NO, those are not my nails! First, it takes patience to sit there while the woman at the salon applies all the stones, etc. and I start fidgeting after 10 minutes. Second, I'd probably poke someone accidentally and cause bodily harm. And third, it would appear extreme on me showing off some beauty products or gifts on TV with those nails. BUT, the gal (Mie) who has these nails at CHI Nails in Beverly Hills is delightful and sassy and she can pull off the look effortlessly.
These looks are more my speed.
And here's my first ever gel application. So far it's lasted five days and no chips. This is exciting! Next time, I'll experiment with a little design.
Gold metallic galore. This was a stylish shoe haul at Nordstrom Rack. I'm stepping out in some serious shine this Spring with sandals and flats from Stuart Weitzman and Franco Sarto.
While I LOVE the look of polished nails, I rarely get a manicure because, quite frankly, I'm impatient with drying time and they usually chip within a day. The nail sleek sticks from Essie were super simple to attach and file to the top shape of my nail. And they lasted several days-woohoo! Plus I was able to peel them off in about two minutes while watching TV rather than spending time over the sink with polish remover and cotton balls. The collection has multiple choices of patterns and colors from words to sparkles to polka dots. Now I just need more subtle solid color choices to commit to wearing these more often. (Hear that Essie?)
Christina Moffitino, is our resident nail devotee and comes to the office with a different nail look every week.
Here's her review:
Essie nail wraps are not only cute and stylish but super convenient! They sure beat the days of waiting for your nails to dry and hoping they don't smudge. I got so many compliments from my girlfriends and they all had have their own set. I'm crazy about all the unique patterns and textures I want to try them all!
Lauren Scharf has a special place in her heart for stickers so the moment she saw the packages she exclaimed, "I'm in!"
Her review:
These nail decals stand (or stick) above the rest. I absolutely love these designs; they're a bit more eye-catching and versatile than Sally Hansen's nail appliques. The quality is much better too, since these are less likely to chip than the appliques, not to mention a regular nail polish. I'm going with the word on my nails next.
*names of our sleek stick choices are our captions.
Sometimes the best things arrive in a box. It's like a special holiday or birthday when a box arrives at your doorstep and you get to be surprised by the contents. I researched the best box subscriptions and other companies that specialize in sending you curated items from jewelry to dog treats to kids crafts to wine. I checked out an array of items and I shared them with Marie Osmond on Hallmark Channel.
-Kids projects for ages 3-7 that celebrate kids’ natural creativity and curiosity.
-Each box comes with the instructions/inspiration and materials to create the project covering a number of developmental areas through art, science and imaginative play from gardens to dinosaurs to creating butterfly wings.
-$19.95 a month or $220 a year with one month free. Each box contains 2-3 projects each month.
-Lot 18 has rolled out a first of its kind wine club, called Tasting Room.
-Members taste and give feedback before they commit to a full case of wines.
-They receive 6 mini bottles (4 red, 2 white) for $9.99. Members are given instructions on how to taste via an online tool that asks basic questions about likes and dislikes.
-Once the tasting is complete a taste profile is created and the first shipment is created with a case of 12 full size bottles. Four annual case shipments per year. First shipment is $84.99 with free shipping ($7 a bottle) and after that it’s $149.99 for a case ($12.50 a bottle).
-True and Company has reinvented the way women buy intimates. By taking a fit-based approach to online bra retail by replacing the uncomfortable fitting room experience with an online two-minute fit quiz and risk-free home try-on.
-Take trueandco.com's 2-minute online quiz and create your own personal bra shop of best fitting styles. They use your current bra size as a starting point and then diagnose your true size taking into account your shape, pain points and common body image issues.
-Their algorithms then recommend and sell only the styles and the sizes that fit a woman’s specific body shape in a personal bra shop created just for each customer.
-For your initial home try-on box, get your 5 favorite styles (you pick 3, their experts pick 2) sent to your home.
-You then have 7 days to try on the bras. Pay only for what you keep, return the rest.
-This is not a subscription service, but you can try it as often as you like.
All bras start at approximately $45. Shipping and returns are always free.
-Why spend over $100 for that designer blouse when you can have designer-quality blouses and tees delivered to your doorstep each season for $30 or less.
-Get a box of one, two or three shirts delivered every 3 months at the beginning of a season. Three tops are just $20 each.
-Neutral colors so they match with items in your wardrobe. Quality fabrics. Fashion forward. Styles similar to Alexander Wang, Theory and James Perse.
-Every month you receive 3-5 items of the top jewelry and accessories trends based upon the box you choose-Boho, Luxe or Mixe for $30 a month or just try it once for $40.
-You can try Misto Box for just $5 with free shipping. Subscriptions cost between $12.50 to $15 a month depending on the length of the subscription.
-Misto Box has a team of coffee experts who taste and evaluate more than 50 coffees every month from different artisan roasters across the country. (Think local favorites.)
-Each box contains four 1.7 - 2 ounce samplings of premium single origin coffee from four different artisan roasters. You’ll get to know each roaster and coffee intimately with included tasting notes and coffee info.
-Gourmet food delivered to your door for $10-12 a month depending on the plan you choose.
-Each box contains 8 or more gourmet foods.
-New flavors each month curated with a different theme.
- For every box sent, a meal is donated to feed 1 in 5 hungry children in America. In one year of business, Love With Food has donated more than 50,000 meals. They donate a meal to a hungry child via efforts with Feeding America and Share our Strength.
-Their motto is “Make Tummies Happy.”
- Love With Food frequently works with celebrities to curate the boxes, e.g. Thanksgiving 2012 box was curated by Amy Roloff of Little People Big World of TLC. Upcoming April 2013 box is curated by Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods on Travel channel.
We love this look for workwear. Unless you work in a corporate setting where skirt suits and hosiery are still required, most work attire has become far more creative. Many in my industry haven't bought a full matching suit in countless years. Instead, it's the art of mixing separates. This look works multiple ways in your wardrobe and easily transitions from 9-5 to cocktails. The skirt, while fitted, isn't mini so there's no concern you're showing off the goods if you bend down. The blouse is a classic staple for your closet while the blazer will work with a skirt, pants or even jeans on weekends. And what better way to create your own style identity than with accessories. The bib necklace and gold toe cap heels are statement makers. The necklace would help make a simple strapless black dress stand out and the cap toe heel poking out from under long hemmed pants in any color from red, burgundy, teal to hunter.
Blouse, H&M $56 Crepe Open Front Blazer, New Look $40
Being a New Yorker I could almost set my clock to the day it turned cold enough for a coat. It always seemed to be on the eve of Halloween. That meant the cool costume you wanted everyone to see was suddenly covered up with a coat. Living in Los Angeles, my wardrobe of coats hangs in the closet lonely most of the time unless I'm grabbing my shearling for NYC or Toronto or pulling on a leather jacket for those moments between the car and event. But I can't help but want to peek at all the coat styles offered this season and perhaps add or two more lightweight styles to closet. A girl likes to have options.
Mixed Media Styles
Sam Edelman Mixed Media Trench Coat, $210 Nordstrom
Sam Edelman Studded Belted Trench Coat, $228 Neiman Marcus
Haven't figured out what to be on Halloween? Don't have time to be super creative? You can skip the costume shop and create one of our many ideas in less than five minutes and for under $5. In many cases, these "costumes" can be created for FREE. From literary references like "50 Shades of Grey" to quotes like "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" and even costumes created from your own wardrobe.
Watch our fun video for the quick tips and the final looks!
This Fall look from the Michael Kors' runway show combined edgy and sleek leather with a "New England cabin in the woods" vibe. While Michael's look would cost over $3,000 we created a look for less for under $300. Just add black heels and rock your own runway look.
