A New Year, A New You (Part 3): Origins Modern Friction

I am ending my little discussion of new beauty routines for the new year by returning to an old favorite. I first talked about Origins Modern Friction in The Buzz Begins, one of my first blog posts, back on August 6th. I feel now as I felt then: Use this gentle exfoliating treatment and get smoother, clearer-looking skin with shorter-lasting breakouts.

Origins now has a total-body version of this product, which I have yet to try. Hmmmm, Origins did send me that $10-off coupon for any $50 purchase in January. So maybe in a few weeks I'll be able to say that I have tried it.

As 2006 comes to a close, I look back on it very fondly. Since I began this blog at the end of July I have learned so much, made a ton of friends, and have truly enjoyed myself. To all the other bloggers who have taught me so much, I thank you. Thanks also to everyone who took the time to read my posts. The coming year looks to be a big one for The Glamorous Bee. I'll have posts on promising new skincare lines and fragrances, coverage of Fashion Week in February, and a whole lot more! The buzz continues next week. Happy New Year!

A New Year, A New You (Part 2): Clarins Advanced, Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum

Continuing my discussion of new beauty routines for the new year, I need to ask you to cover your eyes!

I have tried a number of eye creams since I turned 40 several years ago, and I have found that Clarins has the one that works best for me. I discovered the Clarins serum pictured on the left earlier this year and used it faithfully every day, until it was time to buy another bottle. It was then that I found out it had been discontinued. Clarins now offers it in an "advanced" form. According to the latest issue of Allure, the "advanced" serum "contains caffeine along with tetrapeptides that tighten skin over time." I'll agree with that statement. My eyes haven't looked this good since I was thirty-something. The only problem I have with this newest Clarins eye serum, is that it gives me what I call Ovo Eyes. It makes me feel like I've put raw egg whites around my eyes. Very tight and sticky. This feeling does not last long, however, so I can live with it.

If I ever find the old Carins eye serum I'll drop the "advanced" serum in a heartbeat. Until then, I'll be content with my Ovo Eyes.

Buzziing off for now...

A New Year, A New You: Sepia Skin Care

It's less than a week away from the new year, the perfect time to think about new beauty routines. I know that there is one routine I'll definitely be adding: Sepia Skin Care.

Sepia Skin Care is a brand of lotions, body butters, and body soufles created by 25 year old Lorene Cowan. The products are all made with 100% unrefined, unscented African shea butter, enriched with vitamin E. Lorene launched the company two months ago, after working with a chemist to produce these wonderfully fragrant, all-natural skincare formulas. She chose the name "Sepia" for the warmth in its meaning. It reminds her of autumn, her favorite time of year. I was fortunate enough to meet Lorene through Myspace, and she was kind enough to send me samples of three Sepia lotions: Honey Vanilla, Tangerine Grape, and Strawberry.

I tried all three, and they are all simply scrumptious! Anyone who didn't know better would think these were yogurts, or some sort of creamy, fruit smoothie. However, these are better than an edible treat, because you can enjoy all these delicious flavors without a single calorie. Though I love all three, my hands-down favorite is the Honey Vanilla, a yummy blend that includes shea butter, honey, vanilla, sugar, vitamin E, and aloe. Rub it into your skin and be prepared not only for softer skin, but wonderful-smelling skin. The fragrance will truly last all day.

While I'm loving the Honey Vanilla Lotion, Lorene herself likes to call another of her products her favorite: the Strawberry Souffle. In an email, she told me that "...everyone I have spoken to [has] a favorite because the scents have different ranges. But Strawberry Souffle is the one that works for me!" It is available at her website for $32.00.

Lorene has certainly accomplished a lot in her 25 years. In addition to running her company, she is a partner in and manages the public relations for Mestif, a women's outerwear brand, which will launch in the Fall of 2007. She is working on her first book, about healthy living, to be released at the end of 2007, and she is a working on a doctorate in natural health. I wasn't doing half that much when I was 25!

I'm in love with Sepia Skin Care and I encourage you to try it yourself. Right now you can receive 15% off your first order. Place your order online and enter code 311352 during checkout. Then, get ready for a delicious treat, for the body, and for the senses!

Buzzing off for now...

Dear Santa (Part 4:) Do You Have Time For The Swiss?

Santa baby, will you indulge me once more before the big day?

The Swiss Army Watch pictured here is the perfect watch for someone whose look is tailored and classic (the stainless steel bracelet) with a hint of glam (the mother-of-pearl dial). A note to the buyer: If it does not say Swiss Army on the dial, it is not an authentic Swiss Army watch. Only Victorinox is authorized by the Swiss government to carry the name Swiss Army.

So Santa baby, is there still time for one more piece?

Buzzing off for now...


P.S. The Glamour Bee will be taking a much-needed break for a few days. The buzz continues next week. Happy Holidays!

Nan Kempner American Chic: How I Saw It

Nan Kempner: American Chic
Originally uploaded by coutorture.

On Saturday I finally had a chance to see Nan Kempner American Chic at the Met. As mentioned in previous posts, Mrs Thomas L Kempner, a member of the Best-Dressed List's Hall of Fame, was a New York socialite, who (and I never get tired of saying this) had so many clothes she had to convert two of her bedrooms into closets.

When I arrived, I walked down the stairs to the museum's ground floor into a top floor salon of sensational style. It was very clear from the start of my self-guided tour that Mrs Kempner was in love with the designs of Yves St Laurent. Most of the pieces on display are from this French couturier. There are many pieces by French designers in the exhibit, and Mrs Kempner was known as a Francophile when it came to her clothing collection. She did not ignore American designers, however. Michael Kors, Bill Blass, Levi Strauss and other successful Americans designers were well-represented in her closets.

What really impressed me about her clothing choices was the fact that almost everything she wore was tailored or fitted, a look that I love. I have always said, that before I die, I want to own a Chanel Suit. Mrs Kempner owned many, as well as suits by other designers.

I wanted to take take pictures while I was there but was told it was not allowed. Thankfully, Julie Fredrickson of Coutorture was kind enough to share her photos of the exhibit, which she acquired during the press preivew last week. To see them, simply click on the one above.

Nan Kempner American Chic will be running through March 4, 2007. If you have plans to be in New York City during this time, please include a trip to the Met to see this important piece of fashion history.

Buzzing off for now...

Dear Santa (Part 3): Do You Mind If I Stir Up a Fracas?

In 1948 French couturier Robert Piguet created a true fragrance classic. Ever since then, sophisticated women around the world have been wearing this seductive white floral. When worn, one experiences notes of tuberose, jasmine, jonquil, gardenia, liliy of the valley, white iris, orange, sandalwood, vetiver, and musk. Sounds so heavy, but believe me, it's not! It truly blends with a woman's natural scent, leaving her smelling sexy and delicious. So tell me Santa baby, can you help me stir up a little Fracas?

Buzzing off for now...

Holiday Shopping In One Fell Swoop

Attention New York Shopping Divas! Come down to Edge, here in New York City, tomorrow, December 14th, for the BussBuss shopping event. Also, enter below for a chance to win their fabulous gift bag:



Happy Shopping!

Nan Kempner American Chic--Opening Today

4. Yves Saint Laurent_Evening Ensemble, Autumn-Winter 1983-84
Originally uploaded by coutorture.

The long-awaited exhibit of Nan Kempner's fabulous clothing collection opens today at The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here in New York City. Mrs Kempner was a New York socialite whose clothing collection was so large she had to convert two of her bedrooms into closets. Julie Fredrickson, Editor-In-Chief of Coutorture, was lucky enough to see a preview of the collection yesterday. This beautiful Yves Saint Laurent ensemble was one of the pieces shown to her.

I'll be making my own little trip to the Met this weekend to see the exhibit, and I'll tell you all about it next week. I can't wait!

Buzzing off for now...

Don't Click That Mouse! The Buzz Is Still Here

Like the new layout? After I upgraded to Blogger in Beta I disovered a whole new set of cool looks to use. I was also happy to discover that I can list all my post categories in the sidebar. Woo-hoo!

The buzz continues. Happy reading!

My New Concealer

Due to a mistake, I now have a new concealer and, I love it! It wasn't my mistake. I went into the Mac Store in the Flatiron District of Manhattan last Friday and asked for the Studio Stick Concealer I'd been using for quite some time. The young woman repeated what I'd said to the letter, walked away, and came back a few minutes later with a familiar-looking box. I paid for it and left the store.

"What is this?" I asked aloud when I got home and opened it. It turns out she'd given me their new crayon concealer, the Mac Studio Touch-Up Stick ($14, maccosmetics.com). I live in one of the outer-boroughs of New York City, and it's not easy for me to just head back to the store for an exchange. I decided to try it. I'm glad I did, because it's actually much better than the old Studio Stick Concealer (which Mac still sells). This crayon is not messy at all, blends easily, and once applied, makes you look like you have flawless skin and don't need makeup.

So the young woman's error was a blessing in disguise. I should have known it would turn out this way. Everything else in my world has lately. (More on that at a later date.)

Buzzing off for now...

Thank God It's Glam: Friday Musings

My computer desk is starting to resemble something a tornado hit. In an effort to make it less of a mess, I started looking to see what's been piling up on it. Here are a few tidbits I found:

Shevon Gant Ceramics: Last Sunday I went to a shopping event in Harlem called Shop 'N Mingle. About a dozen or so women of color showcased their designs and works of art in a very small upstairs room at Turning Heads Day Spa. I'd read about this event on MySpace and was looking forward to it, until I got there. That little space was so crowded with people, that I felt like a sardine in can. Crowded spaces cause me to forget everthing I'm supposed to or want to do. I'd wanted to chat with some of the ladies about their work and share it with you, my readers. The only thing I managed to do was purchase this mini jewelry tray from Shevon Gant. It's really cute. I'm actually using it for my perfume samples. You can get one on her website for $12.00.


Dooney & Bourke Tent Sale: This is going on now, at the D&B factory in Norwalk, CT. The hours are 10am-9pm today and tomorrow, and 11am-3pm on Sunday. Call (800) 347-5000 for info. Happy Shopping!


Bluefly Special Offer: From now through 12/31/06, receive an extra $15 off a single online purchase of $150 or more. Use promo code GIFT15 at checkout. (Valid for a one-time use only.)


This last one is from Bronx Diva: There will be a Tracy Reese Sample Sale next month! The dates are 1/12 - 1/14. Check the Previous Posts list on her blog's sidebar for all the details.


Well that's all I've been able to dig up for now. I'll see what other goodies I can come up with this weekend. Reminder: 17 shopping days left until Christmas!

Buzzing off for now...

Oscar De La Renta Prefall 2007

OSCAR DE LA RENTA PREFALL 2007 By Dan Leca
Originally uploaded by coutorture.

This evening I was looking at some pictures of Oscar De La Renta's Prefall 2007 pieces, which he showed off yesterday. I really love this suit.

I'm sure De La Renta wasn't going for this, but I see this suit as a conservative version of the plaid suits from the Balenciaga Fall 2006 collection. Remember those? Go to Style.com and look them up. I think you'll see what I mean.

Buzzing off for now...

Dear Santa (Part 2): How About a Burberry Trench?

People who own Burberry Trench Coats own them for a lifetime and pass them down to their off-spring. Since I'm not that fortunate I'll have to settle for a brand new one. Santa baby, is there one on your sleigh with my name on it?

Buzzing off for now...

A Warning About Gift Cards

My friend Janie has fowarded me another email she received which I felt I just had to pass along. The sender took this from Snopes.com:

"Well the crooks have found a new way to rob you of your gift card balance. If you buy gift cards from a display rack that has various store cards, you may become a victim of theft. Crooks are now jotting down card numbers in the store and then wait a few days and call to see how much of a balance THEY have on the card. Once they find the card is 'activated,' they go online and start shopping. You may want to purchase your cards from a customer service person where they don't have the gift cards viewable to the public. Please share this with all you family and friends."

Be careful ladies!

Buzzing off for now...

How To Practice Safe Dressing

My friend Janie sent this picture to me today. It is a dress made entirely from condoms! It was made by Brazilian Artist Adriana Bertini.

Bertini, a veteran of several of Brazil's fashion houses, began making these dresses in 1997. She had been doing volunteer work before that, working with HIV positive children.

The dresses can cost as much as $5,000! However, all sales proceeds go directly to AIDS charities. How's that for artistic activism?

Buzzing off for now...