Ask LDiva
Got a question?? This is no place to be shy! Ask me at divaliciousblog(at)yahoo(dot)com. I will post your Q and my A.Of course I never heard of one before it arrived on my desk last week but it’s still my most favorite ever! And I’ll tell you why.
Having just been in South Beach, my skin’s feelin a little dry from sun exposure – so I’ve been dabbing and patting on generous amounts of Creme de La Mer morning and night atop my Lauder Advanced Night Repair (exclusively at night, natch).
Not exactly a recession-friendly combo, but I’m well aware that skincare is an investment.
No issues there.
But when my skin is feeling a little dehydrated or, worse, I see a small area of parched skin just begging for moisture throughout the day after my makeup is perfectly put together, I’m at a loss for what to do and, honestly, at a loss for focusing my attention on anything else.
When I got the spray in my hands I was doubtful; Evian is not best known for its cosmetic benefits. But after further thought, it clicked – consumption of water actually is a beauty requirement for good skin (not to mention, a slim figure) and hydration is a pre-requisite for proper skin care. So I spritzed. And spritzed again. And I got spritz-happy, it felt so good.
Better yet, it didn’t ruin my artfully-applied liner, shadow, blush or lipstick – it actually worked to preserve it like a set powder or a fix spray. Think of my beloved Clarins Fix’ Make-up as a reference only at less than half the price point.
Best of all, it comes in adorable travel-size minis for those of you like me who require a little sun & sand every few months.
Anyone else excited for MAC’s new limited edition Spring 2010 RIVETING collection, on sale and at counter in only 12 days (2/18/10)??!
I spy a few products I can’t wait to get my hands on to test…. including:
LIPGLASS in TRUE BABE
LIPSTICK in SHOW ORCHID
POWDER BLUSH in FULL FUCHSIA
NAIL LACQUER in STUDDED
Who knew the BCBG on Lincoln Road in South Beach also housed a mini Herve Leger boutique?! LOVE.
I tried on several signature bandage dresses while on a shopping spree this past weekend. The price points are so steep it’s kind of hard to breathe up in that altitude. Still, there is something unabashedly feminine and sexy about a dress that wraps you up and holds you in exactly where it counts. And that something I like.
Not to date myself, but I had my prom dress custom made by a professional in the exact likeness of a Leger that was featured in W magazine back when my idols in life were the unstoppable and unparalleled Glamazons - Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Stephanie Seymour, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Bridget Hall.
When Herve (and some of these supermodels as well) recently returned to fashion and fame, I could not have been happier or more nostalgic.
Happy in the general sense of course. Not so happy that I’m not at the point yet where dropping a few thousand on a cocktail dress on a whim while on a long weekend escape is digestable. I was, after all, seeking warm weather not credit card debt.
I ended up getting a roseblush (the new “IT” neutral) Max Azria dress that I am madly in lust with (@ $298) and passing on all the Herve at the shop. It was painful but practical.
So – curious fashionista friends - here’s what I did NOT come home with…
The most magnificent of the bunch.
The one I had to try on first.
The blinding bling.
The one that I was too terrified to try on for fear I wouldn’t be able to leave without it.
Case in point.
For those willing to commit fashion suicide, available at Saks as the glaring black sheep in an otherwise gorgeous and coveted spring collection.
Side Note: I seriously would like meet the woman who pays $995 plus tax for these atrocities.
Taken verbatim from today’s Daily Candy…
Ricky’s Beauty Emergency Hotline
What: The professional cosmetics mecca can now deliver any product to your door in under an hour.
Why: “Call 911. I think I might be having a hair attack. Get pomade and a beauty EMT here, stat.”
When: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Order via phone at 877-447-4259.
***************************************
Precisely why I love Ricky’s! Except on Halloween. But every other day, precisely why.
What say you, amigas mias??
Purchase or Pass?
LaRok Electro Clash Kitten Print Dress * billed as ‘part strapless, part goddess’ * originally $218, now $131
from today’s Shop It To Me
If money were no object and closet space were limitless, these city streets would be my personal runway. (I mean, naturally they are now, but this would be a whole ‘nother level.)
Every day I’m inundated when the email floodgates open and countless “e”tailer messages pour in.
This bacon, unlike spam, is email you do want but don’t really have time for nor is it a priority to make time for. Sometimes it gets sent straight to trash. Sometimes it’s opened then deleted. Only occasionally is it acted upon.
But that’s not to say it’s doesn’t evoke lust every time.
That there’s no wanton desire, serious smoldering temptation, an urge to throw caution to the wind and just be bad.
That merch from Shop It To Me, Gilt, Ideeli, Billion Dollar Babes, HauteLook, Rue La La, Bloomies, Saks, Neimans doesn’t call to me.
What holds me back?
Cash and closet space.
I simply don’t have endless reserves of dinero and more, I don’t have the room for these would-be-warmly-welcomed additions to my well-edited wardrobe, jewelry collection, accessories stash and so forth.
My rule is every item in means an item out. And you know how hard it is to part with beloved personal effects.
But a girl can dream.
And starting now, I’ll be regularly posting things I’d so snap up – if money were no object and closet space were limitless. I’m hoping you’ll help a sister out. Should I act now and fast & furiously type in my credit card number, exp date and security code, click ‘complete purchase,’ sigh and smile to self. Or should I click delete even faster and never look back??
Let the games begin.
While waiting for a conference call to start, I opened my bi-weekly Shop It To Me alert. Emotionally, I was stressed and primed for a moment of retail therapy.
[Note: it is ill-advised to open emails from "e"-tailers when stressed, sad or sloppy drunk.]
I liked a lot, a loooooooooooooot, of the highlighted sale items but two things really caught my eye.
Exhibit A: LaRok Stretch Cotton Vest * badass with studs and personality * originally $278, now $167
Exhibit B: Juicy Couture Tie-Waist Jersey Dress * simple and chic with slit cape sleeves * originally $178, now $89
Ladies – what’s a diva to do???
I got me a new jewelry making and repair spot in 2010 and I’m sooooo happy.
After Femmegems left the hood, I was pretty distraught.
Not like this place is in a neighborhood I’m so happy to frequent (dead smack in the heart of Times Square), but a walkable distance from my office and prices so low any cab fare is justified.
Anyhooooooo – much like clothing, I’m the queen of alterations with jewelry.
Who says, por ejemplo, if the necklace is 36″ you can’t shorten it to 30″ so as to not allow it to obnoxiously situate itself in the middle of your not-so-small ta-tas all day long despite your repositioning efforts?
Why struggle,wasting precious morning minutes when you’re probably already late, to clasp a bracelet when you can simply get a new clasp?
Why not, if a pair of earrings is outdated, take the stones and make something entirely new?
I do this with clothing all the time and it works wonders because me & my tailor are a killer team. Marco is my man. If it won’t work, he tells me but he also offers other solutions and ideas. The same is true of Kat at Genuine Ten Ten.
I’m the kind of girl who wants what she wants, if you haven’t gathered as much so far. I love someone who can give me exactly what I want, but even more, I love a pro in the field with an even better idea. Take it up a notch. Surprise me. Wow me.
I brought a not-so-valuable necklace to Genuine Ten Ten as a test piece and they did such a great job that I went back the very next day with 3 more plus 1 from a friend. Hers was from her grandmother and one of mine was from my Great Aunt Millie, who is my heart more than you could imagine. I actually agonized a bit leaving the stones there. My dry cleaner just lost a favorite pair of jeans of mine… would they lose Millhouse’s long beaded rose quartz necklace?? But as my aunt would be first to say, there’s nothing worse than having beautiful jewelry and not wearing it. So I left with faith in Kat. And Kat delivered.
I picked up the goods today and was overjoyed.
Beyond simple repairs and alterations, the store is a kaleidoscope of beautiful semiprecious stones and beads. I’m already designing some resort and spring pieces in my mind…
Genuine Ten Ten @ 1012 Avenue of the Americas btwn 37th & 38th Street * 212 221 1173 * Open Mon-Fri 10:30-7:30, Sat 11-6:30, Sun 12-6:30
Because I love you so, I’ve been tediously sorting through all my favorite blogs, stores, sites and services to provide the most divalicious and comprehensive list of links your hearts could desire. And I’m not done yet.
They currently appear on the homepage on the bottom of the right column and are presently sorted as follows:
Beauty Booty…licious – all my favorite beauty brands & retailers
Glam Squad – who I go to when I wanna get gorge – includes hairstyling, brow shaping, day spa-ing, and more to come
I’m Not The Only One With Something To Say – blogs with serious POV for beauty and beyond
Where To Spend That Money, Honey – your prescription for retail therapy
It’s like an open relationship. I encourage you to go at ‘em. Have your fun. But I hope you always come home to me.
xox
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