Author Archives: polina

Say Something

By Polina Roytman

This video of Jackson’s deeply emotional reaction to ‘Say Something’ by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera has been making the rounds and I can’t get over it. It is so incredibly touching to see how powerful music is and what it is capable of. He’s four years old and most likely doesn’t even know the message of the song, but the music and voices is all you need for it to make such an impact. His father, Mark, mentions that this is the first moment his son has been “moved” and it is amazing to see. In all honesty I had the exact same response when I first heard it, and every time there after. I love it for touching my soul, and others’ soul, as deeply as it has. I’ve played it on repeat thinking if I listen to it over and over it’s intensity will eventually fade, but no. I adore this song. I find it so honest, so brutal… so beautifully human.

#SaySomething
#TwoThumbsUp
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Valentine’s Day – Catbird Style

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Valentine’s Day – Catbird Style

Giveaway

By Polina Roytman

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and our love for Catbird, the store that we truly consider heaven on earth, we couldn’t resist making our Valentine’s Day picks an homage to the store who’s motto is “we love all things tiny, shiny and gold.” Be still my heart!

Below is a list of four of our favorite items this week, of which #3 and #4 we already own. Hey, a girl needs to prep for the big day! But be sure to browse their site for a lot more goodies. If we listed everything we loved on here we’d end up posting the entire site.

1. Heart Memory Ring in Rose Gold & Heart Ring in Rose Gold
This is a two-in-one depending on your ring size and how you wish to wear the ring. The Heart Memory Ring is meant to be worn as a knuckle ring, but also serves as a handy way to save a few bucks if your regular ring size runs small. This style comes in sizes 1.5 to 4.5 online, but you can call the store to speak with someone if you need a full size. The Heart Ring runs from size 5 to 8 in both full and half sizes. Both rings also come in yellow gold or silver options.
[$64 for sizes 1.5 to 4.5, $96 for sizes 5 to 8]
To reach the store during business hours please call 718.599.3457

2. Classic Heart Studs in Rose Gold
If you’re more an earrings girl but still want the heart detail, this one is for you. Also available in yellow gold or silver.
[$96, pair]

3. Isa’s Restoratives Lilac Rouge
The site says they’re officially obsessed with this rouge, and so are we! A fine tinted salve that can be used on cheeks and lips. A dash of natural color, while nourishing and protecting the skin. All organic Ingredients: Macadamia oil, Avocado oil, Alkanet root, Lilac fragrance.
[$22 for 1oz]

4. Horn Comb
Untangle your tangles in style. Horn combs absorb oils, do not produce static electricity, are gentler on the scalp and much easier to use, even on tangled hair. No one comb is the same, which makes each one all the more special. Approx 5″.
[$8 per comb]

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#CatbirdStyle
@catbirdnyc

Gorgeous Glowing Skin in Minutes!

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Gorgeous Glowing Skin in Minutes!

By Polina Roytman

I have always been interested in skin care that you can create out of the items in your kitchen. For me, the more organic and natural the route the better. Egg whites are one of my most favorite, quickest, cheapest, and easiest tricks for getting glowing skin while reducing pores and fine lines. Egg whites are high in vitamin A and collagen, which are key for skin elasticity.

When I first tried to use egg whites I didn’t see what the big deal was and didn’t notice any difference in my skin, and while the mask was on I didn’t feel any tightening as I read would happen. After further research I noticed that using organic egg whites makes a huge difference. With some experimenting I noticed that just buying organic and cage free egg whites in a carton works wonderfully and is a lot quicker and less messy. My two favorite brands for this that I found to be most effective are the Organic Valley Organic Egg Whites and AbbotsFord Farms Cage Free 100% Liquid Egg Whites. Some other brand of egg whites I’ve tried don’t tend to kick in as quickly if at all.

I typically apply a thin layer of the egg whites in the morning about once a week. Be sure to keep the egg whites away from the delicate skin around the eyes. Keep it on for about 5-7 minutes and then wash off with your regular morning face wash routine. When you apply the egg whites you will feel your skin tighten very quickly. I don’t recommend keeping the mask on longer than 7 minutes as that will end up pulling your skin too much and could also be too drying. Your skin will become so smooth while the mask is on that you’ll be tempted to keep it on longer, if not forever ;), but trust me the 5-7 minutes is all you’ll need.

A quick bonus: You can crush some cucumber and mix it in with the egg whites for extra collagen. Just a small amount will do, about 3 or 4 slices, so it won’t turn too watery. Cucumbers are also great for soothing irritated and sensitive skin.

Another bonus: Click here to sign up to our email list and get an additional quick tip to use with the egg white mask for clear and glowing skin, along with some exclusive discount codes to some of our favorite stores.

That’s all there is to it! Easy breezy. Leave a comment or send an email and let us know what are some of your favorite natural skin care routines.

#GorgeousGlowingSkin
@PolinaRoytman
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*This post was originally featured as a guest post written by Polina Roytman for Ever So Popular.*

Make It Last

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Make It Last

By Polina Roytman

My brother’s girlfriend recently gifted me an Argan Oil Rose Cream from her trip to Morocco, and it has quickly become one of my most favorite items. The cream comes in a large container, and each time I would open it to use I would expose it to light, air, and pollutants; all of which shorten the cream’s shelf life. Since this is a hot commodity for me I decided to keep it fresher longer by transferring some of the cream into a smaller container, while keeping the rest of the jar stored in a cool, dry place. Below are the simple and quick step-by-steps of what I did.

1. First things first, I wanted to show off the cream and it’s beautiful packaging. I’ve been trying to find it online without much luck, but will be searching for it in New York at some specialty stores and will keep you all posted with what I find. If any of my lovely readers have seen this cream, please leave a comment or send me an email letting me know where you’ve seen it.

2. I purchased some colorful contact lens cases to transfer the cream into. Contact lens cases are some of my favorite containers as they are durable, prevent spills or anything seeping out, and keep out air and impurities. I use them as my travel containers as well for things such as lose powder eye shadow, sunscreen on the go, and pretty much anything that will fit in the case.
[$9.68 for a pack of six cases]

3. I mixed the colors of the lids of the lens case to match the colors of the original jar. Doing this is not a necessity, but it helps me to keep track of which case holds which product.

4. I included this dog contact lens case to show another option that you can use and have fun with.
[$3.99 per case]

Each case can also hold two products. The case I carry in my purse holds sunscreen in the left compartment and the Argan Oil Rose Cream in the right compartment.

What are some of your tips for keeping your beauty products fresh longer? Leave a comment or send an email letting me know. I love hearing from you!

#MakeItLast
@PolinaRoytman
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9 Travel Essentials

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9 Travel Essentials

By Polina Roytman

With the holidays and travel season upon us, I thought I’d list some of my favorite travel essentials for a smoother and more comfortable trip.

1. J.Crew Triple C USB Phone Charger
The perfect little travel charger. Comes in three designs but the camo is what we have in our bag. Features: rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 3 hours charge time, 1000mAh capacity, 5V input/output, LED indicator. Dimensions: 2 7/8″ x 1 5/8″
[$39.50]

2. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Rose
My babushka always taught me that “a lady must never leave the house without wearing lipstick.” This has always stuck with me. Though on a typical day I don’t wear lipstick, I do prefer an all in one gloss that also acts as a chapstick. I love vitamin E for all of it’s wonderful benefits for the skin, but also tend to be quite sensitive to it especially when it is on my lips. There are different grades of the vitamin, and many lip products that contain it tend to dry out my lips. I was elated when I finally found the Laura Mercier lip glace! It doesn’t dry my lips and actually adds moisture, allowing me to use it more like a chapstick. You can layer the glace for added color, or just keep it simple with a thin coat to act more as moisture for your lips. The red-pink Rose color is also quite flattering on most skin tones if you choose to layer the color more.
[$24 for the full 0.15 oz size, $9 for the mini 0.1 oz size]

3. Spry Sugar Free Gum in Peppermint
Most readily available gum tends to use the artificial sweetener, aspartame, which causes a wide array of health issues including birth defects, brain cancer, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. Spry takes a more holistic approach without using any harsh chemicals to give your mouth that just brushed your teeth feel. Their gum is sweetened with 100% all natural Xylitol, which actually benefits the teeth by helping to prevent tooth decay and dry mouth. Comes in various flavors, my personal favorite is the peppermint.
[Approx $1.25 per pack]

4. Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray
The air in an airplane is very drying. Avene thermal spring water is a quick way to refresh and hydrate your skin. It is also sans salt which can dry the skin. An added bonus: it helps set your makeup and is ideal for sensitive skin.
[$6.99 for 50 ml]

5. Noma Storm Scorched Pashmina Gauze Scarf
This easy to throw in your bag scarf is perfect to keep warm. Use it as a scarf, shawl, or even as a blanket. Measures 75″ x 35″, 100% viscose.
[$125. We also love this Zara scarf for $49.90 as a more price conscious alternative.]

6. Thera Tears Lubricant Eye Drops
Many eye drops we’ve tried work for an hour or two then we end up needing to use them again. We’ve found the Thera Tears drops to work for most of the day. Safe for contact lense wearers as well.
[$9.99 for 1 fl oz]

7. Josie Maran Argan Oil
This is our go to for almost everything. 100% pure argan oil seeps quickly into the skin but is lightweight and non-greasy. Use it under the eyes or all over the face, as a hand or all over body moisturizer, or as a spot treatment for patches of dry skin. We also love it for our hair to keep away frizz and flyaways while adding shine. The air on a plane is so drying, this keeps us glowing the whole way through.
[$15 for 0.5 oz]

8. 18 Rabbits Jr. Bars
We featured these bars in our 6 Things We Love post and received such wonderful feedback! I mentioned that my favorite is the Chocolate Cherry bar and received some emails asking what other flavors I would recommend. My next favorite is the Apricot, Walnut, & Coconut bar. Yum!
[Approx $1.10 per bar]

9. Read: 256 Year Old Chinese Herbalist
This is a great quick read while you’re waiting for take-off or for your ride. Li Ching-Yuen was a Chinese herbalist that lived to be 256 years old, had 23 wives, and raised over 200 children. This article talks about his longevity formula. Very interesting, indeed!

There you have it! 9 travel essentials to make your trip more comfortable. Happy holidays and safe travels to all! What are some of your travel essentials?

#9TravelEssentials
@PolinaRoytman
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6 Things We Love 2

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6 Things We Love

By Polina Roytman

1. Catbird Baguette Diamond Ring in Rose Gold
I adore special details and miniatures of any kind. Catbird is one of my favorite stores for jewelry and I am in heaven every time I browse their site or go into the store. I recently bought their tiny emerald ring that I’ve been eying for over 6 months, and this baguette ring is next on my list. I’ve been dreaming about this one for some time now. Rose gold, baguette diamond, delicate… and with “baguette” in the name, need we say more?
[$320, comes in 14k rose gold, 14k yellow gold, 14k white gold]

2. 18 Rabbits Jr. Bars
I first discovered these bars while at the airport waiting to board my flight to Nashville, one of my favorite places for work and play. My boyfriend is a musician based in Nashville, while I spend the bulk of my time working in New York. This means lots of time spent at the airport, and these bars are my saving grace every time I’m traveling or on the go. My favorite is the Chocolate Cherry which contains cherry, dark chocolate, almonds, pumpkin, chia, and sunflower seeds. It is a little bit of heaven while traveling. An added bonus: they donate 1% of their bars to help fight hunger in their community.
[Approx $1.10 per bar]

3. Cabiria – Whimsical, Sensual Style in Sizes 12-24
I had the pleasure of working with Eden Miller, the mastermind behind the better bridge sportswear line, on America’s Got Talent Season 7. A typical day at work is usually quite hectic and doesn’t allow for time to talk much with your co-workers. But after a late work night we shared a train ride home where we got to chat and get to know each other more. Her story as a person is incredible! She’s overcome more than most could imagine. So much so that it would be too much to include in this short post. But towards the end of our trip she told me of her plans for Cabiria and less than a year later she was the first plus size line ever shown at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week. I’ve been loving seeing her gain the recognition and respect she’s worked so hard for and deserves, and love being able to share it on here with you all. Keep rocking it, lady!
[Prices range from $175 to $290, fabrics include cotton and cotton blends, silk jersey, silk wovens and blends, wool and cashmere blends]

4. Cashmends by Stella Neptune
We featured these in a previous post and we’ve been getting so much positive feedback and emails about it that we had to include it in our list of favorites! Save your cashmere and up your style with these fun iron-on patches.
[$14 for a pack of three patches]

5. The Dads: Harris & Dave
Melissa Spreitzenbarth is one of the people behind this new lifestyle blog that launched today. I met Melissa while working with her photographer husband, the incredible Udo Spreitzenbarth, and in the natural way of today’s modern world we became Facebook friends. I was in the middle of putting together this ’6 Things We Love’ post when I saw her announcement of the launch in my feed. Soon as I clicked to see what it was about I was immediately drawn in! There is already lots of content up, my favorite so far being the recipe for Harris’ Challah Rolls. Congrats to Melissa, her dads Harris and Dave, and her step-sister and brother-in-law, Leah and Sean, who spent the last three months putting this blog together. It was well worth it!

6. Marriage / Relationship Advice from a Newly Divorced Man
I had to power through reading this. It is almost too poetic sounding for me, yet it is so raw, and if you strip it down and read it for what it is then there is no greater advice for a relationship. I’ve been married, I’ve been divorced, and reading this brings it all back to what could have been. And though it is geared towards couples that are married, it holds true for all couples and relationships, married or not.

So there you have it! 6 things we love. Why 6? Because that’s our favorite number. What are some of your favorite things?

#6ThingsWeLove
@PolinaRoytman
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Cashmere Band-Aids

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Cashmere Band-Aids!

The holidays are coming and this makes for a fun and creative stocking stuffer! Stella Neptune’s iron-on band-aids are a great way to spruce up your favorite sweater, scarf, hat, or blanket that may or may not have some holes in it.

Added bonus: No sewing necessary!

$14 gets you one package that includes 3 band-aids: 4.5″L, 3.75″L, and 3.25″L.

100% handmade in Los Angeles.

Special note: Cashmends [TM] are cut from recycled cashmere sweaters; therefore they will vary slightly in color from the images shown.

Be sure to check out their site for more goodies and gift ideas. We here at fashionbeautyandfun.com can’t get enough!

#YesPlease
@PolinaRoytman
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Say Something

By Polina Roytman

Valentine’s Day – Catbird Style

*Giveaway*

By Polina Roytman

Gorgeous Glowing Skin in Minutes!

By Polina Roytman

Make It Last

By Polina Roytman

9 Travel Essentials

By Polina Roytman

6 Things We Love

By Polina Roytman

Cashmere Band-Aids!

Giveaway