YSL Shoes Mean Sophistication

Yves Saint Laurent is world-renowned for classic, sophisticated, and artistically inspired designs. The house of YSL has been producing some of the finest clothing and accessories for more than five decades. The shoes made my YSL have an enduring, universal appeal that will always be in style. When you buy a pair of YSL shoes, you are investing in a stylish wardrobe for years to come.

For example, the Tribute Pump is a classic black patent leather pump with a peep toe, but it simply cannot be mistaken for any other black pump on the market. The detail, workmanship, and sophisticated lines of this shoe make it a standout in a sea of similar colored and styled shoes. You’ll feel like Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn—a fashion icon in your own right—when you wear these magnificent pumps.

The Platform High Heeled Slide in black satin is a shoe for the ages. You would be hard-pressed to find an outfit that could not benefit from this gorgeous shoe. It is absolutely stark in it’s simplicity, but because Read more

How to Create a Smoky Eye Makeup Effect – Six Easy Steps!

Smoky eye makeup is a perennial favorite among glamour pusses, movie stars, and fashion lovers.  It hearkens back to the days of Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth, when ladies had an air of mystery and sophistication in addition to their charm and beauty.  It is one of the essential looks that every woman wants in her cosmetics arsenal.  Millions of customers ask the same question each day at makeup counters around the world:  How do I create the smoky eye makeup effect at home?

Without a doubt, the key to flawless smoky eye makeup is blending.   Even though it is a dramatic look, there is an element of natural shading that you want to maintain.   That being said, you really Read more

How to Choose: A Health Spa Day

If you ask a large group of women what their perfect day would entail, a huge majority of them will include spending time at a health spa as part of it.  And who can blame them?  A health spa day is about more than just a glowing complexion and reducing some wrinkles.  It is about rejuvenating the spirit and giving yourself a much needed break.

There are literally millions of health spas offering a wide range of services and day packages.  The spas themselves differ in their style and presentation.  Some are heavily influenced by eastern cultures incorporating treatments from India, Japan, and Indonesia.  Others focus on traditional American and European therapies.  One of the most important things to consider when you choose the location for your health spa day is whether or not it appeals to your sense of aesthetics; if you don’t feel relaxed and at home there, you won’t benefit as much from the treatments.

One of the best ways to pick a spa is to get Read more

Handbags With Heart

Handbags can be many things, including whimsical and artistic.  One of the most popular motifs in ladies fashion includes hearts.  They can represent femininity, love, romance, and a girlish optimism.

Take, for example, this Marc Jacobs Big Hearts Clutch:  a veritable elementary school art project in purple leather, inspired by the season’s hottest color. This larger than average clutch (11″x 6.5″x 2.5″) refuses to take itself seriously; and no one who carries this bag will be accused of such a thing, either.  Whether you love it or hate it, this bag is going to get a reaction.  Marc Jacobs has gained a reputation (good and bad) for the whimsical elements he often brings to his designs.  Traditional fashionistas may not appreciate his efforts, but the younger crowd is always looking for a way to stand out--and Jacobs’ bags are far from conventional.

Critics of this particular piece have said that it looks childish, or that it is impractical, but isn’t that the prerogative of high fashion?  There really is no end to structured black handbags or Read more

Retro Boots!

In a fashion world that seems to always be thinking ever-forward, it is perhaps a great show of innovation to be willing to take inspiration from the distant past.  Retro styled boots can bring a whimsical touch to your wardrobe and give even your trendiest outfit a classic appeal.

A perfect example is Gwen Stefani’s Rosebury boot, available at Nordstrom.com for $520.  A Victorian inspired, stacked heeled boot with a patent leather toe cap and coordinating buttons, it looks as though it would be paired just as easily with skinny leg jeans as it would with a corseted ankle-length fashion from the 1800’s.  It can be worn with pants, dresses or skirts (long and short), and would be superb with a wool skirt and French cuffed white shirt, a smoky eye, and ruby red lips.

Unlike a lot of fashion lines Read more

Show Stoppers

There are some bags that are so fabulous, so stunning that they are recognizable on sight.  You walk into a room and everyone knows what bag you’re carrying, who designed it, and how expensive it is.  They are status bags:  showstoppers; known as much for their reputation as for their beauty and design.

Louis Vuitton has consistently created amazing handbags and other leather products for more than a hundred years.  They manage to create hip, modern, and even trendy looks that still reflect their sense of heritage and classic beauty.  The Suriya, new for 2008, is no exception.

High on the trend of jumbo sized unstructured designs, this gorgeous extra-large bag boasts impressive 29.5"x 12.6"x 9.8" dimensions.  It has been named Suriya after the Hindu Sun god because the calfskin leather is highly polished, giving even the deep, rich color a glow.  Available in black, brown, and the season’s hottest color—purple.  It also has the famous “LV” logo embossed subtly all over.  Even people who tend to prefer structured bags will be drawn to the relaxed grace of this design.  It looks stylish without effort.

Other features include Read more

Beautiful Everyday Bags

There are a million handbags in every size and shape, but most of us carry a fairly simple every day bag to the office or to school.  Something that is easy to match with our clothes and can hold the stuff we really need as we go about our daily business.

Ordinarily I’m not a fan of Juicy Couture bags.  They tend to be a little too trendy; a little too juvenile.  But I fell in love with this sweet little bowler the minute I saw it.  For one thing, it lacks the usual “Juicy Couture” scribbled all over it, opting for a modest but elegant gold toned “JC” logo.  I also really love the color, which happens to be one of the most versatile leathers I’ve seen in a while.  Made from goatskin, it’s got a supple, buttery texture that is found in high end bags like Balenciaga.

The dimensions are 10"W X 12"H X 4¾"D, which makes it usable for us grown up girls who need to carry around more than our Hello Kitty lip gloss and a cell phone.  It’s got a nice structured look, too.  This bag would be at home in a professional wardrobe.  It is conservative enough to be carried to work, but it still has the soft curves that allow it to be carried after work or on the weekend.

Other features include the double top handle with buckle accents and a 6.5” drop; outside flap pocket with push lock closure, cotton lining, and three interior pockets.  If you are looking for a classic bag that is going Read more

Logo Love

Boots can be about fashion just as much as they are about keeping your feet safe and warm.  They come in all shapes and sizes, but for those who want to make a statement that no one can miss, there are boots that scream designer in no uncertain terms.

Take for example the Coach “Joyous” boot.  Granted, it may not be for everyone.  For one thing, the cuff is made from rabbit fur, and there are quite a few people these days that are not at all interested in supporting the fur industry.  But even if you aren’t necessarily concerned about saving the bunnies, you may not be the type who wants everyone to know just how much you love Coach.

As if the logo canvas were not enough, the huge Coach medallion on the side could just very possibly be considered overkill.  Let’s face it, if you’re Read more

Blue Boots, Baby!

Ninety percent of boots are either black or brown.  It stands to reason, because they are often worn in the fall and winter months when both wardrobes and the weather tend to be dark and heavy.  But boots aren’t just about keeping your feet dry.  They can rock a simple skirt or black denim jeans; and they can give you a look that is all about being sexy and tough--especially when they break the color mold.

What do you get when you combine two of this year’s hottest trends:  royal blue and ombre shading; add a snakeskin pattern; and bring it all together with a simple sexy design?  Why, the Charles David Misha ankle boot, of course!  Get ready to have complete strangers run up to you begging to know where you found these.  They are as unique as they are beautiful.

Italian made with a 3 ¾” heel and an elasticized inset, it is a testament to creative shoe design.  The metallic blue leather makes it look like something from the distant future, but the shape of the boot is classic enough to satisfy even the most devout fashion traditionalist.  Forget about black or brown boots—how Read more

Winter Hair Care Tips

You want your hair to be healthy and beautiful year round, but during the winter months it is exposed to so many elements, it is important to take a few extra steps to ensure it is protected.

The easiest thing you can do is keep it covered when you go outdoors.  A hat or a scarf will limit the amount of cold and wind that your hair is exposed to.  Just be careful not to wear anything too tight because you want to make sure you keep a health scalp circulation.

Use a good conditioner each day, and consider doing a deep condition at least once a week.  You can buy a heavy conditioner at your local beauty supply store, apply it to your hair, and then cover it with plastic for 20-30 minutes, allowing Read more

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