I seriously purchased a half dozen sandals and returned them before stumbling upon this gem! Pictured is the Boutique 9 Garima sandal, purchased from Endless.com (and currently DEEPLY on sale at 25% off of the original $130). Boutique 9′s Garima is what Nine West was, once upon a time. This chic strappy design is made from a high-quality black leather, and tied in an adorable knot that almost resmbles a heart. As always, comfort is key for this blogger. The back strap is elastic, to ensure the shoe fits perfectly. My foot is wider near the toes, and narrower by the heel. These worked perfectly for my bizarre triangular feet!
Click HERE to shop Endless.com.
Nail lacquer courtesy of Finger Sweets. Retail $9.
Seriously… can you think of a more appropriate MAC launch for this blog than MAC Semi Precious? Inspired by the mesmerizing beauty of gemstones, MAC Semi Precious contains a wide variety of shades with metallic finishes that mimic the veins of precious commodities found in the richest mines. If you’re looking to make a summer makeup investment that can carry you through Fall, this is the one!
MAC Semi Precious collection will be available on shelves July 7, 2011.
MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW
Mineral Mode Mélange White Base with Copper and Gray
Unsurpassable Mélange Green, Teal, Purple and Copper
Jade’s Fortune Mélange Bright Yellow, Blue, Lime and Black
Hint of Sapphire Mélange Pink, Violet, Teal, Copper and Blue
Clarity Mélange Light Pink, Off White Green, Gold and Black
Golden Gaze Mélange Gold and Black
Faux Gold Mélange Coral, Gold, Lime and Bronze
Quartz Fusion Mélange Soft Pink, Silver, Deep Pink
Rare Find Mélange Violet, Brown and Gold
Blue Sheen Mélange Navy, Black and Peach
Dark Indulgence Mélange Forest Green and Black
Smoked Ruby Mélange Burgundy and Black
$19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN
MINERALIZE BLUSH
Pressed Amber Mélange Nude, Beige, Brown
Warmth of Coral Mélange Coral, Peach
Feeling Flush Mélange Pink, Deep Blue, Pink, Soft Brown
$23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN
MINERALIZE SKINFINISH
Semi Precious Pearl Base–Beige Champagne,
Inner circle–White, Plum, Bronze
Semi Precious Crystal Pink Base–Pink Champagne,
Inner circle–Pink, Dirty Green, Bronze
Semi Precious Rose Quartz Base–Rosy Pink,
Inner circle–Silver, Lime, White Pink, Copper
Semi Precious Goldstone Base–Brown,
Inner circle–Rosy Pink,White, Gold
$28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN
LIPSTICK
Lush Amber Light Nude Beige
Gem of Roses Mid-tone Strawberry Pink
One of a Kind Mid-tone Rosy Neutral
Musky Amethyst Deep Plum
$14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN
CREMESHEEN GLASS
Pure Magnificence Light Grey Pink
Natural Flare Light Caramel Nude
Geo Pink Strawberry Pink
Looks Like Sin Mid-tone Reddish Plum
Richly Revered Deep Brown Plum
$18.50 U.S./$22.00 CDN
MASCARA
Zoom Fast Black Lash Deepest Black
$14.00 U.S./$17.00 CDN
MINERALIZE SATINFINISH
SPF 15 FOUNDATION
NC35
$29.50 U.S./$35.50 CDN
MINERALIZE CHARGED WATER
Revitalizing Energy
$22.00 U.S./$27.00 CDN
MINERALIZE FACE + BODY LOTION
$29.50 U.S./$38.00 CDN
BRUSHES
234 Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush
$22.50 U.S./$27.00 CDN
235 Split Fibre All Over Eye Brush
$30.0 0 U.S./$36.50 CDN
128 Split Fibre Cheek Brush
$32.00 U.S./$38.50 CDN
179 Angled Split Fibre Buffer Brush
$47.00 U.S./$56.50 CDN
Bottom line?
MAC Semi Precious DAZZLES!
Click HERE to check it out at MACCosmetics.com…
Launched on May 9th, L’Occitane’s Pivoine Flora Make-Up Collection is filled with the shades of spring blooms and ripe fruit.
Products include:
Duo Eyeshadow ($16; available in Blanche Etoile and Lilas)
Petals Eye Quartet ($26)
Healthy Glow Face Powder ($28)
Lipstick ($15; available in Rose, Fuschia, Cerise and Cuivre)
Lip Shine ($14; available in Rose, Brun, Peche and Grenadine)
Incredible Lip Shine ($12)
Facecolor Cream Duo ($16; available in Cream Abricot, Cream Rose and Cream Beige)
Click HERE to check out the new makeup shades at LOccitane.com
The author received some press samples for purposes of this gift guide. please click HERE to read my full disclosure statement.
NARS Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil has long been a favorite of mine. I originally sampled the shade when it was introduced in the NARS 2008 “Roman Holiday” collection. This lip pencil delivers a pale lilac-pink shade with a semi-matte finish that is positively perfect for Summer 2011. This chunky pencil will quickly earn itself a permanent position in your bag.
The shade is available in both lipstick and lip pencil form. Retail is $24 for each at Sephora.
The author received some press samples for purposes of this gift guide. please click HERE to read my full disclosure statement.
It’s Gucci Pre-Sale Time
And the marked down goodies can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Personally, I’m a bit disappointed by the small selection of handbags currently marked down. But… I guess that means business is booming for Gucci, and good business is good news for all of us!
Anywho, cruise on over and check it out. Let me know if you pick anything up! I keep mulling over the ‘GG twins’ medium boston bag with interlocking G ornaments for $689. Super-cute!
Missed it? The official sale will begin on 6/3/11, at Gucci.com.
Regular readers of Bags, Bling & Beauty know that I adore Lindsay’s super-versatile snap shoe collection. If you haven’t checked them out yet, consider it a homework assignment from me. Anyone with a small closet needs Lindsay’s designs in their life!
New for the Summer of 2011 is the Mandy Jelly Flop. These shiny plastic sandals look like the jellys you knew and loved in the 80s, have a super-flat sole and come with a pearl-centered flower snap embellishment! Of course, you can mix and match snaps from your collection, as these are compatible with any snap from Lindsay’s line.
Beautiful!
The Mandy Jelly Flop retails for $25.
Click HERE to visit Lindsay-Phillips.com to check out the Mandy. And enjoy a 25% Memorial Day discount that’s good through Monday, May 30, 2011 on any order over $50! Promo Code is LPSAVE25.
The author received some press samples for purposes of this gift guide. please click HERE to read my full disclosure statement.
Time to stock up for the Summer, Borghese fans! Borghese.com is a 25% discount today for four hours only. The deal is on May 24, 2011 from 12-4 pm eastern time. Enter promotional code BORBLITZ during checkout to get the sale prices. Enjoy!
Click HERE to shop Borghese.
Here are some fantastic (and inexpensive) gift ideas for Father’s Day 2011
Father’s Day 2011 is on June 19th! Not sure about you, but shopping for my father always seems impossible! If you’re in a gift-giving rut, here are some affordable treats that Dad (or Hubby) will love!
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If you’re in search of a limited-edition treat for Dad, you should definitely sample L’Eau Par Kenzo Wild. Recently launched, this fragrance has an androgynous appeal. It’s citrusy notes tone down the more masculine base notes of cedar wood and musk. It’s a great light scent, and ideal to wear in warmer weather! Retail price is $55 for a 1.7 oz. spray bottle. Click HERE to grab it from KenzoUSA.com |
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When Dad’s skin is a touch oily, he can’t exactly grab his compact and powder his nose! If excess oil is an issue, the Shine Free Hydration System by H2O+ is a great skincare gift! From a foamy, pore-refining cleanser to a mattifying toner, Dad’s skin will never look better! Retail price for the Oasis Shine-Free Hydration System by H2O+ is $38. Click HERE to check it out. You can even add on to the kit with a 10-minute deep cleansing Mud Mask! |
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My husband is not a fan of thick, foamy shaving cream. His personal opinion is that he has more control (and thus a smoother shave) when he uses product with a thin consistency. That–and its incredibly moisturizing qualities–is why this Ultra Moisturizing Shave Gel by The Real Shaving Company makes a fabulous budget gift. At only $4.50, you can wrap it up in a teeny gift bag, or make it part of a larger gift basket! Click HERE to visit realshaving.com to find a retailer near you. |
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If Dad’s cleansing regimen is lacking, or if he’s always wanted to try out product that’s a wee-bit more luxe, The Face Kit from Anthony Logistics is a wonderful father’s day gift. The set includes a plastic travel case packed with travel sized Anthony Logistics product: the Glycolic Facial Cleanser (absorbs excess oil like a sponge), Deep Pore Cleansing Clay, All Purpose Facial Moisturizer and an Anthony Logistics Facial Scrub. The Face Kit retails for $35. Shop for it online at Anthony Logistics. |
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My husband once wandered into The Art of Shaving store at our nearby mall in search of a cleaner shave, and learned an interesting fact. Many of the razors sold by The Art Of Shaving use the very Gillette Fusion Razor blades you can find in a local drugstore! So if your Dad isn’t one for the pomp and circumstance of a high-end, gorgeous shaving instrument, I’d highly recommend the Gillette Fusion power razor. Since starting to use it, my husband’s shave is the smoothest it has ever been, and if you’re pressed for time you can easily grab one while running errands! Click HERE to purchase a Gillette Fusion razor at drugstore.com |
The jewelry trend for 2011? Large and in-charge! Layered chains in varying metallic hues and textures… the trendy looks of the season are certainly dazzling! But, as always, timing is everything. The price of precious metals is sky-high, forcing many jewelry lovers to shelve out-of-style precious pieces and wear costume jewelry to stay on-trend.
The funny thing, however, is that costume jewelry can be expensive too! So, before you sink too much cash into a trendy piece, be strategic. You can update grandma’s genuine pearls for less money, and be wearing the real deal while your friends are all wearing plastic!
Pearls are delicate and dainty, and a classic 18-inch strand can be made rocker-chic tough simply by adding a masculine stainless-steel chain.
The 22″ stainless steel chain I added to the pearl strand was purchased from Amazon.com, and retails for $24. Click HERE to buy the Men’s Stainless Steel Chain Necklace from Amazon.com
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Sterling silver has also increased in price, but is still affordable enough to use for layering. It also has the benefit of possibly increasing in value in the future! The dainty chain-link sterling necklace I layered in the image above is also from Amazon.com. Retail price is $16. Click HERE to buy the Sterling Silver Flat Circle-Link Chain Necklace, 16″ from Amazon.com.
Looking for versatility? The men’s stainless-steel chain also doubles as a super-chic triple-wrapped bracelet!
Available for pre-order on ToryBurch.com, the Tory Burch Robinson Shoulder Bag for Spring 2011 is available in Cricket green, Poppy Red and Sake gold. I’m not sure how I feel about the 80s inspired color palette. I remember investing in a yellow Gucci way back when (and my BFF snagged a green one). BOTH of us lived to regret that decision!
Still… I am smitten with the Robinson. It’s streamlined and elegant. It’s also the ultimate Mom-bag. The high-quality Italian leather is textured, and scratch resistant! I can’t tell you how much heartbreak I have experienced, when my little ones destroy my prized accessories!
The Tory Burch Robinson measures in at 6″ high, by 8.5″ wide by 2″ D. The strap drop is 6″. Retail price is a reasonable $325.
If you’re looking for a slightly roomier version, you can grab the bag in basic black for $375.
Click HERE to buy it from ToryBurch.com.
Image is property of Tory Burch.
