Be Real Luxe

Missoni Arrives at Target Sept. 13

2011-08-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars: this one you don't want to miss. The highly-anticipated Missoni collection for Target hits stores and online Sept. 13. Trust me, it's good. I previewed the Missoni collection for Target back in May and was utterly blown away. The quality is exceptional—everything from the knitwear to the towels feels really luxurious and most importantly, the prints and patterns look fabulous. While the clothes are super fun and colorful, I'm really excited about the accessories and home products—especially the aforementioned towels, rugs, cool kitchen stuff like a five-piece espresso set, office organizers, luggage and there's even a bike! The collection, which includes women, men, girls and baby and of course home, retails from $2.99 for a wine tag to $599.99 for a patio set. Most of the collection retails for less than $40. Missoni will be available at Target through Oct. 22. Tell me, will you shop Missoni for Target?

Chanel's Chic Fall 2011 Makeup

2011-06-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing, but fall is right around the corner. What better way to dream about the upcoming sweater-wearing season than with glorious images of Chanel's Fall 2011 makeup palette? Here, courtesy of Chanel, are backstage images celebrating the new collection, Illusions D'Ombres De Chanel—which arrives in stores in July. Peter Philips, creative director of Chanel Makeup, was inspired by the deep heritage of craftsmanship at the French house. The color story features shimmering bronze, gold and platinum, as well as plum, khaki and copper on the eyes and lips. For nails, it's all about metallic green, silver and beige. “Illusion d'Ombre is a new and exciting product, that's easy to apply,” says Peter Philips. “I would suggest finger application. The texture is unique and has a very pleasant touch.” Tell me, will you try Illusions D'Ombres? Shop the collection at Chanel.com, Chanel boutiques and department stores.

Forget Jewelry! Add Instant Style and Sophistication to your Look with a Bold Watch!

2011-06-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

Timex watches define classic and chic. And while at the company's Fall 2011 collection preview Wednesday, I learned that the company, which has been making watches since the 1850s, is one of only watchmakers to still manufacture its watches in the United States. That's quite a feat—especially considering the bulk of Timex watches retail under $100. The collection for fall includes everything from sport, outdoor and the J.Crew exclusives, but my favorite styles continue to be the "Classics" and the "Originals." So I was delighted to receive the rose gold Modern Easy Reader, available at Nordstrom, as a gift for attending the press preview—especially after I had lost my fave black and white Timex last summer. Large in stature, the watch makes an instant style statement, notes Timex fashion consultant Amy Goodman, author of Wear This, Toss That. Watch Goodman as she explains how watches are great fashion accessories in this closet makeover video and also gives some savvy fashion advice on what clothes to toss. Tell me, are you a fan of Timex? Pictured: Timex Originals Modern Easy Reader, $60, available at Nordstrom.

Protect Your Hair: Summer Hair Care Tips Courtesy of Renowned Stylist Mark Garrison

2011-06-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

Summer officially starts in a few days and renowned stylist Mark Garrison has given Be Real Luxe these savvy tips on how to protect your hair from the sun's harsh rays. It only takes one afternoon of swimming and laying out to ruin your highlights and mess up your color—and we all know how much work it took to achieve those gorgeous locks. So read these summer haircare tips from Garrison before hitting the beach or pool. First, "If you are going to be out in the sun put a conditioning masque in your hair and either braid it or put it up in a bun. The heat from the sun will turn that masque into a great treatment." But don't stop there. "Take it a step further and protect your hair by covering it with a scarf, [although] a hat with a big brim is best to protect hair." No matter how much fun you're having, always remember your hair. "Don't go in the pool then bake hair in sun. Rinse out and cover. Chlorine wreaks havoc on hair and will turn blonde hair green," Garrison reveals. "Always wet your hair before swimming to keep your hair from absorbing too much chlorine." You protect your skin with sunscreen—your hair needs sunscreen too, and Garrison likes Kerastase Soleil line which has SPF and UV blockers. Beyond the beach or pool, Garrison suggests giving your hair a break in a season marked by drying elements. "If you can skip the flat iron or blow dryer, give your hair a day off. For natural curly, dry or frizzy hair, use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream and let it dry naturally without disturbing until dry, then finger tousle to style." If you color hair, go one shade darker in the summer as the sun lightens hair very fast, he notes. "Your color will be light again in no time." Think twice before you shampoo. "Just because you sweat doesn't mean you have to shampoo, this is where a water rinse and conditioner comes in handy, and your hair will love you for it." Finally, consider a Brazilian Keratin treatment to smooth your tresses, to make styling much easier during the frizzy season. Tell me, will you try Mark Garrison's summer haircare tips? Pictured: Flora Bella oversize straw hat, $110, Intermix Online.

Katie Holmes Hearts Current/Elliott

2011-06-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

The star-coveted Current/Elliott really does make the best, casual yet chic separates and the cult following for their Tees continues to gain momentum. Katie Holmes is the most recent star to wear one of their ultra-soft, almost worn-in looking Tees, shown here running around in Los Angeles. It may not seem like much, but the flowy cut is perfect and so flattering with jeans. I was recently accompanying a friend shopping at Barneys and this chic young woman had on the very same Tee. Yet, unlike Holmes, she accesssorized it with lots of funky bangles and chain necklaces. The Barneys saleswoman came over and said, "Current/Elliott? I have that same Tee." See? Current/Elliott is in hot pursuit. Tell me, would you spend close to $100 on a T-shirt? Pictured on Holmes: Current/Elliott V-Neck T-Shirt in Sugar, $98, CurrentElliott.com.

Running into Cindy Crawford

2011-06-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

Having grown up in the Eighties, the supermodels of that time are my model icons. Nevermind Carmen Kass or Karlie Kloss, no one can compare to Christy, Linda and Cindy—OK, Naomi too. That said, I was beyond delighted to interview Christy Turlington when she launched her Nuala line during one of my first assignments at WWD when I had just moved to NYC. And she was so nice! But meeting Cindy Crawford is going on my list of all-time great NY celebrity moments. It happened like this: I was waiting to have breakfast with a client at a very swanky hotel on the Upper East Side Thursday morning and looked up, and here was this tall, very fit pony-tailed woman who appeared to have just come in from a workout and was ordering coffee with skim milk to go. I instantly recognized the face and was thinking, "That can't be Cindy Crawford. Where's the mole?" I looked for the trademark feature and there it was. So I asked her if she was who I thought she was. "Yes, that's me. How are you?" I proceeded to tell her I'm from Illinois, as Crawford is a fellow Illinoisian, and we had about a five minute chat about the differences between our mutual home state, New York and California, where she resides now. Crawford, who's originally from Dekalb and was in NYC for a Bat Mitzvah (she goes to Bat Mitzvahs?!), said she loves Illinois as the people are so nice, but she could never move back to the Midwest because she's spoiled by the perfect weather in CA. After she got her coffee and said it was nice chatting, I could not believe how normal and nice she was. It's like fame had zero effect on her. I looked at the waiter, and we both looked at each other in dismay and he said to me, "Out of everyone (i.e. celebrities) who comes in here, she's the nicest of them all." Then I said, "She's from the Midwest. She's just a regular gal from Illinois." A regular gal, who, at 45 looks 35—with no makeup, after a workout and before she's had her coffee! Tell me, are you a fan of the original supermodels? Who's your fave?

More Sandals That Make Us Smile

2011-06-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Sweltering Spring! It's not even summer and we've already had two 100-plus degree days in lovely New York City. With these kind of scorching temps, I wonder what the real summer will be like? That said, sandals are not even an option—they are required. I recently wrote about chic sandals under $100 on MSN's Simply Chic on the post "Sandals that Make Us Smile" and here are more fabulous sandals that won't break the bank. And guess what? Many stores are already putting their summer merchandise on sale—or will be starting very soon. At the very least, there are special sales and offers all the time as retailers prepare for fall—yes fall! So be sure to ask about shopping discounts before buying. First, these Gina Tulle Flower Sandals from Loft, $69.50, are super chic with a delicate tulle bow adorning a snakeskin print thong sandal. Next, these Merona Emeline Braided Flat Sandals, now $14 at Target, are a style steal and come in lots of fun colors (coral, pewter, white). They are sold out online but I've seen them very recently on store shelves so head to your nearest Target and good luck if you go! Last, I love these absolutely adorable bow-accented Bubblez by Steve Madden, $69.95, SteveMadden.com. They come in six colors, but the cutest shades are red and purple. I totally imagine wearing these with a long maxi dress or bell-bottom 70s-esque jeans.

Fashion Discovery: Paul's Boutique

2011-06-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

London has always been one of my fave shopping cities and thankfully you can shop online now without having to leave home, but I have to admit British designer Paul Slade is a new discovery for me. I was perusing the Paul's Boutique Clothing online at Bank and found this adorable skull print purse as well as a bunch of other super cute Tees, bags and hoodies. I had to find out more about this cool designer, whose kitschy designs remind me of a cross between Paul Frank, Hello Kitty and Juicy Couture, and came across a blog post on him here. Slade explains how he started Paul's Boutique: "Twenty years ago, when I was clubbing, I didn’t have anything to wear so I went to a local Oxfam store and bought a cheap suit for £4. I borrowed my mums sewing machine, turned the suit inside out, took out the lining and totally deconstructed the suit showing all the inside seams and pockets. I then refitted the suit to my shape—and voila, a cool unique suit that was a one-off! I wore it to the club where the women’s buyer from a top London store spotted me. She loved the suit and ordered 10 suits from me that eventually sold for £600 each. They sold out in one day!" Brilliant story! Check out Paul's Boutique at Bank Fashion. Note: this was a sponsored post.

Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel & Spa

2011-06-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

My Memorial Day weekend consisted of no barbecues in the park or swimming at the beach, instead I went to Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The lovely people at the hotel invited me to experience the Borgata and not realizing the dates, I chose Memorial Day weekend. It turned out perfect—the weather was hot and sunny and there's something surreal about AC that makes you feel like you're much farther away from New York City than you are. Atlantic City is like a mini-Vegas and the Borgata is the most stylish hotel there. I'm not much of a gambler, but it was a blast playing the slot machines—even though I was not winning. My friend and I spent most of our time lounging at the various pools at the Water Club (a hotel within the Borgata) and had the most amazing meal ever at Bobby Flay (I'm still reminiscing about the Filet Mignon, Rib Eye, twice-baked potato with creme fraiche and goat cheese). We even hit the dance floor at mur.mur and Mixx (two clubs onsight), but after my Manolo Blahniks were trampled on one too many times we decided to leave and have more fun on the slot machines. Overall, the Borgata—and especially the Water Club—are definitely worth checking out if you're planning a trip to AC. Rooms at the Borgata start at $149 per night, while the Water Club rates start at $169 per night; call (609) 317-1000. Tell me, do you like Atlantic City? Pictured: the infinity pool at Immersion Spa and the indoor and outdoor pools at The Water Club; photos courtesy of the Borgata.

Stars Love Stephen Webster!

2011-05-25T06:48:00.000-07:00

Jewelry designer Stephen Webster—who is known for his glam rock designs—is having a star-studded week. First Jamie Chung looked dazzling in the Stephen Webster's sparkling 3D Vortex earrings in 18ct white gold at the Las Vegas premiere of The Hangover. Then, Jennifer Lopez sported the Stephen Webster Jewels Verne Jaws Ring—the perfect accessory to her blue Zac Posen dress—while honoring Simon Fuller at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And after J.Lo, Halle Berry bid farewell to Oprah wearing Webster's Deep Spider Crab Bracelet in 18ct white gold with black diamonds for her appearance on the farewell episode of Oprah. Shop for Stephen Webster, whose other celebrity fans include Madonna, Kate Moss, Sir Elton John and more, online at StephenWebster.com.

Hat Attack Teams With Bloggers For Skin Cancer Awareness Month

2011-05-25T05:53:00.000-07:00

It's the time of the blogger, hats are super chic and most importantly, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. So it only makes sense that Hat Attack, maker of incredibly chic hats, teamed up with 31 stylish bloggers (to represent the 31 days of the month) to help promote safe skin habits. Each blogger is sporting their favorite hat—from big floppy hats to fedoras. Shown here wearing the Toyo wide-brim hat, $65, is Joelle Van Dyne, of The Owls Are Not What They Seem. Hurry, start protecting your skin (and hair) against the sun and shop for hats at Hat Attack—during this month, the company will donate 20 percent of all proceeds from the "Blogger Favorites" hats to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Tell me, will you shop for hats this month at Hat Attack?

Thumbs Up For Missoni for Target!

2011-05-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

Mark your calendars: Missoni arrives in Target stores on Sept. 13. I just previewed the collection this morning and it's totally amazing. It's everything you would expect from the Italian brand known for zigzag prints, wild color and luxury knits. Photos were absolutely forbidden and I cannot even divulge the specifics on the collection but according to The Cut, there will be a $599.99 patio set—can you imagine how incredibly fabulous?—and a bike! I was mildly regretful that I did not score the Liberty of London bicycle when that collaboration was in Target town, but I definitely will not miss the Missoni wheels. Don't forget! Sept. 13! It will be totally worth saving up for. Tell me, are you looking forward to Missoni for Target?

Skincare Spotlight: Dr. Dennis Gross

2011-05-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! What better way to kick off the week than to talk about how to achieve better skin? Two months ago I started using Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and wrote about it for Simply Chic and my skin continues to show signs of improvement. Usually very oily, the oil seems to have lessened and my pores look smaller. My skin looks brighter and clearer overall and I have fewer breakouts. (I know it's working because a photographer I haven't seen in a while actually complimented my skin at an event. I thought, 'Wow, it's because I'm using Dr. Dennis Gross.') I wash with the All-in-One Cleanser with Toner, a bottle starts at $32, —yes, it contains a toner, so you actually save time and money by skipping that step. The multitasking cleanser is packed with antioxidants and botanicals and it leaves skin feeling totally clean yet not dry. After cleansing, Gross recommends using the Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, $28 for 10 applications (there is also a Body Peel which contains a stronger dose of anti-aging ingredients). The two-step process involves wiping cotton pads saturated with antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids over your face and neck after cleansing. For those of you who remember Clearasil pads, this reminds me of the adult version of those—except these Alpha Beta peels have larger obstacles than acne to conquer. Wrinkles, age spots and blemishes? The peel seems to erase all imperfections. The product is intended for daily use, but I use the pads about three times a week and have noticed a major difference. Lately, I can't live without the All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, $44. It's the perfect amount of sunscreen for intermittent exposure to the sun and does not clog pores. I have now tried many of his products and the entire line is worth checking out—especially if you're interested in anti-aging products (who isn't?). The products are expensive, but they seem to last as you don't need to use a lot during application. The reason they work is because they are chock full of so many active ingredients. I also like that many of his products are paraben-free and cruelty-free. However, if you're looking for something more affordable, Gross says to look for products containing antioxidants like Vitamins A, C and E. "Expensive does not always mean better," Gross said, in an emailed interview. "I often advise my patients to seek multi-functional products. This means, for example, look for a cleanser that removes eye makeup, cleanses and tones at the same time. Overall, purchasing products that solve more than one skincare concern and that contain active ingredients will save you time in the long run and, most importantly, they will save you money." And if you're in the New York area and really want to splurge, Dr. Dennis Gross offers chemical peels ($225, with a facial, $325) at his office at 105 East 37th Street, (212) 725-4555. Tell me, will you try Dr. Dennis Gross skincare products? Shop for the products at DGSkincare.com.

Cheap Chic: Calypso St. Barth for Target

2011-05-11T07:08:00.000-07:00

Summer is around the corner, so you may want to check out Calypso St. Barth for Target. The limited-edition collection is full of easy breezy summer styles that are perfect for the beach and beyond. The collection is divided into three color groups: the blue Sea, coral pink Reef and sandy beige Shore—but the items in each group are different. Instead of ordering online, I headed to my local Target in the Bronx and tried on a bunch of stuff—and am happy I did this. The maxi dresses run large and some of the fabrics are quite sheer—while there are plenty of items that are cute and flattering. I ended up buying the Ankle Length Jumpsuit in Mud Hut, $39.99—so chic and pulled-together looking, although it is more full-length on me (I'm just under 5'6") and a bright pink and orange embroidered cotton sleeveless tie-waist top, $24.99. I may still buy the Tie-Dye Maxi Dress in Pink, $39.99, and deal with getting the dress hemmed. As much as I wanted to love the Caftan, $49.99, it looked like a sheer nightgown and was too large everywhere. Overall, this collection looks great and the tops especially are super cute. Tell me, will you shop Calypso St. Barth for Target?

Chanel's New Summer Nail Polish is Yellow

2011-05-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

We've gone far beyond our wildest dreams with nail polish colors—any color you can possibly imagine is suddenly winding up as nail polish. Black, brown, gray, blue and endless varieties of these can be found in nail polishes at drugstores and department stores. Chanel—the ultimate trendsetter when it comes to nail colors—has debuted its summer shade and the color everyone is raving about is Mimosa. I picked up the limited-edition lemon yellow shade, $25, at Lord & Taylor last week. "This is the color everyone is asking for," the saleswoman said. For those who can't fathom sporting bright yellow nail polish, Chanel's other summer shade is Morning Rose, a subtle petal pink. Get Chanel's summer nail colors at department stores like Lord & Taylor while supplies last. And if you don't want to spend $25 on a nail polish, there are lots of yellow (and of course, pink) nail polishes at your local drugstore for less than $8 a bottle. Tell me, will you enjoy (a) Mimosa this summer?

Lilly Pulitzer Animal Cookies

2011-05-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine anything cuter? Well, maybe puppies. But my friend just told me she saw these Lilly Pulitzer Animal Cookies at Wal-Mart this week and all I know is I have to get my hands on some of these cookies designed by Lilly Pulitzer. I found them online at Amazon (a pack of four retails for $12.99). It's not that animal cookies are my favorites, but the packaging is just too cute. And there's something about the adorable little animal-shaped cookies that reminds you of being a kid. I mean, who didn't eat animal cookies? And I can't get over the pastel-colored box. It looks like she colored in the animals with crayons and it reminds me of a lunch box I had when I was in second grade. OK, I won't even go there. So, spill it, will you buy the Lilly Pulitzer Barnum's Animals cookies like me?

Cute Spring Sweaters

2011-05-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

It's May—it's supposed to be warm, right? Well the wacky weather in New York City is warm and sunny one day and chilly and rainy the next. Which is why it's essential to dress in layers. But don't wear your favorite winter black sweater to stay warm. It's spring, so break out the color. A brightly-colored sweater like this yellow round neck cashmere sweater by Pure Collection Knitwear, $128, is perfect for the mornings and evenings when temperatures are the chilliest. And how cute would a sweater in a fun, happy color like yellow, pink or blue—all very trendy this season, look with jeans and stylish flats? Just make sure to wear a cute Tee underneath as it does get warm during the day—if only for a few hours. And don't forget your umbrella. Note: This was a sponsored blog post.

Celebrity Style Secret: Shapewear

2011-05-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

I recently interviewed Kim Cattrall and she admitted that a great undergarment like Spanx is one of her style saviors. "It changes everything," said the 54-year-old actress, wearing a body-skimming Michael Kors lace sheath while in New York City promoting Meet Monica Velour. "Why wouldn’t I admit it? They’re comfortable too. The materials I want to wear and the designers I want to wear ... I want them to fit well and I want to be comfortable." So ladies, take a cue from stylish stars like Cattrall and don't leave home without your Bodyshapers—especially if you're wearing a clingy dress, form-fitting pants or are going to big event. You can find shapers to suit all body issues and in all price ranges at Simply Yours. Personally, I'm a big fan of Spanx and Silhouette slimming pants, but some ladies might need more help slimming the midsection—or allover. You can find shapers in all price ranges, but the popular Spanx starts at about $30 for the slimming panty. Tell me, will you wear a body shaper? Note: This was a sponsored blog post.

Fashion Focus: Cool Summer Dresses

2011-05-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

Dresses are huge this spring and summer and thankfully, you don't have to have Gisele Bundchen's legs to sport the trend. There's such a variety of womens summer evening dresses and a style to suit everyone—from minis to maxis (my personal summer fave.) If you're looking for a dress that not every gal on this side of the Atlantic will be wearing, you might want to check out the British retailer Bank Fashion. I just discovered this site and immediately found this super chic Red or Dead Dip Dye Maxi Dress. I normally go for strong color, but love the muted charcoal, sand and black and love the brand even more. I used to shop at Red or Dead shoe store in London for my Dr. Martens in the early 1990s (when I wasn't at a rave or some all-night club). So the mere mention of this brand brings me back to those fun, music-filled, Dr. Marten-wearing days. But back to the dress, it's only 10 British Pounds—which is approximately $16 according to today's exchange. I would wear it with Dr. Martens (which are also making a huge comeback) as well as flat sandals. Tell me, will you shop Bank? Note: This was a sponsored blog post.

Get the Celeb Look: Red Hair

2011-05-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed? Red hair is the hottest new hair color. Stars like Blake Lively, Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson have ditched their blonde locks in favor of the fiery hue. Want to go red? If you have naturally light hair and have never colored your hair, you can get the look at home by using L’Oréal Paris Feria Muti-Faceted Shimmering Color in 74 Copper Shimmer, $9.99 at drugstores nationwide. However if you have salon color in your hair and want to go red, it's best to consult a salon colorist about switching shades. Once you have red hair, use a color-formulated shampoo and conditioner to combat fading (red fades the fastest) like Tigi Bed Head Colour Combat Colour Goddess collection $16.95 to $17.95 per bottle, available in fine salons. Tell me, will yo go red?

Amazon Launches MyHabit.com—The Newest Private Shopping Site

2011-05-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

Is your habit shopping? You may want to check out MyHabit—the newest online private shopping site. Amazon launched the shopping site today featuring top designer and boutique brands such as Doo.Ri, Badgley Mischka, Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry and more. Memberships are a must and are free and if you're already an Amazon shopper, you can automatically sign in using your Amazon ID and password. The first sales from the aforementioned designers went live today and there are still lots of sizes and styles available—all at prices below retail. For instance, a super cool virgin wool Doo.Ri blazer with draped hem is going for $598 (from $1,495). “MyHabit is a beautiful Web site designed specifically for limited time sales and we think customers will love this shopping experience,” said Maria Renz, president of MyHabit. Shoppers will find "designer clothing at 60 percent off, with free shipping and easy returns.” Other bonus: free shipping and free returns. Private sales will start daily at 9 a.m. PT/12 noon ET. Sales will span women's, men's and children's. Tell me, will you shop MyHabit?

Fabulous Freebie: Hair Products Fit For A Queen...

2011-04-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

As the hours wind down to the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton this Friday, Tigi Your Highness Collection has created a luxurious haircare line inspired by the royal family—and perfect for princesses at heart. The scents and fragrances will leave your hair smelling spectacular—sandalwood, vanilla and cashmere with undertones of white chocolate, star jasmine, lychee and kiwi—perfect for carriage rides, your next Kenyan safari or watching the royal wedding from the comfort of your cozy couch. Well guess what? The lovely people at Tigi Your Highness are giving away the entire haircare collection to one Real Luxe reader. This includes: the Elevating Shampoo, which preps hair and gives body, Nourishing Conditioner, delivering fullness and shine, Thickening Gel Creme, which creates thick, luminous locks, Root Boost Spray Mousse, which lifts hair gives texture, Weightless Shine Spray, provides an illuminating finish, and Firm Hold Hairspray, keeps your hair perfectly in place (in case you do decide to sport that tiara). How do you win? Simply comment in the comment box below and tell me why you want to win! Good luck! And if you want to create more royal hair looks, check out Tigi Haircare for a variety of royal-looking hairstyles and instructions on how to get the look—from "Mad Majestic Volume" to my personal fave the "Royal Wave Off."

Brazilian-Inspired Nail Colors

2011-04-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian Blowout may be too dangerous to smooth out tresses, but the world is still obsessed with Brazil. Essie is the latest beauty company inspired by the South American country and the company's Summer 2011 collection, Color Me Braziliant, focuses on daring, sexy color. "When the temperature soars, I embrace the heat as the perfect excuse to play with fiery colors," essie founder Essie Weingarten said in a press release. "Summer color should pop, sizzle and be brazenly alluring." The result is six stunning colors—bold pink and orange, crystal blue and pale green, coral and citrine—that scream summer. Here's an idea: grab your girlfriends, have a manicure/pedicure party, make some Caipirinhas and paint your nails in these hot Brazilian-inspired shades. Essie's new summer colors are available starting in June in salons and drugstores and retail for $8 a bottle. Tell me, will you try Essie's new Brazilian-inspired nail colors?

Crazy News: Australian Stores Charge Customers To Try On Clothes!

2011-04-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

In a story this week on Simply Chic, it reported that Australian stores will start revamping their dressing rooms—including adding a charge to try on clothes. "Retailers have resorted to charging try-on fees in store, which are refunded upon purchase, to stop consumers heading online to search for the same item at a lower price. Besieged by the new world of e-commerce, it is no longer enough for traditional bricks-and-mortar stores to fill their racks and then wait for the customers to roll in," according to the story in the Sydney Morning Herald. What do you think about this? Part of the appeal of going to the actual stores is trying on the clothes before you buy them—and hopefully it prevents returns that happen from buying stuff online. This reminds me of European stores, where you almost feel like you're bothering the sales person if you ask to try something on. Paying to try clothes on would probably discourage hoarders from trying tons of stuff on just for the hell of it—that is, if you're shopping in Australia. What do you think of this Aussie policy? Do you think it will help the stores make money?

I really love Lanvin, but...

2011-03-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Lanvin bags look so incredibly chic. The little trimmings, ribbons and beading make them look so special—and expensive. But, I'm not very careful and these details are what have prevented me from splurging on one of the bags (oh, and nevermind the thousand-dollar prices!). I mean, once when I was out for dinner and karaoke, I somehow lost the flower decoration on one of my prized Miu Miu shoes. Still, I have not been able to recover this flower ornament and ended up removing the other decoration from the surviving shoe. The shoes have never looked the same. So while I love Lanvin, my recommendation is to add the special details yourself or buy a bag with a similar Lanvin style on the cheap. That way you won't be so upset if you lose a ribbon. Pictured above: Lanvin Amalia bag, $1,370, Barneys.com and Old Navy Embellished Canvas Bubble Bag, $24.50, OldNavy.com.