Friday, July 30, 2010

Beauty Junkie: Smitten with Stila

I have to confess: things are suddenly getting a lot more serious between a certain beauty brand and me. Let me explain.

Now I've had a long-term relationship of sorts with Stila Cosmetics for well over a decade. Sure, I dabbled with their smudge pots and glosses, and even flirted around with their shimmery eye shadows, but it was always just for fun. I admit it's never been heart-pounding infatuation, or even close to lust. But nonetheless, Stila has always been on my radar and it's always treated me well...but never anything to write home about, so to speak.

That was, until I laid eyes on a few of its newest releases: the smudge stick waterproof eyeliner, the custom color blush and the all-day waterproof liquid eyeliner.





I think I'm in love.

No, seriously. These products are perfection, and I don't just toss terms like that around loosely.

Both of the eyeliners give me a fabulously long-lasting cat eye that stays on all day (I even went to the pool today and had no traces of smudging!) The ink pen gives a precise deep black line that dramatizes eyes like no other (my other lifelong favorite is from CARGO, but is no longer available at Sephora, so I've been on the hunt for an adequate replacement.) The smudge stick surprised me with its performance, as well, and comes in a handful of fun colors. My pick? Purple tang.

And lastly, the blush is beyond. I realize it looks slightly gaudy in bright fuchsia, but trust me when I say this pH-based powder magically adapts to your skin tone and looks phenomenal. Truly the perfect blush--I can't get enough!

Get your Stila stash at Sephora.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Dress of a Lifetime

As I've written about previously, my good friend Ali is boldly allowing the world to plan her wedding day--no easy feat! Everything from the color scheme to the venue to the band and more has been voted on by the public, and now we're down to (probably) the most exquisite detail of them all: the wedding dress!

Ali is smitten with this Angel Sanchez design, and as her good friend and fashion cohort, I have to agree that this one suits her the best and would be perfection on her wedding day.



She desperately needs votes for her dream dress, which is why I'm posting the link here. We're Team Angel Sanchez and need to recruit more voters. Please take two seconds out of your day and help this blushing bride fulfill her wedding day dreams!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Currently Obsessed with...

...these fabulous rosette cupcakes!


Birthdays, bridal showers, beauty bashes...I can think of so many excuses to order these fabulous confections in bulk and share with girlfriends.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Adventures in Shoe Shopping

In a previous post, I raved about the mega-platform peachy leather Casadei pumps (below) I was dying to get my hands on, but my size was nowhere to be found.



A little bit of sleuthing, and I discovered that Steve Madden did some not-so-shabby knock-offs that come in a suede peach color ($89.95), as well as a glittery gold ($139.95) for a fraction of the price. They're not quite as high, but maybe that's not such a bad thing. Thoughts?



Sunday, July 18, 2010

Celebrity Style: Stephanie Pratt

Stephanie Pratt toasted the finale of The Hills in an ombre strapless dress by red carpet favorite Herve Leger.




$1,590 at IntermixOnline.com

Thursday, July 15, 2010

My First Video Blog!

Hi lovelies! So I decided to start doing video blogs for The Fabulous File to kick things up a little or when I just feel like a simple picture just won't do a product justice.

Tonight I hit up the AmicaStyle trunk show at the Warren-Tricomi salon in LA and felt inspired to shoot a quick wrap-up of the fabulous night. I am LOVING this line and the designer, Danielle Premone, is just about the hippest girl ever. Check it out!

video

20% discount code: AMICA20 on www.amicastyle.com








Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Celebrity Style: Jenna Dewan

Jenna Dewan stepped out in Ischia with hottie husband Channing Tatum in a silk romper from Armani Exchange.

I absolutely love rompers and I've had my eye on this one for awhile, so as soon as I saw pics of Jenna, I knew exactly where she snagged her look. And FYI, it's currently on sale (online and in stores) for $89.




Saturday, July 10, 2010

Legs for Days

I scored some fabulous classic suede platform Casadei peep-toe pumps on sale while in Vegas last week, and am now entirely obsessed with the line. Their most popular styles rival the chic stylings and towering heights of Louboutins, but actually fit [me] better and are more comfortable--not to mention less extravagantly-priced. Win.

I'm dying for these mega platforms in a gorgeous peachy nude leather...if only they had my size in stock, I'd snap them up in a heartbeat.




$560 (on sale!) at www.Endless.com

Sweet Like Candy

This sparkly clutch is reminiscent of rock candy.





Deux Lux Bonbon Clutch $76 at www.shopnastygal.com

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Bellacures Expands to Santa Monica

The ultra-chic nail salon is going father west (they already have locations in Brentwood and Beverly Hills)--and is offering a week full of fun themes and discounts for patrons before their official grand opening. Check out the schedule below and get beautified before the Fourth of July!





www.bellacures.com

Viva La Loft

LOFT (as in, Ann Taylor LOFT, but don't you dare attach AT to the brand anymore), has been redesigned for a lighter, livelier, more fashion-forward customer and made quite a strong splash in L.A. last week with a cocktail party hosted by stylist Nicole Chavez. Tons of chic fashion power players arrived to the penthouse suite to see the clothes, admire the views and toast the new creative direction of a fashion brand that was undoubtedly falling by the wayside.







The clothes were cute-ish, and might just give H&M a run for their money, if they play their cards right, but only time will tell. For my full story write-up, click here.

Beauty Junkie

My latest beauty obsession comes in the form of a fabulous little bottle from Josie Maran. Her Argan Primer Mist is an unbelievable solution to just about everything: it's an all-natural healer and protects skin against aging, sun exposure, dullness and more.



Just spritz on skin (I spray in my palm first and then pat onto my face) in place of a moisturizer this summer, and your skin will look radiant and even; or mist your hair with it for a fresh pick-me-up to banish dried, damaged locks.

My favorite use? One spritz swirled with my Bare Escentuals Matte foundation creates a perfect base that gives phenomenal coverage and stays in place all day...even in summer's sweatiest moments.

$36 at Sephora.com.