Hi all,
So I know India over on GlamBlush asked me for my favorite things awhile ago. I’m a day behind on sharing my top 10 essentials, but part of my delay is due to indecision. I mean, where do you start when you have to hone in on the things you can’t live without? Do you start with the boring practical items (oxygen, house, sustenance), the novelties that brighten one’s day (flea-market paintings, lattes from 9th Street Coffee, polite taxi drivers) or get specific and pontificate about summer must-haves (Havianna flip-flops, Lancaster self-tanner, a killer pedicure). In the end, I opted for 10 simple indulgences, items that I never would have thought I’d love and come to depend on. Here’s a few of my favorite things:

1. Gel Eye Mask
My mother slipped one of these in my Christmas stocking as a gag gift years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. They provide a dose of insta-relaxation and are great for the plane too, when you’re looking for a little peace of mind mid-flight.

2. Chanel Body Lotion
This is a new favorite for me. I’m not one for cosmetics or perfume-y products, but this has the slightest floral scent and absolutely superb moisturizing qualities. Plus, incorporating more of those inter-locking C’s into my morning routine is always a good thing.

3. Loeffler Randall Black Flats
Everyone knows that black flats are the quintessential wardrobe lifesaver, but I love these especially because they’re cute and cool—and they remind me of their equally cute & cool designer, Jessie Randall whom I know & love. She’s up for a CFDA award tonight, so cross your fingers for her!

4. My Metro Card
People have many opinions about the New York Transit system (too smelly, too slow, too crowded, etc) but I think it’s pretty top notch, especially when you consider it moves about 8 million people a day. (Ok, that’s actually not a real statistic, but I bet I’m not far off.)

5. Tocca Travel Candles
These sweet little nothings are the perfect bathroom accent. Plus, (as their name implies) they travel well, so should you want a little touch of home when you’re playing tourist elsewhere, be sure to stow them in your carry-on.

6. Sabra To Go Snacks
Hands down Sabra is the best hummus you’ll find in the grocery store—in my opinion at least. And now, their snack packs are the best travel-ready bites available at the airport. Healthy–with just enough crunch to still seem indulgent—their pretzel and pita-chip combos are a lifesaver when you’re looking at all stale sandwiches, pizza, and fast food at the airport concession stands.

7. Panasonic’s Lumix Camera
As a fashion editor who needs to see (and photograph) new collections every day, my camera is my second-most important item in my handbag, right after my cell-meets-mini-computer contraption. I’m partial to my Lumix digital camera, mainly because it has an amazing Leica lens as well as tons of settings—ranging from close-ups (for those fine jewelry photographs) to candle-light (for those after-work cocktail parties that seem to be multiplying on my calendar).

8. The Color Green
I love every hue of it—especially mint and fir hues—for everything, from wall paint to handbags. I think I can trace this unexpected obsession back to the first time I saw Great Expectations. Every sexy scene was coated in a cool, verdant gloss and Gwyneth Paltrow’s louche ensembles—all by Donna Karan, who costumed the entire cast—made green suddenly seem seductive, not earthy, as my previous connotations had been. Now, my eyes are immediately attracted to anything jade, sage, or wintergreen.

9. Dark Chocolate
I know I’m not alone on this one. Lately I’ve been into Scharffenberger’s bars. Somehow the randomness of their label—goat on a mountain—makes the California company’s delectable chocolate even more appealing.

10. My Passport
In this day and age, you can’t get far without one, but that’s not why I consider it a necessity. For me, the immigration stamps remind me of all the amazing places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, while the few blank pages left make me realize that there’s so much more to explore

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook