Archive | January, 2009

Shutter My Bug

30 Jan

FOR YOUR SHUTTERBUG-LOVEBUG…by Christabelle

Being a “curvy” gal, I cringe when I hear the sentence “thin is in”…except, of course,  when it is referring to my newest aquisition – The CASIO EXILIM EX-Z150 digital camera. This little mini is the world’s thinnest digital camera – and that kind of thin is ALWAYS a good thing.

Lightweight and pink (of course!) – I have tried and tried to take a “bad” picture with this camera and have been completely unsuccessful. It is – in my opinion – the top of the line in digital cameras and makes the ideal Valentine’s Day present for your shutterbug. With handfuls of features including Face Detection, Image Stabilization, and a Best Shot-Button that adjusts to the most varied demands – a child could transform into Annie Leibovitz upon pushing the shutter button . And if that weren’t enough – there is even a setting specific for taking pictures for eBay and video recording optimized for YouTube! Let the games begin.

Though the pink is my absolute favorite  - the Casio EX-Z150 is available in a myriad of colors including silver, red, green, and black.  The EX-Z150 is a slim and stylish digital camera with mechanical image stabilizer, which means it’s a little camera that delivers big, clear pictures. With 8.1 Megapixels, 4X optical zoom, and 3.0 inch LCD Monitor, this camera makes it easy to capture great pictures on the go.

Capture a memory or two hundred this Valentine’s Day with the CASIO EXILIM EX-Z150. SRP $199.00, available at Amazon.com. While you are there – also pick up a 4GB SD memory card and a protective case. Everything else – including the battery and battery charger – is included! 

Some other noteworthy features of this kickin’ digi:

  • 4X Image Stabilization
  • Auto Best Shot Mode
  • Auto Shutter Detect Blur
  • Face-Detection
  • Lighting Functions
  • Movie Button
  • Self Portrait Setting
  • Super Clear LCD
  • Multi-Motion Functions
  • Windows Vista and Mac iPhoto compatible
  • and more!

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WIN Axe Dark Temptation and $100 Amex Gift Card!

27 Jan

FOR YOUR CONTEST AND CHOCOLATE LOVING SELF…by Christabelle

In a recent global survey, more than 70 percent of women around the world ranked chocolate as more irresistible than shopping, jewelry or even sex. Not very hard to believe! Based on this insight, AXE created new Dark Temptation, both a bodyspray and a shower gel for guys that is as irresistible as chocolate. Now you can be just like the chocolate man being chased through the streets with this scent developed by world-renowned fragrance expert, Ann Gottlieb (she also designed CK One, Obsession, and Sarah Jessica Parker’s scent Covet). AXE Dark Temptation combines the subtle aroma of chocolate with fresh gourmet scents including hot chocolate amber and red peppercorn. Turn yourself into a tempting piece of chocolate for your Valentine this year with just a few drops of AXE Dark Temptation. It’s how dirty boys get clean.

Axe Dark Temptation can be purchased for under $10 for the set at DrugStore.com- OR – you can ENTER TO WIN A FREE SET OF AXE DARK TEMPTATION JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!  The uber cool folks at AXE have given Christabelle’s Closet 5 sets of AXE Dark Temptation (body spray and shower gel) to help YOU get ready for Valentine’s Day. AND if that wasn’t enough – they are also giving ONE of the FIVE winners a $100 American Express Gift Card…

HOW TO ENTER: AS OF 2/8/09 – THIS CONTEST IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED

Congratulations to our five winners:
GRAND PRIZE: Jessica, TX
SECOND PRIZES: Kristen, NH – John, NJ – Geoff, OH and Mack, TX

Just add a comment to this post on why AXE Dark Temptation is your pick for Valentine’s Day. Contest closes on February 8, 2009 (EST). 5 lucky winners will be chosen on February 9, 2009. Winners will be notified directly via email. No purchase necessary. US residents only. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited. One entry only, please!

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Leopards & Zebras & Cheetahs…Oh My!

23 Jan

FOR YOUR INNER ANIMAL…by Christabelle

Make your Valentine’s Day evening sizzle off the charts by adding a little “GGRRR” to your night. There is no better way to look and feel sexy than by revealing a hint of your animal instinct – and trust me – HE will like it too! Fashion trends continue to flirt with animal print patterns whether they appear as a bold LAMB design floor length cheetah trench coat or an understated, elegant pair of Christian Louboutin peep-toe leopard pumps. This Valentine’s Day, everyone from a trendsetting fashionista to a conservative dresser can add a touch of the wild to their wardrobe with zebra and leopard print lingerie. 

I have always been a fan of the unexpected details of clothing and shoes…whether it is a pink satin piped trim on the lining of a swing coat – or – the red underside of a heel – or – even a gorgeous rhinestone  button on a little black dress. Those small details truly make the most impact.  So imagine the heat you will raise when your zebra striped bra peeks through your classic white blouse – or – your scoop neck tee falls off your shoulder and reveals your leopard print bra. As he wipes a little bit of drool off your face, you will be thinking “thanks Christabelle” for going on safari and finding these oh-so-sexy lingerie items.

WonderBra Animal Print

Wonderbra Light Gel Lift Push Up Bra

Bali Animal Print Lingerie

Bali Concealers Underwire Bra Set

Bali Concealers Underwire in a sexy leopard print with a neutral tone base, featuring concealing petals on the inside of the cup for a smooth flawless finish. Pair a Bali Concealer Underwire bra in a classic leopard print with Bali Invisible Elegance Microfiber Hipster in Black or Rosewood to complete the look.  SRP $32 – Sears.com
 
Playtex  Side Smoothing Plunge Underwire Bra in baby leopard, a vibrant leopard print with animal detailing outlined in black, bringing out the wild side with a plunge center front and straps that are conveniently convertible to be worn crisscross, halter or traditional.  Playtex also offers the Side Smoothing Underwire in mini zebra, a bold black and grey striped pattern featuring seamless full foam cups designed to give you a better fit and a better look. SRP $30 – Kohls.com
 
The Wonderbra Light Lift Gel Push Up Bra in abstract animal, a zebra style stripe in a leopard color pallet. This sexy, seamless style offers lift and enhances cleavage, unleashing your inner vixen. SRP $30 – Macys.com

Get growling this Valentine’s Day and let your jungle kitten come out and play with these hot lingerie items!

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Bottle of Red…Bottle of White

22 Jan

VINO IN THE  CITY…by Christabelle

The New York Wine Expo is BACK…much to my delight, since I am a lover of all things “wine” (including my significant other, Phil VINO).  For the 2nd year, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to sniff,  swirl, sip and spit wines from around the globe – all under ONE roof.  Word of advice…leave the car at home and cab it for this event.

From New World Wines to French or Italian favorites as well as local New York, Oregon and California wines, the New York Wine Expo offers the opportunity to sample the products of approximately 170 wineries and over 600 bottles of wine. SIX HUNDRED – so pad your tummy well with food before coming.  In addition to all of this, you can also sign up for seminars for all levels of wine connoisseurs (including me – the novice!).  I plan on joining a course to pick up some tips on selecting the proper vintage (I hear 2004 is a good year) as well as how to serve wine and meal matching. Love it!

Catch all the grape-filled fun this February a the New York Wine Expo!

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City

Friday, February 27, 2009
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday, February 28, 2009
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Early bird purchasers save $10 per ticket

Friday admission:  $75 in advance

Saturday admission:  $85 in advance

TO PURCHASE:  www.wine-expos.com/Wine/NY/

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Make Your Champagne Sparkle Inside and Out

18 Jan

FOR A SPARKLY VALENTINE’S DAY…by Christabelle

moet-2What can possibly make champagne any more perfect? A sparkly, personalized bottle that houses your delicious bubbly. The champagne Gods…Moët & Chandon…have created an online atelier, mymoet.com to personalize gifts for everyone on your Valentine’s Day list, transforming Moët & Chandon’s iconic bottle into a glamorous, sparkling treasure, a true testament to the luxurious libation inside. Previously only available to A-list celebrities and VIPs, grants visitors exclusive access to its signature bottles hand-embellished with CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski elements. Anne Hathaway, Kanye West, Nicole Kidman, Blake Lively and Madonna each have their own personalized bottle of Moët, and that exclusive service has just become available to all champagne lovers and gift givers through mymoet.com.

With a few simple clicks of a mouse, visitors to the Web site choose a type (Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Nectar Impérial)moet and size (750ml, magnum or larger) of Moët & Chandon champagne, pick from gold, silver and RED Swarovski crystals, add a personal message of up to seven letters and ship it off to the lucky recipient.  You can personalize your bottle with the names of your Valentine, a special date, monograms or even a passionateI LOVE YOU or MARRY ME?

Start your Valentine’s Day off right by suprising your lover with a bottle to remember…and make sure you send Christabelle a personalized bottle of Moët & Chandon too!

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Come Fly With Me…For V-Day!

14 Jan

COME FLY WITH ME…COME FLY…LET’S FLY AWAY…by Christabelle

With one month until Valentine’s Day left on the clock…it is TIME TO GET PLANNING! Take your sweetie by surprise and whisk them away on a weekend retreat – just the two of you. Plenty of time for snuggling, R&R and romance for you, since Valentine’s Day falls on a SATURDAY this year! Plan now and get the most “bang for your buck” for your weekend sojourn. Whether you are heading to Hollywood, Florida or Hollywood, California (or even Hollywood, South Carolina…yes, it really does exist!)…there are deals to be had at all the major airlines. Jet Blue is my personal preference when flying ANYWHERE domestically – AND if you are in the NYC area, there are additional treats to be had with their newly redesigned terminal at JFK airport – T5. I hear it is quite the place to be!

Once the trip is booked, get romantically creative with your “gift of travel” and plot little hints around that house that will lead your lover to the prize. Some fault-proof ideas for you

  • Head over to your favorite pharmacy and pick up some travel sized toiletries, wrap them up and leave them on your honey’s towel in the bathroom with a note – “Fly Away with me”. Burt’s Bees has an adorable travel set that can be purchased at CVS.com

    Clava's heart shaped leather luggage tags, $14, clava.com

  • Call your local AAA and have them send you travel guides and maps to the location you are heading. Open the map and spread it out on the kitchen table. Take a red sharpie and circle your vacation spot with a big, red heart for a morning surprise!
  • Purchase a luggage tag – Clava Leather Goods has the most adorable leather, heart shaped luggage tags for only $14 – hang it from her purse or his briefcase and inside the clear address compartment, write the name of the location you are headed for your trip…

For great travel deals and ideas, check out Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com or Expedia.com – BON VOYAGE – send us a postcard!

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Get Slim and Trim in 2009…

13 Jan

FROM SELF.COM – BY Lucy Danziger

As sure as the ball dropping in Times Square, New Year’s resolutions to get in shape abound. After January 1, the gyms are packed, lines at the health food store snake down the block and everyone’s talking about looking fine in 2009.

But a few weeks into the month, just as the mercury dips and retail prices decline, you can also count on a sharp dip in workout dedication. To the rescue: Rev-your-resolve tricks from one of the most inspirational trainers around–Jillian Michaels of TV’s The Biggest
Loser, who developed the workout to go along with our annual Jump Start Diet.

MAJOR MOTIVATOR 1: Write down your goals
Hoping to slim down for your college reunion? Want to tone your butt and thighs in time for shorts season? Looking for flat, sexy abs you’ll be proud to show off at the pool? Put it all in writing, either in a journal or
somewhere you can see it easily (the door to your fridge, perhaps?). When you find that your motivation is dwindling, simply read your list to get back on track.

MAJOR MOTIVATOR 2: Reward yourself
Each time you fulfill one of your goals, treat yourself to something you deserve: a pedicure or a magazine (like SELF!). This will help you stay excited and motivated to clear your next hurdle.

MAJOR MOTIVATOR 3: Pair up for workouts
Planning a sweat session with a pal is one surefire way to ensure you actually show up. Someone’s waiting for you! Beginning a healthy eating plan with a friend is similarly effective. Dieters who have support from their
buddies are more likely to keep the weight off than those who fly solo, according to research from the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

MAJOR MOTIVATOR 4: Tune in
When the beat goes on, so does your workout! Listening to music as you walk can make you go farther, according to research from the Journal of Music Therapy. And choosing an MP3 player over the TV at the gym can help you
feel more positive as you sweat, a study from Elon University in North Carolina indicates. Michaels loves any song by The Roots, but you can find plenty of keep-you-going exercise playlists at Self.com.

MAJOR MOTIVATOR 5: Envision fun workouts and a fitter, firmer, more fabulous
you
Visualizing an energizing and entertaining workout a few minutes each day can make you feel more excited to exercise, research shows. Once you’ve covered your workout, focus on you: “Think about what you’re trying to achieve,” Michaels says. “Having intention behind your actions is extremely powerful.”

Read Michaels’s motivating story at Self.com, where you can join The Great 1-Month Slim-Down. It’s like having her train you for free!

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Here’s a Story of a Man Named Brady…

13 Jan

I awoke to the news…TOM BRADY FINALLY POPPED THE QUESTION TO GISELE BUNDCHEN!

Having spent a number of years working in the PR deparment for Victoria’s Secret, I felt like family reading the news of the engagement.  The former VS Angel merging greatness with the hunky Patriots QB…cupid really does roam the earth.

Congrats to the very genetically blessed couple. Can’t wait to see the pups they produce…

From People.com
Forget the Super Bowl party, it’s time to plan a wedding.

Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady are making some major post-season plans after getting engaged in Los Angeles over the weekend, PEOPLE has learned.

The New England Patriots quarterback, 31, proposed with a diamond solitaire to the Brazilian supermodel, 28, on Friday.

“He asked and she accepted,” a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE. Family and friends were informed over the weekend. An official announcement, as well as preliminary wedding details, are being planned by Bündchen and her closest friends this week.

“The couple is discussing a huge fashionista event in the spring or a more intimate and quicker ceremony in Costa Rica, where Gisele has a home,” the source adds.

Click HERE for the remainder of the article…

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Wedding Bells Rang for Fergie and Josh Duhamel!

11 Jan

The UBER HOT couple made it official this weekend! They got officially hitched…

From People.com:

In a white fantasy wedding, Fergie and Josh Duhamel were married Saturday under magnolia trees filled with thousands of white roses, PEOPLE confirms.

The Black Eyed Peas singer, 33, wearing a Dolce & Gabbana gown, and the actor, 36, tied the knot at the Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu.

Fergie carried a bouquet of white flowers studded with crystals as the couple exchanged H. Stern rings engraved with personal messages. Ten bridesmaids were dressed in contrasting black.

Fergie’s specially-designed engagement ring featured a 4-carat brilliant cut diamond set amid other diamonds. A narrowed diamond wedding band completed the set. Duhamel’s ring was made of white gold with a brushed finish.

The ceremony was followed by a reception in a tent decorated as a forest of trees, with the ceiling covered in lights.
To read the rest of the story…click HERE

CONGRATS FERGIE AND JOSH!

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The Next Generation of Microdermabrasion…

6 Jan

GET BABY SMOOTH SKIN ON THE GO…by Christabelle

Join socialite Nikki Haskell as she invites all beauty connoisseurs and women of the world to visit the REVERSITAL Anti-Aging Team for an exclusive trunk show at Henri Bendel in NYC. Free gift with purchase of REVERSITAL MICRODERMASTICK (while supplies last).

From Hollywood to mainstream and now right into our homes, the next generation in microdermabrasion is REVERSITAL. Created by Margaux Levy founder of Freeze 24-7, this simple yet revolutionary 3-in-1 MICRODERMASTICK® is scientifically formulated to cleanse, resurface and moisturize. The resurfacing crystals are suspended in a solid anti-oxidant hydrating matrix (activated with a water rinse) producing a protective long-acting moisturizing shield on the skin and stimulation collagen production.

  • ELIMINATES the need for 3 products, combining a cream, applicator and after-care product in 1 simple resurfacing stick.
  • INSTANT bio-active moisturizers bonded to magnesium oxide crystals that moisturize and protect skin; produces a healthy and glowing appearance.
  • NO MESS, NO FUSS. No brushes, mitts, gloves, batteries, creams, serums, lotions required…and no appointments.
  • ACHIEVE a powerful microdermabrasion at home or take it for “on the go” treatment.
  • PROMOTES collagen production. Exfoliates dead cells, removes discoloration, uneven patches, ingrown hairs, oily patches or bumps, and sun damage.

Check out Reversital Microdermastick all next week in NYC! MARK YOUR CALENDARS…
Trunk Show Dates: January 12-19, 2009
Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY
1-800-HBendel

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