GET NAKED THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Wondering what to get your man this VDay? Let’s be honest, most of us are probably planning to dress up in our sexiest lingerie, which don’t get us wrong, isn’t a bad thing. But isn’t that a little overdone? Chances are, he expects it. Why not surprise him this time? Why not get him some ‘male lingerie’? And before you go off thinking of man thongs or something equally scary, we are talking quality stuff here. He will love it, we promise (and so will you!). Just don’t tell him its male lingerie and you’ll be golden.

Introducing NAKED, a line of luxurious, sexy and comfortable underwear and loungewear. Unfortunately, they only design for men at the moment, but we are begging them to release a line for women (fingers crossed). Ladies, this line is HOT and trust us, you want to see your men in these. The tailoring contours all the right places, and the fabrics are sourced from the finest mills in the world. NAKED’s micromodal line is made with fabric from an Italian mill, and is seriously softer than silk. And if you’re wondering which style to get? We suggest the microfiber trunk, in red of course.

Now if you happen to be in the Vancouver area this weekend, you are in luck. NAKED is hosting a pop up shop at the Bay downtown, and will be providing a male model for lucky customers to preview the brand on. Unfortunately, the pop up shop (and model) will not be making its way down to Toronto, but no worries…you can pick up a pair of NAKEDs at Holt Renfrew, GOTSTYLE or on their website, www.thenakedshop.com.

Come on people, let’s get NAKED!

BOXNOIRE SELECTS

Each week, we will share you with our must-have items of the moment. These are hand selected items are the essentials that each of us at BOXNOIRE simply can’t live without. Up this week, Karyna’s picks…

 

1. Madewell Silk Cami [ $78.00 ]

2. Alexander McQueen Velvet Flats [ $645.00 ]

3. JCrew Flower Lattice Necklace [ $268.00 ]

4. Rag & Bone Metallic Booties [ $550.00 ]

5. Kate Spade Handbag [ $498.00 ]

ALTERNATIVE BEAUTY TIPS

We all know that the beauty industry is booming, and there’s a reason why – there are about a billion products available, all with very high price tags. And while yes, we do love our Ole Henriksen cream and Fresh black tea facial mask, sometimes the best solutions are right beneath your nose. Literally, all you have to do is walk into your kitchen.

These are our top beauty picks, all simple, easy to find and best of all – affordable! They may even work better than the expensive stuff…but you didn’t hear it from us. So the next time you’re skin is begging for moisture, or you need to zap that pimple, try out one of these alternatives before running to the nearest Sephora. Chances are you have them around the house, or can pick them up at your local market!

ALOE VERA
Probably one of our favourite beauty picks, like ever, aloe vera has a thousand and one benefits. You can use it fresh from the plant as I way to treat burns, irritation and even bug bites. It’s also wonderful when mixed with rosewater as a daily cleanser.

OATMEAL
Not only is it a great start to the morning, it can also double as a fantastic scrub to slough off any dry, dead skin. Mix it with some chamomile tea (let it cool it first!), honey and almond oil for the perfect facial scrub.

AVOCADO
This next beauty pick is so good, we have to stop ourselves from devouring it on the spot! Avocado, when mixed with honey, a few drops of cider vinegar and some sesame oil, provides a rich and luxurious facial cleanse that is the perfect way to treat your face once a week.

HONEY
Honey obviously has a ton of benefits, and when mixed with other main beauty picks, it can really make a different. However, it’s pretty great on it’s own as well. Pucker up those beauty lips, and make them more luscious than ever, by making a lip scrub using honey and brown sugar with a dash of lemon juice.

LAVENDER
Take some dried lavender, a little bit of oatmeal and a handful of baking soda…grind it up inside a food processor and add it to your bath for a treat at the end of the day. Seriously try it…enough said.

CUCUMBER
Well, cucumbers are a classic. We’ve seen them in the movies, and your mom probably taught you about cucumber facials as a kid. But try blending some cucumber with honey to make a wonderful toner that will leave your skin feeling fresh!

GREEN TEA
You know the benefits of drinking it, but if you let it cool in the fridge, and pour it into a spritzer bottle, it makes the perfect toner. This is also an amazing spot acne treatment.

OLIVE OIL
It might be kind of scary to think of olive oil as a moisturizer, but this stuff is a miracle. Mix it with distilled water, vitamin E oil, avocado oil, liquid lecithin and a little grated beeswax for a fabulous moisturizer that will leave your skin feeling smooth as a baby’s bum.

Are you running off to pick of some of these fabulous goodies right away? Or are you sorting through your sephora collection thinking WHY did I spend that much money? It’s OK, we’ve been there, done that. xx

 

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOGA

Ok girls, so let’s be honest – we’ve all thought about yoga at one point or another. Some of us love it, anddd others kind of don’t see the point. For the record? Those who love it tend to be super, amazingly, inhumanly good at it…just sayin’. And, that’s just not us. Not yet, anyways.

In any case, we got back from holidays at the beginning of January and low and behold, a new yoga studio opened up just next door. How frickin’ convenient right? We had tried plenty of yoga classes, but had never found a way to stay motivated. Here’s a tip, have one open up next door and you’ll really have a hard time finding an excuse.

So, walking past this place day in and day out got us thinking – let’s give yoga another shot. No more crappy excuses not to work out, and MAYBE it might be fun this time. I’m sorry, but having some crazy women push our legs past our ears, or speak in an irritatingly false calm voice is just not our cup of tea. But hey, we believe in second chances.

Fast forward a few weeks and we have a confession to make. We have become utterly addicted. Yes, yes, ADDICTED to yoga. Guess what everyone was saying is true! Of all of us, Marie has become the biggest yogi. In her own words, she needs Hot Hata class. The detoxifying heat (and damn it’s hot!), not only helps you increase flexibility, but it does wonders from stress release and relaxation. Seriously, she can go on and on about the benefits of yoga, but the truth is – it’s really just a good time to get away from daily worries.

If you’re a current yoga fanatic, we can finally say – we understand! If you’re not, and you were as skeptical as us…two words: GO NOW. Seriously. You’ll feel refreshed, energetic. You’ll have less aches and pains. You might not need your morning coffee (don’t quote us on this) and that man of yours? Well, he’ll be saying all types of thank you for your increased flexibility. And as an added perfect, for those of you who are more adventurous…you’ll be able to try tons of positions you never thought you’d reach. Think about it.

WARNING: This can be highly beneficial and seriously addictive.

Oh, and if you’re in the Toronto area? We highly suggest Chopra Yoga…first class is free! xx

STOMP IT OUT: THE STATEMENT SHOE

Whether it’s in our fave magazines, walking down the runway or in that adorable boutique around the corner- the statement shoe is well, making quite the statement. Now obviously there are some that we really don’t understand (heads up, wacky and weird does not automatically equal avant garde), there are more than a few that we would die to have in our closets.

Being the not-so-secret shopoholics that we are, we’ve obviously begun doing our shopping, or as we like to call it, research. And man oh man, there are a lot of options tempting us to open our wallets. In the end, we couldn’t help but fall in love with possibly the most gorgeous (and versatile!) statement shoes of the season. See? We can justify just about anything…

However, considering that we will spend this months rent on these major Givenchy high heeled metallic, clear and wooden sandals (possibly the new love of our life) – we have put together 3 (very cost friendly) looks that would look fabulous with these bad boys.

1-The Perfect Shirt – Current Elliot

2- Short Shorts – Marc by Marc Jacobs 

3- Allison Clutch – Christopher Kon

1- Josh Goot Bodysuit

2- Josh Goot Skirt

1-    Clare Vivier Clutch

2-    Milly Dress

 

 

 

 

WEEKLY STEALS

 

1. Matt Bernson Exclusive Dannijo Zeppelin Booties [ $100.00 ]

2. Rag & Bone Floral Print Belt [ $45.00 ]

3. Linea Pelia Double Wrap Bracelet [ $52.50 ]

4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Dragon Scale IPhone Case [ $38.00 ]

RESTAURANT REVIEW: GUSTO 101

Over the past few months, we’ve been hearing so many great reviews about Gusto 101 that opened this past spring in Toronto. We are happy to say these reviews did not disappoint. True to its name (gusto means tasty in Italian), the food tasted authentically Italian with a city twist.

We began with the kale salad and arancimi (rice balls) – They were just as yummy as we hoped. It felt like we were brought back to Sicily!

The Kale salad literally burst with flavours; who would’ve ever thought that the simple mixture of lemon and parsley could be so marvellous for our taste buds.

Our favourite part of Gusto 101?  HOME MADE WINE!  Guess the price? 1 dollar per ounce and it tasted close enough to a Chateau du Campuget!

We aren’t sure how a restaurant can manage to be both homey and chic at the same time, but somehow Gusto 101 makes it happen.

See for your own and threat yourself to a night out x

http://gusto101.squarespace.com

OUR FAVOURITE FASHION INSIDERS

One of the newest features we’d like to introduce is our fave fashion insiders. This monthly feature will showcase style connoisseurs of the moment that we are totally crushing on. Here are our faves for this month.

ERIKA BEARMAN

Erika Bearman or better known as her twitter handle, @OscarPRGirl is the Vice President of Communications at Oscar De La Renta in Manhattan at only 30 years old. Bearman has the astounding ability to mix the elegance of ODLR with downtown chic.

GERALDINE SAGLIO

Geraldine Saglio is a French stylist who has long since assisted Emanuelle Alt of Vogue Paris. Saglio’s street style is often captured at the various fashion weeks throughout the world. Casual never looked better, as Saglio prefers simple pieces in neutral tones. Saglio
always looks effortlessly cool.

JULIA RESTOIN ROITFELD

As one of few true style icons of the fashion industry today, Julia Restoin Roitfeld has many acoomplishments and style stalker photos behind her. Daughter of fashion maven Carine Roitfeld and Christian Restoin, Julia has been exposed to the industry her entire life making her a staple on the high fashion circuit. Julia’s high fashion style with interesting cuts and prints make her a style icon for any fashionista. I mean, who else can pull off couture while eight months pregnant?

BACKSTAGE AT CHANEL

Behind the beautiful forest wonderland that Chanel showcased today, Karl decided to incorporate a little edge to his show. Peter Philips, creative director of the makeup for Chanel, created an eye application specifically for this spring 2013 show.

The pieces seen on the models and in the image below are leaf shaped pieces  that Maison Lemarié created using strips of fragile fabric that Karl also used in a series of delicate hair pieces – pretty major right? The idea was to create makeup that was an extension of the hair accessories, and we think they succeeded in creating something seriously gorgeous.

“Close up, you feel the fragility of the textures and materials, and from a distance, the look feels much darker.”  Peter Philips

No detail was overlooked, as per usual.

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE S/S 2013 – DAY 2

Starting the second day of Paris Haute Couture, we can say with certainty that the couture houses under la chambre syndicale de la haute couture did not disappoint.

The day started with an amazing and romantic walk down the runway with Chanel. It was a melancholic and moving collection. Though Karl may not be able to move mountains just yet, he was definitely able to recreate a forest at  “ Le Grand Palais” this morning – stunning the audience with another beautiful collection.

Later in the afternoon,  a marvellous collection by Armani Privé complete with perfectly tailored suits and vibrant colouring captured audiences. This show was a total eye candy!