Next week I'll be away... My boyfriend has a business event in Hawaii so I get to go too!  So I'll be here...

Grand Wailea, Maui

I've been digging through my things finding my summer clothes.  I hate packing... I always bring too much because I like to have choices, but then it seems silly because I bring back things that I never even wore.  But beach trips are always easier, the clothes are smaller to pack, and you don't have to worry about formal attire since the island vibe is always so chill. 

It's been quite cold in New York and we even got some snow this week, so it's a great time to go.  I don't think I'm going to post while I'm away, so I will fill you in when I get back!  Cheers!

But his extravagant success came so quickly, perhaps faster than his limited experience should have allowed, that his setbacks echo all the more loudly. He became unpredictable, lashing out at the news media as his company struggled with layoffs, a revolving door of executives and an investor pulling back the reins. He was the designer wunderkind who went too far, too fast, his sequins falling to the floor like the feathers of Icarus.

Excerpt from 'The Trials of a Former Boy Wonder' by Eric Wilson, New York Times.  This is an interesting article about Zac Posen who rose to fame in the fashion world about 10 years ago when he was only 21.

The February 2010 J. Crew catalog was shot in Portugal... what a pleasure to look through and see the beautiful streets and landmarks of Lisbon in the background.  Portugal is one of the places I haven't made it to yet... I would love to go, and also to Madeira, the Portugese island off Northern Africa!

They have more pictures including behind the scenes of the photo shoot here on their website.

There's a fun article in the New York Times style section by Cintra Wilson about the upscale lingerie shops Kiki de Montparnasse and Agent Provocateur. (Critical Shopper: Dressing for Success on Valentine's Day) It explains the history of Valentine's Day and reports on the two stores' Soho shops.

Image: New York Times

Above, the boudoir vibe of the Kiki de Montparnasse store.

Personally, I wouldn't spend $160 for a bra or $70 for knickers (as Agent Provovateur calls them) but apparenty the pieces are more well-made than Victoria's Secret - as they should be!

 

"Haute couture, what remains of it, is a little like a fragile ecosystem under siege by modern tastes and habits, and by couturiers who are stuck in the past." ...

"Most women don't pay attention to haute couture, and the reason isn't the money -- made-to-measure clothes have always been extremely costly -- and it isn't the lavishness or circuslike atmosphere of the shows. Rather, it's because the houses don't give people a reason to care and at least follow along."

excerpt from 'In Paris, Tempted by History', by Cathy Horyn, New York Times

I am such a sucker for Chanel's limited editions... look at this beautiful eye palette!  The colors are perfect.

I think using an eye cream is one of the most important things you can do for your skin.  You often notice aging there first... the dreaded crow's feet etc.  I don't want to sound crazy, but I've been using an anti-aging eye cream since college.  Not the same one the whole time... I started out using Estee Lauder because that was what my mom used and I have switched around over the years.  As much as the companies would like you to believe you should keep using their products, I think it's okay to switch, as long as you always use something!  Over the years I've used Clinique, Chanel, Peter Thomas Roth, Caudalie... I think it has served me well, I definitely notice that other people my age often have some slight (or not so slight) creasing around their eyes.

I think I may try this one next:

Fresh's new Creme Ancienne Eye Cream, $95 (expensive but it's hand made by monks!)

It's loaded with amazing natural ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, jojoba seed oil, beeswax, sugar apple seed extract, seabuckthorn berry oil, chamomile oil, lemon peel oil, vitamin E,  rosemary leaf extract and rosewater... wow!

 

Gucci has introduced an appraisal service for vintage Gucci items in partnership with Christie's auction house.

Certain items may qualify for future Christie's auctions.

You can read more about it here on the Gucci site and here at Christie's. 

I love the look of the layered necklaces that's been around for the last year or so.  My great purchase of last year was a double chain necklace from Chanel, but yikes it was expensive.

For a similar look (minus the double C charm and a few hundred dollars), here's a great option from Ann Taylor:

Three Tier Chain Necklace, $48

This piece is among their new arrivals for Spring. They really continue to impress since they've sort of reinvented themselves... Bravo!

As I've mentioned before I am just crazy about Oscar Blandi's Pronto Dry Shampoo ($19)!  It's totally brilliant, it perfectly rejuvenates second day hair.  It's even more perfect for blondes because the white powder makes your hair look a bit brighter.

I recently introduced my sister to it.  She was definitely skeptical, but she tried mine and loved it, so I bought her a bottle.  It's even more perfect for her, when does the mother of a two year old have a chance to shower??? Apparently, not often as one would like!  It's so great if you have to just run out of the house for an errand and don' t have time to shower, it really puffs up your hair and it smells great.

 

I use the powder variety that is not a spray.  Blandi now has a spray version ($21)... but I think I like the kind that I already use.  I'm not sure I'm interested in the spray... but maybe I should try it to see.