Archive for March, 2009

Obsessed with your pet and want the world to know it?  Building management has a strict no puppy rule but just need a little bit of Fido in your daily life anyway?  Got a fatty return from Uncle Sam and no where to spend it? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be in the market to splurge at Diamond Dog, a New York based fine jewelry line that specializes in making cute, canine themed pieces.

Designer Suzanne Mates combined her love for fashion,  jewelry and her puppy Ellie to create Diamond Dog in 2008.  A graduate of FIT, Mates wanted to design fun yet upscale pieces for her clients.  Her charms, rings, and earrings are all hand made and encrusted with (what else) diamonds adorned with onyx and sapphires. She only uses non-conflict diamonds and donates a portion of her profits to no-kill shelters. One of my favorites in her collection is the Bone Studs- a subtle and tasteful way to wear some bling in a fun shape.

More of Mate’s desgins can be found on DiamondDogNewYork.com.

I’m partial to simple, even subtle scents, so what caught my attention was the complexity of Tom Ford’s newest addition to his Private Blend collection: Champaca Absolute. This is a spicy, Oriental floral that has many layers that reveal themselves gradually on your skin, which I really enjoyed. Let’s break it down:

• Top notes: Takaji wine, cognac, bergamot, davana, Meditteranean broom flower
• Heart notes: Phantomia orchid, white violet, night blooming jasmine
• Base notes: Vanilla bean, amber, marron glace, sandalwood

For me, the wine and cognac notes didn’t really linger at all, so my first whiff was all spice and floral. As it dried down, what stayed with me was the musky sandalwood and base notes. This scent has an air of mystery and intrigue–even the bottle is a dark glass inspired by perfume apothecary bottles. Run to your nearest Bergdorf or Neiman and smell for yourself!

Unlike other yoga studios, Kula prefers to call itself a project- an apt name considering that practicing at Kula is a true experience. Located 4 floors above an unmarked door in an unnamed building, Kula operates in a simple space with 2 rooms and a small changing area. There’s nothing fancy about the studio but Kula offers some of the most genuine yoga classes that I’ve experienced. (more…)

Now that spring is almost here, it’s time to bulk up my lip wardrobe once again.  There are a ton of cute new glosses that were recently released and here are three of the best that I’ve found. (more…)

If you were on Team Jennifer during the whole Brad/Angelina fiasco, Something Borrowed is a book that could potentially make you see Angelina’s point of view and even make you sympathetic to her cause.  Although this book wasn’t published recently, it is one of my favorite chick-lit books and I always recommend it to my girlfriends on long plane flights for its compelling narrative and addictive plotline.

I am not giving anything away by telling you that the book starts off immediately with the everygirl protagonist, Rachel, sleeping with her glamorous best friend, Darcy’s boyfriend, Dexter.  Despite whatever initial feelings of hate you might bear towards Rachel, author Emily Giffin, deftly explores the frenemy relationship between Darcy and Rachel, to make you empathize with and root for her heroine.  The writing is easy to read, and the poignancy of Rachel and Dex’s feelings keep you turning pages.

Pick this book up before your next long haul plane flight, and be enthralled as the hours fly by and you become absorbed.

Recently, I’ve decided that I’m really sick and tired of living in essentially a beauty closet. My room has basically become a storage space with furniture.  So I boxed up all my makeup and skincare into a few huge containers, drawers and shelves, moved them to the corners and started the process of redecorating.  I used to always stay at the W Hotels, so I started there to get some ideas and came across the W Store, a place where you can actually buy some of those cool things you see in their Wonderful rooms. (more…)

One trend we’re seeing this season is the tulip skirt.  Not only does the name instantly remind you for springtime, but it’s a great way to bring freshen up your wardrobe.  If you’ve yet to indulge in this trend, we think the silk printed tulip skirt by Banana Republic is a great option to try.

Made of 100% silk, this lovely skirt has a gorgeous modern crosshatch print that is fun, yet subtle.  We think this would look so fabulous with a bright white trench or cardigan for work.  To make it more casual, go with a bright white tee and simple flat sandals.  Want to go on a date with it?  Get flirty is a slightly ruffled romantic shell (or a sleek silk tank) and sky-high heels.  

Currently, it’s on sale – so head over to BananaRepublic.com and pick it up!

It’s no secret that us ladies of TDO love doing travel research, whether it’s planning a real upcoming trip or fantasizing about going to great places via our Lust Lists.  I can click around the Internet for hours searching for hotels and restaurants and places I’d love to try.

During the spring, Paris always tops my list.  The one and only time I’ve been there, I was a recently graduated backpacker so I didn’t have the means to stay at the hotels of the rich and famous.  When I return (hopefully with someone rich and/or famous), I’d love to stay at the InterContinental Paris Le-Grand.  It’s elegant, opulent and Parisian in the most mythical sense.  Plus, it’s the home of one of Paris’ most legendary restaurants: Café de la Paix.  Instead of being at the office right now, I could be on that bustling street corner nibbling on a pastry and sipping espresso, while people watching arguably the world’s finest fashion show.  Or I could dig up my favorite ball gown for a little pre-Opera dinner instead of say – hitting up the Irish pub down the street from my apartment tonight.   Really, I’m convinced that I would’ve done quite well as part of the Belle Epoque Café Society. (more…)

Is it summer yet?  Well not so much in New York but it will be for me in exactly 5 days when I hit the sandy beaches of Barbados. I’m pretty excited to say the least.  To prep for my upcoming trip, I’ve already starting using basically the entirety of Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess collection so I won’t look so out of place pasty at the resort and I plan to continue using the line upon returning- to induce maximum jealousy from my coworkers.  Below are some of my faves: (more…)