Encyclopedia Britannica of Wonderfulness: Simon Doonan's Gotta New Book

Simon's book release party hosted by Elle has coincided with a swirl of rumors that Nina Garcia has ceased to be the fashion director of the magazine. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, click here for an excerpt of Doonan's blithe tome. I think he is encouraging us girlies to dress like Pat Benatar, Simone de Beauvoir or Annie Lenox! The book is very refreshing for its anti-plastic surgery/Botox message:

"Many of your peers have opted—with the help of liposuction, collagen, and a great deal of sass—for the Eva route. As a result, they now resemble a bunch of aging Bratz dolls. That boobs 'n' bleach 'n' Botox makeover is standard for any woman seeking to reinvent herself.

Call me crazy, but I believe that there might just be more to being a woman than prancing around dressed up like a Stepford blow-up doll."

Marimekko H & M Rhymes With Swinging Toes and Bouncing Hems

Dilemma! Blog about Marimekko at H & M or buy Marimekko at H & M? The new line was just released today! To all girls with a day job, it's only 1 hour and 40 minutes away from 5:00 in New York--that is, if you ever get out your office that soon.

I read that the collection is not flying off the shelf today like, uh, Lagerfeld for H & M.
It is really cute though and multicolored. I'm a believer in retail therapy, and these bubbly items definitely seem like a week-long vacation you can wear.

See below for suggested makeup and beauty products to wear with these items (Shu Uemera's sparkly lipstick trio, Escada Beaute Sunset Heat eau de toilette with hints of coconut, Pop Beauty Cheeky Cake for a hit of sun-kissed bronze).




Photos: H & M.

Be fine Lip Serum with Chamomile and Beets, and Gene Kelly

Hailing back to my Eastern European roots, I'm sure my ancestors ate a lot of beets. They are quite delicious. That said, it's safe to assume most of my readers are not feasting on root vegetables quite as often.

No matter, that's why shopping is good.

Be fine Food Skin Care Lip Serum with Chamomile and Beets soothes dry lips. The slippery potion also packs in moisture and leaves slightly chapped lips feeling much smoother.


Also, as we are interested in all people dapper and elegant, we laughed aloud from this letter from none other than the wife of beloved dancer Gene Kelly to the New York Times. Tres amusant! Read on....

"Surely it must have been a slip for Maureen Dowd to align the artistry of my late husband, Gene Kelly, with the president’s clumsy performances. To suggest that “George Bush has turned into Gene Kelly” represents not only an implausible transformation but a considerable slight. If Gene were in a grave, he would have turned over in it. [...] Graduated with a degree in economics from Pitt, Gene was not only a gifted dancer, director and choreographer, he was also a most civilized man. He spoke multiple languages; wrote poetry; studied history; understood the projections of Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes. He did the Sunday Times crossword in ink. Exceedingly articulate, Gene often conveyed more through movement than others manage with words.

Sadly, President Bush fails to communicate meaningfully with either. For George Bush to become Gene Kelly would require impossible leaps in creativity, erudition and humility. --Patricia Ward Kelly, Los Angeles, March 16, 2008

Buy it: Be fine Lip Serum ($19.00), CVS drugstores; An American in Paris starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant ($8.99), Amazon.com.

Tongue-Tied...But Drenchingly Beautiful

Ever since I was bowled over by the Suki cosmetics line, I have been at a loss for words. But before I start feeling like a Pauly Shore film on mute, wildly gesturing to you and crawling on my hands and knees for comical effect, there are a few other products to mention.

Clinique Lipstick in Pink-a-Boo is an item I snagged a few weeks ago at the Sephora in Columbus Circle. (There are sadly very few malls in Manhattan, so the mall here takes me back to the happier days of my youth!) I didn't test-drive the color, but when I put it on, it actually was the same color as my lips, mainly adding a glaze of shine. The effect is very "polished." This is the color swatch:




What else is great? Face Luster pressed powder by Fresh cosmetics. I was surprised and pleased to try this on because it's a powder that doesn't look powder-y. Maybe it's the aloe and antioxidant ingredients?! This product gets four stars.



Also, recommended: Fresh cosmetics lipstick in "Rendez-Vous," and Lancome Absolue Premium Bx Lotion SPF 15.

Eyeshadow of the Day: Kitten by Stila

Stila eyeshadow in Kitten, a top seller at Sephora, makes for pretty eyelids, and helps you look like you're not bored or sleepy, which you might be right now. (It's heading past eleven o'clock.) If you apply it lightly across the lid, the shimmer is very subtle. Don't be afraid to reach beyond the eyelid and brush it right below your eyebrow too.

Buy it: Kitten Eyeshadow by Stila ($16), Sephora.

Jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane Dishes About His Treasures

Had to share this with y'all. I love it when he says, "I just keep on repeating the same kinds of motifs--snakes and animals."

Gotta run like a panda now. Enjoy the show.

Toodles,
Charlotte

Glamour Focus: The Lady of Letters

At the risk of sounding Victorian, correspondence is very much a part of being lady-like and elegant. Also, a girl with a pen can be quite dangerous. To send missives and poems, these are a few items which caught our eye.

1. Be hot to trot! Pony up those feelings on equestrian stationery by Crane's.




2. If feeling cool, sketch a steely, modern letter with this Muji aluminum mechanical pencil ($15) and notepad set.






3. When you're in an extravagant mood, consider spraying a touch of perfume on your letters (maybe you already do this). Light Comes from Within perfume is sure to delight the reader with its airy scent of bergamot and heady night blooming jasmine.


Buy it: Horse cards ($29), Crane.com; Muji mechanical pencil ($14) and notepad set ($3.50), MOMA; Light Comes from Within ($95), House of Creative Scentualization.