Nordstrom Fashion Blog: April 2018

Levi’s Tailor Shop at Nordstrom Men’s Store NYC (AKA Your Jeans’ Ultimate Customization Destination)

Photo courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co.

There are hundreds of purveyors of denim out there, but only one can call itself Levi’s. The brand’s founder, Levi Strauss, patented blue jeans back in the 1870s for prospectors and settlers—men who needed durable workwear pants with give, thanks to strategically placed rivets. In 1890, his company released the 501®—and, well, the rest is history.

Today, almost all of us have a pair (or 10) of Levi’s hanging in our closet—some so beat up we can’t leave the house in them—but because of that legendary killer fit, we can’t bear to throw them out. Which is why we’re excited to announce our one-of-a-kind partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. in our new Men’s Store NYC: the Levi’s Tailor Shop. The crafty crew will repair that prized pair in no time. They’ll also alter or customize your other denim darlings, whether they need a new hemline or a custom-order chain-stitched embroidered eagle. (And, yes—even your non-Levi jeans are welcome. Bring in anything denim and they’ll work their magic!)

While Levi’s flagship stores have offered this unique in-store customization service for years, this is the first of its kind in any department store. Another exclusive perk for Nordstrom customers? The Men’s Store NYC is currently the only Tailor Shop location to offer Levi’s brand-spanking-new shibori customization technique. “Shibori fabric can be used in a number of ways to create your very own custom jacket,” Tailor Shop program lead Cara Fenu tells us. “You can use it to panel, line or add detail to the cuff of your jeans. The fabric was all hand-dyed by our Eureka Tailor Shop team in San Francisco.”

Photo courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co.

So if you’re in New York City or heading to the Big Apple soon, grab your most loved Levi’s and visit us at the Men’s Store NYC, located at 235 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Here’s a sampling of the specialized services you can expect:

Alterations & Tailoring

While Levi’s pieces come in a slew of well-designed fits and styles, getting your jeans or jacket tailored to your personal specs takes denim dressing to the next level. Hemline too long? Opt for a standard or original hem job. Hemline too basic? Break out with a chain stitch or raw hem. Need some tightening in the waist or legs? Bring them in for a waist adjustment or get the pant leg tapered. And just like Nordstrom alteration services, the Levi’s Tailor Shop will hem most jeans for free with same-day purchase.

Repairs

Ripped out your seat? (It happens to the best of us.) Lost a button? (Yeah, we’ve done that too.) Need a hole patched or added? (Look no further.) The Levi’s team can pretty much handle all your wears and tears. You even get to choose the type of fabric and stitching to get your jeans looking better than they did new.

Customization

And now for the fun part—adding personality to your denim using Levi’s vast range of finishing options. In addition to the aforementioned shibori panels, you can personalize your jeans and jackets with chain-stitched embroidery (monogram it up with your initials on top of that eagle!), stenciling, studs, decorative buttons, patches and made-to-order distressing. Let your imagination run wild—the Levi’s team can handle it.

Photo courtesy of Levi Strauss & Co.

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Wish New Moms a Happy Mother’s Day With These Mom-and-Baby Beauty Essentials

There is nothing better than the blissful baby bubble, where nothing can peel you away from that delicious newborn smell. Enjoy every second with the help of a few mom and baby must-haves beyond the bottles and the binkies—all of which are nontoxic and gentle enough for skin-to-skin contact.

The Honest Company organic nipple balm | The Honest Company designer collection wipes | Lanolips 101 ointment multipurpose superbalm

Nipple balm is critical for all breastfeeding moms and The Honest Company’s organic salve is the perfect solution for chafed skin. Using only the finest food-grade ingredients, the formula is ultrasafe and does not need to be wiped away between feedings.

For all other chapped skin concerns, carry a tube of Lanolips 101 ointment for intense and portable moisture. This dense balm contains vitamin E and lanolin to deliver rich, healing hydration to dry lips, elbows, cuticles and more—and it’s safe to use on baby!

Mustela foam shampoo for newborns | Mustela no-rinse cleansing water | Mason Pearson pocket boar bristle brush

For your bundle of joy, a pocket-sized Mason Pearson to brush away their fine baby hairs. (We’re not going to lie, it’s the itty-bitty size that got us.) Use after washing with Mustela’s ultra-gentle foaming shampoo, which uses 99% plant-based ingredients to clean your baby’s scalp and prevent cradle cap.

In between tub times, use this cleansing water (like your favorite micellar cleansing water) to gently clean your baby’s face, body and diaper area with no rinsing required.

Vitruvi sleep face & body mist | Tata Harper Skincare illuminating eye crème

There are few things more precious than your dear newborn, but sleep is high on the list and you’re likely not getting much. When you do find time for shuteye, make it count. Spritz yourself with this light body mist just before getting into bed. The sleep-inducing scent of calming essential oils lulls you into a peaceful slumber so that you feel slightly more rested for the 4am feed.

When all else fails, Tata Harper’s illuminating eye mask will at least help you appear less zombie-like. See also: concealer.

Noodle & Boo ultimate ointment | Zoe Organics diaper balm

To prevent and heal diaper rash, use Zoe Organics nonpasty balm with restorative calendula, lavender and chamomile flowers. The clear, creamy formula is 100% organic and gentle on even the most irritated skin.

Tender skin is highly susceptible to other forms of dryness and aggravation too, so have an all-purpose hydrator on hand to quench your little one’s dry cheeks, hands or anywhere else that could use some tender love and care.

The Organic Pharmacy Beauty Drops | Herbivore Botanicals Pink Cloud rosewater moisture crème

A multistep skin care routine isn’t always practical, especially with a baby on your hip. Instead, sip your way to beautiful skin with just 5 drops of this radiance-inducing elixir added to a glass of water or your favorite juice. You can also add a few drops to your go-to face cream, which we recommend for breastfeeding mamas. Try it with Herbivore Botanicals rosewater moisturizing creme, which is specially formulated to calm redness and plump the skin. You’ll get the refreshing, dewy benefits of both treatments in just one simple step.

Chantecaille Bébé wild moss rose body lotion

Nourish your baby’s skin from their sweet head to their adorable toes with Chantecaille’s plant-pure and certified organic baby lotion. Infused with wild moss rose extract, organic aloe vera, tamanu oil and organic flower waters, this mild cream will hydrate your newborn’s sensitive skin with delicate, soothing moisture.

Aveda Shampure dry shampoo

The guests are filing in to meet the little one, but you haven’t had time to wash your hair? We can’t stop the revolving door, but we can recommend a solution for your strands: Sprinkle Aveda’s Shampure at the roots and softly tousle your strands to absorb the powder. And once one of your visitors has the baby securely snuggled, escape to the shower for a moment of solitude.

Aromatherapy Associates polishing body brush

Take 3 to 5 minutes during your baby’s morning nap to treat yourself to a detox. Dry brushing is a great way to polish the skin while stimulating the lymphatic system, improving digestion and reducing the appearance of cellulite. Start at your feet and brush upward toward the heart using short, firm strokes. Continue until you have exfoliated your entire body, always brushing upward.

After, jump into the shower to wash away all dead skin cells before replenishing your arms and legs with what remains of your Shiffa pregnancy body oil.

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Mother’s Day Gift Picks from the Founders of MOTHER

Katie Hintz-Zambrano with her son, Diego

Mother knows best. It’s true. And if said savvy mom also has impeccable taste, she’ll want to peruse the musings of Katie Hintz-Zambrano and James Kicinski-McCoy, journalists, mamas and founders of MOTHER. Their digital digest shares maternal inspiration, news roundups, lifestyle tips and profiles in courage of mommies everywhere. What sets MOTHER apart from mommy blogs is its high-mindedness and sophistication. Sample topics include “Why Being a Stay-at-Home Mom & Feminist Aren’t Mutually Exclusive” and “The Many Benefits of Roughhousing with Your Kids.” Sample shopping lists feature Stella McCartney shoes, beautiful and bougie baby clothes, hemp oil and oil paintings. “My background is in journalism and as soon as I had my son, Diego, in the spring of 2013, I could see a gaping hole in the market for a full-service parenting site with a stylish bent,” explains Hintz-Zambrano, who resides in San Francisco. “Something that treated women as multi-dimensional people beyond being mothers. I met James [who’s in Nashville] a few months later on a press trip and we decided to join forces.”

The result is a parenting destination that’s as layered as the ladies who run it. In anticipation of Mother’s Day, we asked the multi-hyphenate hyphenates at MOTHER to share their celebration plans and gift ideas, because they definitely know best.

Katie Hintz-Zambrano

What has been the highlight so far of this collaboration?

Hintz-Zambrano: I’m really proud that MOTHER was there first to fill that aforementioned void and create a market that had previously not existed. It’s been so great finding ways to serve this demographic daily by providing information and inspiration to women who are fulfilling the incredibly important role of raising the next generation.

What are your Mother’s Day plans?

I have no idea, but hopefully it involves a mix of family time and solo spa time! I also like the idea of my son and husband planning a surprise for me. Diego is at the age, 5, that anything he plans would be super adorable and endearing.

What would make a great Mother’s Day gift this year?

Reed Wilson Design Hola doormat: “This would be a great welcome mat to our bilingual home!”

Anthropologie Color Study earthenware serving plate: “I have a major weakness for lavender at the moment, and I’m always entertaining. These earthenware platters are so beautiful and unexpected, standing alone or combined. I’d love to receive or gift one with a pretty pile of fruit and veggies on top.”

Baggu small canvas shoulder bag: “I can’t get enough of circular crossbody bags. They make any outfit look cooler. I don’t have a Baggu crossbody yet, but it’s on my list! I love that the company was founded by a local S.F. mama too.”

Birkenstock Arizona soft footbed sandals: “Not sure how I’ve lived in San Francisco nearly nine years and don’t own a pair of Birkenstocks yet. I should probably change that soon!”

KENZO ruffle midi slipdress: “I love print, color, ruffle and unexpected combos. This dress nails all of that.”

James Kicinski-McCoy with her children

What are your Mother’s Day plans?

Kicinski-McCoy: Mother’s Day for me always includes getting to sleep in (at least until 9am, ha!), followed by a big brunch at one of my favorite spots in Nashville, Marsh House or Margot. After that, I’m not quite sure. Perhaps a relaxing facial and mani/pedi, or a 90-minute massage in the afternoon to unwind and have a little mama time? And lastly, a big family dinner at home—I’m thinking crab legs, followed by a neighborhood walk with a nice glass of wine in hand.

James Kicinski-McCoy

What would make a great Mother’s Day gift this year?

diptyque Baies/Berries large scented candle: “Baies is hands down my favorite candle scent ever. Not only do I have a few scattered throughout my home, it’s also my go-to gift for friends and family. This large candle would fill any space and make it smell incredible.“

Le Creuset Signature 5 1/2 quart round French oven: “Anything from Le Creuset is a no-brainer. My husband and I started the tradition about six years ago of gifting a new piece on extra special occasions or holidays and now we have a full set.”

slip for beauty sleep Slipsilk pure silk pillowcase: “I always appreciate a gift that I can really use on the regular, and what’s better than something that involves rest and beauty? These anti-aging, anti-sleep crease silk Slip pillowcases are wonderful.”

Lemon 2-pack powder dust pompom pedi socks: “My feet are always cold. Always! So socks or slippers are a great gift for me. These little pompom socks are adorable, look super cozy and remind me of some I had as a kid.”

Céline 51mm rectangular sunglasses: “I am a sucker for anything Céline. These chic sunglasses would be the best gift!”

Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne: “What woman doesn’t love a good, clean, not-too-sweet scent that is a bit sultry and mysterious? I can’t think of a single one. This perfume by Jo Malone is all of the above and an absolute no-fail present.”

Jacquemus La Robe Limao linen & cotton trumpet dress: “I am completely obsessed with this dress. It’s fun, it’s fancy, it’s elegant and it would make me feel like a princess. I need it!”

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When It Comes to Beauty, It’s Good to Be Too Faced

Too Faced creators Jeremy Johnson (left) and Jerrod Blandino (right)

Every 7.4 seconds, someone somewhere is purchasing a tube of Better Than Sex mascara. Since it launched in 2013, it’s been a hero product for Too Faced, leading their range of unabashedly feminine and wildly popular liquid lipsticks, bronzers and adorable blushes. “The hardest, most scientifically impossible thing to create in the cosmetics world—and get right—is mascara,” confides Jerrod Blandino, Too Faced Cofounder and Chief Creative Officer, to his captive YouTube audience. Difficult, yes, but as he has proven, not impossible.

Blandino researched the science of skin and hair care to determine which natural extracts (like nourishing Acacia Senegal) and highly effective peptides would lift, separate and curl the lashes in a way that no other mascara had. “I just wanted to create the most amazing mascara the world has ever known. It took years to get the formula and the brush right,” he says. The hourglass brush—inspired by the bust-waist-hip ratio of blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe—was just one of many tested for the final product. “When I got the latest sample back from the lab, I had one of the women in the office try it on, and when I saw the results I screamed, ‘It’s better than sex!’”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara

“It’s my greatest hope that my customers will feel the most like themselves in my brand. We want you to be the best version of you, not someone else.”

—Jerrod Blandino

Creating the world’s best mascara is the sort of thing you’d expect from an innovative brand like Too Faced. Since the ’90s, Too Faced has pioneered some of the industry’s major beauty breakthroughs, including the first ever glitter eyeshadow, lip-plumping gloss and 24-hour crease-proof eyeshadow primer—and it’s all thanks to Blandino’s laser-sharp intuition. “I’m a culture vulture,” he says, “I’m into everything pop culture, fashion and art. I sense what’s trending or what’s about to trend and, as a consumer just like you, I want the latest and greatest, so I spin that into what I create.”

Too Faced Hangover face primer

Blandino and his husband, Too Faced Cofounder and CEO Jeremy Johnson, have created a brand that celebrates fierce femininity and the joy of makeup. Too Faced is a prestige makeup empire, inspired by confident, powerful women and men.

Ahead of the Too Faced launch at Nordstrom, we reached out to Blandino to get his take on beauty and to ask what item he can’t leave home without.

Too Faced Lip Injection lip gloss

First things first—how did you come up with the name?

When I was working behind the makeup counter, some clients would completely melt down if we were out of their must-have lipstick or favorite product. We would lovingly refer to them as “Too Faced” for caring so much about what their face looked like. I loved those women, they were the best!

What’s your must-have beauty item?

Better Than Sex.

For me it’s the Chocolate Gold Soleil bronzer. I’ve never owned makeup that smells so yummy.

Cocoa is one of the most potent antioxidants on the planet and has been used for centuries as a beauty secret. It’s good for you and smells delicious—plus it’s calorie free!

Too Faced Chocolate Gold Soleil bronzer

Packaging plays a massive role in the overall product. For instance, when designing Better Than Sex, you fought for the pink metal tube because you knew it was right. Why is packaging so important?

Part of Too Faced being an emotional brand is the romantic, optimistic, feminine, flirty appeal of how we present our products. Packaging is the first thing you experience when you pick up a new product, and you remember that feeling.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever been given?

Break the rules. If you feel good in it, you’ll look great in it.

What is the Too Faced beauty philosophy?

It’s my greatest hope that my customers will feel the most like themselves in my brand. We want you to be the best version of you, not someone else.

Too Faced Born This Way foundation

Too Faced

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Moon Juice Founder Amanda Chantal Bacon’s Morning Routine

Amanda Chantal Bacon’s purpose in life is to make things taste as delicious as possible. The classically trained chef turned cosmic wellness guru began her career creating decadent, pleasing things to feed others when she decided to pivot, slightly: “I combined this culinary education with another part of my life that was equally informative—this deep, holistic health,” Bacon says.

She created Moon Juice in 2011 and became a pioneer of wellness thanks to her plant-based, adaptogenic health foods. The goal of Moon Juice, says the founder, was always to educate people about their bodies: “I drew from my personal journey of having an autoimmune disorder and what I learned my body needed to heal and protect itself against stress. It didn’t include foods that took me down.”

Anyone seeking a cure for what ails them—be it a sleep disorder, the flu or acne—can do so by visiting any of Bacon’s three Los Angeles-based apothecaries. There, her Moon family of alchemists offer organic pressed juices, Moon Milks, Moon Dusts, tonics and other cosmic provisions to patrons seeking daily nourishment, beauty foods and high-powered natural remedies. “A combination of fine dining and freaky health,” the chef says, endearingly.

Moon Juice Pearl extract powder, Moon Juice Lucuma nutritious beauty berry powder, Moon Juice Mucuna herbal supplement

Nowadays, Bacon spends most of her time behind the scenes, concocting recipes and researching holistic remedies for her customers. She shares these insights online and in her cookbooks, the second of which, she tells me, is currently in the works. “We want to share these recipes with everyone—with other cafés, people in their homes—so we can all just keep going, keep seeking personal wellness.”

Though there is no such thing as a typical day at the office for Bacon, we did want to know more about how she incorporates self-care into her day-to-day. Ahead of her visit to Nordstrom’s Seattle flagship, we spoke with the Moon Juice creator about her morning routine and what measures she takes to achieve beauty, wellness and longevity.

The alarm goes off in the morning—what time is it?

6:45 or 7am. And I am not a morning person, so it is painful.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

See my son’s face, or my husband’s face—right in my face! (Haha!) It really is a lovely greeting first thing in the morning. Then I’ll check my phone, which I wish wasn’t the case, but as a business owner I can’t help myself from checking in first thing to make sure nothing burned down during the night.

Coffee, tea, Moon Milk?

Tonic! I make one that is a combination of hot water, Sex Dust, Spirit Dust and tocotrienols. I make a really big batch and take it to go.

What’s your go-to breakfast?

On weekdays, I try to leave 16 hours between eating my last meal and eating my next meal. It’s usually as simple as being done with dinner between 7pm and 8pm, and not having breakfast or lunch until 11am or noon. The tonic really helps!

What’s your morning wellness habit?

We have a little meditation room off of our bedroom, so my husband will slip in and meditate while I’m helping our son get dressed and ready for the day. Once they head off for school, I will meditate, which can be a challenge for me sometimes. It’s difficult to put the phone down and not allow yourself to be distracted by anything else.

Morning beauty routine?

I’ve actually been formulating skin care for the last year, so I am forever testing cleansers and sunscreens and using nothing but lab samples. I don’t actually wash my face in the morning—just rinse—and then I follow with a serum and a moisturizer with SPF, and I’m out the door. Easy!

If I do decide to wear makeup, just a simple swipe of mascara and a lip-cheek product. I love RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek.

What’s the most important step in your morning routine that you absolutely cannot skip, even if you’re running late?

That tonic! I know if I don’t have that, I’m not going to feel as good. I also know that—with the tocotrienols and there’s some cacao and maca in it—it tastes really good, so it’s a pleasure point for me as well and helps me stave off sweet cravings.

I guess brushing my teeth is up there as well…

Current favorite Moon Juice product?

I am a die-hard Sex Dust fan. When people first start using it, they treat it like a special, magic potion that lives in their kitchen and they’ll bring it out for special occasions. Then they realize how great and energetic they feel on it, so people will then adopt it and use it as a daily lifestyle tool.

In the West, we think of coffee being stimulating—coffee, Red Bull, sugar—but you really can get a deeper, sustainable energy source by using some specific adaptogens to balance your endocrine system, your hormones and your energy levels. And from that place, your body will be able to pump out its own healthy energy. I mean, Sex Dust is great for the libido—in both men and women—but it really is a whole care package.

What are adaptogens, exactly?

Being adaptogenic means that the product uses plants that go into the body to help you find your own homeostasis while also providing your body nourishment.

What’s a wellness myth that you’d like to debunk?

Weight loss is about so much more than your calorie intake and it has everything to do with decreasing stress chemistry. By working out too much, or by decreasing your calories throughout the day, you have elevated your stress chemistry, which will impact your hormones and keep you from losing weight.

The same principle applies to aging, which is biological more than it is chronological. I look at myself and see times in my early twenties when my body felt older, and I looked older. Based on the blood and hormone panels that I get done often, biologically I was older than I am now in my mid-thirties. Exercise and diet actually inform what your hormone profile looks like, which then will design your body. So nourish yourself, get proper sleep and don’t stress your body by forcing it to work out five days a week. Counterintuitive, I know.

And what’s the one thing about wellness that you wish more people knew?

Self-care can sometimes sound a little precious—and a waste of time and frivolous and selfish—but I find it a much easier, more pleasant route to feeling and looking good. The more people learn about wellness, I hope it allows them to make these forgiving lifestyle choices and prioritize themselves.

Moon Juice

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Spring Is Red and Pink All Over

What is red and pink and superstylish? The streets of the world’s fashion cities this spring. Popping up in all wardrobe pieces, the color combo is a powerful and sweet play on tonal dressing. Ruby gives bubblegum a shock of strength, while candy pink sweetens the primary color. Together, they’re the perfect way to usher in a new season.

Here are some of our favorite ways to wear these two hues now.