Archive for May, 2009

I love Lippmann Collection as much as the next polish fanatic, but I have to admit that upon first glance, I was unsure about Call Me Irresponsible, one of Lippmann’s new shades for the summer. It’s a beautiful, grape-y purple color – but I thought it may be too “young” for me. However, after my second coat, I was definitely hooked. Yes, there is a sense of playfulness with this purple shade, but overall, I think it’s so fun and mostly vivacious. It is a creme but has a slight jelly-ish look about it. Call Me Irresponsible would look cute on your fingers or toes.

Our friend Michelle at All Lacquered Up has a great swatch of Call Me Irresponsible here that you must see to believe. Pick one up for yourself at lippmancollection.com (where you can also find my all-time favorite classic, true red: My Old Flame).

I had always known that I could rely on Twinkle by Wenlan for beautiful, cozy knits and fluttery, graceful dresses, but did anyone else know that Twinkle had evolved into something of a lifestyle brand overnight?  I certainly didn’t, until I visited their website, where I was overjoyed to find that in addition to their normal ready-to-wear, they now also offer bedding, rugs, throw pillows, and a wide assortment of jewelry in the familiar quirky Twinkle aesthetic.

Featuring the full range of bedding with items such as duvets, pillowcases, sheets, to shams, the designs are a blend of funk and luxury, with Shanghai-flower prints inspired by old style cheongsams, updated with brighter oranges and blues for a modern audience.  Other prints include a brown and cream chevron zigzag striped pattern, and other muted flower prints.  For added design flair, Twinkle also introduces gumdrop like polkadots, colorful neon-printed ikat throw pillows, and Andy Warhol-esque prints of her adorable beloved dog, Milan, which are silk screened on on both pillows and rugs. (more…)

Editors and other fashion and beauty insiders are known for their love of anything French. Even if they don’t love it- they say they do.  But when it comes to manicures, there seems to be nothing as taboo in this industry as a French manicure.   I don’t even know why- I just know that I dare not sport those white tips at press events. If you have to, they say, then get an American manicure at best.

Last night, I attended an event at Dashing Diva (more on that tomorrow) where we got complimentary manicures in our choice of natural or French.  I sat by the door so I heard every editor’s sigh of disdain when the word “French manicure” was even mentioned. Seriously, before I knew protocol, I kind of liked the white tips! Of course, I’m not a fan of the extra thick line or the crazy color combination- but I don’t mind having a little white accent on the tips that hides the dirt under my nails!

This phenomenon seems only occur within the beauty and fashion industries as I frequently see Hollywood stars rocking the French. Well,  apparently those days are long gone for me as I, too, shook my head at the mention of French and opted for natural.  What do you think? Is it tacky or do you love it?

Who: Stephanie Mattina, Top Stylist

What: Roque Salon

Where: 24 W. Erie, Chicago, IL

When: Open Monday-Saturday, see hours

Why: After unabashedly salon hopping ever since I moved to Chicago, I was ready to settle down and commit. I’ve been to every moderately priced salon in my neighborhood, but never was impressed enough to keep going back to the same one. When it comes to hair, it seems like you get what you pay for. I came across Roque Salon while trying to google Kerastase salons in my area, and found a great deal on their Promotions page. Jackpot! This is what brought me to Stephanie, top stylist at Roque. (more…)

My friends Anne and Hope over at the fabulous travel blog, The Jet Set Girls, had me participate in their newest Carry On feature. I have been doing a little bit of globe trotting lately (more reports from my travels coming soon) so head on over to the JSG to find out what I’ve discovered to be must-have trip items!

Lancome’s beauty ambassador, Anne Hathaway, stars in the newest commercial for their fragrance Magnifique.  Among all the advertising I’m exposed to every day, I have to say prestige fragrance is the only category I pay attention to.  They’re all little glamorous movies, whether it’s Audrey Tautou for Chanel, Maryna Linchuk for Dior, or Anne Hathaway for Lancome.

What I love about the Magnifique commercial is that it depicts a sexy, confident and dynamic woman sending a message of independence and empowerment.  Also, it’s filmed right here in New York at a club called The Box where I’m actually headed tomorrow for a little fete.  The look was styled by Rachel Zoe and of course, I have to give a shoutout to Jason Backe of Ted Gibson Salon who did her color.

Frequent readers of TDO know that the designs of Hayden-Harnett are always on our radar.  Try as we might, but we can never pass up the classic duo of function and style and they deliver everytime on this promise.  While the Havana Tote isn’t a new addition to their accessories line, it only caught my attention fairly recently, and I’m in love.  Read on for 5 simple reasons why I (and I’m sure you will also) currently love this bag:

5 Reasons Why I Love this Hayden-Harnett Classic Havana Tote:
1. The blueberry color literally jumps off the screen of my laptop. It is the perfect inky dense blue, that isn’t too electric bright so it can be carried forward from Summer to Fall without problem.
2. It’s made of luxurious leather, with a beautifully patterned blue and pink leaf interior (I’m a sucker for little details like that.)
3. The size is big enough to carry my essentials (including possibly a change of shoes), without being big enough to be considered ‘oversize,’ now that the ‘the bigger the better’ bag days are over.
4. The strap is sturdy and adjustable to sit comfortably on your shoulder.
5. The slight stud detail and gold hardware (including no incredibly visible logos!) adds just a hint of rock and roll.

For those of you that aren’t fans of the blue, the slouchy hobo also comes in 7 different colors including your standard black, white and brown, but also ginger (orange), eucalyptus (a pearly gray), and lagoon (a light blue.)

Fall in love with the latest amazing scent from philosophy: unconditional love. My absolute favorite from philosophy is amazing grace, but unconditional love ranks right up there. Like most philosophy fragrances, it is a light scent that lingers on your skin. The difference with unconditional love is that it was decidedly more sensual on me. It features a rich black currant, heart of Bulgarian rose, and white lily. The dry down brings woody notes and a soothing vanilla.

unconditional love is available in 3 ways: a spray fragrance, a bath & shower gel, and a body emulsion. The standout product for me here is the body emlusion, which is full of rich, hydrating elements like shea butter and macadamia nut oil. It goes on so smoothly and isn’t sticky or heavy feeling at all. You’re just left with soft skin that smells sweet – with just a hint of seduction with that black currant note. You can try for yourself at philosophy.com!

After months of buzz and speculation about Freida Pinto possibly signing a beauty deal, it was revealed earlier today that the actress will be the new face of L’Oreal.  We here at TDO love her and think this is great news- more Freida to be seen on the pages of our favorite glossies!  Pinto says: “I am very moved to be joining the great L’Oréal Paris family and all these personalities: a family I am now proud to be a part of.”

Kudos to L’Oreal for having such a diverse group of global spokespeople including Penélope Cruz, Beyoncé Knowles, Eva Longoria, Andie MacDowell, Aishwarya Rai and Kerry Washington.  Joining Pinto is Evangeline Lilly who was also announced today as a new brand ambassador.

We are also excited that now TDO can bring you “how to get Freida’s look” straight from the experts who style her.  Now that’s news we’re sure a lot of girls (and even some guys!) would love to know.

Wallet-clutch-thingie pinched too tight for a beauty treatment? Nonsense. Head to Aveda’s new Los Angeles Institute (in Westwood … right by the neighborhood’s favorite cookie store, Diddy Riese!) It’s not just another budget beauty haven but a quite impressive, sustainably built “eco-facility” that offers an eye-watering menu of budget-minded treatments and services, from $19 haircuts to $40 luxurious hair and scalp facials. (My favorite: the $15 chakra-balancing manicure.) Perhaps the best deal is for bargain-seeking brides: a $45 bridal updo (practice included) and $25 makeup application.

What’s the catch? Students are performing the services (hence, “quick” is not on the menu) — but before you cringe, they are supervised, and tips are not expected or accepted. Instead, they have a neat “tip for a cause” program that allows you to donate your tips to a cause. So there … budget beauty that you can feel great about in more ways than one!

http://www.avedalosangeles.com/