SICKA THAN AVERAGE

The X Factor — Zina Beverly Hills XX Pendant

When you think of Beverly Hills, what comes to mind? Is it the palm trees lining the street along Rodeo Drive? The names immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? The Beverly Hills Wilshire hotel (which so many of us associate with romance thanks to Pretty Woman)? Whether you associate the famous 90210 zip code with the old-school Aaron Spelling TV drama (or its current CW incarnation), upscale fashion boutiques, sprawling mansions owned by Hollywood starlets, Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion, or trendy eateries (outside of which hordes of paparazzi gather, hoping for a peek at a major star), there's no denying that Beverly Hills is synonymous with wealth and caché.

Which is why Zina Beverly Hills opted for a youthful but sleek, classy design when creating a limited-edition pendant for the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau. Commissioned to craft a piece that would capture the Hills' aesthetic and energy, Zina developed the "XX" pendant (pictured above), a sterling silver piece measuring 0.58 inches in width and 0.32 inches at its longest point.

I love how the X shapes are a bit asymmetrical, so that they almost resemble jacks (you know, like the game you played as a child). The differing heights of the "x" shapes create a sense of movement and give the pendant a dynamic feel, which add to that whimsical feel. The impeccable workmanship and the cleanness of the silver, however, add an impeccable gracefulness. Moreover, I appreciate how the "XX" letters can have so many unique interpretations. It could refer to the two X chromosomes that determine the female sex. It might be a nod to the concept of "X marks the spot." Perhaps, it's a reference to "XOXO" (which, when written, signifies hugs and kisses). The possibilities are endless.

What can I say? It's just got that "X" factor!

Zina Beverly Hills XX Pendant, $60. Available starting November 16th at ZinaBeverlyHills.com.
Pre-order yours now!

Posted at 07:08 PM in Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 31, 2009

Red Hot Scent — CH by Carolina Herrera

Normally, if someone used the word "spicy" in reference to a Latino designer (such as Venezuelan fashion deity Carolina Herrera), I would roll my eyes in supreme annoyance and exasperation. But, in describing the new CH by Carolina Herrera fragrance, the usage of the words "spicy" and "hot" is far from offensive — after all, at the heart of this oriental floral you'll find such notes as Sri Lankan cinnamon, which gives the scent that much more of a kick.

Created by Firmenich's Olivier Cresp (who has worked on such famed scents as Thierry Mugler Angel and Nina Ricci Nina), Puig's Rosendo Mateu, and Carolina Adriana Herrera (Carolina Herrera's daughter and quite possibly the heir to the former's empire), CH by Carolina Herrera features top notes of Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon and grapefruit, a heart of Sir Lankan cinnamon, Bulgarian rose, jasmine sambac, and praline notes, and base notes of sandalwood, suede, cashmere and amber. The citrus notes (lemon and grapefruit) are just subdued enough and yet they manage to add a clean, fresh feel to the fragrance which maintains its youthfulness. Bulgarian rose and jasmine exude elegance and status, while the praline notes add a tad of sweetness that is balanced out by the exotic, spicy cinnamon notes (it's the perfect example of "sugar and spice and everything nice"). Finally, the woody and leather-y base notes give the scent its more carnal, sensual quality.

When I wear it, I think of sitting inside a tea house, smelling the fresh brews, enjoying wisps of incense wafting through the air — all the while reading a book inside of which I've tucked a dried, red rose. How is that for an enticing image to accompany the scent?

CH by Carolina Herrera Eau de Toilette, $70 for 1.7 oz. and $90 for 3.4 oz. Available at Nordstrom.com

Posted at 01:32 AM in Beauty | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 30, 2009

Carlos Falchi Arrives at Target!

Carlos Falchi may not wrestle with large, menacing reptiles like the Crocodile Hunter (may he rest in peace), but he certainly knows how to dye, stitch, twist, and manipulate their leather to create intricate, elegant handbags with tons of bite. Best known for the exotic skins he uses to craft his handbags (caiman, crocodile, and python are among the most popular materials) and the manner in which he hand dyes the fabrics to give them a brighter, bolder look. But, as with most designer handbags, Falchi’s pieces tend to come with a price tag that will make most women sigh in disappointment. Not to worry though — on November 1st, Falchi is revealing a new collection for Target that’s affordable, chic, and consistent with his luxe but fun-loving aesthetic.

The Carlos Falchi for Target collection includes hobos, satchels, cross-body bags, and small purses in patchwork-esque designs that fuse various types of faux snakeskin. The collection focuses on jewel tones: from emerald greens (as with the satchel pictured above) to gray smoky quartz and rubellite tourmaline (as with the small purple purse pictured at bottom). And while the synthetic fabrics won’t have the supple, delicious feel of the authentic exotic skins Falchi uses in his high-end line, they still manage to look expensive and elegant (which is, after all the point — it’s not like you were planning to cuddle with that authentic croc bag, right?).

The collection hits Target on November 1st and will be available through Dec. 27t, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $49.99.

Posted at 10:44 AM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

October 29, 2009

Into The Sea With Depth’s Skin Care Products

Not to sound like Greenzo, but I'm always excited to try new botanical, skin care products — especially when it seems that the company involved has a genuine interest in protecting the Earth and its natural resources. So, when I heard about Depth, a new, 100% vegan line of skin care products derived from marine botanicals, my curiosity was piqued.

As soon as I tried Depth's Sea Berry Body Wash, which has a thin, almost aloe vera-like consistency, I noticed how gentle it felt against the skin. Once you start working it into the skin, it does lather up a bit (though don't expect any type of creaminess or any foaming effect), and it rinses off with ease for a "no muss, no fuss" situation. Like all Depth products, the body wash relies on marine plants— mainly brown, green and red algae — to detoxify and moisturize skin, and it contains no artificial colors or fragrances, no parabens, phthalates, petroleum, or any other harsh and potentially hazardous chemicals or minerals.

Sure, I would not necessarily reach for the Sea Berry Body Wash when I want the whole showering/bathing experience feel a bit more seductive and indulgent (for those purposes, I'd probably reach for Elemis' Exotic Frangipani Monoi Bath & Shower Cream, Korres' Bitter Almond or Guava Shower Gels, or one of Philosophy's 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath products). But when I need to just wash up and go, this is a good standby option — plus, it's a soothing formula for those with really delicate, extra sensitive skin, or those whose skin is feeling itchy, irritable, or inflamed. I actually tried incorporating the Sea Berry Body Wash into my son's bath time, and the experiment was a complete hit — especially since this particular scent is slightly reminiscent of bubble gum (which, admittedly, was a bit unexpected).

The Depth Hand & Body Lotion is also quite gentle, providing a soothing, cooling effect as it moisturizes the skin. The skin readily absorbs the lotion so that, within minutes of application, your skin feels noticeably softer. I do, however, wish that there were a greater range of lotions to address everyone's unique skin needs, as some of us need a bit more moisture — as I mentioned, the lotion does hydrate, but I still felt like I needed a nice dose of shea butter, argan oil, or some other heavy duty moisturizing agent for my extra dry skin.

Interestingly enough, while the lotion I tried was also the "Sea Berry" scent, its sweet yet tangy smell was dramatically different from that of the body wash — and way more appealing. I scoured the ingredient list trying to ascertain the source of this unique scent, but I was completely stumped! None of the ingredients — which, aside from marine algae, include sunflower seed oil, aloe juice, and sea lettuce — would yield this scent, as it's apparently derived from an "aromatic blend," through which botanical aromatics are distilled and blended with pure essential oils.

The complete range of products includes three additional scents: Mangrove Citrus, Bay Coconut, and Ocean Blossom.

Depth Body Wash, $9.99; Depth Hand & Body Lotion, $9.99. Available at Whole Food Markets nationwide and Drugstore.com

Posted at 09:12 PM in Beauty | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

October 29, 2009

Douglas Little Dell Laptops — A “Little” Piece of Heaven

If you live in the New York City area and you've strolled in front of Bergdorf Goodman recently, you might have been struck by five window displays alongside Fifth Avenue, all of which incorporate a Adamo by Dell laptop with skins customized by Douglas Little, the founder and creative director of D.L. & Co: Purveyors of Curious Goods. The collaborative effort between Bergdorf Goodman, Dell and Little shows the continuously shifting relationship between art, technology and fashion.

Each of the windows has a unique theme that corresponds with the aesthetic of the Adamo laptop on display. The "Web Master/Master the Web" window, for example, features a suspended mannequin, hanging by a intricate web of silver necklace chain and, in the mannequin's hands, you'll find a black Dell Adamo laptop with an etched spider web pattern and Swarovski crystal accents (as pictured at top). The "Princess & The PC" window, meanwhile, is a whimsical play on the classic "The Princess and the Pea" fairytale — in this case, what prevents the finicky princess from sleeping comfortably isn't a pea but a laptop (which she can't seem to detect because it's sop very slim). To match the Victorian-esque theme, Little designed a cream and pink, tapestry-like design (as pictured second from top) with a single, pearl-sized gold dot along the center (presumably, his cheeky nod to the "pea" in the story). One of the most jaw-dropping designs is the "Reshaping Technology" window, which features the Adamo fitted in a custom crocodile corset masterminded alongside costume designer Michael Schmidt. Another vital figure in the collection's design and execution was Haryn DeLeon, who was responsible for all the laser cutting on the laptops.

And here's the most beautiful part. While these laptop skins were not mass produced, one of these one-of-a-kind designs will be available to consumers through a sweepstakes with Elle.com.

To enter, simply visit Elle.com and fill out the entry form. You can return to the site once a day for a chance to enter through November 13th.

Posted at 09:12 AM in Art, Fashion, Giveaway, Web/Tech | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)