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Check out what master celeb hair stylist Roy Teeluck has created using Nexxus hair products! Simply STUNNING styles that are easy to do. How easy? Just a couple products and a few steps. We have the 1-2-3 step charts AND the videos.. Get Gorge-- GET NEXXUS on the LA Story Blog !!
Stevie Wilson
A toast to...you! Salut!
Prosit Neujahr! С Новым годом! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Gëzuar vitin e ri! Shnorhavor nor tari! Urte berri on! Sretna nova godina! Pace e salute! šťastný nový rok! Godt nytår! Onnellista uutta vuotta! Bonne année! Gilotsavt aral tsels! Selamat tahun baru! laimīgu Jauno gadu! Feliz año nuevo! Szczęśliwego nowego roku! Mwaka mzuri! Naya saal mubarik...and last, but not least, Happy New Year!
- Lesley Scott
(photo: holidaynotes.com;Happy New Year translations: Freelang.net)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
FabSugar has the scoop on the best party looks for all types of fashionistas such as a Kate Hudson-inspired Rock n' Roll ensemble and an American Beauty (think Reese Witherspoon).
New Year's Party looks for snobs of every taste and budget! [Bag Snob]
Gorgeous & golden super-fantastic skimmers guaranteed to keep holiday feet happy. [The Manolo]
Get Your New Years Eve groove on with a fabulous menu from Chef Vanessa! Party on with great food and super ideas on what to serve. [L.A. Story]
Cute stuff to help you keep your New Year's resolutions. [Omiru]
Who can resist a handbag giveaway? Hurry and sign up for the eBelle5 Holiday Handbag Giveaway brought to you by Elliott Lucca.
FASHION:
A happy global warming to you from Diesel. [The Shophound]
Jumpstart your chic New Year's resolutions with timeless & invaluable fashion advice. [Glamour on a Budget]
For parties, dates, or whenever you need to channel your inner wild beast, try a leopard wrap dress. Beyonce shows how it's done [Fashiontribes]
Coquette picks the best large bags to fit any kind of budget.
Second City Style shows you how to wear a dress with jeans and not look like a teenager. It can be done.The Fox Trot Christian Louboutin peep toe with its golden sole is courting the love from Kristopher Dukes.
The Jewelry Weblog looks back and forward a little at jewelry trends of 2006.Extra! Extra! American Apparel sells out! [Trashionista]
BEAUTY:
eBeautyDaily rates the Best of 2006 Beauty.
Blogdorf Goodman also weighs in on the best beauty products of the year.
What are your fave beauty products of the year? Compare your list with Beautiful Makeup Search.
Hits, misses, almost rans & certified home runs. Now Smell This looks back at the year in fragrance & perfume.
A victim of limited edition fever, courtesy of Chanel & their Noir Ceramic nail polish. [Beauty Addict]
Meet the woman lucky enough to have interviewed the legendary perfumer Jean Kerleo. [Scentzilla]
LIFESTYLE:
A fabulous, overdue ode to the curvacious wonders of the female form. [Styleaholics]10 snow-tastic bed & breakfast packages for new year's winter fun, both on & off the slopes. [The Travel Snob]
Hot Product: Ralph Lauren's dog sweaters for preppy pooches [Stylehive]
- Lesley Scott
Ed Freiberg feels your New Year's Eve pain, which is why he went to a boatload of trouble to round up the coolest doings in NYC...and there's still time to make a plan, Stan. Check out the options at EdFreibergNewYears.com.
- Lesley Scott
- Lesley Scott
Stars love a bargain and just can’t seem to stay away from the thrill of the chase and the pumping of adrenaline that goes into bargain hunting. Or maybe it’s the smug satisfaction when finding a real deal. Celebs sighted at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets include Paris Hilton, Ice Cube, Carmen Electra, Will & Jada Smith, Pamela Anderson (often spotted with her bodyguards there) and Jennifer Aniston. With 220 designer outlet stores, and additional savings on top of the everyday savings of 25 - 65 percent, it's going to be some serious shopping at stores like Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Escada, Fendi, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Off 5th- Saks Fifth Avenue, Polo Ralph Lauren, Space (Prada, Miu Miu), Tod's, Versace, and Zegna.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets extended holiday hours:
Ann Taylor Factory Store
Dec 20 - Jan 9
Winter Sale 50% off outlet prices & 25% - 40% Off Select Styles
Barneys New York Outlet
Dec 12 - Jan 2 Men’s cashmere overcoats and blazers $349 - $599
Dec 14 - Jan 2 30% off all men’s dress shirts
All Barneys New York ties $29
Dolce & Gabbana
Until Jan 2
Savings of 25% - 70%.
Eddie Bauer
Through Jan 31, 2007 20% -50% Off Selected Merchandise. Plus, buy now and receive an additional 10% off your entire purchase when you shop .
Dec 26 - Jan 9 End of Season Clearance
Esprit
Until Jan 31
Additional % Off on select merchandise: 30% Off Pants, long sleeved T-shirts - 2 for $24.99 & select outerwear additional 30% Off
Kenneth Cole
Dec 26 - 31 50% - 75% off original prices Not valid on previous purchases. Not valid with any other offers. While supplies last.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Until Jan 1 Storewide sale 20% - 75% (every department) *Some exclusions apply.
20% - 50% off all women's apparel, accessories and shoes
20% off all men's apparel and accessories
20% - 30% off all home decor *Furniture is 30%
30% off all holiday ornaments, candles and accessories
*Some exclusions may apply
Zales Outlet
Through Jan 2
Take an Extra 10% -15% off* selected items throughout the store. *Excludes Exceptional Values, Wow items, special orders, loose diamonds and special events, and is not available on phone orders, on zales.com or at Zales Jewelers locations.
- Lesley Scott
Cute, non-black party dress by Anna Sui
There's still time to whip up a fab New Year's ensemble, and chances are, you've got most of the components already lurking in your closet & accessories stash. If it's the dress you're missing, why not take advantage of post-Christmas sales to run out and pick up a lil' something special at a discount? Use this adorable prom dress from Anna Sui as inspiration (which is a surprisingly affordable $310 at Net-a-Porter.com...which might mean it's time to take advantage of their speedy next-business-day shipping if you live in New York or London).
To complete your girls-just-wanna-have-fun look, white lace tights are a must, as are metallic shoes, bag, and eyecatching jewelry. If you live in warmer climes, sashay out in a glamourous white faux fur stole. However, Northern Hemisphere fashionistas will relish the opportunity to throw on a full-on Marilyn'esque white fur, with long gloves and a hello-dahling-kiss-kiss cocktail ring.
Ring in the new year in a festive, Anna Sui-inspired ensemble:
Dior "inspired" necklace - ShopSueyBoutique.com
Giant cocktail ring - Amazon.com
Pewter evening clutch - Whiting & Davis at 6pm.com
Metallic heels - Gianni Bini at Dillards.com
White lace tights - FootTraffic.com
Opera length gloves - FinaleGloves.com
Faux mink stole - CoquetteFauxFurriers.com
Full-on glamour girl coat - CharlyCalder.com
- Lesley Scott
NEW YORK Chill uptown at The Grand, or enjoy a casually elegant eve at Japonais. Hell, watch the ball drop - for free! - in Times Square with a billion of your closest friends.
MIAMI If you're headed for beach and (sun)bathing, check out Mansion (Britney, J. Lo), Prive at Opium (Kristen Cavallari), The Shore Club with special guest Q-Tip and a special performance by DMC.
LOS ANGELES It's all about Carmen Electra's New Year's Eve at Paramount Studios, The Black Eyed Peas & Death Cab for Cutie at Giant, or The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel with Cirque du Soleil acrobatics & burlesque...poolside!SAN FRANCISCO The City by the Bay boasts a Comedy Countdown at the Palace of Rine Arts (Zach Galifinakis), My Morning Jacket at The Fillmore, and a Vegas-style extravaganze at Roe.
CHICAGO Those in the know in the Windy City will be taking in the 80s vibe at Cobra Lounge, festivities at Goodbar, The Raconteurs (the Jack White half of the White Stripes with pal Brendan Benson), or beatboxing Hasidic reggae & hip hop phenom Matisyahu - straight outta Brooklyn - at House of Blues.
For all the info for NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, San Fran & Chicago plus the the 5 Most Outrageous VIP Tickets - how much they are and what you get if you do want to go for it - check out IntermixOnline.com
- Lesley Scott
Each year, the NOO.com guy jet sets around the U.S. in search of the best New Year's events. This season, he's criss-crossed time zones to discover the most happening events in New York, Miami and Las Vegas - from hot nightclubs and rooftop parties to ballrooms & cruises. To make the list, venues and event producers must demonstrate extra creative effort to turn New Year's into a memorable experience.
So far, New Year's in New York includes VIP parties at nightclubs such as Pink Elephant and Room Service, romantic and festive cruises aboard Bateaux and Spirit cruises, and a $40,000 fully catered party at the Time Hotel's 3-level penthouse and Glass Pavillion terrace. Some other fun festivities that made the grade:
Miami in Midtown 
Enjoy a blend of New York sophistication and Miami glamour at Nikki Midtown with inventive cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, DJ music by Jorge Felix and a 1,000 balloon drop at the stroke of midnight. Host Mira Sorvino donates partial proceeds from ticket sales to the Epic School in an effort to change the lives of the children with autism. 151 East 50th (between Lexington & 3rd Avenue) call 212.213.2868. For more info, visit ClubZone.com.
Ogle a Naked Chef 
Pre-midnight, Chef Nicolas Jardin will feature his first talent,and the reason his Petite Abeille restaurants are much belove): his great culinary skills, with a classic three-course Belgian feast. Post-midnight, at their 17th Street location, Chef Nicolas will share his other, more private talent: exotic dancing...with a special performance just to ring in the New Year. Ahh ... only in New York do the Belgians dare to be so free and reckless! 212.727.2989 PetiteAbeille.com
A Foodie's Delight 
Steps away from the madness of the Times Square ball-drop celebration, 7SQUARE, a self-described modern chophouse, is offering up a decadent, gourmet nine-course dinner to ring in 2007. Bring on the pan-seared foie gras, lobster with black truffle, red-wine braised monkfish, mushroom crusted venison loin, roasted beef rib eye and root beer braised short rib ... Hungry? 212.213.2868 7SquareNY.com
MAKORnival 
The Makor/Steinhardt Center is transformed from arts center o a Carnival party, hosted by NYC nightlight fixture Scotty the Blue Bunny. Meander through the building as vaudevillians, gypsies, party bands and a plethora of circus performers ring in the New Year. Performance artists, jugglers, fortune-tellers and daring hula-hoopists keep company with a live music lineup running the gamut from sultry Parisian rock to Big Easy funk. There is a 2-hour open bar (9 p.m. - 11 p.m.), video screenings, a kissing booth, prizes, games and a midnight champagne toast all included. A three-ringed circus of New Year's entertainment will certainly satisfy your party needs. 92Y.org
Swing Out, Sister 
Start off the new year in style at Marion's Continental with Swing in 2007, featuring champagne toasts, a seven-course dinner, and "Tara and the Sexy Swing Band" to entertain everyone entertained and dancing. 212.475.7621 (photo: NYMag.com)
Boogie Down 
Throw on your best sequins & gold lame and boogie down to APT for their Solid Gold Dance New Year's Party. Inspired by the '80's TV hit mega-sensation, the cool Andy Gibbs vibe and delicious beats will keeping you moving 'till the early a.m. An open bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., special live dance performance by Poon, and midnight champagne toast add up to a memorably glittery eve. A 5 a.m. early morning breakfast and commemorative APT Sunday CD are even included. 419 W. 13th St. 212.414.4245 AptWebsite.com
Meet a Sexy Masked Stranger 
For a more sophisticated bout of old world elegance, the Soho Grand is hosting a Truman Capote-inspired Black and White Masquerade Ball. Dress code is black & white, and, yes, masks. The open bar, gourmet buffet and music promise to help keep matters fabulously festive. 310 West Broadway 212.965.3369 SohoGrand.com
Watch a Ball Drop 
In homage to the legendary Times Square Ball-Drop, the Tribeca Grand will be lowering their own handmade replica of the original Times Square Ball in their spectacular eight-story central atrium at the stroke of midnight. The festivities include an open bar, gourmet buffet, party favors, midnight champagne toasts and music by Aaron La Crate and DJ Jaclyn. 212.519.6600 TribecaGrand.com (photo: HotelChatter.com)
- Lesley Scott
(Times Square photo: abclocal.go.com)
With the biggest party of the year just around the corner, a city renowned for its festive vibe is gearing up for New Year's Eve. In addition to hundreds of bars, night clubs and supper clubs, Montreal also boasts legal raves, after-hours clubs, and even a liberal sprinkling of contact- and non-contact strip clubs in the downtown area that are open until last call at 3 am. "No one is an outsider in Montreal," explains Angelo D'Ambra, founder and President of Montreal Nightlife Tours. "The party atmosphere welcomes crowds with this European twist to it, which in turn is friendlier and outgoing."
For more info on living it up Montreal style, check out The Travel Snob.
For $357 (down from $595) this spiffy satchel is a fabulous investment. Available at NeimanMarcus.com.
- Lesley Scott
Navy with a coral bow at the natural waist. Available at BrownsFashion.com.
- Lesley Scott
(illustration: Richard Borge)
According to JWT, it's our rapidly shrinking world that's driving many of the trends. "As globalization continues to make our world seem smaller, localization will come to a head in 2007," says Ann Mack, director of trendspotting at JWT. "We'll put great emphasis on sourcing everything from food to textiles. Decadent and excessive consumption will fall to the wayside as we stress quality, minimal environmental impact and support of local producers."
According to YPulse, of the 70, these trends are the most interesting:
9. Veggie-bus: school buses running on biodiesel fuel
23. Reunions of donor insemination siblings
49. Party planning for teens
55. The rebirth of raves
63. "Kidults"
66. Generosity
To check out all 70 trends, CLICK HERE.
- Lesley Scott
(Have yourself a merry little diamond; photo: BlueNile.com)
Just as the notion of a June bride is becoming rapidly outdated (almost as outdated as brides themselves, some would argue), so December is becoming increasingly popular as a time to announce an engagement, a month when almost 15 percent of all proposals happen according to Condé Nast Bridal Group's recent American Wedding Study. Why would twice as many proposals occur during December than any other month? Probably the familial to-getherness factor. "Engagement rings make for memorable presents," Kara Corridan, executive editor of Modern Bride recently told WWD, "and family get-togethers are the perfect time to celebrate the engagement."
Of course jewelers couldn’t be happier about the two-fisted shopping punch at the cash register of both gifts and engagements. "We make sure every year that on the accessible end we have a new product...and on the high end [as well]," explains Emmanuel Perrin, chief executive officer of Van Cleef & Arpels and president of its North American subsidiary.
Fashionwise, the classic round-cut still tops the bestseller list. "When you buy an engagement ring, you really want something that's classic, that will last forever," says Alyce Alston, CEO of De Beers North America; almost 80 percent of the company's engagement rings sold are round cut, and in particular, their signature $8,500+ solitaire. Similary, Cartier's round-cut Solitaire 1895, starting at $4,650, is their most popular engagement ring, while at Bailey Banks & Biddle, it's the $11,600 Endless Love engagement solitaire. Fancy cuts such as pear, princess, heart, Asccher and marquise go in and out of fashion, but the emerald cut holds steady as the second most popular cut; eg. Tiffany's $2000 Lucida, Zale's $5,000 2 carat ring,Van Cleef & Arpels $22,000+ dazzler, and Harry Winston's classic emerald cut solitaire…price upon request, thankyou.
For big spenders, colored stones are de rigeur, with rare, pricey hues of blue and pink, and large, beefy stones in the multiple carats. The "big chunks, the big [rings] in the high end...are more for your second, third time around," notes Alston. (via WWD)
To hear the Fashiontribes 5 Min. Podcast about this, visit PodcasterNews.com.
- Lesley Scott
Skip the needles and the thoughts of surgery with Osmotics NEW Creaseless Surgical Alternative. This baby is the newest generation of line filler that is topical (not injectable) and you will SEE (or rather WON'T see lines) results in 30 days!
Check out the details on the LA Story Blog
- Stevie Wilson
(Beyonce at Good Morning America; photo: SplashNewsOnline)
A wrap dress pretty much flatters every figure - a small detail which made Diane von Furstenberg an enduring (and wealthy) household name. Rendered in leopard, it's flatteringly feminine, especially the way it's paired here with a pair of dark wood hoop earrings and fresh-looking grey heels.
Steal Beyonce's leopard look with smart gray shoes:
Silk Assets - HSN.com
Norma Kamali for Everlast - DetailsDirect.com
YSL - NeimanMarcus.com
Diane von Furstenberg - Saks.com
Jigsaw Dreams - eBay.com
Brown wooden hoop earrings - Etsy.com
Delman - Piperlime.com
Stella McCartney - IntermixOnline.com
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent - ActiveEndeavors.com
- Lesley Scott
Skin absorbs whatever you put on it - including the synthetic chemicals and preservatives, alcohol, detergents, waxes, parabens, mineral oil, lanolin, artificial fragrances and colors in beauty products. The Lluvia Skin Renewal System delivers glowing skin with effective, antioxidant-loaded, anti-aging, replenishing facial products. Purchases support the indigenous people of the Amazon and rainforest preservation. Available at AmazonHerbStore.com.
- Lesley Scott
(Anand Jon; photo: Nigel Parry/CPI for Newsweek)
Newsweek recently selected its list of what's hot & who to keep an eye on for 2007, and for fashion, it's apparently designer Anand Jon. He's already dressed a long list of the glitterati, including Mary J. Blige, Eve, Janet Jackson, Lydia Hearst, Bruce Springsteen, and Paris & Nicky HIlton. His new denim line, Jeanisis, will be out in the spring. Priced in the $180-$350 range, the line reflects his Southern Indian heritage (he lived there till he was 16) with embroidered & hand-painted with symbols of snakes, flowers and eagles - some near the crotch. "There is a humor, but also a sexuality to it," explains the Parsons-trained Jon. "It's something that we haven't seen before, and that's why we love it," says Angilina Everett, owner of Kush in Los Angeles where the line will be available. "A lot of designers design clothes that only look good on certain Hollywood shapes," opines Shauna Stein of On Sunset. "But he designs clothing that could go on a variety of body shapes."
The self-described 90s Miami party boy was originally inspired by pal Gianni Versace, and launched his eponymous line in 1999 at places like Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel. In the spring, his newest venture will also be launching - a VH1 reality show also starring Michelle Rodriguez (Lost) - covering his charmed life as a fashion insider, designer, and stylish dude about town.
- Lesley Scott
A lot of people talk about reducing global warming, but one enterprising scientist is actually doing something about it.
Eric Woodroof, Ph.D, has created Green Pleasures, a program that allows travelers to not only save thousands of dollars on exotic trips, but offset the average emissions they generate by driving, traveling and just everyday living through carbon emission credits. For, say, a week-long vacation, Green Pleasures will purchase 4,400 lbs of carbon credits (equivalent to planting nearly one acre of trees) which more than offsets the carbon emissions impact of the entire trip. "This is a new vacation concept," explains Woodroof. "Our clients love it because, while on vacation they are helping to slow global warming." To date, the program has helped a variety of organizations save millions in cost-reduction programs.
For more info, visit GreenPleasures.com (via The Travel Snob)
A chic-without-trying dress for work, cocktails, a date, or even days devoted just to errands (because you never know who you might bump into). Available at Bluefly.com.
- Lesley Scott
A bevy of 63 round pave-set diamonds along with 147 sapphires in hues of blue, yellow & pink. Available at Overstock.com.
- Lesley Scott
Omiru recently interviewed Rosie Wolfenden who - together with partner Harriet Vine - is behind the fashion-insider accessories line Tatty Devine. To find out about what influences their designs, what's cool (and not so) about London, what Eley Kishimoto and Bernstock Speirs have in common, and what's in fashion-wise for spring, check out the in-depth interview at Omiru.com.
- Lesley Scott
(A lingerie look from Frederick's of Hollywood.)
As the longtime go-to resource for racy lingerie and frilly frippery such as the water-filled H20 bra and Hollywood Kiss Bra which "hoists the breasts up until they kiss," Frederick's of Hollywood is now expanding its 60 year old empire of unmentionables.
By merging with Movie Star Inc., plans are afoot to overhaul both their website and direct mail catalogue, and increase their number of brick-and-mortar locations from the current 130 to just under 200. "This really is a great strategy and a unique opportunity to combine our strengths and for Frederick's to access the capital market," Linda LoRe, chief executive officer of Frederick's, recently told WWD, about the newly merged company which will go by Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. "That will be the biggest opportunity for us: access to the capital market and a publicly traded company. It will give us the resources to enable us to open 50 additional stores in the next 24 to 36 months…This strategy allows us to partner with landlords at shopping malls and open up stores we've had our eye on for a while."
Between Frederick's annual retail sales of around $140 million and Movie Star's wholesale revenues of just over $51 million, their combined assets will add up to around $190 million. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Frederick's will receive close to 24 million shares of Movie Star, while Movie Star shareholders will be able to purchase a total of $20 million additional new shares. "We feel Frederick's is a very strong brand, and this [is] a great opportunity for our shareholders," said Mel Knigin, CEO of Movie Star. "It's a very exciting time, and they have a very diverse number of suppliers and vendors, and we hope as they grow, we will grow with them. I think the stronger and more diverse the Frederick's supply chain becomes, it will make them a much stronger business and will lead them to have a stronger design perspective."
Innerwear-as-outerwear has been a huge fashion trend over the last few seasons, with women wearing slipdresses in the warmer months, pairing bustiers with jeans, and frilly, embellished bras under sheer tops. (via WWD)
To hear the Fashiontribes 5 Min. Podcast about this, visit PodcasterNews.com.
- Lesley Scott
Were $220, now $77! No time like the present to prep for warmer weather. Available at Saks.com.
- Lesley Scott
(Original Factory girl Edie Sedgwick gives lessons in fuss-free style.)
With Factory Girl out soon starring Sienna Miller as the Warhol muse, expect a contagious bout of Edie mania, especially in the fashion department.
To get a jump on her easy-breezy style, try out flattering knit minis & tunics paired with universally flattering dark tights. Whether you keep things up-to-the nanosecond with a pair of black booties, or go for more classic knee-high boot depends on your own particular style vibe. To finish off the look, don't forget a pair of Edie-approved long dangly earrings which best showcase a gamine's sexy neck.
Enjoy your 15 minutes of fashion fame the Edie Sedgwick way:
Celine - Net-a-Porter.com
