www.carlashes.com
Just when you’ve finally mastered your own smoky eye, there’s makeup for your car. You can purchase stick-on lashes ($27 per pair) and crystal eyeliner ($20 per strip) for car headlights at carlashes.com. Luxe or ludicrous?
Mastering French Fashion Flair
Cleaning out my closet for spring requires extra motivation and inspiration, so I picked up “Parisian Chic: A Style Guide,” by Ines de la Fressange. The celebrity model – you may recognize her as the face of Chanel – spills the secrets on how to get your je ne sais quoi going on. She builds on seven wardrobe basics with accessories adding personal style.
1- navy blazer
2- trench coat (Burberry is worth the bucks)
3- navy cashmere sweater
4- tank shirts in neutrals
5- the little black dress
6- perfect jeans in white, black and blue (an epic search to be sure!)
7- leather jacket (tan)
She deplores matching outfits and is a fan of mixing high and low-priced pieces. The quick and fun read also includes tips on beauty, decorating, entertaining and traveling to Paris, but the best advice is found in the fashion section.
Luxe for Less: Pippa’s Perfect Bridesmaid Gown
Pippa's Maid of Honor Gown, Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, $$$$$$$
Or, save a few pounds and try this silk dress with the same sexy simple lines. It’s comfy. I own it in black. For an even steeper discount, check ebay for returns that are new with tags. Just put “J.Crew new gown” in search.
J. Crew, Cecilia Gown, $450
Get Your British On With May’s Luxe List (Inspired by the Royal Wedding)
Posted: April 28, 2011 by Susan Matthews |Filed Under: Beauty & Fashion | Cooking & Entertaining | Luxe World | Personal Time & Luxe Mindset | Travel | Leave a Comment 
Get Luxe Looks for Less Every Friday
Every Friday, I’ll bring you a luxe look for less in home decor, beauty or fashion. Spice up your home decor with this sophisticated set of Moroccan style lanterns. Save big by going with my second option.
Porcelain lanterns available at Plantationdesign.com. $95 for small/$275 for large. Candles not included.
Get this luxe look for less…
Set of two Home Reflections Urns available at QVC.com. $39.48 for two. Includes two flameless candles with timer functions. Also in white and red.
Ticket to a Tropical Paradise In Your Garden
Bromeliad
Gardening guru Phillip Watson of Cottage Farms fame shared a terrific tip for those in four-season zones. Use tropical perennials as you would annuals. They are no more expensive. Lush and colorful, they add interest and texture when used in combination with native plantings.
He also suggests bromeliads, crotons and spanish moss for window flower boxes. They don’t require much water and therefore last longer for those of us who can’t or forget to water often. (I fall into the latter category.)
Hibiscus
Every summer I purchase a few hibiscus trees (under $14 each) at Home Depot. I place them in decorative pots on my stone patio. They add a burst of color and attract hummingbirds. Why not try a little exotic elegance in your garden?
Croton
For more inspiration on glamming up your garden, check out “Pleasure Gardens,” by Phillip Watson.
Spring Cleaning Spectacular
Who doesn’t revel in the refreshing relief of a well-scrubbed house? It’s getting there that lacks appeal. Here’s a few tips to make spring cleaning more luxe.
First, get psyched to purge and purify. Put on practical yet chic cleaning clothes. Check out this fun blog for ideas: Secrets to Being Glamorous for Every Occasion – Cleaning. I slip on my hot pink rubber gloves and into hot pink Converse sneakers to keep it cheery.
Turn up motivational music to keep you moving. You can create a custom itunes playlist with songs such as “Dirty” by Christina Aguilera.
Next, gather products and tools that make the job easier and much more pleasant. Here are some fabulous favs:
The Isabella Smith Maison Belle product line of high-end household cleaners is non-toxic and biodegradable.
Transform your laundry into a luxurious experience with Tyler’s Glamorous Wash (Love the scents – Diva, High Maintence & Lavish!) and Dryer Sachets.
My Haan floor sanitizer/steam cleaner is by far the most fabulous tool I’ve ever purchased. It can be used on wood, tile and shower doors. No cleaning products needed!
Give yourself glam hands with these adorned rubber gloves by FancyPantz.
Finally, get busy! Added bonus: you’re burning calories. Here’s a handy checklist with tips.
Diamonds are Forever: Elizabeth Taylor’s Legend Lives On
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor passed away yesterday but will live forever in her films and Hollywood lore. With her love affairs, perfume empire, famed jewels, charitable works and overall lust for life – Taylor was indeed a Luxe Lady.
Here is her fascinating and dramatic obit.
“Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79,” Los Angeles Times
“Theirs was a marriage on a grand scale. She gave him a Van Gogh, he lavished her with priceless gems, including the behemoth Krupp diamond and a 25-carat, heart-shaped pendant of diamonds, rubies and emeralds originally made for the bride of the man who built the Taj Mahal. Burton also outbid shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis for a $1.1-million, 69-carat diamond ring from Cartier in New York that became known as the Taylor-Burton diamond.”
“Elizabeth Taylors Obituary: Outtakes From a 12-Year Work In Progress,” Los Angeles Times
“One of my favorite anecdotes that didn’t make the final cut concerned Howard Hughes, the nutty billionaire who tried to run a movie studio after making a fortune building planes. After Taylor separated from her first husband, Conrad Hilton Jr. of the Hilton hotel chain, she was lying by a pool in Palm Springs when Hughes landed a helicopter next to her. “Come on, get your clothes on, we are getting married,” he told the raven-haired beauty. She told him he was mad, whereupon he dipped his hand into a coat pocket and scooped out a handful of diamonds, which he then proceeded to sprinkle on her. Taylor roared with laughter and ran into her friends’ house, scattering the diamonds behind her.”
Floral Inspirations: Tiffany Garden and The Philadelphia International Flower Show
Tiffany & Co. Garden Collection
You don’t need a green thumb to cultivate an appreciation for garden-inspired fine jewelry. I’m more likely to slip on a necklace than garden gloves (though it has happened). The Tiffany & Co. garden collection bursts into bloom this Spring. The delicate garden scenes are designed with beautifully colored and intricately cut gems set in platinum and 18 karat rose and yellow gold.
Tiffany Garden is based on diamond floral brooches created by legendary jewelry designer Paulding Farnham (1859-1927), whose vision of design was shaped by the American landscape. Trained in botanic illustration, Farnham was chief designer of Tiffany’s exhibits that won gold medals at the great world expositions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
These may be aspirational pieces, but then again I’m also aspiring to the spectacular garden displays at The Philadelphia International Flower Show. There is still time to visit. The show ends Sunday, March 13.
Tiffany & Co. Garden Collection
Posted: March 11, 2011 by Susan Matthews |Filed Under: Beauty & Fashion | Home Care, Decor & Garden | Leave a Comment
St. Patty’s Party Ideas for Luxe Irish Lads & Lassies
St. Patrick’s Day is a great excuse to have a wee bit o fun. Invite your pals over for a pint (or two). Create signage for your “pub” to go above your front door. If you weren’t blessed with an Irish last name – just add an O to the beginning. Example: O’Dachowski’s Pub. Remind invitees to wear green. Those who don’t, will be pinched. It’s tradition.
Be prepared with your best brogue, booze, Irish fare, a few good toasts and a couple dirty limericks. Here are some helpers from this very Irish luxe lady.
Centerpiece & Decoration Ideas:
Magically Easy – Place flower stems in individual water viles (available at craft stores). Arrange in a round clear vase. Fill in with Lucky Charms cereal to hide the stems.
created by Susan Matthews, The Luxe Lady, 2011
One Potato, Two Potato…- Fill Baskets with multi-colored potatoes (available at Whole Foods and gourmet grocers).
Pot of Gold - Get a large black cauldron (Halloween variety is fine). Spray paint green, if you’re inclined. Fill the bottom with crumpled newspaper. Fill in with gold foil-covered chocolate coins or gold plastic coins.
Lucky Find – Put a plastic shamrock in small pots of wheat grass.
Flag Flowers – Place floral foam for fresh flowers along the bottom of a low-sided, rectangle box. Divide into three equal areas with one section for green spider mums, one section of white carnations and one section of orange roses. Cut stems close to bud, keeping all flowers the same height. Place stems in wet floral foam to create color blocks of Irish flag. (Found on celebrations.com.)
celebrations.com
Beer Mug O’Blooms – . Fill a beer mug with acrylic amber crystal nuggets, cut a circle of floral foam to create the look of beer foam. Insert green carnations into foam. Prado carnations are naturally green. (Found on celebrations.com)
celebrations.com
· Drape streamers or tulle in orange, white and green throughout the house.
· Place a large rock on a table with Hershey kisses. Kiss the Blarney Stone!
St. Patrick’s Party Toast:
“May you live to be 100 years, with one extra year to repent.”
Slainte (Slon cha) = Cheers
Danny Boy’s Beverage List:
Guinness (dry stout from Dublin – used in many recipes including Irish stew)
Jameson Irish Whiskey (Five Things You Didn’t Know About Whiskey)
St. Patty’s Day Playlist:
The Chieftans; The Corrs; The Dropkick Murphys; Van Morrison; U2; Cranberries; The Commitments (crowd favorite); Sinead O’Connor; The Pogues; The Irish Rovers; Enya; Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day: 30 Essential Irish Drinking Anthems (available on iTunes).
St. Patty’s Party Food:
What’s a 7-course dinner for an Irishman? A potato and six pack. But you might want to serve up something more substantial.
Smoked Salmon and Watercress Salad with Lemon-Pepper Vinaigrette
Black and Tan Pork with Spicy Ale
St. Patty’s Party Favors:
A bar of Irish Spring Soap
A pot of chocolate-covered gold coins (craft store for pots)
A clover plant (available at garden nurseries and some supermarket florists)
Erin Go Braugh!
