SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Amazing Americana Sweetheart -- Get Into The Fourth of July Spirit!

To paraphrase Katy Parry, make like a firework and let your colors burst this Fourth of July weekend with festive apparel, footwear, jewelry, home accents and entertaining details that show more patriotic pride than Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA album cover. With these picks, you'll shine brighter than the stars on the flag!

 

Jeffrey Campbell Lita in Stars and Stripes, $154.95. Available at Solestruck.com

Tip your hat (or rather, tap your feet) in honor of Betsy Ross with the new Stars and Stripes pattern of Jeffrey Campbell's groovy Lita shoe. An ankle-high bootie, the Lita features a chunky 5" wooden heel; a 2" built-in platform; an exaggerated, '70s-esque squared toe; and corset-like lacing across the top of the tongue. 

 

SOBRAL Naturals Diamentes Necklace, $100. Available at SOBRALusa.com

Be the most dashing Lady in Red with this chunky necklace from SOBRAL, which features faceted, pebble-like resin stones in a tomato sauce red. 

 

Wildfox Couture America Crew Tee, $77. Available at WildfoxCouture.com

What says Fourth of July better than a white tee featuring an image of our nation's flag? And, thanks to the laid-back attitude, slightly faded fabric, and loose, drape-y cut of this Wildfox tee, you'll look and feel like you belong in Lenny Kravitz's "American Woman" video when you rock it. 

 

 

Rebecca Minkoff Endless Love Tote, $250. Available at Endless.com

Though best known for her widely coveted Morning After Bag and The BF silhouettes, both available in a plethora of leather colors, handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff knows just when to scale back the glam rock-ish studs, zippers, and buckles and, instead, get into a relaxed, hammock-time spirit, creating island-flavored straw pieces perfect for the surf babies but structured enough for city gals. The Endless Love tote, pictured above, accomplishes this feat with its wide natural straw and red straw stripes, its brown leather zip pocket, and its brown piping and shoulder handles.

Stripe & Crab 12-pc. Melamine Dinnerware Set in Red/Blue, $15.99. Available at Target.com

Hitting the beach house this weekend? Planning to host a cookout? Or is there a picnic on the agenda? Whatever your plans, consider investing in some kitschy melamine dishes to serve all the grilled burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, barbecued ribs, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese you whipped up. This twelve-piece set includes four dinner plates (measuring 10.5" in diameter), four cereal bowls (measuring 6" in diameter), and four salad plates (measuring 8.5" in diameter). The salad plates and cereal bowls feature red, white, and blue stripes, while the dinner plates feature a blue crab juxtaposed against the red and white striped backdrop.

 

Beyond Rings "Stars" 2-Finger Ring, $42. Available at Endless.com

In the spirit of the Pledge of Allegiance's "one nation undivided" segment, bring two of your fingers together in harmony with this two-finger piece from Beyond Rings, which features three raised silver star accents that create a 3D effect against the golden backdrop. 

Nuts About The Macadamia Natural Oil Hair Care Collection

 

Back in January, Roseanne Barr was promoting her new memoir Roseannearchy: Dispatches from the Nut Farm and she raved about the gratifying feeling of growing macadamia nuts in her farm in Hawaii. As it turns out, the controversial comedian was onto something when she extolled the wonders of macadamia nuts. Of all the members of the nut family, the macadamia is the richest in monosaturated fats (these account for 70-80% of its constitution), the main type being palmitoleic acid, an Omega 7 fatty acid that's vital for cellular support and regeneration and which makes hair shinier and healthier. Macadamia oil also contains nearly five times the amount of vitamin E found in olive oil and boasts a high concentration of manganese, which provides free radical protection. On a practical level, macadamia oil is extremely lightweight and it mimics the sebum (the oil naturally produced by your scalp an strands), so that it's easily absorbed, leaving no greasy residue behind. 

To fully experience the wonders of macadamia oil in hair care, look no further than the Macadamia Natural Oil line of haircare products, all of which are sulfate- and paraben-free and which include a genial blend of oil from macadamia nuts harvested in the South Pacific and oil from argan seeds in Morocco. Like macadamia oil, argan oil boasts a high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linolelic acid account for nearly 80% of its constitution) and hence does wonders to moisturize, soften, repair, and smooth hair. This argan and macadamia oil tag team quickly knocks out your hair woes, taming frizz, boosting shine, hydrating the hair from within, protecting your hair color from UV rays, smoothing your mane, and improving elasticity for greater movement and bounce.

The Rejuvenating Shampoo ($21 for 10 oz. bottle at MacadamiaHair.com) and Moisturizing Rinse ($24 for 10 oz. bottle at MacadamiaHair.com) are the cornerstones of the collection since they're meant for routine use. Unlike many glob-like cleansers, the Rejuvenating Shampoo has a very thin consistency and a golden nacre color. You'll likely need to use a hefty amount of this shampoo to really get all of your hair since, as mentioned, the consistency is rather thin. Also, if you have really dry and damaged hair, I'd suggest using a tad of the conditioner first to detangle hair and plump strands before then applying the shampoo so as to avoid your hair becoming a tangled, knotted, mangled mess. But, once you've been using the shampoo and conditioner for about 2-3 weeks, your hair will feel noticeably smoother and more replenished and, by then, you'll be able to commence a traditional haircare routine in which you shampoo and then condition your mane. The Moisturizing Rinse, meanwhile, has a creamy but almost fluffy consistency, making it feel velvety smooth but so light that you won't have to worry about hair being weighted down. Ideally, you should apply the moisturizer onto your mane, comb through delicately and allow it to settle for 2-3 minutes before rinsing so that the conditioner can penetrate the hair follicle.  

Both the shampoo and conditioner are swoon-worthy but the most amazing products in the collection are the Nourishing Leave-in Cream ($28 for 10 oz. bottle at MacadamiaHair.com) and the Healing Oil Treatment ($39 for 4.2 oz. bottle at MacadamiaHair.com). The former is a leave-in conditioner designed for those of us with extra parched hair and acute frizz problems. The cream has a velvety consistency and helps to smooth and tame hair, while also adding controlled but natural-looking definition and texture to waves and curls. The Healing Oil Treatment, meanwhile, can be applied to damp or dry hair and it instantly nourishes the hair, making it more manageable, disguising the appearance of pesky frayed ends, controlling frizz, and providing UV protection.

If you have dry and damaged tresses, I'd suggest using the Nourishing Leave-in Cream on clean, damp hair, and then applying 1-2 drops of the Healing Oil Treatment. You can then allow your hair to air dry or reach for your favorite style tools (the Healing Oil Treatment will actually cut drying time by 40-50%). 

Another style tip: in the summer, when you want to pull your hair back, pump 1-2 drops of the Healing Oil Treatment onto your palm, rub your hands together, and then smooth onto your hair. If you need added control, try an anti-frizz serum or a smoothing cream (I swear by the Fekkai Smooth), then brush the hair back with a boar bristle brush. You'll have healthy-looking free devoid of unruly fly-aways!

I'm completely addicted to this hair care line, and trust: when you try these products, you'll go nuts for them too! 

 

Save $5 On Vitabath Lime Citron Basil Gelée At Costco Stores

For over four decades, Vitabath has specialized in vitamin- and mineral-rich cleansers, moisturizers, and spa treatments packed with essential botanical oils and not overly diluted with water. From its Spring Green collection (which incorporates pine- and rose-wood scented bar soaps, shower gels, body lotions, sugar scrubs, hand creams, and gift set packs) to its ultra-feminine Plus for Dry Skin range (which includes body and bath products with jasmine, violet, and white musk notes), Vitabath has provided loyal customers with affordable solutions to their skin care needs. Now, Vitabath has introduced new scent to its popular Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gelée family: Lime Citron Basil.

Available only at Costco stores, the sulfate- and paraben-free Vitabath Lime Citron Basil Moisturizing Bath & Shower Gelée boasts a perfect aloe-like consistency, a gel-like texture that's neither overly viscous and slimy nor exceedingly runny and watery. The formula contains vitamins A, which stimulates cellular regeneration; vitamin C, which protects the skin from free radical damage and brightens overall skin tone; vitamin E, which conditions and softens the skin while also protecting it from the sun's UV rays; Pro-Vitamin B5, which softens and soothes; aloe leaf juice, known for its cooling and calming properties; coffee seed extract, which firms and tightens the skin; lime extract, a natural astringent; and a blend of antioxidant-rich fruits like açai, pomegranate, and goji berry.

When you apply the Lime Citron Basil Gelée and rub the shower gel into your damp skin, you'll notice that it lathers up nicely — without foaming excessively or stripping your skin of its moisture (oftentimes, sulfate agents trigger this coveted lathering action in shower gels, but they dehydrate the skin, so that their negative effects outweigh any positive sensory elements). 

On an aromatic level, the Vitabath Lime Citron Basil Gelée feels like summer in one oversize bottle. A predominant note of fresh lime reminiscent of a Frozen Margarita invigorates the senses without overwhelming them (as is typical of its citrus sibling, the lemon), while the basil note adds a slight tang — without making you feel like you belong on a spice rack. Sparkling citron adds a dash of pizazz, while a subtle patchouli note provides a much-needed contrast to ground the fruity scent.

A limited-edition, summer-only release, the Vitabath Lime Citron Basil Gelée is available exclusively at Costco stores. A 38 oz. bottle retails for $16.99 but, until July 3rd, Costco customers can take advantage of a special coupon and bring home this delicious shower gel for only $11.99. 

 

China Glaze Island Escape Collection -- Tropical Colors With A Splendrous Finish

Imagine you're on vacation at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Barbados, where the hallways are painted a deep kelly green and the balconies and exterior façade are painted a creamy Funshine Bear yellow. Then teleport yourself to the Bahamas, where you'll be staying at one of the cottages or bungalows in Compass Point designed by Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki and painted in vivid, Junkanoo festival-worthy colors, taking in the bright pink hibiscus flowers blossoming in nearby grassy patches or staring at the ocean, which dazzles under the sun's beaming rays. It's this thirst for bold, intense, carnival-appropriate hues that practically sizzle and sparkle in the sunshine that's captured in the China Glaze Island Escape Collection. 

The Summer 2011 nail lacquer collection includes six vibrant shades practically plucked from a Don Dahlke gallery show: Electric Pineapple, a creamy, greenish yellow like the inside of an avocado; Cha Cha Cha, a metallic Green Lantern-worthy shade with the type of golden tones you'd associate with laser beams; Senorita Bonita, a deep metallic purple with pink and silver sparkle; Papaya Punch, a creamy, ultra-bright orange shade that really does resemble the fruit it commemorates in its name; Blue Iguana, an aurora borealis-like blue saturated with pearlescent turquoise an clear particles that give the shade an ultra glossy sheen; 108 Degrees, a cherry-meets-fuchsia color infused with scoops and scoops of light lilac, pale pink, and silvery white glimmer that lend the shade a metallic, high voltage sheen. 

After the jump, you'll find swatches of the various colors in the Island Escape collection. Be happy, mon!

HauteLook's Facebook-Only Botkier Sale

 

If you don't yet have a Facebook account, now's the time to create one! Tomorrow, online sample sale site HauteLook and luxury handbag and footwear brand Botkier are joining forces to offer a special sale exclusive to their Facebook fans. To shop the styles on sale, you have to log onto either HauteLook's Facebook page (Facebook.com/HauteLook) and "Like" the page or Botkier's official Facebook page (Facebook.com/Botkier) and do the same. Once you've taken these steps, you'll have access to the Handbag Promised Land, where sophisticated, expertly constructed handbags and footwear will be priced at 50-75% off retail.  

During this two-day sale, then, you'll have the opportunity to nab such Botkier must-haves as the Helena satchel (pictured second from top), a camel-colored, pebble leather piece measuring 11 1/8" in height and 13 3/4" in width and featuring two front flap pockets with belted details along their lower outer corners, a motorcycle-flavored zipper running vertically between these pockets, two adjustable shoulder straps with silver-toned domed studs positioned along their length, a zippered center compartment, and tonal stitching details. Normally priced at $545, this beauty is going for $272.50, so she's sure to spark the online shopping version of the Trojan War (making her name all the more fitting).  

Another incredible get: the Maddie Satchel (pictured at top), which will be reduced from $525 to $262.50. This black leather handbag, measuring 11" in height and 15.5" in width, features a slightly metallic, python-like embossing, accent stitching running horizontally across the bag's facade to create a quilted feel, glossy pyramid-shaped black studs positioned along these stitched lines, zippers with tassel-like fringe details, a rectangular silver logo tab, and sturdy top handles.

If you prefer smaller pieces, check out the Charlotte Clutch (pictured last from top), which features a detachable strap so you can wear the piece as a cross-body bag if desired. Normally priced at $345, this clutch will be available for $172.50 during the HauteLook Facebook sale.

This private, Facebook-only sale kicks off tomorrow, so set your alarms, gals!

 

 

Dr. Obagi's Zo Skin Health Boot Camp -- Results in Five Weeks

Earlier this year, I had the chance to get a skin consultation from renowned dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi during which I rattled off my various gripes: dry skin, a disconcerting number of breakouts when I'd been acne-free throughout my pubescent years and the decades thereafter, and hyperpigmentation or "dark spots" emerging as a result of these breakouts. After hearing my concerns and examining my skin, Dr. Obagi prescribed a personalized skincare regimen using products in his Zo Skin Health line.

But first, he gave me the scoop on why my skin was acting so petulant. As it turns out, I'd been overusing moisturizers and, as a result, had further dehydrated my skin. By overcompensating with moisturizers, I'd actually turned my skin into a sloth-like Lazy Pants. Or, here's how Dr. Obagi explains it, in way more eloquent terms:

"When you have healthy skin, it naturally moisturizes itself from within. Moisturizers are primarily composed of oil, protein and water. Skin is primarily composed of oil, protein and water. When we apply a moisturizer to the surface of the skin, the message transmitted between the upper and lower skin layers is, “I have plenty of oil, protein and water up here. Don’t send any.” Eventually, the skin becomes dependant on the moisturizers, and it doesn’t produce what it needs, so the skin becomes chronically dry. This process, combined with the fact, that as we age, [we lose some of] our ability to naturally slough dead skin cells from the skin's surface, prevents even the slightest amount of moisturizer to penetrate."

Now, Dr. Obagi wasn't suggesting that I cease using moisturizers altogether but, rather, that I accompany my moisturizing regimen with some products filled with antioxidants, retinol, and growth factors that would stimulate the skin to spring back into action. Dr. Obagi stressed incorporating retinol into my regimen, saying, "Retinol is a natural form of Vitamin A and will stimulate the retinoid receptor on the cell if used in a high enough concentration. This will provide the skin with the ability to slough off the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and facilitate collagen production." He also reminded me that the antioxidants in the products he was suggesting would protect my skin from free radical damage, while the growth factors would replace any skin proteins lost due to stress, sun exposure, and the aging process itself.

Taking all these factors into consideration, then, Dr. Obagi formulated a special skin care regimen to address all of my concerns and get me back on track. The routine he designed was rather elaborate, the instructions extensive, and the product array incredibly broad, so I found myself printing out the directions so I could reference them as needed (hey, it was a lot to remember!). 

Below, after the jump, you'll find a run-down of the products chosen for me, information on what each is designed to do, and some photographs that document my experience with these products and the improvement I witnessed during my five-week-long trial.

Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolu -- A Fragrance That Captures Intimacy

 

When a woman wears one of her boyfriend's faded, distressed, even ratty T-shirts to bed, allowing the flimsy fabric (the fibers of which are naturally imbued with his musky scent) to swathe her own naked bosom, a simple outfit change is transformed into an intimate, poignant and demurely sensual experience. First, by appropriating his T-shirt, the woman is creating an invisible tether between her physical self and that of her beloved, welcoming something he cherishes into her life. Second, the act of wearing his shirt in many ways mirrors the lovemaking act — after all, an item that has so often covered his naked chest now rests atop hers, creating a tactile tie between the two lovers. And third, there's the mingling of their scents, the way these come together and form an inextricable, gender-defiant aromatic blend, much like the fragrance that lingers on their respective bodies after a passionate embrace or an intense session under the sheets. If you've ever smelled your boyfriend or husband's natural scent (or his cologne, for that matter) on your skin and smiled, remembering the warmth of his touch, then you know just how intimate this synergy of fragrances can feel.

This, then, is the feeling perfumers Sylvie Ganter and Christopher Cervasel, founders of Atelier Cologne, sought to recreate when developing their newest cologne scent: Vanille Insensée. As with all of their fragrances, there's a vignette that captures the inspiration behind the Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée ($170 at AtelierCologne.com). In this tender tale, a man enters a crowded lounge or restaurant and, as he makes his way through the mass of people, he detects a familiar scent: the signature perfume of his beloved. It's a cologne that once belonged to him, but which she playfully stole from him years earlier (with his permission, of course). It's a scent that reminds him not only of her, but of the times they've spent together. As the two sit facing one another, memories coated with the magic of their love fill their minds, and their romance is rekindled once more.

It's a story that can apply to life-long mates or to lovers separated by time, distance, or circumstance and whose paths have crossed again in a fateful twist. 

To visually capture this tale, Ganter and Cervasel staged a scene that captures the mood of the cologne and had this set-up photographed. In the photo, you see a study-worthy, dark wooden table — presumably situated within a lounge, café or restaurant — covered with tourist-ready souvenirs of New York City like a Playbill booklet and a miniature replica of a yellow cab (perhaps the male and female protagonists of this tale are visiting the Great White Way while on vacation and have stopped for a drink at a nearby pub in Times Square. Also on the table, one finds masculine tokens like a vintage, etched, silver-toned cardholder, a pair of cuff links, an unfurled yellow tie, a silver wristwatch, and a black leather glove. Nearby, ladylike items like a red Estée Lauder lipstick in its classic gold tube spill out of a gold frame clutch, referencing the female presence in the space. Glass bowls filled with walnuts and pecans, heart-shaped glass ashtrays, an open bottle of Perrier Jouet, and two glasses of malt liquor capture a pub-like atmosphere, but a lit candle nearby infuse a dash of romance to the setting.  

Now, imagine you are the woman in the story, the one who has snatched up her beau's cologne and worn it on her own skin for years and years. What might this fragrance smell like? How would you capture the musky masculinity of the original scent or how it's softened by your own innate fragrance? Well, in the minds of Ganter and Cervasel, the scent would consist of a blend of woody notes and sensuous creamy vanilla.

The Vanille Insensée Cologne Absolue opens with top notes of lime, cedrat, and coriander, a cilantro-like herb, for a grassy but citrus-y scent that wakens the senses but still feels mossy and a bit dirty. At the heart of the fragrance, you'll find the deliciously robust jasmine; vetiver, a grass cultivated in India that boasts an earthy but smoky scent (in this particular case, it's almost cigar-like); and oak moss, which has an oriental quality and first but then dries a bit and develops more of a bark-like aroma. The base notes, meanwhile, include: vanilla from Madagascar; an amber note that gives the fragrance its incense-like quality; and an oak wood note, which might remind you of the way the furniture smells at a university library.

The fragrance is simply exquisite. When you first apply the scent, you get a hint of the lime note but it never overwhelms the senses, instead opening the way for the woodier and smokier notes, which are always tempered by the creamy vanilla to give them the desired sensuousness. The jasmine note is quite understated, softening the more masculine notes without screaming for attention or taking the scent into the floral realm. As time passes, the citrus notes dissipate a bit and the vanilla, amber and oak wood notes linger on the skin, creating a fragrance that feels feminine but still has hints of masculinity. It's like that light but ravishing aroma you detect on your skin after you've spent the night lying in your adoring man's arms.  

Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield Evil Eye Collection -- A Stylish Way To Ward Off Harm

 

Jealous ones may still envy, as Fat Joe put it, but you can always protect yourself from their evil doings by wearing a curse-breaking talisman. In ancient Egypt, this protection came in the form of the Eye of Horus while, in modern times, many prefer the Hamsa, a palm-shaped amulet. In Turkey, meanwhile, many display Nazars, eye-shaped charms with concentric blue an white circles, to attract the damaging power of the evil eye and hence render it ineffective. It's this Nazar motif that designer Anna Sheffield explored in her new evil eye-themed Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield collection. Each of the pieces in the collection, then, serves double duty as style statement and talisman.

The collection includes the Evil Eye Crystal Studs ($68 at BingBangNYC.com), round stud earrings made of navy- and clear-colored stones arranged in concentric circles, with the blue sapphire shade along the outer circle and a single stone within the center. Other pieces include the Evil Eye Web Chain Bracelet ($89 at BingBangNYC.com), a draped, two-strand piece with a brass chain strand featuring round links and a sterling silver strand consisting of larger, more spacious links and adorned with a teardrop-shaped, sterling silver-set glass eye charm. And, if you wish to make a bold statement, there's the Eye Fob Necklace ($185 at BingBangNYC.com), which features oversize, oval-shaped, brass chain links wrapped in dark brown nylon thread so as to resemble blackwood. The closure meanwhile includes a brass lobster claw and a chain strand with a toggle detail an a detachable evil eye charm.

Keds For Neiman Marcus Sneakers -- They're Literally Shiny and New

Last May, when Stacey Bendet and Keds came together to release the limited-edition Alice + Olivia for Keds sneaker collection, a foursome of sequin-covered slip-on kicks, they chose to debut their collaborative effort at Neiman Marcus. Building on the success of this collection, Keds and Neiman Marcus have joined forces again, this time hoping to create sneaker styles that would speak to the sensibilities of the Neiman Marcus customer.

The Keds for Neiman Marcus collection consists of two patent leather sneakers, one a ruby red shade and the other a glossy black, made extra shiny thanks to a fabric treatment exclusive to the retail giant. Since Neiman Marcus customers appreciate luxury and sophistication, they're likely to appreciate this dressier take on the classic Keds champion sneaker, which is made festive and youthful via their high-impact sheen.

The jet black sneakers are a funkier option to the oxford style shoes that are en vogue right now, and they'll work wit everything from a flared skirt to fitted trousers. As for the ruby red option, what girl doesn't want to have her very own Dorothy moment?

The Keds for Neiman Marcus sneakers retail for $95 each and are available at Neiman Marcus stores now. Visit NeimanMarcus.com to find a store location near you.

 

Get On Board The MAC Surf Baby Collection

Imagine you're traveling to the town of Haleiwa in the North Shore section of Oahu, Hawaii, to cheer on professional surfers weaving through 7-fee-tall barrel waves in the hopes of winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro competition. After picking the greatest vantage point on the sandy beach shore, you sit atop your cheeky yellow beach towel in a golden bikini top and matching board shorts with a coral Chinese hibiscus floral print. Nearby, spectators in summery turquoise, bronze, teal, aquamarine, and rusty orange wetsuits, bandeau tops, and swim trunks mingle, some donning lei necklaces made of deep purple flowers, others clutching their newly waxed surfboards. 

This is the type of scenario captured by the new MAC Surf Baby Collection, a limited edition collection featuring a bevy of lipsticks, glosses, eye shadows, bronzing powders, cream bronzer sticks, nail lacquers, makeup bags, and much more. The Lipglass tops, lipstick tubes, powder lids, and bronzer stick tubes feature a white back drop with thick yellow bands of color running along their perimeter (horizontally in the case of the tubular products and vertically in the case of the round tops of pressed powder cases), with a thin coral red strip at the center of these sunny bands of color and silvery gray stripes on either end of the yellow bars. The MAC logo, meanwhile, is stamped atop a black oblong shaped decal, which is itself lined in a perky turquoise color and which features a coral Chinese Hibiscus blossom along its interior. 

Needless to say, the product names reference surfing equipment, Hawaiian locations, beach babes, summer style staples, tropical flowers, ocean tides, sunkissed skin, and all things in the Endless Summer vein.

The packaging of the collection is absolutely adorable, capturing the youthful zeal and the sense of adventure we associate with the summer. But do the makeup products also hang ten? Find out after the jump, as we discuss all the products in the collection, offer you some useful swatches, and show you a few samples looks!