Category Archives: Starlets

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

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I can’t lie, I’ve always loved diamonds. Long before I met Josh, I used to tear out Tiffany ads, making an engagement ring wish-list scrapbook. I have a few vintage diamond pieces from both grandmothers, and I’ve always felt just a little more special when I wear them. My mom wears her fingers (and sometimes ears and neck) stacked with sparklers, and whether she’s headed to the mall or a ball, they always work.

stamp2

there’s my beautiful diamond, a 2-ct. round brilliant in a four-prong, timeless platinum setting.

Last year, when I briefly worked at Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue, my absolute favorite two hours spent on the job were during the store tour we were given as part of orientation. I had to keep running to catch up with the group, because (especially on floors one and two), the chance to stop and stare at the bling was just so amazing. I couldn’t stop.

Of course, just after the tour I returned to work and was sent home for being dressed inappropriately, which sort of soured the moment. But that’s nothing new for an envelope-pushing girl who’s always felt confined when faced with a strict dress code. I digress.

Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Its Blue Book Ball At Rockefeller Center In New York City

The company’s annual Blue Book event features their best of show-stopping jewels. I’m personally most impressed by the diamonds, natch. This year’s top celebs to attend were Gwyneth and SJP. I came across these photos from the blue carpet; do you not love how Sarah Jessica Parker pairs two over-the-top necklaces together, for a Carrie-esque, eclectic re-imagining of the designs?

Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Its Blue Book Ball At Rockefeller Center In New York CityBreathtaking. I love this look but must admit, I’m perfectly happy with my own amazing diamond. Every time I look at it I think, “It’s true! Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” And hey, it doesn’t hurt that the heart of the guy who gave it to me is much more valuable than the world’s most impressive stones.

Stop it Shoes

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I love shoes. There is nothing original or surprising about this statement. I’m a women, I live in New York City, and I’ve been reading fashion magazines since before I was in a training bra. Of course I love shoes. And as much fun as it is to poke around the sale racks at Saks or pick up an impromptu pair of Seychelles on endless.com, sometimes shoe dreams can be as exciting if not more fulfilling than buying the pair you can actually afford.

Giuseppe Zanotti metallic leather curved-wedge T-strap sandals, $895, saks.com

“Stop it” shoes are a pair of shoes that make you stop and stare. They are expertly crafted little works of art that happen to be intended for wear, but would be just as useful housed in gallery-style glass cubes and stared at all day by twenty-something girls who can barely afford their monthly manicure, let alone a pair of Stop it Shoes.

Imagine stomping down the streets of your town in these bad-ass wedges. Talk about a fashion statement!

Today, it’s a metallic leather platform with inverted heel from Gieseppe Zanotti. Damn, those Italians know what they’re doing! Probably easier to walk in than the Lady Gaga-approved McQueens that peppered the sidewalks of lower Fifth a few seasons back, these shoes are sporty, elegant, and fantastical all at once. Perhaps also because the price of gold is so high right now, anything gold in color just seems that much more opulent and exciting. These artfully shaped platforms retail for well under $1,000 dollars, but from we’re I’m sitting, they’re priceless works of art.

Anne Hathaway: My beautiful neighbor

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Joshy and I were walking in our neighborhood toward home the other afternoon and witnessed celebrity obsession at its worst–a horde of paparazzi swirling down York Street on motorcycles and foot, all attempting to get a photo of a rail-thin, large-sunglass-wearing actress with her arm in a sling and a hunk to her left.

I met her once when I was working on Fifth Avenue. She asked me for what she was looking for; her voice and her affect were gentle and sweet. I fell in love. Anne is major Girl Crush Material.

Are you loving the outfit? I’ve never seen an injured arm look so great!

Back to Sunday, the way these nutty photogs aggressively shouted things at Hathaway and her love Adam Shulman, and the urgency with which they scooted around the street to get the photo, saddened our hearts a little. Joshy was confused. Why was the actress wearing a massive hat and sunglasses? I explained that it was Sunday morning, and the poor thing was probably trying to shield a tired and unmade-up face (something we should all be free to sport on Sunday mornings) from the harsh click of a stranger’s camera.

I will say this about the inimitable Miss Anne though. The girl can work a maxi. I have never seen a celebrity look so chic on her day off. And while DUMBO is filled with lovely women in sun hats and overpriced sunglasses, I can assure you that with or without the swarms of paparazzi, we would have recognized her star power from miles away.

She is so beautiful.

Hausfrau: the new sexy look?

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A year ago I went to drinks to celebrate a friend’s birthday after work. It was a casual affair, so I went straight from work in the dress I’d worn despite much contemplation. It was the end of the laundry cycle, and all the cute dresses were either buried in the bottom of the hamper or on house arrest at the dry cleaner’s until I could afford to pick them up. What now? I donned a beige midi-length cotton dress that’s lace in front and linen-like down the back, with a pleated skirt. Underneath it was my usual sheer-dress solution, a black cotton long sleeved T and black leggings. I paired it with brown Frye boots. I spent the whole night wondering if I looked like a hausfrau; my friends thought it was a combination of hilarious and true.

But the more I troll around online looking for cute loot at a great price, the more I’m seeing that this sort of early 20th-century gauzey house dress look is surprisingly in. And I am not even a little ashamed to say I totally love it. Now, this is one trend that your boyfriend won’t understand. In fact, he might cringe at the sight of your new dress.

But if you take a page out of Taylor Swift’s recent outfit books, you’ll see that this look is totally now. Her Grammy performance dress, anyone? Okay, so the braid was overkill. But the dress was (oddly) hot.

Here are some of my personal favorites. Don’t wanna join in on the fun? Suit yourself!

Top Shop Flower Patch Dress in pale yellow, $92, topshop.com

twentysevennames Darleen silk Midi Dress, ON SALE for $255.15, asos.com

Turn up the volume by making your house dress a red one. Betsey Johnson Pink Label tulip print maxi halter dress, $148, urbanoutfitters.com

Easy tip: How to do an Up-Do

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Ever since my little-girl ballet days, I’ve understood the undeniable chic of a well-done chignon. Love French twists for brides. Totally dig a high, tight pony on just about everyone. But with my somewhat sticky-out ears and broad shoulders, a part of me always feels like an ugly little boy with my hair pulled back. I know it might sound strange, but the hair-up situation is a tough one for me to pull off.

Perfect little ballet bun at a 2007 Elie Saab runway show

Oh, but the agony of wearing one’s hair down every single day. It’s hot and can be annoying, not to mention the fact that it must look utterly gorgeous at all moments when being worn down. I suffered so severely from the fear of looking like a boy in high school that I remember clearly the very first–and only–time I attempted a bun in ninth grade. It was eighth period Social Studies and I was wearing one of those thick-cottoned long sleeved Abercrombie tees that were so very important my freshman year. I was so hot that I felt my face flush and sweat forming at the back of my neck.

Giving in to the heat, I reluctantly borrowed a hair tie from a classmate and pulled it all up into a loose, high bun. When my teacher (whose class I had been in for five months) walked in, he asked me if I was new to the school. This was the moment I decided it was time I hightail it out of my hair rut and learn how to experiment. Here is some of what I’ve learned:

For the moment of worry about bumps, cowlicks, and/or uneven parts:

The best way to pull together a chic updo if you have an awkwardly placed cowlick or trouble getting your hair to stay flat on top is to incorporate a braid on one or both sides. This draws attention to the braid and away from any bumps or imperfections. I really like the style shown by Anne Hathaway below. To achieve it, create a deep part on one side of your hair. On the half that has more hair, start a loose French braid a couple of inches below the part (where your roots would start if you hadn’t touched up your color in a couple of months). For an inside-out French like Anne has here, just reverse the regular French braid process, pulling from under rather than braiding over.

Anne gets it right by adding a dangly earring and plenty of liner

Once you’ve braided to the nape of your neck, pull all of your hair together in a low, loose bun. Wrap hair around itself twice and affix all around with bobby pins. Spray to hold, but let any wisps fall as they might. This look is effortlessly chic, and can be worn during the day or to a cocktail party–or both!

For when you want to look refined and polished, but not like a granny:

Messy buns are great, and they’ve remained popular for years now from the runways to the streets. But for some offices and events, they are just too… well, messy. Here is a sleek and easy updo that will keep hair off your face, out of your eyes, and off of your boss’s “Please Re-read our Dress Code” list.

Pull hair back tight, smoothing the top of your head with a boar bristle paddle brush. Create a high pony (if you think it’s too high, it’s probably just about right), leaving about a half-inch section of hair out of the pony underneath. Once you’ve affixed with your ponytail holder, wrap the extra hair around several times to create the illusion that the pony is being held in place by hair, not elastic. Two or three bobby pins from below should do the trick to keep it in place. Spray.

This is what the back of your hair should look like before you curl it.

Then: with a medium-barrel curling iron, take small sections of hair and create tight waves throughout the pony. Spray everywhere with an illuminating hairspray and some Sally Hershberger shine spray. Voila! Like Rihanna, you’ll look peppy, pretty, and ready to rock!

If your ears stick out, like mine do:

Girl, you still deserve to pull your hair up! Here are my favorite tricks for drawing attention away from the ears…

1. Keep some hair in your face. Letting a few pieces dangle will keep eyes moving and make you feel like self-conscious.

2. Body at the back… or on top. A big, voluminous bun or punchy pony creates enough drama to balance your perky ears.

3. Makeup, makeup, makeup. Dark, dramatic liner makes the focus all about your eyes.

4. Remember that no one’s perfect. We all have our little woes. And it turns out, even if you think you look like a boy with your hair up, your boy probably doesn’t agree…

Canned

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Ever just want to say “f-all” and do your hair up in Diet Coke cans like Miss Gaga did last spring? I know it’s been a while since our Lady of Pop debuted this crazy look, but I was thinking about it this morning while musing about my love of Diet Coke.

I drink two or three a day (sorry Mom, but that’s the truth) and it’s reached the point where even the sight of that familiar silver-black-and-red logo is comforting. I love the snap and hiss that occur immediately upon opening a fresh can, and I’ll settle for the soda fountain variety if nothing else is available. But to wear Diet Coke as a fashion accessory? Genius… still genius over a year later.

PS. Am seriously considering pink highlights. Methinks the big-deal corporate boyfriend might be a tad upset should I make that choice. Perhaps in a temporary capacity tied to that lovely excuse for pushing the fashion envelope we know as Halloween? Until then, I’ll be thinking it over with a Diet Coke in hand.

MaKe me pretty: Mary Kate’s best summer beauty tricks at home

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Summer is all about easy makeup and undone hair, but vamping it up for night is still important. Fashion-world darling Mary Kate Olsen is the queen of Boho-Beachy Chic. I’ve searched through the MK beauty archives from the past few years and assembled some of her best summer makeup looks here; let’s discuss how to recreate them at home.

Smoky eyes & messy tresses:

This is a great look for date night, especially following a beach day. First things first: apply a light and airy tinted moisturizer all over your face, doubling up under the eyes for a dewy glow everywhere. I like E.L.F. tinted moisturizer with SPF, eyeslipsface.com, $1.

To achieve these bold, smoky eyes, line top and bottom lids first with an iridescent charcoal liner like Stila smudge stick waterproof liner in silver dollar (sephora.com, ON SALE from $22 for $5). Follow this base with a heavy-handed line of black liquid (try Smashbox liquid liner pen, beauty.com, $20) on top and bottom. For best results, I suggest false strip lashes like MAC’s Natural Length lashes (maccosmetics.com, $14), but if you prefer to go au natural, three coats of Maybelline Volum Express mascara in Very Black (beauty.com, $6.79) will do the trick. To achieve MK’s creamy beige lip, try a rich gloss like Estee Lauder’s High Gloss in Honey (esteelauder.com, $16).

For the hair, just take your beach-worn, sun-soaked tresses and enhance their natural look. A quick spritz of Sedu Beach Body spray (sedu.com, ON SALE from $18 for $9.99) will give you the added texture you need. Then, assemble the front half of your hair into a classic Alice-in-Wonderland, teasing out strands with the end of your comb for a perfectly messed up look.

Barbie makeup & loose waves:

Glowing eyes and soft, wavy locks could not be sexier. Start with loose copper shadow applied softly to lids (try Kat Von D true romance loose shadow in Rapture, exclusively at sephora.com, 16). Follow by using a finer brush to apply the same shadow thinly along the lower lash line. A dab of dark (even black) shadow like CoverGirl’s Eye Enhancers in shimmering onyx (drugstore.com, $3.19) in the outside creases will intensify the look for night. Follow with a heavy line of black (Revlon ColorStay eye liner, amazon.com, $8) to top lid and light line along the bottom lid, two coats of your Volum Express mascara, and you’re done. Try a nearly-nude pink gloss on your lips, like Lancome Color Fever gloss in Frosted Petal, lancome.com, $26. Try a dab of cream blusher on your cheeks and you’re good to go! I like Nars’ cream blush in Enchanted, narscosmetics.com, $26.

The hair could not be easier. Part your clean or day-old hair down the center. If you have natural waves, all you need is a quick spritz of Neil George perfect hold hairspray (neilgeorgesalon.com, $22). Straight hair can be easily adjusted to fit this style. First, wet it down with an all-over spritz of water from a spray bottle. Once damp, separate small sections and work into loose braids (about five braids per side). Set your blow dryer on its lowest setting and hold at arm’s length from the hair, softly drying it while plaited. Once it’s nearly dry, mist quickly with your hair spray, set style with one more blast from your dryer, then undo braids. Softly unravel with finger tips and allow your sweet waves to flow as they might!

Bronze glow & a braided crown:

I love this fresh, fun approach to summer beauty, and you can achieve it no matter what your skintone and hair type/length. The makeup is minimal and requires nothing more than a quick coat of foundation one shade darker than your natural color. Blend in along neck and hairline by mixing some light face cream in. You can get fancy with this by creating a 50-50 ration of cream and color in the cap of your moisturizer, stirring until even and then applying with a makeup brush. Or, if you’re an on-the-go girl, just mix the two directly on your cheeks until they look flawless. A solid duo: Clinique Even Better makeup ($24.50) and Youth Surge moisturizer ($49.50), clinique.com for both. No need for anything on your eyes except for your Revlon ColorStay black liner on top and bottom and a coat of Volum Express. Leave lips bare or try a hint of subtle gloss like MAC tinted lipglass in C-Thru, maccosmetics.com, $14.50. Add a hint of illuminating liquid on the apples of cheeks and just below the outside corner of your brows. I love Soleil Tan de Chanel sheer illuminating fluid in Sunkissed, chanel.com, $48.

Your braided crown is going to take some work, but don’t be discouraged! Whatever your natural texture, part down the middle and pull a few thin chunks from the front away from the rest of your hair. Then divide the rest of your hair into two sections, one on either side. Starting at the nape of your neck, create a loose braid on one side, pulling hair up instead of down as you go. Wrap braid on top of your head and place it where a headband would go. Cement with bobby pins. Repeat on the other side, laying second braid directly next to first braid. Pin everything again. Tug gently to pull out a few tendrils. Spray all over with your hairspray of choice. Step out into the world and don’t be surprised when everyone compliments your cool ‘do!

Vixen lips & ringlets:

This is Old Hollywood all the way, and it’s a great transitionary look that will take you from late summer into early fall. Keep the makeup minimal on your face–no need for blush or bronzer. But remember, red lips can emphasize redness elsewhere on the face; if you have any blemishes, cover them up thoroughly with a heavy-duty concealer like Paula Dorf’s Magic Stick (beauty.com, $22). For the eyes, you can use your Kat von D copper shadow, but smear on some extra near your tear ducts to make the eye area appear larger. Follow with a quick smudge of charcoal shadow (Sephora Collection colorful mono shadow in Hit the Road, sephora.com, ON SALE from $12 for $3). A quick sweep of mascara will finish off your eyes.

Red lips are a little tricky. You need to make sure you’re starting with a moisturized pout so as not to allow for caking. I recommend exfoliating your lips by simply wetting your toothbrush and giving them a gentle scrub before applying any color. You can achieve a punchy red lip a few different ways, but my favorite for summer is a sheer, gloss-like stick to keep from appearing too heavy. Feel free to try a few different shades before you select yours–corals, blue-reds, cherry-reds–they’re all in style. I am a die-hard Chanel girl when it comes to red lips. Their Rouge Allure sticks are delightfully light, but hold their color stronger than any gloss will. My favorite is is Coquette, a classic, flirty red that works for every girl. Have fun playing at the Chanel counter, though. At $32, these sticks are a splurge, but well worth the investment. Chanel.com.

The hair is somewhat involved but with a little patience, you’ll get there. People say that dirty hair is easier to style, but I find that nothing beats a shiny curl. I suggest washing hair and allowing it to air dry without any additional product. Then, create a deep side part to allow some hair to cover your eye. If you have long bangs, leave them alone and let them fall as they might. If not, you can create a faux bang look with this across-the-forehead sweep and tuck it behind opposite hair to get it to stay on that side. Now for the curls! Lovely wringlets like these are easier to create than you might suspect. Try a clipless curling iron (Jose Eber’s gets my vote and it comes in a ton of cute patterns and colors, josecurl.com, $250) to eliminate dents. Working from the back to front, select small sections, hold curling iron upside down, wrap hair around shaft and hold for four or five seconds. Spritz each curl with a hardcore hairspray like ULTA ultimate hold hairpray, ulta.com, $8.99. Once you’ve created your luxe curls, flip your head upside down and spray underneath. You’re ready to go! And if the curls fall, keep smiling. After all, the best beauty is real beauty.

Remember MK’s beauty rules:

Trying too hard is never the best move, always choose hair and makeup that feels comfortable and pretty to you, regardless of season. And most importantly, have fun!

Summer Belles

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My darling colleague and partner in crime has recently started a fabulous celebrity-looks newsletter, Buzzaratti. Everything she writes about is $250 or less and has a major celeb following. You must sign up immediately so as to avoid spending your summer not looking as cute as you could! That said, I am shamelessly stealing a trend alert from her for this post. It’s the hair comb, girls. And it’s ridiculously fabulous.

I grew up in a house filled with vintage treasures–antique mirrors with charming cracks and discoloration, hundred-year-old chairs whose velvet had been redone countless times, and even a turn-of-the-(twentieth)-century white lace dress so fragile I refused to take deep breaths while wearing it… but wear it I did, and proudly. One of my absolute favorite items as a child was a gorgeous hair comb from the early 1900′s that had belonged to somebody’s grandmother’s mother or something along those lines. It had been produced at the dawn of plastic, made in an amber-hued, hand-etched heavy grade plastic that I don’t even think you can find these days. The comb was to be tucked into an up-do, or used to pull back one side of the hair. There are countless uses for a comb like this, but I honestly thought the trend had died with my ancestors.

Enter Kim Kardashian. Her new Belle Noel jewelry collection seemed cute enough when I saw the pieces flashed around in the weeklies and on some fashion/accessories blogs. Nothing really stuck out though until I received my Buzzaratti newsletter this Sunday featuring the Belle Noel hair combs. Utterly princess-like and incredibly luxe, the combs retail at $45. They are the perfect touch for summer when trying to up the ante on your sweet little sun dress. Yet I have a feeling this is one trend that will move swiftly through Indian Summer and into fall. Pencil skirt and pointed stilettoes paired with palladium comb-adorned ponytail, anyone? Check them out here.

PS. More on palladium later. Intrigued?

The one I had as a kid looked like this!

Gaga for Gaga

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I am going to preface this one by saying that I really don’t like to talk about music with anyone outside of my inner circle. There are a few reasons for this. The main concern is that I feel music is a topic much like religion or politics that can bring on heated debate in a moment’s notice, leaving one party feeling wounded, attacked, or on the defensive. When really the whole point of music is to escape these types of feelings. Thus, I try to avoid the topic and just turn up the volume and dance.

That said, my boyfriend and I walked in on a conversation last weekend that truly disturbed me. We were meeting up with friends for some drinks and the girls were discussing their severe disdain for Lady Gaga. Some of the things I heard flying around the room were, “She’s an affront to the fashion industry!” [So easy to disprove. Not only does she make everything shine from Chanel and McQueen to the hotly debated meat dress, she has served as fashion muse for such bona fide designers as Nicola Formichetti of Mugler.] AND… “She’s such a slut!” [Really? What do you know about her personal life? And what makes her any different from any other pop star strutting her fab abs and dying the locks blonde?] The list went on to include her recent horn implants –”creepy and disgusting”– the booby-covered top she wore in the recent Bazaar spread — “gross and crazy” and beyond. However, not once was the music brought up. I was pissed.

Harper’s Bazaar, May 2011

Here’s the thing. You don’t have to go gaga for her. You don’t have to love her, or even listen to her. But you have to respect the girl. She writes her own music, she’s inspired a generation with her devil-may-care edge, and she is not only living the American dream but turning it on its pretty little head. Gaga’s music is honest, catchy, and fun, yet deep. There is this moment at the end of her recent HBO concert special when they reveal a clip of her singing “Born this Way” a capella and it literally brings chills. Pop music hasn’t seen this kind of raw, sexy, true talent in a long time. And as for the clothes, I personally tend to love what she’s wearing, but even if you don’t… isn’t it time we look around and realize that not everyone feels comfortable in the mold? It is so important for today’s youth to have a role model who doesn’t give a crap about pleasing others or living up to stoic standards but instead just does what she wants.

A capella “Born this Way”

And really, at the end of the day, the girl’s a genius. She knows exactly what she’s doing when she throws on a crazy outfit or flips the bird at a Met’s game. I guess my point is this. When Warhol started doing his thing, and later Michael Jackson and Madonna, and earlier Coco Chanel, not everyone got it, and not everyone loved it. But everyone was affected by it. Very few people in history have had the kind of magical, crazy stamp that these geniuses of the past have. I just happen to believe that Gaga is the next one. You don’t agree? That’s cool, but I’m just turning up the volume.

Couture Hangover

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I am exhausted from last night–and it’s not a result of the cheap champagne so much as the tough scrutinizing that went on. Let’s just cut right to the chase, shall we?

I LOVE YOU:

The twenty-something was stunning in this fairy-princess-grows-up silk chiffon number with lace detailing on the bodice and shirring down the skirt. The perfect marriage of romantic ease and sexy glam, Mila’s lavendar statement was age-appropriate, beautiful, and effortlessly chic.
Mila Kunis in Elie Saab houte couture

 

Melissa is lovely strong, and–dare we say–a tad rough around the edges. I thought this lace-overlay gown with gold sequins peeking through was a fun, inventive way to make a statement on the carpet without trything too hard. The easy-does-it approach to hair and makeup was refreshing too.
Melissa Leo in a custom Marc Bouwer and Forevermark diamond drop earrings
Still a princess in my eyes, Miss Hathaway charmed in this elegantly detailed, beaded, perfectly-shaped gown that only she could have pulled off. I adore the deep red, thought brown California waves were a great touch, and could not get over that demure, perfect cleavage. Va-va voom!
Anne Hathaway in Atelier Versace
This Old Hollywood look was perfect for last night. Fresh and fun without being too young for her 36 years, the gown hugged her great curves and didn’t reveal too much. The deep blue hue, fun-loving sequins and cap sleeves were swoon-worthy, while side-parted loose waves made for a vintage beauty from head to toe.
Amy Adams in L’Wren Scott

 

 

I DON’T LOVE YOU:
Anne Hathaway is a classic beauty with a funky twist, but this was just all wrong. From the crazed, ringleted updo to the awkward feather-print detail and layers of Victorian-era funeral ruffles below, it was hate-hate-hate for me through and through. The only saving grace of this monstrosity was the lovely shape of the bodice. I adore you, Vivienne Westwood, but really–what the BLEEP happened here?
Anne Hathaway in Vivienne Westwood custom gown
Maybe this would work on the runway–or even in a different color–but this origami-inspired bridal gown-gone-wrong just did not work for me. Lovely beadwork on the bodice; absolutely insane silhouette from the waist down. Nicole made me sad last night, when usually she stuns.
Nicole Kidman in Dior

How is it possible to make such a thin gal look tummy-ish? All around, this was just bad. Bad color, bad tulle, bad hair. Marisa, I expected more from you.

Melissa Tomei in Lily et Cie

I get that being preggers is tough, but Natalie is young and porcelain and chic. She could have done much better than this! At this stage in the pregnancy, why not throw on something form fitting so the bump can shine? Trying to mask it beneath layers of flowing fuscia chiffon was just an odd choice. I’m kind of over her. Sorry to rag on the pregnant girl…but let’s face it, she had a great night nonetheless.

Natalie Portman in Rodarte

**Images courtesy of style.com, people.com, and celebuzz.com