Pin Your Way to NYC with PINK & ELLE!

The SoHo PINK store is one of my favorite downtown shopping destinations. Regardless of your age, it boasts killer loungewear, colorful, fun and comfy bras (this multi-way push up is a savior, but I digress), AND, on the last weekend of each month, a bling machine for free custom bedazzling on PINK gear purchases over $50 – sweet, yah?

And NOW, PINK is expanding its footprint in Manhattan, taking over a full floor in the mega-sized Herald Square Victoria’s Secret flagship in Midtown this November. To celebrate the impending re-opening, the brand is marrying two of my great loves – NYC itself, and Pinterest – and challenging fans to share their city pride and Pin their way to NYC!

To enter, simply create a board inspired by what YOU love most about NYC (think creatively…could it be fashion? Food? Art? Broadway?) for a chance to win a trip for two to the Big Ap, a $1,000 shopping spree in the brand spankin’ new PINK Herald Square store and a styling session with an ELLE stylist. 

I’ll be kicking off my board today, but if you need a little inspiration, check out PINK’s NYC Love Pinterest board here, and see the official contest rules here*. Don’t forget to pin PINK’s contest image and at least one other image from the PINK NYC Love board, then copy your board's URL and submit it by October 18 at www.elle.com/vspink.

Visit the new PINK destination at Victoria’s Secret this November in Herald Square, or if you simply can’t wait, visit one of the two exclusively PINK stores in NYC – SoHo or Kings Plaza in Brooklyn.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open to legal residents of U.S., D.C., Puerto Rico 18 years or older. Enter between 10/2/12 and 10/18/12. See rules at Pink.VictoriasSecret.com/ElleContest for details.

While all opinions expressed are my own, this post was produced in collaboration with PINK, ELLE and Style Coalition.

Victoria's Secret, I'm Not Keeping It

Above, me and a hands-on Marina of Makeup Loves Me. Photo courtesy Felicia Sullivan.

I am, and have always been, a small busted girl. But looking at the photo above, you'd never freaking know it, because I'm wearing the entirely Miraculous Bra ($49.50-54.00) from Victoria's Secret.

This new-ish (okay, I'm slightly behind the times) bra claims to add two full cup sizes and I can attest, it's the truth. No false advertising here, my friends. My 34B (I'm being generous here) breasts appear to be an astonishingly large C or even a small D in the Miraculous Bra.

The Miraculous Bra inspired more than one of my friends to exclaim, "DINA, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR BOOBS?" And as seen above, it also inspired a serious case of grabby hands among some. This bra is the thing breast-loving sonnets are made of.

If you need a little help filling out your DVF wrap dress (as I did) or you'd like to experiment with large boobs for the day (who can blame you?), check out the Miraculous Bra online or at VS stores.

FTC Disclosure: Miraculous Bra received as a press gift. And what a gift it was.

Victoria's Secret Knocks Off Hanky Panky

Does that sweet and simple lace thong above look just a wee bit familiar? If you're a Hanky Panky addict as I am, then I'm sure it does. But this is actually the newest panty from Victoria's Secret, the Lacie. This no-show stretch lace thong seems to be cut from the same cloth as Hanky Panky in more ways than one.

While I'm normally averse to knockoffs of my favorite brands, I gave the Lacie a test drive today. And as much as it pains me to admit it, it's virtually indistinguishable from the Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong in terms of comfort and style. If anything, it runs a tiny bit larger (one size fits all will probably fit a size 4-10 best) and it's also quite a bit less expensive. Hanky Panky thongs ring in at $18/each (and they're tough to find for much less, even at the sample sale) while the Victoria's Secret version is on sale now for 3/$30. They have some really fun colorways and prints available (37 to be exact!) and despite the fact that I easily have 75+ pairs of skivvies, I'm tempted to order a few!

What do you think? Are you loyal to Hanky Panky or will the Victoria's Secret Lacie turn your head?

FTC Disclosure: The Victoria's Secret Lacie was received as press gift.

Get the Look: Loungin'

As the weather cools down, there's nothing that I love more than a quiet night in, curled up on the couch with a cuppa, a luxe candle and my DVR (I'm old, it's true.) Comfort is key, though of course I like to be presentable, so I pair a casual pair of leggings with cashmere from top to bottom.

What's do you wear to relax at home?

Victoria's Secret Launches PINK Nation

If you're a fan of Victoria’s Secret PINK, I have some scoop for you! The brand is launching PINK Nation, an exclusive club where members receive free gifts, exclusive offers, special access and the inside scoop on everything PINK.

The site will launch in April but from now through March 31st, you'll get some exclusive perks for being an early VIP: A FREE gift (no purchase required, you print a voucher from the site and redeem in store) and a coupon for $10 off a $35 purchase. This offer will not be available once the site goes live officially, so click here to register!

p.s. I'm pretty sure that VS is considering an iPhone app; the poll question on site is "Do you have an iPhone?'

Get the Oscar Look: Heidi Klum

Celebrity make-up artist Linda Hay created Heidi Klum's fresh, modern look for the 2009 Oscars last night.

The inspiration for her face began with her Roland Mouret gown. The graphic silhouette and bold red color of the dress required a softer, natural face to compliment the design rather than compete with it. Hay wanted to bring out on Heidi’s dramatic eyes and also incorporate the powder pink color of the coral and diamond Lorraine Schwartz jewelry on the lips and cheeks. Step by Step:

EYES

Linda began by lining the top and bottom lashes with Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate and highlighting the inside triangle of the eye with a shimmering nude eye shadow in Champagne. She then used the Victoria Secret Spring Look Eye Shadow Quad to highlight the eyes and make them pop. Using a large shadow brush, Hay applied Rich to the crease, Devoted to the eyelid and Champagne again as a highlighter under the brow and the inside corner of the eye. Using a smaller point shadow brush she blended a soft line under the eye from the outside corner to the tear duct. To finish, Linda applied three coats of Victoria’s Secret High Definition Mascara in Blackest Black.

CHEEKS

On the cheeks, Linda used the new Victoria’s Secret Highlighter/Blush Duo in Fresh to the apple of the cheek to create the allusion of more defined bone structure (Um, does Heidi really NEED a more defined bone structure?)

LIPS

Linda lined Heidi's lips with the Perfect Lipstick in Whisper followed by Victoria’s Secret Lip Gloss in Blush for subtle pink finish.

Were you a fan of Heidi's Oscar look?

Valentine's Day Giveaway! Lingerie by Eveden

A great bra fitting can be a life changing experience.  In fact, when I was professionally fitted by Eveden a few months ago, it was a total revelation.  A 34A for my entire life, I left their showroom a 34C and with a beautiful Freya bra and panty in hand.  If we're being honest, the European fit of the Freya collection (one of Eveden's brands, along with Fauve, Fantasie & Goddess) probably runs a bit smaller than traditional American brands like Victoria's Secret, but hey...I'll take it! The collection is gorgeous - artfully designed bras with great support and sweet details.

One lucky eye4style reader will have the same chance at a perfect bra fit. 

Check out the gallery of Freya styles below and leave a comment on this post for the chance to receive a personal lingerie fitting at a local Eveden retailer (like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, among others) near you AND a matching lingerie set to freshen up your style up for spring! Winner will be selected next Sunday, February 15, so stay tuned!

 

UPDATE: The winner is pinkchic! Thanks to Random.org for helping me choose a winner. PinkChic, I've sent you an OnSugar private message - I hope to hear back from you soon!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Wearable Lingerie

Bow Chicka: Massage Candles for Valentine's Day

Massage candles are a nifty little development in recent years. Made of soy wax that melts to just above body temperature, the warm liquid can then be poured on your partner's body and used for a sensual massage.

The best massage candle that I've personally tried was by JimmyJane, also known for artfully-designed sex toys. The EMBER Naturally Emollient Massage Candles are in sleek white jars with a edge sculped just for pouring. The scents are super sophisticated too - think Habanero + Grapefruit or Ginger + Date.

Are you heating up your Valentine's Day with a massage candle this year?

New! At Home by Victoria's Secret

Yesterday, I stopped by the SoHo Victoria's Secret to get a little head start on my Christmas shopping.  The mission was a success - I managed to cross one person off my list - and while in store, I took the time to check out the new At Home by Victoria's Secret™ collection, the brand's home fragrance debut, which I also had a sneak peek at during New York Fashion Week.

At Home features three sophisticated, limited-edition scents inspired by wintry woods and lush Mediterranean orchards:

MANDARIN WOODS: An invigorating mix of Mandarin and Alpine greens filtered through chilled winter air.

VANILLA ORCHID: A comforting blend of creamy Vanilla and Orchid wrapped in the warmth of soft Musk.

CASHMERE FIG: An earthy combination of Fig and Cashmere Woods on a bed of crushed green leaves.

I must admit that Vanilla Orchid is my hands down favorite but each is quite lovely! The fragrances are each available as a Gentle Hand Soap ($15), Scented Candle ($28), Reed Diffuser ($28), Room Spray ($12) or together in the beautifully packaged Triple Mill Soap Trio ($28).

In particular, the Candle, Reed Diffuser or Soap Trio would make lovely gifts to yourself or others this season, so make sure to check out the collection at your local VS!