Pretty Feet & Toes for Summer

This time of year we all need to drag our winter-weary feet out of drab shoes and have them be strappy-sandal-ready.
Beach parties, picnics, weddings, or just lounging at the pool we can't have out feet look like....

THIS....

Oh. Kinda makes you want to run right out and get a pedicure, huh?

Well, who has the time or money these day for that when you can do it at home.
Spongables has some amazing foot scrubs to slough off that dry, cracked, dead skin.
These two are excellent and they scrub on one side and have super bubbles that last forever inside.

After you've scrubbed and your feet feel clean and fresh, time to really get serious.
The Ped-Egg is my Best Friend. Available at any CVS, Walgreen's, etc.
After use, apply foot balm or lotion such as Arbonne, Freemans BareFoot, Lamasilk, or Gold Bond Healing. Super thick.  Super Moisturizing.

Next, buff, shape, and polish your toes.
My favorite base coat is MAC Cosmetics UnderLaquer.

Find the perfect shade of polish for you and top that off with a coat of
Fast-Drying~ Long-Lasting Seche' Vite to make your pedicure last a week or longer. Perfection!
Now You're ready to wear those sexy fun sandals and you just know your feet and toes will be soaking up ALL the attention.  Enjoy Your Summer!

Chanel Suit/ Spring

This is a Chanel suit from the 2009 Spring/Summer Collection. It was an impulse buy that I didn't regret later. I LOVE this suit. It is so classy and versatile.
It's made of a stiff but sheer chiffon covered in Chanel's signature Cameillas. I just love those beautiful white flowers. The skirt is fully lined. The jacket has an asymmetrical zipper up the front and also on the sleeves.
Clear vinyl under the collar and the epaulets on the shoulders with  cute Camellia buttons to hold it all together.Chanel always applies a gold or silver chain into the hem of the suit jackets to hold them close to the body and gives you that polished put-together look.
No matter where you bought a Chanel~ when you bought a Chanel~ Your Chanel will never go out of style. The classic lines and superior quality will last forever.  There is nothing sexy or revealing about a Chanel. No slits in the skirts, no low-cut bodices...  Only Elegance.

 quotable quote~

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." 
~ Coco Chanel

Here I put the suit with a pair of Leather Chanel gloves to really amp up the classic look.

Here it is on Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand

Designer Sunglasses~ Chanel & Bvlgari

I am writing this blog sitting in Miami International Airport waiting for my return flight back to Indiana.
People Watching is an art-form down here!
So many interesting people. So many eclectic styles and so many different cultures of people. One thing is constant... Everyone in the Sunny South wears their Sunglasses as #1) A necessity against the harsh rays of the sun. #2) As an Accessory.
Me, being the shallow and superficial person that I am, tend to go more for #2) when shopping for the perfect Sunglasses to frame my face and protect my eyes. Hey! We shop extensively for the perfect shoes, handbag, makeup, etc. Why not add sunglasses to that list of "Must Haves?"
While on a layover in New York City, I stumbled upon my now favorite brand, Bvlgari's quite by accident. I am SOLD on them.
Bvlgari was the very first Designer EVER! Starting in the 1800's Bvlgari designs began in Rome and today are designers of Fashion, Sunglasses, Jewelry, & Watches of the highest quality. I just like their beautiful good looks and sleek lines.

Here are a few that I own...
These are Brown Gradient with Crystals.

My Absolute Favorites are the same but different....
In Black with Crystals

White with Crystals. Lighter Lenses

Heavy Black Frames with LOADS of Fancy Crystals

And then of course... Chanel. How can any Girl resist Chanel?

Watch for my YouTube video and a GIVEAWAY of one of these Fabulous pairs of Designer Sunglasses! (When I get home that is)
Blue Skies Everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/lanaindiana

1960's Retro Tunic Dress

This Retro 1960's Tunic Dress is so FUN yet so Comfortable!

I recommend getting it one size smaller as it runs a bit large. (I love when that happens)
Pair it with some cute strappy heels or even flats and instant WoW!
The colors in this dress just pop out and they are so vibrantly SUMMER!

I LOVE Hot Pink and Turquoise together. Add the other colors and... Perfection!
I found it at Boston Proper. Their clothes are wonderful. Not too over the top expensive but very well made and such a fun variety. I really like their Sports Shop as well.
Happy Shopping!

Use Protection~

This Blog is simply about being protected while enjoying FUN in the sun. 
I recently went out with friends for a day on the water and baked myself. 
Dumb. 
Super Dumb and I know it.  
Summer is right around the corner. Don't ruin it by hard core peeling, blistery, red, damaged skin. OUCH. Whether at the ocean, beach, pool, lake or mud puddle, use sunblock!
Here are my favorites..

Blue Lizard 
Australian Sunscreen
30+ Allows you to stay out in the rays 30 times longer than unprotected skin.
Chemical Free. Zinc Oxide Formula.




Hawaiian Tropic Creme Lotion 10+

Soft, Creamy Formula that smells like a refreshing, yummy Island drink.

Dry Oils
I'm not  GREAT fan of Dry Oils. They go on easily with a single spray but then feel tacky to the touch. Still, any protection is better than NO protection. 
Just ask Octo-Mom! Ha!
Remember to apply EVERY HOUR!  
Hot Times in the Summer Sun!

You can bet HE uses Sunscreen.

Exfoliate~ Your Skin Will LOVE You

Fresh, Bright, Glowing Skin~ 
Ahhhh, What we all dream of.
Being in the "older" sect of the population, I do know a thing or two about dry, dull, aged, gray skin. The secret to all things beautiful?   Exfoliate.
I mean scrub that skin like it owes you MONEY!!!
Face, arms, legs, feet. Anything that is attached to you, SCRUB it! I don't mean hit it til it bleeds but you've got to get that old dead build up of yuck off you so here are a few of my favorites....

FOR YOUR FACE:

An Old Fashioned Toothbrush! Just put your favorite facial cleanser on it and scrub scrub scrub. I know it sounds weird but compare $15.00 to the hefty price of a hunky-chunky Clairsonic at $225.00 plus the cost of the heads @ $25.00 each.  Just don't use it to clean the grout. Face only please. I do this 1-2 times a week. Your face will LOVE You. Promise.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator
This Black Sludge goes on thick and disgusting but washes away leaving your face glowing like Mount Etna~
http://www.maccosmetics.com

Laneige Strawberry Yogurt Peel
This yummy treat for your face smells great and you can actually see the dead dull skin come off in your hands. Sounds Scary?
It's Not. Your face will feel as soft as a babies butt!
http://www.laneige.com approx. $19.99
A steal that lasts a loooong time~ It only take a dime size per use.


Your Body Parts:

These little babies are Amazing! This company even sell scrubs for your Pets!

8 + Uses: in Pink Grapefruit~ Sudsy filled sponge on one side. Rejuvenating Scrub on the other.  Vitamins A & E, Olive Oil and Glycerin just make this one special.

20 + Uses: in White Rose ~ Shea Butter and Olive Oil make this sudsy scrubber a bath dream come true. The smell is like a bouquet of white flowy roses and the scrub will leave you in Rose Garden Heaven!

20 + Uses: Applause Hand Buffer~ Oh, this one is my absolute favorite. I use this one on my hands, legs, arms, all over! Talk about a tingly bath experience you won't want to ever leave your tub or shower! Infused with Seaweed and Honey... Loves It!

 20 + Uses:  Pedi-Scrubber ~ This one speaks for itself. It's a relaxing pedicure in one bath experience. Talk about sloughing off dead skin. Ha~ Your  pretty tootsies will look like a $ million$  in those fancy designer shoes!

Meet Izzy. She's Squeaky Clean!

Haute Dog:  Spa in a Sponge for Dogs.
Izzy thinks she is one HOT Dog! Her very own Spa Day at home. No Muss No fuss.

20 + Use: Spongeables for Men
Men need to look pretty too!

Christian Louboutin's. Are They Worth It?

I am asked this question often...

Are Christian Louboutin's worth the hefty Price Tag?

"Loob's" as I like to call them can run from $295.00 all the way up to the highest end of $1,200.00 so that is such a legit question. (ShopStyle.com does have amazing sales thru out the year tho. So does Barney's New York)

So, my classic answer is this. 
If you can afford it, Why Not!

If you can't afford it.  No! 

But... I will save my pennies to possess these shoes whenever I can. I will skip StarBucks for months, halt buying pricey cosmetics, or pack a lunch instead of hitting the high end lunch counters wherever my travels have taken me just to get that thrill of the purchase.  (PB&J's won't kill you and it can help to slim the waistline:) Ha!

Once that has been accomplished, The hunt is on and the thrill is SO worth a years supply of Carmel Macchiatos to own these gorgeous shoes.  
Is the quality worth the price?

You Betcha!  I have approx.  20 pairs of Louboutin's and each one is still in great wearable eye-catching condition after years of running thru airports, meetings, dinners and functions. My life is Busy!

I need my shoes to be able to keep up the pace.

Is there an age too young or too old to wear Loob's? 
No!   If you can walk in them, you can wear them! I must admit, some of my Loob's are way too high for what I need to wear them for. Get the shorter heel heights. I find that 3.5" - 4" heels are perfect. 

Over 4" heel heights and up and my walk just isn't pretty.  I have taken some styles of my Loob's to my local shoe repairman and he shaves off a good 1/4" and Viola'. Perfection!

Sizes. Oh, here it gets tricky. Loobs run small. Suede styles run very small. I wear a solid size US 7. Usually, in a Loob that equates to a size 38. Some styles require a jump to 38.5 which is the equivalent of a size 7.5 US. On pumps, don't go too big or you will walk right out of them. I have used heel grips in this case. Works like a charm.

So, now let's talk about my favorite subject. Christian Louboutin STYLES!

I love the T-Strap styles. So elegant yet sexy. Practical yet High End. Wear them with jeans or style them up with a Chanel Suit.

Next are Classic Pumps such as the Ambrosina's. Gorgeous Sheer Satin. Elegant 1" Platform sole. 5" Heel Height.

These I have worn almost into the ground! Poor babies have been with me Forever! Funerals, Meetings, Romantic Dinners with my best friend~ 
My Husband. 

The front end of the signature red soles wear off (no one sees that unless you are kneeling in church) but as you walk away, that underneath RED just SCREAMS. 
Hey! Look at me! 

Why do you think Carrie in "Sex in the City" wore these beautiful darlins'? 

Class, elegance, confidence, distinction.

More Later... I have a flight to catch. 

Off to NYC and you can bet that while there that I will be trolling Sak's or Barney's!