IONE SKYE: "ETERNAL IS THE ONE WHOSE HEART HAS AWAKENED TO LOVE" - HAFIZ

"Like a blooming night flower...bestow your vital fragrance of happiness." - Hafiz

Where to begin with the perfection and elegance of IONE SKYE. Born in England and raised in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Connecticut, Ione became a model (of course with that face) from an early age. Her unusual and exceptional beauty caught the eye of a casting director and the rest is history. Cast in films such as "River's Edge," Gas Food Lodging" and "Zodiac," Ione's teen idol status was cemented with 1989's film "Say Anything." Now wildly known and idolized for her role as Diane Court in this film, Ione will forever be a style and beauty icon. She was born to model Enid Karl and famous Scottish folk rock singer Donovan Leitch, and Ione has been a gem since birth and in her own right. Having directed films and music videos, Ione is now a mother of two beautiful girls, Kate and Goldie. She is a fascinating painter with work I am drooling over to buy. See her beyond gorgeous pieces of work at: www.ioneskyepaintings.com.

Here are a few EXCLUSIVE GS&E beauty questions answered by this beautiful icon:

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THAT YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL?

I am inspired watching and listening to my friends tell stories, traveling, great writing, great art, Georgian architecture. I find horses beautiful. The countryside in England, Scotland inspiring.
Train rides, long bus rides are inspiring. They make me feel I am in a book. And of course music inspires me.

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE EVER READ?

The poems of Hafiz.

IN WHAT SETTING DO YOU CREATE YOUR BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS?

I paint in my large kitchen listening to my records with the door open to the back garden.


WHAT IS A CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT?

Can't live without Rose Hip Oil and Chanel Plum eyeliner....


Ione is one of those beautiful exceptions to life who bypasses all of us by being effortlessly chic, truly pure and deeply special.

"Who keeps seducing the formless into form - had the charm to win my heart." - Hafiz

She continues to win everyone's heart.

XOXO
GS&E

PATRICIA HEATON: "A WITTY WOMAN IS A TREASURE; A WITTY BEAUTY IS A POWER" - GEORGE MEREDITH

Let's be honest, anyone can be pretty. But to be truly beautiful, you must be able to hit the unspoken Trifecta. That would be undeniable beauty, endless brains of deep and conversational knowledge and to have an amazing sense of humor. My latest GS&E subject of beauty is all three and more..the fabulous PATRICIA HEATON. After studying drama and graduating from Ohio State, Patricia made her Broadway debut in the chorus of "Don't Get God Started" in 1987, which came about after she and fellow students formed Stage Three, an Off-Broadway acting troupe. When Stage Three took a production to Los Angeles, Heaton caught the eye of a casting director for the TV show "Thirtysomething." The rest is sparkling gold television history. Gone were the days of this powerhouse cast in the chorus. She went on to win a leading role on "Everybody Loves Raymond" which became and remains one of the most beloved and classic television shows of all time. Her comedic genius and timing won her two Best Actress Emmy Awards for her amazing work as Raymond's wife "Debra Barone." Patricia went on to do several TV movies and became a commercial spokesperson for many amazing brands. She also produced the 2005 documentary film "The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania" that her husband, David Hunt, directed. She wrote an insanely hysterical and honest memoir in 2002 called "Motherhood To Hollywood: How To Get A Job Like Mine" which was a hugely acclaimed hit.

Patricia is a wife and mother and still finds the time and energy to be a primetime television princess. Currently on the hysterical and successful ABC sitcom, "The Middle," there is nothing she can't do.

Beyond proud to share an EXCLUSIVE beauty interview with this exceptional actress/beauty/woman:

WHAT IS A DAILY / NIGHTLY BEAUTY ROUTINE OF YOURS?

TNS Complex by Skin Medica along with Revale Day/Night Cream....

WHAT IS YOUR CAN'T-LIVE-WITHOUT BEAUTY PRODUCT?

I love L'Oreal's True Match foundation...great for everyday....

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THAT YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL?

I get inspired by art. I try to see as much of it as possible, especially local artists wherever I am...

WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE EVER READ?

The world is full of many beautiful books....

Dickens / George Elliot / Waugh / Martin Amis / Updike / Flannery / Thurber...Histories - William Manchester / Thomas Cahill / David McCoullagh

"To think that my expectations had done some good to somebody.." - Charles Dickens

Between exhausting trips to Costco, mothering four boys, learning her weekly script lines and looking as refreshed and movie star glam as she does, you can't help but wonder....what secret is she hiding in her Louboutins? The only secret I have uncovered seems to be her endless positivity, contentment and true happiness that acts as her secret weapon....which is a sparkling, priceless cosmetic.

XOXOX

GS&E

LOREE RODKIN: "SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE DONE, SUCH THINGS TO BE" - ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Some people have something other people don't. We all know this. Something in them when they are born; people are drawn to them, inspiration dances off plain white tables for them, there is something about them that just makes people want to watch their next Louboutin-ed step. One of these people in life is visionary and designer LOREE RODKIN. Not surprised to hear she has had two offers to option her life story, she remains inspiring and fiercely loyal to her tight, high-profile circle of friends who are also fans. Once she arrived to LA she became an edgy interior designer, then coveted talent manager and now a highly successful couture accessory mogul. Her gorgeous pieces are handcrafted "modern and medieval" designs which she has branched off to include fragrances, candles and eye couture. A major moment for Loree was when Michelle Obama chose her as the designer of her inaugural ceremony's historical jewelry. Those pieces of Loree's will now be made a permanent collection in the Smithsonian for this reason. Loree's bestseller is the "bondage ring" which has inspired a rage of designers who are tapping into this modern idea and making it a current jewelry trend at this moment. Her brilliant ring design of the "bondage ring" covers most of the finger with a joint that bends with the knuckle. Pure brilliance.

Here I share a very special beauty interview with this amazing designer:

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THAT YOU FIND BEAUTIFUL?

Fashion, travel and art inspire me....

WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN?

Bali...

A BEAUTY RITUAL YOU DO EVERY DAY?

My ritual that I can not live without...moisturizing serum by Diibi from Cristina Radu....moisturizer made by German Dr. Barbara Sturm with my own stem cells. Cleanser and night cream from Italy by LBF.

WHAT IS A BEAUTY SECRET OF YOURS?

Red lips during the day when you're tired and have no makeup on...For night, as much black kohl pencil inside the eyeline as I can manage...eyes are the most dramatic...

WHAT IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL YOU LOVE AND WANT TO BUY RIGHT NOW?

Everything designed by Greg Lauren...his new line GL is off the charts...

So much magic is exuded by this amazing designer. She is the movie star of the design world. So honored to have a glimpse into her perfect aesthetic spectrum.

"I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can't possess radiance, you can only admire it." - Elizabeth Taylor

www.loreerodkin.com

XOXOX

GS&E

TAMRA BARNEY'S FAVORITE THINGS: A VALENTINES DAY CONTEST...

This is a very exciting GS&E EXCLUSIVE VALENTINES DAY CONTEST WITH OUR FAVORITE REAL HOUSEWIFE TAMRA BARNEY!! She is beautiful, feisty and hilarious...who wouldn't want a peak into her three FAVORITE THINGS for Valentines Day?! YOU could win ALL THREE of her favorite things! Read on.......

TAMRA'S THREE FAVORITE THINGS FOR VALENTINES DAY:


TAMRA LOVES THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK "GRACEFULLY: LOOKING AND BEING YOUR BEST AT ANY AGE" BY VALERIE RAMSEY WITH HEATHER HUMMEL

"GRACEFULLY" is a very uplifting book." - Tamra Barney

The first part of the prize for this Valentines day contest is this gorgeous book that Tamra loves.
The book is about the beautiful and accomplished Valerie Ramsey who went from mother of six to a runway model in her 60's. A survivor of uterine cancer and diagnosed "with a weak heart," this woman has defeated the odds and proven the soul inside of you is just as strong at 10 as at 60. Living by believing in positive thinking, there is so much to absorb and learn in this gorgeous book. Co-written by the award winning Heather Hummel, this is a positive and beautiful book. The book is valued at $24.95.

www.valerieramsey.com

www.heatherhummel.net

www.amazon.com



TAMRA LOVES CARMEL VALLEY COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY

The second part of this prize is a set for two including a pound of coffee and two ceramic mugs from the delicious CARMEL VALLEY COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY. Established in 1994, this beautiful coffee shop provides 100% Arabica gourmet coffee which is exclusively available in high-end restaurants, inns, coffeehouses, markets and corporate businesses throughout the US. Their main focus is to provide superior fresh roasted coffee using the finest Arabica beans delivered. A pound of coffee is $13 and their company ceramic mugs are valued at $26.95 each.

www.carmel-coffee.com


TAMRA LOVES HEINAU FLOWERS

The third part of this prize is a beautiful "Rose Trio" from HEINAU FLOWERS. This company has something no other florist has...their blooms can last months and even one year. Their motto is "you can have your cake and eat it too." Their 100% natural fresh cut blooms are cut at the peak of their quality, the water and sap in the plant cells are "replaced by their proprietary certified non-toxic moisturizer, leaving the petals, soft, supple and beautiful. Each preserved flower will continue to absorb moisture from the air, prolonging it's natural beauty." The ingredients are safe, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly. This part of the prize is valued at $49.

www.heinauflowers.com

www.octamra.com


TO WIN THIS "TAMRA'S FAVORITE THINGS" CONTEST:
SEND AN EMAIL TO: GIGISAFFRONANDEVER@GMAIL.COM AND GIVE A REASON WHY YOU LOVE TAMRA! THE BEST ANSWER WILL WIN! CONTEST ENDS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH AT 6PM! GOOD LUCK!
WINNER GETS ALL THREE OF TAMRA'S FAVORITE VALENTINE ITEMS!

XOXOX
GS&E

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKS: "A GOOD BOOK HAS NO ENDING." - R.D. CUMMING

A collection of GS&E's chosen most beautiful books....

NICK BANTOCK'S "GRIFFIN & SABINE"

Nick Bantock's beautifully written correspondence around the balance between "love and fear, male and female, body and mind, and world and image." This story is told through a trilogy of books with removable letters and postcards between the two main characters. You truly feel like you are reading other people's love letters, watching what happens between them unfold and going through the emotions with them. These books never leave my thoughts or heart.


SLIM AARON'S "A PLACE IN THE SUN"

Slim Aaron's was the celebrity photographer of the "golden age" - his photos are almost impossible today. The photos are lit so beautifully and the moments captured are so idyllic. Capturing beautiful people in the 60's and 70's, tons of trends and magic were photographed. His "A Place in the Sun" as well as "Once Upon A Time" really capture golden, gorgeous and trend-setting days in such luminous light. And his photos live happily ever after....


JOAN DIDION'S "THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING"

This Joan Didion book is brutally honest, deeply sad and truly a beautiful masterpiece. It really shows you how to live each day with the ones you love and know it could end and change at any moment. Nothing is bigger than death. Anything can be overcome when you put your perspective into her history. It made me very sad but it also taught me a close lesson that everyday, every moment is important to love, be kind, take the time to appreciate where you are and who you love. Don't take a thing in your life for granted.


LEE RADZIWILL'S "HAPPY TIMES"

Lee Radziwill's beautiful book is part notebook and part photo album of her happiest time with sister Jacqueline Kennedy in the 60's. The photos are insanely amazing. In the back of the book are pages from their beautifully co-written and illustrated book "One Special Summer." It is like having a telescope peak into the childhood thoughts of two very intriguing and fascinating women.


NORTON JUSTER'S "THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH"

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH has been an obsession of mine since I was in fourth grade. I still think it is beyond it's time and really special for a child or even an adult to discover. Milo is so bored. One day, he receives an unusual package - a make believe toll-booth. He is transported to the Lands Beyond - an amazing world of imagination. Nothing is boring ever again. It still makes me happy seeing it glowing back at me in my bookshelf.


F. SCOTT FITZGERALD'S "THE GREAT GATSBY"

THE GREAT GATSBY is all the things I love....a beautiful and sad love story...in a time I find interesting and inspiring...beautiful visuals in every area...a haunting story of triumph and tragedy. One of the only books whose movie was made even better with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. The costumes are so beautiful I could cry!


ALEXANDRE DUMAS' "CAMILLE"

The beautiful book "CAMILLE" is such a lovely reminder that money doesn't buy everything or equate happiness. Happiness could come rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, happy or sad...


LEWIS CARROLL'S "ALICE AU PAYS DES MERVEILLES"

The gorgeous French version book of Alice In Wonderland...
"Eh bien, vois-tu, un chien gronde lorsqu'il est en colere, et remue la queue lorsqui"il est content. Or, moi."


GORDON KERR'S "GONERS"

I have given GONERS out to so many people because I learned so much from it. First, it is always interesting to hear about notable people's final days and hours. But in this book, I learned that Alexander the Great loved to party after fighting, that Charles Dickens had lunch, smoked a cigar and wrote the day he had a stroke out of nowhere, that Marie Antoinette apologized to her executioner for stepping on his toes before her head was chopped off and that Elvis sat down at his piano and sang "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" the night he was to die which became the last song he ever sang. This book is hauntingly amazing.


DONALD H. WOLFE'S "THE LAST DAYS OF MARILYN MONROE"

A sad and in-depth account of her final days. Many details not widely known. I could not stop reading this book.

"Love is eternal...until it ends" ................


JEAN STEIN'S "EDIE"

I find any book on Edie Sedgwick to be beautiful but this book is written with many voices, including her family and close friends. As the book says, "all glitter and flash on the outside, all hollow and desperate within."


"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you've lost a friend." - Paul Sweeney

All these friends are nestled safe in my home.

XOXOX
GS&E

GS&E'S OBSESSIONS THIS WEEK: "KNOW THAT NO DAY IS THE SAME AS ANOTHER, AND THAT EACH MORNING CONTAINS IT'S OWN PARTICULAR MIRACLE"

The best thing about life is that every day, every minute...brings a chance to find and see beauty. This is what I live for. Here are my current obsessions from the past week....

My jar of yummy Elizabeth Hurley oat bars is a beauty obsession each and every week....It is worth the hassle of international shipping....

White roses by the bed....

Sparkling rock candy necklaces.....who can really tell they are not couture????

The Eloise Suite at The Plaza Hotel in NYC....my heart will burst if I try and describe it!

Kate Spade's Beastie Boys-inspired bangles.....No Sleep Til Brooklyn.....

It'Sugar's gorgeous mascot and her licorice ringlets....

Obsessed with Michelle Pfeiffer's 1992 Rolling Stone cover...can you believe this was 19 years ago???

Still in love with Chanel's "Khaki" polish..........

If you don't know what Stracciatella ice cream is...look it up and buy an ice cream maker!!

Enamored with Windsor Smith's interior design concepts......

Anthropologie's genius thread spool candle....

Pink lipstick tube of chocolate is the perfect GS&E accessory....

Totally obsessed with the Cecil B. DeMille estate's pool....

A perfect little bouquet growing from the ground.....

"Just living is not enough - said the butterfly fairy - one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

XOXOX