{beauty} Ola Rudnicka at Jason Wu // NYFW

Every year there is one single image from backstage that I fall madly in love with when going back into my camera, and this year is undeniably the beauty that is Ola Rudnicka. Her perfect [and I mean perfect] fair complexion, blue eyes, that platinum blonde hair, all complimented by that mustard sweater... I feel like it speaks way more than 1,000 words, no?

photo: Robin West for Deborah Lippmann

Spring Studios, Tribeca NYC

{beauty} deborah lippmann | New York Marquee

Not going to restate the obvious about deborah lippmann polish [you can go for that here, here and here], but I will rave about her new New York Marquee collection that just launched. She did it again. She is calling this fresh metallic finish "luxe chrome", which I couldn't have named better myself - there is something about the way that light catches these finishes on the nail that is pretty hard to top and does feel truly luxe. And the colors! It's hard for someone with such pale skin to pull off a silver, gold or rose nail, but these compliment the skin instead of the color reflecting on it [you know, when you put on a color and your skin seems to turn that shade slightly?].

While I'm not totally ready to upgrade for Fall just yet, when I do I will be starting with that insanely good pewter color [Take The "A" Train] and promise to share the results!

"From Bowery to Broadway, each nail lacquer reflects the ever-dazzling sights, sounds, and spirit of the city. Inspired by 1940's luxury and vintage fabrics, the collection of six colors employs an innovative, new luxe chrome finish." 

Take The "A" Train [pewter]

Autumn in New York [gold] 

Lullaby Of Broadway [blush]

12th Street Rag [magenta]

Harlem Nocturne [indigo]

I'll Take Manhattan [teal]

photos: Robin West

{beauty} hooked on Deborah Lippmann

When you find things that add something to your life, fit a need or just makes you happy, I always find it wise to allow yourself to indulge in that thing(s).  Now, I may indulge a bit 'too' much with certain things, but, I digress. 

My big addiction right now is Deborah Lipmmann nail polish. I never used to care about doing my nails - I would slab it on and wipe off access paint on my skin in the shower the next morning. When I actually took the time to do my nails it was obviously much more adult looking so I decided to change my ways. When I looked into Deborah's products and read up on her tips [like NEVER cut your cuticles], I started pampering myself once a week and can't stop. Between using her cuticle remover, cuticle oil, base + top coat, and her perfect colors, I've never gotten more compliments on my hands [keep them coming, honestly].

My favorite "go-to" red that has a smidge of an orange hue to perfectly match my skin is It's Raining Men [I should have mentioned the names are brilliant, too]. I also just went out of my comfort zone for my long weekend in St. Maarten [photos to come] and chose this perfect pale Blue Orchid which seemed like the perfect travel companion. When in Rome...

photo: Robin West

{beauty} pretty vacant

Not sure the photo really does it justice, but Deborah Lippmann's Pretty Vacant + I Wanna Be Sedated has what the brand calls a "punk rock finish", leaving a pebbled texture to the nail for a unique twist.  Surprising to me, the finish didn't affect the wear and it lasted a full week before I wore signs of any wear.  Top with a matte top coat [gloss will ruin the texture] + you are good to go.

Deborah Lippmann's Pretty Vacant [grey base]+ I Wanna Be Sedated [iconoclast yellow] c/o, Catbird rings [twisted + threadbare]

{beauty} Deborah Lippmann's Jewel Heist

I have been looking for 'the' perfect shade of green for my nails for over a year now, with about 8 bottles of green shades purchased going to waste - either too 'moldy' looking, too teal, too dark, blah blah blah.  

That is, until I received a shiny little package of Deborah Lippmann's new collection Jewel Heist that included the green, aptly named Laughin' to the Bank.  It's truly the perfect metallic shade.  To be fair though, the entire collection is insanely good - the blue [Rolling in the Deep] has subtle reflections of shimmer, and the glitter polishes?  Full sparkling coverage without looking over the top.  Swoon!

Deborah Lippmann "Jewel Heist" collection c/o

photos: Robin West