[FashionRatty] tag: indulgence

Fab Flash: Coco Rocha Stars in a Barneys Tale

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:00:22 +0000

The quirky mastermind is at it again. Barneys New York Creative Director Simon Doonan has just enlisted Coco Rocha to play the main character in his tale, “Emma’s Dilemma,” in its Fall catalog.

So what's the dilemma? The entertaining scenario has Emma wanting everything — Christian Louboutin, Lanvin, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik, and the list goes on and on. A snippet from the story reads, "Making decisions has never been my strong point. When faced with a chocolate eclair or a macaroon, I dither and procrastinate and end up nibbling on both” says Emma.

“The theme is, ‘Oh just buy both.' Embedded in there is permission to be a little self-indulgent. It’s a bit of glamorous self-indulgence” said Doonan.

“I thought women could relate to this story" said Doonan. Yes, Simon, I concur.

Source

Bottega Veneta Struzzo Clutch

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0000

This clutch is pure indulgence! I saw it at the Fall Preview Trunk Show and flipped out as soon as I saw this ostrich clutch in fabulous purple with the crocodile trim! Yes, the buckle closure is a real pain and you are over paying for the little bit of crocodile trim but how can you not fall in love? Now that it is available for Pre-order online, I am falling in love with it all over again. Honestly, I will not be getting this. Now that I am remodeling my house, I am having to deal with cruelty of having perspective. For $4600 I can get my bathroom tiled in the Waterworks tile instead of the lesser knockoffs. Bathrooms lasts a lot longer and I can live without another bag but how can anyone live without a bathroom? But enough about my personal choices, this dream of a clutch will make the perfect partner in crime for nights out as you glow and feel ecstatic knowing that you have the best bag of anyone anywhere! At Bottega Veneta online for $4600.

Bottega Veneta Struzzo Clutch

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Dentist-style toothpaste

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:42:30 +0000

Do you love the smooth feeling of polishing exfoliators, rejuvenating creams and deep-conditioning masques? Such at-home products routinely provide professional-level intensely smooth results like glowing, smooth skin and sparkling, silky hair. Yet there’s never been a smile-specific indulgence that treats teeth to the ultimate “just-from-the-dentist” smooth, clean feeling right from their bathroom. Until now …

Next month Crest launches the Crest Weekly Clean Intensive Cleaning Paste, the first and only intensive weekly cleaning paste designed to provide a smooth, clean feeling in-between dental visits. The concentrated formula polishes teeth with an ingredient similar to what dentists use and is intended to complement the daily brushing routine.

Crest Weekly Clean’s exclusive technology combines Crest’s highest level of ActivClean Crystals with a blend of gentle polishing silicas.

Review: Open Sundaes

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:59:00 +0000

Open Sundaes has a delectable selection of sweet body treats to keep you smelling sweet from head to toe! Even foody lovers would love this line. Don't you hate it when bath and body products smell good enough to eat? Tempting as it may be, it is not highly recommended.

Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub ($14.95) is a gentle moisturizing treatment product. They blend brown sugar with the worlds finest oils. The anti-bacterial properties of sugar naturally stimulate and exfoliate, and bring you the sweetest bath experience ever

Review: This scrub comes in a cute honey bear bottle. The scrub itself is honey like and sweet smelling without the stickiness. Most body scrubs use large granules, but this is'nt the case with this scrub. Therefore, it is ideal for sensitive skin. It will gently exfoliate your skin without irritating it. Plus, it lathers really good.
If you love bakery scent type scrubs, you will not be disappointed with this one! This scrub also comes in two other scents, Pink Sugar and Grapefruit.

Their premium hand decorated solid cupcake bubble bath ($6.95) produces huge and long lasting bubbles, enhanced with vegetable glycerin to moisturize your skin.

Review: I received the Blue Hawaii and Diva. These cupcakes look so real that my toddler wanted one. So far I've tried the Blue Hawaii and I really liked it! This will definitely spice up your bubbly experience. My skin felt really moisturized and silky afterwards. These cupcakes are also available in Lemon Drop, Wisteria Lane, Peachy Keen, Sweet 16, and Mint Condition.

The perfect indulgence, their Bon Bon Bath melts ($14.95) will moisturize even the most stubborn dry skin. Add one to your bath at the end of a long day and watch your troubles melt away with smooth rich cocoa butter and our bakery inspired scents. A little taste of a calorie-free delight!

Review: I received a package of the Bon Bon bath melts. I did'nt receive the same one shown in the picture above, but you can get idea what they look like. I tried all of them except one so far. I can't exactly tell you what all of the scents were since I've thrown away the package. I remember one of them was mint which I did'nt care too much for the smell since I'm not really crazy about the smell of mint. A couple of them smelled like the Blue Hawaii solid bubble bath (perhaps it was my sense of smell playing tricks on me). This is another sweet batch of body treats from this company that will make your bath experience fun and enjoyable. Like the solid bubble bath, these made my skin moisturized and feeling silky.

If you want to add a little more fun in the tub, they also have a 9 pack for $22.95. These would make wonderful gifts!

Shake Open Sundaes Hair Powder ($12.95) into your hands or the roots of your hair. Work the product through your hair giving it a refreshed look, feel and fragrance!

Review: I was'nt able to personally try out this product since I'm not a brunette and I did'nt notice the small print on the site that this is a shade for all blondes. I was going by the scent. However, it all worked out since my mother is a blonde. Neither one of us have tried out a dry shampoo, but she was impressed with this product. It complements her hair color well. Plus, it does'nt weigh it down or make it look matte.

Give it a little shake, shake, shake...with one of these hair flavors of your choice: Strawberry, Chocolate or Lemon Drop.

Lauren Q&A with Cosmo Girl!

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:10:00 +0000

The reality TV golden girl and budding fashion designer dishes on her favorite things, the Heidi drama, and why she's forced to shop!

AFTER ALL YOUR UPS AND DOWNS WITH HER, DO YOU THINK YOU AND HEIDI MONTAG COULD EVER BE FRIENDS AGAIN?

No, but regardless of what has gone on between us, I will still say she was one of the best friends I've ever had. She was great, we had so much fun, I could tell her anything, and she was always there for me. That's what made [our falling-out] so difficult. This wasn't just someone I was good friends with, this was my best friend.

ARE YOU AS MUCH OF A SHOPAHOLIC AS YOU SEEM ON THE SHOW?

I do a lot of shopping, but it's not always for fun. We film six or seven months a year, five days a week, and I almost never wear the same thing twice on camera. I try not to repeat outfits when we're filming because after they edit it, it can look like I wore the exact same thing two days in a row! But I also understand value. Even with shoes, which are my biggest indulgence, I'm careful with how much I spend. I was crazy for these $600 sandals, but I could not imagine paying that much money for sandals. I saw a similar pair from Steve Madden, so I bought those instead!

WHAT WAS YOUR STYLE LIKE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL?

My friends and I grew up on the beach in our bikinis. We even wore them under our clothes at school. Our unofficial uniform was either a Juicy tracksuit, or a Seven denim skirt and C&C tank with a bathing suit bottom underneath. I don't think I even owned underwear in high school!

YOU'VE HAD YOUR SHARE OF RELATIONSHIP DRAMA. WHAT'S YOUR BEST GUY ADVICE?

You should be with someone you love being with, but at the same time, you don't need that person to make you feel whole. I've already been in a relationship where I felt incomplete when I was away from that person, and I don't think that's the way it should be. I think the person you end up with should make you feel like the best version of you.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS AT THE MOMENT?

-I love anything by [designer] Phillip Lim. He's good at doing feminine details, and every piece he does is special.
-Liquid black eyeliner in "cleo" by mark
-Hot green tea with one Splenda
-MythBusters and Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel
-The song "Jungle Love" by the Steve Miller Band — I can't stop repeating it on my iPod!

Source: cosmogirl.com

'My Favourite Outfit': Emma's Bella Freud bargain!

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:31:00 +0000

'My Favourite Outfit' gives you guys the chance to star on Catwalk Queen. Every Monday, a different reader outfit will be featured, as you show off what you love to wear. It might be a bargain find, a designer indulgence, an heirloom piece, a sentimental item you just can't ditch...or perhaps just your favourite new frock...

Perilous pedicures

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:15:19 +0000

During the summer, I can't help but be addicted to my biweekly pedicures. What perhaps appears to be an exercise in self-indulgence to some is - in my humble opinion - truly just being considerate to the innocent people who happen to cross my midst.

Seriously, can you imagine anything grosser than cruddy chipped toes peeking out of even the most fashionable of flip-flops?

You see my point.

However, starving writer that I am, I tend to adhere to midweek discount specials at the neighborhood salons. There's no real sense of monogamy to these visits, and I've been known to visit 2 or 3 different ones in a single month, never remembering names, or faces.

Despite being a (cheap) nail slut, I do demand a certain degree of quality, and was horrified at a recent experience in the Wall Street area of New York City.

As I passed the front door, I noticed a sign in the window advertising $19 manicure/pedicure combos Mon-Fri. As this was a Wednesday night, and I was about to hit a pretty swank industry party, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to update the petal pink polish upon my toes and show my new shoes the respect they deserve. The beauty writer in me already was well-aware I was unlikely to be about to receive the perfect summer pedicure, still I was hopeful for at least a *nice* one.

Let it be noted that a steal is not always a deal.

As I walked into the dingy quarters, my spider sense reminded me that if a place appears slightly less than clean, I probably shouldn't be allowing them to go near my body parts with files and scissors. This place, not so much a pristine paradise. Still, vanity got the best of sense, and before I knew it, I was sitting down and plopping down my OPI pink.

I think that all of us girls who go for the standard mani/pedi have a procedure of preference – in general, receiving our pedicure first is almost always the ideal. This is for two reasons: One, the pedicure can air dry as our nails are done, and two, it lessons the likelihood of ruining our (easily) ruined nails as we sit in the pedicure chair.

Space constraints will not allow me to go into the full depth of how terrible this place was (perhaps I will some fine Friday the 13th)…but I will illustrate the most glaring of horrors. Because there were four techs, three tables, and a huge backlog of clients waiting for their cheapie beautifying, techs would start on your nails, and then, mid-way, jump up and go do something entirely else. Then, they may ask you to move, or abandon you altogether to give the prior person a pedicure. At the end, you will stand facing the wall, hands in nail dryer - if you were lucky enough to successfully fight for a spot in front of one. Mere minutes may pass before same tech appears to inform you that you are dry and should vacate the premises...even as your thumbs continue to stick together. (This, by the way, is a sure sign you need another round of quick dry.)

I got what I deserved, though. I was so eager to save those few bucks that I got sub par service - and my nails didn't last the night.

It's important to remember that while deals are what we strive for, we can never take them at face value. Sometimes what seems to be the best price is truly biggest rip-off, and often, what appears to be a steal is really just your cash being stolen.

Our goal? Working together – we can look our best, be the sexiest of frugal fashionistas – and, ideally, keep our credit cards AND sanity intact.

Louis Vuitton Logo Lawsuit In the Bag

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:08:00 +0000

The popular LV logo that is Louis Vuitton's legacy is synonymous with luxury and indulgence--which means that it is often co-opted, and often by musicians. Lil Kim once did a photo shoot with LV's painted in brown and tan all over her face and body. Rappers, in particular, have always gravitated to the luxury brand. Kanye West has referred to himself as "the Louis Vuitton Don." Jessica Simpson carries Louis Vuitton bags ubiquitously.

But Louis Vuitton was not flattered recently when Britney Spears used the logo without permission. She appeared in a music video in a car covered with LV's. Ruben Studdard also used an LV without permission on a CD jacket. As a result of this, Louis Vuitton decided to go after their record label, SONY BMG, for allowing its artists to use their logo unapproved, according to Crain's.

SONY BMG and Louis Vuitton reached an agreement that is meant to be somewhere about $300,000--and it sends a message to labels, artists, and anyone in the public who likes luxe logos: expensive labels come at a price.

by Merle Ginsberg

Louis Vuitton Logo Lawsuit In the Bag

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:08:00 +0000

by Merle Ginsberg