10 Things A Girl's Gotta Have For Summer

For the northern hemisphere girls summer is halfway over. You've no doubt got a little color to your skin, you've got that fresh faced glow happening, maybe you're coming home from a vacation, maybe you're getting ready to go on one.

Here are 10 Things A Girl's Gotta Have For Summer

Facial SPF
Don't use your regular sunscreen - it will break your skin out.
Instead select a non greasy, non pore clogging Facial SPF with
a protection factor of at least 30. I use 85 and 100.

 



Add Some Shine To Your Hair
Chlorine, salt water, dry air can all leave your locks looking less than lusterous.
Spritzing on a little Bumble and Bumble Shine On
will not only give you some glossiness, but will tame the frizz
and let you have a little definition to the ends.

 

Skin Rescue Spray
Hot weather can add extra stress to your skin, whether its sunburn (gasp!)
windburn, dry air, humid air, travel - you name it.
Keep a rescue spray on hand, such as skynICELAND's amazing Arctic Mist Spray.
It gives your skin instant relief while fortifying it with nutrients.





Bright Nails

Liven things up a little with a bold, bright nail color.
Leave the nudes and the dark shades behind - they'll be back in the fall!
Bright, vibrant nails look fantastic with a summer tan.


Raspberry Lipgloss

You've got a gorgeous summer golden complexion (hopefully from a bottle)
now compliment it with a raspberry popsicle kiss.
The blue undertones in raspberry will make your teeth look super white
and your lips look super ripe!
(shown here, Smashbox Lipgloss in 24/7)


 

Add A Gold Accent
And I do mean accent.
A soft gold shadow, or a little gold pressed into the inner corner of the eye
can wake the eye up and compliment your tan.
When adding gold to your look choose one area and stick to it.


Big Sunglasses
Big, dark glasses not only look uber chic, but the protect the skin around your eyes
from the sun's harmful, damaging, aging rays too....

Makeup Forever Aqualiners

Searing hot temperatures, a dip in the pool, diving into the ocean -
regardless of what you're doing, these waterproof, sweatproof, tearproof liners
can stand up to anything, and keep you looking vibrant, chic and glam!

Illuminate!
Give your skin a sexy glow with Nars Illuminate in Orgasm.
And frankly, who can ever get enough?
Mix into your foundation or moisturizer, or maybe just add a little to your cheeks.
It looks straight up gorgeous along your collar bones, over your bare shoulders and down your bare shins too!








A Fabulous Big Hat
Take fabulous to a whole new level with a super stylish big hat!
Protect your hair, your haircolor, your ears and your skin and rock a little glamor while you're at it.

image source Naperville Magazine, photographer Michael Dar

Be Travel Ready With 3floz.com

If you a travel a lot (like me) or even if you only travel a little, this is a fabulous website to know about.

3Floz.com offers more than 50 well known brands' skin care, hair care and sun products in TSA friendly
3 fluid ounce mini packs, that meet the guidelines for not only domestic, but also international air travel carry on items.

If you're not one for taking skin care/hair care/sun protection products on board with you, they are also ideally sized for vacation and business travel.

Airlines are enforcing strict restrictions on baggage weight and size, with hefty fines attached, so any opportunity you have to effectively downsize your packing can end up saving you a fortune!

I don't recommend starting a new skin care regime while traveling (with the exception of rescue products) as travel stresses your skin out anyway, and new products can exacerbate a freaked out complexion.

If you don't see your existing brand of skin care on the 3Floz.com website, purchase small, plastic containers to put your own products into.

On 3Floz.com you can purchase pre-made kits, or simply buy items individually.

Check out some of the cool products and travel solutions available on 3Floz.com

Lulu Powers Party Planning

I just got back from spending a few days in Hollywood, where all work aside, I got to go to some completely fabulous parties.

Lulu Powers is one of Hollywood's premiere celebrity party planners and caterers. Her events have a very distinct flair to them, and thanks to her gorgeous book, Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers, they are also quite duplicatable.
One of the events I was at this week was a Lulu Powers inspired event. This got me thinking (over several of her famous Bambootinis) now that we are in the summer party season, that some of you may be interested in her tips for how to throw a last minute party.

Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers is my entertaining bible. I constantly pull ideas from her book, whether it is flower arrangements in my house, cool drinks to serve at my pool parties, or fantastic finger foods that keep people talking for months to come.
If you are new to entertaining, or if it feels overwhelming to you, Lulu has lists of what to keep in your pantry for last minute entertaining, timelines for how to structure your day so that everything runs smoothly, even creative serving ideas.
On her blog, amongst other things, you can find playlists to download for your party. Its fabulous!

Here are a couple of ideas for a little impromptu summer bash a la Lulu.

Flowers
Bypass fussy arrangements in favor of plants that live in your garden. Try positioning low bowls of one color flower offset with moss on tables and shelves at a variety of different heights.

Sweet and Spicy Tacos

Lulu's recipe for sweet and spicy tacos is both quick and easy, and everyone loves them! (you'll find it in her book on page 232)
She also has delicious recipes for chips and dips that are not only divine, but make your event so memorable.

Watermelon

In hot weather you can't beat icy cold wedges of watermelon for dessert.
Sprinkle with sea salt, a dash of lime and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Lulu's book has some fantastic recipes for her signature cocktails too.
I haven't put a cocktail recipe on the blog for a while, but this one is refreshing and totally perfect for a summer get together.

The Lulu Powers Key Lime Martini

1 cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons Torani vanilla syrup
3 tablespoons sweet and sour mix
juice of one lime
1 cup vodka (I use Grey Goose)
Jolly Rancher Lollipops

Shake the pineapple juice, syrup, sweet and sour mix, lime juice and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Serve in martini glasses garnished with a Jolly Rancher Lollipop.

(or make a carafe of them and place next to a bowl of crushed ice, and let your guests pour their own!)

You can find Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers in bookstores, or for instant gratification, here is the Amazon link.
Make sure you check out her blog, Living A La Lulu

The Red Bag

...and such was the POWER of the Handbag of Glory, that ladies wept when they saw it and those who TOUCHED it went straight to HEAVEN...


After the endless fun I had last season with my Russian Silver Fox (faux) fur bag from Rebirth Bags, I was at a loss for what to do for a replacement statement bag for the summer. The fur bag was becoming too hot to wear in the desert, but I wanted another bag that would really stand out, and that was constructed in the same vein.

Tracey Martin from Rebirth Bags came back to my rescue with the fabulous Red Malibu Hobo bag.

Cinghiale! With jewelry designer Michelle Mirkovich of Divinity Jewelry

This bag comes in a variety of shades, styles and finishes, with her trademark 2 1/2 inch wide leather shoulder strap, which not only supports the load of an overfilled bag (mine always are), but disperses and evens out the weight across your shoulder, so you don't have straps cutting into your skin.
The bags are made from rugs imported from India, each having its own detail and intricacies. I am obsessed with south and southeast asian cultures, so just hearing the story of the rugs made me have to have one.
The soft champagne suede lining interior has perfect pockets for cell phones and such, as well as a large zippered inside pocket on the opposite side.

They have finishes such as Fleur de Lis, antique crosses and peace signs in leather in the lower corner.

Grocery shopping in Cortona.  

On the menu? Tuscan flat bread with olive oil and sea salt, a chunk of pecorino al tartufo, salad and Sangiovese...

And they cause a scene.
Everywhere I go, and I do mean everywhere, I get stopped and asked about my bag.
In LAX I got stopped four times between security and my gate.
On Air France my gorgeous flight attendant put it on and walked around, loving all over it.
And in Italy, home to the fabulous bag, I got asked about it everywhere I went.

 

My work uniform is typically all black, or jeans and a white T,so I'm always looking for that one statement piece that lifts it and makes it interesting. 

As much as I love my Louis', right now they are everywhere, leaving you to blend in somewhat, just like a wallflower.

Rebirth Bags by Tracey Martin are not in stores yet, but you can find out more by clicking this link to their Facebook Page, (Facebook.com/Rebirth Handbags By Tracey Martin)

Whats In My Handbag???

Everywhere I go, and I do mean everywhere, whether its to a shoot, a coffee shop, walking through an airport or even walking through the garage at Nascar with Jen (race car driver Jennifer Jo Cobb), people stop me and ask me where I got my cool handbag.

image courtesy kellycappelli.com

So lets have a look.

My handbag is a faux Russian silver fox bag, and is made by a company called Rebirth. (find them here on facebook at Rebirth Bags By Tracey Martin)
I think it is by far the most fun bag I've ever owned! Its super well built, can carry a lot of gear around in it, and even being dragged around in my crazy life it holds up beautifully!

The next question is invariably what do I carry in it??

image courtesy kellycappelli.com

 As you can see, quite a lot! Starting from left to right up top, I have no idea whats under my book, but when we emptied out my bag I found a bunch of airline boarding passes, so that might be them.
I'm re-reading Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes (one of my fave books), there's always a magazine in there, this time its Vogue Italia, Feb issue I think?
I always have Starbucks Via packs and 5 hour energies in my bag. Long work days = always tired!
Invariably there'll be Larabars in there too, so that I don't grab muffins or junk food when I'm suddenly starving.
Nail polish for touch ups - I'm all about the fuchsia thing right now, this one is OPI Thats Berry Daring. Its fabulous!

To the right of the nail polish is my SPF touch up product. Its by ColoreScience and is SPF50. I brush this on as needed over my makeup as the day wears on, keeping my sun-protection at a premium. The SPF 30 you put on at home in the morning has lost most of its efficiency by noon so you need a touch up product. (this one is also great if you live in humid places and sunscreen feels to melty or gooey on your skin)

Next there's my blackberry, my day planner ( I love the lavender leather cover) with the ever present sharpie, my aviators, EmergenC Acai flavor, and finally my beautiful Stephanie Johnson Pink Mumbai makeup bag, full of good things!
I actually pull out my Pink Mumbai makeup bag and use it as a clutch bag if I need to high speed change into something for evening.

Tomorrow I'm going to show you exactly what I carry around in my Stephanie Johnson Pink Mumbai makeup bag...

Ellis Faas - My New Obsession...

Every now and then a product line comes along that is truly, truly spectacular.
Ellis Faas is one of the most amazing product lines I have ever worked with.
I am in love. I am obsessed...

Ellis is a dutch born makeup artist, who's work you have seen over and over.



Vogue Paris cited Ellis Faas as ""one of the most influential make-up artists of her time". And indeed, she has worked with the world's most pre-eminent fashion designers, photographers, stylists, hairdressers and models. Ellis’ work has been published on the covers of the world’s best-known fashion magazines. Additionally, Ellis has worked for make-up brands, such as Clinique, Lancôme and MAC Cosmetics – and she was asked by L'Oréal to create a make-up line for their skin care brand, Biotherm. After the contract with L’Oréal ended in 2007, the way was paved for her to create her own brand: ELLIS FAAS.

For the past month I have been on a steady stream of shoots, including three magazine covers, and throughout I have been using Ellis Faas products, both on the shoots, and wearing them myself.
Putting them through their paces.

As a makeup artist, my prime concern is the quality of the complexion. I want to see gorgeous, fresh, radiant skin. I want the skin to look healthy and alive, not smothered in makeup. I want it to glow.

That's where Ellis Faas first got me. Their Skin Veil foundation does exactly that. It is super sheer, so you don't look or feel like you're wearing a foundation mask, but also super concentrated and highly pigmented, so you have a flawless coverage.
Its great for street wear and for professional use. And it photographs amazingly.

You can buy Skin Veil Foundation in a bottle, or in these cool bullet style pens.

Each foundation shade has its own matching concealer - there's no guess work involved. It comes in a bullet pen too.

I carry an Ellis Faas concealer pen in my handbag for touch ups after a long day, before I head out to an evening event/dinner/drinks. It gives the under eye area an instant lift and doesn't cake into existing makeup. Fab.

Ellis offers a couple of different eye shadow formulations, that also come in the pens. They are liquid to powder formulations that are super easy to apply, layer into and work with, and that quite literally last all day.

There is a variety of fabulous colors to choose from, all designed to be universally flattering to skin tone, so you won't get home and find the fabulous color you just bought looks less than fabulous on you.

Ellis Faas lips come in three formulations, creamy, milky and glazed.

There are 27 colors to choose from, all of which are paraben free and full of Vitamin E. They keep the lips beautifully hydrated, don't bubble up or get tacky, and the color lasts and lasts. You can build it as intensely as you want, or wear it as a soft, sheer lip. Lots of options.

The lips come in the bullet pens too, making them very easy to use, as well as convenient to carry around in your handbag.

To streamline your entire makeup process, and to do away with that messy makeup drawer and all its broken and dusty contents, Ellis developed this clever holder.

All your products sit neatly inside, you can see at a glance which product you're reaching for. And its all incredibly neat and tidy, and very effective. (as well as looking cool)

To learn more about Ellis Faas products, check out her amazing website EllisFaas.com
There are even how to videos taught by Ellis herself, that show you just how quick and simple these products are to use.

Guarantee you love them like I do!

The Beauty Blender

I've been doing loads of really cool editorial shoots lately, and have been using some really fun makeup and tools on them, and got to thinking you might find the things I obsess about interesting too. As such I'm going to do some posts about some of them.

First up, the ultimate blending tool, the Beauty Blender.

This one has actually been around for a while now, but is so fabulous it needs discussing!
Designed by celebrity makeup artist Ree Ann Silva as a means to create a completey seemless, flawless finish, this has become my favorite way to not only apply foundation but also cream blush.

Beauty Blenders are latex free, non allergenic and odor free. The elliptical shape fits easily in your hand, and enables you to bounce (or stipple) foundation onto the skin, creating a flawless finish with no streaking or wiping. The narrow end gets into hard to reach places, while the wider end bounces and rolls product across the broader planes of the face.

Phoenix Bride & Groom cover shoot, Beauty Blender in one hand, Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation pen in the other

If you are a cream blush fanatic (like me) you can bounce the product over the cheek bone, and get the most beautiful finish to the skin. Beauty Blender presses product into the skin, so you don't have that cakey layer of makeup sitting on the surface of the skin. Everything looks seemless and beautiful.

Beauty Blender & Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation in hand

If you run with the eco-friendly crowd you'll love these too, as you don't throw them away. They come with a cleanser, and you just wash them in between uses.


Here's a little video to show you how to use your Beauty Blender

Oh The Sheer Hawtness Of It!!!

I'm always on the look out for fabulous new lingerie.
I'm currently on the look out for some post-holiday-mania-grown-up-relief.
I'm frequently on the look out for glorious things at sale prices.
Kizmet! Looks like the planets have aligned and I'm about to hit the lovely underwear jackpot!

Imagine how thrilled I was to find that one of my absolute favorite purveyors of luxe lingerie is running a January sale?? 

Nothing is quite so empowering as knowing you're wearing a little something to die for next to your skin, hidden (or maybe not) from the world at large.

Nothing makes "No officer, I really wasn't speeding" sound quite as believable as when you say it while wearing truly divine undergarments under your jeans.
OK. I made that one up.

Fabulous underwear makes you feel so feminine

You have to check out the goings on at ea lingerie
ëa lingerie is a delicate and ultra feminine brand, a combination of romanticism sensuality and sophistication.
And ëa lingerie is having a sale.

Valentines Day is literally right around the corner, so you may just want to make sure that the man-beast in your life knows how to find his way to their website: ealingerieshoponline.com

 And if you don't have a significant other, go buy yourself something special. You deserve it!

Party Shoes

Few things get me as excited as messages in my inbox telling me there's a sale on at Jimmy Choo. When its followed up by a phone call from my favorite Choo-girl, Sloane, in the Dallas store telling me which of my favorites are on sale, I just know its going to be a super good day!

And now that the biggest party night of the year is upon us there is no time like the present to plan out the fab footwear you'll be strutting on New Years eve.

New Years parties call for a strappy sandal with height and shine, and Jimmy has got you covered. 
The shoe above is the Lance, a mirrored pewter with a 4.5 inch heel.

Option #2 is the ever gorgeous, ultra luxe Glenys, a 4.7 inch heeled permanent style in the Jimmy Choo collection, this time in metallic elaph snake. I would give my right arm for this super glam evening shoe, which costs the same amount as the average mortgage payment.

Lancer (not to be confused with 'Lance') is a 4.8 inch silver metallic suede evening shoe with Swarovski studs.

Newcomer Jigsaw is a 4.8 inch star studded evening decadent disco shoe. Metallic suede and Swarovski crystals guarantee sparkle! Extra beautiful when paired with a moody, dark nail polish.

This year marks Jimmy Choo's 15th anniversary.

The traditional 15th Anniversary gift is Crystal. And, what better way to celebrate 15 years than with a CRYSTAL COLLECTION of high-voltage evening shoes?
Inspired by the original jeweled shoes that made Jimmy Choo a red carpet favourite and Tamara Mellon’s personal collection of vintage jewels, this anniversary offering presents iconic Jimmy Choo skyscraper heels and chic flats bedecked in sparkle; from pavé-style tiny twinkling crystals,to deco-like bagettes, and glittering multifaceted rocks, all promise timeless evening glamour.

Ciara

 

 

Marine and Lana

Niagra and Candy

More like Viagra foot candy! I think I would die if any of my Choos got anywhere near water...

If you're in the mood for a new pair of Choos, call Sloane at the Highland Park/ Dallas Jimmy Choo store (214) 528-6801.
Sloane will track down any shoe you want, anywhere in the country and have it shipped to you wherever you are.