The Vanity Addiction

Diorshow Black Out

2011-03-27T18:29:00.003-04:00

I have tried many types of mascara over the years. Thus far, my favorite is the DiorShow Black Out Waterproof Mascara. This jet black mascara coats the eyelashes in a way that’s bold and beautiful. The brush helps to extend the lash and add volume. With the waterproof mascara you can swim, sweat or have a good cry without worrying about looking like a raccoon.

The antidote to this fabulous show stopping waterproof mascara is the Dior Duo Express Instant Eye Makeup Remover with Lily Extract. Apply to a circular cotton cosmetic pad and gently rub the mascara from lids without the greasy residue that most removers leave behind.

The combo is a little pricier than other brands, but once you use Christian Dior, you won’t want to use any other.

Eye Kandy

2011-03-20T16:20:00.007-04:00

As if my glitter collection isn’t extensive enough, I discovered Eye Kandy at the International beauty Show in NYC. Of course, I was dazzled by the extensive display of over 60 Sprinkles Glitter. Although there is high intensity sparkle, the Eye Kandy sprinkles do not contain any metallics or glass. The glitter is made from polyester plastic with color and is therefore safe for the ladies with sensitive skin and those with contact lenses. I purchased a Kandy Bag Complete Sprinkles Kit. Unlike other glitters that fall everywhere you don’t want them to, Eye Kandy has a unique Liquid Sugar formula. You dip your fine tip brush in the Liquid Sugar stay put base, then dip into desired glitter color and apply to eyelids. For darker colors, apply eyeliner first and then the liquid sugar with glitter. Once you have applied Eye Kandy, it will stay on all day. No flaking! No mess!

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss Duo

2011-03-01T22:32:00.008-05:00

I was attracted to the LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss Duo for several weeks. I have to admit that I am a MAC Dazzleglass fan, but each time I passed these sparkling shades, I was more enchanted. At a mere $28.00 for two prismatic full size lip glosses, I finally had to buy the duo. One versatile shade is Rose Bronze with 3D glitter and the other, Bubble Gum Pink with 3D glitter. The colors have a high gloss holographic shine with a creamy consistency. I am so thrilled to have a glam glazed smile without being syrupy sticky. Check it out at Sephora before this limited edition steal is all gone.

Falling for Boutique Flea

2010-09-21T21:53:00.003-04:00

Join me and view the Legacy Luxe Collection as well as fantastic finds from other talented local designers. Please come out on Thursday night to Boutique Flea. Details are below.

Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

2010-08-24T20:53:00.004-04:00

I have to admit that when I hear Pond’s I automatically think of grandma’s medicine cabinet and wonder how the cream always did stay cold. Well now Pond’s has prepackaged, Wet Cleansing Towelettes. After bragging about smudge-proof and waterproof eye makeup, I realized that even with some of the most expensive cleansers, I still looked like a raccoon the next day.

Exasperated with an exhausted beauty budget, I grabbed a trial sized pack of the Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes and threw it in my Target shopping cart. I peeled open the pack to find a sudsy moist towel ready to do the job. It stripped away all of the makeup residue from my face that I didn’t know was still there and took off the thick voluminous mascara and sharp eye color that I was excited about the night before. After using the Pond’s Towelette, I rinsed my face with cool water and was back to my clear and natural complexion.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

2010-08-24T20:46:00.005-04:00

Urban Decay makes another appearance on, “The Vanity Addiction.” I love anything that sparkles and the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner makes a statement. I am constantly asked how I achieve such a fine line of glitter in such vivid colors on my eyes. For all of you who have been wondering, Heavy Metal is the secret. Urban Decay boasts of some of the boldest color on the beauty market. From nails, to lips and eyes, Urban Decay has the color for the, “It Girl,” who loves to make an entrance. The Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner is a clear liquid loaded with vibrant glitter color and applied with a needlepoint brush. Design your mood by painting on a gilded glow to lids with jewel-toned metallic color.

Liquif-Eye

2010-08-24T19:09:00.008-04:00

Too Faced Cosmetics is a personal fave for eye make-up. I know. I know…there are so many brands out there with so many products to choose from. Although Too Faced is a brand not as well known as some of the other big dogs, I think that it is one of the most innovative and exciting cosmetic brands. I have always been a fan of bold eye color and precision in color placement on eye lids. Liquif-Eye allows you to use your favorite eye shadow and achieve sharp and precise color by using the Liquif-Eye wand to create a water resistant liquid liner. Gently dip the wand into your favorite shadow and paint a perfect line of pop color on your lids. Wipe the tip of the brush with dry tissue to clean off the excess shadow and simply close the bottle and reuse again and again with whatever color you choose.

This product provides and incredible way to diversify the eye shadow color palate that you already own. Trust me it is one of the best investments you’ll make in your cosmetic collection. Liquif-Eye is a great product for the frugal fashionista to stretch your beauty bucks. With Liquif-Eye you can use an inexpensive eye shadow and intensify the color and make it smudge resistant with one stroke.

Vonte Silk Effects

2010-08-24T18:21:00.005-04:00

It’s been a few years since I first used this fabulous product. I was visiting my friend out in Los Angeles, when my hair was suffering from heat exhaustion. We laid out on Santa Monica Beach and were in and out of the water all day. When evening came it was off to dinner and then the club with the girls. “OMG, How could I could I go out with my hair such a mess!” Well to my surprise, Vonte had us all ready for a night on the town in minutes. I washed my hair and applied the blue magic to the edges of my hairline and brushed it into a curly ponytail. My hair was shiny and my edges looked like I had a fresh perm. I was amazed! With a light fragrance and no sticky residue or flaking, I was ready to hit the club.

When I came back to New York, I searched all the Brooklyn beauty supply stores to no avail. Needless to say, I found myself, “Going, going, back, back to Cali,” just to get this, Vonte Silk Effects. When I can’t make it to the West Coast I look forward to my bestie sending me my blue magic in the mail. Use Vonte on a short hairstyle for shaping and styling hold without the crunch or on longer hair for manageability and shine. Don’t worry the blue doesn’t show. lol

Leonor Greyl

2010-02-17T23:37:00.005-05:00

Here in New York City, the biting cold winter seems relentless. We have had our fair share of blistering cold, dry winds and bone chilling damp, snowy days. While vintage knit cloches and fabulous fedoras add a little flair to dreary winter days, the distinguished accessory leaves our coiffeurs coughing for air.

The fluctuation of winter air and hat head stress left me searching for the perfect hair conditioner to carry me through until summer. Leonor Greyl is a luxury line in hair care with environmentally safe, natural products. Perfumed with plant extracts, Leonor Greyl hair masques have aromatic blends of jasmine, orchid and magnolia. From moisture rich shampoos and revitalizing hair masques, Leonor Greyl products leave tresses a regal crown and glory.

If you are looking for where to begin, the Masque Fleurs de Jasmin is a nourishing cream conditioner for all hair types. Not only does it rejuvenate hair, but the floral fragrance is reminiscent of a summer garden. To lock in moisture the Huile de Palme can be applied to scalp and hair as a prewash to restore colored treated and dry hair. Explore this Parisian line in hair care for an investment that you won’t regret!

Scenterprises' Custom Perfume Experience

2010-02-05T23:42:00.006-05:00

Love is everywhere this year - Valentine's Day, the movie, is opening and Scenterprises' Custom Perfume Experience: "Heart-to-Heart" for Haiti - A Relief Effort is taking place on Valentine's Day, Sunday, February 14, from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

A few spots are still open for this fabulous Custom Perfume Seminar. You will learn about the magic and mysteries of Aromas. Fragrance Expert, Sue Phillips, who developed TIFFANY's Perfume, fragrances for BURBERRY'S, TRISH McEVOY and many others, will take you on a 'Fragrance Journey' to discover 18 exquisite blends. You select the 3 or 4 that you love and those become your unique 'formula'! You name your fragrance and receive a Certificate of Registration. We decant your custom formula into an elegant designer atomizer while you enjoy a lovely brunch. This is an ideal experience for men and women to share their love with those in need.

This year we've included a special auction where 100% of the proceeds will benefit American Red Cross Haitian Earthquake Relief. There will be a wonderful selection of items from LANCÔME, OSCAR DE LA RENTA, EMPIRE DIAMOND, FELLAN FLORIST, DR. FRAN GARE, DR. MICHAEL GELB, Artists HUNT SLONEM & MICHAEL MUT, THE PERFUME STUDIO and many, many more.

LET YOUR LOVE REALLY COUNT THIS YEAR, support Haiti Relief with a one-of-a-kind, innovative, multi-sensory experience.

The event includes a fantastic 3-course brunch with a glass of champagne at renowned FIREBIRD Restaurant, 365 W. 46th Street, NYC, the Fragrance Seminar with International Fragrance Expert, Sue Phillips, and the opportunity to create your signature scent.

The event fee of $150.00 plus tax includes gratuity and 25% of event fee proceeds will also be contributed to the Haiti Relief effort.

Just think . . . Celebrating Valentine's Day will help SOOOOOOO many people who are in dire need of love and support . . . let alone food, supplies and shelter!

The Soap and Paper Factory Gardenia Body Scrub

2010-01-28T20:51:00.006-05:00

The blustery cold winter had me in hibernation and a regretful hiatus from my lovely vanity addicts. Despite the January air freezing our lungs, it is time to begin to rejuvenate dry winter skin. A steamy hot shower is my oasis at the end of the day, and the fragrant aroma of gardenia forecasts a fabulous summer ahead. The Soap & Paper Factory’s Gardenia pure sea salt body scrub is an exotic exfoliation to slough off that dead winter skin and that cold winter attitude. This gardenia scrub leaves skin moisturized and soft and the tropical fragrance is exhilarating. If the winter blues had you down, look for The Soap & Paper Factory Gardenia scrub.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

2009-09-28T16:46:00.003-04:00

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

2009-09-22T19:39:00.002-04:00

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

2009-09-11T18:42:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-30T15:36:00.024-04:00

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

2009-08-04T19:23:00.005-04:00

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

2009-07-29T14:57:00.019-04:00

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

2009-07-23T22:56:00.019-04:00

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

2009-07-22T00:55:00.013-04:00

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

2009-07-04T03:05:00.018-04:00

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

2009-07-02T15:34:00.003-04:00

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

2009-07-01T02:11:00.002-04:00

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"

2009-06-15T22:41:00.023-04:00

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

Caress Evenly Gorgeous

2009-05-26T20:53:00.008-04:00

I have been a fan of Caress since high school, when my roommate introduced me to the soap. The commercial of the time was a seductive voice that whispered, “Caress, before you dress.” We would walk miles to our nearest supermarket to buy and spilt the six pack of aromatic soap. Somehow, it seemed that to bathe with the elliptical, smooth, peach colored bar made us more grown up than the other girls in our dormitory.
Fast forward to 2009, I remain a fan of the moisturizing soap, Caress. The product line has evolved to include several fragrant additions to the Caress body care line. I stumbled upon this new, Evenly Gorgeous fragrance just the other day in the beauty isle. The shimmering champagne packaging with the silhouette of an evening gown attracted me to the bottle of body wash. I opened the top immediately and gently squeezed the container to get a whiff. I put it in my cart, and grabbed the six pack of soap to match, before the other sniffers in my isle caught on to the fabulously new body wash and soap. Made with Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter, it is fragrant like an elixir of sweet and intoxicating Caribbean rum punch. When I got home, I placed them eagerly in the shower. My husband will never ask for the body wash, but when it is there, he will use it. He came out of the shower excited to say how much he loved the smell and how, “It is real rough, so I know that I am really getting clean!” I laughed at how he rationalized the roughness making it equally a “man’s product.” The exfoliating beads are quite gentle if you ask me, but they do slough off dry skin while the body wash and soap are incredible moisturizers. Sign up for a coupon. Try Caress’ Evenly Gorgeous and I guarantee that you will feel just that! Click here to receive your discount coupon for Evenly Gorgeous.

Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Crème

2009-05-17T20:27:00.005-04:00

I first heard of Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Crème a couple of years ago from a co-worker. I spent months looking at her cracked, dry heels hanging over the backs of old Keds sneakers during boring staff meetings. One day she came to work with stylish sandals latticed around smooth pedicured feet, bragging about how Burt’s Bees changed her life. Her horrible heels were healed and I was sold. I figured if this product could save her feet, it could only enhance mine. This natural foot crème with Vitamin E is the perfect answer to rough dry feet. If you want to get those feet ready for the sexy summer sandals, moisturize them each night with Burt’s Bees and cover with a pair of lightweight cotton socks to bed. The fragrance of the coconut oil and the gentle tingle of peppermint help relax even the workaholic after a long day.

Chocolacio

2009-05-03T21:13:00.002-04:00

It seems hard to believe, but after such a blustery winter in NYC, summer is fast approaching. It’s time to get those tresses flowing for the summer breeze. After such a cold winter, my hair needed some serious moisture for rejuvenation. Tati, my local hair stylist convinced me that, Chocolacio, this Dominican hair conditioner was what I needed. At first I was hesitant to use something that wasn’t described in English. She explained that “Chocolacio,” translates, “Chocolate-straight” in Spanish, and uses the natural cocoa butter extract to enrich the hair and scalp. One whiff of this aromatic concoction that looked like chocolate pudding, and I couldn’t resist treating my hair to such a dessert. After vigorously washing my hair, Tati massaged the decadent conditioner through my hair and sat me under the dryer for ten minutes with a shower cap. Immediately, I felt like a chocolate brownie baking in the oven. She rinsed out the hair pudding blow dried my hair and proceeded with styling. My hair hasn’t looked so healthy in months! If your hair is dry and damaged, indulge in this chocolaty treatment for increased shine and luster.

The Perfume Studio Master Class

2009-04-26T15:38:00.020-04:00

The Perfume Studio Master Class – Ever since visiting Fragonard’s The Museum of Perfumes, in France, I always imagined having my very own custom fragrance available to the world. Each season I rush to my favorite cosmetics department to sniff all the new fragrances, both male and female. I am most often disappointed when the fragrances I like are named after celebrities with whom I would never want to identify. What better way to customize your fabulous image than with your OWN perfume? Now you have the opportunity to do just that.

I just went to this amazing custom perfume event at Bloomingdales in Roosevelt Field Mall (New York). I was so excited to have this experience that I traveled almost two hours in stop-and- go traffic to get to this newly renovated Bloomingdales fragrance department. Sue Phillips, president of Scenterprises Ltd. and USA director/distributor of The Perfume Studio UK, takes you on a “fragrance journey,” to explore over 15 perfume blends. At the beginning of the workshop, each guest is quizzed to get an idea of personality and flair. Then each person is presented with blotter strips that are dipped into fragrances created by a world renowned perfumer. The journey visits woody, fresh, floral and oriental fragrance families. Within all of the scent families, there is olfactory indulgence for both men and women. After sampling each fragrance family, guests can choose three or four blends to comprise a personal fragrance. Choose from a variety of sleek spray bottles, sexy, rhinestone adorned atomizers, or an elegant glass blown perfume bottle and The Perfume Studio will decant your fragrance blend for you to purchase. Not only do you create your signature scent, YOU name it and receive a Certificate of Registration so that you can reorder at any time.

April showers, bring May flowers, and May blooms with The Perfume Studio Seminar workshop from 3PM – 5.30PM on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at GIGI TRATTORIA, 6422 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Telephone: (845) 876-1007. Space is Limited so reserve now by contacting: johnstorm@gigihudsonvalley.com (845-876-1007) or sue@scenterprises.com (917)-449-1134

Bloomingdales - Roosevelt Field is offering another seminar on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 11:00am. Bring your partner, friend or especially Mom to design your fragrances together at this Pre-Mother’s Day event. Take advantage of this event and call (516)873-2810 to confirm times.

Macy’s Flower Show 2009 “Dream in Color”

2009-04-19T01:23:00.003-04:00

Macy’s Flower Show 2009 “Dream in Color” Sunday, April 5 – Sunday, April 19 This is the last day to bask in the floral glory of the Macy’s Herald Square Flower show. Complimentary guided tours are available to give you the inside scoop on the making of the show. Upon entrance to the world famous department store, you are greeted with the intermingling fragrance of hyacinths and roses and thousands of beautiful blooms. What woman can’t appreciate the fusion of fashion and flowers? If all the men out there would take a cue from Macy’s and “Dream in Color,” we’d enjoy every day gifts of accessories adorned in azaleas and other gorgeous stems. Oversized pink flamingos made entirely out of flowers prance on beds of tulips and wheat grass thorough Macy’s first floor. Over the signage of each accessory vendor is an assortment of tropical flowers, including orchids and birds of paradise. Enjoy this floral paradise where Coach and ColeHaan are decorated with cherry blossoms and Lancome and other vendors in the Beauty Arcade are enveloped in natural beauty.