Designer Meagan Ollari launched her namesake brand to deliver modern collections with distinctive “sophisticated sex-appeal” for the retro goddess. Born and raised in New Jersey, Meagan knew from a young age her true passion in life would be to design, and she soon began sketching and sewing at the age of 7. After designing for 8 years in the industry, she decided to make the leap and launch her own collection, Ollari, in January 2014 with the intentions of sharing her fabrications for a more refined contemporary woman. Through traveling the world, Meagan finds inspiration in sometimes the most surprising places, whether it be landmarks, art, colors or cultures. She makes sure she designs pieces that she herself would wear, creating every style innovative and unique, yet feminine and practical. “Bollywood Baby Doll” is the most recent SS16 collection inspired by the bold, saturated colors of India. The fabrications are made up of everything from silk georgettes and chiffons, to rayon challis, gauzes, modals and moss crepes. Each fabric design feels just like silk! 

Shop: http://www.meaganollari.com

 

Every single one of us, though #flawless, has at some point taken a look in the mirror and found at least one thing we’d like to change. Some of us learn to love the quirks in our looks and some of us think about getting a little fix. From the non-invasive to the surgical, cosmetic procedures are on the rise and there are a hundred ways to nip, tuck, lift and smooth just about any area of our bodies. Not all of it is vain and superficial. Some procedures have amazingly high satisfaction ratings; patients report not just looking better but feeling way more confident. According to the experts, these are the nips and tucks that are worth it and the ones you should skip:

Worth it: Breast Reduction
“By far, breast reductions produce the happiest post-op patients,” says New Bern, North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon and best selling author Dr. John Zannis, “The women (and sometimes men) that come to me for this procedure have usually been uncomfortable with the size of their breasts for years, in many cases since early puberty. You can really see an immediate boost to their confidence.” Overly large breasts have uncomfortable physical effects like chronic back pain and bad posture, but they can also become a huge self-esteem complex, especially for girls. Breast reduction surgeries report an extremely high satisfaction rate of almost 90% according to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Magazine.

Skip: Lip Fillers
Lip fillers can work wonders but they’re tricky. They don’t look the same on everyone; your end result could be Kylie Jenner’s lipstick-empire-building pout or Donatella Versace’s trout mouth. They’re more of a toss up and depend on too many variables, from the natural curve of your lips to the skill of your doctor to the type of filler used.

Worth it: Non-Invasive Face Lifts
“Off the top of my head some of my happiest clients are non-invasive face lift patients,” says Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a board certified dermatologist who specializes in surgical and medical skin procedures at her New York office. “The skin on the neck and chin get a substantial lift and smooth with no cutting or general anesthetics, patients report not only looking younger but constantly say they feel better about themselves. Which is the key word I look for when gauging post-recovery satisfaction!”

Worth it: Rhinoplasty
“A rhinoplasty from a skilled plastic surgeon can completely change a face,” says Zannis. He adds, “The nose is the most protruding facial feature and sits right in the center; any sort of change alters how you look from different angles, how light and shadows hit you and can make the face look more symmetrical.” To become a full believer in the power of rhinoplasty just search “Bella Hadid before and after nose job” on Google. Literally a different person.

Skip: Cheek Implants
Cheeks have a very prominent position in your face. Like tweaking your nose, tweaking the shape and size of your cheeks changes your whole look, but like any other facial implant or filler; they are not one size fits all. In older individuals cheek implants are just as likely to drag your skin down as smooth it. Good results depend on implant type, technique, original face shape, and considering the natural effects of aging in the future.

Worth it: Body Contouring
“Body contouring is easily one of my top three highest patient satisfaction procedures” says Dr. Papantoniou who provides the procedure at her practice. “These are non-invasive fat loss techniques and they give truly amazing results after about 3 months of treatments. There is no downtime, no pain. Some patients come in for them during long lunch breaks! Patients lose whole inches. Again, the most telling sign is how they stress feeling good after the procedure.”

                                                                                                                    
It’s officially high summer and people are taking to the skies for vacation and business travel. You know the drill. You’re given some peanuts, the drink cart makes a couple of rounds and before you know it it’s wheels down. You’re regretting not drinking more water during the flight and feel your skin tight. However, drinking water on a longer flight is a double-edged sword, if you don’t your entire epidermis dries up; if you do your lower body retains the liquid. So how can you fly without the ankle swell or the skin dehydration?
 
Dr. Christopher Calapai DO, an anti-aging and stem cell expert and long time health advisor to the New York Rangers hockey team, tells us how to fight the dryness with foods.
 
1. Watermelon
“Watermelon is one of the most hydrating foods there are,” says Dr. Calapai “Its a great alternative to plane snacks which have large amounts of sodium, which in turn make you more dehydrated.” Pack big thick slices in a large plastic baggie and take them in your handbag, they won’t be taken away at TSA and will help you avoid the salty peanuts. 
 
2. Cucumbers
“Cucumbers are about 96 percent water,” says Calapai “They also contain no saturated fat or cholesterol and are high in Vitamin B6 which helps in the production of serotonin which is the brain chemical that controls mood.” You can slice them or cube them and also bring them along in a baggie or small container. Try making small cucumber-watermelon bites, they are pretty delicious!
 
3. Strawberries
When the airplane cookies come around say no thanks and reach for some strawberries instead! “Strawberries have the highest water content of any berry, 92 percent to be exact,” shares Calapai “You can enjoy the tart-sweet flavor without consuming too much sugar.”  
 
4. All in one salad
If you’re the type that needs an actual meal to feel satisfied bring along a salad. Add tomatoes, juicy chicken, plenty of lettuce and goat cheese. Lettuce is 96 percent water and tomatoes are 94 percent water. Go easy on the salt when seasoning your chicken and grill it or steam it instead of frying it to retain moisture. Make up for flavor and texture with some goat cheese! All the ingredients stay good at room temperature most of the day and there’s no heating required when it’s time for lunch/dinner. 
 
5. Coconut Water
Ok so you can’t totally avoid drinking liquids! “Coconut water is low in calories and high in naturally occurring hydration replenishing electrolytes, which regular water does not contain. It’s a better option than sports drinks which have artificial flavors and more calories,” advises Dr. Calapai. After you’re past security grab a bottle of coconut water from any of the airport mini-marts.

Miami based charity organization, Angel Watching Over Me, founder Sarah Akiba of So Akiba and celebrity model/actress Nazanin Mandi, hosted the Angels Under Water charity fashion show at Basement Miami, at the Edition Hotel. Guests, luminaries and Miami influencers were treated to a shopping experience and multi-brand runway presentation MC’ed by Miami socialite YesJulz and music by DJ RBK, with all ticket sale proceeds going directly towards the charity’s social and community development programs. 

With pop-up booths on site, guests shopped all night from Claudio Milano, Zacasha, Les Canebiers, Marias Bonita, Gina Cueto, Raesempre, SETA, Alicia- Polished Coconut, Beja Organic Soap by Chelsea Mercede, Cindy with the stones, Beatrice and Claudia Mendoza. 

The runway show highlighted the So Akiba Angel Watching Over Me swimsuit collection, created in collaboration with Cai Swimwear, as well as the latest collections from swimwear brands Cai Swimwear, Pain de Sucre, Les Canebiers, Claudio Milano, Mykini, and Jypsea Local. Models also wore pieces from jewelry and headdress sponsor Zacasha, and handbag sponsor Lime & Soda; with makeup sponsored by Beauty Schools of America and hair sponsored by Safar Salon.
With over 400 attendees, all enjoyed cocktails from Coconut 503, Angelvin, Peroni, Neuro Water, Fireball, Tiqo Tequila, and Corazon. After the show was complete, guests received giftbags provided by Saks Fifth Avenue that included K8 Swimwear mirrors, L’Occitane, Safar Salon Gift Cards, Cai Swimwear Gift Cards, Les Canebiers, Forever Young Institute, Neurowater, and Floats eyewear. They also received the brand new Angel Watching Over Me hat in their bags as a thank you for ticket purchases.

ABOUT ANGEL WATCHING OVER ME

Angel Watching Over Me (AWOM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Sarah Akiba, a wardrobe stylist and fashion designer from Miami, FL who lost her father to lung cancer in 2013. The foundation, which unites people from all over the world who have lost an “angel” raises awareness and supports victims and their families who are left behind by a loving friend, family, or any other important person in their life.

Stand Out in Iconic Handmade Dresses from KÜR Collection An icon of handmade craft with finer detail, KÜR collection offers authentic women’s ready-to-wear dresses and separates all to revitalize the dying craft of lace making. Designer and creative mind Kasuni Rathnasuriya has been working hard on KÜR Collection’s newest collection, Dark Romance. Since the launch of the label in 2009, Kasuni has continued to ethically produce and design contemporary, handcrafted lace pieces out of New York. Kasuni didn’t always have her dreams set on being a fashion designer. As a child, she originally wanted to become a doctor, but later decided to skip medical school and try out design school, where she also studied marketing and management. Kasuni soon became bored with her job as a market analyst, and decided to kick-start her own clothing line. She has since been recognized by many in the fashion industry, and has been able to add many awards and acknowledgements to her ever-growing brand. Kasuni was looking for an element that would make KÜR Collection stand out from the rest, so she decided to incorporate the craft of lace-making to give an authenticity to contemporary fashion. To empower the female community, she traveled back to her home in Sri Lanka to have the village women create the lace by hand, with proceeds from sales being donated to the Sri Lankan flood victims who lost their homes. All made with love for the one-of-a-kind
woman who loves to make a statement, the collection is an eclectic mix of delicate and intricate lace on modern silhouettes – the use of white gives the pieces a modern feel, while the use of cotton and cotton lace give a more casual attitude to the look. These pieces were inspired by the comfortableness and uniqueness found in street style.

SHOP: http://www.KURCollection.com

FOLLOW: http://www.instagram.com/kurnewyorkwww.Facebook.com/KURCollection

 

Our current obsession Lia the owner of A Girl in Her Thirties blog shared her top three lessons she learned during her first year of blogging.  Be sure to check out her amazing blog as well at http://agirlinherthirties.com/my-first-year-blogging/
Interestingly, the person who taught me to read was not a teacher, it was my mother. To motivate me, she promised she’d throw me a reading party when I was able to read my first paragraph. Her logic was, I needed to be able to read the writing on the cake. So, we practiced syallabic patterns every day, because that’s how you learn to read in Spanish, until I was ready to combine them and make words, and then we read sentences. Finally, the day of my party arrived. My mother invited everyone we knew to a park. There, she presented me with a huge sheet cake that read “Felicidades”. That day, my mother taught me that important milestones are to be celebrated.
This is why, when the anniversary of the day my blog went live came around twenty-five years later, I decided it was time to twirl around in confetti and celebrate. I invited a few of my closest friends, distant friends, and an entire community of online readers to join me in celebrating the commitment I had made to finally telling my stories and publishing my writing.

We celebrated my “blogiversary” at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co., the new brewery in the Bird Road Arts District of Miami (more on them in a future post because they’re so amazing they deserve their own post!). We ate Boricua food, drank craft beer, and laughed for hours. Then, as is my custom, I got a little reflective. So indulge me in these self-reflections.
What I have gained from my year of blogging:
I have connected with others in a way I never had before. I have met people who have, like me, been battling with their pasts and presents. I’ve met people who love reading and writing, and people who can relate to some of these very raw and personal posts. Sometimes my writing is uncomfortable and painful for me, but when others respond to it, I realize we humans are a lot more interdependent than we like to admit. And that has humbled me.

I have gotten to know myself better. It is no secret, at least if you read my posts, that I can be very insecure. Self-doubt is like that recurring nightmare, the one where you’re free falling from a very tall building and you wake up in shock right before the moment your face smashes against the concrete. Despite my insecurities, writing this blog has helped me recognize my strengths and face my faults.

I have found a constructive way to channel my creative energy. In my life, I’ve always been in search of what’s coming next. The next job, the next place, the next anything that will make me feel something. I realize now that it’s because I’ve been created in my maker’s image. Thus making my creativity something that has been embedded in my DNA. Not being creative feels contrary to my very physical composition. I know now that what I had been searching was a way to create. And now, I no longer seek for what’s next.

What I wish for you in any creative endeavor:
Truly connect. This world will have you believe that you have to be selfish to survive. I disagree. If you’re blogging or creating art, or pursuing any other passion project, realize you have a responsibility to your craft and your audience. The least you can do is respond to others kindly with a “thank you and have a nice day”.

Aim for self-exploration. Being meta-cognitive is one of the highest skills we can develop as humans. And I am firm believer in self-actualization through self-exploration. I aim to inspire anyone who reads this blog to dig deep, to the point of discomfort, and face the things about yourself you fear most. Turn your thoughts into a hobby. Then, turn your hobby into a passion. Finally, don’t be afraid to dedicate a balanced amount of time to then perfecting your craft.

Do not stifle your creative side. I know from experience that doing so will make you feel like a bird with clipped wings. No one in your life, especially you, will benefit from you suppressing a healthy desire to create. It doesn’t have to be public or for money, just for yourself. If you’ve been thinking about painting, go buy some canvases and brushes and get to it. If you love photography, take a day off, go to your favorite spot in the city, and shoot till the battery dies. How do you know something is worth doing? If you haven’t been able to stop thinking about a project, it’s probably your heart’s way of telling you it wants to do it.
This past year has seen some of my most trying times. I know for a fact, if it hadn’t been for my writing, I would not have been able to process it all. Starting this blog was like lighting a spark that would ignite me. And that, was cause for celebration!

The quality and length of sleep you receive every night can have a profound impact on your skin’s overall health. When we sleep our bodies recharge. Not only do our bodies recharge, our skin does as well. Dr. Kaleroy Papantoniou is a board certified NYC dermatologist who explains that,

 “ During sleep we heal, restore and eliminate toxins from the skin. If sleep is compromised, so is the body’s ability to carry out these essential skin functions. During the first three hours of sleep your body will start producing the human growth hormone from the pituitary gland. As we age, this hormone is necessary for the maintenance of youthful and radiant skin. Without this hormone release, skin is not repaired from daily damage and thus induces the aging process.”

 

The middle two hours of sleep is when melatonin is increased. Melatonin is a hormone that is responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm (sleep/wake patterns) but also acts as an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damaging free radicals.

 

The final three hours, or during the active REM sleep stage, levels of cortisol (aka the stress hormone) decrease. Dr. Papantoniou explains that, “The skin’s temperature also drops to its lowest point allowing muscles to relax and become immobile, giving skin its deepest recovery of the night.”  

  

1. Supplement Your Sleep

As we age, our bodies naturally produce less melatonin, which affect our skin’s ability to repair itself at night. If falling asleep is becoming more difficult, you may benefit from taking a melatonin supplement or using a topical product with melatonin to help combat decreased hormone levels. Melatonin works best if taken at night about 30 minutes before going to bed. This is when it serves its purpose, and helps to increase the depth and duration of restorative sleep. Restorative sleep, in turn helps accelerate and optimize the skin’s repair cycle, says Dr. Papantoniou.

 

2. Cleanse Twice

Have you ever washed your makeup off before bed, yet mysteriously woken up with liner smudged under your eyes? Turns out that’s normal, especially if you used long-lasting makeup, which really does live up to its claim. Here’s why: 12 to 24-hour foundations, mascaras, eyeliners, and eye shadows are all made with polymers that don’t easily dissolve with soap and water, or water-based makeup remover.

 

Dr. Papantoniou says, “To really remove all traces of your makeup, take a cue from Korean skin care and wash your face twice using a method called “double cleansing.” First, use an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup (the oil breaks down the waxes and polymers way more effectively than soap and water). You can purchase an oil based make-up remover for this or even use coconut oil on a Q-tip to gently remove more stubborn makeup. Then, use a gentle non-soap cleanser to rid your skin of any leftover residue. An example of a gentle cleanser is Vanicream’s Gentle Cleanser or CeraVe Facial Cleanser”

 

3. Moisturize

While you sleep, your skin naturally repairs and restores itself, and cleaning it before bed maximizes this effect. Dr. Papanatoniou points out that, “During the day, your skin fights off all sorts of assaults, from UV rays to pollution; at night, there’s less damage control to do, so the beauty products that you apply may be more effective. Applying night creams to clean skin in the evening is the best time to soften your face; not to mention, it can feel soothing and relaxing as you prep for sleep.”

 

4. Put on a Sleep Mask

“Overnight masks are a great way to treat your skin and give it extra attention,” says Dr. Papantoniou. The skin undergoes more cellular repair during sleep and can be more receptive to products at this time.” She recommends using an overnight mask a few times a week in lieu of going through your usual nighttime regimen. Simply cleanse, slather on a layer of the mask, and go to sleep.

 

5. Keep Your Hair Off Your Face

Pull your hair back into a loose ponytail or wrap it in a scarf before going to bed. This will prevent the hair’s natural oils from rubbing off on your skin. This is especially important if your hair is unwashed or you are prone toward acne break outs.

 

6. Get The Right Pillowcases

It’s worth it to invest in some soft pillowcases, because friction from harsher cotton fibers can accelerate the development of permanent creases. Dr. Papantoniou suggests trying a smooth silk or satin pillowcase, which prevents trauma to the skin and reduces the probability of your skin forming lines and wrinkles while you sleep. Also remember to change and wash your pillowcases at least once a week.

 

7. Rejuvenate With a Retinoid

Choose an anti-age cream or serum that packs real power. These vitamin-a derivatives are key to youthful-looking skin. “But because exposure to sunlight can deactivate their potency, it’s best to apply retinoids at night,” says Dr. Papantoniou. Start by using an OTC retinol-containing cream or serum every other night until skin becomes more tolerant to the side effects, which are often dryness and sensitivity.

 

8. Apply Eye Cream

 If you are having problems with eye bags and puffiness after you wake up, applying eye cream before sleeping will solve this. Gently apply the cream around your eyes especially under it to replenish the skin surrounding your eyes. Make sure you stay hydrated during the day; this can help prevent water retention and will combat your sodium intake during the day.

 

9. Mind Your Sleeping Position

Train yourself not to sleep face down. This habit can cause premature wrinkles and creases. It’s better to position yourself properly while sleeping. This will also prevent your face from rubbing against pillowcases and sheets. If you are lucky and can sleep on you back, that is the best way to prevent wrinkles and creases from sleep habits.