Chasing Who?

Chasing Harry Winston is the newest book by the Devil Wears Prada author Lauren Weisberger. I love this book! Perfect for getting away from reality and indulging in the extravagant lives of three NYC girlfriends setting out to find love and new lives. Like Weisbergers previous books; Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing; Chasing Harry Winston is about girls in NYC setting out to change their lives, find themselves and have a damn good time while they are it. If the sparkling cover of this book doesn't draw you in the fabulous adventure these girls go on should! 

Girl Power

A Note From Jessie:
This past Tuesday, I attended a fundraising event at my Anthropologie store, in Rockefeller Plaza. The event was for the organization Girls Learn International, which is a foundation of young high-school females who strive to empower other young women across the world, and stand as a voice in the movement for universal girls' education. As stated from their website, the "GLI Program gives students the opportunity to explore issues affecting girls in relation to global human rights, promotes cross-cultural understanding and communication, and trains students to be leaders and advocates for positive change." The event was a black-tie affair, hosting 200+ of New York City's "who's who." Organized by Anthropologie CEO Glen Senk, and featuring prominent female news anchor Katie Couric, the evening consisted of a brief award ceremony, honoring accomplished young females from the group, and a social shopping occasion, brimming with Pink vodka mixed drinks, incredible hors d'ourves, beautiful clothes and decorations galore. I was just thrilled to meet Katie myself, and snapped a photo of the two of us before the night was over. Check it out above.
GLI is an incredible organization, and after attending the event, I am very motivated to become involved with it, and its philanthropic endeavors. Check out their website to be inspired on female empowerment and equality at girlslearn.org

The Pink Lady: Helen Ficalora

Helen Ficalora, the pink loving woman behind the charm necklace craze. All of Hollywood and beyond is going gaga over Helen and her charms! Once you get one you are hooked for life. Although these charm necklaces look great with just one, the more the better. Helen has a variety charms; alphabet, diamonds, words like dream and care, hearts and stars; anything you want and in any combination. The chains for the necklaces range in length as well, which is great for layering!.  I have the dream charm and wear it almost every day. Check out her website and get your own Helen Ficalora charm necklace!

helenficalora

Green & Clean

Arm & Hammer has a new environmentally safe product called Arm & Hammer Essentials. It is a multi surface cleaning product that leaves your home sparkling with out harsh chemicals. The cleaner is made from plant extracts so it's safe and there are no smells. Also it comes with an empty reusable plastic spray bottle that you twist the cleaner cartridge into, add water and your are ready to go on a cleaning spree. I use it and love it! You can go to the web-site and get your own free starter kit too.

try-essentials.com/ver5/index.asp

The Lowdown on Lipstick

A Note From Jessie:
I got the news last night that my favorite TV show, Lipstick Jungle, has been officially cancelled. I am so bummed out. This show was my weakness, and perfectly filled the void that Sex and the City had left with me so many years ago. From the fashion, to the jewels, to the "power-women personas" and the main characters unbelievable jobs, L.J. was the be-all-end-all of my every Wednesday night. Every week at 10:00pm, Kim Raver, Brooke Shields and Lindsay Price captivated thriving fashionistas everywhere with their "go get 'em" attitudes, their relentless professional drive, and their never-faltering friendship. I personally derived so much inspiration from their outfitting on the show, and felt each character embodied this amazing balance of fashion, charm, charisma, exuberance and edge. Using designers such as Alexis Bittar, Swarovsky, Anthropologie, and J.Crew, the show incorporated stylistic inferences from so many mainstream stores, and kicked it up a level through the use of accessories, tweaks, and attention to detail. This show will truly be missed come next season...and now, another hole is left for the next amazing "fashion" show to step up and take prime-time charge!
To check out more information on the show, and its previous successful first two seasons, you can visit nbc.com Read more about the characters, their lives, how they film the show, and where they get their fashion!

Frock You- MichiGirl

Arriving home from a trip and getting gifts in the post is probably one of the best feeling aside from your dog humping your leg after not seeing him for a while. I got back from St. Barths and received a funny, irreverent book from Joanna, my Aussie school mate, beautifully wrapped in graphic wallpaper type wrap, simply titled, "Like I Give a Frock" by Michi. Thanks Joanna! I was enthralled by how cute she is even though she's a mythical character who tells the weather by day and shops by day and night. Michi is so fun and funny as she describes her friend who bbq's in stiletto's as a "Natural Born Heeler" or "blousing" as the act of trying on clothes you have no intention of buying. So I will attempt to use the word blousing in a sentence.

Rude Sales Asst., "Do you need assistance with the YSL jumpsuit?"
"Thanks, I'm just blousing today and in the mood to try on jumpsuits for the next time I go skydiving!"


Check out the book and what they say about it below and do under all circumstances check the weather on the
michigirl

Meet Michi. She’s sometimes stylish and sometimes tragic, but she always knows best. She’s sharp and funny. (And maybe just a tiny bit opinionated). She’s a shopping queen, weather watcher and quite possibly the best advice-giver you’ve ever met.

Do you wonder when a baguette became a bag and not just a piece of bread? (Fendi, 1998.) Or when it became acceptable to wear a tracksuit to the supermarket? (It didn’t.) Fishnets at work? Evil sales assistants? The plague of the fat ankle? Michi has all the answers. And if you were thinking of buying a playsuit, just don’t.

Michi Girl is a self-taught weather girl. She has a daily email newsletter that she delivers into the inboxes of many a cool Australian girl (and a handful of boys). She forecasts the latest in weather, fashion and anything else that’s not yet had a decent airbrushing. She is the imaginary best friend of Chloe Quigley and Daniel Pollock. She is brought to life by the illustrations of Kat Macleod.

Top Shop Coming Soon!

It's almost here...TOPSHOP! The trendy UK store will be opening in New York this spring. The US flagship store will be located in Soho on Broadway and Broome, the perfect location for this funky and eclectic brand. If you can't wait until the spring, like me, you can go to the web site and shop all the amazing styles now!

topshop.com

Hey Kensie Girl!

Make sure you stop by this Friday night to Macy's Herald Square where Kesie Girl meets the girls from Marie Claire magazine. I will be pulling the hottest looks for holiday for a fashion show that you can't afford to miss. See you on the 4th floor!
For more on these girls hit their sites kensiegirl.com and
marieclaire.com

Shed for Style

Sometimes you have to rid your closet of the noise that distracts your true personal style. This large overflowing duffle bag that fits at least two people inside is an indication of so many items that I dumped. But not in the garbage. Daphne and I have our annual tag sale. Will keep you posted on the next one! PROMISE! Over the next few days, I urge you to shed a few layers that you are just not feeling 100% in, a shirt that you'd never want the love of your life to see you in, the pants that are just ok or a bit too tight. Live in the NOW and get rid of anything that does not work in your current situation.

Need help deciding what to keep, toss or later? Contact my personal shopping service at p.s.@sarahshirley.com

Lovin' Me Some Lucky Shops!

A Note From Jessie:
This past Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I had the incredible opportunity to work Lucky Magazine's Lucky Shops event for the third year in a row. Hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion, the weekend-long spree serves as a "Costco-sized" sample sale, with hundreds of vendors at up to 90% off! Who can beat that!!! Highlighted vendors for the year included Theory, Rebecca Minkoff, See by Chloe, JBrand Jeans, Kate Spade, Twinkle, Mint, Milly and Gerard Yosca...just to name a few. The event consisted of three days total, one of which was Thursday Night VIP, where they rolled out the red carpet, and hosted some of NYC's top socialites and shopping powers galore. Attendees included Leighton Meester, Jessica Szohr, Isabel Coates, and Kelly Rutherford from Gossip Girl, a group from the cast of this season's America's Next Top Model, Kelly Ripa, Lucky Editor in Chief Kim France, and notable fashion stylist Dita Coben. The event was sponsored in part by vendors Garnier Nutritioniste, POM, Stride Gum and SmartWater, and to all of the attendees, free products were distributed from the brands. The event was a huge hit, gathering the city's best shoppers from all corners of the island, and beyond. With free food, giveaways, cocktails, celebs, discounted shopping and friends, what more could a girl ask for! I had a blast working the event, and scored some incredible finds myself, including two pairs of AMAZING Charlotte Ronson boots for $60.00 each! WOW!
The event still has one more day to go...so be sure to check out the Lucky Magazine website at www.LUCKYSHOPS.com and purchase your Saturday ticket while you still have time!
Shop till you drop!

Zebra Crossing

How's this for an emporium of style. This was a display I set up at Bergdorf Goodman where I served with much love as a style consultant for various special events. This was for the Holiday Press Preview where various top notch fashion, beauty, home and lifestyle editors would preview what's in store.

All Natural Mascara!!

An Eco-friendly all natural mascara...is it possible?!? Thanks to Tarte cosmetics new Health Couture line it is. Lash Hugger, one of the many products in this line, makes your lashes voluptuous while helping the environment. To add to the benefits of this amazing product it is made with skin invigorating ingredients like mineral pigments and good old H2O. The packaging is GREEN as well, recycled from post users. If you are looking to join the the GREEN movement this is a great way to start! 

Q-tip's, The Renaissance

Vote Fashion

Macaron Monday

Part deux of my macaron feature. I am obsessed with marcarons. It started with Laduree in Paris. Then spanned to a few places stateside. My favorite macaron expierience is stillLaduree on the Rue Royal. By surprise, Daphne brought me back a box on Laduree macarons via the London outpost at Harrods. They had a special flavour....mint, which is only my favorite flavour. Below is the box they came in. Funny enough, I received Departures magazine on Friday and there was a 2 page feature on macarons. The same day I received my special cadeaux. I ate them all in one sitting.

Zealous over Zinka

Do you remember Zinka? Zinka was the main inspiration for my surfer girl costume. I was Peg Bundy the night before and not really feeling it. I was thinking of what I needed to make my character come to life. Zinka! I don't know how or where I pulled that one out of. I haven't thought of Zinka in years but was obsessed with it when I was a kid. My cousin, Tine and I had it and did many of a photo shoot with it in the 80's! Jen, my make-up artist and BFF with whom I'm pictured with did my Zinka-like make-up!
The must have tube of Zinka. Yes it still exists after all these years. Zinka, the famous colored nosecoat and sunblock for the face.


Sexy Surfer Boys Sporting Zinka image courtesy of the Zinka website.

Halloween's Host of Happening Costumes

Enjoy my best of list for costumes at the Concept Farm's Annual Halloween Party. So many creative ideas. Not enough parties to go to to wear all these cool creations.
Tron - The Electronic Gladiator This is the coolest film/video game character/ brought to life.
The Morton's salt girl. What a cute yellow dress and yes she made the very large salt jar too!
Beetlejuice- but it's not Michael Keaton in this costume.
Stripey McStripe the Dominatrix and her friend the glamours movie star or sun star. Not sure what these girls are but j'adore the creativity.
A Paper Doll.
A Shooting Star!
The Robert Palmer Girls and of course Robert. May he rest in peace. A great group costume concept.
Madonna's daughter, Lourdes with the uni-brow. This is ingenious!
A surfer girl. Yes that's me as my other alter-ego!

My party guests, Pinky and Dry Cleaning!

Pink Eye

The eyes have it....and this model lets us know!. She batted her lashes and more at the American Eagle, Spring '09 Preview Party. This is a hot make-up trend and we will see a resurgence of "hot" colors in mascara, lipstick, eyeliner as the "flouro" trend will be even more shocking next season.

The Eagle Has Landed

American Eagle that is. These are out takes from the Spring '09 launch party for American Eagle, Martin + Osa and Aerie. The casual clothing trumverate. This image of fresh faced and very youthful models in bold, bright colors says, "Yes, I'm so fresh!"
Nothing says Spring more than fresh cut grass in the shape of a little chick.

Even the food was fun. Lauren posing with the mini cotton candy. My fave was mini 3 scoop ice cream cones with coconut, mango and lemon sorbet.
The collection against the large wooden letters S.P.R.I.N.G. This was the best part of the event. An amazing visual.
Are ghetto blaster the new i pods? I just danced down the street yesterday to "Walk this Way!" on a guys ghetto blaster!