Spotlight On: Apples

In the dead of winter, there is one fruit that is flourishing at the Columbia Greenmarket – apples! The market, operated by GrowNYC, is open twice a week, year-round, outside of the gates of Columbia University. In the winter, apples seem to take over the market! You can find not only plain apples, but also locally produced apple products. Farmers sell everything from applesauce to apple pie to dried apple rings to apple biscotti! It’s a festival of tasty apple treats.

                                                  photo property of GrowNYC

Today I had the opportunity to speak with one of farmers at Breezy Hill Orchards, who was selling a mere 15 varieties of apples at the market. He had everything from the traditional Granny Smith and Fuji to lesser known varieties like the Buckeye Gala and the Idared.

When asked about the different kinds of apples, “The Idared is a really nice apple. It’s tender, tart, and aromatic. The Granny Smith is popular too. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and tart, and it’s very juicy. The Jona Gold is popular as well. That’s the perfect apple to use for desserts. It’s sweet and is perfect for apple pie.”

Have you ever tried to put lemon juice on your apples, or used some other tricks so they wouldn’t turn yellow when cut and served? “The Cortland apple is the one you want if you’re making fruit salad or putting apple on any salad really,” said the Breezy Hill Orchards farmer. “It doesn’t yellow – it stays white much longer than other apples.”

                                                    photo property of Breezy Hill Orchards

Who knew how many varieties of apples existed, the differences between them, and which was good for what! When asked the most popular among customers, “Oh, that would be our Honey Crisp apple. But we don’t have that one today – hopefully next week.” That is one apple I can’t wait to take a bite out of!

Aveeno

I've never been one to obsess over all natural ingredients in my beauty products, but when it comes to my skin...I need soy.  Aveeno has an amazing line of facial care products that are filled with soy, oats, lavender, and other natural ingredients.  Here are a few of the products that I highly recommend for your skin...

Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

This foaming cleanser combines salicylic acid and soy extracts to clear blemishes and improve skin tone while leaving skin soft and smooth.  The cleanser is very mild so it is great for daily use, and the best part: it's oil-free! 

Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser

When I notice a blemish starting to form or I need a little something extra to make my skin feel fresh I use this cream cleanser.  It is packed with gentle microbeads that exfoliate my skin and help clear breakouts.  

Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer

I have sensitive skin that is very easily irritated (especially by the outdoors!) so I need a moisturizer that is going to keep my skin fresh and even looking.  The natural Feverfew and chamomile ingredients soothe skin and keep your face feeling very soft.  The most important part of this moisturizer (and all of Aveeno's moisturizers) is that it has SPF 15 to protect skin from the sun's harmful rays.

If your skin is feeling a little dry, or you just need a new skin care regime, try Aveeno!

PS: Another tip for great looking skin...Vitamin E!

--Erin

Hair Style Tip

DevaCurl

For any girl with curly hair...weather is an enemy.  Trust me, I know!  My sister and I were blessed with the ringlet gene from our mom, and since we can remember we've always been in search of the perfect product that works well with our hair.  Thanks to my sister, our search is finally over!  DevaCurl is a 100% sulfate free haircare system that is designed specifically for curly hair textures.  What is it about DevaCurl that is better than shampoos you can find at your local drug store?

1) It is free of surfactants that can be harsh on curly hair and suck out moisture.
2) The natural ingredients leave hair healthier and practically frizz-free because of the lack of residue build up.

After using DevaCurl my hair was softer, hydrated, and overall had a very natural look to it (we all know how scrunchy curly hair can look because of gel!).  So here is my new daily routine...

 

CLEANSE.  I start by using No-Poo shampoo.  I gently work No-Poo through my hair, massaging my scalp and working the shampoo from root to tip with my fingers.  The secret behind this shampoo is that it is lather-free, which helps to eliminate frizz, create shine, and keep curls all around healthy!

HYDRATE.  After washing out the No-Poo shampoo, I follow up with One Condition conditioner.  Like the No-Poo shampoo, I work One Condition into my hair gently from root to tip while combing my fingers through my hair.  This botanically rich conditioner leaves your hair silky smooth, shiny, and very easy to manage.

STYLE.  My last step is to style my hair.  Once both the No-Poo and One Condition have been rinsed gently from my hair, I squeeze out extra water that my curls have soaked up in the shower.  Then, I take a couple paper towels and scrunch my hair to get rid of excess water again.  (Fun Fact: Why does curly hair take longer to dry?  Our curls are naturally more porous than straight hair...so chances of slower drying and residue build-up are really common.)  After creating a part, I flip over my hair and scrunch AnGel into my hair.  This lightweight curl defining gel helps to define my curls, while staying true to my natural texture and keeping my hair light and springy!  Then I just air dry.

The end results are natural, smooth, and soft.  I'm really glad I found this product!  I highly recommend it to any girl or guy with curly hair, although it is a little bit expensive.  I purchased my products at Harmon Drugs in East Hanover but for more information about the DevaCurl system watch this video or visit www.devaconcepts.com/.  Shiny, frizz-free hair awaits you!

--Erin

Let's Make Old Things New Again

My mom decided to clean out her closet today, so I got to play dress-up!

1987 button-down from Gap in San Francisco, paired with a waist belt from Nordstrom and Denimocracy jeggings.

1990 blazer from New York. Up close, the pins are an adorable embellishment!

1980s white Cable-knit sweater

Colorful summer shirt from Paris, 1985

Isn't vintage fun?

Fashionable or Frumpy?

So I've been reading a few other fashion blogs, including The Style Rookie, written by 13-year-old fashion icon Tavi Gevinson - and what a lot of people are wearing are sandals with socks! My initial reaction? Ew. But some people are really pulling this look off! If worn right, it looks grungy but almost hipster. I can't decide what to make of it. I think that maybe if I owned exactly the right shoes and exactly the right socks and I wore it with exactly the right outfit, the look might work. But I just don't seem to own the right things! Check out these pics from other blogs... what do you think about this new trend?

Annie Creamcheese

Hey all! Summer is the best time for traveling, so if you take a trip to Washington, D.C., you must be sure to visit Annie Creamcheese! This little vintage store in buried among many big-name stores in the Georgetown area. Although a little pricey, I always find great stuff every time I go! This is one of my favorite purchases from the store. The big sleeves give it a peasant feel, but the short length keeps the dress from being too overwhelming. If you're in the area, make sure you stop by!