Making your Unmentionables Mentionable... But with Grace of course

Photo: Imaxtree

Dolce & Gabbana (left) Bottega Veneta (middle) Christian Dior (right)

Photo: Imaxtree
Fendi (left) Christian Dior (middle) Cushnie et Ochs (right)

I love La Petite Blog's take on how we can take our underwear and make them a part of our everyday looks sans looking trashy. Click Here for more information on this new trend.

Bingo is the new Black

As a self proclaimed "serial online shopper" ... I find joy in taking a break from surfing the net for those " hard to get one of a kind items" (i.e. killer shoes, embellished dresses, exotic skin bags,tons of jewels and baubles etc.....) and bask in a bingo play or two. It has become a pastime "in between" shopping ritual. Some people get their kicks from online casinos, I get mines from online bingo . If you ask me bingo is a much more "wholesome" online game to play in comparison to the casino games ( blackjack, online poker, you name it, someone has lost $$$ from it -which then led gamblers into debt!!). I find it very refreshing to step back from a potential impulse buy and place my mind on something else like the latest trends in bingo and fashion as I read some articles between my various rounds of online bingo. I have avoided buying a lot of "wrong" items by playing a great online game and catching up on my who's who of Fashion all the while re-energizing my fashion sense to do some major style collateral damage to my credit card as an extra treat to being a online bingo champion.

Party Like It Was 2008 !!!!!!

Early Autumn 2008, post Labor Day the New York elitist Fashionistas and Wall Street Titans they love had no clue what was coming their way. THE RECESSIONISTAS by Alexandra Lebenthal ( no stranger to the New York social scene herself) paints a very vivid picture of the economic crash of 2008 with fabulous fashion references along with extensive financial explanations ( how "Hedge Funds" work, etc...) . This book has made me find interest in the whole Wall Street World ( Hedge Funds,Venture Capital,Private Equity, Stocks and Bonds etc....) because Lebenthal did an impeccable job teaching the reader the ins and outs of this field. It was a crash course to finance along with a sprinkle of W magazine with all the galas, and designer clad women who attended them . Being only her debut novel, I am thrilled to see what else Lebenthal has to offer us. This book was a great marriage between Finance and Fashion and also it was a modern refreshing take on the old tale of " cheaters never prosper" even if it takes a couple of years or months... You would certainly enjoy following these four socialites in this "reversal of fortune" tale.

Not Your Mother's Thermals ....

warm (wôrm)
adj. warm·er, warm·est
1. Somewhat hotter than temperate; having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat; moderately hot: a warm climate.
2. Having the natural heat of living beings: a warm body.
3. Preserving or imparting heat: a warm overcoat.
4. Having or causing a sensation of unusually high body heat, as from exercise or hard work; overheated.
5. Marked by enthusiasm; ardent: warm support.
6. Characterized by liveliness, excitement, or disagreement; heated: a warm debate.
7. Marked by or revealing friendliness or sincerity; cordial: warm greetings.
8. Loving; passionate: a warm embrace.
9. Excitable, impetuous, or quick to be aroused: a warm temper.
10. Predominantly red or yellow in tone: a warm sunset.
11. Recently made; fresh: a warm trail.

sexy [ˈsɛksɪ]
adj sexier, sexiest Informal
1. provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest a sexy dress a sexy book
2. feeling sexual interest; aroused
3. interesting, exciting, or trendy a sexy project a sexy new car

Now dressing "warm" for comfort can now be "sexy". Long gone are the days of when you think about thermal clothing - log cabins and hot cocoa by the fireplace comes to mind. There was a time when you wanted to wear "thermals" to bed, it was most likely when you were alone, because it was soooo not the " sexy" piece of clothing. You would not dare wear them around the house when your beau is over , or even (gasp) try to go to bed in them while he was around or wore them to sleep in at his place.Now that all has changed, with lace options ( like the shorts pictured above) that come in hot pants or boxer shorts ( however you'd like to classify them) , and vests , to t shirts. Now comfort and warmth and "sexy" can finally co-exist during these cold Autumn-Winter nights ahead.

Pretty SKINNY Bling of the Day

I am just loving the “Flat” Finger Candy ring by Skinny ($70) !!!! Most recently spotted on Khloe Kardashian during her recent stay here in New York City. Set with an overabundance of Swarovski crystals, this ring adds a major dose of blingosity to your outfit. I would love to stack this ring on especially on a rainy or cold day in NYC to give me a little extra something to look down at and smile about during a nasty weather day. This pretty little ring comes in an assortment of colors ( Black Diamond, Vitrail Medium, Carribean Opal, Golden Shadow, Pacific Opal, Hematite) , with the Holiday Season approaching a perfect stocking stuffer idea!

All Things Pink

Since October is about "all things pink" I wanted to make a selection of some of my favorite items that come in what happens to be one of my favorite colors :

Case-Mate BlackBerry Tour 9630 Barely There in Hot Pink ($21.95)

Currently my case of choice, for more reasons than one. It's lightweight and it feels as if you're phone does not even have a case on it at all, easy to remove - unlike other cases . I love the vibrant pink casing, that adds a little metallic (all though the case is plastic) allure to the blackberry - its a nice change from the "bling cases" I usually use.

Betsey Johnson 'Varsity Crush' Tiara Ring ($45)

How could you not like this ring??? It is everything a lady should be : regal, pretty, flashy and last but not least decked out in gems! Betsey Johnson jewelery is always fun.

Yves Saint Laurent Palais platform leather pumps ($675)

YSL pumps need no introduction. A definite luxe item for any lucky lady. I love that this shoe combine two of my favorite things..pink and a pump silhouette you can only find in a YSL pump. These shoes are a definite work of art!

Emanuel Ungaro Layered wool-gauze gown($2,290)

All I can think when I look at this dress is "Pretty in Pink" . It is the epitome of what is pretty, from the layers of wool-gauze to the vibrant shade of pink. I really fell in love with the dress when I first saw it, I like to describe it as a flower blooming in Spring.

Love Your Boobs With Mama Mio Boob Tube

October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) is all about "Loving Your Boobs", and what better way to do so then preserve their youthful appearance. Mama Mio Boob Tube Bust & Neck Firmer ($45 MamaMio.com) is an amazing lotion that works wonders on the bust and neck by firming the skin and giving it a youthful dewy glow. Most users see a difference within a week of using it in their daily routine. With a powerhouse of active ingredients in each bottle , this lotion delivers high performance bust care. Ingredients such as:

CoQ10 is Nature’s wonderfully powerful antioxidant that helps prevent collagen degradation. Collagen is the all-important protein net that supports your skin keeping your boobs, neck and décolleté free from the effects of gravity and aging.

Milk Thistle a second natural antioxidant to help prevent free radical damage to delicate skin.

Evening Primrose Oil is moisturising and emollient, restoring the body’s natural balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9, reducing the effects of aging.

Sweet Almond Oil is rich in vital Omega 3, 6 and 9; very nourishing and quickly absorbed, leaving a soft sheen on the skin with no residue.

Shea Butter is the most potent healing butter; an Omega-rich natural latex that helps stave off sagging and wrinkles.

Avocado Oil is extremely moisturising, rich in antioxidants and Omegas, deeply penetrating and rich in Vitamins D and E.

Olive Oil has high levels of Omegas, maintaining moisture whilst leaving your skin supple and smooth.

Fenugreek Extract protects the skin and helps stimulate cell regeneration.

Dandelion Root also helps stimulate skin cell regeneration and contains antioxidant Vitamin C.

Wild Yam Extract and Saw Palmeto Extract help improve skin condition and tone.

If that was not great enough , Mama Mio Skincare will be donating $1 to the cancer support charity, Look Good...Feel Better for every(which is also accompanied by an instuctional self-breast-exam pamphlet) Boob Tube and Boob Tube Magic Shimmer sold on MamaMio.com . Which is all the more reason to treat yourself to a bottle, its a purchase that keeps on giving , literally!

Spanx ..Don't Leave Home Without It!!!!

Flawless Form Made Possible with .....

Spanx Slim Cognito Shape Slip

Ever since the "Bandage Dress" by Hervé Léger made its way back into our fashion closets a few years back, they've never left. The last time "Bandages" were done with precision and great form was in the days of the "Mummy's" back in Egypt. These dresses are effortlessly chic , and can be both dressed down or up according to what you accent them with. One accessory that is mandatory while wearing these one-of-a kind creations is : Spanx . There is no way you can wear such a figure hugging, no room for any VPL (visible panty lines) type of dress sans any form of shapewear after all. For the "stick figure" types - maybe this is not as mandatory , but anyone with a ounce of curves it is highly suggested. The biggest faux pas is to have one of these dresses on with lumps, bumps, and lady multiple humps - it depreciates the look all together. The new Spanx Slim Cognito Shape Slip has a full slip silhouette , which features graduated zoned compression that targets the tummy and back. Ideal for these style of dresses pictured above. It also features removeable underwire straps for an added lift , and adjustable straps for a fit that is to your liking. If you feel you can not "commit" to a full on slip under your dress, there are other body shaper options , that can cater to the specific areas you want to compress.
As long as you have your shapewear in tact, you are sure to make a splash in your Bandage Dress !!

Never Too Young For Some Jewelry

When it comes to attending Baby Showers, or getting Baby Jewellery for a New-Born baby , we always to get something practical. Like bottles, learning toys, clothes, pampers, etc... Hardly do we ever to get a keep-sake sort of gift that the baby can always keep. My favorite pick in this category is one of my favorite things : jewelry. Like the set with the pink angels (pictured above) is great for a baby girl, whether for a baby shower, or once the baby is born, or even a first Birthday. For Baby Boys, a great option would be a chain or bracelet as well made of gold , or a simple tag necklace ( like the one pictured at top) are my favorite choices for Baby Boys. Although the baby will essentially "out grow" the jewlery, they can always have them as a keepsake and possibly pass it on to their own children. Some parents may even pass on the pieces to younger siblings, and make it some sort of tradition within the family. If the jewelry is of high quality ( diamonds, etc... ) it can easily be turned into something else - like a ring, pair of earrings, a pendant, etc.. Another great keepsake option which is unisex are those baby rattles made out of Sterling Silver. (Remember in Sex and The City when Trey bought one for he and Charlotte's "baby" ??) You can get those engraved with the Baby's name , or even with a message to the new parents, or if you are the parents-to-be, a message to your new baby is always nice.

Pampering.. Not for women only

Since the beginning of the decade .. the "Metro-sexual" has been on the rise. Men who take the time to "pay attention to detail" with their look. From clothing, to home decor, to personal grooming. Male waxing is just as lucrative as female waxing. Now men wax everything from backs, chest, legs and arms to even the "personal" areas as well. Some spa locations offer a "full body" wax option that takes care of everything in one sitting - not for the faint of heart at all. Not to say I'm not a fan of men sporting the "scruffy look" , but some areas need to be "cleaned up" a bit (i.e. uni-brows, ears, backs, etc... those areas we just can't let our hubby's ignore). In those extreme cases, less is more, and anything else should be removed - by a professional of course. For those guys who are a bit shy at getting the works done, there are male- only spas where men can get their "services done" without the fear of feeling " girly" being surrounded by women patrons. Some just want the masculine amenities that a male-spa has to offer. Whatever the reason for going, I highly encourage it.

The Non-Dress ...

Although I am fan of dresses of all kinds, but sometimes you have to mix it up a little. What better way to do it than to keep the femininity of a flirty dress with a tunic or embellished top.
Embellished Tops are the perfect non-dress ( I should probably use another choice of words, because some would actually wear a top as a dress... but for the masses - Tunics are still the non-dress), you have the girlishness of a dress but the comfort of wearing only a top - giving you the option to change the style even further. Tops like the one pictured above, can be paired with jeans , or pants, or even leggings and can easily translate from day to night with the swapping of shoes (pretty flats switch to some killer heels) and accessories (perhaps very minimal for day - basic solitaire studs, a simple ring , and more additions for night - bigger earrings, a ton of bangles or bracelets, statement rings. ). Even a change in make up : eyes (minimal neutrals in the day, and the addition of more color for night and more mascara.) lipcolor ,(light for day, and a dark red shade for "after-work") can make all the difference.

Party Dress Season

With the holidays vastly approaching. We find ourselves thinking about what parties and events will we be attending during the joyous season. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, there is a lot of celebrating to go around. With celebration comes parties, and with parties comes the party dresses. Which dress will you wear for which function will be the main thought running through so many of our minds. According to how grand a celebration, we like to plan our wardrobe in advance - dress, shoes, accessories , etc... We even think about what hairstyle will we wear in advance. I love this A|Wear sequined princess dress for the holiday season . The sparkle element of the sequins is so festive, and it will definitely add some glitz and glamour to any room you walk into wearing this dress. You can really take it up a notch with a pair of glittery pumps or peeptoe shoes to really maximize the sparkle factor. If you are one for "less is more" a nice nude shoe will work just fine. This dress is in my opinion one of my top contenders for a party dress , because there is so much you can do with it.

Eyebrows : To Groom or Not to Groom .......

Backstage at Dior SS09

When it comes to eyebrows, the debate can become controversial. Some people love the au naturale appearance (like the picture above) and others prefer the 1920s extremely thin style of brows, while the rest find ease on a choosing a look that falls somewhere in between. Whether to wax, tweeze or thread is the question on many peoples minds. For those who choose eyebrow waxing - find comfort in it being a speedy process. A few strips depending on the level of removal, and the job is complete. It is one of the most popular treatments in most spa / salons by women as well as men.
Two other popular options for eyebrow maintenance are : threading , and tweezing. Threading is a bit more intricate with the process, definitely not something that can be done just by anyone. Must be left to the professionals. It is highly prefered by those who do not like the use of wax - who have found themselves having bad reactions to wax , for whatever reasons it may be. Last but not least, tweezing is an option when there is a few stray strands and you want to clean up the brow area - and you're already going for the full-brow look. A lot of people find tweezers to be easy to use on their own.
Whatever your weapon of choice may be, great brows are just a a wax, thread or pluck away!

Chic Barware

gift
Pronunciation (gft) n.
1. Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.
2. The act, right, or power of giving.
3. A talent, endowment, aptitude, or inclination.
tr.v. gift·ed, gift·ing, gifts
1. To present something as a gift to.
2. To endow with.

With a couple of upcoming weddings to attend, I find myself looking for great gift ideas for a couple of friends. I came across a collection of Silver-Plated Barware and I absolutely fell in love. My favorites from the collection are the Silver-Plated Ice Bucket(pictured, top right) Silver-Plated Life Long Champagne Chalices (pictured, top left). They give a modern, luxe and chic feeling to bar ware , and I think these bar accessories are perfect for young newlyweds. Also perfect gifts to bring to the Party Host(Hostess) , the next time you attend a intimate gathering.



The Silver-Plated Ice Bucket- made of hammered silver plate with a hard wearing leather strap, is said to be a perfect gift for newly engaged couples.


While the Silver-Plated Life Long Champagne Chalices (set of two) are made from hammered silver plate to keep contents ultra cool. The Silver add a sparkle factor to drinking Champagne - great for drinking out of during the holidays. Considered to be a gift for life - since the chalices will not break and will last a lifetime.I think its only fitting to gift a newlywed couple these chic chalices. The couple can then add on to the set themselves with other Silver Bar Accessories.