Posts Tagged ‘nail polish’

Still Clinging on to Summer…

Saturday, September 11th, 2010

Yes, the September issues have been out for a couple of weeks and fashion week is in full swing, but until summer is truly gone (and you can still wear sandals) I’m clinging onto it with the last, lingering chips of my pedicure. Over Labor Day weekend, the un-official end of summer, I was stocking up on provisions in preparation for an atmospheric pounding on Martha’s Vineyard…but still, got last licks for beach time are in the weekend. Though Earl lamely fizzled out, headlines went something like this:

Friday: Gloom, doom, menacing winds and general chaos as Hurricane Earl swoops through the Cape and Islands, punching residents with driving rain and churning surf up to 20 feet

Saturday: Sunny and delightful!

From left: Ginger + Liz's 'Goin' Back to Cali,' Andy Warhol Montauk by Bond No. 9, Nouvelle Vague from Chanel, and 'Blue' Creme de la Mer

From left: Ginger + Liz's 'Goin' Back to Cali,' Andy Warhol Montauk by Bond No. 9, Nouvelle Vague from Chanel, and 'Blue' Crème de la Mer

In homage to the season, first, some of my fave beauty hits…while getting excited for fall colors, I’ll miss being able to sport melon-smacked nail polish like Ginger + Liz’s “Goin’ Back to Cali” while drinking beer at Montauk’s Sunset Saloon. And speaking of twilight and oceans, Bond No. 9 describes its sunset-inspired Andy Warhol Montauk as capturing “the improbable descent of disco-mania on an unassuming fishing-village and nearby woodlands.” And, had I been able to afford the $310 price tag, I’d have happily picked up this summer’s specially-packaged edition of Crème de la Mer in support of World Oceans Day.

Rowley's fashion hideaway/surf shack behind the Memory Motel.

Rowley's fashion hideaway/surf shack behind the Memory Motel.

…and, speaking of Warhol, loved Cynthia Rowley’s pop-up shack behind the famed Memory Motel — made famous, of course, by the Rolling Stones song written during the band’s stay at Warhol’s cliff-side estate at “the end.” Loved Rowley’s collection for Roxy as well, featuring items such as checkered wedge sandals, boardshorts and neo-preen bikinis, that you could pick up here as well (I personally grabbed a Memory Motel and graffiti tee).

Being a huge fan of snatching up end-of-season sales and saving them for next year, be sure to check out Covet Shop’s summer merch while it’s still hot (and, as always, with an equally sizzly price tag).

Missoni Metallic Tank Dress, Gryson Olivia Bag, SIgerson Morrison Thong Sandals

Missoni Metallic Tank Dress, Gryson Olivia Bag, SIgerson Morrison Thong Sandals

Behind-the-Scenes Downtime with Covet Shop

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Even Covet Shopettes need to be pampered sometimes. Last Wednesday, for St. Patrick’s Day, Nancy invited me to the lovely Maria Bonita Spa, located in New York’s Nolita, to celebrate the day “Brazilian Style.” Fernanda Lacerda, the owner/sultry Brazilian (of course), has purchased from Covet Shop before and befriended Nancy on Twitter.

At the event (where we were happily surprised to run into bloggers from Eye4Style, StyleITOnline, Miss Whoever You Are and Heather Park from M.A.C.) guests indulged in Caipirinhas while the spa gave us the royal pampering treatment consisting of: Envix Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment; the Perfect Blow-Out; and a Maria Bonita “Irish Manicure.” While Nancy got the full trio of services, I only had time for the mani, which was described as “Brazilian Style” by manicurist Rosalina.

My Butter LONDON 3 Free, in Thames, was the envy of the other bloggers...

Green with envy for my Butter LONDON 3 Free, in Thames

I’d never heard of a Brazilian manicure, and thankfully she described it before starting because – otherwise – I’d have mistakenly thought that she was purposefully botching the job (in a rather astounding way).

Rosalina explained that this technique involved a more intense cuticle push and trim on both the sides and bottom of the nail, then “overpainting” the sides and cleaning up at the end.  This allows the color to wrap around the whole nail and, she said, would last longer. I was impressed – not even one little chip until Saturday. They still look fairly presentable today, one week later, but definitely one of the best manicures I’ve had in a while.

Now…what to wear with this color…I’d say this just-in Badgley Mishka Bustier Dress, paired with a Gucci Horsebit Clutch to show off the nails.

Keeping it simple and chic with and LBD and clutch

Keeping it simple and chic with a LBD and clutch

Maria Bonita Salon and Spa, which features South American beauty treatments and hospitality, is open Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The Luck of the Irish Package (an amazing deal!) costs $70 and is available until May 2010.

Covet Shoposcope – Pisces

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Happy Birthday, Pisces! To celebrate your unique combination of creativity, natural style, dreaminess and escapism (and, on the flip side — your over-emotional nature, sneakiness and penchant for hedonism), we’ve put together some fish-worthy Covet Shop picks for you this month.  But first, our round-up of stylish celebrity Pisces — who are naturally drawn to careers in the arts. We couldn’t resist including a brooding Benecio Del Toro, this Richard Avedon shot of Elizabeth Taylor, or my girl crush…Juliette Binoche.

Clockwise, from left: Queen Latifah, Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Taylor, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Binoche, and Benecio del Toro

Clockwise, from left: Queen Latifah, Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Taylor, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Binoche, and Benecio Del Toro

Vintage Chanel

Pisces are typically found enjoying the finer things in life, such as strolling Via Montenapoleone or attending an exclusive museum fundraiser. What to wear? This Chanel pant suit, of course.

Chanel 2pc Pant Suit (new!); Rochas Square Patent Pumps

Chanel 2pc Pant Suit (new!); Rochas Square Patent Pumps

Water Sign Frocks, and Nails to Match

Since I only discovered new BFFs, Ginger + Liz during Fashion Week at the Robert Verdi Luxe Laboratory Suite, I hadn’t included them in my nail polish round up last week. So in honor of these two gorgeous ladies and their polish collection (which is free of toluene, formaldehyde or DBP), here are two of their smokin’ shades paired with some new Covet Shop outfits.

From left: See by Chloe Color Block Tank Dress with Hold the Drama polish; Temperley Jumila Kaftan Tunic with Trance polish; Etro Flutter Silk Dress

From left: See by Chloe Color Block Tank Dress with Hold the Drama polish; Temperley Jumila Kaftan Tunic with Trance polish; Etro Flutter Silk Dress

Last But Not Least – Shoes

Because Pisces must always maintain an air of mystery and left-of-center edge, let’s not forget important details such as shoes. God forbid a Pisces should ever have to wear dreary loafers or simple pumps, so we’ve put together these selections for the more boho Pisces – perfect for spending the workday lounging around at your friend’s studio drinking sangria, or sneaking off for an illicit tryst.

Stella McCartney Knit Booties; Jill Stuart Claudia Boots; Prada Butterfly Wedges

Stella McCartney Knit Booties; Jill Stuart Claudia Boots; Prada Butterfly Wedges

Pick Your Pleasure: Technicolor Hair, Valentine’s Nails, FW Ink…

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Drifting in and out of reality and fantasy, thanks to Fashion Week and Valentine’s Day. So let your imagination wander…

Tripping Out? Go ask Alice

Inset, colored fringe and a soft punk edge for the hair at Cynthia Rowley; Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

Inset, colored fringe and a soft punk edge for the hair at Cynthia Rowley; Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter

Is anyone not running out to see Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland when it hits on March 5? The thought of this psychedelic  overload is inspiring us to be a bit more daring these next seasons — and along those lines we loved Cynthia Rowley’s new fall/winter collection (above, with jewel-toned fringe). Being backstage, we also got to see Eva Scrivo’s crimped extensions up close: Gorgeous, textured and edgy, and practically good enough to eat.

Dying to know who did Johnny’s makeup…speaking of beauty, you’ll also need to get your hands on OPI’s Alice in Wonderland collection, reviewed here brilliantly by All Lacquered Up.

Absolutely Alice; Mad as a Hatter

Absolutely Alice; Mad as a Hatter

Now that you’re in the mood, some Covet Shop picks we’ve assembled for the occasion:

Outfits, from left: Temperley Mini Kaleidoscope Dress, Balenciaga Giant Work Bag, Stella McCartney Velvet Stud Sandals; Milly Ruffle Tube Top, Missoni Geometric Skirt; Marni Circle Shift Dress,Pierre Hardy Suede Pumps, Milly

Outfits, from left: Temperley Mini Kaleidoscope Dress, Balenciaga Giant Work Bag, Stella McCartney Velvet Stud Sandals; Milly Ruffle Tube Top, Missoni Geometric Skirt; Marni Circle Shift Dress, Pierre Hardy Suede Pumps

Delicious reds, for your nails

Valentine’s Day ends tomorrow, of course, but celebrate red nails all month anyway (it is, after all, American Heart Month). Booking an appointment at my favorite nail salon, Jin Soon, as we speak, after assembling this juicy collage.

Jin Soon for M.A.C., Dance All Night; Sephora's Red Alert 6; Chanel Le Vernis, Shanghai Red; Nars' Vintage, Limited Edition in Hunger; Essie's After Sex; London Underground by Butter 3Free

Jin Soon for M.A.C., Dance All Night; Sephora's Red Alert 6; Chanel Le Vernis, Shanghai Red; Nars' Vintage, Limited Edition in Hunger; Essie's After Sex; London Underground by Butter 3Free

Tattoo You

We heard that Anya Hindmarch opened some Pop-Up Tattoo Parlours this week in London and NYC (which unfortunately ended yesterday), but what a fabulous idea. We heart the mermaid (below, at left). But if you want to go hard-core, pay a visit to Sailor Jerry (”Stewed,” at right). And don’t forget to pick up your new, bad-ass consignment outfit online at Covetshop.com.

From left: Roberto Cavalli Asian Floral Dress; Balenciaga Giant Folder Bag; Alice + Olivia Dot Dress; Brian Atwood Starlet Decollete Pumps; Giuseppe Zanotti Zipper Ankle Booties; tattoo from Anya Hindmarch Pop-Up Parlour; t-shirt design from Sailor Jerry
From left: Roberto Cavalli Asian Floral Dress; Balenciaga Giant Folder Bag; Alice + Olivia Dot Dress; Brian Atwood Starlet Decollete Pumps; Giuseppe Zanotti Zipper Ankle Booties; tattoo from Anya Hindmarch Pop-Up Parlour; t-shirt design from Sailor Jerry

S.W.A.K., the Covet Shop team

SWAK

Chanel’s Num?o De Porte-Bonheur: Five

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Lots of fashion and beauty chatter about Chanel this week, so we ‘d like to pay homage to her lucky number, five, with our Top 5 buzzworthy Chanel tidbits:

1. Coco Before Chanel, starring Audrey Tautou. The film, directed by Anne Fontaine, has received mixed reviews thus far: Panned by the NY Post as celebrating a glum heroine and her success via luck and prostitution; and picked apart by the New Yorker, in part, because gamine du jour Tautou can’t shake Am?ieand isn’t sour enough. However, we are looking forward to seeing it so stay tuned for our thoughts (after we have a chance to check it out this week).

2. Chanel at Covet Shop, of course. Pay homage to Chanel with these late summer/vacation or fall ensembles. Visit covetshop.com for more Chanel items!

Clockwise, from left: Terry Swim Dress, Vintage Logo Earrings, Vintage Blazer, Cambon Reporter Bag, Caviar Backpack Bag

Clockwise, from left: Terry Swim Dress, Vintage Logo Earrings, Vintage Blazer, Cambon Reporter Bag, Caviar Backpack Bag

3. The gorgeous new Chanel N?5 ad/film. Have you seen it yet? Perhaps I’m lacking Tautou’s haunting eyes, fabulous hair, and sensual insouciance, but all the lads I met on trains while living in Europe for two years didn’t quite measure up. Then again, I wasn’t wearing Chanel N?5 at the time, so guess all it makes sense.

Chanel N?5 Ad

Chanel N?5 Ad

4. Chanel Nail Colour. Remember the absolute mania Chanel caused for black nails thanks to Vamp (in the ’90s) or Black Satin (more recently)? Not sure anything can quite reach those epic levels of nail frenzy, but based on the online coverage for this limited edition Jade…let’s wait and see.

Also comes in Jade Rose, if you're not feeling quite so envious

Also comes in Jade Rose, if you're not feeling quite so... envious

5. Chanel Iman. OK, this one’s not about the House of Chanel—but we happened on a Style.com blog post from the fall 2009 shows stating that Chanel Iman, like Covet Shop fans, loves a good designer deal. The model was reported as saying her favorite pastime, while in Milan, is shopping for discounts.