Review: Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer
$4.95

I must say, for a drugstore brand that is still priced like a drugstore brand, Rimmel London rarely disappoints.

I was in the mood to try a deep navy liner and I am partial to gel eye liner pencils, particularly if it glides on smoothly and stays put.

Deep Ocean #230 fit the bill perfectly.  I also think my eyes looked brighter rimmed in this pretty shade.  Too give it a hair more staying power, I did whisk a bit of deep charcoal shadow with over it with a very skinny brush.

Crop It

Crop It by divadebbi featuring bare escentuals

Ter Et Bantine crop shirt / Short shorts, $260 / Isabel Marant ankle boots / Hermès leather purse / Hermès white dial watch / Pieces rope belt, $3.84 / Bare Escentuals / Laura Geller eyeliner / Pier One Artificial Dogwood Branch

Daniel J. O'Shea: Fulfilling the American Dream

Daniel J. O'Shea
1931-2013

My Father-in-Law, Dan O'Shea passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. Though his health was bit precarious over the last few years, he and my Mother-in-Law Joan, (my discreet grammar editor) still continued to do many of the things they always did, invariably together, over the last 56 years.

Dan is a true American success story.  Born in Brooklyn to Irish immigrant parents, who stressed hard work and education, he graduated Brooklyn Technical High School.  He then served two years in the Marines and when he returned, resumed continuing his education, receiving a B.A. from Brooklyn College, an M.B.A. from Pace University and a Ph.D from N.Y.U.

An impressive accomplishment, by any standard.

He married his beloved, Joan Cleary in 1956, and went on to have a successful career as an economist at I.B.M. for 35 years, also finding time to teach Economics at Pace University.  Before his official retirement, they spent 3 glorious years in Paris while Dan worked abroad. He then consulted for a few years and before deciding to "really" retire, then promptly started his own successful stamp business.

Tout Sweet

Tout Sweet by divadebbi featuring sass bide

Sass & Bide sass bide, $1,045 / Zara heel boots / BCBGMAXAZRIA evening clutch / Benefit makeup, $38 / Max Factor cosmetic, $21 / Marc Jacobs fragrance / Background Rubber Stamps

Work to Do

Work to Do by divadebbi featuring laura geller

Coast sleeveless shirt, $120 / Donna Karan / Alaïa pleated skirt / Giuseppe Zanotti wedge sandals / Asprey alligator purse, $19,105 / Hermès vintage jewelry / Hermès pendant jewelry / Hermès hair accessory / Yves Saint Laurent / Dolce & Gabbana dolce gabbana, $37 / Laura Geller / Charbonnel Et Walker Marc De Champagne Dark Chocolate Truffles / Sia Orchid phalaenopsis, $16

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lash Excess

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lash Excess
$9.95

Have I finally gotten lucky???  I returned the Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara I purchased at CVS...It's their policy to cheerfully accept returns with receipts and I hold them to it.

Still, I was drawn to the cosmetics aisle, always hoping to find that "cheap and cheerful" mascara that will add volume, length, wont clump, doesn't flake, washes off easily and doesn't have a brush sized like a turkey drumstick.

Oh, and did I mention cheap???

Tall order I know, but I keep trying...

Tres Chic

Tres Chic by divadebbi featuring a cashmere pullover

Brunello Cucinelli cashmere pullover, $1,575 / Alexander McQueen honey comb, $260 / Pour La Victoire navy blue high heels / Fendi snake print handbag / Hermès enamel bangle / La Vie Parisienne yellow gold pendant necklace / Bare Escentuals eye shadow / Chantecaille cosmetic / Trish McEvoy gel eyeliner / Pier One Artificial Dogwood Branch

The Hamptons; Home to my Heart

Scarsdale 1986 by divadebbi 

I spent a few days in my beloved Hampton's this week, home to so many happy summers, particularly summers spent on bucolic Shelter Island at my Aunt Dee and Uncle Dick's home on the water.  Family weekends were spent sunning, swimming, playing horseshoes, cooking and watching viciously competitive games of Scrabble between my Aunt and my Mom till 2 a.m.  Blood sport I assure you...

It completely charms me that places like our traditional first stop, the Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen have remained completely unchanged. There is no better ice cream on the planet.  It's the kind of place that everyone goes to, including Hampton's luminaries with their kids and no one gives them a second glance.  

A classic...

Sag Harbor Variety Store

The Sag Harbor Variety Store is another favorite of mine.  My son used to love riding the mechanical car and horse out front.  They are still there and they still cost 25 cents.

A gem...

The American Hotel, Sag Harbor N.Y.

The American Hotel is exactly as I remember it, and you can still savor a glass of good wine and  play backgammon in the evening, as we did on so many nights.

Timeless...

Review: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee
$22

What a gorgeous product this is!  I have been searching for the perfect blush um, forever.  It's quite possible I have actually found it.

Powders can look dry and cakey, stains can be streaky and difficult to apply, creams disappear.  What's a Girl to do?

I was in Sephora a few weeks ago when these new Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee blush pots caught my eye.  Coconut water is having a moment in the skincare world, so I wasn't surprised to see it pop up in the beauty sector.

Coconut Water Cheek Gelee comes in 6 shades: Poppy Paradise, Honeymoon Honey, Pink Escape, Coral Oasis, Berry Bliss and Getaway Red.

Pink Escape had my name on it, so I removed my blush and applied it with my fingers.  The first thing you will notice is a refreshing cool sensation as it hits your skin.  That, it turns out, is the Coconut water instantly hydrating your skin.  It is also infused with Vitamin E rich Argan Oil, another Josie favorite.

Follow Up: Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Mascara
$9.95

I so wanted to love this mascara.  My friend Linda Levy was ecstatic about her lush, long lashes and seeing was believing...

So much so,  I dashed out and purchased it at CVS that afternoon.  What could be better than a mascara that delivers amazing results and can boast about it's good for you properties:

Description

100% of the Total Ingredients are from Natural Origin.

70% of the Total Ingredients are from Organic Farming.

100% Dramatic Volume & Glamour.

OrganiSoy® Moisturizes and helps nourish lashes.

Eco-Olive® a natural antioxidant, shields lashes from harsh environmental aggressors.