Saturday's Cocktails: Prohibition Punch

Not too long ago, I was visiting New York. In fact, it was last week, and while hanging out at the Total Beauty party at the Campbell Apartment I discovered the lovely drink called Prohibition Punch, which is served in a brandy glass. I loved it so much that I had quite a few of them, and ended up in a 24 hour McDonalds at 3 AM on 34th and 8th. They were that good.

However, I don't recommend having as many as I did. I recommend having one, maybe two. And definitely don't follow them up with Bacardi and Cokes and dancing at Opal. Unless you want to be terribly hung over the next day, and who wants that?

At any rate, this recipe can be found in the book Cocktails in New York: Where to Find 100 Classics and How to Mix Them at Home which I highly recommend, both for the quality of cocktails and the New York factor. But I was lucky enough to find the recipe online. Here you go, and enjoy!

Prohibition Punch

• 1 ounce Appelton Estate Rum V/X
• 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
• 2 ounces passion fruit juice
• Splash of cranberry juice
• Splash of fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce Moet et Chandon Champagne

1. Combine the rum, Grand Marnier, and fruit juices with ice in a brandy snifter, and stir gently.
2. Top with Champagne.

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Christian Siriano for Payless

What do you think about the new Christian Siriano line for Payless, which is inspired by ancient Egypt?

The sharp spikes scare me, and those heels look almost impossible. All that being said, I like the center photo on the top row. Would you wear them?

Photo from NY Magazine

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Beauty Bubbles: Hot Runway Hairstyles

Hot Runway Hairstyles

From classic updos to perfectly disheveled waves, here's a sampling of what will be hot this spring

The hair trends for spring are already being determined. Think sleek buns, beachy textured hair extensions, braids and twists. You'll never be bored with your hair if you try these styles. See styles

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Pink Irreverence Collection by Aaron De Mey for Lancome

I'll admit, it took me awhile to warm up to this collection. I've bought it in fits and starts. But it started with the lip gloss - La Laque Fever, to be specific, in Electric Pink. It's beyond beautiful. Glittery pink that lasts. I was actually shopping at the MAC counter when I spotted it on the display counter and immediately gravitated towards it. I bought it and the Piha Black, which really didn't do anything for me. I tried using it over reds and pinks, but I never got it to look the way I wanted it to. I'm sure it was operator error versus a problem with the product, but it just didn't work for me.

The next time I messed around with the collection was when I was in New York. I was telling my good friend Sarah that I really loved my Electric Pink, and we ended up running to the Macy's in Herald Square because they were having a gift with purchase on the Lancome line. I'm glad I did, because it was there that I started playing with the Irreverent Madame Color Design Quad and fell in love with it. While everyone is playing with fuschia and pink this season, this collection really stands out. You can do a great deal with these four shadows, and I especially love the black shadow.

To see the face charts and shop the collection, visit the Lancome website.

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Product Review: Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer

I got a little sample of Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer in a gift-with-purchase at the Nordstrom counter not too long ago. I'm always a bit leery of moisturizers, especially ones that claim to be "for all skin types!" because they almost always make me break out. But the Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer did exactly what I hoped it would do. It helped ease my dry-yet-oily crazy skin. I'm one of those people who can have dry patches and still have breakouts. It makes no sense, and I can't explain it. I only know that I have to be viligant about what actually goes on my skin when it starts acting like this, which is usually in the dead of winter.

I put it on after a good cleanse and my salicylic acid toner. It did a lovely job of evening out my skin and giving it just enough moisture to keep it from being overly dry without being too heavy or greasy and causing breakouts. I think this is a fantastic all around great combination-skin moisturizer.

The best part about it, besides it not giving me breakouts, is the smell. It's a lovely, light rose scent, and not the synthetic rose scent you normally associate with cosmetics. I didn't find any rose botanicals listed in the ingredients, so I assume it must be a high quality fragrance. Not overwhelming, and it will disappear shortly after application.

Give it a try if you need something that falls right in the middle.

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Beauty Bubbles: Ah-Ha Uses for Beauty Products

Ah-ha Uses for Beauty Products

Consider this the MacGyver guide to beauty. These "off-label" tricks will solve last-minute emergencies and more

Instead of chucking products that don't work quite like you had hoped, find out what else they can do for you. These tips, culled from blog confessions, expert advice and our own personal experiments, will have you reusing your makeup in no time, not to mention save you money and get you out of emergencies. See products

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My Next Manicure Will Definitely Be...

If you ever find yourself cruising around Manhattan without much to do, and you're a cosmetics junkie like I am, you need to pop into Ricky's NYC. Really, you'll find everything there, from Spanx to Ojon Hair Treatment to a really great vibrator. I'm not kidding. Oh, and I saw an Obama mask in there too, which was really pretty fabulous.

However, the one thing I actually bought, besides a great pair of tweezers, is this gorgeous blue nail polish called Essie Mesmerize. It's from their spring collection, and it's described as "royal va-va blue." Oh, I'm so all over that. It will probably match half of my closet.

Stay tuned! I'll post pictures later this week. But believe me, it's even prettier in person.

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Want to be a Lucky Girl?

From an email I received from Lucky today - this looks like a great opportunity!

Lucky magazine is looking for real girls with great style to appear in some upcoming projects in the magazine and beyond.

To qualify, upload your photo on luckystylespotter.com/join. As an added bonus, the first 100 new members who upload a photo this month will receive an iPod shuffle!

Don't have a picture (and live in the NY area)? Stop by our office to get your photo taken this Friday, February 20th or next Friday, February 27th. Email Gina_Bulla@condenast.com to schedule an appointment.

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Beauty Bubbles: 20 Best Drugstore Buys

20 Best Drugstore Buys

Save money with cheaper (but just as effective) beauty products!

Aiming to improve your look and cut your budget? Do it wisely with honest feedback from your fellow shoppers. According to their beauty product reviews, these budget-friendly buys are your means to cosmetic and financial bliss. See products

20. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $8.09

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9*

Why it's great: "I bought these wipes to do a 'once over' before cleansing and I will never be without them again!"

19. Maybelline New York Full 'N Soft Washable Mascara, $5.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9.1*

Why it's great: "I've spent top dollar on mascaras -- but I keep coming back to this."

Want to see what's #1? Click here!

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Victoria's Secret PINK Goes Vegan and Eco-Friendly

Lots of interest in vegan and eco-conscious products these days, isn't there? Since everyone is interested in saving the planet, Victoria's Secret PINK has introduced a body line called, of course, PINK Body.

There are four collections, Energizing, Nourishing, Soothing, and Essentials. The lines include lotions, body butters, lip balms, shaving lotion, sugar scrubs, and more.

I found a coupon online for a free 1 oz. lotion, so you can try it before you buy it, which is always a fabulous idea.

You can buy PINK Body at Victoria's Secret stores, PINK stores, and online.

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