55 Secret Street

Misamu For You

 

The lovely folks at Misamu, Ireland's first online fashion boutique, are offering a special 15% discount on all non-sale items for readers of 55 Secret Street from anywhere in the world.  The prices are in euros and on the ne plus ultra side (I'll let you use your own currency converter),  but I'm sure you'll find it well worth it. 

The code is '55 Secret Street' and the discount is good until the end of March.  Happy Shopping!

Nanette Lepore Drop Anchor Jacket in Cherry, 470 EUR.  Nanette Lepore Regatta Jacket in Navy/White, 411 EUR.   Velvet Nikita Vest White Top, 57 EUR.  Velvet Pari Wrap in Slate, 97 EUR. 

Velvet Demetria Drape Dress in Black, 212 EUR.

Ella Moss Abbey Dress in Java, 200 EUR. 

Ella Moss Corsica Crochet Dress in Navy, 222 EUR.

Nanette Lepore Lighthouse Dress, 506 EUR.

Oscar's Dreamgirls

   

I haven't done any red carpet coverage this year, but of course, the Oscars are different, so I'm going to step into the fray.

Naturally, I'm going to start with Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson!  However, I'm just going to pretend that she did not have her hands in the pockets of that lovely chocolate Oscar de la Renta she wore on the red carpet.  And I have definitely struck that python jacket from my mind forever and ever. 

I will, however, always remember this dreamy golden Roberto Cavalli (updated full shot of the Cavalli shamelessly snagged from Go Fug Yourself - great info on all of J.Hud's dress drama.)  She wore it backstage during her post-win press conference and to all of the after parties.  Isn't it just outrageous?  And it matches her Oscar - love it!

Beyonce was beautiful in her mint green Giorgio Armani Prive, but I did not love the stone strap. 

The pale grey Elie Saab she wore at the Vanity Fair Oscar party was much better to me, but overall, she was lovely.   

Tony-winning Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose had just enough va va va voom in her glittering Naeem Khan gown.  The Chopard jewels and the $500,000 Stuart Weitzman shoes didn't hurt either.

Jennifer Lopez was stun-ning in her silk lilac crystal-encrusted Marchesa gown.   I loved the soft curls in her hair - no severe bun this time!  Very soft and pretty.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was very Old Hollywood to me in her navy satin dress by Proenza Schouler.    The crystal embroidering is the detail that recalls the old Hollywood glamour.   In fact, I kept picturing her in black and white!  Beautiful.

Helen Mirren was so gorgeous, just so right in this Christian LaCroix.  Did you hear the song tribute Will Farrell & Jack Black did to her?  Hilarious.

Queen Latifah kept it simple in her black Carmen Marc Valvo, and I see she's a little blonder now. 

Keisha Whitaker is a former model and it shows.  There aren't many women that could pull off this citrine silk gown (with floral tulle back) by Georges Chakra.  Lovely.

Loved Portia di Rossi in this deep navy Zac Posen - but I thought she looked even thinner than usual (especially from the back.)   Don't fall for it Portia!  It's okay to eat!

More in the deep blue/purple family with Reese Witherspoon.  The Olivier Theyskens (for Nina Ricci) gown is great - but I loved her hair even better!  Ryan who?

Nicole Kidman was stunning as usual.  The (bright!) red had to grow on me, but it is a silk crepe Balenciaga, so there you have it.

Oprah was beautiful and colorful at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.  I searched high and low for the designer of her gown, but I couldn't find it.  Maybe they don't ask when you skip the red carpet and go straight for the parties? Update:  Aha! According to People.com, Oprah was wearing a "geisha-inspired" dress by Gucci.  Fabulous!

I keep going back and forth on whether or not I like Gwyneth Paltrow in this Zac Posen tulle and chiffon gown straight off of the runway.   And I spent half the night trying to figure out the color - was it copper? Tomato red?  It looked different on different televisions.  Turns out it was apricot.  Go figure.

Although I don't love the feathers, overall, I love Penelope Cruz in this blush colored gown by Atelier Versace.  The silk chiffon bustier is the clincher for me.

Jada Pinkett Smith looked great as always in this Carolina Herrera, even though she looked a little bored on the red carpet.  I loved the straight hair too.

Loved Kate Winslet in this mint green Valentino.  Does she still count as 'plus-size' in Hollywood?

I don't want to forget Rachel Weisz in this gorgeous platinum satin Vera Wang gown.    I really love that vintage Cartier pendant too.

Oh! And Rinko Kikuchi - so simple and elegant in this black sequined gown by Chanel Haute Couture.  Very lovely.

Oh yes, I can't forget Cate Blanchett in this silver mesh gown by Armani Prive.  I'm on the fence with the one-shoulder, but the details (tulle overlay over Swarovski crystals) win out for the overall look.

$55 and Under: Earrings and Bracelets

   

Marcasite Round Click Hoop Earrings $23.00.  Marcasite Heart Wire Earrings $20.00.   Cushion-Cut Earrings by Banana Republic $34.00.  Banana Republic Chunky Labradorite and Smoky Quartz Bracelet $28.99.  Women's Bohemian Charm Bracelet by Old Navy $9.50.  Women's Beaded Stretch Bracelet by Old Navy $7.50.   Betsey Johnson Wrapped Crystal Earrings $35.00.  Betsey Johnson Leopard Heart Earrings $30.00.

$55 and Under: The 10 Minute Outfit

Hello again!

 

Sorry I've been M.I.A. (again) but I got swamped this week at work.   I'm sure you know how that is.   Anyway, I thought I'd do something a little different this time around for $55 and Under.

 

My friend Nicole invited me to an auction/party the other night to benefit The Bailey House, an organization that aids homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.   Knowing that I would be attending this event directly after work, I wore a simple black blazer over this cute little blue top my sister gave me for Christmas along with one of my favorite pairs of jeans and some low-heeled boots (I am a serious boot girl, but the snow nixed that idea.)   The outfit was fine until I discovered a hole in my jeans - not a good look.    I knew that I would be too busy to go out during my lunch hour, so I had to get something before I went to the event because I wouldn't have time to go home.

The plan was to run to the bank after work and then run to the Gap two blocks away, buy something, change in the dressing room and then take a cab down to the party.   I picked the Gap because I was in a rush, they were in the area and I knew they would have my size.   However, as I waited to cross the street, I noticed a few tops in Esprit and decided to stop in. 

The first thing out of my mouth to the cheerful sales guy that greeted me at the door:  “What’s the biggest size that you carry?”   The story of my life.  I’m a 14 now, but that means different things to different retailers.

The sales guy told me that they go up to a 14, but the sizes did run different, depending on the line.  I told him that I needed a pair of slacks in ten minutes so I could make it to a benefit downtown within the hour.   He directed me to a pair of black slacks that were nice, but 100% cotton, and I knew in my gut that they would hug my thighs like a twelve.   I told him I needed stretch – that is how I get away with bogus sizes from 12 to 14, depending on the manufacturers whims I guess. Plus-sizes are always too big on me and “regular” sizes vary. The first pair of stretch slacks were great – but they were $89.50 (no can do – I’m a temp for goodness sake!) The next pair of stretch slacks were similar but better – because they were $34.99!  I tried to find them online at Esprit's shop, but it's not there - if you have a brick and mortar Esprit near you, Run! Don't walk!   Also, for some reason or another, Esprit does not have direct links to their items but all you have to do is go to the site and click "sale" and then a category (i.e., "pants.")

Anyway, I was hoping for another cute little top or something since the top my sister gave me was meant to be worn with jeans.  Luckily for me, the sales guy had a burst of inspiration.  “Wait! Look at this top – it’s only $9.99!” he told me.   It was cute and the original price of $29.50 made it even cuter, although I was concerned about my boobie situation.   Normally, I don't have a "boobie situation,"  but the way the top is structured, you are always seconds away from a wardrobe malfunction.   But, wardrobe malfunction be damned, I bought the slacks and the top and buttoned my blazer over it.  Voila!   The blazer I wore is similar to the one pictured.  Imagine that over the top above with slacks and boots - very basic - and very much all black (I'm trying to get away from that!)  but it fit my tight schedule and low cash flow.   I think it turned out well.  I would have taken a picture of myself, but then I would have had to put down my drink and sweet potato chips.  No can do! My camera phone takes terrible pictures anyway.

 

So, once we got settled (and donated to the cause)  Nicole and I milled around and admired some of the items in the silent auction.    It was so nice to be comfortable!  I was very relieved because I have bought emergency outfits before that were ill-fitting and off in a way that I didn't see in my haste in the store.

In the silent auction and the regular auction, there were many, many fabulous items, but I had two favorite If I Had The Money They Would Have Been Mine All Mine prizes:  a chance to attend a Catherine Malandrino fashion show this fall  (and have her make a dress just for you!) and dinner for you and a guest prepared by Oprah Winfrey's personal chef Art Smith - at his home in Chicago!  Tickets for The Color Purple were included.

Gift bag?  Glad you asked.

Amid vitamins and magazines and a Jonathan Adler ceramic animal figurine (I got this giraffe) was  MAC Lustreglass in Garden.  It is very sparkly, pinky and light so I'll be one blending mama.  It's already working out quite nicely with my Chesnut pencil.

 

Also, I have to say,  I guess I still don’t get out much because I can't remember the last time I was served h'or deuvres while standing in the coatcheck line -  but I ain't mad at 'em.

All Dried Out

Sorry I've been away so long! 

I was really trying to get back here, but between completely overhauling my other blog Anovelista.com and working, I was a little overwhelmed!  In fact, that was the entire point of revamping Anovelista - organizing myself and my time better so I can do both sites, write, work and live my life!  I'm going to need all of this organization once I return to school in the summer.

In the meantime, there is work.  Work for me, in the 9 to 5 sense, is temping.  Temping is to writers as waiting tables is to actors.   We do it because we like eating, we like having a place to live and we were too stupid not to arrange to be born rich!

The air in the office I am currently working in is dry - cuticle-cracking- contact-lense-irritating dry - which means I have been working on my hands quite a bit this winter.   Sure, the air outside is cold and dry in New York, but I have never had a problem with my cuticles until this job.   I didn't really notice it until I realized that I used my entire little tin of Carol's Daughter Lip Butter on my cuticles in the space of a week!  After that episode, I have been going through hand creams like crazy. 

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I love Carol's Daughter, but I had not tried their Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar until my recent cuticle emergency and it's great.  With shea butter, Chinese ginger, lemon and vanilla - what's not to love?

I'll still need my hand creams though.  Here are some of the favorites I have on rotation.

Carol's Daughter Love Your Hands Set $22.95.  L'Occitane Lavender Harvest Hand cream (2.6 oz) $20.00.  Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Extra Rich Cream $3.99.  Nivea Creme (2 oz) $3.29.  Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (Fragrance Free) $4.39.

Getting To Know You

 

Now, I have to say, I started this blog for partially selfish reasons -  I just wanted my own little online magazine.  Without positioning myself as an expert per se, I wanted to have a creative outlet that could also turn into a conversation - as if I were having lunch with a friend and mentioned a great pair of shoes, a good book or an amazing lip gloss.   

Some of you, I happen to know, come everyday and/or subscribe (Thank you!)   I am fortunate enough to have daily readers from all over the world (Hello Australia, India, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy!)  From sea to shining sea (Hey there Dallas, D.C., Baltimore, Portland, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Miami!) And, right in my own neck of the woods (Hey Newark, Montclair, Philly, Harlem, Hartford, Chelsea, Brooklyn, Trenton and Queens!)

If you've been reading for a while, you already have a pretty good idea of who I am so, if you don't mind, I'd like to learn a little bit about you.   All of your answers are for my own information and I will not be giving it or selling it to anyone.

So, without further ado:

1.) What is your name and age?

2.) What is your occupation? 

3.) What is your educational level?

4.)  How did you find 55 Secret Street?  How long have you been reading it?

5.) Where do you read 55 Secret Street? At home? At work? At school?

6.)  What do you like best/least about the site?

7.)  Have you ever used or recommended anything that you saw on this site?

Thank you, Gracias, Danke, Grazie, Obrigado and Merci in advance!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

 

I was going to write this last night, but I was exhausted and my apartment was freezing!  It was a lot better this morning so apparently my building finally got the memo that 72 degree winter days are over!  Unfortunately for me, the office I am working in is cold too, so I haven't been a happy girl lately.

This post is really just a hodgepodge of some of my cold weather favorites in various categories.  For instance, the Spiewak parka and the Burberry scarf just missed my 55 Holiday Favorites list, but I'm still digging them.   The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is truly addictive!  I really can't make it through the winter without it on my lips, hands and feet.   And why are the books here, you ask?  Well, that's just the type of girl I am!  I can't make it through cold winter nights without a good book either.   If you are only familiar with Langston Hughes's poetry, you already know he was a genius, so why not treat yourself to the rest of his work?  I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  I read and re-read his work all the time - especially his short stories.   I'm also going to check out Veronica Chamber's new book, Kickboxing Geishas: How Modern Japanese Women are Changing Their Nation.  I've been reading quite a bit of buzz about it on several blogs, good, bad and skeptical, so I'm curious to see what all of the fuss is about. 

Spiewak Star White Snorkel Parka $265.00.  Burberry Giant Check Scarf in Sage Green $265.00.  Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Limited Edition $15.00.   Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Sheer Liptints $16.00.  The Langston Hughes Reader $15.61.  Kickboxing Geishas: How Modern Japanese Women are Changing Their Nation by Veronica Chambers $16.50.