OUT, DAMNED SPOT

I have this freckle age spot that I am really getting tired of looking at. I inquired about doing laser to get rid of it but $2,000 is pure lunacy for a spot the size of a pin head nail head. I considered living with it but that option didn't really take hold either. So I am contemplating using hydroquinone which I absolutely abhor since it is a known, dangerous, (banned in Europe since 2001) skin bleaching agent which has been found to be a potential carcinogen (kidney failure, skin cancer, liver damage) and can also have a reverse effect by causing skin to actually darken instead! So what's a girl to do? I really want that spot gone!! Maybe if I use it only on that one spot, not on my entire face, I'm okay? And what if I order it from Canada where you can get a higher concentration (4% OTC as opposed to 2% OTC here in the U.S.) which means I can use it for less time? What? You're not buying it? Yeah. Maybe me neither.
But just in case.....
NorthWestPharmacy.com

DYNOMITE!

I don't know if it's turning 40 that has me nostalgic for the good old days, not that most people would consider the 70's as a stellar decade (politics, style, etc) but that was the decade I was 8 in, so good old days it is. It has me craving things my mother wore, like these high heeled loafers (did your  mom wear them with a high waisted, A line denim skirt and seriously large lapeled shirt too?) as well as some drastic hair changes but we'll get to that another time. These shoes are solid and actually wearable and look great with a fuller legged pant or shorts and a boyfriend blazer.
www.zappos.com

BABY GIRL

Sometimes little sisters can be a pain in the ass, but not this one. I just returned from Amsterdam and while the clogs were cute it was this fashion find that had me excited. Uterque (pronounced Ooterkay) is Zara's little sister line but the big difference is they carry super luxe leather goods at reasonable prices! Think mock-croc bags, caramel suede boots and oxford flats. Best part is, they have a website up and running. So check it out and see how cool this little sister is.

www.uterque.com 

QUICKIE

I'm not a fan of powder foundations. They make my skin look dry, wrinkled and dull. But I'm also not a fan of having unprotected skin, using chemicals on my skin or spending a lot of time getting ready when I'm just dropping kids off at school, so it's been a tradeoff. Quick, easy, protected, but dull.....until now. Just tested out Rodan+Fields ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides foundation powder and shockingly (I'm a powder cynic) not only did I get out the door in 2 seconds but my skin looked amazing AND it was protected (20 non chemical SPF, oh yeah!) It's soft, sheer and undetectable.
If you're on the North Shore and want to get some for yourself, Sparkle readers have been invited to attend an open house at Sally Cioffi's house (3 Chanticleer Dr, Beverly, MA) on September 29th at 6:00 pm or September 30th starting at 8:00 am or order online from the link below.
https://sallycioffi.myrandf.com/

TOE SHOES

Yes, I've mentioned deck shoes before but I'm mentioning them again because this summer I got turf toe (it's a football injury which I got by NOT playing football) which means...... I CAN'T WEAR HEELS!!!!!! Can you imagine? All summer long? NO HEELS. So, I have to be a bit more creative and fun in the flat shoe department. YMC snakeskin deck shoes!! Wear them with jeans, with shorts and jean shirt or even with a flirty skirt. Ssssssssssso cute.
http://www.revolveclothing.com

KIT KAT

There's simply no reason lack of technique should keep you from getting catty. How many times have you tried only to be out catty'd by your fellow friend, acquaintance, enemy? Well no more. Dior has come out with a kit you literally sticker on! No more perfect left eye but deranged right eye. No more wobbly lines or bare spots. No, this time you are the cattyest of all.  

http://www.sephora.com

Stila Day ,CORRECTION, THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Join me this Saturday, Sephora, CAMBRIDE SIDE GALLERIA from 12-6.

PANTING

A friend of mine gave me a pair of pants like these a few years back and they're still rocking. I'm drooling over this color but all the colors work. Pair with flats, wedge booties or pointy toe heels and you're set. JBrand makes some great versions in fantastic colors, so does Rag & Bone. Go fetch!
http://www.revolveclothing.com

TWINKLE TOES

I was recently thinking I may need to change Sparkle's name. Sparkle. It sounds sort of tacky now, right? I mean, I love Target, but when they started using the word in their advertising and InStyle Magazine plastered it all over their covers, it sort of lost its luster. But as soon as I got a look at these Miu Miu sparkle and suede boots for Fall, sparkle was immediately redeemed. Sparkle on.
http://www.net-a-porter.com

CHARITY WORK

Feeling generous today? All I need is $700. I know, a bit steep, but trust me when I tell you, I really, really, really love it and will wear it every day. Pretty much. Like, most of the time. I have been looking for this jacket for a while and the one I swooned over a few months ago was around $7,000, so really, I'm giving you a huge break. All you have to do is click that little donate button to the left.. see it? Further down. There it is! So pretty isn't it? Every little bit helps... so don't be shy. And hey! If you live close by I promise to let you borrow it. Sometimes.
www.us.blkdnm.com

GO FISH

Raw talent and vision are the makings of a great jewelry designer. Throw in a legendary art education on top of it and you have Kasia Piechocka. I became aware of her work moments ago and am so intrigued and smitten with her work that regardless of how shoddy this post might be written, I feel the need to start shouting..... LOOK AT HER WORK!!!!! The collection is called, About the Man Who Loved Fishing. It's gritty, unisex, urban and organic at the same time. She clearly has talent but never mind that... it's the uniqueness that has me.....hooked.
http://kasiapiechocka.com/

SOMEBODY STOP ME

Rarely does it happen that I get a great beauty tip from a natural beauty. You know, the ones who can take a shower, throw on some face cream, a dash of mascara and a hint of lip gloss and look absolutely radiant? THAT girl. Well, THAT girl hooked me up recently with Maybelline's Unstoppable, waterproof, smudge proof, last all day eyeliner. They come in your basic colors (for shimmer and a new twist on black, brown, purple, green see Stila's liners) and do their job at a fraction of the cost. The biggest plus is they stay put and don't irritate your eyes like some of the others.

GET REAL

If you're the kind of girl who wants to be told you have spinach between your teeth, be handed a mint when you have bad breath, or be told the truth about your outfit before heading out the door, then keep reading. If you're not, stop. Of course, if you are that type of girl, you probably don't do what I am about to call you out on. This is not meant to embarrass, but rather softly and gently let you know, that if you are not a professional airbrusher, and are relying solely on your 2008 Mac to airbrush your imperfections, you might want to stop. I realize you want to show your best photos on Facebook but just know........we can tell. And for what it's worth, of the two photos above, I personally love the untouched one. Perfectly imperfect.

FLAT OUT

You are going to thank me for this one. In London I fell in love with them and in Paris I broke down and finally had to buy them.  They are the most beautiful little flats imagineable and they are now (here comes the best part) opening stores in NYC and Beverly Hills! They are the prettiest and most well made flats ever, true to size (if you are a 7 US you are a 37 in PrettyBallerinas) in a dizzying array of styles, colors, patterns. I even had to bring the box home because it was so, well, PRETTY! Oh and they also have childrens' sizes... don't get me started.
Je vous en prie.
www.prettyballerinas.us

AWAY FROM THE PACK

I am a very efficient packer. So efficient in fact, that for a 2 week trip with my daughter, (London first, then Paris second) between the 2 of us, I have only filled half of one suitcase. All pieces interchange with each other, they can all go from day to night in the change of a shoe and a lipstick, and they all pack well. Very sensible. But ya know what? Sometimes sensible is overrated. At the last minute.. literally a minute ago, I swapped out that jersey black dress that folds easily and doesn't wrinkle for this sequin dress shown here. It was given to me as a very lovely present (thank you, Julie) and it needs to be worn! I also threw in a fabulous pair of heels for the dress and guess what? They go with absolutely nothing.
Au Revoir!

YOUR RODAN+FIELDS LADY

A very good friend of mine has decided (because she feels so strongly about the product) to add to her already busy schedule of raising 4 kids (yes, you read that right.... 4!!!!!) to promote a skin care line that she feels has made a dramatic difference in her skin. Never a makeup, or fussy skin care routine girl, she is now finding being over 40 requires a little more love and care for her skin. Rodan + Fields offered her an easy day and night routine that any mother can adhere to. Give her a call or check out her website.
https://sallycioffi.myrandf.com/

YOU'RE PERFECT

Improving what is already great is no easy feat, but Stila managed to do it. Their new Perfect and Correct Foundation is lightweight but buildable. It hydrates and balances. It minimizes pores and oil control while at the same time minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It's weightless but has medium coverage. In short, it's perfection. A once die hard, tinted moisturizer fan, I have now been converted.
Order it now at:
Making Faces
Portsmouth, NH
603-427-5454

APRON STRINGS

A friend recently purchased the cutest apron and it got me thinking...why can't aprons be fashionable? They can, and none quite so beautifully as these. COOKie aprons from Poland are so pretty, it won't actually matter what you're serving for dinner. Frozen dinners all around!
www.looklikecookie.com

BETTY B-OOPS

Mascara companies will have you believing that everyone needs 10 inch long lashes. Each year they tout new technologies that will abnormally lengthen your lashes and make you believe you need them. While lash extending can be great for some, it is a serious hazard for others, specifically, the round eyed, bulging eyed, bug eyed girl. I'm not picking on the rounder girl here, I'm just giving you the heads up that YOU DO NOT need bigger lashes. If you fit into any of the categories above, you might want to skip mascara altogether. Focus on lining your upper and lower inner lash lines, apply darker eye shadow colors on your lid and if you must apply mascara do so sparingly and extend it out to the sides instead of going up. While you're at it you could extend your eyeliner past the outer corners (not up!) to create the illusion that your eyes are more elongated than round. If your look is a cartoon one... stick with what you're doing, if not, put down the wand.

CRANK POT

I woke up this morning cranky. I went to yoga hoping it would help, it didn't. The girl next to me put her sweaty towel on my mat, she clocked me in the head with her elbow, and then breathed heavily in my face with bad breath. Now I was in a worse mood and instead of being calm, my head was spinning with things to be more cranky about like, why don't people write thank you notes anymore? Emails DO NOT count.. neither do facebook ones (that is a joke... seriously, how lazy can you get?). Or, how gross it is to walk around holding a beer bottle (instead of having it poured into a glass) at a formal event like a wedding? Nothing ruins the look of a beautiful table LIKE A BROWN BEER BOTTLE!!! (I told you I was cranky)
But then the instructor read a poem called The Guest House. I'll post it. It says I'm supposed to invite cranky in... did I have a choice? (A yogi would say I do, which quite honestly is annoying me more right now but maybe this will help any other crank pots today.) Om, blah blah blah.


The Guest House 


This being human is a guest house. 
Every morning a new arrival. 


A joy, a depression, a meanness, 
some momentary awareness comes 
as an unexpected visitor. 


Welcome and entertain them all! 
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, 
who violently sweep your house 
empty of its furniture, 
still, treat each guest honorably. 
He may be clearing you out 
for some new delight. 


The dark thought, the shame, the malice, 
meet them at the door laughing, 
and invite them in. 


Be grateful for whoever comes, 
because each has been sent 
as a guide from beyond.



~ Rumi ~

MOMMY DEAREST

While onsite for a commercial shoot, one of the mothers of the models (who was only 12, mind you) asked me when it was okay to start giving her daughter unsolicited advice about her beauty routine, specifically wanting to know when she could tell her to pluck her eyebrows. Um, Never? was my reply. It's one thing if agents or people in the business give the advice, but as mothers don't we need to send out the message that we love unconditionally no matter what our daughters look like, what they wear, how they do their hair or makeup? It's one thing to tell them to brush their teeth, eat their vegetables and do their homework, quite another to give, what you think, is constructive beauty criticism. It never is. Unless they ask, pluck off.

SASSACLAS

I recently had to attend a charity event for my husband's work. When I asked him what I should wear he replied, "Um, I don't know... just don't go too..... Larissa, Larissa." Nice.
What I think he meant to say, as told to me by my fashionista friend, was to dress "Sassy Classy", which is classy but with an edge.
So while I knew my jumpsuit was out of the question, I also knew I wasn't going to show up looking like my grandmother in a St. John knit suit! Nope. I wound up in a Rozae Nichols black dress, vintage leopard coat and deep burgundy, retro suede pumps. Tailored enough for the event, but fun enough for me, Larissa, Larissa.

ALL IN KNOTS

Katherine Kwei Donna Evening Bag

While I'm usually trying to undo knots (out of my hair, my kids' hair, straps, the hose, you name it) this is one knot you don't want to undo. Inspired by Chinese knotting, learned from her grandmother, Katherine Kwei's designs are a piece of art. These are luxury bags with a really cool twist.
www.katherinekwei.com

EVENT IN WELLESLEY, MA!!!

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Finally an all physical sunscreen that doesn't leave a chalky white residue or a greasy texture. All skin types can use it and makeup can be beautifully applied over it. With 9.5% titanium dioxide and 6.0% zinc oxide, your face has never been so protected (and free from chemicals). I just bought my second bottle and summer's not even here yet.
www.josiemarancosmetics.com

KITTY'S CALLING AGAIN

I said it before but feel the need to say it again. It's happening. Pointy toes and lower heel heights are feeling seriously chic. 4 inch heels, on the other hand, are starting to look like they come with stripper lessons and a membership to the Playboy mansion. But if you're still not ready to chuck your Louboutins for kittens, or aren't ready to spend real cash to test them out, check out Ivanka Trump's new line of reasonably priced shoes on Piperlime. They come in all different colors, have a great fit and measure in at 2 1/2 inches. Trump that.
www.piperlime.com

OUT OF THE BAG

Stephanie Johnson Katie Folding Clutch

Have you ever seen a makeup bag pretty enough to parade around as a purse? I have, and now you have too. Stephanie Johnson makeup bags are so glam but also so functional, you no longer need to store your touch-up arsenal of liquid liner, Kitten eye shadow and goopy lip gloss in a separate bag inside your purse. This is your purse!
Buy now and enter MOM code at checkout and receive 25% off.
www.stephaniejohnson.com

A WOMAN'S PLACE

Listen boys, (I'm calling you boys because MEN already know the advice I'm about to impart).... the home is a woman's nest. Her nest. Not yours, hers (you can have the garage). Which means it's imperative that she gets to decorate it any damn way she pleases. Do you really care what color the pillows are? Do you even know the difference between damask and jacquard? There's a reason House Beautiful recently put pink on the cover and called it sexy. When a woman loves how her home is decorated, she is happier... which in turn will make you happier (trust me). A man doesn't come home at night for the color of the couches... if he does... you need a new man.

STILA DAY TOMORROW MARCH 19

Northshore Mall, Sephora, Saturday March 19, 11-6. See you there!

FIRSTS ARE EXCITING

So you got asked out on a first date. Fantastic. Easy part done. Hard part ahead. What are you going to wear? The key is to not look like you tried too hard, which of course is a lie because you will obsess over this outfit about as much as you did when you picked out your prom dress. You also have to understand that what is fashionable and what men like are almost completely opposite. So that fresh new pant that's hitting the runways? Skip it. That voluminous top? No way. A first date outfit calls for simple, body conscious (not body hugging mind you) and clean, pretty, hair/makeup. So basically we're talking jeans, heels/booties, cashmere V-neck sweater or simple shirt, maybe some long chains thrown in and hoop earrings or in the summer a feminine cotton sun dress with flip flops and a jean jacket. But don't forget your most important accessory. Your smile. Even the cutest outfit can't take the place of that.

RING IN SPRING

The warmer weather over the weekend made me actually think Spring/Summer might be on its way. This means summer jewelry is in order. If you're sick of rope bracelets but not quite a fancy, fine jewelry kind of girl, here's your alternative.

www.isabelharvey.com

THE GIRL WHO CRIED PRETTY

Compliments are great...when they're warranted. False ones are just tacky. When women tell you you look great, when clearly you don't, it makes you wonder if they're ever telling the truth about how you look or anything else for that matter. These women don't just say hello, they say, "Hi! You look great." What? How? I'm in sweatpants with greasy hair. It's sort of like the parent who nauseatingly dishes out compliments to their kids when their kids haven't done anything yet. Hollow compliments are just that, empty.

YEAH, THAT'S JUST DISGUSTING

I am currently on the hunt for a cute bathing suit for my 6 year old daughter. Not an easy task. They tend to be either completely sophomoric or totally obscene. Case in point, Abercrombie/Kids. While the designs were adorable, the tops all had..... PADDING??!! Padding. So for 7, 8, 9, 10 year old girls, increasing breast size is acceptable!? We're not talking about lining, we're talking, up a size, Victoria Secret worthy, padding. Gross.

EGYPTIAN MIRACLE

No, Sparkle's not going political. I'm talking about this amazing cream which really shouldn't be called a cream at all...it's more like a balm. You can use it on your face, elbows, lips...any place that is in dyer need of moisture. Whether you've been overzealous with your retinol routine, had a dry/windy day on the ski slopes or just plain have thirsty skin, this is your miracle. 

www.amazon.com

I'M CRUSHED

Gucci Python Clutch

This past week I had the flu, and while I got over it pretty quickly, my skin color remains that wallpaper paste shade of grey. So when I opened this weekend's style section of the WSJ, I wasn't overjoyed to find that orange is the color of the moment. Great. While I'm not always this grey hued, I'm never peaches and cream, and that's what it takes to wear the color orange properly. So for all you pink cheek challenged women out there who want to hop on the orange bandwagon, stick with accessories like shoes, bags or bracelets, just keep them far away from your face.

APROPROS

I used to think it was okay to be overdressed at an event. I stand corrected. I recently witnessed one highly overdressed woman in a sea of basic black and boring neutrals, but instead of standing out in a good way, it was downright embarrassing. Maybe it was just the dress, or perhaps it was the way she carried herself in it, but it made the term "dress appropriately" seem like sage fashion advice.

SUMMER LOVIN'

You may think red lips are best saved for the holidays or special occasions but think again. Red lips in the summer, paired with bronzed skin and very little eye makeup (mascara only) takes red from too polished to perfectly fresh. Stila's Long Wear Lip in "Lover"is the ideal red and texture for the summer season.
www.stilacosmetics.com

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

Seriously, I think I may be going blind...in yoga class. It's supposed to be relaxing, soul searching, centering. It's not. Just as I'm finding serious equanimity in my pigeon pose I'm blinded by tiny reflectors on every woman's butt, back, sleeve, ankle.  They're small but powerful. I'm pretty sure Lance Armstrong could wear them at night and not get hit by a car. They are the annoying logo of Lululemon, a workout clothing line, which I'm told wears like iron, costs a fortune and is admittedly stylish, but maybe they're best for runners and outdoor athletes. I currently just wear Target's Champion line. It's cheaper, sort of cute (how cute can yoga wear really be anyway?) and won't distract my fellow yogi. OM.
www.target.com

EASY ON THE EYES

You honestly don't have to be Angelina to get this look, nor do you have to hire a makeup artist to apply it. Stila created a waterproof liquid liner that glides on so easily, won't smudge or run, is carbon black (that's seriously black) and stays put all day. Whether you're a makeup junkie or a total novice, achieving this look will be a snap.
www.stilacosmetics.com

JUMP IN

H&M Jumpsuit

I couldn't help myself. I know this is one of those outfits men will think is ridiculous and women will love, but who are we dressing for anyway? Ourselves!! It comes in black and navy (I got the navy) and will be my
go-to outfit when the weather warms up.
www.hm.com

LIKE MOTHER NOT LIKE DAUGHTER

I love makeup. I care what clothes I wear. I can obsess over a pair of shoes or a perfectly tailored jacket. This is me. It is not necessarily my daughter. While my daughter shows signs of all these interests I fret that maybe it is my influence that has her crazy for paper fashion dolls and not her own. When she tries to put on my makeup or stares at herself in the mirror muttering about the color of her hair I want to remove all mirrors (and Disney books) and give her the "you're beautiful just the way you are" speech. But then I feel like a hypocrite. How can I powder, spray, wax, peel, update my wardrobe, etc but tell her to be happy as is? My only solution is to model sane behavior. (No, that doesn't mean wearing sweatpants every day and forgoing makeup.. that would be completely insane) Instead, I will wear makeup and smile at myself in the mirror instead of asking myself, "Why did I bother?". If I step on the scale and it goes up I will exclaim, "Yes! I'm growing!" And when the grey hairs start coming in I will marvel at their shiny-ness...instant highlights! Maybe if she sees the fun in the non glam moments as much as the glamorous ones the kid'll be alright.

UP UP UP

I did it. I bit the bullet and got my first pair of high rise pants. Yes they're still skinny but it's a step in the right direction. And I have to say, as noted by a friend, it's pretty nice to bend over and not have everyone on the planet know the color of my underwear...or lack thereof.
www.gap.com

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Contrary to my earlier dieting posts, my new year's resolutions are actually to eat more ice cream. And start drinking. (I've had this one several years in a row and it still hasn't stuck. Maybe this is the year) I'm not kidding. Being controlled is overrated and so is fitting into a size 0. No one cares. So if eating ice cream makes you happy and nicer to be around, then do it. If taking time for yourself makes you happy, do it. If getting dressed in outrageous outfits (or really simple ones) makes you happy, DO IT. Nothing's sparklier than a happy, content woman. Nothing.

ON A HIGH

It may not happen today or next week but it will happen. Eventually low waisted, skinny jeans/jeggings/pants are going to seem out of date and what will replace them are fuller pants, longer, and most notably, high waisted. (I love these because they aren't quite as full as the other styles that will be hitting runways...easier on shorter/petite girls.) It'll be time to start tucking in again, using your belts and getting back that hourglass shape you've been hiding the past several years. 

www.urbanoutfitters.com

MISSING YOU ALREADY, PART 3

If anyone is starting a diet after a lovely holiday season of stuffing your face, I thought you'd enjoy these "Odes to the things I can no longer enjoy on my damned diet" by Colin Nissan.

Goodbye, full-fat ice cream
Ice cream, you are my Tin Man. I will miss you most of all. I may be able to fool my eyes with low fat and fro-yo, but I will never fool my heart, or my taste buds...they know deceit when it crosses their path. Your rich, frozen pints have successfully numbed countless troubles in my life, and I thank you for that. Unfortunately, you are also responsible for the satellite ass that seems to have formed on my original one.

MISSING YOU ALREADY, PART 2

If anyone is starting a diet after a lovely holiday season of stuffing your face, I thought you'd enjoy these "Odes to the things I can no longer enjoy on my damned diet" by Colin Nissan.

Goodbye, Mysterious Vending-Machine Baked Good

I will never forget your number, E5, but I must forget you. I must forget the throat-burning sweetness of your frosting, and the faded mystery of your expiration date. While I may still stop by your machine on occasion, it will be only to press my hand against the glass in a gesture of longing. If you had a hand, I know you'd do the same.

MISSING YOU ALREADY, PART 1

If anyone is starting a diet after a lovely holiday season of stuffing your face, I thought you'd enjoy these "Odes to the things I can no longer enjoy on my damned diet" by Colin Nissan.

Goodbye, Up-for-grabs office doughnut
Well, this is awkward, isn't it? Another time, I would have walked right up and jammed you into my mouth...whole, if no one was watching. But today I must keep my distance for fear that a wisp of your powdered sugar will rise up to my nose like pixie dust and end this diet as quickly as it started. Do I want to live in a world where adorable fried confections are bad for you? No, I don't. Do I want to get rid of my lunch-lady arms? I really do.

IT'S THE MOST SPARKLY TIME OF THE YEAR

Visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads...

Merry Christmas.

-Sparkle