Archive for May, 2006

On a recent trip to San Francisco, a friend and I stopped into the Diptyque boutique on the infamous Maiden Lane. I’ve heard people rave about it, so I was very curious to see what all the fuss was about. Now, I can see why people love it. All of the Diptyque candles were exquisite, but Baies scent was my favorite! It’s a beautiful blend of berries and Bulgarian roses that smells exotic and lush. My normal fragrance preferences lean towards soft florals, so I was a bit surprised by my fondness for this scent. I didn’t end up buying it that day (at $48 per candle, it’s on the expensive side!), but I’m very tempted to purchase it on my next splurge. If you can afford it…trust me, it’ll be worth every penny because your home is going to smell so incredibly good! Check here for your local retailer.

P.S. If you’re interested in other scents, you might be interested to know that John Galliano created one for them.

Planning on a fantastic night out on the town? You’ve got the perfect look, from a gorgeous blowout to a pair of glam heels. But where are you going to put your keys, id, etc.? You’ll still need something completely luxurious and elegant to finish your look. Try this dazzling copper suede clutch with gold handle! Measuring at 12.5 by 7.5 inches, it’s big enough to fit all your essentials but still looks polished. Purchase at Satine for $465.

A Stella McCartney and YSL Beaute collaboration? I would be super excited! So far, it’s under wraps, but read what has been revealed here.

Another review for the Great Mascara Hunt!

In it’s quintessential pink and green tube, Maybelline’s Great Lash is the classic mascara…the one that started it all! This mascara doesn’t irritate eyes and comes off easily with a bit of soap and water. The best colors, in my opinion, are Very Black and Blackest Black. They are the only ones that will give your lashes any type of dark definition. It’s a lightweight mascara; if you choose a lighter color, it’ll act more like a tint. It does help lengthen, but make sure to apply a few coats for a bit more fullness. Tip: After the first coat, just wiggle the wand on the ends of your lashes to avoid excessive clumping.

However, if you are looking for plumping, don’t get your hopes up. This mascara will leave lashes looking thin. It also does not help with curling, so get out that lovely eyelash curler! Neither the regular or waterproof formula really holds up. Some smudging is almost unavoidable and expect flakes once in awhile. Also, this mascara will clump after three weeks or so; I end up throwing it out after a couple months. (That is not necessarily a bad thing though! You should toss mascara at least every three months to avoid any eye infections that can be caused by bacteria buildup.) This product works best during the first week or two before any buildup on the wand develops. I’ll use this when I’m in a pinch or when I’m doing something low-key outdoors (like a walk in the park). Overall, this mascara is best left for the minimalists out there.

Product rating: 7

New York Magazine just named their picks for influential figures whose ideas and power are shaping New York. Personally, I think many of them influence their entire industries throughout the U.S. Here are their picks for Fashion Influentials:

- Anna Wintour
- Kim France
- Terry Lundgren
- Julie Gilhart
- Andrew Rosen/ Elie Tahari
- Mary Catalina
- Peter Marino
- Thom Browne
- Ralph Lauren
- Marc Jacons
- Marc Ecko

Other notable Influentials include Dan Klores, Ken Sunshine, Amy Sacco, Si Newhouse, Cindy Sherman, Richard Johnson, André Balazs, Katie Couric, Evelyn Lauder, Petra Nemcova and Frank Bruni. Read the full article here.

Who doesn’t love wedges and espadrilles? They are a great alternative to heels this summer and I plan to take full advantage. These Marc Jacobs green suede wedges with jewel would be a fabulous start! The thin strips gives it a bit of delicacy. They’re also not super tall so they’re manageable, comfortable and easy to walk in. You could dress them up with a lightweight short jersey dress for night out on the town. Or if you want to dress them down, I think they’d be perfect with a pair of shorts and a day out in the sunshine! Available at Satine for $299.

If you haven’t already discovered LA-based designer Jenni Kayne, then you’ve been deeply deprived. Hollywood starlets are huge fans and after this introduction, I guarantee that you will be too! Jenni Kayne is the 23-year-old heiress to the FAO Schwartz empire, but don’t let her socialite status fool you. She’s actually got the credentials and hard work to back it up – a degree from Otis College of Art & Design and apprenticeships at Zegna and Giuseppe Marzotto.

Her last couple collections have a beachy, seventies vibe and I personally love them. Her dresses are always dead-on with their simple, flattering sillouettes. That SP06 bronze sequined apron dress is very SATC, while the FA06 sparkly beaded gold-toned dress is perfect for girls living in SoCal. I’m also lusting after all of her belted dresses! If you are living somewhere that gets any type of cold weather, check out the fantastic navy trench from the FA06 collection. She also does a bevy of cropped pants, lightweight knits and short jackets – all with a laidback elegance. Visit JenniKayne.com to see the full collections and for retailers.

I am having a moment with these heels. Created as part of the Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent line (which I am quite fond of), the Seymore Nappa Pumps are that perfect mix of sweet and sexy. I love that the metallic gold color is subdued, which gives it versatility. The ruching is a nice touch and the height of the heel just adds to the glamour. Buy them at ShopBop.com since they are offering free shipping until the end of the weekend.

It’s nearing that time of year again…time for summer vacations! I travel a fair amount on a yearly basis (both personal and business) and I always am looking for roomy, basic yet stylish bags to take on board with me. Here are some of my top picks for spring/summer 2006:

- Setela Bag by Gustto
- Jordan Travel Bag by Goldenbleu
- Ibiza Flight Tote by Hayden Harnett
- Summer Carry All by Rebecca Minkoff
- Muse Bag by Yves Saint Laurent
- Bianca Satchel by Botkier
- Weekender Bag by Kale
- Killa Tote by Club Monaco
- Elisabeth Overnight Bag by Stephanie Johnson
- Morning After Bag by Rebecca Minkoff
- The Penelope Bag by Kate Spade

If you’ve got suggestions, send them my way!

If you’re looking for textured pieces to add to your jewelry collection, then check out jewelry designer Anna Beck. Based in Los Angeles, Anna Beck draws inspiration from natural Southern California elements and her trips to Southeast Asia. She has all pieces from her collections handmade in Bali. The completely dazzling collection includes signature pieces made of armadillo circles, which I think are just fantastic. Some notable pieces include the floating double disk necklace, interlocking silver earrings, gold-plated bamboo cuff, armadillo leaf earrings and bangle bracelets. She’s got something for every type of girl – whether you’re a punk rocker or ladylike sophisticate! Purchase them online now!