Trend Watch : Color Blocking

Cinema Couture

We watch movies for the story line, to be entertained, but sometimes you remember the costumes in the movies just as well as you remember your favorite moments or favorite line from the movie.

Favorite Things: Movies

The movies listed are in no particular order. Let's just say I like almost any Alfred Hitchcock movie and you will see a theme, I love old movies, black and white movies, and although not included, I equally like foreign films with subtitles. You may also notice that I like romance, suspense, spy and conspiracy thrillers, and comic book action movies where there is cutting edge special effects and mind blowing stunts.

a. Funny Girl (1968)
b. The Way We Were (1973)
c. Wuthering Heights (1939)
d. Vertigo (1958)
e. Notorious (1946)
f. The Apartment (1960)
g. Claudine (1974)
h. Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
i. Arlington Road (1999)
j. Cider House Rules (1999)
k. House of Sand and Fog (2003)
l. Mahogany (1975)
m. Coming to America (1988))
n. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
o. All About Eve (1950)
p. The Notebook (2004)
q. To Catch a Thief (1955)
r. Shrek (all)
s. Harry Potter (all)
t. The Usual Suspects (1995)
u. We're Not Married! (1952)
v. Spider-Man (2002)
w. X-Men (all)
x. Pay It Forward (2000)
y. Wag the Dog (1997)
z. Beverly Hills Cops (1984)

...plus many more.

When Traveling

I love to travel but I dread packing and I dread trying to decide what to bring. When driving to a vacation destination you can pack your entire closet but when traveling via airplane it takes a bit more planning and restraint. But here are a few helpful tips:

1. First, don't get stressed out. Take a deep breath and put on some fun/happy music. No need to pack more than a week ahead of your departure date unless you will be gone for more than two weeks.

2. Make sure you have all your travel documents, itinerary, a valid passport or license, visa (if applicable), address book with emergency information written down.

NOTE: Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back home. Don't post being out of town on any social network. Do not update your status indicating that your house is vacant, tell everyone where you were when you get back home.

3. Check the weather periodically ahead of time. Be aware of seasonal changes.

4. Put all your toiletries on the bathroom sink to make sure you don't forget anything, go through your morning and nightly routine checking off all the products you use in your head. Don't waste money repurchasing thing you already had at home.

NOTE: If carrying a suitcase, travel sized items are great but you can sometimes put your full sized products in individual zip lock bag and pack them in your suitcase instead of your carry on bag.

5. Lay out your outfits. Don't just pack random articles of clothing. If you are going on a three day trip you may only need three to five outfits plus sleepwear. Don't forget to lay out undergarments as well.

NOTE: Leave your expensive jewelry at home.

6. Pack comfortable shoes. Ballerina slippers, flats, wedge heel, or sneakers are great options for milder weather locations. Flip flops are not good to walk around in unless you are vacationing on the beach.

NOTE: You may end up wearing the same pair of shoes everyday.

7. Pack away your clothes and shoes and full sized toiletries in your suitcase. You can pack your carry on last and throw in any last minute items like chargers, cameras and laptop.

NOTE: If using a suitcase and a carry-on bag, pack at least one outfit in the carry-on bag just in case your suitcase gets lost.

8. Clean up the night before and empty all garbage. You don't want to come home to a messy house.

9. When you return home, unpack immediately so that your suitcase doesn't sit there for days and weeks after returning home.

Swatch: Full Blooded Watch

This watch is beautiful and comes in a variety of colors for women and men.

Jerusha Couture Bag

While watching Youtube I came across Jerusha Couture's channel. She is a designer who owns her own store down under in Sydney, Australia. In one of her videos she introduced her signature leather bag which she designed called the Jerusha Bag. The bag can be worn as a hand bag or as a shoulder bag. I fell in love with this bag. It can be purchased from her website for $199.00, but the international shipping and handling fee is $60.00, pricey-I know.

"Red Bottom" shoes

First there was who knows who, then there was Manolo Blanik, then Jimmy Choo, now there is Christian Louboutin. Louboutin is on the feet of every celebrity and wanna be celebrities. When you see the signature red bottom there is no guessing who is on their feet.

Favorite Things: Basic Skincare

These are my personal favorite tride and true favorite basic skincare products. They work for me, they are great for combination skins or sensitive skin, and these products are somewhat inexpensive.  They are Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, Clinique Clarifying Toner Lotion, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  There are other products and brands that I like to use, but these are my staple products. 

Favorite Things: Light-weight cotton

Nothing says SUMMER like bright colors, linen, sandals, big floppy hats, sunscreen lotion, shorts, bathing suits, family vacays, and COTTON TOPS  a la: ZARA

Hand Painted Ceramics from Turkey

On a trip to Turkey, a country in eastern Europe I was introduced to a wonderful culture of people and things. The Turkish are known for certain things like handspun rug, quality sterlin silver & gold, tea, and a long deep rooted history. I went to the most spectactular places like Sehrince, Ephesus, Izmir, Bodrum, Istantul, Kusadasi, Antalya, Tire, Pamukkale, and many small villages that most tourist will never venture to.

While in Ephesus I was introduced to Ephesus Ceramic. Ephesus Ceramic is a home store full of beautiful hand made and hand painted ceramics. There is a showroom filled with every type of ceramic homegood accessory and dinnerware. There is also a school where student can learn the art of pottery.

Ephesus Ceramic ships all over the world through their website, ephesusceramic.com. These pieces look better and more vibrant in person.

Turquoise Collection:

Fun Trend Under $100

Denim Sneakers(Coach @ Dillards)

Keds @ The Gap

Fall/Winter Lace Up High Heel Boots

4-Step to Better Looking Skin

You are four simple steps away from better looking skin. Well, maybe 5 or 6 steps away from better looking skin. Simple is the key. Most people already know what to do.

I am tired of seeing women not taking care of their face, I just want to pull them aside and tell them what to do. Yes, there are those people with severe acne problem, but there are some people who are lazy with their routines and just want a miracle. Here is the secret that everyone already knows: Wash, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize. You should repeat these steps at least twice a day.

1. Wash- You must complete this step everyday. This allows you to remove dirt and make up from your face helping to unclog your pores. The type of face wash you chose depends on your skin type and personal preference.

2. Exfoliate- Complete this step 4-5 times a week. There are many different ways to exfoliate. You can use home made, natural recipes or you can use store bought products, like salt and sugar scrubs or exfoliating pads and cloths. Exfoliates are meant to help remove dead skin cells. If you have acne scars or dark spots this steps help them fade faster.

3. Tone- This is an optional step in a regimen. If you use a toner or face refresher, use something that is mild and gentle. Toners are meant to remove any remaining traces of dirt and make up on the face.

4. Moisturise- Complete this step everyday even if you have oily skin. Finding a good moisturizer can be time consuming and pricey. Some people use day moisturiser and a separate night moisturiser. Some people change their facial moisturizer depending on the season and climate. What ever you chose, you should find a moisturizer that has SPF/sunscreen properties, if you don't already use a sunscreen separately. If you wear make up then having a clean, balanced, moisturized face allows you to have a better looking finish.

5. Hydrate- Drink plenty of water. The reasons and health benefits of this step should be obvious.

6. Consult- Visit a dermatologist for expert medical advise.


If you are unsure of what products to use go to a department store and get a consultation from a representative at the beauty counter, they are very knowledgeable. Choose a brand that you can afford because it is customary to purchase at least one item from that line after your consultation. They may have samples that you can take home and try. Another great place to purchase facial products is from your local drug store.  We obviously cannot recommend one particular product to use because there are so many out there. When you start a facial routine you must be patient and stick to it for at least one or two months to see if there are improvements to the condition of your skin, before going out and buying a whole new set of products to use.

There are many other step that can be added to your routine. Some use masks, spot treatments, spa treatment. There are golden rules that are passed down like, don't go to sleep with make up on, don't pick at your face, and don't touch your face. Taking care of our faces is not rocket science but it is not common sense to some people.

Ear Ornamentation

Kenneth Jay Lane 

Donna Karan

Roberto CavaliIsharya

Kenneth Jay Lane

Bridget Sandals

Bridget Sandals is a Jamaican based company that has been around for over twenty year. I love when find I stores like this one. Their sandals are hand made. You can find their shoes which are sold in the West Indies, online at www.bridgetsandals.net or in Coral Gables, Florida. 

Beyonce Fashion Look

Beyonce Knowles at her finest. The cut off jeans and tee shirt is casual but add a fabulous jacket and killer high heel pumps and voila! an upgraded hot weather outfit. Mrs Knowles-Carter looks fierce. 

Tiffany Brooch

Tiffany and Company, gold and silk brooch

Luxury Bags Galore-GUCCI

Gucci is a brand that offers high quality accessories and clothing. Only one word for these two bags-"exquisite." The leather, the detail, the sizes, the shapes are exquisite. 

Favorite Lace Dress!!!

I love lace and ruffles. I fell in love with this lace dress from asos.com. I love the neckline and peekaboo effect of lace on skin. 

Designer Alexander McQueen Dies

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen died 11 February, 2010 at the age of forty. The cause of his death is still under speculations, it is rumored that he was found hanged. McQueen was a high end designer with an A-list celebrity clientele. Throughout his career he created two design labels Alexander McQueen and McQ, he was also a designer for Givenchy from 1996-2001. While there he brought controversy and extravagence. Alexander McQueen will be remember as a bold and daring designer. He will live on because fashion never dies. 


*shoes from McQueen's Spring-Summer 2010 show