Archive for October, 2009

MAC’s new Style Black collection was one of their most highly anticipated releases that I can remember.  For weeks leading up to it, I read so many people talking about it online and the anticipation was killing me.  I was actually kind of afraid that the products wouldn’t live up to all the hype, but I was really happy to be proven totally wrong on that.  Honestly, this might be my favorite MAC collection of the year.  (And if you could only see how many MAC products are in my bathroom, you would know that that’s really saying something!)

Style Black is all about the dark, sophisticated shades that look great during the colder weather.  At first glance, they might seem unwearable, but you’d be surprised how wrong that is.   (more…)

When news came last year that Stella McCartney was branching out into lingerie, I thought the partnership was a no brainer. Stella’s naturally romantically inclined designs and her favorite color palette of midnight black, sexy nudes, and dusty pinks seemed perfectly suited to a lingerie collection. Looking through her Fall 2009 lookbook, I loved her vintage inspired, girly, and cozy looking collection.  This was the type of lingerie that was meant to be lounged in, on cold winter nights with a blazing fire and a cozy cardigan(and preferably someone to share it with.) (more…)

I’ll admit it; unlike most of the other TDO editors, I’m not a beauty junkie. While I love the occasional blowout, massage, or splurge on makeup, but my indulgences are normally of the food, libation, or travel variety. When I came across the opportunity to attend the Shiseido Fall & Holiday Boston Launch at the Mandarin Oriential, I was nervous! And intimidated! But let me tell you, not only did I have a fabulous time, but learned about Shiseido’s new products (and fell head over heels for a few!). (more…)

Since I was a child, I’ve always enjoyed staying in hotels.  Something about the fresh, crisp turned down corners of the bed, the decadence of ordering room service, and being able to order anything with a simple phone call at the drop of a hat thrilled me.  With my fond memories of traveling as a family with my parents all across the US, I’ve loved reading about different hotels in far away locales (specifically when I am frustrated at work and I need to some travel daydreaming.)  My favorite discovery that I’ve been using as my source of solace during periods of high stress?  Aman Resorts, a luxury, intimate small chain of hotels focused primarily on the southeast Asia region. (more…)

My fondest memory of Bobbi Brown lipgloss dates back to when I was 16 and getting my makeup done for the prom.  I had stopped by the Nordstrom counter and asked for something just a bit richer than my natural color.  Amy, the Bobbi Brown artist,  pulled out a gloss in  ‘Scoop Sugar’ and I was instantly hooked.  It made my lips look full, brightened my complexion, brought together my entire makeup look and made me feel gorgeous.  That day, I had spent $17 on a pair of silver sandals, and $18 on my first tube of Bobbi Brown gloss.

A month later, I went back to the mall to repurchase only to be devastated to find out that ‘Scoop Sugar’ was limited edition, sold out, and never to return. I asked friends to search their local stores and set up my first eBay account for the sole purpose of stalking down whatever tubes were still left in the world.  Of course, since then I’ve branched out, tried and loved many different glosses, but I will always remember  Bobbi Brown Scoop Sugar to be my first makeup obsession.

Now 8 years later, I’ve returned to Bobbi Brown and their reformulated line of lipglosses to find something new to obsess about.  Bobbi’s Rich Color Gloss is everything I’ve always loved about their glosses- but even better! They’ve finally done away with the questionable brush (I always felt like I lost too much product using that old brush) and replaced with a sponge applicator.  They’ve also upgraded the texture of the product.  It’s so lightweight and moisturizing now that it feels like a I’m just wearing a balm (the old glosses did tend to “sit” on top of my lips- whereas this formulation does not).  My favorite gloss of the moment? Pink Buff, a better-than natural shade which brings me back to my Scoop Sugar days!

One of Chicago’s best events every year is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, coming up this Sunday on October 11th. Whether you’re running it yourself, or cheering on a friend, it’s a fantastic way to get to know the city a little better. The Marathon route goes through many of Chicago’s distinct neighborhoods, and the new Chicago Marathon Collection from Nike celebrates that. Nike invited me to visit their showroom and see for myself. As a relatively new Chicagoan, I loved seeing how the different pieces in this collection highlighted the diversity and uniqueness of the city. Take the Nike Poster Women’s T-Shirt ($28), above. The front of the shirt features a design of the Chicago flag, and the back? Look closely: (more…)

If you’re mourning the end of Fashion Week, treat yourself to CARGO’s The Runway Palette for a quick pick me up.  It’s a HUGE, almost magazine-sized book of all the hottest beauty looks for Fall 2009.  It looks super cool, almost retro, and for only $49, it comes packed with a ridiculous amount of makeup.

You get a gray eye palette to create a smoky eye, six eyeshadow shades that were inspired by looks from the runway, three blushes, and one of their best-selling bronzers.  And they’re not tiny dots of color either – they’re big, full-sized amounts, which makes this the perfect palette to tuck into your suitcase for a trip because even though the palette itself is big, you won’t have to pack any other makeup because you get so much in it.  What’s even cuter about the palette is the designs that are stamped into the colors inside.  Each one of the blushes and the bronzer are embossed with adorable, garment-inspired button motifs and the six shadows surrounding the gray eye palette are all shaped and designed to look like buttons.  It’s so cute!  The Runway Palette would also make a fantastic gift for a friend or makeup-loving relative.

You can find the palette exclusively at Sephora.

I try to try to treat my skin as well as possible.  I wear a high SPF sunscreen, I never go to bed without washing my face, and I go for facials as often as I can swing it.  But still, you can never be too careful with your skin, so when I got the chance to try the ANSR: BEAM, I jumped at the opportunity.

The ANSR: BEAM uses Phototherapy to help treat any problems your skin might be having and to rejuvenate it.  In Phototherapy, red light is used to stimulate collagens to help create new, healthy skin cells at a quicker rate than usual.  It also helps to even out skin tone, reduce redness, and fill in fine lines and wrinkles.  Blue light has been approved by the FDA to safely combat the bacteria that causes acne and inflammation, which helps to reduce blemish outbreaks.

The ANSR: BEAM a small, circular device that gives off those high-intensity red and blue light waves, but contrary to how that may sound, it’s very simple to use.   (more…)

As the seasons change, so do my home fragrance diffusers around my apartment. Yesterday, I opened a new Antica Farmacista one in the Peonia Romantico scent and I’m officially in love with it!

It’s this beautiful romantic scent that is reminiscent of a beautiful blooming garden. The scent is described as a mix of “heady floral notes of peony, rose and gardenia…with unexpected citrus notes of lemon and lime. Subtle woodsy notes result in a soft, powdery and decidedly romantic finish.” This floral scent is not overpowering, but rather a sweet and subtle.  After opening it, I couldn’t stop sniffing the air; moreover, the scent lingers and travels as I could smell a faint hint of it in the next room.  What else could you ask for?

For October only, 100% of the proceeds from any purchases of this scent benefits the Gilda’s Club for breast cancer research.  Available in various sizes at Nordstrom.com.

55 Secret Street admires the Chocolate Cat Eyes and the “pinky, luminous glow” created by MAC makeup artist Gregory Arlt.

Stiletto Jungle kicks off October with fun Halloween costumes for women.

All Lacquered Up shares what’s next from CND Colour & Effects.

Allie is Wired has new pics of Kristen Stewart on the set of the Joan Jett biopic The Runaways.

Bag Snob introduced you to the fabulous Stephanie bag from DVF back in January and now it comes in medium in a rock star worthy black metallic! You must see this in person.

Beauty Snob is kicking off October with lots of pretty in pink products in support of breast cancer research!

Coquette is crushing over Penelope Cruz’s luxe tuxedo jacket paired with broken-in jeans and searches for the best tuxedo jackets around, so you can recreate her look.

The Daily Obsession has the first look at design duo Yabu Pushelberg’s new book.

Fashion Pulse Daily has a thing for leggings; in honor of the site’s anniversary, we’re giving away a pair of the fab LNA Zipper Leggings!

The Jet Set Girls plan the ultimate girls’ getaway to the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Nomade Exquis jewelry

Second City Style‘s Breast Cancer Awareness Month gift guide has everything from jewelry to apparel and we only picked items where at least 20% is donated to cancer research.

SheFinds plans to tread lightly in the menswear department with some of the best shirt dresses this fall.

Shopping and Info loves Taylor Momsen’s hooded cashmere sweater from Gossip Girl.

StyleBakery rounds up their favorite emerging designers for fall along with exclusive discounts and savings!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Stylehive has found ten cute tees so you can show your support!

The Beauty Stop breaks down the lovely look from the recent Fendi runway show.

The Shoe Goddess thinks every woman needs a pair of sexy red pumps in her closet!

eye4style is visibly slimmed by Hudson’s Jeggings .