Fashion Blogger: Good Morning Sunshine!

Fashion Blogger: Good Morning Sunshine! by divadebbi featuring Pier 1 Imports

Alexander Wang white blouse, $585 / Dolce Gabbana yellow skirt / Paul Andrew white sandals / Dolce Gabbana hand bag / Marni belt, $355 / Dr Hauschka dr hauschka lipstick / Stila eyeliner / Marc Jacobs fragrance / Pier 1 Imports floral decor

L'Oreal's Root Cover Up

L'Oreal's new Root Cover Up Spray (aka Root Magic in Europe)
$10.99 or thereabouts

I remembered reading that L'Oreal was planning to enter the 'Spray the Grey Away' arena a few months back, an alas, it has hit finally hit the shelves.  I had it in hand today and then opted to read some reviews, ask for your weigh ins and to at least finish up the can of my old standby, EverPro's Gray Away first, before purchasing it.

Newly repackaged Gray Away, lives on in infamy under my Most Popular Posts.   And why not?  To date, 43,643 people have viewed it!  I contacted their PR peeps a few years back..."You know, I informed them, if you Google you, I come up first.  At that point 15,000 people at read it.  I thought maybe as a quid pro quo, they would send me a case or two.  I readied my garage expecting to make room for my bounty...No need it turned out.  The two cans they sent fit nicely in my mailbox.

Seriously??? Yup. Thanks for the love.

Happy Easter Lovelies!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!!!

xox,
DD

Review: Givenchy Ombre Couture Waterproof Cream Eyeshadows

Ombre Couture - Nude Plumetis No. 14

$26

I was at Sephora recently and spotted Givenchy's very lovely Ombre Couture Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow, available in 10 subtle shades.  It occurred to me, that I have never used a cream eye shadow on my lids or crease.  Why, I have no earthly idea.  Probably, because powder shadow simply dominates the category.

I first tried Nude Plumetis #14 on my lid.  I was amazed how nicely it glided over my existing makeup and how instantly refreshed and alert I looked. I loved the texture and how it created a fresh canvas and what looked like more lid to work with.

Wowza!

Fashion Blogger: Romping Around

Fashion Blogger: Romping Around by divadebbi featuring silk flowers

Charlie May long sleeve tee / Valentino jump suit, $2,820 / Jessica Simpson nude pumps / Maison Margiela hand bag / Borsalino hat, $220 / Pink wallpaper / Pier 1 Imports floral decor / OKA silk flower, $5.65

No Hippy Chick

No Hippy Chick by divadebbi featuring Yves Saint Laurent

MSGM crop top, $265 / River Island a line skirt, $17 / Ivanka Trump suede shoes / Yves Saint Laurent messenger bag / Prada sunglasses, $215 / Nars cosmetic / Beauty product

Review: Nuance Salma Hayek Natural Definition Angled Brow Pencil

Nuance Salma Hayek Natural Definition Angled Brow Pencil

$9.99 at CVS Drugstore's Nationwide

Here's the thing about self sharpening brow pencils; one day it's loaded, the next day it's not...nada.  A little warning would be nice.

What ran out was my NYX Micro Brow Pencil, a really good dupe for Anastasia's Brow Wiz for a fraction of the price. On the last lap of my CVS run with zero time to spare, I remembered I needed my eyebrows back.

I stumbled up Nuance Salma Hayek Natural Definition Angled Brow Pencil in Medium Dark.  Good enough...or so I hoped.

Pretty

Pretty by divadebbi featuring Pier 1 Imports

Emilio Pucci mini dress, $595 / Alexandre Birman leather sandals / RED Valentino shoulder bag, $1,110 / Renee Lewis diamond jewelry / Narciso Rodriguez fragrance, $55 / Antique white furniture / Barclay Butera handmade rug / Pier 1 Imports floral decor

Taj

Taj by divadebbi featuring strappy sandals

Alice Olivia peasant blouse, $440 / Etro pants, $815 / Aquazzura strappy sandals / Isaac Reina man bag, $1,225 / Renee Lewis pearl jewelry

Bare Minerals: Chase Your Dreams Marvelous Moxie Lipstick

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
in Chase Your Dreams
$18

I love my Girlfriends, really, I do.  I am blessed with a large posse who I know, truly have my back, as well as my face and hair.  If they are calling me out, I am all ears. If you have trusted sibs or pals who have your best interest at heart, listen up! Sometimes, they are a better mirror than your own.

Case in point, I was having breakfast with my friend Monica a few weeks ago.  "Your lipstick is too dark", she admonished between bites of her eggs.  Really??? Here I thought I had finally found "the one" in MAC's Amplified Lip Cream. "Yes. You can find something with depth that's a hair softer."

I could see Monica's point, but I knew it was a tall order...I have tried lighter shades and with my large, dark eyes, I tend to look like a classic Alien sketch; all eyes and no mouth.

I stumbled upon Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Chase Your Dreams, during my newly sparked mission at Ulta. It is part of a set, but can be purchased on its own.  It is also part of a, "limited edition", two words that strike fear in my heart and kick start my hoarder gene...What if I love it??? Should I buy three???

Review: Almay Oil Free Makeup Eraser Sticks

Almay Oil Free Makeup Eraser Sticks

$6.49

Did I really need to buy these???  Kind of... I have not yet abandoned my quest to perfect a classic cat eye.  I even asked one of my colleagues, Shell, the Picasso of lining, for a lesson.

Shell asked to see all the liners I had with me; two kohl pencils, an eye pencil, a liquid liner and a gel liner with a built in brush.  None past muster. Shell's favorite is a felt tip liner that is part of the Revlon ColorStay Collection. She settled, sighing with using the gel with the built in brush.

Apparently, what tutorials don't tell you about creating a cat eye, is that they are like fingerprints; no two are alike. So if you, like me have watched countless Bridget Bardot and Sophia Loren YouTube videos on how to achieve this look, you're never getting that time back.  It's all about your individual eye shape.

We practiced. A lot.  It was messy business, which we tried to make neater with  my less than pristine Q-Tips, dipped in a cap of Poland Springs.  After 15 minutes, with thoughts of conjunctivitis running through my head,  Shell was satisfied with my handiwork.

So, when I spotted Almay Oil Free Makeup Eraser Sticks on a recent Bed Bath and Beyond run, I thought these might come in really handy, so I tossed them in my overflowing  cart.

Fashion Blogger: Winter to Spring

Fashion Blogger: Winter to Spring by divadebbi featuring a light grey area rug

RED Valentino embroidered top, $575 / Marni wool skirt, $985 / Sergio Rossi high heel booties / 3 1 Phillip Lim burgundy purse / Renee Lewis pearl drop earrings / Liquid eyeliner / Bobbi brown cosmetic / Light grey area rug / Pier 1 Imports flower stem

Two from Target; Did they make the grade?

Maybelline's The Blushed Nudes
$14.99

I love clever marketing.  Some guru at Target, realized that if you give away generic drugs cheaply, making the back of the store pharmacy, a must-go-to destination for prescription pick-up, increased sales would follow. My 90 pill script may cost 10 bucks, but I've never left Target with less than a 3 digit receipt.

Thats's genius.

Cosmetics, inevitably are included in my haul.  Maybelline's The Blushed Nudes keeps popping up on a lot of beauty editorial and bloggers must-have drugstore beauty buy lists.

It certainly is nicely packaged, and upon closer inspection, the colors do appear soft and wearable. O.K....I finally caved.  In the cart it went.

Living for the Weekend

Living for the Weekend by divadebbi featuring blue rugs

Michael Kors turtleneck sweater, $1,020 / Balmain short skirt / Victoria Beckham tote handbag, $1,910 / NuLOOM blue rug

Flash Back Friday and Happy Anniversary to Moi!

Almay Eyeliner Pencil

As I too quickly found my way to the bottom of my Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Crayon,  I thought back to the archives and looked for a post that I written before about Almay's Eyeliner Pencil,  which I have purchased, happily, a zillion times before.

It was then I remembered I was coming upon, or just passing the anniversary of my blog DivaDebbi. Scrolling back, through some 2100 posts, I found the very first, "Just Getting Started" dated March 9, 2008.  (Here's a link if your curious on how this all began).  8 years and still going strong! Oh, if I only had a nickel for every time one of you went out and purchased my latest love, but alas, I still do it mainly for sheer enjoyment. I do consider myself the ultimate Girl's Girl, so it is my pleasure to share with my worldwide readers, instead of an email blast to my friends, which preceded my Blog.

Anyway, I digress.  Why I can't just stick with a good thing once I find it, I don't know...I'm trying, really trying to not budge from my Holy Grail list. This easy glide on pencil, with its lovely self sharpening narrow tip, truly is budge proof and budget friendly.

Fashion Blogger: Spring Trends/Pleats

Fashion Blogger: Spring Trends/Pleats by divadebbi featuring flower stems

Alexander McQueen victorian shirt, $1,700 / Gucci mid calf skirt / Sophia Webster pink sandals, $470 / Chanel structured handbag / Pier 1 Imports flower stem / London Photography Pastel Houses, England Travel Photo, Home Decor,...

Fashion Blogger: Cut it Out

Fashion Blogger: Cut it Out by divadebbi featuring a light gray rug

Miss Selfridge maxi dress, $40 / Gianvito Rossi peep-toe boots, $950 / J W Anderson tote handbag / 14k earrings / Erdem circle glasses / Light gray rug / Pier 1 Imports floral decor

Review: Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover

Clinique Take the Day off Makeup Remover
$19

Jeez...where have I been???

I knew I would be spending a few days at my sister Loren's NYC apartment and for once, I truly needed to pack light.  While I have mastered the art of packing a well coordinated travel wardrobe, the really heavy baggage is my makeup and cosmetics.

Where but  for staying with my sister, could I strike the following off my list:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Blowdryer
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant (Yup, your Italian roll-on Sis, sorry)
• Serum
• Facial Cleanser
• Shower Gel
• Body Moisturizer
• Dry Bar Shower Cap
• Post-Shampoo Hair Treatment
• Eye Makeup Remover

I'd clock that in at least 7 lbs...

What blew me away, was the ease at which Clinique's Take the Day Off Makeup Remover, really did.  Mascara, waterproof eyeliner? Gone in seconds without a bit of tugging. All of it. Wowza!

How did I know I found my new Holy Grail Makeup Remover??? When I woke up in the morning with virgin clean eyelids, no smudgy raccoon eyes, that somehow always surface, despite my diligence, when whatever remained the night before fuses with my eye cream.

Eureka!

Thank you Sis, for all your TLC, fabulous cooking and vodka laced cranberry juice and seltzers. YOU are simply the best, and your stash is second only to mine. And of course you know, if the roles were reversed, mi casa is su casa, always.

Much love and xox,

DD

P.S. That Italian roll-on deodorant, it turns out, his the provenance of my sister's significant other...Apologies Earl. It was divine!

Fashion Blogger: Old School Redux

Fashion Blogger: Old School Redux by divadebbi featuring paris wall art

Bill Blass white fitted dress / Gianvito Rossi black leather booties, $715 / Givenchy summer handbag / Chanel paris wall art, $6.20

Fashion Blogger: Delicately

Fashion Blogger: Delicately by divadebbi featuring white handbags

Ted Baker short sleeve dress, $425 / Stuart Weitzman high heel sandals, $585 / Bottega Veneta white handbag, $1,355 / Benefit powder blush

Fashion Blogger: Less is More

Fashion Blogger: Less is More by divadebbi featuring faux flowers

Etro pink top, $1,115 / Jitrois leather skirt, $1,475 / Aquazzura leather sole shoes, $680 / Zipper bag / Aurélie Bidermann mother of pearl earrings / Charlotte Tilbury makeup brush, $85 / Ilia lipstick / Faux flower

Glamour's 16 Most Wearable Spring Trends

Photo courtesy of Glamour.com

Glamour.com did a very nicely edited round-up, including what they consider to be the, "must-have" fashion trends for spring.  Do I think you "must-have" patchwork work prints, that hark back to Little House on the Praire??? Certainly not. Ditto for "pajama dressing" and I was surprised and grateful not to see bomber jackets on the list.

What do I like?  Stripes, always, micro-pleats, tiered ruffles, paperbag waists, (perfect for pear shaped Girls with tiny waists and a 'lil junk in the trunk", ticking stripes, cold shoulders and sequins, particularly the latter two since I just purchased a black sequin, cold shouldered Donna Karan gown for the upcoming Red Cross Ball. Yippee! Done and done.

Take a peek here to view the complete slideshow for yourself. Overall, nicely done!

xox,
DD

Fashion Blogger: Less is More

Faahion Blogger: Less is More by divadebbi featuring silk flower bouquets

Etro wrap top, $1,100 / Jitrois high waist skirt, $1,450 / Aquazzura zip shoes, $675 / Leather rucksack / Aurélie Bidermann tear drop earrings / Charlotte Tilbury makeup brush, $84 / Ilia lipstick / Silk flower bouquet

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card Academy Awards 2016

#OscarsSoWhite. Well, we knew it would be an interesting night, as all eyes and ears were on Chris Rock opening monologue at the Oscars. Interesting too, that if the Oscars are "so white" a black host was chosen long before the nominations were announced.  Rock wasted no time getting down to business, perfectly skewering Hollywood for it's underrepresentation of minorities in the business. According to Rock, if the Academy had voted on who would host, Neil Patrick Harris would be standing there instead. Touche...We got it, but the jokes grew tiresome and less funny as the night wore on. #SometimesLessIsMore. Ya know???

It was a somewhat dull night, to some extent because the nominated films were not blockbusters, but for the most part, small independent films. Translation? Not a lot of people saw them.  The Red Carpet was a tepid affair too, even the duds were few and far between damn it. Leo of course, got what he deserved. Happily.

Trends included shimmering sequins, trains and strapless gowns...now let's get to it.


A+

Magnificent Cate Blanchett in magnificent Armani Prive.
Breathtaking.

Charlize Theron, always stellar.  Here in Dior with Harry Winston jewels.
Sublime.

A Team

Julianne Moore in Haute Couture Chanel.
I would have loved it more in navy, but still stunning.

Jennifer Garner, never more stunning than in this one shoulder
sequin trimmed "revenge" gown.
Well played.

Margot Robbie, languorous in liquid gold Tom Ford. 

Saorise Ronan in and exquisite emerald green Calvin Klein gown
in homage to Ireland

Isla Fisher, lovely in Marchesa

The dependably gorgeous Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

Jason Tremblay in Armani. The kid is a cross between George Clooney and Cary Grant.
And boy, the boy can act.  One to watch.

The B Team

Brie Larsen is Gucci.  I felt the belt and color overwhelmed the
dress and Brie. Awful hair. Wonderful work in The Room. Congrats
to the new J. Law

Alicia Vikkander and Belle from Beauty in the Beast in Louis Vuitton.

She has had an OUTSTANDING awards season. This to me was a rare miss.

Sophia Vergara must have a sleeve allergy. Never seen her anything
but strapless. Nicely, this is more fluid than her usual bombshell
numbers, but the result is world's most gorgeous Mother of the Bride

Jennifer Lawrence's Dior had a vaguely moulin rouge vibe to me.
Not bad, not her best, just like the tepid Joy she starred in.

Rooney Mara in Couture Givenchy.
I wanted to love it. Somehow she looks a bit
like an angelic Victorian Christmas tree ornament
that could be hung from her top knot.

The C Team

The Bridesmaids, Tina and Reese

Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier.
Loved the color and the cut but the wrinkled fabric cheapened it.

Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren
"and up from the ground came a bubbling crude...."

The D List

Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell for Georgia O'Keefe

Patricia Arquette. Happily, she didn't do a face plant.
Top. Heavy.

The F Team

Amy Poehler as Madame Butterfly

Kerry Washington in Versace for the Pleasure Chest

Olivia Wilde in pleated Valentino Coverall's.
Sorry, not a fan of side boobage

Heidi Klum, who, along with Christina Hendricks, have never gotten
it right on the RC.  My offer now stands for both;
I will style you for free and pay my own expenses.
NO ONE over the age of 8 could covet this dress.

So there, you have it Lovelies...8 minutes passed my deadline. Hope it's still worthy of a peek.  See you at the Emmy's.

Night night...

xox,
DD