Happy Birthday, Maria Callas

Maria Callas was born on this date, December 2, 1923.

Just listen:

Becoming Obsessed

I’m becoming obsessed with musical theatre on youtube.

Not sure if it’s because I’ve been watching Glee, or if I just miss New York this time of year. Everyone back East is wearing sweaters and coats and scarves. I love coats. And I’m sitting typing this in L.A. in a short-sleeved tee shirt. It’s not natural.

I’ve even been listening to “On Broadway,” the satellite radio channel in the car. That’s how I found Seth Rudetsky. I love his deconstruction videos.

If you have any recommendations, please leave them in the comments section.

Lea Michele: On My Own

My television is busted. I couldn’t watch my new favorite show, Glee.

I had to get my musical theatre fix, so here is Lea Michele singing “On My Own” at the Hollywood Bowl Les Miserables Concert.

Dance of the Snowflakes

From the Nutcracker, featuring the Bolshoi Ballet

Grace Magazine’s Guide to Beautiful Stocking Stuffers

Looking for that little extra something to add to your gifts or stuff into a stocking? Here are some small and inexpensive finds from Sephora.

Harajuku Lovers Love Solid Perfume

This romantic fragrance comes in the most adorable packaging. And now, it is in solid form so you can toss it in your purse without fear of spillage.
$18

Korres Jasmine Butter Duo to Go

I love all things Korres. This set includes jasmine shea body butter and lip balm in a sheer neutral pink. All natural and made out of good stuff.

$15

Too Faced Glamour to Go III

‘Tis the season to shimmer. This Too Faced pocket-sized makeup palette contains 8 eyeshadows in lovely shimmering colors, a peachy pink blush, and 4 lip glosses. The packaging is divine.
$19.50

L’Occitane Hands Celebration Set

L’Occitane are my choice for the finest hand creams in the world. This set includes three 1-oz tubes of lavender, shea butter and shea vanilla hand creams. Get a set for yourself. too.
$25

Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine Set

This set includes five dual-ended mini lip glosses by Clinique. That’s 10 colors of high-quality gloss ranging from peach tones to pinks and plums. What a bargain.
$25

Sephora Color Play Palette II

I could play with this for hours at a time. Sephora’s palette contains 36 eye colors, 12 lippies, 3 powder blushes, and a bronzer.
It’s only 6″ x 7″ so it won’t take up too much precious dressing table space.
$24

Grace Magazine’s Beautiful Gift Guide

Holiday time is quickly approaching. Start your Christmas shopping off beautifully with this handy gift guide.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II

This cool set includes 16 shadows, 8 of which are limited to this set, two travel-size eye pencils, and a mini bottle of primer potion. Behind the secret door you’ll find a look book.
$48

Urban Decay Apolcalyptic Nail Kit

In this collection, you’ll find seven mini nail colors in a little zippered pouch. Colors are edgy and fun.
$26

Smashbox WISH Eye Wish Palette

This glamorous palette contains 12 powder eye shadows, 4 cream liners and a mini Photo Finish primer. You also get a step-by-step instruction booklet. $1 goes to charity.
$44

Sephora Luxe Noir Brush Set

Sephora’s black clutch contains the tools you need to apply makeup like a pro. You get a powder brush, concealer brush, foundation brush and 3 double-ended eye brushes. So, you’re really getting 9 brushes in this six-piece collection.
$69

Chanel No5 Forever Worldly Gift Set

If you want to buy me something (tee hee), this three-piece Chanel No5 collection is just the thing. The set features eau de parfum, body cream and bath gel in the classic fragrance.
$98

All gifts available at Sephora.

Product Review: e.l.f. Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

Another great value from e.l.f. cosmetics. For $3.00 you get a double-ended concealer and highlighter.

On the concealer end is a creamy formula that help cover blemishes and under eye circles. The highlighter side has a shimmery cream that can be used to add glow to the top of cheek bones, the corners of the eye, anywhere you want a little added drama. I blend a dot onto my cupid’s bow. You can also use it as a shadow primer.

The formula blends easily and is not at all sticky.

I have it in glow/fair and it also comes in glow/light and glow/medium.

$3.00. Get one now.

Product Review: e.l.f. Eyeliner & Shadow Stick

After watching several professional makeup artists use this product in their youtube tutorials, I decided to try e.l.f. Eyeliner & Shadow Stick.

For $3.00 from e.l.f.’s studio line, you can try it, too. This combination eyeliner and eye shadow stick comes in four colors. I have black/smoke but I might have to order pearl/glow to add to my collection. The liner would be perfect for the water line and to brighten the eye area. You can also get brown/basic and green/moss.

The liner is a soft gel and the twist-up stick doesn’t require any sharpening. The shadow stick on the other side is smooth and smudgable.

How can you go wrong for $3.00? That price is almost absurd.

Product Review: Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

This is the mascara with the crazy wand. It’s curvaceous. And it makes your lashes curvy, too.

According to Rimmel:

Exclusive brush design curves IN to maximize lash loading, curves OUT to curl and de-clump each lash for a complete curved look. Lashes look lusciously curled, plumped and defined.

Sexy Curves only comes in two colors: black and extreme black.

This is not a subtle mascara. It creates dramatic lashes. The formula is creamy and loaded with pigment. You should see how dark it is when you wash it off.

So, if you need to wake up your look, try Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara. I got mine at Walgreen’s on sale for $7.00.

The Beauty of Water