While getting ready for Cinco de Mayo dinner, I decided to re-paint my nails. Though I had quite a few fun colors to choose from, it’s this sunny yellow I love best right now so I decided to just stick with that.  But I thought it would be fun to add a little twist.

Earlier in the day, we were at Paper Source, where I picked up a few metallic pens for writing notes and cards. The pens were lying next to the polish on my coffee table and that’s when inspiration struck: Why not polka-dot my nails?!

 If you’d like to polka-dot your nails, here’s the quick how-to:

1. Paint your nails (I used two coats of Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow) and let dry thoroughly.

2. Using a Sakura Gelly Roll gold metallic pen, press firmly yet gently to create each dot.

That’s it!  I’m looking forward to trying this again with mint polish and the silver pen I picked up too. You can find the pens for $1.49 each at Paper Source or pick up a 10-pack of multiple colors here.

Do you have any favorite nail polishes, patterns or color combinations these days?

Mother’s Day is just over a week away (Sunday, May 13th to be exact), so today let’s talk stylish and fun Mother’s Day gifts. In case you’re in need of a little inspiration, here are a few things Mom might like (okay, maybe these are just things I would like, but still, Mom might like them too!).

1. Karen Walker Patsy Sunglasses - because Mom’s no wallflower

2. Babell XL Serving Tray - because Mom’s the hostess with the mostest

3. Kate Spade Dades Valley Armadillo Coin Purse - because Mom lives in Texas (and has a great sense of humor)

4. Raven + Lily Lavender Sachets - because Mom loves all things lavender (get 15% off everything with code RLmom15% through May 13th)

5. Pastel Dipped Teaspoon Set - because Mom loves the little details

6. Dipped Spice Cellar Set – because Mom’s the best cook in the world

7. Kate Spade Travel Nail Polish Set - because Mom’s the most stylish jetsetter you know

8. Mom Cupcake Vase - because Mom makes the best cupcakes

Tune in shortly for more fun Mother’s Day gift ideas xx!

When I attended the Sephora + Pantone Color of the Year pop-up shop last week, one of the makeup artists let me in on a genius little beauty tip. The key to wearing bright lipstick?

Blush.

She said if you just wear bright lipstick, your face gets kind of lost. The blush helps create definition, highlighting your bone structure and balancing out the bright. I know I’ve found this to be true. If I just swipe on a bright lip color, somehow my face doesn’t look right (too puffy; shapeless; wrong). I’ve now incorproated this trick and added a little blush, and voila, all is right with the world — and my face.

My favorite blushes for summer: Sephora + Pantone Apricot Brandy and NARS Orgasm.

Another tip, she said, is to put on that bright lipstick and walk around the house and look at yourself every time you pass a mirror. You just have to get used to seeing yourself in something different. I certainly know that to be true, whether it’s lipstick or fashion. You too?

Finally, if you have pale skin, like me, and you want to get in on the pretty bright orange lipstick that’s so popular right now  and one of the biggest beauty trends of spring and summer (Tangerine Tango is the Pantone color of the year; and don’t you love how all of the J.Crew models have those punchy lips?), she advises choosing a shade that has more pink in it. If your skin has more color, then you can pull off the straight orange flawlessly, but if you’re more of a Zooey Deschanel, stick to pinky oranges.

Have you indulged in the bright lip trend? Have any favorite hues?

Here are a few bright lipsticks I already have and love or want to try:

NARS: Barbarella; Roman Holiday; Schiap; Funny Face (best names ever)

Sephora + Pantone Universe: Color of the Year Lipgloss Set (I love a good set)

J.Crew: Poppy King (this is THE color!)

[Photos via Pinterest]

A few nights ago I had the pleasure of attending interior designer Kishani Perera’s book party at her Los Angeles shop Rummage for her new tome Vintage Remix: The Interiors of Kishani Perera.

I’d attended a Sephora + Pantone event earlier in the afternoon where I went more casual, but wanted to step it up in the glamour department — quite literally, as I knew actress and model Molly Sims would be at the book launch (Kishani designed Sims’ gorgeous residence).

I’ve learned my lesson not to stand next to tall beautiful blonds — at least not without really high shoes on, thankyouverymuch.

I decided on this creme brulee frock with chevron-patterned gold beading.

And then decided to go gold or go home with a glittering arm party.

Above are some snaps from the soiree, including (from l-r):  party-goers at Rummage; designer Kishani Perera and myself; my party-hopping partner in crime Jenny and I toasting with stripey straws; and, Kishani’s new book Vintage Remix, which you can scoop up here.

It was a beautiful evening made even sweeter with a night cap at Al Gelato, followed by curling up with the new issue of Domino. (Can we talk about how exciting that is?!).

{What I Wore: DRESS: Love Label c/o Very.com (no longer available but similar here); SHOES: Jeffrey Campbell Foxy platforms; BAG: Kate Spade (old but similar here); CUFF: Kristen McCloud c/o; BRACELET: Stella & Dot Luna Wrap Bracelet (can also be worn as a necklace) c/o; EARRINGS: Stella & Dot Sidewinder Studs c/o; RING:  Luc Kieffer (old but try eBay and here’s a similar option); NAIL POLISH: Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet; BLUSH: Sephora + Pantone Apricot Brandy blush c/o}

[Photos by BussBuss, edited with Instagram]

If you love Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany’s as much as I do, you must watch this Breakfast at Tiffany’s-inspired makeup tutorial by makeup guru Lisa Eldridge showing how to get Holly Golightly’s look — from her eyebrows to her lips.

Audrey eyes are so coveted and I can’t wait to try out the kitten-eye look! There are so many clever tips for getting her brilliant doe-eyed look even if your eyes look nothing like hers.

Do you love Breakfast at Tiffany’s too? What’s your favorite Audrey Hepburn  film?

Thank you Kristen Turner for sending this our way, daahling!

[Photo by Rare Audrey Hepburn]

2B top c/o; GAP 1969 jeans; Rebecca Minkoff bag c/o; Sendra ‘Sara Clare’ boots c/o; hair by Joseph Chase

My darlings, I’ve finally found love! With a hair stylist that is. I’ve always secretly envied girls who had trusted stylists that they returned to over and over again. Despite “dating” many, I never found my perfect match. Until today.

And I have Groupon to thank, no less! Remember that great deal that popped up last week at Argyle Salon in Sunset Tower? Well, I nabbed it and I’m so glad I did. Frankly, I was in a pretty rotten mood all day Jesse Spano-ing out (time, time there’s never enough time!), so I wasn’t expecting much. In fact, I had visions of myself crying in my car (again) after my having my haircut (um, I’m not the only one who does that, right?).

But then I met Joseph Chase. We chatted delightfully for a good 10 or 15 minutes about what I wanted, what would be a good fit for my lifestyle, options, etcetera and finally decided on a Nicole Richie-esque bob with a long side-swept bang. I had been feeling like a troll, and walked out feeling like a million bucks. If you are in need of a wonderful hair stylist who truly listens and “gets it” and gives you exactly what you want, I couldn’t recommend him more. And the salon itself was lovely too. Low-key (which is saying a lot considering the A-list celebrity clientele they cater to), great West Hollywood location, extremely friendly staff. Check it out and tell Joseph I said hi xx!

[Photos by BussBuss]

Fuggedabout Christmas sweaters. This darling gift bow for your tresses is the glamorous and cheeky way to add a festive touch to your holiday party ensemble. It would also make such a cute present for your best friends. It’s a total glam slam!

Available here at bando xx!

It’s been way too long since my last cut, in big part because I can’t decide what I want to have done…and in small part because I am very, very lazy  — well, when it comes to my hair. Shampoo? Pshaw. Brushing? Overrated! (Okay, in truth my hair is dry so it just does much better without frequent washing — the brushing, well, see exhibit LAZY above).

But when I spotted these pics of Alexa Chung’s new ‘do? Well, swoon, baby, swoon. I’ve contemplated bangs for…let’s see, forever, but always decided against them because 1) I can’ stand to have hair on/in my face, 2) My hair is fine yet naturally wavy AND I have a cowlick so they wouldn’t lay flat without some effort and 3) My husband hates bangs.

But now I’m really thinking about taking the fringe plunge because 1) It’s an easy way to hide fine lines and wrinkles, 2) I’m convinced this means I’ll be able to wear less makeup and 3) Did you see how flippin’ cute she looks?!

To fringe or not to fringe, that is the question. Would you do it? Have you done it? I’m afraid I’ll end up looking like this. Or this.

My darlings, I hope you had a delicious Thanksgiving weekend and are all fueled up for the most exciting online shopping day of the year – Cyber Monday! It’s the one day of the year where you can get the best deals (sans pepper spray). We’ve asked some of our favorite designers, brands and online shops to give you, dear readers, amazing coupon codes that will help you stretch your holiday dollars (that just means we can buy more, right?). Behold, the annual Holiday DEALS Gift Guide!

Delicate Raymond	The Soap Box Company	Moop
Lauren Conrad, Mischa Barton and Carrie Underwood are just a few of the famous fans of Delicate Raymond’s breathtaking jewels. We adore the Vintage Monogram Collection, featuring engraved coin bangles and initial charm necklaces. Worn layered or alone, each piece adds instant glamour to your look and makes a treasured gift.	Artisanal bath and beauty products packaged beautifully? Yes, please! Bonus: Everything is all-natural and tested for sensitive skin. This Vanilla Milk Lotion and Body Wash Caddy Set is on our wishlist and we plan to gift it to our spa-loving friends. It would also make a great hostess gift. Now, to choose a scent… Vanilla? Almond Blossom? Sweet Mint? Or Holiday scents?	Coveted and beloved by the fashion blog world over, Moop’s incredibly cool handmade waxed canvas bags are like a favorite pair of jeans: comfortable, durable, and they make your backside look good. Oh wait… But they do make *you* look good. And smart. We love the Paperback, which fits your fave book (or iPad or Kindle) perfectly.
Use code BUSSBUSS35 for 35% off any regularly priced merchandise through 12/31/11!	Get 20% off plus a free holiday lip balm with code BUSSBUSS through 12/25/11!	Enjoy free domestic shipping in the US through 12/3/11 with code MOOPMOOPBUSSBUSS at checkout!
Klix Makeup Brushes	Bellissima Jewelry Design	autrepeau
This genius three-brush set features white, replaceable, recyclable brush heads so you won’t have to spend time cleaning, rinsing, drying and reshaping your makeup brushes, only to find they never quite work the same again (and aren’t even clean!). We’re nabbing sets for our sisters and besties (um, and ourselves!) and giving the gift of glowing skin this holiday season. Take that, Santa.	We were floored when we first spotted Bellissima’s handcrafted necklaces and jewels. The sophisticated and playful color combos (like the cool grey and punchy red of the Lucille necklace above) instantly take a ho-hum outfit to a whole other level. After scooping up a few pieces for ourselves (hello, it’s holiday party season and we need to spice up that LBD!), we’ll be gifting Bellissima jewels to the special ladies in our lives… if we can bear to part with them!	We’ve been huge fans of autrpeau ever since we sampled one of their long-sleeved innerwear tops over seven years ago. And now we never wear sweaters without one. Created as an incredibly comfy second skin to be worn under itchy sweaters and scratchy suits, autrepeau’s camis and tops make winter wear and suits comfy — and save you bundles on dry cleaning bills. We’ll be gifting them to all the business women and sensitive-skinned ladies we love.
Enjoy the Klix Makeup Brush Collection for just $39.99 (reg. $59.99) through 12/31/11 with code BUSS2011 at checkout. Free shipping is included, too!	Enjoy free shipping with code BUSSBUSS through 12/17/11!	Enjoy 10% off and free shipping with code BUSSBUSS through 12/30/11/!
Kensie	Asos	Delias
We love the cool-girl clothes Kensie dishes up, like this shimmering black sequin frock. We’re also pining over the downtown-chic sweaters, vests and capes. And we can’t believe this amazeballs deals. This means we can buy twice as much, right?	From on-trend yet wallet-friendly dresses and coats to bags and shoes, our ASOS wishlist is miles long. And now is the time to stock up as they are treating us to a very rare coupon code. Hooray for Black Friday online deals with no trampling required!	We may not be 14 anymore, but that’s never stopped us from indulging in Delia’s super-cute, affordable clothing. How cute would this darling scarlet number be for holiday shindigs AND on Valentine’s Day, too? We’ll likely be scooping up some cute cardigans while we’re at it. A deal this good is hard to pass up.
Buy one get one free using code MAKEPRETTY through 11/29/11!	Enjoy 20% off womens (including sale items!) with code HAPPYBLACKFRIDAY through 11/28/11.	Take $20 off any order over $75 with code 75AFFND at checkout!

More deals:

Kate Spade: Up to 75% off + $5 ground shipping during the sample sale on 11/28/11.

Trina Turk: 15% off with code CYBER15 on 11/28/11.

Anthropologie: Free shipping on orders over $100 through 11/30/11 when you use this link.

Dwell Studio:  20% off plus free shipping with code BESTSALEEVER11 on 11/28/11.

Banana Republic: 30% off with code HUGECYBER on 11/28/11.

GAP: 30% off with code HUGECYBER on 11/28/11.

Steve Madden: 30% off plus free shipping with code STUFFING at checkout. Exclusions apply.

J.Crew: 25% off + free shipping with code SURPRISE on 11.28.11 only!

Madewell: Enjoy an extra 30% off sale items & free shipping with code ENJOY on 11/28/11 only!

Macy’s: Get an extra 25% off (10% electrics) with code MACYSFF through 12/5/11.

Rebecca Minkoff: Major deals (like $100s off!) in the Black Friday Sale, plus first 100 to use code CYBERMON get 10% off new purchases (1 per customer).

For more great deals, sign up for The DailyBuss email and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

* This guide brought to you by our lovely sponsors.

How To Make It In America. Do you love it, too? I’m obsessed. Which got me to thinking… What would Ben, Cam, Rachel and Domingo do for Thanksgiving?

AphroChic Placemats – They’d eat on these oh-so-Brooklyn-it-hurts placemats.

Graffiti Cocktail Shaker – Let’s face it: Drinks will be the main event.

Cutipol Rondo Gold Cutlery- If Kappo’s not in jail, he’ll insist on these bombdotcom utensils.

Spherical Ice Tray Set – Because they know drinks these days are all about the ice.

Bicycle Glasses – I mean, hello.

Bear Rug Coasters – If there are any coasters, they’d have to be these.

Don’t Give Up The Ship Pillow – Word.

Breaking news: Hedgehogs are the new flamingos are the new foxes are the new owls. Proof?

Exhibit A: Jonathan Adler; Exhibit B: Kate Spade (via Oh Joy!)

You’re welcome, America.

p.s. Aren’t these little guys so cute? Which do you love most: owls, flamingos, foxes or hedgehogs?

When I modeled in this Style Network segment hosted by my friend Sydne Summer recently, I had the pleasure of having my hair and makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Susan Thompson. Not only is Suzi a total sweetheart and supremely talented (many a famous face has sat in her chair), she’s also recently launched her own makeup line, Susan Thompson Cosmetics.

I got to test out the Pout Poppers, which not only make your lips look plumper, but also contain Vitamins A & E and are paraben-free. Considering we ingest up to 7 lbs of lipstick and gloss in our lifetime (ick), the fact that this gloss is healthy is a major plus. And, my lips have totally noticed a difference: They no longer are dry and chapped. You can try out Pout Poppers in three lovely shades right here (I’m wearing Evelyn’s Journey above), as well as what just may be the perfect red lipstick (seen on Suzi herself above). Named Joplin, $1 of each sale goes to the Red Cross for Joplin tornado victims.

p.s. Shipping is free in the US!

[Right photo courtesy of Sydne Summer of Think Thru Fashion]

Lauren Conrad and Kate Bosworth have both popped up recently with blue-tipped hair. Kate’s locks were more neon while LC played it subtle with barely blue tresses. I think it looks like these blondies have been spending way too much time in the pool, but what do you think? Are you feeling blue? Would you try out this trend? Are you adventurous when it comes to your hair or do you prefer to play it safe? Who rocks blue tips better, Lauren Conrad or Kate Bosworth? Let’s play Fashion Police in the comments, shall we darlings?

[Photos via Glamour and Fab Sugar]

Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week dished up plenty of trends (the ’70s, bell bottoms, bright hues, to name but a few One Day at a Time-influenced nods), but one beauty trend that really caught my mascaraed eye? These caviar nails captured backstage at the Cushnie et Ochs show by Jessica of What I Wore. Apparently, the nails are painted black and then dipped in seed beads (tiny glass beads). Not entirely practical for, say, baking giant cupcakes, but kind of fun for special occasions, don’t you think? Are you ready for caviar nails?

[Photo by What I Wore]

Remember last month when I wanted my locks to look like Alexa Chung’s hairstyle? Well, I still do. My tresses were chopped and while I liked the front and the back independently, I wasn’t a fan of them together (yes, I realize the picture I showed you and my hairstylist is all one length, but somehow I walked out with something different altogether, something I deemed a hipster mullet, which warranted many a ponytail — don’t you hate it when that happens?). So, I will be trying  a new salon next week and will be traipsing in with these photos in hand. The left photo is of model Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who also happens to be Sean Lennon’s boho-chic girlfriend and Rebecca Minkoff’s muse. The top right photo is of Claire Forlani circa the Meet Joe Black days (she is so beautiful, whatever happened to her?) and the bottom is of Alexa Chung (yet again!) at Christian Siriano’s fall 2011 show at New York Fashion Week. I’m clearly having a ’90s moment. What do you think? Are you feeling the simple yet messy bob? Hopefully my new stylist can make like Nike and just ‘do it (dorky pun so intended, sorry!).

[left photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America via Zimbio; top right photo via here; bottom right photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz via styleist]

Which is essentially how I already look, albiet my locks are a bit longer, hence the visit to the beauty parlor (why doesn’t anyone say beauty parlor anymore — because it’s not 1955?). On days that I find it in me to run a brush through my hair (hmm, perhaps I need to make some style resolutions), I could even possibly look like this:

Minus the impossibly long legs. But you know, basically identical. If all turns out tear-free, I’ll post pics xx!

[Photos via here.]