Burlesque!

If I'd heeded the advice of almost every single review I've read so far for Burlesque  I would still be sitting here in front of my computer begrudgingly choosing whether or not to see Tangled or Unstoppable instead. Lucky for me I ignored all warnings to the contrary and eagerly sat front and center to watch the stage magic created by Christina Aguilera and an absolutely mesmerizing Cher. Can that legendary woman do any wrong on screen???
Despite the fact that Burlesque was obscenely predictable, that Ms. Aguilera should stick to singing, and the film quality evoked a 1989 made for television movie, it nevertheless filled me with 1 hr and 40 mins of pure entertainment. From the stage splitting powerhouse vocals of a flawlessly made up Ms. Aguilera, riotous burlesque dance numbers which included the talents of DWTS's Julianne Hough, dazzling costumes and glittering makeup, Cher's gorgeous wigs and matching set of cheekbones, to Stanley Tucci's sweetly familiar performance, there was no doubt I felt happiest when I was esconced within the cozy costume rack and multi-stage world of Tess's club. And boy did I never want to leave...

Image source: sonypictures.com, imdb.com

Holiday Gift Guide from Sephora

So last week I wrote about J.Crew's excellent holiday gift guide and all its fashionable winter goodies. This week it's all about the gift that gets the most squeals of glee and joy, plus you just can't go wrong with what women want: Makeup! Remember that time when you received a gorgeous plum lip gloss all wrapped up in a pretty satin bow or that perfect gold YSL sparkling eye shadow set that arrived in a small gilded box? I loved those pressies! Ok maybe you can go horribly wrong if you've got your untrained gifting eye on a pale frosted pink lipstick set aside for your redheaded niece, or a winter-themed beauty set packaged in a forest of cinnamon scented moisturizer, cinder perfumed body wash, and pine cone foot scrubbers. I've got news for you, that present's going straight into the recycling bin. Anyways, Sephora is my favorite makeup emporium and it's always chock full of your favorite makeup brands, pots, palettes, and gift sets that are all about pretty shimmer, and are completely wooded-area free. So go ahead and put some plummy shimmering gloss, the perfect red lipstick, and pink sparkle blush on your list. You also get three free samples with every order, and it's free shipping when you spend over $50. Sephora.com

Blanco Beauty 2010

I love these images of Canadian model Lisa Cant for Blanco Beauty's 2010 campaign. I know, it's the first I've heard of Spanish company Blanco Beauty too. And that is the beauty of blogs my friends, through which we make new fashion discoveries every day!

Images courtesy of FGR

Sephora Summer Lips

I've got to try these lovely new smackers, my lips will thank me for it!!

Yves Saint Laurent GLOSS PUR
Pure Lip Gloss

Givenchy Printed Lips
Tinted Look Lip Stainer

Available through our Sephora link

Barbie & Me

This past weekend i giggled like an 8-year old as my sisters and I unearthed our old beloved childhood Barbie collections. I'm talking bedecked, bejeweled, 1980's styled Barbies wearing fabulous outfits such as a white and gold jumpsuit, brown knee-high boots paired with a printed yellow and turquoise dress, a fuschia gathered bathing suit and matching ruffled skirt, and one stunning all pink fur-lined ensemble featuring over 20 possible looks! As we rummaged through this enormous pile of Barbie-labeled clothes and tiny matching accessories, I smiled thinking about how each of our Barbie choices as children would so closely reflect our future grown up personalities. For example, as a freckled seven-year old I hated the uber popular Western Barbie's fringed sleeves and white cowboy hat, and instantly fell in love with Hispanic Barbie's twinkling brown eyes and gorgeous brunette beauty. I was also devoted to Angel Face Barbie and her vintage lace/tafetta dress with fabulous pink makeup case in tow. Fashion and makeup? We were destined! And remember when dressing up a pretty doll and combing her long shiny blonde plastic hair for three hours straight was a sweet simple pleasure?...

Mascara Minute: Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies

($7.49, Maybelline, CVS)

Okay, EYE LOVE this mascara. Get it? "Eye" instead of "I"? You get it. Anyway, if you think you can't find a decent mascara at the drugstore, you are sorely mistaken. And the great thing about drugstore mascara is if you buy it and don't love it, you're out like a couple bucks instead of, say, $22. Also, I'm in no way paid to endorse them, but they are my favorite drugstore (especially since there's one about 14 steps from my apartment), but I really love CVS because they'll let you return any and all beauty products if you tried something and you were like "meh." But you will SO not be "meh" about Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies. It's got a rounded spoon brush that's made of fibers, not rubber (though I definitely LOVE a rubber brush), which separate and truly truly outrageously elongate your lashes, while the keratin formula makes your lashes look way more full. Of course, like any mascara in the entire universe, you need to apply a few coats -- The Falsies dries quickly, so apply fast. I like to do one entire eye -- curl, apply one coat starting from the base to the tips, doing that wiggly technique thing, and then apply a second coat to really bring them out. If The Falsies fails you it's because you have failed The Falsies. Oh yeah, since I don't do waterproof mascaras, I can't tell you how the waterproof version works. Only the "Very Black." There's a reason Maybelline's The Falsies has the letters "T," "F" and "M" in its name: it also stands for Tamar's Favorite Mascara.

(Disclosure: I was sent this product by PR.)

Sephora RED

Available via Sephora.com

SEPHORA COLLECTION
Solid Lip Clutch cosmetic bag

MAKE UP FOR EVER
Rouge Artist Intense


Benefit Cosmetics
Her Name Was Glowla



DIOR
Rouge Dior Lipcolor

MARC JACOBS
Daisy Pop Art Edition Fragrance