Style guide: What to pack for a romantic city getaway
July 18, 2014 by admin
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Black Halo Ally Sheath Dress, revolveclothing.com/One Sleeve Mini Dress, pinko.com
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Norah Elastic Sandal, revoleclothing.com/Elise Sandal, Courtesy Pedro Garcia
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Emilio Pucci Printed Silk Scarf, stylebop.com/Givenchy Floral Print Scarf, farfetch.com
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T Anthony Boating Tote in Black, barneys.com/Large Metro Tote in Black Oxford, mzwallace.com
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Cosabella Fetherston Babydoll Fetherston Robe, cosabella.com
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Manolo Blahnik Bombita rolled-strap sandals, barneys.com/Sophia Pumps in Set Sail, charlotteolympia.com
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Cire Trudon La Marquise Candle, johnlewis.com/Eucalyptus Candle, diptyqueparis.com
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Malabah Bath and Shower Gel, penhaligons.com/Ginger Float ™ bubble bath, origins.com
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Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Tanin, sephora.com/Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick, rimmellondon.com
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BKR Glass Water Bottle in LBD Milk (ecodivabeauty.ca/mybkr.com)
Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of the long days, and cool nights –and to show a little skin.
If you’re headed to the big city to take a break with your other half you’ll need the right outfits for days filled with touring the sites, and flirty nights out on the town. But you need to pack light avoid those annoying baggage fees.
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Whatever your city of choice, here are 10 things you shouldn’t leave without.
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1.nbspThe essential LBD
Black Halo Ally Sheath Dress, revolveclothing.com/One Sleeve Mini Dress, pinko.com
A LBD (or little black dress) is adaptable to whatever mood you happen to be in. It is much easier to pack a variety of accessories, say some fabulous enamel earrings, or a statement necklace, than your whole wardrobe of cocktail dresses. As a over packer myself, choosing a basic but still banging dress, allows me more options and freedom to choose what look I want. Another perk, the LBD leaves room for a hot pair of pumps, your beau will definitely appreciate. Two styles you can’t go wrong with are Pinko’s One Sleeve Mini Dress ($175), and The Ally Sheath Dress by Black Halo ($272).
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2.nbspA sturdy but chic flat
Norah Elastic Sandal, revoleclothing.com/Elise Sandal, Courtesy Pedro Garcia
Any city dweller knows the importance of a practical flat. No matter how fabulous your feet might look, you will not get beyond two blocks in those sky-high sling backs. Enter the sensible and smart flat. Try Pedro Garcia’s Elise Sandal ($475), to pair with your flowy summer dress, or Joie’s Norah Elastic Flats ($272) that your date will appreciate when you can keep up the pace. Trust me you can still look chic with happy feet.
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3.nbspThe versatile silk scarf
Emilio Pucci Printed Silk Scarf, stylebop.com/Givenchy Floral Print Scarf, farfetch.com
Silk scarfs have recently made a comeback. What used to be an accessory for the over 60 crowd, has now become a spot on trend. These silky stunners can dress up any ensemble and add a pop of color, or instant elegance. I like my silk scarves tied loosely around the neck, paired with a pleated skirt, or even cropped track pants. My favorites of the summer are, the Givenchy black and white floral print scarf ($193) and the bold Emilio Pucci’s Printed Scarf ($385) for a little more pizzazz.
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4.nbspA practical tote
T Anthony Boating Tote in Black, barneys.com/Large Metro Tote in Black Oxford, mzwallace.com
Even though the teeny tiny bag is now in, we all need a larger tote when hopping on the plane. To pack your Kindle, eyemask, and moisturizer, a stylish tote is a great way to fit all your necessities. This season I’m in love with MZWallace’s quilted tote ($195), it’s large enough to fit pretty much everything, but light enough to carry around town. Plus its black quilted exterior is transitional so you can use this staple year round. I also love T Anthony’s classic Boating Tote for the coastal prep look ($295).
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5.nbspNaughty-but-nice lingerie
Cosabella Fetherston Babydoll Fetherston Robe, cosabella.com
Now for the good stuff. Packing a flirty little number is key to capitalizing on your weekend away. This season, pastel hues were the most predominant trend on the runway. For this summer, think cotton candy pink, sea foam, and tangy yellow as your guide. I’m loving Cosabella’s gorgeous Fetherston Babydoll ($159) in indulgent shell pink, with of course the accompanying lace Tie Robe ($149). If this duo doesn’t heat up the night, I’m not sure what will.
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6.nbspThe killer kicks
Manolo Blahnik Bombita rolled-strap sandals, barneys.com/Sophia Pumps in Set Sail, charlotteolympia.com
A city break gives you every excuse to pull out all the stops. To really impress, pack some strappy little sandals to make your summer dress a real hit. The higher the heel, doesn’t necessarily mean the sexier the shoe. This season delicate straps emphasize the curve of the foot, giving a more seductive shape. Charlotte Olympia’s Sophia ankle straps ($484) exude a coquettish vibe, whereas, these Manolo Blahnik Bombita rolled-strap sandals ($379) are strictly down to business.
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7.nbspA demure scented candle
Cire Trudon La Marquise Candle, johnlewis.com/Eucalyptus Candle, diptyqueparis.com
After a long day out, come back to relax with a glass of bubbly and a yummy scented candle. Scent is the sense most tied to memory, so make the most of your time together. Plus a candle doesn’t take up too much space. Try Cire Trudon La Marquise Candle, with hints of white flowers and roses ($55) or for a fresher option Diptyque Eucalyptus Candle ($60).
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8.nbspSomething bubbly for the bath
Malabah Bath and Shower Gel, penhaligons.com/Ginger Float ™ bubble bath, origins.com
Take advantage of the soaking tub and throw some bubble bath your bag. Weekends away mean breakfast in bed, sleeping till noon, and relaxing time in the tub. You and your partner will love the exotic aromas of Penhaligon’s Malabah bath and shower gel ($50) or the spicy scent of Origins Ginger Float Cream™ Bubble Bath ($28). Make some waves with a luxe bath for two.
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9.nbspA sultry red lip
Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Tanin, sephora.com/Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick, rimmellondon.com
Nothing says romance more than a sultry red lipstick. Perfect to spice up any outfit, the red lip is a forever classic that any girl can pull off. To make your pout pop, opt for a more modest eye but don’t skimp on the lash. This season a matte red pairs perfectly with big bold lashes. Swipe on Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Liptsick in Tanin ($24) or Kate Moss Rimmel London Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick (4.99) for instant va, va, voom.
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10.nbspThe handbag-worthy water bottle
BKR Glass Water Bottle in LBD Milk (ecodivabeauty.ca/mybkr.com)
You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of these hot bottles. Celebrities like Zoe Saldana and Jessica Alba have been seen all over Hollywood sporting these trendy hydra-bottles. For water purists who hate the taste of plastic, BKR are Made completely of glass with a protective soft silicon sleeve. For a romantic trip, the LBD and Milk designs ($35 each) are very fitting. You’ll come to “heart” these clever little bottles from the first sip.
Laurel Hoffman is a graduate of London College of Fashion’s Graduate School and a former assistant buyer at Neiman Marcus.
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The NSA’s Online Dragnet
July 17, 2014 by admin
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FILE – President Barack Obama, July 10, 2014.
By Jacob Sullum – As an Illinois senator running for president in 2008, Barack Obama promised there would be no more “wiretaps without warrants” under his administration. He abandoned that position even before he was elected to the White House, voting for legislation that amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to let the National Security Agency (NSA) collect Americans’ international communications without a warrant.
Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden provided the Post with a large sample of communications collected by the agency, including “160,000 intercepted e-mail and instant-message conversations” and “7,900 documents taken from more than 11,000 online accounts.” The Post found that “nine of 10 account holders…were not the intended surveillance targets,” while “nearly half of the surveillance files…contained names, e-mail addresses or other details that the NSA marked as belonging to U.S. citizens or residents.”
Why does a surveillance program that was supposed to be narrowly targeted look so indiscriminate? Because all the people who come into contact with a target, no matter how innocently or tangentially, are swept into the NSA’s online dragnet, regardless of their locations or nationalities.
Anyone who communicates directly with a target is considered fair game, including U.S. citizens on U.S. soil. But even if you’ve never corresponded with a friend in Pakistan or a client in Iraq, you may have inadvertently rubbed electronic shoulders with someone under surveillance.
“If a target entered an online chat room,” the Post reports, “the NSA collected the words and identities of every person who posted there, regardless of subject, as well as every person who simply ‘lurked,’ reading passively what other people wrote.” Sometimes “the NSA designated as its target the [I.P. address] of a computer server used by hundreds of people.”
Not surprisingly, the material that the NSA obtains through these methods includes much information of questionable relevance to national security. The Post mentions medical records, academic transcripts, romantic correspondence, descriptions of sexual encounters, discussions of emotional crises and financial troubles, pictures of babies and toddlers, and racy photos of bare-chested men and lingerie-clad women.
An NSA fact sheet about Section 702 says “any inadvertently acquired communication of or concerning a U.S. person must be promptly destroyed if it is neither relevant to the authorized purpose nor evidence of a crime.” But according to the Post, “The NSA treats all content intercepted incidentally from third parties as permissible to retain, store, search and distribute to its government customers.” The Post found that the NSA retains a great deal of material with no apparent intelligence value, “described as useless by analysts.”
According to the Obama administration, all this is old news and no big deal. “These reports simply discuss the kind of incidental interception of communications that we have always said takes place under Section 702,” Robert Litt, general counsel to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, told The New York Times on Sunday. “The most that you could conclude from these news reports is that each valid foreign intelligence target talks to an average of nine people.”
If the mass collection of sensitive information about law-abiding people is to be expected, as my Reason colleague Scott Shackford observes, it is not really accurate to say it happens “inadvertently” or “not wittingly,” as Clapper put it in congressional testimony last year. When such a wholesale invasion of privacy is the inevitable and predictable result of certain intelligence methods, choosing to use those methods means you are doing it on purpose.