February 25, 2012

WEAR YOUR IRISH HERITAGE

THE LUCKY COIN NECKLACE FROM ISABELLE GRACE JEWELRY

A St. Patty’s Day Fave! This ISABELLE GRACE JEWELRY sweet freshwater coin pearl is accented with a mini gold vermeil or sterling silver disc. You can add a personal touch with your favorite semi-precious stone.

This piece retails for $45 and is available in gold or silver on a 16”, 18” or 20” (add $5) chain. Stone options include Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Crystal Quartz, Garnet, Iolite, Moonstone and Peridot.

Isabelle Grace Jewelry makes simple, beautiful, and elegant pieces inspired by the most important occasions in life. Celebrity fans include: Camilla Alves, Katherine Heigl, Tori Spelling, Alison Sweeney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Victoria Justice, to name just a few.

“Like”’ Isabelle Grace Jewelry on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/IsabelleGraceJewelry and follow on Twitter @igracejewelry.

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
February 20, 2012

KEEP YOUR HANDS AND NAILS HEALTHY

Custom Nail Solutions Nail Expert Katie Saxton has Strengthening and Conditioning Tips to Freshen up your Nails During the Cold Months.

Winter weather is tough to endure, especially for our hands and nails. With the cold and dry temps ever-so-present, treat your extremities to some pampering with these health tips provided by Katie Saxton from Custom Nail Solutions. Katie’s offering her commentary on winter nail care through her complimentary tips and interviews. If your skin is dry and your nails are chipping easier than ever, see below for her advice on how to restore your winter-beaten hands and nails. Custom Nail Solutions has embraced the latest movement of personalized nails, allowing clients build their own nail kits that only fit their nail beds and customized to their liking. The kits are built out of indestructible thermo-plastic and guaranteed to never break, chip, crack or change shape. What a perfect solution for winter weather!

Try these easy steps to keep your hands and nails healthy with cold conditions.

DIET RIGHT:

Take in calcium, iron, protein, and vitamins A, B, C and D and your nails will gradually grow stronger and healthier.

Eat the right foods. Try fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, milk and plenty of fruits and vegetables. These are also great foods to keep you healthy overall! Take in a lot of biotin.

CONSISTENT NAIL MAINTENANCE:

Scheduling regular manicures is crucial during the winter months if you want healthy nails. You can schedule in-salon manicures, or do them at home. Both work as long as you are doing them regularly.
File, buff and massage the nails. Purchase a buffer, and start at the cuticle and move forward to buff the entire nail bed. The buff will keep your nails from cracking.

PROTECT YOUR NAILS:

Nail strengtheners and hardeners. Think of it as conditioner for your hair. It cuts down on nail chipping most of all!

Cuticle care. If you don’t want to spend money on name brand cuticle products, you can also use olive oil right from your kitchen! Whatever you decide, leave it on for five minutes to fully replenish your nails. Don’t wash your hands completely, allowing your nails to get the richest conditioning possible.
Use lotions to keep your hands moisturized. During the winter months, hands become drye r than we’d like. Use a few times a day and you’ll feel the difference.

Refuse the urge to bite your nails.

Don’t use your nails to pry open jars; find the right tool instead.

Check out Katie Saxton’s recent appearances with INDY STYLE, GOOD MORNING TEXAS, and CHICAGO WGN 9. Custom Nail Solutions was also featured on the Today Show with BOBBIE’S BUZZ.

The concept of Custom Nail Solutions was invented by a cosmetic dentist. The nails are custom fit from a personal impression, using dental putty, taken from each clients individual nail beds which are as unique as your fingerprint. They will fit no one in the world but her. This is patented, revolutionary nail product is sweeping the country with excitement and reinventing how women achieve nail beauty. You too can have a gorgeous set of nails as unique, beautiful and remarkable as the woman wearing them.

Custom Nail Solutions are made of an indestructible, high impact thermo-plastic guaranteed to never chip, break, crack or change shape. They are removable, reusable and will last your lifetime. Custom Nail Solutions are safe and nontoxic, and don’t expose you to harmful fumes and hazardous chemicals like acrylics and gel nails do. They also do not require any filing or drilling to the natural nails. They are thinner, stronger, reusable and virtually indestructible. Because they are everlasting, you will save thousands of dollars by not having to make expensive and inconvenient nail appointments.

The process is easy! Order your impression kit from customnailsolutions.com, schedule a professional manicure the day you do your impressions, follow the kit’s easy DVD and booklet, and send your impressions to Custom Nail Solutions headquarters. You will receive your custom-fit nails and your Application and Removal kit within one week. When your shipment arrives, use the convenient Custom Nail Solutions stand to apply polish/nail art to the nails, which can be removed with nail polish remover without staining the nails. The final step is to apply, enjoy and admire the transformation. If you need to reapply your nails after 2-3 weeks, use the kit’s quick and easy Soak Off Process.

The Impression System & One Set of Custom-Fit Nails retails for the new low price of $139 (originally $179), and comes with 10 finger trays, 2 spoons, 1 yellow impression material, 1 white impressions material, instruction sheet, maintenance system, and your beautiful Custom Nails. The Diamond Package ($345) includes the Impression System & two sets of nails, the Sonic Bath, an extra bottle of Soak Off, one free replacement nail re-cut, and a matching purse and wallet. Orders can be placed online at www.customnailsolutions.com or by calling toll free at 877-218-778 or locally at 817-416-7788.

Custom Nail Solutions gives you beautiful, natural-looking nails that are custom-made just for you. You can have lovely salon-looking nails on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home.

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
February 13, 2012

Sexy Drinks for Your Valentine…

Looking for Some Sexy New Drinks for Your Valentine??

Linnea Johansson to the rescue!!!

Here are some of Linnea’s fave liquid dessert recipes for some Valentine’s Day fun…

“Boozy” Donuts with Creme Brulee topping

Donuts are the new cupcakes, and this is an easy way to “pimp” a regular store bought donut and take it from afternoon snack to fancy dessert.

6 sugar-covered donuts holes
1/2 cup of sugar
2 oz of your favorite liqueur

1. Heat the donuts in the oven at 250 degrees for
5 minutes.
2. On a plate, add the sugar, brush the top of the warm donuts with water and dip in the sugar.
3. Insert and fill the liqueur in multiple spots in the bottom of the donuts using a small turkey baster/or cake decorating tool.
4. With a creme brulee torch, burn the sugar/cinnamon top of the donuts to a hard sugar topping.

Tip: if you don’t happen to have a creme brulee torch at home, don’t fret simply broil the donuts in the oven till the sugar has melted

Serve right away while warm, a good tip is to let the guests watch while you are putting the finishing touches, their mouths will be watering and you will look like a pro in the kitchen!

Adult Snow Cones

This recipe is one of my absolute favorites and a very sexy valentines “liquid” dessert to boot

1 cup Xante Spirit
2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 cups strawberry puree
8 cups ice

Strawberry Puree:
1 cup sugar
2 cups cleaned & cut strawberry’s
1 cup water
– in a small pot add the strawberry’s, sugar and water. heat up and let it boil on low heat for 5 minutes. add to the blender and puree. If to thick ad a bit more water.

Serving:
1.Crush the ice into a fine as possible snow like consistency, a margarita mixer works great for this.
2. Place the crushed ice in a small drinking glass. Pour over a shot equal parts of fresh lemon juice, the strawberry puree and finish with a shot of Xante.

And while you have the Xante (one of my favorites 🙂 handy from your last recipe try making a hot toddy.. The pear and cognac blend works excellently with apple cider.

Xante Hot Apple

Makes 1 serving
2 oz Xante Pear Cognac
1 cup of fresh apple juice or cider
1 cinnamon stick

-Add the apple cider to a small pot along with the cinnamon stick. Heat on low for 10 minutes, take of the heat. Serve in a mug, and pour in the Xante, and serve steaming hot.

We here at It’s a Glam Thing would like to thank Linnea (www.linneajohansson.com) for her suggestions. I am looking forward to trying them all!

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
February 12, 2012

It’s Grammy Time!

Want to see what it is like a Grammy VIP lounge??? Join It’s a Glam Thing‘s favorite celebrity chef and event planner Linnea Johansson as see puts all of her expertise into this fabulous Grammy celebrity Lounge.

Enjoy these e-pics from the event including the chocolate wonderland created by Chocolater Emanuel Andren, who has created some of the world’s most exclusive truffles!

I look forward to bringing you more pics from the event, as well as Linnea’s tips on Valentine’s Day treats!

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
February 9, 2012

Indulge in Your Love of Diamonds with DuePunti


Indulge in Your Love of Diamonds with DuePuntiJewelry…..I can’t think of any women who doesn’t in some way, shape or form have a thing for these shiny objects. Diamonds? Even better. I have collected some wonderful sparklers over the years. And I hate to admit; lately my enjoying them has been delegated to my opening a drawer to view them. Don’t get me wrong—I love them, I think they are beautiful, but unless I am headed to a formal event, I am not wearing them much. They are a little too dressy, too conventional and they don’t really go with casual wear, work-out wear and basically most of my everyday activities. Worrying about losing them while engaging in some frivolous activity? Even if they are ensured, they are irreplaceable, so back in the jewelry drawer they go!

I like wearing jewelry. I pretty much feel lost without wearing any. I like rings, but am I really going to wear a diamond while roller-blading??? I would if I could find one that was inexpensive, fun to wear and could match whatever fashion or mood I happened to be in that day. Well, if I was looking for an unconventional diamond to wear for casual and playtime, I found them in DuePunti!

DuePunti has taken diamond rings to a new level. They have taken diamonds rings exercised them as strictly engagement rings and luxury items, and made them into everyday wear. Flexible, silicone rings with a 0.02 carat diamond embedded, in 19 colors to choose from. Wear singly, or mix and match to your outfit, your day, your mood……the combinations are pretty much endless. Imagine- diamond rings at an everyday low price. Perfect gift for those young girls as their first diamond! A great Valentine’s Day gift for a woman of any age! You can see more at www.boutiquetoyou.com

And they are fun! It’s great to have a diamond with a modern, fun vibe at affordable prices! Add some bling to any outfit! Now to find a color that complements my wet suit!

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
February 1, 2012

Mango Tree Fitted Bangles

I remember a conversation I had with Peter Lamas, one of my favorite celebrity stylists. A fashionable women he told me, isn’t necessarily the one with the most clothes in her closet. Rather, it is the one who can make the most outfits out of what she owns. It brought back memories to my former career, where I certainly had closets full of clothes. At least one suit in every color. While I had a lot of clothes, I wasn’t what I’d consider fashionable. I’ve learned Peter’s lesson that less is more, by staying with colors that compliment me, and by really learning to accessorize.

Accessories can really make the outfit. In times where most of us are shopping in our own closets, accessories can extend the looks in your wardrobe, bringing styles from play, to the office, and to formal events. What’s better than extending your wardrobe? How about doing it in an eco-friendly and economical way? Take a look at Mango Tree Fitted Bangles. With 3 styles, 50 colors, 4 sizes and economically priced, Mango Tree Bangles are extremely popular among women of all ages. Wear singularly, mix and match, the broad range of colors (no two are alike!) assures a perfect complement to any outfit. Mango Tree Fitted Bangles give you a natural way to look fabulous.

Mango Tree Fitted Bangles are created by jewelry designers David Aviv and Helen Ducat, who met while traveling in India. Their love of travel is apparent, and from their jewelry it is clear to see that they get their inspiration from their travels. From diving and observing a coral reef and the abundance of the breathtaking colors and textures of the ocean wild life, to trekking in tropical rainforests with amazing trees, flowers and plant life, and from simply sitting at the different beaches and staring at the waves crashing into the sand, the colors of their jewelry reflect all the beauty around them. Their vision is to design and manufacture beautiful high quality products using natural materials from around the world, and to sell them at great prices so that everyone can enjoy.

Inspired by the beauty of the world and vowing to make the world a better place, Mango Tree recycles and uses natural materials to make their products eco-friendly. The Grade A organic mango trees used for their bangles are only timbered once the tree can no longer yield fruit. Mango Tree also donates a portion of the proceeds to various charities, choosing a different organization to donate to monthly. For the month of January 2012, donations will be made to LUPUS Foundation of America. When you buy a Mango Tree product you take part in making this world a better place.

To see the beautiful designs and colors of Mango Tree, go to mangotreebangles.com .

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
January 31, 2012

The SAG Awards: Red Carpet Beauty Trends for Spring

Ah, awards season. Any beauty maven worth her salt waits all year to watch as the biggest stars in Hollywood do their part to predict the dominant trends for next season. This year’s Screen Actor’s Guild Awards were no different, featuring noticeable beauty trends that will surely be sought-after come next season. Here, makeup expert, founder and CEO of FACES Beautiful and creator of the Brush-On Liquid Mineral Makeup, Gail Sagel, shares her favorite looks from the star-studded evening and offers insider tips for everyday wear.

Coral Clique

With many celebrities embracing the “less is more” philosophy when it comes to makeup, it was no surprise that understated beauty was the winner at the SAG Awards. As Gail puts it, “Coral is natural without being boring; it allows for color without anything overpowering your natural beauty. What we saw on Sunday night were celebrities embracing the minimalist look, but creating a dewier, softer version. The key here is to create a face that looks like it was sun-kissed.”

· Start with an all-over foundation that allows natural shine to come through. Gail suggests the FACES Beautiful Brush-On Liquid Mineral Makeup for a dewy finish without looking too shiny.

· When it comes to blush and lip color, make sure to consider skin tone. The lighter the skin, the softer the coral should be; think peachy. If skin is medium, a pinky-coral is the most flattering. Darker skin tones can play with the color and go with a more intense orange tone.

· Gail cautions that it’s easy to go overboard with coral, so women should choose just one feature to play up. For example, if the lip color of choice is a stark, bold coral, give the cheeks a rest, as it will detract from the overall look.

Bold Brows

Eyebrows are having a moment. With so many celebrities embracing the bold brows trend, beauty-conscious women everywhere are taking note that this look will continue on through spring. Gail offers her expert eyebrow shaping advice: “Eyebrows are one of my favorite facial features because they really change the entire look of a face. For that reason, you have to be extremely careful with the bold brow trend, because too much brow can be overwhelming, while not enough can actually look unflattering on most face shapes.”

· First, find the right eye shadow color to fill in the eyebrow. For light brows, the color should be one or two shades darker than the normal eyebrow color, but not too dark, as it won’t blend well. For dark brows, choose a shade lighter.

· Using an angled eye shadow brush, fill in from the base of the brow upward. Afterward, run an eyebrow spooly brush through, brushing upward and making sure that all spots are filled in.

· To set eyebrows in place, use a tinted brow gel like Bare Escentials I.D. Brow Finishing Gel to ensure that these new masterpieces say set throughout the day and into the night.

Pastel Pouts

Pastel colors were all over the runways for spring 2012, encouraging celebrities to wear bright lips with confidence at the SAG Awards. “It’s so fun that colors like coral and fuchsia are being embraced by Hollywood. Many women shy away from a bold lip because it’s difficult to find the perfect match, but don’t be discouraged. Take advantage of the test products at your local beauty store and invest in some pastel tones for spring,” says Gail.

· Fair skin tones are lucky, as pinks complement the tone well. Try a lighter pink that has a peachy undertone, but stay away from a dark, extremely bright pink. Those colors will wash out your overall look.

· For medium skin tones, berry shades are best. Rather than going with a wine-colored berry, try a soft version of fuchsia. Think deep pinks and corals over bright shades.

· This trend was made for dark skin tones. For maximum impact, choose a pink with blue undertones. For show-stopping appeal, don an orange-hued coral.

“The key to any of these looks is to find the right version; settle on a color palate that brightens your skin and brings out the best of one’s own features. As they say, the most beautiful thing a woman can wear is her confidence.”

Information courtesy of Gail Sagel, www.FACESBeautiful.com.

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
January 24, 2012

“W.E” LEADING LADY SHOWS HER SOFTER SIDE

“W.E” LEADING LADY SHOWS HER SOFTER SIDE AT THE FILM’S NYC PREMIERE

Last night at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, The Weinstein Company with The Cinema Society and Forevermark hosted members of the red carpet elite for the premiere of “W.E.” Alongside director Madonna, star Andrea Riseborough stood out from the crowd in a beautiful Marchesa gown and sleek, soft side-swept ‘do.

For the US premiere of the lauded film, Sebastian Professional Stylist Design Team Member Thomas Dunkin created a polished yet youthful look for Andrea that embraced soft, natural-looking texture. To recreate this leading lady’s style at home, Thomas recommends these step-by-step tips.

1. Start by spraying a light amount of Sebastian Professional Potion 9 Lite throughout the hair.

2. Blow-dry while tousling with hands, lifting big random sections up vertically as you go to achieve added volume.

3. Once dry, use a large curling iron to create soft waves. (Stylist Tip: Run the curling iron through the hair taking care not to hold the iron in place too long for softer waves that don’t look like they came from a curling iron.)

4. After curling the whole head, create a diagonal side part and pin the back over to one side.

5. Emulsify a bit of Sebastian Professional Matte Putty in palms and use to separate the curls a bit. Finish the look with a gentle spray of Sebastian Professional Shaper Zero Gravity hairspray for light, controlled hold.

Check out images of Andrea Riseborough’s red carpet arrival at the New York premiere of “W.E.” on Wire Image: www.wireimage.com

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
January 23, 2012

Sign up to win $500 in Amika Hair Loot & Louboutins up to $800!

laurenconrad.com

SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment
January 18, 2012

Golden Globes & Wella

Golden Globes-the precursor for the Oscars! Loving some of the glam hair looks! Here’s what our friends at Wella are saying…

Three of the Golden Globes winners were styled using Wella Professionals, including Madonna, Claire Danes and Michelle Williams! While Wella top artists were keeping their hands busy styling the celebs in LA, Wella Color Ambassador Aura Friedman, Wella Top Artist Alexandra Matiz and Celebrity Stylist Ricardo Rojas watched the live coverage to give us their inside scoop on the reigning hair trends on the red carpet.

WELLA TREND REPORT: TOP BEAUTY LOOKS FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBE® AWARDS 2012

Wella Professionals Stylists’ Reveal Tips to Achieve the Top Red Carpet Trends
The red carpet sparkled and shined tonight with award-worthy tresses. Wella Ambassadors Aura Friedman, Ricardo Rojas and Alexandra Matizwatched the red carpet arrivals and picked out the hair trends they noticed and loved.

RETRO STYLE
A TREND REPORT BY AURA FRIEDMAN, WELLA COLOR AMBASSADOR
“I loved the retro-styles 60’s styles that popped up on the red carpet this evening – very unexpected. It was both bad-ass and darling to see these girls bring these styles on to the red carpet.” – Wella Color Ambassador Aura Friedman
• Stars sporting this look included Nicole Richie, Zooey Deschanel, Frieda Pinto, Tina Fay and Michelle Williams (styled using Wella)

TIMELESS, PRETTY AND OVERTLY FEMININE
A TREND REPORT BY RICARDO ROJAS, CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST
“My favorite look (tonight) is one which is easily re-created, feminine and timeless. The dress can be such an influence on the starlet’s red carpet hairstyle, and this look is so complimentary to a statement-making dress. – Celebrity Hair Stylist Ricardo Rojas
• Stars wearing this look tonight included Madonna (styled using Wella), Elle MacPherson, and Reese Witherspoon

EXPENSIVE YET EFFORTLESS
A TREND REPORT BY ALEXANDRA MATIZ, WELLA EDUCATOR AND TOP ARTIST
“An expensive yet effortless look that is full of movement and life – a perfect red carpet look for a woman of any age was prominent on tonight’s red carpet.” – Wella Educator and Top Artist Alexandra Matiz
• Stars wearing this look tonight included Jessica Biel, Shailene Woodley (styled using Wella) and Rooney Mara.


SHARE THIS POST ON: Facebook
Posted By Leave a Comment