............... illumen ...............

FSC Barber

2012-02-28T18:04:00.003-08:00

Photo by: Gilbert Gregory

I have always chosen my hairstylist via word of mouth, I mean there is no way I am letting anyone touch my long locks who has not come highly recommended. One might assume guys would not be so picky when it comes to a hairstylist, but in my experience guys are just as protective of there short locks as I am of my long ones. Freemans Sporting Club aka FSC Barber is rumored to be the best barber shop here in Nyc. Apparently they even does a straight razor shave with a hot towel as an added touch. Knowing Freemans Sporting Club for their custom tailored suits, and hip accessories it wasn't a far stretch in my mind that they would be the coolest barber shop, but I wanted first hand experience from a guys perspective before I was willing to believe that they were also the most skilled. Thus when my friend Gilbert was in town and in need of a trim, I sent him over there to check it out. And as the rumors promised he was totally stoked on it. Great atmosphere, skilled stylists, no appointment needed and fairly priced. Along with Gilbert's praise someone else said "Freemans is a shop created for the manly man", another said "It wreaks of masculinity and old school Nyc life" and my favorite "The only way I could enjoy that experience more was if I was offered a beer and cigar upon entry...." But for me I was sold, when Gilbert was sold as he is not easy to please. Anyway you don't have to take our word for it, you can check out for yourself. Here are the details: 8 Rivington St (between Freeman Aly & Chrystie St)New York, NY 10002 Neighborhood: Lower East Side (212) 673-3209

2012-02-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

One of my Illumé specialists, Dr. Karuna Sabnani wrote a special emotional heart health article in theme of Valentines day. See her words of wisdom below. xo- Trinity

Everyday is a day to celebrate our hearts. Valentines holiday brings much joy to many, heartache to others, chocolate to the masses, and is just another day on the calender to the rest.

Taking care of your emotional needs 365 days of the year is very important. A depressed mind causes a suppressed immune system. Below are some ways to get you started on feeling good, free and happy!

Warmly,

Dr. Karuna Sabnani, ND

Healthy Heart Tips For Emotional Nutrition

Breath: Just remember that it's there!

Rescue Remedy: You can get this flower essence combination at most health food stores. It brings calm during panic.

Healthy Decisions: Make choices in every moment that are leading you toward what you want.

Rose and Lavender: Spray Rosewater or Lavender Water on yourself. It does wonders.

Real Friends off the internet: Have face to face meetings with people instead of chatting, texting, and emailing them.

Find out what you Love and do it Often!

Eat slowly and enjoy your food.

Go into Nature: Get sunshine. Go to the ocean, river, or a lake. Be in fresh air. If all else fails, get many plants and a fountain.

Rest, Rest, Rest!

Music: Listen to what makes you feel good, avoid tunes that have you enter melancholy.

Stay present : Avoid nostalgia.

Treat yourself. Take time to yourself. Be yourself.

Smile: Even the act of smiling creates joy in you when you are feeling blue.

Be Happy: Take time, space and silence to find the happiness inside you and use it as a reference point when you find yourself getting miserable or negative.

Laugh: Be around people that make you happy. There should always be at least one friend in your life that makes you laugh until you have tears streaming down your face

Movies: Many people have told me that watching an uplifting beautiful movie is the ticket to getting them out of gloom and doom states.

Be with Reality of Impermanence: If you realize that everything goes eventually, it will bring ease and allow you to cherish each moment completely.

Spend time with children: Children exude natural joy and open your heart. They are silly give and affection freely. They remind of us of what true heart and beauty really are.

Meditate: Find out what this life is all about.

Heschung

2012-01-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing goes better with a handsome face and army coat than a pair of Heschung boots. Heschung is a French boot maker who has been making beautiful boots for both men and woman since 1934.

From rugged to chíc they have a boot for everyone. I am a bit of a boot snob, and nothing annoys me more than an expensive boot of poor quality. In walking city's like Nyc & Paris, I think of my shoes like my car; they need to be of the utmost quality & comfort, as well as able to handle the wear and tear of daily life while getting me where I need to go, and hopefully turning a few heads a long the way. Thus boots, and shoes in general are something I encourage my clients to invest in. Better to pass on the expensive sport-shirt and put that money towards a high quality pair of shoes.

The Parlor Shave

2012-01-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, while in Nolita I decided to pop in to The New York Shaving Company. I have been told by a few of my clients its the best shave in Nyc. In my opinion getting a professional shave or any number of their services offered on the tonsorial parlor menu, is the equivilent to a woman getting a mani/pedi. Sure you can do it at home, but is it really going to be as good, plus it can be the perfect pick me up when the stressors of life have gotten the best of you.

Naked and Famous

2011-12-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Christin Dior's Childhood house.

For Christmas, my boyfriend and I decided to visit his family in Granville: a sleepy seaside town in Normandy, France. Among beautiful ocean views, bays full of sail boats, and fishermen markets, it is also Christian Dior's home town. After visiting Dior's famous child house, Martin showed me a cool little boutique called Adrenaline. Although I am not crazy about the name, I am crazy about their selection of clothes for femme et hommes. Martin purchased a pair of jeans there, by a label called Naked and Famous. My new favorite denim line for men! He loves them so much he wants to wear them all the time. Because he has been working very looooong hours at The Drone (one of Paris's top music mags) I offered to be a good girlfriend and throw some of his laundry in with my own. He made sure to remind me NOT to include his new fav jeans as they are raw Japanese denim and would be ruined if washed. So I laundered away sans his Naked & Famous, while listening to Chad VanGaalens: Diaper Island courtesy of The Drone's La Toplist 2011. Which I highly recommend if anyone is in need of some musical inspiration.

Magenekko vs guys w/glasses

2011-12-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

My friends and I have been discussing a new trend of sorts:cute girls in glasses, not for prescription reasons, but rather for style. In Japan they call this Meganekko. Theexact translation being "girl wearing glasses" The reference beingthat the glasses are one of her more attractive traits, however it does notnecessarily mean that the 'girl' would not be attractive without her glasses.

Honestly, I have been coveting this look, but have not yetdared to rock it. Which brings me to the photo above, and to my long drawn outpoint, which is that: I love a man in a nice pair of glasses!

Similar to a watch, a man's glasses can say a lot about him.A nice pair of glasses can adorn an already appealing face, especially if wornthe right way. As with any other accessory it’s necessary to choose carefullyand pay special attention to detail. Whether it be reading glasses, sunglasses,or day in-day out I'm blind with out them don't like contacts can't affordlaser surgery glasses, it's necessary to pick frames that flatter ones face andsuit your personality.

AskMen has a good article here on the more technical aspect of the different frameoptions out there. Any one heard of rimless regatta before?

Loft Design By

2011-12-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

Loft Design By is one of my very favorite stores in Paris. They have a few locations but I am particularly fond of the one on rue Yvonee Le Tac. I have found that Paris is full of gorgeous boutiques for women, but its a bit more slim pickings when it comes to men's. Loft Design By nails it: from design, to quality, to selection, to the ambiance of the store. They even have a a book of poetry. "Poetry is a dirty job, but somebody's go to do it." J'adore!

Loft Design By
20 rue Yvonne Le Tac
75018 Paris
0142513910

Love Those Suits!

2011-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

The key to an amazing suit is the quality of fabric, the cut and drape as well as how one accessorizes. These guys got it right!

Paperbag Homme

2011-11-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Paperbag Homme on his way to a rendez-vous with une jolie artiste at 104.

Our new street style blog: www.paperbagstyle.com

Marais Style

2011-11-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

Le Marais, Paris

Paris. First Few Days, First Few Favorite Spots!

2011-10-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Sacré-Coeur Just up the street from our apartment!

No matter which way you look in Paris its truly beautiful. Inspiration is everywhere. Below are some of my favorite spots so far.

La perle Where John Gallianio was when he threw his famous anti-cynicism fit that got him fired from Christian Dior. Possibly a bit over rated, but its excellent for people watching, and I randomly ran into a long lost friend of mine there.

Pink Flamingo Pizza We ate an amazing duck a blue cheese pizza, but the best part was the van parked outside with extra seating.

Pierre Herme Absolutely hands down the best Macaron I have ever had, and I love Macarons.

La fidelite Super slow service, super hot servers. Beautiful atmosphere, yummy food.

Silencio Designed by David Lynch, it opened up last month, inspired by the club Silencio in Mullholland Drive. Good music, gorgeous crowd, lovely times.

MMMM

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Antonio Campos, Josh Mond & Sean Durkin

My stylish friends promoting their new film: Martha Marcy May Marlene Premiering tonight at the New York Film Festival. Its a must see!

Soho, Style

2011-10-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Soho, New York

Dumbo Style

2011-08-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Dumbo, Brooklyn

Skater Style

2011-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Highline, Nyc