Sex and the City finally arrives

Carrie Bradshaw with three essential accessories: Gladiator sandals, a studded belt and a handsome man.

Friday night I pinned on a new giant, flower corsage in honor of my favorite single gal (Carrie Bradshaw, of course) and headed to a Sex and the City soiree for the opening of the movie.

The film did not disappoint. Not to worry, there are no spoiler alerts in this post. First, I am not the best movie reviewer. And secondly, giving away the plot of a movie as precious as this is like telling someone their Christmas present before the big day.

The four ladies totally delivered. Their four years away treated them well. The plot was fantastic. The men were more attractive this go around. Jennifer Hudson. Spot on.

And the clothes. Oh, how they shone! The film bombards you with look after look. It was a lot to take in (especially from row five in the theater) and I'll be heading back to the movie to further dissect the fashion. How does costume designer extraordinaire Patricia Field pull it off? Her picks are flawless.

Thanks to Field, I am officially buying a belt for every outfit. (Or at least a few.)

If you love the women of Sex and the City, check them out on the big screen. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll remember why you watch the same episodes over and over again on TBS now. And chances are, you'll come away inspired to kick it up a notch in the fashion department and call the fabulous women in your life who you can depend on to tell you when your panty hose have a run and buy you a Cosmo when you've been stoop up.

Glutton for "Sex and the City"

The fabulous foursome looking like the goddesses they are at the "Sex and the City: The Movie" premiere in NYC.

I officially can't get enough "Sex and the City". And thanks to the recent onslaught of 'Sex' commercials, products, previews and general hoopla I am fairly close to getting my fill as Friday approaches when "Sex and the City: The Movie" hits theaters. In the words of writer-director Michael Patrick King the movie has gone beyond buzz. He describes the growing enthusiasm for SATC as a "frenzy of fabulous." Indeed.

But, I have to wonder (as I type on my Mac more than 1,240 miles from NYC) ... Why do women like me (who don't own a pair of Manolos and wouldn't know how to get from Prada to the Magnolia Bakery if my shoe collection depended on it) feel so connected to "Sex and the City?"

It could be we're all fashion obsessed. It could be we love to hear the torrid details of the dynamic foursome's lives. Two words: Chris Noth. But, I believe our connection to 'Sex' is much deeper than the Cosmos and Choos. Evidence: The number of people who have the results of their personal Sex and the City character quiz on their social networking pages.

Everyone has a redeeming quality they connect to one of the characters. You're honest like Miranda. Maybe hopeful like Charlotte. Unashamed like Samantha. The nucleus of your group like Carrie. But, more important than the good, the characters of 'Sex' show us the messy, flawed vulnerable parts of us are more than acceptable. Watching them is a reminder the chinks in our armor are what make us so strong.

So cheers 'Sex' fans. Dust off your tutu. Grab your favorite clutch. We are less than 48 hours from the return of "Sex and the City!"

Sunless tans

Hello my name is Amanda and I am addicted to self tanners. I was not blessed with any sort of skin pigment (unless you count freckles that rear their ugly little heads this time of year). But, all is not lost. I have discovered the benefits of faux tanning products.

I'm like Goldilocks when it comes to sunless tanning products. This one is too light. That one is too dark. This one has an odd odor. That one is too greasy. With each new product I try, I come one step closer to finding the perfect product. 

To that end, I am sharing with you my latest find. It's Neutrogena's Sun Fresh sunless lotion in grapefruit-nectarine. The color is a bit sheer for me, but natural looking. The best thing, perhaps, is the lack of the tell-tale fake bake smell. Bonus: it's oil-free and dries in 5 minutes. A great combination for the hot summer months.

Less really can be more

'Less is more' is usually not in my arsenal of mottos. But, I know in the summer months it is wise to lighten up when it comes to makeup. To that end, I have discovered a way to keep the drama in my lashes (I'm a volume mascara junkie) while using less mascara.

Blacker than black mascara is the key. Several lines carry a color of mascara that is a shade darker than traditional black. Sounds crazy, but I bought Lancome's Hypnose in deep black a few days ago. 

I've been using less mascara and haven't had to sacrifice on the drama factor. It's a great recipe for summertime looks when excess mascara can lead to an overdone look.

I am unashamedly Carried away

I'm not going to pretend for a moment that I haven't been Christmas-morning excited about  Sex and the City: The Movie since the series ended. My iPod is set to India Arie's "Heart of the Matter" from the trailer for the new movie. The background on my computer is a gorgeous photo of Sarah Jessica Parker in a wedding gown. And today my obsession went into overdrive when the June edition of Vogue arrived in my mailbox. 

The cover is a delicious photo of SJP, who plays Carrie Bradshaw, leaning against the legs of a man who we must assume is Chris Noth, who plays Mr. Big. The inside photos of Noth and SJP reminded me why we all love the duo so dearly. Like all things Sex and the City they are a beautifully stylized, fantastic version of a regular couple with just enough humor and cheeky behavior to make them real.

The quest for better skin

If you're anything like me, you are on the eternal hunt for products that will improve the skin God gave you. For me, that means using products that keep me clear while trying to halt the early signs of aging. It's a tough balancing act that I'm always trying to improve upon. 

Last night I discovered a fantastic mask to that end. Decleor's Instant Purifying Mask is a quick clay-like mask that only takes 5 to 10 minutes. The mask promises to rid the skin of impurities, tighten pores and even skin's texture (all claims I've heard before). No empty promises here. My skin appeared tighter and softer without feeling dehydrated.

Maybe I didn't wake up with Charlize Theron's skin today. But, I did wake up to a better version of my own skin (i.e. less visible pores) and that's all a woman can really ask from a mask.

Seeing red

I was seeing red yesterday – in a good way – at the Go Red for Women luncheon. It was a lovely event at the Hilton, which reminded us all the importance of understanding heart health. 

The American Heart Association event brought out a throng of women donning the day's signature shade – red – in every hue and design. A heart healthy lunch and beautiful heart-shaped table decor rounded out a moving event that included testimony from a stroke victim and an upbeat motivational speaker. The event left me wanting to learn more about the cause and wishing I had a few more red items in the closet.

Relays, marches and flings

ESA's Spring Fling brought out Marilyn, Madonna, Ginger and Fred Saturday night.

It was a beautiful and busy weekend for events including the Relay for Life, the March for Babies and ESA's Spring Fling.

From tennis shoes and ball caps to shimmering cocktail dresses, the events all offered a chance to do some good in Lafayette.

Friday night was the Relay for Life to stop cancer. Volunteers gathered at Comeaux High School's football field for the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. event and while I didn't stay all night, it looked as though they had enough snow cones, sausage and gumbo to last until the sun came up.

Saturday morning, the March for Babies took off in River Ranch's Town Square. The March of Dimes event aimed at bringing awareness to premature births sent marchers on a walk around River Ranch to show their support.

Saturday night's Spring Fling for the Epsicopal School of Acadiana brought out the "stars" beneath tents at the LITE Center including Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. But, perhaps the biggest stars of the evening were the well-dressed women. My favorites? Short, simple dresses encrusted with sequins and lemon yellow dresses that exuded the essence of spring.

Summer fashion hits the runway

A Belle Amie model works the runway in a vibrant one-shoulder top.

Lafayette retailers showed off their goods Wednesday night during KSMB's Fashion Show at Acadiana Center for the Arts.

Artesia showed off summer gear including luggage you'd want to show off here and abroad. Brother's on the Boulevard rocked the runway sans shoes with great jeans. Lemon Drop's girls looked tasty in fun hues and shapes. Jo Ann Delhomme's Get Wet Shop reminded me that a fabulous floppy hat puts an instant polish on swimwear. Belle Amie sparkled with classic and dynamic dresses in shades from soft to electric.

In addition to local retailers, UL School of Fashion Design students showcased their work that varied from the conservative to flamboyant.

The Acadiana Center for the Arts offers a sleek venue for a temporary catwalk and the fashion on display Wednesday offered a variety of looks for men and women.