WhatTF?

I was thrilled earlier this year when I heard Tom Ford was releasing a private blend lipstick collection! But when I heard it was a limited release sold only at Bergdorf Goodman I was like WhatTF? (Ha, ha, a spin on Tom Ford). I frantically flipped thru my calendar to look for my next upcoming trip to NYC but realized Neiman Marcus now owns Bergdorf . Well it turns out they only carry a few colors and not the whole collection :-(

So a few months ago when I found a 30 min. break during a biz trip in the Big Apple, I hopped in a cab to head to the basement floor of Bergdorf, where all things makeup are so elegantly presented. Victory was had and I tried on 5 different colors, ended up loving "Pink Dusk" and "Blush Nude". Swooping up a total of 4 (some to use as gifts), I made it back to my conference in time. Talk about a shopping spree!! Now my "Pink Dusk" is an everyday fave and I can't express how smooth and luscious this lipstick feels. Not to mention the beautiful white/gold container it comes in. Coming to the West Coast sometime in Nov., these collections can finally be had in select Nordstrom stores too. Which color will you choose?

Smooth and Silky!

Surprisingly, '08 has been a year of "change" for me from the get-go. Even before our president-elect became president-elect. But my "change" has been more in the cosmetics category. Rare for me as I tend to stick to a particular brand for years. My recent favorite at the Neiman's counter is the Guerlain Parure Aqua liquid foundation. Comprised of elements like "ocean spring water" this foundation is the lightest I've ever encountered, yet still does the job of a nice "cover up" minus any thickness. It's amazing stuff and I'm pretty speechless. It seems to have mineral ingredients as well, which is probably why it's so nice for your skin. I usually use Bare Escentuals Mineral Powder for daily use and love the stuff, but with parties around the corner and the need to be "covered up" a tad more, the Guerlain Parure Aqua is a gem. I was in a PR meeting today and the PR agency founder mentioned our messaging "needs to be in a concise package that tells the compelling truth"; well put! I feel the Guerlain Parure Aqua really delivers on its promise and is exactly the representation of the quote above. Something many marketers like us fail to deliver, so refreshing!

Jammy, yummy hostess gift

How many parties have you been invited to for the Fourth? I bet they're all BBQs right? While I still have to figure out how to juggle my schedule, one party I can't miss is a very cute "Tea Party." My Barefoot Contessa a.k.a. Ina Garden-esque friend is a HUGE tea connoisseur and just returned from India with lots of tea. Of course the Fourth is all about the macho BBQ all over town and she knows she can't compete as she lives in a condo. So cleverly, she's designed a cute tea party for people to swing by between BBQs. So smart! I'll bring a bottle or wine or a pack of beer for the BBQs, but what do you bring to a "Tea Party"????? Ah, I have the perfect gift in mind!


One hostess gift that's always been a hit is the Fauchon Strawberry Jam. C'mon, it's a Fauchon jam, not some ordinary jelly that sits in Safeway. This is the most sophisticated flavor I've ever tasted in any jam and you won't disappoint! Perfect with scones, waffles, yogurt or anything that needs jam or pairs well with Srawberry. For sure you'll be swarmed with questions on where you got this item and feel like a Queen. To spill the secret, it's available in the U.S. at Neiman Marcus stores for about $12. Yup, very affordable! If you're ever at loss on a nice hostess gift, just remember this one as any house needs a jar of jam, right?