Vanessa Hudgens was photographed with her Patricia Nash Aberdeen Knapsack ($199) yesterday while arriving at LAX! Vanessa also took in the sights and posed with fans on her Italian getaway with the same Patricia Nash bag (www.patricianashdesigns.com).
Archives for July 2016
July 10, 2016
Vanessa Hudgens Wears Patricia Nash on Italian Getaway!
July 10, 2016
Beautiful sights in Italy, my Italian Adventure…to be continued
Of all the beautiful sights in Italy, I thought this flower pot was worth the photo.
July 10, 2016
Ladies Who Lunch
Want to throw the perfect luncheon? Today, I shared some great tips on the Arizona Midday show that are inexpensive and fun to help you throw the perfect party!
1. Read Between the Wines-Every luncheon needs a fun game to break the ice and get the conversation flowing. For wine enthusiast there’s Read Between the Wines, a party game of wine, wit & wordplay. Here’s how it works. 1. Sample a wine (as if you needed an excuse) 2. Pick a Theme (The game comes with 54 hilarious themes to inspire your winescribing 3. Write your hilarious wine
description (Let the wine speak from within you. Be as serious or as silly as you like.) 4. Pick your fave! After all of the descriptions are read aloud, each player votes for their favorite.) 5. Announce the winner. Crown the woman who’s the best winer. This is perfect for a small luncheon and is sure to build memories coupled with laughter. Price $34.99
Chyron: www.readbetweenwines.com
2. Eleni’s Conversation Cookies-No luncheon is complete without some sweets and cookies are a must. I love Emeni’s famous conversation cookies. These cookies are absolutely adorable and yummy at the same time. There are several themes to choose from to go with your tablescape and party theme. They really add a special touch to any luncheon, party or event. What I love most about this company is that they have something to fit every party theme that you can imagine and they give back to several charitable organizations so each time you bite into one of Eleni’s cookies you are contributing to helping others through your purchase. Eleni’s also offers cupcakes, design your own cookies, which are great for a kid’s party as well as corporate gifts, gift boxes, gift tins and darling party favors. Prices range from $4.00 to $70.00 for gift sets.
Chyron: www.elenis.com
3. Tablescape Placemats and Napkins-You don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve a beautiful look for your table. I love to use white paper doilies for placemats, coasters or as liners for my serving pieces. They also make beautiful envelopes for invitations. The best part is that they are inexpensive. You can buy them at any party in a variety of sizes and prices start at .99 cents. I am also a fan of repurposing items or shopping at vintage or thrift stores for fun finds. One of the thinks that I love to collect is vintage hankies. They come in a variety of beautiful fabrics, patterns and colors and they look lovely as a napkin for a luncheon or tea. It’s also a great party favor for your guests.
4. Serving & Centerpieces-When it comes to entertaining I always look for unusual ways to serve my guests after all presentation is what makes any event memorable. I am also very passionate about creating unique centerpieces for the table. A centerpiece is just as important as the invitation when it comes to setting the tone and theme for the luncheon or event. I love to use two or three tier serving dishes for each guest if it is a luncheon or tea or to create centerpieces with a combination of food and flowers. I also love to use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for finger foods such as tea sandwiches. It’s so easy and adds such a charming detail to the food. Here’s a little secret. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve this. You can purchase them at thrift stores or by shopping at stores such as Target or Home Goods or you can make them yourself by using items from around your home, purchasing vintage pieces at thrift stores and simply using a hot glue gun to glue candle stick holders, cups and plates together to create a two or three tier serving plate. You can use these at a luncheon as an individual plate with tea sandwiches, veggies, fruit and flowers or as centerpiece serving dishes for your guests. Have fun with it. I can promise you will be the talk of the town when you set your table this way.
5. Tea Forte-No luncheon is complete without a great tea. I love Tea forte. Their teas are infused with the finest ingredients and the presentation is elegant, unique and simply chic! Their signature pyramid design topped with a green leaf is a delightful way to drink a cup of tea and it makes a great conversation piece at the same time. Your guests will love it. Oprah said it best…“If you’re a tea
lover, this is about as good as it gets. Whole leaves picked from the tea gardens of China are hand-packed in pyramid-shaped infusers that give buds lots of room to bloom into a spectacular cup of tea.” – Oprah Tea Forte offers a variety of choices when it comes to tea. They offer individual tea, loose tea, gift sets, beautiful tea ware and so much more. The little details are what matter most and
Tea Forte serves up a sophisticated and charming cup of tea that will create a memorable experience for your luncheon guests. Prices approximately $10 and up.
Chyron: www.teaforte.com
6. Individual Place settings & Party Favors-I love to use mismatch china, silverware or glassware and hand pick the pieces with the pattern design that I feel best represents each of my guests personalities. I also love to create something beautiful for each of my guests as a place setting. I have always loved teacups because well, I love tea, but I also love the way it feels to hold a beautifully
handcrafted teacup in my hands. Teacups are so elegant and they make beautiful party favors for your guests. You can fill them with chocolates, bath salts or flowers to dress up each place setting and to serve as a parting gift for your guests. You can find them at thrift stores or discount stores such as Home Goods.
July 7, 2016
A Summer to Give Back
Are you traveling somewhere new this summer? With the weather generally being sunny and warm in most places, summertime is prime traveling time, isn’t it?
Here’s the thing: while we often like to be pampered and enjoy things like pools, spas and all that good stuff, what about doing something kind for others while you’re on your trip?
I’ve got an idea to make your summer trip more interesting. Go to the local store and buy several supplies you can put in a nice bag to give to someone who is homeless. Shop for things like an umbrella, moist towelettes, sunscreen, chewing gum, a comb or hairbrush, socks, and anything else you think would be practical, useful gifts for someone less fortunate. If you don’t have a lot to spend, try shopping at the Dollar Tree or Wal-Mart where you can find many great items.
Pack a bag, or two, or three, or more and take ‘em with you on your “vacation.” Then, make a point to look for someone in need. Unfortunately, underpriveleged people are not hard to find– you’re likely to see panhandlers on the streets of most cities, in parks, or along highways… especially at exits where cars line up to make their turns. Hand them your bag of goodies and wish them a happy day! Trust me, doing something kind and unusual like this will be a highlight of wherever you go this summer.
July 7, 2016
Cosmetic Procedures: Which To Do, Which To Skip
portrait of ayoung women with medical bandage and a fur-coat having a injection
Every single one of us, though #flawless, has at some point taken a look in the mirror and found at least one thing we’d like to change. Some of us learn to love the quirks in our looks and some of us think about getting a little fix. From the non-invasive to the surgical, cosmetic procedures are on the rise and there are a hundred ways to nip, tuck, lift and smooth just about any area of our bodies. Not all of it is vain and superficial. Some procedures have amazingly high satisfaction ratings; patients report not just looking better but feeling way more confident. According to the experts, these are the nips and tucks that are worth it and the ones you should skip:
Worth it: Breast Reduction
“By far, breast reductions produce the happiest post-op patients,” says New Bern, North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon and best selling author Dr. John Zannis, “The women (and sometimes men) that come to me for this procedure have usually been uncomfortable with the size of their breasts for years, in many cases since early puberty. You can really see an immediate boost to their confidence.” Overly large breasts have uncomfortable physical effects like chronic back pain and bad posture, but they can also become a huge self-esteem complex, especially for girls. Breast reduction surgeries report an extremely high satisfaction rate of almost 90% according to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Magazine.
Skip: Lip Fillers
Lip fillers can work wonders but they’re tricky. They don’t look the same on everyone; your end result could be Kylie Jenner’s lipstick-empire-building pout or Donatella Versace’s trout mouth. They’re more of a toss up and depend on too many variables, from the natural curve of your lips to the skill of your doctor to the type of filler used.
Worth it: Non-Invasive Face Lifts
“Off the top of my head some of my happiest clients are non-invasive face lift patients,” says Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a board certified dermatologist who specializes in surgical and medical skin procedures at her New York office. “The skin on the neck and chin get a substantial lift and smooth with no cutting or general anesthetics, patients report not only looking younger but constantly say they feel better about themselves. Which is the key word I look for when gauging post-recovery satisfaction!”
Worth it: Rhinoplasty
“A rhinoplasty from a skilled plastic surgeon can completely change a face,” says Zannis. He adds, “The nose is the most protruding facial feature and sits right in the center; any sort of change alters how you look from different angles, how light and shadows hit you and can make the face look more symmetrical.” To become a full believer in the power of rhinoplasty just search “Bella Hadid before and after nose job” on Google. Literally a different person.
Skip: Cheek Implants
Cheeks have a very prominent position in your face. Like tweaking your nose, tweaking the shape and size of your cheeks changes your whole look, but like any other facial implant or filler; they are not one size fits all. In older individuals cheek implants are just as likely to drag your skin down as smooth it. Good results depend on implant type, technique, original face shape, and considering the natural effects of aging in the future.
Worth it: Body Contouring
“Body contouring is easily one of my top three highest patient satisfaction procedures” says Dr. Papantoniou who provides the procedure at her practice. “These are non-invasive fat loss techniques and they give truly amazing results after about 3 months of treatments. There is no downtime, no pain. Some patients come in for them during long lunch breaks! Patients lose whole inches. Again, the most telling sign is how they stress feeling good after the procedure.”
July 6, 2016
IT’S HOT, HOT, HOT—DO YOU KNOW WHAT SCENT TO WEAR FOR ALL OF YOUR SUMMER OUTINGS?
GetYourPerfume Beauty Shares Favorite Warm Weather Fragrance Tips Below with “Find Your Scent for Summer”
Summer is here and the temps are hot—do you know what fragrance is best for all your weddings, family gatherings, and sexy summer date nights? Jeffrey Weldler, beauty and fragrance marketing expert at GetYourPerfume, has the answers! He shares the top favorite summer scents that are perfect for anywhere you are headed this season. From citrusy to flowery, below are the best scents to wear when.
GetYourPerfume specializes in genuine designer fragrances, bath and body essentials, cosmetics, skincare products, and gifts and accessories for men, women and children. Where you’ll always find amazing, genuine designer products at your fingertips.
Find Your Scent for Summer Tips:
Work—for the office, less is more. Avoid offending your coworkers with heavy scents and by wearing too much. Your best bet are fruity, floral scents with fresh notes like mandarin or apricot. Think light and airy and summer perfect.
We Recommend: Miss Dior by Christian Dior and So Delicious by DKNY
Date Night—when date night rolls around, pull out the subtle scents. White floral fragrances are romantic and sexy. Look for scents that incorporate sandalwood, iris, jasmine, and orange blossom. You’ll be summer sexy and ready for a romantic date.
We Recommend: Dolce Floral Drops by Dolce & Gabbana and La Parfum by Elie Saab
Weddings—whether you’re the bride or simply a guest, weddings call for romantic, feminine scents. Light, airy, happy, and crisp. Lean towards scents like pink grapefruit, dewberry, peony, lily of the valley, pink rose, and honeysuckle.
We Recommend: Truly Pink by Vera Wang and Daisy Oh So Fresh by Marc Jacobs
Family Gatherings—when it comes to a family get together or holiday, find a light, airy scent that is easy to wear and soft. A scent with warm vanillas and musk are cozy and easy for people to be around.
We Recommend: Dahlia Noir by Givenchy and Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker
Hot Weather—a scent will not be the same indoors in the air conditioning as it will be outside in the heat, as perfume oils react with heat to release their aromas. Fragrances that you love in the winter may not be the best bets for summer. Look for citrus notes and woody or grassy bases. Another option is to go with single note scents like lavender, vanilla, ylang ylang, and jasmine. They have more staying power and you know exactly what you’re getting with their scents.
We Recommend: Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana and Fan di Fendi Blossom by Fendi
Crisp & Clean—when the temps are up, you want to feel fresh and clean. You’re looking for pure and appealing fragrances. Clean scents are light, airy, and shower-fresh. Think clean florals like lily of the valley.
We Recommend: Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes and Grace by Philosophy
How to Wear Perfume
Perfume is best worn on parts of the body where natural body heat will slowly release the perfume’s ingredients. Keep in mind that when it comes to your personal scent, less is more. Apply the perfume to dry, freshly showered skin. Avoid spraying perfume on clothing. To sustain the fragrance’s note, avoid rubbing the perfume into your skin.
Men and women have different body temperatures, therefore fragrance placement will be different for each gender.
Hot Zone – Men produce more heat near the lower jaw, neck, and shoulders. Women produce more heat behind the ears, neck, and chest. Placing perfume in these regions will allow for the scent to release more quickly.
Warm Zone – Men tend to have less heat generation near their chest and wrist. Women produce less heat on their shoulders, wrist, and behind the knees. Dabbing some perfume in these regions will help the scent last longer with a slower release time.
Medium Zone – The inner elbow and forearm are the coolest regions on a man’s extremities. Women tend to have a lower body temperature on their inner elbow, below their midriff, calves and ankles. Applying a touch of fragrance in these areas will help the scent linger.
Perfume Wearing Tips
Summertime is the best time to wear soft fragrances comprised of fresh herbs, citrus and florals.
It is advisable to have an everyday scent for work, outdoor events, shopping or holidays.
Don’t overuse perfume, especially in the summer, as less is more when it comes to the use of fragrances. In addition, the summer heat and the heat of your body can significantly change both the power of the fragrance as well as the actual scent. In the summer you might want to consider applying perfume to non pulse points, as those are typically cooler than the pulse point areas (which are warmer due to the blood flow). Avoid wearing fragrances in direct sunlight, as some ingredients will react to ultra violet rays and affect scent notes that can not only change the fragrance, but also irritate or stain your skin.
Bio/Credit:
Jeffrey Weldler is the beauty and fragrance marketing expert at GetYourPerfume, the go-to site for genuine designer fragrances, bath and body products, cosmetics, skincare essentials, and related gifts and accessories for men, women, and children. As a fragrance and beauty expert, Jeffrey helps to educate others on top beauty trends to look out for, must-know product launches, quick makeover tips, and much more.
Find your fragrance at GetYourPerfume by visiting their site at www.getyourperfume.com. Follow GetYourPerfume on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
July 5, 2016
I am going on a picnic and serving up some CeraVe
If you loving go on picnics as much as I do, you want to be sure you have fun. Planning is important and once you have the food covered, you need to have yourself covered just in case. Don’t forget your sunscreen and the NEW CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing Lotion and CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing Cream. Tuck a container inside your picnic basket and be prepared. CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion and Cream will come to your rescue if you start to experience dry skin, irritation form insect bites (those ants sure can give a nasty bite) and of course the dreaded sunburn.
CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing and Cream are both free of Steroids, is non-comedogenic, non-irratating and fragrance and sulfate free. The formulas are a topical analgesic formulated to relieve itching due to minor skin irritations. They were developed by dermatologists and contains the anti-itch ingredient, pramoxine hydrochloride 1%. “Three essential ceramides (1,3,6-11) help to repair and restore the protective skin barrier” These products are suitable for children too!
Once applied, CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing and Cream starts working within 2 minutes and will provide relief up to 8 hours for most people. Isn’t it worth being prepared as opposed to having an itchy afternoon?
CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing Lotion and CeraVe Itch Relieving Moisturizing Cream are available at Walgreens and Rite Aid
July 5, 2016
PRIVATERX now at CVS Pharmacy
ONLY @ Select CVS/Pharmacy Locations!
Starting this week, CVS/Pharmacy is offering an exclusive $4 off deal to customers who purchase either the Internal Vaginal Moisturizer or Personal Vaginal Lubricant! This deal isONLY available at CVS/pharmacy and is for a limited time. Don’t miss out!!
Click here to find a location near you
July 5, 2016
WEDDING SEASON: GET HAIR, BROW & SKIN-READY
Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid or guest, you want to have your look in check for such an occasion! Expert Stylist Jason J Dougherty of Butterfly Studio Salon, Brow Specialist Matt Shakik of Spruce and Bond, and Certified Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe share their inside tips and tricks for achieving a flawless and worry free look on the big day.
Hair prep:
Step 1: Evaluate your needs and wants – if you plan on wearing your hair down or half up half down, you’ll need to ensure that your ends are healthy. Book a deep conditioning treatment at your salon the week before. If you plan on an up do, save a little dirt for a better style. Your hair will hold any style better when it has a little bit of grit. You never want squeaky clean when doing any sort of up style so either shampoo as usual the previous night or prep for the wedding day and a book a blowout the morning of the rehearsal for benefits of both days.
Step 2: Perfect or upgrade your color – Color is so custom and ever-changing. Sometimes the magic happens all at once, sometimes in stages. Achieve the end goal through a couple of salon visits, over a period of time. Take a few inspiration photos and talk about how your hair pro can make it ready to wear.
Brow prep:
Step 1: Finding a tint – You want the color to match well enough to look natural, yet you want it to be distinct enough to contrast a little. People normally try to match their hair color, but our brows naturally look darker because they’re surrounded by paler skin.
Step 2: Put the tweezers down – Do not jeopardize the structure or thickness by removing hairs that might in time give you a fuller and more complete brow. Don’t take out hairs on one side to match it up to the other if it means making the brow thinner. When it comes to an end goal with your brows give them time and let them go, it might be torture but it will be well worth the wait. Tweezing is always the best option as it allows you to remove individual hairs to achieve the best shape.
Skin Prep:
Step 1: Schedule a visit with your dermatologist. Four to Six months in advance is best. If you have severe acne or scarring, getting these things taken care of in advance is important.
Step 2: Maintain healthy skin – I recommend exfoliating your skin two to three times a week to slough away dead skin cells, which would otherwise clog your pores. An exfoliating mask that contains glycolic and salicylic acids works great to clear out pores and tighten them. Dr. Brandt’s PoreDermebrasion works for any skin type making pores smaller for a better tone.
During the weather changes you need to switch out your creams and cleansers. During the winter, I tend to use creamy or hydrating cleansers, but I switch to a normal cleanser in the spring, like heavy moisturizer, creamy cleansers leave a residue of fats and lips on the skin. That’s good in the winter because you have a compromised skin barrier, but you don’t need it in the spring. Keep the three categories of cleansers in mind: creamy, foaming, and normal (non-soap, pH-balanced cleanser). Opt for normal cleanser once the weather warms up, unless your skin is especially oily, in which case a foaming cleanser can help remove extra oils. Try Dr. Brandt’s Foaming Cleanser to give skin hours of protection against free radicals while dissolving away stubborn makeup and impurities!
July 4, 2016
Windle & Moodie hair care and styling line, just got The Violet Code of approval
Windle & Moodie, an innovative and eco-friendly hair care and styling line, just got The Violet Code of approval. Select products from their collection will now be offered exclusively on VIOLETGREY.com and in VIOLET GREY’s flagship boutique on Melrose Place in Los Angeles. With editorial and fashion experience stretching back to the ‘80s, hair gurus Paul Windle and Neil Moodie have rigorously tested their range of products both on set and in their award-winning salon in London’s Covent Garden to meet their exacting standards. Featuring breakthrough technologies and unique ingredients such as tea leaves, Windle & Moodie shampoos and conditioners leave hair radiant and shiny, while their styling products work with your hair to enhance or transform texture.
VIOLET GREY collaborates with Hollywood’s leading artists and stars to curate the ultimate cosmetic wardrobe, lined with a discerning curation of beauty products, tips and inspiration deemed essential by those who know best. Windle & Moodie has been discovered, tested, approved, and filed, passing the rigorous testing process set forth by The Violet Code to join the ranks of the best in beauty.
INVISIBLE DAY & NIGHT CREAM, $29
A lightweight cream to protect hair from damage.
Bringing skincare concepts to haircare, this ‘behind-the-scenes’ moisturizer was created to protect hair against any form of abrasion—day or night. Strands suffer breakage from combing and styling, as well as friction while sleeping, which this cream prevents.
CURL ENHANCER, $20
A weightless defining cream for perfect curls and effortless bounce.
Designed with a unique enzyme to create definition and separation, each curl is flawlessly formed. Smooths and protects against humidity, gives a natural, glossy shine, and offers UV protection.
NOURISHING TREATMENT SHAMPOO, $26.50
An intense treatment shampoo for dry and color-treated hair.
This lush, creamy shampoo intensely moisturizes for smooth, glossy strands. Made with high-quality, food-grade rooibos tea, sugar beet extract, and wheat micro-protein for a radiant, youthful finish and a healthy scalp.
A decadent, yet lightweight, conditioner to repair and strengthen dry and color-treated hair.
This rich conditioner offers weightless detangling with keratin technology to intelligently repair damaged strands. The hair is fully repaired and restored back to its optimal condition.
A lightweight oil to add shine and tame tresses.
This supercharged blend of oils smooths and nourishes all hair types. Can be used for a glossy, frizz-free blowout, or as a finishing touch for silky, polished tresses.
FOUNDATION SPRAY, $22
A moisturizing detangler to balance porosity and prepare hair for styling.
The Foundation Spray evens out the hair’s porosity to optimize the performance of styling products layered on the hair. Formulated to balance the scalp, add shine, hydrate, and smooth, this spray is the first step in achieving any look.
THICKENING CREAM, $20
A multi-use cream to create volume and add tousled texture.
The Thickening Cream gives lift, volume, and thickness for all hair types, especially fine, lank locks. It makes an ideal blow dry cream for maximum body, and can be used as a finishing cream on dry hair for supple texture.
FORTIFYING SHAMPOO, $26.50
A shampoo to thicken and strengthen fine to medium hair.
This gentle volumizing shampoo gives hair body and bounce while strengthening strands. Made with high-quality, food-grade rooibos tea, sugar beet extract, and wheat micro-protein for a radiant, youthful finish and a healthy scalp.
A lightweight conditioner for volume and thickness.
This conditioner is the ultimate solution for flat, limp hair. Using wheat protein volumization technology it provides lift and fullness without build-up or frizz.