Boutique Crawlin'

Last night was Fashion Week of Rochester's March Madness Boutique Crawl.  For $20, you got chauffeured around for five hours as you shopped the best boutiques in Rochester, where you were treated to fabulous sales, complimentary cocktails, hors d-hourves, and freebies all to benefit The Center for Youth.  I can't think of a better way to spend a Thursday night... can you?

Here's the nitty gritty on my evening...

What I wore:

Can you believe my whole outfit (minus the shoes) is from JC Penney?!
They are really stepping it up.  Love!  (And so affordable!)
Photo taken @ A Different Point of View (who had THE best goodie bags BTW)

Who I went with:

What a fantastic group of women!  We had THE best time!
And aside from me, none of these girls knew each other when the night started.
Nothing like bonding over shopping and champagne!
Photo taken @ Chandeliers in Pittsford.

What I bought:

Necklace from Red Tiger Boutique in Pittsford

Shoes, Necklace, and Earrings from Shop Peppermint 
My inner geek couldn't resist the map print on those ballet flats!

MM Couture Dress from Dado

What I wish I bought:

Abigail Riggs ~ Miss Annie bag in Mud
This bag is made from the softest, to-die-for, leather and suede and features an authentic turquoise pendant.
You would think Gail designed it just for me...

With the beautiful, talented, and philanthropic Gail Riggs, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO of Abigail Riggs
"A Purse with a Purpose."

Last night was a perfect reminder of why I do what I do:  promote local boutique owners, businesses, beauty personnel, and designers.  There is so much talent and beauty in this little city of ours and it's filled with so many wonderful and inspiring people.  Somebody needs to spread the word!  It might as well be me.  :)

Have a fantastic weekend Rochester!

xoxo

Jenny

* Expect more on Abigail Riggs in the near future.  I'm officially OBSESSED.  :)

March Madness Boutique Crawl

Attention Fashionistas:

You do not want to miss Fashion Week of Rochester's March Madness Boutique Crawl.  For $20 you and your girlfriends will be chauffeured around in a limo (with booze) stopping at all the best boutiques in Rochester for five hours of uninterrupted (read: no kids) shopping.  Oh, and its all for charity.  This is a no-brainer ladies.  Get your tickets ASAP.

Here are all the details:

NEW EVENT FOR FASHION WEEK OF ROCHESTER

CENTER FOR YOUTH FUNDRAISER

MARCH MADNESS BOUTIQUE CRAWL

Thursday, March 21, 2013

5:00pm-10:00pm

SHOP YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL FASHION BOUTIQUES

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 

Tickets on sale at:

Panache Vintage & Finer Consignment

1855 Monroe Avenue

Rochester, NY 14534

Suzanne's Distinctive Fashons

40 State Street

Rochester, NY 14534

Arena's Florist

260 East Avenue #100

Rochester, NY 14604

A Step Apart

235 Park Avenue

Rochester, NY 14607

GENERAL TICKETS-$20

SELF DRIVE-$10

CASH OR CHECK ONLY TO THE CENTER FOR YOUTH

TRANSPORTATION BEGINS AT

THE MEMORIAL ART GALLERY

Can't wait to see you there!  Let me know if you want in on my limo ;)  Comment below with your RSVP.  First come, first served.

xoxo

Jenny

Ae Anti-Aging Facial by Amy Riposo

In January,  Rochester A-List Fashion & Beauty Blogger Jennifer Sanzo (aka The Flower City Fashionista) and I were lucky enough to visit AE Spa in Brighton for facials customized for us and recommended for women in their thirties and forties.  Jennifer is sharing her experience in her own words here, but you forty somethings are stuck with me. This is my first and highly anticipated (by me at least) blog. Who am I? Amy Riposo, owner and creator of Rochester A-List, and now you all know, forty something.  :/

When I heard AE Spa offered the best anti-aging facial in the spa industry I was um, more than interested in trying it out. Let’s face it, aging is cruel. Something to reduce the signs of aging? I was in! There’s nothing better to break up your routine in the cold of winter than to schedule a beauty treatment to unwind, de-stress, and bonus if it promises to make you look younger, and improve the health of your skin. My anticipation was growing all week. Finally, appointment day arrived!

Here are a few shots of the Spa as I stepped inside awaiting my fountain of youth:

Andrea Sands, my esthetitian has been in the business for 22 years. I couldn’t wait to get her expert advice on skincare and to see what this facial was all about.

Let the pampering begin!
 

First, Andrea analyzed my skin to customize the facial for me.  Normal skin status: extremely dry

Next it was warm towels and steam to open my pores and prep my skin.

I'm in there somewhere!  Relaxed and ready for what's next.

I got to experience the Microcurrent with Microdermabrasion Facial (voted best anti-aging facial in the industry)!  “This is an ultimate service with ultimate results! The microdermabrasion to the face and neck will resurface the skin. The Microcurrent will lift, plump and re-educate the muscle at a cellular level.”

This facial was an amazingly relaxing experience. A significant portion of the time I received an incredible massage- face, neck, hands, and feet! A hot stone massage during a facial? Yes! Complete with warm mitts for my hands, while Andrea tended to my skin needs. Carefully selected products were massaged onto my skin after the clarisonic brush prepped and cleaned my skin. Heavenly.

I love a good massage, and this one was heavenly.

The Good Stuff:

Microdermabrasion:  This didn’t hurt at all. It wasn’t even uncomfortable. Microderm strips off layers of dead cells from the epidermis to reduce fine lines and blotchy pigmentation while improving skin texture. The brush uses airflow and sterilized crystals. It sounds harsh, but wasn’t at all.

Microcurrent:  You don’t actually feel the current so there is no discomfort. It just felt like another part of the facial. A micro-current is sent to muscles that are slacking, drooping. The low current electricity contracts the muscles, firming, and toning the skin. 

The end result: My skin was moist, supple and felt like someone else’s skin, but it WAS mine! It felt like there was more collagen in my skin. I was impressed. My forehead lines were noticeably reduced, if not gone!

I would highly recommend making a trip to AE Spa for a customized facial and if you are over 40, get the microcurrent, you’ll love the results. The harshness of upstate NY winters takes a toll on your skin, and Andrea will bring your skin health back to where it should be: beautiful. Put AE Spa on your speed dial! Andrea recommends getting a facial every 6 weeks.

I have it on good authority that AE Spa will be offering an exclusive deal for A-Listers on this facial (Micro Derm and Micro Current) and on the Signature Facial Jennifer received during the month of March. These two beauty treatments just got even more amazing!

xoxo

Amy

Owner and Creator of Rochester A-List

www.Rochesteralist.com

www.ae-spa.com

 

 

 

  

Ae Spa

In January, Rochester A-List's Amy Riposo and I were lucky enough to visit Ae Spa in Brighton to find out what we should be doing for our skin as women in our thirties and forties, which is weird since we are both 29 ;).  Amy will be sharing her experience in her own words, and well, you thirty somethings are stuck with my snarky writing for this piece.  Sorry kids.  Better luck next time.

Waiting Area

I was frozen solid when I arrived.  I'm pretty sure it was about nine degrees outside, and I'm the kind of girl who wears a sweater when it's 70.  My husband calls me "nana" because I'm always cold.  So instead of easing into a pair of slippers and taking my coat off to relax, I sat in the waiting area in my parka and snow boots, sipping my complimentary peppermint tea in an effort to warm myself up.  Upon seeing my near-hypothermic state, Andrea got me a warmed wrap for my shoulders.  Before I knew it I was starting to thaw out and beginning to relax.

I wasn't kidding!

Let the pampering begin!

The Hallway to the Fountain of Youth

 I got to experience their signature facial.  Oh. Baby...  It. Was. Soooo. Good.  

First Andrea analyzed my skin so she could customize my facial for my specific skin needs.  In my case, I'm a little dehydrated, a little oily, a little sensitive, and an overall hot mess.  I promised to drink more water and stop using products with salycilic acid.  She let me relax while warm steam opened my pores and then deep cleaned my skin with a Clarisonic brush.  

Ae Signature Facial Time

Then it was time for microdermabrasion.  This procedure is really important for women in their thrities. It helps resurface the texture of the skin by removing dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of fine lines and blotchy pigmentation, and relieves the skin of excess gunk.   This allows the products you use to actually seep in and do their job.  It was my first time getting microderm done, and while I expected it to feel like my face was being sandblasted, the procedure was not uncomfrotable in the least.  It didn't hurt one bit: a proverbial piece of cake. 

Bring on the Microdermabrasion

After microderm is was back to my facial:  glycolic peel and mask.  Yay!  This facial also included a heavenly hot stone massage of the face, neck, hands, feet, and decollete.  Had I known Andrea would venture below my Mason Dixon line, I would have shaved my legs for her.  I was going for a facial...it was winter... the thought never crossed my mind!  What was a girl to do?  Before I knew it, I was getting a foot and leg massage - with a little exfoliating to boot!  And there I was in all my wooly mammoth glory.  How embarrassing.  I was mortified, but Andrea was a great sport about the whole thing.  She didn't cringe or dry heave even once!

Hot Stone Massage = Pure Heaven
I might look like a cadaver, but I assure I am very much alive.
Just relaxed.  Very, very relaxed.

The final step included a rich moisturizer.  Andrea uses the BT to help product penetrate deeper into the skin.

Before I knew it my luxurious 90 minutes of heaven were over.  I got dressed and prepared to re-enter the real world.  Bummer.  After every facial, Andrea recommends products and treatments to best suit your individualized skin care needs.  She recommends that women in their thirties get a facial with microdermabrasion every six weeks and to use a good at home skin care regime.

Here's what I went home with:

Dermalogica pre-cleanse  to help break down surface sebum
(read: greasy Italian skin) before cleansing.
Exfoliating Bath Gloves - to keep my whole body as soft as a baby's bottom.

I would highly recommend making a trip to Ae spa for a customized facial with Andrea.  Skin care is so important.  You only get one face - and preventative care is the best way to quell the signs of aging.  It's much better to prevent than to fix later.  So wear sunscreen, exfoliate regularly, and book your facial with Andrea today!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Want to read about Amy's experience and the inside scoop on a special offer coming your way from A-List and Ae Spa?  Click here.

Always Get Lucky

I've been meaning to share these comfy jammies/lounge wear that I picked up from Always Get Lucky at What Women Want last weekend.  I guess I've been too busy enjoying sunny Florida!  Oops!

Well without further ado, the softest, most comfortable jammies I've ever owned:

Want your very own pair of lounge wear by local designer Lucky Nahum?  Get yours here.

Hope your Monday is off to a smashing start!  Time for me to get back to the beach!

xoxo

Jenny

Those Girls Can Throw a Party!

Last Friday I attended Devil May Care Lingerie Co.'s Second Birthday bash!  What a great night!  There were snacks, cocktails by Model Martini, a DJ, a Camp DMC photo booth manned my Ethan of Ethan Calabrese Photography and a silent auction for charity.  

Here are a few pictures from the evening.  

Me and Co-owner Jenny Mahoney posing in Camp DMC!
See more pictures from the photo booth here.

The shop looked beautiful as always.

Oh ya know... just me and some bras.

Loving the Valentines Day display in the sitting area.  So pretty and not overdone.

I donated a signed copy of Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey for their silent auction to benefit Made the Same.  I also had a table near the door for a little author meet and greet promoting my book and my blog.  Met lots of great people and enjoying chatting with every last one of them.

Holding  a copy of Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey.
I have an essay in the book titled:
The Byronic Hero Archetype and Christian Grey:
Why America's Favorite Sadist is Nothing New

All in all it was a great night for a great cause.  Make sure you stop in this week to pick up something a little naughty for Valentines Day - they have lots of wonderful options!  And then order this from amazon:

Smile!  It's almost Friday!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Read last week's Rochester Business Journal article about Devil May Care here.

Hair and Makeup at the Del Monte

On Thursday, Rochester A-List sent me to The Spa at the Del Monte (one of my favorite places ever!!!) for a blow out and style and makeup application.   I know, I know - rough life.  Just try not to hate me forever.

Take solace in knowing that I looked like this when I arrived:

Yeah... this is what I really look like...

And now, the entire internet is able to see me in my greasy, bare faced glory.

Feeling better now?  Great.

Cuz now it's time to get a little jeal-ous.

Have you been to the Del Monte since their remodel?  If not, you have to go and check it out.  It's gorgeous.  They've taken serenity to a whole new level.  This is the new waiting area outside of the salon:

After I was greeted at the front desk, and my coat was taken, I took a seat on the sofa and waited for my hair appointment.  Jen Kaper was my stylist.  She came out to meet me and was super sweet.  She washed my hair, dried it, and then curled it with a fat curling iron.  I told her I needed it to still look good for an event the following night so don't be afraid to load on the hairspray.  (I'm from NJ, I'm used to it.)

These are the chocolate covered strawberries that I got to snack on with my fruit-infused water while my hair was being done:

And here is how my hair turned out:

I'm loving the lose curls.  They stayed put all night, and the next day I was able to wear my hair straight, but it had tons of body from being curled.  Any day I don't have to do my hair is a good day in my book.  Love!

On to the makeup portion of today's programming...

The Del Monte uses two makeup lines:  Le Metier de Beaute and La Bella Donna.

This age-fighting skin care line is the best of the best.
Sold at Nordrom, Neimans, and The Spa at the Delmonte.

La Bella Donna is a mineral makeup line based out of Los Angeles.
It's sold at Bergdorfs - but if getting there is a little too much of a hike,
you get head on over to the Spa at the Del Monte in Pittsford.
Made with natural ingredients, La Bella Donna is mineral makeup that is truly good for your skin.

I got to try La Metier.

Jennifer Gelb was my makeup artist.  She was such a doll.  She explained, in full detail, all of the products she was using and how she was applying them.  When she was done, my skin looked flawless, and my eyes, well, you'll just have to let me show you how they turned out...

Check out that shadow!  Love, love, loved my eyes!

La Metier's Kaleidoscope Color Theory sure is working!
Look how those eye shadow shades interact and play off each other.  Simply stunning.

Here's the finished product.  Isn't it amazing what professional hair and makeup can do?

Think it doesn't make a difference?  The proof is in the pudding - or in this case, the picmonkey photo collage...

There is no denying that I left the Del Monte a much-improved version of myself.  

If you have a special event coming up I would highly recommend visiting the Spa at the Delmonte for hair and makeup.  Both services are reasonably priced, the atmosphere is relaxing and peaceful, and the service is always impeccable.  The Del Monte has been go-to spot for a spa day for years, and now... for hair and makeup too!

Let me share a little trick of the trade with you...

Want to know one of their best kept secrets?  Makeup lessons.  You can book a makeup lesson for $50 to learn how to do your makeup like a pro.  Want to know the best part?  That $50 can be applied toward product!!!  So technically makeup lessons are FREE (at least that's what you can tell your husband!) See you're saving him money AGAIN!  

Think that's fantastic?  Well, you're going to LOVE this:  Feb. 8-9 & Feb. 22-23 the Delmonte is hosting Makup clinics so so you can look your best for Valentine's Day, a special "Date Night" or "Girls Night Out." All sessions are complimentary and can be customized to fit your needs. Reservations are required (585) 419-3000.

Seriously, why are you even still reading this?  Go ahead schedule your appointment... or at least go tell your husband he doesn't have to shop for Valentines Day (you know he hasn't bought anything yet) because you would love a Del Monte spa gift card.

I'll wait here.

Ok fine...

Be like that...

I guess I'll just have to leave...

Hope to bump into you at your next spa day!

xoxo

Jenny

The Flower City Fashionista

PS- Did you know Rochester A-List is giving away free spa visits each month through April?  To enter to win, be sure to get on the list.  It's free!  Click here to sign up now.