Archive for August, 2009

Ooh la la.

August 26th, 2009 by Ruth

 

Exclusive, invitation only, Ruelala.com, hosts boutiques selling premiere-brands at attainable prices. Visit daily to get your window shopping fix or to purchase an unexpected gem. My affinity for gold shines through in my favorite ooh la la moment. After achieving a goal, I rewarded myself with a Kenneth Jay Lane Crocodile Watch, CC Skye Ryder Hinge Bracelet and ”Gizeh” Birkenstocks in Gold Leather. $150 later, I’ve never received so many compliments on an accessory as I do when I wear these pieces. Hopefully you have a friend to send you a Ruelala.com invite, if not, let us know and we’d be more than happy to send you one!

The battle wages on.

August 26th, 2009 by Catherine
P233106_hero

Summer savior! Available at Sephora.

It’s a constant battle here on the East Coast: Summer Heat & Humidity vs. Hair. Forget heavyweight fights in the ring. The true battle takes place in my bathroom each and every morning as I beg, plead, tease, comb, spray and tame my mane to behave just once this summer. It’s been super soggy this summer, so my long, naturally frizz-prone hair has taken the season off from looking acceptable. 

I’d just about given up when I decided to try a little something from Frédéric Fekkai. His Marine Summer Hair collection has one product in particular, that has made my styling problems nonexistent. Beach Waves is a super light styling spray that effortlessly creates gorgeous beachy waves without ever stepping foot onto a shoreline. Created with an array of sea ingredients including Sea Algae (to condition strands) and Sea Kelp (to revitalize), I needed just a few mists to reinvigorate hope that I might spend one day this summer looking coiffed.

Genius!

August 25th, 2009 by Catherine

Have you ever caught sight of a celebrity and gone gaga for their outfit? With their access to stylists and bigger shopping budgets, they’ve just got such a knack for putting together incredible looks, most often outside of my clothing (and food and rent combined) budgets.

This is why I’m going bananas over InStyle.com’s genius feature Look for Less, where a celebrity look is broken down into much, much more affordable items, complete with online retailer. Sure, you’re not putting together the exact same outfit, but knowing how little you’ve spent on getting celebrity-chic should make you sleep a little better at night. No fake prescription drugs needed.

Top it off.

August 25th, 2009 by Ruth

Picture 9

Add a touch of class with a simple hat. This clever blue cap, available at Banana Republic, tops off your warm hued outfit. Cozy up to your brown argyle wool sweater and favorite pair of slouchy rolled jeans while strolling in the park with your boyfriend and pup.

Daily Diamond: Perfectly Polished

August 25th, 2009 by Ruth

Elsie de Wolfe once said, “Be pretty if you can, be witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you”. Here are our favorite modern timeless pieces that keep you perfectly polished this season. 

Picture 3

Delivering lady luxe glamour, these patent leather and lace studded ballerina flats from  Christian Louboutin Candy Studded Flats pack punch in any ensemble. While they may cost a small fortune at $675, they are the seasonal splurge. 

 

Pearls

Channel Jackie Onassis Kennedy with a step above a strand of pearls. Available at Max & Chloe, this ABS pearl and crystal necklace brings the touch of class necessary for a poised presentation. At $175, four strands of crystals set in imitation rhodium and two strands of white pearls add brilliance to any outfit.

Picture 7

Super slouch slacks from J.Crew bring comfort and style to any polished look. These denim duds are made of pure indigo ringspun cotton that’s been washed and worn to give it authentic charm. 

Picture 8

This silky sheer Alexander Wang tee has a relaxed shape and is subtly reminiscent of your boyfriend’s shirt. Paired with a strand of pearls and flawless hair, this shirt eminates style, comfort and poise.

Daily Diamond: Fit for a queen.

August 24th, 2009 by Ruth

Proudly perched on risers, these pieces of art lavishly adorn the hands. Projecting a ‘midas touch’, Michael Alexander has created a jewel fit for queen – but specially made just for you. 

Committed to designing dramatic, original designs, fusing contemporary and classic elements, Michael uses the finest materials including 18k gold, palladium and platinum. Each piece is topped off with fine gemstones and delectable diamonds.

Currently, his work is available for sale at fine juried art and craft shows, and through private appointment in the New York showroom.

Fraternal Fashion Twins

August 24th, 2009 by Ruth

 

There are plenty of fraternal twins within the fashion world. To most people, two dresses can look identical; they have similar designs, shapes, fabrics and patterns, however, one of them can find a home in your closet without dipping into your savings account.

Case in point; I’ve been eyeing the hot Gryphon dress on the left for months now. Perfect for a night event, this $390 crinkled wool blend Gryphon Belted Crinkle Plaid Henley Dress is cinched at the waist with a bold metal buckle. However, my love affair ended when I spied a fraternal twin in the Alloy catalogue.

Evoking memories of my childhood, I devoured every skinny, waif, long-haired look in the book. To my surprise, I stumbled upon this Plaid Shirt Dress. Similar to the Grypon dress, the Alloy look-a-like, also cinched at the waist, has a similar plaid pattern, sleeve and dress length. Available for a fraction of the price, by removing the fabric strip and adding your favorite funky belt, you can make this $40 look your own and stash some cash for the night out.

Winter warm-up.

August 24th, 2009 by Catherine

During the winter, I tend to eat soup for dinner most nights of the week, simply because I’m just so cold I need as much help as I can to warm up! Besides needing a little heat, I also just love how easy and healthy soups can be. With summer’s end drawing near, I can’t wait to make this super-affordable dish, featured in September’s InStyle. The recipe, from NYC’s I Sodi, is a piece of cake to make and was just as delicious chilled as it is warm. 

I Sodi’s Pappa al Pomodoro Soup

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage
  • 1 1/2 pounds ripe, peeled, seeded tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 slices day-old white peasant bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3 cups water
  • Olive oil and basil leaves for garnish

Directions: Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, basil and sage, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add bread and water. Return to boil and reduce heat. Stir, breaking up bread with back of a wooden spoon. Let soup simmer for 5 minutes before seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, drizzle with additional olive oil and garnish with basil leaves.

Hair envy.

August 24th, 2009 by Catherine

I often think to myself that life would be so much better with hair like Jennifer Aniston’s. I know, I know. So shallow of me. I realize there’s much, much more to life than sleek, perfect locks, but I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to have her hair. 

I know I’m not alone with feelings like these, so when I read that on a summer press trip, Aniston spent over $50,000 on shuttling her hair stylist wunderkind Chris McMillian, I felt much better. Who can afford to spend that kind of money on a week’s worth of blowouts? And beyond that, it’s no wonder her hair always looks so good! I’d imagine mine would look pretty darn fly, too, with that sort of professional intervention.

prod-P41084-bigI doubt I’ll ever spend that much on haircare in my lifetime thanks in part to my favorite drugstore gem. Twice a week, I slather on this hydrating mask from Garnier Fructis for three minutes while I wash my face and body, then rinse for the most gloriously shiny, silky, soft hair ever. The whole giant tub is only $8 and lasts forever, even with my generous scoops.

The moral of this story? There’s no need to swoon over other people’s fortune when you can get the same results at your local drugstore. Ta da!

Blushing beauty.

August 22nd, 2009 by Catherine

There’s a blush out there that makes me feel pretty every time I swipe it on. Dandelion from Benefit Cosmetics is nothing new, but I always go back to it for its flawless application and color. While I can usually make one box last for 4-5 months, I’m not always up for spending $28 every time.

dandelion

I found an awesome alternative from drugstore favorite, CoverGirl. Their Classic Color Blush comes in four shades, all under $6. At a fraction of the cost, I find the pigment to be super similar to my all-time favorite, and the value incredible. 

classic_color_blush_12