Posts for October 4th 2006
Old-School Beauty, Part I: Shower Caps
Shower caps may be old-fashioned and a little bit silly, but admit it: You wear them from time to time. And if you don't, you sometimes wish you had one when you want to save your blowout for just one more day. Here are some adorably girly shower caps that will let you upgrade from those cheap hotel freebies.
Spa1221 offers an extensive shower-cap collection, including black, white, red, and pink embellished caps and optional monogramming. I really like this adorable black Kate cap with pink grosgrain ribbon. Buy it here for $34.

This cap is actually called the Stylish Cap. Not only does it have a cute floral pattern, but you can travel with it and pack up without waiting for it to dry. Buy it here for $11.
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Electrify Your Pearly Whites
I always figured I was perfectly capable of brushing my own teeth without the help of an electric toothbrush. Then, I got one, and I realized the benefit is actually how gentle they are on your gums. Most people actually brush their teeth way too hard, prompting stern warnings from the dentist about dangerous gum recession. But trust me: Get an electric toothbrush, and all that talk will cease.
Though you can find some drugstore models for around $30, I'd recommend paying a little bit more for a really great toothbrush; they last forever, and there is a very notable difference between the cheap and pricey models. The Cadillac of electric brushes is the Sonicare Elite e7300 Toothbrush. The brush head vibrates at ultra-high speeds and comes with a 2-minute timer to ensure optimum brushing time. Buy it for $94.99 here.
To see a cheaper model, read more
Fab Site: Beklina
Beklina is a cozy online boutique specializing in socially responsible style, including organic and fair-trade fashions, paper products, kids' clothing, and accessories. The fabulous site is a three-woman family-run operation devoted to hip, green products. Here's a look at some of my favorite Beklina merchandise.
Jack & Marjorie Evelyn Handbag constructed from Italian military surplus materials such as wool blankets, $150, available here.

Lilja Tango Wrap Dress made from baby alpaca, $280, available here.

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The Look For Less: Vera Wang Charmeuse Shift Dress
I absolutely adore this Vera Wang Charmeuse Shift Dress. Made from lavender-gray silk, the simple but elegant dress looks extremely flattering, with its high neck, pleated bust, and empire waist. I also love the little details, like the bow on the belt and the appliqued flowers. The only thing I don't love is the price. The dress sells for a whopping $1,690 here.
Luckily, I've found a similar—albeit simpler dress—that gives you the same look for almost $1,500 less. To see what it is, read more
Erase Imperfections With the Twist of a Pen
Concealer pens help neutralize unseemly blue and purple tones under and around your eyes. Generally, they are a little bit brighter than regular concealers, so that they can instantly lighten up this delicate area. To use, just click these little pens to release a small amount of concealer into the applicator brush. Apply directly to the dark or puffy area under the eyes and blend or pat with your fingertips or a concealer brush. Here are a few of my favorite pens on the market.
Chanel Pro Lumiere Correcteur Professional Finish Concealer is a new velvety-smooth liquid concealer that delivers seamless coverage. The brush-on applicator makes for neat and easy application and is available in five different shades. Buy it here for $38.

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Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier
With his over-the-top runway shows and cutting-edge couture, Jean Paul Gaultier never fails to shock or entertain us. For his Spring 2007 show at Paris Fashion Week, the big news was that Gaultier laughed in the face of all the skinny-model controversy by using a plus-sized model in his show.
But that was just the beginning. The Paris show also featured a 30-year retrospective of Gaultier's eclectic couture and ready-to-wear looks, including the infamous pointy cone bra and other wacky creations. For his latest designs, Gaultier played it relatively safe, with brightly colored street wear and warm-up inspired styles. To see the retrospective and the new looks, read more
Come Fab Finding With Me: Football Game Fashion
Football season is upon us, and if you're planning to attend any upcoming college games or NFL match-ups, you'd better be prepared to bundle up in style. The key is having a warm but stylish coat, like this Guess Melton Wool Blend Coat, available for $148 here. It's just a little bit preppy and slightly edgy, with asymmetrical snaps and a collar you can turn up to keep warm. But you'll need a lot more layers if you're planning to survive the whole game. So let's all go Fab Finding to find a great sweater, warm pants or a skirt, footwear, and other accessories. Be sure to come back and tell us what you found, or just tag your Fab Finds with the phrase "Football Game." To learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one, click here. To see some of my favorite online stores, read more
Rachael Ray's Beauty Regimen

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a taping of the Rachael Ray show in New York's King World Studios, where I was able to talk to TV's bubbliest brunette about her make-up and beauty must-haves. Besides being funny and down to earth, Ray really looks great in person. Though she says she's not a huge make-up fan off the air, I was definitely surprised to see how much make-up was required just to get a healthy and natural-looking glow on camera. Here are her favorite products.
Ray really loves Chanel Glossimer Lip Gloss in Spark, which you can buy here for $25.

Typically, she layers the lip gloss over Giorgio Armani Lipstick Mania in Shade No. 28, available here for $25. She says that she's pretty much a fan of anything Armani makes.

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New Bebe Brand: Neda
The trendy Bebe chain is testing a new boutique concept called Neda, which is named for Bebe vice chairman Neda Mashouf. The higher-end shop, which focuses exclusively on accessories, recently opened its first location in San Francisco—the same city where Bebe itself launched back in 1976. If it's a hit, the company could expand the Neda concept to other cities.
I visited the new store the other day, and I was definitely impressed. The sleek pink-and-black decor had a very luxury feel, as did the edgy shoes and handbags on display. Though Neda doesn't have its own web site, you can buy many of the products on Bebe's web site. Here are some of my pics.
Peep Toe Bow Pump, $360, available here.

Snake Embossed Leather Clutch, $290, available here.

Distressed Leather Shoe Boot in Gunmetal, $330, available here.

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