Lifestyle: M*A*C MakeUp

Posted by: L

Umm...did you also get this e-mail from M*A*C?

Introducing LillyLand:

"When M*A*C meets the lore and legend of Lilly Pulitzer, you get a funky, fun new chapter in prints and coulurs that make it hip to be in permanent happy land!"

Yea! That's Lilly Pulitzer for M*A*C!!!!

Can't.Stop.Drooling.

More from the site: "A collaboration that feels like the best tongue-in-chic resort retort delivers that joyously bright and refined Key West bloom: new floral patterned Pearlmatte Eye Shadow and Face Powder, plus all the retro-modern colour combinations that Lilly is famous for."

Swoon.

The line includes two shades of nail polish, three paint pots, four lip glosses, four cremeblend blush colors, and a number of countrour brushes and liners.

The products were scheduled to hit stores yesterday, January 7th. I will be high-tailing it to the Collection this weekend to drain my bank account check it out!

First impression: The perfect antidote for this dreary and notoriously gray season we are in now. (If you have not yet guessed, since the words "Resort 2010" have grazed past my little green eyes, I have been daydreaming of everything fabulous that is synonmous with temperatures over 65°F. Lilly Pulitzer is at the top of that list. Followed closely by Mimosas for breakfast.)

You can order the cosmetics online, but I'm more of a tester-outer when it comes to cosmetics. Sephora? A playground.

Lifestyle: Trend Report - Nautical Inspired (2 of 2)

Posted by: L

Ok, sorry Readers! I know this post is a day late but I was...um... busy(?) yesterday. Yea, I have no excuse: I was loafing and doing arts and crafts!! AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Thank you for your e-mail reminders! : )

But, ahem, onto the fashion post for today. What did you all think of the nautical accessories?? Are you going to try them??

For those of you ready to take it to the next step, I am going to present you with some options that I love. Let me know what you think!

kate spade miriam striped dress, $375.00

Jovonna Ann-Marie Sailor Jumper, $90.00 (available via TopShop)

Forever 21 One Shoulder Striped Dress, $26.00

St. John Yellow Label Two-Tone Striped Sweater & Zip Capris, $595.00, $395.00

Gap Sailor Trousers, $49.99 (heather gray) and $39.50 (dark indigo, pictured) (was $59.50)

bebe Naughty Nautical High-Waisted Short, $69.00

J.Crew Stripe asymmetrical chiffon bow pullover, $88.00

Thomas Pink Women's Nautical Cardigan, $69.00 (was $195.00)

Of course, a number of these options are a little higher end, and may be too much to spend on a trend that you might be "iffy" about. Be sure to look at retailers like Forever 21 to take a couple pieces out for a test drive. I know the Rodarte collection at TarJay has a blue and white striped shirt (with a boatneck!) that you can try for $16.99. And, you might be thinking, "Ugh. I cannot do horizontal stripes!" So, keep it simple with a basic navy top (available everywhere), white pants (or capris, or a skirt!), and a red patent wedge. Match it with an anchor necklace from yesterday's post and there you go! Oohh, so cute!

Ay ay mates!

And, coming next week: Lifestyle: Trend Report - Neutrals

Water Cooler

Posted by: B

Background: Cizzle and B had a convo about their New Year celebrations. Cizzle's celebration is definition classic when she has a run in with the hotel manager so she gladly allowed B to share with all the CC readers. Enjoy.

Setting: Cizzle celebrated her New Years by hitting up several hotel parties in this swank, high class hotel. During one of the parties Cizzle managed to convince a dolled up guy to give her his top hat. Now, she has a top hat on and moves to the next party.

During the next party, Cizzle wonders off by herself to the hotel restaurant serving sushi. By the time she gets back to the party, Cizzle, with her top hat on, now has a handful of sushi.

When her friends asked her where the sushi came from and if she could get them more, she said she would be just a moment.

Curious, Cizzle's friends followed her to see where this sushi came from. They were beyond speechless when they saw exactly how Cizzle managed to get the sushi.

Evidently, Cizzle walked into the upscale hotel restaurant that was serving sushi. Walked up to an old couple at a table. Think refined, dignified. Poked the old couple on the shoulder and said: "Can I have some more sushi for my friends?"

The old, refined, dignified couple had terrified looks on their faces and handed her more sushi.

After receiving her sushi, Cizzle left the restaurant and was making her way back to the hotel party to give her friends the sushi she just scored, however, she was stopped by the hotel manager.

The hotel manager stood went off on Cizzle for having complete lack of class and acting like a beggar. Cizzle stood through a lecture with sushi in her hand and her top hat on trying to look sad and innocent.

Once the lecture was over, Cizzle apologized for taking the sushi and walked away.

Later, Cizzle and her friends ate the sushi and all thought it was top notch. Too bad the old couple didn't get to eat the sushi they ordered and paid for.

Thirsty Thursday

Long Kiss Goodnight Martini

Some of you probably enjoyed a long kiss to ring in the new year.

So, this week...

Enjoy another Long Kiss.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Oz Stoli Vanil Vodka
• 1/2 Oz Stolichnaya Vodka
• 1/2 Oz Bols White Creme de Cacao
• Shave White Chocolate
• Ice
  

Rim a martini glass with shaved chocolate. Freeze the glass.

Put ice in a shaker. Add Stoli Vanil, Stolichnaya, and Bols White Creme de Cacao to the shaker.
Shake lightly.

Pour into the frozen martini glass. Garnish with a chocolate kiss.

Enjoy.

Recipe from drinksmixer.com.

Lifestyle: Trend Report - Nautical Inspired (1 of 2)

Posted by: L

Thank you, Chanel! (Really you, Uncle Karl!!)

The Chanel Resort 2010 Collection has brought back nautical inspired pieces. Per a Style.com editor, "the sequence took off into matelot – and gondolier-inspired stripes, interpreted in long-line fine-knit cardigans and playful beachwear with funny red and white striped wedge booties."

(Happy chair dance ensues.)

While the trend has me dreaming of being back on Newport for a quick beach get-a-way, or a long weekend in Palm Beach (swoon), you can bring some of that feeling right into your wardrobe now!

(Frantically going through my closet, looking for all the Lilly Pulitzer items to wear right.this.second!)

Ok, ahem, back to the topic at hand:

I'm going to have a couple posts for you lovely Readers on this trend. Today, we'll ease you non-prepsters into the nautical trend with some accessories and then, once you've warmed up to it, tomorrow will feature ways to incorporate nautical into your wardrobe. I tried to include pieces that are do-able for the working girl (and her "budget"...hate that word!).

Ready?

First up: A cheeky Marc Jacobs accessory (haha, this one is really just for giggles!)

"Miss Nautical" Icon Necklace, $58.00

...but you could get the earrings for $38.00!

Urban Outfitters Nautical Wheel Post Earrings, $12.00

Forzieri Alviero Martini Pendant with Lace, $155.00

Max & Chloe Yochi Anchors Away Necklace, $49.00

Ralph Lauren Black Label Nylon Rope Belt, $145.00

Tory Burch Black Rope Belt, $150.00

And, lastly, from Miss Prep, herself, Miss Kate Spade:

kate spade watch hill zippered darcy, $345.00

Will you be taking the plunge (ha ha) into the nautical trend this year?

Courtroom Couture

Posted by: L

I opened the Resort 2010 e-mail from Bergdorf Goodman a couple days ago and have been drooling over my keyboard since. Finally: bright colors, shorter hemlines, and the hope of sunshine to come.

(As I type, it's 19°F, with a "feels like" of 1°F. It's snowed twice today. Thanks, Boston!)

This little suit has me swooning (and drooling): puff sleeves, check; big, oversized buttons, check; Italian craftsmanship, check. I love short (and 3/4 length) sleeves because I can skip a trip to the tailor!

(And, you know Readers, that's what's really important when you're buying an "investment piece," too-- it is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE that your clothes fit your body. Rarely will anything fit you just "off the rack," so if you don't have a tailor, I suggest you skip your other "New Years Resolutions" and find one. Find a good one. Not just some cheap-o. I can't tell you all the countless times I've seen my peers in ill-fitting garments, whether it's pants too short, sleeves too long, hemline on a skirt in an awkward place..cringe. First and lasting impressions mean an awful lot.

So the rule you have learned and shall commit to memory: even when you're purchasing quality, make sure you take it to the next step and get it altered to fit your body, if needbe.)

Ok, go grab a tissue or a bib because you're about to drool with me!

Photos courtesy of the Bergdorf Goodman website.

The Versace Dome-Button Jacket ($2,045.00) and Scoop-Neck Dress ($1,0295.00) can both be purchased from Bergdorf Goodman.

What Were We Thinking?

Over the weekend B went out to Jillian's with C and LL (two of her fab sorority sisters).

We had just showed our ids and were wondering about a cover. So, one of us asked the bouncer if there was a cover. The bouncer replied the cover was $15 per person.

B thought: Fifteen Dollars! For Jillian's?! Umm...what?

But regardless all three of us pulled out twenties and handed them to the bouncer.

The bouncer's mouth fell open, he couldn't believe we had just handed $60 over to him to pay for the "Fifteen Dollar Cover".

He shook his hand and looked at us. We were still standing there since we needed our change.

The Bouncer then stated: "Ummm...you guys do realize I was messing with you. There is no cover."

All three of us just looked at him, mouths opened and said "ohhhh...hahaha" and took our money back and walked into Jillian's laughing.

Wow. We are so gullible.