February 10, 2010

Prabal Gurung Spring 2010 RTW

For debuting his first collection only one year ago at New York Fashion Week, Prabal Gurung has made a name for himself in the fashion world. I’m in love with his Spring 2010 RTW Collection and it is clear this man has amazing construction skills. His pieces are timeless yet modern. Nothing is too over-the-top (think anti Lady Gaga) yet everything still stands out.

Prabal Gurung’s Spring 2010 RTW Collection is composed of many neutrals, some sheer tops, constructed pieces, pops of blue (one of my favorite blues to wear by the way), and a few polka dots here and there and a bow on almost every piece to tie the collection together.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the collection:

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I love this dress because it’s simple yet modern (which goes along perfectly with the collection) and the bow on top of the one shoulder is like icing in the cake; it pulls everything together. This dress can be dressed up or down which I think is very important when it comes to investment pieces. It needs to be versatile so you can get more than one use about it. This dress does just that.

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As I mentioned before, the blue that occurs in this collection is so beautiful and it creates that perfect pop of color to spruce up your wardrobe. I love the simple blue dress paired with the more severe black jacket. This is just another way you can do something different with a simple dress. Pair with a fun jacket or a great belt and you have a whole new look.

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I love this blue. I love long dresses. I love low backs. This has the entire package. Not only is the back steep and sexy, there is a lot of detailing to appreciate on the bottom. The draping and the bow really make this dress into something more than the ordinary low-back dress. The bright blue doesn’t hurt either…

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I think this may be my absolute favorite from the collection. Again, I love the one-shoulder look (VERY in right now…just look at pictures from any recent awards show) and the contrast of the top and bottom makes this dress really stand out. It’s not for everyone, but I love this look of another material (especially feathers) “coming out of” the bottom of the dress. Sometimes it can be too over-the-top but this balances a classic dress with a creative and modern twist.

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For only being in the fashion circuit for a year, Prabal Gurung has already been seen on celebrities like Leighton Meester, Demi Moore and Thandie Newton.

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I found this video on YouTube that follows Prabal Gurung as he prepares for Fashion Week (from September 2009) that really made me fall in love with him. You can tell he’s very passionate about what he does and he truly appreciates the people who support him, which is always very admirable in a designer.

For more information about Prabal Gurung, check out his website at www.prabalgurung.com

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So, what do you think of Prabal Gurung’s Spring 2010 RTW collection? What did you think of his past collections? Are you going to New York Fashion week this weekend? He is showing his newest collection this Saturday! Let me know what you think.

February 8, 2010

Annie Handbags: Timeless Style and Beauty

 Annie Diamantidis, the designer behind the amazing Annie handbags and accessories, is a Chicago designer that has redefined the handbag industry by not only crafting exquisite items but adding 14k gold jewelry to each handbag.

Since launching her line of luxury handbags. Annie Diamantidis is quickly gaining global recognition. Here’s a taste of what people are saying about Annie handbags…

  • Chicago Social magazine says “Diamantidis’ line is well on the way to becoming one of Chicago’s premier luxury brands.”
  • The Handbag Report has profiled Annie a “Haute Designer.”
  • Australia’s Nine to Five Magazine features the Athena clutch as a “Fab Find.”
  • Fashion TV says Annie Handbags are “A Trend to Remember.”
  • Luxist featured the Clio Clutch as “Handbag of the Day”

 

My favorite handbag from the collection is the “Clio Clutch” which comes in blue ostrich and black leather.

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Clio Clutch, price upon request 312.498.3933

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Annie also has some great accessories. My favorite are the crocodile cuffs that come in brown and dark purple.

Crocodile Cuff, $175 each at www.anniebags.com

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The collection is carried exclusively in high-end boutiques nationwide and online at www.anniebags.com. Although pricey, these are timeless pieces that will last forever and can be passed down from generation to generation. It’s an investment piece and worth every penny.

So, what do you think of Annie’s collection? What are your favorites? I want to hear from you!

February 6, 2010

Product Review: Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil

I’ve used many different Kiehl’s products in my lifetime and I truly haven’t used a product of theirs that I did not like. They offer a variety of products that cover everything from head to toe. Kiehl’s has also been around since 1851…if a company has been around that long, they’ve gotta be good, right?

So out of every product I’ve used from Kiehl’s, I’d have to say that their Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil  is my absolute favorite. I have heard a lot about dry oils being good for your skin but I never thought about putting it in my hair until I read about its other uses on the Kiehl’s website. The key ingredients in this fabulous product are Apricot Kernel Oil (which moisturizes and softens skin) and Olive Fruit Oil (which is very beneficial for dry or damaged hair). This versatile product cannot only make your skin feel AMAZING but it can make your hair super silky AND it smooths out split ends.

I started using this product on my legs because my legs tend to get the most dry (compared to the rest of my body) so I bought it for extra moisture in the winter. I then noticed how much I loved the glow it gave my legs so it was a must-have for the summer as well (when people actually see my legs). After I read more about it online, I decided to try a little bit in my hair. I was skeptical at first because I thought it might make my hair oily…but trust me, it’s life-alerting! After washing my hair, I put a nickel-size amount in my hands and rub it through the ends of my hair and my hair has never felt healthier.

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You can purchase this product at www.kiehls.com or at most department stores. A bottle of the Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil costs either $30 or $42 (depending on the size of the bottle) and is worth every penny. It’s quite a versatile product and a little goes a long way. Soft skin and silky hair…what more can you ask for?

Have any of you used this product? If so, what do you think of it? If not, would you consider purchasing it? What’s your favorite product from Kiehl’s? I want to hear from you!

I am trying to better my blog to cater to you, the readers…if you could take a few minutes to take my [very] short survey, I would really appreciate it. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MBZKPL2

February 4, 2010

Elie Saab Spring 2010 Couture

Although I wasn’t actually at the couture shows in Paris, I [too often] go to Style.com, browse through every photo, admire each one and pretend/wish I was there. The one collection I was absolutely blown away by was Elie Saab. There were lots of dusty pastels, sheer fabrics, a ton of nude colors (very in for spring!), amazing detailing, great beading and a lot of leg. Many of these dresses I could see on the Red Carpet on celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Christina Applegate, and Diane Kruger. These celebrities appreciate glamour and I could see many of these dresses on all three of them. Some celebrities seen in Elie Saab on more than one occasion include Beyonce, Marion Cotillard, Toni Collette, and Mischa Barton. Clearly, this designer can cater to an array of ages and styles.

Here are my favorite looks from the collection:

See Full Collection Here

Also, check out www.style.com for all the Spring 2010 Couture collections and all collections from this past year.

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What do you think of this collection? What were your favorite pieces? Who was your favorite designer at the Paris Couture shows? I want to hear from you!

 

PS. I want to post things that not only I love but that you enjoy reading too. I created a very short survey that I would GREATLY appreciate if you all could take. Thank you! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MBZKPL2

 

February 3, 2010

Product Review: Shu Uemura Lash Repair

One thing I hear many women complain about, including myself, is their eyelashes. They’re either too short, too straight or not thick enough. I totally understand your pain. It’s also very annoying that the men in our life might have longer and thicker lashes than us…I know mine does and it’s just not fair! I have found a solution ladies and there’s no prescription required and it’s fairly inexpensive (compared to most eyelash enhancing products)…Shu Uemura Lash Repair is here to save the day!

I have been using this product for about two years now and my eyelashes have never looked better. This product does not make your lashes grow like Latisse but it conditions lashes with depsea water, protects lashes with almond extract and makes them stronger and thicker with lipids. I wake up in the morning and my lashes look thicker, more curled and overall much healthier than they did before I started using the lash repair.

Apply the lash repair at night and/or in the morning before applying mascara (as a primer) and you will see results within weeks. I’ve used lash lengthening products before but they’re expensive and you must be very careful how much you apply. A friend of mine started using Latisse a couple months ago and she was applying too much. Let’s just say she grew hair in areas around her eye that hair is not supposed to grow [yuck!] Because Shu Uemura lash repair is not meant to make your eyelashes grow, you will not have this problem. I’ve always been a little self-conscious about my eyelashes (a weird thing to be self-conscious about…I know) but I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable walking out of the house without mascara now.

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Shu Uemura Lash Repair $22

To enhance your lashes just that much more, I recommend using Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. I’m sure you’ve all heard many people rave and blog about this eyelash curler. Take it from someone who has tried MANY eyelash curlers…this one is the best. You get the best curl, no pinching and it’s the perfect amount of pressure on your lashes.

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So, what do you think of my product review? Have you used either of these products? If so, what do you think? If not, would you want to try them? I want to hear from you!

PS. I created a survey to get a help improve my blog. I write about things that I love but I also want to write about things YOU all want to know about. So, if you have a couple minutes (it’s very short) I would REALLY appreciate you taking my survey. It can be found here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MBZKPL2 Thank you!!