Fashion Slate

|Sponsored| Does the audiobook play a role in your sewing life? Over here at BurdaStyle we’ve dabbled in finding stories to complement our latest project. One of our team admits that as an audiobook convert, she is taking her sweet time getting through a 14-hour stitch and listen. Imagine how much sewing you could accomplish in that amount of time!

We are convinced that there is a Penguin Random House Audio selection for everyone out there, sewists included. Check out additional choices from Penguin Random House Audio along with the suggestions we have for you below. The storytelling experience of an audiobook might just make your stitching soar.

I’m always one to have something to listen to or watch while I sew – often it’s a podcast or all my favorite daytime television shows. But an audio book was new to me to get lost in while I sew my next project, so I was excited to jump in, listen, and sew! Recently getting engaged myself, this seemed like the perfect book while I start to sketch, design, and sew my own wedding dress – probably the biggest sew project of my life… think I’ll need several audiobooks to get me through that one. But The Greatest Love Story Ever Told was a superb selection and pulled me in right from the start.

Being a huge fan of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman already, especially the two of them together, I knew I would get a kick out of this book. The story told with both voices made this audio book feel like they were sitting right with me in my sewing studio while I worked away telling me their story – I loved that, especially working often alone from home. But what really connected me to their story were the similarities that I drew from my own personal love story and rise in my career, and I think a lot of people can relate to them both coming from humble beginnings. They really dive into their lives chapter by chapter (hilariously titled in the book) starting from family life, past relationships, and how they got the itch to be in the entertainment business that brought them together in Los Angeles back in 2000.

The dynamic of Megan being 11 years older than Nick, and the self titled bread winner at the beginning of their relationship were brought to life in fun jokes throughout the audio book – although both very successful now and one surprise wedding later, they are a rare Hollywood relationship that I think will go the distance. They talk about their 2 week rule for traveling for solo work projects, and keeping their own hobbies. Nick being a carpenter, and Megan putting her sewing skills to work mending holes and buttons herself – they remain down to earth with a comedic take on love. My favorite quote from the book, and a testament to their long lasting relationship:

In the midst of our seemingly fancypants lifestyle, we have both retained the ability to whipstitch. – Nick Offerman

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told is exactly what it says it is – and after laughing my way through the entire audio book, I feel as though I can take away a lot of advice going into my own love story and starting my greatest project ever sewn, my wedding dress. I can only hope for a sequel to get me through.

Sample The Greatest Love Story Ever Told in the below player.

Sewing, Party of One

Amanda Carestio, Senior Editor/Content Producer

If you don’t share it on Instagram, did you even make it?

That’s a question buzzing around the online sewing community these days: our relationship with Instagram. If your audience is 42 or 40,000, you’ve probably considered a few questions: should I post every day? Should I post only finished projects? Will I lose followers if I post awesome pictures of my cat?

If these questions have your head swimming, An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity For Its Own Sake offers a nice and much-needed reset. Written by co-founder of The Unmistakable Creative podcast Srinivas Rao, An Audience of One is a must-read, must-listen for creatives on all levels, especially those of us who share online and who have little time to read. I must confess I’m new to listening to audiobooks while sewing, but it’s a good solution for me: I don’t have much time for reading these days (kids, jobs, carpools and, ahem, sewing). I was a bit worried that I’d lose concentration on the book or sewing or both. Instead, the book deepened my relationship with my craft.

As all good things do, the book starts with David Bowie: a look at the artist, his motivations and his undeniable devotion to his creative process, beyond the quest for popularity and other common measures of success. Rao posits that because Bowie didn’t play for the masses, he was able to create unique and fresh work – for the love of the work itself – that was ultimately successful. Bowie created for an audience of one.

Here are a few key points that have really stuck with me so far.

-We tend to undervalue creating for ourselves due to pressure to monetize our time and turn our creative pursuits into professional ones. Hello, every person who’s asked me to make them something!

-By focusing on the end product and validation, we avoid creating bad things (which can evolve into great things, given time) and we undervalue the process. Guilty as charged.

The book helps creatives undo these tendencies by providing tips for listening as a creative: to your own creativity, to yourself (regardless of outside input), to your environment (building the creative space YOU want) and to others (as inspiration over comparison).

An Audience of One is an inspiring list, particularly while crafting. It’s a deep dive and well worth the listen – before or after you post that cat picture.

Give it a quick listen! Click on the below to sample Amanda’s selection.

Sewing Along to the Cadence of Story

Kate Zaynard, Editor

In tackling my first sew and listen, I was worried that a major story element would get missed, and even that my sewing would suffer. Boy, was I wrong! As it turns out, sewing and audiobooks go together perfectly. The sewing keeps my brain focused enough to keep my mind from wandering, while having part of my brain focused on the story helps keep my sewing steady and methodical. I get frustrated less, and find the more tedious sewing chores less so while listening. Most of the individual tasks that make up sewing — pinning, stitching a seam, pressing — are rote enough that I can do them while following a story quite easily, especially when working a tried-and-true pattern.

I’m listening to Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart, and it is interesting and very easy to pick up after a break for the non-sewing parts of my life. It’s a general fiction story about a hedge-fund manager who flees his life and the wife he leaves behind, told from both perspectives alternately and read by two people, one man and one woman.

I am dead curious about where the male character, Barry, will end up as he embarks on his quest. Some fascinating patterns in his thinking have started to emerge, and I look forward to finding out if he breaks those patterns or if they break him in the end. I like the woman, Seema, and find her character deeply relatable. She’s making some questionable choices, and that is keeping me hooked! I hope she finds her way to a reasonably happy ending.

It’s a story about the betrayal of being unhappy when life has promised you happiness and how different people deal with that dichotomy. I’m making it sound depressing, but it’s not — it is a satirically funny journey. Lake Success is very topical and contemporary, as well as being entertaining and linear enough to be a great choice for listening while sewing.

Sample Lake Success in the below player.

We will be offering a free download of Ivy and The Inky Butterfly by Johanna Bashford, starting on Monday, October 15, 2018! Johanna Basford is an adult coloring book illustrator. Her latest title Ivy & the Inky Butterfly included a story which she recorded on audio! The free download will be available here.

What does your sewing and listening life sound like? We would love to hear about the audiobooks that you are absorbing while practicing your craft. Let us know in the comments!

During the government shutdown of January 2018, I Support the Girls — a Washington, D.C. -area based organization that allocates pads, tampons, bras, and underwear to menstruators in need — received an influx of messages from furloughed employees. The government workers wanted to see if they could use their newfound free time to volunteer with the nonprofit. By the next shutdown, however, the tables turned. Now, it was the furloughed employees who needed I Support the Girls’ services.

Starting December 22, the disagreement between Congress and President Donald Trump over funding for the border wall left more than 800,000 government workers without their regular paychecks and became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. On January 25, President Trump announced that a deal had been reached to temporarily reopen the government for three weeks until the new Feb. 15 funding deadline — if a permanent deal isn’t reached by then, the government will likely shut down again.

He also signed a bill guaranteeing back pay for furloughed employees, but government contractors like janitors, security guards, and others will not be compensated for their missed income. And for the 35 days that the shutdown lasted, many government workers found themselves scrambling to cover their expenses. For hundreds of families that contacted I Support the Girls, necessities like rent, food, and utilities took priority over pads and tampons.

“This year it’s changed, and now we’re seeing all of these requests [for products] literally flood in,” Founder and Executive Director Dana Marlowe told Teen Vogue. “What it’s showing is so many people in the U.S. are living paycheck to paycheck and that they need those funds to be able to supply their family or themselves with menstrual hygiene products, with clean underwear. When that is affected from a government shutdown or furlough, they’re not able to.”

Under normal circumstances, I Support the Girls does not distribute products directly to vulnerable populations. Instead, their volunteers sort donations that come in from all over and send these products to approximately 500 pre-approved agencies that work with people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, LGTBQ communities, and more.

But when Marlowe and her team noticed an unprecedented number of inquiries filling their inbox in early January, they realized these weren’t just social service organizations who wanted to partner with them — they were individual government employees asking for help. So, on January 10, I Support the Girls posted an official message on their Instagram offering to ship period products, bras, and underwear to any families affected by the shutdown. “Our mission is to help women and girls and menstruators in need, and we understand that needs change and that periods don’t stop for furloughs and periods don’t stop for shutdowns,” Marlowe said.

Soon, hundreds upon hundreds of requests across states and federal agencies ranging from TSA to the FBI and the Department of Justice poured in. In order to protect the privacy and personal information of those employees, Marlowe read Teen Vogue several messages over the phone.

“My husband and I have to go to work and we are not getting paid,” one person explained. “We have four kids, and it’s getting stressful. His car broke down, so we’re only using one. We have three teenage girls, so of course, we use lots of female hygiene products. Thanks and many blessings.”

Another starts off: “Good morning, I was emailing you because I’m an active member of the Coast Guard in California currently affected by the shutdown and not being paid. All the money I have right now is going towards keeping utilities on and feeding my children. I saw your post, and wanted to know if any menstrual products are still available.”

In case you haven’t noticed, North West is essentially a teeny, tiny fashion icon.

The five-year-old daughter to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has already walked in a runway show (dressed as a real-life doll, no less), starred in viral makeup tutorials, and owns a collection of mini designer clothes sure to make any fashionista jealous. And now, it seems as though North might be finding some style inspiration in one of the most effortlessly chic stars around: Selena Gomez.

On Saturday, December 1, Kim posted an Instagram story documenting the joint birthday party for Saint West and Reign Disick. The party itself was pretty impressive, as the reality star turned her house into an IRL jungle to go with the Tarzan theme.

But it was North’s outfit that definitely stole the show. The five-year-old was dressed head to toe in shimmering lime green, à la Selena in DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki” music video, which also featured Ozuna and Cardi B. Yep, North was seen wearing a holographic green crop top and matching leggings, with a perfectly coordinated scrunchie to boot. All she needs is an army of backup dancers, and she’d be ready to star in her own music video. Given her already-glam status, we wouldn’t be surprised if she was ready to add pop star to her résumé, too.

As for the rest of the joint birthday bash, Kim’s BTS tour revealed a ton of trees and plants lining her elegant hallways, along with adorable animal-shaped snacks and treats. Of course, the boys’ birthday cakes were totally Instagram-worthy, and we’d be willing to bet that it was definitely a celebration to remember.

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: North West Did Kim Kardashian’s Makeup in a 12-Part Beauty Tutorial

Oui Fresh Beauty Box is a brand new beauty subscription box from the ladies at A Beautiful Mess!

Each month, we’ll be bringing you our favorite makeup, skincare, bath and body, and wellness brands in the form of one adorable box. The best part? The products in this box are made with only the good stuff, because that’s what you deserve. We’ve scored every product that goes into our box to ensure it meets our natural beauty standards.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

About Oui Fresh

The Subscription Box: Oui Fresh Beauty Box

The Cost: $29.99 monthly, $24.99 with a 6-month subscription, or $19.99 with a 12-month subscription.  Shipping is an additional $7 a box.

The Products: 5-7 of Emma + Elsie’s non-toxic beauty favorites, delivered to you every month. Full-size products will be included in most boxes.

Ships to: At this time, they can only offer to ship to certain countries outside of the United States, including but not limited to Canada and the United Kingdom.

Oui Fresh September 2018 Review

You’ll find an info card that doubles as a print and lists all of the items, plus where you can buy more of them.

Aila x Oui Fresh Nail Polish in “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Retail Value $14.00

Wow- this is the most gorgeous dove grey nail color I have ever seen! I’ve been getting gel polish at the nail salon lately but this makes me want to switch back to reg. I can pop this over my gel without doing damage, so I may just use this to rock a new color in between salon visits. Grey is my favorite and this one is the perfect cool neutral shade for Fall/Winter. Plus- how can you beat that name?

One Over One Luminous Lip Oil in Crimson Breath – Retail Value $28.00

Packed with organic olive, rosehip, and coconut oils, this lip product is super hydrating and wears a lot like a gloss. The crimson breath color is sort of a sparkly cinnamon that leaves a sheer tint on your lips as it moisturizes. It’s still a bit shiny for my tastes, so I will most likely pass this on to a friend, but I love One Over One as a brand so it’s nice to see them included in this month’s box.

Evolvh Ultrashine Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner, 2 oz. – Total Retail Value $17.00

I’m pretty picky about my hair care, so I don’t always love getting shampoo + conditioner sets in boxes but I do appreciate the travel sizes that I can use on getaways. This duo sets out to make hair shiny and soft but I didn’t notice much of a change in the shine department after using. Kinda meh about these, but as I said, I’ll be saving them for my next trip because they weren’t bad and it’s nice to have clean products on hand.

Aisling Organics Luxe Liner in Absolute Brown – Retail Value $12.00

The last item is a pencil eyeliner in a deep brown color. While I normally use black, this brown is quite dark but lends a bit of a softer look than a super harsh black. I also haven’t used eyeliner in general for quite some time, especially a pencil but I was pleased to see that this one glided smoothly on my lid and is really pigmented. It also happens to be the perfect shade for my brows so I may end up using it for them until I find a new powder I like. I’ve been good at keeping most of my skincare clean, but I’m not so good with my makeup yet. This organic brand is sure to help me make the transition.

Verdict: Oui Fresh Beauty Box sent great brands this month, but it was still half n half for me for hits and misses. The polish and eyeliner are great but I could’ve done with a different type of lip product or something other than a shampoo and conditioner set. Overall, the value is quite good seeing as though it totaled $71.00 retail for this $36.99 box.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? August is sold out but sign up here for the waitlist to grab a September spot and sign up for our email alerts for spoilers!

Value Breakdown: At $36.99 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

• Nail Polish: $7.29
• Lip Oil: $14.59
• Shampoo: $4.17
• Conditioner: $4.69
• Eyeliner: $6.25

Check out our past Oui Fresh Beauty Box reviews and the other boxes in Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Did you like the Oui Fresh Beauty Box this month?

There’s one thing we know for sure: a great-fitting pair of jeans belong in every girl’s wardrobe! Rocking an apple shaped frame? Your perfect pair is out there, and we’ve got all the deets to help you find them.

Read on for the best jeans for your apple shape.

Seek Out Your Ideal Silhouette

Skinny Jeans Show Off Your Legs

As a rule of thumb, apple-shapes tend to be slimmer throughout the leg, which means you look especially amazing in a pair of skinny jeans. Try them at an ankle length, hitting right above the ankle bone. Showing some skin between your ankle and shoe will give the illusion of mile-long legs

Like wearing your jeans full length? Not a problem! Just make sure they don’t bag at the ankle/foot, as this shortens your frame.

Try Boyfriend Jeans for a Relaxed Fit

Boyfriend jeans are a tried-and-true silhouette that looks good on everyone. Plus, the relaxed fit through the hip and thigh makes them oh-so comfy! Choose a boyfriend jean that cuts a little slimmer in the leg–affectionately known as girlfriend jeans. They will still give you a loose, comfortable fit without concealing your leg line.

Stylist Tip: Balance out a relaxed fit with something a little more fitted up top. Apple shapes look amazing in a v-neck top as they narrow the shoulders and draw the eye upwards. 

Create Balance with Bootcut Jeans

A bootcut jean or pant is another great choice for an apple shape, as the slight flare at the bottom balances out a wider upper body. Again, the inseam is key for elongating—your jeans should hit right at the floor to create a fluid, lengthening line.  

Choose a Mid Rise for Extra Length  

Select a mid-rise to keep you looking long and lean as it will hit your waistline at the perfect spot to avoid muffin top. A low rise can enhance a muffin top and shorten the look of your legline, while a high rise can disguise your waistline.

Add Stretch For The Perfect Fit

The higher the cotton content in your denim, the higher the possibility that they will stretch out with wear. Denim that contains a spandex, lycra or poly blend is ideal for an apple shape. These blends help your denim hug your curves in all the right places without stretching out for the perfect fit every time you wear them.

Choose a Dark Wash for a Streamlined Finish

Denim washes are key to finding the perfect pair of jeans. Dark denim will be your best bet as it highlights your legs and narrows your hip and waist. Steer clear from whiskering which will widen your hips. If you love distressed features, keep them at the knees and ankles for the most flattering look.

—Sheri

Need a new pair of jeans? We’d love to send some your way.

Make like this girl. Casual (and the left hand side of your face), is key…