Instant Access - 8/1 - 8/12

Sorry for the quietness around here, folks.  As you saw in my previous post, I was away for a little R&R at my favorite hotel in one of my favorite cities.

The special occasion?  My birthday!

I wore a crazy headpiece for the occasion. 

With a big poofy skirt and sparkly Manolos!

Because we were going away for the trip (and lovely spa time), my gifty-gifts were small but fun... two kate spade iPhone cases I wanted!

Oh, and delicious vegan truffles that were inhaled asap!

I pulled out my favorite luggage - my dreamy Dooney & Burke heart case and packed it with the essentials - books, pink playing cards, a swim suit, strappy sandals and a floaty mullet skirt.

When we got to Asheville, we found the most gorgeous new bookstore - Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar.

Vintage books, champagne bar and dog-friendly.  It really is perfection

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is really amazing.  Filled with history, gorgeous furnishings and a world-class spa.

And you can't beat the views...

Asheville is an amazing town for food, especially if you are vegan.  We ate at all our favorites including a new addition, Rosetta's Kitchen.  The vegan queso is truly delish as was the tempeh reuben that I had.

Did I mention the liquid truffle and the sipping chocolate with rose from French Broad Chocolate Lounge?

Hotel picnic!

It was an amazing few days.  Can I go back now???

I had some fancy fingers too - this is Deborah Lippmann's Glitter In The Air over Essie's Borrowed & Blue.

And the best "pretty pretty princess magical unicorn" pink glitter manicure - OPI's Teenage Dream.

I also rocked the messy ballerina bun.

But now I'm back to reality and dealing with boring stuff like car repairs and catching up with work.  But the trip isn't a distant memory yet.  I'm still lingering in the birthday fun vibes.

Hope you had a happy week too!

Spa Me, Baby

At the spa having massages and drinking mimosas.

Be back soon!

Cat and Mouse with Charlotte Olympia

I'm a fan of a good "theme" shoe.  From mouse flats and kitty print heels, to rainbows or spider webs, I don't mind my feet wearing a bit of whimsy.

Charlotte Olympia seems to be a girl after my own heart.  How can I resist a pair of sweet velvet heels with a kitten face???

I love love love the ears!

Kitty heels and mouse flats... would they get along in my closet?

Charlotte Olympia Velvet Cat Heels - $795 at Bergdorf Goodman. There is also a flats version on CharlotteOlympia.com and a cool red wedge with an ankle strap at Bergdorfs too.

EXTRA CREDIT -

I want to be a smoking hot like these Lady Ninivahs too!!!

Check out these (available by calling the BG shoe salon - 212 872 2750)...

Smokin!

Sparkle in my Eyes - Glitter sneakers

I can't resist an overdose of sparkle and shine.  Sequins, rhinestones and gliter are my weakness.  I've got sequin sneakers, I think I need some glitter ones too.

I started with these casual black glitters from Keds (also in silver) -

Checked out the Toms (also in sliver, black, gold and pink) ...

Not sneakers but I love the Marc Jacobs oxfords...

But Miu Miu is killing it with the glitter this season and I'm totally smitten with their sneakers!

Barney's has the silver glitter version with the studs on the cap toe...

But I'm holding out for the trifecta - gold, giltter and giant crystals. 

This is my birthday wish come true!!!

Eeeewwww! Christian Dior Tahiti Espadrille Pump

Isn't Christian Dior generally known for classic understated glamorous looks?

What the hell happened here?

These "Tahiti Espadrille Pumps" from the Spring 2011 runway are:

•Lizard-embossed calfskin d'Orsay with topstitched detailing featuring canvas laces that tie around the ankle.

•Basketweave-capped square toe sits on 3/4" stacked, mixed-media platform.

All this says to me is that here is a whole lotta crazy going on.
 
No, just no, Christian Dior.
 
Christian Dior Tahiti Espadrille Pumps - $1,550

Instant Access - 7/25 - 7/31

My week was pretty much composed of work, shoes, manicures, glitter and rain...

Nicole Brundage Sinnamon heels (circa 2006)

Betsey Johnson Fall 2011 Runway Llola boots

Ashley Dearborn ROY G BIV sandals (circa 2004)

Coral and Creamsicle

Ombre pink glitters

O.P.I. Teenage Dream

Glitters!

Deborah Lippmann Naked topped with black glitter

...And a decadent treat...

...ending with more sequins (because I can never have enough in my life.

Hope your week was as sparkly!

SD Review - Emjoi MICRO-Pedi

I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to gadgets, especially beauty gadgets.  I don't buy into the infomercial sales pitch so I don't have anything like Ped-eggs, face trainers, or the like.  So when I received this Emjoi Micro-Pedi to check out, I was about to laugh it off as the typical nonsense.

But I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how will this worked.

I have pretty sensitive feet (I never ever walk around barefoot), I wear heels a lot and my feeties tend to get kind of dry but I don't want to sleep in lotion and socks.  So I have a few buffers on hand to use in the shower or when I'm giving myself a pedicure, but they never quite do the job. I've even used those razor deals, which is dangerous for me because I have a tendency to injure myself all the time.

I decided to give the Micro-Pedi a test right out of the box... and it worked amazingly!

The Micro-pedi acts like a rotating buffer (almost like a large dremmel, actually) with two different rollers  - coarse/magenta and extra-coarse/blue) - that snap in and out at the touch of a button. I turned it on and ran  the roller over my heel.  No pressure is needed, the roller does all the work.

In just a minute or two, my heels were perfectly smooth and soft. I put on a little lotion and it was as if I'd had a full on pedicure. 

A week later my feet are still smooth without any dryness, which is not typical for me. I am a full on fan!

Right now the Micro-Pedi is available online and it retails for $39.95.  They'll be in stores, like Ulta and Sally Beauty, in September.

It's definitely the most effective (and for me the safest!) option I've seen.

Up for Grabs

I'm selling these two amazing pieces on Market Publique. 

The first is a simply stunning and pristine sheer Victorian summer "suit".  It's an unstructured sheer plaid cotton jacket and long skirt.   So breezy and romantic.  Perfect for combining with modern pieces for a unique outfit

These pieces look unworn and pristine and are really loose, so they can be worn by Small, Medium or Large.

Victorian Jacket and Skirt - starting at $85

The second piece is also a stunner.  Deep smoke grey velvet and sheer wrap with tons of beading and tassels.

The beadwork throughout is just gorgeous. This could be worn to a formal event or a unique piece in a casual outfit.   Never used.

Smoke grey velvet beaded wrap - starting at $25

These are both so special, I want them to go to good homes.  Check out the links for info and to order.