Everything She Wants

I channeled my inner surfer girl at a recent preview for Quicksilver Women .  In a warehouse loft space on the edge of Chinatown, bloggers got interactive and customized skateboards with neon spray paint and transformed torn t-shirts into beach bags. The California brand's casual, cool women's wear collection for Spring/Summer 2010 features trendy tees and  tops , shorts , dresses , and of course a bevy of sporty swimsuits . Better yet, all pieces are generally under $100. Me with my D.I.Y. bag made from a Quiksilver t-shirt. I love this flowery "McCall" one-piece ($98). You'll keep feeling good vibrations in this cute Quik Women skirt or dress.

Writing a beauty and style blog gives me an excuse to try out new products. During my recent retreat I treated myself to a cleansing facial with Dr. Hauschka products. Several months ago, I received Dr. Hauschka's Holistic Aromatherapy Baths essential oil travel kit (Lemon, Lavender, Rosemary, Spruce, and Sage), so I was familiar with the product line.  After my soothing facial, my aesthetician Mary recommended a couple products for me to take home.  The Normalizing Day Oil , infused with Apricot Kernel Oil, St. John's Wort, Carrot Extract, and Jojoba Oil among other natural ingredients, is good for oily, blemished, and acne-prone skin.  I've written about the wonders the Clarisonic Plus has done in exfoliating my skin.  Now let's see if this day oil will help eradicate those pesky breakouts and blemishes. To further assist in exfoliation, Mary suggested I make my own cleanser with baking soda powder and water. She also recommended I pick up a loose clay powder at

As I type, I'm lounging in my beyond comfortable room in the eco-friendly Annex of the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health .  This is the third time I've escaped New York City and come to the crunchy getaway in the Berkshires, and I'm glad I packed  Dazzle Dry Lemongrass Nail Polish Remover ($10.50). My toes were in drastic need of a chipped polish removal; I had to give them a makeover before unleashing them during afternoon yoga and dance classes. And  Dazzle Dry   came to the rescue. Although the remover didn't sound strong enough to tackle the two coats of dark polish caked on my nails, it did the trick faster than most generic drugstore brands I've tried. Better yet, essential oils of lemongrass and clove give Dazzle Dry a fresh, non-chemical scent and leave your cuticles and nails with a healthy, moisturized glow.

Collecting cool, quirky, funky, and simply pretty jewelry is one of my shopping passions.  So I made a bee-line for Chime London jewelry at a recent summer accessories press preview. Crafted by London-based designer Karen McGuire (photo to the right), Chime's pieces are inspired by her affection for beads and materials from Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.   Upon graduating from the Royal College of Art with a degree in Textiles and Accessory design, McGuire worked at Donna Karan in New York in the knitwear division. She then moved back to Hong Kong -- where she was raised and educated as a child -- and worked at Shanghai Tang before developing her own Chime London line.  That entrepreneurial move grew out of friends and family asking her to make them trinkets similar to the ones she made for herself. "It's great to do what you love," McGuire says. The Spring/Summer 2010 line showcases a Goddess Collection of ornate beaded bib and statement necklaces and one-of-a

In Norma Kamali 's world, wellness and fashion go hand-in-hand.  But Kamali has always been ahead of the curve.  She rose to fame in the '80s and her glam swimsuits, classic evening and sportswear, and signature sleeping bag coats are still must-haves for any uptown girl's wardrobe. Budget fashionistas everywhere can also shop her affordable Norma Kamali for Walmart line (stylish swimsuits are $20 and under). The designer (above photo), known for her trademark sunglasses, recently re-launched her Wellness Cafe where she sells her favorite olive oils from Italy, Spain, and France; olive-oil based skincare products and massage oils; Intelligent Nutrients anti-aging products by Horst; and fitness videos by Physique 57 . I spent an afternoon at the inviting, stark cafe, which offers visitors a chance to nosh on healthy snacks including yummy kale chips and tasty, fresh fruit and vegetable juices at the Organic Avenue juice bar. "Organic Avenue is 85% of

I'm not a perfume-nista, but I've developed a nose for fresh scents with spicy, floral notes. Here are a few of my favorite perfumes for the spring/summer season: One of the new scents from the typically New York-centric Bond No. 9 brand is Harrods for Her , an homage to the famous London department store. The exotic scent has notes of leather, amber, mandarin, sage, and nutmeg. Insider tip : If you're in New York, stop by one of the Bond No. 9 stores and ask for a sample . Ha lle by Halle Berry Pure Orchid Perfume  would make a great gift for Mom.  It includes notes of jungle cactus flower, lemon, blackberry creme, star anise, orchid, and patchouli. You'll want to collect all of these limited-edition, beach-ready  Harijuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties .  I was given a bottle of the Love girl wearing a striped one-piece bathing suit and white sunglasses.  Besides being super-cute, the perfume smells good too.  Love's fragrance is fruity and floral with notes of l

This photo of Grace Jones and Naomi Campbell I found on Essence.com prompted me to republish a love letter of sorts that I wrote to Grace Jones on my former blog, Tracy's Pop & Shop .  She is my hero.  I'm sure Lady Gaga and Rihanna feel the same way. " You know who you look like ?" a woman once asked me while I was getting my hair pressed. I shook my head "No."  " Grace Jones ," the woman replied. The musky smell of hot hair and Afro-Sheen lingered. My tweleve-year-old face sullened.  " She thinks I look like that scary lady ? " I thought to myself.  Detecting my dismay, she offered, "I mean that as a compliment." I feigned a smile.  When the woman left, my hairdresser Shirley reassured me, " You don't look like Grace Jones. You're prettier than that ." You see, at that adolescent age I didn't want to be associated with anyone darker than I already was. Growing up and to this day, the beau

The cheekbones.  The accent.  The rock star husband .  I've met a lot of famous folks. My latest celebrity meet-and-greet, however, was perhaps my most star-struck fashion world encounter. During a recent chat with writers and bloggers, iconic supermodel Iman introduced her  IMAN Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup Enriched with Minerals ($15). The line launched in select drugstores nationwide and online at drugstore.com this month, and joins the brand's two other mineral makeup lines -- Second to None Cover Cream Enriched with Minerals ($13) and Second to None Semi-Loose Powder Enriched with Minerals ($15). Iman's Luxury Radiance Liquid Mineral Makeup offers women of color an eight-shade range of sheer-to-medium, natural-looking coverage. The shades come in three categories -- Sand, Clay, and Earth -- and are enriched with natural plant extracts Acai and Magnolia and Vitamin E to hydrate and enhance skin tone. "This is the kind of foundation I like to wear.  It

Unlike other shapewear brands, Yummie Tummie * is so cute you won't want to cover it up. Designed by Heather Thomson, a former stylist and creative director for Beyonce, P. Diddy, and J. Lo, Yummie Tummie is a hybrid of fashion meets function.  Alicia Keys is a fan too. A couple years ago, I was introduced to the line when I was sent samples of a long-sleeve black shirt and a white tank from the Seasonless Collection. Those samples are still going strong, perhaps because they're made with a patented dual fabric.  The secret weapon comes from the same-tone, firm control midsection panel which secretly smoothes and shapes your tummie and hips. In addition to a sexy Intimates Collection you won't be shy to show off, for Fall 2010 Yummie Tummie has launched a fashion-forward Ready-To-Wear Collection (available in mid-June/July) full of funky tops and leggings.  I love the black top to the right with shoulder pads and  embellished, sequined sleeves. Yummie Tummie* has

None of us looks forward to getting our period.  For me, that's a time for double pad-and-panty duty.   I know, TMI .  But thanks to Necessit-Ease ($14), there's a stylish panty that provides more coverage. I was sent a pair of the period undies to... um ...test drive, and they're cute and comfy.  The panties were designed by Grace SooHoo after a conversation with her girlfriends about their menstrual woes sparked the idea. They're made with a breathable poly-coated fabric and meant to provide an effective layer of protection even during the heaviest days of your cycle.  I still prefer to double up, but for max coverage now I can wear two pair of Necessit-Ease -- a simple solution to a common problem . Necessit-Ease is available online and coming soon to a retailer near you. You know you want a pair.

Thanks to everyone who entered the   Everything She Wants OKA b. giveaway !  It was my most successful contest yet (but then again I've only had two). And the winner is... Amy Lynn from Illinois.  She followed my contest rules to the letter (she's following the blog, following me on Twitter, and she ReTweeted).  Her winning answer is : " I want/NEED a paid of OKA b. shoes because my feet have finally come out of their dark cave (winter shoes). New sandals are the most perfect thing to have in the spring and summer. And if they are comfortable, that just makes them WAY better ." Even if you didn't win, you too can pick up a pair of OKA b. sandals and save 20%!  Go to shoesthatloveyou.com and before you check out enter the promo code, INSIDER20 . And stay tuned for more cool contests!

Five years after she battled Santino Rice and Daniel Vosovic to win the coveted title of top designer on the second season of “ Project Runway ,” Chloe Dao is still building her fashion empire.  Since May 2008, the designing woman has been selling her popular Simply Chloe Dao line on QVC , and in 2009 she launched a line of slim laptop cases and luggage, Dao Chloe Dao for Nuo . The industrious designer recently took a break from her hectic schedule to chat with me, and I was delighted to find out the Houston, Texas resident is a lot funnier than she led on during her TV stint.   “I couldn’t compete with those gay guys from my season” she says. How did being on “Project Runway” change your life and your career? Chloe : My life is crazier than ever -- I have my store [Lot 8], QVC, and the Nuo line.  So my design repertoire has expanded. I travel every two weeks to New York and to Philly [QVC is based in West Chester Pennsylvania]. I have a fan base and I’m still doing interviews a

Get Spa Week treatments for $50. During Spa Week , you can enjoy luxurious treatments (facials, massages, body wraps, etc.) for only $50 at participating day spas and medi-spas in New York City and across the country.   Appointments book up fast, so don't miss your chance to get your pamper on! For the full Spa Week Directory, go to  spaweek.com . One... er ...intriguing treatment that's sure to spark colorful conversation is Vajazzling.  Let's just say it's a waxing treatment that leaves your Vjaja sparkly! Fellow blogger and beauty gal about town, Bryce Gruber, of The Luxury Spot got Vajazzled a few months ago and documented the experience.  Watch the You Tube video below and see the results for yourself. If you like what you saw (Bryce is a brave girl), you too can get Vajazzled and win a session at four freaky  participating spas across the Northwest.

TULLE - tulle : accessories : Filigree Earring Tulle ’s amazing online sale begins tomorrow, April 6  at 12 am PST (that's 3 am EST) for one day only!  Scoop up the hottest Spring trends, including trenches starting at only $9.99 and jewelry as low as $2.99. I want these pretty Filigree Earrings ($10).

OKA b. shoes and sandals are affordably priced at $40 or less.  And one lucky  Everything She Wants  reader will win a pair of the trendy, uber-comfy shoes.   The Summer 2010 collection not only includes cute flip-flops and thongs -- it also features an array of colorful slides and sandals with fashionable and girly details like studs, bows, and flowers. The revolutionary comfort footwear brand is founded on the idea that fashion and comfort should never be mutually exclusive.  But OKA b. (Shoes That Love You) isn't just any comfort shoe.  The shoe integrates the properties of reflexology through a massaging foot bed.  As if you needed even more incentive to want a pair, OKA b. are also odor-resistant, non-slip, and machine washable. Here's how you can enter to win a pair (you need a Twitter account): 1) Retweet this post so all of your Twitter friends will know about this cool giveaway 2) Follow me on Twitter @tracyehopkins 3) Respond to this post with your firs