Archive for May, 2010

In addition to their Les Pop-Up de Chanel Collection for summer, CHANEL has also introduced a very exclusive collection called Noir Et Or.  There are only a few items in the collection, but it’s so dramatic and stunning, you’ll definitely find yourself hunting it down once you’ve seen the pictures.

Noir Et Or was created by Peter Phillips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL, and it’s meant to evoke the glamorous fantasy of Shanghai in the 30′s and 40′s.  The look consists of black and gold eyes and nails – definitely a nighttime look that you’ll want to wear when you’re dying to make an entrance.  (more…)

What: Chaya Brasserie

Who: Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe

Where: 132 Embarcadero in San Francisco

When: For lunch, M-F: 11:30am-2pm. For dinner, M-W: 5:30pm-10pm, Th-S: 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sun: 5:30pm-9pm. For happy hour, begins at 4pm M-F, at 5pm on weekends.

Why: Located on the Embarcadero, Chaya Brasserie will give you a delectable dining French-Japanese experience with unobstructed views of the Bay Bridge. (more…)

Continuing with my newly formed (but best ever) tradition of Friday after work spa visits (first the Ritz-Carlton, then the Plaza), I checked out (and into) the Upper East Side’s newest luxury spa a couple weeks ago- the gorgeous space at the recently reopened Surrey Hotel. Being mostly a downtown New York gal, I never gave the Upper East Side its due attention but something about the elegance of this institution captivated my interest from the moment I learned about it.  The Surrey Hotel is a throwback to the turn of the century Edith Wharton  glamour that gave New York it’s rich and illustrious history. Built in 1926 as a residence hotel, the original Surrey was home to some of New York’s  most recognized names- JFK. Bette Davis. Claudette Colbert. Located at 20 East 76th St just off Madison Ave, The Surrey resides at one of New York’s most desirable addresses.   The hotel recently underwent a $60+ million renovation, completed in November 2009, under esteemed interior architect Lauren Rottet who said her inspiration was the ideal of a New York City townhouse passed down through the generations. (more…)

Can swimsuit season almost be here? It’s a season that many women dread, but with the timely trend of the one-piece suit, it’s a little bit more bearable. I’ve looked to J.Crew to pick up a few pieces that are flirty, fun and flattering:

My first pick is the Jersey Lomellina Ruffled Tank suit, which is very romantic and feminine. The self-lined fabric makes it nearly weightless, so you can frolic easily in the water. The high back also adds a bit of modesty.

I also love the retro-inspired Breezy Dot Tie-Front Tank. This 50′s inspired style is va-va-voom, but boning at the sides adds some support. It also has a removable halter and shoulder straps, so you can also wear this style strapless.

Lastly, flowers are everywhere this season and no one does it better than Liberty of London. The Apple Blossom Underwire Tank suit uses a beautiful blue/green Liberty print, making it so sweet and darling. If you’re escaping to an English beachside this summer (like my sister, lucky girl!), this is the perfect suit for you!

Check out more styles at JCrew.com. Which one is your fave?

We just got wind of a fun and free event Jouer Cosmetics is offering exclusively at Henri Bendel during this Mother’s Day weekend.  Love free makeup?  You’ll love this event!

In honor of Mother’s Day, Jouer invites all mother/daughter pairs local to the Manhattan area to enjoy complimentary makeup applications,  free Moisturizing Mini Lip Gloss Sets,  faux mimosas and other treats.  From Friday, May 7^th through Sunday, May 9^th customers can indulge in these beauty freebies with their moms.   All customers have to do is call to reserve an appointment and they will be able to enjoy all of these exciting goodies, no purchase necessary.  We got a sneak peek at the goodies they are giving away- beautiful  lip gloss sets as picture above!

Check out the full invite below and make sure to call to reserve a spot: 1-800-HBENDEL. (more…)

We all want younger looking skin, but how many of us actually know the science behind aging and skin? Although I claim to care about my skin, I have to admit that I definitely don’t keep up with the latest research on skin. When I was sent a copy of the book Your Skin, Younger for review, I almost read the whole thing in one sitting. Written by Drs. Alan C. Logan, Mark G. Rubin, and Phillip M. Levy, experts in naturopathic medicine and dermatology, it’s an easy and interesting read all about what it takes to keep your skin looking young–naturally.

Sun exposure and genetics certainly play a part in the visible signs of aging skin, but so do stress, diet, intestinal function, and even cooking techniques! The book suggests steaming, boiling, stewing, simmering, and poaching your food as much as possible to avoid oxidative stress and collagen destruction. These things can ultimately cause wrinkles, so the authors include recipes that incorporate healthy cooking techniques, as well as healthy skin foods. Who knew that even the color of foods has been proven to affect the aging of your skin? Your meals should always have deeply colored fruits and vegetables.

The part of Your Skin, Younger that is most relevant to my life is about stress. Studies have shown that stress compromises the barrier function of your skin, causing water loss and creating more inflammatory chemicals. In short, stress affects your skin more than you think. The authors provide tons of tips on how to reduce the stress in your life, starting with getting a good night’s beauty rest, which I am certainly taking to heart.

If you want to learn more about natural ways to get younger looking skin, be sure check out Your Skin, Younger, available for $14.95 at Amazon.com.

I had a little dilemma when I first got my hands on the new summer collection from Givenchy because some of the products look so beautiful in their packaging, I almost didn’t want to use them to try them out.  Seriously, I just wanted to put them on the counter and admire their beauty.  But since that’s totally crazy and makeup is meant to be worn and not stared at, I sucked it up and dug in, which I’m very happy about in hindsight because the colors are so pretty and fun to wear. (more…)

Ask anyone who knows me what my all time favorite fragrance brand is and they’ll immediately tell you that it’s CLEAN.  (Even my mom, who I’m pretty sure tunes me out on the phone at this point when I go on and on about a product I’m obsessed with, knows it.) When I found out that they were coming out with two new scents for the summer, I couldn’t ask for samples fast enough. (more…)