Sale Alert: Black Friday Shopping Offers

Hope y'all had a fabulous Turkey Day! Today is Black Friday and it's the most exciting shopping day of the year. While some are headed out to mass retailers for doorbusters and massive coupon sales (some of you at 4 am - oy!), I wanted to let you know about some amazing Black Friday deals from some of my favorite labels:


Celebrity jewelry favorite Vita Fede is giving 30% off all jewelry through their online site. Beloved by stars like Eva Longoria Parker, Jessica Alba and Miley Cyrus, snag cool leather and metal designs like this Como Wrap Double ($65), as seen on Halle Berry.



DKNY is offering 40% off at all DKNY Outlet Stores and 30% off all sale items (excluding resort markdowns) at their full-price retail stores through Sunday, November 27th. If you're a fan of the label like me, you can snag deals like this Flame Ponte Dress, which was originally $295, which is now marked down to $199.99, PLUS an ADDITIONAL 30% off!



Lucky Brand is having a huge offer, buy one item and receive any second item for 50% off from now through Sunday*. Slight fine print on this deal below at the bottom of the post, but it's a great deal for those purchasing Lucky Brand items!



Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala are bringing sexy back to Black Friday with their William Rast Black Friday promotions. The William Rast outlet store at the Desert Hills premium outlet mall in Cabazon, California will be offering all denim for $99 and all collection pieces are %50 off, while the William Rast stores at the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles and the Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose, CA will be running a buy one pair of denim and receive a free t-shirt promotion.



I would be remiss in not reporting amazing beauty deals as well. Spend $50 or more with our friends over on the LORAC Cosmetics site and you'll receive free shipping along with TWO full-size Multiple Rush Lip/Cheek Sticks in Love Rush (pink shimmer) and Crush Rush (a rose hue) as well as a mini Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick. This offer will last through Tuesday December 1st (or while supplies last) so head to their website and take advantage of the situation!

Of course you have all sorts of other promotions which are visible in your local newspaper or via sites like Black-Friday.net, which lists pretty much every Black Friday sale known to man today. Bring a bottle of water and a snack and get ready to shop until the cash drops because Black Friday is here!

*Lucky Brand Legal on Black Friday Promotion: *50% off item valid on any full price Lucky Brand item of equal or lesser value. Excludes gift card purchase. Valid at Lucky Brand retail stores and at LuckyBrand.com. Offer not valid at Lucky Brand outlet locations, department stores, or specialty stores. Other restrictions may apply. Purchases made by employees of Lucky Brand and Liz Claiborne or its affiliates are not eligible. Cannot be applied towards previous purchases. Return of any portion of the qualifying purchase may require forfeiture of offer. May not be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Only valid in the USA and Puerto Rico. 50% off offer applies per purchase. No maximum purchase limit associated with this offer. Void where prohibited. Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday Online Offers: 40% off everything *excludes shoes and accessories.

FSB Receives a Kreativ Blogger Award!

Aw, someone must have missed me! I was recently gifted with a Kreativ Blogger award by the super fabulous Chanel from Hip Candy (MUCH love, girl). Evidently, when one of us receives the award we have to do the following:

1. List 7 things that you don’t already know about me.
2. Name 7 other blogs to receive this award.
3. Leave a comment on each of the blogs I nominated
4. Thank the person who gave you the award.

So, let's get started, shall we? Not only am I going to spill a little dish but I'll follow Chanel's lead and show you some fun photos of me as a young'un.

7 things you may not know about me:

1. I spent 15 years in corporate Human Resources before I was a blogger. I still have no idea how I did that job for so long, but I'm grateful for those years in business because it's taught me a lot about how to manage clients and relationships. I wouldn't do it again, but I'm glad that I did it.

2. I'm a proud West Virginian. I was born and raised in Charleston, WV and my mother and grandmother are still there. I don't get home as often as I would like to because of my insanely busy schedule but whenever I'm home, there's no place like it on earth. Let's goooooo, Mountaineers!


This is me at my Senior Prom. I chose the pattern for this dress and my grandmother and I made it. Had Project Runway been around when I was a teenager, I would have tried out for it. There are about ten samples somewhere in our garage.

3. I played drums in junior high school and high school marching band. I went to cheerleading camp for one day and realized I was sooo not a cheerleader. I signed up for percussion lessons the very next day. Coincidentally, I picked up the drums about the same time I gained a love of high heels in high school. Ask anyone who was in band with me: I carried tons of drum equipment but I went to most practices in heels (even in marching band practice) and my nail polish was always done.

This is me in my junior year of high school. The hair, the HUGE ZIT in the center of my forehead, not to mention the eyebrows? Oy.

4. My obsession with fashion starts with my lovely mother, who has had a Vogue subscription since sometime in the 60's and used to read the articles to me as a baby. I'm not kidding, people. The woman is a social worker in WV (shout out to social workers!) and can properly identify a barrel cuff on a shirt at 100 paces. Her favorite designers are Armani, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan but her major soft spot is Jones New York. When I interviewed JNY's Lloyd Boston, I put him on the phone with her and it was one of the best days of her life. I'm honored I can make both our dreams come true by doing what I do.

5. I'm was also a sorority girl, much to the shock of people who went to high school with me. Yes, I'm a proud Kappa Delta girl. Here's a hilarious photo from college. See if you can pick me out (hint: my Jay Leno chin should help you find me.) AOT, ladies.

6. Like Chanel who referred me for this award, for years people would ask me about my ethnic heritage and it's a question that I get at least once a week. I find it flattering that people think that I must be part Asian because of my eyes and skin color but no, both my parents are African-American. Is it really that hard to believe that all races can have multiple hues? What difference does it make who someone's progenitors are? I've never understood the fascination with it. The way you look and who you are is a great amalgam of experiences, genetics and living on the planet. That should be enough for people.

7. I'm a staunch believer in putting a filter on the advice and information you get when it comes to style. What I say about what's new and fabulous should be interesting to you as a general news tip but only filter in what you know works for you. Try everything once but only buy and take in what you know will make you happy.

The 7 other bloggers that I’m passing this Award on to are 7 bloggers that I like for different and various reasons:

Purple Blab {@PurpleLabNYC on Twitter}
The Beauty of Life {@BeautyChick101 on Twitter}
A Girl's Gotta Spa {@AGirlsGottaSpa on Twitter}
Miss Whoever You Are {@misswhoeverur on Twitter}
The Makeup Girl {@liannefarbes Twitter}
Style Mom {@STYLEMOM
Product Pasha{@productpasha on Twitter}

I've commented on their blogs or DM'd to alert them of this post and nomination. Looking forward to learning a few more unknown tidbits about them! Thanks again to Chanel for nominating me! This was fun!

The Cure For Everything Skin: Amore Pacific

About once a week I go through what has now come to be a bit of a comedy routine. Someone asks me how old I am. I tell them. They don't believe me. I repeat my age and without fail, I get asked about my skincare routine. Really, other than some powerful genetics, my philosophy is really simple: I generally leave my skin alone and I use the absolute best skincare products I can.

Which is why since I love you, I'll tell you where I go and what I do to keep my decrepit self looking young and youthful. Outside of pagan rituals that can only be performed on a full moon under a willow tree...

No, I'm just kidding. I head to Soho and get facials and skincare products from Amore Pacific, the genius skincare company from Korea. I'll be honest with you: I had good skin before I started getting treatments and using their skincare regimen, but now I can honestly say that I have some of the best skin I've ever had in my life. The company is setting a whole new standard in skincare using some ancient remedies (such as food-grade botanicals from Asia) in mixtures that are some of the most potent and effective skincare products on the market today. The line started 60+ years ago when founder Sung-Hwan Suh discovered that indigenous Asian botanicals (green tea, Korean red ginseng, bamboo sap) were key to good health and longevity and a great effect of this was youthful skin.

The company still follows many of his ideals today, including the practice of harvesting their plants at optimum times to ensure maximum efficacy. I'm a big fan of Amore Pacific products because the products are built to nourish your skin. Yes, please consider the fact that your skin is an organ. Whatever you do to your skin, you're doing to an organ of the body. Your skin "eats" whatever you use on it, so if you wouldn't want to ingest the product in any way, why would you place it on the largest organ of your body? Makes sense, doesn't it? You buy the best food you can afford to eat, right? For my argument, same goes for my skin

If you're here in NYC, I highly recommend heading over to their spa in Soho to experience their mind-blowing therapies. My sensitive and quite dry skin loves the Vitalizing Recovery Facial, which is 60 minutes of massage, cleaning and hydrating that makes me purr like a kitten while it's happening (trust me, they're used to it) but just stop by and get a skin consultation. They'll personalize the experience and your products so you walk out with a youthful glow and the products and instructions to help you keep it that way. My weapons of choice against time marching across my face are the Moisture Bound collection but whatever products and services you choose from this company, you won't regret it. Half of the dewy red carpet skin in Hollywood knows my secret and we can't all be wrong.

See? I just told you about my very favorite, sacred space for amazing skin, so the least you could do is check it out. If you're not in NYC, head to your local Neiman Marcus or Sephora to experience these skin-altering products. Just don't try taking my appointment time, okay?

Fashionable Causes: Designers Create "Homes" For Women In Need

Wednesday night, I attended a sneak preview party thrown by the fabulous ladies of Women In Need ("WIN"), a non-profit organization that over the past 25 years has provided housing and assistance of homeless women and children here in the Manhattan area. What we never see was brought to a dazzling but startling light: every evening here in New York City, approximately 10,000 families sleep in NYC shelters, including more than 16,000 children (families constitute 80 percent of all New Yorkers in the shelter system.) Each evening, WIN helps a great many of those women and children via six transitional shelters in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn as well as permanent supportive housing throughout the city. This charity is making things happen and the dedicated women who comprise its tireless committee and staff are working hard to make sure funding for their worthwhile cause continues.



This year's fundraiser is truly a fun labor of love. Via the connections of board members, tireless outreach efforts and word of mouth about this amazing organization, well-known fashion industry insiders, sports starts, celebrities, Broadway performers and other VIPs have decorated papier mache houses for silent auction. Their efforts, entitled “Home is Where the Heart Is,” are to be proudly displayed in the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue's Manhattan flagship store through this coming Monday, when the auction will take begin, starting November 9th via a private party as well as via charitybuzz.com, with the efforts ending Monday, November 30th.



Feel like you want to make someone else's dream of getting on their feet a reality while adding to your art collection? I'm showing just a few of the spectacular designs but shown here are houses designed by Sean "Diddy" Combs (it's the one with the diamante-encrusted helicopter on the roof) and Vera Wang (which looks like one of her spectacular wedding designs) at the top of the post; Bobbi Brown, Isaac Mizrahi, and Oscar de La Renta. Other houses not shown that can be seen (and purchased, this is a charitable auction, people!) are Sean Avery; Lidia Bastianich; Victoria & David Beckham; Halle Berry; Mary J. Blige; Chris “Ludacris” Bridges; the cast of the Broadway Musical "Hair"; Cheyenne Jackson; Donna Karan; Monica Rich Kosann; Dylan Lauren; Richard Leach for Park Avenue Autumn; Deborah Lloyd for Kate Spade; Jennifer Lopez; Moby; Debra Messing; Josie Natori; George Rodrigue; Cameron Silver for Decades; Justin Timberlake & Trace Ayala for William Rast; Today Show Anchors; and Diane Von Furstenberg.



Log in when bidding starts because for those of us who can purchase the houses, it's a dream to have such amazing art but for the people who benefit from this marvelous organization, the money raised makes all sorts of bigger, life-altering dreams come true. Even if you can't purchase one of the houses, WIN takes all donations, no matter how small. Get into the business of making dreams come true by giving what you can today and let's make the nightmare of homelessness go away.

FSB In The News: My Interview on The Beauty Of Life

How fun is this? The Beauty of Life interviewed me about my background in beauty and some of my favorite products. For a moment of shameless promotion (and some beauty fun), read Jamie's interview with me here.

And for all you beauty addicts, The Beauty of Life is an amazing blog. I recommend subscribing ASAP.

Sale Alert: Inhabit Fall Sample Sale

I'm in the process of working on the editorial calendar and a whole BUNCH of holiday guides for the site but wanted to all of you in NYC know about a fab little fall sample sale from the fabulous clothing label, Inhabit. Set your calendars for November 18th and 19th from 10 am - 6 pm, and bring cash and/or credit. Details are above so print it and get ready to shop!

Designer Event Alert: Olivia Palermo, Joe Zee and Tia Ciabani of Ports 1961 at Bloomingdale's

Here's another event alert for all you fashion fans. As you know, FSB loves Ports 1961 (the spring show was gorgeous, I must say) and we also love the MTV "reality" series, The City. Mix those two things together and it's game on. Well, Bloomingdale's must have been reading my mind because they're having a pre-spring preview with The City's Olivia Palermo, Elle's Creative Director Joe Zee (also on The City) and Ports 1961 designer Tia Ciabani!

Held on the 4th floor in the Designer Collections department at Bloomingdale's legendary flagship on 59th Street, this lovely event will be held from 6-8 pm on November 16th and promises to be a fabulous evening.

Mark your calendars, brush up on your MTV reality programming and come out to see a sneak peek at Ports 1961's amazing collection for the warmer months. Love!

Attention Audiofiles: Audio Chi Headphones Will Blow You Away

As you can probably guess by all the video clips I post on this site, I am an audiophile. I adore music and I really love it when I can listen to my music in crisp, recording studio and/or live performance quality. Which is why after testing them this morning, I am now telling all of you who have iPods or devices that require headphones to RUN, DON'T WALK to get these new headphones from Audio Chi right this minute.

The pamphlet that comes with the headphones says, "Sound this good has never been available in headphones this small" and they are soooo not kidding. I rolled through my iTunes list this morning and I have to say it's the first time in a really long time that every single song sounded like its original recording quality. I could practically hear the sound engineer in the booth on some of these songs, the quality is so good. Plus, on the fashionable side, the headphones come in great colors and with a slick carrying bag and detachable cables for storage. They're lightweight, super comfortable and work with literally every portable audio device. Love.

Audio Chi has now launched e-commerce here in the United States and as someone who has tried and tested her own pair, I highly recommend you get your own. This is a great present for the music lover in your life, especially if that means you get them for yourself. I have the W5 model (shown, $109.95) and I looove them. :)

Check out these fabulous headphones on their website. You'll never listen to music the same way - or look as good doing it - again.

Editor's Thoughts: The Ten Commandments Of Beauty (They're Not What You Think)

I felt it was time for a beauty manifesto. Here we go:

1) Thou Shalt Not Overcleanse - If you have oily skin, scrubbing at acne and oil only makes your skin produce more oil because you're scraping off the protective layer it's creating because it's irritated. See a dermatologist if it's really bad, but cleansing gently maybe once or twice a day and, yes, moisturizing, will be the keys to eradicating this issue.

2) Thou Shall Remove Thy Makeup At Night - We all fall asleep at night, so if you're just that tired (or drunk - don't look offended, you know you've done it), keep baby wipes or Alcone Makeup Remover Cloths next to your bed and swipe it off if you can't do a full cleaning. Your body repairs itself at night and if your skin is reforming with lumps of foundation on top of it, guess what kind of skin you'll eventually have? Not good, people.

3) Thou Shalt Never Shame Another Woman's Beauty - This is a personal pet peeve of mine. Never tell a heavy-set woman "But you have such a pretty face." That is such a horrible, degrading thing to say to someone and you're just making her feel badly. She knows she has a pretty face and you saying that implies the comment "But what a shame about the rest of you." No one needs that evil in the world. Cut that out. The same also goes for the "good hair" controversy. Little girls with coarse or curly hair have fantastic, natural hair. Just because it's foreign to you or doesn't appear on a movie star doesn't mean it's bad. Leave other people alone.

4) Thou Shall Get Expert Consultation - Once or twice a year, I highly recommend going to a professional makeup artist (one you love and trust, not just some random person) and dumping your makeup bag out on the counter. This person should go through your makeup bag, show you what looks good on you, throw out anything that has expired or looks like crap, then help you select new products after consulting on a look with you. It's a simple principle, really: if your makeup bag is only filled with things that look amazing on you, you'll always look your best.

4.5) Thou Shall Throw Away Old Makeup - I used to yell at my own mother for this: cosmetics are not collector's items. You expose them to bacteria and pollutants every time you use them and they ALL have a shelf life. Throw them away and that also goes for those weird impulse purchases you'll wear "someday." If you haven't used it in six months, you won't. Ditch it.


5) Thou Shall Find a Skincare Regimen That Works and Stick With It - People always say, "You have the most amazing skin. What's your secret?" Ladies, my mother told me when I was little that the less you do to your skin the less you will ever have to do to your skin and it stuck. I only wash my face once a day (I splash water on it in the morning to wake myself up but only cleanse at night) and I use Amore Pacific Moisture Bound skincare like it's my job. Find out what works for you and then stick with it. If you cheat on a good skin routine,your skin will tell on you.

6) Thou Shalt Not Share Makeup With Others - Ew. Just...ew. Everyone keep your own bacteria to yourself and that includes lip balms and other nonsense. Gross.

7) Thou Shall Embrace Thy Own Beauty - Look at you, you gorgeous thing. You're hot! Right now, the body, face, skin and hair you have are what you're working with and you should love the Hell out of yourself. If you feel like you'd like to make some adjustments that's fine, but accept yourself as you are. Your hair houses the brain that thinks for you, your skin encases the heart that loves, and your makeup covers the lips that will hopefully speak amazing acts of encouragement to another woman who needs it. Beauty products just enhance how you feel inside so begin feeling beautiful from within.

8) Thou Shall Put Down Weapons of Mass Beauty Destruction - Can we talk about this? Look, we all use implements like blow dryers,curling irons,relaxers, weaves, hair color and things of this nature, but at some point it can get to excess. I don't have to spell it out for you but let me just say this: if your beauty routine includes any action that goes over and above regular maintenance, causes tears of frustration and hours of your life missed because you can't leave the house, you might want to think about accepting some facts and making your life easier. A beauty routine should help you present a positive appearance to your best life, but if the beauty routine IS your life, you're missing out. Rethink this strategy.

9) Thou Shalt Not Be Diet-Crazed - Ah, see what I did? Look, I've been there but obsessing over every single morsel you put in your mouth is no way to live. Some of the least attractive people I've ever met are extremely diet-obsessed individuals and it shows in your skin. There's no facial good enough to hide malnutrition or unhappiness, so save yourself the trouble and eat the cookie, damn it.

10) Thou Shall Work It - Put your best face forward every day and enter the world knowing that you look amazing. We're all beautiful in our own way and with the right tools and attitude, everyone will come to know what you've already suspected: you're beautiful!

Editor's Lust List: Valentino Satin Diamante Bow Pumps

I just saw these on a segment on E! News and had to take a closer look for myself. Ladies, I present my new shoe obsession: the Valentino Satin Diamante Bow Pumps ($995).

First of all, I love just about anything Valentino, especially handbags and shoes. Yes, I know the designers who took over for the master are having a bit of a hard time keeping up with the legend's design aesthetic but the handbags and shoes are still just as fabulous as ever and these shoes are no exception. Here I interview myself about these foxy shoes:

Me: What draws you to these fabulous shoes?
Myself: Wow, what's not to love? Satin peep toe black satin pumps with diamante bows on the toes?!? I am practically dead on the floor. If I do pass out, don't pull over that cardiac cart. Just hit me in the chest with one of those shoes, will you, darling?

Me: But what would you wear them with?
Myself: Honey, with shoes this fabulous, I would wear them with anything from jeans to a cocktail dress. This shoe IS the centerpiece of the outfit. They could make a sackcloth and ashes look like Italian haute couture.

Me: Where would you wear them?
Myself: Any place that requires shoes...? What kind of a question is THAT? I mean, really. (sips champagne)

Me: Any truth to the rumor that you're secretly dating Bradley Cooper?
Myself: Sorry, I don't talk about my personal life. Next question.

If I get these shoes, I will take a photo of me wearing them and nothing else but a hat. I mean, after all, when you have shoes this fabulous, who needs an outfit trying to hog the spotlight. ;)

Shopping Alert: Daily Candy Gets Into the Sample Sale Game With A New E-Commerce Site

Illustration courtesy of Daily Candy

Anyone else around here a fan of Daily Candy, the lifestyle trend e-mail newsletter and website? Well, if you like to combine your style news and shopping in one place, they're about to make your day. Starting on November 16th with a hard launch coming in January 2010, Daily Candy is launching its own sample sale e-commerce site, Swirl, Sample Sales by DailyCandy.

Featuring apparel and accessories handpicked by the DC editors, this promises to be a fun shopping experience. The release I received on the site explains it this way:

Swirl, Sample Sales by DailyCandy will be a well-edited sample sale experience, offering remarkable discounts on the stuff DailyCandy loves — from favorite up-and-coming designers to the must-have established brands, it’s everything DailyCandy editors can’t live without.

"DailyCandy has always been the go-to source for sample sales, but we recognize that only our NYC and L.A. readers can participate in those events,” says Eve Epstein, Swirl creative director and former DailyCandy editor in chief. “With Swirl, Sample Sales by DailyCandy, we offer a unique DailyCandy sample sale experience, featuring our favorite established designers as well as the Parsons grads fresh off their first Fashion Week showings to all.”

Sounds pretty fun, doesn't it? Well, if you're not a Daily Candy subscriber, check out any and all of their editions, then feel free to stay tuned to all the delicious information for the launch of this fabulous new shopping site. After all, with DC editors running the show, there are bound to be some pretty sweet picks, which sounds just like candy to me.

On the Scene: MAC Viva Glam VI Launch Party with Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga

Last night, I attended the announcement of M•A•C Cosmetics’ new spokeswomen for the next Viva Glam campaign and guess who it is? Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga! LOVE IT!

The fabulous ladies will be the faces of the newest campaign, entitled “From Our Lips,” and it will come out on Feb. 25. Each star will have their own lipstick and M•A•C Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick and Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick ($14 each) will be available at your friendly neighborhood MAC counter here in the states on March 18, then globally throughout the month. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the M•A•C AIDS Fund, which has invested an amazing $150 million since its inception in 1994.

More information closer to the launch but get excited about this launch for 2010 because these fabulous colors are definitely for girls who wanna have fun, especially when they wear it on their poker face. :)

Man of Style: Lenny Kravitz

I've done quite a few style icons on here but this one's for the men (and the ladies who love them.) After all, men can be quite inspiring when it comes to fashion.

Today's style icon is rocker Lenny Kravitz, who is just true rock and roll style through and through. Lenny's played with glam rock jumpsuits, denim and t-shirts, leather and millions of other styles. From long dreadlocks to a shorter afro and then a stint with straight hair, Lenny's mutable style always plays with image but never strays far from the fact that it really doesn't matter what the man wears; he knows we'll love it.


I don't know about you but there's nothing like a really good pair of jeans on a guy and Lenny rocks them like no other. Guys, if it's been a while since you bought a new pair of jeans (or ladies, if you know a guy who really needs a new pair) these fantastic and sexy Levi's Slim Straight 514™ Jeans in Sunset Wash ($49.90 - $69.50) are a great color and will most likely become your new favorite pair because they work magic on your backside (which will probably make them your lady's favorite pair as well).

Because we all love our Lenny served with a side of his music, here's my favorite song, "Always On The Run," which he performs with Guns n' Roses. Oh yes, this is genius. Please do enjoy.

Accessories Love: Inside the Carolee Holiday Preview

We all know that I love jewelry and when it comes to statement-making pieces, Carolee is just the fashion jewelry line you need when you're hunting for that amazing holiday stunner. With the circuit of cocktail parties facing all of us, we're going to need all the accessories we can get so I jumped at the chance to look at the pieces for holiday. Here are some selections from the preview.



This season, the line is showing some amazing pearl creations, like these amazing pieces. Statement necklaces are where it's at and these pieces will work with a gorgeous evening look or will even jazz up a great t-shirt and jeans. Like that one necklace in the photo above in the top right? I'll probably wear that with an amazing v-neck t-shirt, a leather jacket, skinny jeans and heels.



How lovely are these sea-inspired pieces from the Cool Breezes collection? I think these would be amazing for Thanksgiving holiday parties. How fabulous is that necklace in the middle? Just like these lovely blue stone pieces from their Royal Collection below. These pieces are in stores right now so go see them for yourself!



If you're in the market for fabulous fashion jewelry for the upcoming holiday cocktail season or you just need the perfect affordable statement piece for your wardrobe, Carolee is where it's at. Check out their website or head to your local department store and get a piece for yourself. You'll be seeing me in a piece or two moving into my insane cocktail schedule, trust me!

On The Scene: Inside the YSL Parisienne Launch Masquerade Ball

Last week I crawled off my post-flu recovery bed to don a mask and hang out in style with the Pretty People at the YSL Parisienne Masquerade Ball/ Perfume Launch Party. Held at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the venue was sexy sweet, complete with blush pink backlighting, antique-looking chandeliers with glowing candles and hundreds of vases of blush roses.



Models, editors and other industry types (and those who hang with them) came out to dance to Leigh Lezark and The Misshapes throwing down on the turntables while Alexandra Richard played consummate host. The "mask required" mandate on the invite didn't keep anyone from showing up; the line to get in was around the block and security kept some latecomers at bay for what seemed like hours.



My crew was inside right as the party began and amid macaroons, freely flowing champagne and videos of Kate's seductive commercial playing all around the venue, we partied well into the night to celebrate the launch of this seductive fragrance. Have you seen this commercial? The video is below but let's me warn you: it's steamy. Get the kiddies out of the room.





I have to say, it was quite the celebration and the perfume is to die for. Go check it out at your local Sephora. You might be inspired to give someone a little French kiss. Yes, like the party inspired by the fragrance, it's just that sexy.

Reader Question: How To Wear a Shawl Without Looking Like a Grandma

Hi everyone! I'm back from my bout with H1N1. Folks, if you even see anyone who looks like they have a split hair, RUN. This virus is nothing to fool with. Anyway, I'm back and it's time to dive right into it, shall we?

I get reader questions every now and then from Facebook but I usually just answer them. This was one of those items I thought everyone might be able to use.

Reader Question: Hey, quick fashion question. Just bought this cool shawl and don't want to look like a granny wearing it. What is the best way to wear a sweater-type shawl?
Ann B., Charlotte, NC

There are actually a lot of ways to wear a knit shawl like this gorgeous Cable Knit Shawl from 7 for All Mankind ($158, shown above), so let's take this fab accessory off the rocking chair and into the real world. Here are three suggestions and instructions on how to rock a knit shawl:

1) European Loop - Fold the scarf in half and place the folded scarf over the back of your neck. Take the fringe end and pull it through the loop made at the folded end to desired tightness. Let the fringe ends hand loose in front through the new loop.

2) Casual Chic - Place the widest end of the shawl over your chest with the ends facing behind you on each shoulder. Cross the ends behind your neck and pull them to the front. Loosely tie the ends in front or loop them again if you have a super long shawl, then loosely tie them in front.

3) The Brooch Approach - This one is really nice for evening. Take the shawl and place the widest part on your back. Take one end and throw it across the opposite shoulder underneath the shawl, then take a brooch and secure the two pieces together over the shoulder.

There are lots of ways to wear a shawl so just experiment with my options or try one of your own. I'm sure even Grandma would approve of your fabulous new style.