« April 2005 | Main | June 2005 »

May 31, 2005

Band of Brewskies

Besides no bar at all, there’s nothing more irritating at a party than losing track of your drink. Banish cocktail confusion with these fun, yet very practical, “beer bands” (the stretchy strips marked simply with the word “mine” also fit around cans and tumblers). Assign a color to each guest to avoid cootie-swapping and half-finished drinks. They’re a must for a summer calendar chock-full of barbecues and backyard parties. $10 for set of 12, plumparty.com

May 31, 2005 at 12:01 PM in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink | Comments (0)

Caramels for Connoisseurs of Chic

Damn Vosges for introducing its new caramel collection during swimsuit season. The high-style chocolate maker is trying its hand at caramels with luscious flavor pairings like Argentine dulce de leche with Costa Rican cashews and Brazilian nut with Colombian cocoa nibs. Just try to resist the chic little candies artfully sprinkled with crushed toppings. (Random industry connection: Scott Chambliss, a Vosges devotee and production designer for “Mission: Impossible 3” and “Alias,” inspired the company’s founder to create the caramels with his illustrated novel, “Maahvelous! Princess Puut and Dali Do Venice.”) vosgeschocolate.com

May 31, 2005 at 12:02 AM in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kosher Fashion

Speaking of industryites’ extracurriculars, New Line Cinema’s VP of Field Publicity and Promotion, Gillian Brooks Fischer, has launched GeeBeeTees, a whimsical T-shirt line for “hipster Jews,” available exclusively at perennially hot shop Intuition. She currently has just one style, featuring an image of yummy challah bread on the front with the phrase “Challah at your boy” on the back. (Fischer got the idea from watching “more than my fair share of MTV,” where the expression “Holla at your boy” is commonly used in hip-hop.) The tops are printed on quality, super-soft American Apparel tees. $30, shopintuition.com

May 31, 2005 at 12:01 AM in OPENINGS/LAUNCHES | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 27, 2005

Swimming with Marc Jacobs

Zuma or the Hamptons, here you come. Better get your gear in check before mingling with the chi-chi beach crowd this Memorial Day. Start with Marc Jacobs’ bright fabric swim tote, which is roomy enough to carry all your ocean-going essentials. Plus, the unique, gathered shape ensures that no bottle of sunscreen or errant flip-flop comes tumbling out. It’s bound to become indispensable as summer revs up. $128, saksfifthavenue.com

May 27, 2005 at 02:52 PM in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink | Comments (2)

Fashionable Flea-Market Finds (L.A.)

No better opportunity to trawl a flea market than a leisurely three-day weekend. This time, step it up a notch from the usual musty old sofas and granola-hippie clothes with premium goods at Peddler on the Roof. Held every Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the rooftop event features vendors that even the most die-hard Barneys shoppers would love. Choose from such wares as Teenage Millionaire’s hipster tees (worn by the likes of Demi and Madonna) and Patricia Candido’s beautifully crafted bracelets. 1423 Gordon St., (323) 860-7109

May 27, 2005 at 12:02 AM in SALES/EVENTS | Permalink | Comments (1)

Beauty Through the Grape Vine

Lord knows you drink enough wine. Might as well work the nourishing grapes into your beauty routine, too. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Skincare line has introduced two new products, which are at-home versions of popular treatments at its beautiful Kenwood Inn flagship spa in Sonoma. Antioxidants pack the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($75), which significantly diminishes dark spots, and ground grape seeds form the foundation of the deliciously scented Crushed Cabernet Scrub ($45). caudalie-usa.com   

May 27, 2005 at 12:01 AM in OPENINGS/LAUNCHES | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 26, 2005

Celeb Makeup Artist Lashes Out

Hard to believe some of the things ladies do to get beautiful. Like curling eyelashes. Because if that metal tool doesn’t look like something out of a torture chamber, we don’t know what does. Celeb makeup artist Mally Roncal (Beyonce, Angelina, et al) is doing her part to ease the process with an ingenious curler. Unlike 99% of them, Roncal’s features open ends to prevent pinching lids and to allow for shaping only ends of lashes. Plus, the easy-grip pink handles make the implement seem a little less ominous. $19.50, qvc.com

May 26, 2005 at 07:26 PM in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink | Comments (0)

East Meets West Meets Subversive

Further proof that the T-shirt revolution is upon us: Former Hard Candy entrepreneur extraordinaire Pooneh Mohajer -- who, along with sister and co-founder Dineh, sold the cosmetics line to LVMH for untold millions -- has launched a super-cool tee collection, featuring slick, manga-like graphics. Dubbed Tokidoki, the line ranges from the naughty (naked girl wearing skivvies emblazoned with a Japanese rising sun) to the cute (grumpy pooch with spiked collar), all with a hint of subversiveness. Various accessories like pins and hair clips are also available. Look out Paul Frank. shop.tokidoki.it

May 26, 2005 at 12:02 AM in OPENINGS/LAUNCHES | Permalink | Comments (0)

The ‘Scoop’ on Outlet Shopping

Sure, outlet shopping is terrific -- if you’re willing to drive an hour to the boondocks. Fortunately for those who’d rather not waste the gas, a peek into the Scoop NYC outlet online reveals a wealth of goodies. Start with the handbag section, which boasts a Miu Miu shoulder purse for $179 (originally $420); then move on to shoes, where fabulous Marc Jacobs lace-up boots are $229 (originally $510); and end in sexy tops, featuring slinky camis and halters by 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent and Chaiken at up to 40% off. scoopnyc.com

May 26, 2005 at 12:01 AM in SALES/EVENTS | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 25, 2005

Modish Carpet Ride

Carpetbagging hasn’t been this hot since Hillary Clinton ran for the New York senate. Designer Jerry Terrence is relaunching his whimsical line, JT Carpet Bags, which caused a sensation among fashionable folk when they originally debuted in the 1960s. Colors and silhouettes have been updated, but the bags still boast a vintage charm, as this style-savvy Gia clutch shows. Besides, the plush fabric will be a welcome change from this season’s ubiquitous snakeskin and metallic leather. $300, available at Intuition

May 25, 2005 at 07:06 PM in PICK OF THE DAY | Permalink | Comments (1)