Be Real Luxe

Avon and Reese Team Up

Kristin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:40:54 +0000

In honor of International Women’s Day, Avon and its global ambassador Reese Witherspoon are taking a public stance to stop violence against women. The company is celebrating the day, which was actually March 8, with a three-day summit this week in D.C., where Witherspoon as well as Suze Orman and international delegates will work toward solving the global problem. One way you can make a difference is with the Empowerment fashion and accessories items created by the beauty brand. All priced between $3, for a key chain, to $15, for a T-shirt, 100 percent of the profits from the items go toward ending violence against women. Interested? Check out the Empowerment line at Avon.

Luxe for Less

Kristin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:04:30 +0000

The new stylish direction at Ann Taylor and its sister Loft continues to surprise me. Yesterday, it was a gorgeous spring-like day in New York, and I popped into the latter at Times Square. The store looked fabulous, and I lingered for longer than I planned. Everything looked great, and I wanted to run into the dressing room to try on the arty, embellished Tees, cute shorts and printed feminine cardigans. Because I was running late, I didn’t have time for that so I checked out the handbags. These days, it’s rare to find a bag or shoe that’s made of leather for under $100. (I still remember when $100 was a lot of money to spend on shoes!) Yet, I found a couple bags at Loft that were not only leather, they were priced affordably and really cute. The first one that caught my eye was this off-white shoulder bag with a snakeskin-embossed finish. It’s roomy, but not too big, and has two zippered exterior pockets, pockets inside, a zippered top and goldtone hardware (this is key, as I tend to wear more gold accessories than silver and they must match!).

The shoulder strap was also comfortable—not too short. It’s more than $100, retailing at $188, but I feel like this is a great price for this bag. Then, when I was just about to leave the store, I spotted this adorable foldover leather clutch with a chain-link strap for $98. I love it in orange, or as the company calls it “spring coral,” but it also comes in magenta, cognac and black. You can carry it as a clutch or wear it over your shoulder with the chain strap. It’s so cute, you may just be compelled to buy more than one. Tell me, what do you think of the new look at Ann Taylor and Loft?

A Room with a View

Kristin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:06:20 +0000

I’m far from being a millionaire, but the view out my living room window onto New York’s Hudson River is worth a million bucks. The word that constantly comes to mind when I gaze at its sparkling beauty is majestic. It just stops me in my tracks. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, I instantly realize I’m just a small wheel in the bigger picture. I have actually never had a view this breathtaking in my entire life. I would dream of a view like this while listening to Blondie’s “Picture This,” when I was growing up in the homogenous Northwest suburbs of Chicago. (I also begged my mother to cut out a balcony in my bedroom wall, but she didn’t go for it!) But never in my wildest imagination did I envision I would be living with a view like this. But you don’t have to live on top of a river to reap the benefits of an amazing view. Simply head to your nearest body of water or mountains, if that’s more your style, and take the time to gaze at the beauty. Life suddenly seems more peaceful.

The New Chloé

Kristin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:47:57 +0000

Does anyone remember the original Chloé fragrance? The warm, feminine fragrance was unlike any other. I loved it. Yet, its time in the sun has passed, although you can still find it at drugstores and Kohl’s. The house has updated its signature scent with a sparkly new fragrance that I also really like—but it’s starkly different from the original. With top notes of pink peony and freesia, it seems to scream: fun, spirited young woman. And guess who the spokesmodel is? If you guessed an actress of the same name, you would be correct. Indeed, it’s Miss Sevigny. What I like about the new Chloé is its staying power. I despise it when a fragrance disappears almost immediately after applying. This scent lingers for hours—literally the next morning I was happy to discover my wrists (where I applied the scent the evening before) smelled fresh as daisies (or pink peonies, I should say). The new Chloé is pricier than its predecessor, which is a bargain at $37.50 (find it at Kohl’s online). The Eau de Toilette 1.7 oz. spray starts at $65, while the Eau de Parfum of the same size is $85. The collection also includes a perfumed shower gel, body lotion and body cream. Find the new Chloé at Sephora. Tell me, will you try the new or do you like the old?

Dreaming of France

Kristin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:27:36 +0000

What could be better than Paris in the spring—perhaps Monte Carlo or St. Tropez in the spring? There’s a chance I may be jaunting to the aforementioned cities for a story in April. Oo la la! So bien sur, I started thinking about what I would pack. With the recession still lingering and my bank account still recuperating, I’m happy and relieved the prospect of a trip to the land of culture can spark a little innocent imagination. And I started dreaming about the French designers I covet. This Dior Bow-accented dress makes me crazy. It looks so chic. And it’s only …$1,890. It may be out of my price zone and honestly, it’s really not my day-to-day style. The Chloé ensemble, on the right, is more me. And the entire look is only…$3,800. Wait what is that about cost per wear? The more times you wear an outfit, actually brings down the average cost per wear? I think I’d wear this outfit all the time—at least 100 times. So according to the formula that would be: $3800/100=$38 per wear. Still, my meager budget cannot afford dropping nearly $4,000 on a flower-adorned cropped jacket, yellow top and high-waisted khaki pants—even if they are by Chloé and made in France, where some of the most luxurious garments are made. Ten years ago, I would have done it anyway, but in today’s world, even this gal with a big imagination heeds caution when it comes to entering retail stores that sell luxe brands like Dior and Chloé. That’s why I love online shopping—you can pretend, pretend! Sorry retailers, I’m one of those people who racks up a big shopping bag online and then doesn’t complete the transaction. I think it’s better than buying and returning, no? Tell me, if price, bank account or recession were no obstacle, what would you dream of for spring?

Viva Glam

Kristin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:31:00 +0000

What could be better than spending $14 on a M.A.C lipstick and knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds is going toward HIV/AIDS research? Not to mention that the colors of the Viva Glam limited-edition lipsticks are inspired by two of pop’s biggest icons: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. A pink shade is the Gaga color while a coral red represents Cyndi. With Sharon Osbourne moderating the discussion, the pop duo talked about the lipstick, the cause and more during a live telecast on Monday streaming over Facebook from London. “You buy the lipstick and you help save someone with AIDS,” said Lauper, summarizing the message of the Viva Glam lipsticks as: “Viva Life, Viva Glam.” Buy Viva Glam’s Gaga and Cyndi shades online at M.A.C Cosmetics and at M.A.C cosmetic counters near you. Tell me, would you prefer the Gaga pink or Cyndi red?

Oscar de la Renta

Kristin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:11:00 +0000

Recession, what recession? Oscar de la Renta did not let the dreary economy dull his bright vision for Fall 2010. The master designer focused on what he knows best: luxury. His vibrant collection featured lots of fur, cashmere, silk and embroideries—his society ladies will be pleased. Even the makeup and hair looked big and glamorous—almost in a Texas, Dynasty way. The Park Avenue set are not Mr. De La Renta’s only admirers—Jessica Biel, Amy Adams and Sarah Jessica Parker are among his more famous clients. As Parker recently said about the designer, who designed the flirty floral dress she wore for her SJP NYC fragrance campaign: “He is the best at what he does. If he were a monster and as talented as he is, I would still want to work with him.” Interestingly, many show goers at New York Fashion Week added rich, luxurious elements to their looks—turning out in fur coats, fur scarves, opulent fabrics and the newest fashion craze: sequins for day. Perhaps people are not earning Texas money, but they want to dress like they are. I like that, what do you think? Shop Oscar de la Renta online.

Sneak Peak: Tibi

Kristin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:36:00 +0000

It pays to be a starlet. Here’s Olivia Palermo, sporting a chic masculine-meets-feminine ensemble hot off Tibi’s Fall 2010 runway show that took place Feb. 16 in New York’s Bryant Park—at London Fashion Week. What, did she just grab the outfit after the show and hop on a plane to a show across the Atlantic?Promoting the NY designer while at Christopher Kane’s show this week, Palermo flaunted the ruffle blouse and menswear-inspired plaid shorts (not sure who designed her gray jacket, perhaps Kane.) That boy-meets-girl way of dressing was strong throughout many of the Fall 2010 collections. “It’s a lot about opposites,” said Amy Smilovic, Tibi designer, backstage before her show. “You’ll have menswear tweed pants but it might have a bow draped on it and be paired with a sexy corseted top.” And what about the shorts like Palermo’s—will they actually make it into the retail stores? Yes!—if Smilovic has her way. ”I love shorts for fall. Love, love,” she said. “I’ve got plaid, leather shorts. I’ve got shorts.” Unless you’re BFFs with the designer, us mortals need to wait until the fall clothes arrive in stores—starting in July. In the meantime, look for Tibi at Saks, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor.

Get Carried Away

Kristin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:35:00 +0000

A “party in a bottle,” is how Sarah Jessica Parker described her new fragrance SJP NYC. Looking supremely chic in a sleek blazer, multiple layers of pearl necklaces and skinny jeans, Parker hosted a small brunch for editors and bloggers last Friday at the adorable Sweetie Pie restaurant in New York City’s West Village neighborhood to discuss the latest addition to her fragrance repertoire. Her inspiration? Sex and the City and its central character Carrie Bradshaw. “The beginning of the show always aired June. That feeling of freedom I always associate with the show—with that moment of the beginning of summer,” Parker recalled. “I took that moment in my head. It felt like a great starting point.” Being that SJP NYC is still so new, Parker said she hasn’t compartmentalized the fruity floral scent just yet. “I would wear it everywhere,” she said. Regarding her previous scents, she was more telling. “I probably would wear Lovely to the ballet,” she said. “I would probably wear Covet to jail. Or when they let me out on bail. No, I would probably wear Covet to the after-hours-after-hours party. I would probably wear Twilight in the evening. It’s a really warm fragrance and it can definitely be worn after sunset. But SJP NYC, it doesn’t feel like anything yet.” SJP NYC has top notes of Italian mandarin, white osmanthus and wild red strawberries. It dries down to a musky scent, a character common to all of Parker’s fragrances. Buy SJP NYC exclusively at Macy’s.

Spring Chic: London Fog

Kristin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Eva Longoria and hubby Tony Parker continue to provide some spice to London Fog for spring. For the second season, the hot duo star in the legendary raincoat company’s ad campaign, shot by famed photographer Nino Munoz at the airy Milk Studios in Los Angeles. Personally, I love Eva’s white crisp trench (Tony’s zip-front jacket is not bad either) and while I don’t need another trench, I may just just splurge on one of these chic numbers. The best part about London Fog, is while the coats look expensive, the average cost is about $99. Shop London Fog online. Tell me, what do you think about London Fog’s new direction?