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WANT: Tribal Meets Art Deco in French Connection Drop Necklace
6.29.10I love this drop necklace from French Connection. It’s sleek, dramatic and is definitely a statement piece–meaning, keep the rest of your outfit simple so this doesn’t compete with anything else. I like that it has a tribal-esque feeling without being too trendy. It can go from this season to next, seamlessly and dramatically.
Wear it by the pool with a black string bikini and big rimmed straw hat or with a white form-fitting shift dress.
Get it now while it’s on sale for $41.99, down from $88.
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LUST: Summertime Skinny Cargo Pants
6.25.10I’ve been lusting after the J Brand Houilihan skinny cargo pants ever since they came out. They’re a great alternative to jeans and look great with platform heels or wedges. The price ($231), though made me go, “EEEEEKKK!”
Luckily, one of our favorite juniors brand, Delias, makes a great version. Check out their Trooper skinny twill pants.
To more closely mimic the cropped look of J Brand’s pants, I would probably roll up the bottoms and wear them with high-heeled clogs. And at $19.99, you can put the money you save towards the motorcycle jacket you need for fall.
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Oranges–Not Just for Vitamin C Anymore, Now Appearing on Lips Everywhere
6.23.10Orange on lips has been seen popping up on celeb lips for the past couple of years. Scarlett Johansson, Leighton Meester and Jessica Szhor have all been seen sporting the juicy shade on and off the red carpet. When used with slight smudged eyeliner and mascara as the only other makeup, it can look fresh and make eyes pop!
Two great ones to try (and at opposite ends of the price spectrum) are Mac Morange and Milani Orange Gina.
Another way to try the citrusy trend is to rub just a bit of the lipstick onto your cheeks for a fresh, fun summer look!
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From the Runway to Real Life–Wearing the Underwear-as-Outerwear Trend
6.22.10We started seeing the underwear-as-outerwear trend last fall on runways from London to Milan to Paris, but as we know, not everything on the runway can be worn the same way at your office job. That’s the beauty of fashion! We can take inspiration, tweak it and mold it to fit our non-runway lives.
You may not wear a bra out, but you’d wear a corset-inspired top like the one below from Topshop.
With boning, molded cups and a zip front, you can feel daring without needing to set an hourly rate.
Wear with this Narciso Rodriguez high-waisted skirt from The Outnet.
I really love this Christian Dior bustier dress with its molded bustier top and faux-sheer lining. It’s super sexy, but it doesn’t have to be slutty.
If it still shows more skin than you’re comfortable with, throw on this Topshop blazer with it for a downtown cool feel.
The key is to take underwear elements–like a bit of lace or sheer mesh or boning and incorporate ONE into your outfit, otherwise you’ll look like Lady Gaga (and it’s nowhere near Halloween, kids).
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Blow Your Vuvuzelas–Check Out Havaianas World Cup Flip-Flops
6.20.10Show support for your favorite soccer team with Havaianas limited edition World Cup flip-flops, representing 17 teams–USA, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Argentina, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia, England, Paraguay, France, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Nigeria and Cameroon.
At $24, these colorful sandals are the perfect way to show some nationalistic pride! They’re only being sold until July 11, but will most likely sell out before then. Score them online (haha) at Havaianas or Barneys, but hurry, because supplies are running low. GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!
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Get Dad a Shirt Subscription with J. Crew’s Shirt of the Month Club
6.18.10Father’s Day is Sunday, but if you haven’t gotten Pops (or your baby daddy) a gift yet, don’t fear–J.Crew has unveiled a shirt subscription program where they send subscribers a handpicked shirt every month for a year. And, Dad can exchange for a better size if any given month’s selection doesn’t fit.
A yearly subscription costs $695, roughly $57 per month. Sign up by phone: 866-739-5944.
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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow- San Diego’s Top Hair Removal Spots
6.16.10Hair has been the bane of women for ages. Too much in certain areas, not enough in others. It’s really enough to make a woman go mad! Luckily, there’s a myriad of options to remove it—some old, some new, all effective. So throw away your razor and check out San Diego’s best places to keep your skin silky and smooth!
String It Along-THREADING
Possibly the oldest method of hair removal, threading harkens back to the days of Cleopatra when the entire body used to be threaded. Now, threading is generally used for deftly shaping brows and quickly removing hair from the entire face. A technician holds a piece of cotton thread between her teeth and rolls the ends between her fingers to pull the hair out from the root. According to Dolly Bakshai of Beauty by Dolly, threading results can last up to three weeks and does zero harm to skin. It’s a very precise technique for eyebrows and takes anywhere from five to 15 minutes. Bonus? It averages $12 for the brows.
Best for: face, eyebrows
Try: Beauty by Dolly, www.beautybydolly.com, 858-693-0200
Urban Calm, www.urbancalmspa.com, 619-236-1395
Go Brazilian-BRAZILIAN WAXING
Started by five Brazilian sisters in New York in 1987, Brazilian waxing has exploded in the United States as the most daring method of hair removal in terms of amount of hair removed. Adri Rebis of Bella Brazil explains that due to the Brazilian influence, bikinis are getting smaller, necessitating a “clean” bikini area. Waxing utilizes warm or hard wax that’s carefully applied to the skin and pulled off quickly. With it, the hair comes out at the root. Depending on the density of the hair, it may break the first three to four waxes, but with time, hair becomes sparser and weaker. You need at least a quarter inch or two weeks’ worth of growth. She only uses hard wax since it adheres to the hair and not the skin. Results last from two to six weeks. Bonus? The more you do it, the less it hurts!
Best for: Brazilian bikini, underarms, legs
Try: Bella Brazil, www.bellabrazilspa.com, 858-964-5109
Beauty and Body Lounge, www.beautyandbodylounge.com, 619-692-9300
Sweet Pull-SUGARING
The predecessor to modern-day waxing, sugar “wax” consists of all natural ingredients like lemon and honey. The technician applies the gooey mixture to your skin—where it heats naturally to your body temperature—then pulls it out in the direction of the growth rather than the opposite direction, which prevents ingrown and lessens the chance of irritation that can sometimes be a result of regular wax. Results last approximately as long as regular waxing. Barb Crum of Tranquil Spa Services by Barb says that it’s great for men’s backs since men have more nerve endings, so no more red bumps! Bonus? It’s so natural, you could literally eat it!
Best for: legs, underarms, backs, upper lip
Try: Tranquil Spa Services by Barb, www.tranquilspaservicesbybarb.com, 619-227-8238
Swanky Sugar, www.swankysugar.com, 858-663-5914
Zap It Away-LASER
I tried the new Cynosure laser at Laser Away. Having heard horror stories about laser hair removal and how it feels like hot needles poking into you, I was pleasantly surprised at the quick and relatively painless laser session. Gone are the days of messy gels and hours-long sessions. They iced my underarms for a couple of minutes and then applied the laser. With the laser, shot out a stream of cold air, which considerably lessened the feel of the laser. Laser Away recommends six sessions spaced six weeks apart for permanent hair removal (barring major hormonal changes). Bonus? Once you’re done, the hair is gone—forever!
Best for: bikini, underarms, legs, back, chest
Try: Laser Away, www.laseraway.net, 760-929-9944
Vasseur Skin Salon & Spa, www.vasseurdayspa.com, 619-236-9095
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WANT: Rachel Comey’s Sojourners Jumpsuit, Half Jumpsuit, Part Sari, All Style
6.15.10This is one of the coolest jumpsuits I’ve come across since jumpsuits and rompers decided to make an appearance a few years ago.
Rachel Comey’s mid-length jumpsuit will keep you cool as booty shorts without letting your ass hang out. I love the sari-like draping, which will make you feel like a modern day Bollywood star. Perfect for the red carpet, the gallery or simply just dinner.
Available at Forward by Revolve.
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Fashion Photograph of the Day: Cameron Russell by Greg Kadel in Vogue Germany July 2010
6.15.10Greg Kadel shoots Cameron Russell in the Beach Beauty editorial for Vogue Germany’s July 201o issue.
Keywords: evocative, dusk, strong, sensual.
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Channeling Liberace: Why are Sequined Shoes Making a Comeback?
6.13.10With slight alarm, I’ve been noticing sequins popping up on women’s shoes for summer and pre-fall–from Converse kicks to Miu Miu platforms. What accounts for this need for bling on one’s footwear? Is it a longing for the simpler times of Liberace or have we nothing else left to bedazzle? I, for one, will be skipping the sequins and keeping them where they belong–on pasties.
For the comfort-loving professional, I present: Sam Edelman Kat Sequined Oxfords!
For the hip-hop sequin lover, check out these Converse All Star Sequins in rainbow colors!
For the glam diva who needs her shoes to make an entrance before she does, how about Miu Miu Glittered Criss-Cross Pump? (I know glitter and sequins aren’t the same, but they are relatives.)
Just for kicks (haha!), check out shoes from Liberace’s actual shoe collection from the Liberace Museum in, where else, Vegas.
Here’s his red sequined sneaker, circa 1966.
And, his beaded pink loafers, circa 1967.
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WANT: Lenny Swimwear- A Wet Version of the LBD
6.11.10Lenny Swimwear, one of Brazil’s most popular swimwear lines, never disappoints when it comes to sleek sophistication coupled with a sexy South American aesthetic. Bandeaus, skinny halters and laser cut tops combine with tie and ring-detail bottoms to create chic suits worthy of the world’s sexiest beaches.
Here are a few favorites from the current collection (and available for sale online).






































