Meeting Rebecca Minkoff at Nordstrom for #RMRoadtrip was a.... trip!
Add meeting blogger Clare from C Squared W in real life with her friend Kristen? Perfection.
It made for a wonderful time in Chicago...and I bought this for my sister, which Rebecca signed.
Location:
296 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
Who doesn't like things in mini sizes? Mini cupcakes, mini chocolate bars, mini Easter eggs...okay...perhaps these are not the best examples as they're all chocolate related, but, what I'm trying to say is that it's easy to indulge when the portion is mini, right?
You still get the satisfaction of having the whole thing, but it's guilt-free. Such is the deal with MiniLuxe...it's all of the luxury of a full service nail salon without the big price tag, and without sacrificing cleanliness, while still offering maximum satisfaction and relaxation in a pretty salon setting.
I stopped by the MiniLuxe on Newbury recently, courtesy of my friends at Aigner/Prensky, and was treated to a wonderful warm oil pedicure and full manicure by Danh. My feet were soaked, scrubbed, oiled down and steam wrapped. It was a glorious 45 minutes of heaven and the jet-free foot tubs are much nicer and make everything feel much cleaner. Speaking of clean, all the instruments are autoclaved (pressurized steam-heated machine for sterilizing) and the other utensils are freshly opened from sealed packages. The nail files used on clients are theirs to take home after.
Here's the full MiniLuxe Menu.
Thank you Danh for pampering me and getting my nails ready to shoot this event the following day!
I was honored when Indochino commissioned me to photograph their Traveling Tailor pop-up shop at 234 Clarendon St., in Boston this week!
Based in Vancouver, Canada (always happy to work with my fellow Canadians!), Indochino provides customizable, high quality, hand-tailored suits and shirts (and accessories) for the sophisticated and dapper gentleman.
Traveling Tailor has already been suiting up Chicago, New York City and Washington DC, and now they are here to #SuitUpBos!
Pre-book your 30-minute appointment with one of their talented senior stylists, and if you purchase a suit in store, (starting at $379) you'll also receive a free custom designed and fitted dress shirt as well as a gift set containing cufflinks and a tie pin!
Indochino is currently taking appointments so get measured up to size, while the traveling tailor(s) are in town, only until April 15!
Here's a look at INDOCHINO in Boston...
Is it Spring, yet? Honestly, we're so close, yet so far.
At Neiman Marcus, at least, Spring was in the air, thanks to AnaMaria Pimental who is Neiman Marcus's Fashion Accessories Director. I was invited to photograph her colorful fashion presentation on all the trends coming up this season.
So, what's hot? Blues and oranges! As is, "relaxed chic" all the way down to a studded-toe Miu Miu sneaker! Also, prints are here to stay, which is good because I'm always a fan of a good dose of flowers.
Some of the highlights included this Judith Leiber William Crystal Frog purse, Charlotte Olympia shoes (the likes of which we've already raved about here) especially the Eiffel Tower sandals and the cute cat-face slippers. So, hooray for a range of flats and heels (like these amazing Alexander McQueen studded booties) for Spring.
And I picked up a fun styling tip for carrying a scarf: wrap it around the handle of your bag (as was done over this beautiful Nancy Gonzalez bag) making it look stylish and also easy to carry.
My favorite had to be this Alice + Olivia's embroidered jacket! How stunning, right? Styled with beautiful jewelry designed by Dina Mackney, the jacket looks polished and colorful!
So, come in from the cold and look ahead to a fashionable Spring with AnaMaria's cheery presentation of pretty looks on the always gorgeous Maggie models: Marie, Lauren, Marta and Amber.
Also, Roger Daltrey from The Who barely escaped my lens as he shopped! Thanks to Elizabeth for pointing him out to me, and to Lei Ann for capturing my photographer's stance!
What are you most looking forward to wearing this Spring?
Neiman Marcus sure knows how to throw a party!
Last Thursday night's festivities to kick off the Beauty Event of the season was no exception.
Hosted by the amazing Katie Boyd of Miss Fit Gym, she was joined by the beautiful Miss Massachusetts, Miss Teen Massachusetts and Miss New Hampshire. Sterling Williams of Chanel created magic with his super team, and the gorgeous "belles" of Honeybelle Body Buffer Nancy Donahue and Susan Pasanen were there for a night of beauty.
Top ALL of that off with overflowing champagne?? That's a party!
And I was happy to capture all of it...
Neiman Marcus's Beauty Event is on until March 3 2013!
I'm such a huge fan of Candela...everything is bohemian and playful, demure and sweet.
Don't you want these beautiful head of braids and those SHOES?
It was nice to see Candela designer Gabriela Perezutti and Ken Downing, the Senior Vice President and Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus.
Here a look at SPRING, at the Candela RTW SS2013 Presentation...
Looking back today on Brandon Sun's immaculate SS2013 RTW presentation at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Animal prints with beautiful, luscious fur. Sexy, flowy gowns mixed with pencil skirts and sculptured accents. Draped, yet structured and impecably tailored.
I want it all.
Can we talk about skincare and make-up today?
l've always had problem skin for as long as I can remember. I even had a love-affair with Proactiv for a while, which lasted about six months and then started to irritate my face.
After trying PH balanced products (like La Roche-Posay's Effaclar) the glycolic acid toners like Murad's Clarifying Toner and spending from $5 on scrubs to $100 on treatments, I discovered Boscia.
It's working, you guys.
So, I put together my beauty must-haves, the things I can't do without, from cleansing, to minimal make-up to a full face for a night on the town.
I LOVE Boscia's clear complexion kit because I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily. The kit has been wonderful; it includes the cleanser that you use to wash your face, followed by the spray tonic, then the treatment and finally the moisturizer. I've found it doesn't irritate my skin and has a mild, clean scent.
So after I used that, I of course, wanted to try everything else Boscia had to offer, and absolutely LOVE the black mask - not only is it so fun to peel off, but it really tightens and tones.
On occasion I like to use the Boscia clarifying detox mask, which is a clay mask that I found really took care of excess oil, which was great for my T-zone.
My favorite primer to use is Laura Mercier's Hydrating primer which is water based, not oil based. The oil-free formula didn't feel as good as this on my face.
After this, I like to use a little bit of concealer under my eyes and problem spots. I have tried a. lot. of. concealers. My go-to now, is Dior's Nude, in Honey. Goes on light but stays put and doesn't feel greasy or cakey.
Next, for full foundation coverage for parties and such, I recently discovered (thanks to my sister) MAC's Matchmaster SPF foundation. It glides on easily, blending easily, stays matte all day. I wear it in 6. The SPF coverage is a bonus.
To apply foundation, I use Cynthia Rowley's Beauty Blender, which I found at Marshalls for $5.99! You can find many variations of it at Target and online, and it looks like this. Makes blending a breeze.
For blush I absolutely love NARS in Torrid. Two of my besties use the same shade and we are all very different in skin tones. It's a pretty shade which I think works for winter and summer.
As an all-over powder, I like MAC's Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium. I apply it using a great buffing brush from Eco Tools.
If I do a highlighter for my high cheek bones (or lack thereof) I adore MAC's Gana Frost which was a limited edition when Mickey Contractor (Bollywood's most sought-after makeup artist) did a line with MAC. I also like Benefit's High Beam.
For eye make-up, when I do a cat-eye, I rely on Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Liner - it's waterproof, and really stays put!).
For a smudgy smokey eye, I love using Urban Decays eye liners. They're all so beautiful.
Dior's SHOW is the.best.mascara. I've ever used. Makes my lashes look really long, and doesn't clump.
If I do eyeshadow, I prime my lids first, with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. It's so easy to apply, just a dot on each lid really helps shadows stay put.
And if I'm going for a really dramatic evening look and want to darken my brows, Anastasia's Perfect Brow Pencil is my go-to for a fuller brow. Love having a brush with it!
Can we talk lipsticks for a second? What are your faves? I've recently fallen for MAC's Party Line, perfect for a Wintery look.
After all the fun and games, if washing my face doesn't do it, and even if it does, I go to Korres. LOOOOOVE KORRES!! These wipes work really well and smell so refreshing. And the Pomegranate Toner really picks up dirt and makeup but feels gentle and doesn't dry my skin.
TELL ME, what are some of your beauty-faves?
Neiman Marcus recently celebrated the launch of their Longchamp shop with festivities hosted by Lani. I was honored to be asked to photograph all the fun and fancy; easy to do when surrounded by luscious bags, macarons and champagne! Lucky Mariah won the Veau Foulonne tote in Fall's much sought after shade...take a look...Join me at the Longchamp party!
I'm off to London on holiday, here's what I would pack - don't you love the striped dress? I wish I really had that in my closet!
Have you been to London? What did you wear there?
I was delighted to capture the spirit of Neiman Marcus's Forevermark Diamond Collection designed by Maria Canale. With over 30 years of design experience, 20 of which was spent designing for Tiffany & Co., Canale has created many remarkable and recognizable collections. Needless to say, she is no stranger to 'romancing the stone'.
Luxurious is an understatement for these elegant and BRILLIANT baubles, but the true mark of a good diamond is where it comes from. Forevermark diamonds are sourced responsibly under fair practices from a small number of mines located in various countries including Botswana, where I grew up!
The line of rings, necklaces and earrings is the first collaboration between Canale and Forevermark for Neiman Marcus. Join me, along with Corinne Grousbeck, Katherine Chapman, Laura Rehnert, Gwenn Snider, Jeannie Blasberg and more for a night of champagne and diamonds galore!
Models are Adriana and Claire who I last photographed at Zac Posen!
While in NYC a few days ago, I got to take in Paul Mayer's Spring 2013 collection of cuter than cute ballet flats and sneaker style shoes, all in Mayer's signature soft and flexible leathers with adorale prints and cut-outs, some with adjustable bows (love!).
Meeting Paul was a highlight, and tasting his delicious "Titou's Gazpacho" was a true delight; the recipe of which is also available in his latest lookbook, that combines the designer's pretty shoes with his own recipes!
If I'd had more time, I could have spent the rest of the day there!
"Our shoes are modern classics. They’re an addiction. They are truly forever timeless."
----Paul Mayer
I was thrilled to photograph Gemma Kahng's appearance at Neiman Marcus in Boston last night. What a fabulous lady she is! It's the second coming for this incredible designer, and I am so happy for her!
Join me for an evening of glitz and glamour as only Neiman Marcus can do...
Maggie Inc. Models Jade + Shaina
Catering by Broadway Gourmet
Ivivva Athletica contacted me to review their cross-functional athletic apparel for girls ages 6-14. While I'm not in that age range (but SO SO close!), my 12 year old niece is, and made a good candidate to test out the product.
Ivivva comes to us from the well-known lululemon brand who've positively mastered the yoga pant. The one pair I own is truly my go-to, for working out. I'll admit, I refused to believe in lululemon for a few years, but then I tried it. Now who better to test that same theory out on, than on the tweens who tell it like it is?
So, on Labor Day Weekend and before "back to school" we went out to Block Island, Rhode Island, a location that served as the ideal backdrop for my niece and her BFF to model and test out Ivivva's brightly colored athletic clothing, proving that Ivivva is comfortable, functional and pretty, too!
Tell me, what do you wear to work out?
I was happy to oblige when Jewel from Eat Drink Shop Love asked me if I wanted to guest blog in time for her vacation to Puerto Rico! For what better way to showcase the exotic destination than with a "What to Pack" post?
What are your must-haves for a beach vacay?
