Lately, the circles underneath my eyes have been scaring me.

Too many hours staring at the computer, not enough sleep, too much coffee—you get it.

Once upon a time, I would leave the house for work with just lipstick and some mascara. Those days are long gone.

These days, one of the first products I turn to is La Mer's Radiant Concealer. It's creamy and goes on easy—no brush required. Plus, it's got some sort of miracle treatment ingredients in it that are actually lightening my dark circles. What's more is, it doesn't leave that cakey, obvious concealer look (we all know the look).

The only downside is the price. A 3.5 gram-sized product costs $65. Still, you don't need much, and I am guessing it will last one year—or more.

His exotic leather bags are glorious, unstructured and look as expensive as they cost to make—until now.

Carlos Falchi's limited-edition line at Target, featuring everything from chic hobos and easy-to-carry cross-body styles to perfectly-sized shoulder bags, captures the slouchy, unconstructed styles the designer has been known for since he started in the Seventies.

The look may be luxe (keep in mind the bags are not real leather), but the price? Just $19.99 to $49.99.

Falchi, who was major in the Seventies and Eighties and has caught the recent attention of stylish dressers like Sienna Miller and Eva Longoria Parker, also has a collection at HSN called Chi.

His collection for the shopping channel spans more than just handbags—there are handbags, of course, plus jewelry, shoes, apparel and accessories. These caged high heel ankle boots are part of the Chi collection and cost $69.90.

Having grown up in the Eighties, I've always been a fan of Carlos Falchi's exotic leather bags. I'm super psyched about his revival and love his line for Target. What do you think?

Love, loathe, only want the real thing—or will the cheap chic fix do?

I am changing my mind about glitter.

For the longest time, shimmery makeup has just  seemed so...juvenile.

The sort of stuff you expect to see adorning the taught cheekbones of an exuberant  16-year-old. It doesn't help that most of the stuff comes in packaging that resembles bubblegum.

But the latest Holiday collection from M.A.C. made me reconsider my assumptions. Called "Magic, Mirth & Mischief," it contains reflective colors that actually work well on a face like mine. That is to say, one that does not resemble that of a 16-year-old by any stretch of the imagination.

In particular, I am liking the golden and purple hues like the shadow above. Lip gloss in the collection is less sparkly than you might think. And all in all, I think the winter pallet would look lovely at holiday party.

Now if I can only finagle an invitation or two.


Get M.A.C.'s Magic, Mirth & Mischief collection at M.A.C. counters.  The Cremesheen Glass gloss above is $18. The Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo is $19.50.

I know this foot thing is bordering on the obsessive.

But short of cosmetic surgery, Botox and a 24/7 hair stylist, here's what I need most: Better feet.

Make that presentable feet. I'm one of those people who has taken to wearing socks around the house. Not to spare just my family the sight of my unsightly sole -- but also myself.

So you know it's bad.

Then, this week, I made a haphazard and amazing discovery. Somehow I found time to flop into the pool. We live in Miami, so getting to the beckoning blue is as simple as taking the elevator to the ground floor and waddling a hundred feet to the edge.

I spent, oh, 45 minutes in the water. And low and behold, that chlorinated, sandy water of questionable cleanliness did for my feet what no amount of scrubbing, soaping and moisturizing has.

My feet actually looked fresh. Well, at least not deceased, then. My skin was more pink than it's been in a long time. The fissures were still there, but less stained. And any crustiness was gone.

I told you. Pretty it ain't. But better it is. Really.

Maybe if I were a bath person, long soaks in the tub would work just as well. But I doubt it. I think the real credit goes to the swimming pool chemical concoction that makes your bathing suits look faded and frayed. That, plus the workout your feet get merely by rubbing up against the rough concrete on the bottom.

Someone should market pool water for every ugly-sole sufferer living north of Florida. Believe me, these waters are sacred.


 

Do you have oily, acne-prone skin—that's also ultra-sensitive to perfumes and dyes?

Here's just the skincare line.

It clears up skin and prevents breakouts—without being too drying.

What's even better, though, is the fact that this line is totally natural (no fragrances or parabens)—great news to those of us who are allergic and/or have sensitive skin. Nelsons' was founded in 1860 in London as a pharmacy and is known worldwide for its homeopathic remedies. This is the company's first complete skincare line.

Key ingredients found in the products used to combat oily skin include a blend of plant extracts like Arnica Montana, Calendula and Hypericum, also known as St. John's-wort.

The line ranges from $6.95 for the Acne Gel to $10.95 for the Balancing Toner. You can find Nelsons' Pure & Clear line at Whole Foods. Look for them online on their Web site here.

Email Kristin at kristinlarson@live.com.

Check out my blog here.

From cheesecakes to sequin tops, Isaac Mizrahi is taking his show to QVC next month.

Yes that's right, cheesecakes—fashionably decorated with tartan plaid, courtesy of famed Junior's in Brooklyn.

The designer debuts his "Isaac Mizrahi Live" show on the shopping channel on Dec. 4. His first segment will feature holiday-inspired goodies—everything from coats, handbags and berets to the aforementioned sequin tops and cheesecakes. Retail prices will range between $32 to $300.

"I love my product," Mizrahi said in a WWD story. "I believe in my product. If I do plates, if I do bedding, which I did, if I render cookies, I do it in the same way that I think about a couture dress."

Mizrahi, who also designs the Liz Claiborne New York label which is following him to QVC while being pulled from stores, is excited about his new role at QVC. The former Target designer, who designed everything from fabulous bedding and plates to clothing at the mass retailer, said it's all about building "brand names." "As I build my brand, I think about Martha Stewart and her very upward trajectory. She has always been a great inspiration to me."

Tell me, are you excited about the new Isaac Mizrahi collection for QVC? I know I am. Knowing how amazing Isaac is on camera, his show will be a must-watch in my house. Dec. 4 everyone!

Read my blog by clicking here. Email Kristin at kristinlarson@live.com.

The photo above was taken by John Aquino, courtesy of WWD.com.

Ever since I saw a photo last year of Posh Spice -- ahem, Victoria Beckham -- stumbling around in those towering heels by Dsquared2, I've sort of thought pin heels were for people without brains.

I do recognize, however, that my none-too-enthusiastic opinion of the English...personality?...colors my feelings about her fashion choices.

So I have decided to give pin heels another chance. And frankly, I have to admit that I have rather warmed to their freakishly perilous design.

Which is not to say that I own a pair. Frankly they wouldn't exactly fit my lifestyle, which largely consists of chasing around a toddler while trying not to go into premature labor with my second.

Of course, Beckham's kids never seem to influence the way she dresses. The photo in question, in fact, shows her hand-in-hand with her young son, who seems one misstep away from being bludgeoned by the giant heel. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1069334/Victoria-Beckham-strikes-highest-heels-EVER.html).

In any case, I think pin heels like the one above from Stuart Weitzman really do have a certain, practicality-be-damned allure. These shoes make the case that silhouette trumps all -- even balance -- and that fashion can be formidable, sexy and risky.

Sign me up. Just don't make me stand.


Get Stuart Weitzman's Rodseamstress boot at Nordstrom for $375.



 

Move over Beckhams, here come the Parkers.

Hot husband and wife team Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker sizzle in London Fog's new ad campaign.

The duo model coats and accessories for the brand, known for trench coats and rain coats (although Eva looks like all she's wearing is a purse in this photo!).

As it turns out, the "Desperate Housewives" star is a big fan of the trench coat style.

Especially the "colors, buttons and rich textures," she said in a taped video clip from the ad campaign, shot at Milk Studios in LA.

"I do like my white trench because living in LA we don't have the use for big heavy black coats," Parker said. "So, I love the light white coat because I can wear it year-round."

Personally, I've always been a fan of London Fog—especially the trench coats. They're really affordable (in the $100 range), well-made and look chic. It's true though, Burberry has always held the spotlight when it comes to chic trench coats and other waterproof coats—so maybe this ad campaign will raise LF's brand awareness.

Tell me, what do you think about London Fog? What's your favorite raincoat brand?