Cameron Diaz Marni Balloon Bag Look for Less

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz loves her yellow Marni Balloon bag and why wouldn’t she? It’s almost as fabulous as she is! This beautiful bag currently retailing for $1620 on marni.com can be carried over the shoulder with the shoulder strap or as a tote with the double handles on top.

I absolutely love the mustard color and the patent leather on this bag. I also like the added detail of the contrast handles.


You can now get the look for less at shopdistinction.com. Distinction’s Melie Bianco “American Dogwood” bag captures the style and hip design of this bag for a fraction of the price. You can get the bag on sale now for only $59.99.

Melie Bianco "American Dogwood" Bag $59.99

10 Questions for Tim Gunn

I love this guy!!

Five Fabulous Handbags under $50 - Part 1

Times are tough, no doubt about it. While all our handbags are under $100 at shopdistinction.com, here are five fabulous handbags that are less than $50!

Melie Bianco "Ramona" Handbag in Olive $49.99

Melie Bianco Crocodile Clutch in Red $24.99

Val Patent Pintucked Shopper in Black $39.99

Melie Bianco Stone Clutch in Gold $39.99

Melie Bianco Shoulder Bag in Turquoise $49.99

Party Girl Bag by Philosophy

I absolutely love pomegranates. I love pomegranate juice, my pomegranate lip gloss, body scrub, candles, you name it....I have it in pomegranate! What can I say? I spent 12 years in California where these beauties are proud and plentiful.

Well, much to my delight while browsing Sephora tonight, I found this fabulous Party Girl Bag by Philosophy that would make a great gift this holiday season. Especially if you happen to know anyone as fond of this delightful little, red piece of fruit as I am. Uh...hum (audible clearing of my throat as to allude a carefully placed "hint hint" to anyone who knows me. ) Just kidding. Well, sort of. Anyway, here is the 411 for any of you looking for a nice gift for that party girl you know and love.

Philosophy's Party Girl Bag $35

What it does:Every party girl needs to freshen up before the big night out. Philosophy's Party Girl Bag is a must have for the girl who wants to feel energized and beautiful. The pomegranate bubbly scent was created to inspire contagious fun and excitement. Primp pomegranate style for smooth, soft, shimmering skin that makes the best accessory to any outfit. Shimmery, glossy lips add the perfect finishing touch to a life-of-the-party look.

What else you need to know:This fun-loving set includes a 4.0 oz Bubbly Exfoliating Shower Gel, a 4.0 oz Shimmer Body Lotion, and a 0.5 oz Lip Shine in a chic white cosmetic bag. Delight your favorite gala gal with this gift that's as fresh, bubbly, and charming as she is!

Best Beauty Bargains

Take a peek at People Stylewatch's beauty editor Laurie who appeared on The Today Show this morning to bring us her great beauty finds!

Trend Alert: Purple Handbags & Purses Reign

Hayden Panettiere - photo: fashionpudding

This royal hue can be spotted on the arm of just about every celebrity right now. While we don’t have the same bank account to purchase our favorite celebrity’s arm candy; here are some fabulous options under $100 for the purple handbag lover in you!

Urban Expressions Purple “Magnolia” Bow Bag $59.99




Melie Bianco Purple Belted Gathered Handbag $79.99





Urban Expressions Purple “Paris” Satchel $62.99





Melie Bianco Purple Fringe Hobo with Studs $77.99

Night of Legends - Women of the Year 2008

I am a girl’s girl no doubt about it! My office wall is covered with women I respect, admire and aspire to. We live in a time where women who have gone before us and women who are currently paving the way, have opened up doors my grandmother could only dream of. I for one do not take these opportunities for granted.

I remember back in 2002 when I launched my first business, I was motivated by the thought of a girl I had seen on the cover of National Geographic, Sharbat Gula. When I first saw her photo, I knew very little of the girl whose eyes completely captivated me. My thoughts often drifted to how different her life must be from mine. All I knew was that Sharbat was forced out of her home in Afghanistan as a result of the Soviet War and was living in a refugee camp in Pakistan where her photo was taken by journalist Steve McCurry and landed on the June 1985 National Geographic Cover.

photo: Steve McCurry - National Geographic

Of course I know her name now. When I started my business in ‘02, the identity of the “Afghan Girl” was revealed as Sharbat Gula. I remembered feeling I had no right not to try to start my business as women like Sharbat were never even given the chance at an education, let alone entrepreneurship. To read more about the amazing search for the girl who captivated the world as the face of the human suffering during the 1980s Afghan conflict Click Here.

I’m reminded of Sharbat today as Glamour has just celebrated their Night of Legends which honors their women of the year for 2008. Click Here to visit their website to read the stories of trailblazers, activists, environmentalists and Olympians that made their list. You are sure to leave inspired to do good in your own life!

So from one woman to another, here is one heart felt wish of good luck and much prosperity and success to you all!

Women Rock Breast Cancer Fundraiser Huge Success!!

We had a great turn out at this year’s Women Rock, in the Fight Against Breast Cancer on Saturday. It was wonderful to see so many of you and I had a great time! While the totals are still being counted, this year is expected to beat last years total in excess of $54,000! Well done everyone!

Charter Media did a fabulous job organizing this event as usual and a big thank you to the many volunteers who helped out as well. I would like to personally thank MS. Christy C-S! This gal is simply amazing at her ability to pull this all together. We at shopdistinction.com love being a part of this event. You all know our personal commitment to the fight against breast cancer and we look forward to doing our part at this event each year.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

On a national level, we always like to plug The Breast Cancer Research Foundation every chance we get. So be sure to check out their website to learn more and to donate to an important cause!

So once again, thanks to all of you who attended and for your support to help find a cure in our lifetime!

Join Wendy Brandes in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

If you’re in the New York area on November 19th, be sure to RSVP to celebrity jewelry designer Wendy Brandes’ trunk show. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit network of breast cancer survivors dedicated to issues unique to young women impacted by breast cancer.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Wendy Brandes Fine Jewelry Trunk Show

6:30 - 10:30 pm

Distinction has been proud to partner with this group in the past and would love for you to support their efforts! So RSVP soon and nab a spot to this great event!

Click Here for more information.

All in the family..The Beckhams, Armani & Underwear

Photo - AP

Victoria Beckham has followed the lead of her equally fashionable husband David in that she is now representing Armani's new fashion house lingerie line. Not one girl on earth doesn't remember seeing Mr. Beckham large as life in the house's underwear campaign about this very time last year in Times Square. I'm still blushing! So move over David; it's Victoria's turn!

Click Here to read the full story by the AP.

Dress code for election day?

Okay, so I know what you are thinking. A dress code for election day? No way. But honestly folks, there is!
No, it's nothing goofy like "wear a green shirt and blue jeans," like you might be thinking (and shaking your head at me). It is honestly something that we should all take note of. While visiting the polls tomorrow (which you all should do if you are over the age of eighteen, and I know you know that so I won't rag on you)-make sure that you wear your normal attire and NO CAMPAIGN GEAR. In some areas they will make you remove it! The goal is to keep the voting sites campaign free, so wearing your "Obama" or "McCain" gear is corrupting the party-free atmosphere that most places are trying to uphold.
So, before you walk in to the polls tomorrow, make sure to remove your campaign hat, put a coat over your t-shirt, remove your election button off of your jacket, and for goodness sakes keep your yard signs in your vehicle. The only kind of election propaganda you should be rocking after you walk out of your polling place is your "I voted" sticker.

Tiffany Gemstone Cocktail Rings

Tiffany Cocktail Ring $800

I know I've posted the amethyst cocktail ring from Tiffany & Co. before but I just received another email from them illustrating this fine piece of art. Ah, they are so beautiful. It's like taking a bullet every time they send me photos of these beautiful creations. Unfortunately the only thing I can afford from Tiffany is their Elsa Peretti catalogue. Oh, and did I mention that's free?

Words of Wisdom : Coco Chanel

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone."

- Coco Chanel

Guess Who Celebrity Halloween Costumes?

Recognize this famous rocker channeling her inner Bozo?

Or how about these two projects?

Give up? Go to E! and view their photo gallery of Celebrity Halloween Costumes to learn who!

Botched hair-do's Halloween silver lining

Hello all!
I hope that everyone is recovering nicely from this weekend's festivities. As I sit back and analyze this last week, I just wanted to share a story with you all.
The weekend before this last one I had suffered from a botched hair coloring incident. I had tried a new hairstylist because my old one was not a good person to talk to and started talking politics (and yes to all of you, we did not share opinions so you can only imagine the outcome of our conversation). Yes, I do want a hairstylist who is a joy to talk to! I pay for her services and I would hope that someone I have to spend over an hour with would be able to hold a conversation without having to steer toward the three deadly topics (religion, politics, and abortion). ARG!
Anyways, after trying a new hairstylist and walking out of the salon with gold/orange streaks through my hair AND making another trip to "fix" (read-"damage more") my hair, I decided to make an appointment with Berta's hairstylist to make my hair beautiful again. The catch? It's not for another week because I had no idea that I had to budget getting my hair done twice in one month (and I am no money bags, let me tell you).
So Friday was Halloween. I had no idea what to do because it is always hard for me to come up with a costume to wear out. After a long time of brain storming I decided to play on my favorite permanent accessory-my hair-and be Goldilocks for the 31st. I am so cleaver, let me tell you. And you know what? For one day/night, I did not dread my hair being more golden in color than I would normally prefer. I actually cherished it. Lesson learned- find the silver lining in every situation! :)
(and I am so sorry but I actually have no pictures of my get-up. But if any of you have some great pictures of your wonderful Halloween costumes, feel free to send them to me and I will share them with everyone! :)