Thank you!

One of you so kindly nominated my little blog for the Trendora Lifestyle Award 2008. Thank you darling, let me know what you are It was such a pleasant surprise. Trendora Lifestyle Award, in their words, “is our way of recognizing the top 100 Fashion/Lifestyle sites and blogs on the web. It’s our way of thanking you for an exceptional contribution to a world more stylish, glamorous and chic.” Sounds excellent. I, for one, am looking forward to reading the winning sites and blogs. But most importantly, thank you my fashionista friends for reading mine

Extra 20% off on handbags at SmartBargains

Somebody emailed me about the Extra 20% off Handbags sale at SmartBargains. Since SmartBargains.com slashes the retail prices pretty quickly, I decided to take a look. I see some bags I like. The rest are a bit boring or season-inappropriate. Check out the sale and you might find something else you like.

Cole Haan Aerin Large North-South Leather Satchel $475 $249.99 + 20% off. Totally functional. The double outer pockets remind me of the Corina bags. I’m sure that’s where Cole Haan got the idea from.

Michael Kors Jet Set Small Patent Box Satchel $198 $99.99 + 20% off. Very cute, great for going to lunches or doing coffee dates ’cause you just want to look cute, not lug around a ton of stuff.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Large Shopper $178 $99.99 + 20% off. J’adore shoppers ’cause if the purchased items are small enough, I like to stuff them all in my shopper instead of toting several plastic bags.

Perlina Waxy Leather Satchel $165 $99.99 + 20% off. Another nice everyday bag, gorgeous red leather has a little shine but is not overly flashy. The two large front open top pockets will be very handy.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Metallic Clutch $198 $89.97 + 20% off. If you want a evening clutch that’s not gold or silver, this deep shimmery blue is a nice alternative.

Cole Haan Leather Double Flap Wallet $125 $69.99 + 20% off. Really like the dark forest green shade. I’ve wanted a green wallet forever.

Sale ends February 3rd.

Looking like a lady

NY Times thinks judging from the recent pre-fall shows, the direction that fashion’s taking is The Newly Uptight, conservative and good tailoring. Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs are among the designers going that way. “In collections for fall that American designers plan to present starting on Friday, when another Fashion Week begins in New York, many will jettison the baby-doll dresses, the thigh-high skirts and the disco boots of the spirited Warhol years — touchstones of recent seasons — in favor of a meticulously tailored look that evokes the White House years of Jacqueline Kennedy.

“That moment resonates with a lot of people and how they want to live,” said Michael Kors, whose runway show on Wednesday will cater to the fantasy. “There is not a minidress to be found, not a platform shoe in sight. And ‘suit’ is not going to be a dirty word.”

His show and others’ are expected to pay homage to a period, the late ’50s and early ’60s, that was, in retrospect, an interlude of prosperity and stability, one enriched by material comforts as substantial as a Steuben crystal cocktail shaker.”

I personally love this look. As I’m becoming more mature (*chuckles*), I would like to dress more like a lady than a girl. I’m working on that.

Mrs. Loel Guinness and Mrs. Winston Guest upheld the proprieties of the 1950s with rigorously simple sheaths.

A RETREAT Period echoes have resurfaced in recent seasons, and will most likely make an impact in the fall. Poised for a comeback are skirt suits, bouffant skirts and sheaths like those in “Mad Men.”

An advertisement from the 1950s.

Vogue.

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton.

Michael Kors.

(Source: nytimes.com)

Things that will put you in a romantic mood

I’ve been in the mood to dress in all kinds of romantic-looking garments as Valentine’s Day’s approaching. And all I’m interested in looking at is romantic pieces.

Robert Rodriguez Sequin Tank $407. Love that the sequins are not so in-your-face. And you gotta have a bow. It does soften things up a little more.

D&G Dolce & Gabbana Poppy Print Dress $595, so spring-y and refreshing! It’ll be even more perfect if you and your honey are going on a cruise or resort vacation.

Juicy Couture Silk and Lace Shift Dress $298. Lace, silk and ruffles, you don’t get more romantic than this. And check out the peeking slip, very ingenue-y.

Anna Sui Basketweave Skirt in Black $175. So much more than a black skirt, the ruchings are just what a plain black skirt needs.

Jenny Han Rosette Dress in Fog $180. Seems that when you speak of romance, you must have rosettes.

Hanky Panky Baby Doll Chemise with G-String $82, so pretty. Wear it for yourself, it’s sure to put you in a sexy mood.

Rosette Babydoll $19.99, more rosettes plus the softest pink, doesn’t get more pretty than this.

Floral Chiffon Flutter Top $19.99

Pollini Patent Wedge $555. The most fabulous wedges I’ve ever seen! If shoes could exude passion, these would. I don’t know if the price tag would put me in a romantic mood, so maybe it’s best left to be a gift from someone? hehe

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Shoes Laurie-Peep Toe Flat with Elastic Throat $240, one of the prettiest flats ever!

DAVIS by Ruthie Davis Video Mary Jane Pump $498, sexy as heck! A shoe that could melt a woman’s and a man’s heart.

Gazebo by Bettye Muller $375 $229. Old-school chic, eh? The name is Gazebo, but it doesn’t mean you gotta wear them to a garden party. Since the color and print are soft-spoken, wear ‘em with something funky for contrast.

Yarborough Jewelry Ribbon Ring $88, what an ingenious idea! Take a simple silver ring and tie a silk ribbon on it, voila, it’s an adorable and elegant accessory for your delicate digit.

Butterfly Necklace $6.99, butterflies are symbols of romance. We all grew up being fascinated by these beautiful creatures.

Birthday gift from Sephora

It’s my birthday today. If you sign up for Sephora Beauty Insider newsletter, you get a free gift on your birthday So when I opened my mailbox this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I can go to Sephora to pick up a free super moisturizing Sephora Brand Bubble Bath ($16)! The Vanilla Cupcake flavor is the one that I’ll be getting. Yipee! If you’ve smelled these bubble baths, you know they are heavenly. There are so many soothing scents to pick from. I’m not big on baths, but for my special day who am I to deny myself the luxury?

Costello Tagliapietra – their meaty paws and delicate dresses

If you haven’t heard of a designer duo Robert Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello and their label Costello Tagliapietra, don’t be surprised. I didn’t either until I read about them in this article in NY Post. They don’t look like fashion designers, do they? It’s funny how we always have pre-conceived images in our minds how fashion designers should look when in truth that has no bearing in their ability to make beautiful clothes. Costello Tagliapietra’s dresses are truly exquisite and elegant, and they are made by two guys who look like lumberjacks. Even Costello says, “I still don’t understand how we do these delicate dresses with such meaty paws.” The writer of the article and various fashion insiders wonder why they aren’t more famous, after all they were disvered by Vogue, beloved by Madonna, displayed at the Met. The boys themselves don’t know why. However, I’m sure their huge success will soon arrive.

“Their current intern – coincidentally, they say – looks exactly like they do: a burly, bearded young man in jeans, a flannel shirt and suspenders, more rustic lumberjack than refined couturier.” Don’t you just love that?

(Source: nypost.com)

Deal Alert – Abaeté for Payless Rose Ruffle Pump

Abaeté for Payless Rose Ruffle Pump $35 on sale for $15!! I’m really surprised this shoe isn’t sold out yet on Payless’ website. It is simply gorgeous in that old Hollywood glamour kind of way. The ruffles are so pretty, just the right amount of detailing to make it different and unique. The gold heel at 2.5″ is the perfect height for looking ladylike but not old-lady like. I can’t believe they’d sell it at $15!

Nordstrom’s new ad campaign

This is Nordstrom’s new ad campaign, which will break in March issues of Elle, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. What do you think of these?

“The Seattle, Wash.-based retailer has evolved its iconic Ruben Toledo illustration-centric advertising campaign of years past to incorporate the lens work of acclaimed fashion photographer Ruven Afanador in brilliant three-dimensional form.

Toledo painted 20-by-30 foot walls to create a series of arresting, surrealistic, black-and-white sets that bear the Cuban artist’s signature whimsy and of-the-moment aesthetic that has made him the sought-after illustrator he is. The creative process on-set was so explosive, in fact, that at certain points, Toledo felt himself inspired to paint directly onto the models’ faces and bodies as Afanador captured the high-fashion spirit through his images.”

“It’s one thing to say that fashion and art go together and to show it by putting a model in an art gallery,” said Linda Finn, executive vice president of marketing at Nordstrom. “We knew we didn’t want to do that and we knew Ruben’s artwork needed to be more than just a backdrop. Instead, what Ruben and Ruven came up with truly fused art and photography. The art became the environment–transcending the very idea of a backdrop. The result truly exceeded our expectations.”"

Continue reading the article on fashionweekdaily.com.

Tarte’s adorable blushes

Tarte has such fun blushes, the usage and packaging are so different from the traditional way. These are my current two favorites. They are pricey, but great blushes are worth paying for. I read in a magazine (either Elle Canada or FASHION) that you can skimp lip glosses as there are many great cheap options, but you just might have to pay a little more for fantastic blushes because the pigmentation technology used in high-end blushes is more advanced to ensure a foolproof application and true color long-staying power throughout the day. I can attest to that. Some blushes somehow change shade at the end of day, like one of my soft rosy color turned orange-y. I don’t know if you have this experience. It’s not pleasant.

Tarte Cheek Stain Doll Face $28, Tarte’s most popular product! I love the water-based gel, it goes on so clean and you don’t need any tool, just dab it on your cheeks. And the shades are so pretty.

Tarte Natural Swirl Cheek Stain Full Blossom $28, for a even more natural glow, this one is perfect. And with a super blend of antioxidants and fruit extracts, it’s like a skincare product in disguise.

Can’t have enough tights!

I have my go-to tights in black, brown, and grey, which are handy and makes dressing in the morning easy. I’m also trying to add to my tights collection with some unusual pieces, statement pieces to go with simple dresses. If winter’s still a long way to go for you as it is for me, you’ll feel refreshed in these funky ones for the next few months.

Givenchy Ladies Brocade Tights (3162) $18. I would’ve never thought brocade design would make good tights! These are sexy and sophisticated.

Trasparenze Esmeralda Footless Over The Knee Leggings $15.49. So funky and cool. I don’t know if these are particularly functional in the winter, but who cares, if you got the legs, show ‘em off in these!

Pamela Mann Fishnet Tights $9.95. Not something I’d wear to work, but on weekends these can definitely spice up an outfit. I’d probably wear another pair black tights underneath these for more warmth.

Hue by Tracy Reese Dot Tights $28 $17.90, totally adorable.

Sparkle & Fade Marled Tights $18 $9.99. These look really cozy.

I’m not mean, just curious.

Fashion Week’s starting in 2 days, on January 31st! I’m gong to glue myself to the computer screen for the shows. Not just for the clothes, but for the models too. I wonder if there are going to be some major spills on the runway (hehe . I saw this video on YouTube of various models falling, some are pretty legendary, e.g. Jessica Stam’s. It’s almost like watching figure skaters fall on ice. Sorta painful, sorta.

Feeling frisky?

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Us girls are going to be waiting for our flowers, chocolate, and jewelry, right? But don’t make the guys do all the work. Why not make it a fun day with some yummy treats for the two of you? BootyParlor.com is a must-see place to help you plan the perfect day. Hollywood stars love that store. Now you can take 10% off with code FRISKY.

Massage a Trois $32, an indulgent collection with 3 sexy bedroom essentials, all in one sexy box. It includes Booty Parlor’s original Don’t Stop Massage Oil The intoxicating that can also double as a sultry bath oil, a warming massage oil called All Fired Up, and a 2-in-1 massage gel and lubricant called Thrill Me. You can be playing with these three for hours!

Melt Chocolate Body Fondue $15, delicious chocolate fondue and a “paint brush” for creating sexy body art before eating it

Naughty Bubbles (2.1oz) $10, make your bubble bath extra sumptuous and naughty with this luxurious bath gel.

Sex Bombs $45. Be irresistibly sexy with a little help from this trio of sexy beauty boosters. This is a celebrity favorite. The kit includes Don’t Stop Solid Perfume With Pheromones, Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer, and Get Flushed Sexy Lip And Cheek Tint.

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15

I talked about how much I love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – Oil Free, it’s the best tinted moisturizer out there for me. When I saw Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 Soft Porcelain ($35), I couldn’t wait to try it, I knew I would love it. 20% of the ingredients is zinc oxide, which makes me trust this product to provide sufficient sun protection right off the bat. And zinc oxide by nature is very absorbent, so it keeps the shine on my face under control. It blends Overall, the finish is very silky, matte and non-sparkley (unlike some other mineral makeup powers I find, which is not attractive on oily skin).

I’d LOVE to be there in person!

So, I have the opportunity to go to Fashion Week, thanks to Sarah and Julie (thank you darlings!), to attend Project Runway designer Victorya Hong‘s debut show on February 1st! Imagine my excitement when I got the invitation! But I can’t go *cries*. I know you are going to scold me for giving up such a great opportunity. I really really want to go, but living far away from NYC and having a day job has its downsides when it comes to going to Fashion Week in NYC. But I’ll have my eyes peeled for the show and will pass along the pictures for you guys.

By the way, did any of you buy her winning dress when it went on sale at Steve & Barry’s? I really hope so! You know we don’t have Steve & Barry’s here. Send me pictures of the dress if you bought it

Kate Bosworth makes a good model

I love this photo of Kate Bosworth in the utterly gorgeous 3.1 Phillip Lim Grecian dress in this month’s Vogue. Reminds me of the Lanvin ad campaign. Very haute. And it’s nice to have the designer Phillip Lim, who’s a cutie, in the photo.

And this one with designer Doo-Ri Chung.

(Source: http://www.style.com/vogue)