Chock-Full Of Curiosities

It's no surprise that I like interesting curiosities, objects, and odd collections. I guess this is why I absolutely love Toddy Selby's photography of peoples interesting work and living spaces. The creative Vincente Darre's home is completely full of his own whimsical semi dark little treats.  Happy Halloween everyone!!

 

Photographs: Todd Selby

On Our Radar: Vdara Las Vegas

This time last year, we were in Vegas celebrating Anne's bachelorette party and since then, the new City Center has opened. When we go this Spring, we're considering one of the hotels there, because of its location (hello center of everything!), the entire project's commitment to environmental sustainability, and its new-ness of course. The Vdara Hotel and Spa, which is next to the Bellagio for reference, is casino-free and non-smoking - two things we can definitely do without in our digs in Vegas.  Its boutique size would be respite in the monstrosity of hotels otherwise surrounding you on the Strip.

The Vdara also is an all suite resort with the smallest rooms starting over 500 square feet. We did get a chuckle hearing that the rooms come with stove and microwaves, because even though we promote getting a six-pack of Gatorade and munchies for your room, we've never had the urge to cook a meal in Vegas.

There is a pool, a holistic spa and smoothie bar and you're not far from the casino at Aria next door. With all that's available in Vegas, staying somewhere that shows some restraint would be a novelty! Rates start at only $159 per night.

Picture courtesy Vdara Las Vegas Hotel and Spa.

Web Snob October 29th, 2010

Stiletto Jungle found this season's must-have cashmere camel sweater, on sale for $59.

Did the Harry Potter costume designer rip off Alexander McQueen? Allie is Wired takes a look.

Bag Bliss Picks: Bags for the Fashionista in Training

This Burberry belted tote with chain detail at Bag Snob is super cool!

Beauty Snob has the anti-bacterial lip balm for flu season!

Coquette loves how her skin feels after a Intraceuticals Infusions oxygen facial.

Fashion Pulse Daily takes a close look at the Spring 2011 Swim Collection from Nautica.

The Jet Set Girls take a peek inside House of Glam's Amoy Pitters' carry on bag!

KRISTOPHER DUKES is wearing Semi-permanent brows by Amy Kernahan.

Second City Style looks to our favorite fashion icons for inspiration for Costumes for Halloween 2010

Shopping and Info bought this amazing and versatile Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater dress with detachable skirt and cuffs for Fall.

Want to know what the StyleBakery editors are loving this season? This week, they share their top 10 favorites for fall.

The Beauty Stop takes a look at the new Sephora iPhone app.

The Shoe Goddess finds the perfect over-the-knee suede boot!

V-Style has personal stylist, Vanessa Valiente, show you how to stop sales associates from interrupting your shopping.

Alice and Olivia Halloween Costume Contest

Think you've got the most creative Halloween costume out there? Share your photo with Alice + Olivia via Facebook or Twitter and you may win a $300 gift card to Alice + Olivia. We hear Heidi Klum isn't allowed to enter, so that gives the rest of us a fighting chance!

Club Monaco on Shop Bop

Fans of Club Monaco will be happy to know they can at long last shop for their favorite clothes on line at ShopBop.com. We're definitely excited that the affordable, trendy basics are available on the web, we do hope that the initial capsule collection currently featured will expand to include more pieces. For now, these sexy lace shorts are only available in stores. At least shipping and returns are free!

Julian Stair, Pottery inspiration #5

I have now made 8 bowls/vessels in pottery.  Yesterday, I failed at creating a vase, I guess the clay was too wet, and I was too excited.  Throwing takes a huge amount of patience, breathing, and focus.  Tomorrow I go in on studio day to attempt my vase again.  I'm addicted and it's all I think about these days!  I just want to make pottery.  Another inspiration is Julian Stair.  As you can see his pieces are simplistic, and modern.  I adore.

Make Up For Ever Tricks and Treats

Your costume this Halloween doesn't have to be elaborate if you use Make Up For Ever's Tricks and Treats set. It contains just about everything you need to make an impression. Use it to become your favorite genie, kitten, fairy, or (like so many will do) Snooki.

The set includes Aqua Cream in silver for your eyes and cheeks, Aqua Eyes in black for a liner, Glitter in light violet, Faux Lashes, and an easy to use tutorial. Available at Sephora.

Madonna to Open Gyms

Other celebs have fragrances, Madonna has a line of gyms. And seriously-why smell like Madonna when you can look like her--she is shredded at 52! Too bad her line of Hard Candy Fitness Centers currently have no plans to open up in the U.S. Could be reason enough to go to Mexico City.

Read more about Madonna's gyms.

Go Gloss

Todd Klein

Miles Redd

Steven Gambrel

Kerut Home

High gloss painted walls add so much drama to interiors.  It's a very smart way to jazz up your space while keeping the cost down.  Glossy finishes are especially ideal for bathroom walls, since the finish allows for easy clean up with a damp sponge or cloth.  If you feel inspired to take on a project like this yourself, be sure your walls are patched and as smooth as possible because any bump or imperfection will be magnified by the gloss and reflection. Also use a very good quality brand paint.  However, I recommend hiring a professional to tackle this job and ask if they would spray the walls instead of brush and roller.  This technique is the most effective in delivering that look of shiny glass!  Go gloss for drama, glamor and sophistication.      

A Peek Inside Amoy Pitters Carry On

As watchers of Oxygen's House of Glam know, hairstylist Amoy Pitters is constantly on the go, working with a diverse group of celebs including Alicia Keys, Naomi Campbell, Kelly Rutherford, Kerry Washington, Mary J. Blige, Joy Bryant and Selita Ebanks. Here's what the super stylist carries in her bag when travels to places like Cabo, Paris, and Moscow. On her wish list are Seychelles and to Shanghai!


I usually carry a Louis Vuitton carry-on pully suitcase.

My beauty must-haves for travel are: Amoy Couture Hair serum, Jo Malone Lip Balm, Christian Dior's mascara, and Biotherm's Body Milk.


I don't like to listen to music when I travel. I like to write in my journal, planning my life step-by-step. I love my iPad! On it, I read E. Lynn Harris, and anything Malcolm Gladwell. I also catching up on my old New Yorkers and The Economist is great.

To stay warm, I need my huge Chanel cashmere wrap. It's very soft and yummy.

I snack on almonds and drink LOTS of water. I am a sucker for jellybeans, though.

Seychelles and to Shanghai are on my wish list of places to go!

Last-Minute Halloween Ideas

Do you have your Halloween costume ready? We're considering being a Jersey Shore character because we're always looking for an excuse to tease our hair, look hot in animal prints and have a secret love of pickles. Not ready to break out the comb? JSG's Annie shared her top Halloween costume ideas with Lavalife.com. Read on for more suggestions. 

Alice and Olivia Discount

Alice and Olivia is our favorite go-to line for party girl clothes. No one knows quite how to spin a sequin or feather quite like designer Stacey Bendet. Now's the time to update your collection--get 20 percent off online and in stores through November 20 with code STYLEWATCHNOV, courtesy of People Style Watch.

The only hard part is narrowing down the choices!

Archaeology

 

Plumbing parts, steel fragments, bolts, bones, bits and pieces. Stacked, broken and upright...these are the amazing still life photographs of Irving Penn made between 1979 and 1980.  The platinum photographs have rarely been seen, but will be on exhibit beginning October 28th through January 18th. at Pace/MacGill Gallery.  I am very much looking forward to viewing Irving Penn's cabinet of curiosities!

Cayman Cookout

Now's a good time to plan a quick weekend getaway for January. It's such a dull and depressing month when we have a holiday hangover and little to look forward to. January 13th to the 16th, 2011, the talented (and sexy) chef Eric Ripert is hosting Cayman Cookout, a culinary weekend full of guest chefs, great food, wine and demonstrations. We'd love to see chefs Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres and Charlie Trotter among others and sample some of their work at tastings scattered through the weekend. If you go, stay at the Ritz-Carlton, where we spent of fun few days with our girlfriends last year. Oh, and give Eric a big squeeze for us- we've only met once; but it was enough time to see what all the fuss was about!

Grand Cayman is easy to get to with Cayman Airways which starts non-stop service from New York, Chicago and D.C. in November.

Kenneth Cole's Spring 2011 Line

Last week, we were lucky enough to attend a dinner for select NYC bloggers at Kenneth Cole's showroom. We've been to a fair amount of these events throughout our years in the industry, so know that we mean it when we say that this was a really special evening.

In addition to previewing the spring line, we had the chance to chat briefly with Kenneth and at length with Kenneth Cole creative director, Ingo Wilts. That's Kenneth addressing the table, above.

Ingo shared with us that his inspiration for the line is the rain forest, the desert and the mountains. He said it wasn't any specific region, but when pressed, allowed that South Africa is a favorite retreat. The line features plenty of whites, a twist on cargo pants and a few pops of bright hues including tangerine and yellow.

And, of course, since it's Kenneth Cole, the bags and shoes were a main focus points. Expect more wedges, zip up shoes and mesh next spring!

To view more photos of the collection and the evening, check out the Kenneth Cole Facebook page.