If you’re out and about in San Jose this Saturday, May 18th, make sure to stop by one of Santana Row’s newest stores, Splendid!

Benefit Cosmetics and top celebrity designer Matthew Williamson collaborate to bring you this high fashion makeup kit. Inspired by the glamorous 1970s, the era when Benefit first began in San Francisco, these sexy shades will take you back to stylish cocktail parties and hedonistic discos. Get ready to dress up and dance the night away!

Kit contents

Eyeshadow Palette:  solid gold, get down brown, disco dust, feel so teal

They’re Real! Mascara

Gimme Fever cheek powder with brush

Lip Gloss in inferno

$34.00

This limited edition kit is available exclusively at Sephora this Summer!  For more information, visit www.benefitcosmetics.com

I was thrilled that this year’s theme for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual exhibit really touched one of my still favorite styles…Punk! Punk: Chaos to Couture is this year’s Spring Exhibit for the Met and what better way to celebrate than to dress the part…or not.  Clearly, we all look forward to seeing who shows up wearing what, but sometimes raises the questions of…why?  I had a feeling this year’s red carpet stunners were either going to rock it or make me shake my head.

And here goes my Best and Worst dressed of this year’s Met Gala 2013!

BEST DRESSED

I had to hand it to the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna.  She clearly got the memo and embraced the theme all together with this Givenchy number.  You go, hot mama!

The others that I thought looked fabulous whether rocking the do, the make up or over all look were: (Left to Right) Christina Ricci in Vivienne Westwood, Jennifer Lopez in Michael Kors, Sienna Miller in Burberry and Roony Mara in Givenchy. I love JLo’s faux hawk look and Sienna Miller’s punk jacket to her white gown.

WORST DRESSED

I’m sorry (ok I’m really not) but this number by Riccardo Tisci worn by Kim Kardashian was at the top of THE worst look of the evening.  There was no balance in anything…where were her hands? This was way off base to what the theme even was.

The others that made it to my not so favorite list was: (Left to Right) Gweneth Paltrow in Valentino Couture, Sarah Jessica Parker in a headpiece by Phillip Treacy and dress by Giles Deacon, Elle Fanning in Rodarte and Kristen Stewart in Stella McCartney.  Honestly, the person I thought who would have rocked an amazing outfit would have been KStew but instead she went with something a little more conservative and what I think a little too out of her age.

Photos courtesy of: Getty Images

It’s that time of year again where we cherish one of the most important ladies in our lives – our mothers, our mother figures, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, you name it. Mother’s Day! And what better way to show appreciation and love than with a little or big blue box from none other than, Tiffany & Co. I’ve selected 6 of my favorite pieces from their latest collection that I know any mother out there would love to get this year.

1. Paloma Picasso Love Pendant in Rose Gold (click here)

2. Tiffany Solitaire Diamond Earrings (click here)

3. Tiffany Locks Heart Lock Bangle (click here)

4. Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf Band Ring (click here)

5. Bow Cat Eye Sunglasses (click here)

6. Tiffany Reversible Tote (click here)

Remember, the gift is just something extra for that special lady in your life so put a little thought into it and have Tiffany & Co. wrap it up for you.  For more information or to find your local store visit, www.tiffany.com

Madewell opened it’s doors at San Jose’s favorite hot spot, Santana Row on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.  I had the privilege of being able to view the store before it opened its doors to the customers waiting patiently in line.

The words that came to mind when I entered the store were fresh, effortless and bright.   I personally loved the selection of Chambray pieces along with the denim department of the store.  Looks like there is definitely something for everyone.  The staff was super friendly and were working hard to prepare the store leading up to the opening within minutes.  They handed out gift cards to the first 25 guests with one lucky person that received a $200+ card.  With refreshments and cookies awaiting the customers upon arrival, the experience couldn’t have been more perfect for the first couple of hours.

Madewell at Santana Row is a perfect one stop shop for fashion and accessories.  Here’s what you’ll expect when you pay a visit to the store.

For more information on Madewell, visit www.madewell.com.  For more information on Santana Row, visit www.santanarow.com

In Christian Dior’s early years as a designer, he was keen on exploring the visual and cultural magnificence beyond Europe, and Latin America became a source of inspiration for years to come. His global interests were evident in his designs. Vibrant colors, sophisticated fabrics like organza and silk, and ornamented details (often featuring feathers) exuded an exotic femininity and glamour. Drawing from nature’s tropical paradises, Dior takes a journey through Latin America once again to evoke the intoxicating aura of fresh greenery, glistening waters, and exotic creatures.

The Bird of Paradise collection embraces the vibrancy of nature and translates to versatile, wearable color for summer. Lips are inspired by tropic temperatures, while eyeshadow palettes feature a spectrum of luminous, marine blues, bamboo greens, and subtle accents of soft yellow for dramatic, shimmering lids inspired by the plumage of an exotic bird. A combination of bright pigments and rich textures celebrate summer’s energetic mix.

Nude Tan BB Crème: Dior has infused its original BB Crème with a natural bronzing agent. The exclusive Tan Beautifier complex works in combination with the sheer Complexion Corrector to enhance and prolong a natural healthy glow. In addition, Diorskin Nude BB Tan Crème features hydrating ingredients including jisten, mauve and hibiscus, as well as green, red, and white tea extracts to offer the same skin-illuminating effects as the original Diorskin Nude BB Creme, now with the added benefits of SPF 15. Available in two universal shades: 001 and 002.

Dior Jelly Lip Pen: Dior’s new Jelly Lip Pen is a true beauty multi-tasker. The exclusive jelly-like formula is available in three richly saturated hues – from golden sand to bright coral – offering an all-in-one treatment to deliver the hydration of a balm, high shine of a gloss, and intense pigment of a lipstick. This jumbo pencil sharpens with a simple twist, ideal for easy, smooth, touch-and- go application.

BIRDS OF PARADISE COLLECTION

Dior Jelly Lip Pen in Copacabana #516, Carioca #636, and Gaia #656 ($26.00)

Dior Tan Paradise Blush in Duo in Pink Glow #001 and Coral Glow #002 ($56.00)

Nude Tan BB Crème ($44.00)

Diorskin Nude Tan Paradise Duo Blush in Pink Glow# 001& Coral Glow #002 ($56.00)

Dior Addict lipstick in #751 and #771 ($31.00)

Lip Maximizer in Apricot #002 ($31.00)

Diorshow WP Eyeliner in Aqua Green #348 ($29.00)

Dior Vernis Nail Duos in Samba #001 and Bahia #002 ($29.00)

Paradise Summer Blush Brush ($55.00)

Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Blue Lagoon #347 and Peacock #434 ($60.00)

I can’t wait to try these vibrant colors in the summer!  Available in Summer 2013.  For more information, visit www.dior.com

Spring has sprung in San Francisco!  Well…at the Salvatore Ferragamo, that is!  One of our own editors, Nicole was certainly strutting her stuff around the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique showing off their spring collection.

For more information on Salvatore Ferragamo, please visit their website at www.ferragamo.com or visit their San Francisco Boutique located at 233 Geary Street.

Bay Area Stunners!  If you haven’t marked your calendars already, then make a big note to yourself that Madewell (a fabulous store of just about everything fashionable from head to toe) will be opening it’s first store in San Jose! I’m excited about this store because of their clean, effortless collection of clothing, shoes and accessories.  For those who don’t feel the need to be super trendy, but want your wardrobe to speak your individuality, this is where you want to shop.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Santana Row

Doors open at 10am

They’ll be gifting a polka-dot clutch with every purchase (while supplies last). Plus giving away mystery gift cards to the first 25 shoppers — you could win from $25 to $250

Grand Opening Party in the store from 5PM – 8PM

Event is co-hosted by San Jose Museum of Art and 10% of sales will go towards the museum during the grand opening party from 5pm – 8pm

Enjoy sweets, bubblies and music

Tweet, Instagram, Vine, you name it, just use #MadewellSanJose to celebrate your experience at the opening

Make sure to stop by and say hello as I’ll be there when the doors open at 10am.  For more information on Madewell, please visit their website at http://www.madewell.com

Opera San Jose pairs two remarkably, even wonderfully, dissimilar one act operas  in Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) and Gianni Schicchi (pronounced “Johnny Ski Key”) in it’s current production running through April 28, 2013 at the California Theatre on First Street in San Jose, Ca.  They are two of Puccini’s threesome (il trittico) of one act operas which had their world premier at the Met in 1918.

Suor Angelica tells the tragic story of Angelica who was forced by her family to give up her “born out of wedlock” baby and “take the veil”. All of the opera takes place in the convent garden. Now a nun, for 7 years she has grieved the loss of her son and family ties.

There’s a hubhub outside – someone important has arrived at the convent.  This someone is the Princess, Angelica’s aunt, who has control over the estate of Angelica and her younger sister.  This  beast of a woman, this juggernaut of non-compassion orders Angelica to sign  documents which transfer her portion of her estate to her sister, now that her sibling is marrying.  And “Oh, by the way, your son died of a fever 2 years ago”.  Angelica, devasted, relinquishes her estate and is overcome with grief that she was not able to comfort her child in his illness.

But there is hope, perhaps.  Her role in the convent is to compound medicines.  She decides to create a potion that will unite her with her son..  After she has consumed the toxic herbs, she suddenly realizes that in taking her own life, she has committed a sin that will send her to hell.  Her despair is interrupted by a mystical beam of light falling on the statue of the Virgin Mary in the convent garden’s water fountain.  Her young son appears before  her in a celestial vision. Is she in a state of religious ecstasy? Is this a hallucination?  Or is this a sign of forgiveness, that her prayers will be answered, that her expiation has been accepted?

Cecilia Violetta Lopez’ portrayal of Angelica is heart-rending, pure and hopeful. Lopez, remarkably, sings both the roles of Angelica and Lauretta Schicchi with both casts although (the Company typically alternates the taxing roles between a Cast 1 and an A Cast).  Patrice Houston totally “owns” the role of the Princess.

Gianni Schicchi [johnny ski key] comes to the stage after Intermission.  What a delight! Using the excellent bones of the Suor Angelica set, the stage has been effectively converted from a pure serene white into the lush bedchamber of Florentine big wig Buoso Donati who is dead but still warm. His bed is surrounded by “mourning” relatives. This sounds grim, but not so!  Perhaps because Suor Angelica had been so moving, so spiritual it was a great relief to laugh, and we  did, throughout Gianni Schicchi. The story:

The patriarch of a wealthy and inflouential family in Florence has just died, surrounded by an assortment of relatives who hope to inherit his wealth, especially three  prime properties:  the “finest mule in Tuscany”, his very fine home and his mill in Signa.

Their greed and self-serving is abundantly apparent as the family wrestle, first as a unit, to overcome the reputed wish of the late Buoso – which is to give it all to the local Friars.  We are treated to a wild scene of their tearing his bedchamber apart in an attempt to find a will.  If they find it, if the notary has not already filed it, they can alter it!  A nephew, Rinuccio finds it but refuses to surrender it until he gets a promise from the others that he will be able to marry his sweetheart, Lauretta Schicchi, a local and lovely peasant maiden who unlike the Donatis, has no exalted status and, worse, no dowry.  His Aunt Zita, played delightfully and egregiously by Patrice Houston, , agrees, “if we all get our inheritances” you can marry whoever you want. The family reads the will aloud and despairs of collecting what they’d hoped to. Rinuccio , meanwhile, discreetly sends for Lauretta’s father, Gianni Schicchi  Although his relatives object, Rinucchio reassures them. Gianni is clever and knows the laws about wills and such,so who better?   However Gianni, who has no love for the Donatis and is adamant that his daughter, Lauretta  not marry one, refuses to help.  Until Lauretta changes his mind, singing “Oh! mio babbino caro”

Moved, Gianni reads over the will and tells them to call for the notary and two witnesses – The dead Buoso is going to dictate a new will!  First Gianni wins the relatives’ confidence by asking each what their fair share of the inheritance should be.  We see a quick change of transformation from “unified family” to individual greed.  One by one, on the sly, each also puts in a bid for the three prize items (the mule, the house and the mill), promising rich bribes to Gianni.  Gianni reminds them that the law is that anyone falsifying information related to a will is subject to having his right  hand chopped off and exile, so, of course, they must all be in this together or all will lose a hand.

Now the fun begins – first Buoso’s doctor comes by for his daily visit. Ooops, a dead man can’t re-write a will so the family assures the doctor that Buoso is feeling better but is resting and doesn’t want to be disturbed. Gianni, who had hidden himself in Buoso’s bed,imitates Buoso’s shaky vioice, the doctor is fooled and lets himself be maneuvered out the door.  The relatives manage to remove the candles and other indicators of death just in time as the notary arrives. Bundled up in Buoso’s bedclothes and with his best imitation of Buoso’s voice, Gianni dictates a family-friendly will to the notary, to the family’s great glee. Until he gets to the prize properties – which “Buoso” leaves to Gianni! The relatives are furious, but if any were to expose Gianni, they would also implicate themselves and all involved would lose a hand. Rinuccio is the only family member who is happy – now his beloved Lauretta Schicchi will have a dowry and they can marry.

At the final curtain the audience was up on their feet for another standing ovation.  The title role was played with conviction and gusto by Zachary Altman.  Cecilia Violetta Lopez, still full of energy, sang Lauretta to Alexander Boyer’s Rinuchio, Patrice Houston stood out again as Zita.

The costumes and settings were outstanding, as were the supporting casts. (I’ve discovered that I really like one act operas.  These were each roughly an hour in length. And the change of pace is refreshing).

For more information on Opera San Jose, please visit www.operasj.org

Skincare products have become a true necessity in my boudoir, especially the type of skincare that shows immediate results.  Clarins has been on my list of skincare brands to try and with their two new product: BB Skin Perfecting Cream and Double Serum I got my chance to see what they’re all about.

Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream SPF 25

After the first application, my skin tone looks even and healthy. Lately my blemishes have been causing scarring and using this BB cream seems to erase the scars that the blemishes have left behind. The cream is pretty thick but once it is absorbed by the skin it gives a natural matte finish and actually felt and looked like I wasn’t wearing makeup. I finished my look with some concealer and mascara and was set for the day! At $40 this BB cream with SPF is totally worth it for the results. (click here to purchase)

Clarins Double Serum

Complete Age Control Concentrate. There are 2 formulas at work here, one is Hydric the other Lipidic and for its effectiveness the 2 must be mixed together in the palm of your hand before the serum can be applied and easily absorbed by your skin. For me, the results I experience from this dual action double serum is a complexion that appears more even, less red and my pores appear smaller. I almost can’t see the fine lines on my forehead! (click here to purchase)