Latest Essential Item Stories

Last Updated November 20, 2009 @ 5:10 pm

Go for the Glow

January 5th, 2009 / Author: OK! Staff

Awards Season has become such a part of our culture that it seems as cyclical as summer and winter–and good news, it’s here yet again! As monotonous as the actor accolades get, anyone who’s into aesthetics can’t unglue their eyes from the tube as soon as the gowns and updos stroll down that magical red fuzz. But this year why not get red carpet ready for your own sake instead of staring into envious celeb oblivion?

Forget the thesp vetting and petting and high-tail it to ARCONA for an ultra-luxe Red Carpet Radiance treatment. They will exfoliate, massage and plump your visage like their Who’s Who of Porcelain Skin clientele (think Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson) and with all-natural products to boot.

And for those of you not in Tinseltown, the Instant Lift Kit firms and tightens just like a trip to the spa.

arcona.com

Members Only

December 11th, 2008

Pining after that Dior invite but stuck drooling at the door? Hunting for that rare Jackson Pollock for less than a pretty penny? Or perhaps your terrier just needs a glam squad makeover? Even if your needs are more, ahem, pedestrian like scoring sold out Stones ticks or finding the perfect gift for the boss, Quintessentially concierge service allows even the most mundane to join the A-list. (Which is not to say that you couldn’t possibly find Madonna or Gwynnie on their member roster, but in true class they’re mum’s the word!)

Doors open and the velvet ropes part with this dreamy company, which quashes the $75-100K personal assistant fee one would typically pay for its services. (Think major hotel discounts, car service in cities worldwide, access to elusive wines, private residential estates, concert tickets and art for a mere $1800 per year.)

Clearly with Quintessentially’s little black card, you can kiss life’s dirty work goodbye! And after all, why not let someone else handle the little annoyances of life?

www.quintessentially.com

Aroma Amour

November 25th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Join the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Selma Blair and this fashionista in our love for Safi Fragrance!

An all-natural ode to Africa, the roll-on scent (perfect for the purse) flaunts fresh odors of lychee, pineapple, black currant, lily, orange blossom, bamboo and freesia.

The name is Swahili for clean, pure and fresh–exactly what we hope to emanate!

$60 at safifragrance.com

FEED The Need

November 17th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

RUGBY Ralph Lauren proves that fashion has a heart this Thanksgiving season by teaming up with FEED Projects.

Perfect for that trip to the market for your Turkey Day feast, these earthy totes are not only great alternatives to disposable bags, but $50 per purchase goes to student activists to feed the hungry of the world.

You can also add FEED 25 Ethiopia, Rwanda, Cambodia or Guatemala patches for an extra worldly look and 25 school meals will be provided to children of that country via the UN World Food Program.

Why not make this an early holiday present to someone special and make it the gift that keeps on giving (and giving!)?

$100 rugby.com

Shoes For Your Sole

November 11th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Although the thought of eco-friendly clothing and accessories makes us warm and fuzzy inside, there comes the apprehension that luxury and style will be sacrificed.

With their uber-swank Rickard Shah shoes, husband and wife team Elizabeth Rickard and Binith Shah (dubbed in the industry as "the perfect pair") have always brought their A-game to their A-list clientele like Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry. Now, lucky for us, their new Pure (Promoting the Use of Renewable Energy) line gives shoes a new soul. Each pair is not only made from natural and fair-trade materials like soy and leather-alternatives, but they are also wearable and chic.

We applaud them for the valiant effort and fantastic outcome. As important as it is, there are simply not enough options out there for us to live like the jet-set, but feel like environmentalists. Green is the new black baby!

Prices starting from $295, available at Nordstrom nationwide.

Burning Desire

November 3rd, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

We rarely get fanatical about products, but this fashion editor’s obsession du jour simply cannot be ignored.

Pretty, fragrant and natural, Red Flower candles are the cat’s pajamas! Most candles on the market have a 2-6% fragrance content, while these pack an aromatic punch with a whopping 15% scent in worldly flavors like Icelandic Moonflower, Japanese Peony or Spanish Gardenia.

To top it off, they are loaded with dried petals to scent the bath or even make sachets for your drawer. Burn baby burn!

$34 each at redflower.com

PC Pocketbook

October 28th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Bags may be the ultimate status symbol these days, but most stylish gals’ billfolds get plenty of mileage too. Playing on eco style, this clever wallet by Rebecca Minkoff is an everyday salute to environmentalism while you spend.

Rebecca Minkoff, $185

Available at lunaboston.com

Make A Statement

October 23rd, 2008

Who said you can’t be fashionable during the wintertime? With these bold colored leggings, you’ll be sure to express your personality from day to night. Match them with a complementary colored tunic or, since neutrals accented with bold colors are the new trend, a black knitted sweater. Scarlett Johansson has recently been spotted picking up 10 pairs of these leggings in an assortment of colors. These are definitely a must addition to your wardrobe!

Tart Leggings, $62
Available at tartcollections.com

Aroma for All

October 17th, 2008

Pop singer Gwen Stefani recently introduced Harajuku Lovers Fragrance, a collection of five different scents that represent the personalities of each Harajuku Girl. Gwen explains,"I thought it would be cool to have each Harajuku Girl have her own fragrance that [fit] their personalities." The five scents come in Love, Angel, Baby, Music and G. So whether your feeling lovable one day and devious the next, Harajuku Lovers Fragrance will fit your personality everyday of the week.

Harajuku Lovers Fragrance by GWEN STEFANI in Love, Angel, Baby, Music and G, $45 each

Available at sephora.com

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