Bargain Hunting

Whether you’re trying to match your footwear with your western-inspired apparel or aiming to add some masculinity to spring’s delicacy, rustic boots are spring’s go to footwear piece. All the rage in Europe, short cowgirl styles (think mini cowboy boots), denim booties and even classic Frye riding boots are as plenty as the florals on our skirts and dresses.

For the year round urban cowgirl, consider Jeffery Campbell. Always a sound investment, Campbell’s Nation Ankle booties were the Editor’s Pick on Shop Bop and a neutral balance for someone intending to stretch their dollar. The rubber heel lifts – three inches to be exact – and the booties look great with skirts and denim. For the rocker chic, Campbell offers black studded pairs that compliment styles with less country and more city. To diversify and lighten your spring bootie selection, go for denim rather than leather – like Ash Tyler denim wedge booties. And if you are saving your scrilla or you’re just more of a handbag girl, go ahead and rock your own Frye riding boots with denim cut offs or an eyelet lace dress.
 

Emma Dinzebach

Everyone knows that if you are seriously trying to lose weight, it’s about lifestyle changes not restricting certain foods for a small period of time. Choosing healthy snacks all the time, getting to the gym, giving up your Wednesday night show in lieu of yoga class and walking to a different neighborhood when you go to dinner. But if you need a kick start, here are the fasts that I think most people can actually do.

My nutritionist recently suggested the best way to kick off my weight loss goal for Hamptons’ season is with a fast. For me to survive a fast, it better be a fast fast. Three days max! Then I’ll move into my lifestyle changes. Here are her suggestions:

Blueprint Cleanse. The BluePrint Cleanse Renovation is the beginner cleanse and great for someone who needs a mini cleanse or needs a push to kick off their spring healthy eating. The 3 day cleanse comes complete with six juices – a mixture of fruits and veggies with emphasis on the fruits. To safely go on and off eat just fruits and vegetables a day before and a day after. (Note: BluePrint also has a cleanse with food option, for those less inclined.)

Three Day Juice Cleanse. This is less regimented than the BluePrint Cleanse as you get to choose your own juices. Juices that are acidic, like tomato and orange, are banned from the list. Veggie juices shouldn’t be often combined with fruit juices. Only apples can be added to fruit juices. Juices should be homemade or FDA approved organic.

Fruits and Veggies. If you hate veggies, get over it. Eating just fruits and veggies for a few days is great for you and will shrink your stomach enough to get you off to a good start with your weight loss. Choose seasonal veggies and veggies you don’t normally eat, etc. It is a great way to kick off your food lifestyle makeover.

And finally, use the quiet time during your cleanse to examine what keeps you from changing your habits. Does your social life revolve around going out to eat? If so, choose a yoga class, a concert, an art exhibit or something else to go and do. This is New York after all. For more info on changing your food lifestyle visit livstrong.com.

Emma Dinzebach

Sometimes boho lends itself to country. This season’s cowboys are cowgirls, and their apparel isn’t really right for mucking the hay. In addition to our fringed leather boots and favorite fringed satchel, spring’s necessities give way to how the west was really one. And you don’t have to be Miley Cyrus to wear them.

With corsets galore, girly gingham, polkadot prints and many ways to wear denim, denim and more denim. From the top down, casual denim bustiers are all the rage for tops. They hold in your love handles while showing off your yoga-toned back. Styles with ruffles at the bottom make women with less-than-tone tummies feel more comfortable. Top Shop has several versions in denim, lace and lovely ruffles. Roll up the sleeve on your clean button up tops and use them to pair with this season’s denim. DKNY Jeans Jr. has ripped white denim skinnies for just $69 or for a grayer shade, opt for AG’s stilt cigarette jean. In shorts, daisy dukes get a makeover. Don’t throw out your old cut offs, but consider purchasing a pair with cleaner lines, detailed edges or a higher waist.

Eyelet lace and ruffles offset the boyish feel of ankle boots and cowboy hats and frumpy feel of moccasins, so go ahead and mix your girly and lacy pieces with your denim and boots. Simple dresses and that old cardigan can be spiced up with western waist belts and denim vests. Add in some turquoise jewelry to top off your look, and show your neighbor how to walk the line.

Emma Dinzebach

This week, in honor of Earth Day, we get to expand our eco-friendly palate with some other city favorites. We’re huge fans of Quantum Leap and the East Village’s Organic Grill. We love the sustainability idea behind Rogue Tomate and the local flavors at Cookshop. For time-tested and tasted healthiness, we rely on veteran Souen in Union Square and Soho. And for Earth week, we eat Italian.

Il Buco, the old world Italian restaurant on Bond Street, is honoring Earth Day with their 3rd annual rainforrest fundraiser. Il Buco offers 15% off lunch tabs from noon to 4 p.m. through Saturday, and donates the savings to save the rain forest. (If you haven’t eaten at Il Buco, take advantage of this offer and get the bruschetta with mussels, gambas, pollo and pasta special of the day or risotto.)

Jonesing for a more crowded Earth Day celebration? Join everyone and their mother at Grand Central, the annual Earth Fair highlights organic food, preparation and nearby restaurants.

Emma Dinzebach