They Say "Everyone has a Double"...Do You???

It's oft said, that everyone has a double. Someone who, despite no known genetic or biological relation, bears a striking resemblance.  I am occasionally told that I remind people of Sandra Bullock, and I will take that with a smile, every time (and wish it were so).  The other day I went to my annual physical.  As I was heading upstairs, Donnie, the gentlemen above, (who me thinks is a dead ringer, for the actor Don Cheadle), asked me if I was here to visit my sister Camille.

"Only if Camille, is slim, beautiful and wrinkle free" I replied.

"Seriously, you must be Camille's sister.                                                 

"Nope.  I'm Loren's sister"

"I know you are teasing me"...as someone he knew passed by he called out, "Whose sister is this"?

"Camille's", she replied over her shoulder.

"See"!  What did I tell ya???

Curiosity now of course had the best of me..."C'mon Donnie.  "Let's go meet my twin".  We headed downstairs and walked straight through a physician's waiting room to the back offices.  I met Camille, who was thoroughly confused, stylish and a great sport.  I could definitely see the resemblance myself and I think she could too.  Donnie was pleased as punch with himself.  She kindly agreed to a photo, so I could Blog about this Divadventure.  I think it's uncanny that we both struck the same pose!  What do you think???

I think Camille actually wins the Sandra prize.  I forgot to ask her if people have told her that before...Hopefully, she will see this and let me know...we could both do worse!

xox,
DD

The Weekly Round Up

After a busy week of Thanksgiving (for our American friends) and Black Friday shopping, we're here to help you sort through all the latest and greatest in beauty. Forget the crowds and sit back next to the crackling fire and enjoy beauty right from your own home. Here's what we loved this week:

Consolation Prizes

I was really hoping to rock a pair of  "shooties" this Fall, with black opaques and a pencil skirt. Shooties are a hybrid between a shoe and an ankle boot.  My preference is for the open toe types.  It's not my favorite term , but for the moment it applies.

Quintessence - My New Daily Beauty Ritual

To the dismay of my Mother Joan,  despite all her gentle tutoring, my thumb remains brown, in fact, it is acid etched.  Whenever she visits, she re-pots, prunes and waters  my plants and orchids, trying to will them back to life...to no avail.  Some years back, I received a gorgeous tome on orchids.  The cover was certainly lovely, so I plopped it on top of some of the decorative books that are nestled under a coffee table in my living room.  Last weekend, we went through our usual ritual.  When I noticed her rapture, reading the orchid book, I insisted she take it home... where it belongs.

Next up on the pile, was a book I purchased in April of 1987  at Sotheby's. I had the good fortune to attend one of the preview parties, for the extraordinary auction of the Dutchess of Windsor's  jewels.  I  sat mesmerized leafing through this spectacular catalog of avant-garde jewels and objects, that chronicled the love affair of the Duke and Duchess. This uniquely beautiful collection  reflected the best of quality and design from both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.  The French it seems,  always appreciated style and welcomed the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, as if they were their own.  All of this is a round about way, of telling you about a gorgeous Lifestyle Blog called Quintessence-Living with Style and Substance,  written by Stacey Bewkes, who I recently had the pleasure of meeting through my friend Linda Levy.

The Weekly Round Up

The crispness of fall is in the air, and the holiday season starts next week! Office parties, neighborhood parties, family dinners, holiday shopping, and more will be consuming our lives for the next several weeks. We want to look our very best for all of these occasions, and there’s no better place than our favorite beauty blogs to find the best new must-haves for the season.  Here is what we are loving this week:

Holy Grails

When you read as much as I do about makeup, in print, online and as written by my fellow Bloggers, you  keep bumping into the same products consistently, if they are beloved, award winners and used by celebrity makeup artists on their celebrity clientele.  Such is the case with Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation.  Cult fave,  Holy Grail, period. End of story...almost

Quick & Easy Glow For Girls On The Go

Recently, I was contacted by the manufacturer's of Tan Towel, the Australian born product, that was created and patented in 1998, by President Lori Braun.   Might I be interested in sampling Tan Towel's???  Hmmmmm....Several years ago, I purchased them on Ebay and they did nah-dah...

Blown Away

How do you know when it's time to buy a new blow dryer???  Well, if it's smoking that's usually a light bulb moment....  It was for me, anyway . For all the $$  I waste  spend on beauty paraphernalia, when it comes to dryers, I have always cheaped out and picked them up at CVS or Target.  There's no doubt that in addition to the skills of the stylist, a top shelf tool will also improve the quality of  a great blow out.  Still, I wasn't interested in spending $225 on a blow dryer.  Surely, there had to be something in the middle...

The Weekly Round Up

This is the best time of year for beauty and fashion lovers. With the holidays approaching, companies are vying for our attention, with beautiful holiday offerings and gift collections. Here's what grabbed my Beauty Blogging Buddie's obsessions attention this week.

Find out why Bobbi Brown's Holiday Glamour Set caught Kari's eye at Fab over Forty. This everything-in-one-case collection provides a full look to spruce up your holidays.
Gaia, The Non-Blonde, gave us a sneak peak of her newly acquired Collection Essentielle de Chanel from Chanel's Holiday 2010 Collection. If you want this limited-edition beauty, you should hurry over to your favorite Chanel counter. It left Buffy purring. See if it makes you purr too.

While we are admiring kitties, pussyfoot over to Gouldylox Reviews to see Kelly's new Bare Escentuals All Wrapped Up six-piece collection of festive eye shadows for the holidays. We're wondering how Beans liked being a swatch model.

Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book is loving shimmering pales for the holidays - another great feature comparing similar shades from various lines. See why Giorgio Armani Beauty's Gold Rush Palette fits right in with the glimmering golds and peaches we all love.

Charlestongirl was thrilled to get her hands on the long-awaited Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows for Holiday 2010. You can see swatches of all three shades of Armani's novel new shadow formula at Best Things in Beauty.
Debbi is now the perfect diva for the holidays. You can find out why Lash Dip is the future of eyelash enhancement at DivaDebbi. Would you take the plunge?

Who doesn't party a little too hard at holiday time? Does anyone actually get enough sleep? Jane found the perfect year-round solution, one you'll want to use when you dread the way your skin will look in the morning. Pop over to Daly Beauty to discover her Kiehl's miracle.

It's no secret that women love jewelry, and the holidays are the perfect time to wear it and sparkle. Kristin showed us some beautiful earring choices for pulling together a holiday look at BeautyXposé.

When Sue Devitt travels, the result is usually a gorgeous new makeup collection. Take a look with Carla at the new Golden Triangle Collection (makeup and fragrance) at Product Girl. Devitt really knows how to tempt us!

Intrigued? November is a great time to check out the beauty department at your favorite department store. Don't have time? The online sites are only a click away.

Enjoy!!!
,
xox,
DD
xox

Lash Dip- Would You Take The Plunge?

You know I would!  As soon as I heard about  Lash Dip, "The worlds most perfect coat of mascara", I knew I had to try it.  The fact that it does not just impart color, but adds lush, clump less volume and  lasts for six weeks???...Puh-leaze!  A total no brainer...

Veronica Beard(s)

On Friday at Richards, we welcomed Veronica Beard for their second trunk show for Spring 2011.   Coincidentally,  there is not one, but two Veronica Beards,  SIL's married to brothers, (nephews of the renown photographer Peter Beard).  The fact that they are both tall, blond, lithe, gorgeous, warm and utterly charming, would have me rooting for their collection, even if they were crafted out of Hefty Bags...happily, I love their clothes and their concept...

The Weekly Round Up

Clocks back last night....Uggggghhh, sigh, weep.  Hate that!  Something about sundown at 4:11 depresses the hell out of me and makes me want to run home and eat pot roast.  As of this moment, I am officially counting down to Spring.   In the interim, I will fill my head with sugar plum fairies, Blogging, makeup launches, the arrival of Resort Collections (and on the non fluff side community fundraising, some good books, film and theatre).  Here's what my Beauty Blogging Buddies were up to this week...

Get Glowing Already!!!

I was looking forward all week to having a relaxing Microdermabrasion Facial at the new Kimara Ahnert  Makeup Studio in Greenwich Ct.  It is a large, gorgeous space, located on the heart of, "the Avenue".   I undressed in a spacious dressing room, thoughtfully equipped with a large basket of after treatment fix me ups; blow dryer, flat iron, brushes and styling products.  I slipped into a freshly laundered robe and then sipped tea, in an antiseptically clean treatment room, with crisp sheets, that were gently warmed..This, I can get used to...

What is Your Mantra?

My life mantra is, "Don't sweat the small stuff...really don't".  Having survived a breast cancer diagnosis and the double whammy of discovering I was positive for the breast cancer gene mutation 4 years later, I have gotten a really good handle on not letting minutia and inconveniences unhinge me mentally.  I save that for the big kahuna's in life and I promise, you too would be best served by following suit.  (Hang in there Girls,  this is leading up to cellulite)!

The Young and the Restless

In the last few months, I've been approached to share some thoughts and reflections on how I got myself mixed up in the lovely business of Personal Shopping and Blogging.  I don't know whether I'm relevant or a relic, but it's lovely to be asked.

Boop contacted me through the website Fashism.  At 19, Boop has got it... effortless style.  She is studying business, but is already dreaming about a career in fashion.  I have no doubt she will make it a reality:

Interview! - DivaDebbi: Personal Shopper and Fashion Blogger!