Brittany Murphy, passed away earlier today after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 32.
RIP!
I really loved you in Clueless.
Yearly Archives: 2009
Holiday Treats!
Looking for a yummy treat without all the calories? Here are some of my favorites.
1. Soft & Dreamy Drenched in Pink Super Soft Body Lotion by Victoria’s Secret
This light weight, limited edition lotion absorbed effortlessly into my skin with the delicious smell of meringue and vanilla whipped cream. The Pink line is my general go-to for the teenagers in my life, and it hasn’t let me down yet.
$12/ 500mL/16.9 FL OZ.
For more information visit victoriassecret.com
2. Almond Cookie Candle by Carol’s Daughter
Get into the spirit with the soft aromatic blend of almonds and marzipan. Hours after I blew out this soy candle, the scent lingered in my room, and the wax stayed soft enough to use a little on my dry patches and cuticles (like a salve to add moisture).
Burns for approximately 50 hours. $29/7.2 oz.
For more information visit carolsdaughter.com
3. Cherry Blossom Hugs & Kisses by L’Occitane
I love this little duo set — Ultra hydrating, sweet smelling cherry hand cream that’s not overpowering with a lightly pigmented red cherry lip gloss that’s not too sticky; all boxed up in a cute package.
$18/ Hand Cream 1 oz, Lip Gloss 0.5 oz.
For more information visit loccitane.com
4. Holiday Treats Mini Juice Gems Squeeze on Lip Gloss by Mark.
Four limited edition glosses in fun, high pigmented, thick gloss flavors including
Party for a Cause – Do You Really Need More Stuff?
Take a queue from Scott Harrison (Founder of charity: water) and Sean Parker (Napster Co-Founder, Founding President of Facebook, Chairman and Co-Founder of Causes) and consider asking your friends to donate to a worthy cause instead of gifts.
CHARITY: WATER
Founded by Scott Harrison, charity: water is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people globally. He launched this project on his birthday in September 2006, and asked guests to donate $15 instead of giving him presents. That evening, Scott raised $15,000, and charity: water was born. It’s been a recurring event ever since. This birthday campaign has become such a success, between Scott’s birthday and those who followed suit, they were able to raise $965,000.
Join Scott Harrison and host Adrian Grenier for the charity: ball 2009. Monday, December 14th, 7pm. For more information and to buy tickets click HERE
Don’t have the funds? Donate your time (or both). Charity Water is always looking for volunteers. That’s what I’m doing, so I hope you’ll join me at the charity: ball or at future volunteer nights. Visit charitywater.org for more information.
MALARIA NO MORE
In celebration of his birthday, Sean Parker threw a benefit for Malaria No More, the non-profit organization dedicated to ending malaria deaths, by asking for donations instead of gifts.
Let’s help Sean reach his goal of $50,000 by donating at www.facebook.com/malarianomore, and to learn more about the cause visit malarianomore.org.
On a beauty note, Sean has really good taste in skin care, sporting Molton Brown’s Naran Ji Fine Liquid Hand Wash and Soothing Hand Lotion in his guest bathroom. A celebrity studded birthday and I’m taking pictures of his hand soap…go figure!
A Night to Remember…
Having recently ordered Francois Nars’ latest book NARS 15×15, I could not pass up the opportunity to see the man behind the brand that began my career in beauty almost 5 years ago (and I wanted my book signed!). So I began my evening at Barneys, where Mr. Nars (alongside Simon Doonan) was more than gracious with his time and appreciation for my past work with NARS. Having the opportunity to see Francois Nars again and reunite with some of the makeup artists and NARS team was very special for me.
He signed my book ‘For Lara, with many thanks and love, Francois Nars’! My copy and I are going to have a very long and loving life together. The book is stunning and the proceeds will be donated to 15 charities selected by the featured celebrities.
I then made my way to the Kiehl’s Since 1851 Flagship Store to celebrate the holidays with
Some Jolly with a Little Folly for the Holiday
With the holidays around the corner, here are 3 of my favorite fun, but practical gag gifts that work for almost every girl, plus they come with a good laugh.
1. Miss Oops! Holiday Survival Kit
Miss Oops is a super fun brand with a wide array of cheeky but practical beauty and fashion saving, problem-solving products for all of those ‘oopsie!’ moments in your life.
The Holiday Survival Kit from Miss Oops is a fabulous set of must haves including:
- Rescue Sponge – perfect for getting out pesky stains including deodorant marks or fresh make-up powder off your clothes. No water needed.
- Travel size lint roller – you never know whose cat you’ll meet at that holiday party, and now you don’t have to worry about it (unless you’re allergic).
- Mishap Tape – a set of 36 strips in two widths, this fabric friendly, hypoallergenic tape repairs hanging hems, gaping blouses, and keeps bra straps in place. So don’t worry about a wardrobe malfunction (I’m looking at you Janet Jackson).
Packaged in a fun to go box, this gift is great for any girl on the go. Plus each product is nice and compact so they fit easily in your purse.
Suggested Retail Price: $18
For more information visit missoops.com
2. On the Cuff
I got On the Cuff in a gift bag and had no idea what it was. They look like little floats made of sponges! So after conducting a quick online investigation, it became clear that they are basically sponge bracelets (ahem, their terminology is ‘cuff made of a unique stretch material’) you wear, while rinsing your face, doing the dishes, or washing your car to prevent water from running down your arms.
While it seems like a completely hilarious invention, it’s also genius and practical. I’m a major victim of water dripping down my sleeves so this made my day.
Price of 1 pair: $7.99
For more information visit onthecuff.net
3. Foot Petals Luxury Kit
This gift by Foot Petals is perfect for the shoe maven in your life; packed with an assortment of foot cushions and freshness spray, this set will help keep the comfort in and the blisters at bay so you can dance the night away this season.
The Luxury Kit includes (products also sold separately):
- Heavenly Heelz – A multi-functional foot cushion that can be used to prevent your heels from slipping out of your shoes
- Strappy Stripes – No more sling back straps digging into the backs of your ankles! Help is here with this preventative adhesive cushion.
- Tip Toe – the cushion that helps prevents your foot from sliding forward. This is especially perfect for those high-heeled shoes, since it’s never particularly attractive (or comfortable) to have your foot scrunched in the front with visible room in the back of your shoe.
- Sweaty Pedi – A perfect spray to keep your feet dry and fresh. The name may not be so attractive, and the vanilla smell is a little overwhelming (although it does fade shortly after contact), I’m willing to overlook these shortcomings, considering this product delivers. I’ve sprayed it on my feet before going to the gym and before going out for the evening, and hours later, my feet stayed dry and in fact, were rather soft.
Suggested Retail Price: $39.95
For more information (and a variety of alternate great holiday foot sets and products), visit footpetals.com
Beauty Brief
Here are some headlines that caught my attention this month:
- Pretty Connected™ got a twitter account this week. Follow us @PCbeauty
- Julia Roberts to be spokeswoman for Lancome. [WWD]
- Simon Doonan, Barney’s Creative Director, will be decorating the White House for the holidays. I vote an Alice and Wonderland theme. [HuffintonPost]
- Cindy Crawford admits to using Botox (but not in the last 10 years). [StyleList]
- The Cat Burgler Barbie by Christian Louboutin ($150), launched Friday on Net-A-Porter and has already sold out. It’s on back order until January. To add it to your wish list click HERE.
- Former Miss Argentina, Solange Magnano, dies after plastic surgery complications she underwent for her buttocks. [CNN]
- “Up in the Air,” starring George Clooney, was named best film of 2009 by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. I had the pleasure of attending an advanced screening, and thought it was overall a great film, slow at moments, laugh out loud funny at others, but moderately depressing for the commitment phobic audience. [NBRMP]
- Lily Allen wants to give up her music career and open a clothing store. Can’t you do both? [TheCut]
- Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 16-year-old son, Patrick, is rumored to be dating Bruce Willis’ and Demi Moore’s 15-year-old daughter, Tallulah. Imagine if they have kids someday! That’s like a whole other level of action hero. [NYPost]
- The prestigious art show, Art Basel Miami Beach, concludes today after an exciting week of special exhibitions, events, and parties. [ArtBaselMiamiBeach]
- Alber Elbaz, Artistic Director of Lanvin, designed two stamps for the French Postal Service to celebrate120 years of Lanvin. Dear friends in France, please send me a set. Merci! [WWD]
- Zac Posen is designing a clothing line for Target [WWD]; J.C. Penney to sell MNG by Mango [JCPenny]; and Stella McCartney is collaborating with Morrissey on vegan footwear collection. [Coutorture]
- Karl Lagerfeld gave the SpongeBob SquarePants figurine a makeover. [WWD]
Holiday Baby Gift Picks
What to get the wee ones this holiday season? Here is what I’m loving right now for everyone from expecting mothers to the babies and kids in your life.
1. Monkey Bridge Tee by Andira Rain Tees
The MONKEY BRIDGE tee shirt by Andira Rain Tees is one of my favorite gifts for kids, not to mention it makes for a great conversation piece. Illustrated by 11-year old Winnie McCarthy of Costa Rica, this tee is available in size 18 months to 12 youth. Winnie’s drawing is of the special bridges which were created to give endangered monkeys a way to cross roads to prevent them from being electrocuted by power lines or getting hit by cars, and in result have saved thousands of monkeys’ lives.
Suggested Retail Price: $32
About Andira Rain Tees: Saving Trees with Tees.
The Rain Tee Collection is a 100% organic eco-clothing line for women and children created with the wonderful drawings of kids living in endangered rain forests across Central and South America.
Andira donated school supplies to the children and asked them to illustrate what they see happening in their world every day. Each Rain Tee features their thoughts, illustrations, and
2. & 3. California Baby Calming Newborn Tote and Holiday Bubble Bath
2. California Baby Calming Newborn Tote
Suitable for newborns and older, this set has everything to get your little one started off right. Lightly scented with their special Calming™ aromatherapy blend (which includes French lavender), their line which contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients is chemical and pesticide free.
California Baby Calming™ Newborn Tote Includes:
- 2.5 oz. Calming™ Non-Talc Powder
- 6.5 oz. Calming™ Shampoo & Bodywash
- 1/2 oz. Calming™ Diaper Rash Cream
- 1/2 oz. Calendula Cream
- 2″- 3″ Natural Wool Sea Sponge
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
3. California Baby Holiday Cheer! Bubble Bath
If you’re just looking for an easy stocking stuffer or Chanukah gift, California Baby’s Holiday Cheer Aromatherapy Bubble Bath is a fun little something for the little one in your life. The essence of orange, lavender, (with a touch of vanilla) oils in a unique relaxing formula on the inside, with a cheerful, happy snowman packaging on the outside. This tears-free product contains mild vegetable-derived bubbling agents enriched with a nourishing herbal complex to protect delicate skin and prevent irritation. If using on newborns be sure to dilute with water for a gentle, cleansing bath.
*The Holiday Cheer! Bubble Bath and Newborn Tote contains no sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, numbing agents, or synthetic fragrances.
Suggested Retail Price: $13.99
For more information visit CaliforniaBaby.com