Archive for May, 2011

My hair had been looking really raggedy (to put it nicely) lately, so when I got the opportunity to visit a salon I’d been reading about, I jumped at the chance.  Yoshi Hagiwara has been a staple on the Los Angeles hair scene for the past 25 years, working at some of the most prestigious salons in the city, but this January he opened his own salon, Yoshi Hair Studio, in Beverly Hills.  Located right on Canon Drive (conveniently directly across from a parking structure, for those of you familiar with the area) the salon is warm and welcoming, busy, yet intimate all at the same time. (more…)

Every new collection that Stila comes out with, I always think, okay, maybe this’ll be the one that I won’t like.  Maybe this’ll be the one I won’t covet every single piece in it.  I mean, the odds are that has to happen sometime, right?  And yet… every single time they come out with a new collection, I want it all.  It’s hell on my wallet!  And their winning streak continues with the new summer collection for 2011.  (more…)

Nothing is too good for your pet! Finally, we have discovered a line of pet accessories, toys and treats that matches your home décor. Crate & Barrel offers simple yet playful goodies for your cat or dog at the right price! You can delight your prized pooch with homemade biscuits and an adorable jar to keep them in for around $30 – this includes the biscuit mix, bone and hydrant cookie cutters and decorative porcelain jar.

Cheer your kitty up with a new bowl, mat and a set of organic catnip toys. Almost everything (with the exception of the large and travel dog beds) is well under $50 available at www.crateandbarrel.com.

My favorite thing about summer makeup collections is that, after months of darker shades and more subdued looks, summer always brings fun brights and pops of color back into my makeup routine.  At the moment, my favorite new shades for the warmer weather are in NARS’ new Summer 2011 Collection.  The shades are meant to be reminiscent of the tropics and that’s exactly what they remind me of – I would tuck each and every piece into my luggage if I was heading for an island destination any time soon.  (Sadly, I am not though, so I’ll have to enjoy them twice as much at home to make up for it).  I got a chance to play with a few of the pieces and loved them so much that I’m basically stalking my local Sephora to see the rest of the collection. (more…)

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Apparently, this is the season of the liquid liners, which is good for both people who have mastered their use and those of us who are still trying to figure out the best way to apply them (I definitely fall into this category).  MAKE UP FOR EVER has a new collection of liquid liners, called Aqua Liners, and I’ve been having a ton of fun playing with the samples I got my hands on.

Aqua Liners were made to withstand all sorts of harsh conditions – they were tested on runways under hot lights, underwater, and in humid climates, and they passed all the tests with flying colors.  They’re long-wearing and waterproof, so perfect for every day use.  The brush has a long handle, which makes it easier to navigate when you’re trying to draw a straight line on your lids, and it has a foam tip that helps you put the color exactly where you want it.  The liners are available in three different finishes – matte, iridescent, and diamond – and fifteen different shades, everything from a shimmery gold to a sparkling black.  I tried out three different shades – #3 (Iridescent Emerald Green), #8 (Iridescent Electric Purple), and #15 (Iridescent Anthracite) and they’re all really great.  I’m sort of dying to get my hands on at least a few more shades (I definitely have to own #14, because it’s described as a Diamond Multicolor Black and that just sounds gorgeous).  I’m not going to lie – I’m still terrible at applying liquid liner, but at least with these fun shades, I’ll have a reason to practice more!

It’s really difficult for me to pick a favorite Ritz-Carlton property as I’ve had such a spectacular experience at every one I’ve visited, but if I had to call one out for being exceptionally amazing- it would have to be the Ritz-Carlton at Powerscourt in Ireland. Nestled among the lush gardens and rolling hills of Powerscourt Estate just 30 minutes south of Dublin, The Ritz-Carlton provides the ideal setting for visitors who want to immerse themselves in the romance of Ireland. Having long been a Ritz-Carlton fan, I decided to check in, and check out, the hotel when I was in Ireland last month. (more…)