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Archive for the ‘General Posts’ Category

Maternity Style: Rosie Pope Dress

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

I am madly in love with Rosie Pope. For me to trek to up to 91st and Madison for anything, I must. So while typically an expanding belly would make me cranky, when I woke up on Thursday morning and noticed a little extra junk in the front, I was thrilled. It meant I could finally break out this dress which I bought on my first pilgrimage up there a few weeks ago. I love the bracelet-length sleeves- so decided to pile on some bangles as my main accessory.

The shade of purple is rich and gorgeous, and the rosettes along the neckline dress it up just enough. I paired it with my new SPANX Assets maternity leggings and my trusty brown Gucci boots that I snagged on sale at Bergdorf Goodman about 3 years ago and love dearly to this day.

In this photo I am down in Tribeca where I styled bloggers, producers and editors  in the new FitFlop Fall/Winter styles as the brand previewed the latest collection to the media. A few minutes after this picture was taken, I traded on my 4 inch heels for FitFlop Mukluks and not gonna lie- as much as I adore a good heel, the night was significantly more pleasant in my FitFlops.

Beauty BFF Viewer Q & A: Curly Hair Quandary

Monday, September 13th, 2010


Q: I enjoyed the video about curly hair. I’m 44, and only recently discovered I have curly hair. My problem is the hair on the top of my head ( about 1 inch from a center part on either side) is straight, and I have yet to find a way to make the top look nice with curly sides. My hair is quite thick as well. Any suggestions you could offer would be helpful.


A:  I actually think that not having curls right at the roots can be seen as a good thing because it gives you styling options- and will keep your hair from ever looking too pouffy. In order to keep it from looking weighed down by the curl, I recommend using a root lift product that will not only give your hair a nice lift, but will add texture so you can better style it. I like Blow Up Root Lift Concentrate- it doesn’t leave hair all crunchy looking. And the nozzle applicator is very targeted, making it easy to apply only where you want it

I would spritz in some product, then use your blowdryer and fingers to tousle and lift the roots. Also use this time to push your hair in the direction you want it to go- I think blowing it slightly forward is best if you then want to tie it back in a loose, low ponytail, or if you are leaving it down, blow it back so that it stays out of your face. To keep the rest of your curls smooth, massage a little serum or hydrating cream into the ends.

Hope this helps- keep us posted!

Beauty BFF Viewer Q & A: Foundation Fix?

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I love all the questions that come in from viewers of my MSN series, Beauty BFF. I am going to do my best to answer as many as possible on my blog- here is this week’s installment:

Q: I’m looking for some help for my skin. I don’t really need concealer because my skin behaves rather well, but I am looking for foundation so that my skin has a stable color appearance…After much work, time, and money, my skin doesn’t look smooth, but caked on. What can I do?

A: Never underestimate the power of a great primer. Many people think of primers as an unnecessary extra step- but I completely disagree. A primer will fill in fine lines, wrinkles and any surface inconsistencies that may result from acne scars, sun damage, etc. There is a new one from Stila called One Step Correct that I think is especially perfect for you. Weaved into the primer are color correcting ribbons of peach, lilac and green, which counteract any and all discolorations, in, you guessed it- one step! It also brightens the skin- nice added bonus.

With this on the skin first, you can get away with using less foundation to get your desired finish, therefore eliminating the need to pile on product which can result in that “caked on” look that we are trying to avoid here.

Following the primer, I suggest a medium coverage liquid foundation that you can really work into the skin. Two of my favorites right now- both have matte finishes which is very on-trend for Fall- include Ahava Mineral Makeup Light Foundation, which is enriched with Dead Sea minerals to protect and improve your skin, and Lancome Tient Idole Fresh Wear matte foundation, again, very lightweight but substantial coverage. Oh, and it lasts for 18 hours straight which, if your skin EATS makeup like mine does, is a huge plus.


I Gave In: D&G Aviators

Monday, July 26th, 2010

I have always been a fan of aviators. I think they look classic and effortless, and many a pair have graced the bridge of my nose over the years. So when I found myself in Sunglass Hut in Westport, CT a few weeks ago on the search for a pair of sunglasses, I was really making an effort to try something new. These D & G aviators were an instant hit- the gold frame is a bit more substantial that your average Ray-Bans, slightly over-the-top but since the shape is classic, the look overall balances out.

Oh- and the necklace? Dannijo, of course.

Celeb Beauty Must-Haves for Spring

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

If you are looking to stock your spring beauty bag like the stars do, then check these out- as seen in my recent segment on BetterTV.

Darphin Hydraskin Essential: The perfect burst of moisture for all skin types, this emulsion provides immediate hydration. Featuring butterfly lavender and organic Shea Butter to soften and nourish the skin, it is the perfect daily dose for complexion perfection.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner: Stila’s new waterproof eye liner applies extremely soft and smooth with immediate color release and intense payoff. www.stilacosmetics.com

PRIORI CoffeeBerry Perfecting Mineral Foundation SPF 25 UVA 10: This antioxidant, SPF, foundation and acne Treatment in one offers a 100% all natural formula fortified with CoffeeBerry, a potent anti-aging botanical that fights free radicals and the causes of skin aging. www.prioriskincare.com

GOSMiLE Touch Ups in Watermelon Mint, Fresh Mint and Green Apple: A toothbrush, floss and breath mint in one convenient, portable ampoule. These new Touch Ups contain a more effective whitening formula with increased levels of hydrogen peroxide to keep teeth as white as the day you completed your whitening regimen. www.gosmile.com

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Invisible: This sprays on clear and instantly boosts volume and cleanses the hair without water. Ingredients such as gentle starches absorb excess oil and product build-up, while vitamin E and wheat proteins strengthen and protect the hair shaft. www.sephora.com

As Seen On: BetterTV Spring Accessory Picks

Friday, March 5th, 2010

The easiest way to update your wardrobe for a new season? Accessorize! Especially as we see fashion become more season-less in terms of wearability, no need to splurge on a new outfit when you can save by investing in an arsenal of carefully selected add-ons.

Here are my picks, inspired by Spring’s most prevalent trends:

TREND: Florals

Boden Corsage Flower Necklace- $58 at www.bodenusa.com

Charlotte Russe Earrings- $4.00 at www.charlotterusse.com

Dav Rain Boots- $75 at www.davrain.com

TREND: Tribal

Rachel Rachel Roy Fairwinds Clutch- $79 at www.rachelroy.com

DSW Ankle Cuff Sandals- $44.95 at www.dsw.com

Lands End Canvas Scarf – $29.50 at www.Landsend.com

TREND: Lilac

Rarities by Carol Brodie Jade Drop Earrings – $149.90 at www.hsn.com

Blackberry Curve 8530 in Smoky Violet- $29.99 w/contract, www.verizon.com

TREND: Military

American Eagle Military Radar Hat – $19.50 at www.ae.com

Old Navy Cargo Zip Jacket- $39.50 at www.oldnavy.com

TREND: Plastics/Lucite

Aqua Necklaces- $30 and up at www.bloomingdales.com



As Seen On: Beauty Breakthroughs from "Good Morning Texas"

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

When it comes to getting pretty for party season, these new breakthroughs will help you look your best with maximum impact and, most importantly, minimum stress.

Stila Makeup Player- $69.90 at www.stilabeautytube.com
Makeup lessons on demand- tips and tools included. Oh, and did I mention the makeup lessons are FREE? Not too shabby.

Kelly VanGogh Heads Up! Highlighting Kit- $49 at www.kellyvangogh.com
The first fool-proof way to do highlights at home- you watch your color change as it works, and when the desired shade is reached, spritz on the deactivator and voila- perfect color.

Vavoom Design Pulse Switch Flicks Wax Gel by Matrix- $16 at salons, for locations visit www.matrix.com
A genius 2-in-1- on wet hair, it acts as a smoothing styling gel, and when applied to dry hair, it turns into a malleable pomade to create piece-y, textured style.

Vaseline Sheer Infusion- $6.25 at drugstores
No matter how dry your skin may be, this packs twice as much moisture in a light and silky formula as other lotions and doesn’t need to be re-applied mid-party.

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting Duo- $40 at www.qvc.com
Use this multi-tasking miracle to get bronzed from head to toe- the powder formula goes on the skin with a dewy glow. If you put a beach vacation on hold- this is a nice way to fake sun-kissed skin.

Molton Brown Aroma Rocks- $45 at www.moltonbrown.com
Beauty sleep is essential- and this is the most glam way to get it. Pop open the top and let the blend of cedrus tree oil, sweet Florida orange oil and Bulgarian lavendar oil ease you into a good night of rest.

As Seen On: A-List Inspired Gifts from NBC Philadelphia "The 10! Show"

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

You can give a gift that is up to A-list standards even if you don’t have a blockbuster budget to spare. Check out these gifts, inspired by Hollywood’s favorite things, for everyone on your list- for under $100 a pop.

For Kids
MiniBoden Applique Shirts- $28 at www.bodenusa.com
CELEB FANS of MiniBoden- Angeline Jolie, Michelle Obama
One of the best things about this charming British online clothing retailer is that you can find special items that not every kid will be wearing- their items tend to sell out like crazy so think of everything as a limited edition essential!

For Teens
Old Navy Sequin Tanks- $14.50 at www.oldnavy.com
CELEB FANS of Old Navy- Brittany Snow, Kim Kardashian, Kristin Cavallari
Can’t believe these are less than $15 a pop- fun and colorful, perfect fit and great under boyfriend blazers- teens will go crazy for the sparkle details.

For Him
Molton Brown Indonesian Retreat gift set- $72 at www.moltonbrown.com
CELEB FAN of Molton Brown- Ryan Phillipe
This three-piece gift for men features energizing body products for an active lifestyle- perfect for the manly man who prides himself on being athletic but secretly loves a little pampering. Contains:bracing silverbirch thermal muscle soak, active cassia hair & body sportswash and bracing silverbirch body wash.

For Her
Limited Edition Michael Kors Very Hollywood Gem Set- $90.00 at department stores nationwide
CELEB FAN of Michael Kors Very Hollywood-Debra Messing
This is the sexiest new scent- and completely obsessed with the glam cocktail ring that comes inside the gift set filled with solid fragrance- a true double duty beauty essential! If you are torn between giving someone a beauty or a fashion gift- this is a perfect option.

For Mom
L’Occitane Shea Vanilla Caress Set- $46 ($54 Value) at loccitane.com
CELEB FANS of L’Occitane- Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Garner
Something about the scent of Vanilla is super soothing- and new moms are always obsessed with this scent! And since they rarely have time to pamper themselves, the gift of at-home pampering is always very appreciated.

For the Fashionable Workaholic:
Tory Burch Laptop Case- $75 at www.toryburch.com
CELEB FANS of Tory Burch- Hilary Swank, Katherine Heigl
This is the most chic way for a carry a computer- brand new and limited edition for the holidays, it is the ultimate present for the workaholic with a flair for all things fashion.

For Hostess
Philosophy the bake shoppe- $30 at www.philosophy.com
CELEB FANS of Philosophy- Mariska Hargitay, Whitney Port
Give the gift of decadent calorie-free sweet treats for the ultimate hostess to unwind with after the festivities. This includes pink frosted layer cake and raspberry mousse shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths; buttercream body lotion; and raspberry mousse flavored lip shine.


As Seen On: Great Gifts to Give from "NC8 News"

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Here are some great gifts that also offer great values, as featured in this segment from NewsChannel 8 in Washington, DC.

VALUE TIPS:

• Beauty brands tend to offer amazing deals in the forms of gift sets that come with extra goodies and amazing gifts with purchase that don’t cost a penny and can be re-gifted because they look like a million bucks.

• Look to off-price retailers this year more than ever because they are getting tons of in-season merchandise because other retailers have reduced their inventories drastically. So you can gift the must-have items that the people on your list are seeing in departments stores and boutiques- and they never have to know that you saved big time.

• A big trend in gifts this holiday season- which is a direct result of the lifestyle trend in spending more time at home/nesting- are things geared around staying in- including cozy loungewear, home pampering presents and home décor items. The great thing about all three of these categories is that they correspond with well-priced offerings- you don’t need to spend a lot to get a super comfy sweater, a decadent spa kit or a fun trinket for the home.

FOR HER:

Limited Edition Michael Kors Very Hollywood Gem Set- $90.00 at Macy’s

A true value- this is perfect for the beauty loving fashionista because not only does she get the best-selling new fragrance- but she gets a decadent body lotion and- the most exciting little extra- a giant cocktail ring filled with a solid version of the perfume.

Lands’ End FeelGood Cardigan- $69.50 at www.landsend.com

Soft as cashmere – but offers the durability of cotton- these are cozy and comfy. Also- for every piece sold, Lands’ End will donate FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity. Lands’ End has donated thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless.

FOR HIM:

Aramis Classic Executive Collection- $62.00 at Macy’s

Aramis is the quintessential guys grooming and fragrance brand- and this gift set is the perfect way to pamper the manliest of men.

Old Navy Slippers- $19.50 and up at www.oldnavy.com

A super comfy take on the classic men’s essential- these are lined with shearling and have a very on-trend Mad Men feel to them.

FOR KIDS:

MiniBoden Applique Shirts- $28 at www.bodenusa.com

One of the best things about this charming British online clothing retailer is that you can find special items that not every kid will be wearing- their clothing tends to sell out like crazy, so think of this as a limited edition essential!

philosophy have a cherry christmas- $16 at www.philosophy.com

This is one of those products that actually will make kids excited about bath time- and it also works as a shampoo and shower gel so a true multi-tasker. Gentle on the skin, it foams up into a fun and sweet smelling bubble bath.

FOR HOSTESS:

Crystal Deco Candle Stick Holders- $14.99 each at TJ Maxx stores

These are modern, sleek and literally go with any décor- which is crucial when bringing someone a gift for their home. They look like something from a fine boutique- just put them in a fancy gift bag- you can use a wine bag which will fit them perfectly- and you are pretty much guaranteed an invite back next year.

Molton Brown Marrakech Dreaming set- $58 at www.moltonbrown.com

Three things every hostess can always use- elegant hand soap and lotion for the powder room- and a fragrant candle to set the ambience. Filled with Rose Granati favorites, this lasts much longer than an actual bouquet!

STOCKING STUFFERS:

L’Occitane Sweet Cherry and Shea Vanilla Hugs & Kisses – $18 at www.loccitane.com and L’Occitane stores.

Two of the brands best-selling products in new flavors and limited edition bundles, these are perfect to stuff in stocking- you can even break the set up to share the love!

Beauty.com Exclusive Gift with $100 Purchase- FREE at www.beauty.com

If you are planning to purchase multiple gifts online, then head over to beauty.com to snag some extra swag. You can keep the limited edition Erikson Beamon bag for yourself if you want- and then fill stockings with the over $150 worth of samples that are stuffed inside.





As Seen On: Favorite Gifts Under $50 from "11Alive News Atlanta"

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

You don’t have to spend a lot to give a gift that looks like a million bucks. Here are some of my favorites, all ringing in at under $50 a pop.

Wet N Wild’s Festive Flirt Nail Enamel – $1.99 at mass retailers and drugstores
These mini polishes have high performance, seasonal color. Cute names like Ho-ho-ho, Holly and Blitzen will be a big hit when stuffed inside any stocking.

Old Navy Ruffled Faux-Leather Wristlet Clutch – $14.50 at OldNavy.com
Ravishing ruffles lend this chic faux-leather clutch stand-out style. Features a wristlet strap and foil floral-print woven lining.

philosophy the gingerbread man gel- $16 at www.philosophy.com
he’s back and ready to draw you a relaxing bath. the gingerbread man foaming bubble bath and shower gel pampers you with an ultra-rich, moisturizing lather that leaves your skin feeling clean and soft.

Limited-Edition DKNY Rollerball/Lipgloss Duo- $20.00 at department stores nationwide
DKNY Be Delicious EDP, in a portable rollerball form, is conveniently paired with a scented pearlescent pink lip gloss that is sheer and lightweight and adds sparkling dimension and glossy shine to lips.

Lands’ End Kids Down Vest- $25.50 at www.landsend.com
Comes in tons of colors and works for kids in any climate- it is light enough to be comfy and versatile but substantial enough to keep you warm.

Crystal Cuff- $29.99 at TJ Maxx
Truly a timeless style- this is something you would find in stores now but can scoop up at TJ Maxx for half the price!

Lilly Pulitzer Cocktail Shaker- $39.95 at www.lillypulitzer.com
A fun gift for the preppy that likes to party- a limited edition offering that serves up a fun twist on the classic shaker.

L’Occitane Sweet Cherry Temptation and Shea VanillaCaress Gift Boxes - $46 ($54 Value) at www.loccitane.com
Gift sets offer the best values- and this one comes wrapped ready to give in an exquisite keepsake box.


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