Holiday Gift Guide - Great Books To Give

Holiday Gift Guide ~ Great Books To Give

original image found on theberry.com

Books make great holiday gifts. What's not to love about a winter afternoon spent curled up on the couch with blankets and pillows and a good book? Drinking tea or hot mulled wine and exploring a new world within the pages - it's perfect!

Here are.  fabulous reads that make wonderful gifts

For fashion lovers

Gods And Kings, The Rise And Fall Of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano by Dana Thomas.

I went to a soiree that Dana Thomas gave to celebrate this book and it was wonderful. As an insider who knew both Lee McQueen and John Galliano she had fascinating insight into their lives, their creative forces and the business machine that ate both of them up. Initially New York based, the author has lived in Paris for the past 15 years. Which is thrilling in and of itself.

Blow By Blow, The Story Of Isabella Blow by Detmar Blow

Isabella Blow was both a legendary figure in fashion and a very important one. She is credited with discovering both Alexander McQueen, and launching his career by buying his entire first collection, and also Philip Treacy who launched his career from the basement of her home.
Her 30 year career in fashion included being assistant to Anna Wintour at American Vogue as well as fashion editor at Tatler and The Sunday Times magazine.
Written by her husband after her death at age 48, this book gives a behind the scenes look at high society and fashion, as well as her incredible life and body of work.

Empress Of Fashion: A Life Of Diana Vreeland by Amanda McKenzie Stuart

This biography not only covers Vreeland's career as one of the most influential fashion editors ever, but also looks at her deeply unhappy childhood and the fearless, imaginative, hard working woman she became.

This biography is both interesting and inspiring.

Grace: A Memoir

Grace Coddington is easily one of the greatest fashion editors ever. The body of work she has completed with Anna Wintour is staggering and brilliant. This autobiography is fascinating and lovely. Just like Grace.

Vice Dos And Donts 2: 17 Years Of Street Fashion Critique

By the editors of Vice Magazine

For 17 years Vice magazine has been putting out hilariously captioned photos of street fashion, calling each a do or a don't. This is a laugh out loud book with some pretty interesting street style.

Anatomy Of A Disappearance by Hisham Matar

This beautifully, beautifully written story about a young boy orphaned when his father is disappeared in the middle of the night in Geneva. The story crosses Egypt, Switzerland and England, and weaves a tale of political intrigue fleshed out by the palpable aching of a teenage boy set adrift in the world.

Best Sellers

Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwall is the 23rd book in the Kay Scarpetta series. Scarpetta books are always a great read.

A Banquet of Consequences by Elizabeth George.

It seems like forever since we last saw Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers. I can't wait to get time to read this one!

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins.

At this point I may just be the only person who hasn't  read this NY Times best seller, but there could still be someone on your list who loves books and hasn't read this one.

7 Beauty Gift Sets From Nordstrom

My workload is insane at the moment, and with the exception of the Thanksgiving break I am working every day until mid December. Which means my Christmas shopping is happening online for the time being. I've been scrolling around on Nordstrom.com checking out what's on offer, and these are my favorite beauty based gift sets for this year.

Beauty gift sets make the ideal gift for any makeup lover, they are great for co-workers and make wonderful business gifts. They are also a fabulous way to treat yourself, and allowing for the discounted prices when you buy a set, you'd be kind of mad not to treat yourself. Right?

From MAC there is the Nordstrom exclusive Enchanted Eve Copper Eye and Lip Set is a steal at $59.50. Valued at $88.50 it contains Pearlfusion eye shadow set in Copperluxe,  Technakohl liner in Photogravure, lipstick in The Right Note and lipglass in Rocket To The Moon, together with this cool little MAC bag.

Check out the Enchanted Eve Copper Gift set here

The limited edition Jo Malone Cologne Collection ($115) lets you try out some of Jo Malone's most loved colognes. Each one can be worn alone, or you can layer them and create your own fragrance.

Included in the set are the following fragrances:
Lime Basil and Mandarin cologne
Pomegranate Noir cologne
English Pear and Freesia cologne
Peony and Blush Suede cologne
Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne

Check out the details on the Jo Malone gift set here

The Legacy Palette from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty is a $280 value that will only cost you $165.
This is the absolute perfect palette that transcends any seasonal look. This should be the backbone of your makeup wardrobe. With Celestial highlighting powder in Candlelight and Sculpting powder in medium (made up not of bronzing tones but instead in brown, red and grey, giving you contour perfection), and the ideal assortment of neutral eye shadows, you can  build, shape and add drama to any eye. I love this!

Read about the Kevyn Aucoin Legacy Palette here

The Diptique Mini Candle Set ($130) is a fantastic business gift, hostess gift, candle lovers gift, and self gift! I would love this.

A mixtures of Diptique's iconic scents and some seasonal scents, these french made candles have a 15 hour burn time, of the loveliest candle fragrances ever.
Check out the list of fragrances here

Also from Diptique the Sapin candle.

This is a pine scent with a soft infusion of mandarin, and smells like the holidays, albeit luxe holidays. There are two sizes available, check them out here.

The Laura Mercier Kiss Of Colour Lip Gloss Collection is a limited edition valued at $83 but available for just $50.

This set makes a perfect stocking stuffer, and is a great gift for any girl who likes her lips to look luscious. 
Check out the list of colors here.

The Tocca Crema Voloce Handcream Set ($16) is a great stocking stuffer, and is also a lovely gift for co-workers, hostess gifts or for someone who you don't know well enough to buy fragrances for.

It feels and looks luxurious and the price point makes it super affordable.
Read about it here

The Gift List For The Girl Who Loves Skin Care ~ Tatcha

Have you started making your holiday gift lists yet? 
Both to give and to receive?

Today's post is perfect for anyone who loves skin care products.
These gift sets make gorgeous business gifts, if you are getting married they are perfect bridesmaids gifts, they are ideal for the traveler - both business travelers and recreational travelers (I buy them for myself, these are actually the products that I travel around the country and around the  world with), and they are just wonderful for any beauty maven to open under the tree. 
You just can't go wrong!

Japanese luxury skin care brand Tatcha makes the most beautiful gift sets. The products are incredible and the packaging is lovely. You always feel special when you are opening their gift boxes, even when you are gifting them to yourself!

All the gift sets in this post can be ordered online at Tatcha.com

The Tatcha Hakken Set $95 contains trial sizes of their world famous beauty ritual, their eye cream and their SPF.

The Hakken Set

Get products details here.

At only $25 the Yuki / Pure As Snow Set makes a fabulous stocking stuffer!

Yuki / Pure As Snow Gift Set

Yuki contains a travel sized Camellia Cleansing Oil and a Polished Rice Enzyme Powder. These two products give you skin as smooth as freshly fallen snow.
Check out the products in the Yuki Set Here.

Did you know that Indigo has healing properties? Ancient Samurai used to wear a layer of indigo cotton under their war uniforms, so that if they found themselves on the wrong end of an opponent's sword the indigo could start the healing process immediately.
Tatcha has an entire line of Indigo skin care products. In fact the first time I ever used Tatcha I used the Indigo line to heal and sooth my winter-stung skin. I was hooked from day one and have since become their biggest fan (along with every celebrity I ever work with!)

Aiiro / Soothing Blue Gift Set

The Tatcha Aiiro / Soothing Blue Gift Set $79 is a fabulous winter gift, with it's Indigo Handcream and luxe Indigo Body Butter.
Read about the Aiiro / Soothing Blue gift set here.
Find out about the healing Indigo product line here.

In the mood for something super-luxe? 
The  Tabi / Ultimate Journey Gift Set features a hand-finished calfskin suitcase which was crafted by artisans in Kyoto, with genuine kimono fabric woven in a pattern reserved for the Japanese Imperial Family. The case is filled with full size Tatcha skin care treasures.

Tabi / Ultimate Journey Gift Set

See the details on the Tabi Gift Set here


All Tatcha gift sets come with free shipping, samples and gift wrapping.

Discover The Ancient Greek temples Of Paestum

One of the (many) things that keeps me coming back to Italy the never ending supply of historical surprises waiting around each and every corner.
Everyone knows about the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Grand Canal in Venice. I love all the big, well known postcard famous sights, and will always go back to them, but I find pure magic in the lesser known, less visited 'secret' places that I stumble upon every time I'm there.

This year I took my Corinna B's World Glam Italia Tour to several of my secret Italian places, one of which was the magnificent Paestum, located an hour south of Salerno, south of the Amalfi Coast.

Paestum is the Roman name for a small, ancient Greek city in Campania, formerly known as Poseidonia (back when southern Italy was known as Magna Grecia in the 8th thru 5th centuries BC). 

Temple Hera II, Paestum

Paestum is the home of 3 of the best preserved Greek temples in the world. (The other 8 best preserved Greek temples are not found in Greece, but in Sicily's Valley of the Temples, near Agrigento.)

The experience of visiting Paestum is just staggering. 
In the middle of nowhere, as you drive through the countryside past farms that make bufalo mozzarella, suddenly these three giant temples rise up majestically out of the landscape, completely taking your breath away.

Hera I, Paestum

They are huge. They are magnificent. They are ancient. And they are unspoiled. 
Built 2500 - 2600 years ago, before even the Parthenon, this is really ancient Greek. The scale of these temples, the force with which they rise up out of the earth and the absolute beauty of them just leaves you at a loss for words. 
Goethe said it was like a strike of lightening hitting his mind.

Roman road built circa 300 BC, with roman apartment buildings on the right, and temples on the left

You really feel like you are standing in a vanished, ancient city. 

remains of Roman  apartment buildings in Paestum

Paestum is a little remote, and unlike Pompeii which is surrounded by shops and vendors and tourism as well as neighborhoods where locals live, here there is almost nothing. And no one. Just you, the breeze coming off the ocean and a mere handful of other tourists.

The Greeks were always in search of perfection and ideal beauty, and they liked to build their temples and ampitheaters with beauty in mind and with gorgeous views, especially over water.

Grouped closely together, the first temple is Hera I, built for the goddess of fertility and wife of Zeus, circa 550 BC.
Hera I is also known as The Basilica. has perfect geometric doubling with 9 columns at each end and 18 along each side, giving it a very horizontal feel. It has massive heavy columns that have no feet, instead rising up from the stylobate and ending in a simple geometric capital. To support the weight of the roof the columns bulge in the middle and taper at the top.

Hera I, The Basilica, Paestum

It was built from local stone and then stucco'd, but the stucco is long since gone. This temple is massive, yet in spite of it's size retains a gracious femininity and equanimity.

Hera I, Paestum

The middle temple is known as Hera II, and was built circa 460 BC.
With 6 columns along each end and 14 columns along each side, Hera II feels like an exercise in perfect balance. Standing beside Hera I she by comparison feels very vertical and slender. The 6 column figuration in front means you can walk through the middle, making her feel more symmetrical.

Hera II, Paestum

It is thought that Hera II would have had a terracotta roof, and she appears to have had a second story, or perhaps some form of platform that sat over top of the ground floor.
Both Hera I and Hera II face the ocean. You can imagine how magnificent they must have looked standing side by side, gleaming white in the hot Campania sunshine as they watched over the blue sea from the front and the fertile pastureland from the back.

inside Hera II

The Temple of Athena, also known as the temple of Ceres, built in 500 BC. This is actually the first temple you see as you drive into town. It sits a little higher and away from the other two temples, which stand side by side.

Ceres/Athena Temple in Paestum

Interestingly this temple has Doric columns on the outside and Ionic columns on the inside.
In front of the temple is an alter where sacrifices took place.
Greek temples were houses to the Gods, where statues were stored. Ceremonies and worship took place at the alter outside of the temple.


In Paestum Hera was not only the Goddess of fertility, but also of childbirth. 

Hera's fertility pool, Paestum

An elaborate pool was built for Hera where women who were trying to conceive could bathe and sit, but also where women would come to ask Hera for an easy childbirth.


When the Romans took over the area in the 3rd century BC they didn't destroy the temples, and they didn't just move down the road a ways to build their new city out of sight of them, instead they renamed Poseidonia to Paestum and built a city around it's temples.

ancient Roman roads in the city of Paestum, beside the temples

This adds another layer of magic, as you can walk through the wide streets of this roman town and into apartment complexes that border the temples. 

mosaic floors more than 2300 years old, in Roman apartments in Paestum

Who knew that the Romans built apartment buildings? I didn't.
There are still mosaic floors intact, and enough of the structure of the ruins remain so that you can figure out where the front door was, what the view was, where the various rooms were positioned.

mosaic floors at the entryway to a Roman apartment, circa 300 BC

inside another Roman apartment

There is a small museum opposite the temples, where you can see the oldest surviving wall paintings from ancient Greece, which makes them also the oldest surviving wall paintings in all of western art.
In 1968 the excavation of a tomb in Paestum unearthed paintings dated to around 480 BC.

art was a celebration of the love amongst men

This ancient Greek world was a homo-erotic world. If you were going to be in love it would be with another man. Men were for love, women were for procreation.

the ceiling of the tomb

Paestum is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been.

And it's one of those treasures that no one seems to know about. We were there on a free Sunday, and I had been worried that it would be overflowing with tourists taking advantage of the zero ticket price, but in all the hours that we were there exploring there would not have even been 100 people total. Probably not even 50. It felt as though we had this giant, spectacular slice of history all to ourselves.

If you do take the time to visit Paestum I definitely recommend visiting Pompeii first, as it will give you a fantastic understanding of how Roman homes were laid out, and this will add another dimension to the already incredible Paestum experience. 
If you are staying on the Amalfi Coast it is well worth giving up a half day or a day and taking the train to Paestum. It's a long drive from Positano or Sorrento, but by car from Salerno it only takes one hour.
I am amazed that there is such a mad tourist crush in nearby Capri, sometimes you can barely walk down the street in Positano there are so many people, and yet there is virtually no one visiting Paestum.

Paestum is not actually on the Amalfi Coast, but for most people traveling in the region, the Amalfi Coast is the closest geographical reference that they will be familiar with. 

All photos taken with my iPhone remain my property. Please do not re-use without my written permission.

The Ballets Russes Impact On Fashion

Anna Pavolva 1911 as inspiration for Christian Lacroix couture 2009

I love fashion and makeup that are inspired by the arts, by significant people in art, history and society. Think Frida, Jackie O, Marie Antoinette - anyone or anything that is iconic or that speaks to an iconic moment in time.
With my passion for art, history and art history, doing research for shoots is one of my favorite pastimes. 

costuming for the Ballet Russes

 Vogue.com took a look at how Sergei Diaghilev's costuming for the pre-soviet Ballets Russes has served as inspiration for designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Paul Poiret.

The Ballets Russes introduced a new and avant guard freedom into the arts, not just in ballet and theater, but also into fashion. They precipitated an explosion of creativity at the beginning of the last century that still holds incredible relevance and is an ongoing source of inspiration for designers today.

Anna Pavlova, Ballets Russes

Not familiar with the Ballets Russes? - here is a little background:

The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company, conceived by Serghei Diaghilev, and widely regarded as the most influential ballet company of the 20th century.
It thrived on the artistic collaboration amongst young choreographers, composers, dancers and designers, all at the forefront of their respective metiers. 
Interestingly the company never performed in Russia, where the revolution  was disrupting society and running counter-culture to modern thought. It began in Paris in 1909 and then toured Europe and the Americas.
Most of the dancers were classically trained in the great Imperial Ballet schools of  Moscow and St Petersburg, and their spectacular technical prowess breathed a new life into the Parisian ballet scene, where technique had declined drastically since the 1830's.

The costuming for the Ballets Russes was extraordinary. Cutting edge, luxe, provocative and incredibly influential, even now.

Some fabulous books about the Ballets Russes, that make gorgeous gift ideas include:

Ballet Russes And The Art Of Design
and
Diaghilev And The Golden Age Of The Ballets Russes
both available at Amazon.com


Check out these gorgeous images, then scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the Vogue.com article.

From Yves Saint Laurent Ballets Russes inspired 1976 couture collection

Roberto Cavalli Spring 2016 RTW and a costume designed by Leon Bakst

Christian Dior Fall 2015 RTW and Leon Bakst costuming for  1912's L’après-midi d’une Faune

Le Sacre du Printemps costumes, Ballets Russes 1913 and designs by  Vita Kin

Read the Vogue article written by Laird Borrelli-Persson and see more images on Vogue.com HERE

The Three Main Hair Color Trends For Fall 2015

original image source IntoTheGloss.com

Are you planning on changing up or modifying your hair for fall?
Yesterday I wrote about the 7 Step Checklist For Fabulous Fall Hair, today I'm looking at the three main color trends for this fall.

To help me out I talked to celebrity colorist Heather Strange, formerly of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and now based at Carolyne's Salon in Scottsdale.

The 3 Main Color Trends For Fall 2015

Heather told me that this season the blondes have become warmer, and interestingly the brunettes have become cooler!

Lets take a look:

If You Are Blonde

The first thing you need to do is get rid of platinum and ashy tones. Instead add in honey and caramel tones to richen the color up for the wintery months.

Buttery, beige blondes work magic on your washed out, winter complexion. Adding warmth to your blonde, especially around the face, is a beautiful way to approach the cooler weather.

If You Are A Brunette

This season marks a big change for brunettes! Normally we think of adding deep, warm lowlights to winter brunettes, or infusing lighter red toned highlights. But this year it's all new.

For fall 2015 icy browns are in. A cool brown fading into lighter, cool chestnut is a fabulous modern alternative to highlights.

If You Are A Redhead

Red tones always rule for fall. 

Heather says a champagney red is beautiful if you want to stay a little lighter, or if you are feeling more bold, cinnamon accents compliment most rosy shades.

Two Extra Tips:

Heather threw in 2 extra tips for gorgeous fall hair.

1. To keep your hair moist and your color vibrant during the dry, bitter winter months, think about adding an oil to your hair regimen, like Oribe Gold Lust. (this is what she has me using!)

This is a very lightweight oil that won't weigh your hair down, or make it go limp and flat, but instead adds back in extra nourishment and shine that the weather may have you lacking.
You can order Oribe products online at SpaceNK.com

2. If you are a gym rat consider just rinsing and conditioning after your hard workout session, instead of using shampoo every day. This will help your color last longer, and will stop you from stripping away the essential nutrients that your hair needs.

If you are in Arizona you can find Heather at 

Carolyne's Salon

(480)483-5660

She is also on Facebook and on Instagram

For a limited time Space NK is offering a 25% discount on any online order over $100.
Check out all their luxury cosmetic and skin care brands and take advantage of the savings!

7 Step Checklist For Fabulous Fall Hair

Black Fedora from ASOS

Have you changed your hair up yet for autumn/winter?
I love autumn hair, and I love getting my hair ready for the colder months, especially after wearing it up for most of the summer.
I also love the ASOS black fedora in the picture above. I think that is going to be my hat for the season!

Here is my 7 step checklist to get your hair fabulous for fall:

1. Clarify.

Malin + Goetz Clarifying Peppermint Shampoo

Use a clarifying shampoo to clear out the last of the dry shampoo, leave in conditioner, SPF, shine products - everything you've been piling into your hair over the last few months. Many colorists also recommend using a clarifying shampoo the day before coming in for your new color. 
Try Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo, it's super gentle (some clarifying shampoos feel like you've just used dish washing liquid on your hair) and it cleanses and purifies your hair and scalp while it re-balances them too.
I order mine online from Space NK

2. Do A Scalp Treatment

Just as our complexions need masks and deep treatments, so do our scalps. One of my hairstylist friends turned me onto 
Nioxin Scalp Renew a few months ago when I was convinced my hair was growing thinner and weaker strands. She said that just as we need to exfoliate our face, our scalp needs an occasional micro-dermabrasion treatment too, but without all the gritty stuff.
After a long summer of product use, perspiration, maybe some excess oils, or just the extra products we use during the summer, you'll love the way your hair thanks you for an at home scalp treatment like this one. Your hair not only looks revitalized, but it gets it's bounce back too!
I couldn't find it in retail stores, but you can buy Nioxin Scalp Renew at Amazon.com. 

3. Add In A Strengthening Product.

My hairdresser has me using Olaplex once per week to strengthen my hair, eliminate damage and make it extra glossy. If you color your hair you will find your color lasts longer and stays more vibrant and healthy looking.
You can find Olaplex on Amazon.com

4. Get A Good Cut.

As soon as summer is over (which here in Phoenix is not til mid or late October) you need to get a really good cut. Have your shape restyled, or go for something new, but get rid of the last inch of summer - more if needed. All the damage done by surf, sun, chlorine and hot weather needs to be removed so that your hair can be fabulous for fall.

5. Warm Up

Fall is definitely the time to warm up your hair color and get rid of the brassy tones of summer. Especially you blonde girls - get rid of your platinums and icy blondes, and replace them with warm honey blondes and baby beige blondes.

6. Moisturize

Cold weather, central heating, wind, basically all the elements of fall and winter strip your hair of its natural moisture. Repair, protect, and generally love your hair up with a luxurious deep treatment moisture mask. Make sure you use one that won't weigh your hair down or leave it limp. My personal favorite is Oribe Signature Moisture Mask. Not only is the product itself amazing, but the smell of Oribe products is incredibly beautiful. Everything about it is luxurious.
You can order Oribe Signature Moisture Mask at SpaceNK.com

7. De-Frizz

Autumn wind and rain can wreck havoc on your 'do and leave you with frizzy hair. Hats and scarves rubbing on your hair can do the same. Use a lightweight oil to tame your hair and keep the frizzies under control. I use Oribe Gold Lust Oil to keep my hair smooth. I actually buy it in the travel size and take it everywhere in the world with me. Its very lightweight, smells like heaven, and gives you the double winter-whammy of de-frizzing and giving you shine without weighing down your hairdo and making it go flat.

You can also order the travel size Oribe Gold Lust Oil online at SpaceNK (It comes in the big size too).

Use the discount code below for anything you want at Space NK. 

Check out all their makeup, skin care and hair care lines, stock up for the holidays, and get 25% off!