All posts tagged: a makoever

challenges of wrinkle creams

Here is a topic I have been avoiding for a while, but since those annoying wrinkles are beginning to creep up on me, I am no longer able to avoid the problem at hand. However, finding the right wrinkle cream is probably the most frustrating thing I have experienced in the history of my shopping endeavors.  I have visited every make up counter and spoken to dozens of make up consultants, I have surfed the net and  read  reviews on most any cream out there and yet, I am just not convinced any of them will  help nor  are worth the amount of money they cost. What I did do however, is compile here and here some sites of the most highly recommended wrinkle creams out there and I would love to  hear from anyone who has tried any of them and what you actually  thought about it?

new year lifestyle makeover

Normally around the end of a year or the beginning of a new one, people tend to reconfigure their life and lifestyles in an effort to make changes, which in essence will allow them to feel good about themselves throughout the New Year. It’s funny this behavior is almost automatic and whether we think about it or not, all of us participate uniformly and sometimes subconsciously. While searching online for various small or big changes people tend to make around the end or beginning of a new year are: 1.Get  rid  of old clothes and donate them to a worthy cause 2. Spruce up the house by either painting or redecorating a room or two. 3.  Contemplate a new hair do and/or color treatment. 4. Shred old or expired files and organize a new filing system. 5. Clean out linen closets and declutter a food pantry. 6. Shop for a new perfume or explore new make up options. 7. Get a message or a spa treatment 8. Purge computer and organize online photos 9. Get …

new years eve shoes and clutch glamour

I know most women, who plan to attend some formal event this New Year’s Eve, have  already planned out their New Year’s Eve attire. But,  just in case the shoes and clutch have not yet been considered, I have included some  of my favorite pairing suggestions for 2010. Oh and just in case you are wondering about the photo above  left, it is Jimmy Choo – Marine Jeweled evening shoes. I know…breath taking and I wonder where were these shoes when I was in my 20’s?

new years eve and black-tie event dresses and gowns

I know I have stated before, if all else fails, consider the color black in fashion. Believe me a woman over 40 can seldom  go wrong with the choice of color, because no matter how self-conscious she may feel about her figure, black has a way of smoothing out the edges. However, choosing age appropriate black dresses or gowns is  very important for the woman over 40 because, selecting the wrong cut, length or style , can surely be the most damaging. Since choosing the dress or gown is a hit or miss in some or most cases, I have included one of my favorite designer’s website here to help guide the process. I have also included some of my favorite selections (below) from the site to consider or duplicate (depending on one’s budget)  for that special soiree. Enjoy and let me know what is your favorite gown from the selection.

holiday 2010 gift ideas for her – designer scarf

Part of making an impression  while giving a woman a holiday gift is the box it comes in. Although gifts from some department stores are expected and pretty predictable from a woman’s point of view, there is nothing like catching her off guard with a box  from a store she would never consider shopping at, much less buy from, especially for herself. One sure way to show the care taken in selecting  a well thought out gift,  (outside of jewelry)  is giving her a designer scarf. Most women tend to buy the most practical and durable  scarf for themselves while they run about town handling business.,  but they will surely appreciate a more glamorous one while on a date night or a  special occasion. So, gentlemen and ladies alike, consider some suggestions I have included below when shopping for a scarf and remember, where you purchase the designer scarf is as important as choosing just  the right one.

i want what monica bellucci is having please

I have always appreciated foreign actors more so than the ones in LALALand. I’ll tell you why. Talent,” natural” beauty, more talent, minimal drama and much more talent. However, some foreign actors (actresses) just to make myself perfectly clear, I appreciate for their physical attributions and outlook on life more so than their creative talents. With that said and in light of this blog’s theme, I  want to introduce one actress, who I think has not only aged gracefully, but  in my opinion is one to be admired for her efforts to remain true to herself no matter how demanding her career and lifestyle may be. She is none other than the Italian actress, Monica Bellucci, who at 46 just recently (May 2010)  had her second child with husband Vincent Cassel. I can honestly go as far as  comparing her beauty and gusto to that of Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch, and just by understanding her attitude through personal quotes and interview, I know that her core make up has contributed to her flawless outer …

black gowns and special occasions

It is seldom difficult to go wrong with hints of  black when planning for a formal gathering, and since  the holiday season is right around the corner, we have to begin thinking about what to wear for that special party or gathering, particularly for a formal New Year’s Eve  celebration. Although, this decade I prefer to stay home and drink champagne with family and friends throughout the holiday season, I can’t help but admire, while thumbing through the racks at shops and boutiques around Union Square, the beautiful gowns available  for my viewing pleasure.   Nonetheless, here are my favorites:

hotel pick – petit ermitage – los angeles

Los Angeles is my playground and I frequent this particular destination about six to seven times a year. The fun thing about Los Angeles is that, you can never get bored, I mean while looking to  experience something new and different – such as a  hotel or a restaurant or a cafe, even designer boutiques and beauty salons. It is forever changing and just when you think you have a list of your favorites down, think again, the next time you visit, it may not be there or better yet, it has been revamped, redone or remastered just to entice  the visitors and locals alike. So, in light of this wonderful entry, I have included a bohemian themed boutique hotel so nicely named, in my opinion, Petit Ermitage located in West Hollywood.  A great escape from all the norms of hotel luxury. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

admiring haute couture

Now here is another topic I have difficulty incorporating into my everyday life and conversation – haute couture –  best described by fashionera.com as being a  French phrase for high fashion.  Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments.  The purchase of a haute couture model garment is at the top level of hand customised fashion design and clothing construction made by a couture design house.  A model haute couture garment is made specifically for the wearer’s measurements and body stance.  The made to measure exclusive clothes are virtually made by hand, carefully interlined, stay taped and fitted to perfection for each client. A haute couture could cost anywhere from 20K to whatever the price may be for the exclusively created masterpieces by the best of the best fashion designers. I have included a slideshow of some of the most interesting of styles for 2010  from the likes of Christian Dior, J. Galliano, Chanel, John Paul Gultier and more. Enjoy!

casual weekend sweaters

On the weekends, I like to revert back to my tomboyish ways by dressing  as casual as possible and while doing so, I want to simply be able to throw on my favorite pair of comfortable jeans and a sweater and call it day. Since I agree with  fashion advisers in suggesting women over 40 stay away from bulky sweaters, I  found a few which I think will do me just find this winter season. The cool thing about these sweaters is that they are border line between dressy and casual, which means I can wear them over slacks or a skirt to work or with jeans over the weekends. I call these sweaters transition sweaters from mid fall to early winter and then from late winter to “almost” spring in some places. I found these at J. Crew (in store and online) and although sometimes it’s really intimidating to walk into the store if you aren’t twelve years old, the sweaters are well worth the effort nonetheless. Let me know what you think?