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Lara Eurdolian, Pretty Connected Beauty Blog

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Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins

The wildly entertaining and ever so charming Jackie Collins is at it again with her latest novel, ‘Poor Little Bitch Girl’.  No one does scandal like Jackie Collins.  Having a front row seat to the Hollywood scene, she knows how to write a page-turner, which is evident if you’ve ever read any of her 26 other books.  And while Jackie is privy to all the gossip, she can keep a secret; these stories make for great characters and scenarios in her books.

In ‘Poor Little Bitch Girl’, take for instance Annabelle Maestro, the daughter of two movie stars, who later grows up and takes on the alias Belle Svetlana, Madam to the most exclusive call girl business in NYC.  Annabelle changed professions once she was too old to become an accessory to her celebrity parents, and could no longer afford supporting her boyfriend’s coke habit based on her parent’s allowance. Then there is Denver Jones, the hotshot attorney and Annabelle’s close friend in high school until Denver couldn’t keep up with Annabelle’s popularity and began hanging out Carolyn Henderson, the ‘brainy kid’.   Carolyn grows up to become the personal assistant and mistress to a very powerful (and married) Senator in Washington.  Well these ladies are no longer in high school, and mix in a murder to the already

Making Scents for Valentine’s Day . . .

Roses are red, violets are blue, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, ladies I have the perfect fragrances for you!  Oh and for him too.

Carbon Aimez-Moi EDT


As a child I loved violet candies.  Among my favorites were Choward’s Violet and Les Anis de Flavigny Violette. When I opened the package, an amazing scent of violets was unleashed like perfume; and I love the memory of how they made me feel every time I took them out.

You can imagine my joy when I got my hands on a bottle of the very sophisticated scent, Caron Paris Aimez-Moi (“love me”) fragrance.  Voila, the fragrance I’ve been looking for (and I didn’t even know it)!  A flawless blend of floral and woody notes –violet, bergamot, and anise, with hints of amber and wood, combine a perfect balance and synergy to create this very seductive fragrance without being too sweet.  Light and airy, this fragrance can easily be worn from day to night. J’taime!

Price: $85/50ml. For more information visit www.beauty360.com

L’Occitaine Rose de Mai


Rose Nuit de Mai (“Night Roses of May”) Roll-on Eau de Toilette by L’Occitane is a lovely fragrance for those of you who swoon over the scent of rose.  This one is like putting your nose in a bed of fresh roses.  There’s even a slight hint of a woody essence, thanks to notes of sandalwood and cedar that compliments the rose fabulously.

This scent creates a very sensual, natural fragrance that I could sniff all day.  And the packaging is tres chic!  The roll on makes for easy application on pulse points (chest, neck, and wrists), and it’s also very portable, fitting perfectly in most purses and makeup bags.  Looks like everything’s coming up roses!

Price: $16/0.33 fl. oz.  For more information visit www.loccitane.com

Sephora Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Him


Choosing the perfect scent for your mate can be very difficult (not to mention a lot of pressure).  Fragrance can be a very personal choice for many and more times then not, it can be easier to get sucked into buying a brand name or an attractive bottle.

Sephora did a great thing when they created the Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Him set taking the guesswork out of figuring out which fragrance would make the perfect gift for the men in your life.  Each set contains 12 samples from their top-selling fragrances along with a gift voucher that can be redeemed at any Sephora location for a full-size product. This is more thoughtful than picking a bottle at random, with less of a risk factor. Plus it’s so much more fun to play with a variety of fragrances together, and help them pick their favorite new

RIP Alexander McQueen

You will be missed!

Revolution Organics Freedom Glow Beauty Balm: You Make Me Blush

The Freedom Glow Beauty Balm (in Sunkissed) was my introduction to Revolution Organics, a very impressive product.  This versatile balm can be used on lips, eyes, and cheeks; all in a one convenient stick.

Great for medium skin tones, Sunkissed is the perfect shade for me!  It’s peachy-pink with a light shimmer, that lets you build color to adjust to your desired shade.  For cheeks (my primary use for the balm), I apply a small amount during the day along my cheekbone for a nice, sun-kissed natural glow.  For more of a classic blush look, I apply a stronger stroke, which brings out more of the pink tones to the peach.  Plus it’s easy blend formula makes it effortless to keep cheeks even (and wipe off any excess if you apply too much).  For eyes, I like to use a single stroke under my eyebrows for a nice highlighting shimmer effect, which not only brings out my eyes, but

Donate Your Way into New York Fashion Week (and many more events)

Check out CharityBuzz.com Heal Haiti Auction for your chance to donate your way into New York Fashion Week.  Shows up for bid include, Marc Jacobs, Adam, Manchesa, DKNY, Nicole Miller, and Ports 1961.

They are also auctioning everything from tickets to movie premieres, to designer dresses.  There’s even an opportunity to chat with Orlando Bloom on Valentine’s Day (just don’t tell Miranda Kerr). Proceeds from the auction will benefit relief efforts in Haiti.

For the complete listings of auction items and form more information visit www.charitybuzz.com

A Maui Must! Zip-Line in Kapalua

While in Maui, I received an invitation to do the ‘Swing and Zip Upper Mountain Loop’ at Kapolau Adventures.  Having never done a zip-line before, I had no idea what to expect.  The only instruction I had, was to wear sneakers.

Upon arrival, my partner in crime, Jamie, and I were given windbreaker jackets and helmets (I got what resembled a ‘Bob the Builder’ hat, since I was told I had an awkward shaped head – always knew I was a little different).  They drove us to the top of the mountain on the edge of the Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve where adventure began!

The five-hour excursion consisted of multiple small hikes in between four amazing zip-lines, a giant swing, and ultimately lunch on the mountain.  Hands down one of the most breathtaking, amazing experiences of my life.  And what a work out!

When the guide mentioned that the last zip-line was 2.300 feet, I was a little anxious about going down it, though I felt completely safe and secure the whole time.  The harness

The Ultimate Spin Experience: FLYWHEEL

Flywheel Sports, the new indoor cycling studio founded by former New York Giant’s running back and TV personality, Tiki Barber, and legendary spin instructor Ruth Zuckerman, opens it’s doors next week.  Flywheel will also feature a yoga and exercise studio.

Spin-enthusiasts, cyclists, bicyclists, triathletes, (or anyone interested in trying indoor cycling or just looking to get in shape) get excited! Flywheel offers state of the art equipment and technology.  Each bike features a monitor that tracks riders rpm/cadence, resistance, and energy.  Your individual performance data is then stored and available after every ride under the ‘my performance’ page at www.flywheelsports.com.  This is a great feature for anyone in training or looking to monitor progress.

I was lucky to get a sneak preview of the facilities, and the opportunity to take Ruth Zuckerman’s Fly 45 class for what I can only describe as the ultimate spin experience.   It’s no wonder Ruth has been credited for being part of the force behind the NYC indoor cycling craze; she is amazing.  Zuckerman knows when to motivate you when you’re tired, inspire you when you don’t think you can do another second, and push you to propel your biking to the next level.  Plus, they understand the importance of

Whish it Away

What do the heroines of the hit series “24” and I have in common?  When it comes to shaving products, Whish products are at the top of our list.  In a recent letter to Whish, the ladies from the cast wrote, “We love the fact that Whish has taken extra special measures to develop these heavenly scented paraben-free, sulfate-free, and petrochemical-free, all-natural and organic-based shave creams that leave our legs feeling so soft and silky.”

My latest Whish obsession is their Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum (although I think it needs a new name since it’s so much more then just an ‘ingrown hair serum’).  It helps calm inflammation from areas prone to bumps and irritation thanks to it’s key ingredients, wheat germ (to restore and soothe skin), yeast extract (for it’s regenerative properties), and willow bark extract (which fights against inflammation).

Use after shaving, waxing, or laser, Whish Flawless is a clear serum with a smooth application, and absorbs right into the skin, leaving no residue or marks on clothing.

I first used a sample of this product while traveling to the Dominican Republic last year.  I fell victim to a cheap disposable razor and then jumped into the ocean—Oh the burn!  Whish Flawless Serum instantly soothed my skin and

Lauren Conrad and mark. Take Action Against Domestic Violence

Domestic violence comes in many forms –physical, verbal, emotional, and financial.  According to mark., ‘studies show that 1 in 4 woman will be abused by a partner in their lifetime’ and ‘currently 1 in 5 teens in a serious relationship reports being physically abused by a partner’.

mark., the beauty and fashion brand, that is all about empowering young women in both their careers and social lives, decided to take action.  In September of 2008, mark. launched their m.powerment campaign to help raise awareness and break the cycle of dating abuse and relationship violence.  The m.powerment collection, which donates all the net proceeds to the cause, consisted of the Have a Heart Necklace ($22), and Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Glosses in m.powerment shades ($6) has since raised over $400,000.

Last night, Claudia Poccia, Global President, mark. and Lauren Conrad, mark. Spokesperson and Honorary Co-Chair of m.powerment by mark. launched their latest m.powerment campaign; the Have a Heart Bracelet ($12), and a Public Service Announcement, featuring Lauren Conrad.

The two, alongside Peer Educator, Kristen DeFur from the Healthy Relationship Training Academy of New York City sat on a panel for a Q&A Session to answer questions and stress that help is available.  Since domestic violence comes in multiple forms it’s important to trust your instincts and seek help immediately if you feel you’re a victim of abuse.  The most important thing is to get out of the relationship safely, and although that may seem impossible for many, counselors are

An Afternoon with WesFeld

I had the absolute pleasure of spending the day with Daniel Feld and Wesley Nault of WesFeld, their new fashion label, in their Williamsburg studio.  The two former Project Runway alums, and now design partners, are the winners of the Plastics Make it Possible fashion competition sponsored by the American Chemistry Council and Gen Art.

As winners, Daniel and Wesley received $10,000 to create and showcase their collection on February 10th, during New York Fashion Week for the Gen Art New Garde Show, hosted by Molly Sims.

When I first read about the win, it came as no surprise.  If anyone can handle plastic, it’s Daniel Feld.  Who can forget that memorable dress he made out of blue plastic cups on the premiere of Project Runway, Season 5?  I’m still blown away by it.  And with Wesley Nault on his team — oh the places they will go.

Here’s what these two lovely designers had to say:

Pretty Connected (PC): How did you hear about the Plastics Make it Possible design competition?

WESFELD (WF): Gen Art contacted us and we thought it would be a great opportunity.

PC: Tell me about the collection and the parameters given to you by Gen Art.

WF: Our major sponsor was The American Chemistry Council and Plastic makes it possible. We had to use all plastic-based materials for this collection.

PC: What was your inspiration for the two dresses you entered into the competition?

WF: The pale, pink dress was inspired by the lines of a conch shell, and the other was inspired by the skeleton of a trilobite.

PC: What was the first thing you did when you found out you won?

WF: We were very excited and started to