1, 2, 3...BRITNEY!

Britney's body looks amazing in her latest video for 3! I especially love these shoes & lace tights she is wearing in the video:



Her hair is a mess, but I love seeing her do her thing! Watch it below:

Rebecca Minkoff NY Sample Sale

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale
17 West 17th Street (btw 5th and 6th)
Wednesday Nov 18th- Sunday Nov 22nd 10am-8pm daily

M.A.C. Halloween Face Charts

M.A.C. has posted 25 amazing Halloween looks to inspire us for the upcoming holiday. They are truly amazing and demonstrate what fantastic beauty possibilities await for us in our train case! Check out some of the looks and the step-by-step instructions and the accompanying video below:


Toxic Lady

Look created by M·A·C Artist: Ortal Elimelech
Location: Tel-Aviv, Israel

Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.

Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween15

Or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you.

STEP-BY-STEP
1. Begin by using Brush #190 to apply the blended base of Landscape Green and Primary Yellow Paintsticks.
2. Define and contour the lip with Powerpoint Pencil in Forever Green.
3. Use Blacktrack Fluidline with Brush #209 to draw blackened shapes on face.
4. Create shading around details above brow, nose, lip, and cheekbone with a blend of Carbon Bitter and Chrome Yellow Eye Shadows.
5. Add and refine additional details with Rapidblack Penultimate Liner.
6. Finish by drawing on lashes with Rapidblack Penultimate Liner.

FACE
Paintstick - Primary Yellow, Landscape Green
Eye Shadow - Chrome Yellow
Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Fluidline - Blacktrack

EYES
Eye Shadow - Bitter, Chrome Yellow
Fluidline - Blacktrack
Penultimate Eyeliner - Rapid Black

LIPS
Powerpoint Pencil - Forever Green


Exotic Zea (look featured in the video)
Look created by M·A·C Artist: Franklin Betancourt
Location: Shaumburg, IL, USA

Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.

Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween1

Or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you. Pro products can be purchased in any M·A·C Pro store.

STEP-BY-STEP
1. By crushing Gesso eye shadow mixed in with Eye Liner Mixing Medium, you can paint your face white. Another option is to use white Paintstick from the M·A·C PRO line.
2. It is important to have references of zebra stripes handy to study the pattern. I used Blacktrack Fluidline with a #210 brush to create the pattern of zebra on my models face.
3. Doubling up on #37 lashes can create a doe eyed animalistic eye.
4. Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing powder will seal the deal.

FACE
Green Gel Cleanser
Studio Moisture Cream
Prep+Prime Skin
Face & Body
Select Moistureblend
Studio Sculpt Concealer
Eye Shadow - Gesso & Eye Liner
Mixing Medium
Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing powder

EYES
Fluidline - Blacktrack
Eye Kohl - Fascinating
Penultimate Liner
Eye Shadow - Carbon, Vanilla
Plushlash - Plushblack

LIPS
Lip conditioner mix with Powerpoint Eye Pencil - Guilded White
Lipstick - Pretty Please, Black Knight (Style Black Collection)



Deadly Dame
Look created by M·A·C Artist: Lara Brewster
Location: London, UK

Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.

Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween8

Or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you.

STEP-BY-STEP
1. Prime and hydrate skin with an application of Prep + Prime SPF 50, and follow with a highlight of Strobe Cream.
2. Create a heavy lidded effect with a smokey eye by using Blackground Paint Pot as base all over eyelid with Brush #242. Apply a dense layer of Carbon Eye Shadow, concentrating on the outer and inner corner of the eye, leaving the center of the lid bare. Use Brush #217 to blend outward with Eye Shadows in Sketch and Shadowy Lady.
3. Create a glowing highlight in the centre of the eyelid by applying Luna Cream Colour Base and follow with a blend of Vanilla Pigment and Vex Eye Shadow.
4. Eyes should be smudged and kohl rimmed as black as possible through lower lashes with a blend of Smolder Eye Kohl and Carbon Eye Shadow with Brush #228.
5. Continue to create dark circles under the eyes by using Brush #217 to apply a blend of Print and Nocturnelle in sweeping semi-circle strokes. Leave spaces between these strokes bare to create highlights.
6. The femme fatale has been drinking blood! Draw Redd Lip pencil from lip down the chin, then paint on M·A·C Red Lipstick. Add Clear lipglass to the mixture with Brush#210 to give the glistening wet look.

FACE
Wipes
Strobe Cream
Prep+Prime Face SPF 50
Studio Fix Fluid - NW15
Select Moisturecover - NW15
Studio Fix Powder - NW15
Powder Blush - Dollymix
Eye Shadow - Post Haste, Scene, Print, Nocturnelle

EYES
PaintPot - Blackground
Eye Shadow - Crystal Avalanche, Espresso, Carbon, Sketch, Shadowy Lady, Vex
Cream Colour Base - Luna
Pigment - Vanilla
Fluidline - Blacktrack
Eye Kohl - Smolder
Plushlash - Plushblack

LIPS
Prep+Prime Lip
Lip Pencil - Nightmoth, Redd
Lipstick - Cyber, M·A·C Red
Lipglass - Clear



All Souls
Look created by M·A·C Artist: Tara Renee Vasquez
Location: Montclair, CA, USA

Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.

Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween12

Or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you.

STEP-BY-STEP
1. Hydrate and create a luminous finish on skin with a spritz of Fix + and Strobe Cream.
2. Use a powder brush to dust White Frost Eye Shadow all over the face, concentrating the strength over the high planes.
3. Draw the outline of the skull design with Blacktrack Fluidline and Brush #228.
4. Use Brush #109 to shade Electric Eel Eye Shadow over the contours of the face within the skull design.
5. Use Brush #228 to apply Blacktrack Fluidline to outline and shade the eye sockets, and switch to Brush #210 to continue with Blacktrack to create the details over the forehead, browbone, nose, cheek, mouth, and chin.
6. Use Brushes #219 and #311 to fill in details with correlating Eye Shadows in Passionate, Chrome Yellow, Purple Haze, Juxt, and Orange.
7. Use Powerpoint in Industry and Scene Eye Shadow to shade in teeth. Outline with Black Knight Lipstick
8. Finish finessing details with Boot Black Liner.

FACE
Green Gel Cleanser
Strobe Cream
Prep+Prime Skin
Eye Shadow - White Frost, Orange Juxt, Electric Eel, Passionate, Carbon, Chrome Yellow, Purple Haze
Liquid Last Liner - Inkspill
Fix +

EYES
Liquid Eye Liner - Bootblack
Eye Shadow - White Frost, Juxt, Carbon, Electric Eel
Fluidline - Blacktrack

LIPS
Powerpoint - Industry, Gilded White
Lipstick - Black Knight (Style Black Collection)




Fluttereyfly (look featured in the video)
Look created by M·A·C Artist: Amanda Eichhorn
Location: Moa, MN, USA

Follow the step-by-step and M·A·C products listed below to achieve that look.

Click here for a printable version of this look to bring to a M·A·C Artist in a store near you; links to the products used are also included: http://www.maccosmetics.com/halloween13

Or visit http://bit.ly/maccosmetics to purchase these products online or find a store near you.

STEP-BY-STEP
1. Cover the whole face with Luna Ceam Colour Base with Brush #249.
2. Outline the butterfly design with Fascinating Eye Kohl and sketch detail of wings.
3. Begin with using Brush #242 to shade Juxt Eye Shadow under the eyes, and then follow by blending the following Eye Shadows outward to create an airbrushed effect that moves from green, to blue, to purple: Swimming, Aquadisiac, Moon’s Reflection, and Stars and Rockets.
4. Use Brush #242 to apply Gorgeous Gold Eye Shadow along the inner corner of the eye and blend upward with Expensive Pink, Coppering, and Sushi Flower to finish the upper portion of the butterfly with an airbrushed finesse.
5. Use Brush #209 with Boot Black Liquid Liner to outline the butterfly and detail pattern inside of the wings.
6. Use Brush #252 with Carbon Eye Shadow to shade over the entire face.
7. Use Duo to apply Lash #42 to the upper lashline and finish with two to three coats with Zoomblack Mascara.
8. Define the lip with Velvetella Cremestick Liner. Apply Cyber Lipstick with Brush #311 and Girl About Town Lipstick along the inner lip for a strong highlight. Finish with a glossy coat of Dazzleglass in Date Night.

FACE
Green Gel Cleanser
Studio Moisture fix
Prep+Prime Face
Cream Colour Base - Luna
Eye Kohl - Fascinating
Eye Shadow - Carbon, Juxt, Swimming, Aquadisiac, Sushi Flower, Moons Reflection, Stars N Rockets

EYES
Liquid Eye Liner - Boot black
Eye Shadow - Sushi Flower, Coppering, Expensive Pink, Gorgeous Gold
Zoomlash - Zoomblack

LIPS
Prep+Prime Lip
Cremestick Liner - Velvetella
Lipstick - Cyber, Girl about Town
Dazzleglass - Date Night



Watch M.A.C.'s Halloween look video:



View all of the looks on M.A.C.'s facebook page.

Thread Social Holiday 2009

I have another wedding tomorrow evening in Chicago, so for weeks I have inundated myself with party attire. Few dresses have me as smitten as the frocks from the Thread Social holiday collection. Sadly, my party attire budget has been seriously reigned in as I have my own wedding to worry about, but how lovely it would be to wear one of these beauties to an upcoming event or holiday party...





View the entire collection here.

TG-170 Pre-Halloween Party w/ Samantha Pleet

TG-170 is hosting a pre-Halloween sale featuring art, clothing & costumes by Samantha Pleet on Wednesday October 28th from 6-9pm. This is a must see dolls, so don't miss it!



TG-170 is located at 170 Ludlow Street New York, NY

M.A.C. Magic Mirth, & Mischief! Collection

M.A.C.'s holiday collection Magic Mirth, & Mischief color collection is full of gorgeous mineralize eyeshadows, sparkle eye liners, & stunning lippies! Check out the holiday spread and face charts below:

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)

* Pervette Soft bright pink with violet opalescent shimmer (Glaze) (Permanent)
* Utter Fun Fuchsia cherry pink (Limited Edition)
* Surprise Me Mid-tone peach (Limited Edition)
* Total Wow! Blue pink berry (Limited Edition)
Dazzleglass ($18.00 U.S.)

* She-Zam Sheer silver with silver and red pearl (Limited Edition)
* Jingle Jangle Sheer yellow peach (Limited Edition)
* Phiff! Yellow pink with red and sapphire pearl (Limited Edition)
Cremesheen Glass ($18.00 U.S.)

* Ever So Rich Sheer lilac (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
* Partial to Pink Light creamy yellow pink with light gold pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
* Boy Bait Light neutral beige with pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Softsparkle Eye Pencil ($14.50 U.S.)

* Iris Accents Pale violet with silver pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
* Nightsky True black with silver pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo ($19.50 U.S.)

* Devil-May-Care Base: Rich light violet, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)
* Under Your Spell Base: Light yellow peach pink, Crescent: Rich copper (Limited Edition)
* Mayhem Base: Dirty brown gold, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)
* Midnight Madness Base: Dirty grey brown, Crescent: Gold (Limited Edition)
* It’s A Miracle Base: Deep blue burgundy, Crescent: Gold (Limited Edition)
* Blue Sorcery Base: Bright Turquoise, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)
Mineralize Blush ($21.00 U.S.)

* Su Perdu Pernatural Mid-tone coral (Limited Edition)
* Conjure Up Dirty, mid-tone plum (Limited Edition)
Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)

* $ Yes Metallic silver foil (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
* Lucky Number Metallic blue pink (Limited Edition)


Magic Mirth, & Mischief! Face Charts:



Total Wow!

Pervette



Phiff!

She-Zam



Surprise Me

Must Have Blazer

I can't seem to own enough blazers this fall, and just when I swore I was going to start cutting back I spied this black herringbone tweed blazer with contrasting cream trim at J.Crew. A definite must-have in my book!


Wool herringbone professor blazer $198 @ J.crew

R.I.P. Juliet a/k/a Jules a/k/a Bearo

My parents dog, Jules, passed away in her sleep last night. She was an old dog, but never quite gave up her puppy ways, so it really seems impossible that she won't be waiting for me the next time I come home. She was always the first to slime me with dog hair and sloppy wet kisses and I loved her all the more for it. She hit me up for treats and walks more than any other person at the house (she could spot a sucker from a mile away). Together we would explore--going on adventures sometimes for hours! My sister and I have countless memories of her outside playing basketball (she would give Air Bud a run for his money I tell you!), jumping on the trampoline (she did everything we did), and chasing rabbits, squirrels, cats into the neighbors yard. She even jumped into the neighbors pool once, but thankfully my sister and all her lifeguard training was right behind her (fully clothed). It takes a special dog to give you a lifetime of love and laughter, so believe me when I tell you she was one-of-a-kind. Bearo will forever be in our hearts.

Marge Simpson Does Playboy

Marge Simpson will be gracing the cover of November's Playboy. The M.I.L.K. ("mom I'd like to know") is looking mighty fine in her pictorial:




Here are a few funny bits from Marge's Q&A with Playboy:

PLAYBOY: You must have gotten some interesting reactions from friends and family. What did Homer say? Lisa? Bart?

SIMPSON: Homer said he was intrigued because he had never heard of your magazine. The notion of women posing in the buff was completely foreign to him. Wasn’t it sweet of him to lie? When Lisa heard about this, she said it was empowering to see a woman in control of her own body. Wasn’t it sweet of her to lie? Bart will never learn about this under any circumstance.

PLAYBOY: What advice do you give Bart about the fairer sex?
SIMPSON: I say, “You won’t meet any girls in prison, which is where you seem to be headed.”

PLAYBOY: When did you first know Homer was the one?
SIMPSON: Well, when the doctor said I was pregnant, I heard a voice saying “That’s the man you’re going to marry.” The voice was my mother’s.

PLAYBOY: Have you ever thought about dyeing your hair blonde? Do blondes have less fun?
SIMPSON: I don’t know about blondes, but I just found a few grays in my blue. It’s as though there’s a civil war on top of my head.


PLAYBOY: As a stay-at-home mom, what do you pride yourself on doing around the house?
SIMPSON: Searching for your magazines and throwing them away.


Read more here.

WGACA Vintage Chanel Jewelry

There is something about those two interlocking C's that make me swoon, so it is really no surprise that I am lusting after these WGACA Vintage Chanel pieces...

{top} WGACA Vintage Chanel CC Necklace $875; WGACA Vintage Chanel CC Lock Bracelet $850; WGACA Vintage Chanel CC Lock Necklace $975; all @ Singer 22.

{bottom} WGACA Vintage Chanel Big 4 Petal CC Pendant $945; WGACA Vintage Chanel CC Pendant Necklace $975; WGACA Vintage Chanel 80's CC Rhinestone Necklace $1150;
WGACA Vintage Chanel Rhinestone Earrings $795; all @ Singer 22.

January Jones in GQ

Betty Draper is looking mighty fine on the cover of GQ, I adore her red lipstick!

Read the candid interview here.

Congratulations Tricia & Dan!

Here are a few snapshots from Tricia & Dan's wedding in Chicago! We had so much fun, and they make a gorgeous couple! They are off celebrating in St. Lucia, but I will see them again for yet another wedding in a couple weeks!

Off to Chicago!

I will be away from PBL and the Big Apple for a few days as I will be taking care of business in Chicago. And by business I mean bridesmaid business in my friend Tricia's wedding this Saturday! I can't wait for the big day! I hope to have tons of gorgeous pics to share with you next week! Xo- Melanie

Rockstar Chic

Maybe it was Jenny Humphrey's no headband rule, my obsession with smokey eyes, or the fact that Halloween is around the corner. Whatever the reason, my latest wardrobe and beauty obsessions have serious rockstar qualities. Now if only I could learn to play the guitar...


{top} Rebecca Minkoff Triple Chain Clutch $355; O.P.I. Lincoln Park after Dark Matte Polish $9; Essie Matte About You Matte Finisher $10; oak black sleeveless terry wrap $89; Splendid Cotton Tank $40;

{middle} Jules Smith 14kt Yellow Gold Vermeil Vampire Teeth Jelly Bracelets $20; Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Liner $22; Alexander McQueen Studded skull ring $310;

{bottom} Benefit BADgal Lash $19; M.A.C. Young Punk Mineralize e/s $19.50; Philosophy Big Mouth in Nude $22; Pour La Victoire Adriane Zipper Suede Booties $325; Rag & Bone Jean Leggings $295;

Judge A Book By Its Cover

Everytime I stop by the bookstore I am tempted to buy copies of Wuthering Heights, The Scarlet Letter, and Pride and Prejudice simply because of the gorgeous cover illustrations done by Ruben Toledo for Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions. Nevermind the fact I already own copies of these classics, I want them. For now I am filing them away as a great gift idea. Honestly, if they had given me copy of The Scarlet Letter in school I surely would have been more eager to read it!

The Scarlet Letter $8; Pride & Prejudice $8; Wuthering Heights $8; all @ Penguin Books.

Obsessed: Marilyn Monroe Skull Tee

The price tag makes me cringe but I LOVE this t-shirt! I must have it! It sort of reminds me of this book cover too...

Alexander McQueen Marilyn cotton skull T-shirt $265; @ Net-A-Porter.

Shoe Woo

Attention New York gals! Be prepared to be wowed by Shoe Woo! The shoe concept store has opened on Lexington Ave and houses fabulous shoes by brands such as Nine West, Rachel Rachel Roy, Enzo Angiolini, Circa Joan & David, AK Anne Klein, Sam & Libby, Boutique 9, Bandolino & Joan & David. The store is gorgeous & whimsical--a sort of fantasy land for shoe lovers!

Here is a peek:



{images via Shoe Woo}

The store is open as of today & is located at 750 Lexington Ave (near 59th Street). Happy shopping!

Girl Crush: Megan Fox

Megan Fox may be her own worst enemy, but she is gorgeous and I have a serious girl crush on her. Check out this NYLON TV video of Megan below: