Corinna B's World

Robert Ballew 10 Essentials For EVERY Woman's Closet

2012-01-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

My friend Robert Ballew is a fabulous wardrobe stylist.
He always seems to be boarding a flight to somewhere fabulous, to style someone cool for a magazine shoot.
And he blogs.
You have to check out his blog at www.robertballew.com

Anyway, in my Saturday series highlighting some of my favorite blogs, I wanted to share this one with you.
Robert blogged the10 Essentials For EVERY Woman's closet

The Essentials for EVERY Woman’s Closet -PART 1

Filed Under: ASK Robert, LifeStyle, LifeStyle Frontpage, Style SAVVY by Robert

Jan.04, 2012

So you cleaned out your closet and it didn’t leave much behind. This is a perfect opportunity to rebuild your wardrobe with the necessary pieces to have a confident stylish look. Here are the 10 essentials for EVERY woman’s closet.

1. Black or Charcoal Tailored Pantsuit
Black is a basic, but I like a dark gray or charcoal as well, maybe with a slight texture appearance. Choose a fabric that is “seasonless” or wearable all year round. This could be a gabardine or crepe or something with a polyester blend. The poly will be add durability and some stretch. Wearing these as separates adds to the versatility of your looks. If you are able to get a matching skirt DO, these core pieces are important to your wardrobe.

2. Flattering Denim- Dark Wash
I say “dark wash” because they tend to be clean and free of distracting, shredding, holes and “whiskering.” I also recommend a lower rise, sitting below the navel, but if you need a 1/2 inch higher to contain the muffin, do it!!! As you wear the darker wash, it will wear in the areas that are inherent to you and only you and not wear someone else places the fading. I prefer a straight leg, they are always in style and go nicely over a heal and tuck well in a high boot. These will eventually turn in to your vintage wash denim. Please give away your baggy, pleated, acid washed denim RIGHT NOW!

3. Flattering Denim- Vintage Wash
These jeans should be your everyday, going to the mall, grocery store, lunch with Mitsy & Bitsy denim. These may be straight or slightly flared, but still lower rise. By “vintage wash” I mean pre-faded, with a LITTLE whiskering on the front thy and maybe a special rivet detail. The flare will look great over a boot, heal or wedge.

4. Shell or Camisole Top
Individually, perfect for a evening out. Layered under the jacket of the tailored pantsuit very feminine but professional. One in your signature pop color for interest and at least one more in a perfect shade of nude or blush for your skin tone for elegance. A matte or shimmery silk is up to you. Scoop, v-neck, empire or wrap front are dependent on your body type. The wrap front will be more forgiving and flattering for most silhouettes.

5. Crisp Classic Button-Down
There is nothing like a tailored button down that exudes confidence in the work place or just out and about. A white and /or soft-blue pinpoint oxford will do the trick. Make sure it is a tailored or “active-fit” you don’t need any excess fabric tucked in or out. A french-cuff might be a fantastic canvas for some statement or vintage cuffs.

6. A Perfect Tee or Two
Not your significant others undershirt, but a nice 100% cotton tee. This woman’s tee should hit you mid-hip. Too low, shortens your legs, too high accents your hips. Mid-hip is the perfect balance, once it stretches out or shrinks up, toss it. That said, you don’t want to break the bank over a tee, but you get what you pay for. Also, a scoop or v-neck will be the most flattering for you, elongating your neck. Select a basic white and your signature color. Black is good too, but once it starts to fade, give it away. Same goes for the white tee, once it “dingies,” make it a dust cloth.

7. Slim V-neck Sweater
One in your signature color is ideal. Not sure what your “signature color” is? Take a look at your surroundings, the wallpaper on your computer or phone, guest towels or dog collar. That is the color you are drawn to, it makes you smile, inside and out. OK, got that color in mind? Good! Depending on your budget, select a merino, silk blend or cotton. If you treat the cotton knit like it is a silk knit it should hold it’s color and shape for a good while. Pair this over your classic oxford or singly under your tailored pantsuit.

8. A Trendy Blazer or Jacket
I say trendy with hesitance, if it is truly trendy, it will be out before you get it home. But maybe a better way is a tailored blazer or jacket with a funky detail. Classic in nature, but individualizing in detail. The hem again should hit you mid-hip with a one or two button or even tie belt. The fabric could be in a corduroy, tweed, wool, velvet, denim, leather or sequin. Have fun with it. Imagine how the fabric choice will look over your classic oxford, Camisole, tee and long-sleeve v-neck sweater to finalize your selection.

9. The Little Black dress
This is not your most sexy dress but it is you most classically flattering dress. Again, if black is just too… well BLACK, then go for a charcoal or neutral gray. The dress should skim your curves, not pull while walking or sitting. Get a professionals help when selecting the perfect hem. Keep in mind a kick pleat in the back will add some WOW and make stairs and walking a bit more manageable. Pair your classic oxford underneath, most style, for that jumper affect great for the work place as well. Keep it understated with pearls or give it some pizzaz with your signature accessories.

10. Proper Fitting Foundations
Without the proper fitting undergarments, the above essentials will not do the job 100%. These are not the frilly romantic sets, but everyday supporting pieces.The RIGHT fitting bra will keep you together and give you a great bustline. The RIGHT underwear can offer a seamless look. Select skin-tones for more variations of use such as trouser, denim or skirts. Quality is important, they should last, but NOT FOREVER. When the elastic starts to give way or frey, toss them. Read more>>> Time to Mention Your Unmentionables
These are the ESSENTIALS, we have not even touched on accessories, footwear, handbags or outerwear, we will save that for NEXT time.

Make sure you follow Robert's blog, via his website at RobertBallew.com
He's on Twitter and Facebook too, the links are on his site.

Isn't he fab??

Vogue Russia February 2012

2012-01-27T04:13:00.000-08:00

Vogue Russia February 2012

not only shows us a delicious selection

from the spring collections,

from designers including

Balmain, John Galliano, Kenzo, Ungaro and Chloe

but references the labels' histories

in a fabulous spread

shot by David Roemer.

Models Josephine Skriver and Monika Sawicka
Hair by Rolando Beauchamp
Makeup by Fredrik Stambro

Paris Fashion Week Hauet Couture Spring 2012 Recap

2012-01-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here is some of the rest of Paris Fashion Week

Haute Couture Spring 2012

At Valentino the look was delicate and eternally feminine

Valentino Couture Spring 2012

At Franck Sorbier models wore a second skin

Franck Sorbier Couture Spring 2012

Color at Maxime Simoens

Maxime Simoens Couture Spring 2012

At Elie Saab there was a Grace Kelly-esque elegance

evoking thoughts of a 50's/60's kind of glamour.

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2012

Delicate and feminine yet willfully powerful.

No doubt to be seen on the Oscar's red carpet.

Elie Saab Couture Spring 2012

Elie Saab Spring 2012

In all the excitement about the giant red dress at Stephane Rolland

the media seemed to overlook just how spectacular

his collection really was.

Feminine.

Powerful.

Alluring.

Dresses to be worn by a woman with a purpose.

I think this may well be my favorite collection of the week.

Stephane Rolland Spring 2012

and of course,

the giant red Stephane Rolland dress

worn by Yasmin LeBon,

so heavy and huge

that two male attendants had to escort her along the runway

attendants prepare Yasmin LeBon at Stephane Rolland

Yasmin LeBon in Stephane Rolland Spring 2012

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2012

2012-01-25T22:11:00.000-08:00

oh I love him!!

Jean Paul Gaultier channels Amy Winehouse Spring 2012

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2012

The collection paid homage to the life, style and smoking habits of

late singer Amy Winehouse.

From Amy's signature beehive hairdo and heavily winged eyeliner

to her eclectic and eccentric mix of floaty silhouettes clinched with rock n roll belts,

strapped in bustiers to torpedo bras,

there was a hard edged femininity that was offset by Gaultier style androgyny

and buckets full of attitude.

pink beehive hair at Gaultier Couture Spring 2012

Karlie Kloss orange beehive Gaultier Couture Spring 2012

Amy Winehouse beehive hair at Gaultier Couture Spring 2012

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2012

In the finale the models swept past in long, draping black veils,

a bittersweet tribute to a show and a life filled with fun.

black veils at Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2012

Check out the video:

Armani Prive Haute Couture Spring 2012

2012-01-24T22:16:00.000-08:00

Hourglass silhouettes, accented shoulders,

and shimmering almost liquid metallic golds

and greens that were both fresh and new,

while eternally sexy and elegant

at Armani Prive Haute Couture Spring 2012.

I didn't quite get the messy hair and the gadget

fixed to the girls' heads

but the makeup was beautiful.

Air Chanel - Haute Couture Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week

2012-01-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

How fun is this??

image by Pascal le Segretain/Getty images

Karl Largerfeld staged an elaborate show

at Paris Fashion Week today,

for Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2012,

inside a specially built "Air Chanel" plane.

The plane took 5 days to build,

deep in the bowels of the Grand Palais.

image by Pascal le Segretain/Getty images

Blue was the key shade in varying hues,

light, short sleeved tweed dresses just above the knee,

rouleau necklines and block colors.

Check out the video here, courtesy of Telegraph UK

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 Versace Haute Couture

2012-01-23T22:17:00.000-08:00

Donatella Versace opened Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 Haute Couture

with Versace's first couture show since 2004.

Karlie...

The line was classic Versace - body hugging silhouettes, bustier cuts, impossible detailing, color, sex, glamour. Heels so high it looked like the girls could fall, sleek ponytails even higher, and exquisite, dramatic eyes courtesy of makeup genius Pat McGrath. Although there were only 15 dresses

they were spectacular, fresh, new,

and apparently over $100 000 each.

Hopefully at least one of these will show up on the Oscar's red carpet in February.

Check out the video of the show

Karlie Kloss for Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

2012-01-23T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here she comes again!

19 year old Karlie Kloss scored her third

huge campaign for the season.

First Dior Beauty, then Elie Saab, and now the

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012 campaign,

shot by Craig McDean.

Whether in white lace, blue feathers or a scarlet ballgown,

Kloss is fierce.

Giant drop earrings and a sleek and shiny center parted bun offset

defined brows and cheekbones sharp enough to slice bread with.

Perfect.

With stunning wardrobe styled by Alex White

the campaign also gives us a sneak peak at the new

Oscar de la Renta eyewear collaboration with Linda Farrow.

Check out the over sized blue mother of pearl oval frames -

an uber chic look for spring.

The accessories are statement pieces in pastel.

A pink crocodile belt, a slim yellow clutch

and multi buckled peep toe wedges to die for in baby blue and lime green.

Love.

Escapade Blog

2012-01-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

Another Saturday morning blog re-post for you to enjoy!

This week its from Escapade (www.escapadeblog.com)

Isn't this fun??

Its how I feel this morning.

Sometimes you just want to jump for joy

ESCAPADE BLOG

Inspiration for the new week 2.1.12

Brigitte Bardot

Janet Leigh

Audrey Hepburn

{All Photos: Philippe Halsman's 'Jump' series via Laurence Miller Gallery}

see more here

Follow Escapade here

Angelina Jolie Marie Claire January 2012

2012-01-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

Friday morning gratuitous fabulosity.

Angelina Jolie Behind The Lens

I love Angie.

She's got that unbelievably gorgeous face that just won't quit.

Angelina Jolie by Alexei Hay

She's clever. She's worldly.

By not playing to the Hollywood PR machine she transcends it.

And she's just incredibly interesting.

This article premiered in December,

so its not new,

but I just got around to reading it this week,

so its new to me.

And maybe you.

Check out these divine images of the fabulous Angelina Jolie

by Alexei Hay

in Marie Claire January 2012

There's a link to the article below.

" I stay home alot. I'm just not very social..."

"He expanded my life in ways I never imagined.We built a family.

He is not just the love of my life, he is my family..."

read an excerpt of the Marie Claire article here:

Unstoppable Angelina by Chris Connelly

Luisa Bianchin for L'Officiel Paris February 2012

2012-01-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

Oooooh!!

Loving this!

Big time.

Stylist Vanessa Bellugeon

has given Viktor and Rolf, Blumarine, Dolce and Gabbana

Marc Jacobs et al

a decidedly 50's twist for spring

with this fabulous editorial for

L'Officiel Paris February 2012

Shot by Alexander Neuman,

model Luisa Bianchin

heralds the new season with a fiercely bold and brilliant lip

and an all over tan to die for

courtesy of makeup artist Sergio Corvacho.

Her hair gets an uber chic retro vibe

from of Nicolas Eldin.

File this one under fabulous.

Beyond fabulous.

Spring Siesta

Vlada Podverbnaya For Marie Claire France January 2012

2012-01-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

Isn't this just beautiful?

Vlada Podverbnaya works a soft, feminine beauty
for Marie Claire France January 2012.

Flawless makeup by Yumi Endo shows that a clear, beautiful complexion trumps all else.
Tousled, wavy hair by Greg Everingham never dates and is always uber sexy.

Fashion editor Laure Deren shows us that a girl needs a little lingerie, a little fur, and very little else.

Photographed by Ari Rossner

Lemon Love

2012-01-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

Oh winter!

You bore me.

I need to look at something bright and exciting.

Something fresh and crisp.

Something that smells like Sorrento....

Lemon Love

Harpers Bazaar Russia January 2012

Moschino in Elle UK February 2012

Moschino in Madame Germany February 2012

Madame Germany February 2012

editorial shot by Jamie Nelson

Fabulous - non?

Golden Globes 2012 Best Dressed

2012-01-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

The most interesting tend on the 2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet

may well have been the prevalence of the whiter shades of pale.

From blush to oyster to bright white, some of the biggest names stepped out in soft through snowy hues.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Elle Mc Pherson in bright white Zac Posen

Mary J Blige in a sparkly Michael Kors with feathers

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Jessica Alba in Gucci

When we did see color,

it was bold, alive and unapologetic.

Ever glamorous, ever sexy Helen Mirren looked sensational in deep blue Badgley Mishka

as did sex bomb Sofia Vergara in custom Vera Wang

Stacy Kiebler and Reese Witherspoon stood out in vibrant reds

Julianna Margulies cut a super svelte silhouette in Naeem Kahn

Maria Menoudos vibrant yellow

Heidi Klum looked spectacular in Calvin Klein,

with a stunning turquoise Lorraine Schwartz necklace

My personal favorite of the night was

the exquisite Kate Beckinsdale,

looking breathtaking

in a strapless, pale blush Roberto Cavalli,

Lorraine Schwartz jewels

and a Ferragamo clutch

For the most part this year the look was a much more fleshed out, healthy side of slim

with fewer actresses looking sickly thin, but did you see Madonna's arms?

At some point you have to ask: why???

all images via Getty except Kate Beckinsdale via AP

Lulu Powers Blog

2012-01-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

I love love love entertaining, but sometimes it can be hard to come up with interesting ideas.
Other times you have to throw together something on the fly as an impromtu party is apparently about to happen at your house. So you need to have some cool tricks up your sleeve.

Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers is my entertaining bible.
The book is filled with great recipes, party ideas, drinks...
Everything a girl needs to pull off a fabulous event.

Lulu also has a blog, Living A La Lulu which constantly updates cool finds, party ideas, pictures from parties she has catered etc.

In a word, fabulous.

So with Superbowl right around the corner I thought it might be fun to share her Superbowl Party blog with you.
This was when Green Bay was at the Superbowl with the Steelers, but you can modify for whichever teams make it this year.
Give a girl a few ideas...

Super Bowl Tips And Tricks

Throwing an easy Super bowl bash

Step 1: Serve Theme Cocktails
No, this is not in lieu of beer, it’s in addition to. Beer is football’s best friend. Theme cocktails are simply the fastest way to get your buzz on. Besides, they’re cute. And serving one for each team gets the rivalry going.

Green Bay Margarita
1 bottle Corona
1 can (12 oz.) limeade
Tequila
1 drop of green food coloring
In a pitcher, dump the Corona and the limeade. Take the limeade can and fill it to the brim with tequila. Add that to pitcher along with the food coloring. Mix it up and add ice. Voila!
Fun tip: Rim glasses with green tinted salt or green sugar and serve over ice or shaken well in a martini glass.
Hint: Juice glasses are also great for serving these. If you’re feeling splashy, try these
7-ouncers from crate and barrel, http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/bar-and-drinking-glasses/rings-7-oz.-juice-glass/s213748. They’re great to serve wine in, too, and harder to break than regular wine glasses.

Steelers: Dark and Stormy cocktail
1 1/2 ounce Gosling’s Black seal rum or any other dark rum
About 1/2 cup ginger beer
1/2 lime
Splash of bitters optional
Fill a highball glass with ice,add rum,a slash of bitters,if desired and top with ginger beer. Squeeze the lime into the glass,stir and add lime to drink.

Step 2: Get Crafty. The Brilliant, Under-$20 Decorating Idea
Set the table (and create the mood) by serving food on your own football field.
• Get a big piece of green felt from your local craft store, or a piece of green Astroturf from your hardware store. Make sure it’s the right size to cover your table. (Hint: measure before you ask the guy to cut off a swath.)
• Once you get the felt or Astroturf home, use white chalk or painters’ tape to draw the field lines.
• You can also use white paint. Your hardware store will have professional paint pens that dry fast.
• Use the “field” as your tablecloth. It’s totally festive and easy. And if someone spills beer on it, so what?
Hint: If you want to go all out, you can paint the end zones with green paint for the packers and yellow for the steelers. Mark out the space with the painter’s tape and get letter stencils to paint the team names.

Step 3: Let Them Eat Bacon
There’s nothing easier than roasted-bacon almonds, and they’re a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Did we mention they involve bacon?
Roasted-Bacon Almonds:
2 cups roasted almonds (16-oz. bag)
2 strips bacon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
A pinch of pepper
Substitutions:
You can use 1 tsp. honey or agave nectar instead of the sugar.
Instructions:
• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cook your two strips of bacon in a frying pan until they seem crispy. Take out of pan and drain on paper towel.
• Put your almonds into a bowl and mix with the bacon grease. Give them a good stir and then spread on to a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Mix sugar, salt and pepper together in a separate bowl.
• Take the almonds out of the oven and place in a brown paper bag (shopping or lunch bag works great).
• Grip the top of the bag closed and shake, shake, shake. The grocery bag will absorb any extra grease.
• Take the coated almonds out of the bag and place in a mixing bowl. Crumble your bacon into bits and add to nuts. Then, add the mixture of sugar, salt and pepper.
• Ta da! Put the nuts in to a serving bowl and watch them disappear.
Hint: To make the day-of preparations easy, you can make the Roasted-Bacon Almonds a few days before and store them in a Tupperware container.

Step 4: Serve a Finger Food Smorgasbord
This trio will ensure that no guest goes hungry — and you’ll be sane enough to sit back and enjoy the game.

Pizza Gets a Makeover
Whether it’s frozen or delivered, use clean kitchen scissors to cut the pizza into strips and pile on a cutting board. You can even sprinkle with fresh herbs…looks homemade, baby!

Mini–Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love these? Use truffle oil and fancy cheeses to make them seem gourmet.
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) salted butter, melted
20 slices potato bread (or other bread if you don’t have potato bread)
One 12-oz. package 4-cheese blend or grated Asiago, Parmesan, Fontina and Provolone
3 cups fresh baby spinach or arugula leaves
Truffle oil or chili oil (optional)
Instructions:
• Add a few drops of truffle oil or chili oil to the melted butter if you want to be fancy.
• Place a piece of wax paper on each of 2 baking sheets. Spread out 10 pieces of bread on each baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush each piece with butter and turn it over, or if you don’t have a pastry brush, just drizzle with butter.
• Sprinkle two tablespoons cheese on each bread slice and cover with spinach or arugula.
• Place the other piece of bread on top and butter the top of the bread completely.
• You can cook the sandwiches in a large frying pan or on a griddle. Spray a frying pan with olive oil spray and bring to medium-high heat. Place four five sandwiches in the pan and let them brown for two to three minutes. Flip them over and cook for two to three minutes, or until brown. (I press a weight on the top of the sandwiches to get them crispy, but you can use a spatula to hold each one down.)
• To serve, cut off the crusts, then cut each sandwich into 6 bite-size pieces. Serve warm.
Hint: You can make these before Super Bowl Sunday and store. After you cut off the crusts, place the pieces in a freezer bag, separating the layers with wax paper. To reheat frozen sandwiches, place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes. They will keep for up to one month in the freezer.

Peanut Butter & Bacon Bonanza
Cut out white bread with a football-shaped cookie cutter or just make the shape with a knife. Toast the bread, spread with peanut butter and adorn with crumbled bacon — different and totally divine.
Step 5: Chow Down on Theme Cupcakes
Top your favorite flavor cupcake with dyed coconut in the teams’ colors. Because what’s not to love about coconut and cupcakes?

How to Dye Coconut:
Just use the liquid food coloring you can find at any grocery store.
• Place one bag of shredded coconut in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle a few drops of food coloring (green for the packers,Black for the steelers), being careful not to add too much as you can always add more.
• Wearing rubber gloves, toss the mixture with your hands until all of the coconut is uniform in color. If you don’t have gloves, put the coconut in a plastic Ziploc bag, sprinkle with the food coloring, zip and seal the bag, and shake, shake, shake!
• Adorn your frosted cupcakes with the colored coconut and watch guests fight for one in their team’s color.

Check out Lulu's website here LuluPowers.com
Follow Lulu's blog Living A La Lulu
She's on twitter @lulupowers
And you can find her on facebook here
and while you're there make sure you like my facebook page, Corinna B

Ginta Lapina For Nars Spring 2012 Collection

2012-01-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

I have a little love affair going on with Nars.

Not only are the products completely fabulous

but the company is very very good to me.

The Nars Spring 2012 Ad Campaign features model Ginta Lapina, who Francois Nars chose saying:
“Her delicate features and classic beauty made her an ideal fit for a collection that’s at once fresh and fierce.”

The Nars Spring 2012 Collection is a study in contrasts:
Bold color underscored by sophisticated shimmer.
Eyes glisten in muted tones of lavender and pink,
or shimmer in bronze shades accented with rich navy.
Cheeks are flushed with candy pink.
Lips gleam in topaz or pop with berry.
Metallic violet nails add the finishing touch to a collection that’s bright, strong and iconic.

DOUCE FRANCE

Named for the 1942 song by French singer-songwriter Charles Trenet. The Trio Eyeshadow features three gorgeous pink shades—shimmery icy pink, shimmery rose-petal pink and matte deep rose—that can be mixed to create a range of looks, from delicate and innocent to bold and sophisticated. Wear each alone or use one as a base, another to highlight and the third as a liner or contour.

LHASA
One of the highest cities in the world, Lhasa is the home to many significant Tibetan Buddhist palaces. This shimmery lavender-gray Single Eyeshadow lends lids a luminous look worthy of its spiritual namesake.

PARAMARIBO
The capital and largest city of Surinam, a tropical state in South America, was the inspiration for this Duo Eyeshadow, with its metallic shades of brass and bronze. Wear each solo, or use one as a base and the other as an accent or highlight for a richly burnished effect.

GAIETY
A bright candy-pink Blush that’s as cheerful as the state of joyful exuberance for which it’s named.

MEXICAN ROSE
Just like its namesake flower, known for its long-lasting pink blooms, this hot-pink Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil leaves lips soft and gorgeously glossy thanks to moisture-rich hyaluronic spheres, which make pouts appear plumper.

VALPARAÍSO
The Chilean city is becoming increasingly known as the country’s cultural capital. The rich raspberry Pure Matte Lipstick delivers long-wearing color with a comfortable finish.

BILBAO
A smooth and super-conditioning Lipstick in a shimmering topaz named for the Basque region of Spain, which has been revitalized by the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum.

DARK RITE
The navy blue Soft Touch Shadow Pencil complements any warm-weather look. Use the creamy, long-wearing formula alone, as a base for layering with powder shadow, or to line and sculpt the eye.

DIAMOND LIFE
Sade’s 1984 debut album inspired this metallic violet Nail Polish.

Q&A WITH FRANÇOIS NARS

Why did you choose Ginta as the face of the Spring 2012 collection?

“I am constantly amazed by Ginta and how she completely transforms with makeup from the girl next door into an exotic beauty. Of course, her complexion is flawless and her features striking—both great assets for a makeup artist. In this case, she just really embodied the radiant, sophisticated look we envisioned for spring.”

What’s unique about the collection?

“At first glance, all the pinks and shimmer can look very sweet and innocent, but actually there is a lot of bold and contrasting color—a gray-lavender eyeshadow, a navy blue Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, a hot pink lip color, for example—that make the collection edgier and more sophisticated than it may seem.”

What are the must-have products from the collection?

“I would say our Douce France Trio Eyeshadow, because it allows for many eye looks, as well as our Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil. I also love the Valparaíso Pure Matte Lipstick, a rich raspberry that looks absolutely delicious on the lips.”

Speaking of matte lipstick, it seems more like a cold-weather staple. How do you adapt it for spring?

“I never pay attention to rules like, ‘No matte makeup in warm weather.’ Matte is perfectly appropriate for spring, especially in a strong berry shade. In fact, it’s the perfect transitional color and texture to bridge winter and summer. If you have to have shine, you can add a little gloss on top.”

There are a lot of shimmers and metallics in the Spring 2012 collection. Any tips on how to wear them?

“I’m not a big fan of rules, but if you are concerned about overdoing it, I would recommend keeping it to one feature: eyes, or cheeks, or nails. Wearing it everywhere can look a little too disco.”

SPRING 2012 COLLECTION
Douce France Trio Eyeshadow (Limited Edition) $45
Lhasa Single Eyeshadow $24
Paramaribo Duo Eyeshadow (Limited Edition) $34
Gaiety Blush $28
Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil $24
Valparaíso Pure Matte Lipstick $25
Bilbao Lipstick $24
Dark Rite Soft Touch Shadow Pencil $24
Diamond Life Nail Polish (Limited Edition) $18
Available: January 15, 2012 at narscosmetics.com

Jason Wu For Target

2012-01-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

I adore Jason Wu.

I love his feminine forms, bows and ribbons.

He masters the pairing of

girlie and sexy.

Remember the pink feather dress??

Gorgeous-sexy-fabu-cool.

So I was somewhat excited that he was doing a line

for Target. Well, interested anyway.

(I don't really get particularly enthralled with these lines)

Jason Wu for Target debuts February 5th 2012, and its Look Book is up now.

Its cute, quirky, and cheerful, pleats, bows and florals.

Maybe more for the younger crowd, it definitely won't cause the Target website to crash the way the Missoni for Target line did, and the price point is low - $19.99 - $59.99

Its also different enough from his regular line that you can wear Jason Wu and not be mistaken for Target.

Its hard to see someone in Missoni now and not wonder if they're wearing Missoni for Target.

Check out some of the Jason Wu For Target Look Book

Actually, I would never look at these and even guess that they were Jason.

There are bags too...

Prada Spring 2012

2012-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

First know who you are

then adorn yourself accordingly

Check out Prada's fabulous Spring 2012 ad campaign.

Shot by Steven Meisel

it's muscle cars and Americana,

50's inspired retro looks,

bold prints and flamed heels,

color soaked fierce blue skies

and hard angled buildings.

Fabulous!

Vogue Italia IVC/QVC

2012-01-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

How fun is this??

Photographer Steven Meisel makes fun of the US home shopping craze with this tongue in cheek look at the new season's fashions via an fictitious home shopping network, IVC, in Vogue Italia January 2012

With an all star cast including Karlie Kloss, Joan Smalls, Natasha Poly, Sigrid Agren, Caroline Trentini,

Daria Strokous, and Gertrud Hegelund showcasing spring collections from designers including Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Gucci and Giorgio Armani.

Do you love it???

and there's a behind the scenes video...

Arizona Muse For Vogue UK February 2012

2012-01-09T04:05:00.000-08:00

Can you ever have too much Arizona Muse??

I'm so bored with winter.

So seeing Arizona Muse working bright

exciting color for spring

is like a breath of fresh air.

And as always,

she is superb.

Shot by Patrick Demarchelier,

styled by Lucinda Chambers

in fun shades, cropped tops and high waists,

Bakelite jewelry and retro inspired designs

offset with a little rockabilly twist

by hairstylist Neil Moodle

and bright engaging makeup by Hannah Murray.

Can you feel it??

Vogue UK February 2012

Little Miss Sunshine

All Roads Lead To Pacetto Blog

2012-01-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

I honestly thought I had died and gone to heaven when I found this blog!

Chelsea Christensen is an American girl who moved to Italy to be with the Italian man she loves.

She has a business called Italian Postcards (click here for her Etsy store)

and she blogs about my favorite subject, life in Italy.

I can spend hours reading and re-reading her posts, and in fact, I do.

Here is a pre Christmas blog from All Roads Lead To Pacetto,

but I do recommend that you click the link at the bottom and go to Chelsea's blog, see what time it is in Italia, and start scrolling.

Mi piace....

Flavor of the Month

The flavor of the month at Grom gelatoria is panettone! If you had not yet had the pleasure of panettone let me give you a quick description. It's a orange flavor sponge cake with candied fruits baked inside. It was first made in Milan and takes 3 days to make because the dough is actually cured like sourdough. It's traditionally eaten at Christmas dinner for dessert with a sweet sparkling wine, and the the next day for breakfast with hot chocolate.

The panettone gelato starts with a dense creamy orange base infused with chunks of candied fruits. It's delicious. I would say that the only thing missing is the crunchy sugary crust which is for me the best part.

Follow All Roads Lead To Pacetto here
Check out this interview with Chelsea in Italy Magazine

Skin Obsession - New Year's Resolution

2012-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

In the beauty game, probably the very best New Year's Resolution you can make,
and adhere to, is to take care of your skin.

image by Eric Cassee

Nothing makes a bigger impact than a great complexion.
You can have mad skills at doing winged liner or a fierce smoky eye, but if the complexion wearing it is looking substandard, the whole look falls down.
Conversely, you can be totally challenged at makeup trickery, but with beautiful skin, some good eyebrows and a killer lipstick, you can look and feel like a million dollars.
Here is an overview of some of the basics:

Girlfriend's Guide To Great Skin

1. Get your skin analyzed.
Whether you go see a facialist or have the girls behind the counter check your skin, get a opinion from someone in the know.
Frequently people make the wrong assessment of their skin type, and consequently use all the wrong products.
Most commonly I see girls using products for oily skin, when at best they are normal/combination, thus stripping the life out of their skin.
A little shine on the nose or through the T Zone doesn't mean you're oily. It pretty much makes you normal.

2. Get The Right Cleanser For Your Skin Type.
You need a cleanser that will dissolve makeup and give you a good, deep clean.
Unless you are oily or acneic you probably don't need a foaming wash cleanser. Look for a gentle cleansing milk that doesn't strip the skin.

3. Exfoliate.
Most skins benefit from regular exfoliation.
By removing the dead surface cells regularly, you are left with glowing, fresh skin.
Personally I'm not a huge fan of exfoliating scrubs, as I always think they are scratching the baby skin underneath. I prefer enzyme masks that dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells to the surface. I also get my clients using the Clarisonic daily. I couldn't live without mine...

4. Apply Moisturizer. Liberally.
If you want youthful looking skin you have to treat it right. A big part of that equation is using a good moisturizer, and using it liberally.
I see girls smear the tiniest amount across their cheeks and think they're done.
Not so. You need to apply a decent amount and really massage it in to your entire face.
Just imagine all the bits you get will look pretty, and all the parts you miss will get totally ugly.
Only apply moisturizer where you want to look pretty...

5. Use A Facial SPF. Every Single Day
Don't fall for the "my moisturizer/foundation/powder has SPF in it" routine.
If your products do have SPF in them, consider that a bonus. But after moisturizing every morning, use a freestanding facial SPF of at least 30. I use SPF 85.
And again, only put it on the parts you want to look pretty. Don't bother using it on any bits that you want to look like either a weather beaten old cowboy or a 100 year old alligator woman.
And don't forget your neck and chest.

6. Take Off Your Makeup Every Night.
Cleanse your skin every night.
Period.
Think of all the pollutants in the air that your skin has been exposed to throughout your day, and imagine your left over makeup holding them tight against your face. Also imagine the dirt and grime of the day filling up your pores. Gross. Clean it.
And follow up said cleansing with serums and nighttime moisturizing products, depending on your skin type and needs.

7. Clean Your Makeup Brushes.

Ideally once a week clean all the makeup brushes you've been using.
Oils and bacteria build up in dirty brushes and can lead to a variety of skin ailments.
On shoots we clean every brush, every time, but at home on your own brushes you can get away with a weekly cleaning of most brushes. (clean more frequently if needed).
Use a very mild soap or baby shampoo and lukewarm water. Reshape and lie brushes flat to dry.

8. Change Your Pillowcases.
At least once a week change your pillowcase. More frequently if you are noticing problems with your skin.
Often an unclean pillowcase can be contributing to breakouts.
Silk pillowcases are thought to prevent sleep creases on the skin. Whether that is true or not - who knows? But they certainly feel lovely.

9. Cleanse After The Gym.
After working up a good sweat (or even a not so good one) make sure you cleanse your face and re moisturize. Try to avoid working out with makeup on if possible.

10. Shelter Your Skin From The Sun.
Keep your face out of the sun.
Wear hats with brims to shade your face, ears and neck.
Wear big sunglasses to shade your eye area.
Supple, beautiful, luminous skin and direct sunlight don't go together. Its really that simple.

Model Katie Bunn
Photographer Eric Cassee
Hair Will Zecco
Makeup Corinna Cooke

Skin Obsession Vogue China January 2012

2012-01-05T04:04:00.000-08:00

If you're going to feed a new year obsession,

it might as well be a skin obsession.

The key to any look really being fabulous

is an amazing complexion.

Unless you are a genetic mutant

it takes work.

Tons of work.

Maybe I'll do a girlfriend's guide to great skin tomorrow.

But for now

Vogue China January 2012

Skin Obsession

photographed by Jem Mitchell

Model Lily Donaldson

Christian Louboutin At Home In Aswan

2012-01-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I had an amazing vacation in Aswan.

I loved it.

I also love Christian Louboutin.

Reading about his retreat in Aswan in Elle Decor

I could feel the magic.

Well, in my mind I could anyway...

Want to escape to the banks of the Nile?

I do

Hanging lantern in Louboutin's dining room

From Elle Decor

written by Ruben Modigliani

all images by Ivan Terestchenko

French shoe designer Christian Louboutin lives between two worlds.

One is the realm of fashion and star-studded events—the signature red-soled stilettos he creates make regular appearances on international red carpets.

The other is a private retreat nestled in the desert near the Egyptian city of Aswân,

not far from the banks of the Nile. (The ruins of an ancient temple stand within walking distance of his house.) Louboutin comes here throughout the year to design new collections, rest, and practice yoga.

Louboutin's desk at his Aswan home. Inspiring non?

Once a craftsman’s workshop, the building is made of earthen bricks,

employing a technique that has been used in Egypt for thousands of years.

Louboutin added an additional floor and a rooftop belvedere with views of the surrounding desert. Construction wasn’t easy: In this area, temperatures can fluctuate rapidly, and building materials are often scarce. “A thousand times I thought I was going out of my mind,” he jokes.

The rooms are decorated with pieces Louboutin has collected on his travels:

Uzbek embroidered fabrics, Moroccan rugs, handmade furniture from Cameroon.

The waxed terra-cotta floors invite barefoot living.

Still, the heart of the home is the open-air courtyard, with a fireplace that blazes through the cool desert evenings.

Moroccan rugs and Bedouin cushions in the center courtyard

Among so many traditional furnishings, one piece is a reminder that we’re in the 21st century: the ultramodern telescope on the roof, trained on the stars.

bed draped with a traditional suzani from Uzbekestan

Moroccan dining tables inlaid with zelige, a type of tilework

Add caption

See more at Elle Decor

P.S. Could Ruben be a descendent?? Intrigued!

New Year, New You, Juvederm Tear Trough Fill

2012-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

I spent a hearty amount of time over November and December at the Blume Skin Centre in Scottsdale,
observing and learning about the magic that is the injectible face lift.
These days girls and women can put off going under the knife, instead opting for the less invasive, less expensive, medical artistry that comes via a needle.

The crucial factor here is that you must go to someone completely brilliant in the field. Any yahoo can shoot you up with botox, and leave you looking perpetually terrified, or give you overinflated fish-lips, but a true medical artist will give you a face that moves and has expression, will give you back the glow of youth, and do it in such a way that no one will know you've been "enhanced".
You absolutely must do your research to find a truly great practitioner, or, if you are in or near Arizona, I've done it for you - go to the Blume Skin Centre.

Whether it be with the mother of the bride, an actor or a socialite, I was constantly escorting clients into the Blume offices for a little fine tuning, be it facial revolumizing, subtle yet exquisite lip enhancing, a little fine line and wrinkle removing, or the fastest road to youth I have ever seen, the Juvederm Tear Trough Fill.

Very few doctors will do the Tear Trough, as it is such a delicate and refined procedure.

image via makeupdict.com

To get an understanding of what is going on, you need to understand how light and shadow work.
When you are young the area under the eye has volume.
Its full and rounded, and light bounces off of it, making you look awake, alert, and youthful.

As you age, (and really this starts in your early 20's) you start to lose volume under the eyes, from the lower lash line to the upper cheek bone. You see a pronounced dip under the eye, which creates shadow and leaves you looking tired and older than your years.

Any place on your face that has craters or troughs, whether they be lost under eye volume, or the depths of a fine line or wrinkle, will suck up light and create a shadow within itself,

making itself look bigger and more menacing, and making you look older.
When you fill these dips with injectable products like Juvederm, the surface area becomes smooth again, and light bounces off it, making you look younger.

When it comes to the under eye area, women typically pile on lighter shades of concealer,
trying to lift out the shadows and make the area look brighter and more alive. When the volume disappears under the eyes, the skin starts to sag a little, so now you have a whole lot of makeup on saggy skin, which not only is never a winning combination, but also makes you look even older.
Vicious circle, non?

A Juvederm Tear Trough Fill is a very quick and comparatively inexpensive procedure which lasts anywhere from a year to 2 years.
The procedures that I have watched have used less than one syringe of Juvederm for both eyes combined.
Dr Blume is nationally reknowned for his subtle lip enhancements, so with my clients he puts the remaining Juvederm into the lips, imperceptibly enhancing and redefining the lip border, ever so slightly fleshing out the pout.

The results are immediate. And spectacular.

Boys do it, girls do it.

They are also pain free, via topical numbing cream.

When your eyes have been refreshed you wear much less makeup. The skin looks brightened, the eyes look awakened. Its magic.

Before

after

before

after

You can find the Blume Skin Centre online at www.BlumeSkinTreatment.com