Makeovers

We all know someone who needs a makeover. The sales lady at Walgreens who has yet to discover the very inexpensive yet very efficient Sally Hansen Facial Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit ($3.99) in the cosmetics aisle, that anxious classmate who chews on her fingernails during class rather than on a piece of sugar-free gum, the guy you went out with last Friday who wears Spider Man briefs in his mid-20's, or your overly self-confident and overweight neighbor who swears by spandex and insists in wearing skin-tight attire without the aid of Spanx or a personal trainer. And the list goes on...

But acknowledging when you need a makeover yourself is far more important than pointing out everyone else who needs one.

And that is why I have decided to give my blog a makeover. The reason: I'd like to share with you an array of interests of mine other than fashion.

Besides my interest in practical fashion, I love to cook, travel, write and photograph anything that inspires me.So, this makeover will be mostly about expanding my (blog)horizons.

Stay tuned!

Fashion for Rent

Don't Buy It, Rent It!

How many times have you flipped through the tabloids of an issue of Vogue and wondered, "When the heck will I be able to afford a designer dress?"

The wait is over. And, there is no need to spend a couple thousand in the designer dress of your dreams.

A few weeks ago my sister, a college student turned bargain-hunter and recessionista, invited me to join Rent the Runway.

This invitation-only website allows you to rent the hottest designs without breaking the piggy bank. If you're looking to impress a date, need a dress for your best friend's wedding or just want to wander around the city rocking a designer dress channeling Carrie Bradshaw, then Rent the Runway is just what you need.

And it gets better...you can also rent accessories to match the dress you choose!

It's simple: choose a dress from an array of A-list designers, schedule a delivery date to your home and voila...they include a second size for free, just in case your first choice doesn't fit! To return, just mail the dress and accessories in the pre-paid packaging. No need to worry about dry cleaning either, they'll do it for you.

To join Rent the Runway today click here.

Designer Makeup LookAlike: CHANEL

Qui qu'a vu

coco...dans le

Trocadero?

I've been obsessing over this lipstick for months. So much that during my last trip to Macy's I couldn't resist the urge any longer and asked the lady at the CHANEL cosmetics counter if I could try Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in Mademoiselle.

Although the shade looks slightly different on me than it does on the picture (even though the model and I have basically the same skin, hair and eye color), I absolutely loved it and was ready to make a purchase. Unfortunately for my whims and fortunately for my wallet, they were sold out!

Given that I was recently, let's say, "let go of my day job for financial and corporate restructuring reasons" and this lipstick goes for $30, I was determined to find a more affordable option CHANEL's latest moisturizing lipstick shade.

Let's face it, although I often splurge on CHANEL makeup, at this point in my life life $30 translates to a week's worth of groceries, gas money, or money to pay those two parking meter violations I've gotten while interviewing for new jobs over the past two months.

I think Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel would have done the same...

So off I went to my neighborhood's drugstore where I looked through various brands and shades of lipstick until I found two choices that matched the hydrating and color qualities of CHANEL's Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in Mademoiselle.

Et voilà...

L'Oréal Colour Riche Lipcolour in Tender Pink, approx. $8.99 at drugstores

Revlon Colorburst in Soft Rose, approx. $8.99 at drugstores

Try them out and let me know what you think!

Happy Shopping :)

Spring is in the Air

Spring has finally come and with it pours the rain.

I've been doing a bit of traveling lately and it seems like wherever I go it pours incessantly, which has forced me to pack my rain boots over and over again. Although practical, comfortable and easy to wear on a rainy day, I've grown tired of my chunky, rubber rain boots.

And of course, it wasn't until I was in NYC last week, running in high heels under the rain and trying to make it to an important meeting with decent hair that I decided perhaps a "cute" alternative to rain boots was needed.

Whether under the rain or for a day at the beach these "jellies" are perfectly cute for splash-prone adventures this spring. They're comfortable and easy to wash!

Nina Duffy in Clear, $34 at Lori's Shoes

Designer Lookalike - Jimmy Choo Jill Jelly Sandals, $235 at Shirise

Ragg Women's Gemstone Naomi Wedge Jelly Sandal in Black , $34.46 at Endless.com

Steven Jellys in Yellow, $66 at Lori's Shoes

HARBOUR Gladiator Jellies in Jade, $24 at TOPSHOP

Happy Shopping :)

Best Dressed at The Oscars 2010 Red Carpet

I am still so disappointed about The Hurt Locker getting all those awards last night, and most importantly, Best Picture.

Luckily, the following celebs did not disappoint me at all with their ensembles.

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing Chanel Couture

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka

Vera Fermiga wearing Marchesa

Meryl Streep in Chris March

Kristen Stewart wearing Monique L'Huiller

Aren't you happy that she's smiling on the red carpet?

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

Sandra Bullock wearing Marchesa

Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka

What do you think? Post your comments!

Alice in Wonderland

What is the use of a book, without pictures or conversations?

Finally, the day that many of us have been waiting for has arrived - the release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Looking through my collection of magazines, I found this beautiful Annie Leibovitz Alice in Wonderland spread for Vogue (December 2003) that features a plethora of top designers alongside young model Natalia Vodianova.

I thought I'd share it with you and get you in the mood for tonight's showing. Enjoy!

Vogue, December 2003

Fashion for Relief.

In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Port au Prince earlier this month, organizations around the world have come together to contribute to relief efforts for Haiti.

In addition to the Red Cross, armed forces and NGO's initiatives, fashion labels are donating a percentage of their sales to organizations involved in relief efforts for Haiti.

Now you can do some shopping and support the people of Haiti at the same time!

Havaianas

Besides sending 7,000 pairs of flip flops via Soles4Soles, the Brazilian sandal-maker we all love, is teaming

up with Lucky Magazine to donate 30% of the proceeds of the sale of their "Little Bird" sandals on LuckyMag.com to the American Red Cross from January 22- March 1.

Hanky Panky

Haky Panky will be donating 10% of its web sales during the month of January to the American Red Cross.

Shop at www.hankypanky.com

Kooba

Accesories label Kooba will be donating 15% of their online sales to the Haitian relief efforts of Doctors Without Borders. Applied to all full price and sales items as well as gift certificates purchased now through Friday, January 29.

Shop at www.kooba.com