Wednesday, April 30, 2008

California Dreamin'

As much as I love the City sometimes I really miss L.A.

Sigh.

Blame it on my “Goin’ Back To Cali” playlist or my current Netflix obsession Six Feet Under – I need a SoCal fix ¡Realmente malo, en este momento!

These adorable please-don’t-call-them sweats have a total Venice Beach circa 1985 vibe that I am really digging right now.

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Get them at Singer 22.


I also stumbled upon some great CA photo prints on Supermarket from a seller called 33stewartavenue— here are my personal faves but his whole collection is worth a look!

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Find them on Supermarket.

Lemme see what you're quirkin' with

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I've been challenged, er, I mean tagged by Fasshonaburu to share six of my unremarkable quirks. Here are the top picks courtesy of my obliging husband:


1. Whether I am in a hotel room or my own comfy bed I must sleep closest to the door. I think there’s a term for this…oh yeah, claustrophobia.

2. I like to soak my dirty forks and knives in glasses filled with soapy water before washing. I’m not sure why this qualifies as a quirk but dear hubby insisted I include this.

3. I don’t like toes. When I see people on the subway wearing sandals and in desperate need of a pedicure I get nauseous, really.

4. I pull the cheese off of my pizza (but eat it later anyway).

5. I am a serial buyer of instructional manuals. Even if I only give them a quick scan I somehow feel more prepared – install a bathroom sink? No problem. Book a flight to Palermo? I've got it covered.

6. I don’t like doughy insides. I core bagels and restrict muffin consumption solely to their crunchy outer shells.

-- Kim P.

Who I’m tagging:

Fasshonaburu

Snow White's Legacy of Lies


Une Femme d’un Certain Age


What I Wore Today


My Wardrobe Today


Fashion Is Spinach


The rules are as follows:

* Link the person who tagged you
* Mention the rules in your blog
* Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours
* Tag six following bloggers by linking them
* Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

David Coverdale: Style Icon?

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Though it's been nearly a dozen years since Whitesnake recorded an album (and about 20 since they've had a hit) they're back in the news with a newly released CD called "Good To Be Bad." I just listened to it, and it's not half bad I must admit.

It got me to reminiscing about all of those great MTV videos starring Tawny Kitaen looking stunningly gorgeous writhing around and doing cartwheels all over some fancy Jag while a pouty, and somewhat pensive David Coverdale looked on. Ah, I love the 80s...but stick with me here kiddies...study this band pic closely. Spot the latest trends?

Look past the over-processed hair and bare chests (please) and note the fringe (so Balmain Spring 2008 runway), the electric blue (Theory, Badgley Mischka, Pucci), the slight iridescent sheen on that pink blazer (Alessandro dell'Acqua, Tracy Reese) and don't even get me started on that fab cuff bracelet and bib choker -- you get the idea.

Shop and discuss. Here's a look to get you started:

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Matthew Williamson et. al. courtesy of Net-A-Porter

Monday, April 28, 2008

Benvenuti Giorgio Armani!

Giorgio Armani

Photo: Model

Welcome Giorgio Armani and his elite Face Designers: Celebrate the worldwide premiere of the Bronze Mania 2008 collection with Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani Celebrity Face Designer, and his A-Team of backstage makeup artists Schedule your personal consultation to design your look of the season and have the opportunity to meet Mr. Armani himself. Friday, May 2nd & Saturday, May 3rd, Saks Fifth Avenue NY 212.940.2962


Who wouldn't love the chance to meet the legend in person? Sign us up stat!

Blue Period

Nothing stirs passionate responses from our beauty-obsessed friends like blue eye shadow – it’s truly a love or hate kind of thing. But if the look triggers a horrific prom flashback, ditch your outdated notions and get ready for a modern twist on the old tried and true. Blue eyes were seen all over the Fall runways, and this trend shows no sign of stopping. The trick is finding the right shade for your personal coloring. Not sure which blue’s your hue? Log in to www.alwaysinstyle.com to find your shade.

Deep. Navy enhances the rich depth of your personal coloring – try an eyeliner or mascara in a deep inky shade. Use a blue-tinged violet as an accent, but be sure not to go above the crease line, as dark colors recede and can make eyes look smaller.

Bright. Vivid blues work best for you. Try a shimmery purple blue on the outer part of the eye and in the crease. Mix with a cool-toned blue for a little contrast. Opt for a nude or toned-down lip so hues don’t compete.

Muted. Look for gray blues and dusty blue-based plums, both of which will play up your eye’s cool undertones. The look is soft and sophisticated for your coloring. Blend well for a smoky evening eye and try a gel liner in a deep navy for a crisp finish.

Light. Your best shades are icy pastels. Sweep a sheer wash of blue-tinged green for all over shimmer. Line the upper lid and outer corner in a soft pale blue for a modern look. Mixing these subtle shades enhance your eye color and make eyes appear larger.

Cool. Luckily you can experiment with all shades of blue. Try mixing a soft periwinkle for day with a smudgy gray blue liner. A richer violet for the evenings is a nice choice because purple based blues make your peepers pop.

Warm. Make teal your shade of choice, its golden-tinged tone is perfect for your warm coloring. If your skin is more olive, try a navy instead. Both make great liner shades. Consider a soft deep greenish blue for lids and blend well for a smoky look.


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Colorful Duo Eyeshadow #3
Sephora

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Long Wearing Gel Eyeliner in Cobalt Ink
Bobbi Brown
Cosmetics

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DuWop Eye Palettes Blue Eyes
Amazon



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Victoire Face Palette
Fresh
Cosmetics

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Stila Eyeshadow Duo Borealis
Ulta

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Stila Sapphire Kajil Eyeliner
Beauty.com


Friday, April 25, 2008

Here Comes The Sun

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I’m always on the prowl for a natural looking bronzer, unfortunately most of what I come across makes me look like a Vegas showgirl reject.

Why do makeup companies think that women want to look like they’ve sneezed into a pot of gold craft glitter? Not flattering, especially on my older skin. That’s why I was thrilled to come across this matte bronzer from our friends at Beauty Addicts – Hydra Sunrays Matte Bronzing Powder contains no shimmer so your glow will look more natural for day. (Save the sparkles, if you're so inclined, for night.)

Better still, it contains Green Tea extract as well as Vitamins A, B5, C, D and E so it actually keeps your skin hydrated while wearing it.

Finally, a company that gets it – j’adore Beauty Addicts!

Find it on Amazon.


Thursday, April 24, 2008

New York Street Beat: Neck & Neck

Fashionable party dresses are always a wardrobe must-have, whether you live in Park Slope, Brooklyn or Park City, Utah – but in New York, where dressing falls somewhere between an art form and an extreme sport, the right dress can make or break your whole image (not to mention social standing).

A recent invite had us playing it safe in a classic silk sheath and peep-toe pumps. Certainly not bad, but definitely a blah choice in a sea of fashion-forward stylistas. A quick scan of the room had us wondering if the invite specified bare shoulders. These party-goers flaunted toned arms with a variety of fabulous necklines that had us rethinking our safe choice, and Googling personal trainers on our BlackBerry.



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Michael Kors Van Gogh Floral-Print Dress
Bergdorf Goodman

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Juicy Couture One-Shoulder Dress
Nieman Marcus

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Striped Bodycon Dress
Topshop



Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Style on a dime

Florals are big this season – who wouldn't love to score this Carolina Herrera garden style frock from her Spring 2008 runway collection? Sadly our pockets aren't quite so deep.


That's why we were thrilled to find a similar version at Newport News. At $39 it's a definite Must-Have!


Buy it here.


Alternatively, if you're not too keen on adopting the floral trend so literally, check out this "Sea Glass" gown brand new from J. Crew for a modern twist on a girly look.



He Writes The Songs...

that make the whole world sing. Doris makes the world a whole lot prettier!

Check out our fearless leader with the ever fabulous Barry Manilow at a recent Toys R Us charity event in Manhattan.

We lurve the pop icon's shaggy 'do, and Doris' jaw-droppingly beautiful Donna Karan bib necklace is right on trend...of course!

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Happy Stylish Earth Day!

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In commemoration of Earth Day us AIS gals ditched our Midtown digs and hit Bryant Park to reflect on Mother Nature and spend a luxurious lunch hour catching some rays and doing a little people-watching. (Purely RESEARCH we assure you!)

Turns out we weren’t alone in our jonesing for a little green; the Park was chock-full of stylish folks, some of whom you’ll see in upcoming New York Street Beats. In the meantime take a look at our Flickr page to see where Garment District fashionistas meet for lunch and gossip.

And since we’ve no intention of trading in our Manolos for a pair of Birkenstocks anytime soon, we were thrilled to stumble upon this website of eco-friendly wares that manages to blend high style and heartland brilliantly. Green with Glamour we’re officially hooked.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Care for a Mint?

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Check out the Mint by Jodi Arnold Spring 2008 Online Sample Sale - Super cute dresses just in time for prom & wedding season. We really like these sweet l'il numbers but there's loads more to choose from.



Don't miss
it!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Teal Green With Envy

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I devoured the latest issues of More and Harper's Bazaar last night and I was so happy to see two of my fave actresses, Cynthia Nixon and Julianne Moore gracing their glossy covers. I absolutely LOVE that both women sport dresses in delicious shades of teal greens, aquas and blues -- totally perfect for their warm coloring.

The Julianne Moore layout in Bazaar is absolutely stunning with Ms. Moore posed in a variety of looks to mimic iconic works of art -- the spread is truly awe-inspiring and utterly frame-worthy.


You can read the article online here


Cynthia's chat with More is a nice peek into the star's down to earth attitude about her success and what she's learned over the years. Plus she's a neighbor of mine so I've got to love her!


You can read the article online here

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Une femme d'un certain age: Fear and Loathing

Une femme d'un certain age: Fear and Loathing

We love Une femme's take on online bathing suit shopping. Check it out!

Beauty Deal o' The Day

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Visit Bloomingdales
and score an awesome weekender bag with a $150 beauty purchase. HURRY!

Blue Mercury + UWS = Beautylicious Booty

As if the Upper West Side needs another beauty emporium. I mean, we've got a Sephora, L'Occitane, and Origins all within a stone's throw. So I was a little reluctant to give neighborhood newbie Blue Mercury a shot without a little good-hearted kvetching first.

Open mouth, insert foot.

Like a kid in a candy store I played with all of my favorite beauty products (no really, the owner and I must've been separated at birth) to my heart's content. My new bath benefited as well; I scored a few candles and such to trick it out spa-style.








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L’Artisan Parfumer
Blue Mercury

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Tocca Esfoliante da Corpo Stella Body Polish
Blue Mercury

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Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Candle
Blue Mercury






Wednesday, April 16, 2008

3 Trends Done Right

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I adore the maxi dress that Kristen Bell wore to the Forgetting Sarah Marshall movie premier in Los Angeles. It’s a brilliant blue Jenny Kayne in a very of-the-moment ikat print. Kudos to Kristen for successfully merging three hot runway trends without looking like a fashion victim. Since I don’t have a starlet’s budget I tracked down this sweet BCBG dress for just as much bang but a whole lot less buck.

Real Housewives of NYC?

Watched the finale last night of The Real Housewives of New York and it was ridiculous. So much happened I couldn't cover it all so lets just admire their final dinner.

Jill (who's a little more Lawng Island than Manhattan IMHO) wore the dress she picked out earlier in the season. Looked a little tight up top but the black bottom was sliming.

Alex looked like she found a first ladies' suit that was five sizes too big. Seriously, what was that?

The countess. I like her, she can wear most clothes, but that dress didn't seem appropriate. Did she get that at Rave 10 years ago? Perhaps.

Oh Ramona. She tries very hard. All I can say is Barbie mermaid.

And then there's Bethenny. She sometimes struggles in her personal life (according to her) but almost always has clothes that fit well and are appropriate. She looked great and I'm not a huge lace fan but kind of want that black dress. Unfortunately, I think it's sold out online but get a closer look at it and some of their other outfits here.

Now just look out for The Real Housewives of Orange County, season 4 is coming soon!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

File This!

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Yay! I love tax day. I can’t think of anything better than giving the government my hard-earned ducats.


Oh wait a minute…I could opt for this to-die-for Gerard Darel bag in the most delicious shade of purple a la Jessica Alba.

Unfortunately, at a whopping $895, Uncle Sam has other plans for my personal fund allocation. This tote from Forever 21 is a not-too-shabby substitute.


And at $19.80 I could throw in this cute wallet to start saving for that covetable pochette violette.

Bath Body and Beyond



April 14, 2008

Bath, Body and Beyond

A recent bath reno has us crushin’ on new products to prettify a freshly-made-over loo – but they can’t just look pretty on the bath shelf, they have to actually work! These products pull double duty and satisfy our obsession with all things pretty AND functional.

Tiny Bubbles. Girly potions have never been more plentiful, and as verifiable product junkies we couldn’t be more pleased. Hand soaps and body washes are a good way to pamper dry skin. If you have eczema, look for products with glycerin for its emollient benefits. We love discovering new treats in interesting bottles: case in point, the latest from L’Artisan Parfumer. “Jatamansi” comes in a great retro milk glass bottle and is filled with a delirious mix – part soft creamy floral, part herbal-incense.

Oral Report. Unless you’re a child, toothbrush choices are usually limited to snooze-inducing colors and designs…with boring paste to match. But the days of dull dental accessories are over. Look for a set that injects a bit of style to your vanity (both teeth and bath). We like the urban-loft chic of a black-bristles-and-all Paul Smith toothbrush.

Bathing Beauties. If it keeps you warm and dry, then a bathrobe has dutifully lived up to its obligations – but we’re not content to settle for ho-hum when we could upgrade to haute. For a feminine twist on the classic shapeless silhouette, look for fitted cuts; if you appreciate the nostalgia of vintage, go for a nubby chenille number. There are plenty on eBay or your local flea – it’s the perfect touch for a seaside cottage inspired bath.


bath1.jpg Robins Egg Soap Gianna Rose Atelier

bath2.jpg Pangea Organics Egyptian Basil and Mint Shower Gel
Pangea Organics

bath3.jpg Marvis Toothpaste Mint Jasmine Amazon

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