Thursday, December 23, 2010
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ten Things That I Really Hate About the Rachel Zoe Project, but that Don't Stop Me From Watching it Every Week
Mediocre to the Last Drop
I have some kind of perverse puritanical need to finish makeup products that are just mediocre.
Not the ones I love and cherish and save for special occasions. Nope, I feel the need to force feed myself a makeup product I don't like just to get to the bottom of the tube and move to the next one.
A few months ago, I was similarly moved to try a new tinted moisturizer.
I had been using the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer in Light, but I felt trapped by my own success. It all seemed too easy, too....safe.
So, as my Kiehl's dwindled low....I wandered into the MAC store one day and scooped up their brand new (at the time) Studio Moisture Tint. I was all excited and brought it home and eagerly relegated the Kiehl's to the gym bag and started using the MAC product.
But here's the thing. It's so...meh.
It's not bad. It's not the wrong shade, it just doesn't wow me. Sometimes it's a little too light...resulting in a slightly chalky color. Sometimes, it doesn't sink in as fast as I would like and leaves an unattractive film on my iPhone that is visible across a conference table (damn those multi-use devices!).
But for some reason, I toughed it out and waited until the tube got significantly lighter and it took a fair amount of shaking to get the product on my makeup sponge. And then I ran back to Georgetown and picked up a bottle of the Kiehl's.
Readers, that was like four months ago. And I haven't opened my new bottle.
This tube DOES NOT QUIT. I mean, it's like that Valentine's Day movie...you just want it to end. I know I should just throw it out and move on, but I'm in some kind of weirdo staring contest with this thing.
I think I've finally started to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the tube does a sputtery death rattle thing now, I think I've almost won...
Moral of the story? Don't be like me. Just get rid of something you don't like. Return it if you can, if not, write off the loss and move on.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
The Wonderful World of Maternity: Part 3
Friday, August 13, 2010
RHODC: Disloyal to the Party
Friday, August 06, 2010
NARS Fall Palettes
NARS Cosmetics introduces two new palettes for fall boasting new packaging with a compact in a NARS-logo zippered case. Enclosed in a black carton, NARS continues to surprise and experiment with iconic casing by bringing the logo from traditionally black and white to vibrantly bold color. Both palettes include two signature NARS cheek products chosen to complement the lips or eyes-whether deep and sultry, or light and fresh. Complete with a range of shades to be worn together or alone, the glamorous combinations are limitless. Are you all about the eyes or all about the lips? You decide. Or, choose both to have everything you need at your fingertips.
BEAUTIFUL LIFE LIP AND CHEEK PALETTE
Top Row (left to right): Sexual Healing Lipstick (sheer, shimmering pink blossom)
Honolulu Honey Lipstick (satin, flesh-toned beige)
Roman Holiday Lipstick (sheer, delicate pastel pink)
Funny Face Lipstick (semi-matte fuchsia)
Bottom Row (left to right): Copacabana Multiple (glistening pearl)
Orgasm Multiple (peachy pink with shimmer)
Price:
ONLY YOU EYE AND CHEEK PALETTE
Top Row (left to right): Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow (left side: metallic rose mist)
Mekong Single Eyeshadow (espresso fused with gold)
Eurydice Duo Eyeshadow (left side: electric aubergine)
Pandora Duo Eyeshadow (right side: matte black)
Bottom Row (left to right): Hungry Heart Blush Duo (left side: iridescent gold ivory)
Orgasm Blush (peachy pink with shimmer)
Price:
Both palettes are currently available at narscosmetics.com.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Sleeping Beauty, Not So Much
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
From the Archives: Ask Capitol Hill Barbie
I'm sitting here at my makeshift corner office dreaming about when my boss leaves town on Friday. I'm thinking about all the things I can do!!
I can go back and forth to the bathroom without my Blackberry in hand (that buzzing sound in the stalls is seriously disturbing) and walk at a normal pace, instead of a sprint.
I can finally cure that case of scurvy I've gotten from eating out of the vending machine all the time.
And I can actually read something other than the Congressional Record, Roll Call and The Hill (well, and of course, your blog!). I'm super excited about the September issues of magazines that are bound to be hitting the newstand soon, but with all that reading material, I need a strategy! What to do???
Thanks...Daydreaming in Dirksen.
Hey DiD!
I know how you feel! The second that gavel hits announcing the recess of the session I'm running out of the building like those kids in Dazed and Confused with "School's Out for Summer" playing in the background. Anyone want to haze the incoming staffers by paddling them and spraying them with ketchup and mustard?
I too have been dreaming of the days where I can tote around an issue of Vogue the size of the Peoria phonebook and pore over glossy photos of clothes which would cause certain death by heat exhaustion if I wore them now.
But with so many magazines arriving, you must have a plan.
First, if you are like me and subscribe to most (okay fine, almost all) fashion magazines, the September issues can cause serious Mailbox Buckling.
It is important NEVER to let your mailbox go unemptied during a day in August, lest both Vogue and InStyle arrive on the very same day. It is possible that your mailman will keep one or both until there is more room, creating a neverending cycle of backlog which is very bad.
It also helps here to grease the palm of your mailman so he doesn't get mad at you for contributing several extra pounds to his sack. Since federal employees cannot accept gifts worth more than $10, try to catch him on a hot day and offer to buy him a Frappucino or a cold glass of iced tea or something. A little goes a long way here. Your magazines will arrive in pristine condition from now on.
Second, this is a good time to throw away all back issues of magazines clogging up your apartment, blocking air vents, hiding pets, etc. This also creates goodwill with anyone with whom you happen to be sharing an apartment. Especially if he is prone to saying, "How many magazines can one person read??? And why can't you ever throw any of them away??"
Third, since you are cleaning out your stash, this is also a good time to bring the most recent month's stack to someone who likes magazines but doesn't actually read any, like a friend or coworker. This can also be a sly way of saying, please throw away those acid washed jeans or short sleeved seersucker number you've been swanning around in. Newsflash, even though a Bush is in the White House and despite what you see on VH1, the 90's are over.
Fourth, if you simply cannot wait for the ones which you have already subscribed to, go for a fast-food-esque fix with one that you wouldn't normally read. The ones hitting the stands first are Marie Claire and Shop Etc.
Fifth, once the good ones start trickling in, prioritze. I like to save the best shopping ones for last if I can, especially Vogue, Allure and InStyle. Lucky gets consumed first, because it comes early in the month and is conducive to a second read-through later. Bazaar next, because there really isn't ever anything to read.
Sixth, when they arrive, flip through and rip out any card inserts right away. Even if you will not read it until November, trust me, it saves time, energy and frustration later. Imagine you are enjoying a day of leisure, sipping iced coffee at Patisserie Poupon in your best faux-Euro-cool outfit flipping through Vogue (the only acceptable magazine in the presence of someone French) and a card for a "free PINK panty" from Vicky S. falls out and skids across the courtyard. Can you spell gauche? I can.
Seventh, make lists!! Make lists of what you want for fall, use those little tabs in Lucky, rip out articles, etc. This will help you prioritze when the weather is actually cool enough to shop for wool without dry-heaving.
Eighth, yes, I am a total anal retentive lunatic. But only for this month....
Also, seriously, email me with questions. Otherwise I plan on making up softball questions for myself like those lobbed by Jeff Gannon. Make like Helen Thomas!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The Wonderful World of Maternity: Part 2
Repurposing, Plus a Little Personal Philosophy
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Wonderful World of Maternity: Part 1
I spent at least 5 of those weeks in total ignorance of this whole situation; about 1 in total denial; 10 waiting for something, hell ANYTHING, to feel different; and the past 7 trying to figure out how to clothe myself while not getting fired for wearing sweatpants to a PAC event. Then I moved and have just been wearing the same cotton dress for like three weeks.
Yup, ever since I went from the post-Thanksgiving bulge to full on baby belly, things in my closet got a little sad. First of all, a lot of maternity stuff on the market really doesn't look good unless you have a nice round belly that you are proudly showing off, which doesn't happen until you are at least a solid 20 weeks along. Second, nothing else in your closet will still fit you. So...right.
Miracle, my ass.
Despite only recently being able to look decent in maternity clothes, I've surveyed the interwebs and the maternity floors and the drapey sections of regular clothes in order to give you all a field guide to maternity clothes.
Things that Are Ruched
Things that Drape
Things that are Tent-Like
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Coming Clean
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Mottos to Live By
Monday, April 19, 2010
What to Buy When You Can't Really Buy Anything
Friday, April 16, 2010
The News
It gets warmer, so I can wear lightweight pants (hello Theory darlings!) and skirts without tights (hello deep breathing!).
The sun is shining and I can therefore SEE the colors I want to wear. Getting dressed in the dark of winter just makes me wear black and grey and navy all the time.
There is no longer snow or slush or other manner of muck to trash pretty shoes.
Purses no longer need to fit over bulky jackets and my options just increased tenfold.
You get to wear real outfits. A skirt paired with a shell and lightweight sweater, belted with a jacket. Yet, you are not freezing and/or you are not stripping off clothes throughout the day to prevent schvitzing.
Trenchcoats.
Typically, as spring approaches, I rush into stores picking out a new crisp navy skirt or white shirt and fantasize about shift dresses lining my closet as far as the eye can see.
But not this year.
This year, I have stared forlornly in the windows of Georgetown shops...wistfully thinking about body conscious pencil skirts and slim cut cigarette pants. For months, I waited and watched as others pared down their spring essentials while I did not buy a single thing...
About three months, to be precise.
Yup. I couldn't buy anything because I honestly had no idea how anything was going to fit.
Because I'm pregnant.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Confessions
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Events Galore!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NARS Spring 2010
Inspired by Catherine Deneuve’s role as Lucille in La Chamade, the NARS Spring 2010 Collection features soft, sexy shades that are as elegant as they are versatile.
“I love Catherine’s makeup look in this movie,” says François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics who chose supermodel Amber Valletta for the campaign. “It’s very sophisticated and bourgeois in a Parisian ‘16th Arrondissement’ way. She is the perfect reference for this collection, and apropos for spring, a time to embrace color and get noticed.”
NARS Cruising Lipstick- $24
This subtle, sexy pink lipstick hue provides a sheer natural long-lasting color
NARS Lip Gloss- $24
Easy Lover-Serious luster meets sexy color in this ultra-sheer hot pink lip gloss
Ophelia- This high-shine strawberry nectar lip gloss is deliciously sweet and seductive
NARS Purple Rain Nail Polish - $16
This intensely gothic purple is a bright and audacious shade destined to become a modern classic
NARS D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow-$23
This dusty lilac powder eyeshadow yields just a hint of flirtation, but never misses its mark
NARS Camargue Duo Cream Eyeshadow-$32
Named for the deep, dancing, sun-cast hues found in the French river delta, this pairing of golden moss and sienna, with multi-colored reflections comes in a soft-blending, glistening cream eyeshadow formula
NARS Kuala Lumpur Duo Eyeshadow-$32
Like its Malaysian city namesake, this perfectly harmonized gold infused rose and boysenberry pairing is influenced by contrasts—rich and subtle, traditional yet modern
NARS Glitter Pencil-$24
This bright sky blue, silver glitter-infused hue delivers powerful, vibrant color that slides on smooth and remains creamy for blending
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Do the Draper
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Golden Globes Hair
In addition to her fab gown, she had a hairstyle by Oscar Blandi...maker of some of the best smelling products EVER.
Designed to target the root area as well as the entire style, this spray adds lift, fullness, and bounce. Oscar applied his volumizing spray before blow-drying and curling Sofia’s hair.
Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray - $23, available at www.sephora.com
To finish Sofia’s look, Oscar applied his Lacca Hairspray. Combining the moisturizing powers of sugar with the shine-boosting properties of honey, this hairspray provides a soft, touchable, all-day hold. The formula boosts volume, controls frizz, adds shine, and leaves behind a subtle honeysuckle scent.
Tweet!!
whoa erwin gomez, there is no stylist-client confidentiality - cough up Salahi details.3:50 AM Jan 13th from web
Are you following me on Twitter? What?!?! Why not? It's so cool! All the kids are doing it...
You won't get addicted if you just try it once...
Your parents won't even know...
I watched a lot of after school specials when I was a kid.