Chanel Eclair and Reader Requests

Since blogging about the new CHANEL ECLAIR nail polish a couple of months ago, I have received 47 e-mails from readers asking if I found it, where to find it, if I could mail them some, and if I have found any good look alikes, etc. I have done my best to try to answer them all, but work, travel, time and other obligations find a way to get in the way.

No, I did not find the Chanel Eclair in the U.S., but some of my awesome new friends in Australia are generous enough to send me a bottle, and an awesome reader in London sent me a very cool look alike. In the meantime, I have found 3 polishes that I think come close. I have found nothing that has the splendor of the Chanel Eclair, but I find these to be close none the less.

(Please forgive the photos. The glare off the glass is something I can't ever get right. I am many things, but I am not a photographer.)

This is Misty by the awesome Deborah Lippman. Misty seems to be very close according to the photo from the magazine--at least in my humble opinion. Lippman products can be found at www.lippmancollection.com , and at select Nordstrom stores--as well as many other places.

I know Love My Nails is not a glamorous brand, however this is a nice bronzey color called Iced Copper #503. It is lighter than Misty, but a very pretty copperish bronze. Love My Nails can be found at many drug stores across the country.

This is the #621 Star Dust by Rimmel London. This is a beautiful bronze with tons of shimmer and a touch of sparkle. Rimmel products can be found at Walgreens and Target, as well as many other drugstores across the US. This one was sent to me by a reader in London--Thanks Carmen!

Readers also sent in suggestions about some OPI colors that are close. I hope these suggestions can help you , and if you have any other Chanel Eclair look alikes please be sure to let me know.

Have a beautiful day!

Red Monkey Designs--Los Angeles

I have a bevy of great and thoughtful friends--for that I am thankful. I have one friend in particular who lives in L.A. and is an actor, comedian, D.J. , etc. Some of you may remember him from this blog as Lost Okie. His comments were legendary, and his photo caused a frenzy.

Lost Okie has since moved on from my blog because it got too "foo foo and all about makeup and shit." Or something like that.

The other day, Lost Okie was on an audition in Santa Monica, CA and he came across a store called RED MONKEY DESIGNS . He said it made him think of me because I am the Red Monkey--HA--my red hair, Monkeyposh--get it? He gave me a brief synopsis of the store and the items they sell and told me it would make a great blog post. Well actually he said, and I quote:

"I am throwing you a bone for your little blogger page in order to save society from the multi- colored designs that you often choose to display as beauty and fashion."

WOW.

How could I not take that as inspiration for "my little blogger page"?

Ahem.

He goes onto say that the designs at Red Monkey are not usually what I would go for--but the totally ironic thing is that my husband ordered a RED MONKEY watch for me about 4 years ago--before I even started this blog. They are a little tough looking, for lack of better word. They are leathery, sorta masculine, and unique. And note to Lost Okie--they are totally something I would usually go for. Well sorta--I didn't really pick it out...it was a gift...but whatever. I love it.

This is my Red Monkey watch. It is the Unisex L7 Watch I wear it all the time...it is great. You can get a number of choices of face colors, and bands.

This is the photo of the watch I have from their website. This is a much better look at it.
This is the Men's Hammered LeMans watch. I love the wide band and the whole "tough" look of it.

This is the Ladies Angel City Watch. This band is wider than the one I have, and it has more hardware.

RED MONKEY also has water resistant watches, leather cuffs, guitar straps, purses t-shits, and even some underwear. Check out their website at RED MONKEY DESIGNS .
Or if you are ever in the Santa Monica Area check them out at :

RED MONKEY
7209 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
90046

Or you can call them to order toll free at

877.580.2319

You can also find Red Monkey Designs at select Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters stores.
Their items can also be found in The Sundance Catalog.

Thanks Curtis for the great idea (and for being thoughtful). Sorry it has taken me so long to post.

Top photo of the watch from MonkeyPosh LLC
All other photos from www.redmonkeydesigns.com

Have a great day !

Hip and Lovely Things for Spring

I love this funky beehive tunic top from A Common Thread. I love the stripes with the polka dots. Very hip! This top can be found at www.revolveclothing.com . A Common Thread has great tunics for Spring. Check them out.

I have these funky Joe Bush cut off gauchos from www.bellegray.com . I wear them a lot becasue I love the funk. They look great with boots in the Winter, or flip flops in the Summer. People either love them or hate them. They are unique and I dig that. Belle Gray is a California boutique owned and operated by actress, Lisa Rinna. I love Lisa and I love Belle Gray!

Gorgeous B&D Hobo Bag from www.netaporter.com . I love B&D and I love black and white this season. This bag is is so cool and has enough room to carry all your Springtime staples to the beach and beyond.

I adore this Ann Klein Spring Jacket from www.Bloomingdales.com . I love the cut and the color. The tie around the waist is so flattering too. Simply beautiful!

This is the Antik Batik Sheepskin Bag from www.netaporter.com . I am not a fan of sheepskin, but I do love this bag. It has a vintage look that interests me.

I love this chambray shirtdress from www.JCrew.com . I am a huge fan of the shirtdress, and I am glad it is making such a splash this Spring. This one looks a little short on the model, but I am sure she is VERY tall--so it would probably be just the right length on most people.

One of my goals this Spring and Summer is to wear more dresses and skirts. I hope to break away form Capri pants and embrace more feminine and beautiful things.

Have a lovely day!

Happy Birthday Em! (aka Tootie)(aka Myrtle Ruth)

Happy Birthday Em!
Today is my friend Em's birthday! I almost feel like Em is more family than friend sometimes. She is like the lovable, quirky little sister I never had.


Em and I call each other Tootie. Even when we are sober. We share an undying love for Drag Queens. Shout out Monica Munroe who is the COOLEST and most fabulous in all the Midwest! Please get your red hair back Monica!

One time we made home made mojitos and it made us really happy. Mojitos are good, but hard to make. We had to keep trying and trying till I ended up out in public in socks that did not match. I had a total meltdown. I am anal.

Em is one of the funniest people I have ever met. She is good hearted and honest to a fault. We share a Rainman type love for old school Honky Tonk music, she kicked ass at the Chicago Marathon, she is a champion for homeless animals, and she is a pioneer for new musical artists...Billy Harvey anyone?

This was her birthday a couple of years ago when she hooked up with the hottest Australian man I have ever seen in my life. His name was Angus...like the beef. Chortle Chortle.

Em looks like Isla Fisher....well, a less tarty version of Isla Fisher...if you squint, then look through Saran Wrap.

She loves dogs, babies and old folks, and she is the best damn scene partner this side of Oklahoma.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOVE YOU GIRL!!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone!

Lily

I have been so busy the past week doing 10 year old things that I have had no time to blog. I have been to Medieval Times, watched numerous movies, read Carl Hiaason books, been to see Wicked, played tons of computer games, and randomly spit out Napoleon Dynamite quotes way more than I care to admit!

My cousin Lily is here visiting, and we are having a blast. She is so pretty and smart and so FUNNY. I wish she lived closer because she would totally be my shopping buddy, and vanilla latte drinking partner in crime.

Both my dogs love her too, which is awesome. Usually Forrest wants to eat small children.

Meow!

Have a beautiful day!

Lovely Things From Intermix

INTERMIX is one of my favorite websites for cutting edge, interesting , and ..well..pretty things. They carry a little bit of everything...shoes, clothes, accessories, fragrance, etc. You can always find something new and unique there. You can find things in all price ranges from designers/brands like Boudoir, Sea New York, 925, Chloe, J Brand, etc.
I love giraffes, so I love this Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet. So fun and whimsical.





I also adore all things Missoni, so this coat is making me swoon. I want to wear this in Rome in the fall at an outdoor cafe while sipping Sambuca (diluted with water, of course). Missoni just keeps getting better and better.

I can be a bit of a fragrance snob, so my hopes were not high for yet another Rose fragrance-- but much to my surprise, Pure Rose by Intermix is truly beautiful. The notes and description as per the Intermix website are:


Pure Rose is like a freshly picked rose from the gardens of France. The scent evokes femininity and innocence. It is light, yet subtly sexy, making it the perfect choice for the Intermix woman's everyday fragrance. The creation of Pure Rose started with a base of tree moss from France, honey from Provence and bitter almond extract from Spain. We then mixed in natural ingredients like green ivy, French pear extract, violets and Chinese lychees with cloves from the Spice Islands to create a soft, fresh, unquestionably feminine scent. 50 ml; 1.7 fl. oz.



I find it to be fresh and sparkling. A spring/summer fragrance for sure. I pick up on the honey, the French pear extract and the cloves..... and I likey. I get no almond--which is a very good thing for me. If you like Rose--this one is not to be missed. I would compare it to Bond's West Side, only with more freshness and crispness. A Rose with a little bit of a spark!

There are many acutal Intermix stores in the New York area- as well as in Boston, Miami, Atlanta and beyond. You can find all locations on their website link below.

Have a beautiful day!

(all photos from www.intermixonline.com )

Diner Dash 2

I have to admit, I am out of the loop when it comes to what is cool with kids these days. I do not have children, and I do not really keep up with children things. However, my 10 year old cousin, Lily is coming to stay with me next week for her Spring Break. She could have done any number of cool and exciting things for Spring Break but she chose to come spend it with me. I must say, this touches my heart and makes me wonder what is wrong with her. I love Lily, but she is a busy girl. By busy, I mean she likes to be entertained and involved in something all the time.

Lily is very smart and loves the computer, so I decided to go to Best Buy and get her some computer games. I asked the folks there what was cool with the kids these days and they sold me on a few games. One sales associate said the game, Diner Dash is really popular. I had never heard of it, but it looked neat enough.

There is a big business mogul named Mr. Big (nice Sex In The City reference) and he is trying to shut down all the mom and pop restaurants in the area so he can bulldoze them and build a huge food plex. The main character is named Flo (nice Alice reference) . Flo has come in to work shifts at the restaurant to help out so they can pay their rent and escape the clutches of Mr. Big. Oh the drama.

I decided to go ahead and download some of the games and give them a shot so I would know what I was doing if Lily wanted me to play the games with her. I just knew Diner Dash would be a breeze because after all, I used to wait tables and I was a hostess at a restaurant--not to mention this is a CHILDREN'S game.

Let me just tell you that this game is kicking my ass.

You have to take orders, get food, clear dishes, get high chairs, clean up messes, drop checks, give impatient people Italian sodas to keep them happy, put cell phone users away from tables that do not like noise, etc. It really requires methodical thinking and quick movement- both of which I am grossly lacking.

We have been having home renovations done for the past couple of days, so I am stuck at home, playing freaking Diner Dash 2 like a woman obsessed. I need to do something constructive like pay bills, or vacuum, or paint my nails-- but the brunch group at table 4 with the crying baby only left a 5% tip. What the hell? Revenge is mine. Brunch eating bastards.

If you have kids, try out Diner Dash.

It is a challenging game. No violence or robots or anything crazy like that, but challenging none the less.

Have a great day and do not forget to tip your waitress.

(photos from www.Amazon.com )

Beautiful Things

Today is a blustery, snowy, gray, freezing and all around miserable day in the Chicago area. I am very sick of winter. I am going to try to remain positive today, so I will start by posting some things I find beautiful and spring like. This is the gorgeous Keya Leather Tote by Jimmy Choo. I think his purses get better every season. I love the texture and the color of this bag. The blue/black is so pretty. I love navy blue and I have been on a crusade to bring it back for 2 years now. I'm bring navy back. All you others don't know how to act. I digress. Back to the pretty things. These Jimmy Choo Heron Slingbacks are so lovely and summery. I adore the shade of green and the dainty feel of the shoes. These remind me of a garden party in The Hamptons.

This is a Vera Wang Silk Dress. The folks at www.net-a-porter.com say it is lavendar, but I would beg to differ. It looks like a deep violet to me. I love this dress. I love the Grecian feel and the high empire waist. I want to wear it on Mykonos at a restaurant by the beach.

Gray is supposed to be the color this Spring. My European magazines tell me so, and since I believe everything my European fashion magazines tell me, because they are my bible, and if I do not read them daily, I may burn in hell, I will be wearing gray this spring. Gray does not make me feel Springy in the least, but I do adore gray. This is the Gray Herringbone Blazer from Jovovich Hawk. Jovovich Hawk is the design line by the gorgeous model and actress Milla Jovovich and model Carmen Hawk. I think the line is great. Very feminine and tasteful. I will probably purchase this blazer for Spring--then wear it into winter.

I am so in love with this B&D Tuxedo Bag. I have recently become a big B&D fan after getting to see one of their fashion shows. Their bags are cutting edge, functional and by far more interesting than most. I love the details on this one. This might just be my next bag purchase--again with the gray for Spring-because the magazines tell me so.

All photos from www.net-a-porter.com .

I hope your weather is better than mine. Have a beautiful day!