View from my desk today: Korres' Spring Lip Collection and Oak Collection, launching mid-February.
Its economy might be tanking, and, sure the country’s been experiencing what might be euphemistically called a bit of social unrest. But from a total American outsider’s perspective, Greece still has these three things going for it: baklava, yogurt, and Korres.
Courtesy of Sephora.com
Benefit’s Bella Bamba boxed blush may be a mouthful, but the dazzling color is definitely worth talking about. So perfect is this universally flattering shade of watermelon pink, Benefit hails it as “a 3D brightening pink face powder”—and I couldn’t agree more.
There are definite perks to working at an international beauty company, one of them being the annual Sephora Employee Sample Sale that I eagerly partook in for the first time just before Thanksgiving. The sale is more like an epic company-wide event, where tickets are sold weeks in advance for entrance and the chance to score sweet deals on products ranging from high-end hair tools to pricey skin creams that claim to be better than Botox.
Some time has passed since I last posted, mostly due to the fact that I’ve been getting up to speed at my new job at Sephora, where I recently started as a writer and editor for Sephora.com. While I am a total fashion hound, beauty is not far down on my list of major obsessions, and Sephora has ended up being a really great fit. (Besides, anywhere where painting your nails in the office could be considered serious “on-the-job research” has to be a pretty awesome place to work!)
Fashion stylist Karen Tamblyn on the red carpet at the Haydee Silveira atelier opening in Lima, Peru.
If there’s ever been anyone I have met who lives by the phrase “It’s all about attitude,” it would be fashion stylist Karen Tamblyn. Every outfit she chooses—whether it’s a casual, graphic tee paired with rolled up boyfriend jeans or a daring, red-carpet gown—she wears with the utmost flair.
With San Francisco’s gala season upon us, it seemed only fitting that I feature the Peruvian-born globe-trotter, who not only dresses some of the city’s most social of butterflies, but is also known to flit around town on the party circuit herself. In between attending social events and running her styling business, Tamblyn works on occasion as a correspondent for publications in Chile and Ecuador and she recently launched an eponymous women’s wear line of hand-woven pieces made from Peruvian baby alpaca fleece.
Motorcycles ridden during the LifeRide for amfAR parked at the Kiehl's Fillmore Street boutique. Photography by Edric Itchon.
I admit I can be a fair-weathered beauty product fan. With the sheer number of brands and products that launch every day, and the loads of press samples I receive, I tend to have “Beauty ADD” and end up trying just about anything new—at the high risk of a skin freak-out.
Beauty Company's new storefront in Russian Hill.
Beauty buffs will be happy to learn that the former pint-size Beauty Company in Russian Hill has relocated to a bigger, brighter space less than a block away on Polk Street. The new boutique will still carry everything a beauty-obsessed heart could desire, from staple brands such as Kerastase, Wella, and Pureology to more exotic products by La Lavande, Propoline, Roger & Gallet and Apivita, among a ton of others.
Nothing beats those leisurely weekend trips to Napa, but it’s always a treat when you can stay local and the wineries make their way to the city. Saturday was the 5th annual Uncorked! festival in San Francisco where more than 40 wineries set up booths along the wharf and in Ghirardelli Square for an afternoon of wine-tasting under the sun.
Sun in SF? Hard to ignore. For those of you getting a jump start on the weekend right about now, here are two hot fashion events starting tonight.
Courtesy of Imp Awards.
Sex, Cocktails and Fashion, Oh my!
What: In celebration of the May 27 premiere of SATC 2, Macy’s is hosting Girls’ Night tonight with free gifts, cocktails, appetizers, mini manis, Benefit beauty bar, and tips from L.A. style expert and Project Runway Season Two contestant, Nick Verreos.
When: Tonight, Thursday, May 20, 6 p.m.
Where: Macy’s Union Square, San Francisco
Impulse Department, Level 3
Info: Free with RSVP (before 6 p.m.! ) to 1-800-786-2665
The art of the drape at TG931, a Thai concept store in Paris.
It’s been less than 48 hours since I arrived in Paris, and needless to say, I’ve been experiencing a bit of jet lag. I woke up at 4:30 a.m., and was relieved to discover my husband was having the same problem. We decided to forgo the tossing and turning and instead head out together for a brisk morning walk.
The end goal? Land at a boulangerie that would serve us freshly baked croissants and espresso at this unreasonable hour.
We wandered around the area near our apartment, the chic Marais neighborhood in the 3rd arrondissement (city district), with little luck in the way of finding breakfast. Most of the streets were still. Shops were closed, except for a butcher or two unloading the day’s supplies into their boucheries, and a few café owners, who were beginning to distribute colorful, wicker chairs and bistro tables onto the sidewalks.
But even at the break of dawn, it’s easy to keep yourself plenty occupied in Paris. In fact, empty sidewalks make for ideal window shopping in a city where store displays are an art form in and of themselves! Here’s a glimpse at what I saw on my morning-stroll-turned-fashion-scouting.
Sandro- French ready-to-wear chain with shops throughout Paris
More of Sandro--Scarves are a must at any time of year in Paris!
Zadig & Voltaire-- Another French brand with a look comparable to Rock & Republic. The new SF boutique "La Boutique" in Jackson Square has started selling a limited selection of its collections.
Fragonard-- This famed Parisian perfume maker sells alluring fragrances, candles, soaps and a small selection of clothing. The brand also runs the Musee du Parfum in the Opera district.
Pring Paris-- The weather is still brisk here (only about 35 F in the mornings), but spring/summer collections have arrived in full force. Heel heights are still varying at the extremes from four-inch platform sandals to open-toe ballet flats, but I'm already seeing the shift to more mid-height heels on the streets.
Stacked heel gladiator sandals at Pring Paris
Another perfumerie in the Marais with a playful cocktail themed display.
We eventually found coffee and croissants (framboise, or raspberry jam, and chocolat noir) at 7:30 a.m. Success!
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