Celebs and their fragrances

So I am assuming that in order to "arrive" in Hollywood these days, you must have your own perfume on the market. On a recent buying trip to vegas, my sis and I were perusing our fashion mags in flight (back to front as always, avoid the ads and get to the meat) and we came across a perfume review. Seven of the Eighteen scents were by celebrities and it got us wondering, "How do I feel about smelling like Celine Dion or Kim Kardashian?" She is totally opposed to the whole idea so it made me wonder if I was too. I have decided to embark on a little experiment to see if any of them are worth it or if it is just one more way for them to exploit their fame for cash. I am completely obsessed with perfume and all things that smell good and I am very big on having my own signature scent (although a certain sales girl at Diva has been donning my Dolce and Gabanna Light Blue and I am not sure if the shop is big enough for both of us to smell that good) so I am on the hunt for a new smell. On that same trip to Vegas while drunk shopping at Barney's, I came across an interesting concoction by Commes de Garcon. Loved it drunk, hated it sober. Note to self; be sure to TRY ON the fragrance, do not buy it from the little paper strip test!
So I am going to give the celeb labels a try (fingers crossed) and was wondering if anyone has a to die for bottle that I absolutely must have?

Shh...don't mention the unmentionables!

We women have so many little tricks up our sleeves for looking better so I decided to share a few products I love to make our fashion and beauty lives just a bit easier. 
1.     Miss Oops deodorant sponges - these take the white deodorant marks out of dark clothing and have been known to remove some other types of stains from even lighter clothing...miraculous!
2.     Bra converter straps - these small plastic discs transform your regular bra to a racerback lickety split...no more embarrassing straps "peeking out" from your tank tops.  We love the Hollywood Hook ups.
3.     Sassy bax Torso Trim smoothing garments.  Back bacon be gone!!
4.     Dry shampoo - this really does absorb the grease and add texture to limp, greasy hair.  Be sure to get one that is tinted to your hair color and rub in well.
5.     Denim hem tape.  This is a thicker, heavy duty double sided fashion tape made especially for denim to convert your "high heel jeans" to your "flats jeans" in no time.  Perfect for travel!!
6.     Is-a-belt invisible belt.  This little gadget is a clear, thin profile belt that looks like a bra strap and holds up the pants to eliminate waist gap without the bulk of a belt and buckle situation.  Perfect for fixing the loose pants with fitted tops that you don't want to tuck in. (I swear I think I invented this in my head and could be making millions by now!!)
7.     Low beams because high beams are for cars.  Enough said.
8.     Nu bra push up adhesive bra.  These are not the chicken cutlets, but will give you coverage and lift in the front while leaving a sexy back!
9.    Dryel stain remover on the go.  This little stick is like having a genie in a tube that fits in your make up bag.  Pure genius!!
10.   Ear lifts.  Little adhesive gel discs that slip onto the back of the lobe and grab the earring post so they sit up in the lobe and do not cause the dreaded pirate ear sagging.

To Hose or Not to Hose (as published in the Capital Newspaper)

That is the question we have all asked at some point in our fashion lives.  Do I wear hose with this? What color would look right? Is it okay to go bare legged?  At my age?  Relax and follow a few key rules that will have you looking fabulous, at any age.

Let the weather dictate.  No, this does not fall under the category of “you may never wear white after Labor Day.”  This is a common sense rule.  If the temperatures are soaring and you have a cocktail party, you will still look amazing without the nudes you think you need to cover up those chalky white legs.  Be sure to shave, exfoliate, moisturize and if possible, apply a subtle bronzer (Jergens Daily Glow Mouse will have you tanned in three applications without the orange hue or streaks).  Do not skip the all important pedicure if your shoes are open toed.  If you have unsightly veins or other imperfections that need covering up, opt for an ultra sheer, barely there color and keep in mind they do offer toeless versions for the sandals.  Bring the shoe with you because the cut of the shoe will determine whether or not you can pull this look off.  Some of you may be saying they cannot imagine a life without Spanx.  You don’t need to skip the body shapers, just be sure they are short enough not to peak out from under the hemline when you sit and cross your legs. (Practice in a mirror!)

In the cold of winter, opaque tights (that is, completely dark, not sheer) will go with absolutely every dress in your wardrobe and are extremely stylish. Add a simple black pump or a funky bootie to finish it off.  Not only will you add length to your legs, you will add length to your hemline.  Any time a dress fares a bit on the short side, an opaque tight and dark shoe will trick the eye.  Since you are showing less skin, the hemline appears more acceptable.  The same dress sans the hose may look risqué.

One rule of thumb applies to evening wear across the board, regardless of the season:  bare legs will always look better with formal evening wear.  Not even the black sheer tights you ask?  If your legs are so unsightly or you are that concerned about getting a chill, you would be better off wearing a longer dress than wearing hose to the gala!!

What is it about the white button down????

By now everyone has probably heard about the controversy surrounding the Miss USA pageant photo shoot.  If not, the synopsis is this: they decided to do a black and white, sexy pictorial with either fishnets and corsets or unbuttoned white men's shirts and undies while spread out on the bed or draped over the chase lounge...very campy and Victoria Secret inspired.  The photos were amazingly gorgeous but definitely risque, so I can see both sides of the "was this or wasn't this appropriate" argument.  Miss USA is a role model for young girls, but she is also a beauty queen.  (On a side note, one of our own Diva Strut and Sip Models, Simone Feldman who is the reigning Miss Maryland did not make it as a finalist but looked stunning and is a winner in our book!).  One thing the debate inspired me to blog about is the ooozing sex appeal of a woman in a white button down shirt (undone just a bit) that cinches the waistline and gives off that "I just slipped this on after a romantic tryst" look.  That is not to say the crisp, very professional version is not an equally important wardrobe essential for the working girl, but the men just cannot resist the look of us with tasseled hair in a better fitting version of their shirt.  Ooh, la, la!!

Where everybody knows your name

Like the old mantra from the 80's sitcom, Cheers, its nice to be surrounded by people that know me and with whom I feel comfortable.  It's not that I want fame, but when I go to the hair salon, the gym or my favorite restaurant and shops, it is always nice to know the staff will know my name and give me that extra bit of personal touch that makes the experience a positive one.  For example, when I head into Osteria Restaurant, they know exactly which wine to pour.  Liu Liu hair salon feels like a home away from home (think Steel Magnolia's without all the drama) and my instructors at Annapolis Athletic Club always make personal connections that remind me I am in good hands.
This is a principal I take seriously in my shop.  We make an effort to know our clients and what works best for them.  It is more than being able to style and offer advice about what will flatter their figure, it is about truly taking the time to get to know them and what suits their personal taste and lifestyle.  After all, anyone can go to the big box stores and have something rung up by a robot-ish, disinterested teenager.  But when you shop with us at Diva, we want it to be a personal experience - a connection. 

I challenge each of you to find a way to bring that extra personal touch to your life today.  Go out of your way to make someone feel special, even if it is just to call them by their name.

Cheers!

Pajama jeans...really??

I have seen it all now.  I just saw this ad on T.V.- "look great and be comfortable in pajama jeans."  I know we are becoming more and more casual in our lives and it is possible to look put together and not sacrifice comfort, but I think this is taking it too far!  There is something uplifting about a beauty ritual that makes you feel renewed, refreshed and ready to face the day.  It does not have to be complex and take forever (tell that to my mountains of hair that cannot be blown out in under 20 minutes) but you should at least take the time to plan an outfit, jump in the shower, throw on some mascara and lip gloss and a FRESH PAIR OF PANTS!!  Maybe denim leggings (dubbed jeggings by many) are in the same vain as pajama jeans with the whole "comfortably stylish thing" but there is one major difference:  the word pajama implies that you will be sleeping in them.  And rolling out the next day?  Really?? Eeww, this is just gross!

Oh the places I would go....

Like many of you busy Divas, I am pulled in too many directions to get away as much as I would like these days.  I was lying in bed this morning looking at the blue sky and listening to the birds and I decided to drift off into a "where would I go and why" day dream.  Here is what I came up with:
1.    The "I must visit this place just out of curiosity" category includes a yachting trip to Monte Carlo and a stay at one of the opulent palaces of Instanbul.  These trips are unlikely, but on the list nonetheless.
2.   The humanitarian side of me wants to visit poor countries around the globe and bring food, clean water and clothing to orphans.  Not because Angelina made it "en vogue" but because we truly don't have enough modern day Mother Teresa's and the world needs to care all the time, not just when Wyclef Jean hosts a telethon.  Why no telethon for Chile??
3.  For a red carpet in the Carribean experience, I would head for St. Barths.
4.  For reasons unknown to me, I would be intrigued by a trip to the Black Forest of Germany.  Maybe because of a Victoria Holt novel I read when I was young...
5.  For an exotic island get away, my top choice would be the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.
6.  For a history lesson I would head to the Pyramids in Egypt and then pop over to the Great Wall of China.  It would be a Seven Wonders kind of thing.
7.  France - wine country, the Riviera and then cap it off in Paris....preferably during Fashion Week.
8.  The Almafi Coast of Italy and then to visit my family in Genoa and Portofino.
9.  The night owl in me wants to take an Alaskan Cruise. I have heard it is light out until 10 pm during certain times of year!
10. The Alps at Christmas...saw this on the travel channel...so cozy!!!
Where would you go??