Celebutante Sisters

Take A Step In The Right Direction

Kerri — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:00 -0500

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to shed unwanted pounds. Start things off on the right foot with the Celebutante Sisters and SELF Magazine. We asked the fabulous gals at the glossy for their favorite footwear finds. The result? A guide to some of the best sneakers of the season! Check it out:

1.) Asics GEL-Kayano 16: SELF Fitness Editor Sheila Monaghan says, “The new tread design gives a more efficient stride.” She’ll be lacing these shoes up when she runs the Boston Marathon. Go, Sheila!

Price: $140 on AsicsAmerica.com

2.) Nike Zoom Sister One+: SELF Associate Editor, Liz Miersch uses this pair of kicks for her dance classes. She loves the look, but says the sole is what she fell for. It helps her pivot and spin as she gets her groove on and offers great support when she is jumping and leaping. Liz also recommends these sneakers for aerobics.

Price: $76.96 – $111.97 on Nike.com

3.) New Balance WX710: Erin Kurdyla, SELF Fitness Blogger, loves her 710’s. She wears them during Zumba class, stroller aerobics and kickboxing. Erin tells us, “They are lightweight and breathable, but also offer some serious side-to-side control.”

Price: $65.00 on NBNorthShore.com

4.) Reebok EasyTones: Lauren Purcell, SELF’s Deputy Editor, is a fan of these shape-up-shoes. On days she can’t hit the gym, she says the air-filled pods on the soles tone her legs as she strolls.

Price: $109.98 on Reebok.com

Beauty Sleep Rocks!

Kerri — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:00:00 -0500

After a rockin’ New Years Eve, you’ll need to catch up on your beauty sleep! The Celebutante Sisters have a fabulous way for you to hit the hay.

Check out Molton Brown’s Aroma Rocks. Pop the top to reveal crystals of acacia tree sap drenched in a mixture of cedrus and lavender oils. (Doesn’t it just sound fancy?) The fragrance is meant to help you drift off to la-la-land and relax…not to mention sleep in style!

If you’re up for a bath before you nod off, we also recommend Molton Brown’s Cedrus Bathing Elixir.

Price: $45 for the Aroma Rocks and $34 for the Bathing Elixir on MoltonBrown.com.

GIVEAWAY- SOAK Starter Kit

Kerri — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Is that pile of dry cleaning by your hamper cleaning out wallet? Yes, some threads do need that professional touch. Still, there are always those shirts and skirts that we don’t want to throw in the washing machine, but aren’t quite sure what to do with. Now…we SOAK!

Soak is an eco-friendly solution for delicate clothing. The formula is non-toxic, biodegradable and free of dyes and harsh ingredients. Plus, washing your fibers with the stuff couldn’t be easier. Fill your sink with cool water, your delicates and the Soak solution. Let your clothes “soak” for 15 minutes. Remove the items from the water, wring them out and hang dry. That’s right…no rinsing necessary!

We’ve used Soak to clean up everything from underthings to tissue-thin tees. We admit…we’re addicted! In fact, we want to spread some Soak love. That’s why we’re GIVING AWAY (1) Soak Wash Starter Kit (Retail Price: $29). It comes with three 4 oz. bottles in three different scents. The lucky winner will also score an assortment of Soak minis. Freshen up with fragrances like Citrus, Flora and Celebration.

To enter, simply leave a comment below. One comment per person. Open to residents of the United States and Canada. This giveaway ends Monday, January 4, 2010. Good luck, CS readers!

Need A Hint?

Kerri — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Hi. We’re the Celebutante Sisters. And we’re addicted to Diet Coke.

No doubt about it. We need to drink more water. We just wish it didn’t taste so blah! So, we took a Hint…

Hint is pure, natural water…with a hint of flavor! No sugar. No artificial sweeteners.

We gulped down flavors like Watermelon, Mango Grapefruit, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Raspberry Lime, Blackberry and Strawberry Kiwi. (Is your mouth watering?) With breakfast, lunch and dinner. With snacks and on-the-go. Hint doesn’t taste overpowering, sugary or candy-like. We loved sipping this H20 ice cold. The light accent of flavor is a sweet surprise, not to mention a great alternative to calorie packed drinks.

We aren’t the only ones on the Hint bandwagon! A-listers like Miley Cyrus, Lauren Conrad and Victoria Beckham are hydrating with the stuff! And celebrity stylists like Ted Gibson, Patrick Melville and Oscar Blandi are stocking up their luxury salons.

Are you ready to take a Hint? Log on to DrinkHint.com to learn more and fill your fridge!

Price: $44 for a case of 24 bottles. Also comes in flavors like Peppermint, Tropical, Cucumber, Lime and more!

EXCLUSIVE Interview- Musician Mark Radcliffe

Kerri — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500

The Celebutante Sisters have a new soundtrack: “The Sea Before Us,” by musician Mark Radcliffe. Whether we’re getting ready to hit a party, hitting the road, or just taking in a lazy Sunday, you can often hear Mark’s voice crooning in the background.

What makes this album special is that Mark wrote each and every song. Some are upbeat and “poppy,” making us dream of sunny, happy days. Other emotional melodies are sweet and introspective. His jams remind us of a mix of three J’s: John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz. (But with Mark’s own signature spin!)

What’s the story behind his first single? What does he listen to in his spare time? Check out our EXCLUSIVE interview with musician Mark Radcliffe.

(After, hop on iTunes by clicking here and listen to the sweet sounds of his latest CD. Before you know it, you’ll be humming his tunes on the way to work, school, wherever! You can also log onto MarkRadcliffe.net for more information/show dates.)

Has music always been a large part of your life?

Yes, absolutely. Although it took me a while before I played publicly. My dad played guitar & piano as a hobby, and always had bands like the Beatles, the Eagles and Boston playing in the house, which shaped me. I think I always had a strong connection with music, but it took me a while to actually create it. I drifted away from it for a while during my teenage years before I finally realized I needed it in my life.

When did you decide you wanted to become a musician?

It was a gradual process. I took piano lessons from 8-10, but quit because I didn’t think anyone cared about it (note: I’d yet to discover girls at this point). I put all my energy into sports for years—ski racing & bike racing. It took most of high school listening to Zeppelin & U2 and wishing I could play it myself before I admitted, “OK, I need to get back to this.” There was also this guy in my high school who was always entertaining this room of people on piano and thought, “Lord I wanna be him right now.” So I started playing guitar at 17, then played in a bunch of cover bands in college. I was a teacher for a few years and ran the school band, but I realized I wasn’t done, that I needed to start recording music and see what I could do. And I didn’t pick up piano again till I was in my late 20’s. I’m a bit of a late-bloomer.

What inspires you?

Well, beyond a huge list of musicians, artists & filmmakers I could give you, I’d say I’m most inspired by seeing people take risks. Myself included. When I see a friend summon the guts to ask out a girl at work he’s been thinking about for months, that’s courage. That’s filled with the very real risk of rejection & disappointment. When someone quits their safe job in a corporation to pursue a dream of starting their own company or being a painter, that’s inspiring. When my 2 year-old niece dares to walk up to another kid on the playground to play, it’s beautiful. Seeing someone stretch their boundaries, push their comfort zone, that’s the essence of beauty, to me.

How does your new album compare to your first?

They’re pretty different in terms of production & the sonic landscape. My first one is a stripped down “purist’s” album—just me & a guitar, recorded in two days in a basement studio in Portland, OR. My new one is full-studio, produced over a few months in Hollywood, with great musicians joining me, and a Grammy-winner doing the mastering. I put everything into it. I’d say both albums are similar in the nature of the songwriting—it’s still about melody and trying to express something true. But “The Sea Before Us” is much closer to the kind of sound design I’ve always imagined. I grew up on U2, Crowded House and bands like The Gin Blossoms, where melody & harmony are king, with a strong guitar/ piano foundation beneath, and this reflects that approach. The whole sound on this album I owe to my producers—the amazing Rob Giles (of The Rescues) and Rich Jacques (of RightTheStars). They created a really warm, lush, beautiful sonic landscape.

Tell us about the first single you are releasing.

I’m starting with the first track on the album, “In the sun.” It’s probably the one song that sums up the spirit of the album in general, about emerging from hardship and struggle, and finding your place “in the sun,” however long it takes to get there. It’s an uplifting song (to me, anyway), and one I think a lot of people can relate to it, whether they’re feeling like they’ve found the light, or are still in the dark but can see a ray in the distance.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you pick and why?

Wow. Tough question. Does it have to be just one? Well, there are so many artists I’m inspired by. Some who are similar to my style—Neil Finn (of Crowded House), John Mayer, Martin Sexton. But I think it’d probably be much more interesting if I collaborated with a woman. Someone like Sheryl Crow, Imogen Heap (Frou Frou), or Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks) or folk singer Patty Griffin, or Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls. Or maybe even some techno artist. I think it’s the unexpected combos—like rocker Robert Plant with bluegrass singer Alison Krauss—that produce the best results.

What’s currently on your iPod?

A lot of female artists, actually. Sara Bareilles is probably my favorite artist in the last 10 years. She just slays me. KT Tunstall. Meiko. Ingrid Michaelson. Brandi Carlyle. I’m a big fan of The Rescues, since one of them (Rob Giles) was one of my producers. Some guys, too: Mat Kearney. Jamie Cullum—utterly amazing on the piano. Gabe Dixon Band. Newton Faulkner. The Fray. And then about 15 half-written songs I’m working on for my next album. (I know my new album just came out, but I find it takes at least a year to really get a song right, so I’m getting a head start.)

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Oh, you know, the usual dream. Me & Jay-Z, rollin up to the Grammies to do our duet together. Me draped in gold chains, steppin’ out of my Bentley. No, in all seriousness, I know I can’t control how far my music goes. I can just keep trying to write the best songs I know how to write and hope people embrace it and tell all their friends. But hopefully I’ll just be writing songs that move people, songs they turn to when they need a lift, or need something to sink deeply into. To look out into the audience and see someone deeply connecting with a song, that’s the most beautiful experience I know…

Dangerously Delicious

Kerri — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Our mouths are watering…

Godiva is known for its rich, decadent chocolate treats. This year, the brand has opened its bakery doors! You can now log on to Godiva.com and send chocolate brownies or luscious, trendy cupcakes to a friend or family member for the holidays. These goodies are also the perfect present for a party host or hostess, too. Watch out…they’re dangerously delicious!

Price: 16 brownies (1.5 lbs) for $22, 6 cupcakes for $28.00 on Godiva.com

So Fresh and So Clean

Kerri — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Have sweet dreams with the sensual scent of STELLANUDE linen mist spray.

Spray your surroundings with the luxurious scent of Moroccan Rose blended with a hint of juicy grapefruit. Crash into your sheets and inhale notes of vanilla, pink pepper and white peony. The cozy fragrance is meant to evoke the sensuality of silk lingerie.

Once we started spritzing the stuff, we couldn’t stop! On our sheets, on the couch, even on some underthings, the STELLANUDE fragrance lingered for quite some time. It reminded us of a fresh and clean load of laundry, just removed from the dryer, but with an added kick!

Even though we’ve been using STELLANUDE daily, we’ve hardly made a dent in the vintage inspired bottle, proving this spray will last for ages. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself before you hit the hay, or wrap it up and gift it to a family member or friend.

Price: 4.2 oz., $59 on Sephora.com

Shabby Chic

Kerri — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

In between buying gifts for your mom, uncle, or best friend, why not buy gifts for man’s best friend?

The Celebutante Sisters are “bark raving mad” about the stylish accessories at The Shabby Dog. Turn heads when you take your pampered pooch for a walk in the park. Look paparazzi-worthy as you jet through the airport, fashionable pet-carrier in hand. The Shabby Dog has everything you need to treat your pup, including:

The Hands Free Leash: Grab a latte. Read the paper. Walk your dog. Effortless! ($40)

Designer Dog Beds: Your pet will rest easy on these comfy, colorful thrones with names like Speidi, TomKat and Bennifer. ($125-$150)

Designer Apparel: We can’t get enough of these pet-sized threads. Dresses, coats and tees with names like Zahara, Maddox, Harlow and Suri. How will you dress your little A-lister? (Prices vary)

Having a “ruff” time making a decision? Check out TheShabbyDog.com for a complete list of products, pictures, prices, you name it! The collection retails from $12.00 – $160.00.

Say "Thank You" With Minted Stationary

Kerri — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Tis’ the season for holiday parties. What better way to say “thank you” to your hostess (or host!) than with personalized stationary? I received some a few years ago as a present and feel so chic sending it out!

Shopping expert Jenn Falik recommends Minted Stationary. You can shop by style, color and gender. Prices start at $35 and up. Check out JennFalik.com for more fun gift picks. You can also follow her on Twitter: @jennfalik.

Wishin' & Hopin' With Wishpot

Kerri — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

The Celebutante Sisters have a soft spot for Wishpot! Once you check this site out, you’ll be surfing your heart out.

Wishpot.com is a one stop shop for all your favorite finds. Think of it as a digital version of your holiday wish list. Simply download the Wishpot button to your toolbar, then hit the Web. Once you find an item you want, drag and drop it into the button. That item will automatically be added to your list. Shop anywhere you want online…even international sites. You can also add straight up cash to the lineup. And if you’re loving a big ticket item (Hello, plasma screen TV!), use the “chipin” feature to request contributions. Hey, every little bit counts!

Once you’ve created your wish list, hook up with one of the site’s Gift Experts for expert advice, or talk to other registered users for helpful holiday tips. Looking for a deal? Save some green by setting price comparisons and sale alerts.

Voila! After you’ve applied the finishing touches, send your wishes to family and friends. There’s nothing wrong with dropping a helpful hint (or two or three), right?
And, drumroll please, Wishpot is 100% free. What are you waiting for? Get your gift on!

Wishspot is also faboo for occasions like these: birthdays, housewarming parties, bridal parties, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day. You can also use it as an online “to-do” list, to help keep you organized, to help plan a party, or simply to store and compare your favorite things.