All About The Pretty

The Makeup Artist Presses the Flesh by Alix Strauss

This is a great article from today's New York Times regarding makeup artists.  I have been blessed to have my face painted by some of the best.  Billy B didn't get to touch it, but his brushes have been gracing my face since the MU show.

WITH the chiseled looks of an Italian model and the charm of a politician on the campaign trail, Vincent Longo, the makeup artist, coasted onto the makeup floor at Barneys New York this month for his first personal appearance in two years.

Random shoppers, unaware of the event, thought a celebrity was in the house as they watched Mr. Longo’s fans swoon over him. They weren’t wrong. He oozed star status dressed in a graphite-colored Miu Miu suit, a Prada classic shirt and Martin Margiela sneakers.

“I’ve had women cry when they’ve met me or break into a sweat so bad I couldn’t apply makeup because it kept slipping off,” Mr. Longo said as he greeted those who had come to meet him and sample or purchase products from his makeup line.

In a society where lipstick is like oxygen and eyeliner is essential to mental health, makeup artists have become beauty idols. No one is asking to have her breast signed with a high-end lipstick, but women will wait hours for boldface cosmetologists like Mr. Longo, Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown to arrive for a personal appearance.

Beauty News

Anthousa, the home line that truly started the home "scented sticks in a bottle" trend will be introducing a bath and body line in August.  Lord help me is all I can say.  My favorite of the line is the Tuberose Bougainvillea.

I will have comments up tonight of the Women Who Raised Me.  Even if you haven't completed the book, comments are welcomed.

I Am Beyond Beautiful

I'm sitting here watching my Tivo'd Oprah and trying to understand why so many people are having such low esteem when it comes to their looks.  There's a young man who hated his dark skin and I just wanted to jump through the TV and hug him and tell him how flawless his skin is  He has poise, a beautiful and bright smile that lit up the screen like sunshine.  But he hated his skin color.  I'm still trying to wrap my brain around his pain.  Chandra Wilson, of Houston and Grey's Anatomy talked about her experiences with self esteem and I'm like, wow.  Suchin Pak from MTV was talking about how in her culture having a crease in your eye means beautiful.  It's amazing how beauty is defined.  It's been said that children emulate what parents do, not what they say.  The young man's mother said she prayed when she was pregnant that her child would not be dark.  I was moved by her pain and I didn't judge her.  I was just hurt that the pain was still evident all these years later.

I know to live authentic and to live in your truth is hard.  At times it's hard to accept the cellulite on your butt, the laugh lines on the eyes, and the fact that I can't eat the junk I did as a teen and feel good.  The images we are given don't help.  I'm not surprised we have some issues.  It ain't pretty, but we have to live our life lovingly.  I love treating myself.   Eating healthy and  working out is loving myself.  It makes me feel better.  It helps me deal with stressful times.  Today was beautiful because I had a challenging and difficult yoga practice.  My beauty was in holding chaturanga pose for more breaths than I expected.  I'm healthy and grateful for my health.  Yes, I love makeup.  I love my chocolate silk skin, that looks better going into 35 than it did at 18.  I love a good product and sometimes a new lip gloss can make me feel better.  But, I do believe that I am smart, kind, kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and many more adjectives.  I think I'm pretty - inside and out.  Yes, I was told that I was the prettiest girl in the world by my father, but my mother exuded these characteristics and said them.  My other mothers - Mama Dear, Aunt Peepsie, Aunt Ray, Aunt Othello, Aunt Myrtle, Aunt Gloria, Aunt Katharine and many more aunts, cousins, friends, teachers, and a plethora of other people helped.

I am pretty because of the women and men (pops and all my knucklehead brothers) who raised me.  Yes, I'm plugging book club :)  Yes, I grew up in a world and still live in a world where it seems that light skin is better, spaghetti thin and frail women are better.  Do I believe this?  HELL NO.  Oprah has created this contract for young girls to believe in themselves.  It's called "O Girl, O Beautiful."  If you are in a young girl's life the best thing you can do for her is to instill in her self-esteem, a sense of purpose, and to love herself first.  If you don't love yourself, how the HELL is anyone else.  I am beyond beautiful and rocking a fabulous new Guerlain Lip Gloss in Twist of Peach in the process. 

Own your power by owning your pretty.

Girl Power Powered by Girlactik

I am thankful to my girlfriends.  This is Memorial Day weekend, I want to dedicate this weekend to my girlfriends.  I want to honor their memory while they are here.  I want to thank them for supporting me even when I'm hard headed, opinionated and forth right.  I also want to thank them for always having my back - through thick and thin, sick and sin.  When I'm sad you guys really make are there for me.  Tonight on QVC, Girlactik was featured.  I was able to sample, test, and purchase products at the The Makeup Show a few weeks back.   In honor of the girl power that Girlactik is bringing.  I'm starting Sunday morning with a light star base and antique gold sparkle eyeliner set.  I released my girl power on my eyes.  I'm going to add my new mascara - YSL's Volume Effet Faux Cils in #1 and Viole on top, which was a referral by a reader.  At least it is bringing a little color to my eyelids with my black and white "Sunday go to my meeting" clothes I plan on wearing.

I want to thank my girlfriends and readers.  Musiq has a new single called "Teach Me."  Although it's talking about a romantic relationship I think it works with friendships.  My friends teach me, which is important in friendships.  I first want to thank my mom who is the best mom I could have.  I want to just thank her for teaching me kindness, compassion, character, and dignity.  Aunt Peepsie and Mama Dear gave me my addiction to beauty.  Cassy - words can not express what you mean to me.  She's the only other person who should have the same nickname as me "Grandma."  We love to sleep and we love to go to bed early - 9:30 pm is preferred, but 8:45 pm is even better.   I want to thank Cassy because she knows my deep dark secrets and if I ever needed a comrade in crime, she would be it.  There was a time when I agreed to help her steal Tai Shan.  Yes, the panda from the National Zoo.  Cassy has a thing for babies of all species - pandas, puppies, babies, fish, etc.  She is always "look at that baby."  Everyday, she asks "would you buy me a baby _____?"   So we cooked up this scheme and an alibi.  Of course, it didn't happen, but it was fun creating this crime.  She doesn't like him all grown up, so taking him now is not an option.  My pops was a cop and crime isn't my thing, therefore I'm off the hook.  Unless we are talking about the Knut [pictured at left] and that's another bag of tricks.

Here's to the girl power of some of my favorite girls (if I forgot your name - charge it to my head and not my hurt).  Renee has taught me that sometimes I must be selfless in my concern for others and just because someone has hurt me, I need to be "bigger" than the situation; Tia has taught me that products are the key to life and you can never have too many; Jacquie (in DC) has taught me the value of extra 25% off the clearance at J. Crew; Winnie has taught me to age gracefully and that age is just a number; Leslie has taught me the true essence of laughter and knows my love for Celine Dion - she has the best laugh; Dolores has shown me the Argentine flare of life, my addiction to South American wines and my addiction to Chalk Hill Chardonnay; Jackie (in Houston) has taught me the power of strength amongst the greatest of obstacles and that you can do it flawlessly dressed [she's my Jackie O]; Audie has taught me that a mini is really a top on my thighs and to quit calling it a dress; Cherann has taught me business before bull&*(); Tanya has taught me that's it okay to be a junkie for products as long as you give some away - she's so generous; Johnica has taught me that all young ladies (born in the 80s) are not what society makes them out to be; Sheryl has taught me that shoes are equally as important as nails; Tranita has taught me that a clearance book rack makes a bad day better; Lianne has taught me that Chardonnay Smoked Finishing Salt finishes a dish; Toya has taught me that motherhood is still pretty and sexy (she's a belly dancer, HELLO); Kimberly and Tranquil Space Yoga have taught me that yoga truly has the power to transform; and my readers have taught me that my life WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THIS BLOG.

To my girls, readers, and family.  Here's my memorial to you.  I'll give you props while you are living. 

May the lip gloss be with you.

Beauty News

Here's the weekly beauty news roundup.

• Aveda is releasing a men's haircare line.
• E.L.F. is relaunching its website in June.
• Shiny Mama, a new cosmetic line, will be launched in June with its first collection entitled Snow Queen.
• Juvena is launching two anti-aging products.  Juvena Age-Decoder with SPF 15 Face Fluid and Face Cream.
• Calvin Klein is launching a new scent for men in the fall - Calvin Klein Man.
• Tinsley Mortimer has been named Beauty Ambassador to the U.S. for Dior Cosmetics.  TM is a socialite in NY.  I'm sure she is going to be loving all that L'Or de Vie, La Creme, because that is some amazing creme.
• J.R. Watkins Apothecary is launching an 8 piece Natural Body Care Kit.  It will be available at Target.

Have a great, safe, and very pretty holiday weekend.  A bientot.

Whoo Hoo!

My case just got pushed back for two months.  I personally hope it just disappears into oblivion.  I get to enjoy the holiday with numerous glasses of Prosecco and food.  This weekend I'm going to be like Diane Keaton in Something's Gotta Give.  "Get myself into a Zen place. Play music, cook write, focus."  I'm adding reading and yoga - lots of reading and yoga too my list.  The new Pink Martini album is playing right now.  After that Maroon 5, some Nina Simone, and a little Van Morrison all weekend.  I'm a happy camper right now.

A New Kind of Bloom

Thank goodness for concealer.  Thank goodness for really good eye cream.  The lack of sleep is really starting to get to all the girls and it's hard to stay upbeat.  We are plowing through, but man I can't wait for a yoga class, a good facial with Ms. Nora, and a wonderful home cooked meal.  The one thing about trial is the unlimited amount of junk that I normally don't eat.  It looks as though Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory has blown up in one of the rooms.  I had to place a Whole Foods order for super healthy food and fruit.  I can't take a whole lot of caffeine either.  I need a little, but that's it.  Too much and I get the crazy shakes and my heart starts beating really fast.  I've learned to drink things a little more natural.  I was doing a grocery store roundup last Saturday - Wegman's, Harris Teeter and Safeway and came across a sample of these Del Monte Bloom Energy drinks.  I decided to grab a few for the girls and see if they worked.  I only had one and grazed on it all day, but I saw the difference.  It's all natural, made with real juice and doesn't give me any crazy fits.  Plus, once I went home, I was able to fall out and sleep.  Will it keep working?  I hope so, I need the energy.  I've been suffering from bouts of insomnia for years, but there is one beauty item that works beyond anything else.  Beauty rest or as my friend Renee likes to say - sleep that is fluffy.  Nothing is prettier than a great nights sleep.

If I didn't have enough palettes, I would be purchasing this Sephora Sun Collection Palette.  I haven't seen it in person, touched it, rubbed it, or applied it,  but it looks really yummy.  I could really work that turquoise in my contour, but since I picked up some Physicians Formula products on Sunday I'm going to be good.

Beauty News:  Tocca is releasing the Cleopatra scent in a fragrance collection.  The scent is based on the bestselling candle.

Have a great day.

Pretty Script (P.S.).  I am so excited.  Yesterday Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns was released.  I can't wait to delve into this writer's wonderful book.  If you read and loved the Kite Runner, then you understand his writing.  He is absolutely wonderful.  KR focused on the men of Afghanistan and now he delves into the women.  I remember reading the Kite Runner laughing, crying, and being so engrossed in a book that when I finished reading it my heart wept at the magnitude and brilliance of the written word. 

A Pretty Little Discount Never Hurt Anybody

Beauty.com, one of my favorite shopping sites, is having a 20% off sale for one day only - Wednesday, May 23.  Here's the discount link so you can get a few beauty finds for summer.  I plan to get a few Red Flower items and I just ran out of my shower gel in Spanish Gardenia.  Plus it's lot of other things on the site that I don't need, but I surely do want.

Beauty & the Diamond

This week marks three weeks of craziness. I’m relaxing in the thought that this beautiful diamond ring I'm purchasing with my OT.  I will be raising my right hand to me, hard work, and because it was way to pretty too pass up.  I love the French fleur de lis theme all over the ring.  I have to be modest with my bling. Yes, I am using the urban term of bling. I can also say ice, but I prefer to say let me raise right hand in honor of overtime. Since, I don’t have a Richard Burton in my life like Elizabeth Taylor, I am happy with Ms. Julia.

I like seeing how fashion is incorporating diamonds. Remember, Charlize Theron at the Oscars with those diamond clips on that fabulous orange Vera Wang. Hilary Swank recently had the most beautiful butterfly diamond clip in her hair. I don’t even want to begin to think of that new Chanel watch with the diamond bezel. But mostly, my love of Natura Bisse Diamond Cream every night on my skin.

Diamonds were thought to have magical qualities associated with their perceived indestructibility, beauty, and rarity. I take this to mean that diamonds make you feel better. I’m feeling better staring at this picture. I can see the magic in the reflection in my hand. I can also feel the magical giddy feeling of knowing I’m at the top of my list of pretty. USA Today this week ran an article about recent celebrity engagements and their rings. I would take them all.

Ladies, if you have never thought of buying your own sparkle, it is about time you save and treat yourself to a magnificent piece of pretty.  Plus it looks really good on your hands when applying lip gloss.

Beauty News

Here's the weekly round up of the latest beauty news.

• Jimmy Choo, the purveyor of all things stiletto, will be introducing a fragrance in the beginning of 2008. 
• Bond No. 9 Fragrances are teaming up with Saks Fifth Avenue to create two new fragrances for women and men.  SFA for Her will have notes of gardenia, jasmine and vetiver.  SFA for Him will have bergamot, cardamom, amber and cedar wood  They will hit Saks on September 1 and starting retail of $125.  My personal favorite has been Fire Island.
• Narciso Rodriguez is introducing a scent for men this summer - for him.
• Banana Republic is adding two new fragrances - Malachite for women and Cordovan for men.  When they released last fall three new scents, Rosewood was my favorite.
• The Gap is adding a new Bath and Skin Collection in August.  The scents are Rain check, Sugar Snap, Love Shack, Peace Train, Night Fall, Island Hop, Moon Walk, and Sunny Side.  They will also introduce, Gap Body Scents:  Coconut Tuberose, Lavender Tea, Mandarin Jasmine, Velvet Bloom, and Washed Cotton.
• Prince, yes Mr. Purple Rain himself, will be releasing a scent - 3121 - on July 7 at Macy's. 
• Missoni will introduce a new scent Acqua in August inspired by the Mediterranean Sea.
• Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Skincare has been reformulated and will hit stores in July.
• Shania Twain partnered with Coty Perfumes will release Shania Starlight by Stetson this fall.

Have a great and pretty weekend.

P.S. (Pretty Script) - Book Club:  I'm almost done with the Women Who Raised Me and comments can start on Wednesday, May 30. 

Blend, Baby, Blend

At the MU Show in NY, I was able to meet the wonderfully, talented Rea Ann Silva.  Ms. Silva is a makeup artist who has worked with the who's who of Hollywood ladies, but she will be best known for the creation of her and Veronica Lorenz Beauty Blender Sponge.  Rea Ann was so sweet as I stood there and asked how to directly use the sponge on me, since I'm not a makeup artist but in my own bathroom.  Here's how I have been using the sponge.  First I squeeze a small amount of tinted moisturizer and Era Rayz Bronzer on my bathroom counter top and mix with a foundation brush.  I then wet the sponge.  Yes, I wet the sponge, Rea Ann says that you use less product this way, then I dipped it in my concoction and began to blend.  It's a flawless coverage and it works with all your foundation, moisturizers, and sprays.  I'm hooked.  It lasts for 3 months, then you get a new one.  It beats the white sponges that I use once and then toss aside.  Since tonight officially kicks off my 3 weeks of stress - trial.  I am going to need to blend, pretty baby, blend everyday to look like I haven't been hit by a mack truck. 

Have a great "hump" day. 

Makeup Fever

Makeup gives me fever.  The kind of heart palpitating, teary eyed, mind numbing fever that only being in a crowded pavilion with hundreds of other people who are equally obsessed with makeup as me.  I want to thank State PR on there great job in putting all this together.  Kristina and Ryan were just a delight to me.  To the young ladies I met at the Hakuhodo Brush display.  Yes, yesterday was very "yummalicious."  I was finally able to meet the great Elke who is in charge of the Beauty Blog Network.  We walked from vendor to vendor and then sat in on an editorial beauty class taught by the Powder Group's lead makeup artist James Vincent and owner of Pretty Pretty.  James, I know you like easy, so when I come back to NY, I don't mind trekking to the Lower East Side to let you do a little "pretty pretty" on me. 

Somehow the beauty gods smiled on me and I met Mr. Billy B of Billy Beauty himself.  Mr. B was there giving a master workshop and I was able to touch, feel, and drool over his new set of makeup brushes.  After a quick Q&A of "please come out with a makeup line" and his polite "no, sweetie."  I just wanted to eat him up.  Mr. B, yes that's what I am going to call him, next year can I be your model?  Can you please beat my face.  Please, please, pretty please with sugar on top. Mr. B is yummalicious.

I want to also thank Roger, his lovely wife Yolanda, and the entire Era Rayz team for indulging me in a little 24K gold shimmer.  What a difference the gold made in my life this morning.  All the vendors were really nice to talk with, open about the industry, where it's going and new developments in makeup and makeup artistry. After making last minute dashes to the vendors to buy my goods, I returned home an exhausted and deliriously happy beauty junkie.  I hope all the mothers had a great and lovely mother's day.

Have a pretty and yummalicious day.

Beauty News

Ladies, if you are planning to attend The Makeup Show in NY on Sunday, please email me so I can pass along my cell number so we can meet.  I can't wait to meet all the vendors, readers, sales rep, and press.  Plus, I can't wait to take all those products in.  Inhale, Exhale. 

Here's the beauty news for the week and I will have more product reviews next week.

• Nina Ricci Perfumes will be releasing Nina in August;
• Hermes is launching Kelly Caleche, inspired by its Kelly bag, in June.
• Frederric Fekkai is launching Coiff, a collection of styling products in the fall; and
• Takashimaya, my favorite beauty store in NY, is moving the beauty department from the 6th to the ground floor.  If you have never been in this beauty haven, whenever you are in NY, you must see it to believe it.  There is not one ounce of clutter in the entire store, but the beauty department reminds me of something in Europe. 

Have a wonderful and "oh so pretty" weekend. 

Beauty News

Mr. Giorgio Armani has just announced that Beyonce will be the face and the voice of his next fragrance - Emporio Armani Diamonds due this fall.  I just want to know if Mr. Armani can top Armani Code, which is one of the best scents introduced in the past 2 years. 

Lady Marble-lade

Lord, help the day.  That's all I can say about the spa at the Hotel Victor in South Beach.  After reading about the Hammam V Treatment, I knew this was going to be a great day.  I have been wrapped, rubbed, sprayed, splayed at many spas, but this was by far THE best treatment ever.  It was BEYOND what I could have imagined.   You are placed on a heated slab of marble, exfoliated, massaged, and hydrated way past comprehension.  My body is still feeling the love.   It was anointed and blessed by the church of "ooh wee."  Don't take my word for it, look at the last picture.  My skin is healthy and glowing.  I don't know if it was being relaxed, but I know it was with a little help from my Sephora Super Sheen Bronzing Mist. I had such a wonderful time that I'm going back this year with me, myself, and I.  The Four Seasons is calling my name. 

I did make my way to the wonderful Brownes & Co. Apothecary.  After doing an initial perusal it was time to hone in and start adding to the counter.  I asked the nice sales guy to clear a spot because when I stopped at the Liz Earle section I felt like I was home.  Beth, in honor of your wonderful referral, I'm devoting my "tea time of Earl Grey" in your honor for a week and I'm thankful that you emailed me.  But, you didn't tell me that I would practically drool over the other products.  I sniffed and rubbed the SuperBalm on my dry hands and my dry cuticles.  This is definitely coming to trial because I will be going through way too much paper.  I picked up the Geodesis Candle in Oranger for what we call the "war room."  When you get this many bodies in one room, you need as many beautiful scents to help get through the long hours.   As soon as I walk in my house, I light a candle.  I travel with them and even have them in my office, although I'm not supposed to. 

Iman is always looking elegant and classy and she's the cover subject of the June 2007 Town and Country.   T&C's Annual Philanthropy Issue is always inspiring me to do better, to help someone less fortunate, and to give back.  "You can never receive with a closed fist."  I'm so excited because as a member of the Beauty Blog Network, we are participating in Comments 4 A Cure.  What do I need my readers to do.  I need you to comment from June 4-6, 2007.  I need my regular readers, who never comment, to finally do so.  It doesn't have to be long, but short and sweet.  For every comment, I will donate a dollar to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  20 Comments = $20.  I'm hoping to donate a minimum $250.

A tout l'heure.

My Beach Body Glow

I didn't realize that two days on a beach with blue water could make me relaxed.  Usually my trips are no less than 4 days and sometimes have been as long as 21 days.  I always equated relaxation with the amount of time there.  I was wrong.  Those two days in South Beach were just the break I needed before trial begins.  As Cassy told me, "your hi-pro glow looks great."

Here's the rundown on Saturday.  After we arrived at our art deco hotel, Hotel Victor, on Ocean Drive, in the heart of South Beach I knew I had booked THE perfect hotel for us  I loved the modernity, design, view, and jelly fish theme - it oozed relaxation.  The rain shower head in the bathroom didn't hurt either. 

I arrived before Cassy and Renee, so I hit up Collins Avenue for a little shopping, which included MAC to see the new collection, per Jacquie's instructions.  The Fleurry blush is pretty, but I'm still loving my KLS, so I didn't get one of those.  But, I really liked the Slimshine Lipcolor.  I scooped up Urgent which is a sheer red, but I have to pick up Cocoamour this week.  Next it was off to Sephora, where Delux Beauty was 75% off.  I picked up a few of the last highlighters for the face.  Too cheap to pass up.  I was finally able to touch and feel the Care by Stella McCartney line.  I felt it all the way up to the checkout line.  My skin is benefiting from the 5 Benefits Moisturising Fluid and Radiance + Youth Elixir.  Then the call "we're here" came and I booked it to meet Cassy and Renee at the hotel.  The beach was beckoning, so we hit the sand. 

Here's how I was getting my "Beach Body Glow."

Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense.  This is the first sunscreen that I could apply after being in the beach and water, that didn't welt my skin.  The whole sand/exfoliator sends my skin into a hot red mess.  This sunscreen protected me so well and in combination with the Shimmer Cooling Spray my brown skin was left glowing like a night light.

Hampton Sun Skincare.  No matter how much I don't go in the sun and always wear sunscreen, on a beach vacation - you are going to be in the sun, so it's the only time I want to be a beach bronze goddess.  So immediately after getting out of the water, I continued to spray the Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray Bronze.  I also brought their Super Hydration Face Cream, because the one thing they do well is skincare.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Waikiki Strip applied all over the face, neck and shoulders before I walked out the hotel.  "Shimmy shimmy cocoa puff."

After the beach on Saturday, we hightailed it to a great meal at Casa Tua.  It was hard to get a reservation before I left, but the atmosphere of having a fabulous glass of Chianti under lush  makes the restaurant a must see - even for a drink.  The mojitos were really good and strong. 

Sunday was so delicious it deserves it's own write up.

My Boo

"There's always that one person that will always have you heart,
You never see it coming cause you blinded from the start,
No that you're the one for me,
It's clear to everyone who sees,
Ooh baby, you will always be my boo"

Lyrics by Usher

My boo is my mom.  Yes, that wonderful woman who is my best friend and I can tell her anything.  ANYTHING.  So in honor of My Boo's Big Day the potion lady needs some products to add to her vanity, just because I love her. 

Enchanting by Celine Dion.  I admit I love Celine.  Always have, always will.  I have every single CD - English and French and can't get enough of her.  I remember seeing her with the Let's Talk About Love tour with Leslie in Dallas.  Literally we sang every word.  It was a great weekend.

Mediterranean by Elizabeth Arden.  My mom continues to tell me she's not going to go to Europe next year with me.  So I'm bringing the essence of the beach to her.  Although I rather take her to Mykonos myself this is the next best thing.

My Lulu by Fresh Scents by Terry.  This scent has gardenia, china rain, and vanilla.  All the flavors that mom is addicted to.  It's very soft and it's something she can wear to teach summer school.  Mix this with the Body Shop's Indian Gardenia Perfume Oil and it's like smell me, I'm smelling so yummy.

FlowerbyKenzo Summer Fragrance.  It's another light scent that she can wear to the classroom.

Cleo Bath Foam and Shower Cream.  This is a cult drugstore line in Italy, but it's just starting to be available here.  Just when you go in to buy a bottle of lotion.  The basket fills up with a shower gel so divine it makes me want to say "Ciao Bella."

Privet Bloom.  I've never been to the Hampton's, but doesn't mean I bring the Hampton's to the beach.  That's what I did with this fragrance.  Fresh and summery.  It's a perfect mother's day present and until Saturday, May 12 you can get 15% with the code "mothers" in all lowercase letters.

I had a wonderful time in Miami.  I will write later about the rest of trip, post photos, and my beauty finds.

Beauty News

I'm off to South Beach for the weekend for a much needed break.  As Cassy says "we will be M.I.A. in MIA. So here's Beauty News for your weekend pleasure.

• Marc Jacobs is releasing Daisy Marc Jacobs in August targeted for a younger set with notes of strawberry, violet, gardenia, jasmine and infused with vanilla. 
• Fresh has just turned Sweet Sixteen and in honor of their 16th year will be repackaging the line and introducing in late summer a new scent based on the mangosteen fruit of Southeast Asia.  Their color will introduce Satin Liner Palette for the eyes and A Kiss is Just a Kiss Beauty Palette for cheeks and lips.  I'm really excited about this cheek and lip palette.
• Olay is expanding it's Regenerist and Definity lines. 
• Sephora will unveil a Beauty Bar in France in September, which will focus on nutritional supplements and drinks.  I was planning to do my duty free shopping in Spain in the fall, but I just might have to make it to Sephora on the Champs Elysees, which is so huge that when I first saw it I started hyperventilating.  Literally.  My friend and classmate Diana had to tell me in her gorgeous Costa Rican accent.  "Whoo-lia, do not cry.  Do not cry.  You just cried in JAR perfumes. I can't see you cry twice in the same day over beauty."   

Next Sunday, I will be in NY for The Makeup Show.  Yes, ladies you read it right.  A show devoted entirely to makeup.  I know it's Mother's Day, but since I'm not going to Louisiana, I'm high-tailing it on the train to the show.  I'll be there with moisturized skin only.  It's way too much makeup and too many makeup artists to go in there fully loaded.  Plus, how could I test everything with makeup on :)

Have a pretty weekend.  Au revoir and a bientot.  (Goodbye and see you soon).

I Blame Toya, But It's All Good

I blame Toya!  (Ms. Life of a Ladybug) What do I blame her for?  I blame her for hipping me to the Kimora Lee Simmons makeup line.  At first, I was like "Toya, for real.  For Real."  She went "yes, for real."  Now, just when I start using it and liking it, Sephora is not going to carry it anymore.  If it's on sale at Sephora, it's going away.  This resulted in a perusal of Sephora's KLS products that were on sale.  What arrived to my home was the KLS' Coral Reef Blush.  For $7 - I had to try it.  Then, what happened?  I'm hooked and Sephora has sold out.  If you are a fan of NARS Exhibit A, which looks so crazy in the case, but looks so good on brown skin, you'll want to try Coral Reef.  Don't take my word for it, take my fairy beauty godmother Tia as confirmation.  Coral Reef is a cross between orange and bright pink, but with more shimmer.   The picture does not do this product justice. 

I also purchased the Super Sheen Body Mist to make me all brown, luscious, and gorgeous this summer.  If you have wanted to find something similar to NARS Body Glow, but wanted to save some money.  This is it.  Here's a trick I learned from my friend Ro back home.  Take a small spray bottle and fill it with half of the body mist/body glow and your favorite liquid hair shine spray.  I added it to my Biolage Spray and voila you have a little shimmer for the hair that you can take on trips.  You're also getting a great smell in your hair. 

So, I blame Toya, but it's all good.  I have already reached my "where can I get another one for that price" today. You guessed it, 1-877-SEPHORA.

Beauty Postscript:  To my good friend Michael who told me yesterday, "when are you going to quit playing paralegal, because OBVIOUSLY you love this beauty stuff way more."  I thought it was a great compliment. 

A Little Motivation Never Hurt

I admit when I need encouragement. I can be a really good cheerleader, but sometimes I need my own cheering squad playing in my ear like my Ipod.  Today would have been my pop's 68th birthday.  He was an identical twin and calling  his brother is always like being punched in the stomach.  Yes, I'm sad.  Yes, I've cried until my contacts have burned in my eye and my smudge mascara is smudging.  I admit I'm sad, I'm wallowing in my own pity party, but like pop's would say "being sad is only gonna make you sadder, put a smile on your face because there are people worse off than you.  Admit you're sad, give yourself time to be sad and move on."  He didn't put it that . . . eloquently.  There were a few *(&)(*&, but I always got the point. 

So in honor of him, here's how I motivated myself.  First stop.  The beautyADDICTS Motivate line, especially those beautiful eye colors.  The colors are in the purple family.   I had been seeing this line in magazines from O, People Stylewatch and FabSugar. 

Their motto is Be true to your own unique voice.  Break free of convention.  Be beautiful.  Be confident.  Be ready.  My line today is "Motivate Me" because lips and eyes always need constant motivation.

Second - jewelry, which needs no explanation. 

Third - the bookstore.  Nothing puts a smile on my face quite like a bookstore.  So I hit Border's early this morning and found a little motivation on the "diet" table.  I use the word diet loosely because I believe everything in moderation.  Does that mean I'm gonna deny myself to fit in a two piece on Saturday, NNNNNOOOOO.  I've been really good and really bad.  Because when I'm good, I'm good, but when I'm bad I'm better.  So I stumbled across Regina Joseph's The Brazilian Bikini Body Program.  What's interesting is this corporate executive who embraced her need for something better, got healthy and then became a certified Pilates instructor.  She continues to lead the dual life, but she has seemed to find a balance in both.  Following your path - I love it.   The recipes seem easy, I will crack them open next week and it has a Pilates routine. 

Many of you know my love of yoga and how I'm deepening my practice and pursuing teaching in the next two years.  I will dedicate my yoga practice my pops.  He's the one who made me obsessed with books, Paris, culture, good fine, wine, and living life to the fullest.  Never compromising and always believing in excellence for yourself and others.  That life is a journey, not a destination.  He provided the first "bling" when he called it "sparkle."  Let's go to the jewelry store and get you, mom and Mama Dear some sparkle.  I want to encourage others the way my family encourages me.  The blog is helping and starting the path.  I tip my hat to women like Regina who desire to help other women.  Girl Power.  Do I believe I will look like Gisele after wards in Miami this weekend?  Nope, but I will be my own Victoria Secret model in my mind and that's all that matters.  Am I still be slathering on a butt cream believing that it will work?  Of course, it's my new secret - A Flirtly Little Secret. 

I hope I gave someone else a little motivation today.  We all have those days when if it feels that "no one understands."  Please keep the faith because this too shall pass. 

If you haven't already started it  - The Women Who Raised Me is wonderful.