Product Recommendation for Luscious Lashes

Want luscious lashes without falsies? (or Latisse, which I actually do recommend as well!)  L'Oreal's Beauty Tubes Mascara works wonders.  The two-coat procedure really does make my lashes the longest I've ever seen.  For the first time, I've actually received compliments on my normally wimpy fringe. Tip: Don't wait between coats of the base and top coat, your lashes will be stiff as a board if you do, making application difficult.  Also, don't be alarmed when you remove it at the end of the day, though, and it looks like all of your eyelashes are falling into the sink.

Carrie Underwood's CMA Style - Hit or Miss?

Carrie Underwood may not have won a CMA award, but she scored pretty well when it came to her 8 wardrobe changes as host of the 2010 show.  The girl has a good stylist, and I normally like most everything he/she puts Carrie in (and being an attractive girl, it's not hard to make her look good, especiallys ince she obviously has a great haristylist and makeup artisit as well), but I had a few problems with some of the evening's ensembles.  Let's review:

Above: Carrie's red-carpet arrival dress, an overly tiered Talbot Runof gown, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Swarovski clutch and a sprinkling of Johnathon Arndt jewels.

Above: For her kickoff performance, the country star showed off her rocker side in a custom outfit by WTB (which stands for "White Trash Beautiful" and is a label co-owned by Richie Sambora) and scarlet patent heels.



Left: Joining fellow MC Brad Paisley, Carrie dons a sequined Ina Soltani mini with a dramatic ruffled embellishment (which reminded me of those trick snakes that pop out of fake peanut cans), Jimmy Choo "Cosmic" platforms and Bochic baubles.

Left: In one of her best looks of the night, Underwood opts for a feminine and frothy baby pink Randi Rahm rosette confection, Stuart Weitzman sandals and Bochic jewelry.









Below #1: Carrie in a green Ina Soltani from the 2009 CMA.
Below #2: Same song, second verse. From this year's CMA, a bit-too-familiar intricately pleated green Rafael Cennamo number that came closet to overpowering the petite singer, glittering Jimmy Choo "Viola" platforms and pentagonal Bochic earrings.

AND THEN...
Below #1: Carrie's long yellow dress from last year's CMA.

Below #2: Carrie's long yellow dress from THIS year's CMA, a Pamella Roland gown, Rene Caovilla heels and Bochic adornments.

Shall we keep this game going?...
Below #1: Carrie in her "I'm taking over the stage" ballgown, a deep plum custom couture Randi Rahm (that she actually loks really pretty in, and is pretty fitting in Nashville as a prelude to Loretta Lynn's performance) and sparkling Johnathon Arndt jewels
Below #2: Carrie in LAST year's "I'm taking over the stage" ballgown

Left: Unfortunately, the cute singer save my least favorite for last.  A buttery tiered tulle ballerina dress by Georges Chakra couture with red rhinestone flower detailing, more reminicent of the "other" Carrie (Bradshaw), but that doesn't quite work on this one. Stuart Weitzman shoes and Ippolita hoops.

Fresh Face for Fall 2010

Here's to amazing transformations:
* Talbots (formerly an all-around DON'T in my book) with their "Tradition Transformed" rebranding to attract younger clients, complete with Linda Evangelista as the face of the new image. http://www.talbots.com/
* LLBean's new Signature line, featuring all-American classic pieces, reminicent of J.Crew in early days. http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature
Love to see that clothing companies can still evolve!

Jeweler Mignon Faget's Collection with a Cause

I've been wondering when the fashion industry was going to take notice of the devastation currently invading our very own Gulf of Mexico. In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, the CDFA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) designed a special t-shirt sold at luxury retailers like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Nike and Life is Good were among other vendors creating garments for Haiti relief. The lack of similar outpouring weeks into the BP oil spill seems to echo the handling of the disaster itself - no one seems to know exactly how to help.

New Orleans-based jeweler Mignon Faget, who has worked in the region for nearly 40 years, has heeded the call by creating a collection she calls "In Mourning." Faget redesigned pieces from her earlier collections inspired by Gulf Coast wildlife, adding symbolic elements to send a message.  "It is a heartbreaking statement to make with jewelry originally designed to celebrate the abundant gifts of our coast,” Faget said, "but the reality is we need to make people aware of this disaster and the long-term effects on this region.  We all need to do what we can." Sterling-silver renditions of redfish, speckled trout, oysters and pelicans have been made into pins backed with black ribbons and pendants strung on black cords.  An oyster necklace has been oxidized to resemble an oil-stained silver, a large oyster pendant hangs from black and brown ribbons, sterling crabs and shrimp charms dangle from an oxidized black chain bracelet reminiscent of the chains found on oil rigs.  View the entire collection on Mignon Faget's website, and expect many items to be back-ordered.
Proceeds from the collection benefit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, a mix of businesses, local governments, scientific communities, national and local conservation groups, hunters, anglers and concerned citizens committed to the sustainability of coastal Louisiana. The coalition is coordinating volunteers to assist in local, state and federal recovery efforts in the Gulf.
Now that's what I call statement-making style.

Look of the Week

While her accessory choices are a major miss, Sandra Bullock deserves props for her bold wardrobe choice at her fist public appearance since the scandal surrounding her marriage to scoundrel Jesse James made headlines.  She needed to appear strong and in control, and did so at Spike TV's Guys' Choice Awards in the black leather form-fitting dress with cap sleeves, glowing makeup and glossy hair.  She accepted the Troops' Choice Award for Entertainer of the Year.  

Chic Find

Charles by Charles David comfy "Rumor" wedge sandal in a go-with-everything metallic shade. On sale at DSW for $59.95 (was $105). Join DSW's membership rewards program (no charge) and get free shipping!

Look of the Week

At The 12th Annual  Young Hollywood Awards, Ashley Greene (you may know her as Alice Cullen from Twilight movie fame) looks daring and sexy yet elegant and even, dare I say, classic in this cream Antonio Berardi dress with more-than-a-bit of lacy lingerie exposed. The ensemble fits like a dream (always a key factor in knocking a look out of the park) and the hem length keeps the dress refined, a fabulous juxtaposition with the va-va-voom vibe of the rest of the dress.  She took the lingerie trend about as far as one can without looking costume-y a la Lady GaGa, an excellent example of how one can be fashion-forward but not over-the-top.  Peep-toe platforms, red nails, minimal jewelry and a side swept messy bun rounds out this well-executed look.  Gorgeous!

Weed the Garden/ Consignment Chic

Spring is here which means spring cleaning...which should include your closet!  My clients know I am a big proponent of frequently "weeding' the overgrown garden that one's closet can become. Consigning is a great way to clear out some of the items you're just not wearing for whatever reason. Making a little money takes away the guilt of getting rid of an item that might even still have tags on it (you know who you are). So check out this upcoming in-home consignment event (in which I myself will be consigning): Take Two Consignment Blog Who knows...someone else's unworn garment might prove to be a beautiful flower to plant in your own, freshly weeded garden.

No more bulky undershirts!

I'm always telling my male clients that if you feel you must wear an undershirt underneath your button-downs, at least choose one that fits properly and isn't bulky!  This means a tee with a little bit of stretch, and finding one can prove easier said than done.  In the past, I've sent clients to Banana Republic for their stretch tees, but I've recently found a new fave at a most unlikely spot...the Bass Pro Shop!  

That's right, check out their RedHead Skivvies Stretch Crew Neck T-Shirts for Men.  These tagless, soft-to-the-touch t-shirts feature antimicrobial protection and side seam construction to minimize twisting.  But best of all they are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex for the just the right amount of stretch. Of course they come in white for you traditionalists, but I especially like the heather grey and olive options when worn with a v-neck sweater, for example.  In sizes ranging Small to 2 XL, there is one to fit any shape.  And with a two pack costing only $18.95, it's a deal that just can't be beat!  Go to the Bass Pro Shop website to view all sizes and colors.

Roll out the Red Carpet

Award season is upon us, and that means stylish (and styled by stylists, let me give a shout out to my colleagues in the biz...) celebrities donning the red carpets. Stay tuned for Best Dressed reviews and mark your calendar for the sure-to-be swanky events:
*Golden Globes - Sunday, January 17 (NBC)
*SAG Awards - Saturday, January 23 (TNT)
*Independent Spirit Awards - Friday, March 5 (IFC)
*Academy Awards - Sunday, March 7 (ABC)

Zen style

As continued from January's B-Metro magazine...

Artist and yoga instructor Jennifer Berman is beautiful and inspiring as this month's Style Icon. As you make your New Year's resolutions, now is a great time to take up a regimen of yoga.  Don't have the proper clothes, you say? Well, you don't need shoes, but to find stylish yet comfortable yoga duds online, my favorite sites include Athleta (now owned by the Gap/Banana Republic family), Lucy, Marika (sometimes available at TJ Maxx), and Gaiam.
Namaste.