J MENDEL Backstage Spring '13

For J Mendel Gucci's makeup was a lightly smokey eye with a hint of lip color.  She applied a medium shade of brown on the crease of the lid and blended outward using Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadow Quad 500 Addictive Intoxiquant.

One of the most important features in Gucci's makeup is to make the skin look flawless.  To achieve this she starts with  Dr Hauschka's Rose Day Cream.

Addictive Intoxiquant Eye Shadow

Gucci doing demo for her team

J Mendel looks on

finished makeup

Lindsey Wixen

Lindsey goofing off

The hair was designed by Orlando Pita.  I watched his team make waves using a flat iron.

Models lining up

Finished hair

Daryl K Spring '12 Show

I always try to attend a few fashion shows when I'm in NY and last Fall I went to Daryl K's 20th Anniversary Show.  She is an amazing designer and I have a lot of her current and older stuff.  I always get compliments when I wear her clothes.  Confession:  I finally splurged on her black leather leggings and I haven't looked back.

The Queen of Cool.

Daryl K's Spring '12 Collection

Love the model's hair.

Great people watching outside the show.

Electric Feathers Presentation

As you know, I love Leana Zuniga's designs so I couldn't miss her Spring/Summer '12 collection at Lincoln Center.  She also just opened a new store on Crosby Street between Grand & Howard in conjunction with Aesa jewelry.

I'm wearing one of her dresses.

New York Cool Chick

I love a girl who's not afraid to go bold with lip color - model/blogger Hanneli Mustaparta dares.

I became a fan when I met her backstage at a fashion show reapplying Schiapp by NARS.  All photos are from her blog Hanneli (except the lipstick).

She is wearing Morange by MAC.  It's a staple in my makeup kit.

Even on the beach...

Love those pink jeans....

Mast Brothers Chocolate

These guys are 2 artisans making chocolate.  As a chocaholic I need 70% cocoa or bust!  These bars are the BOMB and everywhere I went in Brooklyn I was running into Mast Brothers Chocolate - even in clothing boutiques - the last place you'd expect to pick up a bar of chocolate.  These are no ordinary bars with flavors like "Brooklyn Blend", "Stumptown Coffee" & "Serrano Pepper" they are treasures to be savored with a good cup of coffee or after a meal.  The wrapper is sheer delight inside and out.  The inner wrapper is gold foil reminiscent of Willie Wonka's contest winners.  These guys take it to another level and I appreciate the craftsmanship.
Oh, did I mention that they go for $9 a bar?
Trust me, they're worth it!!!  In SF you can get them at Bi-Rite Market.

All photos by Mindy Best

Maryam Nassir Zadeh

If you haven't been to this store located at 123 Norfolk Street you are really missing something.  It's probably the best curated and displayed store in NY.  The owners Maryam and Uday travel the world looking for unique objects that they would want to own - and you will too.  Recent destinations include Mexico, Pakistan, and Ecuador.  They tend to carry designers that are under the radar such as:

Electric Feathers
Jensen & Conroy
Dieppa Restrepo
Mania Mania
Michelle Lane
Bodkin

Georgia On My Mind

It's a name... a state... and a beauty haven on gritty Houston Street.  Georgia is where I go to stock up on products I love like Barex shampoo and conditioner when I'm in New York.  They were the first to introduce me to Moroccanoil when I needed something to smooth frizzy ends.  In addition to many unique products, there is a salon in the back.  Co-owners Kiara Ellozy and Jodie Patterson have created a cool homey cache of beauty worth a stop on your way to NoLita.

89A East Houston Street

Co-owner Kiara Ellozy

Their own line of body products

P.S. They will ship!