Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

If you are anything like me, you take your time applying fly and flawless eyeshadow to your lids before hitting the club. You dance and have a great time before taking a bathroom break to do a face check in the mirror. After an hour of dancing, you find that your so called flawless eyeshadow has a greasy crease in the middle of your lids.

Well get ready for that night out a new way. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the magic answer to the maddening eye shadow crease. Packaged in an adorable genie bottle this potion is an anti-crease cream. Dip the wand in the potion and apply to lids a few minutes before you are ready to apply eye shadow. The silicon filled Primer Potion dries quickly to a smooth matte finish in nude or champagne shimmer. Just a thin layer of the Potion is all you need. Party all night and find the next morning that your eyes are as captivating as the moment that you finished your makeup. Have a great time and keep the Genie in a bottle close!

AHAVA Source Mineral Body Lotion

My aunt received this lotion as a Christmas gift one year and sent me scouring mom and pop drug stores in Mediterranean communities to find the refills. Shocked to see the anti-cosmetic distinguished lady swoon over a body product I had to find out the appeal. This body lotion is a Dead Sea mineral based product with AHAVA’s own Osmoter compound. The AHAVA Source Mineral Body Lotion provides a light moisturizer for those who are not concerned with dry skin. The fragrance leaves a lovely veil of a unique fresh floral scent on the skin. For the environmentally conscious, note that AHAVA uses recyclable packaging and does not test on animals. Now AHAVA has introduced its line of products in larger stores like, Nordstrom. Have fun discovering the therapeutic wonders.

Valentino Rock ‘n Rose Couture

I was instantly attracted to Valentino’s, Rock ‘n Rose Couture while browsing the fragrance section in the SoHo Bloomingdales. A beautiful round glass bottle with a pentagonal pyramid pointed top, veiled in black lace with an ebony rosette tilted to the side, complete with a label that read, "Rock ‘n Rose Couture," in platinum metallic script. I was captivated by the bottle which evoked images of sultry Flamenco dancers, with percussionistic castanets perched to the side. I had to have this Rock ‘n Rose Couture.

It was almost a year that this sexy bottle sat in my boudoir. At last, I decided to use the treasured elixir. I am not usually a rose aficionado, but my other fragrances were waning. I sprayed Rock ‘n Rose Couture, inhaling the soft feminine blend of black currant, rose, gardenia, vanilla and musk. I liked the fragrance, but I was not quite sure how I felt about it with my body chemistry.

I was off about my day, waiting at a crosswalk when a man next to me commented, “Wow, you smell really good.” I was charmed. By the end of the day I hadn’t thought much more of the fragrance choice until my husband returned home. He buried his head in my neck and inhaled and said, “You smell gorgeous.” I was sold! I wear perfume every day and even after showering at night and he rarely comments. Needless to say, Valentino Rock ‘n Rose Couture is a new favorite.

A Midsummer's Night Arts Showcase

On Thursday August 27, 2009 Pia Raymond and Susann Sanders presented their, “Midsummer’s Night Arts Showcase.” These two New York designers exhibited a stunning menagerie of handcrafted jewelry, accessories, ceramics and fiber art. The fashionable event was held at Brooklyn’s Sucre Lounge (520 DeKalb Ave 11205) and was attended by stylish shoppers, designers, boutique belles and magazine editors alike. Enjoying Sucre’s delectable treats and libations, attendees could sip and shop Raymond’s “Legacy Luxe Collection,” and Sanders', “Femmestone Collection.”


Pia Raymond’s Legacy Luxe line was highlighted by her newest creations in clutches and pocketbooks with glamorous images of iconic divas of the Harlem Renaissance. For the proud and creative New York fashionista, Legacy Luxe offered an array of Brooklyn and New York nostalgia purses in fuchsia, glittering grape and denim sparkle.













Legacy Luxe not only had handbags, but also a fall preview of shawls and colorful capelets entitled “The Cocktail Collection” with colorful names like, Limeade, Blue Hawaii and Creamsicle. Raymond used a mélange of heavyweight wools and cotton yarns in vibrant colors to polish off a fun and festive fall wardrobe.


Legacy Luxe’s fashionable home décor included ceramic vases, figurines and stiletto heeled decorative shoes.














Susann Sanders debuted her couture costume jewelry, “The Femmestone Collection.”





Her signature cocktail rings were featured in a variety of semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls. This season, Femmestone introduced the two finger ring assuming extraordinary elegance, prominent with pastel colored jade flowers adorned with pearls and crystal beads.





Sanders fashioned a stunning collection of, "Bloom Bracelets,” brass arm cuffs encrusted with multi colored floral arrangements with matching bib necklaces.





For the punk princess, black and gold chain necklaces and earrings give the sexy edge for fall.



For those of you who missed out on this Midsummer’s Night event check out these collections on the web and get a head start on shopping for fall’s funky and fabulous designs!
"Legacy Luxe Collection"www.legacyluxe.bigcartel.com/
"Femmestone Collection"http://urbancandies.tripod.com/

Pia Raymond’s Legacy Luxe Collection and Susann Sanders’ Femmestone Collection present A Midsummer’s Night Arts Showcase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, NY - August 2009

Pia Raymond’s Legacy Luxe Collection and Susann Sanders’ Femmestone Collection present A Midsummer’s Night Arts Showcase

Legacy Luxe and Femmestone Collection are pleased to announce their Midsummer’s Night Arts Showcase, taking place on Thursday, August 27, 2009, 6:00pm at Brooklyn’s illustrious Sucre Lounge (520 DeKalb Ave @ Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11205).

Pia Raymond and Susann Sanders, two of today’s burgeoning fashion icons, are joining forces to present a one-of-a-kind exhibition of handcrafted jewelry, and stunning ceramic art. Their Legacy Luxe and Femmestone Collection offer a variety of exquisite designs, patterns, and feels for the fashion lover in all of us!


Legacy Luxe fuses modern day trends with traditional pattern work, creating a collection of timeless decor. From vases to carefully stitched shawls and caplets, Legacy Luxe provides classic, tasteful pieces. All Legacy Luxe designs offer an array of beautifully bright colors, bringing love and life to the home and office.
Femmestone Collection presents a wide variety of special hand-crafted jewelry, including the dazzling cocktail ring. All of the jewelry is made from semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, mother of pearl and Swarovski crystal beads. The collection is inspired by Mother Nature, as all of the designs incorporate flowers and blooms. Femmestone Collection makes a bold statement with its eye-catching patterns and bold cuts.


Come celebrate the emergence of these two collections at this exclusive meet and greet & showcase. Pia Raymond and Susann Sanders are thrilled to present the story behind their brands, and give each of you a taste test from their lines. Pieces will be available for individual and wholesale purchases.
The Midsummer’s Art Night Showcase will be a night to remember.
For more information or to schedule an interview contact:
Pia Raymond (347)683-3139 legacyluxe@gmail.com
Susann Sanders (347)251-6516 susansande7@aol.com


About Pia Raymond and the Legacy Luxe Collection
Pia Raymond is a beauty blogger for “The Vanity Addiction,” and an artist. She is creative and expressive through mixed media, ceramic and fiber arts. Her collection, Legacy Luxe, displays some of her recent work. Interfacing old world ceramic technique with colorful contemporary collage, Raymond presents a menagerie of trend setting accessories and fashionable home décor. From crystal glazed vases and planters to Afro- centric figurines poised on imported onyx bases, the Legacy Luxe line has stunning art pieces for any home. The urban fashionista can find a variety of stylish trinkets including stiletto heeled decorative shoes for the home and chic clutches to carry. Legacy Luxe’s forthcoming fall collection showcases Raymond’s needlework in fashion forward shawls and caplets. “The art of a people is a true mirror of their minds,” and Raymond’s vibrant work reflects a creative and introspective imagination.
www.legacyluxe.bigcartel.com/
http://thevanityaddiction.blogspot.com/


About Susann Sanders and the Femmestone Collection
Susann Sanders is a jewelry designer that has created a unique spin on the traditional cocktail ring. She enjoys creating pieces that become "must haves" in a woman’s accessory collection. Take your time and browse through this sinfully sweet collection by Susann Sanders. There isn't a piece shown that won't speak to the taste of every individual. Each piece is unique in its creation, and each sugary duplicate will bear its own indulgent flare. Her jewelry is a statement of the complete "WOMAN.” A perfect marriage of strong, hard stones and curved, soft, decorated metal, fashioned into a feminine masterpiece! So look....indulge ....this is one "guilt free" treat that has zero calories!!!
http://urbancandies.tripod.com/

COCO JOJO – Egyptian Fragrance

The ancient Egyptians were renowned for their perfume oils. Now we can be anointed with the aromatic perfumes of COCO JOJO, a blossoming cosmetics company out of Egypt.

I had the honor of meeting 5th generation perfumer and president of Coco Jojo, Youssef Gabriel and his teenage son. Since 1997, he has produced natural Egyptian skin care, perfumes, and cosmetics based on Pharaonic recipes under the name, Coco Jojo.






Gabriel presented me with a bottle of Juste, an oriental, floral fragrance blend of mimosa, white flowers, rose and vanilla. Not only is the delectable fragrance sensuous and elegant, but the bottle is even more luxurious.










Glass first appeared in Egypt around 1558 BC and it was more precious than jewels. Coco Jojo maintains the Egyptian tradition with hand blown glass perfume bottles, trimmed in 24 karat gold and engraved with ornate floral designs. The coveted bottles are encased in a wooden box, covered in metallic leather and cushioned in organza. The entire package is wrapped in papyrus and printed with the name of the special fragrance. There are 32 different magical fragrance blends to choose from including titles like, Cleopatra Nights, Isis Flower, Kisses on the Nile and Queen Imagination.














My mother always used to say, “There is nothing new, under the sun.” Well, Coco Jojo has brought innovation to today’s perfume industry using ancient recipes. Their perfume powder, enhanced with the shimmer of ground pearls can be dusted on the skin for an exotic glow and intoxicating scent. As the body perspires, the perfume powder works with body chemistry to emit a stronger fragrance throughout the day.



Coco Jojo features an extensive line of hair and skincare treatments for men, women and children. Coco Jojo’s Temple de Beaute products are not yet available in the United States, but you can reach them directly at sales@cocojojo.com for purchase. So indulge yourself and take an olfactory journey on the Nile today.

COCO JOJO'S CONCEPT IS TO REVEAL WOMEN'S BEAUTY AND MAKE EACH WOMAN AN EGYPTIAN PHARAOH QUEEN IN HER WAY

COCO JOJO USES PHARAONIC RECIPES TO BRING DREAMS INTO REALITY
WE OFFER WOMEN THE BEST QUALITY OF ACCESSORIES AND FASHION TO BRING THE INNER BEAUTY TO THE SURFACE

COCO JOJO IS NOT A COSMETIC BRAND NAME BUT IT IS INSPIRATION OF BEAUTY
WE NEED PEOPLE TO LIVE IN OUR SPIRIT AND FOLLOW OUR DREAMS

Hello Kitty – Lexx Perry’s Luxury Streetwear

Today was a chilly, cloudy and rainy day here in Brooklyn. It’s always on the days when we don’t wear sunscreen that we come across the blazing hot designer surprises. Dodging raindrops and rushing to the subway, I passed a store window that sang to me as I passed. Needless to say, before I could talk myself out of it, my umbrella was left at the door and I was inside the boutique browsing summer gear.


In the glass case in the center of the store glittered a glammed out Hello Kitty purse, crystallized by Swarovski and draped with a bubblegum pink chain shoulder strap. The inside of the bag was lined in metallic silver leather and ice cream colored flowers surrounded the Hello Kitty image on the front. Immediately I had to hold this adorable piece of art.


I had the privilege of speaking to shop owner and designer, Lexx Perry.
This Brooklyn native studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and has designed fashion forward accessories since 1994.


He creates stunning urban chic arm cuffs of his signature materials and enhances them with studs and crystal.














Lexx Perry creates custom sneakers like the high tops with ascending wings that he dons here.



Lexx Perry’s luxury streetwear can be found in stores across the United States and the Caribbean. Perry’s Supernova Boutique is located in Brooklyn, NY at 741 Fulton Street 11217. For those of you in the New York area, check out Supernova for their private sale on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. If you are not so fortunate to be in the Big Apple, check out Lexx Perry’s designs online or in boutiques across the country.

Smoky Eye - Smashbox Master’s Class GlamourEyes

It was a beautiful day and I took the opportunity to give my favorite store, Sephora some of my attention. Just a few minutes after my arrival, the Sephora representatives cranked up the music and began clapping. I have to admit, I had not been in the Union Square location in a while but I didn’t expect such a rave reception. Well, that wasn’t quite it. It was early afternoon and they were about to do a special, “Smoky Eye Master‘s Class,” using Smashbox Cosmetics new eye shadow kit. With Asha as the model and the talented, Emily Richardson as the Sephora makeup artist, the master’s class began.

Smashbox features three new Smoky eye kits, including GlamourEyes for brown, hazel and blue eyes. I was just in time. With all of the eye makeup that I wear, I have never been able to get the smoky eye look right without looking like the, “Corpse Bride.” Well Emily did a wonderful job of walking us Sephora shoppers through the whole process start to finish, making those eyes sexy, smoky and sultry. Asha, the voluntary model of the afternoon had beautiful brown eyes, so using the Smashbox Master’s Class GlamourEyes - Brown, Emily created the lid look in just 4 steps that she shared below.

Step 1 PRIME: Pat eye primer on lid from lash line up to brow bone and directly under eye.
Step 2 LINE: Trace around your entire eye with cream eye liner, concentrating color on the lid, along the lash line.
Step 3 DEFINE: Using a tapered brush, apply a deep shadow over the cream eye liner on your top lid, blending well to smudge the color.
Step 4 REFINE: Line the inner rim of your lower lash line with a waterproof eye liner. Finish with mascara.



Asha’s eyes were smoky and smoldering and it seemed so fast and so easy to achieve.

The best part about the whole thing is that once you buy the Smashbox Master’s Class GlamourEyes kit at $59.00, you have everything you need to complete the look time and time again. Check out the link for Smashbox insider secrets videos@http://www.smashbox.com/insider-secret-videos

Stella & Dot

A few weeks ago, I attended Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out event in New York City.

While there were many vendors on site with fashionable wares, I was quickly attracted to the oceanic color palate of the Stella & Dot booth. The Stella & Dot jewelry line has a gorgeous array of adornments in vibrant colors combining 14kt gold vermeil and enamel floral designs. Other statement pieces are of hand-crafted sterling silver with semi-precious stones. A strikingly modern twist on vintage grandeur! With the high end display I hesitated to look at the price tag. To my surprise, 50% of the collection was under $50.00. I rushed to the table to find out a little bit more. The best part about Stella & Dot is that you can become a vendor! In this economy, who doesn’t want to make some extra cash? With Stella & Dot you can have a modern home based career, earning commission, having trunk shows and receiving online orders.



Stella & Dot is a new boutique-style jewelry company founded by Jessica Herrin. The Creative Director is Blythe Henwood Harris, the former Accessories Director of Banana Republic. Stella & Dot is the modern home-based career that your mother never had. The concept is for individual Sales "Stylists" to sell our product line exclusively through in-home trunk shows and via our website, therefore not available in retail stores. The company is based on a social selling method in order to keep the integrity of the brand. They have put the power of e-commerce, social networking and personal service behind an irresistible product. It's the next big opportunity for our era.

Stella & Dot is about getting together with girlfriends, sending invitations via FaceBook and Evite, sharing product pics in magazines like "Lucky", "Elle," "InStyle," and partying while you earn money...with no glass ceiling in sight. The company is recognized by "The New York Times," "The San Francisco Business Times," "The Today Show" and CNBC.

I chatted with star stylist and jewelry vendor, Lauren Jones:

“I joined Stella & Dot just 3 months ago and have loved every second of it. It has been so much fun it hardly feels like "work." I have the luxury of working from home, while selling adorable & stylish jewelry, planning creative parties, constantly meeting fabulous women, running my own business with creative flexibility and the support of a corporate office all while making great money at the same time...it's the ultimate job!!!”


If you are interested in talking further about the ground floor opportunity with Stella & Dot or are interested in joining Lauren’s fabulous team and becoming a Stylist, please email: LaurenJancikJones@gmail.com.


*** Lauren will be in the New York area until July 12th and would love to meet with you in person to tell you more about this amazing opportunity.

Perfume Expo America (PXA)2009

Today’s adventure brought me to the Perfume Expo America (PXA) at the New York Hilton. The PXA is a four day trade show where classic and emerging fragrance and cosmetic brands gain exposure to the American market. For a few hours, I felt transported to Parisian streets as I met with perfumers with exotic, sensual, sweet and spicy aromatic elixirs. Fragrance houses from around the world combined notes on this special occasion to let beauty aficionados into global fragrance bliss. From France, Switzerland, Egypt, America and beyond, I sampled perfumes, soaps, oils and skincare products at the paradise. Stay tuned for my updates as I try these incredible products and give you the scoop on what’s hot!

Lulu Guinness

This is a beautiful summer fragrance. Combining notes of cassis flowers, Easter lilies, apple blossoms and other fruits and white florals, Lulu Guinness is a light, fresh flowery scent for the season. The adorable bottle has a painted face with rouge lips and a curly coiffeur. The round bottle comes in a purple pouch making it simple to keep in your purse for an occasional spritz. If you like a flirty feminine fragrance that’s sure to be unique, give it a try.

Free at Lance's: "Look to Book"

On June 11, 2009 I got to spend an hour with New York’s hottest up and coming celebrity hair stylists and makeup artists. Hosted at the East Village’s own, Shoot Digital studios, 14 beauty experts provided their expertise on hair and makeup. “Look to Book,” was an event organized by the collective of beauty experts to gain recognition in the industry and solidify relationships that lead to these fabulous freelancers securing appointments and photo shoots. I entered a studio, transformed into a beauty haven with stations around the room lead by each beauty guru, equipped with all the styling tools necessary to make you feel like a Hollywood star. After coiffure and makeup application, fashion stylist, Melina Kemph adorned me with independently designed, handmade jewelry and sent me to photographer Nicholas Routzen for a portrait. The best part about all of this is not only was the day fantastic, but these beauty mavens sent me home with insider secrets to share.

Melina Kemph, fashion stylist on the left says, “Sponges are great to have on hand to remove deodorant marks. They are reusable, work in seconds, and can be used wet or dry.”
Check out these Skid Out deodorant & oops remover sponges




Here, makeup artist Emily Kate Warren shares, “Keep a liquid liner handy when applying false lashes-it’s a quick way to conceal the bands while further enhancing upper lash lines. Plus if a bit of shadow falls onto the top side of your lashes, liquid liner will get your lashes back to black.”



(Sidney & Melina)
Sidney, celebrity hair stylist says, “To smooth unruly ends between trims, twist a smoothing cream from mid-shafts to tips in one-inch sections of your hair until it all looks shiny and healthy. “ Sidney suggests Bed Head After-Party smoothing cream