Aerin: The Dynasty Continues...

Aerin Lauder Zinterhof

Aerin Lauder, the granddaughter of the legendary Estee Lauder is launching her own cosmetics line this fall, after working for the company her grandparents founded for the last 20 years.  I, for one, am excited to see Aerin's personal vision of a woman's beauty essentials.

Aerin is a chic stunner, who doesn't look like she requires much more than a dash of bronzer, a quick pop of rosy lip gloss and a quick swipe of mascara to achieve her  polish.

Ramona Singer- An Intervention

Ramona Singer- An Intervention by divadebbi

My Polyvore addiction shows no signs of abating. Given my druthers, I'd be playing on it morning, noon and night.

One of my favorite Polyvore pals, Sheryl, recently started a new group called, "Star Styles". Our first contest was a Real Houswive's challenge; we could either create a set in homage to any of the cast members or submit a "makeover"...

You just have to know I'd choose the latter.

I would LOVE to get my hands on Ramona Singer. Ramona is an attractive woman, who in her mid-fifties, can actually still get away with wearing a bikini. What she should get away from are the too small, too short, too revealing polyester satin frocks she frequently wears at night, with 2 inch platform pumps.

Potentially flammable, unflattering and dated. 'Nuf said.

I created this set for Ramona. I think she would look 10 years younger if she dressed more elegantly in clothing that didn't looked like neoprene.

Meow.

xox,
DD

The Thomas Crown Affair(s)

Rene Russo/The Thomas Crown Affair by divadebbi (Clothes by Michael Kors)

I remember seeing the original Thomas Crown Affair when I was young and impressionable. It starred Faye Dunaway as a brilliant insurance investigator. Some brilliantly devised bank heists were being committed in Boston and the police were stumped.  

They called in Faye Dunaway, (at the peak of her beauty,) in a desperate attempt to solve them.  It is she, who figures out that the master mind is Thomas Crown, a bored billionaire playboy, (played by Steve McQueen at his most handsome,) who for kicks, commits them to test his skill and nerve.  I was enthralled with her her brains and her chic. I thought, "that's what I want to be like when I grow up"!!!

In this film, the incredible ensembles worn by Faye Dunaway, were created by Oscar nominated costume designer Theodora Von Runkle.  Von Runkle also had designed Dunaway's memorable wardrobe in Bonnie and Clyde, as well as for her personally.

The cat and mouse games between them were delicious and so was the love affair-of heart, mind and body.  The kiss that they finally give into, during an equally matched chess game, is   still the longest one in film creation.

Laura Mercier: Helping Women Fight Ovarian Cancer

 Is Ovarian Cancer the Bogeyman???  In a word, YES!

I received this email from my friends at Kaplow P.R. who represent Laura Mercier, a brand fave of mine. I was touched and pleased to see a major cosmetics company championing Ovarian Cancer for a change. 

I’m honored to share the news that this September will mark the unveiling of the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.

Beginning in September 2012, in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Laura Mercier will donate100 percent of the profits from the sale of two products – Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette and Rose Hope Lip Glacé – to the Fund. In the meanwhile, you can order these beautiful items online at Laura Mercier.

Rose Hope Lip Glace $24
Bonne Mine Healthy Glow For Face and Cheeks $48
100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the
Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund

This cause is very near and dear to the hearts of Laura Mercier, and the company’s President and CEO, Claudia Poccia. Both women have been personally touched by the disease – Laura through a dear friend, and Claudia through her sister.

As we speak, my dear friend Debbie is battling this devastating disease. She knows how loved she is and how much we are championing her recovery.

Don't get me wrong.  I am myself a long term breast cancer survivor (knock wood, poo poo, spit spit), and actively fund raise for the cause.  The spectacular work and hundreds of millions of dollars that have been raised by the Lauder companies and Avon provides money for research, help and hope.

The challenge with ovarian cancer is that fewer women are diagnosed with it than breast cancer, and thus it gets less funding an attention.  It's more deadly than breast cancer, yet it is the neglected stepsister.

In the last 30 years, there have been huge strides in the detection and treatment of breast cancer.  Not so for ovarian cancer.  In fact, there have been NO STRIDES.

The reason ovarian cancer is referred to as the, "silent killer" is simple and sad.  The symptoms are vague and mimic things that women don't associate with gynecological problems, like back pain, bloating and frequent urination to name a few.  Women often lose precious time seeking treatment from Chiropractors, Gastroenterologists and Urologists.  By the time they see their Gynecologist, (who will then recommend them to an Gynecological Oncologist), their cancers are often in advanced stages.

Please read the information below to familiarize yourself with symptoms and factors that may elevate your personal risk, it could be life saving.  Please share it:

DivaDebbi's Most Wanted Fall Accessories

DivaDebbi's Most Wanted Fall Accessories by divadebbi 

I am having a love affair with this Fall's accessories...

I have built a wardrobe based on classic styles that suit my figure over the years. My closet is fairly bulging with sheath dresses and pencil skirts from Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Valentino, Diane Von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, Dolce and Gabanna, Malene Birger, Lela Rose, Michael Kors, Luciano Barbera, Alberta Ferretti, Tory Burch, Vince and Zara, (to name a few!).

It occurred to me, that I could be perfectly happy buying nothing but accessories this Fall, but don't quote me!

The Polvore set I created above gives you a flavor of what I'm craving.  Check back this weekend for my complete update of Accessories Trends for  Fall 2012.

I think you will be coveting them too...

xox,
DD

Fall Trends 2012: Makeup

I have been savoring and digesting the fall tomes. I am half way through guts of the Fall 2012 trends in beauty, ready-to-wear and accessories. It's not nearly as overwhelming when your realize that literally hundreds of pages are advertising.

I have no qualm with that really.  The publishing industry has struggled as more and more eyeballs continue to read their glossies digitally (and save a tree or three in the process).  I'm all for successful rebounds and truth be told, even if you never read any content, the consistency of the trends would resonate, just by the ads alone.

In any given season, the worlds of clothing, hair and makeup compliment each other. Designers don't design in a vacuum. They collaborate with the best in the industry to enhance their visions. We then get see the finished "product" on the runway, in live streamed videos and print.

Here's the thing about any trend, if it doesn't suit you to wear a brocade, sapphire nails or full bangs, by all means don't. You will only feel like a poser.  Stick with what feels like you in and on your skin. It will never fail you because you will radiate confidence.

I always love Fall clothes best...who doesn't?, but this season is particularly luscious...

For the first time, in several seasons, there is truly something for everyone, both in silhouette, hue and palette. Here is a round up of this seasons makeup trends. I'll let you know if I'm in,out or trying:

Taupe is frequently underated...

Taupe is frequently underated... by divadebbi 

It's midnight, so officially Thursday and I'm pooped.  I am in the middle of writing a 3 parter on Fall 2012 trends in makeup, ready-to-wear and accessories.  The makeup post will be up tomorrow, so be sure to check back.

In the meanwhile, I had created this Polyvore set thinking about how the chicest women in the room, is often the one who is dressed head to toe in shades of taupe.

It's just possible, that one of these days the LTD will be as much of a wardrobe staple as the LBD...certainly it is just as elegant. No???

xox,
DD

Day and Night...one suitcase

Day and Night...one suitcase by divadebbi 

Oh, I am so excited!!! Part of the fun of participating on Polyvore is getting to know other obsessed, crazed fashionista's from all over the globe.  Like all online communities, there is a rhyme and reason behind how things work.  I have never mastered Twitter, but Polyvore I get and now it gets me.

There are groups and contests to join all the time.  The winners sets are so spectacularly stunning, that I almost gave up on entering them anymore, and if I do, it is with zero expectations.

Lo and behold, the set I recently posted, with the gorgeous strapless, smokey blue mystery dress just won first place in the "Peplum" contest. (http://www.divadebbi.blogspot.com/2012/08/pretty-little-things.html.)

Yay!!!  Validation!!!

Anyway, sometimes images that I have saved, like this rare, vintage white cobra suitcase, inspire me to create sets around them. Thus my imaginary heroine is having a short, but lovely stay in London and needs to pack judiciously, but stylishly, of course...

xox,
DD

Almay Intense I-Color Mascara: Cheap and Cheerful...Hooray!

Almay Intense I-Color mascara
with light interplay technology $8.99

A gift from the Gods! ...You know I am always on the hunt for a great cheap drugstore mascara.  It makes me extremely cranky to spend $24 a pop on mascara every month, despite my failed attempts (and multiple returns) to find a decent drugstore mascara, nothing came remotely close to my staple Benefit's They're Real Mascara...until now.

Penelope Cruz in W...and Polyvore

Bella! by divadebbi 

Penelope Cruz  graces the cover of W Magazine's September fashion issue. I think she is ravishingly gorgeous.

The photography in this issue is stunning, though I can see very little correlation to clothing and hence; fashion.

The current Editor, Stefano Tonchi, has a curious predilection for mice type.  I might not be able to spot my mother across an auditorium, but I do pride myself on being able to read the N.Y. Times sans reading glasses...This makes me crazy. One question.  WHY???  If Tonchi's goal is to wipe out an entire demographic, I think he is succeeding beyond his wildest hopes.

So, I no longer read W., because I can't... I just look at the pretty pictures.  As their 40th anniversary approaches, they showed some wonderful shots of the swans who frequently graced their pages, Jacqueline de Ribes, Jackie O., Pat Buckley, Nancy Kissinger, C.Z. Guest, Gloria Vanderbilt et al.

It made me miss the days of former editor Patrick McCarthy and founder John Fairchild's reign, when we saw plenty of fashion.  Every issue finished with 'Countess Louise J. Esterhazy' (aka J.F.) hilariously griping and skewering Society, always evening the score. (FYI: There is an enjoyable article about the always mischievous and brilliant Mr. Fairchild in September's Vanity Fair.)

I have always loved you...

I have always loved you... by divadebbi 

One of the many things that I love about Polyvore is discovering new designers that were previously not on my radar.

I fell hard for this exquisite silk bustier top by Alexis Mabille, a new name to add to my wish list repertoire.  In the interim, I can play on Polyvore and create sets around all the things that make my heart skip a beat.

I hope you are enjoying them as well...

xox,
DD

I wish I had an unlimited shoe budget...

I wish I had an unlimited shoe budget... by divadebbi featuring bootie boots

My Polyvore creation today.  The title says it all.

xox,
DD

EmerginC Lavender Toner: Do you need this?

EmerginC Lavender Toner $29

When one of my P.R. pals at Crier Beauty inquired whether I wanted to sample EmerginC's new Lavender Tone, created especially for sensitive skin, my first thought was, "no, not really."

It's not that I have anything against toners--I used them for years.  I often found, that despite scrupulous cleansing, I still would see makeup remnants on a toner soaked cotton ball.

What changed?  My love affair with my Clarisonic Mia, which truly DOES get the dirty deed done.  I wrote back explaining I was taking a pass, when my pal informed me she is also a Clarisonic devotee.  She assured me that I too would love this lovely lavender toner.  O.K. Twist my arm...

Pretty little things...

Pretty little things... by divadebbi 

My peplum obsession continues...I found this dress on Pinterest, but the designer was not credited.  I think it is stunningly perfect.  I love the archictectual detail and the rich, smokey blue hue.   I thought this Givenchy bag paired beautifully with it.

I created the rest of the set in a dreamy state, thinking of pretty things.  Now I will be on a mission to find out who the mystery designer is.

If anyone has a clue, please be kind enough to clue me in...they don't call them wish lists for nothing...

xox,
DD