Eric The Vampire, All The Way From Australia

While I was in Australia this summer,

I was avidly reading their fabulous magazines,

especially Grazia (www.grazia.com.au),

where I found this fun piece on our favorite vampire:

10 Things We Love About 

Alexander Skarsgard

Pictures pilfered from the internet

1. Series 3 of True Blood reveals more about Eric

"its all about vengence. You find out early on that 1000 

years ago Eric lost someone - now he's getting the 

opportunity to avenge that death". 

 

2. He loves getting naked.

"I'm from Sweden... its different there. If it makes sense,

I'll do it - and its made sense everytime I'm naked on 

the show." Note to producers: More please!

3. A child star in Sweden he stopped acting

because he hated fame, but then decided while in the marines

to try it again. "In the marines it was mentally and physically

very tough - I hated it."

4

4. He makes vampires look like the good guys.

"Alex is gorgeous. The camera loves him," says True Blood producer Alan Ball. "He's a sweetheart - he brings the role to life."

Damn Straight! 

5. When Lady Gaga asked him

to be in her Paparazzi music video he had no idea 

who she was and had never heard her music

6

6. Although his dad is actor Stellan

Skarsgard of Mama Mia fame, the family were poor when he was a child.For years his favorite toy was a drum kit he made out of tea caddies.

(personally, I can't quite picture a drum kit made out of tea caddies...)

7. He's won the Sexiest Man

in Sweden accolade 

Five Times!! 

OK we can't think of too many other famous, sexy

Swedes, but still he most definitely gets our vote!

( and I concur...)

8

8. His next projects will be

Battleship ( a big screen version of the board game), Melancholia co-starring Kirsten Dunst and dad Stellan

and Straw Dogs opposite girlfriend Kate Bosworth 

9. He's a romantic.

He says it will 'rain in hell" before he is unfaithful

(really??) notices a girls eyes before he notices

anything else, and claims he inherited his charm from

his grandmother.

1

10. He has simple pleasures.

"My favorite things are fishing and lying in front of the fire, drinking red wine"

If only we could do that with you Alexander!

    

 

I Just Love A Multi-tasker!!

So here's an exciting new product for you!

I'm actually taping a TV show about it today,

but I'm giving you the sneak preview...

Meet Sun Shadz.

Sun Shadz is the first sun protection blend

the is patented specifically for the scalp.

While we generally remember to put SPF on our face and body,

not too many of us remember to take care of our scalp.

Consequently not only can we get sunburnt scalp,

but we can also get melanoma in the scalp.

And that one typically goes undetected.

Sun Shadz is a fabulous little multitasker,doing 3 jobs in 1.

It comes in 8 shades to be used for blending roots in between color treatments.

It works as a dry shampoo, absorbing oils, creating texture, adding volume and boosting color.(and we all know how much I love dry shampoos!)

image pilfered from fashionphoenix.com

And then there's the biggie - SPF 15 protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Sun Shadz is made of ultra lightweight minerals, is easy to use, irritant free and Dermatologist tested.

You get buy Sun Shadz online at www.beautyatskindeep.com

How Long Does Makeup Last??

 I just did a segment on Fox  Arizona's Breakfast Show

all about how long makeup products last.

If you google the shelf life of makeup you'll find all kinds of hysteria

that will make you want to throw everything you own in the trash

and buy all new products.

I think that's a load of hooey.

Here's the lowdown, according to me.

* Cosmetic products are loaded with preservatives and last a long long time.

Even organic products contain preservatives and frequently have as much as 50% synthetic preservative in them.(Synthetics last much longer than natural preservatives)

Even if a product has the USDA Organic seal on it, it only has to be 95% organic, so you may still get synthetic chemicals in the mix.

* When reading the ingredients in makeup, the preservatives, most commonly the paraben family,

will appear as, amongst other names, long chemical names that begin with propyl, ethyl, methyl, butyl,etc etc

and frequently end with zoic or zoic acid. Without them your products will have the shelf life of a glass of milk on a kitchen counter.

* The shelf life of your products is largely determined by you, and how you take care of them.

1. Keep them out of direct sunlight

2. Keep them away from heat       

Ideally store them in a drawer or cabinet.

3. Maintain really good hygiene standards. 

Keep products clean

Don't put fingers into the

Put lids and caps back on them

Sharpen pencils regularly

Clean your makeup brushes regularly

Replace makeup sponges frequently.

* You can generally tell when a product has gone bad.

1. The texture changes. You may see separation in the product, or you may just notice it looks funny.

2. The color changes. Obvious in a lipstick or foundation, but in more transparent products you may see a milkiness or cloudiness or you may see a white lotion has turned a yellow shade. If the color has changed, throw the product out.

3.The smell changes. If the smell has changed at all its a good idea to throw the product out. Preservatives keep products from smelling funny, so if the smell is off then it may mean the preservative has lost its strength.

 * Mascaras tend to need replacing most frequently.

If your mascara is drying out or flaking, its time to replace it. Generally they're good for around 12 weeks.

Try to buy fewer products and go for good quality, rather than having masses of the cheap stuff.
Cheap products contain the cheaper ingredients (such as the cheaper synthetic preservatives) and in higher concentration. These ingredients are more likely to cause Dermatitis, allergies and irritation.

Fast Track To Fabulous Hair

Long, lush tresses are back with a vengeance

and hair is looking glossier and smoother than ever.

But don't be fretting about hours spent with a flat iron

and buckets of goopy serum.

This time around its a sleek and sexy one step process,

courtesy of those wild and wonderful Brazilians.

Yep! Its the Brazilian Blowout.

And don't be confused - this particular Brazilian

although it does indeed involve hair,

happens upstairs, not downstairs.

The Brazilian Blowout is a gorgeous long term treatment 

that puts keratin into the hair shaft and seals it there,

defrizzing, smoothing and leaving you with silky, super shiny hair.

You can wear your hair straight, or you can have your curls smoother and more defined.

photo credit Alexander Tamargo/Getty images

Jennifer Lopez in Harpers Bazaar

 

It also cuts down the time you spend styling your hair, 

and the amount of product you have to use

in order to get controllable and luscious looking locks.

No wonder celebrities swear by it!

The Brazilian Blowout is ideal to help you through the summer months

when swimming and humidity can turn a hairdo into an unmanageable ball of frizz.

Whatever the climate you're in, your hair will look sensational and be very easy to maintain

The treatment lasts approximately four months,

and it works wonders with color treated hair too.

 Check out what Nicole Richie has to say about the Brazilian here

I actually had mine done this summer 

by celebrity hairstylist (Alyssa Milano, Girls Next Door)

Heather Strange, who is now 

at Carolynes Salon in Scottsdale.

(323) 443-5572

Heather uses a formaldehyde free formulation that contains collagen, 

which adds elasticity back into the hair.

Frankly, I have no intention of ever going without it again.

Low maintenance, frizz free hair is a life changer!

(if you are in Arizona and want a Brazilian Blowout, tell Heather you found her on this blog and you'll get a 20% discount!)

Bare essentials of safety from Air New Zealand

Making sure we have a grip on all the safety stuff. Kinda.

Manu Magnificent!

As I'm always traveling somewhere,

I'm always in the mood 

and in the market 

for new travel bags.

 

So I was super excited to find this amazing weekender bag

from Manu.

Stylish, chic, modern lines,

perfect for a three day getaway.

Ideal to tote on board your flight

to somewhere gorgeous and fun.

 

And available in an array of fabulous colors too.

You just can't go wrong.

The cleverly designed straps

go over your shoulder

for comfort and divine function,

but the don't drag on the ground

when you hold them in your hand.

 

And they come in a red velvet pouch.

Its the little details that get me everytime.

Check them out at www.ManuManu.com

A sturdy, functional travel bag. Two straps are long enough to slip over the shoulder, but won't touch the ground when hand held. Full width pouches on either end for newspapers and additional travel items. Extra heavy duty zipper is secured on each end with Porsche snaps. Rounded metal feet. Interior is fully lined with waterproof nylon and contains a 12" wide by 6" deep zippered pouch.

(22 1/4"w x 13 1/2"h x 12"d)

Design: Emanuela Frattini

Customize your color for a 20% upcharge

The Irrepressible, Irresistable Lucy B

You know,

you really do meet the most fun and fabulous people on twitter!

One of my much adored twitter friends

is the very dynamic Lucy B

(on twitter @LucyBLingerie)

m

magnolia garter belt

Lucy B Lingerie is a retro, vintage lingerie and accessories line,

reminiscent of the 1940's and 1950's.

 sweet tart garterbelt

This is lingerie designed to make you feel glamorous. 

 playing for keeps

Sexy wear for the modern woman,

LucyB scantie pantie

designed to bring out,

and celebrate,

your inner bombshell.

 sheer nylon panty

To. Die. For.

Lucy B Lingerie is made in California.

The line is constantly evolving 

with lots of fun new things to check out.

Visit Lucy B Lingerie at 

www.LucyB.com

Friday Night Drink Recipe!

Still on my "wishing I was in Italy" theme

here's another fabulous Prosecco cocktail,

perfect for a hazy lazy summer eve.

Prosecco Limon

Here's how you make it:

2 slices of fresh lemon

sugar

1/2 oz limoncello

1/2 oz sour mix

4 oz prosecco

Use one slice of lemon to moisten the rim of a champagne flute, then dip into sugar to make a sweet/tart frosted rim.

Carefully add the limoncello, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sour mix and prosecco. Garnish with a lemon slice.

This one is so refreshing and light!

Enjoy!

Travel Packing 102: Essential Skin Care Items For The Girl On The Go!

In Travel Packing 101 we sorted out the perfect glam getaway beauty bags,

now we need to figure out what essential skin care items have to go with us, and how to pack them.

First up: pack everything down to travel size! No full size heavy bottle of lotions and potions.

Streamline what you're bringing, and put it into plastic travel sized bottles and jars.

Some companies make travel sizes of their key products.

travel pack skin care from Hylunia and Rhonda Allison products from 

The Southwest Institute Of Natural Aesthetics in Tempe AZ

Image by Lilet & Glenn Hamp ofLightRain Images

Essential Skin Care Items For The Girl On The Go

* Cleanser.

Choose a gentle cleanser that both cleans the skin and dissolves makeup.

* Eye Makeup Remover pads if you're planning on wearing waterproof mascara

* Eye Cream

You'll never keep looking youthful without it!

* Daytime Moisturizer

Specific to the climate you're going to. Dry climates require different products to humid climates

* Daily Facial SPF product

This is not the SPF you use at the beach. This is everyday, walking around, Facial SPF

*Night time Moisturizer

Don't even think about going without it! Night time is when your skin does all its youthful repair work.

* Booster product

Extra hydration if you're getting dried out, such as a serum.

Extra deep cleansing help if you're in humidity to avoid or clear breakouts

* Rescue Product

When things go awry, as in unexpected sunburn, windburn, or irritation

Hylunia's Colloidal Silver Spray gives instant relief.

You can get it in travel size too!

Look for products that multitask.

Face Atelier created Melt for the savvy traveler.

It cleanses, dissolves makeup, and gives your skin some extra treatment love in one simple yet lovely step!

Other great ideas for the traveling girl are single serve skin care capsules.

Dermalogica's amazing Multivitamin Power Firm capsules give your face some intense night time love.

Just pack one capsule for each night you're away.

Philosophy's Booster Caps can be added to your night cream to, well, boost it!

If your skin is looking gorgeous, you will too!

all images courtesy of LightRain Images

How To Wear Beach Makeup

Wearing a full face of makeup to the beach

just looks plain ridiculous.

However.

Most of us don't really want to be completely au naturel either.

So here's the 411 on how to do fab beach makeup:

* wear masses of SPF

before you do anything else, liberally apply a very high facial SPF. 

My personal favorite is Neutrogena Dry Touch SPF 85 with helioplex.

You won't be greasy, and you'll get some decent protection from burning.

When you do need to reapply use a powder SPF like ColoreScience

* Avoid foundation.

If you absolutely must have something on your skin, opt for a very light dusting of a crushed mineral makeup.

Regular formulations will melt, sweat and look gooey (and ridiculous).

Keep any concealing to a bare minimum. 

Color correct any under eye action, but use a very light touch.

The harsh glare of the sun will magnify anything you have on 

* Be bronzed

 an all over gel/cream facial bronzer will give you ample color

and have such a refined texture, that you won't see it on the surface of the skin.

I like L'Oreal Sublime. Equal parts self tanner and bronzer

are dispensed at once, giving you controllable color for face and neck.

Body self tanners tend to break the face out, and leave it with a rougher texture.

   

* Add a pop of color

my favorite color piece for the summer is Nars Multiple tint.

This is a limited edition product, so you need to get it quickly.

Multiple tint comes in 3 shades:

Beverly Hills (red)

Turks and Caicos (orange)

Cadaques (fuchsia)

These can be used on cheeks, eyes and lips. 

They're very sheer, build able color

so you can infuse just the right amount of life into your skin, while giving a lovely, bright, summery lip.

They also leave a divine finish to the skin, with a beautiful, healthy glow.

*Waterproof or water resistant mascara

your choice of formulation is really important here.

You don't want to be building huge, thick, bold lashes when  going to the beach.

Long, sleek, defined lashes are key.

My favorite beach mascara this season is also by Nars

Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara is water resistant,

and builds sleek beautiful lashes.

If you are going to wear eyeliner, try Makeup Forever's aqualiners. 

They  become waterproof in around 60 seconds, so you have time to smudge and soften the line first.

 

*No touch ups.

 lips are always OK to touch up, and powdered SPF too.

But nothing else.

Remember, this is about looking fresh and beautiful,

not looking like a hot, greasy caricature of yourself.

* Big hat, big glasses

while looking fabulous, protect your scalp from melanoma, your skin from supersonic aging

(and all skin cancer's)

and protect your eyes.   

Bronzer 101

I adore bronzer.

Its one of the best makeup items ever invented.

Just so happens its also the most abused,

the most wrongly used,

the most downright scary to see.

So, seeing as tis the season for it,

lets go over a little Bronzer 101.

* Get the right color.

Not all bronzers are created equal. You need one specific to your coloring.

Fair skins should look for a pale beige with rosy gold undertones, to add warmth and some light to the complexion.

Olive skins need deep tans with gold undertones, dark skins need more red undertones.

Don't go darker than you would look with a natural tan.

Keep it transparent - you should be able to see your freckles through the bronzer, otherwise its too opaque.

*Don't overshimmer

A little shimmer can make the skin look vibrant and alive.

But be careful. Too much shimmer draws attention to the flaws in your skin

and in the heat can make you look greasy/oily/shiny.

If you're using a bronzer with shimmer, make sure the flecks are very small, and apply it sparingly.

Best used at night rather than out in the sunshine during the day...

*Don't overdo it

The most common mistake is over applying bronzer.

It should land where the sun would hit you, which is across the broad flat plains of the face.

Forehead, upper cheekbones, bridge of the nose and the chin.

I like to hit the collar bones a little, and work the bronzer into the hairline, and the jawline just a little.

Whatever you do, don't color the face in with bronzer - it will look like a mask. 

Or like Magda from Something About Mary.

*Don't confuse bronzer with blusher

There is absolutely nothing fabulous at all about seeing dark brown stripes on someones cheeks.

Blush is for cheeks, bronzer is to give a little warmth and sunkissed color to the skin.

*Choose a formula that works for you

For most of us that means use a pressed powder bronzer, with a large fluffy brush.

Tap the excess off the brush before you start.

Loose powders, gels and creams leave way too much room for error for most of us.

Get super good at applying bronzer before leaving the pressed powder option.     

makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic gets it right with Kim Kardashian everytime

Friday Nite Lite

Just because a girl isn't actually in Italy

doesn't mean she can't at least pretend!

On a hot summer evening

there is nothing quite so lovely as

a fresh Prosecco cocktail.

I found this one in the San Diego News Network blog.

The writer had just come back 

from the new Italian hotspot Puglia.

(I say new hotspot, because it is undergoing the overwhelming

nouveau popularity that Tuscany, then Umbria

endured more recently)

This was what she drank in Puglia:

Strawberry Smash

(they probably don't call it that in Italy...)

This variation on the mojito lets you mix strawberries with your favorite herb such as mint, basil, lemon verbena, cilantro, rosemary or thyme. Try the drink out before serving it friends to get the amount of herbs right for you.  


Makes 1 cocktail


3 ripe organic strawberries, hulled and sliced
6 leaves of one fresh herb such as mint, basil, verbena, cilantro OR 1-inch section of fresh rosemary or thyme
1 ounce good white rum like 10 Cane or clean white gin like Bombay Sapphire
1 ounce all-natural sour mix (see note)
2 ounces prosecco

Add the strawberries and your selected herb to a rocks glass. Smash the strawberries and herbs gently with a muddler until the berries are a pulp and the herbs smell strong. Add the rum or gin if using and sour mix to the glass and give it a stir. Fill 3/4 full with ice. Top off with the prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of the herb you used.


Note: To create my all natural sour mix, mix 1 cup lemon and or lime juice with 1 cup sugar in a medium non-reactive saucepan. Heat over a low-medium flame, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When cool, pour syrup into a sterile glass bottle and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 2 weeks.

 

Five Rules For Playing Hard To Get

I am fast becoming obsessed

with these ridiculous "how to" guides for women

that are just everywhere!

I found this crazy one on msn.com.

It actually said : how to create a little mystery and wind up with more dates!

I sooo want the job of coming up with and writing this nonsense.

But instead, I'm reprinting it

with my own little pictorial

from the divinely decadent Kiki de Montparnasse

lingerie.

Which we will see more of soon...

5 Rules For Playing Hard To Get

1. Use the old fishing ploy.

 if you want to get a fish to bite your lure, you have to keep it moving enough to be interesting, but not so fast as to be too hard to catch. The erratic retrieve is usually the best...

2. Keep some secrets

mete out important details so the guys you're interested in have reason to stay interested in you. 

3. Play to win

don't be a shy or passive player. Put out the vibe that you're only looking for serious suitors, and don't get into the game if the stakes aren't right.

4. Be only slightly accessible

never be too available during the early stages of a relationship. Make him feel like he better work hard to get and maintain your attention. Appear active and in demand.

5. Be sexy but with hold sex

don't give it away when he is perfectly willing to earn it.Its strictly a look, don't touch situation until you're sure he's interested 

(sister if you just show up and say hello - trust me he's interested!!)

By following these 5 handy rules you'll be in good shape to get and keep your date's attention.

(it honestly, really did say that!!!) 

if the 5 rules don't get his attention, 

chances are  this hot little item will   

 for more fabulously sexy lingerie from Kiki check out her website

www.kikidm.com

 

Here's Something Cool!

Here's a little something fabulous to covet!

Business card cases in bright orange, pink and lime

from Graphic Image

Sleek, chic and unique

the bright colored leather is easy to spot

in an overloaded handbag.

Or in a highly organized one!

 

you can find these, along with other cool items,

such as hot pink passport covers

at www.GraphicImage.com

Air New Zealand staff have nothing to hide - behind the scenes

Here's the making of the Air New Zealand commercial.

Air New Zealand staff have nothing to hide (AU)

Hope my pilot has his pants on.....