My friend and fellow Lucky blogger Emily Hsieh has been on the hunt for one of these delicate chain-mail purses for months to no avail. Yesterday, we decided to take a look for them on eBay and lo and
behold: exactly what she wanted. Emily, who's one of those women with maddeningly impeccable and effortless-looking style, says she loves how these bags are dainty, but not too twee, and that they're the perfect size for everything she'd need on a fancy night out—an ATM card, keys, phone, and lip gloss.
Anyone and everyone looks about 9,000 times better the moment they step into the Tower Bar restaurant at the Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood. The most haggard and acne-scarred among us need maybe a flick of mascara (Chanel Inimitable!), tops.
It's the ideal place for an actress to do a magazine interview, in order that the old, already-spoken-out-against-by-me, super-tired, and never-true "She's not wearing any makeup" line could, for once, not be a lie!
I am now on the hunt for the rose-rust-red lamp shades the Sunset Tower has set atop the many low, glamorous lamps all around the room.
The view at the Sunset Tower is also something to write home about. But you'll miss it, because you won't be able to quit whipping out your makeup mirror and staring at your unbelievably gorgeous, dewy, perfect, glowing skin.
—Jean Godfrey-June, beauty director
After avoiding hats for many years and suffering through many cold winters as a result, I've finally decided to get serious about finding one that works for me. Reader "Pame9" recently reminded me of Eugenia Kim's chic and expansive collection (thanks Pame!) and now I'm a little obsessed with this houndstooth one. It satisfies all my criteria: I wanted a style that, aside from offering warmth, doesn't fit too snugly (to avoid hat head) and isn't too thick or woolly a knit (to minimize static cling). The checkered fabric, leather trim, and pared-down shape amount to a cool-but-refined take on an outdoorsy trapper—it's definitely cozy but still satisfyingly sleek, which was just what I wanted (but didn't think was possible) from a hat.
I'm a sucker for "before and after"s (plastic surgery, haircolor, weight loss, I love them all). Danielle Vincent, whose Kimiko Beauty makeup line contains all sorts of brilliant items, showed me these incredible undereye makeover pictures:
"That's some great concealer," I said, naturally assuming that the improvement was due to Kimiko makeup.
But no: "The woman in the picture used the concealer for 30 days, but both shots are naked—just bare skin!" explained Vincent. "It's eye cream and concealer in one, with depuffing, brightening, and fine-line-fighting ingredients." Before she could even finish, I snatched it from her hand and started dabbing it on. And I'm telling you, I look better already.
—Dawn Spinner, associate beauty editor
There's nothing more basic than a T-shirt dress—but this one from 3.1 Phillip Lim manages to be as understated as it ought to be and yet still feel incredibly special. The vibrant marigold is so unusual and appealing; it makes me think of India, which is especially welcome now that it's cold out. The cut is forgiving and loose though not baggy—it hangs just close enough to the body to flatter, and since it's made of ramie (a plant-derived cloth with a soft, silky finish) it drapes really well. But best of all is the keyhole slit in the back, which allows just a sliver of skin to peek through for an effect that's flirty but not too revealing. I like the way they've styled it with thick gray stockings in this photo (though I might go a shade darker with the tights for more contrast), and in the summer it'll look great with bare legs and flat strappy sandals.
Maybe it's to combat the fact that it's dark for about 20 hours a day, but I become a little bit of a giddy freak around this time of year. I put lights everywhere, blast Darlene Love Christmas songs, trim both a silver and green tree, and invite people over for even the flimsiest excuse of an occasion. EBay is an amazing enabler for my obsession: It has the most crazily expansive selection of vintage holiday decorations and housewares imaginable. Would these aqua-and-gold tumblers not be fabulous party glasses? How fun (but still understated) are these silvery starburst ornaments? Or this intricate glass set from Poland? If I had a kid how could I resist this sweet '50s advent calendar?
When I'm bored on the subway, I pull at my split ends. I don't know why, and I also can't stop. By the time I get to work, my sweater is covered with little bits of hair, as if shed on by an especially furry housecat.
My stopgap solution: The Josie Maran Argan Oil that was tucked behind the pen holder on my desk. I had interviewed Josie for the October issue when her line first launched, and she raved about the light, organic oil as a moisturizer ... but she also said something about hair. ... I rub it between my hands and rake it through the bottom three inches of my hair, and truly, it instantly invigorates my dry, picked-at ends. The sweater, on the other hand, still needs a lint roller. —Dawn Spinner, associate beauty editor
I'm not much of a fragrance girl, but the other day my friend Marissa was bemoaning the loss of her favorite perfume, the discontinued Safari by Ralph Lauren. Apparently she loved this scent and had been wearing it exclusively since we were teenagers, but as hard as she's tried, she's found it impossible to replace. It got me thinking: Would eBay be a good place to buy perfume? Turns out, there are tons of discontinued (and in production) fragrances on the site. I quickly found several auctions for Safari, and at these prices, I'll definitely buy my friend a backup bottle or two.
In my fancy fantasy life, I'm the sort of person who never gets on a plane without this cashmere travel set. It includes suede-bottomed slippers, an eye mask, and an oversize wrap that doubles as a blanket. (Considering what a germaphobe I am, I'm shocked at how often I resort to using those scratchy polyester blankets every airline offers in flight—I mean, are those ever really washed?) I've seen the set in person and can attest to the nice weight and softness of the knit. As extravagant as it would be to have all those pieces done up in cashmere and wrapped in a silk pouch, at least they're legitimately useful, which helps justify their substantial price. And of course, there's a luxurious, jet-set aspect to the whole thing that's undeniably appealing too.
Here's the thing about leopard-print coats: With the right fit and pattern, they can be the best of everythinga??completely glamorous, sexy, and even ladylike (I imagine wearing one buttoned up over a '50s-ish party dress with matte red lipstick, like Julianne Moore in Far From Heaven). But if you go wrong with a leopard print coat, you risk looking like Pebbles Flintstone, or worse still, a member of the oldest profession. Of the 353 options currently on eBay, the following three caught my eye: this plush Sonia Rykiel style, which is subdued enough to wear every day, this pretty double-breasted version, which has a built-in belt and cool vintage buttons, and this neat-but-swingy belted look. They're all quiet enough to feel classy, not trampy, and each has the kind of cut that you can wear for years.