Lady – I am always and forever inspired by the sheer style and adorableness that this Cammila embodies.
• Sea of Shoes – With an innate and other-worldly understanding of fashion, this young lady’s already got more style street cred than those twice her age.

Best Fashion Website: The brilliant Jennine from, The Coveted not only owns and maintains one of my favorite blogs, but also started up one of the fastest-growing fashion blogging sites on the web, Independent Fashion Bloggers. You can sign up to be a part of the forum, or even get your blog featured as one of the best of the week. I have highly enjoyed this site this year, and I’m lucky to have been featured as a contributing writer on the site. (Look for more in 2009!)

otHER hoNORABLE meNTIONS:

• Swedish Fish (always!)
• Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
• New York City
• Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man
• Kiss Products
• Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
• Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
• President-Elect Barack Obama
• Britney Spears’ return
• My iPhone
• Iron Man
• The Tales of Beetle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
• Wordpress

And finally…
• My economic stimulus check

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There are two things on this Earth about which I am really passionate: fashion and animals. (OK, maybe there are a few more than two, but you get my point. No?)

I became really hooked on Bravo’s Project Runway by second season, and continued to watch because, among other reasons, I love Tim Gunn. I really do. Although the show made him a household name, his eye for style and compassionate yet constructive criticism makes him an industry expert. You know the minute he opens his mouth, you’re going to get a superdose of fashion know-how.

So, when this here vegetarian heard that Tim Gunn campaigned in a video alongside PETA, I was dually impressed, and excitement. In the four minute video, Tim Gunn defends the real fashion victims–animals. Here he candidly illustrates just how cruel it is to wear fur.

I’m going to warn you: it’s incredibly hard to watch. I cry and cringe. But, you need to be informed, so watch, and please, don’t wear fur!

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