Archive for January, 2009

Estee Lauder’s color du jour is fuchsia, that bright berry tone that is the current it color all over makeup artists’ Spring palettes. But the piece that I really like in this collection doesn’t actually go on the face.  It’s the fuchsia ‘Pure Color’ nail lacquer which allows me to wear something bright and flirty regardless of which makeup mood I’m in on any given day.  I wore it at Louis Vuitton’s Stephen Sprouse celebration a couple weeks ago with a completely neutral face and loved that extra pop of color.  Of course, it also completes the look if you decide to rock the Fuchsia collection.

Makeup trends turn over every couple of months.  I usually end up liking a lot of the color collections I see from various brands but can’t really purchase every piece.  That’s why I usually just find one signature item- and in this look, I chose the nail polish.

As much as I love candles, I always have a (slightly paranoid) fear that one of them is going to burn my apartment down.  I’m constantly checking and re-checking them before I leave, and at least once a week, I get in my car and then come all the way back to make sure that I’ve blown them all out.  That’s why recently, my home fragrance allegiance has switched to diffusers.  If you buy a good one, the scent is every bit as strong as a burning candle, and since there aren’t any open flames involved, they’re a lot safer.

My newest discovery is Antica Farmacista’s Home Ambiance Perfume in Ala Moana.  Antica Farmacista’s diffusers are made with a unique blend of the highest quality essential oils, which makes their scents long-lasting and distinctive.  Their scents are released into the air though unique reed diffusers that keep the scent strong until the bottle is long empty.  (And here’s a tip – when using a diffuser, reverse the reeds every three to four days to allow the fragrance to be continuously released). 

I’m currently using Ala Moana in my living room and when I walk into my apartment, the  scent instantly transports me to a tropical island.  Described as being “reminiscent of the lush humid nights experienced on the islands of the tropics,” their signature floral scent means “path to the sea” and is a total sensory experience.  It combines night-blooming jasmine, plumeria, tuberose and gardenia with lush green notes for an amazing floral experience.  I’m not usually one for florals, but this one really changed my mind.  It’s so different and exotic – like taking a walk along the beach in Hawaii.  If you’re on the east coast and currently suffering through the deep freeze, I recommend picking one of these up to remind yourself that no matter how bad it is now, summer is only a few short months away…

Antica Farmacista Ala Moana Home Ambiance Perfume is available exclusively at Nordstrom.

We’ve featured Rebecca Minkoff bags multiple times here at TDO, and for good reason; her bags have the perfect blend of style, wearability, and functionality that make them a must-have for any contemporary, modern woman.  We’ve delved even deeper into our obsession with Rebecca Minkoff bags by scoring an interview with the woman and namesake herself behind the line!

It’s widely known that Rebecca Minkoff first got her break designing bags when her good friend, Jenna Elfman, asked her to design one for a movie.  It was from this request that the famous Morning After Bag was conceived, and soon after, it was seen on the shoulders and arms of Hollywood starlets such as Lindsay Lohan, Hayden Panettiere, and Kristin Cavallari.  Rebecca originally started out as a clothing designer, and even founded her own clothing line in 2001.  From our interview, we found out good news for you Rebecca-aholics — a Rebecca Minkoff clothing line is in the works (see below for details)!  TDO was grateful for the chance to spend some one on one time with Rebecca, as we talked about everything from her process to designing, celebrity inspiration, and plans for the future: (more…)

With fans including Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes, Cameron Diaz, Debra Messing and Brooke Shields, Poppie Couture’s bags can’t help but be noticed.  (I’ve been a fan since I saw a picture of their first bag, The Poppie Bag).  Designed by Poppie Harris and made in New York and Los Angeles, every bag is handmade and boasts couture level detailing.  Says Poppie, “Women today are busy, and wear so many hats. I like to anticipate their needs and design bags that work to make their lives just a little bit easier. If that means obsessing over a pocket, a fabric or the weight of the bag, then so be it.  I love the details.”

The Poppie Couture bag that I’m currently coveting is the Harlow clutch.  I’ve been all about the clutch lately, and this quilted metallic version is unique and different from any that I already own.  It’s large enough to hold all of your essentials for a night out, but not so big that you’ll be knocking drinks off the table when you get up.  And I love that it folds over – it adds an elegant touch and allows it to tuck easily under your arm.  Available in both gold and silver, it’ll dress up any outfit and get you compliments all night long.  (And who doesn’t love a good compliment?)

The Harlow clutch retails for $550 and can be found at poppiecouture.com.

Opened in summer 2007 in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, South is a food and wine bar that’s all about delectable “down under” food — one of the first restaurants that I’ve ever heard of to do this. Founded by chef Luke Mangan, wine maven Liz O’Connell and restaurateur Anna Weinberg, you’ll find diverse dishes to pique your curiosity and expand your palate.  (With dishes like Tandoori Quail with Cucumber Yogurt and Herb Salad and Braised Victorian Lamb with Celeriac, Pomegrante, Baby Chard and Olive Tapenade – how could it not?) (more…)

Meowwwww. That’s the sound of us purring in excitement that we can finally share the deets on the collaboration between MAC and Hello Kitty.  Back in November, we went to the press preview, but promised that we wouldn’t spill the beans until closer to launch date. The products still haven’t hit shelves yet, but we predict that in a few short weeks people will be lining up to get their hands on this very limited edition collection.  It may be the biggest launch MAC has had since Barbie.

If you think Hello Kitty is just cutesy – well, think again.  She’s actually a very  naughty young lady masquerading as an ingenue.  MAC’s collection is more sex kitten than stuffed kitty – with bright, eye catching colors, most noticeably pinks and blues. The pinks range from fuchsia and magenta to neons to frosty pale shades. Blue eyeshadow is in for this collection from turquoise to sparkling navy.  Let’s just say Hello Kitty prefers to stand out in the crowd and isn’t much of a neutrals gal.

Like the little girl in all of us, Hello Kitty is very fond of glitter. However, I think I’ll minimize the sparklys by limiting it their glitter eye liners.  I have my eye on Glitterpuss, a orange bronze which would make a nice subtle statement.  For the more daring soul, glitters also come in pots in pink, green, and silver.

Sign up for the wait list now at Maccosmetics.com.

I’ve been on a total citrus product kick lately.  There’s just something about the uplifting scent that makes me instantly happy.  So it only makes sense that I’ve become slightly obsessed with Red Flower’s Italian Blood Orange Moisturizing Body Lotion.  The lotion is full of pure flower extracts and essential oils, which makes its formula rich without being greasy, but the greatest part about this lotion (in my opinion) is its scent.  It’s gorgeous – fruity and complex, with sort of a kick to it.  After you put it on, if you close your eyes and inhale, you can almost pretend that you’re walking through an orange grove.  (At least, that’s what I’ve been told.  I’ve never actually walked through one myself, but I’m sure this is what they smell like!)  Another bonus to this formula is that it contains orange extract, which is high in Vitamin C, so it’s healthy for your skin, and tomato leaf, which helps to detoxify your skin.  All good things that combine to leave your skin soft and smelling delicious.  And for those of you who like to layer your products, the Italian Blood Orange scent also comes in a Cleansing Body Wash for even more citrus goodness.  You’ll want to keep sniffing yourself all day long!

Red Flower products are animal friendly and environmentally kind.  Pick yours up at Beauty.com or Tobi.com.

The fabulous Jessica Matlin over at Allure’s Daily Beauty Reporter recently asked me what products I thought lived up to their hype.  A bunch of other beauty bloggers rang in their opinions as well!  All of these products are well-known – and whether it’s a cult favorite or a huge marketing campaign – but it doesn’t matter because they actually live up to what they claim to do.  Find out what we think here!

I’m all about layering during the winter. It’s cold out, yet you never really know how warm it’ll be indoors – like in your office. The heat can be cranked up…or not. That’s why I like to have a key layering wrap or cardigan that I can easily slip on, like this Textured Rib Cardigan from Splendid.

This is the ideal wrap for me because it’s soft and comfy, a cotton/ cashmere blend, and won’t look out of place at my office or at home with my sweatpants on. The ribbed texture texture makes it more than just a plain sweater wrap, and you can wear it over a tank top or blouse with ease. Plus, I love the simple prettiness of the shawl collar and how the ends of the cardigan hang and move with you as you walk.

The Splendid Textured Rib Cardigan is available in Oatmeal and Heather Grey (pictured) at shopbop.com.

Right now, I’m totally obsessed with the cashmere slippers by White + Warren.  Ever since I received a pair as a holiday gift, I can’t stop wearing them. Before this, I never really understood why people loved cashmere slippers so much. I mean, if you’re going to indulge in something so luxurious, why not get something you can wear outside, right?  Well, I was totally wrong.

These White + Warren cashmere slippers are utterly divine.   So soft and comfortable, these slippers are made from 100% cashmere.  They are lined in satin and the soles are made of flexible suede.  This is all packaged in a beautiful silk pouch, which is perfect for tucking into an overnight bag for the plane or hotel whenever you travel.  Doesn’t that just sound fabulous?  My feet have never been so happy and warm!   Whenever I’m in my apartment, I just slip these right on and until I have to go out, they don’t leave my feet.

Retails for $120 at WhiteAndWarren.com.