Tips to keep your nails healthy and strong

Posted 01/26/2012 by Lara

It’s winter and weather we like it or not these tough conditions take quite a toll on our hair, skin and nails. While I plan on posting some regular content on counteract some of these dryness symptoms, Nail Beauty Expert Katie Saxton of Custom Nail Solutions shared some great tips with me on how to keep your nails strengthened and conditioned during these cold months.

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 consistently.
  • File, buff and massage the nails. Continue Reading…
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Timberland Keeps it Warm at Sundance

Posted 01/25/2012 by Lara

Official Sundance Film Festival 2012 Timberland Jacket

Once upon a time I was a Sundance Film Festival volunteer–as in one of those people that goes to Park City for 2-weeks just to walks you to your seat or give you to directions to the next venue in exchange for an all access pass! That of course was pre-blog, pre-press passes for bloggers and all that jazz I now take for granted. It was in 2005; I was in my early-20s and thought I had died and gone to heaven to be in the presence of  Gwyneth Paltrow, John Malkovich, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Timberlake and just about every celebrity you could ever imagine. Kenneth Cole was the sponsor that year, although the jacket they gave out for the crews, filmakers and celebs were—meh (I don’t think I’ve worn mine since). This year (and for the past 3 seasons), Timberland has been the official  Footwear and Outerwear Sponsor and all I can say is that I’m jealous. The women’s jacket this year is so hot!!

Additionally, they are using their Sundance presence to do a little good and elevate their Fade to Green platform. Fade to Green was designed to serve as a reminder that, like Timberland, film goes beyond commerce to celebrate innovation, Continue Reading…

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Prada’s 24-Hour Pop-Up Museum Goes Live Tomorrow!

Posted 01/23/2012 by Lara

I have been a very, very, VERY bad blogger recently. After a great streak of daily updates, then the holidays hit (or rather my astronomical work load) and I’ve been unfaithful ever since! Well I have plenty of exciting events and news to share with you so consider me back! For starters, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to tell you that tomorrow, Prada launches their highly anticipated virtual museum for only 24 hours! So we all need to put a reminder in our planners and check it out!!!

When you think of Prada, probable words like exclusive come to mind. So consider the fact that this exhibit will be open to the world, online for one day only is quite exciting! Well naturally, they are hosting a private dinner first (of course there’s something exclusive about the event). Still,are you excited? (I’m very excited). Although, I’m completely unclear as to what we’re in for.

The museum is designed by Milan-based artist and satirist Francesco Vezzoli with Rem Koolhaas’ think tank AMO. Based in the historic Palais d’Iéna in Paris, the “24 h Museum” will be split in to three sections, each inspired by a particular type of museum space: historic, contemporary and forgotten. In each of the three sections, Vezzoli has created a “non-existent museum” where he will show his personal tribute to femininity through interpretations of classical sculptures that make reference to contemporary divas.

The museum opens Tuesday, January 24 at the Palais d’Iéna and closes the following evening on the 25th. First begins the private dinner, after  it will turn into a “disco-club,” which will be streaming live on the museum’s official website, 24hoursmuseum.com. Continue Reading…

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EMU Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Posted 01/14/2012 by Lara

EMU? More like, OMG! Up until now I thought of EMU Australia as an UGG-like brand that made ultra warm sheepskin boots, now after seeing their Spring/Summer 2012 I realize they are so much more! For starters, they have a full line of shoes (men’s + women’s) that stretches beyond their classic Stinger sheepskin boots, as well as a clothing line, accessories and the most draw-dropping adorable kids collection of boots.

I mean seriously, can you handle it?

Besides taking a few cuteness moments over the kids collection (I mean look at those Little Grubs Koala bootie!!!), I was really impressed by the variety of styles and color assortment.

New for spring is a their collection of sandals (pictured below). However, I’m all about the boots! They recently introduced the strawberry shade to their Stinger Mini sheepskin boot and I NEED IT (pictured below right)! How fun is that color!?!?

Earth-tone boots are always high on my list!

Although my absolute favorite new style for Spring is their Leeton Mush Boot (pictured above and below). That and the Stinger Mini boot in Strawberry need to make their way into my closet.

Did you know EMU sheepskin is water resistant? They actually let me put a pair of their boots in water and within seconds they were dry! That’s more then I can say for a lot of their competitors…

Some of the styles featured in this post are currently available on EMUAustralia.com. The rest you’ll just have to wait until spring!

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Butter London Celebrates Pantone’s Color of the Year with Jaffa

Posted 01/11/2012 by Lara

Pantone Tangerine Tango

I do love me a rich shade of orange (especially when it has a tint of red) so when Pantone announced Tangerine Tango as their 2012 Color of The Year, I was delighted. The shade was all over the runway in the Spring/Summer 2012 shows (check out my photos from the Nanette Lepore S/S 2012 show) and bold lips have been such a strong trend in beauty, that I’d love to see this shade made into a lipstick shade.

And considering Pantone is the international color trendsetter, it’s no surprise the beauty industry was quick to embrace the shade in their collections. butter LONDON celebrated the Color of the Year with their shade Jaffa.

butter LONDON in Jaffa

It’s a very pretty, lustrous juicy orange shade with a lighter formula so while two coats will get you an even application, I prefer to add a third for some extra coverage. The shade also appears to be a little brighter then Tangerine Tango and void of the red tints. None-the-less it’s a very happy and bright orange that I’m thrilled to have in my collection. Plus I LOVE butter LONDON’s packaging, and that all of their formulations are “3-Free” (meaning void of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP). And I appreciate their cheeky shade names — the dictionary definition of Jaffa is a type of seedless orange (and it’s also a British slang word for an infertile man. Live and learn!

butter LONDON Top & Tails Set

Now all you need is a good base and top coat for extended wear and nail protection (I like their Top & Tails set) and your manicure is complete.

Expect to see a lot more Tangerine Tango in the near future. In addition to beauty brands adapting their spring collections to have more orange hues,  it was recently announced that Pantone is partnering with Sephora this spring to present the first-ever Color of the Year beauty collection. I may just get that Tangerine Tango lipstick yet!

For more information on butter LONDON and shade Jaffa 3-Free Nail Lacquer ($14) visit www.butterlondon.com

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample of Butter nail shades was given to Pretty Connected for post consideration. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

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The Best Time to Buy… Everything!

Posted 01/10/2012 by Lara

I find it so annoying when I make a big purchase, and then see the same item is on sale the next month! Which is why I thought I’d share this article on About.com which lists all the good times to buy just about anything by month.

Here’s a look at January:

Non-food:

Food:

  • Chocolate (Christmas clearance)
  • Soda
  • Oatmeal
  • Diet foods
  • Frozen finger foods

For the complete month-by-month guide on About.com, click HERE.

Additionally, If you’re purchasing from a larger retailer like Macy’s, I recommend going to their website to see if they have posted any additional in-store or online coupons for some extra savings. And if something catches your eye while shopping, putting it on hold (or break out the smart phone) and run a quick search on the item to see if it’s cheaper to purchase it with one of their competitor. Plus most retailers will match prices if you show them the listing.

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NYC INVITE: 1/12 Join Juicy Couture for their Juicy Resolutions Party

Posted 01/10/2012 by Lara

WHAT: You’re invited to the Juicy Resolutions Party!

WHEN: Thursday, January 12th 5-7pm

WHERE: Juicy Couture, 860 Madison Avenue, NYC

 DETAIL: Start the year off right with BluePrintCleanse cocktails and light bites. 20% off all full-priced purchases during the event.

RSVP at RSVP@juicycouture.com

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Mane Boost Delivers with Serious Hair Volume

Posted 01/09/2012 by Lara

You might not be familiar with the company Mana Products or Xania Labs but they are a source of innovation for the beauty world and work with many top brands to help make quite a few of your favorite beauty products.  Branching out from their behind the scenes station they have created a line of hair care products called Mane Boost that works to volumize your style and give your hair the perk it needs to look full – especially during these cold winter months.

The line is made up of 4 products: Amplifying Cream, Volumizing Foam, Root Lifting Spray, and Defining Paste. They are only available in salons and affordably priced at $12 each.

I have wavy hair and I like to wear my hair curly but am challenged with my curls and roots turning flat by the end of the day.  On the other hand my sister rocks a straight style, so on a recent family trip, I put this collection to the test — on us both.

I used a combo of the moose and the cream. I only needed 2 pumps of the moose and a quarter size dollop of the cream on my shoulder length hair. My sister Continue Reading…

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Anything but a Faux Pas: Illamasqua Nail Varnish

Posted 01/08/2012 by Lara

Pretty Connected contributor, Elizabeth Borenstein finds a new nail polish line to add to her collection…

Illamasqua shades Kink and Faus Pax

Nail polish changed my life the day it stopped me from biting my nails. This obsession with painted nails took on a whole new level when I was treated to a nail art manicure by the supremely talented Miss Pop of www.misspopnail.tumblr.com (check out her site and prepare to be amazed!).

As soon as I received lllamasqua nail varnishes in shades Faux Pas (blue violet) and Kink (bottle green) I promptly ran over to visit Miss Pop and get the skinny on what she thought about the new formula, which promises a “unique rubbery finish”.

Manicure by Miss Pop

After sampling the nail varnish and working her artistic magic Miss Pop gave her seal of approval,

“Great brush, polish applies evenly, and the color is rich and unique-you only really need one coat (although they recommend two). The finish is not matte or shiny it falls somewhere in the middle, it’s like nothing I have seen before.”

I agree. I love the shades (I’m so into muted jewel-tones at the moment) and the finish, and after wearing the polish for a few days I noticed my nails felt stronger and grew faster than with regular polish.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish ($14) is available exclusively at Sephora

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample of Illamasqua was given to Pretty Connected for post consideration. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

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Tips on What to Eat and Avoid for Healthier Skin

Posted 01/07/2012 by Lara

There’s always all this chatter about how stressful the holidays are, however for me it’s usually the period right after new years that gets me. Something about adjusting back into work and getting myself on a schedule after a weeks of over eating and sweat pants shocks my system.

However, the holidays are over, and hopefully my not-so-great eating habits have gone with them. I’ve already taken the first step and joined Equinox, now I just need to pay more attention to my diet. Skin Expert Dominique Tinkler (of OMIC Skincare) shares her tips  on what foods to eat and avoid for healthier skin:

For Breakouts

What to eat – Bright red and orange fruits and vegetables have beta carotene which your body converts to oil reducing Vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables contain Vitamin B6 which minimizes swelling, so pimples are reduced.

What to avoid – Iodine rich salt, shrimp and seaweed stimulate oil glands, inducing irritation of pores.

For Stress-Induced Wrinkles

What to eat – Fruits rich in color (such as berries) have Vitamin C which help to promote anti-aging, skin firming collagen and Continue Reading…

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