Dolce & Gabbana floral print is taking over the world

I have no idea why this Dolce & Gabbana couch in an English country cottage print is such a celeb fave, but all of a sudden it's everywhere. I do love that Tina Fey and Sheryl Crow have more grace and sense of humor than ego, so instead of throwing a tantrum last night at the 2010 Matrix Award in NYC, they shared the limelight and looked picture perfect together with equally classy and beautiful Mariska Hargitay.

The night before, at the American Red Cross Red Tie Affair Fundraiser Gala, Fergie was her usual self in the Dolce & Gabbana dress and a pair of shoes from a 1988 prom (the satin pumps are from her own line of shoes, $90 at Nordstrom if you really really must).

This print in several variations ($995-$2250) can be found at Neiman Marcus.

Images: neimanmarcus.com, Socialite Life and Faded Youth Blog.

Ellis Faas Creamy Lips L101 Ellis Red

Ellis Faas makeup line is modern and dramatic from the innovative packaging to the range of colors. And nothing is more drama than a very red lipstick, which is Ellis Faas' signature item. Creamy Lips is a liquid lipstick in a sleek pen with a sponge applicator. The formula is long-lasting and can act as a lip stain or a full coverage lipstick, depending on the amount you apply. But that's not the whole story- the texture is also extremely soft and moisturizing: it makes lips look and feel good for hours.

I've been playing with my Creamy Lips- applying straight from the pen, using a lip brush, blending with a balm to dilute the color or use over a lip primer. no matter what I do, it always looks good and leaves enough pigment for many hours. The lipstick's effect is still evident even after lunch or a  drink. While some of the color and finish transfers to the cup, my lips still look painted and feel soft and smooth. That alone is pretty amazing.

Ellis Red (L101) is the signature color of this collection and can be found in all three lipstick ranges (Creamy, Glazed and Milky). It was developed to look as close to "blood red" as possible, and you can tell from my somewhat disturbing swatch photo that this goal was fully achieved. Wearing Ellis Red makes your lip the focal point of your face, so make sure they're in top shape. Another thing to consider about the shade is that it brings out any redness and/or skin issue. So if you plan on wearing L101, take the time to do the works and cover any hint of imperfection. Use a good primer (preferably one that tones down any redness), a medium-to-full-coverage foundation, dab and blend concealers and highlighters where necessary and set everything with the finest powder you own. It's high maintenance, for sure, but absolutely necessary when wearing an Oscar night worthy red lipstick.

Bottom line: A must try for any red lip addict.

Ellis Faas Creamy Lips ($35) is exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman and Liberty London(€25.00). I recieved mine at a Bergdorf media event.

All photos are mine.

Annick Goutal- Ninfeo Mio

When it comes to perfumes centered around a very specific note, one can sometimes wonder if it's possible (or necessary) to have a new or different interpretation. Of course, the obsessed among us would tell you there can never be too many leather perfumes. Or vetiver. Or tuberose.

Or fig.

Ninfeo Mio, the newest perfume from Annick Goutal (created by the house's perfumer Isabelle Doyen) is a fig scent, and even I was surprised at the originality of this beautiful composition. From the sharp mixed citrus notes of the opening to the green depths of the perfume (galbanum, and quite a bit of it, judging by the excellent staying power), there's so much to enjoy in Ninfeo Mio I'm in a fig-lover heaven.

The perfumer's inspiration, the Italian Giardino di Ninfa, is evident. Citron, lemon, bitter orange and fig trees growing on an ancient stream, shading and protecting the ancient grounds. There's something comforting and captivating in aromas that have been there since ancient times (though the garden as it is today is the result of restorative work from the 1920s). It's beautiful and almost wholesome, but just wild enough to make you think of frolicking fauns and maybe a bacchanalia (or two) going on among the trees and shrubs. Ninfeo Mio is really that much fun to wear.

Like last year's Goutal, Un Matin d'Orage, Ninfeo Mio is an eau de toilette. I can't help but wish for an extrait de parfum. Not because it lacks anything, it's just my own desire to indulge in this green fig to the max. As I've mentioned, it stays on my skin for many hours. The citrus notes are gone, of course, but the fig, galbanum and general greenery delight me for more than 12 hours. It can be sprayed with abandon without ever feeling too heavy, and the lack of any sweetness makes Ninfeo Mio and ideal summer scent. On a man's skin (the husband's) there's a lot more wood and herbs than I smell on myself, no matter how much or how little I apply. It's the most unisex fig scent I've come across, even more than the crystalline Figuier by Heeley.

Annick Goutal's Ninfeo Mio is available right now in few select locations such as Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel in NYC (and Harrods in the UK). I bought my 100 ml bottle ($115, the ribbed feminine version. The juice inside is identical to the one in the rectangular one) at Henri Bendel. Neither store offers it online yet (Harrods does, but they do not ship overseas), but you can order by phone. I have to say that I'm deeply impressed with the change I see at Henri Bendel's perfume department. There's a serious effort there to become a major force in luxury and niche perfume. Now if they only discover the joy of e-commerce.

Photos of Giardini di Ninfa by Komakino1976 and Fabio C. Favaloro on Flickr.