Pizza & Vino--Perfect!

This weekend we were able to have another girls’ night out! The destination: Mario Batali’s acclaimed OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria. Serving classic Italian pizza and showcasing over 700 wines, this place definitely took me back to Italy. I haven’t been to Italy since my days abroad and this Fifth Avenue destination was definitely cheaper than the cross-Atlantic flight! I’d suggest the Quattro Formaggi pizza (4 cheese) and a glass of the Orvieto Classico—delish!

-Kristin

Sulfate free shampoo!

I’ve always been a firm believer that consistently changing your shampoo and conditioner is good for your hair. Whether or not it’s actually true I’m not quite sure, but it 100% works for me. The one major pro to this is that I’m always on the hunt for the next best thing. As for my hair products, I alternate between salon and drugstore brands—sometimes I splurge and other times I’m on a budget. I’ve had some amazing (and not so great) results from both types of brands. I’m currently squeezing the very last teeny, tiny drop out of my Redken set (great salon results!). Tomorrow I’m hitting up my local CVS and at the top of my radar is the new L’Oreal Everpure collection. This is the first drugstore brand that’s sulfate free and contains UV filters for color treated hair! It sounds right up my alley and as a self-proclaimed product junkie I DO think it’s crucial that if you color your hair you SHOULD use color protecting products. Rumor has it the rosemary mint deep conditioner is fab and smells amazing—I can’t wait to get my hands on it! When it comes to my beauty products I always avoid harsh toxins and look for healthy ingredients.

-Kristin

Rolling Stone

2 words: Taylor Swift. She might be 19, but this girl rocks—two covers in one month and still leading the U.S. pop charts for 11 weeks. I’m a big music fan (yes, I can be caught with my iPod on singing along to Love Story) and when I got the March issue of Rolling Stone I was so pumped to see her on the cover. Aside from being distracted by her party girl golden locks I couldn’t help but revel in the tarte credit for her makeup cover look! How cool, right?! OK, I digress—back to Taylor. Just reading that feature made me like her more. Totally down-to- earth and driven. Oh and did I mention, she writes or co-writes all of her music. That’s so impressive. It was really refreshing to read about a successful teenager with real goals and determination.

-Kristin

Subtle Citrus Kicks

Now that Fashion Week has wrapped, I have the itch to shop (surprise surprise). It’s all about finding the perfect accessories to punch up the preexisting items in my closet. While out on one of my many shopping adventures I couldn’t help but notice the surplus of orange patent and saddle leather shoe combos. I love it!! We already know that camel goes with just about everything. Not to mention that this favored color comes in an array of summer textures. The extra hint of this neon orange is the perfect burst of excitement—total happy feet! In this picture are edgy 4.5” BCBG architectural peep toes and K. Jacques casual patent thongs. With tarte’s glam gams and a pair of these stunners I promise to put my best foot forward this spring.

-Kristin

tarte & NY Fashion Week (Abaeté)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Fall 2009 has officially kicked off! Press, celebs, and the who’s who in fashion are dressing their best and flocking to the tents. Even more exciting, the tarte team assisted celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow at the Abaeté show today! In typical Fashion Week style backstage was a little chaotic, but the final look was amazing—think old world masculinity meets modern day femme. Abaeté designer Laura Poretzky was inspired by Les Incroyables, a group of gentlemen who formed in the 18th Century after the French Revolution. Using this inspiration, our team created perfectly polished, dewy complexions with a hint of color. According to Poretzky, this season the Abaeté woman is rebellious while staying true to herself. We like the sound of that!

-Kristin

Brunch Date!

What every neighborhood needs and every New Yorker wants is a chill, go-to Sunday brunch spot. So this weekend I suggest you extend your Saturday dinner-date with your Vday crush (or your favorite single girlfriends) to Sunday morning brunch at Jane in the West Village. This American bistro is the perfect downtown spot for two (or more). The vanilla bean French toast is to die for. Ohh and this comes with an alcoholic beverage of your choice (good morning mimosas)! Unlike many NYC brunch spots they do accept reservations. Being as chic as Jane is you can expect a crowd so be sure to go to opentable.com before you attempt a walk-in! And this is no plain Jane, the ingredients that make their hearty dishes so amazing are sought out to be local, natural, organic & sustainable. Enjoy!

-Kristin

Cuff Love

At any given time you can find me wearing an eclectic mix of stackable bracelets on my wrists. Each one is different from the next, but they’re all dear keepsakes to me: A gift from graduation, a fashionable iconic present to myself and a flea-market find during my travels in Spain. However, there are two GK Designs’ stamped gold cuffs that truly remind me of the important things in life. The first, a little something from my mom, is engraved with “La Dolce Vita” (the sweet life) and the other from two close friends (yes, it says “friend”). I absolutely cherish these bracelets and think they’re really the perfect present to give or receive. It’s all about simplicity (oh, and they’re available in silver, rose and yellow gold.) Choose from one of their 30 sayings or customize your own. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, this is the just the right little token of love.

-Kristin