Break Ups to Make Ups

                                                        
Makeup is one of my favorite things, seriously like in the world. While since first really learning to do my makeup and not looking like a circus clown, I've been a loyal MAC girl. There honestly wasn't a particular reason why I started there and stopped. Im not a label whore in a sense that I use or where things simply because of the brand or trend, I wear what I like and for years MAC has worked for me. Recently I've been branching out and for me the best way to branch out into different lines of makeup is to rummage through my friends makeup bags and ask lots of questions. Though what works for one may not work for another, I find new techniques by watching others apply their makeup. For example one of my very good friends, who is a few shades darker than me, uses a light color powder foundation by bare essentials as an eyeshadow both under and over her eyes, and it looks absolutely beautiful. BUT, when I tried the same trick I looked a raccoon and couldn't figure out why. While watching her actually apply her makeup I saw that after she applied the powder she then went over her entire ace with a press powder blending everything and leaving a hint of the color on and under her eyes. BINGO! Tried it and it was perfect!
 Anyway I digress. My general makeup look is very tanned with highlighting bronzer, nude lips, light eyeliner and tones of mascara. MAC will always be one of my favorite makeup brands but I've come across a new love of NARS and a soft spot for Stila, here are some of the newest products I have been using, which can all be purchased at Sephora allowing you to try before you buy. Most important, think outside the box and have fun!

Here's Nars, Sabrina lip treatment, Belle du Jour, and my current favorite Roman Holiday. I LOVE Roman Holiday, its sheer so I layer it with Illamasqua Lipstick in Fable to give it a more pink nude shade. This brand is only available at Sephora, and I appreciate the color as well as the exclusivity of that.

                                  

Heres Deep throat by Nars, I know Orgasm is a best seller and a favorite of many, but I find Deep Throat to be a warmer color for my skin tone and make my finishing look toasty.

                                      

This is a illuminating finishing powder set by Stila. Its GORGEOUS! Its a limited edition, gift set for a excellent price. I use both colors, the rose gold darker shade for contour and the light gold for highlight all over shimmer dusting. I came across this courtesy of Maury over at www.typepad.com/heightsoffashion. While scattering around her makeup bins I saw and tried this combination and fell in love. This product goes fast, I went to 3 Sephoras before finding it in Soho!

                          

I mentioned above that I load on mascara, one because my eyelashes are short and tangled and two because I like for eyes to be the focus, and well defined. I try a lot of different mascaras, and this has worked the absolute best for my eyelash situation. The brush was a nice size and I am happy with the amount of mascara on the brush as well as the big volumizing effect. Great results minimal effort.

            

                                                    

Life is like a Masquerade Ball

Ever since Eye's Wide Shut, I think attending a ultra chic masquerade party, has been lingering in the back of everyones mind. Though I wasn't able to find one in time for this years NYE, Gilt Groupe is featuring Art of Elysium Designer Masquerade sale on December 30, and so far it looks absolutely fantastic! Heres some background;

"Last October, Gilt enlisted 12 A-list designers — including Catherine Malandrino, Tory Burch, Peter Som and Behnaz Sarapfour — to create one-of-a-kind, Venetian-style masks for celebrities to don at a masquerade gala in Marfa, Texas. The event benefited the Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that works with children battling serious medical conditions. Now, you have an exclusive chance to snap up these extraordinary designer creations; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Art of Elysium."

Backstory

Founded in 1997, the Art of Elysium works with accomplished artists, musicians and actors, who volunteer their time to participate in creative workshops for children battling serious medical conditions. The organization has helped thousands of children learn everything from singing to painting to fashion design, and garnered a long list of celebrity supporters along the way.

Heres a preview of whats to come! If you're not a member of Gilt Groupe please enjoy the invitation below, this is one of the many sales, featured daily at sample prices!

Gilt Groupe Invite

Meat on the Menu, Meat Packing District Sales

If you've never been to New York, this is the perfect opportunity to get here and NOW! While the obvious would seem like post Christmas sales the best in this town, pre trumps post and leaves you with a little change to spare.While I myself have heard, old wise takes of Givenchy handbags retailing for $1600 being marked down to $500 before christmas. It was definately time for me to put on my hard hat and high heels and play myth busters, Here's some info from the good people over at M.A.C!

DVF: The fall season is discounted just 30%. Smart shoppers hit the sample sale where prices were 50% to 75% off.  boutique prices often go to 70% by season's end.

Alexander McQueen:  60% off However, even with the steep discount some items are way over budget. Take this bird-print funnel neck dress. It's still almost $2400 even after the discount. The dress was originally $5,975. The dress is a real piece of art but for those prices we prefer to save up for a Kandinsky. Not all items are thousands. A cable knit dress is $664 from $1670, a cowl neck dress is $659 from $1655 and statement platform shoes are $464 from $1165.

Stella McCartney: As we write, the fall/winter collection is 40% off but the discount goes to 50% on Monday. The discount includes bags and shoes. The additional markdown is happening right on time because there's still quite a bit of merchandise left.


Matthew Williamson: Everything is so much more colorful downtown but few designers are brighter than Matthew Williamson. Right now prefall is 60% off and the runway collection is 50% off. The discount could go to 80% after the New Year and that's when we will start charging it up.


Jeffery NYC: The discount went down to 40% on Thursday. Shoes are selling quickly. The "racks" are up and if you're a 7.5 don't even bother. There's nothing left. There is a healthy selection of 8s and the biggest variety of shoes is the 10s or a European 40. The clothing is hit or miss when it comes to sizes.

New Years 2010

                                                 I was dreamin' when I wrote this

Forgive me if it goes astray

But when I woke up this mornin'

                                                 Coulda sworn it was judgment day
                                                              The sky was all purple,

there were people runnin' everywhere

Tryin' to run from the destruction,

U know I didn't even care

I was dreamin' when I wrote this

So sue me if I go to fast

But life is just a party, and parties weren't meant to last

War is all around us, my mind says prepare to fight

So if I gotta die I'm gonna listen to my body tonight

When I was younger, New Years Eve meant staying up late and watching the ball drop. Now that I'm older, New Years, isn't so much about the party but, more so what comes afterward, the new beginning, fresh start and promising future. A great New Years Eve, for me is having thing set and in motion for the new year, and most importantly bringing it in with the ones you truly love. While this past month has had a plethora of twist and turns, the only thing I can be one hundred percent sure of is living once means having little to no regrets. Taking everything and making it a learning experience. Taking everyday day by day and looking fabulous while doing so. 
In saying that, when first laying eyes on this gown, my initial thought was...my wedding reception dress, and in a way it still is! This year I will be marrying my destiny and you are all invited to the cocktail reception better known as New Years 2010. Rock Out.


xoxo-Sari

New Years Party Definitions

With New Years Eve just around the corner, event invitations can get quite confusing. While my rule of thumb is, its better to be over dressed than under dressed, you still want to be appropriate. Not only for New Years Eve celebrations, but all social events in the coming year. I found this helpful guide on about fashion.com, and its gives a pretty clear outline on party definitions;

A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
 A White Tie or Ultra-forma invitation requires men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Black Tie Optional

A Black Tie Optional orBlack Tie Invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Creative Black Tie

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates.

Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other variations ofCreative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme (for him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry).

Semi-Formal

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

Informal

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress asSemi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

Festive Attire

Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informalor Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual

Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sportcoat, for her a dressy pants look. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual.

Casual generally means anything goes.

Vous Souhate Une Excellent Annee!

As if Chanel could dare to be even more exquisite, these New Years cards are like little embellished gifts from St. Nick himself. Upon receiving this golden token of couture love, what would you do with it? Outside of my original ideas of wallpapering my bedroom, tiling it on my floor

and threading a string through it and wearing it as a medallion (kidding) I think this

 holiday card is best suited, placed near a christmas tree. Not just any Christmas tree

of course, one full of fashion. Check out one of the ornaments on mine!

Merry Christmas From Sari & Company!

Boyfriend's Girlfriends

Easy as Sunday morning takes on a new meaning when you trade in wearing his rolled up at the waist boxers while reading the weekend funnies for more tailored sophisticated pieces for your Monday 9am. Unisex, trend of boyfriends blazers, boyfriend jeans, oxford button downs, have been spotted last season this current season and in previews of upcoming seasons. This trend can be best pulled off when matched with more fitting feminine pieces, for example loose boyfriend jeans rolled up and worn with heels as seen above. Big with big equals big, so if your sporting a loose boxy cut oxford shirt pair it with skinny jeans or even better belt it! The boyfriend blazer is major and can come in a slew of different styles and materials and can be worn with just about anything, seriously anything, for a polished finishing touch.
 I'm currently loving the Rachel by Rachel Roy sequin boyfriend blazer. Which is sold out, because its an awesome piece and it fits well, which believe it or not matters more than even the sequins.

If your just starting out experimenting with boyfriend cuts, the perfect place to warm up is American Apparel. Everything is affordable, looks great on an can be layered over or under. They have unisex oxford shirts, cardigans, v-necks, crew necks and the list goes on and on. Enjoy this look, have fun, feeling frumpy your first time, stilettos and wide belts fix the boxiest of cuts. I love boys who, like boys, but I love girls who dress like boys more!

Rescue Me

SO I was beyond blessed in August when I had a truly magical birthday! One of my many gifts included and amazing spa day with my closet friends. Not just any spa of course. Rescue Beauty Lounge! The Mecca of beauty lounges, I wont go into too much detail about this spa because I've done one too many post on it, its just truly quite the experience and will change how you view mani and pedis for life. One of the many things I enjoy about Rescue Beauty Lounge is the amazing nail colors available which have awesome longevity, and when Im paying $30 for a manicure believe you me it BETTER NOT chip! While this lounge is a bit pricey as are the nail colors, at about $18 bucks a pop I was a but skeptical about making a purchase. HOWEVER, I received an email a few days ago announcing that the polish would be 50% from 12:00pm untl 5:00pm with a special coupon code I was thrilled!

Ok there was a catch that I wasn't one hundred percent happy with and call me cheap, or maybe not, I have never mind paying where it was called for or absolutely necessary but $8.50 for shipping, for one nail polish! That takes away from a lot of the discount! I could possibly just take a ride downtown and purchase but I live in Manhattan and thats just me however these are fabulous products for a great price so you be the judge!

Holiday Hottie!

Not sure what to wear to this seasons holiday parties? How about you blow everyones f*cking mind in Balmain!!!! This week TheOutnet.com is featuring Balmain pieces at up to 85% off the original retail prices. I mean what else do you need in life? Fabulous and affordable.

With just six days left of this once in a lifetime opportunity, make this Christmas memorable, make this New Years unforgettable and make Valentines Day proposal worthy!

Louis Vuitton's Garden Party Launch at Saks Fifth Avenue

If Adam, Eve, and Stephen Sprouse got together for a garden party in heaven this would be the outcome. On November 10th Louis Vuitton launched its 2010 cruise collection and its first ever women's concept store in North America, on the third floor of Saks Fifth Avenue of course! With a guest list of the most elite celebrities, and editors including Vanity Fair executive fashion editor Alexis Bryan Morgan and Vogue publisher Tom Florio. Welcome to the couture jungle, hosted by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Louis Vuitton North America president and C.E.O. Daniel Lalonde, and Saks Fifth Avenue chairman and C.E.O. Stephen Sadove. Constructed in a little under three hours, Sandra Mariniello, director of events and special projects for Louis Vuitton North America, and David Beahm brought you into a true urban jungle complete with greenery adorned with gems, life size trees, and real life models.  

My most favorite of many elements at the event,  was the wishing tree centerpiece. Guest were encouraged  to convey their answers in writing to the question "Where will your journey take you?" and hang the messages on strands of ribbon dangling from its branches. Louis Vuitton will include a collection of some of the messages as part of the seasonal display at its Fifth Avenue store, starting December 1.Not only was this a night of luxurious fantasy,  Louis Vuitton also made a donation to Partners in Health, a nonprofit organization that provides medical care to impoverished communities. 
  

Gucci Friends and Family

Juicy Couture Friends and Family

Tis the Season to be Juicy!

Bring this exclusive print out to any Juicy Couture retail store and receive 30% off your purchase! Offer valid from 11/11/09 to 11/18/09 at any juicy speciality store in the 50 united sates. offer applies to full price and sale merchandise.

Neiman Marcus 2 Hour Event

Click Here to Shop

Henri Bendel Friends & Family 25% Off

Henry Bendel is hosting a friends and family sale from Thurs. Nov. 5 to Sat. Nov. 8th. The discount is 25% off and there are NO exclusions!  Print it out HERE to receive the discount. 

Christmas with Kate at TOPSHOP

The Kate Moss Topshop Christmas 2009 collection is in stores now and launched on October 29th. The collection features oriental-inspired pieces, but adds a new take on tradition by using gunmental lurex knit instead of embroided satin. Also used in this collection and array of soft chiffons and silks with bold Asain inspired prints.  For knitwear, greys and navys are prominent colors, with hints of sparkle and jeweled accents for glam and cashmere for comfort, top off with one of the new shrugs or waistcoats for a sexy night on the town this holiday season.