Deal Alert – Steve Madden PIYA Platform + free shipping

PIYA TAN LEATHER $109.95 on sale for $69.99!  Which one do you like better??

Get FREE SHIPPING with NO MINIMUM at Steve Madden 12/29-12/31 only!

Juicy Couture Lovebirds hinged bangle

Juicy Couture Lovebirds hinged bangle $98. Antiquey-looking accessories? Yes please! It’s just a romantic bangle that goes with lots of looks, and the back also looks so pretty.

Shopbop post holiday sale

Shopbop Sale – Save 30-70% Now!

Puma Runway Grip Bag $120 $60. I’m craving a white bag for the winter.

Paula’s Choice is my choice

We all have a line of skincare products that we always go back to because they are tried and true and take care of our basic skincare needs even after trying out many others, right? Mine is Paula’s Choice from Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop. I follow her teachings religiously. I learned from her that you must wear sunscreen all year around, even on rainy days because the UV rays still reach the ground; your sunscreen must contain Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, or Avobenzone to be effective for both UVB and UVA rays, which means you must read the label carefully; you must exfoliate and apply a topical disinfectant as part of a regular anti-blemish routine; you should go for fragrance-free products for minimal irritation, etc, etc. I have her Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition which I use as a reference book for thousands of product reviews.

After a bout of oily breakouts on the T-zone and dry peeling skin around the eyes (I think my hormones are out of whack), I had to go back to her no-frills un-glamorous but highly effective products. And they are very reasonably priced for their generous sizes.

Skin Balancing Cleanser for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin $14.95. One of the best gentlest cleansers you’ll ever try. It takes off all my makeup without much effort. It is 100% fragrance and colorant-free.

Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel for Normal to Very Oily Skin $17.95. I use this beta-hydroxy acid gel for exfoliation. I think I mentioned before that I’m not a fan of facial scrubs because they tend to be too harsh for the face. I like chemical exfoliants better. Unfortunately there aren’t that many great BHAs on the market, a lot of them are either ineffective or too harsh. This one works great! It gets really into the pores to get rid of blackheads.

Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum for Normal to Very Oily Skin $22.95. I use this super light-weight serum afterwards to use all over my face. It doesn’t even make my t-zone oily. It’s loaded with antioxidants which I looooove.

HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin $18.95. I use this lotion only on the cheeks and around the eyes. Also loaded antioxidants and anti-irritants. It just makes me feel “guarded” when I know I’m putting lots of antioxidants to protect my skin.

Right now these four products are my must-haves (I use toners, disinfectants, sunscreens from other lines). They all have versions for dry skin. If you haven’t tried this line, I strongly recommend. They are offering free shipping until January 1st. I just stocked up again.

I should’ve stayed home on Boxing Day

Boxing Day shopping was quite a disappointment for me fashion-wise. The mall was too crazy, and the sales weren’t impressive at all, plus all the merch was old. We weren’t in there long before I had to flee. Then we went to Canadian Tire and bought a ping pong table. Hehe…I love playing ping pong. This is pretty much the exercise I’ve been getting after eating huge meals everyday this week. Anyway, the online sales are just so much better.

Bailey 44 Spillane Dress in Brown/Cream $167 $67. Got this for work. I need more separates. I really like the high-waist band. You can tuck in a top or wear a belt with it.

Cheap Monday Sally Leather Gloves in Black $60 $30. These semi-long leather gloves will go nicely with my white wool coat with cropped sleeves.

Betsey Johnson Floral Raven Sunglasses in Raven/Smoke Purple $65 $33. This was a frivolous buy. I wasn’t planning on buying sunglasses now, but I just love the color and the flower on the side. Hopefully they aren’t too curvy for my face.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas darlings!!!

I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday filled with laughter and joy and lots of yummy food and wine (and many many presents, of course)

I’m wearing my obligatory Christmas outfit today, white and green sweater with a fuzzy hoody, red wool skirt with fuzzy balls, and furry boots with (again) fuzzy balls.

Fancy tights for parties

I am done with Christmas shopping. Thank goodness! Now it’s back to shopping for self . I haven’t figured out what to wear on New Year’s eve. We are hosting a get-together with some friends. I definitely want to dress up and I usually encourage all the girls to dress up too. I just picked up these Betsey Johnson Glitz & Glitter Tights in Black $41 on sale for $25. I love the glittery stars on these. They will definitely liven up any dress I end up wearing.

Nordstrom ‘Diamond Floral’ Tights $24. Lacy tights are all the rage now. These look so sexy.

Hue Zigzag Openwork Tights $18 $9

Costume Dept Leggings in Hologram Forest $45. I also really like these, although they are a bit of a departure from what I’m usually drawn. The metallic sheen and prints are really cool. Definitely appropriate for New Year’s eve parties.

Fashion Rules: The Game

I would probably be the most non-board game person you’d meet, but even I’d be tempted to play this one, Fashion Rules: The Game ($100). How cute is this! Like Trivial Pursuit, Fashion Rules is the first ever fashion trivia board game. I’d trade the Scrabble I got last year from my sister-in-law for this one :p, lol.

Deal Alert – Max and Cleo Belted Shirtdress

Max and Cleo Belted Shirtdress $128 on sale for $76.80! This sexy shirtdress can be worn to Sunday brunch with black tights or New Year’s eve bash with the highest heels and multiple strands of necklaces and an eye-catching clutch.

How are trends born?

(‘Coneheads! Quick, write it down.’)
From the hilarious Rachel Holmes of guardian.co.uk:

Musing on the origins of the latest unlikely trend, Fashion Statement often imagines a trading floor at the stock exchange, full of fashionistas jostling each other with skinny elbows and shouting out random words:

“Purple!”
“No! Tartan!”
“Lace, do you hear me? LACE!”

This vision may not be wholly accurate, but it’s probably more realistic than the idea of top design houses collaborating to decide what next season’s trends should be.

The truth is more prosaic. A trend is born from the chance occurrence of something appearing more than once on the catwalk. It comes from fashion journalists desperately looking for something to write about at the shows. A glittery shoe could catch the eye of a bored writer (not literally – kicking journos in the face is not something we want to encourage). If the same hack spots sequins at another couple of shows, there you have it: a new trend is born.

Nothing could exemplify this randomness more than the shoe-boot. The shootie, as it is also known, is a horrendously ugly item of footwear that only 10% of women have the legs to wear, yet it was this season’s must-have item. The more cynical among us may conclude that trends are created simply to make poor old consumers spend their cash on the latest look …

We say don’t be a slave to trends. We’ll keep you up to date with them; you choose what looks good (and unless you’re a model, that definitely ain’t a shootie).

50% off entire site at Karmaloop!

50% OFF Entire Order at Karmaloop.com! PLUS free upgrade to 2-day shipping if
required to guarantee by Christmas. Enter promo code STAR at checkout.  Expires: 12.22.08, 3PM EST! Seriously darlings, it doesn’t get any better than this! Limited time offer expires on Monday, Dec. 22nd at 3PM EST. GO CRAZY!

Hype Handbags The Raquel Top Zip Tote $395 $197.50. The perfect carry-all tote. This large soft leather tote has 2 tote straps; brushed bronze metal hardware/stud details; zip main compartment closure; several outer small pockets; silky pattern-printed inner lining; with several inner pockets; 100% leather.

The Rose Bangle by Disney Couture Jewelry $60 $30. Disney Couture’s jewelry’s getting cuter and cuter.

Soundgirl The Mortimer Sweater Dress $118 $59. I always love a sweater dress that has interesting details. This one has open crochet detail throughout and a pleated skirt, so pretty and feminine.

BB Dakota The Albany Military Jacket $92 $46. Finally a stylish military jacket that I can beat around in the winter.

Rubber Duck The Snowjoggers in Perforated White $85 $42.50. Not that I plan on jogging in knee-deep snow (we had to dig my car out of that much snow this weekend, not fun), but these boots look so cute, not to mention warm!

tokidoki The Rockn Rollin T-Shirt, T-shirts for Women $28 $14. So cute!

*NYC Boutique The Slouchy Satchel in Navy Patent $56 $28. A stylish understated patent bag for next to nothing? I’m in!

Seychelles The Planetarium Riding Boot $160 $80. I’m sure many people can attest to Seychelles boots being super comfy and durable. And this riding boot is pretty fab.

Cozy knit bags

I’m totally in love with these Ribbed Convertible Satchels ($60), they look soft and cozy, perfect for the winter.

Deal Alert – Blu Bijoux accessories

Really happy to find these gorgeous Blu Bijoux pieces on sale. I’ve always loved Blu Bijoux’s creations. They are casually chic enough to be worn on a daily basis. And you can wear more pieces together to glam it up at night.

Blu Bijoux Lucite Bracelets $52 $30

Blu Bijoux Black Beaded Bangle Set $28 $10

Blu Bijoux Gold Circle Necklace $30 $18

Blu Bijoux Brown Techno Bangle $37 $15

Blu Bijoux Silver Turquoise Stone Cuff $35 $17

Blu Bijoux Hollywood Bracelets $35 $14

20% off at Baghaus

Baghaus.com has a Special Holiday Double Deal – Extra 20% Off + Free Shipping on Orders over $50 with coupon code DOUBLEDEAL. Expires December 31st, 2008. I’m trying to get the last bit of shopping done. I want to pick one up for my cousin and one for myself, hehe . These are all pretty utilitarian, which is what we are looking for. I’m slightly partial to the one with the bow. Decisions, decisions.

Melie Bianco Belted Gathered Bag $93.00 $74.40

Ferris & Mor Brooklyn Satchel $82 $65.60

Nicole Lee Two Tone Ribbon Shoulder Bag $68 $54.40

Melie Bianco Braided Large Hobo $69.99 $55.99

Melie Bianco Front Pocket Bucket Bag $81 $64.80

I don’t *need* anything for Christmas, but I always want something fun and cute

In our household, we don’t really give big-ticket items as gifts at Christmas. My parents usually just give us money envelopes along with a couple of small presents. Sometimes I’m more excited about stocking stuffers because I request small things that I covet but feel a little guilty of getting for myself because they are non-essential but are so cute and so much fun and totally appeal to my girly side. They totally put a smile on my face. My guy’s still shopping for me, and I strictly said keep ‘em small and inexpensive. He might be peeking at this.

Frederic Fekkai Spray On Hair Crystals, Champagne $18.50. This reflective crystalline mist infuses hair with added dimension and brilliance. “Hair is a woman’s best accessory. Let it shine, glimmer and glow like never before.” ~ Frederic Fekkai

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer $17. This little miracle worker will prevent all the fading, creasing, melting, blurring, oil slicked and hard-to-blend eye-shadow accidents.

Benefit sheer cream blushers $20. It amazes me how Benefit can keep coming up with more fantastic blushers that make your cheeks look so dewy and youthful.

The Julietta Arm Warmer in Fuschia $18.95, with 30% off code COSMIC (till 12/22), $13.27

Cushy Bow Slipper Socks $10. I have quite a nice collection of slipper socks, all Christmas gifts. These look like they’ll make you feel like you are walking on clouds.

Little Food Erasers $8. Soooooo cute! They look too good to be used.

Owl Salt & Pepper Shakers Set $24.

Flower Pin Brooch Golden Orchid $14.99. This will look stunning pinned to cardigans, jackets, dresses, and even as a hair accessory. I love a pretty brooch to channel Carrie.

Lace Drop Earrings $18. So pretty. Wish I could make these myself. I’ve seen many similar earrings DIY’ed by other crafty bloggers, which makes me very envious.