FALL IN

J.Brand Skinny Cargo

They worked for Summer and they'll still work for Fall. Add some heels/booties, blousy shirt, thick sweater and tweedy jacket and you're ready for COOL.

J.Brand Skinny Cargo

www.saksfifthavenue.com

HERE, KITTY KITTY

Kitten heels. They're back. They've been back. I wore an old pair over Easter and really appreciated the sensibility of them and my toes certainly appreciated them but I'm not totally on board yet. Is this one of those things that looks uber chic on skinny 19 year olds (see left) but sort of frumpy on the over 40 set? I'm not sure but I'll keep trying. Sometimes 4 inch heels really get on my claws.

iWANT

I don't even have an iphone, never mind an ipad but some of you cool ladies do, so here's a nice way to carry it around on your way to the hockey game. Oscar de la Renta ipad leather red case. iLove it.
www.oscardelarenta.com

IN THE BAG

Puma Heritage Grip Bag

I was looking for a vintage bowling bag in robin's egg blue but wound up finding the Heritage Bag by Puma instead. Great for an overnighter or to put your gym stuff in. I think my husband will want to borrow it too which is fine. Better than him borrowing my night cream.

PENCIL IT IN

J.Crew Stretch Twill Pant

If you like your skinny jeans but can't wear them to work and need an alternative, here you go. J.Crew's Minnie pant is smooth, stretches, looks as good in the back as it does in the front, works with casual or even the dressiest of tops and is on sale right now. Better get it now before it gets erased.
www.jcrew.com

CLEAN IT UP

The party's over and so is your makeup.. halfway down your face. It's amazing how easily it can smear but when you actually try to take it off, it won't budge. Not the case with Lancome's Bi-Facil eye makeup remover. This stuff gets off even the most stubborn waterproof mascara without any rubbing or scrubbing, and leaves no oily residue, so your next makeup job will stay put.
www.lancome-usa.com

PINKING OF YOU

Pinking Of You

I try to change it up but some things I can't seem to let go of. Pinking of You nail color by OPI is my all time favorite toenail polish for summer. It's cotton candy in a bottle. YUM!

www.opi.com

DON'T SWEAT IT

French Terry Crop Pant

Leave it to Victoria Secret to sex up sweatpants (with that bod, a moo moo dress would be sexy) but for those of us who need sweatpants to lounge in or do simple errands without looking like we've completely given up, these work. Pair with flip flops and tank in the summer, UGGS and cropped but cozy sweater in the winter, or spice it up with booties and a jean or leather jacket. Wear them for just about anything... except to actually sweat in.
www.victoriasecret.com

CHARMING

Charm Shoe by Kate Spade

The girl can't help it. Sparkly, pink, bowed but done in a tasteful and classic pump. Need I say more? If Dorothy had worn these she would have gotten home a lot sooner.
www.katespade.com

TRUE BLUE

What was feeling a bit old a few years ago is suddenly feeling new again. Your jean jacket is back. Wear it over a floral dress or your favorite dressy black shorts. The casual/girly combo never fails. If your jacket is super small you could try wearing it as a shirt, belting it and wearing with your fanciest tutu.
www.gap.com

PUCKER UP

While I'm starting to feel the need for more matte lipstick I still love gloss. Nothing beats Stila's lip glaze (and I've tried them all). It's sheer but super high shine and it lasts (as much as a gloss CAN last). The colors are edible (not literally) and every one of them is gorgeous. Grapefruit, Apricot, Fruit Punch and Strawberry are my personal favorites. What's yours?
www.stilacosmetics.com

EDUCATION

I recently took my daughter to New York where she accompanied me on a shopping trip for a NY client of mine (mixing business with pleasure sometimes works), she learned how to hail a cab (a necessity in NY), and we went to an art show (feeds the soul). Now, while I thought the art was going to be the main attraction, it was the language used by the artist that stole the show. Never in my life have I heard so many obscenities except for maybe an Eddie Murphy stand up routine. Even though my daughter is only 6, I didn't feel the need to dumb it down....why should I suffer, right? But I'm starting to rethink. Maybe visiting the American Girl store would have been better. At least then I wouldn't have spent a 4 hour car ride discussing the finer points of expletives. Thanks Ricky.

HELP LESS

If you want your kids to do more, do less. Give them the chance to do it themselves and they just might surprise you. This goes for picking out their own clothes. I've said it before but I'm saying it again. But don't be offended when you're 5 year old tells you she's more "fashionist" than you.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

I recently had the pleasure of working with one of the most relaxed brides ever (no bridezillas here) and one of the most talented photographers. It sure makes a makeup artist's job easy to have a great subject and a fabulous picture taker. If you're in the need for one yourself, please check her out. 

Sarah V. Hildebrandt Photography

www.svhphotography.com

SHELF LIFE

My husband once said if he could put me on a shelf and come back later that would be great (he was 26 and "liked to party"). No. You can't, but here's what you can put on a shelf! Wait, I'm getting away from the point. The point is....you can do that with clothes. Designer pieces, as sick as you are of them, need to be saved. Put them on the shelf, store them in the back of your closet, hide them under your bed. Just keep them. Don't let that Valentino be the one that got away.

SLACKER

If you're lazy about makeup and can't be bothered with 100 steps, this is your foundation. It's a primer, concealer, foundation and powder, all in one. It lasts all day, has a velvety soft finish (the look of Fall 2010 runways) and comes in colors that are sure to match everyone's skin tone. Be a total sloth and order it online.
www.sephora.com

ALT BAG

You may already know about these but if you don't, you'll be happy I shared. They are reusable, dishwasher safe, eco friendly, lead, BPA and phthalate free sandwich and snack bags!!!!! I was almost as excited about these as I was about that vintage Gucci purse I scored. Seriously, no more plastic bags that just wind up in a land fill. Lunch is served.
www.lunchskins.com

SHOW OFF

No matter what color eyes you have, you CAN wear blue/teal eye shadow, especially in the summer. 

Go bold and cover the entire lower lid. Go soft and line your lashes with it. Put it in your crease for drama or just layer it for a smoky look with dark grey and black. "Mystic" by Stila is the perfect, shimmery, peacock teal for this season. Strut on. 

www.sephora.com

LOGO WHORE

I recently spotted a woman carrying a Tory Burch tote. It was your basic, boring, tan, could be on mark down at Macy's, tote. Except this one had a logo on it which increased this no style accessory to $250.00. Are you stunned? I am. Do me a favor. Next time you think you like something that has a logo on it..picture it without it and see if you like it as much. In the meantime, if it's a tote you're after get the original. $17 at L.L. Bean.
www.llbean.com

DON'T BOTHER

Why do women ask men if they like their outfit? It's completely insane and totally unnecessary. See, a smart man will always answer, "you look great honey!" which is nice but not helpful. A moron for a husband will tell you exactly what he thinks but he doesn't know jack about fashion so that isn't helpful either. And if either guy starts raving about your outfit more than usual and tells you how hot you look and starts grabbing your ass, you're definitely not wearing anything remotely fashionable. You look like a slut. When you need fashion advice, ask a girl. A fashionable one.

THE NATURAL

Summer is a great time to be more natural. Less makeup, less clothes, less pretense. Ditch the leather bag and sport a raffia one. Lola bag from Madimports will see you through the heat.

www.madimports.net

BURNING BRIDGES

Just like a too tight pair of pants, friendships can chafe too and need to be thrown out. Why does everyone want to accumulate more friends? I say weed them out 'till it's down to the very few, and the very special. It's like having a closet half full but with Dior and Givenchy. It also allows room for when you do find those incredibly special people that you'll want to be friends with forever.

MAKE UP

I know putting on makeup every day seems like a waste of time, and I'd have to agree most of the time, but here are some reasons why it might be worthwhile, even if it's just a bit of tinted moisturizer, blush, and a swipe of mascara.

1)You've had 2 hours of sleep and have a pimple the size of Mt. Everest. This is exactly when you'll run into your high school, perfectly coiffed nemesis who just got back from her spa vacation. Concealer would have been a good idea on this day.
2)Picking up pizza may seem like a no makeup errand but your first or next husband could be picking up one too. Blush could be the difference between him giving you the time of day or just telling you the time.
3)All that makeup sitting in your drawer is going to go bad anyway so you might as well use it up now
4)You won't be quite as horrified/depressed when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a window

SAVE FACE

Since I don't have many food recipes to share, I'm going to share a makeup/going out in the sun recipe. Every time I go out in the sun, meaning beach or pool this is the routine. Getting your daily dose of Vitamin D is important but no need to get it all through your face.

Step 1: Apply California Baby Sunscreen all over face, even on lips

Step 2: With brush, apply Bare Escentuals which has SPF 15 all over face 

Step 3: Dust bronzer where needed (in case you're still Casper white from the sunscreen)

LOW HANGING FRUIT

Sometimes you just feel like buying something. For these moments, please don't go to Barney's, go to H&M instead. It's easy pickings at cheap prices. It'll satisfy the craving without buyer's remorse. Harvest away.
www.hm.com

ON STIL

Two of my favorite girls are hosting an event, June 29th, at The Parlor, in Wellesley. Denise of Stil (quality/edgy urban apparel/accessories) and Shirley of The Parlor (best haircut in Boston) are doing good and spreading beauty in the process. See some great clothes, get a blowout...portion of donations go to KidtoKid.
RSVP@ParlorStilEvent@gmail.com

BABO

My husband recently went to his 20 year high school reunion and came back talking about a classmate of his who started an organic baby product line. Uh huh. Let me guess.. she couldn't find anything out there so she decided to create her own. We've all heard this story before but then I actually tried it (the detangler is my favorite!) and it works. And unlike other products that make a lot of "natural" claims, this one really is organic which means you don't have sulphates, parabens and a whole host of other carcinogenic ingredients that you and your kids could literally live without. 

www.babobotanicals.com

WEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

So at first I wasn't totally on board with these Sybil shoes (they're actually called Sloan but you'll get my point). They're neither boot nor sandal but a hybrid of the two. Sort of like the cashmere turtleneck sleeveless sweater. Makes no sense. But then I realized... it does. These beauties give weight when you need it but they're cool enough so you won't sweat your rear off.
I've made my pledge. Now make yours.
Sloan Shoe
www.urbanoutfitters.com

THERE ONCE WAS A STORE FROM NANTUCKET

I've posted their divine goods before but now they've opened up a store on Nantucket. The owners have such great taste, you won't need your best friend's opinion or favorite stylist to help you out. Whatever you get is amazing from Isabel Harvey. And yes, YOU DO NEED IT!

19 Old South Wharf, Nantucket
www.isabelharvey.com

SIGN UP

Zodiac jewelry has always been a favorite of mine. You're slyly putting on display not only your good traits but your bad as well. You're a Scorpio? Compulsive and obsessive. Libra? Indecisive and self indulgent. Leo? Pompous and bossy (well that's definitely true). Solange Azagury-Partridge zodiac rings are different and intricate and definitely make a statement. They can also come in handy when that creepy guy at the bar asks you what your sign is. Just give him the ring.
www.solangeazagurypartridge.com

WANTED

-Artistically starved makeup artist/stylist/blogger seeks full time job as pr queen, magazine grunt, photo shoot coffee girl, event planning slave
-Will travel (NYC, France, England, Italy preferred)
-18 years experience perfecting the smoky eye, 10 years experience marketing things people don't need, 38 years styling myself and those around me
-Can start immediately
-I'm serious

WHY KNOT?

Why should kids get to have all the fun? They already get to run around naked in the backyard, be chauffeured from one fun activity to the next, and eat hot dogs for dinner every night. Now that it's summer, they get the classic sailor knot bracelet too. Certain things shouldn't be brought back from childhood, like mullets and overalls, but this is one childhood treat I'm digging in to.

www.sailorknotbracelet.com

CROC OF .........

You know how that sentence ends right? 
Please. Put the crocs away. For good. Unless you garden. And even then, do it sparingly. When did crocs take over flip flops as the summer shoe of choice? Oh that's right. They didn't. 
www.havaianasus.com

CORRECTION

I recently received an email letting me know I had spelled a word incorrectly on a recent post. I think I spit out my tea when I read it, I laughed so hard. I love being corrected, especially on grammar, spelling and definitely on manners. When I went to her site I found it both informative and funny and I think you will too. She can correct me anytime... for that matter, so can you.
www.mannersformothers.com

CLUTCH HITTER

Sometimes the outfit doesn't cut it. It's okay, but it'll barely get noticed at the soiree you're planning on attending. The only way to save this snooze dress is to bring in the clutch. Sequin Bow Clutch by Felix Rey....it's a home run.
www.felixrey.com

SEEING STRIPES

The stripes are classic but the shape is current. Worn with flat sandals or chunky heels/booties, this dress can go from day to evening in a snap. Khaki jacket and some drop earrings and you're ready to jet. Set.
www.net-a-porter.com

JUST BEACHY

Topshop is a great resource for summer shopping. Cute stuff at reasonable prices. There's really no reason a bathing suit needs to cost $100. With so little material, how could it? Topshop offers the entire bathing suit for under $50 and they're just as cute as the pricier options. And don't forget the cover up. Keeping it cute was never easier..........or cheaper. 

www.topshop.com

TIME TO EAT THE DONUTS?

At what point do you stop caring? 60? 70? 80? Please tell me it's before 80. My grandmother was incredibly vain up until her very last day which was 97. While I give her unbelievable credit for having the energy to get "done" every single day (she had her hair done the day she passed away), I also find it incredibly depressing. I look forward to a time when I can eat dessert morning, noon and night and not care about whether I'll fit in my skinny jeans or rot my teeth. I'm trying to pass on dessert now so I can live longer and then never pass on it again. But maybe I'm missing the point. Maybe we all are. Maybe I should be eating dessert every single day NOW. Who knows if I'll even make it to 90 (for the record I'm actually hoping I can stop caring at like 70). But if I never make it to that glorious, dozen donut eating a day time... will I be disappointed that I didn't indulge while I had the chance?

ALL ABOUT THE CHASE?

Finding the perfect summer cocktail dress is never easy. You want it to be flirty but still appropriate. You want it to be sophisticated but not too sophisticated. This Rebecca Taylor Chase Me Puma-print dress goes in for the kill. Who says the chase is more fun?
www.net-a-porter.com

WHITE HOT

Nothing says summer like white. But pair it with tan, bare shoulders and you've got the makings for a seriously hot night. This tank by Ian R.N. is brilliantly simple with just the right amount of shimmer. Summer, summertime.
www.lagarconne.com

FEAR NOT

I never have dinner parties. They scare me. But I do love setting the table and arranging the flowers. I try to make it pretty enough to distract people from the food. I'm not a cook so feeding a lot of people something good is a frightening endeavor. But I found a really simple chicken recipe that was completely edible. Even a vegetarian guest remarked that it looked and smelled so good that she was tempted to try it. Best compliment I've ever received.
So here it is. If I can cook it, so can you. 


Layer of sliced onions in roasting pan
Layer of sliced lemons on top of onions
Chicken thighs, bone in, skin on, salted with kosher salt and herbs de provence on top of lemons. Cook for 1 hour at 425 degrees.

GET IT

Anyone ever read the children's book, Pinkalicious? There's a line in it that says, "You get what you get and you don't get upset!". While I love the advice and use it regularly on my kids I started to wonder if it's perhaps not such a good message after all. I mean, I don't want my kids to act like a**holes, but at the same time maybe telling them to just take what comes to them and never fight for anything isn't a great message either. Maybe it should be, "Quit your whining. Better luck next time." Maybe that would let them know tantrums suck but being upset and trying to get what you want isn't all that bad either. 

CHEAP TRICK

Sales are great. But not for the reason you think. Yes, you save money, but the more enjoyable benefit is that by the time you wear your special find, there hopefully won't be any left. This makes copying it next to impossible. We love that. Style thieves be damned. 

FULL FLUSH

Best beauty tip EVER. Be around people who make you laugh, and hopefully blush as well. No amount of makeup or perfect application can compare to that. LOL.

JUST DON'T

First off, I like nudity. I do. The human body is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. I had both my kids in a tub, buck naked. Underwear is always optional. And nothing is more liberating than swimming naked. However, gratuitous, unwanted, prolonged nudity in a public place is seriously gross. I've had the displeasure of seeing this firsthand at my gym, where a very "natural" woman prefers to hang out nude rather than discreetly and promptly get dressed. She sits on the chairs, the benches, lifts up her legs to apply cream. I hate to be all puritanical about it but modesty might need to make a comeback. 

DON'T BE A TURKEY

My mom always said, "don't forget your neck". At the time, 15, I thought it was sort of a waste of product and time, but I've since come to realize the wisdom she dispensed. Your neck is part of your face, so why treat it any differently? Slather that moisturizer from forehead to collar bones. Even if it won't keep the wrinkles completely away, at least your face and neck will be aging at the same rate. 

ON TOP

Ugh. Yet another thing I got rid of thinking I would never wear them again and now here they are. Although in my defense, mine were a navy blue and these are, well, SPARKLY! If you've got the preppy girl in you, get a pair. Cute pair of shorts, oxford shirt, rope bracelet alongside a Cartier watch. Topsiders and a beautiful yacht to wear them on. What? A girl can dream.
www.sperrytopsider.com