The best ways to keep your skin feeling fresh during this brittle winter season

 

By Amber Snider

 

What’s the first thing that happens to your body when the temperature drops? Get your mind out of the gutter, really, we’re just talking about your skin. You feel the cold, and your skin takes a beating because of it. Moisturize your body’s largest organ properly throughout the winter via the following: serious water intake, good daily moisturizer, and yes, a nightly cream. (yes, it’s time to take care of your skin via that nightly cream, especially if you’re over 35.  You’ll thank us come…Friday?)

 

So now that you’re “with” us on this, I’m sure you’re wondering: But how do I do that exactly? What’s your best, professional advice to keeping my skin aglow, happy, and ultra-fashionable. Any tips for brands and remedies?

Hot and Cold Faucet Cufflinks

Well now that you asked, sure. That’s what we’re here for! 🙂 That way you don’t have to go asking your girlfriend which is the proper gentle day cream with SPF for under $20 bucks? Or the best winter (or all-season) cleanser? Look no further, Cufflinksman is back and we don’t legally endorse any of the products except our own, so you know it’s from the heart.

 

1. Daily Moisturizer

Wake up, brush the dentes, and then what? Moisturize. It’s important this dry season, with the bitter cold hitting our precious skin each time we open a shop door or go out for coffee, to put on a daily “something” lotion on your face.  Try something simple at your local Rite Aid, Duane Reade, etc, like this Cerave Moisturizer for under $15.

Cerave Moisturizer

2. Some Other Stuff like that, but even old-schooler:

Old-school celebrities and movie stars swear by this stuff. It’s been around since your grandmother (we almost guarantee that). It’s under $5 and worth every penny. Plus how is it always “cold” and thereby refreshing? Humans..

Ponds Cold Cream

 

3. Body Wash with Moisturizer

Yes, body wash with moisturizer. Look for it by name on any bottle, preferably with Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe, and Green Tea Essentials. And go by MY rule: Scrub in the tub what you would eat for grub. Meaning, if it’s not edible, don’t go putting it all over your skin either. Your grandmother will thank us later for that too.

 

Aymara Green Tea Leaf Butterfly Cufflinks

4. Weekly Scrub

If the apricot scrub at the local drug store isn’t your thing, try making your own:

Cup of coarse salt/sugar, vitamin E drops, olive oil, liquid soap, vanilla extract, water, and any other essential oil you like. Add a bow around a mason jar and pour, there you have it!

 

5. Nails: Hand Cream

Hands, next to the eyes/ face/ teeth, your hands are the other next things people notice immediately. Make sure your nails are well-groomed this winter with a few cuticle treatments a month. No, you don’t have to go get pampered at your local Nail Salon, but can use an array of regular items around your house. If you don’t have a lady friend in your close vicinity to ask for hers, go for the olive oil in your kitchen. Smooth on just a little on each fingertip and push the cuticle down with your other nail/finger. It will work just the same–it’s the “bro way.” But if you’re out of olive oil too, plus a girlfriend, then go for Burt’s Bee stuff:

Burt’s Bees  little greasy and it doesn’t have multiple functions, but still good and inexpensive. 

 

 

6. Foot Cream (yes! We’ll tell you why…)

Running Shoes Cufflinks

Your feet harbor so much moisture while tucked inside your boots all day, which causes bacteria to form. Especially with those (possibly multiple) layers of socks, your feet suffer severe an overload of moisture followed by extreme cold. After washing with body scrub, rub thick hand/foot cream onto your feet, followed by a dose of the talic powder. These helps your “refresh” at the end of the day and retain the “healthy” moisture they need.

 

 

 

 

 

Along with the rest of the Western world, Cufflinksman has been in a deep winter slumber (when it comes to our regular blogging). But we’re coming out hibernation this February and we’re ready to give you your regular programming. Thanks for your support over the Holiday season and we appreciate your readership.

 

Going along the theme of hibernation, we thought we’d give you some inside tips on how to stay warm throughout the rest of these harsh winter months. It’s been a bizarre season, ranging from freezing temperatures to random 60 degree days, but this IS 2013. Need we forget? So we’re proud to give you fashionable, comforting ways to stay warm this season:

 

Check out our designer Snowflake Cufflinks

Add more rugs and throws

Especially if you have leather furniture, in the middle of winter, you really want to create a “nesting” effect in your living room. Slipping and sliding on a cold leather couch whilst watching 30 Rock is not our idea of a good Wednesday evening, you know? Add some textured throws from the regular big-whig stores such as Target, Marshalls, etc. Especially in February, most of these winter items are on sale, so it’s time to add some new warmth to your living space. And going along with that idea, there’s nothing worse than coming out a downy warm bed in the morning to have your little piggies touch a cold wooden floor, so add some plush rugs to the mix too (again, they will be on sale this time of the season…)

Try this throw from Pottery Barn…

Wesley Throw $129.00 from Pottery Barn

 

Bath time

Take it back in time for a minute to your childhood days of long bubble baths. Just because you have a grownup job and have a cable bill doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a warm bath a few times a week. Remember when your grandmother would always say, “Nothing warms the bones like a hot bath…” Well, she was right. So get to soaking.

Try our Bubbly Gris Fun Cufflinks

 

Regular cups of tea to your routine

Coffee is the busy man’s drink, but tea is the zen master’s drink. Tea has so many great qualities for the bodies, including antioxidants, but also that warming, calming feeling–especially if you’re drinking chamomile. It’ll warm up the chest and create a soothing effect for the rest of your body. Steep with love.

 The quintessential Urban Cup Cufflinks

Homemade Soup

You’re down to the last of your grocery shopping from two weeks ago. You have a couple cans and not much else. What to do? You’re cold, hungry, and the delivery guy refuses to come to your apartment in the middle of a snow storm. Make a simple chicken soup! It’ll last for at least 3 days and can easily be re-heated. Here’s our secret soup recipe that we’ll share with you:

And while cooking, don’t forget to don our eclectic Salt and Pepper Shaker Cufflinks...

1 boneless, skinless Chicken Breast (fried in olive oil, salt, pepper) and added to broth, 1 can of chicken broth, 1 can of vegetable broth, 1/2 can of water, 1 small can of green beans, 1 small can of corn, 1 small can of sliced carrots, 1/2 can of diced tomatoes, 1/3 cup (or so) of ketchup, pinch of chili sauce, pinch of diced garlic (in olive oil, doesn’t have to be fresh), seasonings. Heat for about 20 minutes and there you have it–chicken soup for the soul and body.

 

Layers, layers, layerrrrs

We’re a fashion company, so we have to talk about layers (which we love!) Over the past few years layers have been in style in every aspect–whether it’s a blazer over cardigan over a tee or a pair of long-johns under jeans mixed with really thick boot socks. Add on a scarf and properly accessorized hat and there you have it.

 

European Street Style by GQ Michael Sebra

 

Add thicker curtains to your bedroom

You don’t necessarily have to seal every window in your house or apartment. You can simply purchased an extra lined curtain for your window to keep out the night drafts. This is really effective at keeping your energy costs down too. Just make sure to open the curtains during the day to let the sun naturally warm your room.

 

 

 

 

 

Gothic Halloween Party
Invite friends to celebrate in full gothic regalia. Usher in the spooky theme with haunted house-worthy decor and a Halloween-inspired buffet, including “Boo-tinis.”

Tale of Horror Halloween Party
Invite guests to share in a night of literary horrors at an Edgar Allen Poe-theme party. Although the party is on the sophisticated side — in a creepy sort of way — it’s easy to pull together.

Antique Silver Cowboy Skull and Crossbones Cufflinks

The Eyeball Assortment
In this canape platter, the “eyes” truly have it! There’s something for everyone, from mini meatballs to fresh mozzarella-and-tomato bites to a grape-and-prosciutto nibble. Inscribe the clever dish names on silk leaves and display next to the serving dish.

Frankenstein Stamp Cufflinks

Spooky Still Life
Make ordinary objects a little creepier with a coat of black paint. Just a few simple steps and this discarded tree branch becomes a scary perch for menacing ravens. Find a tree branch (the more twisted and gnarled, the better) and spray-paint it black. Once dry, insert the branch in an urn or pot. Finish by placing a few black ravens on the branch.

Connecticut Quarter Coin Cufflinks

Jack-o’-Lantern Flower Vase
Ditch the standard candle and brighten up your jack-o’-lantern with an arrangement of bold-hue harvest flowers. Cut the stems, arrange in a small vase, and set inside a carved pumpkin. A white Lumina pumpkin carved with a skeletal face makes this arrangement extra spooky.

Sterling Silver Skeleton Spider Cufflinks

Black Feather Wreath and Decorative Mirror
Dress up a large mirror with a feathery wreath and verses from The Raven for a spooky dining room decoration. To make the wreath, wrap two black feather boas around a wreath form. Knot the ends and tuck them under the feathers; add hanging wire. Attach a removable plastic hook to the mirror and use a black dry-erase marker to write words or phrases from the poem on the mirror. Hang the wreath from the plastic hook. Center a small faux bird in the wreath’s opening and attach it to the mirror using poster putty.

Actual Butterfly Wings as Cufflinks

Poetic Place Setting
Continue the poem’s theme in your party place settings by using a black porcelain marker to write portions of The Raven on white chargers. For food-safe chargers, set the ink by heating the plates in the oven, following the marker manufacturer’s instructions. Add a haunting message from the poem to cream-color dish towels to use as napkins. Download our “nevermore” stencil, available below, and print. Use a crafts knife to cut out the text, leaving a silhouette stencil. Attach the stencil to the napkin with tape and use a fabric marker to write the word on the napkin; remove the stencil.
To make the name cards, spray smooth-sided stones with chalkboard paint; let dry. Use chalk to write each guest’s name on a stone.

 

 

Edward Cullen

Aymara Convex Ruby Spotted Butterfly Cufflinks

Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer  

Ah Angel. We will never forget you. In the 90s most young teens were in love with him, so that means the boys tried to emulate him. He had the tough boy appeal–dressed all in black, long trench coats (I mean, he was a vampire…), and a hint of a white tee shirt.

Vampire Skull and Crossbone Cufflinks 

Get the look…

Marc New York Liam – Smooth Lamb Car Coat from Wilson’s Leather

White Tee from Calvin Klein

So What’s the deal with Angel? I don’t remember him.

Well…”Angel (formerly Angelus, previously Liam) is a fictional character created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt for the television programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He is played by actor David Boreanaz. Angel is a 242 year old vampire who is cursed with a soul, a punishment designed to make him suffer for his past crimes committed under the name Angelus. Like many characters in the Buffyverse, Angel goes through drastic changes. He starts out as a reluctant hero who stayed in the shadows, and ended up a dark, flawed, yet altruistic champion of mankind, seeking to voluntarily atone for his sins. In addition to the two television series, the character appears in the comic book continuations of both series.”

Sterling Silver, Six Skull Faces Cufflinks

 

 

 

Okay, following the small session of our “Style Icons” from last week, we decided to feature a cool new artist, who is also a trend setter in her own right. This young, Brooklyn singer came up out of nowhere, and we’re loving her craft. Not only is she beautiful, in that stunning 50s kind of way, with a melodic haunting voice that harks back to the talent (RIP always) Amy Winehouse.

Lana Del Rey

Piano Keys Onyx and Mother of Pearl Cufflinks

With her faintly controversial, hauntingly beautiful new album “Born to Die,” Del Rey explores the ancient stories of heartache, struggle, and the dark side of nature.

When she was twenty years old, Del Rey signed a record contract for $10,000 and moved into a trailer park outside of the city. Her album, however, was shelved, causing her to shift her focus. Instead, she began to work in community service. “Homeless outreach, drug and alcohol rehabilitation – that’s been my life for the past five years,” she told Vogue in 2012. Felicia Sullivan of The Huffington Post spoke with Del Rey after the release of Kill Kill about her life in the trailer park.^[26] Del Rey said:

“I didn’t feel trapped in a trailer park. I felt trapped before I got to the trailer park because I had nowhere to live. When I got my trailer, everyone there had the same taste as I did. We all liked giant, lush, fake flower gardens and liked to decorate the walls with streamers even if it wasn’t our birthday. I couldn’t have been happier there. Before that, I did dream of escaping. I always just figured it was gonna be a man who would take me away. I don’t know if I deserve a good man, but I think about it sometimes.”

Purple Enamel Tracery Cufflinks

Lana Del Ray

Treble Clef Cufflinks

After uploading a few of her tracks to her YouTube channel, Del Rey was discovered and was signed by Stranger Records to release her debut single “Video Games”. She told The Observer, “I just put that song online a few months ago because it was my favourite. To be honest, it wasn’t going to be the single but people have really responded to it.” The song earned her a Q award for “Next Big Thing” in October 2011. The same month, she signed a joint deal withInterscope Records and Polydor to work on her second studio album Born to Die. Del Rey built anticipation to the album by doing a number of live appearances, such as promotional concerts at the Bowery Ballroom and at theChateau Marmont,

Lana Del Rey