ShopEatSleep

I’ve always shied away from wearing eye shadow, not only because I’m lazy but also because it never really stayed on my lids. I would get the dreaded creasing that makes shadow so ugly, which wasn’t helped by the fact that I have really oily skin that makes all makeup slip and slide. I’ve tried various bases to avoid this, but nothing really seemed to work. Then I tried Pop Beauty‘s Eye Magnet Primer ($18), which I was given as a gift after my interview with the company’s founder, Sara Strand, and now I can wear eye shadow again without worrying about creasing! Not that I wear much makeup, but this stuff does a great job of holding color in place for hours at a time. It comes in an easy-to-use pen-brush applicator, too. There’s also an eyelid primer to create a smoky eye — eyeshadow for dummies!

South Coast Plaza. From Examiner.

This is interesting…A party at Saks Fifth Avenue‘s South Coast Plaza location tomorrow, Aug. 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the Kogi truck, a steel drum band, live DJ, photo booth fun, Guitar Hero, models and champagne. The event will span all three levels of the store, too. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of Saks — at the fancy-pants South Coast, no less — Kogi and Guitar Hero aren’t the first things that come to mind. Models and champagne, sure, but food trucks and video games, no. But who am I to say it’s not a good thing? If you stop by, let us know how it went!

If you’re anything like me, you worry about your skin — how it looks, how healthy it is — you know, that kind of thing. Well, never fear because Perricone neuropeptide is offering one lucky ShopEatSleep reader a skin-boosting product to help you deal with just that. Perricone’s products include anti-aging ingredients that help with elasticity, firmness and hydration, according to its website. It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin!

You can win any Perricone product valued at $150 or less. Need helping choosing? How about the Perricone Evening Repair, which works to smooth and illuminate while you sleep? Sounds good to me.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post by Aug. 24 at 11:59 p.m. PST stating why you’d like a particular product (remember, it can’t cost more than $150).

2. Either follow me on Twitter or “like” me on Facebook.

That’s it. I’ll pick a winner at random and make the announcement on Aug. 25. Good luck!

**Contest is closed.**

UPDATE: Congratulations to Sacha of Swirl Smell Slurp!

If you haven’t yet heard, the new Santa Monica Place mall opens tomorrow, Aug. 6, and if you remember what the old mall looked like, this is a real treat. Gone is the bunker-like feel (sorry, Frank Gehry, this was not one of your best designs), replaced by high-end stores and an open-air dining deck. There will be all sorts of hooplah surrounding the grand opening, including live music and dance, and sale specials, of course! Here’s a full list of retailers.

One of those special grand opening events will be taking place at Bloomingdale’s (yes, Bloomies!) with Nation LTD, the luxe basics brand. Designer Jen Menchaca will be offering styling tips, and there will be a giveaway contest with the chance to win one of three “Summer Survival Kits” filled with Nation LTD tees (retail value $325). The first 50 purchasers will receive a free denim Nation LTD tote, and Bobbi Brown makeup artists will be on hand to offer beauty tips and to give out mini Crystal Lip Glosses. If only I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow!

Friday, Aug. 6
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bloomingdale’s at Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Recess Nail Spa. From Green L.A. Girl.

I recently checked out Recess Nail Spa, an environmentally friendly nail salon not far from the Beverly Center, and came away impressed. For one thing, the space is huge — it looked about three times the size of a typical nail salon — and it was much more luxurious, with plush chairs and flat screen TVs. Aside from actual spas, I have never seen a dedicated nail salon look so nice.

I got a manicure and pedicure, courtesy of a gift card I won at The Fashion Frontline launch party. I got the the Basic Manicure, which includes a mani, hot towels and massage, and the Basic Pedicure, which includes a pedi, scrub, hot towels and massage. I had two people working on me at the same time, and both did a great job. I chose a pink-coral color from SpaRitual, which according to its website, is a vegan nail polish line free of synthetic dyes. I’ve noticed that the color doesn’t chip as much as it wears away from the tips. Recess also carries Zoya, which is free of toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates and camphor. You also get your choice of lotion for your massage, with scents that are sweet, spicy or citrusy.

I was also happy with the service. Even though I came in without an appointment less than an hour before closing time, the salon accommodated me and didn’t make me feel rushed at all.

Through the end of August, the salon is offering a special on the Basic Manicure for $20 and the Basic Pedicure for $30. If you want to save $5, just forgo the hot towels. I’ve had similar manis at actual spas (and even ones that weren’t as good) for much more. This is a great deal. I just may have to make this a regular part of my beauty regimen!

Savor Los Angeles, a showcase of L.A.’s sweetest of the sweet, is hosting its first event this Friday, July 30, at Miauhaus photography studio. There will be all kinds of desserts, including those from BabyCakes, Frosted Cupcakery, Gotta Have S’more, N’iceCream, p.o.p. candy, Plaisir, Popcakes, Pure Cheesecakes, Sweets for the Soul, The Crosby and XT Patisserie. According to press materials, these companies were chosen “for their emphasis on fresh and organic ingredients, alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup, vegan offerings, presentation and design, and good ol’ overall yumminess.” Sounds good to me! There will also be coffee from Intelligentsia, champagne and paired beverages, sparkling juices from IZZE, a cheese and fruit bar, drinks from PAMA liqueur, raffles, music, a photo booth, gift bags, and Boxed water.

The regular ticket price is $35, but Goldstar is selling tickets for $21. Not too shabby, eh?

Details:

Miauhaus
1201 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Friday, July 30
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

I’ve often heard of underground dinners — pop-up restaurants that move around from undisclosed location to undisclosed location (sometimes even a private home) — but I had never been to one. They sounded so mysterious, and frankly, I was a little intimidated. But then the opportunity to have dinner from the chefs of Supper Liberation Front presented itself, and I went along for the ride, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

The meals, which usually take place on the Westside, are $35 for four courses plus a couple of amuse bouches. This generous amount of food coupled with more-than-competent cooking makes this one of the best values around.

The dinner that I attended earlier this month in Santa Monica was Asian-inspired, but there was a level of inventiveness that made this better than your typical Asian fusion meal.

We started off with two amuses, or “lil bites,” as the chefs like to call them. Then we moved on to our first course of squid and konjaku noodles, which are made from yam flour, accompanied by a dashi chorizo sauce, some of which was encapsulated in little bubbles. It was a light yet flavorful dish, and the different textures were a nice element.

Squid and konjaku noodles

Keep Reading

Main Squeeze Clutch

While I love to shop (obviously), it takes something special to make me stop and say, “Whoa.” And the new Main Squeeze buckle bags from Rebecca Minkoff did just that when the email landed in my inbox. I prefer the clutch ($395) to the bucket ($495), but the buckle detailing on both is out of this world! I have a thing for zippers and buckles, so I was immediately drawn to these. They’re edgy yet feminine given the soft leather used to make the bags. Even though I couldn’t afford one of these, I hope they come in more colors soon so I can at least (browser) window shop!

Mozzarella amuse bouche

I’ve been to downtown Los Angeles’ Drago Centro many times before, but I had only partaken of the bar menu, which is one of the best deals in town (everything is less than $10 all the time — no need to wait for happy hour!). But I hadn’t had a real meal at the restaurant until last month, when my friends very generously took me for my birthday. And it was one of my favorite meals of the last month.

Keep Reading

It’s Blogger Prom time again! This year’s party will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the iconic Yamashiro restaurant, which will be the perfect backdrop for our new theme, “Hollywood Confidential.” Think the Golden Age of Hollywood (glitz! glamour!) mixed in with some film noir (“Sunset Boulevard,” “The Maltese Falcon“). The costume possibilities, historical references, breathtaking views and good-old-fashioned fun will be endless!

Just check this out:

View from Yamashiro. How Hollywood is that?! From e*starLA.

Be sure to check the Blogger Prom website, Facebook page and Twitter feed for more information on our venue, food and drink, and other goodies!