NFTs? Check. Live Cuban music? Double check. Signature cucumber gin and tonics from Épicerie Boulud? Triple check! This is how Clandestina, Cuba’s first private fashion brand parties. They celebrated the launch of their new collection, Metavelso at The Canvas 3.0, a new gallery space located in the World Trade Center here in Downtown Manhattan.
The love story you have been wanting to hear is here.
As PETA would say, how do we “feed two birds with one scone,” when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint while also checking off all the names from the gift-giving list? The nonprofit, Women and Climate and sustainable fashion marketplace, The Canvas had a holiday party celebrating exactly that.
At The Knockturnal, we like to try out all things fun and new in the beauty world—including visiting salons to try out exciting services on ourselves. Our latest venture? A trip to Smooth & Skinny in Yorba Linda.
As more beauty treatments began to become popular in the mainstream world, it’s important for us at The Knockturnal to continually try out all things new and exciting. Because of this we decided to try out an Endo-Roller service which includes “compressive micro vibration roller device that generates low frequency vibration,” according to the salon. Treatments such as these are meant to improve muscle tone, skin tone and reduce cellulite.
At a price of $100, it comes out to be a much more affordable alternative than trying out other treatments. Being as it improves your blood flow as well, the service itself feels like a nice massage all while going hard at work on your muscles.
While at the salon, I felt incredibly taken care of and appreciated having my practitioner patiently and thoroughly walk me through the process. Such treatments should always be completed with someone you feel comfortable around and luckily at Smooth & Skinny the staff is as kind as we’d hope for.
Perhaps more impressively is the fact that the salon offers a ton of different services at that price point such as Endermologie, Lipo Cavitation, Infrared Body Wrap and more. If you’re unsure what the right service is for you and your goal, Smooth & Skinny is able to help customize a package tailored to your personal needs. “Whether to lose inches, smooth and tighten your skin, and more,” reads the salon’s website. “We offer state of the art technology to achieve your goals effortlessly.”
Ahead of the holidays and the New Year, there’s never been a better time to work on your own goals (or purchase a gift card for someone else to enjoy).
Don’t show up to the holidays empty-handed. Here’s a handy guide to shopping for every personality in your life, from the homebody and fashion star to the one who’s never home for more than a week at time and who’s always sipping on the latest and greatest. Fizzling with charm, these items are hand-picked for their aesthetic appeal, functional character, and overall value.
Bearaby Weighted Blanket
Whether you’re getting one for its proven health benefits or just the chic aesthetic, the weighted blanket obsession has no signs of slowing. Now, Bearaby has created the must-have version that you’re seeing everywhere: the extra-chunky, wide-weave, filling-free weighted blanket that will suit almost any bedroom or living room. With its understated color options such as blue and green, multiple weights for comfort, and offered in both cotton and velvet fabrics, you’ll want to toss two in the cart– one for them, and one for yourself.
Where to buy: Get it from $249.00 at Bearaby.
Kartell Componibili Metal Storage System
Made in Italy, Kartell has been in the business of great design for over 70 years. Proof of this is the Kartell Componibili, a series of modular storage units designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri in 1969. With a discrete set of sliding doors, the Componibili units are a flexible and customizable storage solution worth showing off as a centerpiece or essential supporting character in a room. The Componibili units are iconic for their sleek and minimalist design and with gold, chrome, or copper finishes, suit nearly any space.
Where to buy: Get it from $365.00 at Kartell.
Martini & Rossi nonalcoholic Vibrante
Founded in 1863 in Italy, Martini & Rossi is known for its signature blend of herbs and spices, which give its products a distinctive flavor that is instantly recognizable. Now, master blenders at Martini & Rossi have been able to access that same remarkable taste along with an ultra-low ABV in the form of the Vibrante and Floreal non-alcoholic aperitivi. These complex, grape-based sips may remind you of the regional flower and fruit-based liqueurs of The Alps with the charmed infusion of Artemisia and Bergamot.
Where to buy: Get it from $17.99 at local shops or online at Binny’s.
Riedel Wine Glasses “Magnum”
Access all the beautiful, engaging, and sophisticated notes in the aperitivo with Riedel’s new universal wine glass. Designed to optimally access the aromas of all types of wines, many aperitivo are served in stemmed glassware to prevent undue heat and preserve the aromas. Make every sip especially indulgent with Riedel glassware, which is known as a standard in fine glassmaking with the brand’s high-precision manufacturing and generous customer support.
Where to buy: Get a two pack from $40.00 at Riedel.
Tableau Denim Tablecloth. Photo: Tableau
To open your home to friends and family is a noble pursuit, so make the experience unforgettable with beautiful tablecloths by Tableau. Created as a joint venture between Carmit Arabov and entertainment phenom Refael Zuraivin, the brand has leveraged the experiences of its founders to create the ultimate tablecloth. Offered in bold, fashion-forward patterns and fabrics (including an irresistible denim) every tablecloth is stain-proof and machine washable.
Where to buy: Get it from $195.00 at Tableau.
L.B.M. 1911 Sneaker
Applying exceptional Italian tailoring and fabrics to the adaptable and comfortable technical aesthetic now here for good, L.B.M. 1911’s thoroughly modern aesthetic will suit anyone keen on looking to communicate uniqueness, an appreciation for quality, and truly quiet luxury. With its iconic pin element, the white sneaker from L.B.M. 1911 can adapt to almost any look with its contrast stitching, hand-painted laces, and textures rendered in white. Composed of 100% leather with a rubber sole.
Where to buy: Get it from $380.00 at L.B.M. 1911.
GOBI Cashmere Sweater
By owning its own manufacturing plants and being headquartered in a capital of cashmere, Mongolia, GOBI Cashmere is able to sell directly to consumers, saving them plenty, but also spawning many imitators that simply can’t compete on quality for the price. GOBI’s Cashmere sweaters, pants, and more are made of thick, 100% cashmere (no sheen or sheering), feature rich colors (think lucious blues and tasteful taupes) and made in a tight weave to prevent premature wear.
Where to buy: Get it from $149.00 at GOBI Cashmere.
DouDou Chéri Ring from ManLuu
Creating luxurious, unexpected interpretations of Creole culture, MoAnA Luu has set her visionary sights on high jewelry, art, and more with the House of ManLuu (or Madame Luu in Creole). Re-defining what Creole jewelry is today, the Martinique native is creating intricate, wearable works with an architectural and organic bent. In the case of the DouDou Chéri ring, wearability and impressive luxury are at the center of the story. With pieces featuring precious stones set against a cane-inspired motif rendered in gold or silver, the wearer is in for infinite combinations and expressions.
Where to buy: Get it from $2,200 at ManLuu.
JLO JENNIFER LOPEZ Krim Boot
The hottest boots of the season are also the most comfortable! The Second Skin boots come up high enough to stay warm and stylish all season long, and pairing them with a chic skirt or dress is the newest it-girl look, as seen in Fall 2022 fashion week. The boots come in three different styles, the Milit Over The Knee Boot, Krim Boot and the Coblin Over The Knee Boot. There are so many ways to style the shoes and each choice will bring out the inner it-girl within all of us.
Where to buy: Multiple styles available from $69.98 at DSW
The Ribbed Collection by Superio
Chic probably isn’t the first word you’d use to describe plastic storage baskets, but Superio’s Ribbed Collection is different. With soft curves and a gentle, pillow-like finish in understated colors like white, lilac, brown, and gray, these stackable plastic storage baskets create a chic look while providing practical organization in your living spaces. Made in Spain and featuring BPA-free plastic, they’re slim enough to fit on crowded shelves, keeping your space organized and looking great. Featuring lids and handle cutouts, they’re also very easy to move around.
Where to buy: Items starting at $4.99 at Superio.
Ziplock Endurables
Seemingly indestructible, Ziploc Endurables can go from freezer, oven, or table- to anywhere else. Made of durable, reusable silicone, a variety of pouch sizes will accommodate all sorts of goodies- from snacks in the car to a full dinner in the microwave or oven. With the ability to be warmed to 425°F, you’ll be able to prepare just about anything. Cool Grab Tabs let fingers stay safe during prep and when it’s all said and done, Endurables are dishwasher safe. Designed for reuse, they’re also completely recyclable for when you’re ready to retire it once and for all.
Where to buy: Multiple sizes available from $10.89 at Target.
The Resort Box by Maure
Partnering with local artisans across the globe to assemble collections of delightful curiosities, Maure’s gift boxes are themed around unique life moments or personalities. Many items are handmade and exclusive to Maure, thus not found anywhere else and unlikely to be produced again. Our favorite, the Resort Box, is inspired by the Mediterranean and features high-style essentials for the perfect day at the beach. More than just a few trinkets, this kit features a selected beach tote, wine valet, bluetooth speaker, towel, and more.
Where to buy: Get it for $285.00 at Maure.
Airbnb Gift Card
Spoil the family with the adventure of a lifetime. Now allowing intrepid travelers to link different accommodations in a single trip as well as explore accommodations based on features including views, pools, and bed type, you’ll be sure to find the right places to call your home away from home. Book in comfort knowing every trip is protected with AirCover, a suite of stress-relieving features including a get-what-you-booked guarantee and a 24-hour helpline, ensuring your trip goes exactly to plan.
Where to buy: Get it from $25 at Airbnb.
Nicole Scherzinger sat down with Knockturnal to discuss hair tips and tricks to achieve the perfect, Classic Hollywood look with a voluminous effect using Hot Tools, a luxury brand hair appliance that even Beyonce’s hairstylist wants to use.
Aurora James has teamed with Johnnie Walker ahead of the midterm elections through the brand’s ‘First Strides’ initiative to elevate She Should Run’s mission of empowering women to imagine their name on the ballot during future elections.
Almost just as soon as Bearaby collaborated with Whalebone on opening a pop-up shop in NYC’s West Village, they are shutting it down again. The shop, where you can explore the brand signature hand-knit blankets and sensory pillows first-hand, is helping shoppers take a breather during one of the most stressful days of the year.
From today until the end of Cyber Monday, Bearaby is working to #WeightOutBlackFriday, giving consumers a chance to pause amid a chaotic season by shutting the physical location and creating a relaxing web page where browsers can “collect rest”. The evidence is clear. Bearaby-funded research conducted in partnership with Duke University found that Black Friday is one of the most stressful days of the year, with heightened anxiety and an increase of calls to crisis and mental health helplines.
At its Bleecker Street location, Bearaby invites visitors and passersby for a moment of rest in the form of a cozy bench, covered in the sustainable cotton used for the brand’s patented weighted blankets. A sensory “restometer” will total up the amount of rest the bench collects, serving as a reminder to recharge during this busy season.
To further shine a light on the importance of collective mental well-being, Bearaby is making donation to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, for every minute spent having a moment of rest.
A new line of K-Beauty products is always a reason to get excited! MIZON just released their Phyto Plump series, which helps encourage youthful, hydrated skin using collagen. The line is vegan, and heals skin irritation and decreased elasticity using “Tremellan-MC Extract (known for suppressing free radicals, increasing the synthesis of collagen and moisturizing deep within the skin), Brown Algae Complex (known for retaining moisture, being high in proteins and suppressing inflammation) and D-panthenol (a provitamin of D-pantothenic acid that provides deep and long lasting moisturization, heals irritation and abrasions and improves luster and shine).”
I tried out five products in the range, the Toner, Serum, Day Cream, Night Cream, and Eye Gel patches, over the last month to see how they reacted to my skin.
First, I applied the Phyto Plump Collagen Toner right after cleansing my skin. While it was still a bit damp after drying, I poured a few drops of the toner into my hands and patted it into the skin. This toner feels almost like an essence, with a slightly thicker than water consistency. It feels luxurious and locks in the moisture, definitely leaving my skin looking plumped up and hydrated. Since I have normal skin and it’s not quite the dry winter season yet where I live, this toner was all I needed to quench my skin in the morning before I put on my sunscreen and makeup to head out the door.
Sometimes, when I wanted more dewy plumpness, I reached for the Phyto Plum Collagen Serum. It’s designed to “provide a dewy finish without the stickiness” and is lightweight enough to use during the daytime – it sinks right into your skin and feels like a more concentrated, thicker version of the toner. I noticed that my skin stayed hydrated and dewy all day when I used this product, and provided the perfect base for more “harsh” skincare treatments like retinol in the evening.
The next set of products in the line are the Phyto Plump Day Cream and the Phyto Plump Night Cream. Both incredibly hydrating, these products are well suited for dry skin or for winter routines. The day cream was unique because of its gel texture, yet it’s not a lightweight cream. Most gel moisturizers aren’t hydrating enough for dry skin, but this one will give you the cooling, non-tacky benefits of a gel cream while still providing the ample hydration for dry skin. The night cream is incredibly emollient, and almost feels like an overnight mask. I love using this to seal in my skincare treatments and make sure they’re at their maximal effectiveness, and then waking up with baby-soft, hydrated skin.
The final product in their Phyto Plump line is the Phyto Plump Gel Eye Patches. This was a new product for me in the rotation, since I’ve only used the single packets before for special occasions. The cooling slice of silicone sits comfortable under your eyes whether you sit back and relax or go about your other tasks, which is incredibly convenient for those on the go. I loved using these before heading out for the evening to meet friends for dinner or to an event. They leave your under eyes brightened, refreshed, and of course: plump. The patches left a nice layer of product even after I took them off, which left the perfect canvas for blending concealer seamlessly for a night out. I found these patches so fun to use, since they were outside my daily routine before I tried these products, and I might have to add them back in!
MIZON’s new Phyto Plump line is available on Amazon as of November 1st, and they also have lightning Black Friday deals:
Move over and make room for makeup for men.