SHOPPING

Tribal influences pranced down the runway at Galliano and Lanvin, and not just the Paris runways. Spring’s Manoush dresses and Laurence Helle’s lovely blouses are alsp tribally inspired and making the brink of summer the perfect time to listen to the call of the wild.

From tribal punk to tribal chic, there are several ways to pull off the earthy and exotic look. Anyone can embrace their inner African Queen by accessorizing with Alexander McQueen’s Large Tribal Scarf. Pair it with a printed dress, your favorite bomber jacket or denim shorts.  If you have an extra $1,600, you might wan to consider blowing it on Louboutin’s “it” shoe of the season. The Ulona platforms have geometric shapes with thick gold straps and make you feel like a real African Queen.
For styles that won’t break the bank, American Apparel’s Afrika print dress and Top Shop’s Geo Graphic Maxi dress are affordable options and easily paired with last year’s gladiator sandals. Jonesing for authenticity? Max Osterweis spent a decade collecting fabrics in Kenya before launching his Africa-inspired line Suno. Suno’s separates are wearable art and beautifully handmade in the homeland.

   
Emma Dinzebach

Last minute purchasers unite and mother’s pass these along to your cash-strapped kiddies. Lucky for you, the spa industry’s recovery is much slower than that of Goldman Sachs; and as a result, for Sunday, there are Mother’s Day specials galore.

If you live midtown area – or your mother does – then on the west side, Faina Day Spa has a three hour special including manicure, pedicure, facial and aromatherapy massage. Or on the east side, and for $20 bone less, you’re madre can enjoy a hot stone massage, ionic facial, seaweed massage and sauna at  Elemur Day Spa 56 on 56th and 3rd. For downtowners, Tribeca Beauty Salon (pictured) on Harrison Street is offering both Mother’s Day specials and mother and daughter packages. Supple Spa on 19th Street has $130 for two collegen facials for mothers and daughters.

For more mother’s day spa specials, visit www.spa-nyc.com. Or go ahead and call your favorite spa and ask for mother’s day specials. No matter how wonderful you think your favorite spa is, they are hurting for business like the rest of the industry. Strike while the iron’s hot. After all, she is your mother.

Emma Dinzebach

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