Today's Obsessions

12 Celebrities with the Hottest Accessories at the MET Gala…

Posted: 04 May 2010 10:57 AM PDT

The loveliest and the most stylish were at the MET Gala last night, celebrating "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity." It was a red carpet event to gawk at, as you can imagine. Some ladies looked traditionally dashing while some (well, one: Katy Perry) chose to wear a lit-up dress. But what really caught my eye this year were the accessories. Lots of pretty, shiny things to drool at, I tell you. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?

1. Emmy Rossum

The perfect way to accessorize a plain (yet sexy) dress, donchathink? The House of Lavande bib necklace even looks like a part of her dress.

2. Leighton Meester

A golden hippie-like headpiece to match her flowing dress. She looks tired but still very pretty.

3. Jessica Stam

First of all, how stunning is this model? She wore Bulgari jewels and looked positively golden.

4. Thandie Newton

She is always a vision on the red carpet. She wore a Vivienne Westwood gown that perfectly complemented her accessories. I love the fact that the necklace seems simple but it still wows you.

Top 12 Ways to Go Green …

Posted: 04 May 2010 09:20 AM PDT

By now we all know we ought to be doing something to help preserve our planet. But it can be so confusing… like, which is actually better for the environment, paper or plastic? Isn't there something easy we can all do to make a difference? Yes! Here are my favorite easy ways to be green…

1. Check out the package

When you purchase food items at the grocery store, think about the packaging. Do you need individually packaged oatmeal or chips, or can you buy one big container or bag instead? All those tiny wrappers or packages inside one larger one are so wasteful!

2. Recycle

In some states, empty soda and beer cans and bottles can be returned for cash per piece. In most communities, empty plastic bottles (like from shampoo), cardboard (like cereal boxes), paper (like newspaper) and cans (like soup cans) can be recycled right at the curb! How easy is that?

3. Buy local

If you buy produce or meat from local farmers, food from other places won't have to be trucked in, using air-polluting fossil fuels. You'll also enjoy fresher food, and you'll be supporting your local economy. Perfect!

10 Most Addictive Online Games …

Posted: 04 May 2010 08:56 AM PDT

I admit it: I am totally and completely addicted to FarmVille. And I might also be slightly hooked on Mafia Wars. And, I may have recently lost an hour or two playing Bejeweled. But these games are so addictive! If you're looking for a new way to spend your spare time, or just a list of games to avoid so you DON'T get addicted, here's a run-down of the games I can't stop playing…

1. Bejeweled

Originally called "Diamond Mine," this game is the ultimate time-waster. Set up lines of three or more similar jewels to earn points and advance to higher levels. The more jewels you line up, the more points you earn. It may not sound addictive, but trust me, it is. My Phys Ed professor even catches herself saying "one more level!" when she ought to be grading papers!

2. Sorority Life

Be the ultimate drama queen! Collect experience points, fashionable clothes, sweet rides, and the ultimate accessories by organizing events and vacations. Slap snooty gals from other houses, rate friends' outfits and new looks, and leaves messages for your own entourage on their white boards. Addictive glam fun! Play on Facebook or MySpace.

3. Mafia Wars

At one point or another, who hasn't wanted to be a mobster? In this game, you recruit your friends to be in your mafia, then work your way up to be the master mobster in New York, Cuba, Moscow, and soon, in the west U.S. and in Asia. To gain experience and much-needed cash for weapons, armor, and vehicles, you do jobs… whack members of rival gangs, bribe public officials, that sort of thing. You even get to choose your own mobster name!

7 Oscar-Inspired Style Tips …

Posted: 04 May 2010 07:50 AM PDT

I loved watching the Oscars! From the gorgeous dresses to the fantastic hair styles, the celebrities are almost as exciting as the awards, and I couldn't help but notice some of the brilliant trends on show. So whether you are channelling Nicole Richie’s cat eyes or the glamorous buns, here are my top seven tips to add some Oscar stylings to your everyday life…

1. Bridal Style

Price: $94 at asos.com
Bridal stylings like this white ruffly dress were everywhere, with celebs such as Amanda Holden and Jennifer Lopez looking divine in their white dresses. Keep your hair and make up natural to avoid looking too much like a bride, and under no circumstances wear an actual wedding dress!

2. Statement Earrings

Price: $13 at asos.com
Statement earrings such as these gorgeous ones from French Connection were a huge hit, whatever your hair style. Cameron Diaz dressed up surfer girl hair with her gorgeous hoops, and Carey Mulligan dressed up her cute bob with shoulder length crystals. Lose your necklace, and let your earrings do the talking.

3. Glam Buns

Photo Credit: Kinnéidigh Garrett
Everyone from Jordan to Sarah Jessica Parker was rocking a glamorous bun, in varying styles. For a daytime look, try a smaller bun, and smoothed hair. Then add accessories and volume for a night time bun, and try adding a hair piece for huge style a la Parker.

8 Coolest Designer Pumps…

Posted: 04 May 2010 04:46 AM PDT

As women we have this crazy need to shove our poor little feet into some pretty scary devices that I’m pretty sure were used to torture men in the early 1800’s. It’s become a ridiculous obsession, and although I’m all for the liberation of women’s feet across the globe, these designer pumps are absolutely to die for, pain or not.

1. Lanvin Chain Detail Suede Pumps

Price: $1,245 at net-a-porter.com
These shoes are too rocker chic to pass up. Picture them paired with a hot little mini dress so you can actually see the chain detail, beautiful. Wear carefully though, that chain detail that we all know and love can get a little wearing on the ankles!

2. Christian Louboutin Lady Claude 120 Pumps

Price: $3,175 at net-a-porter.com
So when looking at these beautiful pumps from afar, they look like they’re a snakeskin metallic pump. Nothing too special. But wait, take a closer look. It’s not metallic snakeskin, it’s a million tiny crystals. Gorgeous!

3. Alexander McQueen Heart Peep Toe Pumps

Price: $695 at net-a-porter.com
I absolutely adore the shape of the peep in this peep toe. Alexander McQueen has stunned me with such a small and playful spin on an old classic. I feel as though the very base of the toe may irritate your toes after a long period of time, but the shoe is still absolutely amazing.

8 Ideas for a Family Fun Night …

Posted: 04 May 2010 04:32 AM PDT

Now that there's a television in almost every room in everyone's house, and with everyone so busy, it's rare to spend any time together. As in, everyone in the family in the same room, at the same time, without the television on! And is there any better way to spend an evening together with your family than a game night? Not sure what to play? Here are my ideas on what games to play for your next family game night!

1. Play a few hands of UNO

Price: $5.09 at shop.mattel.com
This game is perfect for a family game night with three or more people, as long as all of the children in the group are at least seven or eight years old. The rules are simple — each player gets seven cards and the first person to use all of their cards wins… but don't forget to say UNO when you only have one card left!

2. Roll some dice for Yahtzee

Price: $6.99 at hasbrotoyshop.com
This game is so much fun! Roll the dice and earn points for different dice combinations. It helps teach kids math basics, and also helps with their gambling skills, Vegas-style! Great for groups of three or more…

3. Run a Monopoly

Price: $14.99 at hasbrotoyshop.com
You don't have to be Bill Gates to run a monopoly. Buy properties, Collect rents, build hotels, go round the board, and stay out of jail! Often the most contentious part of the game is the very beginning, when everyone gets to choose a game marker… everyone always wants to be either the cool race car or the cute dog…

Top 10 Must Have Dresses for the Summer…

Posted: 04 May 2010 01:56 AM PDT

Summer time is almost here, do you know what this means? This means that it is time to put away those winter clothes and break out with those summer dresses! To pay a tribute to winter passing and summer coming, I have decided to write a blog on the top 10 must have dressed for the summer. We are going to play a little game here, when I tell you about a dress, I want you to tell me if you love it or leave it…

10. London Times Women’s One Shoulder Stretch Jacquard Dress

Price: $90.00 at amazon.com
This is a beautiful one shoulder dress that has bow detail on it. When I look at this dress, it just screams summer! And for a low price of ninety dollars on Amazon, you can easily purchase it. What do you think about this dress? Love it or leave it?

9. Guess Selina Dress

Price: $98.00 at amazon.com
This dress is pretty good to only be ninety eight dollars on Amazon. It is a sleeveless corset dress that has vintage floral print with leather trim details. It has adjustable straps and molded underwire cups. There is a zipper in the back. It is a stretch fit. So, what do you think? Like it or love it?

8. Suzi Chin Women’s V-Neck Cotton Dress

Price: $138.00 at amazon.com
This is a sleeveless V-neck dress that will fit you nicely. It has an inset waist with a pleated A-line skirt. Cotton during the summer will feel nice. So, love it or leave it?

Balmain Metal Net Suede Sandals…

Posted: 03 May 2010 11:48 PM PDT

The best kind of sandals are the ones that make you look, and then look again, till you can’t help but wonder if it is a shoe or a piece of art. Case in point, the Balmain Metal Net Suede Sandals.

What’s So Fab about It: I love how such different elements come together to create a masterpiece! I mean, who would have expected that suede, metal and mesh could contrive such a mindblowing result?
Where Would I Wear It: Celine Dion paired these Balmain sandals with a Aquilano Rimondi embellished dress to the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Now, all I need to do is find an event just as fabulous to wear these to!
How Many Tall Lattes It’s Worth: 465
Where to Look 4 It: luisaviaroma.com
The Balmain Metal Net Suede Sandals can seriously take sexy to a new level. Question is, are you ready for them?

5 At-Home Waxing Tips From the Pros …

Posted: 03 May 2010 08:30 PM PDT

No matter what age you are – unwanted body hair is a fact of life, which becomes especially annoying in the summer. Can you imagine yourself at a popular resort, as a hairy-legged gal fabulously clad in a designer bikini? If not, these at-home waxing tips could be of a great help!
Unfortunately, the tools for hair removal are not perfect:

Shaving can lead to cuts, skin irritations, and ingrown hairs. Another gloomy fact about razors is that they make hair thicker and can even trigger its further growth. In addition, fabulous after-shave smoothness does not last long…
Laser removal is a costly, long, and painful process, which does not necessarily guarantee a perfect result.
Waxing (applying hot wax to the skin and then quickly ripping it off) is not perfect either, but it is way cheaper than lasering, lasts much longer than shaving, and can easily be performed at home. A word of caution, though – unskilful waxing can result in bruising or torn skin, which would not look too appealing no matter what side of the bathing suit you are on…

In order to avoid disturbing results of clumsy waxing, and to ensure the perfect fruit of your waxing efforts – oh, that virginally smooth skin! – read and apply our 5-at-home-waxing-tips-from-the-pros:

1. Never wax just after sunbathing or a tanning salon …

Tanning always harms epidermis – the outer layer of skin. So, when you are putting hot wax on it, pulling and ripping it off can peel a few layers of your skin, and you can end up with visible bruises or even scabs.

2. After waxing, wait at least a few hours …

… Before going into a hot tub, sauna, or a public swimming pool. Otherwise, you might be in danger of getting unpleasant skin infections. Slight damage to the skin, caused by waxing, coupled with improperly maintained water provides a breeding ground for bacteria.

3. Do not wax if you have …

Skin allergies
Acne
Any other skin disorder
Very sensitive skin

Buy a bathing suit with shorts or a cute skirt and have a nice summer, "au naturel" – your health is still more important!

4. Always read instructions for the waxing products you are using …

Otherwise you might end up with burns or clumps of wax stuck to your skin – uncomfortable and absolutely un-beach worthy…

5. If you are not sure how to wax – call a salon for information …

When it comes to at-home waxing, it's better not to do something than to do and then regret. If you are unsure about how to use the waxing product you purchased, call the nearest beauty salon for a professional advice. Most of the professionals will gladly explain how to work your home kit and their piece of advice will guarantee you a healthy, beautiful, and hair-free summer! :)
Got some great at-home waxing tips? Please share them with all of us!