Archive for September, 2011

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How cute is Jill Stuart this season?  Her collection was completely light and fresh, with a sorbet color palette and Palm Spring inspired cuteness. Her Spring collection kept to her girly aesthetic, with playful details like scalloped skirt hemlines, round Peter pan collared blouses, and 3/4 sleeve length macintoshes adding to the fun. A pastel-infused color palette was kicked up a notch, with meyer lemon yellow, coral pinks, and muted electric blues, thrown in with darling palm tree, bird, and petal prints patterns. Mixed in with tailored short suits were silky tops and airy, 70′s inspired silhouettes with v necks, lower waistlines, and skirts full of movement as they swished down the runway.  Overall, the collection was a great mix of light separates and dresses that wouldn’t look out of place in resortwear. It was a seriously beautiful collection and I can’t wait to add some of these cheerful and fun pieces into my closet. What do you think of collection? What are your favorite looks?

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We kicked off NYFW on Thursday, September 8th and have been running around like crazy! But not crazy enough, to not pick out our favorite Top 5 looks of the day! Here are the highlights thus far from the collections and a little bit of what I like to call, fashion math.

1. BCBG Max Azria = Color blocking + Tribal elements + 70′s relaxed silhouettes – Shoulders

Always pretty and relaxed, BCBG is like the gateway designer to future luxury (and Herve Leger.) This was a dress-centric collection, playing on their strong suit, wearable beauty. I think I saw only 1 pair of pants among the 30 looks, which suited me just fine as a dress-loving girl! Azria played with large color blocks in a desert, tribal-inspired palette of dark turquoise, orange, and ivory that edged along seams, lapels, and major detailing. The silhouette was easy and 70′s inspired, with drop waists, and maxi dresses. Azria featured strategic cut-outs and slashes throughout, but my favorite was the dress above: a micro-pleated maxi dress with cut-out shoulders. It’s the perfect, airy, dress for a girl going out for a special night in the summer. (more…)

I have some serious, serious love for Bobbi Brown’s new High Shimmer Lip Glosses.  I’ve always been a fan of her glosses, but these might have replaced all the others as my most favorites ones that Bobbi’s ever done.  I love the formula – it has a mix of pearls in a clear base so all the shades are shimmery (but not teenage glittery).  There are also a ton of conditioning ingredients in them – emollients and Vitamins C and E – so they won’t dry out your lips at all, and their minty scent is delightful.

There are a total of 14 shades, so if you’re looking for variety, you’ll definitely find it here.  I tried out four of the darker shades (because I have way, way too many light lip glosses) and fell head over heels for Black Ruby.  It’s a crimson shade with gold pearl and it’s just such a classic, pretty shimmery red.  Gorgeous!  I also tried out Electric Violet, a bright pink with violet pearl, Plum Gold, a plum with bronze pearl, and Midnight Violet, a black orchid with pearl.  They’re all fabulous as well, especially since Bobbi’s increased the size on all her glosses, so you’re getting even more value for your money.  They also have a doe foot applicator now, which I much prefer.  Definitely obsession worthy!

This season we’ve seen a host of double duty foundations pop up across a number of prestige lines- leading us to believe that finally, cosmetics companies are paying attention to the needs of the busy urban professional.  I mean really- my morning priorities go like this: snooze, shower, moisturizer, coffee, wallet, keys, Metrocard. If I have some time left over- mascara and lipgloss.  For being a beauty blogger, I certainly don’t have too much time to spend on beauty in the mornings! So imagine my delight when I got my hands on the latest slew of skincare + color products- and they’re actually good!  Below, I share some of my favorite time saving foundations…

Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation SPF 25:  OBSESSED with this! It’s a moisturizer, foundation and SPF in one and it lasts all. day. long. It’s super moisturizing so I don’t even have to put on a separate product and the thicker consistency is perfect for my skin during transition months. Plus this product just makes me glow and is so easy to apply that I don’t even need to use a mirror.  It’s foolproof! – $55

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The New Year’s of Fashion is almost upon us, also known as Fashion’s Night Out! Let the champagne, tiny bites, and retail dollars flow as we put together a compilation of the best must-visit events for Thursday, September 8th. The sweet 16 below:

1. Bergdorf Goodman – 745 Fifth Avenue – The fun starts as early at 3 on the beauty floor with beauty experts and free services from Bobbi Brown, Chanel, and YSL. Stick around till 5:30 and meet the man, the legend, Oscar de la Renta as he signs his limited edition Le Metier de Beaute palette (we loved last year’s collaboration with Marchesa, so this one is gauranteed to be fabulous too.) At 7, make your way to the third floor for the Best in Show canine and designer catwalk competition judged by guest judges such as Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa, Monique Lhullier, and Tina Craig of BagSnob. At 8, pick up Jason Wu’s limited-edition FNO doll and get it signed!

2. Bloomingdale’s – 1000 Third Avenue – The standout here is the BANANAS Rachel Zoe, who arrives on the scene at 6:30 to launch her ready-to-wear, shoe, and handbag collections. When you purchase something from the collection, you receive a Rachel Zoe makeup bag. Also, visit Clinique for Milly designer, Michelle Smith, step into the photo-booth and get a Clinique goody bag with every purchase of $25 or more.

3. Coach – 595 Madison Avenue. Seth Myers. Need I say more? How about Kelly Framel of The Glamourai and The Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine? They’re all on hand to celebrate the re-issue of Coach’s celebrated Coach Duffle Sac.

4. Kiehl’s – Do you know who AJ McLean is? Don’t lie–I know you (or at least your teenage self) does! Was it always your dream to sing with a Backstreet Boy? Venture over to their flagship store and celebrate your inner 10 year old with a karoake contest and carnival. (more…)

Not that you would know it by the temperature in Los Angeles (which hit a scorching 107 degrees a few days before I’m writing this), but fall is not that far away.  Which means changing up my fragrances a little (always fun!)  Here are three of the newest scents I’ve tried that have me longing even harder for colder days.  (more…)

As we head into September, the last of the fall collections that I hadn’t seen are popping up at Sephora (or I’m finally noticing them!)  I was lucky enough to get my hands on some of LORAC’s new offerings after checking it out in store and I’m all about their fabulous new products.  (LORAC and I have a long-standing history of fabulousness, so I’m glad to see that it’s still there). (more…)