My date with Revlon at NYC Internet Week

Revlon at Internet Week New York 2012

Before

Revlon Kiss Me Coral Colorburst Lipstick and Brown Sugar Lipbutter

After

Ok, so its not an actual date per se, but I made a date with Revlon yesterday in SoHo at Internet Week New York 2012. My conference intent was to learn but when there is a makeup booth in the building, I'm in line! Revlon just so happened to be a sponsor of the conference and I got in the seat. I requested a "fresh, coral-ly look" and I got more than that. Needless to say, I am sat-is-fied!
I haven't used Revlon in a looong while, I think the last time I used the brand was for their Vixen nail color over 10 years ago. Now knowing that the colors are pigmented without the chalkiness, I think I'll spend a bit more time at their displays.
The MUA used Revlon's PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse in Caramel in the middle of my face and PhotoReady Makeup in Mocha on the exterior. Then I got a rubdown on my cheeks with PhotoReady Cream Blush in Coral Reef on the lips Colorburst Lipbutter in Brown Sugar and Colorburst Lipcolor in Kiss Me Coral.

Thakoon for NARS 2012- Lal Mirchi Nail polish

Thakoon for Nars- Lal Mirchi

I'm wearing Lal Mirchi for brunch at Juliette in Williamsburg.

Last week, I headed over to the west village to check out NARS' Summer collection but ran into some playful friends named the Thakoon for NARS Nail polish collection!  Initially, I didn't think I would like the colors as I thought the blue's were more like the Chanel Denim color palette but I was wrong. These colors are really bold and the polish requires no more than 2 coats.  I was tossed up between one of three colors that I really loved but decided on Lal Mirchi, the "mandarin red" colored polish. The color is true to form and errs slightly on the orange side but not your orange-coral seen all around NYC. As far as wear goes, I've had this on for a week and no chipping as of yet. I just used a clear base and two coats and I was done.

Curating fun with Critical Mob

What happens when you re-tweet@criticalmob? You get entered into a weekly drawing for a Critical Mob t-shirt that is all types of awesome. I was shadily jealous when looking at SXSW pics of cool kids at taco trucks with the shirt on but just last week, I won a shirt!
So now what?! Taking inspiration from future happenings here in NYC like the Keith Harring exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, Esperanza Spalding at Celebrate Brooklyn, Prada and Schiaparelli at the Metropolitan Museum.. the list goes on. I decided to curate my Critical Mob shirt with some fun beauty items that would get me in the mood for these relaxing days.
From left to right: Marni for H&M bracelet, Tata Harper's Hydrating Floral Essence, NARS lipgloss in Wonder, Maybelline's Great Lash Lots of Lashes in Blackest Black and gold paillette mini-purse from H&M.

Spring Shoe-in: Givenchy Jelly Zip Sandals

Givenchy Jelly Zip Sandals. Photo from Barneys.com

Givenchy Jelly Zip Sandals. Photo by Lacroix

The unusually warm weather got me thinking about my Spring footwear. My favorite for the past 2 summers have been my Givenchy Jelly Sandals that I reviewed here, and let me tell you- those shoes have run their course! So much so that last fall when I was wearing my baby's out, a women started talking about how she loved her Giv Jellies too but they started cracking and falling apart and how mine were in good shape. I thanked her for her compliment and assured her that my shoes were being held together my a weekly cleanings and superglue for the cracks!
 Anywho, I started on my mission for my new jelly sandals and were so pleased with my Givenchy's from 2 years past that I started browsing Barneys.com for my replacement sandals. Luckily, this seasons jelly sandals ( at least appear) as though they are more bad ass than my former. The 2012 "gladiator" sandal features thicker plastic with zipper detail, a wider toe area and an ankle buckle for easy adjusting. The sandal is available in 3 colors: Army green, Black and Beige. I chose beige after the success of my beige sandal from yesteryear even though it seems to be the most impractical color to wear, on your feet no less, in NYC. The trick is watch where you are walking!
Since finals are upon me, these are still in the box and will be ready for the wearing at the end of the month.

Lady Luck: Chanel Gold Fingers Nail Vernis

Chanel Gold Fingers with Lilly Lewis for TopShop hat

Gold Fingers Bottle

Chanel Gold Fingers Swatches

Where does one go for beautiful weather, margaritas at the pool and tons of walking to burn off the calories in margaritas? Las Vegas! And that's where we were for Spring Break last week.
While taking a break from the sun, I walked over to the new Chanel boutique at the Bellagio Hotel that opened last month. The store reminded me of the Soho boutique, very well lit and spacious. I walked over to the beauty counter and the SA told me that all that was left of the Las Vegas exclusives were the Gold Fingers nail color and the palette Lucky Stripes. So the SA swatched the nail color and made my purchase.
When swatched, Gold Fingers is a  sheer shimmery yellow gold with golden flecks. Not quite goldenrod and not quite canary, just somewhere in between, maybe if mellow gold? If you struggle with getting glittery polish off your nails (like I do), you won't have a problem with this one. It just whisks right off. I think this color looks amazing alone but, its so sheer ( 1 coat is pictured) I think it would be a great overlay on another favorite nail color. The only downside I can see is despite its exclusivity for Chanel, its definitely dupable. If you are looking for a shade like this, you will definitely find it ( I don't know any off the top of my head but I've seen a person or 2 with a similar shade of nail color on and it wasn't Gold Fingers).
 On a fashion note, TopShop opened in Vegas and they had tons of exclusives! One that had me going back and forth at the Fashion Mall was the Lilly Lewis for TopShop Club pilbox hat. Its so adorable!
I immediately saw this and had to stop, leave, comeback, debate, tell my friends at the hotel and then go back to the store before they closed! There were four different hats  2 red glitter- Hearts and Diamonds and 2 black glitter- Spades and Clubs.

Music: Bombay Bicycle Club at MHOW

Last Saturday, the BF and I checked out Bombay Bicycle Club at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. I had first heard of the band last year when I went to Toronto at the Canadian Music Festival. Since I was on vacation exploring some digs that Toronto had to offer, one evening I found myself catching their impressive set at Lee's Palace. Now they are touring for their 3rd album that came out in August of 2011,  A Different Kind of Fix  and have since blown up to two sold out shows in NYC, MHOW and the Bowery Ballroom.

Here is my video of their encore of the night and one of my favorite songs by BBC, Shuffle. I hope you enjoy!

Marni for H&M's Mellow Madness

Marni for H&M goodies!

White Floral Necklace

Black Sequin collar

Chunky Bracelets

 This week, I ushered Spring Break in by "Glamping" it up outside of  H&M on 51st and 5th ave for the launch of Marni for H&M on Thursday morning. My Wednesday evening went a little something like this:  last midterm, alumni event, home, shower, pack some snacks, book and blanket and head over to H&M.. in the wee early hours in the morning ( I'm embarrassed to say the specific time, but I was #21 in line..). 
As far as "Glamping" goes, I use the term loosely as this shopping trip would probably be Phyllis Nefler approved though I think she would look down upon my attire- sweatpants and a hoodie.
Anyway, I was one of the first to shop the Marni for H&M collection at 8:05 am and upon entering the sectioned off area, my emotions went from surprised, confused and delighted.
First, the Marni for H&M "showroom" was condensed so much so that I walked past a lot of merch! I had to ask where things were from one of the 20 sales associates in an estimated 20x 40ft area. Surprise! Confusion set in when the sales associates explained that they didn't receive the whole collection from the lookbook- meaning the printed silk shorts I wanted, the flagship store never received. Bummer. After I gathered my mounds of accessories in my 15 minute shopping interval, I sifted through the goods and am happy with the price and quality of this collab. Here is my breakdown of the accessories:


White plastic floral necklace: A nice statement piece. I was surprised by the size of the large flower petals, I must have taken for granted in the lookbook its huge. I hope to wear this with either a cute sleeveless dress with a high collar or with my Thakoon for Target green and blue colorblocked dress.

Black Sequin collar: Ok, I've been skeptical of collars. I fell in love with the collars on the Peter Pan dresses from Louis Vuitton's 2003 Mirokami collection and in the past 2 years, LV did some looks with collars. Now, I see them in Zara and am wondering if the trend will fleet before I wear my goods. Oh well, I will definitely rock this one! Though the collar is described as sequin, it should be described at paillettes. This will go well with my Miu Miu Pailette shoes.

Chunky Bracelets: These chunksters are the bang for my t-shirt and jeans life! I haven't yet tried these on but I've seen them in action on one of the many folks at H&M on Thursday morn.


Overall, I think the collection is great. This last time I did something as far as "Glamping" was for Lanvin. I hope that these pieces will last a long time despite the stigma of designer collabs being cheap temporary "thrills", but I've never had a problem with H&M's quality of clothing from the get go. Anyway, If you didn't get a chance to check this out in stores, unfortunately, I think your best bet is 1. to check with H&M anyway ( the return policy is a stringent 10 days for returns- April 7th) or you can try Ebay and hope the ridiculously inflated prices drop within a reasonable time.

Spring 2012 Haul: YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

YSL Rouge Pur Couture- #4 Mauve Pigmente

YSL Rouge Pur Couture swatch in #4 Mauve Pigmente

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain presents us with some interesting choices: Stick, Gloss or Stain and the best part? You choose!
This Spring YSL Beauty combined three desired lip textures into a super beauty product like none other, YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain!
Initially, the color in the package is very bold and a bit intimidating, I questioned, "Are my lips going to really look that purple?", then I swatched #3 and #4 on my hand to check the actual color and the consistency. I was greatly surprised! Not only did the colors quietly blend onto my hand and present warm brown and light berry tones but the consistency was smooth, not sticky like other glosses and glasses. Additionally, when taking off the swatches, a generous amount of stain was left.
Lippie hoarders beware! YSL Rouge Pur Glossy Stain will be your go to for the Summer!

Check out this cute video for YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

Chanel Spring 2012: June 539 Nail Color

Chanel June (539) Nail Color Swatches

Even though its been a mild winter so far, I can't wait for "official" Spring but I'm taking the Spring like weather and loving every bit of it. I wanted to switch up my nail color too, I've been wearing Black Satin and thinking about something lighter, peppier, maybe it can lift my spirits and boost some creativity and into the nail box I went. I purchased June back in December but left it at the bottom of my drawer but then I was reminded of its color after a quick run through Macy's yesterday. So I decided to give it a try and I love the color! June is an opaque bright milky coral that complements my skin-tone nicely. I just can't wait to break out with my warmer gear but until then I have perkiness nailed!