Stiletto Jungle shows off three options for getting in on the multi-strand necklace trend.
http://www.stilettojungleblog.com/2009/07/summer-fashion-multi-strand-necklace.html
All Lacquered Up shows you step-by-step how to save your split, cracked nails with Orly Nail Rescue.
Gwyneth is spreading the detox joy and Allie is Wired has the details.
http://allieiswired.com/archives/2009/07/gwyneth-spreads-the-detox-joy/ stilettojungle
Bag Bliss loves Alexander McQueen's Skull Knuckle Duster Whipsnake Clutch!
Bag Snob finally finds a Dior bag worthy of buying!
Beauty Snob is all about teeth whitening with Darphin Denblan. bagsnobtina
Coquette loves these transitional cardigans that are perfect for a summer breeze before that first hint of fall.
The Daily Obsession finds out what Pixi Beauty creator Petra Strand is currently obsessed with.
I'm Not Obsessed shows you where to get 'Gossip Girl' Blake Lively's chic Treesje bag. Did I mention it transforms into a clutch?
The Jet Set Girls fall in love with Lancome's Indigo Collection and offer an exclusive discount in Lancome stores.
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Silk Robes.
Second City Style's resident male editor attended Miami Swim Week and shares his views on hot swimwear trends for 2010.
Shopping and Info wants a Rick Owens black leather jacket for Fall.
StyleBakery.com shows how to cook up the perfect summer weekend look for under $100
Stylehive wants you to get gilded and glamorous with 24k gold beauty products!
The Beauty Stop has 5 ways to get rid of freckles.
The Fashion Bomb compiled 100 Fashionable Items to bring with you on vacation--a one stop guide fit for any jetsetting fashionista.
Visit The Shoe Goddess for a chance to win a $200 Saks gift certificate!
V-Style is giving away NuNaat hair care products to the reader who has wavy or curly locks.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Luxury Ice
One of the many high points of our recent trip to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail was meeting Roberto Sequeira of Glace Luxury Ice. The idea of Glace Luxury Ice instantly made sense to us after the seminar we attended, the "World's Biggest Bar Crawl," took a virtual stop by the Skyview Bar at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, home of what claims to be the world's most expensive cocktail at about $7,450, depending on the exchange rate. In the cocktail, the 55-year old Macallan scotch is served with ice made from water that comes from the Macallan distillery in Scotland. The cocktail is so pricey because it's served in an 18K gold Baccarat glass, which the drinker gets to keep.
While we're not about to spend four figures on a cocktail, after sampling Glace, we can definitely get behind the need for luxury ice. The ice is one large round ball, which means it doesn't splash or hit your nose when you go to take a sip. It's big, so it stays solid longer, so our drink didn't get watered down quickly. But even when it does melt, no worries, Glace is made of purified water so it's tasteless. Glace is also really cool looking.
Bachelorette Party Ideas - On Our Radar - 1. The Palms in Fire Island -
We're planning JSG's Annie's bachelorette party! For the month of August we'll be featuring a bachelorette party/location/idea a day. Got a suggestion? Email us at jetsetgirls@gmail.com.
Today's inaugural bachelorette party post comes to us from JSG assistant editor, Ava Hoffman, who recently threw her sister's bachelorette party in Fire Island, New York. (Yes, we do know it's July 31, just wanted to kick off our series on a weekday.) Here's what she had to say:
We went to Fire Island for my sister’s bachelorette party with ten of her closest friends. After much deliberation, we decided on Fire Island, because it is a great place for a big group of people to party and relax in the sun. There are a few ways to get there depending on where you are. You can take a van or a train (from Penn Station to BayShore) to the ferry. Once at the ferry it is a quick 30 minute ride. Sit on top for a great breeze and view. Click here for ferry schedules. No cars are allowed on the island.
We stayed at The Palms, a great little hotel that reminded us of a bed and breakfast – small, clean and right on the bay, it's a 10-minute walk from the beach. The hotel provides you with everything you need for the beach, towels, chairs and umbrellas. Stop at Whitney’s Market for a takeout lunch on the way, because you are not going to want to walk back into town once you are settled in the sun!
Fire Island is comprised of houses, both owned and shared, the beach, and town, filled with little stores, restaurants and bars. Going out is easy – you just hop from bar to bar, no lines, no hassle. Don’t wear heels! No one does. As for men – all I have to say is that I know at least ten couples, married and engaged, who met on Fire Island and lived happily ever after.
We played little bachelorette games, created a fun scavenger hunt type game, and of course made the bachelorette wear inappropriate apparel. For the scavenger hunt, we included items like, "Get a security guard to pick you up and carry you across a threshold" or "get a waiter to take off his shirt and take a picture with you" or "get 3 married guys to give you wedding advice and write it on a napkin." I even had cups made with a caricature of the bride-to-be’s face that we carried around with us day and night. Can't you see the resemblance?
Fire Island is an up and coming place for bachelorette parties. If you want to lay on the beach, party, have quality time with girls, meet guys and have fun, this is the place for you!
Today's inaugural bachelorette party post comes to us from JSG assistant editor, Ava Hoffman, who recently threw her sister's bachelorette party in Fire Island, New York. (Yes, we do know it's July 31, just wanted to kick off our series on a weekday.) Here's what she had to say:
We went to Fire Island for my sister’s bachelorette party with ten of her closest friends. After much deliberation, we decided on Fire Island, because it is a great place for a big group of people to party and relax in the sun. There are a few ways to get there depending on where you are. You can take a van or a train (from Penn Station to BayShore) to the ferry. Once at the ferry it is a quick 30 minute ride. Sit on top for a great breeze and view. Click here for ferry schedules. No cars are allowed on the island.
We stayed at The Palms, a great little hotel that reminded us of a bed and breakfast – small, clean and right on the bay, it's a 10-minute walk from the beach. The hotel provides you with everything you need for the beach, towels, chairs and umbrellas. Stop at Whitney’s Market for a takeout lunch on the way, because you are not going to want to walk back into town once you are settled in the sun!
Fire Island is comprised of houses, both owned and shared, the beach, and town, filled with little stores, restaurants and bars. Going out is easy – you just hop from bar to bar, no lines, no hassle. Don’t wear heels! No one does. As for men – all I have to say is that I know at least ten couples, married and engaged, who met on Fire Island and lived happily ever after.
We played little bachelorette games, created a fun scavenger hunt type game, and of course made the bachelorette wear inappropriate apparel. For the scavenger hunt, we included items like, "Get a security guard to pick you up and carry you across a threshold" or "get a waiter to take off his shirt and take a picture with you" or "get 3 married guys to give you wedding advice and write it on a napkin." I even had cups made with a caricature of the bride-to-be’s face that we carried around with us day and night. Can't you see the resemblance?
Fire Island is an up and coming place for bachelorette parties. If you want to lay on the beach, party, have quality time with girls, meet guys and have fun, this is the place for you!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sephora's Second Store Opening in Times Square
If you like Sephora and Times Square then we have the best news for you. They are opening a second store at 5 Times Square on July 31 and they are doing it in a big way. There will be celebrity appearances by Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen, actress and singer-songwriter Adrienne Bailon, models Alexandra and Theodora Richards, makeup extraordinaire Lauren Luke and many others including the Sephora PRO Beauty Team. This isn’t your typical store opening, because this time they will be attempting to break Guiness World Records. Whether or not you think you are able to be the person with the “most lipstick applications by an individual in one hour,” or help break the record for the “most cosmetic makeovers by a team of five in one hour,” we think you should stop by, because this will not fall short of entertainment and fun! It’s like the David Blaine stunt of beauty. The event takes place located between 46th and 47th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue on July 31st from 9am-5pm.
Blue Ridge Restaurant D.C.
Midsummer is a great time to discover the Blue Ridge Restaurant in Glover Park which has been open now for about 2 months. We had lunch on a beautiful sunny day and indulged in two summertime favorites: deviled eggs and a BLT. Chef Barton Seaver walks the sustainable food line serving locally grown produce, game and seafood with a twist. In my case, the Just-Like-Grandma’s deviled eggs were placed on top of a swirl of pesto, while my BLT came layered with fried green tomatoes. Both were delish and left me craving a return trip.
The restaurant is separated into four parts: the well appointed neighborhood bar, the dining room (below) decorated with Amish quilts, the upstairs which is not open yet; but would be great for a private function, and the patio (above) which reminds us of the spaces we see in Austin.
The restaurant is separated into four parts: the well appointed neighborhood bar, the dining room (below) decorated with Amish quilts, the upstairs which is not open yet; but would be great for a private function, and the patio (above) which reminds us of the spaces we see in Austin.
We'll go back to Blue Ridge for their quality take on comfort food. Plus, the patio would be a perfect spot to share brunch with our girlfriends on a lazy Sunday.
Nail Polish for Fall: Indigo Paris
This fall has a few exciting nail polish trends like greens and matte finishes; but the one we're getting behind this week is Le Vernis Indigo Paris nail polish from Lancome. It's flattering against a multitude of skin tones and mirrors another fall trend: prominent blue eye makeup. This formula promises long lasting shine for 7 days, which would be a record mani for us; but we're excited to test it out. Available now at department stores or Lancome-usa.com for $18.Looking for a department store alternative? Check out Revlon's No Shrinking Violet.
This just in: from August 1st through 8th bring in the following invitation for 20% off at participating Lancome Boutiques! Visit Lancomeboutique.com for participating locations.
Do Not Disturb Signs
We have a confession to make: Every time we check out of a hotel room, we "borrow" the "Do Not Disturb" Sign. And by borrow, we mean keep indefinitely. Our collection has grown quite large through the years, so we figured it was time to do something with them. Hence, our latest arts and crafts project was born.
We invested in a floating frame, bought at Michael's craft store for under $20 to display a small selection of our favorite signs. Some of the signs bring back fond memories, like the one on the top right from the Hard Rock in San Diego that reads, "Not Now My Ego Needs a Rest" and the beach scene that reads "Shhh..." from the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman. Others, we don't quite remember where they came from, like the "Do Not Enter" street sign. Our best guess is that it was from the Standard in West Hollywood. The orange, Southwestern themed sign is from the Four Seasons in Scottsdale and is so old, it was three boyfriends ago!
It's such a fun way to remember our trips. We love the way it looks so much, we definitely plan on doing a second series. As long as hotels don't thwart us with electric "Do Not Disturb" signs!
Do tell: Do you ever "borrow" something from a hotel?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Intermix and e.vil Introduce the MJ Tee
We are still mourning the death of Michael Jackson, so we think it is only appropriate to celebrate this legend's life by wearing him. In tribute, Intermix has teamed up with e.vil fashion house for an exclusive t-shirt available only at Intermix. The t-shirt is a limited edition cotton-poly blend featuring MJ's famous moonwalk—we like that it says "Michael" in a subtle way. The image is studded onto the burnout material and is then distressed to give it a worn in look. It would look super cute with jean shorts during the day or with a pair of fierce heels and skinny black jeans at night. e.vil fans include Madonna, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and many others. Get yours before they sell out!
Taylor Swift's Hair Products
We've shared our secret obsession with Taylor Swift before, now we're sharing one of her secrets to that gorgeous hair. The folks over at Carita tell us she loves the new Carita Intense Colour Shampoo and Mask. And here we thought she was a natural blonde!
The products are available on Carita.
Fringe Bags
Last year we were all about fringe on our shoes, now we've moved on to fringe bags.
Annie already bought a similar hot pink fringe bag to this one at Topshop. "I've already gotten a surprising amount of use out of it. Though mine doesn't have grommets. I got mine at the store."
On the other hand, we like the grommet detailing on this DVF fringe bag, available at Bergdorf's. It's been on our wish list since we spotted it backstage at her show.
Weary about spending serious cash on a trendy bag? This gray, faux leather fringe bag from Mark will only set you back $32.
Annie already bought a similar hot pink fringe bag to this one at Topshop. "I've already gotten a surprising amount of use out of it. Though mine doesn't have grommets. I got mine at the store."
On the other hand, we like the grommet detailing on this DVF fringe bag, available at Bergdorf's. It's been on our wish list since we spotted it backstage at her show.
Weary about spending serious cash on a trendy bag? This gray, faux leather fringe bag from Mark will only set you back $32.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Las Vegas Getaway: Guest Post Part 2
Here's the second installment of McClean Robbins' trip to Las Vegas. Yesterday she told us about the new Encore Las Vegas. Today we're moving onto food, spas, and shopping: sign us up!
Nosh
Vegas is a city of gluttony in many ways – food is just one of them. In recent years, it’s become a dining destination to rival New York and LA, with just about every major name chef opening a spot or three. To be fair, this list names only the places we visited on our recent trip – a mere fraction of what’s available.
The hotel boasted a number of great spots – our daily fave for any meal was Sugar and Ice, overlooking the Wynn waterfall and boasting a great selection of hamburgers, sandwiches and delectable house-made ice cream. For fine dining in the hotel, don’t miss the aptly-named SW Steak, a classic steakhouse overlooking the hotel’s Lake of Dreams. Enjoy perfectly-charred prime meats with generous sides. Freebie Alert: The menu is totally pricey, but there’s one perk you’ve just got to ask for – get a table by the window, which overlooks the Lake of Dreams waterfall it is transformed nightly into a free show featuring, of all things, a dancing frog that sings Garth Brooks. Trust me, you’ve got to see this to believe it. Cheap Thrill: Wynn boasts the new recession-friendly “Taste of Wynn” menu at most of its restaurants for late night or pre-show dining, featuring a three-course prix-fixe menu for $29 and up. The menus looked especially good at Daniel Boloud Brasserie and Switch. Several other hotels offer this option too.
If you’re in the Venetian, be sure to enjoy a meal at Tao, which has the best sea bass and swordfish ever, plus an intimate, clubby atmosphere (no wonder, there’s a club on top!) In cheap eats finds, other faves include the New York deli in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Serendipity 3 at Caesars, and delectable crepes in the shopping esplanade at Paris.
Pamper
You’ve GOT to spa. Best bets include the 37-room spa at Encore, where 14 of the treatment suites feature rain showers and skylights and amenities include an indoor whirl and plunge pool area with heated rock lounge chairs. Cheap Thrill: For $85, we enjoyed a 25 minute organic buffing with mimosa oil, which included a sugar-based scrub, shower, and oil application, plus use of the spa and fitness center all day, normally $35. For a more luxe experience, try the 75-minute desert stone massage for $235.
When bigger is better, head to the Canyon Ranch spa at The Venetian, which, at 134,000 square feet (it has a rock wall!) is one of the largest spas in the country.
Shop
People who say that New York is the only place to shop obviously haven’t been to Vegas – some of the world’s best boutiques are packed into this several-mile space. A must-visit is the newly-opened Shoppes at the Palazzo, featuring the area’s first Barneys New York and Christian Louboutin. Also worth visiting are the massive Forum Shops in Caesars Palace (Scoop; Intermix), the Fashion Show Mall (Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom) and the boutiques in various high-end hotels, including Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn, and Encore.
McLean Robbins is a freelance fashion, spa and travel writer. Find her work daily on DeaconDoesDC.com.
Nosh
Vegas is a city of gluttony in many ways – food is just one of them. In recent years, it’s become a dining destination to rival New York and LA, with just about every major name chef opening a spot or three. To be fair, this list names only the places we visited on our recent trip – a mere fraction of what’s available.
The hotel boasted a number of great spots – our daily fave for any meal was Sugar and Ice, overlooking the Wynn waterfall and boasting a great selection of hamburgers, sandwiches and delectable house-made ice cream. For fine dining in the hotel, don’t miss the aptly-named SW Steak, a classic steakhouse overlooking the hotel’s Lake of Dreams. Enjoy perfectly-charred prime meats with generous sides. Freebie Alert: The menu is totally pricey, but there’s one perk you’ve just got to ask for – get a table by the window, which overlooks the Lake of Dreams waterfall it is transformed nightly into a free show featuring, of all things, a dancing frog that sings Garth Brooks. Trust me, you’ve got to see this to believe it. Cheap Thrill: Wynn boasts the new recession-friendly “Taste of Wynn” menu at most of its restaurants for late night or pre-show dining, featuring a three-course prix-fixe menu for $29 and up. The menus looked especially good at Daniel Boloud Brasserie and Switch. Several other hotels offer this option too.If you’re in the Venetian, be sure to enjoy a meal at Tao, which has the best sea bass and swordfish ever, plus an intimate, clubby atmosphere (no wonder, there’s a club on top!) In cheap eats finds, other faves include the New York deli in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Serendipity 3 at Caesars, and delectable crepes in the shopping esplanade at Paris.
Pamper
You’ve GOT to spa. Best bets include the 37-room spa at Encore, where 14 of the treatment suites feature rain showers and skylights and amenities include an indoor whirl and plunge pool area with heated rock lounge chairs. Cheap Thrill: For $85, we enjoyed a 25 minute organic buffing with mimosa oil, which included a sugar-based scrub, shower, and oil application, plus use of the spa and fitness center all day, normally $35. For a more luxe experience, try the 75-minute desert stone massage for $235.
When bigger is better, head to the Canyon Ranch spa at The Venetian, which, at 134,000 square feet (it has a rock wall!) is one of the largest spas in the country.
Shop
People who say that New York is the only place to shop obviously haven’t been to Vegas – some of the world’s best boutiques are packed into this several-mile space. A must-visit is the newly-opened Shoppes at the Palazzo, featuring the area’s first Barneys New York and Christian Louboutin. Also worth visiting are the massive Forum Shops in Caesars Palace (Scoop; Intermix), the Fashion Show Mall (Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom) and the boutiques in various high-end hotels, including Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn, and Encore.
McLean Robbins is a freelance fashion, spa and travel writer. Find her work daily on DeaconDoesDC.com.
Bond No. 9 for Harrods
One of our favorite perfumes is taking a trip across the pond. Bond No. 9 is known for its fragrances that are named after New York City Neighborhoods like Little Italy, Chinatown, Bryant Park and Coney Island. The fragrance, Bond No. 9 Harrods has notes of Neroli petals, mandarin, wild chamomile, tuberose, clary sage, nutmeg, amber, leather, sandalwood, vetiver. There's one for him, too, with notes of Rhubarb leaf, star anise, chamomile, lavandin, pimentos berries, violet leaf, birchwood, musk, sandalwood. Jolly good!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Essie and Judith Ripka
She's experimented with 24K gold before, now Essie is using diamond dust in her polishes in the new Essie Loves Diamonds by Judith Ripka collaboration. The collection with the jewelry designer features Queen of Hearts, a shimmering red, Put a Ripka Ring On It, a soft pink, and Heart my JR Jewels, a beautiful burgundy.
A diamond, a sapphire and an emerald will be hidden separately inside three different bottles of Essie Loves Diamonds by Judith Ripka polishes. We assume the polish cleans off the gem easily.
The colors will set off Judith Ripka's chunky jewelry just perfectly. We have our eye on the Monaco Ring.
Las Vegas Getaway: Guest Post Part 1
Deacon Does Las Vegas
Thanks to Hope and Anne for letting us guest blog this column – Vegas has long been a favorite city, and we returned in July for our annual pilgrimage. This time, we brought along our boyfriend, a Vegas newbie who’d long been protesting the trip. By the end of a week, he was begging for more – here’s the secret:
Stay
Travelocity advertises hotels for “as little as $26 a night.” Thanks, but that’s not for us. We had reserved a suite at Encore Las Vegas, the newest tower of the Wynn resort, a towering gold behemoth across from the Fashion Show Mall. Totally worth the cost – every room is a small suite, featuring luxe amenities (ask for their hairspray if it’s not left in your room- amaaaaazing), super soft bedding and huge bathrooms, complete with TV.
The best feature? Touch of a button bedside service that activates privacy functions, opens floor-to-ceiling blackout shades, and turns on and off lights. Unlike some Vegas hotels that mistake overt gilding for class, Encore mixes style and modern comfort with elegance.
Be sure to ask at check-in about upgrades – a panoramic strip view room on an upper floor is as little as $25 per night more. Strongly recommended is the $50 per night upgrade to the Tower Suites, featuring private check in and concierge, as well as access to private dining, pools and more.
Perhaps due to its newer construction, Wynn and Encore feel much more airy and spacious than other properties, and décor looks updated and fresh. As expected, the hotel features a full complement of onsite including a delightful pool with outdoor gambling (beware, the European pool has optional topless bathing), a full esplanade of shopping with names like Cartier, Chanel, Hermes, Dior and more.
If you’re visiting soon, consider booking a trip July 30-August 2, when Beyonce rolls into town for an intimate concert series in the Encore Theatre. The hotel is rolling out the red carpet with surrounding events including a House of Dereon pop-up shop, an informal modeling show and even a Beyonce music video TV channel!
The downside of Encore is that it is quite a hike from the hotel to other casinos and attractions – it’s a near 10-minute walk just to access Wynn. Then again, you get to pass shops like Chanel and Manolo on your way – it’s not so bad at all. Cheap Thrill: Search sites like FlyerTalk.com or sign up for e-promos to get discounts – we found rates of $109 a night plus a $50 resort credit, while advertized rates online went for $179 and up.
Freebie Alert: Consider package deals – Vegas is one of the best cities in the world for these offers, which can include perks like slot credit, spa treatments, show tickets and dinners, the value of which often exceed the cost of a hotel.
Other Options: If I wasn’t to stay at Encore/Wynn, I’d book a room at the newly-opened Palazzo (ask for their concierge floor, similar to a Ritz-Carlton club level). Some of the fantasy suites at Palms, including the Playboy suite and the Barbie suite, would also be ideal for a bachelor/bachelorette party. If you’re really on a budget, upgrade with a AAA or government discount at hotels like TI and Mirage – you can often score suites in off-peak times for under $100 a night.
Play
Welcome to the city of sin – and a rival for the title of the city that never sleeps! Obviously, Vegas is a haven for nightlife of all kinds, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied during the day as well. Here are just a few of our suggestions for can’t-miss entertainment:
Shows – You’ve got to catch at least one show while you’re in Las Vegas. Anything by Cirque du Soliel is a great bet, but O (at the Bellagio), set on a spectacular moving water stage, and LOVE, an intimate in-the-round performance set to Beatles music, are two personal favorites. If you’re in for something a little more naughty, consider tix to Peep Show at Planet Hollywood, a topless revue starring a rotating list of celebs – Mel B (former Spice Girl) and currently Holly Madison of Girls Next Door fame. For the truly adventurous, round up your girlfriends for Striptease 101, a humorous yet sensual class that shows you how to shake it till you make it. Cheap Thrill: Tix 4 Tonight (visit the Fashion Show Mall location) offers day-of, half price tickets for available shows. Visit in the evening and you can often score “advance” passes for next-day shows as well. Freebie Alert: Don’t miss some of the area’s best free attractions – the nightly exploding volcano at Mirage, the “Sirens of TI” pirate show at Treasure Island (watch from the outdoor bar overlooking the boats), or the hourly moving statues in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Should you weary of shopping, spaa-ing, and gambling (more on that in a minute), consider a trip down the strip to hotels like New York New York or Circus Circus, which offer good ol’ fashioned amusement park fun. Warning: these thrill rides are not for the faint of heart – I nearly passed out on the NY NY coaster, which winds outside the hotel and features 360 degree loop-de-loops.
Party
By now, we’ve all seen The Hangover – it’s easy to imagine a night of decadence. The “it” club of the moment is the aptly-titled XS at Encore, featuring sexy poolside tables. Other popular spots include Tao at the Venetian, Pure at Caesars Palace, and Tryst, at Wynn.
We enjoyed cocktails at Ghostbar, also at The Palms, which overlooks the entire strip from the hotel’s 50-somethingth floor. The Mix, at Mandalay Bay, has a similar view.
Risk
Even if you’re not a gambler, consider at least budgeting a few Benjamins for your trip. Every hotel shop features several “basic strategy” cards for as little as $2, teaching you the bare-bones of casino games like Blackjack and Craps. Many properties also offer morning gaming lessons (usually before noon, don’t sleep in!).
We spent many an hour in the sports book, playing the ponies, but you can also place wagers on your favorite team to win, say, the World Series, often catching odds of 200-1 or more – which would make about a $4k payoff on a $20 bet.
Of course, there are slot machines – whoo! Wynn offered a variety of slot tournaments during our stay, where guests could win their share of a $10k grand prize daily. The day we departed, a $100k weekend contest was taking place, with no entry fee. Cheap Thrill: Penny and nickel slots – just beware that one “max bet” on these machines is often $3-$5, not 3 to 5 cents. Freebie Alert: Sit and play any game to drink for free – just tip the server.
McLean Robbins is a freelance fashion, spa and travel writer. Find her work daily on DeaconDoesDC.com
Check back tomorrow for more on McClean's trip to Las Vegas: food, spas, and shopping!
Thanks to Hope and Anne for letting us guest blog this column – Vegas has long been a favorite city, and we returned in July for our annual pilgrimage. This time, we brought along our boyfriend, a Vegas newbie who’d long been protesting the trip. By the end of a week, he was begging for more – here’s the secret:Stay
Travelocity advertises hotels for “as little as $26 a night.” Thanks, but that’s not for us. We had reserved a suite at Encore Las Vegas, the newest tower of the Wynn resort, a towering gold behemoth across from the Fashion Show Mall. Totally worth the cost – every room is a small suite, featuring luxe amenities (ask for their hairspray if it’s not left in your room- amaaaaazing), super soft bedding and huge bathrooms, complete with TV.
The best feature? Touch of a button bedside service that activates privacy functions, opens floor-to-ceiling blackout shades, and turns on and off lights. Unlike some Vegas hotels that mistake overt gilding for class, Encore mixes style and modern comfort with elegance.
Be sure to ask at check-in about upgrades – a panoramic strip view room on an upper floor is as little as $25 per night more. Strongly recommended is the $50 per night upgrade to the Tower Suites, featuring private check in and concierge, as well as access to private dining, pools and more.
Perhaps due to its newer construction, Wynn and Encore feel much more airy and spacious than other properties, and décor looks updated and fresh. As expected, the hotel features a full complement of onsite including a delightful pool with outdoor gambling (beware, the European pool has optional topless bathing), a full esplanade of shopping with names like Cartier, Chanel, Hermes, Dior and more.
If you’re visiting soon, consider booking a trip July 30-August 2, when Beyonce rolls into town for an intimate concert series in the Encore Theatre. The hotel is rolling out the red carpet with surrounding events including a House of Dereon pop-up shop, an informal modeling show and even a Beyonce music video TV channel!
The downside of Encore is that it is quite a hike from the hotel to other casinos and attractions – it’s a near 10-minute walk just to access Wynn. Then again, you get to pass shops like Chanel and Manolo on your way – it’s not so bad at all. Cheap Thrill: Search sites like FlyerTalk.com or sign up for e-promos to get discounts – we found rates of $109 a night plus a $50 resort credit, while advertized rates online went for $179 and up.
Freebie Alert: Consider package deals – Vegas is one of the best cities in the world for these offers, which can include perks like slot credit, spa treatments, show tickets and dinners, the value of which often exceed the cost of a hotel.
Other Options: If I wasn’t to stay at Encore/Wynn, I’d book a room at the newly-opened Palazzo (ask for their concierge floor, similar to a Ritz-Carlton club level). Some of the fantasy suites at Palms, including the Playboy suite and the Barbie suite, would also be ideal for a bachelor/bachelorette party. If you’re really on a budget, upgrade with a AAA or government discount at hotels like TI and Mirage – you can often score suites in off-peak times for under $100 a night.
Play
Welcome to the city of sin – and a rival for the title of the city that never sleeps! Obviously, Vegas is a haven for nightlife of all kinds, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied during the day as well. Here are just a few of our suggestions for can’t-miss entertainment:
Shows – You’ve got to catch at least one show while you’re in Las Vegas. Anything by Cirque du Soliel is a great bet, but O (at the Bellagio), set on a spectacular moving water stage, and LOVE, an intimate in-the-round performance set to Beatles music, are two personal favorites. If you’re in for something a little more naughty, consider tix to Peep Show at Planet Hollywood, a topless revue starring a rotating list of celebs – Mel B (former Spice Girl) and currently Holly Madison of Girls Next Door fame. For the truly adventurous, round up your girlfriends for Striptease 101, a humorous yet sensual class that shows you how to shake it till you make it. Cheap Thrill: Tix 4 Tonight (visit the Fashion Show Mall location) offers day-of, half price tickets for available shows. Visit in the evening and you can often score “advance” passes for next-day shows as well. Freebie Alert: Don’t miss some of the area’s best free attractions – the nightly exploding volcano at Mirage, the “Sirens of TI” pirate show at Treasure Island (watch from the outdoor bar overlooking the boats), or the hourly moving statues in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Should you weary of shopping, spaa-ing, and gambling (more on that in a minute), consider a trip down the strip to hotels like New York New York or Circus Circus, which offer good ol’ fashioned amusement park fun. Warning: these thrill rides are not for the faint of heart – I nearly passed out on the NY NY coaster, which winds outside the hotel and features 360 degree loop-de-loops.
Party
By now, we’ve all seen The Hangover – it’s easy to imagine a night of decadence. The “it” club of the moment is the aptly-titled XS at Encore, featuring sexy poolside tables. Other popular spots include Tao at the Venetian, Pure at Caesars Palace, and Tryst, at Wynn.
We enjoyed cocktails at Ghostbar, also at The Palms, which overlooks the entire strip from the hotel’s 50-somethingth floor. The Mix, at Mandalay Bay, has a similar view.
Risk
Even if you’re not a gambler, consider at least budgeting a few Benjamins for your trip. Every hotel shop features several “basic strategy” cards for as little as $2, teaching you the bare-bones of casino games like Blackjack and Craps. Many properties also offer morning gaming lessons (usually before noon, don’t sleep in!).
We spent many an hour in the sports book, playing the ponies, but you can also place wagers on your favorite team to win, say, the World Series, often catching odds of 200-1 or more – which would make about a $4k payoff on a $20 bet.
Of course, there are slot machines – whoo! Wynn offered a variety of slot tournaments during our stay, where guests could win their share of a $10k grand prize daily. The day we departed, a $100k weekend contest was taking place, with no entry fee. Cheap Thrill: Penny and nickel slots – just beware that one “max bet” on these machines is often $3-$5, not 3 to 5 cents. Freebie Alert: Sit and play any game to drink for free – just tip the server.
McLean Robbins is a freelance fashion, spa and travel writer. Find her work daily on DeaconDoesDC.com
Check back tomorrow for more on McClean's trip to Las Vegas: food, spas, and shopping!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Lia Sophia
You gotta figure if celebs--who can afford to buy or are able to borrow the flashiest, blingiest jewels--are wearing Lia Sophia jewelry, there must be something to it. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe recently spoke with WWD about the line. She says, "Most people would never know if something is real or fake, and you can achieve a lot of drama for not a lot of money with good costume jewelry." Mena Suvari sure looks like a million bucks draped in Lia Sophia pieces at a recent clambake in Malibu hosted by the line.
Lia Sophia isn't sold in stores. You can order multiple quantities online or do what we do and order from our favorite rep Carrie at Crvivas@comcast.net
Friday, July 24, 2009
Web Snob Roundup 7-24-09
Stiletto Jungle checks out the new Quiksilver Womens line.
Allie is Wired has a first look at Britney Spears's new Candie's commercial.
Coquette is falling for menswear-inspired shoes.
The Daily Obsession learns from Mizu Salon that balayage is the best kind of highlighting and offers readers $50 off to see her colorist!
FashionPulseDaily is obsessed as of late with the the recycled metal jewelry of Alex and Ani!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, using, and hating Leica DigiCams.
Second City Style and 12 other fashion bloggers filmed this video campaign to help keep your
Shopping and Info wants this ruffle dress by Michelle Mason.
StyleBakery.com rates this season's best heels
Stylehive takes you to Miami for the Zimmerman runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM!
The Beauty Stop investigates the new Aroma Sothys bath and body line.
The Jet Set Girls discover the new skinny Madewell '37 jeans for under $60!
The Shoe Goddess finds a fabulous pair of over-the-knee boots for less than $300!
Allie is Wired has a first look at Britney Spears's new Candie's commercial.
Coquette is falling for menswear-inspired shoes.
The Daily Obsession learns from Mizu Salon that balayage is the best kind of highlighting and offers readers $50 off to see her colorist!
FashionPulseDaily is obsessed as of late with the the recycled metal jewelry of Alex and Ani!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, using, and hating Leica DigiCams.
Second City Style and 12 other fashion bloggers filmed this video campaign to help keep your
Shopping and Info wants this ruffle dress by Michelle Mason.
StyleBakery.com rates this season's best heels
Stylehive takes you to Miami for the Zimmerman runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM!
The Beauty Stop investigates the new Aroma Sothys bath and body line.
The Jet Set Girls discover the new skinny Madewell '37 jeans for under $60!
The Shoe Goddess finds a fabulous pair of over-the-knee boots for less than $300!
Daily Candy's Travel Guide
While we have our favorite destinations (Hello, Miami! Bonjour, Grand Cayman!), we're always open to something new. And with a long August looming ahead, there's nothing like a last minute road trip with the girls. Are you with us? For inspiration, check out the Daily Candy Summer Trippin'. Its interactive map leaves us wishing our tech department was better funded. Love that you can search by location and moods (beachy, charming, sporty, green and homey).They also have fun posts on picnic baskets, summer sales and tips on packing an overnight bag. Plus, you can win a trip for two to Encore in Las Vegas. Good times!
San Diego: On Our Radar: Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Driscoll's Berries
For all the berry lovers out there, we may have found the perfect getaway for you! Driscoll's has teamed up with the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego to entertain guests with a Berry Butler. Every Friday and Saturday, July 3 – August 1, the Berry Butler will greet guests with fresh berries, help kids whip up fresh smoothies, and stage tastings with the resort’s Executive Chef Marc Ehrler (who is also a French Master Chef). The Loews Mixology Team will also conduct cocktail courses for adults and mocktail courses for children full of Driscoll’s antioxidant packed berries. Tastings and berry treats for guests of the resort will be free of charge and rates for the resort for the month of July start at $319 per night for a Superior King room.
In case you were wondering, eating berries is an excellent way to incorporate more antioxidants into your life - good for mind, body and soul! The Loews Coronado Bay Resort is surrounded by beautiful acreage and the Pacific Ocean. Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone - except for the berries, that is!
In case you were wondering, eating berries is an excellent way to incorporate more antioxidants into your life - good for mind, body and soul! The Loews Coronado Bay Resort is surrounded by beautiful acreage and the Pacific Ocean. Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone - except for the berries, that is!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rock Bebe Jeans
We can't seem to get enough of videos today! You can join in this one, too. Go on over to Rock Bebe Jeans, upload you and a friend's photo and let it rock! You'll automatically be entered to win a $1,000 shopping spree.
Don't Shop!
We're so excited that we can finally reveal our top secret project that we teased you a few weeks back. It's time to start shopping again, America! And while you're at it, book a trip, too!
Participating in the video were: Yuli Ziv of MyItThings.com, Jean V. Pratt of StyleObserver.com, Felicia Sullivan of FeliciaSullivan.com, Michelle Madhok of SheFinds.com, Lauren Dimet Waters of SecondCityStyle.com, Julia Dinardo of FashionPulseDaily.com, Anne Fritz of TheJetSetGirls.com, Morgan Williams of RunningWithHeels.com, Jennifer Davidson of StyleBakery.com, Gala Darling of GalaDarling.com, Sarah Conley of StyleITonline.com, Carolyn Hsu of TheDailyObsession.net, and Dina Fierro of Eye4Style.com.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Travel and Hotel Room Safety
We've been appalled along with the rest of you about the atrocious video of ESPN reporter, Erin Andrews. Who knew you could be taped through a peephole!!! We will now bring Post Its on our trips to cover it up.
Here are a few other tips to stay safe in your hotel room:
•Always dead bolt the door, especially when you're alone. Don't think this is important? While staying at the Standard in West Hollywood, we were taking a nap when someone knocked on our door, despite the fact our "Do Not Disturb" sign was posted. We ignored the knock, then the person tried to get in, but was stopped because of the dead bolt. Turns out, it was the bell hop with our dry cleaning. What he was doing coming into our room when the "Do Not Disturb" sign was up is another question.
•Speaking of signs, never put the "Please Make Up Room" one on your door. That alerts other guests to the fact that you're not at home. A better idea: Call housekeeping directly and let them know you would like your room made up. We particularly love staying at places with 24 hour housecleaning, because on a girls' trip, you never know when you'll all be out of the room.
Read on for more Hotel Safety Tips.
Here are a few other tips to stay safe in your hotel room:
•Always dead bolt the door, especially when you're alone. Don't think this is important? While staying at the Standard in West Hollywood, we were taking a nap when someone knocked on our door, despite the fact our "Do Not Disturb" sign was posted. We ignored the knock, then the person tried to get in, but was stopped because of the dead bolt. Turns out, it was the bell hop with our dry cleaning. What he was doing coming into our room when the "Do Not Disturb" sign was up is another question.
•Speaking of signs, never put the "Please Make Up Room" one on your door. That alerts other guests to the fact that you're not at home. A better idea: Call housekeeping directly and let them know you would like your room made up. We particularly love staying at places with 24 hour housecleaning, because on a girls' trip, you never know when you'll all be out of the room.
Read on for more Hotel Safety Tips.
Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour
The new Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour is like a pumped up longwearing gloss with benefits. It contains acai and pomegranate and other moisturizers to keep lips soft and smooth all day long. It goes on glossy without ever getting sticky or gunky, even at the end of the day.
Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour is available in 8 shades. Our faves are Absolute Acai (shown), a gorgeous berry color, and Nude-Tritious a wearable brownish nude with a touch of shimmer. Available at Clinique starting in August.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Convertible Bras
I'm an expert on bras. When we travel I pack as many bras as underwear: strapless, convertible, and halter, each one in black and nude. I look at the tops I'm bringing to make sure I've got the right bra and then usually bring extras just in case.
I have friends that are small chested and friends that are perky. I'm neither. I'm on the larger side and look great as long as the girls are properly supported. My favorite bras are the ones that come with both fabric and clear plastic straps and can be worn as regular, cross back or halter styles. Natori makes a great one (pictured above) that comes in black, cafe, and violet and can be worn as a regular two strap, halter, cross back or strapless and costs $50. Mine is in cafe.
Remember, proper sizing makes a big difference in the way your clothes lay. It's smart to have someone size you occasionally, Nordstroms has great staff to help.
Click here to purchase the Natori on line.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami
One of these summers we hope to make it to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami. Until then, we'll content ourselves with recapping the highlights:
Part of us secretly still wants to grow to grow up to be a Vegas showgirl, and when we do, we're donning this Mara Hoffman suit.
Another part of us wants to grow up to be a Palm Beach society matron. This Tibi cover up will satisfy that fantasy.
Bad boy designer Ed Hardy was new to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami, and one of the few that featured male models. He gets a thumbs up from us!
Forget yellow polka dots. We want this purple baby from Luli Fama:
As with any fashion week, the parties are nearly as important as the shows. We were sorry to miss the LYCRA® and Xtra Life LYCRA® Swim After-Show Party at the new W Miami. One of our favorite hairstylists, Gretta Monahan made it there and hung out with Whitney Port.
And Friday night's party at Louis at the Gansevoort for this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer L*Space by Monica Wise. Andy Roddick must trust new bride Brooklyn Decker quite a bit to let her hang out with Gilles Marini. (JK--we know Gilles is a family man.)
And we're still hoping one of our friends who went scored an extra bottle of the Essie Mars Red, which was designed exclusively for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami.
It matches the 2010 Mercedes E-Coup that greeted visitors to the tents.
You can't buy the brilliant red shade anywhere--you had to be lucky enough to attend one of the parties where it was gifted. No matter--we hear it's pretty close to Essie's Forever Young. Guess that will have to do!
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM.
Part of us secretly still wants to grow to grow up to be a Vegas showgirl, and when we do, we're donning this Mara Hoffman suit.
Another part of us wants to grow up to be a Palm Beach society matron. This Tibi cover up will satisfy that fantasy.
Bad boy designer Ed Hardy was new to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami, and one of the few that featured male models. He gets a thumbs up from us!
Forget yellow polka dots. We want this purple baby from Luli Fama:
As with any fashion week, the parties are nearly as important as the shows. We were sorry to miss the LYCRA® and Xtra Life LYCRA® Swim After-Show Party at the new W Miami. One of our favorite hairstylists, Gretta Monahan made it there and hung out with Whitney Port.
And Friday night's party at Louis at the Gansevoort for this season’s Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer L*Space by Monica Wise. Andy Roddick must trust new bride Brooklyn Decker quite a bit to let her hang out with Gilles Marini. (JK--we know Gilles is a family man.)
And we're still hoping one of our friends who went scored an extra bottle of the Essie Mars Red, which was designed exclusively for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim Miami.
It matches the 2010 Mercedes E-Coup that greeted visitors to the tents.
You can't buy the brilliant red shade anywhere--you had to be lucky enough to attend one of the parties where it was gifted. No matter--we hear it's pretty close to Essie's Forever Young. Guess that will have to do!
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Madewell '37 Jeans
Here's an idea we can bet behind: The ultimate skinny jeans from Madewell's new '37 line for only $59.50. This lower-priced line of jeans from the J.Crew off shoot is starting with skinnies, only—and doing them well. The jeans are notable for their fit, washes and fabric. What they don't have is fancy pockets or stitching. The jeans are available in black, plume, dark ash, avalanche, and chimney. We'll take one in every color!
Shobha Discount Code
It's that time of summer when our fake tan starts to get a little uneven and our bikini line is starting to get a little bumpy with ingrown hairs. Here's a solution for the latter: Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion. The superhero product has been featured everywhere from Daily Candy to Lucky magazine. It's full of good stuff: glycolic acid to exfoliate, tea tree oil to protects, chamomile to soothe and glycerin to moisturize.
JSG is excited to offer a $5 discount on the Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion with the code:
0709IRL502
Valid for online purchases only. One redemption per customer. Offer expires at 12am EST 8/1/09.
As for the uneven fake tan? Try our fave body scrub and start over.
Chicago Hair Tips
Headed to BlogHer later this week? Get prepared for lots of B-grade swag, plentiful snacks and much female bonding. And always make sure your hair looks great, no matter how hot and humid it gets with these tips from Samantha DuRoucher, Senior Stylist at Robert Jeffrey Hair Studio for Sebastian Professional in Chicago:
Q: How would you describe Chicago when it comes to hair?
A: Chicago's neighborhoods range from classic to modern to funky, so I see a wide range of clientele. Anything here is really okay. But it's best to keep as simple as possible, because the girls in Chicago are on the go!
Q: What does a typical Chicago girl do differently to her hair when she goes out at night?
A: Chicago girls like to blow their hair out with a lot of volume and body. The best product to achieve this look is Sebastian Professional Thickefy Foam, hands down!
Q: Are accessories like headbands and barrettes big?
A: I would say more like head-gear and scarves, like the big rubber bands that are worn around the forehead and hair....American Apparel/hipster style. The people in Chicago are more creative as far as accessories go.
Q: What are some weather issues a Chicago girl has to deal with year round?
A: Humidity! In the summer it is very humid, so if somebody has hair that gets out of control or frizzy in humid weather, I like to tame it with Sebastian Professional Taming Elixir as a blow dry serum and Sebastian Professional Halo Mist as a finisher.
Q: Is the water notably soft or hard in Chicago? If yes, how do you compensate product wise?
A: The water in Chicago is noticeably hard, so peoples’ hair tends to dry out. That’s when I recommend care products with a lot of moisture such as Sebastian Professional Drench Shampoo and Conditioner and Sebastian Professional Whipped Crème as a styling product.
Q: Are there more blondes or brunettes in Chicago?
A: Blondes!
So there you go. Are you going to BlogHer? Let us know how it is!! We hope your hair looks gorge!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tales of the Cocktail Recap
Well, we survived our first Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans--just barely! Now we understand why no one was able to tells us more about the event ahead of time than "It's FUN!". Everyone is too drunk to remember anything else!
We hit the ground running on Friday and attended our first seminar "The World's Biggest Bar Crawl" and drank our first cocktail, a Bloody Caesar, before we even checked into our room. As they served four very stiff cocktails throughout the seminar, we were pretty tipsy, pretty quickly. These bartenders--pardon us, mixologists, as we've learned they like to be called--sure like their drinks strong. The guides, Angus Winchester and Simon Ford, took us on a low-tech slide show tour of cool, hip and/or unusual bars around the world. We'll recap the seminar separately.
From there it was on to the Swag Suite. Usually we don't like to brag about what products we get for free, but this is one of the best swag rooms we've ever seen. Too bad we couldn't check all those airplane-sized bottles of booze in our luggage. We gave our stash to our grateful cousin who lives in the area.
Saturday, we hit the History of Cocktails seminar. We left after a 30-minute diatribe on the creation of the Gin Rickey. That was far too much on one drink for a casual cocktail enthusiast, like ourselves. To the speakers' credit, everyone around us sure seemed interested and were even asking questions. We did hear great reviews from our new friends who went to Hollywood Cocktails, which featured a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and Carnivorous Cocktails.
Next, we stumbled upon a St. Germaine tasting in the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone, headquarters of the whole shebang. St. Germaine, sauvignon blanc and fruit makes a killer sangria, by the way. Then, we went to a pre-party at the Don Q Rum suite. They demonstrated how liquid nitrogen makes for a dramatic and smooth daiquiri.
After, we headed to the 7 Deadly Sins party at the W, where each cocktail was inspired by a deadly sin. The only cocktail we truly remember was the Firefly Vodka Arnold Palmer made of tea flavored vodka with lemonade. It's good stuff! Other than that, we did wake up with some Pop Rocks in our purse, which must have made for one heck of a cocktail.
Later that night after dinner, we joined our new pals and crashed the Plymouth Gin Bartender's Breakfast. That's Annie in the green hat, below. Not much else to say, except Tales of the Cocktail is fun!
Interested in going next year? The entire event is open to the public, including many of the parties. You do need tickets to get into all of the seminars and the parties. There are also many impromptu events, like the Legalize Cachaca protest. We heard a rumor the Fine Living Network may be hosting next year, so it promises to get bigger and crazier! Reserve your room at the Hotel Monteleone early!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Web Snob Roundup 7-17-09
Stiletto Jungle checks out Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall's Bluefly line.
Michelle from All Lacquered Up reveals the nail polish collection she created with Shades by Barielle.
Allie is Wired covers Kim Kardashian's new Twilight look.
Bag Bliss adores Michael Kors' Hamilton - everyday chic with a reasonable price.
Bag Snob loves the easy chic of the Easy Studded Tote from YSL!
Beauty Snob takes the Glowelle 30 day challenge!
The Daily Obsession covers Louis Vuitton's tribute to the 40th annivesary of the Lunar Landing and looks forward to the next 40 years of space travel.
I'm Not Obsessed did a little digging and found the make for 3 of Lindsay Lohan's favorite
The Jet Set Girls test drive MySkins Nude Lingerie.
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wanting, and wanting Jimmyjane Ember Candles On Sale.
Second City Style took some time recently to Party With Poppy in Chicago!
Shopping and Info loves the black strapless dress worn by Angelina Jolie last week.
Vote for your favorite emerging designers at StyleBakery.com and you could win a Hayden-
Stylehive shows you had to take inspiration from Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" music video... without looking like a robot.
The Beauty Stop attacks the "toner myth."
The Shoe Goddess chats with shoe designer extraordinaire, Ruthie Davis!
eye4style is giving away AmorePacific's luxe Treatment Enzyme Peel.
Michelle from All Lacquered Up reveals the nail polish collection she created with Shades by Barielle.
Allie is Wired covers Kim Kardashian's new Twilight look.
Bag Bliss adores Michael Kors' Hamilton - everyday chic with a reasonable price.
Bag Snob loves the easy chic of the Easy Studded Tote from YSL!
Beauty Snob takes the Glowelle 30 day challenge!
The Daily Obsession covers Louis Vuitton's tribute to the 40th annivesary of the Lunar Landing and looks forward to the next 40 years of space travel.
I'm Not Obsessed did a little digging and found the make for 3 of Lindsay Lohan's favorite
The Jet Set Girls test drive MySkins Nude Lingerie.
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wanting, and wanting Jimmyjane Ember Candles On Sale.
Second City Style took some time recently to Party With Poppy in Chicago!
Shopping and Info loves the black strapless dress worn by Angelina Jolie last week.
Vote for your favorite emerging designers at StyleBakery.com and you could win a Hayden-
Stylehive shows you had to take inspiration from Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" music video... without looking like a robot.
The Beauty Stop attacks the "toner myth."
The Shoe Goddess chats with shoe designer extraordinaire, Ruthie Davis!
eye4style is giving away AmorePacific's luxe Treatment Enzyme Peel.
Aspen: On Our Radar: Aspen, Co.
We're looking for a mountain vacation this summer. We've been to the beach (and yes, we'll be back in August); but what we need now is a change of venue. We've wanted to stay at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen since we were kids, when we bumped into a full-length mink-wearing Arnold back in his Terminator days leaving the hotel.
The Hotel Jerome has a Give and Getaway package available the next couple of weeks (July 19th through August 1st, 2009) where you help restore the popular Hunter Creek Trail and in return receive a discounted rate. While building a new set of stairs along a steep stretch of trail will be challenging, you'll have a great place to recover when you get back. The project is scheduled for next Saturday, July 25th. Rooms start at $129.
If you have anything left in your tank for a night out head to the Fly Lounge which opened last year in Aspen. We're fans of the original in D.C. where the DJ's always spin a great dance mix.
Virgin America Ranked # 1
Congrats to Virgin America, the California based airline, for being ranked #1 “Best Domestic Airline” in the Travel + Leisure Annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey! In the survey, airlines are rated independently by Travel + Leisure readers in several categories, including: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value.Personally, we dig VA for the Wi-Fi, the purple mood lighting, the groovy tunes, the order-your-drinks-from-your-seat capability, and the great selection of music and videos on your personal monitor.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Get a Discount With My Colorist
I don't usually like to admit this, but for my fab colorist Joseph Mullen, I'll do anything. So here goes: I'm not a natural redhead. I was blond for much of my life, until I met Joseph while running a photo shoot at the salon where he used to work. Joseph came up to me at the end of the day and asked if I had ever considered going red. The rest is history!
Joseph has since changed salons and is offering an AMAZING 25% off discount to new clients. Simply fan him on Facebook or tell him JSG sent you. He's now at NYC's Blackstones Salon, next door to McSorely's. Send photos of your befores and afters!!
Alcone Makeup Remover Cloths
Next time you are packing for a weekend getaway with a carry-on or a month long trip, do not forget these! Alconecompany introduces Make-Off - makeup remover cloths for eyes, face and lips - and the best part is, you don't need water or soap! You can throw these in your bag to use after a long train ride, car ride or flight. There is nothing worse than falling asleep against the window or on your neighbor's shoulder and smearing your makeup. Now you can make sure you will look as fresh as you did when you started your journey.
They're travel-friendly regarding liquid guidelines for airlines, because they are essentially towelettes. These soft clothes are soaked in mild makeup remover and come in convenient individually wrapped makeup remover cloths. They even take off waterproof mascara. Throw them in your desk drawer, glove compartment, gym, beach and overnight bag and forget about makeup mishaps! The prices are as follows: 12 individually wrapped cloths for $6, 24 individually wrapped cloths for $10, 50 individually wrapped cloths $19, 80 individually wrapped cloths for $30 and a case of 500 individually wrapped cloths $175. Find them at www.alconeco.com.
They're travel-friendly regarding liquid guidelines for airlines, because they are essentially towelettes. These soft clothes are soaked in mild makeup remover and come in convenient individually wrapped makeup remover cloths. They even take off waterproof mascara. Throw them in your desk drawer, glove compartment, gym, beach and overnight bag and forget about makeup mishaps! The prices are as follows: 12 individually wrapped cloths for $6, 24 individually wrapped cloths for $10, 50 individually wrapped cloths $19, 80 individually wrapped cloths for $30 and a case of 500 individually wrapped cloths $175. Find them at www.alconeco.com.
Review - Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector
Every JSG needs a solid concealer in her beauty arsenal for those red eye flights or to camouflage a night of partying. Ours is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector. This baby is a 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter. The highlighter end brushes on to brighten and rivals the far, far more expensive YSL Touche Eclat.
Apply the highlighter under your eyes to cover dark circles or in the corner of eyes, along the brow bone, in the cupid's bow of your lip and along the sides of your nose to add luminous touches to your face. Blend with your fingers or a makeup sponge.
Dot the concealer on blemishes, age spots, broken capillaries or other areas you want to cover. Don't overblend, because you'll lose too much coverage. Let is set for 10 seconds before applying foundation or powder on top.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector comes in four shades, retails for a MSR price of $8.99. Available at your favorite drugstore or online.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
AirTran has Wi-Fi and Internetiquette
As of today, AirTran has Wi-Fi on its entire fleet. Now you can do a little shopping, catch up on emails, update your Facebook page and tweet to your hearts content while cruising above the clouds.
AirTran also released its guide to Internetiquette: "A guide to keeping everyone in line while they're on line." We give AirTran kudos for thinking ahead of the curve and possibly helping us avoid uncomfortable situations. For example: the bathroom is not your personal conference room; know what's in your photo gallery (family photos yes, Vegas pictures, no); and flight attendants are not tech support.
Happy surfing in the skies!
Harry Potter and Unicorn Tapestries
Yes, we were one of those crazy people who waited in line for hours last night to catch the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. What excited us the most, however, was not the Quidditch Game, the fight scene at the end or even our fellow Harry Potter-acs who dressed up in costume for the show (our favorite was an elfin Dobby). No, for us, it was what appeared to be a replica of the Unicorn in Captivity tapestry hanging in the halls of Hogwarts.
What's so special about this tapestry? The real one hangs in the Cloisters, the branch of the Metroplitan Museum in northern Manhattan that also happens to be our next door neighbor. The one shown in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the final of seven tapestries that displays the hunt and eventual capture of the unicorn. According to the New Yorker, the unicorn was a symbol of Christianity, immortality, wisdom, lovers and marriage. It adds an interesting layer to this film in particular, which (and we don't think we're spoiling anything here, since almost everyone has read the book) culminates with the murder of Dumbeldore.
If you ever make the trek to the Cloisters, call us! We'll meet you for a picnic after.
Help Legalize Cachaca
We learned a lot about booze over the weekend in New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail--sometimes more than we cared to, but that's a story for another day. We were more than happy to be educated about the plight of Cachaca, the key ingredient of one of our favorite cocktails, the caipirinha.
Turns out, Cachaca is forced to label itself, "Brazilian Rum", even though it has been around longer than rum. Read the official statement below:
In 1744, the Portuguese Crown declared that the production, distribution, and sale of Cachaça, Brazil’s noble spirit, would be illegal in the Portuguese Colony of Brazil. Fortunately for us all, the Brazilians rebelled and the virtues of Cachaça won.
Here we are 265 years later, and Brazil’s noble spirit, Cachaça, is still being tortured. Cachaça was invented nearly five hundred years ago in Brazil, in the early 1500’s, 100 years before its Caribbean cousin, Rum. In many countries, such as here in the United States, Cachaça is recognized officially as Brazilian Rum. Not Cachaça. This we do not understand, as Cachaça is not Rum. Cachaça is made from Fresh Cane Juice and Cachaça can only come from Brazil. As the Third Most Consumed Spirit, in the world, and the key ingredient to Brazil’s National Cocktail, the Caipirinha, we believe Cachaça deserves to be recognized as just that: Cachaça, and not Brazilian Rum.
Cachaca supporters have been staging "protests" around the country, like the one shown above from New Orleans on Saturday. This protest involved a jazz band and free shots of Cachaca, making it easy to get behind the cause.
While we missed June 12, International Legalize Cachaca Day, there's still time to sign the Legalize Cachaca petition.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Review DDF Advanced Protocol With Turmeric
We've been testing out the new DDF Advanced Protocol with Tumeric for two weeks now. While it's too early to see any anti-aging results, we can tell you we already HEART the DDF Advanced Micro-Exfoliation Cleanser. It leaves our skin feeling truly clean and fresh, without drying it out. In addition to turmeric, which the entire line features and is clinically proven to firm and tighten skin, the cleanser contains rice bran for exfoliation. And unlike other exfoliating products we've tried, this one doesn't irritate our skin or leave us flaky. It's especially wonderful to use after a hot, humid day to wash away all the grime.
All the products in the line do have a slight turmeric scent--it's more medicinal than anything else. On top of which, it's a huge improvement over the yeast-y smell of our other favorite skincare line, so it doesn't bother us in the least. At $46, the DDF Advanced Micro-Exfoliation Cleanser is a little pricey, but you don't need a toner after you use it.
Available at Sephora.
Summer Book Club: Seven Daughters Winemaker's Blends
We wish we had come up with Seven Daughters' motto "Who says sophistication can't be fun?" before they did; because that's what we're all about! This relatively new vintner from Northern California blends seven different grapes for both its white and red varieties. What caught our attention is their push to promote a girls' night in. Yes, we're more likely to write about a good night out; but we spend just as much time with our girlfriends at home over a good bottle of red.Visit the Seven Daughters website, www.7daughters.com, for ideas on starting a book club, selecting books and themes for book series, and for finding out more about the Seven Daughters' story.
We're partial to the Seven Daughters Red Winemaker's Blend which combines Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Carignane, and Sangiovese. Sure we would drink one of these wines individually; but they've done a good job of blending them to showcase each great character. We shared a bottle and a lot of laughs with our sis-in-law when she was in town last week.
Both the Red and White Seven Daughters Winemaker's Blends are $14.99 and available at wine shops and restaurants nationwide. Visit Seven Daughters to find a retailer near you.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Lingerie: MySkins Nude Lingerie
Whether you're wearing black, white or a bright print, we think nude is the best shade for your undergarments. While we do wear black bras regularly, it's been years since we've worn a white bra; most days you'll find us in nude. MySkins is a new line of nude lingerie which comes in 20 different shades to match practically any woman's skin tone.
We tested their system ourselves and are very pleased with the outcome. MySkins will send you a skin tone chart, which we opted for; or you can print a chart from your computer. Next you find the closest shade to match your skin. We were #17 Almond. Once you find your tone, you can order one of their three bras from their website. Ours is the t-shirt bra: one piece of molded, seamless material from the cups, to the straps, to the back. Check out the picture below where you can see how the seamless sides prevent lumps and bumps made by tight elastic. The hidden underwire gives good support and comfort. We've worn the bra for a couple of weeks and it's held up well through the many washings.
MySkins also offers three different panties, in the same shades and seamless material. We have no less than five pairs of white jeans in our closet that we rotate constantly throughout the summer. Great fitting nude panties are a must to avoid awful panty lines and muffin tops.
You can find MySkins on line, www.myskins.com. The bras are $48 and the panties are $12.
Privé Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo and Conditioner
I bought Privé's new Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo and Conditioner after my Keratin treatment in May. My stylist recommended the Privé products because their ingredients are organic and paraben and sulfate free and therefore better for your hair especially if it's processed. The packaging is environmentally friendly, made from recycled materials, and cleverly designed. The bottles are half as big as competitors because the contents are under pressure and dispensed as a foam: 40 uses per bottle which is the size of an average can of mousse. When the bottles are empty you can return them to your salon to be refilled and recycled.
The shampoo and conditioner smell great and the shampoo does a competent job of cleaning my hair of all those products with only one wash. The conditioner is light and doesn't weigh my hair down. Given that my hair is dry I prefer a deeper conditioner and have been using a weekly hair masque in addition to the Concept Vert. One word of warning, even if you have long hair like mine, don't be tempted to use too much shampoo or conditioner at time. Only a quarter size amount of foam is necessary as it grows and foams up much more than my regular products.
I would recommend the Privé Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo and Conditioner to any of my friends that love quality products, lean green (as we all should) or have had color or other treatments to the their hair. You can find Privé at salons or learn more on line at www.priveproducts.com. The shampoo is $28 and the conditioner is $30.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Karaoke Taxi Grand Cayman
One of the highlights from our recent trip to Grand Cayman was the Karaoke Taxi. We were lucky to have the van pull up to the Ritz-Carlton on our way out to dinner. It had two microphones, a screen with words, a long selection of songs to choose from, and a very patient driver, Eugene.
We love music but haven't ever been mistaken for talented singers. Our friend, Meg, on the other hand got a kick out of us, since she sings in the band, Love Muffin. We started with Borderline (Madonna, 80's love it), then moved onto Rio and the Gambler. From the pictures, you tell we weren't holding back.
We regret finding the Karaoke taxi on our last night. We'd have used it for a tour of the island, for rides to dinner, snorkeling or shopping. In fact, we've already decided to arrange for Eugene to pick us up from the airport on our next trip to Cayman.
Eugene Pascual of Karaoke Taxi at (345) 938-0030
Friday, July 10, 2009
Web Snob Roundup 7-10-09
Stiletto Jungle solves the too long jeans dilemma with denim hem tape.
Michelle from All Lacquered Up unveils her signature nail polish color Rescue Beauty Lounge Mismas
Allie is Wired has the details of the Lindsay Lohan fake tanner lawsuit.
http://allieiswired.com/archives/2009/07/lindsay-lohan-sued-over-fake-tanner-lack-of-
Bag Bliss talks with handbag designer Danielle Nicole.
Bag Snob- Prada goes back to basics for Fall 2009.
Beauty Snob- Home made hair masks that really work!
Coquette goes beyond the big floppy sun hat and picks the best stylish summer hats.
The Daily Obsession speaks with celebrity trainer David Kirsch to get some answers to those common workout questions.
Got your mind on beauty? Head to Fashion Pulse Daily for a chance to win this Givenchy beauty skin care duo, worth $85!
I'm Not Obsessed can't get enough of Emma Watson in this Christopher Kane dress.
The Jet Set Girls are lusting after Jimmy Choo's new shoes and bags!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Brent Black Panama Hats.
Second City Style hopes it's not really the end for Christian Lacroix because we loved his final couture swan song.
Shopping and Info loves Jessica Alba’s cowl neck tunic.
The StyleBakery editors share 100 things they're loving this summer
Stylehive has nine ways to get beachy waves and sun-safe hair this summer.
The Beauty Stop takes a close look at YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick.
The Shoe Goddess loves Megan Fox in these fabulous Lola pumps from Brian Atwood!
V-Style is giving away AminoGenesis’Perfect Reflection to the reader who wants to fight the signs of aging.
What do designers like DVF have to say about Brüno? eye4style has the scoop!
Michelle from All Lacquered Up unveils her signature nail polish color Rescue Beauty Lounge Mismas
Allie is Wired has the details of the Lindsay Lohan fake tanner lawsuit.
http://allieiswired.com/archives/2009/07/lindsay-lohan-sued-over-fake-tanner-lack-of-
Bag Bliss talks with handbag designer Danielle Nicole.
Bag Snob- Prada goes back to basics for Fall 2009.
Beauty Snob- Home made hair masks that really work!
Coquette goes beyond the big floppy sun hat and picks the best stylish summer hats.
The Daily Obsession speaks with celebrity trainer David Kirsch to get some answers to those common workout questions.
Got your mind on beauty? Head to Fashion Pulse Daily for a chance to win this Givenchy beauty skin care duo, worth $85!
I'm Not Obsessed can't get enough of Emma Watson in this Christopher Kane dress.
The Jet Set Girls are lusting after Jimmy Choo's new shoes and bags!
KRISTOPHER DUKES is wanting, wearing, and hating Brent Black Panama Hats.
Second City Style hopes it's not really the end for Christian Lacroix because we loved his final couture swan song.
Shopping and Info loves Jessica Alba’s cowl neck tunic.
The StyleBakery editors share 100 things they're loving this summer
Stylehive has nine ways to get beachy waves and sun-safe hair this summer.
The Beauty Stop takes a close look at YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick.
The Shoe Goddess loves Megan Fox in these fabulous Lola pumps from Brian Atwood!
V-Style is giving away AminoGenesis’Perfect Reflection to the reader who wants to fight the signs of aging.
What do designers like DVF have to say about Brüno? eye4style has the scoop!
Will Ferrell Sexy Hot Tan
Few people make us laugh harder than Will Ferrell. He was brilliant on Saturday Night Live and in movies like Old School. This summer he teamed up with Cancer for College to produce his own line of spf 30 sunblock with names like Sexy Hot Tan, Sun Stroke and Forbidden Fruit. The profits go to help fund college scholarships for students affected by cancer. We've got to get some of this for our next girls' trip. Thanks to Rebecca for the tip. Go to Cancer for College to order yours now. Below is a clip of Will on the Jimmy Fallon show- enjoy!
Tales of the Cocktail - On Our Radar -On Our Radar: Tales of the Cocktail
We’re headed to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail today—essentially a conference on cocktails. We’re not entirely sure what to expect when we get there, but every single person we’ve told who knows about it says, “It’s SOOOO much fun!” Cocktails and New Orleans, how could it not be? On top of which, we never need an excuse to go to our favorite city, shown in W's April '08 issue, above.
The event started on Wednesday, but we’re hitting the ground running. An hour after we land, our first event is the “World’s Longest Bar Crawl,” a virtual tour of bars around the globe, “showing you the greatest bars and the spiritual homes of the greatest drinks in history.” We hope that the Old King Cole bar in New York where the Bloody Mary was invented makes the list!
Other highlights of the weekend include a lesson on The Great Bourbon Street Burlesque Clubs, Absinthe and St. Germain cocktail tastings. (Not a the same time. We hope.) Our Saturday night winds down with Seven Deadly Sins, cocktails inspired by lust, gluttony, greed and friends.
Check back in to see how we’re doing. We can’t promise frequent updates, our instincts tell us we may be a wee bit tipsy for the majority of the weekend, but we’ll do our best to take lots of photos.
Here’s hoping our own tips for avoiding a hangover really work!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Prescriptives Here to Stay Mascara
Prescriptives Here to Stay 24 Hour Longwear Mascara is a smudge proof long-wearing mascara. Here to Stay is waterproof when worn alone (as we do) or water resistant if you wear it over another mascara. (We've heard Kim Kardashian wears more than one formula of mascara to make her lashes stand out.) The Here to Stay lengthened and separated our lashes, but not so much thickened them. Its flexible wand is designed to enable application though it takes some getting used to. We'd recommend this for a day at the beach, especially if you can't go without your makeup- we can't either!
Jimmy Choo Karina and Odette
The latest Jimmy Choo shoes are out now, and, WOW! the Jimmy Choo Karina is a shoe we would just about sell our soul for. It's leather, fishnet and gunmetal studs. We could wear these babies vacuuming around the house and still feel sexier than Megan Fox. And at $1,095, if we do buy them, home on a Saturday night is the only place you'll find us.
Equally lust worthy is the new Jimmy Choo Odette bag. The leopard print pony bag with snakeskin trim is so punk rock cool, we think you may have to be Debbie Harry to get away with it. We'll dream about it anyway.
At least we have the Jimmy Choo H&M collection to look forward to this fall!
Lancôme Pout-à-Porter Lipstick Collection
Soft & Slow. Sandwash Pink. Fashion Crave Framboise. Who doesn’t love the clever names on lipsticks? Now’s your chance to name one of your very own!
Back by popular demand, Lancôme’s Pout-à-Porter Lipstick series is returning for Fashion Week Spring 2010. World-renowned designers Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som and Thakoon collaborated ated in the past with Lancome's to create the most sought after lipsticks straight from the runway--all of the lipsticks sold out! For the Spring of 2010, emerging designer, Chris Benz is jumping on board. Those are his designs show, above.
Making it even more fun, you can name the lipstick for his show on Chris Benz’s Facebook page. If your lipstick name is chosen, you will receive five of the lipsticks plus a $500 Lancôme gift certificate. That can buy you a lot of great goodies! Simply post your suggestion on his Facebook fan page based on his personality and fashion sense. The new shade that you might name will be worn by the models at his fashion show in September! Go to the page and become Chris’s fan!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bachelorette Party - JSG Style
A little known fact-we actually started this website after planning our friend Shawn's bachelorette party back in April 2007. We had so much fun going back and forth over details like which hotel had the best clubs, was the pool scene at the Hard Rock too young for us, where could we shop, spa and dine. (Note to those who have never been to Vegas: Those taxi lines are a bitch, so it's best to play and stay in the same spot.)
Well, now that JSG's Annie's engaged, it's time to plan another bachelorette! First up: Where to go. Do we head back to Vegas? Staying at the Barbie Suite at the Palms would definitely be worth another trip. Go to our favorite Miami to check out one of the hundreds of new hotels that has opened up in the past year, including the Fountainebleau? Stick with something nearby like Atlantic City so ALL our friends from New York and D.C. can go? Branch out with a totally new spot?
We're open to ideas! And, of course, you're all invited!!
That's Hope's bachelorette party, above, about 100 years ago, before we could even find Vegas on a map, much less get into a club. Note the Lifesavers tied to her shirt and the disco limo!
Air New Zealand’s Safety Video
Air New Zealand takes safety very seriously and they will stop at nothing to make sure we pay attention! By nothing – we mean nothing – because that’s exactly what they are wearing. The crew will be illustrating how to fasten your seat belt, what to do in an emergency, and where the exits are, covered in nothing but body paint. As of June 29th, this new safety demonstration video is live on all 737 domestic flights. As part of their “Bare Essentials” Ad Campaign, they have a YouTube Air New Zealand safety video, which has already gotten over 2 million hits. Whether or not you think this is outrageous, it certainly will get your attention. This time around, we watched and listened to the video instead of our usual routine of finding a comfy spot in our seats and flipping through a magazine.
It should also help break the ice on the Air New Zealand's Matchmaking Flight this fall.
A few months back, we got to see artistically painted bodies in person at the MAC Cosmetics party. WARNING: The artistically painted bodies didn’t leave, um, quite as much to the imagination.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Summer '09 Playlist
Whether you're hitting the road, getting dressed in the hotel room with the girls or simply barbecuing in the backyard, ever summer needs a good playlist. Here's ours for Summer '09!
Sex on Fire-Kings of Leon
Due to it's R-rate lyrics, it’s not quite as ubiquitous as Umbrella was in summer 2006, but it’s up there!
Just for Tonight-One Night Only
This band’s popularity shot up after playing the Burberry party for the likes of Orlando Bloom, Blake Lively and Claire Danes. Lead singer George Craig (below) is an adorable 18-year old who was featured in the spring '09 Burberry ads.
Lisztomania-Phoenix
One of those happy songs that it’s impossible not to start dancing too.
I Do Not Hook Up-Kelly Clarkson
We don't either. (Ya right.) The video is hilar if you haven't seen it.
Michael Jackson-Beat It
No summer ’09 playlist would be complete without a tribute to the gloved one. This song is our fave of his many worthy hits.
Heavy Cross-Gossip
The first single off Gossip's new album is another hard rocking jam that will have you sweating from dancing so much in no time. Lead singer, Beth Ditto (below), recently launched a plus size clothing line with British brand Evans, cementing her post as the fashion world darling of the moment.
Live Version of Clocks-Coldplay
This oldie but goodie never sounded better than on the live album, LeftRightLeftRight, that Coldplay invites you to download for free off their website. Yes, for free.
A-Punk-Vampire Weekend
In a summer as wet as this one, there’s no better lyric to sum it up than, “Look outside the raincoats coming.”
Lips Like Sugar-Echo and the Bunnymen
Because every good summer playlist needs a classic 80s tune. Plus, we're going to see them in August at the All Points West Festival, so we need to start remembering their music.
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked-Cage the Elephant
By the end of August, let's hope that's true for all of us!
Did we miss a favorite song of yours? Let us know!
Shop at the iTunes Music Store.
Sex on Fire-Kings of Leon
Due to it's R-rate lyrics, it’s not quite as ubiquitous as Umbrella was in summer 2006, but it’s up there!
Just for Tonight-One Night Only
This band’s popularity shot up after playing the Burberry party for the likes of Orlando Bloom, Blake Lively and Claire Danes. Lead singer George Craig (below) is an adorable 18-year old who was featured in the spring '09 Burberry ads.
Lisztomania-Phoenix
One of those happy songs that it’s impossible not to start dancing too.
I Do Not Hook Up-Kelly Clarkson
We don't either. (Ya right.) The video is hilar if you haven't seen it.
Michael Jackson-Beat It
No summer ’09 playlist would be complete without a tribute to the gloved one. This song is our fave of his many worthy hits.
Heavy Cross-Gossip
The first single off Gossip's new album is another hard rocking jam that will have you sweating from dancing so much in no time. Lead singer, Beth Ditto (below), recently launched a plus size clothing line with British brand Evans, cementing her post as the fashion world darling of the moment.
Live Version of Clocks-Coldplay
This oldie but goodie never sounded better than on the live album, LeftRightLeftRight, that Coldplay invites you to download for free off their website. Yes, for free.
A-Punk-Vampire Weekend
In a summer as wet as this one, there’s no better lyric to sum it up than, “Look outside the raincoats coming.”
Lips Like Sugar-Echo and the Bunnymen
Because every good summer playlist needs a classic 80s tune. Plus, we're going to see them in August at the All Points West Festival, so we need to start remembering their music.
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked-Cage the Elephant
By the end of August, let's hope that's true for all of us!
Did we miss a favorite song of yours? Let us know!
Shop at the iTunes Music Store.
D.J. AM at Dusk
Hurry up and get packing for Atlantic City tonight to catch D.J. AM at the last of three opening parties for Dusk at Atlantic City. D.J. AM is part owner of the club at Caesar's Palace. Fitting as he's from Philly and the last time we were in A.C. nearly everyone we met was from the City of Brotherly Love.
No word on how often D.J. AM will be spinning at Dusk, but it's the only venue you'll catch him at in A.C. The club is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If we do end up planning out bachelorette party in A.C. it will definitely be on a night he's there! We know from experience that it's worth the trek.
Read more about D.J. AM's Dusk in the Philly Daily News.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Jin Soon and MAC Nail Polish
Combine the top name in New York's Fashion Week backstage makeup with one of the most well known name in nails and you get Jin Soon and MAC's nail polish collection, a combo that goes together more naturally than Lindsay Lohan and trouble. MAC, which has sponsored NYFW for as long as we can remember, and Jin Soon, who has been the go-to-gal for nails in New York since she opened her first salon more than 10 years ago, collaborated on a nail polish line that's straight off the Fall '09 runways.
While we covet all of the six colors, Jin says she is especially excited about the green hues: Dry Martini and Beyond Jealous (below), which is the shade editors were clamoring over at the Doo.Ri show. "I think come Fall ‘09, green is going to be THE color."
Don't be scared by the intensely rich colors. As Jin Soon says, "Nail polish isn't a tattoo – it’s only temporary - so I always tell my clients to have fun with their color and be adventurous."
We couldn't agree more. Annie got more compliments than she could count about her aqua toes over the Fourth!
The Jin Soon and Mac Nail Polish line is available starting August 27. We recommend you get them quickly because these are sure to sell out fast.
Win a trip to Mexico, Courtesy of Tory Burch
A vacation and a Tory Burch wardrobe? Sign us up! Tory Burch is giving away four nights at the ultra-luxurious Cabos One & Only Pamilla, airfare for two to Mexico, two massages and dinner at the hotel's Jean Georges Market restaurant and a $1,200 Tory Burch wardrobe.
If we win, we're definitely packing Tory's Stephanie dress, on sale now for $255.
Enter on Tory Burch's website.
Product Review - Rolling Razor - Product Review
This Rolling Razor is an awesome concept and we really thought we’d love it based on the other reviews we've read and it's futuristic appearance. It seemed cutting edge (pardon the pun) and the idea made a lot of sense. However, after using the Rolling Razor a few times, we just don’t think it does as good a job as some of the other razors we’ve used. It took us a few times just to figure out if we were doing it correctly, but after viewing videos on their website, we realized we simply weren’t getting the results we were hoping for. And seriously--who wants a razor that requires a video?
It does prove to be avant-garde, but the true test is how smooth our legs/underarms were. Sure they were hairless, but not as smooth as with other razors, and the hair grew back quicker. We do like the pomegranate shaving cream that the brand offers. It smells fresh and it is less foamy but equally as effective as other shaving creams. So all in all, kudos for design, thumbs down for smoothness.
It does prove to be avant-garde, but the true test is how smooth our legs/underarms were. Sure they were hairless, but not as smooth as with other razors, and the hair grew back quicker. We do like the pomegranate shaving cream that the brand offers. It smells fresh and it is less foamy but equally as effective as other shaving creams. So all in all, kudos for design, thumbs down for smoothness.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Web Snob Roundup 7-3-09
Stiletto Jungle plans out an inexpensive at home facial.
All Lacquered Up gives you a look at the MAC Nail Trend FW09 collection before its August
Allie is Wired fashion face-off: Carrie Underwood vs. Whitney Port.
Bag Bliss Find: Summer clutches for under $90!
Bag Snob- Alexander McQueen Glove clutch is bizarrely cool.
Beauty Snob loves Motives Liquid to Powder foundation for flawless skin!
Coquette loves the modern dresses with tribal patterns and Ikat prints.
Daily Obsession has the first look at Posh and Beck's steamy new campaign for Emporio Armani.
Fashion Pulse Daily can't get enough of Phillip Lim's eco-conscious collection, Go Green Go
Looking for a personalized mom necklace? I'm Not Obsessed shows you a celebrity favorite.
The Jet Set Girls found three great Fouth of July outfits for under $160!
Second City Style discusses what's hot in accessories right now with eBay Style Director, Constance White.
Shopping and Info found the pink floral skirt worn by Vanessa Hudgens.
Stylehive is still not over Blake Lively's bright CFDA awards dress, and has found a few that might just do the trick..
The Beauty Stop explains how to get fast and easy hairstyles for summer.
The Shoe Goddess revisits the 80s with these fabulous Jimmy Choo studded leather boots!
eye4style reports on the new line from Beyoncé and Tina Knowles - is Sasha Fierce on your shopping list for fall?
All Lacquered Up gives you a look at the MAC Nail Trend FW09 collection before its August
Allie is Wired fashion face-off: Carrie Underwood vs. Whitney Port.
Bag Bliss Find: Summer clutches for under $90!
Bag Snob- Alexander McQueen Glove clutch is bizarrely cool.
Beauty Snob loves Motives Liquid to Powder foundation for flawless skin!
Coquette loves the modern dresses with tribal patterns and Ikat prints.
Daily Obsession has the first look at Posh and Beck's steamy new campaign for Emporio Armani.
Fashion Pulse Daily can't get enough of Phillip Lim's eco-conscious collection, Go Green Go
Looking for a personalized mom necklace? I'm Not Obsessed shows you a celebrity favorite.
The Jet Set Girls found three great Fouth of July outfits for under $160!
Second City Style discusses what's hot in accessories right now with eBay Style Director, Constance White.
Shopping and Info found the pink floral skirt worn by Vanessa Hudgens.
Stylehive is still not over Blake Lively's bright CFDA awards dress, and has found a few that might just do the trick..
The Beauty Stop explains how to get fast and easy hairstyles for summer.
The Shoe Goddess revisits the 80s with these fabulous Jimmy Choo studded leather boots!
eye4style reports on the new line from Beyoncé and Tina Knowles - is Sasha Fierce on your shopping list for fall?
The W Hotel D.C.: On Our Radar: The W Washington, D.C.
As native Washingtonians we couldn't be more excited that the W Hotel is opening its doors July 8th. Not only because the W Washington, D.C. brings with it a fresh and modern twist to the luxury market; but because they're taking over the amazing spot long occupied by the Hotel Washington. Located just a couple blocks from the White House (in fact it's the closest hotel to the President's pad) and a stone's throw from the Washington Monument, it's simply ideal. We were fortunate to get a sneak peak.
The W Washington, D.C. did a fine job of renovating and renewing historical elements of the building inside and out, like the original Hotel Washington sign, the moldings throughout, and many breathtaking refurbished chandeliers; but they've added those hip uniquely W elements like an Beaux Art "W" outside (see above), a swanky lobby jewel box bar, crackled leather walls, and a retro cool roof top bar all created by noted designer Dianna Wong.
From the top down, we were wowed. The old Hotel Washington rooftop bar was a local fave to grab drinks after work or to bring out of town guests and now it's back and way better than before as the POV. The views which stretch from the Wilson Bridge to the Capital, to the Washington Monument (our view pictured above), and the White House are unsurpassable. The lounge is Alice in Wonderland inspired with red leather tufted couches and big curvy wingback chairs. Signature 20's cocktails with homemade juices and sodas and ice chips to match make it a destination of its own. Lunch and dinner tapas are served on the deck and guests of the hotel will be pleased that a portion of those tables are reserved for them.
Moving down the building are the W's suites and rooms. Each of the suites occupies a corner room affording you the best view we've ever seen from a tub. The guest rooms are modern W with lots of white laminate, shag carpeting, and frosted glass showers (sadly they say we're not ready yet in D.C. for clear glass) that open to the room to let the light in. What the average rooms lack in size they more than make up for in big comfy feather-top beds. That's where we spend most of our time anyway!
The expansive lobby bar (rendering pictured above) has plenty of room for daytime lounging and cruising the free WiFi, and its gorg refinished chandeliers with new LCD lighting components will change the mood and color for a swanky late night drink. When you go, scope out the refinished check-in stand that they converted to a private space.
Just beyond that is DC's first Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant with great steaks and haute cuisine that we'll review later. The J & G steakhouse is stacked with two aisles of big curvy leather booths, many of which have phenomenal two-story views of Pershing Park across the street and the monuments.
Around the corner and down a set of stairs or easily accessible from Pennsylvania Ave. is The Wine Bar, a cool and quiet space wrapped around a communal table serving small plates
One last uber important addition to the W Washington, D.C. is a brand new Bliss Spa where you can experience a signature treatment or purchase some of our favorite beauty products. While we were slightly disappointed to see only a single shower and loo, we're optimistic they'll space out the appointments so that you won't feel crowded in the otherwise fantastically appointed waiting room. Personally, we can't wait to get in there for the Triple Oxygen Facial and the brownie bar. They don't open until next week; but they're already taking reservations.
The W Washington, D.C. opens next Wednesday, July 8th, 2009. See you on the rooftop!
Launch - Intermix Ad Campaign Launch
We love Intermix and have been shopping there for years. This year is their 15th anniversary, so they are launching their first-ever ad campaign. Designed by the New York based Creative Agency ORPHAN, artist Matt Sohl and photographer Butch Hogan, the campaign is comprised of “playful and evocative” images in black and white with watercolor graffiti. You will find the images in WWD, V Magazine, on buses, and on the street in graffiti.You can shop the many designers and collections such as: Stella McCartney, Elizabeth and James, Herve Leger, Balmain, J Brand, ALC by Andrea Lieberman, Chloe, Yigal Azrouel, and many others. Intermix has locations in our favorite cities, so whether you’re traveling or you live there, check them out! You can find a store in NYC, East and Southampton, LA, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, DC, Boston, Charlotte, and many others.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15
Clinique's new Even Better Makeup promises to even out your skin tone and improve dryness and acne scars. It's a follow up to their popular Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. Best results are seen after 4-6 weeks, much longer than I've worn it. What I can report on is the coverage I've gotten the past couple of weeks. To begin with, I was happy that I didn't break out after using Even Better, probably due to that fact that its oil free. Usually, when I switch skincare products, especially in summer's heat, I'm due for a break out; not so with Even Better.I've worn the same sheer, tinted moisturizer for years; comparatively Even Better has fuller coverage and a heavier look. I'll be wearing Even Better when I'm having my picture taken, like at weddings this summer, or when I'm headed out for a girls' night for a polished face. I love the SPF 15, because you can wear it and feel safe in the sun.
Even Better makeup is available at department stores nationwide or Clinique.com for $24.50.
Hanky Panky: G-String and Fashion Show
Want to indulge your taste for bellinis while scoping out the latest in lingerie?
Head to Ciprianis Wall Street on Tuesday July 7 for a special $40 prix fixe menu and a Hanky Panky fashion show. RSVP to hankypanky.rsvp@gmail.com.We heard rumors about goodie bags...
Can't get enough Hanky Panky? We're suckers for cute packaging. (See: In Praise of Mini Burgers). So it follows that these adorable Hanky Panky Matchbook Thongs are too much for us to pass up. We like wearing brightly colored panties under our jeans and black pants for an unexpected surprise. The thongs are $18 each at Cusp stores.
Bars for 30-Somethings
Maybe it's because we're too busy having fun with people of all ages, but there's something that rubs us the wrong way about the new website 35saturdays.com. The site was founded by two women on the hunt for bars with Age Appropriates, or AA's for short, and promises to find the best bars for people in their 30s.On the upside, we give the ladies props for hitting up so many bars in such a short time and we applaud their efforts. However, they might have better luck if they did some research before heading out to the bars. For example, Live Bait at happy hour gets a poor review. Shocker. We haven't been there since we interned and had a fake ID. Ladies, just so you know, you may also want to skip any bar within a 5 block radius of NYU.
We don't always agree with the reviews on 35 Saturdays, like the thumbs up they gave Rudy's (shown). Admittedly, we've never been to Rudy's even though we lived around the corner for years. Why? Because it's a known dive bar--the kind where people start drinking at 11, even on a sunny day--and they serve free hot dogs. Forget age appropriate. Rudy's, is no place for JSGs.
Another gripe we have with the site: the reviews on places we want to try, like Warren 77, co-owned by hockey baddie Sean Avery, are woefully short and lacking in deets. It would be nice to know how crowded the bar was, what the dress is like and how pricey the drinks are, for starters.
On top of all that, what's so bad about partying with 20-somethings? Some of our besties are in their 20s!
For now, we're sticking with our friends recos and Deluxe Experiences for our NYC nightlife info.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Giveaway - Stila Summer Makeup- Giveaway
This week we are teaming up with Stila for a July 4th Giveaway. A few weeks back, we mentioned how much we're digging the new Indian Summer line which is gold-based to give you that just-got-back-from-St. Tropez glow.
Our JSG giveaway includes Stila favorites such as: the smudge pot, lip gloss, color palette for the eyes, powder bronzer, tinted moisturizer, mascara, lip glosses and blush, for a total of more than $200!
For a chance to win, please register for our newsletter, by entering your email address below. The giveaway is open through July 8. Good luck!
Discount Clothing: 3 Budget Looks for Barbecues
The countdown to the Fourth is on! We hope your plans involve fireworks and a barbecue! Here are three discount clothing looks for under $160. By discount, we mean radically marked down at some of our favorite shops:
Beach Party Discount Clothing Look:
If you want to wear your red, white and blue in a way that's more subtle than pinning a flag pin on your chest or wearing a tacky bikini, this look is for you. The white strapless dress will help you stay cool and crisp all day long--just be careful with the ketchup. Great for meeting the BF's parents, too. The hat makes this--at $160-- our most expensive look, but it's so cute, we think it's worth it.
BBQ Look #1 by Jet Set Girls on Polyvore.com
Pool Party Discount Clothing Look:
Do you have a pool? You're our new best friend! We like how bright turquoise bikini offers up a bright--and patriotic--surprise underneath the ombre terry dress. It's a no-brainer to pair it with everyone's favorite flips--Haviannas. Grand total: $105
BBQ outfit #2 by Jet Set Girls
Family Party Discount Look:
Does your Fourth involve chasing after little ones? Skip the jean shorts and go for this grown up sexier pair. Pair it with a bright cami and shoes. We even added a bracelet and kept it under $112!
BBQ outfit #3 by Jet Set Girls on Polyvore.com
Beach Party Discount Clothing Look:
If you want to wear your red, white and blue in a way that's more subtle than pinning a flag pin on your chest or wearing a tacky bikini, this look is for you. The white strapless dress will help you stay cool and crisp all day long--just be careful with the ketchup. Great for meeting the BF's parents, too. The hat makes this--at $160-- our most expensive look, but it's so cute, we think it's worth it.
BBQ Look #1 by Jet Set Girls on Polyvore.com
Pool Party Discount Clothing Look:
Do you have a pool? You're our new best friend! We like how bright turquoise bikini offers up a bright--and patriotic--surprise underneath the ombre terry dress. It's a no-brainer to pair it with everyone's favorite flips--Haviannas. Grand total: $105
BBQ outfit #2 by Jet Set Girls
Family Party Discount Look:
Does your Fourth involve chasing after little ones? Skip the jean shorts and go for this grown up sexier pair. Pair it with a bright cami and shoes. We even added a bracelet and kept it under $112!
BBQ outfit #3 by Jet Set Girls on Polyvore.com
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