Stila gets personal with holiday beauty

I've been a fan of Stila cosmetics since I first laid eyes on their whimsical packaging. Since then, I've come to covet their lip color and glazes, along with a slew of who's-who Hollywood starlets. And this weekend my Stila-love multiplied! I had the pleasure of attending a Stila event at Smooch Beauty Boutique and put my very bare face in the capable hands of Dominique for a beauty transformation. And what a transformation it was ... In little under an hour he took me from feeling schlumpy-Saturday to flirty-chic all with the help of one little palette and some some fabulous beauty tools. Amazing how a little colour can put a skip in your step isn't it! 

Anyway, I left love, love, loving their surprise & shine holiday palette. Not only does it include shimmering neutral shades that would compliment any skin tone, you can record a personalized message. Genius! What a perfect holiday gift for every makeup maven on your list. Not only will you be adding a to their holiday cheer, you can record a sassy little bit about how beautiful they are. While you're gifting, don't forget to throw in a palette for yourself. My personal palette says something like, "Damn you look good," which makes my signature side-smirk smile appear instantly! Now if they'd just add a mirror.

Shop on!

t

American Beauty

Hey Beauties, 

Four years has flown by (or maybe not...) and it's time to exercise your right to vote! With record turnouts and long lines, you may want to slip on your ballet flats before heading to the polls. If you find yourself feeling impatient, just pretend that you're waiting in line for a sample sale of historic proportions.

And if coffee is your lifeline, a little Starbucks incentive awaits! Proudly wear your "I Voted Today" adornment and Starbucks will reward you with a FREE cup of coffee. Viola! Most important, make your views known. You're far to fabulous to not take part in this VIP event, so gloss up and get going. Maybe I'll see you there!

Beauty is your right too! ;)

t

Is it possible...

That a month has passed without any tipsy. I'm so sorry! It's all been a blur and so much has been going on, including relaunching my jewelry line and launching a new line of designer aprons. Yeah, aprons, but they're like hot little dresses, not Betty Crocker. And to answer all the questions I've been getting about where it's appropriate to sport an apron - ummmm, pretty much anywhere, especially these. For holiday I have plaid, polka dots, and chiffon. LOVE! Here's one pic of a cute halter-style apron and I'll post more soon. 

Missed you,

t

Last chance to win Vanessa Hudgens Concert Tickets

It's the last day that you can enter to win VIP tickets to the Neutrogena Fresh Faces 2008 Concert starring Vanessa Hudgens! Sign up at neutrogenaconcert.com and you just might be hangin in Cali on September 7th with Ms. Hudgens. What a beautiful way to start the school year.

Thanks Neutrogena!

t

Tonage - a totally new way to color!

So, a few years back I was reading a People Style Watch and they said that Gisele has her hair colored with a technique called Balliage. I'll say straight away that I'm not a  hair stylist, so technically speaking, I don't really know what work goes into coloring with Balliage. What I do know is that I loved the idea of not having to start my "color enhancement" right a the roots. My amazing stylist, Con Sing, happily created my color with a Balliage technique that had the whole salon talking. I LOVED it, until I came to grips with the fact that my skin is just not suited for blonde hair because I go brassy ASAP. 

Regardless, I asked every time if we could do Balliage, for the root effect, not the technique. And every time Con Sing would say, "No, that just doesn't really work on you." If we were in the south this totally would been classified as one of those, "Bless her heart" conversations. You know, "Bless her heart, she keeps asking for Balliage (but has absolutely no clue what she's talking about)." That last bit would have been left off of course. Honestly, I'm sure I'm a lunatic client, the "Balliage Girl".

Well, Balliage no more!!! And might I add that persistence pays off in this story ... I did ask again with the same response. And when I explained that I just didn't want the color starting at my root, Con Sing worked her magic. Yep, a totally new coloring technique that used foils to create a similar effect to Balliage - Tonage! The great thing per Con Sing, is that you can use more than one color. I've asked her to write in about the technical aspect of this technique since all I really know is that the color looks sizzling hot! So, fall is just around the corner, and I recommend giving those roots a bit of rest for the season. Ask your stylist for Tonage the next time you're in the salon. And if they have no idea what you're talking about, send them to beauty tipsy for instructions from a professional hair hottie - Con Sing.

Muah!

t

Project Runway has me tipsy!

After being away for a bit of summer fun, I'm totally tipsy about the season five premiere of Project Runway! I missed the first show but thankfully Bravo is so smart and they're replaying it. My initial reactions....

• Mr. "one-of-a-kind" designer - How about making yourself a shirt? Come on! You design clothes, try wearing them.
• Joe - Happy to see Detroit represent! I'm certain one day we'll all be watching my niece follow in your footsteps.
  
• Tanaliscious - I hope you like leather! No matter what clothes you design, you're going to be looking at leather in the mirror if you keep up your tanning obsession... I can recommend some great self-tanning products.
• Betsey Johnson meets Ms. Westwood - So far you're one of my faves.
• Little Italy and Portland are tied for my second.
• Rock Chick is just killer for how totally honest she is! She'll design for a hooker or rock star if they're edgy enough to wear her clothes.

OK, first show outfits, I love what was done with the mop to top transition. And the candy girl dress - LOVE. Anytime you can add chocolate deliciousness to clothes, why not! And my favorite was the bleach and dye vacuum bags with corset closure on the back. MEOW!!! Can't wait to see who wins this challenge.

Muah - so happy!

t

Cocktails, Sex, and a Leather Punch?

It's really not what you're thinking. While enjoying some seriously amazing fondue, strong cocktails, and the company of friends pre-Sex in the City the conversation turned to shoes. I know it's hard to believe! Actually, it turned to the benefits of owning my tipsy must-have #3 - a leather punch!

My dear friend Jess is currently living through the "wedding-circuit phase" of her life. That's the period that starts right after college and goes on for roughly three to four years. It's something like this:

1. The majority of your friends get engaged and married.
2. You spend most weekends either planning or attending a shower or wedding-related event.
3. You know you went to college for "X" but question whether you should start a party-planning business.
4. You wonder how it is that you're working but don't have any more money than you did in college and realize it's the "wedding-circuit phase" of life.
   

The silver-lining is that you have total justification for buying several pairs of fabulous shoes! 

When one of those pairs is a buckled slingback that keeps falling off , you can either play Cinderella and hope that Prince Charming saves the day or buy a leather punch. I typically recommend the later. It may not be glamorous but it's totally addictive! In this case I let Jess borrow mine and as soon as I get it back I'll post a picture.  

So there you have it, over cocktails and fondue I shared the secret to keeping all of your buckled shoes secure and belts looking perfectly cinched. Now head directly to the hardware store and pick up a leather punch of your own. Who knows, Prince Charming may be waiting there too! 

Cheers,

t (aka 60% Carrie and 40% Samantha)