First of all I must say that Christy Turlington is as sweet as she is stunning.  She had endless patience as we waited for my friend to fumble with the camera to snap this shot (and 2 movies of us standing awkwardly waiting for the camera not to work). Meeting Christy brought me right back to George Michael's Freedom video. She looks as if it were yesterday. I couldn't stop staring at how gorgeous she was! She even took time to let me ask her who made her drool-worthy shoes. So in order of importance I give you the George Michael video… 

and now her shoes…drumroll please…

They can be purchased at Stella Mccartney online for a mere $785. 

But I digress, even though I loved her back then circa George Michael's video that was sadly (and shockingly nearly 2 decades ago). She has been quite busy since then modeling, yoga-ing, marrying the ever-so-sexy Ed Burns, designing clothing, writing, directing and becoming a mother–her most important job! Turlington nearly became a statistic in 2003 after the birth of her first child when she suffered a postpartum hemorrhage. Since then she has 

Adding one more thing to her impressive resume Christy also reps Avon's fragrance, Slip Into Sexy. The scent is an oriental floral and sensual fragrance.  It's very light and glamorous. Don't be confused by my uber-professional modeling photog. It's shockingly not part of Avon's campaign. Nor is this stellar snapshot below.  Still learning how to use my iPhone forgive me!

Top Notes: It opens with elegant notes of black raspberry, mingled with delicate spring freesia and a whisper of fresh violet leaf.
Mid Notes: A deeper, more sensual heart reveals warm rosewood and velvety ultra violet blended with a flutter of exotic butterfly orchid.
Base Notes: Transformative Notes of creamy cashmeran sueded orris root and golden ambers unveil a sophisticated, long lasting base. 

Step Into Sexy Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl oz) will be available November 2011 for $28. exclusively through Avon representatives.  To locate an Avon Representative, call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit Avon online.

Before I conclude, I can't leave this post without praising Beauty and Essex. The food and cocktails truly never disappoint. I must have scarfed down 5 lobster tacos, 4 pumpkin/goat-cheese flatbreads, 3 grilled cheese/tomato soups in a spoon, 2 tomato tartare (tomato with a quail egg on top–yes I peeled that sucker right off), and a partridge in a pear treeeeeee!! I would have photographed them if I had a spare hand! Then there were cocktails of Earl Grey and Vodka as well as cranberry infused gin (Totes forgot my love of gin! Who knew!) Homemade mini whoopee pies and macaroons were truly the perfect end to my evening!

Until I went to the bathroom on my way out and remembered why I loved this restaurant so much! Did you know that in the bathroom they serve champagne for women for free (just tip the bartender!)

The next time Avon calls I will undoubtedly answer. I will also be calling about some photography classes…Honestly I couldn't figure out how to make the lighting like this if I tried! 

I had the pleasure to meet the fabulous creators of LORAC to discuss their upcoming collections. I was so excited to see such a fabulous holiday kit. If you need new makeup the holidays are really the best time to stock up because you can really get the best value. This kit for instance is $56 but is valued at $415! It comes with 2 high shine lipglosses in peach and rose, 1 humongous bronzer, 2 eyeliners pencils in brown and black and then my favorite 16 eyeshadows for daytime wear and 16 eyeshadows for nighttime wear, each which come with a matching blush. 

I am loving how all the pieces are removable. Most kits have everything built in and you can't take anything on the go. But in this kit everything comes out for travel–and then you have an adorable keepsake jewelry box or box for whatever. 

The eyeshadows are phenomenal. They truly feel like suede. But more on that in a few months. You have no idea what LORAC has in store for you for this coming Spring (due to launch in January) definitely my favorite eyeshadows I've ever tried! But that's all I can say or LORAC will come after me. Just remember, you heard it hear first! Be on the lookout for more fabulous holiday collections and a super Spring line too!

The best thing about LORAC's holiday collections are that you can mix and match–if you need stocking stuffers you can buy a kit and then break it up. Use a lipgloss to tie onto another gift or throw an eyeshadow set into your cousin's gift bag. LORAC wanted to make their holiday collections affordable and that they did!

Check out LORAC on Sephora or ULTA today! 

Fashion Week Hair Transformation Diary from Kerastase USA on Vimeo.

I wanted to share with you a video documentary that Kérastase created, bringing to life extreme hair damage being restored back to health.

Who knows hair damage better than a high profile runway model? During New York Fashion Week Fall 2011 season, Kérastase followed model Hanne Gaby Odiele backstage to document her hair experience. Over the course of seven days and twenty shows, her hair experienced a year’s worth of damage—constant blow drying, pulling, twisting, glued in extension and then pulled out! Watch to see how Kérastase experts took her damaged hair and restored it to beautiful healthy hair. Hanne’s journey truly exemplifies The Kérastase promise of hair transformation, guaranteed.

Sit back and enjoy the hair transformation journey by checking out the link below. To go behind the scenes and learn more about Hanne’s hair journey visit www.hairtransformation.com

What's so naturally beautiful about Thursdays? Well, it's almost Friday and you can just begin to taste the weekend. So in honor of a naturally great day of the week I thought I'd share with you my favorite new natural cosmetic brand, Terra Firma Cosmetics. I am in love with their long-wearing gel eyeliner. I used to be a devout fan of Bobbi Brown's but no more! I swear I'm a total convert. How could I not be when I can now get a healthier version for nearly half the price! For a container more than double Bobbi's size, it's only $12.99 compared to Bobbi's $21! Can't beat that! I'm telling you I would have paid more.

My favorite standout product was Terra Firma's black gel eyeliner. It went on easy and lasted all day. Even through the gym and a quick-rinse shower! The color is the richest, darkest black and it never became flaky. I also tried the Cream Blush in rockin' rose! It looked a little intimidatingly pink but it gave me the perfect healthy glow! It goes on like a rouge for a very natural look.

I'm so into this brand right now. The owners actually believe it is their responsibility to provide safe and healthy products to their customers. What a concept, right? They believe that it is possible to provide effective beauty care with pure and natural ingredients. Their ongoing positive relationship with theircustomers and the trust that has been established is what makes their business a successful one. Their commitment to the ethical compact they've signed with SAFECOSMETICS to provide beauty care products free of potentially harmful ingredients is reflected in their formulations.

Check out what's in this product, couldn't be better : Ingredients: Aqua, Beeswax, Black Oxide, Ultramarine Blue Oxide, Aloe Leaf Juice, Witch Hazel, Arabic Gum, Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax NF, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycoprotein, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Polysorbate-20, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin B5, Hyaluronic Acid, Pullulan, Fulvic Acid, Carbomer, Mannan, Potassium Sorbate, Suprapein (A proprietory blend of botanical extracts for preservation that includes: Extracts of Oregano leaf extract, Thyme extract, Cinnamon bark extract, rosemary leaf extract, Lavender Flower extract, Lemon peel extract, peppermint leaf extract, Golden Seal Root extract and Olive leaf extract.), Tonka Bean Oil, Lavender Oil, Almond Oil.

I know it's hard to switch to a brand you can't try out in Sephora or a Department store but that's what I'm here for. I can't tell you how many products I try that I'm mehhh about. But this is not one of them. Every product I've tried by them has impressed me and surpassed most mainstream brands I've used for years. 

Visit Terra Firma Cosmetics online for more information or to pick up your own fabulous gel eyeliner! Why I had never heard of this brand is a mystery!

And if you're looking for natural face paints for Halloween–look no further! No need to slather your kid in toxic chemicals! Check here for natural non toxic face paints!

*Samples were given to Smartypanties.com for this review but I sought this brand out because I heard great things from reviews online. I definitely plan on purchasing more cosmetics in the future.

Y'all know my obsession with Amika styling tools. It gives you perfect waves in seconds flat. Seriously I have the thickest head of hair, I have had my hair Japanese straightened and I still don't need hairspray to hold the gorgeous curls Amika styling irons give me. No one can ever believe my fabulous homemade waves!

But I digress. The company was kind enough to send me the travel set and hairdryer to try out. I didn't want to get my hopes up too much considering how much I love their other products but I couldn't help myself and I waited eagerly each day after work for the mail, hoping I would get my new Amika loot.

I was not disappointed. This tiny little iron packed as much heat as its larger counterpart and I kid you not when I tell you that I could put this bad boy into a small, and I mean small handbag. The Mini iron is 100% solid ceramic styler with 0.5 inch floating plates. It's fabulous because you can throw this in your gym bag or overnight bag without being weighed down.

I was impressed by the power in the travel dryer as well. Most travel dryers just make alot of noise. This one though packed as much power as it did noise. The lightweight ionic travel fan harnesses the unique ionic and infrared properties of the tourmaline gemstone which eliminate frizz, static and reduces drying time while infusing moisture into the hair shaft.

I was shocked at how fantastic the dryer was. The new professional NRG drying system harnesses the unique ionic and infrared properties of the tourmaline gemstone. The dryer itself is so lightweight it really left my arm less tired than my go-to Super Solano.

The lightweight NRG dryer uses tourmaline-infused ceramic components to emit maximum negative ionic and far infrared energy, which eliminate frizz, static and drying time while infusing moisture into the hair shaft.

The company claims "The NRG drying system directs a concentrated amount of negative ions and far infrared heat onto large sections of hair for incredibly fast, even drying." I wasn't sure what I was going to think about this as someone who has more hair than most. I have to say that both me and my sister were noticeably impressed with how much this cut drying time. I'd say a good 4-5 minutes, which for me is a huge difference.

This fall and winter seasons you can weave your way into the hottest hair trend—braids. With simple tips from the Italian born Pirri brothers to create four head-turning dos, you can sport the latest trend, both low maintenance and easy to style for the everyday look. Born in Italy, the Pirri Brothers first developed hair styles for the elegant salons of the southern town of Calabria, then moving to London to continue their education for advanced technical skills. Fast forward to 2009, the Pirri brothers now have two successful salons in Greenwich, Connecticut and Eastchester, New York; and have launched their own product line, Pirri Element.

Fun Fishtail Side Pony

 Apply Pirri Elements Lava Glaze Smooth & Relaxing Serum, and depending on time, blow or air dry your hair. Loosely tie an elastic hair tie an inch below your neck for a loose braid. You can leave a few strands of your hair out in front to get Fergie’s look. Separate your hair in two equal sections. Begin the braid by taking about an inch of hair from your outer right side and crossing it over to the middle section (towards the inside of the left side). Repeat with the left side. Continue braiding down, taking sections and repeating the mentioned steps— while pulling your hair towards the right side to create a side braid. Tie with your hair tie, once reaching the bottom. Gently remove the elastic hair tie you loosely tied at the top, and finito!

Twisted Glam Fishtail Braid

Take your fishtail from day to night like Blake Lively. Swing your loose locks to one side of your shoulders, after styling. Section off about two to three inches of your hair from the middle.  Secure with an elastic band, and fishtail braid down to the bottom. To do so, separate your hair in two equal sections. Begin the braid by taking about an inch of hair from your outer right side and crossing it over to the middle section (towards the inside of the left side). Repeat with the left side. Continue braiding down, taking sections and repeating the mentioned steps. Grab a glam hair brooch and secure it to your hair, on top of the elastic band. To finish off the look, take your curling iron and create loose waves around your fishtail braid for an ultra glam look.

Bohemian Chic

Apply Pirri Elements Nature’s Breeze Detangler & Leave-In Conditioner prior to blow drying your hair to manage fly-aways. Section your front right and left side locks into two half inch pieces. Section the right side into three pieces and braid all the way down. Loosely tie the braid with an elastic band. Repeat steps on left section. Remove hair tie on right side, and tie right and left braids behind your head with an elastic band. Section off another half an inch section at the end of the connected braids, and braid the bottom into a new weave. Continuing the braid down to give you a total of three connected braids—an additional twist to Lauren Conrad’s pictured look. 

Elegant Bun

Apply Pirri Elements Lava Glaze Smooth & Relaxing Serum, and depending on time and hair texture, blow or air dry your hair. Tie your hair with an elastic band, in a high ponytail to get Kim’s look, and braid (classic) your hair to the bottom. Grab a bunch of bobby pins. Carefully twist your hair in a bun, and insert pins as your twist securing hair to your scalp. Insert extra bobby pins to secure your look all day—simple and sophisticated!