The Daily Cookie

We're Moving!

2007-11-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Daily Cookie is moving and we'd like for you to come with us! Please visit us at our new URL address, www.dailycookie.net. We don't want you to miss us so please update your bookmarks.

See you again soon!

{Image: Evite.com}

"12 Days of Christmas" Giveaway!

2007-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

{Image: GettyImages.com}

So I woke up yesterday morning on Thanksgiving Day in a jolly holiday mood and thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to spread the joy of The Daily Cookie and do a fun holiday season giveaway?" And as the day wore on, eating, drinking and being merry, with the Colts slaughtering the Falcons 31-13, I decided, YES, The Daily Cookie will hold its first contest and I'd love for you all to join in on the fun!

I'm conducting a "12 Days of Christmas" giveaway where I'll be giving away one gift for, oh I dunno, 12 days? It won't be doing it everyday; I'm going to do it on random days so you'll have to check back regularly from now until Dec. 24th for your chance to win.

The rules are really simple, I'll post the Gift of the Day as early as I can in the morning and you have all day (until 11:59 PST) to email me at thedailycookie@yahoo.com. When you email me, you agree that I may keep your email address for future news and offers from The Daily Cookie. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (since I can't afford shipping internationally). And that's it!

*EDIT: If you've already won during our "12 Days of Christmas" giveaway, you are not eligible to win subsequent days.**

I hope you enjoy this fun sweepstakes and I'd love to hear any comments or thoughts you have about our first contest.

Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T23:35:00.000-08:00

I hope that y'all have a great holiday with your family and friends this weekend! I'm going to spend the better part of the day making turkey 'n all the fixin's with the Boyfriend. We're gonna start early but it's no big deal because while we slave over the stove, we're going to eat some bomb deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped shrimp that one of our best friend, Bruce, is going to make.

And of course, watch some football while we cook - can't wait! I'm getting killed in my Fantasy Football league so I'm praying for a high-scoring Colts game tomorrow. GO Peyton Manning!! I'll be thankful to just not be in the bottom this week again.

What else am I thankful for? Chanel - how do I count the ways? My new favorite Hydramax moisturizer and who could resist those beautiful Glossimers?!

Dior 'DiorLight' Holiday Bright Lip Gloss ($90 US) is such a beauty, I can't help but be thankful for the geniuses behind this gem.

A Top Chef 3 Thanksgiving Day marathon on Bravo . I can't wait until the next season, but until then, I'll get my fix all day tomorrow! YAY Hung!

And of course my family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving!

Foodie Review: Aqua SF

2007-11-21T09:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it was my boyfriend's birthday last Tuesday (by the way, he's lovingly known as 'Big Daddy' among my circle of friends - LOL) and I decided to take him to Aqua, a restaurant that we've both been wanting to try but was sure that it would be wayyy over-priced and over-rated.

Aqua's menu consists almost entirely of seafood (one of the reasons he wanted to go) and is rated as a top San Francisco fine dining restaurant with two (out of three) Michelin stars (the only reason I wanted to go).

Our reservation was at 7pm and we were promptly seated in a spot that was as I requested - away from the kitchen and away from the door. It's just too noisy if you end up at either one of those locations. But, to my disappointment at Aqua, it was STILL noisy. Annoyingly noisy, where I couldn't even hear what the waiter or my boyfriend sitting across from me was saying half the time. So much for a nice dinner. If anyone from Aqua SF is reading this, please remodel and fix the acostics in your restaurant. You might end up with 3 Michelin stars next year because the noise level really took away from my, otherwise great, dining experience.

One thing I should mention about the menu at Aqua is that you can't order just an entree or one appetizer to share; you can only choose their 3-course prix fixe menu ($72 US) or the Chef's Tasting Menu ($125 US for 7 courses). While I did want to do the Tasting Menu, I just wasn't down for someone else choosing what I ate, so we both opted for the 3-course dinner.

Our meal started out with a plate of amuse-bouche. A sliver of sardine (fishy!), celery root and apple soup (YUM!), and a tuna croquette. I wasn't too impressed with it since it was all over the place. I'm not to the level where I can appreciate (or unappreciate) the progression of food as far as flavors go, but I do know what I like. I didn't like the fishy sardine, or the saltiness of the soup - although the flavor was nice, too much salt. And I didn't have much to say about the croquette. So, I thought, here we go, an overpriced dinner that isn't even going to be good. Boy, was I wrong!

I had some seared scallops and my boyfriend had raw kumamoto oysters. I don't like oysters, but he claimed they were good. And my scallops were divine. Perfectly cooked and just melted in my mouth. Here are some pictures but please know that this doesn't do it any justice since I lost my camera and had to take photos with my Treo. AND the lighting on my side of the table made the plates look green.

Seared Scallops

Kumamoto Oysters

Next, I had Crispy Snapper and the Boyfriend had Cod. I was a little disappointed in the snapper; it was slightly overcooked and dry but again, the flavor was good. And the BF's cod was excellent! I'm talkin' flavor bursting in my mouth and the fish was moist and perfectly done. There was nothing wrong with that dish in my book. I'd go again right now if it weren't so darn expensive!

Crispy Snapper

Atlantic Cod

And finally for dessert, I had a cheese plate because I don't really have a sweet tooth (and I LOVE cheese!) and the BF had some sort of passionfruit cake with hibiscus sauce and lychees. It was divine! He claims he doesn't like dessert but you know he ate the whole thing!

Passionfruit Dessert

What I loved the most about the whole evening was, of course the company (Honey, I know you're reading!), and the table side presentation! Every course that was brought out, the servers poured the sauces onto our plates. It made it seem really fancy and that they appreciated the fact that you were dining there.

My only major complaint about the whole experience was the darn noise and the fact that I didn't send my snapper back when I should have. I personally don't recommend Aqua if you're looking for a quiet evening with good food. However, I do recommend it if you're going in a big party (who cares if you're loud because everyone else is) or if you have an expense account you want to blow.

Let me know what your experience with Aqua was like and if you recommend in any restaurants in the SF/Bay Area. I love food and I will go try it!

One more day until Turkey Day! YAY!

Lancôme Color Fever Plumper and F&F Event

2007-11-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

It seems like there are a lot of lip “plumper” glosses out there on the market these days. And Lancôme is following suit with their new Color Fever Plumper lip gloss. This plumping vibrant lipshine ($28 US) is a Lancôme first.

It’s described as a powerful new lip plumper that physically and comfortably enhances lip size and volume – without the biting burn – for a sexy, luscious, voluptuous pout.

In seconds, lips are stimulated and plumped with two effects:
- Sensorial Volume Effect: Dramatically yet, pleasantly plumps lips with a unique combination of cooling menthol, stimulating parfums, and polyoils that infuse lips with moisture.
- High Shine Effect: High-shining oils intensely reflect light to make lips look larger for a full-bodied, luminous pout.

New Color Fever Plumper comes in 7 perfect shades to choose from:

Brown/Neutrals:
- Souffle
- Quilted

Pinks/Berries:
- Puckered
- Ample
- Bountiful

Reds/Corals:
- Suggestive
- Curvy

And if you want to try out this new lipgloss, don’t fret because Lancôme’s Friends and Family event is going on right now. Get 20% off your purchase on Lancôme’s website from now until Nov. 26th. Just enter in promo code OURGIFT when you check out!

I suggest you really take advantage of this Friends and Family event by stocking up on all of Lancôme’s holiday favorites. Pick up their Holiday 2007 Precious Light Collection – oh la la!

I personally love the Precious Carat Lip Gloss Jewel ($40 US) shaped like a diamond and made of Swarovski crystals!

Enjoy!

2007 American Music Awards: Love It or Hate It?

2007-11-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

I caught some of the American Music Awards on television Sunday night and I gotta say, there wasn't anything too interesting about it. But then again, what really is when it comes to these award shows?

I was on the lookout for fun, sassy, pretty fashions and makeup just to keep myself interested in watching (but I ultimately clicked over to The Amazing Race because a friend would rather watch people drinking camel's milk - gross, but intriguing).

Anyway, back to the AMAs. I noticed that there were a lot of sparkles and minis (a lot). I love both trends and I love them both together! Check out Ashley Tisdale, Melanie Brown, and Fergie's look here.

I also tried to pick out my favorite beauty looks of the night. Which one was your favorite? I gotta go with Alicia Keys' dress was one of my faves but her eyeliner was wayyy too think and heavy for me. You couldn't even tell how pretty her eyes really are!

I adored Carrie Underwood's soft and romantic makeup; the subtle lips and dramatic eyes were perfect to go with her sweet white mini-dress. Although I'm still on the fence about the neckline - too wedding-ish for me.

Christina Applegate's fierce, royal blue dress was one of my favorites of the bunch but I definitely wasn't into her shoes. First off, it didn't match, and second of all, a slinky, strappy silver sandal would have made this outfit shine! I was also diggin' her soft, subtle makeup. Is it just me or do her eyes look a little buggy - not the right false lashes maybe?

And finally, for my worst pick of the evening's looks - Rihanna. Oh girl, what is up with the dangling piece of hair right in front of your face? It just looks like a bad weave and the dress was sooooo unflattering. I much preferred the dress she had on during her stage performance with Ne-Yo. It was super classy and really showed off her body in a non-slutty kind of way.

Which AMA looks were your favorite? I'd love to know!

{Photos: People.com, FabSugar, Oh-Rihanna.com, CBS.com}

New Lancome Pout-à-Porter Lip Color!!

2007-11-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

{Photo: WWD.com}

The Lancome Pout-à-Porter collection is on a roll and wwd.com has reported that a fourth sensation in lip color is in the works – aren’t you soo excited?? Gucci Westman, Lancome’s international artistic director, is working with designer, Thakoon Panichgul, on another shade that is sure to put beauty enthusiasts into a frenzy even before it hits stores.

From wwd.com: Working with the show’s theme of “a Japanese girl who goes to Hawaii,” Westman decided on a fuchsia stain to highlight the fresh-from-the-beach glow she planned on giving the models. She mixed together three creamy textured colors: beige, beige-colored rose and a bright, blue-based fuchsia. “It’s the sheerest color we’ve done yet for the project,” says Westman, “but it’s perfect for Thakoon. His girl is about minimal makeup.”

Only 2,000 of this still unnamed lip color will go into production and is set to retail for $24 each. This new addition of the Pout-à-Porter collection will hit stores in February – to align with Fashion Week I’m sure! Past colors included the recently released PS Kiss, Proenza Pink, the first from the collection, Benhaz Red. Keep an eye out for the new one, ladies, I know I am because it's going to sell out faster than the Valentine's Day chocolate you're going to receive in February.

MAC Of Beauty Collection

2007-11-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

"Beauty has its form, and its mediums. The light and dimensional harmony of two reflective sources: new Beauty Powder/Loose, coordinated with the soft ambient highlights provided by five new Studio Lights. The look: radiant and sculpturesque."

MAC's newest collection, Of Beauty, gives us an array of pearlescent loose powder that provides a sheer, lightly reflective, shimmering iridescent finish to the skin.

You can use the Beauty Powder/Loose ($21 US) in many ways; ideal for highlighting eyes, cheeks and décolletage. There are six Limited Edition colors available:

Dancing Light Creamy gold with white gold reflect
Drizzlegold Fleshy beige with copper and gold reflect
Natural Flare Peachy champagne with white and gold reflect
Sunspill Coral Peach with white and gold reflect
Tenderdusk Soft pink with red and gold reflect
Soft Flame Rich plum with reddish copper reflect

Also in the Of Beauty collection are Studio Lights ($14.50 US), a softly tinted, sheer, reflective, semi-fluid colour used on the under-eye area to help brighten the look of dark circles. Can also be used to highlight and contour key areas of the face. Five Limited Edition colors available:

Skin Lure Soft creamy beige
Ideal Pink Palest pinkish beige
Smoothspice Caramel
Frangipan Pale golden yellow
Sand Soft peachy beige

With all of the beautiful and luminous holiday looks I've seen so far, like the ones from Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown this year, Of Beauty is the perfect way to complete your beauty look this season.

Bond No. 9, Please Meet Saks Fifth Avenue

2007-11-17T21:46:00.000-08:00

Bond No. 9 recently came out with two new fragrances, Saks Fifth Avenue for Her and Him, marking the first time a specialty store has even commissioned a perfumery to design scents and pioneering a new genre of luxury fragrances.

And how perfect is this union, you ask? If you’re not familiar with Bond No. 9, here’s a little background. Bond No. 9 launched as an homage to the city it was born in, New York, (with its corporate address being 9 Bond Street, in Noho). All 31 Bond No. 9 fragrances give every single New York neighborhood a scent to call its own – try out Bryant Park, Chinatown, or Wall Street to name a few.

And then there’s Saks. Well if you don’t know, Saks is the definition of New York retail elegance and an iconic destination store in the Big Apple located in the heart of 5th Avenue, an ultra-sophisticated neighborhood unto itself. So, you can imagine that when you combine the two, you get a match made in New York heaven.

Check out this amazing crystal-encrusted bottle featuring Saks’ white and black logo – wouldn’t you want this piece of bling sitting on your dresser??

When I wore Saks Fifth Avenue for Her today, the scent was so floral, heavy like gardenias. one of my co-workers even said that it smelled like I rubbed a flower on my arm. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t too sweet or anything. It was actually very romantic and sexy. It could easily be a classic scent that I can come back to again and again.

The Take-Off:
- Jasmine
- Tuberose (perennial plant of the agave family – think yucca, Joshua tree)

The Heart:
- Gardenia

The Bottom:
- Vetiver (perennial grass native to India)
- Vanilla

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her retails for $125 US for a 1.7 oz. bottle and is available now exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide, on Saks.com and at Bond No. 9’s four New York boutiques.

RELATED POSTS: Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Silver Factory Review

Best Beauty Reads of the Week

2007-11-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Here are some of my favorite reads from around the web this week to help you catch up on your weekend reading.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic gives us Dr. Brandt week! Check out her reviews on some of the more popular products from this skincare line.

Enter for your chance to win a FULL set of Billy B. makeup brushes at The Makeup Girl. It's valued at $250 US so get on over there now!

Check out Beauty Treasures on a Budget from The Muse. They're super cute!

A Girl's Gotta Spa tells us about the Body Wrap. Do you need it to hide all the holiday fixin's? I think I might!

Makeup and Beauty Blog is doing the CAN CAN this weekend in the Bay Area. What do YOU want to know from Paris Hilton, herself?

Beauty Junkie in SF tells us how she maintains her lovely blonde locks on a budget!

Need a stocking stuffer idea? Peep this Marc Jacob find on City Chic!

Don't forget to check out my beauty reviews this week where I tell you what I loved or hated about Chanel's Hydramax Moisture Boost Cream and Clinique's High Definition Lash Mascara!

Sephora Discounts!

2007-11-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Sephora's giving you another chance to get your hands on some great freebies!

From now through Dec. 31st, when you spend $50 US more on Sephora.com you can get this cute silver clutch filled with samples of our favorite beauty products. All you have to do is enter promo code CLUTCH1 at checkout and you're all set! While supplies last, of course, so don't wait!

Enjoy!

Beauty Review: Chanel Hydramax Moisture Boost Cream

2007-11-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Chanel has never disappointed me (well.. maybe just their prices) and my latest find from them is definitely not an exception.

I started using Chanel Hydramax Moisture Boost Cream ($58 US) a couple of weeks ago and I'm sooo in love with the formula. Now that the weather is getting colder in San Francisco, I have issues with dry skin in the winter. This moisturizing cream is rich, but not heavy. It smells wonderful, like summer peaches and is blue-ish in color. It also has a cooling sensation when you apply it - hmm, I wonder if that was intentional with the blue...

Here's some of the science behind it from Chanel.com:

Powerful formula performs at the source of dehydration, helping accelerate skin's ability to hydrate itself, utilizing skin proteins and an enzyme that trap moisture in and between cells. Also performs at the surface, creating a moist micro-climate to achieve perfect hydration. Extract of Yeast stimulates the formation of 'comfort lipids,' the natural lipids often lacking in dehydrated skin. Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Extract of Cassia and sugar derivatives provide moisture to the skin surface for softness and comfort. Vitamin E derivative helps protect against skin-damaging free radicals.

This is definitely one that I'd recommend. My face feels softer, and doesn't make me greasy after a few hours - as some other heavier creams tend to do for me and, my makeup applies nicely on top of it. I couldn't believe how many compliments I've gotten on my skin lately and it makes me want to believe that this moisturizer is making the difference! The only annoying thing about it is that it comes in a jar, and not a pump. It's like we're living in the stone age!

Have you tried this moisturizer yet? What are some of your favorites? I'd love to know!

Are You In? Or Are You Out?

2007-11-14T15:41:00.001-08:00

Do these words sound familiar? Well if they don't, I'm sure Heidi Klum will remind you tonight on the new season premiere of Bravo's Project Runway!!

This show is so addicting, even if you don't really care about fashion, this reality competition is always one that delivers for me. Just like my very favorite, Top Chef, it's all about refining a craft (design, cooking, etc) and not about who can manipulate the rest of the peons off the show.

I'm definitely looking forward to it; are you??

Beauty Review: Clinique High Definition Lashes Mascara

2007-11-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

I was a little skeptical to try this mascara because I hadn’t used any products from Clinique for as long as I can remember. The brand didn’t have any pizzazz for me all those years ago so I really wasn’t expecting much from the mascara. But, I’m surprised (and glad) to say that I really like this mascara!

Three things that I’m looking for in a good mascara is: volume, length, and longevity. I’d say that this High Definition Lashes Mascara ($14 US) has all of the above, but if it gave me more volume, I wouldn’t hesitate to call it a favorite.

I’ve been wearing it for a couple of days now and I’ve noticed that it’s really easy to apply. I can get an even coverage without trying too hard and within 2-3 coats –- I put on three because I wanted my lashes to look fuller. (I’m telling you, they’re really skimpy.)

The brush is a dual one – one side is for applying the color and then it has a comb to brush out your lashes so that you can create definition for each lash. I found that I didn’t need the comb side and was worried that it would affect the applicator side (not big enough, etc.) but it didn’t. I don’t know about you but I may not have been affected because I don’t have a lot of lashes to begin with.

Again, this didn’t give me all the volume that I was looking for but I didn’t really miss it either. It’s nice for your more subtle day looks when you’re not looking to blow everyone away with your fabulous lashes. It defines nicely and does a great job with lengthening for me. I can wear it all day (I’m talking 12+ hours) and it doesn’t flake at all - woo hoo!!!

At $14 bucks a pop (slightly higher than drugstore brands), I think this one’s really worth a try. Let me know what you think of this Allure Editor’s Choice Winner.

The Face of Cover Girl's New Lash Blast Mascara!

2007-11-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

I just read on GlamBlush about the new spokesperson for Cover Girl’s Lash Blast mascara that’s been all the craze for the past couple of weeks and I’m soooo happy to see that it’s Drew Barrymore!

The reviews on Makeup Alley are just fair, so I’m not really sure what the big deal is. All I do know is that, for some reason, I really want to try it anyway! Especially now, after watching Cover Girl’s cheesy new commercial with Drew Barrymore! I love the girl to death but this wasn’t doing anything for me. What do you think about it?

I’m almost out of my favorite L’Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara and I’m open and willing to try a new drugstore brand – because who doesn’t love a great bargain product?? I know, I do!

Any of you out there have your own reviews on this new mascara? I’d love to hear them and if you think they are better than your current favorites.

Happy Birthday!!

2007-11-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Boy are there a lot of birthdays going on today! My boyfriend, my Auntie Le, and my boyfriend's brother's girlfriend, Faye, all share the same birthday!! Hope you all have a fantabulous day!

And Honey, if you're reading this today - I hope you have a great day and I can't wait to take you out to dinner tonight! I love you lots, Babe!

The Show Must Go On!

2007-11-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Ouch!! How many of you caught the Heidi and LC confrontation on MTV's The Hills? Sometimes, when my boyfriend isn't around, I switch the channel so that I can indulge in this guilty pleasure! Tonight, I changed the channel from wrestling to the last 5 minutes of The Hills episode that everyone's been waiting for - Heidi and Lauren finally get together to discuss the feud that's been the major plotline this entire season.

It seemed harmless enough, when Heidi tried to make small talk and was obviously trying to apologize to Lauren for the whole scandal that unfolded earlier this year. And I really thought that they were going to kiss and make up as Lauren was fighting back the tears in between Heidi's constant I'm Sorry's. But to my surprise, Lauren uttered these words that must have been like a shot through the heart.. because I certainly felt the stab!

"The only thing there really is to do is to is forgive and forget... I want to forgive you and I want to forget you. " Here's the clip of death (fast forward through the first 30 seconds of Audrina). Not sure if the video works, so if it doesn't, watch on MTV's Overdrive HERE.

I mean, c'mon! As much as I really dislike Heidi, she seemed so geniune in trying to apologize for crazy Spencer. But, since it wouldn't be a fabulous episode of The Hills without it, they decided that LC and Heidi would continue their feud. Maybe they'll kiss and make up at the wedding reception.

I guess we'll have to stay tuned to see what happens!

GWP: Clinique Bonus Time!

2007-11-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Calling all Clinique-lovers! That's right, I'm talking to you! Did you know that it's Bonus Time at Clinique? Well if you didn't, you're in luck because here at The Daily Cookie, we want you to know that you can pick up your free Gift With Purchase with any $25 dollar purchase online or at your local Nordstrom.

What you'll get in your gift:

- Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
- 7-Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
- Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief
- Long Last Lipstick in Bamboo Pink
- Glosswear for Lips in Air Kiss
- High Impact Mascara in Black
- Allure Magazine Subscription Offer (Get 12 months of Allure for only $6 US!)

It's a great offer and if you need some ideas for what to buy to get your gift? Here are some of Daily Cookie's holiday picks:

Create a one of a kind gift when you put your own picture on a Clinique Happy bottle. Smile. Click. Happy! This is a great way to give a meaningful gift that's practical too! Order a 3.4 fl. oz. bottle at the regular price, $52 US.

Check out Makeup and Beauty Blog for some cute ideas on how to customize your own bottle!

Fresh Bloom All Over Colour ($29.50 US) from their gorgeous Holiday collection is sure to become a must-have collector's item. Long-wearing powder creates a sheer, subtle radiance that looks fresh, stays fresh. Sweep over face for an allover, luminous glow, or brush on cheekbones to highlight.

Clinique's Super Treat ($25 US) makes a cute stocking stuffer! Treat lips beautifully to luscious, comforting colour and up to 6 hours of shine. Clinique’s new Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss relieves dryness, helps repair and protect this delicate skin’s natural moisture barrier. In 4 lip-pampering shades: Ginger, Blush, Raspberry and Currant.

If you opt to purchase online to get your gift, don't forget to enter in promo code, BEAUTY, when you check out.

Gift of Giving: Laura Mercier Bath Sets

2007-11-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

The holidays are approaching and the hustle and bustle of shopping is impossible to ignore. But, while you’re shopping for loved ones on your nice (or naughty!) list, don’t forget to treat yourself!

If you want to get away from it all and relax in the bath, Laura Mercier is the way to go. Pick up Laura Mercier’s French Vanilla Trio ($65 US) with aromas of Tahitian and Bourbon vanillas. Velvety caramel notes and luscious Kadota fig perfectly blend with creamy sandalwood and smooth amber for an enchanting and alluring experience.

The French Vanilla Trio includes three 6 oz. jars of:
- French Vanilla Honey Bath with dipper (absolutely luxurious!)
- French Vanilla Souffle Body Crème (layers on beautifully after your bath)
- French Vanilla Candle

It’s the perfect way to treat yourself, your mom or your mother-in-law this holiday because there’s something for everyone. Maybe the Almond Coconut Milk Trio to help remind yourself of the luxe tropics, or the Chocolate Truffle Duo for a sweet indulgence without all the added calories.

Lost Camera!

2007-11-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

I'm back from my weekend in Orange County and my cousin's wedding was so much fun! The sad thing is, I left my camera full of the weekend's pictures inside the taxi cab on the way home from the wedding reception (sobbing inside). We took so many pictures of the wedding at the church and reception; it was so beautiful and my cousin was gorgeous!! The 11 bridesmaids in matching Persimmon-colored dresses were so cute as well - I wish I could show you!

When I get some photos from the other girls' cameras, I'll definitely post some up!

Thanks for the comments on my makeup, I actually went with the navy/coral combo at the last minute. But don't you worry, I'm keeping my CHANEL eye shadow duo for another special occassion - maybe Tuesday!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

My Bridesmaid Makeup for Tomorrow

2007-11-09T13:21:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I showed you what I was wearing in my cousin's wedding and asked for your makeup advice. After a trip to Nordie's yesterday with all your great suggestions in mind, here are two options I came up with:

Forest Green Eye with Coral Lip:

CHANEL Irreelle Duo in #75 Lotus and Cactus ($38.50 US)

MAC Lustre Lipstick in See Sheer - pinked grapefruit ($14 US)

MAC Lip Liner in Lure - richly saturated coral ($12 US)

Navy Blue Eye with Coral Lip:

Laura Mercier Holiday Petite Palette in Nightfall ($25 US)

Same lips as above

I haven't decided yet and I don't think I'll know until tomorrow morning when I start putting on my makeup. Which set do you like better?

Best Beauty Reads of the Week

2007-11-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Here's a roundup of my favorite beauty stories from around the blogosphere this week to get you through the weekend.

It's Mascara Week over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic as she takes us on her search for mascaras worthy of Holy Grail status. Find out which ones made the cut.

Find out what Beautiful Makeup Search thinks about a new line of cosmetics with a conscious.

Beauty Addict's all riled up this week, but why?

Beauty Blitz goes in depth about MAC's 2007 Boxing Day Collection out in December.

Put a little light on your face! Beauty Junkie in SF shares some products that do the trick.

What's the hot new color for nails? Find out on Face Candy!

Makeup and Beauty Blog reviews her saving grace products to beat dry skin.

Check out this week's Teen Corner on Makeup Bag for an awesome tutorial on pressing pigment!

And, don't forget to check out The Daily Cookie's must-reads of the week!

My search for a great at-home microdermabrasion continues - what did I try this week?

Bond No. 9's Andy Warhol Silver Factory - does it really smell like a factory??

Give your skin a sun-kissed glow, even in the winter!

CHANEL Creme Gloss Lumiere!!

2007-11-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

I read a couple of months ago on Makeup Bag about these wonderful new brush-on creme lip colors and now they're available at your favorite CHANEL makeup counters for purchase - YES!

CHANEL Creme Gloss Lumiere ($32 US) is a hybrid of gloss and lipstick with chic colour and intense shine for creamy full coverage that feels soft and lightweight on lips.

You can get them in six beautiful shades, and delicious too because they're all named after desserts - YUM!

Petit Four (a soft nude)
Madeleine (a rosy pink)
Crème Brulée (a coral)
Pink Truffle (a berry red)
Plum Soufflé (a berry plum)
Crème Caramel (a neutral brown)

I'm already halfway out the door to Nordie's right now - who's with me?

Smashbox Beyond Beauty Collection

2007-11-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

Smashbox makes it super easy for us to achieve this more dramatic Beyond Beauty holiday look with dramatic smoky eyes and gorgeous nude lips. You can get all you need for your eyes and cheeks in one palette – count ‘em, one – with eight shimmering shades.

Beyond Beauty Fusion Eye and Cheek Palettes ($39 US) are sleek, silver, and double-tiered mirrored palettes that come in two shade combinations - cool and warm. Endless is the warm palette with shimmery champagne shades. Reflect is the cool palette with shimmery pale pink shades. There are eight colors in each set; wear the colors individually, or mix and match and blend to create your own perfect look – day or night!

Finish off your look with the Beyond Beauty Light Speed Lip Gloss Set ($29 US) with 6 ultra-luxurious, sheer glosses (4 new shades and 2 best-sellers) that are sleek enough to fit into your pocket or clutch purse and complement the eye and cheek palettes perfectly.

Sephora Discounts!

2007-11-07T09:33:00.001-08:00

I know a lot of you out there already know about the Sephora Friends and Family event happening now until Nov. 21st, but did you know that they are also giving away free samples when you spend $25 or more. And I know that's easy for all of us to do. Take advantage of this fabulous offer, just enter promo code GOODIES when you check out.

And if you don't know the offer code for Friends and Family, here it is: FF2007

Can't Stop, Won't Stop Jay-Z

2007-11-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

Jay-Z is making his own splash in the beauty world following Beyonce's recent slew of beauty deals including L'Oreal and Emporio Armani Diamonds.

{From Women's Wear Daily} E. Scott Beattie, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Elizabeth Arden Inc., disclosed that his firm has signed a beauty licensing deal with Rocawear, the clothing label cofounded by hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

I suppose we'll have to wait to see what becomes of this new partnership - stay tuned!

{Photo: People.com}

Introducing Andy Warhol's Silver Factory

2007-11-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

I had an opportunity to preview Bond No. 9’s new Andy Warhol Silver Factory before it hits stores Dec. 1st and I gotta say, it’s a great fragrance with lots of personality and I couldn’t help but smell my wrists all day – is that weird? *wink*

Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory begins a new direction in the art of perfumery and perfume bottle design and marks the start of Bond No. 9’s series of Andy Warhol collectibles. Depicted on the bottle’s surface is a graphic image inspired by one of the pop artist’s most recognizable images – a bold rendition of the Campbell’s Soup Can! Ingenious! And, makes it really exciting for Andy Warhol buffs.

The slender bottle, with a background of textured silver displays a unique graphic inspired by the Campbell’s Soup Can with dissonant blocks of turquoise and purple, with distinctive Campbell’s script in mustard yellow.

It will be really interesting to see what will come out of this collection since all of the fragrances will use the artist’s paintings, silkscreens, illustrations, et. al., on the package designs.

Like all the scents-in-progress that Bond No. 9 is creating for the Warhol collection, Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory, also known as The Factory, is a unisex fragrance.

The Take-Off:
- Citrussy Bergamont in soft and gentle mode (as if it had a hangover)
- Impudently zesty Grapefruit
- Mood-altering Lavender

The Heart:
- Non-shrinking Violet (Andy Warhol’s favorite scent)
- Intoxicating Incense summoning up the 60s with a single sniff (YES!)
- Criminally sultry Jasmine
- Elusive, metallic Iris, smelling the way silver might smell

The Bottom:
- Velvety-soft Amber, a tranquilizer in fragrance form
- Syrupy Wood Resin, hinting of a raunchy breed of vanilla
- Cool, but sensual Cedarwood

This first Bond No. 9 series of Warhol collectibles will retail for $230 for a 3.4oz bottle beginning Dec. 1st at all four Bond No. 9 New York boutiques, at www.bondno9.com, at Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide, and at www.saks.com.

Don’t Need the Sun to Keep Your Summer Sun-Kissed Complexion

2007-11-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

There’s no reason to turn into a pasty, pale mess during the winter months because your summer tank tops have been traded in for those cozy, cable-knit sweaters. You can still maintain your tan from that wonderful week you spent in Turks and Caicos.

Here are some products and tips to help you keep your sun-kissed glow:

Nivea Sun-Kissed Firming Moisturizer is a daily body lotion you can use every day because it’s a firming moisturizer and builds a healthy glow within 5 days. There are two formulas, specially designed for light to medium skin and medium to dark skin.

Estée Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes ($28 US for a pack of 10) are these no-mess, no-stress towelettes that apply just the right amount of self-tanner, then blend perfectly for an incredible "tan" every time: streak-free, golden, radiantly natural-looking. It’s really great for first-time tanners and those travelers always on the go.

Lancome Flash Bronzer ($38 US) is a tinted gel formula to ensure uniform coverage and a streakless natural looking tan. Enriched with moisturizing agents and Vitamin E, it leaves the skin feeling sublime, showing off a delicate golden glow. Thanks to the gel’s wonderfully effective self-tanning agents, the body appears evenly tanned for several days.

And, follow these tips for the best faux-tan from InStyle.com:

GET THE LOOK: The key to a fresh autumn complexion is the happy medium: Nothing too pale, nothing too bronze. To create a believable tint, spread a thin layer of light-shade self-tanner around your face and neck before bed each night.

INSIDER TRICK: Apply using a cosmetic wedge, so you can cover your hairline and small nooks and crannies without making your fingertips tan, too.

Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz Collection

2007-11-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

Here’s another gorgeous look for the holiday this year – beautiful and completely illuminating to make you feel sparkly inside and out!

Bobbi Brown’s Pink Quartz Collection for Holiday 2007 comes with some amazing limited edition products. I guarantee you that these will be long gone by the time you’re getting ready for all those holiday festivities so run out and get ‘em now.

Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick Compact ($38 US) lets you instantly dress up your look. It’s the latest addition to Bobbi's best-selling Shimmer Brick Compact Collection. Five different shades of pink, rose, beige and gold blend together to create a soft golden glow. Layer over Blush as a highlighter on cheekbones or use individual shades as Eye Shadow.

The perfect finishing touch for fingers and toes this season is Pink Quartz Nail Shimmer ($8.50 US). This new metallic polish can be layered over any shade for added shimmer or worn alone for a naturally sexy sparkle.

Rounding out the Pink Quartz Collection, you can get this October 2007 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winning professional quality brushes in convenient, on-the-go sizes ($45 US). Bobbi's popular M ini Brush Set has a new look this season to complement her Pink Quartz Collection. This set features a pink-quartz soft faux-leather case filled with three Mini Brushes: Face Blender, Eye Shadow, and Ultra Fine Eyeliner.

And if you’re looking for those perfect glosses to complement your Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick Compact, check out Bobbi’s Glitter Lip Gloss set ($19 US). Packed with fine glitter that reflects light beautifully, this limited-edition gloss gives lips luscious, high-shine look. You’ll get four colors, including (from top to bottom): Bronzed Pink, Pink Quartz (as shown in Bobbi’s holiday look), Gold Glitter, and Champagne Pink.

Related Stories: Laura Mercier Diamond Collection

Beauty Review: Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

2007-11-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

Products from doctors are always a good thing to try because they know what they’re talking about, right? With that said, I was pretty excited to try one of the samples I received in my Nordstrom Beauty Gift – MD Skincare’s Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross.

The one thing I’m totally into when it comes to these DIY face peels is the idea that you can achieve beautiful skin on a budget. AND that you can do it in the comfort from your own home anytime you want – day or night.

Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel is a two step process and they come in a pad form so you can sit in front of the TV or computer, lie in bed, whatever you want because you don’t need a mirror or water to rinse. Awesome!

[Step 1: Alpha Beta Refining step with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Genistein, Chamomile Extract, Green Tea. Swipe Step 1 pad over your newly cleansed and dry face, from forehead downward to neck in semi-circular strokes. Avoid contact with eyes and lips. Continue to apply evenly until pad feels dry. Wait two minutes.]

So while I was checking my Fantasy Football stats (I’m losing by the way..), I applied step one to my skin. I wasn’t really happy with what I was feeling. It stung, and not a good tingly feeling, either. It was so stingy that it felt abrasive on my skin even though the sample I was using was a soft cleansing cloth. Not good.

[Step 2: Neutralizing System with Green Tea Extract, Phospholipids, Sodium Bicarbonate, Vitamins A, C, E. Swipe Step 2 pad over the face with the same technique as Step 1. Apply until pad feels dry. Do not rinse or use products containing alcohol. Allow skin to dry and then apply your moisturizer as usual.]

This step felt a little better on my skin; it was definitely cooling down my face from the first step. The one major problem I had with this was that the directions said to continue to apply until the pads feel dry. I’m not sure if it was the cleansing cloth sample I was using, but it felt like it wasn’t ever going to dry out. So I kept wiping and wiping, and it was still pretty damp. My face was starting to get cold so I decided to stop so that my face could dry and I could finally put moisturizer on.

Overall, I wasn’t too keen on this skincare regimen. Yes, the before and after photos on the website looks like you would get a positive result from regular use of this product. But for me, doing this on a daily basis is a lot to ask for. I’d rather spare my skin from the unpleasant stinging sensation everyday. And at $75 US for the month’s supply, I think I’ll stick to the Microdelivery Peel from Philosophy – a much gentler once a week regimen and a whole lot friendlier to the pocketbook.

Related Stories: Review: Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

Get the Look: Red Accessories

2007-11-03T08:37:00.001-07:00

Red is definitely my favorite color and it's a must-have for this season. Make a bold statement by adding pops of color to your everyday look.

Jessica Simpson adds sass and commands attention by sporting a red bag with her simple sweater and jeans. Get the look now:

Banana Republic Somerset croc-embossed large sachel for $278 US.

Add the same Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Scarf ($245 US) around your bag to create Jessica's accessories look.

{Photo: InStyle.com}

Beauty Review: Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara

2007-11-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Everything Mascara ($20 US) is one of Bobbi Brown’s All-Time Favorites and is described as an everyday essential for lashes, with an all-in-one formula that lengthens, thickens, and defines without smearing, smudging or clumping.

Well, I got to try a sample of this mascara and it really didn’t deliver “everything” for me. I have really short and thin lashes so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, my hopes came crashing when I applied the third coat on my lashes and it still only looked like I applied one coat of my current favorite, L’Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara.

After a couple more days of testing out this Bobbi Brown best seller, I gave up. My lashes didn’t look very much longer and it definitely wasn’t giving me volume. I also noticed some flaking towards the end of the day so I said good-bye to the Everything Mascara.

Bobbi’s philosophy on beauty is all about enhancing the natural beauty. So for those of you who have longer and fuller lashes, I would try this formula out because what I did notice that it helps to define your natural lashes, separates them well, and enhances them overall.

Best Beauty Reads of the Week

2007-11-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! Here's a roundup of my favorite beauty stories from around the blogosphere this week to get you through the weekend.

Temptalia shares her Sephora 20% Friends and Family Discount with her readers!

Stiletto Jungle tells us she may have found a product that will give her youthful skin and save her from the frozen Botox look.

Nessasary Makeup shares her collection of favorite makeup brushes and how to use them!

Makeup and Beauty Blog gives us a sneak peak at MAC's new Curiositease lip collections.

Learn how to use your Holiday Palettes from Stila on Make Her Up.

Get Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint's favorite items from Benefit Cosmetics.

Cherries are delicious - for your skin too! eBeauty Daily tells us all about it.

Get tips from Dustin David for how to warm up your hair for the fall season on 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic.

Beauty Junkie in SF tells us that red nails are sexy!

Beauty Review: Rimmel Dare to Bare

2007-11-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

I recently got a bunch of freebies from Rimmel and I was so excited to try them!

The first thing I tried this morning was the Rimmel Dare to Bare Face and Body Luminizer in Make Me Blush. When I opened the tube and tried to squeeze out a little bit, it came out super watery and not rich or creamy like I thought it was going to be. Especially since the Ulta website described it as a luminous "cream". Hmmm - very suspect.

I also noticed in the top corner of my tube that it said to "shake well". So I shook it up thinking that maybe it had been sitting too long since I did have it in my makeup bag for about a month before I tried to use it today. I opened it up again and tried to squeeze a little more out. Still watery. Now I was really skeptical to put it on my face, but I did it anyway.

I wanted to use it as a cheek highlighter, but since the consistency wasn't creamy like I thought, it didn't work too well. I tried not to rub it in but I couldn't really help it because it was so watery. What was left on my face was this iridescent sheen that was kind of nice but I wasn't really diggin' the consistency and lack of ease while trying to apply it.

I will never put this on my face again and, at best, I will use this on my arms or chest when I want a little sparkle in my life.

Ladies, I wouldn't waste my time with this Rimmel product if I were you, although I hear some of their other products are not too bad. I have some other Rimmel items that I'll be reviewing in the near future. Check back soon!

Get Your Celeb Fix!

2007-11-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! Check out some of my celebrity reads for this week and get your celebrity fix before the weekend!

Which two A-List stars used to be stalkers?! Found out on Hollyscoop!

I'm Not Obsessed reports that there may be another party girl hitting the L.A. party scene. Paris, Britney, Lindsey, L.C. - watch out!

Check out GlamScene's exclusive interview with a 90210-star who's come a long way.

D-Listed tells us which couple will gladly allow cameras at their upcoming wedding nuptuals for all to see.

Fairy tales aren't just for kids; they're for grown-up celebs too! Check it out on Allie is Wired.

Laura Mercier Diamond Collection

2007-11-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

I love Laura for her simplicity in beauty and she definitely tops herself with the gorgeous, new Diamond Collection for Holiday 2007. The look is all about the allure of diamonds with a light and sparkle that seems to come from within to make your beautiful face just shine through for this season.

The Diamond Collection includes three new colors for you to create the perfect holiday look: Eye Colour Shimmer ($20 US) in White Diamond; Kohl Eye Pencil ($19 US) in Eyed Blue; and Lip Glace in Pink Diamond ($22 US).

To complete your Diamond look this year, try the Limited Edition Mineral Body Powder ($34 US) in Sparkling Diamond and apply it with this gorgeous Diamond Duster ($22 US) to create a sensual and elegant iridescent effect and capture the holiday chic and allure of diamonds!

Gorgeous!

Love Lancome's Tresor?

2007-11-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you do, now you can get a luxurious and intense variation of Trésor. Trésor Elixir captures the finest attributes of the original, amplifying its roundness and richness in a fragrant new interpretation to capture the emotion of love.

Trésor Elixir ($67 US) is a woody fruity floriental, created for a woman who is lively and romantic, modern and contemporary – a woman who wants to capture treasured moments with intensity.

The fragrance spray is available now for a limited time only.

And if you're looking for a fabulous gift set for the holiday, check out the Trésor Exclusive gift set ($78 US). It includes: a Trésor Eau de Parfum spray, Perfumed Body Lotion, Foaming Bath Gel, and a Deluxe Mini Eau de Parfum Spray (perfect for your purse!). And it all comes in a beautiful Luxurious Train Case.

One last tip, if you're a My Lancôme member, you will receive free shipping on any of these items or if you spend $50 or more at www.lancome-usa.com.

Calling All Ladies for Beauty Advice!

2007-10-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

Okay Ladies, I'm going to be in my cousin's wedding next Saturday, Nov. 10th, and my bridesmaid dress is Persimmon AKA orange - LOL. I'm looking for some beauty advice on color palettes that you think would go well with this color of dress. Here's a picture of the dress and my dyed-to-match shoes! Note that the color of the dress is more orange than red like it looks in this photo.

Look forward to your advice!!

PS - Go Giants!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

There's me on the far right dressed up as a roaring 20s flapper - or Catherine Zeta Jones if you're referencing Chicago. And the rest of the gang are my co-workers!!

Here's one of me and a hot stewardess, Susan! :)

Happy Halloween, everyone! Go Trick or Treating and have a safe day!

Found: MAC Temptations LE Lipglass Set

2007-10-31T07:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know anyone that doesn't love digging through old stuff just to find something you didn't even remember existed!

I was going through some old boxes to try and find items to complete my Halloween costume for work this morning and discovered a MAC lipglass set from their Temptations collection - remember those from wayyy back in Holiday 2005? I was so stoked because I love lipglosses and now I have 5 more colors to wear everyday.

Just in case you've forgotten like I have, here are the colors in the Cool set (in the order seen below): Fleur de Light, Cultured, Pink Poodle, Dreamy, and Bow Belle. Fleur de Light and Bow Belle are discontinued I think, but White Magic from the McQueen Collection is a comparable duplicate.

Have you found anything in your makeup box lately that you've forgotten about and can't believe you did? I'd love to hear about your finds!

Don't Get a Turkey Neck!

2007-10-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Just because Thanksgiving is just around the corner doesn’t mean that we all have to turn into turkeys!

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the importance of taking care of your neck and décolleté before it all goes down-hill (we don’t want everything to start sagging, right ladies?!).

Trying to be extra cautious about my neck and chest area for the past month or so, I have been road-testing a couple of neck creams to find my favorite.

The first product I used was L’Oreal Advanced RevitaLift Night Cream ($11 - $15 US) for my neck. It’s an unscented, thicker cream – and by unscented, we mean that even our boyfriend can’t really identify what it smells like, only that it smells like a cream (LOL). It’s moisturizing but it’s a little too heavy for me and makes me feel like I’ve been sweating in my sleep (not sexy).

I also tried a sample of Bliss Thinny Thin Chin that I got in my Nordstrom beauty gift. This product is definitely more up my alley. It smells really nice, like citrus and grapefruit without being disgustingly sweet because the scent fades after a little while. It absorbs into my skin quickly leaving it soft and moisturized. It’s not sticky or feels layered on (like the L’Oreal did).

I would definitely recommend Thinny Chin Chin even though it’s a little on the expensive side ($48 US). If anyone has a favorite that they use for the neck and décolleté area, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations!

FOTD: MAC McQueen Lipglass

2007-10-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

I was pretty lazy to put on makeup today so I just slapped on my basics - powder, eyebrows (a must when they are as thin as mine are!), eye liner, mascara, a little blusher and gloss. What resulted was my perfect day to day look that I can do all the time without feeling blah and boring.

On this particular day, I tried my new MAC McQueen Lipglass that I got the other day. It's a soft, baby pink with white pearl shimmer (gorgeous!). And as it would turn out, I love it so much because I feel like it gives me luscious lips! It's definitely going into my purse everyday so I can touch up with it whenever I need to sass it up during the day.

Here's what I'm wearing:

Shiseido Eyebrow Compact in BL3 (Light Brown) for $28.50 US

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Shimmer Ink ($19 US)

Lorac Blush in Plum ($16 US)

MAC McQueen Collection Lipglass in WhiteMagic ($14 US)

And that's all folks, easy as 1-2-3.. okay, maybe 4 but it's still manageable for 10 minutes in the morning, right? =)

Steal the Look: Gwen Stefani in Lanvin

2007-10-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Gwen Stefani is looking gorgeous as usual in this navy blue Lanvin dress over the weekend where she performed at the Black Ball concert in New York. You can steal her evening look for less.

Nicole Miller turquoise jersey halter dress for $174.00.

And if have a love affair with the shoes Gwen's wearing here, we found the Christian Louboutin Fringe Peep-Toe Sandal for $1,020, too. Way to splurge!

{Photo: InStyle.com}

Oh, Miss Vera!

2007-10-28T16:17:00.001-07:00

I've been wearing Vera Wang Parfum all day and it's just one of those scents that are so classic, you can wear forever. When I first put a couple of dabs of the parfum on my wrists and behind my earlobes, it reminded me of Lancôme's Trésor at first scent - very romantic with beautiful floral notes.

Vera Wang Parfum is definitely a modern, sensual, and romantic scent - a classic without smelling like your grandmother's perfume. It has notes of rose, cala lily, and mandarin flowers blended with gardenia (my favorite!), lotus, iris, and white stephanotis, then wrapped in sheer musk, white wood, and floral nectar. The combination is a beautiful blend that I would love to wear as an everyday scent but would save it for that special occassion where you want to feel romantic and sexy.

The Eau de Parfum Spray starts at $67 US and if you're starting to think about the holidays already, I recommend this for everyone! Just pair the scent with the Moisturizing Body Shimmer ($50 US) and your friends and family will love you for it!

My Nordstrom Beauty Gift!

2007-10-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

Imagine my excitement as I'm sitting at my desk, replying to the gazillionth email on a Monday morning when all of a sudden I receive a brown package full of goodies delivered to me! I had completely forgotten that I had ordered some new (and unneeded) makeup for Nordstorm last week. And when I remembered, it came with the 19-piece sample sample I blogged about a couple of weeks ago - woo hoo! Talk about random acts of beauty - thanks Karen! By the way, check out some of Makeup and Beauty Blog's random acts of beauty this week HERE.

Here's what came in my zebra-print clutch - which is kinda hideous, by the way, so I think I'm going to toss it.

The first photo includes:

* Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste Body Lotion
* Clarins Super Restorative Serum
* Japonesque Snowflake Lashes
* Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream
* L, a L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani
* Lancome Definicils Mascara
*LiftFusion Face Lift (packette)
* MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel (packette)
* N.V. Perricone, M.D. Face Finishing Moisturizer
* Thierry Mugler Alien Prodigy Body Lotion

The second photo includes:

* Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer (packette)
* Bliss Thinny Thin Chin (packette)
* Fekkai Glossing Cream (packette)
* Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Creme Body Wash
* L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel
* Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream
* Philosophy Inner Grace Shower Gel
* Smashbox Lipgloss
* Vera Wang Parfum

I haven't tried most of these products so I'll be road-testing them all and reviewing my samples over the next couple of weeks. Let me know what you think of these products before I try them out. Maybe your favorite will become one of mine as well!

FOTD: MAC McQueen Lipstick - Masque

2007-10-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to receive my goodies from the MAC McQueen Collection in the mail the other day - I ordered the lipstick in Masque and Lipglass in White Magic.

I tried out Masque first; it's a rosy, dirty pink that's pretty in the tube but makes me look pretty pale as a stand alone color. When I apply it on my lips, I don't get total coverage with the first swipe. I have to apply about two layers and then blot my lips together to get an even coverage. The look is slightly too matte for me with just the lipstick on so I applied a little bit of gloss to even out the color and to make me look less like a corpse.

Here's what's on my lips:

MAC Lipstick in Masque, McQueen Collection ($14 US)

MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl ($12.50 US)

Bourjois Effect 3D Ultra Glossy Lipstick in Lilas Romantic 85 ($12 US)

I'm not really sure if this one is going to go in the favorites collection but it could be a lovely color if you layer with other glosses.

I'd love to hear what you thought of the rest of the McQueen Collection.

Get the Look: Dolce & Gabbana

2007-10-25T07:48:00.001-07:00

I adore Reese and I love this simple, ready-for-fall look from her. Steal her Dolce & Gabbana grey tweed look this season!

Elie Tahari 'Jette' Dress ($448 US) is a sleeveless tweed shift dress with faux pockets.

Pair it with black tights and a pair of Delman black patent pumps ($147 US) to complete your Reese Witherspoon look!

{Photo: InStyle.com}

Get the Look: Amanda Peet & Check Out Her New Film, Martian Child

2007-10-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Amanda Peet has been looking pretty amazing lately and I'm glad to see her back on the big screen. Check out how to steal her subtle and fresh look on Glam.com using Caudalie Tinted Moisturizer, $39 US, to get her flawless, natural complexion and Nars "The Multiple" Stick in Orgasm, $36.50, on your cheeks.

She's is going to be in a new film coming out next Friday, Nov. 2nd, called Martian Child. It's a romantic comedy starring John Cusack (he can do no wrong since Say Anything) as a recently widowed science fiction writer who forms an unlikely family with Peet and a young boy he adopts who claims to be from Mars - really?

Cusack and Peet's characters ignore some sage parenting advice from the widower's sister (Joan Cusack) and gets more than they bargained for when a series of strange occurances lead them to believe that the kid's Mars claim may be true! Watch the exclusive Martian Child trailer now and then check out The Martian Child Project where you can create an online time capsule to share your interests with others all around the world or re-discover it in 5 years to see what you buried oh-so-long ago.

Beauty Review: Dior Capture Totale

2007-10-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

As I’ve mentioned, I’m kind of in a skincare kick right now. I want to try any and all things that help prevent the first signs of aging because even though I’m in my late 20s with few wrinkles, I just know I’m going to wake up one day to discover a zillion lines and then curse the gods for not making me take care of my skin sooner!

When I learned that Sharon Stone is the face of Dior’s Capture Totale skincare line, I knew I wanted to try it. If I can look as amazing as she looks right now on the brink of celebrating her 50^th birthday next year, I’ll try whatever she’s pushing! So I went to Bloomingdale’s a couple of weeks ago to snoop around the Dior counter and was able to snag a couple of samples to try.

Capture Totale is Dior’s first skincare line that corrects all visible signs of aging and helps to preserve your skin’s youthful appearance. The daytime skin regimen consists of their Multi-Perfection Concentrated Serum, which you apply after washing your face; the day moisturizer, Multi-Perfection Crème; and the Multi-Perfection Eye Treatment. Capture Totale’s secret is the patented Alpha-Longoza Complex, based on a rare revitalizing plant grown only in Madagascar – pretty wild!!

The Capture Total Night Ritual is a two-step treatment. Start with the Multi-Perfection Soft Peel to leave skin looking purified, fresh, radiantly renewed and firm. Then follow up with Multi-Perfection Intensive Restorative night crème to deep nourish and repair as you sleep.

I only tried the serum and the day crème for a few days before applying my makeup and I’d have to say that I really liked the texture of both. It’s creamy, pearly, and went on really smoothly. I can’t say if it really works to prevent wrinkles, but I definitely felt moisturized. This Dior line is pretty pricey, the day and night crème and serum start at $115 US each at Nordstrom! If you’d like to try it but aren’t looking to spend over $300 dollars to start this skin regimen, Dior has a holiday set right now with travel sizes of the day and night crème and serum for $123 US.

I don’t know if I’ll switch from my Kinerase Ultimate Day Moisturizer, but we’ll see – never say never!

Beauty Peeves

2007-10-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

Don't you really hate it when you travel to high altitudes and when you finally land, everything in your beauty arsenal explodes upon opening?? Shampoos, facial cleansers, lotions, and even lip glosses!

My weekend in Lake Tahoe was the last straw for me when it came to my favorite facial cleanser, Olay's Foaming Face Wash, exploded about a third of the cleanser in my duffle bag. This must be the third time that this has happened now and I know I should have learned the first time to put it in a plastic baggie. But still, plastic baggie or no plastic baggie, it still leaks no matter what because it comes in a pump form only (blech!) and I hate wasting it.

I've finally decided that now I'm ready to do something about it. I recently read about these nifty facial film soaps from a Japanese brand called DHC on one of my favorite beauty blogs, Makeup and Beauty Blog. The Q10 Facial Film Soap sheets come in a solid form and then foam up when you wet it and swirl it around in your hand to create magical soapy suds! Check out Karen's awesome review and tutorial on how it works HERE.

I'm going to order a boat-load of these online on the DHC website today. You can get 40 sheets for $9.50 US or from now until Nov. 30th, they're only $7 - what a deal! I can't wait to try it out as this will definitely help to relieve me of my exploding soap insanity when I travel.

Now, if someone can only come up with a solution for my favorite lip glosses! *wink*

Fall Trend: Sweater Dresses

2007-10-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

We at The Daily Cookie featured a poll on what your favorite trend for fall is and 66% of you voted for this season's fashion essential: the sweater dress.

Here are some of my picks for the classic sweater dress look:

Banana Republic's Puff-Sleeve Sweater Dress ($108 US) gets an update with a turtleneck, puff sleeves and a slightly fuller skirt.

Calvin Klein Short-Sleeve Sweater Dress ($128 US) gives us an effortless look in merino wool with a smart patent leather belt to pull the entire look together.

Gap Cowl Neck Sweater Dress ($68 US) is just another way we can wear cozy, marled wool. Treat is as dress with high boots, or pair it with jeans for a more casual look.

Donna Morgan Turtleneck Sweater Dress ($118 US) features elasticized cuffs nip in long blouson sleeves, for an updated look. An adjustable satin sash adds a pretty accent.

Review: Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

2007-10-19T08:12:00.001-07:00

I've been on kind of a skin care kick lately and tried Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel after hearing rave reviews from others.

Microdermabrasion is increasingly popular among plastic surgeons and their patients. Thank goodness we now have a DIY option that's also pocketbook friendly!

The Microdelivery Peel is a peptide/vitamin C peel that I tried last night before bed. It really is a super-easy two-step facial regimen that literally takes no more than 5 mins. Here's what I did:

After you wash your face with your favorite facial cleanser,

Step 1: Apply about a teaspoon of the bicarbonate vitamin C crystals (sounds scary, but it's not) to a clean, dry face. Gently massage using circular motions to buff away dead, dry skin cells for 1 - 3 mins (this is key, don't scrub too hard). Here I am, I hope you can see the small crystals on my cheek!

After doing this, I actually feel like you may need more than a teaspoon to properly exfoliate your face but I wanted to follow their exact instructions the first time to get a real sense of the product.

Step 2: Then, apply a generous teaspoon of the lactic/salicylic acid activating gel (again, don't be scared) in the palm of your hand, massage gel onto fingertips and apply over the vitamin C crystals on your face. A warming sensation will occur and a white foam will appear indicating that the vitamin C and peptides are now active. Leave the foam on for 2-3 mins and then rinse.

Now, I don't know if I used enough of the gel, but I never really got the foam part. All I got was a little bit that made it look more like I had some cleansing soap on my face. Don't laugh, but here I am again, can't see the foam, can you? It did start to warm up on my face which felt nice, but I was still disappointed because they didn't deliver the foam like the packaging said.

You also have to rinse well afterwards; I had a lot of the little crystals wanting to hang out around the sides of my face and it was hard to get out of my hairline.

Immediately after the peel, I was so so about it - I guess I was irked that I still had crystals in my hair. But once I sat down to apply my night moisturizer and looked closely in the mirror, I noticed that my skin looked really smooth and it felt super soft. I put on my moisturizer and my face just felt so nice overall! You can see and feel the results immediately and right then and there, I changed my mind about the Microdelivery Peel and I am now a believer!!

You can pick Philososphy's Microdelivery Peel at most department stores (I'm going to get mine at Nordstorm) and it retails for $65 US. I remember asking one of the girls at the counter about how many uses you get out of it and I think she said 10-12. Directions on the box say that you can use the peel once or twice a week so you'll definitely get your money's worth - see if the plastic surgeon's office can beat that price!

Let me know if you get to try this peel and if you like it as much as I do!

Get Your Celeb Fix!

2007-10-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

{Photo: People.com}

There's just too much going on in the celebrity world for me to cover it all. But I thought I'd help you get your celebrity fix while I get mine on with this week's hottest celebrity gossip from around the blogosphere.

Should we be expecting a huge blowout between Lindsay Lohan and Jessica Simpson? Perez Hilton tells us his theory.

How did Britney Spears really feel about K-Fed? Hollyscoop gives us the scoop on a song from her new Blackout album that reveals a more personal Britney.

I'm Not Obsessed gives us an exclusive from Ryan Gosling on his breakup with Rachel McAdams. Darn, I was rooting for them. Gotta love her!

Check out A Socialite's Life Fashion Disaster of the Day. Anyone recognize that Rock of Love alum?

Happy Reading!

Banana Republic Handbag Sale!

2007-10-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

I know you ladies can't get enough when it comes to purses, so why not take advantage of Banana Republic's sale going on right now where you can get 40% off your next handbag purchase? I mean, it's just one more bag, right? *wink*

From now through Oct. 21st, you can get 40% off any handbag regularly-priced at $100 or more. Use your Bananacard or Luxe card and enter in the promo code HANDBAG when you check out.

This red croc-embossed satchel is regularly priced at $278 US, but with this discount, I can pick it up this afternoon for $166 US. That means I save more than $100!

And while you're shopping Banana Republic, check out some of the new coats we just featured as our favorites for this fall season.

Enjoy!

GWP: Estee Lauder at Nordstrom

2007-10-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, ladies! Starting today, Estee Lauder is offering a gift with any purchase of $37.50 or more.

Need some ideas on what to buy to receive your awesome gift? Check out some of my Estee Lauder picks:

This adorable Jingle Bell Solid Perfume Compact ($80 US) I just spotted on Beauty Addict makes for a perfect holiday treat! This limited edition compact opens to reveal one of Estee Lauder's signature scents, Beautiful. And to top it off, this gorgeous bell actually jingles!!

Help others while you help yourself when you purchase items from the Pink Ribbon Collection 2007. Items from this collection include a sparkly jeweled pink ribbon pin, a limited edition pink ribbon compact and brush set or try their limited edition lipsticks and glosses.

Or get their After Hours look, essential for the fall season. You all know I've totally jumped on the red lips bandwagon and Estee Lauder offers a beautiful shade in their Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in After Hours Red ($22 US).

Take advantage of this great GWP from now through Nov. 4th where you get a cute little 7-piece gift featuring goodies like: Advanced Night Repair, a lipstick in Sugared Honey, lip gloss in Honey, a Pure Color Eye Shadow quad, Projectionist Hi-Def Volume Mascara in Black, and a Raspberry Tote with matching cosmetic bag!

Enjoy!

Get the Look: Kate Bosworth

2007-10-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

Kate Bosworth showed up at Elle Magazine's 14th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute Oct. 15th in a classy, chic Lanvin ensemble. Want to get the look for less? Of course you do!

Get Kate's look for less:

Jones New York Collection Silk Shirt ($79 US) with ruffles and pleats frame the button front of this pretty silk blouse.

Try pairing it with this silk/chiffon blend skirt from Alice + Olivia for $119.99 US at BlueFly.com.

Complete the look with a Viktoria Hayman gold chain wood pendant for $85.99 US.

{Photo: InStyle.com}

MAC Antiquitease Online NOW!

2007-10-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

Makeup Bag just announced that MAC's new holiday collection is available now.

So if you can't wait until Thursday to get your hands on the new Antiquitease collection, now you don't have to. I know you've been itchin' to pull out that credit card for this collection for weeks and now you can buy them online before they hit stores. If you're really hardcore, opt for overnight shipping so that you can get these babies as early as tomorrow! WOO HOO!

Shop the entire collection HERE.

Trend Watch: Fall Coats

2007-10-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

I was just checking out November's issue of Marie Claire and am totally in awe of all the cute coats out for the fall season! All the more reason to love the cold weather so we can snuggle up in one of these sure-to-be fall favorites in your wardrobe.

Don't these just make you almost want to cozy in them over your boyfriend? We said almost.

Prints and plaids make a bold statement without having to say a word. Splurge on this Tocca 'Alessandra' for $660 US.

Or Steal this Kenneth Cole Reaction plaid tweed trenchcoat on sale now at BlueFly.com for $389 US.

Military-style coats are all the rage. Check out this feminine military coat from Banana Republic for $228 US. This gorgeous camel color is only available in their online shop.

Or get this classic Kenneth Cole Reaction double-breasted coat for $180 US.

I'm personally diggin' the puffer jackets this year. Get this gorgeous Marvin Richards Pillow Collar Down Coat for $148 US.

Or stand out in this short, red puffer from The Gap for $99 US. I think I'm gonna have to pick this one up for sure.

Ever-Changing Celebrity Looks!

2007-10-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when celebs are able to change their looks at the drop of a hat and they STILL look good? Well, even though I'm always envious of some of these A-List celebs, all I can do is give them props and try to look just as good.

Check out some of these celebrity chameleons and pick your favorite looks. I personally love every look from Nicole Richie, Gabrielle Union, Charlize Theoron, and Reese Witherspoon. Vote for your favorite looks here.

Pink Ribbon Skin Care

2007-10-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Today I’m bringing you some skincare products you can purchase this month to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Check out some of my perfectly pink picks to pamper you from head-to-toe!

CLARISONIC Pink Skin Care Brush ($195 US) uses patented sonic technology to gently yet deeply cleanse pores of environmental toxins, makeup and bacteria—without abrasion or harsh chemicals.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($35 US) softens, smoothes and improves the condition and texture of your skin. $10.00 from your purchase of this limited-edition Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Lotion helps support The Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Shower For The Cure ($20 US) is Philosophy's pink ribbon shower gel - a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. This long-time Philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses. Shower For The Cure represents the spirit of every woman and 100% of the philosophy net proceeds from the shower for the cure is donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund.

L’Occitane Limited Edition Pink Shea Butter Hand Cream ($25 US) is a super-smoothing synergy of shea Butter, honey and sweet almond extract, blended with the light and alluring aromas of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences. Texturally pleasing balm glides on and absorbs to help heal and protect dry or dehydrated skin.

Origins ‘Make A Difference’ Rejuvenating Hand Treatment ($18.50 US) does wonders for chapped, cracked, splotchy skin leaving a softer, brighter, more evenly toned, more youthfully textured look and feel.

AVON Foot Works Overnight Treatment (currently a STEAL on their website for $3.75!) hydrates overnight to provide 24-hour moisturization. Helps to heal ultradry, rough skin, and to reduce buildup of rough, hard skin. 100% of the net proceeds are donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

Get the Look: Stila Smoky Eyes

2007-10-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

Stila Cosmetics gives us "3 Ways to the Perfect Smoky Eye" featuring three different eye shadow palettes that actually gives you an audio (!) tutorial on how create the perfect smoky eye in under a minute - amazing! It includes artistry tips and even advice on what brushes (Stila's, of course) to use to capture this look.

The smoky eye palettes ($40 US) come in three different colors schemes - Original, Bronzes, and Emeralds. This looks like a great find for those of you struggling with how to create your perfect smoky eye look for the fall season.

And now through Oct. 31st, you can take advantage of Stila's Friends and Family discount that I found on Beautiful Makeup Search for 20% off - what a deal! Just enter the discount code, VINCENTBFF, when you check out.

MAC Holiday 2007: Antiquitease

2007-10-13T13:31:00.001-07:00

Just when y'all couldn't wait for MAC's Alexander McQueen collection to come out this past week, MAC has given us even more wonderful holiday items we just have to have NOW!

MAC is coming out with their Antiquitease collection in the U.S. on Oct. 25th. Here's a sneak peak at Heirlooms brush sets, Finery lip color kits, and Royal Assets for lips and eyes.

MAC Holiday 2007 Heirlooms will come in three must-have brush sets: Basic (everyone has to have the basics!), Face, and Eyes. These sets are all $48 US each and come in a cute limited edition packaging that looks like a clutch! I just got back from my local Nordstrom's and already pre-ordered my Basic set; I can't until it comes in the mail!

Finery lip color kits ($38 US) have two lipsticks and one lip gloss and will come in four different color palettes - coral, pink, tan, and plum. Don't get too excited about these yet. These don't roll out until mid- to late November.

And now, the mac daddy of them all... the Royal Assets palettes. You KNOW these are going to sell out FAST like they do every holiday season! Royal Assets will arrive in four lip and four eye shadow palettes. The lip palettes come with three colors in them and will retail for $22.50 US. The eyeshadow kit comes with six colors and will retail for $36 US. I can't wait to check them out. The package looks so "antique" and beautiful, I know I'll pick up at least one set. :)

Viva Glamorous is also part of MAC's Holiday Collection this year. And if you can't get enough for your lips with all the Antiquitease sets, these will make great stocking stuffers for all those MAC addicts out there.

If you can't to check them out either, I actually heard that some of these will be in stores as early as Oct. 18th! Will we have to wait until the end of the month? Or will our MAC Holiday dreams come true in five more days???

FOTD: Red Lips from NARS

2007-10-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to dreaded rain in San Francisco (and it's still raining as I write this) so I decided to sass it up a bit and try my new red lips I bought from NARS over the weekend at the Nordstrom Trend Show.

Let me just tell you that I haven't done red lips in sooo long but it's the big thing for the fall and it's so festive, I'm actually in a better mood with them on!

Get the look with NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella ($23 US) and line your lips with NARS Lip Liner Pencil in Salsa ($19 US).

I also paired this bold lip with light eye makeup and bold, black liquid liner to offset the entire look.

I know many out there are scared of the red lips but I firmly believe that we call all pull it off. All you need to do is shop around, test them all and find the right shade for you. If you don't believe me, stop by their counter one day; during the trend show, NARS claimed to have 22 shades to choose from.

So go and sass it up this weekend ladies!

Enjoy!

Steal the Look: Kate Hudson

2007-10-11T12:49:00.000-07:00

Kate Hudson donned a Zac Posen ensemble at LA's Glamour's Reel Moments party Oct. 10th for her directorial debut. Her look was very business-chic in a crisp white wrap shirt and a black mini.

Steal Kate's sassy look for less:

Ann Taylor Cotton Open Neck Wrap for $68 US.

Theory Elvira Black Skirt for $215 US.

{Photo: InStyle.com)

Jennifer Lopez Sports the Blue Eyes Too!

2007-10-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

I just spotted this photo of Jennifer Lopez in a kicked up version of the blue eyes that I attempted in yesterday's FOTD. Does she ever do anything that's not over-the-top?! But nonetheless, She looks amazing as usual.

Try DuWop's Smoke shadow palette in Navy Seal to get your own blue smoky eye look.

FOTD: Lancome GWP Eye Palette

2007-10-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

This morning I decided to try the Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects palette I got a couple of weeks ago in my Lancome gift with purchase at Nordstorm. I choose the cool palette which has two blue shades, a pinky one, and a matte white highlight.

Even though it was a quick morning application for me and I didn't plan on sharing, it turned pretty so I thought I'd show you anyway!

Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Palette (COOL):

The New Blue (darker blue) is applied on the eyelid, starting from the lash line and blended just above the natural crease of the eye.

Off The Rack (pinky shade) is applied slightly above and blended into the crease.

Daylight (matte white) is used to highlight right underneath the brows.

MAC Coffee Eye Pencil is used to line the top and bottom lids.

Finish off with Lancome Cils Booster XL mascara base and one coat of Loreal Original Voluminous Mascara in Black.

Let me know if you like this look and if you do, I plan on featuring this Lancome palette in an evening look.

Give Your Cleavage Some Love, Too!

2007-10-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

I know most of us are really good about taking care of our skin when it comes to our face. But how many of you (like me) remember to take care of your neck and décolletage? I'd safely bet that not all of us are giving it as much attention as some of the men in our lives do. *wink*

The skin around our neck and cleavage start to wrinkle probably around the time that we start to find those lines on our face. We spend so much time with face creams, eye creams, anti-aging regimens, etc., we completely forget about the other sensitive skin places around our face. But fear not, some of our favorite beauty lines offer solutions especially for your neck and cleavage.

I'd love to know if you've tried any of these and which ones your favorites are!

Bliss Thinny Thin Chin ($48 US) is quite possibly the most exciting thing to happen to your neck since you got your first hickey. With a dual-action complex that instantly tightens, while firming, hydrating and improving the appearance of neck lines, crepiness and hyper-pigmentation over time. It's like a liquid bra for your v-zone!

Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream for Face and Neck is a non-greasy formula that absorbs deep into your skin's surface to continuously tighten the upper network of skin cells, giving you visibly firmer, more supple skin. The fast-absorbing cream contains skin-strengthening VitaNiacin and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Clarins Jeunesse du Cou - Advanced Extra-Firming Neck Cream ($76 US) keeps the delicate skin of this highly fragile area looking younger longer with this ultimate firming neck treatment that helps firm and smooth away lines and wrinkles as it immediately 'lifts.' The feather-light, silky texture disappears into the skin instantly.

Philosophy's When Hope Is Not Enough ($25 US) for face, neck and décollete is an ultra-rich, moisture cream that helps to hydrate and firm the skin on the neck and decollete area and promote resilience and lift while helping to reduce the signs of premature aging.

Exclusive Nordstrom Gift with Purchase

2007-10-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

Even though I picked up a couple of items on Saturday at the San Francisco Centre Nordstorm's, this offer might be too good for me to pass up!

Right now, you'll receive a zebra-print clutch filled with deluxe samples from all your favorite beauty brands with your $95 beauty or fragrance purchase from Nordstorm's online.

This GWP (gift with purchase) includes goodies from: Bare Escentuals, Clarins, Fekkai, Kinerase, Lancome, L.A.M.B. Fragrance by Gwen Stefani, Origins, Smashbox and more!

Okay, I know I just bought a few goodies on Saturday and I really shouldn't but, I think I'll take advantage of this offer, for sure! It's only right, don't you think? I'd love to hear what your beauty purchases are going to be to get this gift!

One last tip, you'd better act fast, too, because I know this offer isn't going to last very long. Remember, it's online only and it's one gift per person while supplies last.

Enjoy!

Pink Ribbon Fragrances

2007-10-08T07:23:00.001-07:00

It's Monday again and I'm bringing you fragrances you can purchase to support Breast Cancer Awareness. A portion of each product will be donated to benefit breast cancer research or charity.

Check out these perfectly pink scents!

Aquolina Pink Sugar is stylish and lively. Pink Sugar takes you on a journey through the pleasures and flavors of childhood with a playful blend of vanilla and caramel. The 1 oz. spray retails for $25 US.

Unforgivable by Sean John ($75 US). A breathtaking fragrance expression that says "sexy, rich, unique and passionate". Slightly dangerous, explosive yet cool. Hints of Sicilian Lemon, Champagne, Tuscan Basil and smooth Rum. In the support of breast cancer awareness, Sean John Fragrances will donate $10,000 from the Unforgivable by Sean John Eau de Toilette Spray (4.2 oz) proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Archipelago Botanicals 'Ribbons of Love' Diffuser ($45 US). This gorgeous frosted-glass bottle holds fragrant oils and bamboo sticks that diffuse scent into an entire space. For each item sold, Archipelago Botanicals will donate a portion of the proceeds to City of Hope Cancer Research Hospital in Los Angeles.

Lacoste Touch of Pink ($52 US). With a dash of spirit and a rush of delight, this fragrance features a sparkling burst of feminine energy. The perfume combines a playful burst of blood orange and the fresh sparkle of coriander, followed by sensuous, honest notes of violet and jasmine.

Britney's New Video to Debut on TRL

2007-10-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears' new music video, Gimme More, is set to debut on MTV Monday, Oct. 8th during TRL. This version leaked onto the internet a couple of days ago but do you think this is the real thing? Like her MTV VMA performance, this lackluster video featuring four minutes of a brunette Britney pole dancing while a blonde Britney looks on. Just as anything else she's put out lately, it's just bizarre. Leave a comment and let us know what you think of Britney's latest comeback attempt.

Christina Aguilera Starts Baby Shopping

2007-10-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera and her hubby, Jordan Bratman, were spotted in L.A. Saturday evening selecting items for their baby registry with Aguilera's mother- and sister-in-law. People.com reports:

Aguilera spent two hours picking out items for her baby registry at the posh Robertson Boulevard boutique Bel Bambini.

With the help of her in-laws, the couple picked out a selection of items for her upcoming baby shower, including blankets, diaper bags, bottles and clothing.

"They registered for all the accessories," said Crysta Smith, one of the store's sales employees. "They were both picking out things together.”

{Photo: Yahoo!}

Steal the Look: Chanel

2007-10-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Young Hollywood lends its stars in Paris on Oct. 5th during Paris Fashion Week. A couple of our favorite It Girls looked so cute and demure in Chanel!

Get Rachel Bilson's look from BlueFly.com:

Design History black turtleneck sweater dress for $66 US
Calvin Klein suede wide belt for $33 US
Stuart Weitzman peep-toe platform pumps for $168 US

Emulate Kirsten Dunst's look for less:

Maya cashmere ruffle cardigan for $178 US
Alice + Olivia pleated skirt (in black) for $264 US
Delman patent leather pumps for $147 US

{Photos: InStyle.com}

Nordstorm's Fall Cosmetics Trend Show

2007-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a flurry of lip gloss, eye colors, perfume, and face creams; you name it, it was there at Nordstrom's Fall Cosmetics Trend Show at the Downtown San Francisco Centre.

The day started off bright and early (8:30am on a Saturday!) where professional representatives from the likes of Laura Mercier, Chanel, Philosophy, Clarins, M.A.C., Estee Lauder and so much more were there to tell us what the new fall trends were. And it was very apparent that the look to go for this season was radiant matte skin (if you're thinking of the cakey, thick, face of the early 90s, think again), bold black eyeliner, and beautiful plush red lips.

During show, they raffled away tons of freebies - a couple of Mercer Street Salon San Francisco gift certificates and cosmetic goodies from Bobbi Brown, Nars, Prescriptives, and Shu Uemera to name a few. Unfortunately, there were over a hundred beauty enthusiasts at the show and I didn't win anything. Maybe next time, but that didn't mean that I didn't have a great time perusing the counters testing makeup and getting free samples.

I decided that my first stop would be the Nars counter to search for my perfect red lips. I tried one of their lipsticks at first and then one of their Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. In comparison, the lipstick was dry and getting drier by the minute so I decided against that even though the color was a beautiful deep red and opted for the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($23 US) in a similar color, Cruella. These lip pencils contain silicones and special emollients that help your lips stay moist and last long.

My next stop was the Bobbi Brown counter. I had never heard of a gel eyeliner before and always used pencil or liquid so I thought I'd give it a try. Currently, the have a cute little Long-Wear Eyeliner Set that includes 2 of their Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black and Chocolate Shimmer, a mini eyeliner application brush and a mini Everything Mascara. This set is only $38 US and if you want it, you have to act fast. I hear it's really hard to get and the 5 they had at the counter were gone within the first 45 minutes!

Finally, I stopped by the Chanel counter for a makeover. I tried their new Holiday Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Radiant Gems. It features a cinnamon shade, silver, rose and a shimmery white. The makeup artist applied the cinnamon-y color on my top lid with the rose color right above that and highlighted with the white shimmer. Underneath, she lined my eyes with a gray and black pencil and blended in the silver shadow to create a kind of smoky eye that wasn't too dark because it wasn't on top as well. She very thinly lined my top lip with a black pencil just to create definition. She also put the silver in the inner corners of my eyes to make my eyes really pop.

I really liked the techniques used but I wasn't quite sure if the shades were really for me since they were a little warmer than I normally wear. The eye makeup was also a lot more than what I'm used to wearing too, even for an evening face. Here are my attempts to take my own pictures in the bathroom. Let me know what you guys think!

Favorite L'Occitane Almond Products

2007-10-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Fact: Every October, the blossoms from an almond tree transform into a fruit which grows the almond nut in the center of it. The delicious nut is the main ingredient in my favorite body products from L'Occitane!

When I'm in the mood, I use Almond Delicious Paste ($34 US) in the shower to gently exfoliate my skin. It contains crushed almond nuts and sugar crystals, whipped with nourishing almond oil and almond butter to stimulate cellular activity while making my skin smooth. It's smells wonderful too and I leaves me feeling like I've been in the shower for hours even when I'm not.

Pair this body treatment with their ultra-silky Almond Milk Concentrate lotion ($38 US) and you're all set! L'Occitane blends both tradition (the use of almond proteins) and science (soft silicium to help support collagen synthesis) into a concentrated milk that nourishes and smoothes the skin. I really LOVE this product and it's a L'Occitane best seller. I only have one critique and it's that I wish it came in a bottle with a pump for easy use.

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think!

Hung Wins Top Chef 3!

2007-10-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

This was the most exciting finale of Top Chef to date! It was great to see that my pick for the winner, Hung, was still in it and I couldn't wait to see what twists were going to unfold this time around. I was definitely on pins and needles as Heidi Klum from Project Runway would say (I can't wait to start watching that next!).

For the first twist, all three chefs were to create 3 dishes and they were going to be served head-to-head. In past seasons, the finalists served their dishes individually in separate restaurants. With this turn of events, the cheftestants' dishes would be judged against their competitions. How nerve-racking that must be!

After that announcement, the judges gave the finalists 30 minutes to look at the abundance of ingredients that were laid out for them and prepare their menu. It was fun to watch them bite into different vegetables and taste everything they could because we didn't really see that in Season 2 in Hawaii.

Finally, time is up and now it's time to reveal the sous chefs, as most of us watching predicted when we saw the knife block. I mentioned to my boyfriend that if Hung got to choose first that he'd have a better chance of winning because we all know that not all of the previous cheftestants would want to work with him. Boy were we wrong! Here comes the biggest twist of the evening.

Yes, Hung choose Knife 1 but that didn't mean that he got first pick of sous chef from the pool of past cheftestants. It actually meant that Hung's sous chef would be coming out of door number one! And out walks celebrity chefs Rocco Dispirito, Michelle Bernstein for Casey, and Todd English for Dale who were there to help them cook on Day 1 out of 2 only. Talk about great help! This was a twist that was surely going to make this finale fun to watch - great idea Top Chef producers!

As they all march in to start Day 1 of prep and cooking, Hung's menu consisted of raw hamachi fish and "chips" to start, prawns for his second dish and sous vide duck for his final course. Casey opted to prepare scallop and foie gras, prawns for her second course as well with a rice cake and a pork belly dish. Finally, Dale's menu gave the diners a foie gras mousse, butter poached lobster, and Colorado rack of lamb. It was interesting to watch the celebrity chefs prep for the finalists. It was clear, even on TV, that they all wanted to give some sort of advice, but they just couldn't do it. All they could do was offer the best help they could and it was great to see that none of the cheftestants held back when it came to ordering around chefs they really respect.

While the finalists were busy working away getting their dishes ready for the judges on Day 2, Chef Tom walks in with another twist. They were asked to make a fourth dish and would get the help of another sous chef - now, it's actually one of their former competitors. I was really glad to see that Hung chose to make a dessert of molten chocolate cake and raspberries. I know the judges always say that they don't judge on this and why make something you're not comfortable with, etc. But I knew this decision would give Hung and edge up and make his menu memorable IF he could pull it off. Casey and Dale, however, chose to make another savory dish - lamb and scallop, respectively.

It's judging time! At the table were the standard panel of judges, Chef Tom, Gail, Padma and Ted Allen, as well as the celebrity sous chefs, and the last guy asked to pack up his knives and go, Brian (last twist of the night, folks!). The best dishes of the evening were (1st course) Hung's raw hamachi fish and potato 'chips'. That's one for Hung! The second course belonged to Dale's surprise dish, the scallop which Ted Allen declared was his favorite dish throughout the entire competition. Although I might add that the judges liked Hung's prawn dish as well, although it lacked a bit of seasoning.

Third course was handed over to Hung once again for his sous vide duck which Todd English declared with good enough for three Michelin stars. Even I was shocked when those words were uttered since that's one of the highest achievements a chef can get! And finally, fourth course went hands down to Dale's rack of lamb. But again, the judges noted that Hung's chocolate cake was very good. It just wasn't original and it kind of didn't go with the other dishes that he made. So that's two dishes for Hung and two for Dale. I'm sure as you know at this point, Casey really isn't in the running to win but she was still a force to be reckoned with nonetheless.

And now it's time to turn the cameras over to the Chicago live finale to announce the winner - Congratulations Hung! I'm really glad they didn't drag it out and make it longer than it had to be (aside from one commercial break). Chef Tom gave them all great praise - you should have seen the look on Dale's face when Chef Tom told him that his rack of lamb was a wonderful dish and that it should be one that he carries with him forever. Even more amusing was Hung's reaction when he was told that his duck was of 3 Michelin star status! G'bye Top Chef, for now, until the next season - I can't wait to "watch what happens".

Reel Beauty Event at Saks

2007-10-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Don't miss it! Saks Fifth Avenue's Reel Beauty event starts Oct. 4th. All you have to do is spend $100 or more at Saks.com or in-store and you'll receive a beautiful black patent tote filled with great samples from Estee Lauder, Annick Goutal fragrances, Bond No. 9 scents, Dolce & Gabbana, and more!

Hurry, this special Stephanie Johnson-designed tote filled with beauty goodies is only available until Oct. 13th in a Saks store near you or online until supplies last!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

2007-10-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness month and we have lots of opportunities this time of year to purchase every day items that we love while benefiting breast cancer research. Breast cancer affects millions of people and every Monday this month, I will post items you can buy where a portion of the proceeds will go to various breast cancer charities.

This week, I've decided to feature perfectly pink items that will brighten up your kitchen and make you feel good about cooking for your family this fall.

KitchenAid "Cook For The Cure" Special Edition Artisan Mixer ($399 US). This classic KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, in the same shade of pink as the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon, makes a statement of compassion while delivering the performance you've come to expect. $50 from the proceeds of each pink mixer sold will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cuisinart Pink Collection ($39.99 - 69.99 US). Think pink, think positive. This collection of vibrant appliances adds a little sunshine to any kitchen and a ray of hope in the lives of women around the world. Three percent of proceeds for each sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Emile Henry "Bake for the Cause" Pink Pie Dish ($37.99 US). Pretty in pink, this cute 9” pie dish gives you good cause to bake - 10% of every purchase goes to breast cancer research. Featuring a classic scalloped, wavy rim and a warm pink color, the dish is almost as inviting as the pie inside.

Britney Spears Loses Custody of Her Kids

2007-10-01T20:19:00.001-07:00

After enduring a ton of (extra) bad publicity after her not-so-good VMA "comeback" performance in September and messy custody battle with ex Kevin Federline, she finally appears to have hit rock bottom this week. A judge temporarily stripped Spears' of custody of her two young children. The ruling came after key witnesses revealed that Spears' used drugs and is a danger to her kids, as reported by People.com.

Federline will receive full custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James until further notice starting Wednesday.

I really hope that this will open her eyes to turn over a new leaf in her life and get it together already!

{Photo: E! Online}

Lust, Caution: Get The Look from Dior

2007-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Inspired from the seductive look of Tang Wei, lead actress in Lust, Caution, Dior recreates her femme fatale look with dramatic eyes and ruby red lips.

Dior Airflash ($60 US) is a spray foundation that revolutionizes they way you makeup your face. It gives you perfect coverage while evening out out your skin tone without being too heavy. The spray mist leaves your face feeling fresh, light, and gives your complexion a perfect, flawless finish.

Start your look of pure seduction with perfectly lined, dramatic eyes that would make even the hottest Hollywood starlet envious. Use Dior's quick drying and long lasting Style Liner ($30 US) on your eyelids close to the base of your lashes with one precise stroke of the brush.

Finish off your Seductress Look with Dior Rouge Dior lip color ($26 US). Lipstick is back this fall and Rouge Dior's unique formula gives you lips that are utlra brilliant, lusciously full, long-wearing and wonderfully moist. Get the look from Lust, Caution with Red Premiere or Celebrity Red. Or try out fall's newest colors like All Star Pink, Brown Ceremony, Diorama, and Interview Pink.

Lust, Caution

2007-09-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

I just watched the trailer for Ang Lee's new movie, Lust, Caution. You know, the guy who gave us Academy Award-winning films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain?? I really love films featuring China in the 1940s era and from watching the trailer, it has everything I’m looking for – amazing imagery, drama and (more superficially) inspiringly beautiful fashion, hair and makeup. Lust, Caution is in limited release now and I can’t wait to watch it!!

The film is an adaptation of a 1950 short story by the famed Chinese author Eileen Chang, said to be loosely based on an actual event that took place in 1939-1940. The story is mostly set in WWII-era Shanghai and Hong Kong. It depicts a group of Chinese students plotting to kill a powerful collaborator with the Japanese, using a young woman as a lure. Check out the trailer now.

Matt McConaughey Models for D&G

2007-09-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

It looks like Dolce & Gabbana just tapped Matthew McConaughey to appear in their new ad campaign! I'm really fascinated by celebrities acting as models and, for me, it makes the ads more interesting - think Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

The upcoming ads were shot in Paris recently by fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino (see below). Once this campaign hits, I'll be sure to post images of what's sure to be "dripping with D&G brand of hard-edged chic and sex appeal" as posted by E! Online.

{Photo: E! Online}

Three Finalists for Top Chef This Season!

2007-09-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

I'm so sad that next week will be the last week I get to watch Top Chef - until next season that is. But, I'm SO excited that we get to see three chefs cook for the finale. And, I'm even more excited that the chef everyone loves to hate, Hung, is still in the running! Woo hoo!

Let's recap: the Final Four finally make it to Aspen and are challenged with a Quickfire almost right away. They hop onboard a hot-air balloon and make their way to a remote area along a river - strange. I must say that this challenge was pretty out there and it was fun to watch the cheftestants try to make a gourmet trout dish with a portable burner on a couple of tree stumps. However, I think that Anthony Bourdain was absolutely right in his BravoTV blog when he said that this challenge was a waste of such a talented and well-respected judge in Eric Ripert, known famously for specializing in seafood. It must suck to eat such wonderful food, seafood no less, and then have to judge campfire cuisine.

Everyone looked to be struggling except for Hung, who actually finished 6 minutes early. WTF?! If I knew that a piece of fish was going to sit on a plate for 6 minutes before Padma and Eric were to taste it, I'd probably start over. Cold fish isn't pleasant and I'm surprised they didn't mention it during judging. And with so much time left over, you think he could have remembered the lemon? I love Hung, he's my favorite to win, but even I couldn't stop laughing.

Brian didn't fare too well, with his underseasoned salad with trout and neither did Dale; the spices in his dish completely missed the mark. That leaves Casey to be the winner of the Quickfire. I don't care what anyone says, I think that she's the one Hung needs to beat and if she does win, I'd be happy (don't tell my boyfriend that - wink!).

On to the Elimination Challenge: Since Casey won, she had the advantage of using any of the special ingredients she was allowed to bring from home for the finale. Surprisingly (and it may just be me because I didn't realize), her self-proclaimed style of cuisine is pan-Asian. Perfect for a final match up with Hung who's originally from Vietnam. But, Casey opted not to use her special ingredients as she thought they'd be more appropriate for something else since the protein of choice for this challenge to feed cowboys and girls was... elk.

I think they all did pretty good with the ingredient at hand, considering that most of them never cooked with elk before expect for Casey. Being from Texas, Casey was already familiar with elk. And even though she prepared hers extremely rare, her smoky tomato sauce saved her from elimination.

Hung was recognized by the judges as being the best technical chef - technically. He prepared the elk perfectly and his flavors were good but restrained. However, because if this, the judges claimed that his food had no soul and that he wasn't cooking from his Vietnamese roots. He pleaded with the panel that if he made it to the final, that Hung's true flavors would come out. And I rooted for Hung to make it through so that I, too, could see what he had to offer.

Dale admitted something to us this week that we didn't know about him. Before he made it onto Top Chef, he hadn't really cooked for over a year. His restaurant closed down and he was trying to find who he was as a chef from this competition. Could've fooled me since he was one of my favorites from earlier on. He really nailed it on the head and knew that if he made a great sauce, that it would be a home run for him. And indeed he did. Congratulations on your win, Dale!

And finally, we have Brian. As you probably know, Brian was the lone chef who had to pack his knives and go. Although I'm sure his elk dish was very good, it suffered from too many ingredients which left us to think that he was trying to hard. Overdoing your food with too many ingredients is never good. The way the producers edited the show, it appeared that it took him forever to describe his dish to Padma. Even Gail proclaimed that it took him 25 minutes to convey elk with bourbon, balsamic, garlic, cherries, sage, and on and on and on, proved to be harmful to his chances in continuing on in the competition. And alas, we have to say goodbye to Brian.

Now, who will be the Top Chef next week? Three finalists will prove to be extremely difficult for the judges to decide on and you bet I'll be right there with the rest of America to find out!

Reese's Pieces

2007-09-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I work for a company called Glam Media and we recently featured Reese Witherspoon's different fashion styles over the years. I think she's so cute and I can't wait to see her new film, Rendition, also starring Jake Gyllenhaal hitting theaters Oct. 19th! Check out Reese's style evolution here!

{Photo: Glam Media)

No Jail Time for Nicole Richie

2007-09-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

People.com reported today that Nicole Richie has enrolled in an 18-month anti-drinking program.

Richie was arrested for a DUI last year and was sentenced to only four days in jail this summer. She actually only served 82 minutes in jail; so why would she sign up for an 18-month program? Wouldn't that put a cramp in her baby delivery schedule? Richie is six months pregnant and is due in December.

What do you think about Richie doing her civic duty and participating in an anti-drinking driver program? Leave me a comment and let me know!

{Photo: People.com}

Celebrity Baby Fever is Back

2007-09-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

It seems that baby fever in Hollywood is back with a handful of celebrities expecting their new bundles of joy soon. Check it out!

Nicole Richie sporting her baby bump through a teeny bikini

Wedding Crashers star Isla Fisher is about to pop with Borat's Sacha Baron Cohen's baby

And we finally get to see Christina Aguilera's little baby bump

Also check out the food cravings some of our celebrity moms-to-be have on Hollyscoop!

{Photos: Yahoo! & AussieBubBlog}

Love Your Lashes!

2007-09-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

I recently replenished my Lancôme Dual Finish compact and received a free gift at Nordstrom. Usually, there's nothing really out of the ordinary in those gifts, but this time, I found a new product I really love - Lancôme's Cils Booster XL.

This enhacing mascara base maximizes the result of any mascara you normally use and features micro-fibers for enhanced effect with a triangular brush helps separate lashes. And since I have short and thin lashes, I saw a vast improvement when I tried it. My lashes definitely looked fuller and longer.

Shop for your own Lancôme's Cils Booster XL for $20 now.

If you're looking for a two-in-one mascara includes this lash enhancing base so that you don't have to carry two separate products, Bourjois has Coup de Theatre. It's a double-sided mascara that allows you to get the illusion of false eyelashes...without the fuss in two steps.

Step 1 - Lash extension: white microfibers visibly lengthen by attaching themselves to your lashes.

Step 2 - Lash coloring: mascara creates full volume, ultra rich color and shine.

Shop for your own Bourjois Coup de Theatre for $18 now.

Don't Need a Boyfriend to Wear His Watch..

2007-09-25T07:21:00.001-07:00

I was shopping around this past weekend and found myself checking out watches. And not the small and dainty ones a lot of women tend to wear; I really like 'boyfriend watches'! They're chunky yet still feminine and it's a great accessory for the fall and winter seasons.

Check out these SPLURGE options from Nordstrom.com:

Shop Burberry Heritage Stainless Steel Bracelet for $525 HERE

Shop MICHAEL Michael Kors Men's Chrono Leather Band Watch for $185 HERE

Or STEAL this Fossil Womens Metal Chronograph Watch for $95 from TheFind.com

2007 Emmy's Fashion for Less: Ellen Pompeo

2007-09-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Get Ellen Pompeo's Michael Kors look for $410 from A.B.S. here.

2007 Emmy's Fashion for Less: Heidi Klum

2007-09-24T15:44:00.001-07:00

Steal Heidi Klum's Dior look for $218 at eDressMe here.

2007 Emmy's Fashion for Less: Katherine Heigl

2007-09-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

Get Emmy winner Katherine Heigl's Zac Posen gown for $475.00 at eDressMe here.

2007 Emmy's Fashions for Less: Kate Walsh

2007-09-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Get Kate Walsh's Pamela Dennis look alike at eDressMe for $300 here.

2007 Emmy's Fashions for Less: America Ferrera

2007-09-24T14:47:00.000-07:00

For all of us who drool over the fabulous Emmy's fashions but can't afford the hefty price tag, we now have a way to get these beautiful looks for less! Check out some of the look alikes I found.

Get America Ferrera's Monique L'huillier look for $328 at eDressMe

UPDATED Beauty Review: Kinerase

2007-09-23T10:08:00.000-07:00

We received some samples of Kinerase Ultimate Day Moisturizer at work the other day and I just had an opportunity to sample it. I must admit that I don't really like to use creams over lotions because it usually ends up feeling too heavy. But I really enjoyed this because it is rich without being too heavy, which is perfect for dry skin.

It provides advanced all-day moisture and antioxidant benefits. When used daily, it will help skin retain more moisture and improve the appearance of texture, tone and blotchiness in sun damaged skin. Contains the highest concentration of kinetin to improve skin’s appearance and is clinically proven to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin by 52%.

If you'd like to sample this product, please email your first and last name and mailing address to KineraseSample@glam.com and they'll send you your own 7-day sample of Kinerase Ultimate Day Moisturizer to try, ideal for more mature consumers with dry skin.

And if you love it, you can purchase it here and receive a FREE Daily Cleanser (a $30 value!) with any purchase through Nov. 1st. Just enter code MBCDRIVE when you check out!

NOTE: If you opt-in to receive your Kinerase sample, you agree to receive future email offers from Kinerase. We will only share your email address.

GWP: Laura Mercier Fall 2007

2007-09-22T00:05:00.000-07:00

I was just about to retire for the day when I discovered a Gift with Purchase from Laura Mercier. If you're interested in the LM's Metallic Creme Shadow I just posted about (a $22 value!), you can get one for free when you spend $100 stocking up on your fall favorites on LauraMercier.com through the end of September.

Included in your free gift is:

- A full-size Platinum Metallic Creme Eye Colour

- 0.5 oz Foundation Primer

- 0.4 oz Moisturizer Cream

- 0.4 oz Face Polish

- 1.0 oz Almond Coconut Milk Souffle Body Creme

- 0.10 oz Wildberry Lip Plumper

Enjoy!

Fall Beauty Trend: Metallic Eyes

2007-09-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited for fall this year and the subtle metallic makeup is PERFECT because I love colors but I don't wear a lot of makeup so a little shimmer from these metallics goes a long way.

The Makeup Girl got me thinking about the new fall colors when she featured a Bobbi Brown trio on her blog a couple days ago. So I dug around to find some more metallic finds that I'd love to try. Here's what I'm looking forward to:

Laura Mercier's Metallic Créme Eye Colour, $22, comes in beautiful shades of plums and copper this season. What I really love about creme shadows is that you can wear them underneath powder eyeshadows, plum for example, and the color really shines through. Combine the two and purples are more vibrant and the colors are truer to what they look like in their containers. The creme and powder combo is really ideal for long lasting wear and evening. Laura Mercier's line of metallic creme shadow's are long-lasting and waterproof, and that's always a plus.

Shop Laura Mercier's collection of metallic creme shadows now.

'Rendition' Hits Theaters Oct. 19th

2007-09-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Press Play to Watch the Exclusive Trailer!

One of my favorite Hollywood gals, Reese Witherspoon, is starring in a new movie, Rendition, coming out Oct. 19th.

A thriller that centers on Isabella El-Ibrahimi (Reese Witherspoon), the American wife of Egyptian-born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally), who disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington. Isabella desperately tries to track her husband down, while a CIA analyst (Jake Gyllenhaal) at a secret detention facility outside the U.S. is forced to question his assignment as he becomes party to the man's unorthodox interrogation.

For me, this movie is a must-see this fall with an all-star cast that also includes Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep, and Peter Sarsgaard.

Cheers to the Top Chef Final Four!

2007-09-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

I must say, last night's Top Chef was one of my favorites this season. It was all about going back to the basics and judging on skill and simplicity. None of this, what can you make all ingredients from a gas station (a la Season 1), make an amuse bouche from vending machine foods (from Season 2) or the debacle of a Quickfire requiring chefs to shop from one aisle in the grocery store with only $10 to their name.

The Quickfire challenge was about recreating a classic in a real kitchen with real ingredients and real equipment (put that hot plate away!). I was really glad to see that Hung won this and I was actually really glad to see that he didn't share how he prepared the potato-wrapped sea bass with the other kids. Even though it may have been arrogant to the other contestants in the moment, they must have looked back on this episode and thought to themselves, if I were in the same spot, would I share what I did? After all, it's a competition with only one winner.

Moving on to the Elimination Challenge, it was interesting to see that they didn't go all out like the did in Season 1 by giving the cheftestants black truffle and wine or asking them to create an upscale 5-course tasting menu (Season 2). For this Elimination Challenge going into the Aspen finale, the cheftestants were asked to create a fabulous dish using 3 simple, everyday ingredients - chicken, potatoes, and onions.

This was one of the few episodes this season where I could clearly see who the top contenders were and who actually deserved to go home. From the start, we could see that Hung and Casey's concepts were right on to just create classic dishes the old school deans from the French Culinary Institute could enjoy. The fact that Hung is classically trained made him a top choice to win.

Casey also had an edge up by recreating a favorite dish from her childhood that her French grandmother always made. I believe that these were the types of dishes that the judges were looking for. They didn't want complicated food that you had to interpret, like Dale's duet of chicken. They weren't looking for regional specialties like Sara's Jamaican inspired dish or Brian's Shepard's Pie. Even if it tasted amazing as Brian's dish was although it looked like a pile of you-know-what, it didn't represent classic, simple food. Hung and Casey delivered on this and Hung came out as the ultimate winner and I'm glad.

I can't wait to see what these guys are up against in the Aspen finale, but you bet your ass that I'm going to have something to say about it. Who do you think will go head-to-head as the final two? Vote on my featured poll now!

Oh, Mamma Mia!

2007-09-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

If you grew up listening to ABBA with your parents (like I did), you MUST check out Mamma Mia, you'll love it! I was fortunate to catch them in San Francisco this past weekend on their national tour and it was AMAZING! I loved how they weaved in all my favorite ABBA songs into the story line of a girl getting married, looking for her birth father to give her away on her wedding way. It was a real feel-good show and got everyone on their feet by the end.

The San Francisco show runs through Sept. 22nd at the Orpheum Theatre and you can buy tickets here. A friend of mine told me that if you buy it at the theatre directly, you can save $20 but I'm not sure if that's true. Leave a comment and let me know so that I don't have to pay full price next time. =) If you're in another city, find out whether or not the show will be near your hometown here.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead!

2007-09-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

For those Rock of Love fans out there, I'm sure you were rejoicing as I was on Sunday when crazy Lacey FINALLY got the boot!

Was it the grilling Bret got from Lacey's dad about signing a pre-nup before getting married? Uh, hello?! Bret's still dating two other girls; I wonder what made dear old dad think that wedding bells were anywhere in the near future. Was it witnessing the fight between Heather and Lacey, where Heather was calling her a manipulative liar in front of his face that got him thinking that his "crazy Lacey" was really crazy? Or was it just hanging out and having WAY more fun with the other girls and their parents? Check out this video of Bret opening up gag gifts from Jes' parents that includes a human-sized condom!

I definitely think that it was a combination of Lacey's scary, money-makes-the-world-go-'round, pre-nup pushin' dad and the fact that Lacey's been called out by everyone in the house for her manipulative ways that made Bret decide that maybe he couldn't trust to be around her after all. The bandana-wearing cowboy rockstar finally saw the light, and we're SO glad.

Let's see who will survive the final round and makes it onto Bret's tour bus in the end. At this point, I'm kinda diggin' Heather but just like you, I'll have to wait and see.

My "What-Were-You-Thinking?!" Emmy's Worst Dressed List

2007-09-17T10:55:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness there were lots of Emmy's fashions this year that were amazing to make up for some of the bad fashions you're about to witness.

Vanessa Williams looks like she's about to fly away in this feathered Kevan Hall. Thankfully her hair and makeup look natural and flawless.

Kyra Sedgwick's Oscar de la Renta tiered frock in black looks dreadful for the red carpet.

Another black dress on Jamie Pressly by St. John looks too dark for this afternoon event in sunny Southern California.

And finally, Hayden Panettiere gets the ultimate "what-were-you-thinking?!" award for worst dressed of the evening in this Marc Bouwer gown.

{Photos: EOnline.com}