mal and criss

SIX MONTHS [NO HEELS]

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Well hello strangers!

Long time no update?

Seriously! We know!

How've you been? Did Santa bring you all you hoped and wished for? Was your New Years magical and filled with fireworks, friends sequins and champagne?

We hope so.

via | via

So much has been going on since we've last posted!

My neglect towards the blog actually has a ~~valid~~ excuse...

which I like to hashtag as #strandedwithabrokenfoot (check it, it's on @instagram)

I spent half of November and all of December posted up on a couch,

and sometimes in a wheelchair, with a broken foot, stranded, back home in New York.

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So let's go through a summary of events shall we?

NOVEMBER

- Broke my foot

[hairline fracture fifth metatarsal]

- had foot casted and set wrong

- Flew: Dubai to New York

- landed with terrible news of my grandmother passing

-found out cast was a catastrophe

[~~hairline fracture~~ spiral fracture fifth metatarsal]

-new large cast put on

- found out I wasn't allowed to fly

- #strandedwithabrokenfoot

DECEMBER

- posted up on couch

- was pushed in wheel chairs

- hobbled on crutches

- agony/pain/sick of the cold

- cast removed

- news of: NO HEELS FOR SIX MONTHS

-forced to wait another week

- hobbled/pushed through airport

-landed in Dubai

-packed all high heels

#outofsightoutofmind

JANUARY

NYE - Top of the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world)

- ~~new heels with new dress for NYE~~

- physical therapy 101

-living in flat shoes #hellohightops

- started to walk normal again

- featured in ELLE Arabia (not yet released)

- commencement of apartment make over 101

- bought new planner & Starbucks to-go-mug to face the new year ahead

#plannedandcaffienated

Let's just say I have big plans for 2013 to start on a "different foot" - ~~no pun intended.~~

Slainte, Salud & Cheers!

See you ~~in another three months~~ soon!

Anne Hathaway #Stunning

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

via

Gone are the days of The Devil Wears Prada. The days when a single viewing of this spectacular movie showed us girls that there was a world full of glamour, light, and sparkle. But, also a world full of back-stabbing and ambition. Anne Hathaway, with her innocent brown eyes and big full-hearted smile couldn't have been the more perfect person to play the role. Her style, equally #stunning.

xx,

Mal and Criss

Entertaining with Ease

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 14:36:00 +0000

via

Hello Holidays? Can't believe the year is almost coming to an end. To many it's still been a whirlwind of events, but needless to say, there is no escape from the Holidays. Now is the time to start prepping your lovely homes for guests and parties. (We love parties!) So we've put together a small dose of essentials featured below. Thanks to Gilt.com, our inspiration always thrives from the beauty featured on the site daily. So let's talk basics:

1. Glasses for your guests - Luigi Bormioli, Atelier White Stemless Glasses $19
2. Comfy, cozy pillows - Cashmere Cable Pillow cover $118
3. Warm scents - Voluspa, Fleur de Cocoa Diffuser $22
4. Beautiful candle lighting - Hammered Candle Sleeve with Candle $29
5. That one dramatic piece - Teddy Floor Lamp, $1,145

No home is complete without these essentials - So, how do you prep for holidays?

xx,

Mal & Criss

:: BE POLITE ::

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:56:00 +0000

We're avid believers in being polite and minding our manners. After-all we did meet in the South, ya'll!

How are you embracing the cooler months and autumnal colours? // Layers? New lipstick?

We've been indulging in lipstick and handbags... the easiest fall updates there are!

xx,

Mal & Criss

IMAGES VIA: Mal's Pinterest

The "Mini" Coveteurs #minicoveteurs

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:30:00 +0000

This video is too much!

...Now do you understand why we've always given #bigprops to The Coveteur?

"I've never even heard of The Covet-OR!"

- #minicoveteur Anna Wintour

xx,

Mal & Criss

Oh hey Boston!

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:50:00 +0000

He seems cool, right?

So Beautiful!

oh you know, just window shopping

Criss in Boston.

If you've never been to Boston, I recommend you plan a trip soon. The city is full of wonder - From coffee shops to boutiques, from the grand Prudential Center to the beautiful streets themselves. I should certainly visit more often myself. Especially after viewing the photos from last years trip featured [here]. Perhaps I'll make it happen this year :) Happy Travels!

A Few Wishes | No Pennies Needed.

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 06:16:00 +0000

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A site within site?! No... just my current wishes.

No pennies in fountains needed, just Polyvore & Boutique 1

Working online as a Fashion Editor, sometimes the environment is just far too tempting. Luckily I am mainly stuck behind my computer, physically away from all beautiful things and only have the pleasure of viewing them through ~~the looking glass~~ the computer screen.

So while I'm creating stories, compiling newsletters and pulling together replica outfits based off of street style looks, somewhere in between I fall in love with what I've been staring at for hours rather than getting sick of them.... and where does that lead me? To a list of WISHES and must haves that will have to wait.

:: DETAILS ::

[1] ILLESTEVA Frieda Horn Sunglasses [2] 3.1 PHILIP LIM The Break Up Tee [3] RUPERT SANDERSON Laira Pointed Black Pumps [4] CURRENT/ELLIOTT The Boyfriend Jean [5] JOOMI LIM Rose Gold and Silver Spike Necklace
[6] ALEXANDER WANG Prisma Tote Natural Leopard Bag

Breakfast at Criss'

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Starting the morning off with the upmost delicious breakfast. Since you know, I'm trying this whole 'eat healthier' thing, figured I should stick up to the challenge. Today, light roasted coffee with part stevia sugar and skim milk. And a concoction of a recipe I put together:

handful of organic cherry tomatoes

bed of organic arugula

1 scrambled egg

sea salt for taste

sprinkle of black pepper corn

dash of pepper flakes for kick

dress with light olive oil

and done! instant yummy breakfast.

Magazine Feature :: 25 From the USA...Yours truly.

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:31:00 +0000

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Could I be any more excited, happy, ecstatic, thrilled? Eh, probably. Ha ha - Recently featured in Grazia Middle East's "Local Look of the Week" I got my ~~first~~ second fill of being featured on the glossy pages of a magazine. I can tell you one thing, it didn't get any less weird the second time around seeing my name and picture in a magazine. One thing it did do was give me a #realitycheck that I'm doing what I've always dreamt I would be doing :: living in a different country - not one of the ones I had dreamed of, but it's still a huge milestone, working in the industry I love, and constantly experiencing new things and a different culture every day.

When I was 18 I went on a weekend trip with one of my childhood friends to Alexandria Bay in New York and bought a sterling silver ring that on the outside is engraved with "live the life" and the inside reads "you have imagined". I've never stopped wearing that ring and it is still, to this day, a reminder of what I deserve and what I am still set out to achieve. Later I'll have to share a pic of that ring! Love it to pieces.

Happy to be sharing my experiences with you along the way... I hope you've enjoyed too! xx

ps. How cute is this Polyvore set my co-worker made based off of the magazine feature?

INSTA UPDATE :: @mallorymclane

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 06:34:00 +0000

"SNOOPY ISLAND." SEE HIM?!

Finally - I've started to explore the U.A.E. and made my way to Fujairah a weekend ago. It was gorgeous and surprisingly enough, after an hour or more of being in the ocean snorkeling (a first) I realized that had been the longest amount of time I had ever been in an ocean (another first)! Ever! #firsttimeforeverything

I'm starting to finally get into the groove of living abroad and finding new things to do every weekend. So here I am, making the most of what's around me - otherwise.. what's the point? Right?

Cheers,

New In :: Milly Bag

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Hello new friend, scored this beauty at Neimans...wait for it...on Sale! I'll be giving "Milly" a ~~test~~ run this season. I'm sure she'll be perfect for everyday use. That perfect orange lining makes it easy to access my goods. Not to mention that luggage color is superb. Hellooo new Milly bag! Welcome home.

Tom Ford Love

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:12:00 +0000

sample I picked up at Neimans

Gift from my mother.

Above photographs by Criss.

My infatuation with Tom Ford started this summer when I happened to land upon a documentary detailing his life and creative endeavors. I was, to say the least, in love with his life, his beliefs and that bold creative mind that has led him to create the seductive, Tom Ford brand. As a luxury brand junkie, this one tops the list in my book.

New York :: City of Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 01:21:00 +0000

#cityofdreams

The Criss Report :: Dear October

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:37:00 +0000

1. Donna Karen Raw Diamond Decorative Pillow / 2. Luster Water Glasses
3. Shine by S.H.O Paris IV Print / 4. Coco Noir - Chanel Parfum

October, it's guaranteed to be one of the most beautiful months of the year. Today marked the first day of this sweet month, and with a new season marks new home decor and fall scented candles. Lately, I've been inspired with maroons, bordeauxs, subtle grays and eccentric black accents. Gilt.com is the perfect destination to gather new ideas. If you're not a member yet, I invite you to do so. It's full of lux items and lush wants. How do you like to bring in October?

Uno, Dos, Tresses

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:33:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, or know me, you know I'm such a free spirit, overly ambitious, travel seeker, new opportunities follower, and over all life lover. Loud, upbeat music always playing and currently obsessing over this song by Rusko feat. Amber Coffman. Nothing stops me from following my heart. #truestory

So get out there and follow your dreams! You only live once ;)
xx

[100,000+ VIEWS] Now that's something to toast to!

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:58:00 +0000

______________________________________________________

Our college days may not be too far behind us, but we are certainly proud where those days have taken us. With a love for what we do and passion to move forward we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you to all of our followers for your continued and growing support. We couldn't be more honored to have you follow us through our ups and downs here on Mal & Criss. We promise to continue to work to provide you with fresh content weekly!

Cheers, Slainte, & Salud!

Mal & Criss

HOW TO: De-stress, Re-energize, Revive & Re-focus.

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Notebook: Priorities for the day/week are all saved in one notebook with tear sheets to inspire content.

Noise//Nightlight: Music, Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy candle, and British Vogue - new necessities!

Nesting: My September mood board for the background on my computer.

No-nonsense lipstick: Chanel #69 Flirt.

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With a long list of priorities to complete, in a shared office space, it's easy to get distracted and a little over-stressed. You sip your 'iced grande [some days venti] soya, non-fat, no sugar, Starbucks latte, thinking you'll get all of the energy you could possibly need, be inspired by that little green straw and addicting flavor but the truth is... it doesn't always give you what you need. I quickly learned I needed to find new ways to chill out, relax and take my day one task at a time with
The FIVE N's...

1. NOTEBOOK.

Make a list (handwritten..not typed) and cross each one off as you go along. You will be so happy to have said "bye-bye" to each one as you make your way down the list. Priority-shmiority! Done and done! I love this 'Now Or Never' notebook from Smythson.

2. NOISE.

No I don't recommend you start blasting music at your desk... but if your work environment will allow you to get focused with your headphones in and the iTunes up - go for it. You'll find your work pace will increase and your heart rate will decrease.

3. NESTING.

Your desk - this is where you sit for 8 hours (or 10+ in my case) of the day, 5 days out of the week, right? Change your desktop background often, I create a mood board on Microsoft Power Point with my favourite pictures and sayings and save it as a jpeg. Spruce up your surroundings with flowers, pictures, or magazine clippings - anything that will keep you smiling! Trust me, it works.

4. NIGHTLIGHT?

For those of us who tend to work a little bit too long into the day - and sometimes into the night, there comes a point when... JUST KIDDING! [haha...bad joke] scent, aromatherapy, and candle all start with the wrong letter... as if you couldn't tell I have sort of a theme going here with all my "N's".

If you can get away with it in your work space, an aromatherapy candle can calm your nerves, and clear your mind. My favourite is Bath & Body Work's AROMATHERAPY Energy [Orange and Ginger]. Orange encourages energy whilst ginger sharpens the senses - essentially the best candle you could choose for a working environment, your colleagues will thank you! Try this Eucalyptus Spearment combination - meant to clear the mind and uplift your spirits!

5. NO-NONSENSE LIPSTICK.
I mean, who doesn't feel good when they put on their favourite lipstick? - mine just so happens to be Chanel's Rouge COCO Shine #69, Flirt Amazing stuff - please, do try to look past the number and just imagine the most dreamiest peachy pink colour (or look up at my actual picture). Pretty-up your pout, and you'll find it's that little refresher that will help you feel and LOOK a bit more pulled together when you're suddenly called into a meeting and just five minutes before you were flipping you hair every which way trying to solve a problem....

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I hope this inspires you to change up your routine and de-stress a bit whether it's at work or in school... because when you think about it - it's really not all that bad.
xx

FNO | Fashion Week Hangover

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:24:00 +0000

Burberry in all it's #metallic glory.

Olsens sitting front row #allblack.

FNO Cupcake eye candy!

It's certainly no surprise that all us fashion addicts got a major dose of what we call the holy week of Vogue. You know, the marathon week where we worship Anna Wintour in her glory sitting front row. Yes, we're all experiencing a fashion week marathon hangover. Not to mention, there's a swarm of pictures flooding social media from Facebook to Twitter, Pinterest to Tumbler, Instagram to (insert application of your choice). But that's not all! Blogs here, bloggers there, party pics, maxed out credit cards for "gotta have" new fall clothes...I wouldn't be surprised if the CEO of Starbucks even got their-selves a little bonus from all the $$$ that was made from the galore of venti, sugar-free vanilla, triple shot, no water, no foam, extra hot, lattes that poor baristas had to make.

Yes, it's time for full recovery mode. Soak in all the fall goodness. Feels SO GOOD!

The Criss Report

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:02:00 +0000

cutest ice cream ring I've ever owned

#septemberissue by the pool

fall scarf + planner

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Tuesday, of course latte at Starbucks as per usual & a dash of cinnamon. Yum. Open planner in front of me, blackberry to the right; planning out this month's agenda for work and of course malandcriss.com. Lately, I've been inspired by #septemberissues: reading them after work, staring at them in the morning, turning the pages by the pool. Then boom! Inspiration galore! With fall slowly sneaking in out of no where, it's hard to believe that I'm actually wearing a scarf this morning. Lightweight, cotton knit, in a ~~grown up~~ pink with leopard print. Flared Michael Kors, 70's inspired, jeans, and cashmere black tank. Just my kind of combo.

But you know, I live in Charlotte, so It's not like anyone cares. There's an outfit wasted. #bummer

The Starbucks Straw That [Rode] The Camel's Back.

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Who would have thought?

I've been in Dubai for 9 months now [so crazy] and it's even crazier to think that it wasn't until this past Friday that I actually took advantage of the beach ...which is walking distance from my apartment!

To start my weekend off right, I woke up Friday morning, cleaned the apartment and decided to take a stroll to Starbucks to get my daily fix. My usual: Iced grande (in a venti cup, with extra ice) soy, vanilla, latte.

As I left the shop, about to walk back home, I spotted the beach path and figured, 'why not?' I figured I would go for a walk on the beach, put my toes in the ocean and relax... but to my surprise I stumbled upon a guy cruising the beach selling camel rides, and it just seemed too good to be true. With the ocean in front of me and the city behind me, I couldn't resist making my first walk to the beach one to remember..

As the guy got close I stopped him to ask how much. 50 Dirhams. So of course I bargained with him and got him down to 30 Dirhams (like 10 bucks) and proceeded to ask "What about my Starbucks-can I bring it?" he laughed, nodded, and onto the camel I went! I was laughing all day about my little morning adventure, which all happened before 930am.

Basically, my Friday was #Priceless.

Starbucks... Criss and I give you wayyy to much love & exposure.

#NYFW

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 05:46:00 +0000

September 6-13, 2012

FNO: Ordered my shirt at Shopbop.com, wishing I was in NY!

Impatiently awaiting.....

Fashion's Night Out.
Designer one-on-ones.
The chill in the air, as fall slowly settles in.
(.......this may take a while here in Dubai)
Anna Wintour and her blacked-out sunnies.
New colours, trends, styles and textures.
Tommy Ton's street style snaps.
Celebrities lining the #FROW
Backstage previews.
Blogger reports.

Aren't you?

::Our last trip to #NYFW together:: IMAGES: PINTEREST

Updates From Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 05:57:00 +0000

First off, it's absolutely hot as hell over here in Dubai. 100 (and above) I'm talkin with a high humidity percentage... and the worst part is, your clothing choices mostly reflect not on the weather outside - but the weather INDOORS! Whilst it's 100 and above outside, temperatures inside make you dress like it's Fall (in NY)...and sometimes even Winter. So you can imagine the stress this puts on a girl's wardrobe choices!

Other than extreme temperature adjustments, things are going quite good - I love my job, the sun shines EVERY day and while I feel like I'm turning into an old biddy going to bed at approximately 9:30 every week night, I'm proud of where I'm at, at the moment. (I mean, there's always room for growth/improvement! Right?)

A word of advice: One thing that really makes each day I go to work better than the next is that I really love my job, I have so much fun with it and I'm always trying to think of new ways to make what I do better! I keep up with the current trends by studying Style.com and Stylesight.com, which are my bibles when it comes to staying up to date, along with the fresh glossies that hit my desk from around the world every month. Overall, for the most part, it's the online quick snippets from blogs, and fashion news sites that keep me inspired on a daily basis.

Images: via my Instagram + Pinterest

Follow me at @MalloryMcLane on both

iPads, iPhones, BlackBerrys & Laptops at the ready...

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 06:35:00 +0000

We couldn't get enough the first time around so you better bet we'll be listening in on every second of the #IFBCON September 4-5!

Fellow bloggers and industry insiders, join us!

Be present, #Tweet along and get in on the conversation.

We'll be Tweeting from the following handles:

@Mal_and_Criss

@MalloryMcLane

@CriseidaRico

xx,

Mal & Criss

For updates on the event follow: @_IFB

NEW IN: September Issues

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Alarm went off at 7:30 AM this morning. My morning consisted of a tall soy latte from Starbucks, quick trip to the post office, and these lovely beauties. SEPTEMBER ISSUES ARE IN!

Cannot wait to dig into these glossies.

Repeat: "Change is GOOD"

noreply@blogger.com (mal and criss) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:28:00 +0000

change: new decor

change: new haircolor

change: new polish

Whoooopsies, did we disappear off the face of the internet or what?! Excuse our minor glitch away from life. Our time away from the blogosphere was much necessary and essential to what's coming. First and foremost, we realized we CANNOT live without our .com outlet. It's our little place on ~~earth~~ the internet where we can share with you all our ideas, creativity, and chit chat about what's going on with our lives. Currently, we've been channeling the "Change is GOOD" mindset.

A few things I've decided to change:

- Eat healthier! (I thank Lauryn at The Skinny Confidential for this)

- Workout more! (It's good for your body & also the best excuse to shop at Lulu Lemon)

- Blog more! (Duh, this is a no brainer. Even though Mal and I are officially college grads, the 'first day of school' phenomenon is no longer with us. Which means, homework should consists of blogging, prepping, and researching to make our site better than yesterday)

I'm sure there's plenty of other changes I've decided to adapt to my daily routines but that's all I can think of for now. With fall underway, what are your changes?