xox Pinking of You

xox Pinking of You by divadebbi featuring a pearl chain necklace

Jason Wu halter top, $1,960 / Nina Ricci / Marni skirt / Le Silla leather shoes / Chanel handbag / Wet Seal pearl chain necklace / Shiseido pink eye makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics pink blush, $27 / French Stamp Postmark Post Mark Pope Palace Letter Digital Download...

Rosie comes home: Polyvore Top Sets 6/28/13

Rosie comes home by divadebbi 

I was happily surprised to see that one of my sets was chosen by the Polyvore editorial team to feature on their home page today.  

Personally, I have created other sets that I thought might be more deserving, but then again, I'm not alone with my Girl Crush on the magnificent Rosie Huntington-Whitely.  Her street style is infamous, but can you imagine any other mortal looking this fabulous after a long flight???

Actually, I can--Olivia Palermo:  

 

And then God broke the mold...

xox,

DD

Burt's Bees Radiance Products: Buzz Worthy and Fit for a Queen

Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion
with Royal Jelly
$9

I received a sample of Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion with Royal Jelly recently from my friends at Tractenberg P.R.  I like Burt's Bees products...they rarely disappoint.

I am always looking for a high quality, price friendly body lotions since I use them with abandon.  This one, is, in a word, delicious.

The texture is a bit thin,  but silky.  It smells heavenly, absorbs quickly and since it contains mica, a light reflecting mineral, it leaves you glowing.

It is infused with Royal Jelly and Sunflower Oil. The star is definitely the Royal Jelly, the same substance that is fed to Queen Bees.  Royal Jelly is packed with, "8 essential amino acids, Niacin, Folic Acid and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, and E."

The other product I received was Burt's Bees Radiance Facial Cleanser:

Summer Love

Summer Love by divadebbi 

Well it certainly didn't feel like it in many parts of the country this weekend, but hopefully your Memorial Day was brighter (and warmer.)

I love every season except winter.  I particularly long for the summer months, when we have the gift of light, which makes every day and evening seem like an opportunity to do more of whatever makes you happy.

Wishing you a summer of joy...

xox,
DD

Pretty/Sweet

Pretty/Sweet by divadebbi featuring high heels

Valentino cutout dress / Giuseppe Zanotti high heels / Lanvin / Lancôme / By Terry lip makeup

Just Love...

Just Love... by divadebbi featuring a black patent leather handbag

Dolce & Gabbana dolce gabbana dress / Lulu Guinness black patent leather handbag / Tom Ford / Pier 1 Imports - Artificial Apple Blossom Spray

Shades of Blue

Shades of Blue by divadebbi featuring la perla

By Malene Birger genuine leather jacket, $755 / TIBI skirt / La Perla / Chloé t-bar shoes / Valentino studded tote / Cl 233 de Peau Beaut 233 eyeshadow / Dolce & Gabbana makeup, $60 / Dolce & Gabbana lip makeup / Chantecaille smudge proof eyeliner / Annick Goutal eau de perfume / Topshop grey nail polish, $7.55

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty by divadebbi featuring la perla

Victoria, Victoria Beckham short lace dress / Nina Ricci pullover sweater / La Perla bra / Alexander McQueen zipper boots / Hermès pink handbag / Bee Charming long necklace / Tinley Road cabochon ring / Victoria's Secret lip stain / Lanvin edp perfume / La Perla , $54

TotalBeauty: Beauty Picks That Are Coming Up Roses

TotalBeauty was the first beauty media site to publish DivaDebbi.  I have always liked the site for its unbiased reader rated reviews and their beauty roundups, which I find irresistible.   What did make me crazy was the layout of the site and its tediously slow mechanics.  Well someone is on the ball, the crisp new site is easier and faster to navigate, so I will be sharing articles with you more frequently...now if I can just find where they put my Blog.... Makeup Picks That Are Prettier Than a Dozen Roses

Who needs a dozen long-stems when you can have these pretty rose beauty picks?

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article Flowers are a lovely gesture … until about day three. The petals start to wilt, the stems start to droop, and before you know it, your only options are the garbage can or making second-rate potpourri for your once-gorgeous roses. That's why we're turning to pretty, rose-inspired makeup. These makeup picks are a great gift to give, and great gifts to receive. Rosy shades are not only classic, but they also look good on everyone. Click ahead to see the prettiest picks that will outlive an actual bouquet by months -- if not years. See beauty picks

Rosie comes home

Rosie comes home by divadebbi featuring logo hats

Rag & Bone / Mary Katrantzou oversized coat / MOTHER skinny fit jeans / Christian Louboutin patent shoes / Jean Shop , $1,195 / Borsalino logo hat / Lancôme / Napoleon Perdis pencil eyeliner / Delphi Butterfly Salad Plate, $10

Review: Spa Sonic Skin Care System

Spa Sonic Skin Care System
$39.99- $59.99
Do your Internet due diligence!

The Spa Sonic Skin Care System was sent to my friend Kari Solyntjes who writes Fab Over Forty, to review.  Kari's reviews are a daily must read for me and I have long regretted waiting as long as I did to purchase a Clarionic Mia after she raved about it.

What intrigued me most about the Spa Sonic was the large brush head that comes with it. I sometimes bring my Mia into the shower to use on my face, neck and decollote, but what I really wanted was a device I could leave in the shower.  Clarisonic Plus does have a large brush head, but it is a separate unit and I am not springing for $225 on it.  Even I have a limit to my indulgence.

The Spa Sonic sounded like it might just fit the bill and Kari blessed it, so I ordered it...

Be Your Best Self...

Be Your Best Self... by divadebbi 

Don't Box Me In

Don't Box Me In by divadebbi featuring a bauble necklace

Miu Miu dress / Tucker bustier top / Charlotte Olympia platform shoes / MSGM / Kate Spade bauble necklace / Bracelet bangle / Napoleon Perdis lip liner / Topshop / Kate Spade perfume / Kevyn Aucoin beauty product

Zig Zag: Ottavio Missoni 1921-2013

Zig Zag by divadebbi 

The fashion world said goodbye to one of the great icons of design, Ottavio Missoni, Patriarch of the Missoni fashion empire, he died at 92 this week.  Ottavio and his bride Rosita, celebrated their 60th anniversary on May 1st.

A man of many talents, he was also an Olympic hurdler and competed in the 1948 games. Mr. Missoni was a master colourist and textile designer.  His spectacular mixes of zigs, zags, stripes, dots and vibrant color strongly influenced fashion and were also highly regarded for their artistic merit.

In 1997, the Missoni's handed the reigns to their 3 children Vittorio, Angela and Luca.  Their vigor and vision helped grow Missoni into a successful lifestyle brand, that includes Home, Hotels, car interiors and a blockbuster collaboration with Target stores last year.

Sadly, this past January, Vittorio Missoni, their eldest son, his wife, two passengers and two crew members disappeared in a plane over the islands near Venezuela.  The plane wreckage was recovered, but not the bodies were never found.

Rest in Peace Ottavio and Vittorio.  Your family has brought beauty and joy to this world and your legacy lives on.

xox,

DD

Chaos: Punk to Couture

Punk to Couture by divadebbi

Yesterday was a perfect NYC day. Sunny, blue skies and crisp.  I met my sister Loren at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where we enjoyed a lovely Birthday lunch at the Petrie Court Cafe and Wine Bar which overlooks Central Park and the Sculpture Garden that they bequeathed.

We wanted to see the new Costume Institute Exhibit Chaos: Punk to Couture.  I'm not sure anything can ever eclipse the blockbuster Alexander McQueen exhibit from 2011.  McQueen's genius was singular, but it was expertly curated for the viewer to understand the influence of early 80's punk.

There were some exquisitely executed designs represented by Mcqueen, Vivien Westwood, Maison Martin Margiela, Dolce & Gabanna and Prada. The days influence resonated with me in the Polyvore set I created above.

Even more interesting was the exceptional Impressionism Fashion and Modernity, which chronicles the influence of fashion on art in Paris during the period of 1860- 1880.

It closes on May 27th.  If you are in the NY area, I highly recommend seeing it before it leaves.  Glorious.

We walked back along 5th Avenue which has a lovely residential feeling between the Met and 59th St., with exquisitely manicured Co-ops on one side and Central Park on the other.

We said our goodbyes and as I headed towards Grand Central, I saw the incomparable Bill Cunningham on his bicycle stopped at a light on 42nd St.  He looked up and we exchanged smiles.  I perched my hands in prayer and nodded to a familiar stranger, whose videos of NY fashion I devour every Sunday in the NY Times.

Like I said, a perfect NYC day.  To my darling Sis, I love you madly and I wish you a Happy Birthday this and always.  We have long shared a vision of us in the future,  arm in arm, two old ladies perched on the Fifth Avenue bus.  We are not there yet, but the vision remains...of course there is always Paris...

xox,
DD

The Angelina Effect: Silver Linings

Me and  some of my beautiful friends at this year's Breast Cancer Alliance 
Luncheon and Fashion Show. I was honored to be a featured speaker.

I received so many beautiful emails from friends about my blog on my reaction to Angelina Jolie's public announcement that she underwent a prophylactic mastectomy,(http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2013/05/you-were-angelina-before-angelina-dr.html) just as I did 13 years ago. My family, friends and employers were incredibly supportive during one of the most physically and emotionally trying times of my life.  None of you are forgotten to me, because I couldn't have fared as well without you.

I just wanted to share two, of many, that mean the world to me.  The first is written my dear, dear friend Ilissa, who is every bit as gorgeous on the inside as she is on the outside:

1. 

   Ilissa, Diva and Jill 

   When I chose to do my surgery, I only told a handful of my closest friends and clients with the information.  I had no doubt, that I was making the right choice for me and my family, but my son was only 7 at the time and I couldn't bear for my private life to in any way become P.T.A. fodder. Ilissa supported me unconditionally and always respected my privacy and wish for confidentiality. She made a difficult time lighter and I will always love and remember her specially for it.
   

Ibiza Hair Brushes: In a word??? WOW

Ibiza Extra Large Round Brush
$48

I had my hair colored the other day. My Colorist extraordinaire Christopher Hornauer and his adorable Assistant Jenna at Warren Tricomi in Greenwich brought my sun faded tresses back to life. (I guess next time we vacation I will have to wear a Pith helmet instead of a straw hat.)

One of the things that I appreciate about having my hair colored at Warren Tricomi  is their well stocked blow dry bar, for times when you want to DIY.  This time, there was a ton of product, 3 dryers, but just one paddle brush, so I asked the first all black clad passerby if she might be able to supply a round brush.

She came back with a well worn brush that reminded me of, well, a toilet brush. "Will this be O.K.?"  "Oh, just perfect", I replied cheerfully...Uh boy.

Angie the Angel

Angie the Angel by divadebbi

"You were Angelina before Angelina."--Dr. Andrew Ashikari

The wise and beautiful Angelina Jolie after publically
announcing her decision to do a Prophylactic Mastectomy
due to familial high risk and her BrCa 1 mutation

So said my Breast Surgeon, Dr. Andrew Ashikari to me this morning, as I (happily) completed my 35th bi-annual breast exam, 17 years after my breast cancer and 13 years since he performed  my own nipple sparing, subcutaneous prophylactic double mastectomy.  There.  I said it.

Yup.  Me and and Angie are BrCa 1 twins.

Yesterday was a HUGE day for the high risk community.  Angelina Jolie, one of the world's great beauties and biggest stars, announced that she chose to do a prophylactic mastectomy. Because Angelina inherited a BrCa 1 mutation (presumably from her mother, who died of ovarian cancer at 56,) her risks were a staggering 87% chance of getting breast cancer in her lifetime.  As a motherless mother, she chose to enormously reduce her own risk, for the sake of her well being and that of her family.  Bravo Angel Angie!

Much will be made of her advantages of her being able to afford genetic testing.  That's a good thing and something she knows she is appropriately shining a spotlight on.  Myriad Labs has despicably held the high risk community hostage with their patent on these tests, which run about $3000 and is often covered only after much battling with insurance companies, if at all.  

Fashion Week Trend: Over-the-Knee Boots Promoted by Nordstroms

Fashion Week Trend: Over-the-Knee Boots by divadebbi 

I was honored that Nordstrom chose to promote my set on Polyvore. Remarkably, it's been viewed over 100,000 times.  Polyvore is such a powerful Social Media tool.  I am waiting for my P.R. friends to catch up with depth of its reach, to fashionable women from all over the globe...

xox,

DD

Marula Oil: True Beauty

Marula Oil
Available at Sephora:
1 oz. $58
1.69 oz. $78

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my decision to  try Argan Oil, after reading in Allure that it was highly touted by the illustrious N.Y. Dermatologist Dr. David Colbert. Dr.Colbert believes that Argan oil, used before moisturizers and serums increases their efficacy...good enough for me to bee line it to Whole Foods to purchase it.

I liked the results and started doing a bit more research on oils.  One of the oils that kept cropping up with particularly good reviews was Marula Oil available at Sephora and on their own website.

Marula Oil is derived from the nut of the fruit that falls off of East African Marula Trees. The fruit itself is used for jams and juices.  The dried pit that remains are hand selected and cold pressed.  Nothing is wasted and the health of the trees is preserved.

I was curious what the difference between Marula Oil and Argan Oil is.  An explanation is provided below by Dr. Ashton Kaidi, the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who works with founders Katy and Philip Leaky.

How is Marula Oil different than Argan Oil?

Marula Oil has a higher concentration of oleic acid and is rapidly absorbed into the skin avoiding a greasy feel. We also had an independent lab test the antioxidant power of Marula Oil versus Argan Oil. Marula Oil has 50% more anti-oxidants than Argan. Anti-oxidants fight the free radicals can lead to premature aging and skin damage. Marula Oil is also very stable and has a longer shelf life than Argan Oil.

As well, Marula Oil is also vegan, gluten free and not tested on animals.  

I have been using it at night and in the morning before my serums and moisturizers for the last two weeks.  Marula Oil has a pleasant, vaguely medicinal smell that dissipates quickly. The texture is not greasy and it absorbs quickly.  As with Argan Oil, anything I put on after it just melts beautifully on my skin. 

What is the biggest difference I can see???

Backstage Cool

Backstage Cool by divadebbi featuring laura geller

Calypso St. Barth long cardigan / Mink Pink distressed shorts / Marc by Marc Jacobs nude wedge heels / Jérôme Dreyfuss shoulder bag / BCBGeneration vegan bracelet / Topshop chain necklace / Laura Geller / Chanel lip stick / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics / Butterfly Background, $32

Virtual Makeovers: Try It On at Rimmel London

My "Virtual Makeover"
I'm wearing Medium-Dark BB Cream, Light Medium Match Perfection Blush
and Sundance Bronzer

OMG, I LOVE this amazing "app" Rimmel London has added to their website.  It gives you the opportunity to "try makeup on before buying it". You can then share your photos and if you wish save a copy of what products you are wearing.  Brill.

Simply upload a picture of yourself and click on different shades of foundation, lipstick, BB creams, bronzers and blush.  If I was 12, I would probably be cutting school on Monday and playing with my virtual makeup all day.

I received some Rimmel London products from my friends at Tractenberg P.R. this week.  I have long been a Rimmel fan and have purchased it on my own as well as receiving samples.  I think they do an outstanding job of marrying fashion, quality and price.  It is definitely one of my favorite drugstore brands.

Rimmel London BB Cream
$5.99

I'm still intrigued and obsessed with BB and CC creams (I have yet to try a CC cream or really discern the difference, which is described as "Color Correcting". Truly the only color correcting I need is from pale and tired looking to lightly tanned and rested.

• Rimmel London's BB Cream bills itself as a 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup that: 
• Primes,
• Moisturizes 
• Minimizes pores
• Conceals
• Smoothes
• Mattifies
• Brightens
• Protects (with SPF 25)

Lavender Love

Lavender Love by divadebbi 

I have been obsessed with lavender since my Fairytale youth, specifically Ms. Cinderella.  Her story enchanted me.  I had a large picture book that I poured over endlessly.  My favorite part of the story, of course, is when her Fairy Godmother changes her from a rag wearing scullery maid, into a Red Carpet vision.  It looked something like this:

It still resonates.  I love lavender.   I think it is one of the few universally flattering shades that looks well on brunettes, blondes and red heads and all skin tones.  Do you wear lavender???

I always encourage my clients to try any shade of purple as long as it is blue based. You may imagine you "can't wear it", but I promise you, you can...beautifully.

Just remember to be home by midnight...

xox,

DD

You Asked: What to Wear With a Brocade Skirt?

You Asked: What to Wear With a Brocade Skirt? by polyvore-editorial on polyvore

One of the great features about Polyvore is that their editorial staff  helps viewers

navigate the fashion trend minefield every week. This week, one of them was How to Wear Brocade?  

They nicely included one of my sets (beige tones, second look).  If you click through, you will see it as well as some others that were beautifully styled.

Thanks Polyvore!

xox,

DD

The Good LIfe

The Good LIfe by divadebbi featuring burberry

Burberry , $865 / Tommy Hilfiger skinny leg jeans, $140 / Charlotte Olympia embroidered shoes / Maison Martin Margiela tan bag, $1,785 / Hermès caps hat / Hermès colorful scarve / Hermè / Hermè / Napoleon Perdis / Charbonnel Et Walker Marc De Champagne Dark Chocolate Truffles / kristina heart, $5.43

A Closet Case

I spent two hours tonight prepping for my bi-annual closet change. I started with my drawers.  They desperately needed purging.   I have some tank tops that could make their Bat Mitzvah...

I'm trying to be as ruthless with myself these days as I am with my clients.  Truly, I have never missed anything I have given away, donated or consigned. I wrote a blog that was picked up by Glam Media last year on how to tackle your closet switch http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2012/04/divadebbis-suggestion-for-closet.html.  I stand by every word...

I received an email from NewmanPR, about Carolyn Schneider's fifth edition of The Ultimate Consignment and Thrift Store Guide.  She too offered some expert tips on how to efficiently clean your closets.

I thought they were worth sharing with you as well:

1. Separate Your Clothing Into Four Categories:

Category 1-To sell to a consignment store. Is the item classic, a high-end brand, and in great shape?

Category 2-To donate to a thrift store. Is the clothing older, or from a less well-known brand?

Category 3-To reconstruct. Do you love the fabric, color, or pattern? Do you enjoy crafting, and/or having one-of-a-kind pieces?

Category 4-To keep. Some clothes are timeless staples or have emotional attachment, and belong in your closet for good.

2. Organize Your Closet by Seasons: this will make year-round cleaning easier. It will also give you a better sense of what you need to shop for, and what you may have too much of--in which case, see steps 1-3 above!

3. Know What to Consign for Maximum Profit: When choosing items to consign, designer labels will reap most profit. Items for consignment have to be cleaned, pressed, on hangers, and no more than two years old.

4. Learn How to Give and Receive: When donating to thrift shops, put the items you are donating into large plastic bags. At the store, request a receipt for tax purposes. The IRS allows you to deduct fair market value for items, which is the price the items will sell for in the thrift store.

5. Keep an Inventory List of Items you Would Like to Consign and Donate: Getting your different clothing to its new home may not happen all at once. Keep a running list to stay organized, and so you are not cleaning them back out of your closet next spring.

6. Recycle with Style: Don't throw out those ripped jeans, turn them into a new and unique handbag! Reduce waste, save money, and update your style by creating new pieces with old clothing. Browse Pinterest or DIY blogs for ideas and directions.

It's a tedious, thankless task, but it needs to be done and is oddly satisfying when it' all over.  Hopefully our suggestions will give you some motivation.  

My housekeeper is going to need a U-Haul it on Friday...

xox,
DD

Bon Jour

Bon Jour by divadebbi 

Rosie Huntington-Whitely Queen of the Met Gala

Rosie Huntington-Whitely Queen of the Met Gala by divadebbi featuring nude clutches

Alexander McQueen nude clutch / Pull&Bear pull bear, $12 / Thick eyeliner

The Met Gala 2013: Fashion's Biggest Night Out

Chairwoman Anna Wintour arriving at the Vogue sponsored Met Gala

It's the first Monday in May, so as is tradition, tonight is the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala.  Say what you will about the Academy Awards, this is the most important night in American fashion.

Sponsored by Vogue, Anna Wintour is the the Queen of the Hive.  Her honorary Co-Chairs this year are Lauren Santo Domingo, Rooney Mara, Ricarrdo Tisci and Kate Blanchett.

The evening raises millions of dollars to support the Costume Institute and marks opening of their newest exhibit Punk: Chaos to Couture, curated by the insanely talented Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton.

The challenge, is how to make pretty out of 80's fashion that was raw, sexed up and very black...Deborah Harry was the very best of it.

Soap and Glory: Sexy Mother Pucker XL Extreme Plump

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker XL Lip Gloss
$22 Exclusively at Sephora

Soap & Glory used to be exclusive to Target.  The brand was not on my radar, but some of the cheeky names given to their products did ring a bell when I spotted  Soap & Glory in the skincare area of Sephora,  like, "Sexy Mother Pucker XL Extreme Plump Lip Gloss".

It is said as we age, that our lips thin. Fortunately, I think some of the Angelina Jolie lip hysteria has abated. However, women still fret about too thin lips and often look for ways to puff their puckers, from fillers to plumpers.

Here is what Sexy Mother Pucker XL it claims to do:

What it is:
Soap & Glory's super-sizing, extra-strength collagen plumping lip gloss. 

What it is formulated to do:
Give low-volume lips some va va va BOOM with this super-strength XL lip plumping gloss. Sexy Mother Pucker™ XL Extreme Plump is formulated with circulation-enhancing LIPSWELL™ natural plant oil infusion, SUPERFILL™ nanovectors that explode in volume up to 10X when applied to your lips, and VISIVOLUME™ immediate effect lip filler.


Lipswell??? SUPERFILL nanvovectors??? VISIVOLUME??? It all sounds like a lot of marketing rhetoric to me.  I did find, however,  that this clear gloss, which tingles, really tingles, makes my lips look fuller; particularly when worn alone.

Tell me it's not over...

Tell me it's not over... by divadebbi 

DivaDebbi named a RoC Brand Amabassador

I am delighted to have been asked by RoC Skincare  to be one of their Brand Ambassadors, representing a leader in anti-aging beauty.  This is the second year this program is in place and it will afford me access to their full line of products, information from top experts, sneak peeks at new launches and give-away's for you, my loyal readers.

I'm honored and excited.

RoC was founded in 1957 by Dr. Jean-Charles Lissarrague.  The products were sold at the Parisian Pharmacy Roge Cavailles hence the name RoC.  They were the first company to patent a skincare formula that contained Retinol, the leading anti-aging ingredient.

I'm looking forward to learning more about RoC and trying their products.  Naturally, I will keep you posted.  I'm pleased that we are encouraged to include our honest experiences with their products.

This will be fun!

xox,
DD

Pretty in the City

Pretty in the City by divadebbi featuring versaces

La Petite S***** la petite s, $920 / Nina Ricci / Versace s / Alejandro Ingelmo d orsay shoes / Victoria Beckham

Review: M3K Optimized Matrix Regenerative Face Cream

M3K Optimized Matrix Regenrative Face Cream
$39

Other than prescription Retin-A, the most effective cream to reduce fine lines, age spots and speed cellular turnover, there are a few other skin care ingredients that are proven anti-agers. The best creams contain Matrixyl 3000, L-Carnisine, Hyaluronic Acid, DMAE Bitartate and Alpha Lipoic Acid.  

Other star ingredients include Vitamin A, C and E.

I have used creams that contain some of these ingredients, but I've never heard of one that includes all of them; particularly one that is as affordable as M3K Optimized Matrix Regenerative Face Cream.

After reviewing their press material, it immediately peaked my curiosity.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to sample it and share what I hoped would be a fabulous, well priced anti-aging cream with my readers.

Pretty Little Things

Pretty Little Things by divadebbi 

Carey in Bloom

Carey in Bloom by divadebbi featuring vintage dresses

Chanel vintage dress / Alejandro Ingelmo high heel shoes / Chanel / Chanel dangling bracelet / Bare Escentuals makeup / 56 sq. ft. Pink Pastel Acorn Trellis Wallpaper