Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner
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| Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner $32 |
I have been trying to break my addiction to gel pot liners that require a steady hand and a well coiffed brush. I thought I succeeded when I happened upon Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner not long ago.
It glided on beautifully and cleverly, self sharpened each time you twisted the cap off. I was smitten. I do jump around a bit, so I probably didn't use it everyday, so imagine my shock, when I discovered the twist/sharpen feature was not malfunctioning; I was simply out of product waaaay too soon. I even had an associate at Sephora eyeball it for me...
Yup. No more liner to eyeball. So naturally, I was moving on.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Lash Em Lash & Brow Enhancer
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| Lash Em Lash & Brown Enhancing Serum $70 |
I've been writing my blog for over 6 years now. Those who have journeyed with me have laid witness to my litany of lash trials. Let's see, there has been Latisse,
Neu Lash, RapidLash, RevitaLash, SmartLash, Grande Lash MD and oh yes, Vichy Lift Active Serum (which I am still using, since it conditions them beautifully).
Oh my.
50% of the time, I have experienced significant growth (Latisse, SmartLash, Grande Lash MD) and luscious lashes. I also experienced blood red, itchy eyes that looked and felt like I had ground glass in my corneas. Prying my eyelids open in the morning was no joy either.
When I could take it no longer, I stopped and as I have experienced before, shed all of my new growth after a couple of weeks.
Big Sigh...
Monday, May 26, 2014
Fashion Flash Monday
It's Fashion Flash Monday...sort of. I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend, the official start of summer! We decided to post this later today figuring all of you were out doing fun things.
This week Barbara Gufferman of The Best of Everything After Fifty is hosting Fashion Flash. Fashion Flash has added three new blogs to help round out our group so that we can bring you positive experiences each week in beauty, fashion, health, wellness and joyous living.
Click here to see what we are busy buzzing about.
Enjoy...
xox,
DD
Sunday, May 25, 2014
La Peau Skincare: Perfect Then, Perfect Now
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| La Peau's Blockbuster Skincare Trio Night Day and Eye Creams $235 |
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| The results speak for themselves! |
I have been faithfully been using La Peau Skincare, more or less, for 2.5 years. I do take time out to exhaustively sample other products, but given my druthers, I will loyally purchase La Peau time and again. Why??? It works. My skin literally craves it.
La Peau has a gorgeous gel consistency that your skin will drink up. The first thing you will notice is the glow. Over the next month you will visibly notice a more even skin tone, firmness and diminished fine lines and dark spots.
So will everybody else...
I am proud to be their Brand Ambassador because I so believe in the products and the science behind them. Nicely, I often receive compliments on my skin and I always credit La Peau for helping me look my best every day.
I also adore the fact that the line consists of just 3 products: Age Defying Night Cream-Gel, Hydrating Complex Day Cream-Gel and Soothing and Replenish Eye Contour.
What could be simpler?
Friday, May 23, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub
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| Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub 10.5 oz $55 |
A year or two ago, decided I want to make my own coffee body scrub, and debut it as the first product in DivaDebbi Skincare. I tried many combinations of coffee grounds, sugar, and various oils to see if I could perfect a sustainable concoction. Mostly, I made a mess of my shower, but I still liked the combination of exfoliation and moisture.
Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub beat me to the punch. Nyakio is named for the founders grandmother, who, "worked on a sustainable coffee farm. After spending the day outdoors in the sun, she would boil down beans with honey and the grounds to her skin, using a sugarcane rod to exfoliate and soften her skin".
And I thought I was toiling, mixing stuff up in my pantry...
Nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub is made with coffee beans, sugar, mongongo nut oil, shea butter and jojoba and avocado oil, (damn, if only I had used that mongongo oil). When I was offered the opportunity to sample it, I leaped.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Summer 2014 Kick Off: The Hottest New Self Tanners
As a contributing blogger to TotalBeauty, I'm also a frequent reader. If you are interested in all things beauty, nobody has better roundups, how-to's and reviews, 365 days a year. I'm hooked.
I'm also someone who self tans on everyone of those days. When I got an email about the best new Self Tanners, I stopped in my tracks and prepared to take notes.
I am devoted to Kate Sommerville 360 Body Tanning Towelettes and have gone through at least a dozen boxes. When it comes to doing the math on how much that has set me back, I would rather stick my fingers in my ears, close my eyes and say, "LALALALALALALALALA".
What I was really hoping to score was a few suggestions on "cheap and cheerful" alternatives. I was happy to see two included.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Fashion Flash: Best of Beauty, Fashion, Wellness and Life
It's Fashion Flash
Please click on this link to see what we were up to this week. In case you missed it the first time, I included my flips and flops from the Costume Institute Ball...I don't have another opportunity to snark until the Emmy's in August, so it's worth a peek...in a word?
Oy.
xox,
DD
Saturday, May 17, 2014
The Breast Cancer Alliance: An Organization to Support and Be Proud Of
The other night, Dr. Clifford Huddis and his team at the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center hosted and incredible evening for the Board of Directors and supporters of the Breast Cancer Alliance in New York.
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| One of the brilliant Drs. at MSK, Yonni Wattenmaker Executive Director of the BCA Debbi OShea |
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| Jieun Wax, Nicole Reynolds, Elizabeth Galt and Kathy Clarke BCA Supporters |
The researchers who spoke, were all grant recipients for BCA funded studies. They spoke passionately about their work, their findings and their tremendous gratitude to the BCA. Summaries were presented on their work on Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Metastases, Mutations and Lobular Carcinoma in Situ.
Truly, we are the lucky ones. (You know your getting older when the Drs. all look twelve.)
For those of you who are not familiar with the BCA, here is a brief synopsis of their mission and accomplishments:
The Breast Cancer Alliance (BCA) is the fourth largest non-profit, private funding provider to breast cancer research in the United States. It was founded in 1996 by Mary Waterman.
The mission of the BCA is to fund innovative breast cancer research and to promote breast health through education and outreach. Since its inception, the BCA has awarded over $19 million to fund research and educational and outreach programs within a 200 mile radius of Greenwich.
The board develops relationships with their researchers and their institutions, granting different recipients each year. Last year, due to the success of the annual combined fundraising efforts, they were able to fund 9 research grants.
This is my 6th year on the Fundraising Committee for the BCA. I feel blessed to know so many women on the board, who work tirelessly, really, to make sure that nearly all of the money raised goes to research, education and outreach.
I'm personally grateful, to Yonni, the Board, the Luncheon Chairs, (who knowingly take a on a full time unpaid job for a year) and to the doctors and researchers who come closer everyday to finding a cure for breast cancer.
For two friends, who were recently diagnosed, you and your families are in my head and heart. I wish you both safe surgeries, and speedy recoveries.
All will be well...
xox,
DD
Friday, May 16, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Review: Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray
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| 4 oz. $35 |
I love primers, (though I don't always love adding an additional layer of moisture to my skin before I apply foundation or a BB cream.) The good ones will help you achieve a more flawless makeup application, blur imperfections and help your makeup last longer.
Skindinavia has long been known for their "finishing sprays". I use one that they make in conjunction with a Mary Kay sample I received and I absolutely adore it. My makeup stays completely fresh looking hours after it should have faded.
Naturally I said, "yes please"
Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray comes out in a cool, fine mist. It is vitamin based, silicone free, proven to reduce redness, diminish the "appearance" of fine lines and is appropriate for all skin types.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Tre Jolie
L Agence floral tank / STELLA McCARTNEY pink waist belt / STELLA McCARTNEY highwaist shorts / Aperlai open toe sandals / Charlotte Olympia vintage black purse / Cutler and gross glasses, $495 / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics creamy concealer, $40 / Lip glaze / Givenchy couture perfume / Pier 1 Imports pink home decor / Pier 1 Imports white home decor
Fashion Flash Monday: Beauty, Fashion, Wellness and More
This week Jodell, from Black Cat Plus is hosting Fashion Flash. When it comes to plus size fashion, Jodell has you covered, so be sure to click on her link for her suggestions for Spring and Summer must haves.
What else were we chatting about this week? Click on this link to find out:
- White out; how to safely lighten freckles from your decollete
- Less is more? Wearing less makeup as we age
- Can a waist defining cream really whittle your waist? Take a look
- The best exercises for osteoporosis prevention
- Managing your skin's changes during menopause
- A great makeup wipe explicitly for waterproof eye makeup
- Are you in overdrive? Your adrenal glands made need some TLC
Enjoy!
xox,
DD
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Happy Mother's Day!
I hope all my wonderful family, friends, colleagues and readers had a wonderful Mother's Day. We had a picture perfect day on the East Coast, long overdue, but greatly appreciated.
I know many of you feel as I do, that being a Mother is one of our greatest accomplishments. Remarkably, (though I did not know it until I compared a birth certificates two years later), my son Brendan and I were both born at 2:41 p.m. on a Monday.
The day he was born, the Clinton's were celebrating their first inauguration. I remember watching it and feeling so incredibly proud of myself. I knew I entered a very special club and that my life as I knew it before would be forever changed, but fantastically enriched.
My own Mother, "Joan", who is loving, protective and brave. She also always encouraged us to be independent, though she loved us dearly and her nudges were always harder on her than they were on us. I had a good blueprint for Motherhood, I still treasure her.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Cara & Sylva
A O T C white collar shirt / Clu navy blazer / Sonia by Sonia Rykiel pink shorts / Giuseppe Zanotti sandals / Anya Hindmarch zipper bag, $265 / 18k jewelry / Karen Walker etched glasses, $250 / Charlotte Tilbury bronzing powder, $83 /Marc Jacobs peony perfume, $81 /
Today at Richards, in anticipation of Mother's Day shopping, one of my favorite jewelry designers, Sylva Yepremian spent the day meeting our clients. Of course, I was inspired to create a Polyvore set to celebrate her appearance.
The brooch shown on the blouse above is a gorgeous collaboration of diamonds, rubies and pearls. It can also be worn as a pendant.
Sylva's beautiful, bespoke collection, Sylva & Cie is created in her atelier in Los Angeles. Her unique pieces incorporate her love of antiques and nature. Her eye for color and molten metals makes every piece look like a treasure from another century.
Surprisingly, they still have a wonderful, modern feeling to them. Sylva recently appeared at a luncheon and fashion show at Richards with Derek Lam. The mingling of Sylva's intricate, exquisitely crafted jewels with Derek's clean, contemporary clothing was a tour de force. The audience was wowed!
We are proud to carry her gorgeous designs in all five of our stores. Her designs are also available on Farfetch.
Keep your eyes peeled for Sylva's stunning creations in my DivaDebbi Polyvore sets.
I find beauty irresistible and Sylva & Cie speaks to my soul...
xox,
DD
Today at Richards, in anticipation of Mother's Day shopping, one of my favorite jewelry designers, Sylva Yepremian spent the day meeting our clients. Of course, I was inspired to create a Polyvore set to celebrate her appearance.
The brooch shown on the blouse above is a gorgeous collaboration of diamonds, rubies and pearls. It can also be worn as a pendant.
Sylva's beautiful, bespoke collection, Sylva & Cie is created in her atelier in Los Angeles. Her unique pieces incorporate her love of antiques and nature. Her eye for color and molten metals makes every piece look like a treasure from another century.
Surprisingly, they still have a wonderful, modern feeling to them. Sylva recently appeared at a luncheon and fashion show at Richards with Derek Lam. The mingling of Sylva's intricate, exquisitely crafted jewels with Derek's clean, contemporary clothing was a tour de force. The audience was wowed!
We are proud to carry her gorgeous designs in all five of our stores. Her designs are also available on Farfetch.
Keep your eyes peeled for Sylva's stunning creations in my DivaDebbi Polyvore sets.
I find beauty irresistible and Sylva & Cie speaks to my soul...
xox,
DD
Mio Boob Tube Multi-Action Bust Firmer
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| Mio Boob Tube $48 |
Boob Tube+multi-action bust firmer
defy gravity and treasure your chest
Our famous bust and décolleté firmer just got better! Keeps delicate skin toned, bright and crinkle-free, plus gives super sag protection. Aim North, not South!
• keeps lines and crinkles at bay so thin skin stays smooth
• visibly healthier, fitter, glowing skin within days
• skin brightening actives take years off sun damaged skin
• keeps lines and crinkles at bay so thin skin stays smooth
• visibly healthier, fitter, glowing skin within days
• skin brightening actives take years off sun damaged skin
I adore Mio products and always love the cheeky names and copy that accompanies their products. Here's another delicious thing about them...they work, so I will never decline an opportunity to sample any of Mio's offerings. I have also purchased them on my own. Yes, they are pricey, but you generally don't need more than one pump per day to cover an awful lot of body turf.
Some have recently been reformulated and improved. Boob Tube+ included. I'll admit that my skin on my chest looked so dewy and fresh, (since it's loaded with hyaluronic acid), that I couldn't resist trying it on my face.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
May 8th World Ovarian Cancer Day
May 8th is World Ovarian Cancer Day. Laura Mercier wants to help fight this deadly disease and continue to do so through 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.
Ovarian cancer has long been a part of my own life. As a hereditary breast cancer survivor with familial history of both breast and ovarian cancer in my family, I am well versed on why this disease is often known as, "the silent killer"
Ovarian cancer has long been a part of my own life. As a hereditary breast cancer survivor with familial history of both breast and ovarian cancer in my family, I am well versed on why this disease is often known as, "the silent killer"
The reason is simple and sad. The symptoms of ovarian cancer 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:
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Fashion Flash: Fashion, Beauty, Fitness and Life
Deb from No Nonsense Beauty Blog hosted this week’s Fashion Flash.
She says, “Our bloggers are bursting with new ideas and insights!” Click here to read our full offerings.
Here’s a peek at this week’s Fashion Flash posts:
* Positive Living advocate Barbara Hannah Grufferman thinks there are so many reasons why taking a nice long walk is a really good thing.
* Kari of Fab Over Forty has found an easy way to refresh during the day.
* Have you ever heard of “chicken skin”? Cindy of Prime Beauty points out that those pesky bumps on your upper arms are actually Keratosis Pilaris that can be hard to treat. Not to worry. She has a three step system that gets the job done.
* Does low bone mass mean osteoporosis? Find out the answer from Moving Free with Mirabai.
* Who doesn’t love Paris? Jackie Silver from Aging Backwards has found a way to bring Paris to you.
* Black Cat Plus has an important message – Fat shaming and discrimination are among the last forms of acceptable bullying behaviors and it is necessary to speak up and take a stand.
* Staness of Menopause Makeover wants you to know about the special benefits of cinnamon for women. Not only is does it have anti-inflammatory agents, it also fights fat storage! Its easy to add cinnamon to your life with recipes from her new book Eat Like A Woman ( Harlequin)
* And I shared one of my cheap and cheerful favorites, that holds up well to a pricey favorite of many makeup artists.
Enjoy!
xox,
DD
DivaDebbi's Met Gala 2014 Fashion Report Card
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. (For the record, this was my intro to last years Met Gala blog...I thought it held up well so I used it again.)
Sponsored by Vogue, Anna Wintour is the the Queen of the Hive. Her honorary Co-Chairs this year are Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradley Cooper, Aerin Lauder and Johnathan and Lizzie Tisch.
The event marks the opening of the Charles James exhibit (May 8th-August 10th) The Anglo-American designer, though not formally trained, created exquisite couture quality dresses and revolutionary ball gowns, thus earning his reputation as one of America's greatest designers.
As such, Anna wanted this to be a more formal night, requesting the men in attendance to don white tie and the women to consider high end vintage looks and long gloves. She may have had another motive for wanting everyone to look their best; this evening no less than First Lady Michele Obama was on hand to cut the ribbon on the newly named and renovated Anna Wintour Costume Center.
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| Michelle Obama and Anna Wintour (I can't imagine anyone hugging Anna and for that matter, Michele. What an odd photo opp.) |
Anna of course looked divine in Chanel,completely nailing the marriage of modern and all out glam perfectly.
There were a few gowns that left me breathless, but overall there were some horrible ones, too many to list and those who simply looked under dressed in short dresses, unbefitting of the dress code, occasion and $25k per person ticket (a hefty 15k bump) I will be adding some tomorrow to the A and F lists, but right now it is heavily weighted towards the latter.
The Fabulist: My faves were in shades of blue and blush, tones that James himself adored.
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| Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa BAM!!! |
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| Suki Waterhouse in Burberry Prossum |
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Taylor Swift in Oscar de la Renta |
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| Blake Lively in Gucci |
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| The always flawless Diane Kruger in Hugo Boss |
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| Bee Shaffer (Anna's daughter) in Alexander McQueen Regal! |
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| Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta |
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| Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture |
The Fails-