Prom Squad, Part 2

Get your strapless push-up bra ready! It's late-April, which means we're in the midst of prom season. Now I'm way too old for prom, but that doesn't mean I can't blog about gorgeous prom-appropriate attire. So here goes...my search for Hollywood's best dresses, and how you can look just as fabulous at your formal! If you like a certain style but aren't sold on the color, make sure to click the link, as most of the dresses I've listed come in several colors. (For my beautiful brides: I'm also including some dresses that would work great for bridesmaids.)

(Left: Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf at the 2011 Golden Globes. Right: Pink Gown with Flower, Faviana, $378.)

(Left: Mila Kunis in Vera Wang at the 2011 Golden Globes. Right: 'Night Moves' Dress, Unique Vintage, $238.)

(Left: Christina Aguilera in Zuhair Murad at the 2011 Golden Globes. Right: Black and Nude Intricate Gown, Unique Vintage, $518.)

(Left: Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Sex and the City' movie. Right: One Shoulder Dress with Flower, TIZA, $258.)

(Left: Taylor Swift in Monique L’huillier at the 2010 CMA Awards. Right: Red Gown, Faviana, $258.)

Read More

Prom Squad, Part 1

Get your strapless push-up bra ready! It's late-April, which means we're in the midst of prom season. Now I'm way too old for prom, but that doesn't mean I can't blog about gorgeous prom-appropriate attire. So here goes...my search for Hollywood's best dresses, and how you can look just as fabulous at your formal! If you like a certain style but aren't sold on the color, make sure to click the link, as most of the dresses I've listed come in several colors. (For my beautiful brides: I'm also including some dresses that would work great for bridesmaids.)   

(Left: Selena Gomez in Marchesa at the 2009 Emmy's. Right: Chiffon Sweetheart Evening Dress, Light in the Box, $180.)

(Left: Eva Longoria in Zac Posen at the 2011 Golden Globes. Right: Black Evening Dress, 

Faviana, $398)

(Left: Taylor Swift at the 2010 Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Right: Chiffon Short Cocktail Dress, Light in the Box, $98.)

(Left: Megan Fox in Armani Privé at the 2011 Golden Globes. Right: Pink Gown, Faviana, $378.)

Read More

That's a Wrap!...As in, Chan Luu's Wrap Bracelets

Chan Luu's jewelry is a perfect cocktail of tribal culture, fine leather, semi-precious stones, and a splash of gorgeous color. Her highly coveted pieces have been featured in Marie Claire, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar, and have attracted a celebrity following including Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Aniston, and Sandra Bullock. With the ability to take your look from 'nitz-to-glitz',  it's no wonder why everyone's going gaga over her wrap bracelets, even Gaga herself! Here are some celebs sporting Chan's bracelets, and I help you get the 'Chan Luu look' on a budget you'll be able to wrap your head around.

(Top left: Lady Gaga layered the Sterling Silver Wrap Bracelet on White Leather, $195, with the Gold Vermeil Wrap Bracelet on White Leather, $220. Top right: Rihanna is wearing the Sterling Silver Wrap Bracelet on Natural Brown Leather, $195. Bottom left: Megan Fox is wearing the Turquoise Wrap Bracelet with Sterling Silver Skulls on Brown Leather, $295. Bottom right: Jennifer Lopez is wearing the Gunmetal Wrap Bracelet with Chain, $295.)

(Top left: Brown Nugget Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet, Chan Luu at Bluefly, $123. Top right: Nugget Wrap Bracelet in Gold, Stella & Dot, $39. Bottom left: Turquoise and Silver Nugget Leather Wrap Bracelet, Chan Luu at Bluefly, $98. Bottom right: 'Kali' Wrap Bracelet in Turquoise, Alloy, $15.)

Read More

Stay Neutral

I am loving that one of Spring's hottest trends is neutral and wood-based shoes. Not only do they go great with everything, but they allow me to show off my cute pedicure that I try so hard to keep from chipping. Everything from platform wedges, to espadrilles, to cork and wooden heels are a 'go', and I couldn't be more thrilled! We saw them on the runway at Christian Dior, Derek Lam, and Stella McCartney, but now everyone is selling these hot styles! Here are some of the designer styles that I love, with the budget-friendly version that I love even more...

(Left: Ankle Wrap Wedge Pump, Lanvin, $1,280. Right: Ankle Wrap Platform Wedge, 

Jacco Fashion, $49.)

(Left: 'Praia' Platform Espadrilles, Christian Louboutin, $535. Right: 'Island' Shoe in Orange, Promise, $50.)

(Left: 'Tahiti' Ribbon Pump in White, Christian Dior, $1,500+. Right: 'Head Over Heels' in Ivory Lace, Chinese Laundry, $100.)

 (Left: 'Vicky' Wedge Platform Sandal, Ash Footwear, $225. Right: Suede Wide-strap Wedge Sandals, Gap, $90.)

Read More

L'Oreal Didn't 'Sweep' Me Off My Feet

I know, I know, I should know better. But when a new makeup product comes out that says I can be lazy in the mornings, I just can't resist. So I was thrilled to hear about L'Oreal Paris' Studio Secrets ™ Professional The One Sweep ™ Eye Shadow collection (now try saying that 3 times fast). This shadow boasts, as you may have already guessed, that you'll be able to apply three shades in one fell swoop- or sweep, I should say. I really really wanted to like this product, but it just didn't do it for me.


First of all, the mango-shaped sponge applicator really serves no purpose other than being a cute odd shape. I tried the first sweep just as the instructions advised, and it made me look like I just put on eyeliner in the dark. (I don't know, maybe this product is for those with shallow lids because it didn't fill in my whole lid). For the second sweep, I grabbed more product and I applied it right above my 'put-on-in-the-dark eyeliner', so that it actually filled my lid. The shadows looked messy and unblended, so I ditched the mango-shaped brush and wound up using my fingers to blend the shadows up into my crease. 


The second issue I had with it, is that the colors wouldn't stay on. After about an hour, it looked like I wasn't wearing anything. So I did the whole application process again, but this time I used one of my favorite shadow primers, Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, thinking it would hold better cause that primer holds everything. But sadly to say, it did not. Now it's quite possible that the shadows will stay on when applied with real makeup brushes, but I returned the product before I could find out.


Sorry, L'Oreal. It was a great idea in theory, but will need a lot of work to get a rave review from me. For those who want to be lazy with their shadow, and don't mind the messy and quick-fading look, this product will suffice. But for makeup snobs such as myself, stick with the several-step method using real makeup brushes, to get the best look.

Read More

Right on Target

Target is celebrating the 5th anniversary of their GO International Designer ® lines, by re-releasing their highly coveted and most sought-after dresses from over the years.

Consider this the "greatest hits" of affordable luxury, and it's a second chance to grab a hold of a dress (or maybe 3) that flew off the racks when first released. If you're as obsessed with Target's designer lines as I am, then you'll be thrilled to know that they just re-issued 34 signature dresses from Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, Zac Posen and Tucker. The collection will be available March 13-April 10, 2011 at most Target stores and at Target.com. Definitely check it out, and if you see something that you love, don't wait on these! They sold out quickly the first time, and I doubt we'll be lucky enough to have these back for a third time. As for me, I will be purchasing these ones tomorrow!

(From left to right: Crepe Dress in Black, Libertine, $45. Striped Tunic in Green/Blue, Libertine, $25. 'Voile' Ruffle-Front Dress in Black, Alice Temperley, $35. Slip Dress in Peach, Rodarte, $45.)

Read More

Green with Envy

Check out Katy Perry on this month's cover of Elle Magazine! Now she isn't just wearing green in honor of St. Patty's Day...Actually, green is one of this season's hottest colors and it's meant to be mixed fearlessly with vivid and bright hues. Since Katy is sporting a head-to-toe ensemble straight from the Gucci Spring 2011 ready-to-wear collection, you can believe me when I tell you that this look costs over $5,000. For those of you who don't plan on finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I have found a budget-friendly version that is toned down for non-runway wear.

(On the right, from top to bottom: Silk Ruffle Blouse in Basil, ISAACMIZRAHILIVE!, $47. Seamless Cami in Enamel Blue, Bebe, $19. Stretch Leggings in Violet, LNA, $39. 'Tassle Me' Belt in Gold/Black Reversible, Spiegel, $40.)


Check out this Gucci spring look straight from their runway show in Milan, while I bite off the style.

(On the right: Rouched Colorblock Sleveless Dress, Express, $138. 'Tassle Me' Belt in Gold/Black Reversible, Spiegel, $40.)

Read More