Hangover Cures

Thanks to the guys over at Men.Style.com for bringing us an interactive list of favorite hangover cures. Some of our favorites are missing: Miso soup, Emergen-C and coconut water, but they have a nice list. We dare any of you to try the pickle juice cure and report back to us! Just looking at it makes us queasy.

Got any foolproof hangover cures? JSG is always on the lookout for a new one!

By George in Austin

This week, the New York Times featured By George in Austin in a piece on the struggle of independent boutiques in these budget conscious times.

Shopping -- even when it's just window shopping -- is always a highlight of our girls' trips. When we were in Austin, the legendary By George was the first store we hit. Even though we're on a tighter budget these days, the selection was so special and unique compared to what we've seen in big department stores, we bought a Rag & Bone dress. We can't wait to start wearing it to holiday parties this month. And because we bought it in Austin and haven't seen the dress in other stores, we know no one will show up in the same outfit.

The point of the Times piece is that independent stores have it tougher than department stores or chain stores, which have deeper pockets and greater leverage due to their size. The strength of the boutique store -- the good ones, that is -- is that it knows its customers better and can offer a cherry picked selection of the season's best fashions. By George not only did this, it baked them up in a pie served topped with fresh whipped cream.

So keep on shopping at By George and other boutique stores. We realize those 40 and 50 percent off sales at Saks, Neimans, Bloomies, and Macy's are hard to pass by. But buying something on sale isn't a bargain unless you really need it or love it and it fits you. And this recession isn't going to last forever. We need boutiques for their hand selected fashions, better service and unique shopping environments. Go on--just have a look.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're spending the long weekend busy with family and friends. We're so thankful to be here one year later sharing our experiences with you. Our best to everyone on this-the start of the holiday season.
XOXO
Anne and Hope

Best Body Moisturizer Ever

Typically on Thanksgiving I head south to see my mom in Alabama. As you might guess there’s no such thing as a direct flight from NYC to Mobile, so I always have to switch planes in Atlanta. The only good part about that airport is the Body Shop store in the Delta terminal. I made it my annual tradition to buy a Body Butter on my way back home. My skin is extra dry and slathering that on nightly is the only way I can make it through a winter.



This year, I’m staying put (even cooking my first turkey. Please send good culinary thoughts my way.), so it’s a good thing I’ve discovered a moisturizer I like even better: Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath. It’s meant to be used in the tub, but it doubles as an ultra-rich moisturizer. I haven’t quite figured out how one product can do both—and I have yet to try it in the bath—but as a moisturizer, it rocks. Not only does it leave my skin super soft for a full day, it soothes my itchy, cracked skin immediately.



It does have a few downsides—it smells powder-y and old lady-ish, for one; it’s a liquid, so the screw cap can prove to be messy (remember, it’s a bath milk, first and foremost) and at $66, it’s on the pricey side. That said, my 13.5 oz. bottle is sure to last me through the winter and beyond. If you’re skin is as dry as mine, it's worth it for relief.

Twilight the Movie (Makeup) Review

We saw Twilight this weekend and thought it was fun, especially since the theater was brimming with tweeners (we brought two with us) and teenagers that squealed for Edward the whole time. We can't help comparing it to Harry Potter because it's geared to the younger set, Twilight star Robert Pattinson was in the Harry Potter movies and the flick is pretty tame. For better or worse, we learned one thing about ourselves and that's that we like some raunch and gore.


If you want to sport your own Twilight look we got some scoop from the makeup artist, Jeanne Van Phue, who used MAC powders (Blot powder/pressed in Light pictured below) and shadows on both Bella and the vampires. We thought Edward's pale skin was too pasty. It looked more like Edward Scissorhands and less like marble. We think Van Phue could have used something with sheen like MAC Strobe Liquid, which would foreshadow Edward's diamonds-in-the-sun glow. We did love Bella's natural makeup, especially the MAC shadow in Wedge (a soft muted golden beige taupe) she wore in Biology class.






The fabulous Jenny at Sephora's Beauty and the Blog dished that Van Phue used Benefit lip colors on set, one for humans and one for vampires. Bella wore Benefit's Silky Finish Lipstick in Good-to-Go (a cream/plum brown) and Edward and his family wore Ms. Behavin (a cream deep dark plum purple). We'll be looking for these at Sephora since we're still wearing purples.

A Year in High Heels Review

A friend gave us a copy of A Year in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything from Jane Austen to the A-list
by Camilla Morton. Normally we prefer trashy fiction or dishy tell alls to how-to books, but this follow up to How to Walk in High Heels has an intro by the shoe guru himself, Manolo Blahnik, which was enough to convince us to give it a shot.

The rest of the book does not disappoint. We flagged 5 pages on our subway ride home the very evening we were given the book. Arranged month by month, it has such tasty morsels as quotes by the famous, such as:

"A newspaper reported that I spent $30,000 a year buying Paris clothes. I couldn't have spent that much unless I wore sable underwear." -- Jackie Kennedy Onassis

To tips on how long to cook that turkey for: we're looking at 4.5 hours for our 15 pounder; to advice on writing a sincere thank you note, the history of the sneaker, a primer on Jane Austen's library and how to shop for vintage clothes by Lulu Guinness.

It's the perfect Christmas gift for the girl who has everything. It will help her understand what makes an original Pucci so valuable and why it's of note that Maria Callas and Gianni Versace have the same birthday (December 1).

And in the spirit of A Year in High Heels, a special thanks to Erica for giving us the book that you knew we would love!

Matthew Williamson for H&M

We skipped the H&M Commes Des Garcons collection, but come April 22, you'll find us camping outside of our local H&M. The creative director of Pucci and Sienna Miller BFF who consistently nails Boho chic, combining bright colors with dreamy prints, is designing a collection for H&M, according to WWD. These samplings from his Spring '09 show are a Jet Set Girls dream come true (courtesy of Style.com).

How to Get a Smoky Eye

We finally did it! We learned how to create a foolproof smoky eye all on our own thanks to a lesson at the Sephora Eye Studio. Currently in the NYC's Times Square, Las Vegas's Venetian and San Francisco's Powell Street Sephora stores, the experts at the Sephora Eye studio teach you how to apply fake lashes, master color, create a cat eye or achieve the ultimate smoky eye.

Handily, the stores sell discounted kits with the key products in them so you can recreate the look at home.

Here's how to do the smoky eye, with tips from Lyn Lynch, Education Market Trainer:

1. After using a eyeshadow primer, like Urban Decay's Primer Potion (not included in kit), line upper and lower lids heavily with a black cream liner, like Stila Smudge Pot. Lyn saved us years of aggravation by teaching us that eyes don't have to look exactly the same. As Lyn says, "Eyes are not evenly shaped to start with, so don't drive yourself crazy by trying to make them symmetrical with makeup." Huh. So that was our problem all this time!

2. Top with rich bronze shadow, like Smasbhox in Rapture. Lyn used a blunt brush to apply the color from our lashes (on top of the liner), on up to our crease, but stopping short of our brow. She then took a blending brush to soften the edges. She did this in what she called a "windshield wiper" motion, gently back and forth.

3. Next, apply a Champagne shimmer shadow, like Bare Essentials Glimmer in Queen Phyllis under the brow and at the inner corner of the eyes. (JSG confession: When Lyn did this, it looked hot, when we try, we end up a shimmer-y mess. For now we're skipping this step.)

4. Top of with mascara. The Smoky Eye Kit comes with a mini Benefit Bad Gal Lash. After watching us wrestle with the giant brush, Lyn taught us to apply the mascara vertically to get it on our lashes, then turn the brush horizontally to work it through.

We've been rocking out our new look perhaps a little too much. Our SO now thinks we have a secret lover at our day job--but now that we know how to do it, the smoky eye is too sexy to leave for special occasions!

A Peek Inside Dr. Jennifer Walden's Carry On

Jennifer Walden is not only a successful NYC plastic surgeon, she's gorgeous to boot. Dr. Walden travels a lot, both for for work and for fun. We recently caught up with her after she returned from her hometown of Austin for a friend's wedding--lucky Dr. Walden, she got to stay at the Driskill. Bookmark her blog, Celebrity Plastic Surgery, where Dr. Walden gives her no holds barred takes on what work celebs have really had done from Fergie to Brad Pitt. Here's what she travels with:


I carry a large Gucci signature tote, circa 2005, similar to the one below.


My lipstick choices are:
Chanel Glossimer lip gloss in "Coral Reef" and Loreal Colour Riche lipstick in "Golden Splendor" (JSG note: We adore that Dr. Walden is a high/low girl!)

My manicures last less than a week because I scrub in so often for surgery, so I need a little extra help from CVS. I have no idea how I got through security with this in my pocketbook.
Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip nail color in "Champagne Toast"


Speaking of surgery, I have dry hands from scrubbing in and Vinotherapie by Caudalie Paris Antioxidant Hand and Nail cream is my hand cream of choice.


iPod touch 32 GB with a strangely wide variety I have been told: Willie Nelson, Yaz, Coldplay, Alison Krauss, Bruce Robison, Squeeze, Tina Turner, 50 Cent, Sugarland, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Spin Doctors, Jack Johnson, Gipsy Kings, Blues Traveler, Jerry Jeff Walker, and John Conlee to name a few.

Book I am reading: Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World:






...and some more random stuff that no plastic surgeon can do without:
a Medical Penlight
a Medpor chin implant for demonstrative purposes
2 DVDs with live surgery--Breast Augmentation by Dr Jennifer Walden, and Breast Lift with Augmentation by Dr Jennifer Walden-- for me to review in flight for an upcoming presentation at a surgery conference.

Atlantis in Dubai

Sometimes when you're pinching pennies, it helps to fantasize. On that note, celebs including Charlize Theron, Denzel Washington, Mary Kate Olsen, Mischa Barton, Lily Allen and more were partying it up in Dubai at the opening of the Atlantis the Palm in Dubai (Yes, the same Atlantis that's in the Bahamas). The brand new $1.5 billion hotel opened with a show that put the opening of the Beijing Olympics to shame. (Watch it all on the Atlantis the Palm Dubai's website.) Sigh...Must be nice!

Playboy Party for Movember

If you ever get invited to a Playboy-sponsored party, we have one word for you: GO! Last night we went to NYC's Capitale for the Movember Gala. What is Movember, you ask? According to Movember website, it's a global charity event that invites men to grow moustaches to help raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. The party was sponsored by Playboy, Canadian Club and Norelco razors.

We've been to many a party and have on occasion been called jaded, but this was one for the record books. It had the key element that is the success to the handful of legendary parties we've ever been to: A fun crowd! It helped that it was a costume party--everyone was dressed up as their favorite mustachioed hero, from Sherlock Holmes to 70s airline pilots to Ron Burgundy to Jim Dangle. The women went as their favorite 70s and 80s icons, think lots of Madonnas in her Boy Toy phase and aerobic instructors. (JSG heard about the party at the last minute and did not know it was a costume party.) Ghandi was the big winner of the night--he won two tickets to the Playboy Mansion--lucky dog!



Just how good was the party? We went all on our lonesome because it was on our way home from dinner and planned to stay for 15 minutes. Four hours later we stumbled into a taxi!

If you do make it to a Playboy party, some advice: Start swiping your Playboy gear early. People were taking bunny shaped pillows, curtains and votives with the Playboy silhouette on them (one of these curiously landed in JSG's clutch). One of the many new friends we made last night who used to work at Playboy told us this free for all is par for the course at a Playboy party and they just turn a blind eye.

Happy Movember!

Editor's Note: Read the Washington Post's A Look That Seems to Be Growing on Us ... The Mustache is back! from November 25th, 2008.

Sexiest Man Alive 2008: Hugh Jackman

It's hard to argue with People magazine's pick of Hugh Jackman and 2008 Sexiest Man Alive. What's not to love about that chiseled chin, rugged scruff and piercing stare? We adore that Hugh has been married for 12 years and are a wee bit jealous that he wears fake tattoos, dresses up like a stockbroker and does an "80s-like hip-swiveling number" for the lucky b--ch. Guess there are more than a few benefits to being married to an actor.

Not to worry though, ladies, if for some unfathomable reason Hugh isn't your type, there are plenty of hot guys in this issue, including James Bond (aka Daniel Craig); Ed Westwick, who somehow did get infinitely sexier over the summer; and Joshua Jackson, who will always remain Pacey in our hearts. People teases us with an online slide show of the sexiest men alive.


We don't usually buy our magazines in print editions these days, but this issue is for sure a keeper. Aside from getting too many finger prints on our computer screen, we love that it has a special scratch and sniff section. No kidding! Find out what scent is Michael Phelp's favorite: Surprisingly, not chlorine but L’Homme YSL.


Finally with Playgirl ceasing publication, People's Sexiest Man Alive issue is the next best thing to get your heart racing!

On Our Radar-Chelsea Hotel Atlantic City

Just because our budgets are stretched tighter than we've been known to pack out suitcases doesn't mean we're going to quit traveling all together. We've already shared our best budget tips for travel and here's one more to add: Look to a destination that's close to home. Those on the east coast should give Atlantic City a second look. JSG is -- with the holidays seconds away and airfare makes Vegas a no go. We visited Atlantic City last year and had a mixed reaction on the city. So why would we go back? To check out the recently opened Chelsea Hotel.

Situated on the boardwalk, the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City is a non-gaming hotel (in regular parlance that means it doesn't have a casino). Why is this a bonus in a gambling town? Because unlike Vegas, the casinos in AC draw a primarily, um, older crowd dressed in tracksuits. Not the type of people you want to be doubling down with.

The man behind the Chelsea Hotel is Curtis Bashaw of Cape Advisors. He consulted with Matthew Abramcyk and Paul Sevigny (Cholé's brother) of Manhattan's still swinging Beatrice Inn, when designing the hotel's chic 5th Floor club. Like the Beatrice Inn, the 5th Floor has a variety of rooms to wander through, like the Living Room, the Bar, the Game Room and the Terrace Lounge. This would be a great after party spot if you're in town this Saturday to see Madonna.



And between now and March 31st, you can book the special recession buster- Rescue package. It includes:
* Overnight stay in Chelsea Luxe room
* Breakfast special at Teplitzky’s for two — a Stephen Starr restaurant
* Two rolls of quarters to be used to try your luck at the slots at the nearby casino, save, or just enjoy “Free Parking”
* Gas re-imbursement (a $50 gift card redeemable for gas for the return trip)
* Unexpectedly pink slipped and need to cancel? “Rain-check” and re-book for another date without penalty
* Priced at $199 per night Sunday-Thursday; $249 per night on Friday and $299 per night on Saturday

We'll meet you at the bar with the martinis!

Celebrity Solstice and Riedel Wine Glasses

Our favorite event on the Celebrity Solstice was a wine tasting guided by Max Riedel, whose family has been making crystal for over 250 years. Most notably, the Riedel wine glasses are of such quality and function that they are used almost exclusively for wine tasting and competitions world wide.

He entertained us with stories of his grandfather escaping the Russian army and falling in love with Italian women; but he also opened our eyes to the importance of the shape of the glass as a functional way to enjoy wine. We tasted four varieties from Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet each in its appropriate glass but also in the wrong glass for that wine. It truly smelled, tasted and felt different in our mouth depending on the glass.

Mr. Riedel was so convincing that we're investigating the best places to find sets for our own homes. Williams-Sonoma has a large selection ranging in quality and price which we could use for special occasions. For Thanksgiving next week, we're going to stock up on the Pinot Noir glasses from Target. They aren't as high quality; but buying them in bulk is easier on the wallet and we usually break one between now and New Years.

Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc from Williams-Sonoma (2 for $64):

Riedel Vivant Pinot Noir glasses from Target (4 for $40)

In the spirit of full disclosure, it's only fair we tell you what else we learned on the Celebrity Solstice. Bud Light is good drinking. Hear us out: one of the reasons JSG's Hope has never been on a cruise is her uncanny ability to get queasy by simply turning her head too quickly and riding in the front seat of a car definitely does it; so boats pose a serious problem. Short of the wine tasting, the only beverage that she could drink was Bud Light which was in fact a recommendation from our girlfriend Abby (2 Bud Lights and you'll feel better). You can imagine it was embarrassing to sit at the Solstice's Martini Bar and order a can of Bud Light ("in a glass please") when what we'd really like is Grey Goose martini. Life is full of compromises and surprises. Cheers!

Urban Decay Primer Potion--Two new tricks

We already know you love Ubran Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, it earned the Best of Sephora award for a reason, after all. It helps all those vibrant Urban Decay shadows stick to your eyelids like glue! But did you know it's more than just an eyeshadow base?

We learned from Lyn Lynch, Education Market Trainer, that it can also work as a base for your concealer. Who knew your concealer even needed a base? But as Lyn explained it, it helps prevent your concealer from settling into fine lines, a problem we've struggled with for longer than we care to admit!

Magic trick #2: Urban Decay's Primer Potion triples as a lipstick base. Dab a little on your lips and your gloss will last a few precious hours.

Now you'll really want to buy it in the handy .34 oz size created exclusively for Sephora's 10-year anniversary! For free shipping on purchases over $25, follow the link on the lower right of this page.

Twilight the Movie

The Twilight book is one phenomenon that took us by surprise, even though we'd like to think we're up on pop culture. The book which Hope finished on the cruise and passed off to Anne this weekend, is a vampire story set in the Pacific Northwest-the perfect climate for vamps who can't hang out in bright sunny weather; but not for the reasons you think. The book is fun, and the love story is engaging and easy to believe. Our biggest complaint (or should we call it drawback) is that it takes place in a high school, with too much adolescent angst and not enough heat like Harry Potter.

In contrast, we're obsessed with the HBO series True Blood which is definitely geared for a mature audience with more gore and sex to go around.

The Twilight movie opens this Friday, November 21st. We think they did a great job casting Robert Pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella. Ashley Greene, who plays Edward's sister Alice, is smokin' hot in Maxim this month (yes, the SO has a subscription). We're planning on catching the movie this weekend and will give you our opinion on the rebound. Watch the preview here.

Kristen Stewart- with her gorgeous shiny auburn hair:

Ashley Greene (picture courtesy of Maxim) scores another point for brunettes:

Finally, there was some hoopla about Robert Pattinson not being as good looking as he's depicted in the book. We think the casting gurus did a fine job. What do you think?

Celebrity Solstice Review

We're back--and finally recovered--from our 2 night preview cruise from Ft. Lauderdale on the brand new Celebrity Solstice. It was a blast and certainly two days of bottomless banana daiquiris and Bud Lights (more on that later) had a lot to do with it. Freebies aside, we are now converts to the idea of cruising, particularly the idea of cruising with a big group of girls.

Annie has done these 2-night cruises before, but always with a SO. This trip was by far the best, because she had Hope, Julia and Eric (Hope's husband, who did his best to sit through conversations on gray nail polish and the like) to hang out with. There was always someone who wanted to do what I wanted to do--lie by the pool, get another round of daiquiris or snack on nachos.



Speaking of the food--it was good, but not fantastic. We were happy we were one of the chosen few to eat in Silk Harvest, the Pan Asian restaurant. We could have eaten the Solstice Roll (with salmon, cream cheese, and avocado) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's the Murano restaurant below, where we sampled the silky mushroom cappuccino with Calvados. Delish!

We took a tour of the fitness center and the AquaSpa and though we don't workout on vacation; the 180 degree view of the Atlantic was an inspiration even to us. We didn't have a chance to get a spa treatments on this trip; but we're sure it's decadent because AquaSpa uses Elemis products. They also offer medi-spa treatments including Botox and Restylane; but we still advise against doing that on a ship.

Best of all, on a cruise, you never have to worry about drinking and driving or even taking a taxi for that matter. All you have to do is get yourself to an elevator, press "7" and you're home! It's easy for those who want to call it a night early and those who want to see the sun rise.

To book a cruise on Celebrity Solstice, visit the Celebrity site.

Victoria's Secret Miami

Seems like everyone's abuzz about this past weekend's Victoria Secret show and 2-day long party at the recently renovated Fountainebleau in Miami. We personally loved the rumors that Kate Hudson was flirting with A-Rod, who then called her "trouble". (Madonna, watch your back!)

Your invite lost in the mail? (Ours, too!) Catch some highlights from the OTT weekend on YouTube, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Parish Hilton on the Red Carpet.

A Peek Inside Their Carry On: Keep Me's Ali Kay and Anne des Barres

We spend a lot of time traveling but also a lot of time at the desk writing about it. Keep Me, an uber-stylish line of lounge wear stands out because we can wear it for both. It's made of super soft fabrics and it's flattering (like the set on the model above) and fashionable. With Christmas on the horizon, a set from Keep Me would make a great gift.

The designers, Ali Kay (below on left) and Anne des Barres (on right), were introduced by Diane Von Furstenberg (our icon!) when Anne was working for DVF and Ali was dating Diane's son. The women moved to Malibu and designed their first line which launched this spring. They travel weekly to Miami and New York and they dished about what you'll find in their carry ons.

Ali Kay (pictured below) carries Hunting Season's Oversized Weekender Tote. She fills it with:

A good book, currently The Snowball, a biography of Warren Buffett:

Favorite magazines like Fortune and Portfolio.

A Keep Me lounge jacket to keep me warm and cozy like the Skaya Lounge Jacket:

A Clout baseball cap, all black with black Clout Malibu stitched into the back.

Hand Sanitizer (a small one so that I can get through security with it!)

And her partner, Anne des Barres:

carries the Longchamp medium size black tote:

The things that are always in my carry on: my planner, the Daily Journal from Graphic Image: my blackberry, cozy socks for the plane, my Macbook Pro and my Keep Me Jordy Lounge Jacket:

On our Radar - Celebrity Solstice

Today we’re off to sunny Ft. Lauderdale to set sail on the new Celebrity Solstice ship for a two night preview cruise. We’re not generally cruisers, but we were invited by Celebrity to attend this weekend’s festivities, including the naming ceremony today and some mysterious “white party” on Saturday.

Aside from the obvious benefits of warm weather, sea air and all the free pina coladas we can drink, we’re really looking forward to exploring the ship. Especially after reading USA Today’s Gene Sloan’s initial review of the ship, “First impressions of the ship? In a word, ‘wow’!” and “The design of the ship is exquisite, with space after space that makes you gasp with surprise and amazement.”

Celebrity Solstice has an actual lawn—we’re talking real grass—on its deck where cruisers can play croquet. There’s also a glass blowing studio where you can indulge your inner artisan. What makes this ship extra special is its AquaClass Staterooms, which share the deck with the Aqua Spa. Also high up on our list is the Master Class wine bar, the specialty restaurants, including an Italian steakhouse, a pan-Asian restaurant and a creperie and Fortunes Casino.

Gene was very impressed with some of the ship’s space-saving measures that made us think Celebrity is taking a cue from Apple. Stay with us—the ship raised the beds so you can store your luggage underneath, kind of like how the first iPod had a quick wheel that later generations did away with and the new MacBook Pro has the coolest touchpad we've ever seen. (Can you tell one member of JSG just got a new laptop?)

It sounds like internet service is pretty spotty on the high seas, so we’ll report back next week!

Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick

We had our makeup done at Neiman's Bobbi Brown counter last week and were drooling over the new (and limited edition) Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick. It has a subtle and flattering combination of Candlelight, Gold, Copper, Beige, and Sand, which are perfect as a holiday highlighter on your cheeks and brow bones or used individually on your eyes.

The compact's metallic faux leather finish makes it perfect as a gift for the quickly approaching season.

Available at Bobbi Brown and major department stores for $40.

Austin Part 2

We stayed at the historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin. Since 1886, the Driskill has undergone periodic renovation; the latest to its guestrooms was recently completed. Our room was comfortable and classic though not spacious (we wouldn't expect a huge room at an older property anyhow). The lobby is grand and worth a visit to see the stained glass, the columns and the art, and it's a great place to stop for a cup of coffee at the 1886 Cafe and Bakery. We sat in the lobby bar for a cocktail and listened to acoustic music in the evening (music is everywhere in Austin).

One of the advantages of staying at the Driskill is its location. We walked to the original Whole Foods for breakfast, the shopping on South Congress, and the bars on Sixth Street (deciding which direction is easy: if you're under 30 take a left out of the Sixth Street door for the college set, over 30 hang a right). We could walk to dinner, and even walk down to Town Lake for some exercise (our girlfriend, Amanda, is a good influence).


If you're staying downtown, one drive that's well worth making is to the Lake Austin Spa Resort. Better yet, spend a couple of nights there on their gorgeous property. We've gushed about Lake Austin Spa in the past and our recent visit didn't disappoint. We had the new Chardonnay Wine Therapy treatment, which was 110 minutes of heaven: first a sugar scrub, followed by a butter wrap (with a fantastic scalp massage), and topped off with a Chardonnay oil massage. Afterward, we met our college girlfriends in the Aster Cafe for a healthy lunch, soaked in some rays on the back deck, and finished up in the steam room. If you're curious, check out their Girlfriend Getaways with authors, chefs, and more. Our friend, Wendy, just celebrated a special birthday there with five close friends and they had an amazing time.

Austin - Living Up to Expectations

After hearing about what an amazing city Austin is for years, we decided it was high time to go check it out for ourselves. That's exactly what we did this past weekend--it was Annie's first trip and Hope's first in several years. We started the weekend off right, we were met at the airport by friend of a friend, Rusty Irons, who rents out a home (shown below) through HomeAway.com to guests like REM and the cast of Mamma Mia (the musical, not the movie). Rusty was a bundle of positive energy who shared her favorite spots around Austin and who was a shining example of Reason #1 everyone loves the city: its residents are friendly, interesting and passionate about their city.



Reason #2, Austin has some amazing shopping. We're cutting back with the rest of you, and so far have been able to withstand the 40% off temptation sale at Neiman's over the course of back to back weekends. But once we set foot in the stores on South Congress, there was no holding back. We bought a drop-dead sexy, backless dress by Rag & Bone at By George. Our other favorite store was Maya Star (shown below) a combo jewelry store, home accents and clothing, not unlike Anthropologie, but with more carefully selected offerings. We picked up some little knick-knacky things for our new apartment and a gift for our SO. The vintage shopping was pretty key, too, though JSG was a wee bit too hungover to spend time scouring through racks.



Reason #3, The live music scene. We made it to the venerable Antone's on Saturday night, where we saw local band Nelo play. (As Hope pointed out, they should be called "Eye Candy". See below.). The boys were hot, but more importantly, excited to be on stage and sang tunes with a country-ish twang that we could definitely grove, to. Antone's is an intimate space where you can really get a feel for the band, unlike a MSG or Capital Center.



Reason #4, The food. On Rusty's recommendation, we went to El Sol y La Luna, an amazing authentic Mexican place with dirt cheap prices. We practically drank the chili con queso appetizer and seriously considered going back the next day. On the other end of the spectrum, the service at Jeffrey's was lovely and the waitress even dished about seeing Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly the week before (Minka's nearby filming Friday Night Lights.). If you go to Jeffrey's, be sure to try the Rosemary Martini. Rosemary grows all over Texas and even walking the streets of downtown, the boxes are filled with it. We couldn't help but rub our hands through it constantly. We also appreciated that the III Forks Steakhouse cooked our steaks perfectly (black and blue).


(We threw Derek in there just in case the boys in the band aren't your type.)

Check back tomorrow for more on Austin's hotels and spas!

David Babaii-Former Hotelier. Who Knew?

We fell in love with David Babaii for his natural, paraben-free WildAid products. He's also the man responsible for Angelina Jolie's July cover of Vanity Fair, you know the one--we all ran into our salons saying, "I'll have what she's having." We learned in yesterday's NY Post that David actually got his start in the hotel industry, working for the big boys--Peninsula and the Ritz. David realized he wanted to be a stylist on vacation in Paris. That type of inspiration and insight is the exact reason we love to travel as much as we do.



Read the full article, Dream Job, for more on David's life.

A Peek Inside Dr. Leslie Baumann's Carry On

Dr. Leslie Baumann is the go to gal for all your skincare questions. Specifically, as the author of the best selling Skin Type Solutions books, she knows everything there is to know about the vast array of skincare products available. We saw Leslie a few weeks ago at a luncheon and were so impressed by her youthful complexion, we had to know what is inside her carry on bag for those drying plane flights. Here's what Leslie said:



I travel a lot -- about once every 2 weeks so I keep my bags prepacked. I can go 4 days in a carry on bag, but once its 5 days I have to check luggage. The trick? Scarves and black pants and a pair of shoes that you wear on the plane and one for the luggage. The scarves are easy to pack and
it helps give you a different look. (JSG likes the one above from Foley + Corinna, because it's long and has sequins.)

No more than these 2 pairs of shoes! (JSG is impressed. Three is usually our minimum.) In fact, I pick outfits to pack based on the fact that they all match same pair of shoes and purse. I admit I have a weakness for the small rectangular Chanel bags with the chain strap -- they are tiny, fit a phone a credit card and a hotel key and lipstick- that's all I really need. I sometimes bring 2 of these little bags. (Sound like Leslie would really enjoy the Chanel Mobile Art tribute to the Chanel 2.55 bag!)


I went to the Container Store and bought a series of different colored mesh bags. Here are my other tips for working around liquid restrictions.

As products for the flight: I have dry skin so I bring all my own skin care. I use a travel size gentle cleanser like Purpose, Cetaphil or Dove Proage. I bring a night time moisturizer like Kinerase Ultra Rich Night Cream (I get the little sample tubes of it from my office) I bring a travel size sunscreen such as Purpose Dual Treatment Moisturizer with SPF and a small tube of Cetaphil Cream for my body.


For my hair, I like Bumble and Bumble shampoo, conditioner and styling cream, which come in 2 oz. sizes that are perfect for traveling.


A mascara, a lipstick and my pre-packed MAC palette of eyeshadows and blush. I have my own set of travel make up brushes form Bobbi Brown that stay in my luggage. I throw in a travel size hair brush and I am set.


I have a Kindle and I read constantly. I recently finished Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle
Allende, which I LOVED. It has history, romance, adventure and sex. It's a must read!



I am a great cook so I like to bring my own in-flight snacks-I try to bring my own Vietnamese spring rolls when I remember. I always fly first class because I am American Airlines executive platinum so I always get upgraded but I still like my own food better.

Because We Can Never Get Enough Justin Timberlake...

We had to share the latest William Rast movie trailer. It's from the mini-online movie directed by Jonas Akerlund that was written by Justin Timberlake who is also the man behind the denim brand. Sexy JT co-stars with the equally stunning Erin Wasson in the movie about two well-dressed outlaws west of the Missippi. Pour yourself a glass of wine and have yourself a little eyecandy!

James Bond Quantum of Solace

We can't wait to see the new James Bond Quantum Solace, opening on November 14. Not because we have a crush on Daniel Craig, though he is easy on the eyes, but because we can't wait to see all the stunning scenery. This time around, 007 will tear up Tuscany, Mexico, Chile and more. We still haven't recovered from Casino Royale when the gorgeous Eva Green drowned in the canals of Venice. Apparently neither has Bond. Rumor has it he's still boozing up the Bollinger (Bollie, dah-ling for all you Ab Fab fans) and this time around his fling is with Strawberry Fields.

For more on the film series exotic locations, check out this gallery from the Telegraph U.K.

For those who always fantasized about being a Bond Girl, Avon is introducing Bond Girl 007 perfume. The bottle is a cross between a sexy silhouette and a hand grenade. It's described as "a woody floral, [that] is an alluring blend of velvety florals, cool freshness and warm woods featuring top notes of white peach and orange blossom." Sounds like just the scent for Quantum of Solace's Agent Fields, played by Gemma Arterton. Available for $30 at Avon.com.

Oprah on 30 Rock

Did you watch 30 Rock last night? It was a hilarious example of why you should never take your friend's prescription drugs on a flight (or otherwise), especially when they're originally intended for a dog and you wash them down with a bottomless glass of Veuve Clicquot. Tina sits next to Oprah on a United flight from Chicago to NYC, (nice product placement, guys) after taking a drug that Alec Baldwin gives her. We won't spoil the episode for those who are planning to watch it on DVR or Hulu.com, except to say we've learned our lesson.

On Our Radar: Hotel Discount

We’ve learned a lot planning our upcoming trip to Austin. Namely, that even seasoned experts like ourselves can sometimes forget an important step, like making sure there’s not a major event going on the weekend of your trip. For us, that means we’ll be in Austin during the University of Texas-Baylor game. While we love college football and all the adorable players and fans, our first choice hotel, the Driskill is completely booked on Friday and Saturday night.

We’ll be staying at our number two choice hotel, the Omni downtown, recommended by our friends MacIsCrack and LollieShopping. When we booked the hotel a few weeks back, we were told the best rate was $279 a night. We took it, figuring we could shop around a bit and cancel if we needed to down the line. Turns out—the shopping around paid off... at the very same hotel. The rates have come down to $229 a night. We immediately called and a scored the lower rate—a $100 savings for the two nights we’re there.

Our lessons on this trip?
1. Always look to see if there’s a major event happening your weekend of choice in the destination of your choice. Events like football games, art exhibits and food and wine fests are definitely good things, but can jack up rates or mean you won’t get in to your hotel of choice.
2. Ask for the lowest rate at the hotel, then double check every week to see if rates have gone down.

Thanks to those JSG readers who gave us recommendations on where to eat, drink and party!

(Photo courtesy of ESPN Sports Travel. 85,000 people per game, some of which scored rooms at the Driskill.)

Lilyette In-Motion Sports Bra Winner

The winner of our Lilyette In-Motion Sports Bra is Nicole-Marie from Burnaby, British Columbia. Thank you to everyone who entered!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Ya, ya, we know. The movie came out like 10 months ago, but we don't see everything at the movie theater. We finally got around to watching it this past week on our train ride home from Newport and we were wowed. Not by Jason Segal's full frontal nudity scene (though he has nothing to be ashamed about), but by Kristen Bell's killer vacation wardrobe. She had an endless collection of sexy but sweet (or is it sweet but sexy?) sundresses. We love the tribal prints...



And the chunky jewelry...



And the Jenni Kayne dress she wore to the premier. The maxi print dress was the perfect way to carry the movie's Hawaiian theme back to Hollywood.
We'll be channeling her when we head to Florida for the inaugural cruise of the Celebrity Solstice next weekend!

Hope's Guest Post on A List Baby

JSG's Hope doesn't always travel with her girlfriends, she also travels with her three JS kids. Check out her guest post on A List Baby--a great place to find all things exquisite for baby. Thanks to Mary for the fun assignment!

Congratulations President Elect Obama!

The promise of hope was intoxicating last night as we elected our 44th President Barack Obama. Watching the joy in the thousands gathered at Grant Park in Chicago matched our own, even if we stayed inside last night. If you too were moved and have thoughts of coming to Washington for the Inauguration in January, you're not alone. A few words of advice, Washington in January is bitterly cold so dress for it, and the hotel prices will be steep and may require minimum stays. Curiously, we searched this morning and could not find a single room available at a half dozen Kimptons, the Willard InterContinental, four Ritz Carltons, the Mandarin Oriental or the Four Seasons. We recommend you contact the hotels directly. Stayed tuned while we look for packages for you.

Below are a few pricey options for the Trump set (courtesy of Destination DC):

From Jan. 17-21, the Mandarin Oriental Washington will present its “Presidential Privilege” package, designed to help couples visit the city in ultimate style. The package includes a five-day, four-night stay in the hotel’s luxurious 8,000 sq.-ft. Presidential Suite with daily breakfast in the suite; designer outfits for inaugural events from Ralph Lauren; a chauffeur-driven Maserati Quattroporte; an exclusive dinner for eight guests at Mandarin Oriental’s signature restaurant CityZen, prepared by James Beard Award-winning Chef Eric Ziebold; and daily spa treatments, priced at $200,900.

The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel mixes in a little bit of "green" with its red, white and blue with its Eco-Inaugural Package, which includes a four-night stay for two in the hotel's two-bedroom Lexus Hybrid Living Suite, which is designed and furnished with organic materials and rapidly renewable resources. The package also includes a custom ball gown from organic designer Linda Loudermilk, organic spa treatments for pre-festivites pampering and a Lexus LS 600h L hybrid vehicle and driver. The guests will also enjoy an organic in-suite midnight supper with eight of their "constituents." The package is priced at $40,000 and is available Jan. 18-21.

Our favorite: Not to be outdone, Kimpton Hotels in the Washington, DC area has announced its special Kimpton Inaugural Package. The Ba "Rock" Star treatment: includes in-room hair styling services; in-room makeup application for the inaugural ball; in-room manicure and pedicure, utilizing Kerstin Florian products; a gourmet platter of snacks to fuel up on before heading out for the night; choice of a 50-minute Calm Mind Massage to de-stress or Aroma Journey Massage to liven the senses; and a gift of therapeutic Detox Mineral Bath Salts. The package can be purchased for $655 as a side package for any guestroom or services can be ordered a la carte through the concierge. The package is based on availability and will be available from Jan 17, 2009 to Jan 21, 2009. It will be available at the Hotel George, Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madera, Hotel Palomar Washington, DC, and the Hotel Monaco Washington, DC.

Elizabeth Grant Skin Care

Packing for a weekend trip for us can mean leaving behind our favorite skin care line, because it doesn't fit under the 4 oz. limit allowed on carry on bags (and transferring expensive products between bottles is tedious).

When we went to Florida last month we were excited to bring along the Elizabeth Grant Face Pads and Caviar Rejuvenating Eye Pads. They are both super moisturizing which is perfect after a plane flight. To use the Face Pads, first unfold the pad to reveal a slippery mask which has a pleasant smell. Apply the mask to your face making sure there are no folds or creases. This step is important since the mask delivers collagen to skin. Then wait 20 to 30 minutes or until the mask dries out. The mask was still wet after 30 minutes, so we took it off. The results: our skin was very hydrated and smooth, our makeup went on very easily and we felt ready for a night out.

The Eye Pads work the same way; but fit under the eye area only. The results were similar to the full face mask with extra firmness in the delicate undereye area.

Both products are available at Elizabeth Grant or ShopNBC.

Eyebrow Solutions

While most of the rest of the world is always looking for ways to shape their eyebrows, JSG 's Annie is always looking for ways to fill hers in. Worse, whenever she finds a product she likes, it seems to get discontinued. Well, here are two new tricks in her eyebrow arsenal, both courtesy of Benefit.



Brow Zings is a wax and powder combo that delivers a strong eyebrow that lasts all day. The wax keeps brows in place and give the powder something to grip on to. This can definitely take me through the day at work and out to happy hour afterwards. I like that it comes with two brushes that fit in the compact--there's no way I'll forget them when I'm on the road. I could do without the mini tweezers. Who in this day and age doesn't have a favorite pair of tweezers? These feel a little eco-unfriendly and wasteful. It's $30 and comes in 3 shades.



Instant Brow Pencil is a waxy brow pencil. It's great for when I'm in a hurry and is easier for packing, but it doesn't deliver quite the same oomph as the Brow Zing. Also, much like the Prescriptives Groomstick for brows, I'm going through it in a hurry. It's $20 and comes in 2 shades.

OK Benefit, now don't discontinue these eyebrow winners. We're begging you!

Vote Today!

We hope that each of you votes today. While you're at it, encourage those around you to get out and vote, remind your friends and family, and offer to help a neighbor find their polling place. Whether you've been outspoken thus far or quietly taken your time to choose, make yourself heard today!

In case you need more incentive, Starbucks is offering a free cup of coffee to those who have voted, no proof required just the honor system; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is giving away a free star shaped doughnut to those with an "I Voted" sticker; and Ben & Jerry's is giving away a free scoop of ice cream from 5:00 to 8:00 pm today. How sweet it is!

Discount Luggage

After months of searching, we finally made the plunge today on a new piece of luggage. Last week we told you about the bags we were considering. After going to Bloomie's to see the pieces in person, we ended up going in a different direction. We stuck with a Tumi bag, but we went with a bag from the discontinued (read heavily discounted) T Tech line. Why? Because we trust the Tumi brand--we've had a Tumi Garment Bag for over a decade and it's still in fine shape, at 30% off, it was a steal and, well, the deciding factor was, that, we love the burgundy color. It's feminine without being girlie, elegant without sacrificing function.

We got ours at Bloomies for $265 (including tax). It's available at eBags for about $20 less, including shipping, but we wanted it for our trip to Austin on Friday. That's the price of procrastination!

Yves St. Laurent Exhibit

We always knew fashion was our favorite art form. Over the weekend, we filled you in on the Chanel Mobile Art Exhibit in NYC. Today we have a must see for you west coasters: the Yves St. Laurent, Eternal Style exhibit which opened on Saturday at the M.H. de Young Museum in San Francisco. The exhibit is a 40 year retrospective of YSL's designs and includes 125 outfits designed by the fashion genius who passed away last June.


The exhibit includes Yves St. Laurent's sketches; a look at his early designs including the revolutionary 'Le Smoking' tuxedo jacket for women; his colorful, exotic clothes that were inspired by his travels to Russia, Morocco and China as well as his ode to pop art, including his famous Mondrian dress.



The Eternal Style exhibit is open now through April 9. To buy tickets in advance, click here.

And here's another exhibit for the east coast crowd.



Ever dream about spending a night at the museum? Those who answered yes are in luck. NYC's Guggenheim Hotel has a "Revolving Hotel Room" installation going on now through January 7. For $299 to $550 a night, you can sleep in the museum's rotating hotel room in a bed that rotates every two hours. You can wander the museum all night long, take advantage of the minibar and have a room service breakfast of croissants and coffee. Of course, you'll be kicked out of bed at 8:30 so the museum can open to the public. The exhibit is partly funded by the Waldorf-Astoria, so at least your "room" will have a robe and slippers.

Tracie Martyn Spa

While we were excited that the NYTimes wrote about the Miami Fountainebleau's $500 million facelift, we were surprised they glossed over the best part: It's home to the first Tracie Martyn Spa outside of NYC. For the uninitiated, Tracie is the mastermind behind the resculpting facial. Her celeb clients include the ageless Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet who gets more gorgeous with every year that passes, and Theodora Richards, who we can only guess looked at her pops and decided to start the anti-aging treatments early. Tracie is known for her organic products including the Lotusculpt eye pads that are a girl's best friend after a long plane flight. Now you know!

Flight 001 Friends and Family Discount

Yet another Friend and Family Discount landed in our inbox. This time it’s for our favorite travel store Flight 001. You’ll get 20% off at check out with the code “Private”.

While we love the store, and they do carry our favorite Halsea luggage, you can probably get a better deal at Bloomies or Macy’s. Now, if only we had extra cash flow, we would be shopping up a storm!

Chanel Mobile Art in Central Park

This past week we visited the Chanel Mobile Art exhibit in Central Park. It's a free exhibit running through November 9. We weren't quite sure what to expect, but put "Chanel" and "free" in the same sentence and we're not asking any questions.

The exhibit is housed in a white spaceship looking thing. We were most impressed by the amazingly friendly, Chanel-dressed staff. Our friend Stephanie says she thinks we're so used to fashion publicist being rude that we're shocked when someone guarding a velvet rope is friendly.

Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take any photos of the exhibit, but we do have these from the Tokyo Mobile Art exhibit from the free magazine they give you at the end.

When you enter the spaceship, the friendly docents give you an audio device. The narration is by Jeanne Moreau, who sounds like a sexy, French witch. She tells you to turn left, right, sit down and go upstairs while narrating the exhibit. This photo is from the first room. The Chanel rose mosaic is even more beautiful in color.




This installation made us crack up. That's a naked woman chasing after the 2.55 Chanel bag. It's projected on the inside of a packing box. In another scene, another naked woman hits her on the head with the handbag.



We also loved this room, where you peeked into crates to see this giant leather teddy bear and swings using Chanel chains. What you can't see in this shot is the TV that was showing a video of a dominatrix doing naughty things with the bear.



All in all, it was a magical, other-worldy experience. We ordered our tickets on line in advance. Standby tickets are still available on a daily basis or you can catch it in London, Paris or Moscow.