Interview with Lauren Singer, Founder of The Simply Co.

Last month, perusing my Facebook feed, I was stopped mid-scroll by this New York Magazine article headline: “All My Trash Fits in a Single Mason Jar.” While we live in a country in which the average person produces 4.4 pounds of trash per day, this was no click-bait voodoo, but a legitimate, and important exposé. Lauren Singer is a 23-year-old New Yorker who in the last two years has produced so little un-recyclable waste that it all fits into one mason jar. Inspired by a particular incidence during her time at NYU, Lauren vowed to herself to live a trash-free existence in 2012. Read on to learn how she gradually made this change, and how you, too, can make small, but significant changes to positively impact the environment.

Courtesy NY Magazine

Twyla Shelmire: What inspired you to practice a “light footprint” lifestyle?

Lauren Singer: Everything started around 2012 when I was an Environmental Studies major at NYU. I was in my senior culminating course for my major, which every environmental studies major has to take, and there was a girl in my class who everyday would bring in plastic bags and a plastic container of food and a plastic water bottle. I would watch her every class throw all of this into the garbage. I would get so frustrated, because here we were, we’re in the Environmental Studies unit, about to graduate knowing about sustainability, and she was making all of this trash! One day I was particularly upset after watching her do this, and I went home to make dinner, and I opened my fridge and saw that I had so much plastic in my fridge. Literally everything that was in there was in a package in one way or another, and I felt like such a hypocrite, thinking oh how bad are you, when I was just as bad. So I decided in that moment to stop using plastic. And it wasn’t just a one time decision, it is a gradual process, I had to learn how to find alternatives for things that were already packaged in plastic like deodorant and toothpaste, so I had to start to research those kinds of things. As I was researching, I came across a blog called the Zero Waste Home by a woman named Bea Johnson out in California, and she lives a totally waste-less life with her husband and two kids. So I thought if a family of four can do it, I can do it. So yeah, over two years and no trash!

TS: What was the hardest change you had to make?

LS: There wasn’t a hard change, but there definitely was a learning curve for me. For instance, I didn’t know how to make toothpaste, I didn’t know how to make deodorant, so I had to try out a lot of recipes. It’s a lot of trial and error. It’s definitely typical to get frustrated, but now that I have everything that I use, and I know all of the recipes that I like it’s super easy.

TS: How long would you say the transition period into a trash-free lifestyle was?

LS: I feel like I’m still in a transition period, I never believe that I am done – we can always be better.

TS: What are some necessities to live trash-free?

LS: I like to have organic cotton produce bags to go to the market, a mason jar, a stainless steel straw if you’re going to get something like iced coffee, I like to have a stainless steel container to bring lunch really easily, a washcloth instead of paper towels or napkins. There are so many different alternatives, and I list them all on my website. There isn’t like one thing, you acquire them over time.

TS: Can you list a few immediate changes that anyone could make today to cut down on the amount of trash in landfills?

LS: I have three things that I like to suggest, and these are for anyone, not just for someone who wants to live a zero waste lifestyle. The first is look into your garbage can and see what your garbage is because you can’t solve a problem until you know what the problem is. So the first is doing an audit on your trash. For me it was a lot of food packaging, plastic packaging, and organic food waste, like orange peels and stuff like that. So I learned how to reduce the amount of packaging, like buy in bulk, and I learned to compost. By doing those two little things, I eliminated all of that trash that I was producing. So that’s the first one, look in the trash, see what it is, and then learn how you can reduce it. The second one is changing things in your everyday life, small things – instead of getting a plastic bag at the supermarket, you can get a reusable one. Instead of buying a plastic water bottle, you can bring a glass one. Instead of getting a paper cup at the coffee shop, you can bring a mason jar or a reusable to-go cup. So just little things that make a big difference. The third one would actually be the DIY, so learning how to make your own toothpaste and moisturizer.

TS: Do you make all of your own beauty products?

LS: I do.

TS: What are some of your favorite DIY beauty recipes?

LS: My favorite DIY recipe is for toothpaste, it only takes me 30 seconds to combine and it’s three ingredients. For deodorant, I use coconut oil, arrow root powder, baking soda, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.

TS: Does practicing a light footprint effect the kind of clothing you can buy?

LS: Yes, I shop exclusively secondhand.

TS: How can you minimize the amount of trash produced by pets?

LS: If you have a backyard, there is absolutely no need to pick up your dog’s poop with a plastic bag, you can compost it or bury it. And as far as food goes, there are a lot of places that you can buy in bulk or in larger containers as opposed to buying little bags in dog food. You’ll also save money by buying larger bulk size containers of dog food.

TS: At this day in age, everyone is always wanting the latest and greatest in electronics – which all end up in a landfill once they are replaced. What’s your advice on electronics and the recycling programs in place?

LS: More than recycling, I’d say just try to take good care of your electronics. I think people treat their electronics not that well because you can always get a new one. But by not throwing it everywhere and taking precautions you won’t have to get a new one. And before you recycle it, try to do something like sell it on eBay or Craigslist to try to get some reuse out of it. Because recycling it takes a lot of energy and resources.

Courtesy The Simply Co.

TS: Tell me a bit about the detergent you’re making and The Simply Co.!

LS: My detergent is a recipe that I’ve been using since I began this lifestyle. It has three ingredients, baking soda, washing soda, and castile soap, it’s really effective and you hardly need any at all to get your clothes clean. And I like it because imagining chemical manufacturers and cleaning product manufacturers don’t have to tell you what’s in the product they’re selling you, so a company could easily say it’s a green cleaning product when they are really filled with dangerous things, and I don’t think that’s fair to the environment or to the consumer. And so I wanted to start a company that gives the consumer the ability, and what I believe is right, to have a choice to choose what they are putting on their body, in their home, and eventually into the environment.

TS: Do you see yourself adding other product offerings to The Simply Co.?

LS: I hope to have a whole line of cleaning products. So that’s definitely a goal of mine – the options are limitless, we’ll see what happens!

TS: Lastly, would you encourage people to practice a no-trash lifestyle if they aren’t morally invested?

LS: I don’t encourage people to do it if they aren’t morally invested. It takes time and effort to change any habit, even if it has nothing to do with the environment. I would never suggest to anyone to live the way I live unless they’re invested in it. But if they are invested in it, it’s a really simple process when you do it – it’s baby steps, little by little. Transition one thing out at a time, do one thing per day, or one thing per week. It’s saved me a lot of time and money, buying in bulk, buying unpackaged foods, buying clothing second hand is a lot cheaper than new things or packaged things. Generally I’m happier, I feel like the byproduct of living this lifestyle is worth the transition period.

Review: WeYogis

This month, we’ve taken you on a tour of our favorite places in Dallas that will help you jumpstart your best year yet. From surfboard cardio to fresh-pressed juice, DFW Beauty Guide hopes to have reinvigorated your approach to health and happiness in 2015. Our last stop this month is WeYogis, one of the best yoga studios Dallas has to offer.

Courtesy WeYogis

WeYogis is a great place to start for yoga novices. With a contemporary approach and non-intimidating environment, WeYogis feels modern and inclusive upon first arriving. WeYogis has two studios, a bevy of skilled instructors, and a whole list of classes to choose from. It’s safe to say that any and everyone who’d like to like to participate at WeYogis can find a class to fit their age range, yoga experience level, and busy schedule. Yoga for kids? Check. Prenatal yoga? You bet. And speaking of moms and kids, one of the greatest aspects of this studio, and what largely sets it apart from others in our area, is that it offers childcare while parents are in class.

Courtesy WeYogis

If you’re a yoga skeptic, I’ll tell you that I used to be one of them, but the class I took at WeYogis was a different experience – no chanting, no aggressive, synchronized breathing that always tempts me to laugh. The Yogis Power Hour was fast paced and engaged every muscle in my body. Even though I wasn’t running or lifting weights, when the class was over, I felt that I was sweaty and sore enough to have come from an intense gym session, which I liked. Another thing I liked about this studio was the infared heat. This specialized heating system does not make it “hot yoga” per se, but keeps the studios comfortably warm so you can stretch further, faster.

So by all means, if you’re looking to mix up your workout routine, take yoga at WeYogis. Practicing yoga is said to enhance your overall wellness, increase longevity, and (best of all) help manage stress. Added benefits include flexibility, Zen, and yoga pants. Check out the convenient location, class schedule, and class descriptions at www.weyogis.com.

Written for DFW Beauty Guide

Product of the Month: Olaplex

Want to go blonder without risking breakage and compromising the integrity of your hair? In the past, when hair was chemically, thermally, or mechanically treated, i.e. with highlights or a curling iron, bonds within each hair strand were weakened and broken leaving you with irreversible breakage and thinning. But now, we have a miracle product to solve this issue.

Olaplex is a two-component product that is the newest color service upgrade at PIN Salon. Created by two PhDs in Chemistry, Olaplex does the impossible and actually reattaches the bonds broken in the hair during and after undergoing chemical services. In technical terms, Olaplex reconnects broken disulfide sulfur bonds within each strand of hair.

The addition of Olaplex to your color service, be it highlights, gloss, or base color, will leave your color-treated hair even stronger than it was before, and will help your color last longer. When the hair is compromised leading up to an appointment or when a color transformation is planned for the next appointment, PIN Salon recommends an Olaplex treatment a couple of times, the days before, when possible. Even if you just use it once, the strengthening and protecting effects of Olaplex are permanent.

Adding Olaplex to your color service is easy. Bond Multiplier No.1 is added in with your color to mix with highlights, balayage, or high lift color. And then, Bond Perfector No.2 is put on after your color is rinsed out in order to eliminate breakage with future color services. If your still not convinced, keep in mind that Olaplex is free of sulfates, silicone, phthalates, DEA, aldehydes, and never tested on animals.

So go ahead – be daring with your color! Olaplex will be right behind you to insure that your hair is stronger, healthier, and more vibrant with each coloring.

Written for PIN Salon Blog

New in Dallas: Snap Kitchen

Photo Courtesy of Snap Kitchen

Thanks to Snap Kitchen, fast food is no longer synonymous with greasy burgers and chemical-ridden milkshakes. In April 2010, restaurant veterans Matt Reinhart and Andrea Hinsdale founded Snap Kitchen to meet the food needs of their families. The mission of Snap Kitchen is to provide healthy, flavorful, and convenient take-away food that is handmade daily. At Snap, you’ll find a carefully curated wall of food items – everything from a glazed salmon fillet, to green juice, to a pre-workout granola bar. What you won’t find? Pre-packaged, processed, and globe-trotted foods.

Snap Kitchen is the perfect solution for people with busy schedules who don’t have the time to cook a well-rounded dinner. All packaged meals are portion controlled, which not only aids many in maintaining a diet, but also helps to cut down on large amounts of food waste. Snap is an easy go-to for those who have restrictive food allergies. 98% of the menu items are gluten free, and each package is carefully labeled to indicate the items that are dairy-free, vegan, paleo, etc. Other aspects of Snap that we love include their preference for local ingredients, recyclable packaging, efforts towards sustainability, and the fact that at the end of the day they donate their leftover food to homeless shelters.

When I went to Snap Kitchen last month, I visited with Snap Kitchen Dallas’ registered dietitian, Daniel Magoon. Each city with a Snap Kitchen – Austin, Houston, and Dallas – employs a highly trained dietitian to help customers design eating plans and meet their health goals. Dallas’ registered dietitian has a background in the psychology behind food – i.e. understanding and changing the way a child feels about broccoli. Daniel’s health mantra is “healthy not skinny,” which we at DFW Beauty Guide couldn’t agree with more.

To get healthy in the New Year, Daniel’s first bit of advice is to understand that diets don’t work. Getting healthy is about committing to a lifestyle change. Daniel suggests prioritizing hydration, being mindful of the food you are ingesting, and listening to internal hunger cues. In terms of beauty, and the health of your hair, skin, and nails, Daniel has a few suggestions for working from the inside out. Foods that are good for your skin include turmeric, walnuts, cucumber, tomatoes and olive oil. Walnuts increase skin elasticity, cucumbers are hydrating and reduce inflammation, tomatoes act as natural sunscreen, and olive oil balances out oil production.

Our top 5 food picks at Snap Kitchen include:

Easy Greens Juice – Packed full of fruits and vegetables that are great for your skin, and a little more sip-able than the Super Greens juice

Energy Boost Juice – A tropical combo of papaya, watermelon, lime, mint and coconut water

Snap War Bar – Made with nuts, quinoa, dates, and seeds, this is the perfect pre-workout energy bar

Turkey Chili – If you’re dairy free, dress this chili up with a fried egg on top, it’s a great lunch go-to

Ginger Glazed Scottish Salmon – A clean, filling, and tasty fish fillet that’s ideal for dinner

Visit Snap Kitchen online to learn about curbside meal pickup, home delivery, juice programs, the Snap Commit eating plan, or to get a nutritional health assessment from Snap’s local registered dietitian. Also – head to Daniel Magoon’s Instagram, @dmagoo, to get a first hand look at his “Snap-hacks.” These are creative adjustments to pre-existing Snap meals to insure you are never bored of your go-to dish. One of his most popular hacks? Add a shot of Snap Black Coffee to the Chai Cashew “Milkshake” and pour it over ice, for a refreshing, caffeinated, and dairy-free coffee drink.

Written for DFW Beauty Guide

Interview with Fly Art Productions

With 18 thousand Instagram followers, Fly Art Productions is a viral force to be reckoned with. Fly Art is inspired by other art-history-based mini blogs such as Swooshart and Carter Family Portraits. Fly Art Productions wittily combines artistic masterpieces and hip-hop lyrics, and in doing so, helps to bring some fresh life and humor to historically groundbreaking artworks in the digital age. As an art history major who cringes when people can’t immediately recognize iconic artworks, I happily bow down to those who can make Rubens, Klimt and Boucher mainstream again – even if it takes a little help from Beyoncé.

“Madame de Pompadour is sanctified”
Madame de Pompadour (1756), Francois Boucher / Sanctified, Rick Ross ft. Big Sean & Kanye West

Twyla Shelmire: Do you have an art history background?

Toni and Gisella: No, Toni graduated with a degree in communication and Gisella with a business degree.

“But I’m down for the night”
Wanderer above the sea of fog (1818), Caspar David Friedrich / Lost in the World, Kanye West feat. Bon Iver

TS: What inspired you to start Fly Art Productions?

T&G: There were a couple of blogs already circulating around the time with similar themes: Swooshart, Modern Vampires of Art History, Carter Family Portraits, etc. It was sort of automatic–we were two girls who spent a lot of time on tumblr looking at these art blogs and we had a joint interest in Beyonce and Kanye West, so why not?

“I Woke Up (Venus)”
The Birth of Venus (1486), Sandro Botticelli / ***Flawless, Beyonce ft. Chimamanda Ngozie Adiche

TS: What is the process like, finding a piece of art and a musical line that match? How long does it take you to put each mash-up together?

T&G:  It depends. It can take days sometimes before we get inspired to do work or we can produce five at a time. Sometimes the artwork comes first, and you try to think about the line that’d go well with it, or the soundbyte comes first then you scour the depths of the internet and art blogs for inspiration.

“Click clack bang bang Judith in dat murda bidnis”
Judith slaying Holofernes (c. 1614-1620), Artemisia Gentileschi / Murda Bizness, Iggy Azalea ft. T.I.

TS: Who is your favorite artist? Do you have a preferred time period or artistic style?

Toni: Caspar David Friedrich is becoming a personal favorite. The large landscapes of romanticism really gets me going.

Gisella: Edward Hopper has always been a favorite. His paintings are filled to the brim with mysterious emotions. In terms of artistic style, I do prefer rococo paintings.

“MY ANACONDA DON’T WANT NONE UNLESS YOU GOT BUNS HUN”
Lilith with a snake (1886), John Collier / Anaconda, Nicki Minaj

TS: Who is your favorite rapper or musician to pull lyrics from?

T&G: Kanye and Beyonce, based on our shared files.

“two big medallion”
Charles I on horseback (1635), Anthony van Dyck / Twerk It, Busta Rhymes ft. Nicki Minaj

TS: I know there are a few other social media accounts that do a similar fine arts + lyrics mash-ups – do you admire any of those in particular?

T&G: As mentioned earlier, we really like Swooshart, Modern Vampires of Art History, Carter Family Portraits.

“Marie Antoinette would much rather spend it all”
Queen Marie Antoinette of France (1783), Louise Vigee Le Brun / Crew Love, Drake ft. The Weeknd

TS: Are there any future Fly Art Production developments that we should keep our eyes peeled for?

T&G: We are constantly working with RAD.CO to bring more of our designs to the US, Europe, and the UK. We would really love to find an distributor for Canada, Asia and Australia as well. We’re constantly striving to get Beyonce to notice us.

“The progress of gangsta love”
The Progress of the Love Pursuit (1773), Jean-Honore Fragonard / Gangsta Lovin’, Eve ft. Alicia Keys

New in Dallas: City Surf Fitness

Courtesy City Surf

Bored of cycling but enjoy the group fitness environment? Check out City Surf Fitness in uptown Dallas for an intense, hour-long workout that is the first of its kind. City Surf is an innovative, surf-inspired fitness boutique, founded in the spirit of the surfer dude. City Surf offers a handful of classes, from Beach Body Bootcamp to Big Kahuna, all of which recreate the kind of workout you’d get while actually surfing.

Courtesy City Surf

While you won’t be in the water during class, you will be atop a surfboard 80 – 85% of the time. The City Surf studio in Dallas is home to 10 surfboards, each secured to two exercise balls with cords. When you’re on the board, it naturally shifts around on the exercise balls underneath to mimic the movement of the board while riding waves. As if the surfboard didn’t transport you to the beach fast enough, a video loop of crashing waves is projected on the walls of the space during class for a completely immersive experience.

Courtesy City Surf

At City Surf, most people have little to no surfing experience. Not surprisingly, you can expect to be doing surf-inspired actions during class, such as paddling, pop-ups, and carving. Each of the six classes are different programs but work on the same principles. Regardless of the class you choose, it will include cardio elements and strength training. With regular City Surf training, people see increased flexibility, endurance, and agility. Overall, class at City Surf is fun, relaxed, and enjoyable, but physically challenging.

Courtesy City Surf

Currently, there only 10 boards available per class at City Surf. It is suggested that beginners should start out with a class either taught by Mitchell or Katherine, but that being said, all classes are beginner friendly. Be sure to reserve your board in advance online to get the class and time that you want. You can either purchase one class for $15 or a pack of 10 classes for $130. So what are you waiting for? Get your board and paddle out to the only place in Dallas where the surf’s up!

Courtesy City Surf

Written for DFW Beauty Guide

Service Review: Blownaway App

This weekend, to prepare for a black-tie event, I tried out Dallas’ latest on demand beauty service, Blownaway. Blownaway was launched just this July, and is the love child of instant gratification and the Drybar/Blushington experience. Using mobile technology similar to transportation game-changer Uber, Blownaway instantly delivers blowouts, updos, professionally done makeup, and spray tans straight to your door.

Scheduling an appointment is easy. Download the Blownaway app from iTunes, and from there, you can shuffle through several blowout, makeup, and spray tan looks. A blowout and makeup can be done in the same sitting, each service taking only 45 minutes. It is suggested that the spray tan be completed separately, not only because it requires a different stylist, but because it should be finished two days before an event so the color has time to mellow out.

Things you should know before scheduling your first appointment? Blownaway asks that you book at least two hours in advance, and have your hair freshly washed before the stylist arrives if you are scheduling a blowdry. Also, for girls who are sensitive to certain product ingredients, or simply want to stick with an eco-friendly beauty product regimen, this request can be entered into the “notes” section upon mobile scheduling so your stylist can prepare accordingly.

For my Blownaway appointment, I booked two days in advance, and the same stylist was scheduled to do both my hair and makeup. Immediately after booking, I got a confirmation text with the stylist’s name, and 10 minutes before the appointment, the stylist confirmed once more. The entire booking experience was professional and painless.

Bianca, my Blownaway stylist, was incredibly prompt and upbeat. Most stylists come from a Drybar background, and become certified Blownaway stylists after background checks, an intense interview process, and comprehensive training. Bianca listened to all of my needs and suggestions regarding hair and makeup, and was both confident and easygoing.

One huge perk about Bianca’s blowout was that she knew exactly how to manage my thick, coarse hair. With her own hair as thick and long as a Disney princess’, she used the perfect technique and products on my hair to make the blowout last for over three days. Her number one tip for creating the perfect blowout at home is to rough-dry the hair 85% before going back through with a round brush. This allows you to save both time and energy.

Blownaway is quickly becoming every Dallas girl’s beauty go-to, whether it is to prep for a major business meeting, a wedding, or date night. A Blownaway tip from us to you?  Great discount rates are available for party and group orders, meaning that Blownaway is an ideal and fun solution for bachelorette parties, or just a glam evening in with girlfriends. While services for one are best booked on your mobile phone, book services for a party online.

Pricing:

Blowouts start at $65

Makeup starts at $70

Spray tans start at $65

Written for DFW Beauty Guide

How to Wear: Cowboy Boots

Unless you’re a rodeo regular or visiting Texas from overseas, odds are you probably don’t want to look like a ranch hand each time you slip into your cowboy boots. Cowboy boots are a great alternative to completely unoriginal Fry boots, but unfortunately are overlooked because they carry such heavy western connotations. Before I explain the non-caricature way to wear cowboy boots, here are the things not to wear with them (at least in the beginning). By all means, once your cowboy boots become a staple, please break these rules – except for #4 that one is a non-negotiable.

1. Blue jeans. I don’t care if they are dark wash, light wash, skinny or bootcut, if you’re self conscious about looking like a rodeo queen in your cowboy boots, the first thing to do is avoid pairing them with blue jeans. After all, blue jeans have a higher attendance at the rodeo than cowboy boots. Unfortunately, this also goes for blue jean jackets.

2. Chambray or suede. With chambray or suede pieces, you’re getting into the same territory as above. There’s nothing a legitimate cowgirl loves more than pairing together thick blue jeans, a chambray shirt with pearlescent snap buttons, and a nice suede topper. Resilient fabrics are a must for cowgirls – so your job is to avoid them at all costs when the cowboy boots are on.

3. Graphic tees. Do not wear a graphic tee with cowboy boots, I’m just telling you now, you will look like a country bumpkin (regardless of how cool that concert was you went to and bought a t-shirt at).

4. Mini skirt, jean shorts, or skater dress. Please don’t pair cowboy boots with a denim mini skirt, cut off jean shorts, or with a cutesy skater dress. So 2004. So embarrassing to be seen in.

5. Big belt buckle. Even if it isn’t a particularly western belt buckle, and doesn’t show a longhorn or any sign of bedazzlement, if you wear a thick belt with a noticeable belt buckle in an outfit with cowboy boots, people will assume you ride your horse to school.

Now that the ground rules have been explained, I’ll give some suggestions for how you should wear cowboy boots with items that are already in your closet. When you’re planning an outfit with cowboy boots, try to dress like a New Yorker or a Parisian – think neutral colors, streamlined shapes, and practical pieces. When your outfit is too overworked, too thought-out, it’s painfully obvious. Try to get dressed as you normally would when you wear calf or knee-high boots, but replace those tired Fry’s with some sharp cowboy boots.

BOTTOMS:

1. Jeans. I know I’ve nixed thick blue jeans, but at this day in age, there are a plethora of colors and textures to choose from. Instead of blue, go for black, gray, or even white jeans. Instead of thick, or loose jeans, go for jeans that are ultra-thin, maybe a little ripped at the knees, and formfitting. Tuck the jeans into your boots so they get as much attention as possible. As much as I adore my boyfriend jeans, pairing them with cowboy boots is not for the faint of heart. If you need a belt to hold up your jeans, make sure it is clean, discrete, and has a classic belt buckle. Also, if you’re pants-intolerant as I am, leggings are allowed. However not just any kind of leggings, they should be of the thicker variety, absolutely no neon colors, and not made of a material that is so obviously intended for working out.

2. Skirts + Dresses. If you fancy yourself a bohemian, try wearing a long skirt or dress with your cowboy boots. Nothing too cumbersome or thick, but think lots of thin transparent layers. This is obviously a little more difficult to do than sticking with jeans, but if you’re a Free People obsessive, you’ve probably got it under control.

TOPS:

3. Button-down shirt. The most professional, dressed up choice would be a crisp white, gray or black button-down – cotton, linen, doesn’t matter, but should have some structure to it. If you’re wearing leggings, this button-down can be a little larger so it covers your butt. With oversized button downs, leave an extra button undone at the top (with a tank underneath) and the cuffs rolled well (this is imperative, see tutorial). If your button-down is fitted, tuck in the tails, at least in the front.

4. Knit shirt. If you’re not a button-down enthusiast, this is your option. I personally like wearing my three-quarter length boatneck t-shirt, or thin, draped neck long sleeve tee. If your pants are tight, you can get away with a knit shirt that is a little looser, but if in doubt, go with something fitted. To keep the focus on the cowboy boots, make sure that your knit shirt is again, in one of the neutral colors (black, gray, white, oatmeal) and doesn’t have a lame graphic on it. Little embellishments, i.e. beads on the sleeve, are okay as long as they are relatively discrete, but a distracting print or huge graphic is going to take your outfit down a notch and make it look less expensive.

5. Jacket. Regardless of whether you’re wearing a button-down or a knit shirt, you’ll probably need a jacket to complete the look. Avoid any kind of jean or suede jacket, and instead opt for a luxe blazer or black leather jacket. A blazer in a novelty fabric such as satin or velvet would be particularly dashing. Coattails and awesome buttons are optional.

ACCESSORIES:

6. Jewelry. When you’re playing up your cowboy boots, it is important that you don’t wear glaring statement jewelry. When you wear too many showstoppers at once, you look out of control. Stick with your everyday jewelry, or if that isn’t solidified, simple, dainty gold jewelry will do – a thin gold necklace or two, your clunky watch, understated studs.

7. Other. Adding a scarf to the mix is always a good idea, whether it’s a chunky knit or a square silk one. My only advice is not to tie it like a bandana around your neck. Note bene: For the love of god, please avoid the monogramed accessories your sorority sister gave you, any and all headbands or hair bows (particularly those produced by Lilly Pulitzer), and nail art – you never needed chevron stripes on your nails.

8. Cowboy boots. The best cowboy boots are always the vintage ones – not only are they broken in, but they lend an air of authenticity. In Dallas, my favorite place to find vintage cowboy boots is Dolly Python. If you’re not in Dallas or visiting anytime soon, look online for a new pair. Keep in mind – Nordstrom etc. does NOT sell cowboy boots, they sell fashion cowboy boots and that is in no way the same thing. For authentic, stylish boots, check out Cavender’s, Old Gringo, Ariat, and Lucchese. My favorite cut is the snip toe, which has a sharp toe as opposed to a rounded or square one. Sure, some pairs are pretty pricey, but they will literally last a lifetime if you take good care of them.

Ride on!

Fashion List: January 2015

January isn’t a particularly fashionable month. Regardless of the e-commerce site you fall victim to in your downtime, all of them seem to have relatively slim pickings in this dreary lull between Christmas and Spring Break. Before you get angrily caught up in a vortex of last season’s clothing, use this time to refresh and reboot your closet. First, do the impossible and get rid of the clothing that you either don’t wear, or that is in bad shape. Take the nice things to resale to earn a few extra bucks, and drive the rest to the Salvation Army. After you’ve done all that, reward yourself by stocking up on winter classics and everyday essentials. What the hell, you deserve it.

Top 5 January Picks:

Shade Garden Leggings, $98.

My love affair with leggings continues. Anthropologie has recently stepped up its game in the activewear arena and, not surprisingly, I’m all over it. These leggings (and others in the same category) are practical enough to wear while working out, and cute enough to wear with ballet flats while running errands.

NIKE Flyknit Lunar2 iD, $185.

Pink, gray, and personalized? I’ll take three pairs.

Cotton Cashmere V Neck Sweater, $29.90

A V-neck sweater is a staple year in and year out. Invest in one in a neutral color if you haven’t already. Wear it as one of many layers this month, and then pair it with your favorite pair of jean shorts, a cotton scarf, and fancy flats come spring.

Tissue Turtleneck Tee, $34.50

I’ve disliked turtlenecks for as long as I can remember. And then, about a month and a half ago, I decided I’d do something out of the ordinary and get over myself. After all, a turtleneck is a Jenna Lyons must-have according to the J.Crew lookbook. I am now the proud owner of two tissue turtleneck tees and LOVE THEM. The trick to not hating a turtleneck is getting one that is thin enough, so it doesn’t feel as though it is slowly strangling you.

FEED 1 Bag, $80.

An amazing thing happened two weeks ago – Dallas started charging five whole cents for every plastic bag you take home from the store, in hopes that people will bring in reusable totes. While for some this feels too little too late, as the frivolous dissemination of plastic bags has caused irrevocable harm to the ecosystem, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Celebrate this development by investing in a FEED bag, which is an amazing cause in and of itself.

Interview with Michael Eudy, Contemporary Artist

One of the best things my parents ever did to educate me was start an art collection. While there were numerous artists included in their collection, my favorite pieces were painted by Michael Eudy. I’m not sure if it was the maritime subject matter, the bright colors, or the beautiful combination of detail and abstraction – but Self Portrait as the Captain of an early 20th Century Vessel and The Double Slit Experiment spoke to me on another level. Lo and behold, I went to college, studied art history, and came home with a newfound appreciation for these pieces, for their artistry and for the history from which they sprung. Below you’ll find my interview with Michael Eudy, who is hands down my favorite contemporary artist. He shares how he finds inspiration as a professional creative, advice for burgeoning collectors, and how traveling abroad changed his perspective.

Michael Eudy, Self Portrait as the Captain of an Early 20th Century Vessel, Posed with Certain of My Books
2006
Acrylic and Urethane on Canvas
57″x82 1/2″

Note: Hang one of your favorite works of art in your bedroom, even if it is a reproduction. Self Portrait hangs opposite my bed, and every morning when I look at this painting with fresh eyes, I always seem to find something new to love about it.

Twyla Shelmire: As a professional creative, how do you find inspiration for your work? Are you inspired on a daily basis, or does it come and go? Do you keep track of what inspires you, for instance with a notebook?

Michael Eudy: Inspiration comes and goes like anything I suppose. I’ve never been the type of artist that can be “on” all the time. I need lots of space and time, to idle. It’s in that place that inspiration comes. When I am idle, I can get in the studio and begin to play, with no particular objective in mind. I tend to work with the same images and object over and over, and in trying to find different ways to represent those things I make mistakes and that’s when I get charged up. It’s like finding a secret passage you didn’t know existed. So I walk up and down that passage until it feels old and I begin searching for a new route. I do keep sketchbooks, but I find that because of the way I work, most of the “sketching” and exploration happens right on the canvas in an unplanned way. And much of that exploratory work gets covered up in the process, so each canvas bears a history. Most of it can’t be seen, but it is there – and I believe that the viewer can sense it.

 TS: I see in your artist statement that you were in Rome for your last year of graduate school. That’s very 18^th-century grand tour of you! How did that experience change your artistic perspective or approach to painting? 

ME: I know it sounds a bit cliché but it changed me irreparably. My studio in Rome was just down the street from Piazza del Popolo, and at least a few times a month I would walk down to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo to see the Caravaggio paintings there. For the first time in my life I could see these amazing works in person that previously I had only seen in textbooks. It’s a totally different energy, and as a painter it really made me realize that I was part of this very big tradition. That tradition carries a lot of weight, and at times feels awfully heavy, but at the same time, it gives me a sense of connectedness. I am connected to all that came before me, and all that will come after.

TS: Who are your favorite pre- and post-1950s artists? Are there any in particular that have informed your work?

ME: Hands down, my all time favorite is Manet. Each time I approach a canvas, I am dealing with him. At times he is such a virtuoso, and at other times seems to be struggling so much. You can even see this happen all in one painting, yet he lets it all be just what it is. I love how he can render a flower or a vase with a few perfect strokes of the brush, like he nailed it in ten seconds flat, but only inches away is the most awkward hand you ever saw. I often imagine he was just painting every day, struggling, waiting for that moment to happen. Or maybe that’s actually me in the studio: painting and struggling until I stumble on that virtuosic moment. At any rate, I find it important to leave the not so great elements in the painting. It makes those good moments special.

I’ve got a soft spot for Ed Ruscha as well. His paintings of books especially.

TS: What are you working on now? When is your next show?

ME: At the moment I am just exploring, experimenting in the studio. I put the studio on the back burner for a couple of years so my wife and I could focus on our newest project, a small organic farm. Farming is a lot like art making – you have a plan, but everything you do is so subject to outside forces that you must constantly react to. And the end product is always a little different than what you had planned on. But now that the farm is established I’ve returned to the studio with a new vigor. I don’t have any shows in the near future, but some interesting things are already manifesting themselves on canvas. Exciting times.

TS: As an artist, do you have any preferences on how your artworks are displayed? Do you have any advice for burgeoning art collectors – what to collect, how to collect, etc.?

ME: I don’t have any hard rules how my work is displayed, but I do prefer it to be lived with. And I do like my work to be hung near other works of art. It creates a scenario where works are in dialogue with each other. It keeps all the work in a room alive. As for how to collect, there are so many approaches and I don’t think any are wrong. There are those who collect for purely speculative reasons, and those who just buy what they love. I think though that the best collecting happens somewhere between the two poles. If you’re going to invest in an artist’s work, you certainly want to love the work and want to support the artist. But I think you would also want to know that that artist is going to still be around and working in ten years, twenty years and so on. It’s like any other kind of collecting. Ultimately, I would want my collection of art to have a strong thread running through it, something that showed my intellectual interests over time.

TS: What is your favorite museum in the entire world? Do you have any suggestions for art-novices on how to walk through a museum or even a local gallery?

ME: The Musée d’Orsay is my favorite for obvious reasons. And I go to the Menil Collection every chance I get when I am visiting family in Houston. I like to visit the same places over and over again. Rather than trying to see everything in a museum in one visit, I think its best to give a little focus to a few works at a time. You’ll start to find favorites, and you can go back and look at them whenever you feel the need, like visiting old friends. You start to build intimate relationships with paintings and sculptures, and with that intimacy comes deeper understanding.

It’s a bit different with local galleries, obviously, but the idea is the same. If you go to a gallery often enough, eventually you will get to know its personality and build a relationship with the gallerist and even some of the artists in the roster. It takes time but it’s a lot of fun.

Stay current with Michael Eudy on Instagram!

The Double Slit Experiment: Two Things at Once/Two Places at Once
2006
Acrylic on Linen
73″x67″