Lots of Sweet News! Lanvin & Laduree, Too Faced Cosmetics, MAC Marilyn Collection and More

Hey Everybody! Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!  

I just wanted to mention a couple of things today.

Did you guys hear about the Lanvin & Laduree collaboration? Yes! No! Maybe So? Here's what you need to know. Alber Elbaz designed and did the sketches of the various women's faces on the Laduree box. The box contains eight pink bubble gum-flavored macarons. If you live in France, it's already available for purchase. If you live in the US (New York), UK or Japan you can purchase your box September 28th (ummm yeah, that would be TODAY! hahaha).So GO and buy a box for ME! LOL

Too Faced Cosmetics just released their Love Sweet Love 2012 Christmas collection. It was launched at MarieBelle's in New York yesterday.
How sweet was that? I've never tried Too Faced. Have you?

The collection is truly adorable: Shadow Bon Bons, Love Sweet Love and Glamour To Go Spun Sugar Edition.

You can buy the collection HERE. To see detailed information and swatches, check out Makeup and Beauty Blog HERE.

...and last but not least, MAC released their Marilyn Monroe makeup collection. It includes lipsticks, eyeshadow, false eyelashes, eyeliner and more. You can find detailed information HERE.

I have a busy weekend ahead. I need to buy some Fall decorations, change out my closet, and don't judge... I'm going to see the animated movie Hotel Transylvania! HaHaHa I thought it would be a great way to kick off the month of October with a laugh and get in the Halloween spirit. So that's what I'll be doing. What are you guys getting into?

P.S. - My blog will be going through a re-design. So if you see some funny changes, it's Casey from Sugar Studios Design. She's a doll. So there's no need to call Ghostbusters! HaHaHa 

Have a Great Weekend Everybody!

Anya Hindmarch's Pomp and Pleasure Show

Do you like carousels?    

Did you like pop-up books when you were a child? 

I adored BOTH when I was young and still do today. I find them to be so charming.

Well let me tell you, I nearly squealed like a little kid in a toy store when I saw handbag designer Anya Hindmarch's 2013 Spring/Summer "Pomp and Pleasure" London Fashion Week Show.

She combined THE BEST of everything I love and adore. All of her handbags, clutches, totes and other fabulous accessories were showcased in this two-story, 18th century themed, spinning carousel with moving 3D props, people and furniture. It's truly unbelievable and magical! If nothing else today, watch the two minute video below. Her entire collection pops and peeps out of every corner. This designer took presentation of her product to an entirely different level. I LOVED IT!!! I thought it was so UNIQUE! Even her invitations were lovely. Enjoy!

pictures via British Fashion Council (Pinterest) and Fashion Foie Gras

A Couple Of Questions...

Corinne from Cat Eyes & Thigh Highs blog, was bestowed the Liebster Award and posed a couple of questions for her readers to answer. I was away in Cincinnati during the time, so I'm just getting around to answering them. So below are my answers to her questions. She wanted to know some fun facts about us all. Hope you guys enjoy.

FYI - I've followed Corinne's blog for quite some time now and her posts are truly a joy to read. She's just a beautiful person inside & out and it truly comes across in her blog. If you haven't subscribed to her blog already, definitely check it out. Her posts will really put a smile on your face.

1. If you could trade closets with any person (alive or dead), who would it be?

Answer: Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Vintage - I adore reading her blog and LOVE her style. Everything she wears is classy, feminine, and wearable. I think she is so well rounded. She's in a relationship, writes beautifully, travels, has friends, own's her own business, and simply has FUN doing it ALL.

2. What can you not leave the house without doing/having on your person?

Answer: This may seem a little OCD, but I'm always checking to see if I've unplugged the iron, blow dryer, toaster and flat iron. It's probably due to question #5.

3. What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself?

Answer: I really love myself inside and out. I do have my quirks (weight, wanting longer hair etc.) But I hold the power to make those changes. So, no excuses for moi. To put it bluntly, I just have to get off my ass and get it done. LOL But as far as a nose job or any kind of major sugary (i mean surgery!)...Nah!

4. If you had the time & money, what is one thing that you would want to learn how to do?

Answer: To be a fabulous pastry chef and cake decorator like Peggy Porschen. Sign me up for Le Cordon Bleu London! That's where she graduated from. Plus, I love London!

5. What is your biggest fear?

Answer: Burning Up! Is that clear enough? No. Ok, catching on fire! Also, having to jump off of a really tall building or anything! Oh gosh, I don't even want to think about it. Maybe I should always carry a parachute and fire extinguisher with me at all times. HaHaHa

 
6. Worst fashion crime you've ever committed (as in so bad, even you knew you shouldn't have but did anyway!)

Answer: Neon in the 80's! I had the bows, shirts, jelly shoes and all those bracelets. But I was  super young back then. I'm sure I can be forgiven :) Right?

7. Favorite song of the moment:

Answer: This is Love by Will.I.Am - I really like the instrumental version. For some reason, I prefer the instrumental versions of all my favorite songs.

8. If money were no option, what single item would be in your shopping cart THIS SECOND? :)

Answer: A Classic Chanel Bag! It's classic. It's gorgeous. It goes with everything.

However, as I get older, I see things more as investments. If I had to sell it, I would get a good return on it.

9. If you could live in any decade besides the present, when would it be & why?

Answer: The 80's - It was a super fun era, Duran Duran ruled, John Taylor was going to be my husband and the stock market was truly great back then! I would've invested heavily. HaHaHa

10. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Answer: A Model! I adored Kimora Lee Simmons. She modeled for Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld. In my book, she could do no wrong. HaHaHa She was very different and unique for her time. I could relate to her and drew inspiration from her looks and style.

11. What inspired you to/why did you start your blog?

Answer: The first fashion blogs I literally stumbled across (looking for other personal blogs) were four ladies from Vancouver, Canada.

It was Mina of Faboulista (her new blog is now Glitter In My Veins); Jen Tam of Her Waise Choice , Cara of A Fashion Love Affair and Cee of Coco and Vera (she just moved to Paris, France). I still read and comment on Cee's blog. Those four always had so much fun together and their blogs were great. I was like, what is this!?! I couldn't get over their pictures. That's when I hopped on the fashion bandwagon.

Again, I did some personal blogging before this, but thought beauty and fashion blogging would help keep me up to date with the newest things out there and re-ignite my love for fashion. I use to eat, breathe and live fashion. It kind of got thrown to the back burner when I went through graduate school and started my career. So it's nice to be back and I think it will help me get back on track. It's a lot of work, but I'm enjoying it.

All The Riches A Girl Can Have

Marie Antoinette! When I first set eyes on this fashion editorial spread, I couldn't help but think about Marie Antoinette. I know. It must be the HAIR! hahaha But seriously, what do we know about Marie Antoinette? She was a shopper! She loved to spend money on the latest and most lavish designs of her day and she enjoyed (let me rephrase that INDULGED IN) the "good life". When asked about her indulgent lifestyle vs. the poor and famished people she served in France, she exclaimed...LET THEM EAT CAKE! HaHaHa But did you know there is controversy on whether SHE uttered or originated that phrase? Hmmm. Read HERE. If that's true it kind of ruins it for me. LOL I've always equated that phrase to her! Hmmm. Have you heard about this controversy? Do I have any bloggers on my blog roll that majored in History? I would love to read what you have to say! My readers would love to read your thoughts! Do tell!!!

Magazine: Vogue Japan October 2012
Title: All the Riches a Girl Can Have
Photographer: Giampaolo Sgura
Model: Ymre Stiekema
Stylist: Anna Dello Russo
Hair: Andrew Guida
Make-up: Jessica Nedza
Manicure: Annarel Innocente

What do you think? If Marie Antoinette were alive today, would she wear these designs? Do you think she would wear pants? I think the first dress looks like pink cotton candy (candy floss as my European readers would say. hahaha see i read and learn from you guys). Have a Great Tuesday Everybody!

VALENTINO at The New York City Ballet

Oh Valentino!  

How I adore thee! 

I grew up admiring and loving the designs of fashion designer Valentino Garavani. His haute couture creations were adorned by many models and worn by celebrities & dignitaries everywhere. His famous signature red gowns were always the talk of fashion.

He officially retired from the fashion industry in 2008. I was saddened to see him go, but understood that nothing lasts forever. So was this the end of Valentino? The answer was definitely no!

Something Old! Something New! In 2011, we were pr-ivied to see all of his beautiful designs from years past in 3D technology with The Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum. He had so many designs, that no museum could possibly house them all for viewing. I thought the idea of a virtual museum was both innovative and brilliant.

The Ballet! The Ballet! I love the arts. I love ballet.Valentino has now reappeared in 2012! This time, a collaboration with The New York City Ballet! He created about 25 costumes for 4 ballets. His precision and attention to detail is still impeccable. If you do nothing else, take 5 minutes to watch the video at the end of this post. Valentino is still a perfectionist! He also gets what he wants! He's serious most of the time, but in the video we also get to see his humorous side.

Will this be the last we hear of Valentino? Not at all. I have great news fashionistas! A major new exhibit will open in Somerset, London the end of this year. It is entitled, Valentino: Master of Couture Exhibition. It will officially open from November 29, 2012 - March 3, 2013. It will showcase haute couture designs worn by icons such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, Sophia Lauren, and Gwyneth Paltrow. If you're in the area, this is a definite must see.Click on the link above to find out more.

What's the lesson? Just because you retire, LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO STOP! Nor, do you have to stop doing WHAT YOU LOVE! Valentino has definitely proven that and he's 80 years old. If you would like to see a cool documentary regarding his life, purchase or rent "Valentino: The Last Emperor" (2008). I enjoyed watching it.

Photo Credits:

{to see more photos, please click on the links)

Vogue

New York Magazine Rachel Papo

New York City Ballet and NYCB

Style

 Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum