Head First Into a New Year

Source: razzlesdazzles.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

Happy 2012 ya'll!  I'm hoping that everyone said goodbye to 2011 with great zeal, and rang in this new year with hope, love, and the anticipation for all of the amazing moments and breathtaking beauty just waiting to unfold.  Here's to starting fresh, not looking back, and diving head first into this new year.  It's going to be a GREAT one, I promise.  :)

Ring in the New Year with Great Hair Tips from Frederic Fekkai & the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund

Looking for some hair help for the upcoming New Year's Eve bash you're headed to?  Why not take a tip from the looks Frederic Fekkai created to compliment the designs of fashion's brightest new talents at an exclusive CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runway presentation?  All of the hair looks suggest ease, effortlessness, and elegance -- as perfect for your New Year's plans as they are for the runway.


Get inspired by having a look at this never-before-seen runway event video courtesy of my Vogue Influencer Network, followed by invaluable 'do-it-yourself' instruction, and then say hel-lo to 2012!!


(Press PLAY to begin video)


Frederic Fekkai paired with celebrity stylist Renato Campora to create these modern twists on the classic ponytail to be shared here with you.  Which one will you be sporting in the new year?

Top tip: Apply Fekkai Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip throughout the hair until the entire head is damp. 2 Blow dry the hair using a large round brush. 3 Once the hair is mostly dry, straighten hair with a flat iron, separating into sections, while applying Frédéric Fekkai Essential Shea Tame and Style Pot de Crème to add shine. 4 Create a deep, exaggerated part to the right side of the head.  

Top tip: Depending on hair length and fullness, add the appropriate hair extensions. Pull the hair back into a low ponytail. Secure hair with a band, and spray with Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray for added hold. 2 Take a small section of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around to conceal the band. 3 Secure the look by blow drying the ponytail to lock in the straightness of the hair.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.  See it first, hear it first, know it first.

On The Runway with Anna Dello Russo INC Exclusive

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and along with it comes all things shiny and sparkly.  I really love anything I can get a gleam or a glint from, and would probably be dressed like a disco ball year round if I could get away with it.  Sadly, I have to rein things in most of the year, but the holidays usually give me a great excuse to deck myself out in all things shiny, sparkly, and over-the-top festive on at least a few occasions.  

I'm already trying to get some new holiday outfit inspiration from different places, and was tickled when my Vogue hookup came through with a sneak peak of the November INC collection for Macy's that has been edited by the one-and-only fashion editor extraordinaire and fashion icon Anna Dello Russo (editor-at-large & creative director of Vogue Japan).  As things have it, Vogue has offered us an exclusive sneak peek at the unreleased INC line November collection short film, 'Dark Shine'.  Styled by Dello Russo, the film represents a runway show that encapsulates Anna's iconic aesthetic and features shimmering sequins in deep black matte and glamorous evening styles perfect for the upcoming holiday season.  I hope you enjoy this first look at the film below.  Bring on the shine!





Ready to see more?  Here are some key pieces from the upcoming collection, available at macys.com in November.

Selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, these sequined hem shorts are all-out glamorous for fall.

This jacket selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, hits all the right notes: festive sequins in matte black with draped construction and a touch of attitude.

Selected by Anna Dello Russo, INC Editor at Large, this LBD takes a playful turn when strewn with paillettes that catch the light fantastic.

If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.

Photohunt: Your Choice, Helen's New Year

Since this week is a free PhotoHunt week, I'm posting one of my favorite shots from our New Year's Eve night out.  Something about it really engages me - maybe how it seems to capture the excitement and buzz of the restaurant that night, or maybe it's just my affinity towards all things shiny.  Anyway, hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

While I'm at it, here are some of my other favorite shots from that same night ...

Jay and me on the outside looking in

one very yummy martini olive

our favorite mixologist, Rodney

and, a view from our table.

New Year's Invitations

While 'celebrating' David Bowie's birthday yesterday with some fabulous dancing in crazy looking pajamas in my bedroom, it occurred to me that I was singing along word for word with song lyrics that I'd never really listened to ... I mean cognizantly listened to and thought about what they mean to me.  When I stopped for a second to actually think about what was coming out of my mouth, it occurred to me that maybe I should have paid attention a lot sooner than now.

I then started to wonder how many times things like that happen throughout the day, or week, or month, that are right in front of my face without me noticing, and how many overlooked experiences resulted from just doing the zombie walk through the daily routine without really paying attention to what is going on outside of it all.  I mean, I think I can say that there is a reasonable comfort to that daily zombie walk through the routine sometimes; it may be the only thing that gets us through that particular day, but seriously, I think I've been leaning on that waaay too much recently and am sure that I have missed some wonderful opportunities because of it.

So, I think my new year's resolution, or let's call it a goal for good luck's sake, for 2011 is really going to be to try and break out of my own 'default' mode and focus on pushing myself to get more involved and have fun -- really wringing out the juicy parts of life and making them last.  After 2009 and 2010, something really has to give, and at this point I can only count on being in control of my own outlook and reaction to make my days (and nights) the way that I want them to be.  I am going to invite more fun and silly into life and really get excited about exploring new things again - like getting back in touch with my writing self through this blog, for example.   Soooo, I'm putting it out there to the world and inviting in the excitement, activity, and spontaneity back into my life.  I'm listening now world, paying attention so go ahead and RSVP because I'm definitely welcoming the world this year!!