If It IS Broke, Fix It...

I’m a fan of the mantra: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” When I go to my favorite restaurants, I always spend at least five minutes reviewing the menu carefully, as though it’s the first time I’ve ever studied it, but in the end, I will inevitably order the same exact dish I’ve ordered twenty thousand times before. I will be particular about how it is prepared, and I will drive the waitress (and my dinner guests) insane ordering my food. At the end of the day, it’s the same thing I’ve always ordered. When I grocery shop, I buy the same products that are tried and true and that I believe in. When I purchase jeans, I look for similar cuts and washes if I know they’ll work for me. Yes, it’s true: when something works for me, I stick with it. I am loyal and true. If there’s one area of my life where I really believe in remaining faithful, it’s makeup and skincare.

I love MAC to no end; I think they had me at hello. But for the past year, their Studio Fix foundation has made me break out so frequently, it’s made me reluctant to even apply it everyday, except that I need foundation to cover up my blemished skin. As a woman who’s never struggled with her complexion, and has always had really good skin (all over my body…yes, I’m blessed) I knew it had something to do with the foundation and concealer. (That, and my esthetician mentioned that I needed to switch products, because it was clogging my pores. Hey, some discoveries, you just can’t make entirely on your own.)

Lo and behold, I visited the Barney’s New York store at Scottsdale Fashion Square, one of my new favorite places, and while sipping bubbly, had my makeup applied by one of my favorite NARS reps, Raquel. She was showing me the line of skin care, concealers, and bronzer, but perhaps the best product I walked away with that day (and yes, there were several) was my foundation. It left me with a perfect canvas, flawless finish, to then apply a great bronzer or blush, like my tried-and-true fave, NARS’ Orgasm. (And with a name like that, who doesn’t love it?)

Sometimes it’s hard for us to try something new. But when something really is broke, you’ve gotta fix it before it gets worse. To try the foundation that fixed my skin, visit your local NARS counter at Barney’s New York, Neimans, or Sephora, and pick up the foundation for yourself today. I have a feeling you’ll be loyal, too.

Raising My Glass to Barney's New York

I spent a fantastic afternoon at Barney’s New York store opening in Scottsdale, Arizona, at Scottsdale Fashion Square. I was greeted by the friendliest associates, indulged in champagne and a pleasant afternoon browsing all the new lines, from Mason to Cynthia Vincent to Carmen Marc Valvo to Diane von Furstenberg, and that’s just women’s clothing. I fell in love with cool weather pieces from Vince and DVF and all the beautiful jewelry in exquisite display cases, merchandised to pure perfection.

Ahhhh. Nothing excites me quite as much as fashion, shopping, and finding the newest creation from the latest designers…and Barney’s has a wonderful, distinctive selection. Go see for yourself…whether in Arizona, or in a city near you. I’ll definitely toast to you, Barney’s.

www.barneysnewyork.com

Adorned With Inspiration

I am a big fan of quotes. If you know me well enough, I incorporate quotes into just about everything-whether I am giving someone advice, or writing an article or blog; or even on greeting cards I make myself. I post them up on my bulletin boards at work for inspiration, and I use them frequently in my teaching and lessons. I think that there’s always more to learn, and one of the ways we derive the most wisdom in this life is from other people.

It’s no wonder, then, that as I browsed the jewelry section at Barney’s New York, I was immediately drawn to Aurora Lopez Mejia’s jewelry collection. Her pieces are a little rugged, unique, tasteful, and yet classic. She uses different materials and metals and then incorporates words, quotes, or phrases that could motivate even the most downtrodden among us.


Lopez Mejia has been creating handcrafted pieces for over 20 years, but she also owns a store, Talavera, in New York City. She has designed custom pieces for celebrities, and continues to carry her line at Barney’s, as well. Lopez Mejia says, of her jewelry: “It is my greatest pleasure to produce a piece of jewelry which is filled with a true meaning and inspiration for the wearer. I like to envision that each piece is symbolic and also a reminder of what is important in life.”

Life can get pretty complicated. Sometimes, we need a little extra inspiration and something to remind us who we really are, and what we expect from ourselves and our lives. And if you can find it while accessorizing, that’s just fabulous.

Purchase Aurora Lopez Mejia’s jewelry at Barney’s New York, Talavera, or visit www.auroralopezmejia.com.