The Bag Snob - Hermes Picotin Lock

Sometimes after a long day, I like to scroll through the latest finds 

at the Bag Snob

The not only showcase every fabulous bag to hit the market,

but their editorial is so fabulous.

I want to be them.

I had to copy and paste what they wrote about this gorgeous Hermes Picotin Lock Tote

because I would so love to say these same words.

I would love to tell you I was throwing a bottle of Pinot Grigio in my Picotin to take on a picnic with friends.

And I would love this bag.

A lot.

The Picotin bag is unlined (thus the 'lower' price point for Hermes) but you can not beat its large bucket style (not to mention the durability of Hermes leather and handstitching) when you need to throw bottles of water, snacks, toys, magazines, yet still look semi-chic. The Picotin Lock has several sizes but I prefer the GM (this is the medium size-- Kelly got a bigger), it even holds a bottle of Pinot Grigio for a picnic with friends! You can also get the original Picotin without a lock but it's not as cute plus the heaviness of the big lock help keep the open tote semi-closed. I love traveling with it, too as it may be squished, folded and stuffed without damage. It's not perfect, though. The square bottom makes it hard to carry on my shoulder but it's fine in the crook of the arm or handheld.
Hermes Picotin Lock Bag for $2,950

lovely, non?

XO

C

For A Little Lift And Volume...

My good friend Nashville Makeup Artist Lisa Johnson

wrote a fabulous blog post about using dry shampoos.

I was going to re-post it, but it wouldn't work,

so now I have to write my own...

Anyway,

Dry Shampoos.

They get you an extra day out of your blow out, 

but dry shampoos are not only a quick fix for dirty hair,

they are actually amongst the best volumizers and texturizers around.

Most use rice and oat starches to absorb oils,

but the more modern ones also contain styling products.

Typically they come in either a spray form or a powder form.

Sprays cover a bigger area, so are great for all over the head,

whereas powders can be used on smaller more specific areas

such as the bangs or the crown.

Both will create a really workable texture.

For updos, spray dry shampoo all through the hair, and work it through the mid lengths and ends.

Hair will be easier to get up, and to keep up.

Its easier to keep bobby pins in place when they have that extra texture to grab onto.

Similarly with a deconstructed ponytail, where you want the crown teased

and the bangs long and messy, spraying dry shampoo before styling gives hold and a way more modern look.

If you're battling flat or greasy bangs,

powdered dry shampoo worked into the roots

helps create lift and volume.

*You should never see powder in the hair - that means you've used too much product.

* It takes a good five minutes for the oil in your hair/scalp to absorb dry shampoo. 

So sit back, chill out, then gently comb through your hair.Brushing can cause flyaways.

* If you've OD'd on the dry shampoo, first try massaging it into the scalp. If you can still see it,

try misting a little water into the hair. Just a little.

Travel Packing 101

As I'm about to get global again in the next few days

it seemed like the perfect time to 

start talking about packing skincare & makeup for travel.

Whether that's business travel, vacation travel

or destination honeymoon travel,

in the end it's all the same

and you use the same set of tricks to make it all work.

We've all had those icky travel experiences where items get broken,

spill, or go missing.

The moment your bags are out of your sight on the airline conveyor belt, they are being thrown around, dropped, getting heavier bags dumped on them - you name it - they're getting worked over.

So its crucial that your makeup and skin care is packed properly

and is well protected.

This starts with well structured, well built cosmetic bags that don't allow your products to move around.

I personally use travelbags from Stephanie Johnson

www.StephanieJohnson.com

 These beautiful bags have detachable inner pouches.

I use the see through pouches in my carry on bags.

Perfect for the security xray machines, they save your products from rolling around and getting lost.

Lipsticks, lipglosses, any mini skin care items you want to take onboard with you are easy to see.

When you get to your destination, just snap them back into the main bag. Its brilliant! Nothing ever gets lost.

You can easily and efficiently separate off your skin care and makeup items, and pack them firmly into the inner bags.

Nothing moves around,

you get to your destination intact.

I've used these bags on SheKnows.com and in magazine articles.

They come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes,

and different patterns too.

the La Paz set has a blue and white tribal print, with hues of gold and lime, inspired by the ancient Incans.

s

The Cancun features white coral on a peach laminated canvas with turquoise grosgain trim

Mumbai Yellow has brilliant gold stars against a background of ornate metallic gold bengaline, with vibrant bursts of yellow.

There are tons more to choose from too.

I would love to take credit for finding these, 

but they are actually a celebrity favorite

found in the hotel bathrooms of most of the celebs

I work with.

In closing:

*find well structured bags that enable you to keep your things packed in tightly.

* use bags that can be wiped clean easily

* use bags that let you separate your products and keep grouped items together.

* have more fun than you ever thought possible 

The Ipanema Caipirinha

All this talk about bikinis this week

got me thinking about the home of the bikini,

Brazil.

Which in turn got me thinking about a fabulous happy hour

moment we could have, combining the bikini, Brazil, and a

refreshing summertime cocktail,

the Caipirinha.

In this case, 

the Caipirinha de Ipanema

from the Naples Grand Resort in Florida.

 Here's what you need:

1 1/2 oz Cachaca de Brazil

2 lime wheels

2sugar cubes

ice

Muddle the sugar and lime together, add the cachaca, shake and strain into a lime sugar rimmed glass.

Garnish with lime and a twist.

Simple, non?

And oh so chic!

Cachaca is the national drink of Brazil,

where the perfect body is not only coveted,

but romps en masse all over the beaches daily.

I think they're onto something...

b

bikini clad bottoms on Ipanema beach 

 

Funnily enough, Cachaca is derived from sugar cane.

And everyone wants us to believe that sugar is bad for us.

Looks like its working for these girls.

Divinity Jewelry Divine

How fabulous are these??

I used these gorgeous earrings and necklace 

on the "How To Pack When You Travel" segment

for SheKnows.com

I'm shooting with them again next week

on a Destination Honeymoon story 

for a magazine.

They are just an all around perfect choice for summer.

Gold is huge this season,

chandelier earrings are totally in vogue,

and you really can't beat the coral & turquoise combination.

So stunning with all your summer clothes

and swimwear.

on camera with Lisa talking about Divinity

You can find these at DivinityJewelry.com

All pieces are custom made to order

so you can feel extra special

when you are wearing yours! 

Divinity Jewelry is most famous for its edgy cool

pieces, worn by rock stars

in videos,magazines, on TV and onstage.

But there is another whole side to Divinity

and to me, it is absolutely divine.

10 Ways To Look Super Hot In A Bikini

diNeila Brazil bikini

I just finished reading the most fantastically inane article
about 10 ways to look Great in a bikini.
There were items such as:
sit with your knees up
make sure you have no razor nicks
and
tape your breasts up with waterproof tape.

Oh really?

Well here are my top 10 Ways To Look Super Hot in a Bikini.

S

Shoshanna ruffled bikini
 
1. Be a supermodel.
  If you can't be a supermodel, at least be Jennifer Aniston.

Jennifer Aniston bikini and butt
2. Don't eat for a month AND have your breasts lifted up to your chin

3. Only go to the beach at night when its good and dark.

4. Always position yourself infront of some one larger than you.

 diNeila Brazil bikini


5. Lean back, hold your ankle, and lick an oversized lollipop

image by Gavin Bond UK
6. Crawl. 
It seems to be working for this girl.

 
7. Kneel in the water looking both moody and confused.

diNeila Brazil bikini
8. Find things to lean against

Anika Brazil bikini

9. Wear high heels (a la Posh)

Victoria Beckham in Diane Von Furstenberg
 
10. Throw your shoulders back, hips forward, plant a big old 
happy smile on your face and have a good time.
I mean, really - who cares?? 

Who Needs Adam? We Got Eva!

How ridiculously hot is the fabulous Eva Mendes??

According to W Magazine, mucho caliente.

They featured her in their July 2010 issue

with these insanely gorgeous shots 

by Mert and Marcus

If there is such a thing as reincarnation,

I want to come back as Eva

too sensational for words

 Some days I wonder what it would be like

to be her

but I have a sneaking suspicion

that apart from this shot

in the convertible

its way more fun being me.

You can check out the W Magazine article 

here