Side Show

Posted by Elizabeth

Before the spring fashion shows, the notion of wearing anything on the side of my head -- be it a ponytail or bun -- always conjured up images in my mind of Chrissy Snow (played by Suzanne Somers) in Three’s Company or Princess Leia of "Star Wars."

Leia, and one of her notorious buns

Suzanne Somers sporting a ditzy side ponytail

But after spotting several low-slung side ponytails and buns, I love this idea for spring -- particularly the small slightly askew knots. They look chic and fuss-free and are a cool, easy update to the classic chignon. The key to avoiding the aforementioned dingbat look (or worse, the Star-droid), is to create a tight little bun and wear it directly behind the ear. Anything smack on the side still looks silly to me (yet entirely appropriate come Halloween or for a '70s-themed party).

Charlottle Ronson

At Charlotte Ronson, Sandra Yu, the artistic director for Rusk, created this fun, flirty version and set it with Rusk W8less Plus, an extra hold hairspray. And at Narciso Rodriguez’s show, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman created this neat deconstructed version by making a low side ponytail and flipping the ponytail ends up and around and attaching them around the base.

Narcisco Rodriguez

But if you love the look of something higher, we saw that too. Check out this version at Catherine Malandrino, created by Odile Gilbert. It’s growing on me, but I prefer them worn more casually and low and to the side, thoughts anyone?

Invisipins hair elastic

P.S. One of the best ways to secure a ponytail or bun is to use one of these small elastic bungees with hooks. You can wrap them around a bun as many times as necessary before hooking the ends. And they don’t get all blown out or weakened like normal elastics. Hairstylist Oscar Blandi turned me onto them years ago and I’ve seen them backstage and on photo shoots ever since. This version is made by Invisipins and available at Ricky’s.

Brand New Blue

Posted by Bluelines

As promised, Bluelines has undergone a facelift (the fun kind). It might seem subtle but we've made some big additions. Here's a rundown of what's new.

If they're not already drawn there immediately, direct your eyes upward and you'll see six cool new banners by the incredibly talented artist Keith Shore. (More about him later.) We'll be rotating the artist behind our banners every month so if you'd like to be considered or want to suggest someone, please email us.

We've got a new list of contributors who'll be blogging about what inspires them, makes them laugh, and generally makes them weak in the knees. There are a few familiar faces, and a couple of new ones sprinkled in. We hope you come to like them all.

On the top left, we've tweaked our navigation, so play around with it and discover the archived treasures that lie within. Here, you'll find all of the previous Bluelines posts archived.

Navigation button No. 10 deserves a paragraph of its own. We've created a source book full of our favorite websites, blogs, artists, and resources. Here you'll also find all of Blueprint's beloved 100 Reasons To...  -- which contain a bevy of links, facts, and inspiration. We'll be adding to that list constantly, so check back often.

You'll also notice that we've created home tours of our favorite Blueprint features. Take a virtual tour of Suzanna Bierwith's Chicago row house, and watch as Sarah Humphreys's tiny Manhattan apartment goes from claustrophobic to chic. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also rife with great decorating tips and ideas to steal. And, of course, we'll be adding more of them.

New ideas, a new look, and new contributors -- we hope that's what you've been hankering for.

Just some of what's to come

Best Of Bluelines

Posted by Blueprint

While we're looking forward to our retooled blog, we've also been looking back at the posts over the past year. Here are just a few of our favorite posts:

120 Days Later

Too Much Of A Cute Thing

A Madman In The Heath

Creative Currents

The Writing's On The Wall

How Swede It Is

Go Ahead Jump

Making My Case

Ottoman Empire

Studio Tour: Binth

Family Trees

The Art Of Reduction

Do you have any favorite posts?

Blueprint's Legacy

Posted by Blueprint

We're so glad to see that you're excited about the new additions to the blog come March. And now we have another announcement: As of Friday February 29th, the Blueprint main page on MarthaStewart.com will cease to exist. It sounds intense, but here's what it means: If you come to Bluelines via blueprintmag.com, or through the Blueprint channel on MarthaStewart.com, please bookmark the blog's main page so you can come back. You can also still get to Bluelines via our Community and Blogs pages. (And all of those nice people's blogs who've linked to us.)

We know it's a little bit rough, so before anyone freaks out, please rest assured that all of your beloved Blueprint content will still be available online -- in fact, we've listed all the ways to find it below.

Home & Decorating

Take a peek at home ideas -- great and small with a Blueprint twist.

Also don't miss our Organizing Tip of the Day

Crafts

You'll find great DIY jewelry (a la Katie),  Page's flat-screen tv cozy, and our Craft of the Day (which includes many Blueprint ideas)

Entertaining

Find all of the Blueprint party menus, to-do lists, playlists and prep stuff here

Food

Blueprint recipes -- from soup to well nuts (...like Blueprint's roasted almonds)

roasted almonds

soup recipes

Health

Need ideas for a healthy & quick breakfast?  Want to take up jogging? Need a new makeup palette? Look no further.

and lastly...

Simply type "Blueprint" in our SEARCH box on MarthaStewart.com or any page to be directed to those great blue ideas in the sky.

*But most importantly, come here for your daily "blue" content.

Egg On My Face

Posted by Kerstin, Online Editor

Although it isn’t the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done, I did feel kind of silly buying a $17 box of Victoria Scandinavian soaps simply because the box made me smile.

The adorable egg soaps box

When I brought my impulse buy home, I promptly set it on a table in the bathroom to make the cracked sink and peeling walls feel shabby European rather than just shabby. The box sat there, making my daily routine brighter for months. Then, one day, I ran out of face wash and reached for a bar.

It turns out, the egg white and lanolin combination was perfect for my sort of dry, sensitive skin. My face felt smooth, firm, and smelled clean in a way I’ve never known before or since.

It goes to show that being shallow and all about looks isn’t always such a bad thing.

Feel free to reap the rewards of my petty behavior by ordering this amazing soap set (beautiful box included) from NexTag or Amazon .

Guest Appearances

Posted by Elizabeth, Beauty, Health & Fitness Editor

Before I blog on, I want to thank all the loyal Blueprint and Bluelines readers. The outpouring of support here and elsewhere is amazing.

Times are changing: the dollar may be tanking, Britney isn't "well," and, well, enough of that end of the year speculation -- let's talk about partying instead! After all, 'tis the season of revelry, and that means parties, which means hostess gifts -- hopefully good ones. Here are some hostess gifts that I've given, and a few that I've been very happy to receive.

Fresh Petit soap

Fresh's Petit soaps always make a nice hostess gift. They're beautiful on their own, but Fresh also makes great ceramic accessories. A soap presented on one of their dishes (and simply wrapped with a ribbon) feels special and costs no more than a decent bottle of wine. Another idea: A friend of mine, an avid antique collector, once gave me a vintage hand-held mirror with two linen hand towels. It was really thoughtful, and she said she "always just keeps things like that on hand for this reason."€ I wish I had half her planning skills.

Origins Organics organic cotton tote

And then there are hostess gifts that are fun to assemble and give. As Sarah Humphreys recently mentioned on the MARTHA show, I once gave her a hostess "day after" kit. I used a basic white canvas bag (inexpensive and ubitquitous these days), but check out this new one from Origins Organics: On one side it reads, "I'm Re-User Friendly" while the other reads, "I don't get wasted" (a nice paradox for the hostess of a cocktail party). I filled the bag with fresh bagels, good spreads, orange juice, and some sweets -- all the elements of a good breakfast -- as well as a few hangover cures. The trick is to keep the refrigerated offerings small, so they fit neatly in a party food-filled fridge. Offer to place those items in the fridge yourself -- the hostess will already have her hands full.

All that remains of my caviar

The last gift is something that was given to me, and not holiday specific, but it stays in my mind after several years. When I moved into my own apartment in NYC, my godmother and a friend came over bearing a tin of caviar, blinis, crème fraiche, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. It was such an over-the-top treat for a not-so-over-the-top setting: My new place was cute (postage-stamp tiny) and charming (nice moldings coated in 75 years of paint). But we had the best time eating and drinking while surrounded by unpacked boxes. We talked about all the grand possibilities of the place. And let's face it, drinking pricey champagne has a funny way of making you believe anything is possible. Today, I still have the caviar tin, which I now store earrings in.

Do you have a good hostess gift idea that you've given or received?

Curly Temple

Posted by Shira, Editorial Assistant, Art

Inheriting curly hair means building and maintaining an armory of curl-controlling products. I’ve tried substances from liquid to solid, with every possible texture in between. I’ve ruled out anything that leaves my hair sticky, and most gels and sprays with alcohol (they leave my hair dry and scuzzy). I will try anything once unless it smells funny, because my hair holds onto scent like Wilson Phillips held on for one more day. Sometimes I reach for the mousse, sometimes the gel, and sometimes I reach for a few things hoping to stumble on a scientific formula for luscious locks. I’ve narrowed it down to a few tried-and-true potions like the shaping milk, mousse, and heat tamer spray from TRESemmé and the curl shaper from Pantene. After several experimentations and variations in procedure (different times of day, blow-dried versus air-dried, sleeping in an oh-so-chic silk cap) I have a new product to add to the arsenal. 

Miss Jessie’s Unscented Curly Pudding -- the scented one is a bit too grape-flavored Pez smelling for my taste -- comes in super-cute packaging and works wonders. A healthy dollop gave me bouncy, minimally crunchy curls that I couldn’t stop playing with. There wasn’t a stringy strand in sight, only natural-looking spirals with plenty of life. My quest for the holy grail of curl control continues, and I’ll still dip into old standbys, but for now, I’d like to thank Miss Jessie for a November of good hair.   

French Evolution

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor, Beauty, Health & Fitness

Many a heart has shattered upon receiving the news that a beloved fragrance is being discontinued, and the only possible wound-healer is a key-word search on eBay with crossed fingers (and a wide-open wallet). But if you are a bereft devotee of Parfums Givenchy, it’s your lucky autumn. In September, the renowned fashion and perfume house re-released ten of its classic fragrances to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Only seven of them are available in the United States, and four are available at Nordstrom.

In 1957, Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy created his first scent, L’Interdit, for Audrey Hepburn. Their mutual affection is well-known but was actually the result of a slight misunderstanding. When they first met in 1953 -- a time when Hepburn was relatively unknown -- Givenchy thought that his appointment was with Katharine Hepburn and was surprised by the scrawny gamine who showed up. 'L'Interdit' stems from Hepburn's response to modeling for the campaign: "Je vous l'interdis!" ("I simply forbid it"). She relented, and the resulting fragrance is as complex as their relationship: it folds pink pepper and clover into jasmine, Bulgarian rose, and violet, with a base of vetiver and incense. (If only smell-o-vision was a reality...) With L’Interdit, Givenchy also released Le De, which has a dominant lily-of-the-valley note mixed with coriander and different types of jasmine.

The Blueprint office’s discerning noses liked Eau de Givenchy, which launched in 1980, the best. It's top and middle notes combine strong florals (honeysuckle, water jasmine) with a soupçon of citrus (grapefruit), but the base note is sandalwood, which gives it a sharp and distinct contrast that ties everything up in one neat little olfactory package.

If these re-releases smell a little different than what you remember, your nose ain’t foolin’: certain ingredients that are no longer available were sourced from different locations, and formulas were tweaked slightly. But the essences remain largely the same, and all the scents evoke a sense of femininity—an old-world, ladylike (but not 'Eau de Old Lady') charm, if you will —and confidence.

Are there any perfumes you wish a manufacturer or perfume house would raise from the dead? 

Small Wonders

Posted by Sarah, Associate Fashion Editor

Traveling for work is a nice break from the fluorescent light bulbs in the office but it can be a terror on my skin and hair. Does anyone come back raving about the soap or conditioner from a Holiday Inn?

So before Katie and I recently headed to Las Vegas to attend a fashion trade show, I decided to BMOT (Bring My Own Toiletries) -- preferably the gentle, great-smelling kind that make me forget I am in a "who knows who's been in here" shower.

My first stop? The West Village travel store, Flight 001. There, I scooped up a Malin + Goetz 1oz. Essentials Travel Kit.

 

I've always loved Malin + Goetz for its minimalist packaging and natural ingredients, so I was excited to get a set with six products, including a few that were new to me.

I loved the gentle Grapefruit Face Cleanser and was thrilled that my super sensitive-skin had no reaction. And I depleted the entire bottle of Vitamin b5 Body Moisturizer as the desert air sucked moisture out of my skin!

I highly recommend the $30 set for anyone who travels a lot or simply wants to shake up the daily morning routine.

Another perk? The bottles are small enough to comply with FAA regulations and leave ample room in your suitcase for more important things…say, an extra pair of shoes.

Bon voyage!

Beauty Bound

Posted by Bora, Associate Editor for Beauty, Health & Fitness

A couple of weeks ago, I attended an event for Hairdressers Unlocking Hope, a campaign to continue bringing awareness and funding to post-Katrina rebuilding efforts in the New Orleans area. There, I had the pleasure of meeting hairstyling legend Vidal Sassoon (yes, he is a real person!), who is helming the initiative. Sassoon was especially moved by the plight of displaced New Orleanians, as he lived in an orphanage in his youth and knows firsthand how it feels to be without a home.

With the participation of Habitat for Humanity and hundreds of stylists nationwide, Hairdressers Unlocking Hope raises money for rebuilding through a combination of t-shirt sales, donations, and fundraisers held by individual salons (think raffles, "cut-a-thons," and tip donations). 

Some of the styles available for $30 each on the site.

When I had the chance to shake Sassoon’s hand, he asked how I liked covering beauty. “Fun, but it’s a beast,” I joked. “Yes,” he nodded, “That word describes it well.” This project, however, shows a different side to an industry that tends to be cutthroat: Hairstylists from competing companies have united for a noble cause. And while Sassoon modestly makes the point that “we’re just a bunch of hairdressers,” they have, to date, raised enough money to build 12 homes in November, and plan to build seven more in the spring, surpassing their original goal of 18 homes.

You can do your part to support the cause by going to whodoesyourhair.com to find a salon near you, or check out some of the other merch they're selling (with 100% of profits going to rebuilding). What better excuse do you have for scheduling an extra blowout?