Shoe Find Du Jour 5.27.12

Personally, I am not a fan of Bebe. It is usually just not my style at all. However I was walking along 3rd Avenue and something grabbed my attention.

A pair of butt kicking gold wedges, I didn't even look up to see what store it was because I fell in love in .2 seconds. Ran in and realized it was Bebe. I was shocked. Anyway, grabbed them and the matching flats and even more shocking they had my size! I am a small size 5.

These shoes remind me of Tom Ford for Gucci back in the day. Around 2002 or so (I believe, I could be wrong), Some of my favorite shoes ever made. Tom Ford is a god.

Anyway, I would suggest checking Bebe out for these! Super hot and comfortable. I can't wait to rock them!

X

Nails Du Jour 5.26.12

Current manicure is Zoya nailpolish in "Pippa" and Deborah Lippmann nailpolish in "Shake Your Groove Thing". Love it, so fun, bright and summery with a splash on sparkle.

Zoya Pippa took three coats to cover opaquely but after looks beautiful and creamy. Formula is a touch streaky, three coats solves that though.

Deborah Lippmann Shake Your Groovedl this is one coat of sparkles. You can really build up opacity easily as well. One of my very favorites I own. I hear Milani has a great dupe for this.

What's on your nails?

Xx

Skincare Staples du Jour 5.22.12

Quick shot of my skincare staples at the moment.

What are you using?

Xx

LUSTING over these spikes Du Jour 5.17.12

I need these. Period.
These WILL be mine!

Anyone have them?
xx

Quick Hello, a healthy recipe+ a little haul 5.15.12

Hola Everyone-

I missed you all. I am finally settling into my new apartment. I will share some photos when it is in more of a normal state. I am still organizing and cleaning. Why whenever I am about to move I completely forget the hell that moving is?

Anyway, I posted on instagram photos of my dinner I was making and I got a ton of questions on the recipe. It is SO easy and SO healthy and SO tasty so I thought I would share with you guys (that was a lot of SO's).

 Recipe for Marinade:
Blend all in a food processor- mine of choice is Cuisnart. I love that thing!
- Half a bunch of Italian or flat leaf parsley
- 4-5 cloves of Garlic (More if you like it super garlic-y, or less if you aren't a garlic freak like me!)
- 3 pinches of Kosher Sea Salt
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Squirt of Lime juice

Instructions:
- Marinate your chicken breasts for up to 6 hours. I throw them in a plastic bag with the marinade in the morning and when I get home from work they are ready to go.
- Use a grill pan and throw on the chicken, no need for oil as it is already in the marinade.
- 5-6 minutes on each side to get nice good charred grill lines.

Voila!

SO easy, tasty and very healthy.

I hope you try it out and enjoy! Definitely let me know, I would love to hear!

xx
Dara


PS - Dont forget to follow me on Instagram @DaraKaye to see my more frequent visual updates!

PPS- Beauty.com is having a friends and family sitewide 20% off www.beauty.com. I just ordered Butter London's Slapper and TroutPout nail polish. FINALLY! Thanks to Rae over at Raeviewer I have been wanting them forever! Score! If you don't already know Rae, you really should. Amazing reviews on beauty product. Love her!

Where have I been? 5.8.12

Sorry guys! I know I have been totally missing in action, if you follow me on twitter, you know that I am in the middle of a massive apartment move.

I will be back blogging as soon as I am set up!

Xx

PS: you can always follow me on twitter @belledujournyc for daily updates or on Instagram at DaraKaye for visual supplements ;)

Eyeliner Du Jour: Laura Mercier 4.22.12

Everyone that has been a long time reader of my blog will know my undying love of a black smokey eye. Well I found the perfect addition to a black rimmed smokey eye.

Laura mercier's Black Gold eyeliner it is a very darkened gold. It is a gorgeous color to use for you bottom eyeliner. It is almost the color of engine oil. A black greasy gold. I LOVE the color. I find it very sexy. It gives a slick look to give you that sleek, greasy, sexy, lived in smokey eye look. I dont know why I never tried this before.

The only down side is that it is not budge or water proof. However with a smokey eye smudgey can be good. This definitely smudges so if you don't like that I would stay away from this one.

Have you tried?
Thoughts?

Xx

Wedges Du Jour 4.18.12

Been loving all the new and fabulous Wedges for the season.

Xx

$14 Deal Du Jour: H&M 4.12.12

Gold knife pleated shift dress. Adjustable length. It come with a built in rope-y belt so you can blouse it up to make it shorter, or not for a leaner silhouette. All you need is some KILLER heels and you are good to go.

$14...  I don't know of a better deal. Go snag now!

Good luck!

xx

Obsession Du Jour: Nine West Bealright Sandal 4.10.12

Okay, so this is the fastest blog post I think I have ever done.

I am doing it THIS quickly because I have a feeling these babies are going to sell out QUICK. I got a Rachel Zoe newsletter (don't Judge... I LOVE HER), anyway, she featured these Sandals on the front page. I clicked through Immediately to expect the designer to be Gisseppi Zanotti (My favorite luxury priced shoe designer besides YSL) or Gucci for $800 dollars.

Lo and behold there were NINE WEST for $99 dollars. As Rachel would say, MAJOR! I love wedges, I love Gladiator inspired sandals and I LOVE snake print. Let's just say... I feel like these were specifically made for me.

I clearly ordered them right away... in both colors... so sue me.

I needed both because, obviously I will wear the black more, but with white jeans (Which I wear A LOT in the summer) the camel will be gorgeous.

Can you believe these are Nine West. Nine West is really bumping up their shoe game.

If you like you can grab them here http://www.ninewest.com/Bealright/720624520837,default,pd.html . I would scoop them up quickly if you like them!

Thoughts? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

xx

Cheap jewels Du Jour 4.9.12

After a new business meeting with my boss Gwen, we stopped in a cheap jewelry store on 5th avenue and 31st street. She spotted while walking, I figured okay Ill just walk in with her, but I DO NOT need anything. I was tired and VERY hungry and late to my Pilates class to boot. However, I am sure glad I did. Thanks Gwennies!

I scored 4 very cool and funky rings and a necklace for under $40. Love me a cheap-o thrill! SCORE!

All of the below are the perfect cocktail, statement ring for your pointer finger. To be worn alone, with no other rings, of course. And please, not all 4 at once.

I love this one, only $9, a metal matte black mesh-ish tassel. This will look fabulous with leather leggings and a great t-shirt top. Oh yeah, I am seeing it now. $9! I mean, you can NOT get a better deal than that.

If you are in NYC- check this place out...On the west side of the street. You will be happy you went, promise.

Enjoy.

Xx

PS: You can follow Gwen and the Wunderlich PR team @wunderlichinc on twitter. Gwen also started a blog on the truth behind a NYC PR firm http://wunderlichinc.tumblr.com/ . Pretty hilarious actually, and so true!

Current Nails Du Jour 4.8.12

I have been getting a ton of questions about my current nails. My current obsession of the month, and yes, my obsessions change very frequently, is Yoga-Ta Blue by OPI and Essie's Set in Stones. It is a midnight navy shimmery blue with silver sparkly tips. Now listen, usually I am not into "nail art", I find it to be super cheesy. If you are like me, give this one a try, it is fun without screaming "Cheeseball over here!".

Want to know what I did? SO EASY!

What I did was pain two coats of OPI on my nail as the base and take Essie and just drag along the tips of my nails. There was no perfect science to it or guides. Just have fun with it.

Current Manicure Shot

Essie Set in Stones on the left and OPI Yoga-ta Blue on the right

Close up of Essie's Set in Stones

Another back of cab shot of the nails.

Will you try this? Let me know how it goes!

xx

A little vacation du jour 4.5.12

Sorry I have been a bit MIA. My life has been a little nutty between looking for a new apartment, applying to a board, work, taxes and a family vacation. It was definitely time for a get-a-way!

I originally posted this while blogging from my balcony right overlooking the ocean (but it was stuck in drafts! Ugh!). Anyway, thought i would share some gorgeousness and a slice of heaven!

Enjoy

Xx

Prada Du Jour 3.29.12

I just randomly found this photo and love it...



xx

Keep Calm and Carry On Du Jour 3.21.12

I stumbled upon this lovely video on You-Tube about the history of one of my favorite, iconic sayings...

Keep Calm and Carry On... 

Watch to learn a bit more about it, love knowing the history behind random things.

My Keep Calm and Carry On book

xx

Matcha Du Jour 3.20.12

You all know I LOVE green tea. Really loving this one currently. Its a green powder called Matcha. Very green and earthy tasting. I highly recommend if you like green tea.


Have you tried Matcha?
What is your favorite brand?

xx

Pinterest Du Jour 3.13.12

Do you Pinterest? I am such a fan of pinning everything. It is an addiction.
Have you tried it yet?

Come follow me on Pinterest, my user name is Dara Kaye.
Don't say I didn't warn you!

xx

Day in the life of... Du Jour 3.12.12

I thought I would share some behind the scene shots of a little about my days and my job (I get asked this A LOT). Everyday is different, but here is a day on set styling for a Jewelry client of mine. The shoot was last Wednesday and Thursday.

 Coolest part? The photographer was an apprentice to one of my idols is fashion photography... Richard Avedon!

How cool? Take a look at his office and him working...

Entrance. Just some of his work. He has shot every super model, designer...you name it. Awe inspiring.

He is creating a book of all of his work. Some of his shots from around the world.

Can you spot Marilyn Monroe in here?

I love Orchids.

Books in his office... lots of Avedon obviously!

Some of the jewels...

Gideon, the photographer at work on set.

One of my favorite necklaces from the group, we are going to call it the Joy Luck necklace- I think...

One of the finished shots on the computer, gorgeous! 

Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

xx

Amazing Nails Du Jour 3.10.12

How amazing are these nails?!? I need to know where I can get this done ASAP!


Anyone know?
xx

MAC By Request Collection Announcement 3.9.12

Just got wind of this and wanted to share it, I am not usually a fan of sharing straight up press releases or announcements but I know a lot of my readers will really like this. Heck, I even think this is super cool and a great example of a company utilizing social media and really listening to their fans! Best of both worlds. 

Bravo MAC!

Introducing, M·A·C BY REQUEST 

An upcoming collection with products chosen by you and your readers 

We’re inviting M·A·C fans to vote for their favorite shades starting March 12 on Facebook. 18 popular lipsticks, lipglasses and eye shadows have been selected from past collections; the three shades with the most votes from each category will come back as an online exclusive, limited edition collection.

Voting opens to all Facebook fans March 12-30.

The collection will be available online in North America in August and internationally Fall 2012.

Do you have a favorite shade or two? We invite you to start your own campaign; tweet about it using #MACBYREQUEST

Lipstick:
3N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)
Candy Yum Yum as seen in Quite Cute (April 2011)
Eden Rocks as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)
Moxie as seen in Retro Matte Lipsticks (September 1999)
Rocker as seen in Time Rocker (Fall 1999)
Shitaki as seen in Cuisine (March 2001)

Lipglass: 
2N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)
Bait as seen in Lure (June 2006)
Cult of Cherry as seen in Cult of Cherry (September 2008)
Emancipation as seen in Wonder Woman (February 2011)
Flash of Flesh as seen in M·A·C D’Bohemia (May 2005)
Icescape as seen in Love Lace (December 2009)

Eye Shadow: 
Cool Heat as seen in Cool Heat (June 2008)
Guacamole as seen in Salsabelle (May 2005)
Heavenly Bliss as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)
Jeté as seen in Danse (January 2006)
Moth Brown as seen in Madame B. (March 2005)
Solar White as seen in Cool Heat (June 2008)

In North America only, TXT a shade name to 898622 and we’ll count your vote. The texter will also receive future sms/mms from M·A·C Cosmetics Online, featuring exclusives and events. Msg&Data rates may apply.

What a great collection idea. How cool is this?

x