Somaly Mam: Bid On Beauty For A Beautiful Cause

Yo. Today is International Women's Day, and many good-hearted beauty professionals have come together and set up an eBay auction to benefit the Somaly Man Foundation -- a nonprofit public charity whose vision is to put an end to sexual slavery.

Some background on Somaly Mam: Somaly is survivor of human trafficking. Somaly was sold into sexual slavery in Cambodia by a man who posed as her grandfather, forced to work in a brothel with other young girls. Beaten, raped and tortured, she finally escaped, and at age 30, became a spokeswoman for women and children tortured in Cambodian brothels. In 2006, Somaly was honored as Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year for her courageous work in fighting sexual slavery, and she has been profiled as a CNN Hero in recognition of her brave fight to save so many young, innocent victims from this horrible silent crime.

The auction starts today, and some of the items up for auction include:

+ Cut & color with celebrity stylist David Evangelista
+ Tickets to the Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2010 Runway show in September 2009
+ Over $1000 in Givenchy Le Makeup, skincare, and fragrance
+ The new Dior L'Or de Vie Skincare Collection
+ Autographed Anya Hindmarch handbag
+ 3-month Equinox Fitness membership
+ VIP tickets to see a live taping of Rachael Ray
+ Lots of beauty products from brands including Fresh, Guerlain. Dior, Sephora, and Frederic Fekkai!!!

I know lots of us don't have a ton of spare cash right now, but if you're looking to pick up a gift for Mother's Day, a bride, someone's birthday, and you want to be able to spend somewhere where your money can give back, this is a great way to do that.

+ Bid here! Bid high! Bid often! Good luck!

My Quickie 'Mad Men' Purchases From Target!

I popped into Targz when I was home the other week (and by the way, I must say, the Hilltop Virginia Beach Target was spifftacular to begin with, but with its recent facelift, it's even nicer!), and I picked up a few items to hopefully make my outfy more formal-looking when I attend a wedding this Sunday (at Steiner Studios!), which I just found out is formal. EEk!

Firstly, I'm wearing this Christopher Deane dress:

($163, Christopher Deane, Revolveclothing.com)

The dress is much more fanco-lookin' in person -- silky and pretty pretty. But I still fear it's not necessarily formal attire, you know? So, these are the Target items I hope to fance it up a bit with. They sorta Mad Men-inspired (Mad Men being my second biggest style obsession next to peacocks!), but hopefully not TOO costumey.

($44.99, Anya Hindmarch for Target)

Impulse buy of the CENTURY, but it's certainly beautiful and certainly worth the price. From the VERY same Anya Hindmarch line that MkHo DISPARAGED!

($44.99, Mossimo, Target)

Usually I DON'T advocate the tenty swing jacket for myself at least, but this one has a cute little cinched waist, and it's a nice heavy wool, for in case it's Arctic out, like it is tonight.

($21.99, Target)

These are far daintier and cuter in person.

ALSO, I've got an appointment to get mah hairs all did up nice by Matthew James at Sam Brocato Salon (formerly Oscar Bond) in Soho. The doll-faced Amber at Beauty Blogging Junkie has gushed like a volcano over this man, so I can't wait to see what he achieves with my hair.

Hopefully the whole look isn't too costumey -- the jacket and gloves are just for transporational purposes. It's just mainly going to be the dress, the bag, and the fun hair. Not like I'm gonna roll in smoking a cigarette from a long holder, and wearing a pill box hat, waving like Jackie O... OR WILL I?

Anyway, thoughts, pleaze? Is the outfit formal enough for a black tie-optional wedding?

High Rollin' On Hump Day (Translation: Expensive Stuff)

All of the following items have the following in common:

1.) They're gorgeous.
2.) I want them all.
3a.) They're all $169 and up.
3b.) In my world, things $169 and up qualify as "expensive."

Let's take a looksee, shall we? In declining order of dearness, meaning the closer you get to the bottom, the greater your chances become of being able to afford stuff (if you're me).

($895, Anya Hindmarch, Vivre.com)

DEFINITELY not a plastic bag.

($390, Celestina, Vivre.com)

Beautiful, timeless, worth doing some "creative refinancing" on the monthly budget for... almost maybe.

($385, Jill Stuart, Shopbop.com)

So sweet, and more subdued than your typical red-and-black cherries fare.

($365, MZ Wallace)

Gorgeous everyday bag. Love it in orange too.

($363, Alexis, ActiveEndeavors.com)

And you, faux croc ombre envelope clutch -- I covet you most of all.

($216, Maria Bonita Extra, ActiveEndeavors.com)
Possibly the greatest ballet flats/ skimmers/ whatever ever.

($169, Prairie New York, CoutureCandy.com)

I'm starting to feel a bit "meh" bout jeweled embellishments at this point (but not 100%), though this is supes cutes. But don't click the "indigo" version if you're easily offended!

Dressing Up In Heavy Metals

I spent the weekend in Richmond, Virginia, where I window-drooled at Pink, which is a VERY New York-esque shop at PARIS prices. Needless to say, I walked out empty handed, but I can't stop dreaming of these two metallic dresses:

($396, Lauren Moffatt, Activeendeavors.com)

Okay, this chick's Kelly LeBrock in "Weird Science" hair is totally ruinous to this amazing dress. You'll just have to trust me that in real life, this piece is absolutely stunning. The sleeves are far more delicate looking. You can almost start to tell more in this photo from Lauren Moffatt's site, but I think you'd mostly be able to tell if this dress were on ME.

($308, Graham & Spencer, Activeendeavors.com)

This dress also completely blew me away. They had it paired with a little jacket on top, which is a perfect way to wear it. I actually think this dress, aside from being perfect for all skin shades (it'd even complement pasty peeps like myself, and I can only imagine it'd look radiant on Asian and Black skin shades too), I actually think this dress would flatter just about every body shape and chest types. It's roomy enough to cover tums but fitted enough so that it doesn't look like camping equipment. And, like I said, this looked so great with a jacket on top, that if you were having a chunky tricep day, this dress still looks amazing with something on top.


After seeing those two pieces, I went on a hunt for more gorgeous, dressy metallics and a few greys...

($297, Walter, eDressme.com)

This would absolutely rule with black opaque tights and black heels -- even strappy ones (with a closed toes). Especially for holiday parties. I love the '50-ishness of the beaded detailing.

($430, Nicole Miller, eDressme.com)

I know I shouldn't like this dress, but I love the updated retro-ness of it -- this is totally what I imagine rich ladies in the '60s wearing when they went off with their well-dressed, heavily pomaded dudes to see lounge singers belt out standards in Miami Beach nightclubs. That shit ruled. Expect for the racism, of course.

($374, Mint, ElevenBoutique.com)

Simple but lovely. This could be boring if it were cotton, but the fact that its silk makes it far
more interesting, as does the strap across the back.

($185, Madison Marcus, RonHerman.com)

This fun silk top rules because it needs just about nothing else -- except maybe hair. A pair of dark slim jeans or maybe a black denim skirt and black tights and black flats and you're done.

($275, Mint, Shoptwigs.com)

Another all-in-one outfit piece -- you really need little else with a top that's as elegantly outspoken as this one.

($480, Anya Hindmarch, Ronherman.com)

Simply wonderful. Slim dark jeans, tight black sweater = heavenly. Sexy, not slutty!

($295, Rafe, Shoptwigs.com)

Nothing's worse than one of those metallic bags that are so shiny they're practically reflective (I know, because I've been there). This is the perfect shade -- and size -- to bag it all up!

I'm Not A Twat Bag

Amazing. Possibly the best response yet to the It tote bag craze.
I'm Not A Smug Twat bag by designer Marissa V. Approx $40 USD. I also love this top:

(Apprx $139 USD, Marissa V., Frommarissav.com)
Too bad it's sold out in this color. Boo.