Swoon...

Vintage Lalaounis 18k Gold Serpent Arm Cuff

$9,500- Available at Robin Katz

Lipstick Queen- Poppy King Giveaway!

The response I received to this post about Lipstick Queen, Poppy King and her Sinner and Saint Lipstick Lines was incredible. Many of you have since told me you've tried the lipsticks and become fan's like I've been. One of you (Megan) even blogged about your experiences. As a blogger, it thrills me to bring products to you that you may not have known about and can really get excited over.

In order to thank my dear readers for their loyalty and enthusiasm, I have teamed up with The Lipstick Queen herself, Poppy King to bring you a giveaway to beat all giveaways!

You see, Poppy is an enormously generous person. She didn't just send me one or two lipsticks, she sent along so many amazing products that I just had to divvy them up. I wanted to spread the wealth into 4 different prize packages giving that many more of you the pleasure of experiencing them for yourself. I want you to try them and fall as hard as I have. Take a look at the goodies...

The Grand Prize
(and I mean GRAND!)

$94.00 retail value!

Includes:

• Poppy's Book-Lessons of a Lipstick Queen: Finding and Developing the Great Idea that Can Change Your Life-
  Of which, Simon Doonan writes "Poppy King is the Henry Ford of Lipsticks, and she shows you how to be a plucky entrepreneur without losing your flossy floss".
• Saint Natural Lipstick- The sheerest, moistest, most serene lipsticks you have ever tried. Just a hint of beautiful color but enough depth to make an impact whether it be a pink nude or a deep blackberry. Absolutely no glitter (Saints are far too humble for such audacity). Soul and style in one little stick.
• Medieval Lipstick- Inspired by Medieval times when full coverage lipstick was considered a sin. Instead, women used lemons to stimulate the lips and stain their lips a see through blood red. I have recreated this very sheer flattering look in one simple universal shade. Vitamin E based with a touch of pigment it suits every skin tone. Medieval is chic as it comfortable.
  
• Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Deafening Silence- It feels as smooth and sheer to wear as a gloss but looks matte on the lips. I have designed 4 super sweet and subtle shades inspired by the colors of cheek blush so that finally a lip product can do to your lips what blush does to the cheeks...make them look glowing and romantic. Presto!
• Shine Hard Core Gloss in Gold Saint- Inspired by the sexual revolution that was the 1970's. With an extra surge of female prowess... each shade is the ultimate in shine, gloss and effect. Not since Saturday Night had Fever has a gloss been this glossy, this cheeky, this sexy and this 70's fabulous! Baby... you are HOT in the CITY.

Runner Up

$62.00 retail value!

Includes:

• Big Bang Theory Illusion Gloss in Expansion- This futuristic formula uses small particles of shimmer to blur out lines and give your lips the ILLUSION of fuller voluptuous lips. Big Bang Illusion gloss gives you the ultimate BANG for your buck, creating perfectly full, beautiful lips without any pain or stinging.
• Chinatown Pencil in Genre- Kooky and fun with bright colors in a super sheer, super moisturizing "draw on" gloss. Yes! Gloss in a jumbo-sized pencil (along with a jumbo-sized sharpener)... welcome to Chinatown baby!
• Shine Hard Core Gloss in Wine Sinner- Inspired by the sexual revolution that was the 1970's. With an extra surge of female prowess... each shade is the ultimate in shine, gloss and effect. Not since Saturday Night had Fever has a gloss been this glossy, this cheeky, this sexy and this 70's fabulous! Baby... you are HOT in the CITY.

Honorable Mentions
(2 winners will be drawn. They will receive one of the glosses)

$22.00/ea. retail value!

Includes:

• Shine Hard Core Gloss in either Red Sinner or in Silver Saint (I'll let the first drawn choose their color)- Inspired by the sexual revolution that was the 1970's. With an extra surge of female prowess... each shade is the ultimate in shine, gloss and effect. Not since Saturday Night had Fever has a gloss been this glossy, this cheeky, this sexy and this 70's fabulous! Baby... you are HOT in the CITY.

To enter the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower of 'A Townhouselady's Life' to enter (through Google Friend Connect).
2. Go to LipstickQueen.com then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me which product is your favorite.
3. Either activate e-mail in your profile or leave your e-mail address in the comment. If you don't, you can't win and I'll draw again (sounds fair right?).
3. Want a bonus entry? Create a post on your blog about this giveaway. Then come back and leave a separate comment that includes a link to post.

Rules:
-Open to residents of The Continental United States only (I sincerely apologize to my international readers).
-If your comment doesn't qualify (you don't follow me, you didn't leave a product pick, etc.) I will not approve and post it. So if you don't see your comment please see above to find out why and re-submit a qualifying entry.
-The giveaway closes at Midnight EST Sunday July 19th.
-The winners will be selected in order from Grand Prize prize down by Random.org and announced Monday, July 20th.
-Once emailed, winners have 48 hours to contact me, otherwise another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

Teaser...

I have a fantastic announcement to make!

It has to do with this post.

It sure is a goody so make sure to check back in tomorrow when I can fill you in on details!

(I'm so excited!)

Listening To- Phoenix

Press pause on the player ------->

Phoenix- 1901

Vanity Fair- The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images

"Vanity Fair magazine has a reputation as one of the preeminent showcases for portraits in the world, and this book gathers together a good chunk of them in all their glossy, artificial splendor. There's almost as much celebrity behind the lens as in front of it: Edward Steichen, Herb Ritts, Mario Testino, David LaChapelle and, of course, Annie Leibovitz are all included, and the portraits themselves amount to a who''s who of culture and politics, with the quality of the images justifying the inclusion of the occasional lesser-known figures. The photographs have been arranged to supply the reader with subtle (and not so subtle) visual and cultural frisson: what are we meant to think when Joseph Goebbels is juxtaposed with Richard Perle? In a face-off between Rob Lowe and Louise Brooks, who has the most glamorous jaw line? For posing questions such as this, and for the production values and sheer scale, not to mention introductory essays by Graydon Carter, Christopher Hitchens, Terence Pepper and David Friend, this is a book that will no doubt be adorning the coffee tables of the world''s culture brokers for many years to come." -Publisher's Weekly

Vanity Fair: The Portraits: A Century of Iconic Images is available at Amazon for $40.95 (37% off the $65- list price)

Mr. & Mrs Fairbanks

Bette Davis

Gary Cooper

Martha Graham

Rudolf Valentino

Jean Cocteau

Mona, Richard, Lex and A Heartwarming Adoption Success Story

Read here how Mona the little beauty of Maison21 fame (seen here with her brother Richard) managed to get Lex the Collie into a loving home.

You can read Mona and Richard's story here.

While you're at it you should also peruse all the fabulous design related posts at Maison21 as well.

After all it is how Mona and Richard (the cat) are kept in kibble!




So next time you're considering expanding your family with a furry friend please go to a shelter not a breeder. There are way too many animals that are desperately waiting for good homes and someone to shower with their love and affection.

See that Big Boy? This is why I'm convinced someone will see your handsome face and fall so truly, madly and deeply for you that they'll come get you and give you a home filled with love, kibble and kisses.

I Have a Crazy Mad Crush On a Big Boy!

You MUST click on the pic below to enlarge (it's mandatory)!

Take an up close look at these eyes! Aren't you in love?

Meet Big Boy. I can tell you with certainty if I weren't already overwhelmed by 5 cats this hunk of cat boy would be mine. Can you even get over the stunning Caribbean Blue color of those eyes? This guy is special! My neighbors across the street are his current guardian angels but this Big Boy needs a forever home. He's getting more affectionate each day as he gets over the trauma of being dumped and having experienced two weeks with the local Human Society (poor boo).

Anyone got room in their hearts and home for this stunningly gorgeous boy?

Read the plea he wrote on my neighbors blog...

God, am I handsome or what? Someone dumped me during the bitter cold weather. Not being accustomed to the homeless life, I was beat up by the neighborhood bullies and came down with the most awful upper respiratory infection. Some very kind folks nursed me back to health and dropped me at The Humane Society for adoption with explicit instructions not to kill me after the two week waiting period. Well, I’ve been back in their backyard now for quite some time now since nobody wanted me. My caregivers feel I am adoptable and would make a very good house cat with the proper love and training. I almost ended up in suburbia last weekend after one of their guests fell in love with me. Oh well, for now I am quite happy in the warmer weather with just being fed. By the way, these kind people actually mix Vitamin C in my food to keep me healthy and cared enough to have me neutered.

Love, Big Boy

Lenny and Wallpaper

Um, yes the girl is very sexy but see if you can pull your eye upwards to look at the wallpaper behind her. It's called Flower of Love in espresso by Flavor Paper and I want it. It comes in other colors (flavors?) but I have to say I'm completely smitten with espresso.

The photo is a still from the Lenny Kravits' video Dancin' Till Dawn Video which is so hot, this gal can shake a tail feather (it's not exactly safe for work) . Good music and good design. Now that's a win-win.

Hit pause over on the player------>
and watch the video below.

espresso

raspberry sorbet

cookies and cream

caviar

Beauty of Nature

Shot yesterday evening in my backyard...

Mario Badescu Skincare

Mario Badescu has been around since 1967 and has developed quite the cult following which includes many celebrities (just look at this client list). Although they handle every skincare type and need one of their specialties is acne fighting. I think most of us have suffered from it at some stage in life, or on a 'monthly' basis like I have a tendency to.

I'm lucky enough to live near the Spa and can go to get facials massages and the like. I love the no frills attitude they have. I don't like a lot of muss and fuss. There products are not packaged in fancy bottles. The product is the star not the packaging. Simply put, THEY WORK! The pricing is also remarkably reasonable (no animal testing either).

I happened to find this Mario Badescu Travel Skin Care Kit available exclusively at Nordstroms for $28- These are some of my favorite top-selling acne products packaged together in one special travel sized kit. It's a great way to try them without committing to full sized bottle purchases.

Set includes:
- Full-size Drying Lotion (1 oz.).
- Full-size Anti-Acne Serum (1 oz.).
- Travel-size Acne Facial Cleanser (2 oz.).
- Deluxe sample size Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17 (0.01 oz.).
- Deluxe sample-size Healing Cream (0.01 oz.).
- Deluxe sample-size Drying Mask (0.10 oz.).
- Soft body shower sponge for the shower.

You can pre-order it now. It will begin to ship July 17th.

Gypset Style

What Is Gypset Style?

"Yuppies, Yippies, Jet Setters, Bright Young Things, Generation X, Generation Y... and now the Gypset. Fusing the ease and carefree lifestyle of a gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set, the Gypsetters are artists, surfers, designers, and bon vivants who live and work around the globe, from Jose Ignacio, Uruguay and Ibiza, Spain, to Montauk, New York. Gypset Style explores the unconventional, wanderlust lives of these high-low cultural nomads and thte bohemian enclaves they inhabit, as well as their counterculture forbears, such as the Victorian explorers, the Lost Generation, the Beatniks, and the hippies. And along the way, author Julia Chaplin looks back at quintessential gypsy boho moments in social history."

Grab yours at Amazon for only $29.70 and save $15.30 off the list price of $45-