Archive for May, 2006

Nordstrom is having a fantastic online beauty event. Get a tote filled samples with any $85 purchase. Participating beauty brands include Borba, Clarins, Clinique, DDF, DuWop, GoSmile, Laura Mercier, Oscar Blandi, Prescriptives, Prevage, MD Skincare, philsophy, N.V. Perricone and much more!

Go here and make your purchase now!

P.S. Don’t forget about their semi-annual sale that starts on June 7!

I hope that everyone had a great Memorial Day! I took the day off and went to a BBQ while of course, many others headed to the beach. If you plan on spending time in the sun this summer, hopefully, you are applying sunscreen regularly! But if you get sunburnt, it will be a very uncomfortable few days. Here’s a quick tip that might help:

Try a cool milk compress to ease discomfort. Soak a soft cloth with cool whole milk and press lightly against skin. The fat content of the milk will help soothe the burn and can help facilitate the healing process!

The Cassidy Vachetta T-strap sandals by Banana Republic have been out for awhile, but I wanted to wait for them to go on sale before purchasing. I waited and waited for them to come down in price and last weekend, I finally bought them! As you all know, stacked heels are totally in this summer, but frankly…I just don’t think the chunkier platform shoes look good on me. This pair from Banana Republic is a great alternative! Though they’re quite tall at 3.5 inches, they’re also fairly comfortable. I love the “tobacco tan” color; it makes them versatile and easy to dress up or down. They’re not too trendy, so you probably could wear them for several seasons. If you’re petite like me, I strongly recommend these sandals!

Purchase here for $65 or visit your nearest store.

The Pomegranate Conditioning Hair Rinse by Fresh is one of my latest beauty obsessions. If you have oily hair, you’ll be glad to know that this product is fairly light and weightless. Plus, pomegranates are chock full of antioxidants called polyphenols, which help prevent free radical damage. In addition to vitamins and other minerals that help boost shine and softness, pomegranates are also a natural source of UV protection. Best of all…the scent is quite subtle, but still very intoxicating and addictive. I use this once or twice a week for light moisturization and detangling. Purchase here for $24.

Lash XL by Estee Lauder is my next review for the Great Mascara Hunt.

Lash XL promises “extremely long, way-out-there lashes that defy reality.” Obviously, this is meant to be a lengthening mascara. I took a tube of Lash XL with me on vacation and overall, I was not impressed.

I had to apply quite a few coats for the lengthening effect; nonetheless, it did fulfill the promise of dramatic length. My lashes looked like they were extensions! (Huge points!) However, it did not separate or thicken at all. Plus, it was ultra clumpy – which is a huge turn-off for me (deduct huge points!). I had to use a mascara comb for a couple minutes to get rid of the clumping and to help separate. At the time, I wasn’t sure if it was the heat, but it also smudged and flaked throughout the day. But after bringing it back and trying it again where the air is drier, I still experienced the same symptoms. Additionally, the tube ended up drying out after a couple weeks. Since it’s not cheap, I have to say that this mascara is definitely not worth what you pay for.

Product rating: 4.5

P.S. I will try to squeeze in one more mascara review early next week for May Mascara Madness Month. No promises, though!

I have to admit that I love designer items, but most of us can’t afford them on a regular basis, including myself. So aside from Tara Jarmon for Target this season, I look to LaRedoute for great French designer finds on the cheap. Score these fantastic peep toe pumps by Pierre Hardy for only $119. And where else can you get Tsumori Chisato for $60 and less? This printed silk georgette top from Unite and this military-inspired blazer by Laura Clement are other great pieces from the LaRedoute designer collection. Check out more at LaRedoute.com and enter “1651-00409-368″ for 15% off your entire order. Or if you are buying just one item, get 20% off by entering “1651-01340-368″ at checkout.

Personally, I just made a huge order, mostly from their sale section! Here were some of my picks:
- Silk tie-neck blouse in an apricot print
- Ribbed henley sweater in olive
- Solid poplin pullover shirt in white
- Mock croc leather sandals by Laura Clement
- Merino U-neck sweater in gray
- Sailor-inspired bermudas in navy
- Silk voile wrap top as seen in the June issue of Lucky (pg 183)

My extensive order (approx 10 pieces) was under $180! What I really wanted is this teal pleated silk dress, but I thought about it too long and when I went to order…alas, it was gone! I am strongly considering this indigo wrapover dress however. Hmm…I’ll just have to think about it!

I know, I know…we are nowhere near the fall season, but I love looking ahead! Bottega Veneta is a brand that I am beginning to like more and more. Tomas Maier really has injected understated elegance into his entire fall 2006 collection – something that I love and think really works for the everyday woman. My two favorite things are the coats and short dresses. The unlined coats have simple shapes, but he’s really made them modern and luxe. All of the fabrics/leathers that he uses have interesting texture. As for the dresses…well, they are just gorgeous. If you look at the details, you can see how he brought luxury to these simple, flattering sillouettes. Maier employs many muted colors, but allows for his pieces to remain vibrant. If you want more detailed, embellished items, check out the accessories (i.e. shoes & bags). View the entire fall collection on Style.com.

If you want that designer look without the price tag, try J. Crew. Their luxe-looking summer collection of shoes serves as a great afforable alternative. Whether you’re looking for bejeweled flats, elegant wedges or wedding-appropriate heels, J. Crew will have something for you. My personal favorites include the seaside riviera flats, joelle wedges, lucia suede flats and cotton sateen knotted d’orsay heels. See the full collection at JCrew.com.

Shopbop is having their spring sale and guess what? Loefller Randall shoes are on sale! Buy the Harriet Pump or the Sadie Nappa Flat for 30% off. Other great buys include: the previously mentioned Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Seymore Nappa Pump, Rachel Pally Diamond Front Dress, Theory Yesmina Metropolitan top, Cosabella underwear and this Rebecca Taylor dress.

P.S. The Beatrix Pumps from FA05 in Molasses are being auctioned on eBay; as my favorite pair of pumps, I must say that they are so fantastic that the photos don’t do them justice! I also got a peek of the FA06 line in the June issue of Harper’s Bazaar (pg 61) and am really excited to see the fall collection.

I was at Neiman Marcus the other day and caught a whiff of a yummy floral, sexy yet clean scent. As you know, since I am a devoted Marc Jacobs fragrance wearer, I had to find out what perfume had captured my attention. It was the Missioni Eau de Parfum, “an irresistible weave of luscious fruits, exuberant florals, and tantalizing Gianduia chocolat.” It is packaged in a gorgeous red glass bottle with a ribbon of the signature Missoni zig-zag print around the bottle’s neck. Take a whiff and you’ll see why it is truly a beautiful and subtle perfume though. I might just have to buy this and wear it as a summer vacation scent.

The first fragrance from the house of Missoni will be represented by socialite/ actress Margherita Missoni, the daughter of designer Angela Missoni. Read more about the fragrance here and purchase here.