Introducing the Fall & Winter RTW Show Series!

In this series of posts, I'll be reviewing the Fall & Winter 2008 RTW shows just in time for the colder months of the year. Stay tuned for the latest trends, runway moments, and runway-inspired finds, so you can get the look too!

Pick of the Week: ColorOn Professional™ EyeEnvy Kits

These little kits, developed by a celebrity makeup artist, are super-cool and perfect for you if you love standing out in a sea of plain eyeshadow. My favorite is the EyeEnvy Exotics Kit -- you can get leopard or zebra print eyes in (literally) minutes. All you need to do is choose the appliqué (a peel-off mineral cream eye shadow) you want for your eyes and set it with the GetSet setting powder (included). This easy way to a fabulous makeup look is available only at Sephora (for $25 a kit). Check out their other kit choices in options like "precious metals," "tropics," and more.

$25 for a kit. Each kit includes 5 pairs of eye shadow appliqués, a jar of GetSet setting powder, one powder application brush, and step-by-step instructions.

Credit: Sephora USA, Inc.

Project Runway is Back!

The first episode of Project Runway, Season 5 aired two days ago, bringing with it a whole new crop of aspiring fashion designers. Tim Gunn even mentioned on the show that they were the most diverse group of designers ever. Regardless, there are plenty of the original people we've come to expect from the show.


The first challenge was a flashback all the way to Season One. The designers were brought to Gristedes and briefed by Austin Scarlett (the winner of a very similar challenge in the first episode of Season One, and also guest judge for this challenge) about their first challenge -- to create a look using items from the store. The budget? $75. And that's all 16 of the Season 5 competitors, above, racing to get into the supermarket first...

Many of the designers opted for using tablecloths. Of course, there were also many designers who thought better of it -- one of them being the winner of the challenge, Kelli. Her dress, the skirt part which was made from dyed and bleached vacuum cleaner bags, was probably the most creative and innovative approach to the challenge. Her dress was also impeccably detailed with gold push-pins, a closure in the back made from the binding of a spiral notebook, and burnt coffee filters that resembled lace:


Even Heidi Klum had to admit that she thought it looked expensive. There were a few other great (and not-so-great) designs on the show, though. Kelli's winning look was my favorite, but I also loved Leanne's design:


Even though she was one of the designers who used a tablecloth as her main material, I still thought her dress was adorable! Kenley also had an awesome tablecloth dress design:


The judge's favorite tablecloth dress, however, was Korto's, and they have reason to think so. First of all, it was impeccably made and definitely stood out (the color and the sheer volume were so much different from the majority of the other designs), but it also was the only look that utilized actual live produce:


Two other designs I personally loved: Daniel's dress and Terri's skirt-and-top look. Daniel created a dress entirely out of blue plastic party cups, which he was tediously cutting out and ironing flat throughout the challenge. It paid off, however: the judges loved his unique design:


Terri was one of the few designers who created two separate pieces to form their design. I loved the top that she made out of mops, and it looked great with the color of her skirt (which was, granted, another tablecloth):


And, although it's unfortunate, there were those designs that were simply hideous. Although the judges disliked Blayne's "girlicious" look, it essentially came down to two designers: Stella and Jerry. Stella wanted to put her own Rock n' Roll background into her look and decided on using trash bags to create a pair of wicked pants. She discovered, a little too late, that the trash bags she had purchased were way too thin to form a suitable garmet. She ended up sending an extremely flimsy "dress" down the runway:


Jerry, on the other hand, bored the judges with his strange, all-white look (nope -- not a tablecloth this time -- a shower curtain with "fabulous" white hooks!) which was paired with yellow rubber gloves:


In the end, the judges eliminated Jerry. I guess his design just creeped them out way too much. Only based on their first challenge designs, though, I personally would have kept Jerry and eliminated Stella. Jerry's design actually had a discernible shape -- the jacket, and Stella's was pretty much just a few trash bags, sewn together.

What are your opinions on the designs and their designers?


CREDITS: Delivery Agent, Inc.; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com; ProjectRunway.com.

Yet Another Nail Polish Post

Oh lord. My obsession with nail polish is absolutely horrible. I just ordered some shades from Sephora (no, not the gold one - it's still out of stock!) and I was browsing around online when I stumbled upon Essie's Neon Collection. I almost went into a coma. Just kidding. But, neon nail polish, is, well, something I am slightly obsessed with at the moment. And to have a whole collection for it? With four awesome shades? Wow.

Neon Purple: Bermuda Shorts -- a "high-voltage violet."



Neon Orange: Mini Shorts -- a "vibrant orange pop."



Neon Pink: Short Shorts -- a "shockingly flamingo pink."



Neon Yellow: Shorty Pants -- a "light up the night electric yellow."

Each individual bottle of neon-colored fabulousness is $8, but if you want to sample them all, you can purchase the Neon Collection Mini 4 Pack at EssieShop.com for $18 instead. What do you think of neon nail polish?


CREDITS: All images courtesy of Essie.

TOP 10 for the Week of June 29th

How about a normal Top 10? From beauty must-haves to great bags, here are my top ten picks for the week of June 29th!



#10: Sephora Brand Nail Polish Corrector Pen
I thought this was such a cute item for summer! Everyone is trying bright new shades of nail polish, and this is a perfect way to get a flawless manicure (or pedicure!). Simply glide the pen over the places where the excess nail polish is and voilà!



#9: Standard Supply Tote from Marc By Marc Jacobs
Totes are a must-have during the summer: they're perfect for going to the pool or the beach, or just carrying all your stuff if you're just walking around. This one from Marc By Marc Jacobs is fun and different -- you're sure to stand out!



#8: Vintage-Inspired Necklaces
Sure, it's always better to be wearing a truly vintage necklace, but sometimes vintage-inspired pieces can be more accessible and practical. Forever 21 has outdone itself again by creating yet another brand, in addition to Twelve by Twelve, Heritage 1981, and, of course, Forever 21. Their latest brand is For Love 21, which is basically a jewelry/handbags/accessories store. But the jewelry is fantastic, and quite a few of the necklaces have some hint of vintage in them (like the Vintage Charm Necklace shown above) and are super-cheap!



#7: L.A.M.B.'s Edinburgh Hamilton Messenger Bag
This bag and an even better version of it (which I couldn't find anywhere online) were both featured in the August issue of Teen Vogue. It was one of those items that takes some time to grow on you, but I love the old-school feel of this bag!



#6: Dior Vernis Nail Polish in Golden Nugget
I blogged about this nail polish about two posts back, but I decided I had to throw this in here anyway. How can you resist GOLD nail polish? The sad news, though, is that it's currently out of stock. But you can bet that I will buy it as soon as I receive that magical email in my inbox.



#5: Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream from Burt's Bees
No matter what month of the year it is, my hands are always dry to some degree, and, take it from me, this stuff really works. It's super moisturizing, but the best part about it is that it's natural!


#4: Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Fragrances
As I do with a quarter of the fashion and beauty items I want to buy, I found these (pictured above) in Teen Vogue. They're not going to be available until September, but I can't wait to try these cute little fragrances! There are five different ones total (Love, Lil' Angel, Music, Baby, and G) and each 1 oz. bottle is adorned with an adorable Harajuku girl! You'll be able to purchase them at Macy's for $45 each.



#3: A Basic Bag
Everyone should have one (or more!). Currently, I'm obsessed with this Marc By Marc Jacobs bag (wow, there's a lot of Marc by Marc Jacobs bags in this post!). I like the cream color -- it's great for the warmer weather (black sometimes looks too dark) and will go with any outfit. Plus, it's big enough to carry everything you could possibly need!



#2: Viva La Vida
I love Coldplay. And their new album is absolutely amazing. And I have yet to listen to one of their songs that I don't like. Get the CD new on Amazon for only $6.75 or buy it on iTunes for $9.99.



#1: Colored Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Ray-Ban's wayfarer sunglasses have long been on my list of things to buy. And now, I'm obsessed with them in their bright colors! They are offering pastel-esque shades in pink ("rose") and blue ("aqua") as well as red. I would like to get the blue ones soon -- the shade is perfect for summer! Buy them at shopbop.com.


CREDITS: Sephora USA, Inc.; eLuxury.com; Forever 21, Inc.; eLuxury.com; Sephora USA, Inc.; Burt's Bees; Harajuku Lovers; eLuxury.com; Coldplay; otticanet.com

Richard Chai for Target

I got the August issue of Teen Vogue in the mail yesterday (finally! The June/July issue wasn't enough to hold me over for the whole summer...) and they had an article in the Designer Spotlight section about the latest Target Go Designer, Richard Chai and his new line. The most recent designer line available was Rogan for Target, which is currently on clearance. I wasn't all that thrilled with the Rogan line (not many different options), but I bought a few shirts and I loved that most of the items were made from organic materials!



I went online, and found that Nylon was leaking images of the clothing from the new line. Everything (well, mostly everything, anyway... there were a few strange pieces, I'll admit) looked so much more interesting than the Rogan line (which was mostly basic pieces -- but great to mix with the Chai line!). Of course, it's all a matter of personal taste, but I just love the bright colors and prints, and chic styles that Richard Chai is offering up. I don't think most of the clothes in the line look so great together, but worn separately and the right way, they could look adorable. My favorites? The graffiti-rose sundress (the same pattern as the top in the above photo) pictured in Teen Vogue (worn by Poppy Delevigne) and the super-long cardigans leaked by Nylon.



Above are two different shades of the cardigans, worn with other pieces from the collection. You can view more of the clothes in Chai's line for Target over at Nylon magazine.


CREDITS: NYLON HOLDING INC.; NYLON HOLDING INC.; NYLON HOLDING INC.

It's a Minefield Out There

I don't know if there is something wrong with me or not, but whenever I see a new shade of Dior nail polish, I must buy it. Like, literally, the DAY I see it. First, there was the navy blue. It really started to grow on me. Anyway, I heavily documented my navy blue nail polish hunt on this blog (in February 2008), and was elated to find the Dior limited edition in "Poison Blue" at Sephora. I signed up to know when it came in stock, and THE DAY I got that glorious email in my inbox, I bought it. It came in like a minuscule bottle, but it's such great quality and oh my gosh the color was PERFECT. I love it so much, but ... I haven't even used it yet. That's part of the problem.

But it gets worse. Dior has a new shade out at Sephora (they generally only sell one at a time), and this time it's GOLD. A gorgeous, deep, shimmery bronze. I really hope that I'll find some place that I can actually wear this one to (the beach?), because I probably won't be able to resist this. And I think it's definitely more wearable than the navy....


Just listen to me going on and on about a bottle of nail polish. Can't you tell I'm trying to convince myself?


CREDIT: Sephora USA, Inc.

TOP 10 for the Week of June 22nd

I am currently very, very obsessed with socks. Yes, socks. And tights. OTKs (Over-the-Knee socks), Thigh highs, Fishnet ... you name it, I'm there. And I only have one website to blame for this deadly addiction: SockDreams.com. I've mentioned them before. I found them on Polyvore. And I have a HUGEEE list of stuff I want to buy from there (and, oh lordy, they have FREE SHIPPING!!!! All the time!!!). I thought I'd dedicate this week's Top 10 to my obsession. But if you become obsessed, too, don't even try blaming me!!




#10: O Yummies
Sock Dreams also has its own label, with everything made in the USA (not China!). These socks make up part of that collection, with O Yummies being OTKs in extra-bright and bold colors. The Blueberry shade (above) is my favorite -- it's so deep and gorgeous!



#9: Long Cuffable Scrunchable Socks
Does the name not say it all? These ribbed, thigh-high socks are also part of the Sock Dreams label and come in 17 different colors (white shown above)! As if that's not enough, they are easily affordable at $12 a pair. (That's very bad for me. I'll probably end up with a pair in each color...)



#8: Purple Knees
Shown above in the color Denim, these striped, over-the-knees socks are cute, very cheap ($6!) and come in so many fabulous colors! The Purple Knees are all the same style sock, with the same purple color and a different color thrown in. (In the above case, a light blue -- "Denim.") But they also have this style sock in Pink Knees, Green Knees, Orange Knees, White Knees, and a longer version!



#7: EG Eco Slinky Crew
Okay, I'll admit, these socks (shown in Natural) by EG Smith do look kind of plain. But, hello! Don't they look so comfy? And besides, they are ECO-FRIENDLY!!! They're made with recycled yarn, so you can look cute, be comfortable, and help the environment at the same time. :)



#6: Diamond Rib Knee Highs
I love how preppy these socks can be. My style sometimes has a subtle hint of prep in it (not the fake Abercrombie & Fitch kind!), and what a perfect way to add it with these socks! Shown above in Red.



#5: Pointelle Leg Warmers
Sock Dreams also offers a selection of great leg warmers and arm warmers. I love these ones (shown above in Plum) because the little holes make them breathable and perfect for warmer weather. They aren't too tight, either -- the scrunchiness (Spell Checker is going to kill me for that one...) is just perfect!



#4: Ciala Wool Cable Tights
As I mentioned, Sock Dreams does sell tights. Lots of tights. And these ones are great because they just provide a simple layer. They aren't to bright or eye-catching, but they're still gorgeous and delicate (although they are supposed to be pretty sturdy, which is good, because I have a really bad habit of destroying my tights by accidentally ripping holes in them). Shown in Black.



#3: Harajuku Shimmery Diamond OTKs
These socks are amazing. Sure, they aren't the best deal Sock Dreams has, but they aren't really expensive at all, either. And they are so cool and unique. Just look at the Grey! They are closer to silver!



#2: Fishnet Anklet with Lace Tie-Ups
These have got to be the coolest little socks (if you can even call them that). They come in White or Black, and are so inexpensive (only $5 a pair!!!) that you can afford to buy them in both colors! Cute, fun, and perfect for summer -- the fishnet keeps them breathable and open -- plus, you'll stand out!



#1: Super Dreamy Stockings
Summer is about relaxing, is it not? And you know those breezy summer days (or nights) when you just want to sit outside and summer wash over you, while being perfectly comfortable? Or maybe you're just watching TV at home. Whatever it is, these are the ultimate comfort sock. And the gorgeous Antique shade ("a combination of rust, gold, and teal" -- shown) is a new color that fits perfectly with the summer theme. Could you even dream up a dreamier sock?


CREDITS: Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams; Sock Dreams

TOP 10 for the Week of June 15th

I know I skipped last week, but things have been a little, um, busy. But, anyway, here are the Top 10 beauty products for the week!



#10: HiP high intensity pigments™ from L'Oréal Paris
HiP is a new line from L'Oréal Paris and it is amazinggggg! Brighten up your look with their colorfuls products, all in a wide palette of bold, rich colors! Just make sure to focus on only ONE part of your face at a time to avoid looking trashy. And go light. (**HOWEVER**, stay away from the lip colors: L'Oréal Paris is among one of the top brands that tested highest for lead in their lipstick!) Each product comes with a brush to apply it (if needed), so you won't be tearing apart your makeup storage case looking for one to finish the job. Which brings us to #9...


#9: Monave brushes
Monave is an online retailer of all-natural, almost completely vegan beauty products. Sure, they don't sell the cheapest cosmetics around, but if you're looking for high-quality stuff that is all-natural, then you've come to the right place. Besides makeup products, Monave also makes brushes. They are cruelty-free, and all are synthetic, with the exemption of their shadow and kabuki brushes, which they are working on getting manufactured with synthetic bristles. You can be assured that Monave makes their brushes to reflect the high quality of their makeup. As Monave describes it, "We are totally in love with these brushes. They are super soft, apply the makeup beautifully, and never shed. No nasty dyes to wash out first, no worries about how the animals are really treated, just beautifully crafted, silky soft cosmetic brushes."



#8: Cuticle Cream
It's almost beach season, and that means that new manis and pedis can be found left and right -- all you have to do is step outside. You're going to want to take care of your nails this summer, and Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is perfect for softening cuticles and fortifying nails. Seriously, this stuff works amazingly and smells great!



#7: Citré Shine Fresh Fusion Shine Miracle Anti-Frizz Serum
I lovveee Citré Shine products. This particular one is available at CVS. Why do you need it? For the summer, of course. Your hair will get thirsty, and it's up to you to keep it hydrated! Work a small amount of this miracle serum through your hair daily, and it will keep your locks lustrous, healthy, and frizz-free!



#6: Candy Paint Lip Gloss
Want awesome lip color? Candy Paint lip glosses from Carol's Daughter deliver color, moisture, protection, therapy, flavor (a "hint of peppermint"), and shine all in one small, all-natural (here we go again...) tube. What's not to love? Plus, there are twelve juicy shades to choose from!



#5: Daisy Eau de Toilette by Marc Jacobs
This sweet, innocent fragrance has been flying off Sephora shelves! A light, whimsical, and fresh scent is perfect for the summer and has a carefree spirit. And Marc Jacobs is offering up so many options -- sprays, solid perfumes, body butter, body lotion, and shower gel, so you're sure to get your Daisy fix!



#4: Bourjois Paris Coup de Theatre Mascara
I wear this mascara on a daily basis. It does not clump and makes your lashes so long and pretty, without weighing them down with huge amounts of makeup. It looks natural and it's GORGEOUS! Trust me, it's well worth you're $18. If you haven't tried it, go to Sephora.com now and order some!



#3: Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15
This lip gloss is another beauty product I always have with me. You know how every company who makes lip gloss says theirs lasts "6 hours!" "10 hours!" "12 hours!" Yeah, right. As soon as you take a sip of water, it's gone. Well, not this stuff. According to Clinique, it lasts 8 hours. I'm not so sure about that, but this gloss does LAST. Plus, it moisturizes your lips in the process, and protects them if you're out for a day at the beach.



#2: Sun Shades™ After Sun Hydrogel E
Even if you don't have sunburn, this product is a great way to soothe and replenish your skin after you've been baking. With extracts from aloe and algae, your dry and irritated skin will feel moisturized and nourished after applying this gel! And if you do have some horrible, burning sunburn, use this product to keep the redness down. It's a must-have for your beach tote, along with the #1 pick of the week...



#1: Sunscreen!
Take my advice and protect your skin this summer. Don't worry, you'll still get that tan you've been wanting, but if you don't protect your skin, you very well could suffer some serious consequences in the future (skin cancer! premature aging!). I used to be one of those skeptics too. I thought it took too long to apply. Or I wouldn't re-apply it every few hours. But now I'm completely for sunscreen. If you are going out in the sun, take 5 extra minutes and apply sunscreen! Click HERE for an article with 9 great sunscreens and more info! Want more product recommendations? Click HERE or HERE. Above is La Roche Posay's Anthelios sunscreen.


IMAGE CREDITS (top to bottom): misstified.typepad.com; Monave; mountainsports.com; CVS.com; Carol's Daughter; Sephora USA, Inc.; Sephora USA, Inc.; Clinique Laboratories, LLC; Melaleuca, Inc.; pharmacymix.com

Ali Michael Shares Her Story

A few posts back, I talked about how Ali Michael had to leave Paris Fashion Week much earlier than expected ... because she had gained a few pounds. Apparently, she was "fat." What is going on with the world?!?!

Anyway, when I opened up the June/July Teen Vogue, I was not surprised to see that she had shared her story with the magazine that had photographed her so many times and had made her one of their recent cover girls. The article published in the June/July issue ("Extreme Measures") was about a page longer (in terms of words) than the one published on Hayden Panettiere, their cover girl, in the same issue.

I was overwhelmed and shocked to read her story. As Ali describes it "an emaciated body type has become fashionable, and that really needs to change." In the article, Ali tells Teen Vogue that she never really planned on going public with her story, but then she realized that it was "actually a chance to try to help other people."

After a couture show she was booked for in Paris canceled her at the fitting, Ali decided she needed to become healthy again, once and for all. "After a night of substantial reflection, [I] decided I needed to start taking care of myself," Ali Michael told Jane Keltner (for Teen Vogue).

In February, the New York casting responses weren't as "enthusiastic" as before, but Ali still walked in a few big shows. Paris, however, was a different story. She was told by more than one person that she had "fat legs." After walking one show (Yohji Yamamoto), her season ended, and Ali went home much earlier than expected. This time, though, she refused to lose any more weight just to be accepted by casting agents.

I applaud Ali Michael for returning to her natural weight and, even though she many not walk as many shows, not trying to lose more weight by resulting to throwing up. Ali is truly a strong girl who has gone through a lot but came out knowing her limits and realizing that her health comes before fashion. We love you, Ali!


Photo courtesy of DNA Models