Tagua Nut Origin

The Tagua Nut, commonly known as “vegetable ivory” or “ivory nut”, earned its name from its ivory-like color and texture. It looks very similar to elephant ivory, but with the numerous trade restrictions on that, tagua nuts have become a highly valued commodity by artisans and consumers alike. When dried out, it can be carved just like elephant ivory; it is often used for beads, buttons, figurines and jewelry, and can be dyed.

This wonderful seed has managed to stimulate local economies throughout South America. Additionally, provides an alternative to cutting down rainforests for farming, and prevents elephants from being killed for the ivory in their tusks. You just cannot go wrong with tagua!

The tagua nut can be dyed with all kinds of colors and it can be carved as well. Overall, it is versatile and furthers environmental and socioeconomic goals. Artisans from all over South America are handcrafting wonderful tagua jewelry. In South America, women have been adorning themselves with tagua jewelry for years, but it is finally making its way to the rest of the world.

I personally love handcrafted jewelry and more so if it has a special meaning behind it. By wearing tagua jewelry, you are not only looking good and wearing a fashion trend, but you are helping the rainforest and communities in South America.

Shop for tagua Jewelry!

Spring in the Hamptons has arrived, and those with Hamptons vacation homes are ready to enjoy the season in style. The time has come to shed the bulky clothing, clunky boots and awkward outerwear of winter and don spry spring and summer fashions we’ve been coveting since they first appeared on the catwalk this year.

Fashion in the Hamptons, while still chic, reflects a more casual nature than uptown style. Marine and nautical inspirations infuse the environment, which is reflected in natural, lightweight fibers such as cotton, linen and silk. Simple cuts and light, breezy patterns bring a fresh contrast to the stifling weight of winter apparel.

Nautical-stripe tops in short or long sleeves pair well with skinny jeans or modern cut chinos, perhaps cuffed. For a more formal look, linen blazers in blue or red might accent the outfit, keeping in touch with Hamptons style but remaining casual enough for grabbing a bite at a beachside stand. For evening, the outfit works beautifully as well.

Another versatile style is the simple white dress. Featuring a form-fitting bodice and straight skirt, this stunning piece replaces the little black dress in the Hamptons this season. Square sleeves add a casual feel while the scoop neck offers that extra panache. For daytime wear, this number paired with Espadrille wedges, perhaps featuring rope, denim or canvas work, will turn heads and draw compliments. For evening events, simply slip on a pair of strappy sandals or brightly colored pumps. Add nautically themed jewelry such as earrings and a necklace with boat wheels or anchor designs and perhaps a few stackable bracelets to match. The transformation requires little effort with great benefit.

Those strappy sandals, particularly in high-heels, and nautical jewelry are must-haves for Hampton style. While enjoying Hamptons real estate, be sure to take advantage of the transformation these accessories can make on the most casual styles. A pair of cuffed jeans or chinos topped with a polo top instantly transforms into evening wear with smart high-heels and a stack of nautically inspired bracelets or a fashionable cuff.

Those who enjoy mimicking the plant life of the Hamptons in their clothing will enjoy many of the chic floral outfits available this season. Street-length flowing skirts or fashionable tulip skirts pair nicely with light knit tops in summer pastels or bright nautical hues. A matching floppy hat, outrageously popular this year, will mirror the skirt shape and protect the face from too much sun.

Spring and summer in the Hamptons may be the most enjoyable time of all. Evenings bring with them boat parties, lobster dinners on your own Hamptons real estate or at a local restaurant and even clam bakes on the beach. Every woman needs a special party dress in bright patterns or solid nautical colors, perhaps something from Versace or Vera Wang.

By taking advantage of versatile spring and summer fashions, you can look great while having a great time. No party, luncheon or relaxing day on deck will find you wondering what to wear.

Alexandra is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about tourism, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world. She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere. If you would like to learn more about her, follow her @alexsjourneys or visit her blog alexsjourneys.wordpress.com

What then should you do to get ready for Spring?

To take care of skin, you need to continue moisturizing those sensitive areas such as your feet, knees and elbows. Try applying white petroleum jelly, like Vaseline on all those areas that still feel dry. On your feet in particular, you can put socks on after application of the Vaseline in order for it to soak overnight. This alone will produce wonderful results!

Another time to use the Vaseline is under plastic gloves. While washing the dishes or doing any gardening, do not forget to moisturize!

Exfoliate, exfoliate… For the body you should opt for a brown sugar exfoliator. This is a great and cheap way of removing the dry dead skin cells. Simply mix some brown sugar with your shower gel. 24 – 48 hours prior to hair removal – albeit waxing or chemical hair removal, you should definitely exfoliate to soften the hair follicles. Exfoliating is also a must prior to any faux tanning. Again, remember to do it 24-48 hours prior. Never exfoliate on the same day!

Please do not exfoliate your face with the same product you use on your body, The skin on your face is much more delicate and should be treated as such. Scrubs that contain walnut and apricot are too rough on your skin and could very well damage it by causing microscopic tears on your skin! Ouch! Instead opt for a cleanser or moisturizer containing alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy.

Ok, lets recap. During Spring, your routine should be cleanse, tone, moisturize twice daily and steam at least once a week. Always go for the mildest cleanser for your skin type. If you have dry skin, opt for a non-soap or alcohol cleanser. You should try a creamy cleanser instead. Your toner should also be alcohol free. Look for a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15-30. If you do not have a steamer at home, turn on the hot water and wrap a towel around your face. Let the steam soak in for about 10-15 minutes and viola!

Here are a couple of wonderful masks you can do at home:

Brown sugar/olive oil/ginger body scrub: Mix 2 cups of brown sugar with 1 cup of olive oil and add a small amount of ground ginger. Mix well into a paste. Using circular motions, rub your entire body, paying special attention to elbows, heels, and knees. Rinse with a body wash and wet washcloth and towel dry. The result: Softer, suppler, and less dry skin.

Milk and honey foot treatment: Pour 2 cups of milk per one cup of honey into a basin large enough to hold both feet. Soak for 15 minutes, lightly massaging the mixture into skin. Results: Softer, smoother skin without harsh exfoliation. You can also use the milk/honey combo to soak elbows or hands, or pat gently onto the face and massage in. Always rinse with tepid water.

Egg white and citrus face masque: (normal to oily skin) — Mix 2 raw egg whites with 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice. Apply to skin and let rest for 15 minutes until dry. Rinse well with warm water. The result: Tighter pores and a brighter, less dull complexion.

Oatmeal face masque: (sensitive skin) — Mix oatmeal with boiling water according to package instructions. Let cool, then apply to skin and let rest for 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. The result: A radiant, moisturized glow.

Fashionistas, this Spring make sure your skin is glowing by properly adjusting to the seasonal changes. Your skin is
just as important, if not more, than those cutie outfits you are wearing already! Take care of your skin and get that flawless look you have always wanted.

xoxo

Judy

Photo Credits: Imaxtree

Well, on the Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jason Wu, Carolina Herrera and many other runways for Spring, we saw red lips, rose lips, pops of colorful eye shadow, tanned dewy cheeks, super smoky eye, 60s inspired cat eyes and white silver metallic eye shadows. When deciding what trend to use, I suggest taking into consideration your clothing and destination.

You definitely do not want to overdo it. For during the day, opt for a more casual look, by focusing on rose lips with some shimmery white silver eye shadow. If rose is your thing, try applying a creamy lipstick on your cheeks as well, and patting it in with your fingers. This is a wonderful way of getting the most out of your makeup. Additionally, cream blush lasts longer than powder blush. So now your lipstick is 2-1. Tanned dewy cheeks would go wonderfully with a soft pastel shadow for that pop of color.

For a night out, try red lips , cat eyes or the super smoky eye. Remember that you do not have to only use black eye shadow for your smoky eye. In fact, try using purples, gray/silver, or dark blues. I mean, it is all about color this Spring, so why not start by incorporating it into your smoky eye. If you want to try cat eyes, opt for a liquid eye liner and concentrate on the curvy tips. Get false eyelashes to up to dramatic effect.

Makeup should be fun and it should enhance your features. Always remember to balance it out. The pop should be on your eyes or lips, but not both! Go out of your comfort zone and give new colors a try.

Xoxo

Judy

RED. Physical
Positive: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, ‘fight or flight’, stimulation, masculinity, excitement.
Negative: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain.
Being the longest wavelength, red is a powerful color. Although not technically the most visible, it has the property of appearing to be nearer than it is and therefore it grabs our attention first. Hence its effectiveness in traffic lights the world over. Its effect is physical; it stimulates us and raises the pulse rate, giving the impression that time is passing faster than it is. It relates to the masculine principle and can activate the “fight or flight” instinct. Red is strong, and very basic. Pure red is the simplest color, with no subtlety. It is stimulating and lively, very friendly. At the same time, it can be perceived as demanding and aggressive.

BLUE. Intellectual.
Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm.
Negative: Coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.
Blue is the color of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the color of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world’s favorite color. However, it can be perceived as cold, unemotional and unfriendly.

YELLOW. Emotional
Positive: Optimism, confidence, self-esteem, emotional strength, friendliness, creativity.
Negative: Irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, depression, anxiety, suicide.
The yellow wavelength is relatively long and essentially stimulating. In this case the stimulus is emotional, therefore yellow is the strongest color, psychologically. The right yellow will lift our spirits and our self-esteem; it is the color of confidence and optimism. Too much of it, or the wrong tone in relation to the other tones in a color scheme, can cause self-esteem to plummet, giving rise to fear and anxiety. Our “yellow streak” can surface.

GREEN. Balance
Positive: Harmony, balance, refreshment, universal love, rest, restoration, reassurance, environmental awareness, equilibrium, peace.
Negative: Boredom, stagnation, blandness, enervation.
Green strikes the eye in such a way as to require no adjustment whatever and is, therefore, restful. Being in the center of the spectrum, it is the color of balance – a more important concept than many people realize. When the world about us contains plenty of green, this indicates the presence of water, and little danger of famine, so we are reassured by green, on a primitive level. Negatively, it can indicate stagnation and, incorrectly used, will be perceived as being too bland.

VIOLET. Spiritual
Positive: Spiritual awareness, containment, vision, luxury, authenticity, truth, quality.
Negative: Introversion, decadence, suppression, inferiority.
The shortest wavelength is violet, often described as purple. It takes awareness to a higher level of thought, even into the realms of spiritual values. It is highly introvertive and encourages deep contemplation, or meditation. It has associations with royalty and usually communicates the finest possible quality. Being the last visible wavelength before the ultra-violet ray, it has associations with time and space and the cosmos. Excessive use of purple can bring about too much introspection and the wrong tone of it communicates something cheap and nasty, faster than any other color.

ORANGE.
Positive: Physical comfort, food, warmth, security, sensuality, passion, abundance, fun.
Negative: Deprivation, frustration, frivolity, immaturity.
Since it is a combination of red and yellow, orange is stimulating and reaction to it is a combination of the physical and the emotional. It focuses our minds on issues of physical comfort – food, warmth, shelter etc. – and sensuality. It is a ‘fun’ color. Negatively, it might focus on the exact opposite – deprivation. This is particularly likely when warm orange is used with black. Equally, too much orange suggests frivolity and a lack of serious intellectual values.

PINK.
Positive: Physical tranquility, nurture, warmth, femininity, love, sexuality, survival of the species.
Negative: Inhibition, emotional claustrophobia, emasculation, physical weakness.
Being a tint of red, pink also affects us physically, but it soothes, rather than stimulates. (Interestingly, red is the only color that has an entirely separate name for its tints. Tints of blue, green, yellow, etc. are simply called light blue, light green etc.) Pink is a powerful color, psychologically. It represents the feminine principle, and survival of the species; it is nurturing and physically soothing. Too much pink is physically draining and can be somewhat emasculating.

GREY.
Positive: Psychological neutrality.
Negative: Lack of confidence, dampness, depression, hibernation, lack of energy.
Pure grey is the only color that has no direct psychological properties. It is, however, quite suppressive. A virtual absence of color is depressing and when the world turns grey we are instinctively conditioned to draw in and prepare for hibernation. Unless the precise tone is right, grey has a dampening effect on other colors used with it. Heavy use of grey usually indicates a lack of confidence and fear of exposure.

BLACK.
Positive: Sophistication, glamour, security, emotional safety, efficiency, substance.
Negative: Oppression, coldness, menace, heaviness.
Black is all colors, totally absorbed. The psychological implications of that are considerable. It creates protective barriers, as it absorbs all the energy coming towards you, and it enshrouds the personality. Black is essentially an absence of light, since no wavelengths are reflected and it can, therefore be menacing; many people are afraid of the dark. Positively, it communicates absolute clarity, with no fine nuances. It communicates sophistication and uncompromising excellence and it works particularly well with white. Black creates a perception of weight and seriousness.

Fashionistas, how are you going to add color this Spring/Summer? You can try color blocking, GAP colorful jeans, J.Crew colorful flats and/or Global Fashionista fashion accessories for just the right touch!

What is your favorite color?

xoxo

Judy

Here are a few of my favorites…

Tango Tangerine:
Was chosen color of the year!!! It is provocative, vivacious and will most definitely spice up your outfits.

Longsleeve Tops by Ann Taylor
Flats by J.Crew

Soladite Blue
I absolutely love the maritime look. This blue is classic and will go with every other color in the palette.

Shortsleeve Tops by Asos
Platforms by Michael Antonio

Solar Power
radiate warmth and cheer with this yellow…

Cocktail Dresses by Emilio Pucci
Earrings by Kate Spade

Mix and match these colors by color-blocking which is another huge trend for Spring. You can always incorporate these colors with accessories. Check out Global Fashionista for some beautiful green accessories.

Which color(s) are you going to wear this Spring? Please share!

xoxo
Judy

Happy New Year 2012

USA : It is a tradition to gather at Times Square in New York City on New Year’s eve and celebrate through the night until the clock announces onset of the new year. The entire program is telecasted live for the rest of the Americans and the world to watch from home. As the clock strikes past midnight, the entire Times Square breaks into euphoric cheers, honking cars and people sharing kisses to wade off the old and the evil. Among other popular new year traditions, people like to watch football games, crowd streets and have special food called Hoppin’ John with black-eyed beans, along with cakes and champagne for luck and prosperity.

UK : Welcoming the new year in UK is supposed to be noisy – full of loud cheers and whistles of family and friends, followed by kissing and drinking .

One of the most popular of UK new year traditions still prevalent is called “First Footing”. According to the custom, a family is blessed with good luck and prosperity if a tall, dark and good-looking male is the first person to enter through the front door after the new year arrives. Carrying a piece of coal, a loaf and a bottle of Whiskey, the visitor should neither speak to anyone nor be spoken to until he places the coal on fire, puts the loaf on table, serves the drink to the family head and finally wishes everyone a “Happy New Year”. He should leave the house through the back door to complete the tradition with flying colors. I
Colombia: People gather with family and friends and at the stroke of midnight, they eat 12 grapes and for each grape, ask for a wish in return. Champagne is used for toasts and tamales are a stable for dinner. There is a lot of dancing involved and singing. If you want to travel that year, you need to grab a suitcase and walk around the block at the stroke of midnight!
Denmark : It is pretty surprising but, it is very auspicious to find the door heaped with pile of broken dishes on New Year in Denmark. Throughout the year people save all the old dishes and then throw them at the entrance of the homes on the New Year eve. It is believed that the number of broken dishes you have, that many friends you have which is considered very auspicious.

In most of the parts of Scandinavian countries, New Year celebrations are done with great joy and preparation. There are many Danish cuisines which served on the New Year party eve. Kale, is among the favorite dishes which is served with sprinkled sugar and cinnamon with white sauce.

Greece : January 1st is the most important date in the history of Greece. The day is not only observed as New Year but, also as St Basil’s Day. The Greek Orthodox churches considered St Basil as one of the forefathers.

Special New Year bread is baked by all the family members. A coin is buried in the dough which is considered very auspicious. Greeks celebrate the New Year with great pomp and show. They share traditional sweet bread with everyone. The coin brings good luck and fortune for the year.

Some traditions to bring in good luck in the New Year

It is a common notion that the New Year will bring in new hopes and luck to people. Hence, people take utmost care in preparing themselves for the New Year.

Following are some of the popular practices that are performed at different countries to welcome good luck in the New Year.

Australia – In Australia suckling pigs are considered to bring good luck and hence, traditional foods are prepared with sucking pigs. In dessert they offer peppermint ice cream in the shape of four-leaf clover.

England- In Britain the tradition says that the first guest on the New Year must be male, carrying gifts for the master of the house.

Colombia – In Colombia, many people wear gold or red underwear for prosperity and good luck.

Spain – In Spain, people will eat 12 grapes with each stroke of the bell. This is said to bring good luck for the coming 12 months.

Japan – In Japan people decorate their homes with pine branch, bamboo stalk and plum blossom which symbolizes longevity, prosperity and nobility respectively.

India : Hindu New Year is the time of festivity. This is the time to meet and greet people and share gifts and sweets. Hindus will paint their houses, decorate it and lit up lamps and candles in the evening. Some of the traditions followed in Hindu New Year celebrations are,
• Lighting up oil lamps
• Making rangolis at houses
• Buying and gifting new clothes
• Distributing sweets amongst neighbors and relatives
• Worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi. They are believed to bring in wealth and prosperity.

Whatever your traditions maybe, it is a wonderful time full of celebration and hope for the new year!
Happy New Year!!!

Xoxo

Judy

Check out a couple of my favorites!

Dolce Gabbana Spring Runway 2012 Straw Clutch

Rebecca Minkoff Straw Bag

Ralph Lauren Monogrammed Straw Bag Spring 2012

Proenza Schouler Spring 2012 Clutch

Michael Kors Spring 2012 Runway Woven Straw Bag

Global Fashionista Woven Straw Clutch

Global Fashionista Large Woven Tote

This new take on the traditional knitted/woven bags has transformed them into exotic bags with a tribal flair. Wear then day and night…

Xoxo,

Judy

Judy@global-fashionista.com

Warm v. Cute

The overwhelming majority of the women said that the most important thing is to stay warm, even if you have to sacrifice some style. Sorry fashionistas…

Wool Coat v. Down Coat

If you are lucky enough to live in a city where the temperatures and wind are not brutal, then by all means flaunt those stylish wool coats. I particularly love the new bright colors they are coming in. It seems color has made its way into winter this year! Check out some of my favorites by designers such as JCrew, Dorothy Perkins & Burberry .

Dorothy Perkins $79

JCrew $298.00

Burberry Brit Leather-trimmed wool-felt trench coat $995

Zara $189

WInter Hardware $265

Patagonia $375

Fur Overcollar Quilted Jacket $1395

Mackage $640

Accessories…and more Accessories

A fantastic way to dress up your winter wardrobe is by accessorizing by choosing a couple of items out of all the fabulous accessories out there. From hats and scarf’s to cool hats and gloves. There are plenty of ways of playing up your style this winter. Check out some of my favorites from Missoni and J Crew.

Missoni Scarf Now $150

J Crew Leopard scarf $59.50

J Crew $98.00

These Boots were Made for Walking

We cannot forget our feet ladies. As much as I had promised myself I wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of UGGS, I have to admit that a good pair of sheepskin boots is a must this winter. There are several brands out there to choose from and I was lucky enough to find these Koolaburra on GILT.com recently. They are great because the soles have traction to keep me from slipping.

A cool pair of wedge boots should make your Santa list this year. Not only are they cute, but they are comfortable to walk in and many of them come with rubber soles for traction and if you are lucky you can find a pair that is waterproof or weatherproof. I found an awesome pair at DSW recently by Bear Traps. They keep me warm and stylish.

UGG Tularosa $245

Koolaburra Marissa Boot $265

Well my winter fashionistas, it seems staying fashionable this winter can be done afterall…
xoxo

Judy
Judy@global-fashionista.com

These beautiful and exotic bags take incredible labor to make. In fact, it takes over 40 hours to make each one. As a direct result of this craft, the indigenous women who make them earn their livelihood, improve their standard of living and sustain the community. This tradition which has been passed down through women, generation to generation, has turned out to be very fruitful and pivotal in the sustainability of many of these indigenous communities.

Two of these indigenous tribes are the Wayuu and Arhuaca. The former is located in the Northern Colombian border known as the Guajira. It is estimated that the Wayuu people amount to approx 144,000. 20.5% of the population in Colombia. The Wayuu, utilize cotton to waeve their mochilas. One of their techniques is called “osonushi”, this technique is intimately related with the life of the Wayuu. It is said that “once upon a time” the spider Wale’keru taught the Guajira women how to weave the designs, each of which tells a sotry and has a special significance to its maker. The production of these mochilas has a direct positive impact and greatly benefits the women of this tribe. The latter are located in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, in the north eastern part of Colombia. These women use wool to weave their original designs to the mochilas, meant to display their view of life and the world around them. To them, as they weave their mochila, they build on the human relation and give meaning to life.

Today, there are several wonderful organizations and movements to promote the mochila. The Wayuu Taya Foundation is one of my favorites. Mochilas are sold all over the world. Even large retailers like Barneys are showcasing these. Global Fashionista and many other sites online offer a wide selection.

The most influential supporter of the mochilas in the fashion industry undoubtedly was the Mochila Project launched in 2009. The Mochila Project introduced the mochila to the fashion world. As a result of the efforts of Vogue editor Lauren Santo Domingo who spearheaded this wonderful project back in 2009, 12 of the world’s top fashion designers were given the task of redesigning a mochila. The results were amazing.
Recently, the mochila has become something of a cult item, toted around town by fashion editors and It girls, and the subject of chatter on style blogs. “It seems to be the iconic tribal bag,” said Anne Slowey, the fashion news director of Elle, who has picked up a few on her travels. “The perfect mix of practical, exotic and chic.”
The secret is out…what are you waiting for?