Last Oct Paul and I had a very serious conversation about shoes and yet it wasn't about what pair I wanted but the fact that there are accessories that are hard to see during NYFW, accessories that are an after thought and figuring out how to make it all make sense. What we thought of on a random day as we were in and out of the garment district on appointments became a Manifesto - a call to action, the need to include another component of Fashion Week here in NY that allowed for shoes to take center stage. Last week, I chatted with Departures International (a magazine that is apart of American Express and is for their platinum card members).

Today I can see the work that Paul and I put together in order to showcase not only our passion for shoes but recognizing those artists that create these accessories as well as how they are such a compliment to your overall look! Even after NYFW has finished and we close everything with our Sneaker Sessions on Wed night (my birthday) the moments of launching something and coming back next season have inspired me. Above are some moments. I became the golden Dorothy with my Gasoline Glamour heels and loved sharing the moment with VH1's Mob Wives - Carla Facciolo! Paul and I, being co-founders had to snap a pic. If you need inspiration of shoes that are truly on an entire other level - look no further then Gasoline Glamour which is shown in this feather, spiked and Swarovski pair. Post our roundtable discusson including Fashion Guru, Creative Director, Franco Lacosta who is a dear friend of mine and so snazzy (other members of our roundtable include Katrina Mitzeliotis - Senior Fashion Editor of Hollywood Life, McArthur Joseph - Senior Editor FashionIndie and Montgomery Frazier the Image Guru) took some time to hang out with me and do what he does best!

Notes from Paris is a series of posts from Valerie Nahmias, Beauty Editor of Femina Magazine in Paris as well as running Beauty Kid (love it). Brought together by our mutual friend and fashion photographer, Franco Lacosta, her posts are featured on beauty as it relates to a discerning demographic, kiddies! Last time, Valerie talked about L'Occitane and how this scent was perfect for kids and their parents! Today she continues with her Beauty Kid focus and shares some fab cosmetics and I'm loving the Wonder Woman collection from MAC.

Two skin care products and a small red jar provides their talent in the service of our beauty. This is not only reserved for wonder women and great moms, but also for all those who want to irradiate in a quick gesture.

I speak about two exceptional formulas, one, from Avène, full of fresh thermal water, is formulated for sensitive skin. It manually exfoliates dead cells without assaulting the skin. A bit of product, drop of water, a mini hand massage and it is done, the skin is purified! The next product, Carrefour, is the Beauty Kid favorite within skin care! A very interresting innovative concept. Its high tolerance formula contains organic honey, hydrolat of organic camomile and calms the skin but especially, it is sterilized UHT, (Ultra High Temperature)... same as milk!!! This is how it includes no preservatives. As a result, all the family can use it. This is the most natural proposition of Summer 2011. Say "ciao" to paraben and natural replacement preservatives and welcome UHT!!!

What about the lip colored Balm form MAC Cosmetics? This is the ally of mat complexions! I also apply it to the top of my cheekbones, at the level of the bone, by tapping the skin with the fingertip. Contrary to what you may think, its texture is more glowy than glossy. Although it may seem thick, it illuminates the skin like a baby's face.

My final word - forget about mascara! Let's take control over our beauty and be real, simple or nothing at all!

Valerie is the Beauty Editor of Paris' Femina Magazine and it's blog Redaction Beaute and has spent her years in the fashion/beauty industry. She was an assistant at French Elle Magazine for Carine Roitfeld (who recently left French Vogue as Editor in Chief) and wrote the book, Pour Etre Belle.

YSL's No 27 Rose Paris - Valerie's Favorite!

Valerie Nahmias, Beauty Editor @ Femina Magazine

Notes from Paris is a new series of posts from Valerie Nahmias, Beauty Editor of Femina Magazine in Paris. Brought together by their mutual friend and fashion photographer, Franco Lacosta, her posts will be featured each month bringing us her insights on beauty from products to fabulous tips! Today she lets us in on beauty's true power - Freedom!

Today is my first post...when Kimmie asked me to contribute to her already fabulous blog, I said to my self: Let's talk about the power of lipstick and the freedom that we get from it.

After all, this is what I do... My name is Valerie , I work as a beauty editor in Paris and lipstick is to me what candies are to children;"YUMMYS"

Never underestimate the power of beautiful lips! A well define mouth with rich sumptuous lips can get you what you want! Remember that the skin of the lips is very delicate, the perfect care routine involves gently exfoliating, a nourishing balm and getting into the habit of drinking enough water to hydrate it from the inside.

I love color that makes you feel empowered. A dab of lipstick on your cheekbone gives a natural blush - Grandma's secret! The best way to create a natural glow? To apply the color just after the skincare cream, on a well hydrated skin. Without this, the make-up is dull.

Lipstick…is every woman secret weapon!! We must choose them by love and necessity. Formulas that nourish your lips, color that enhances your skin tone and illuminates the pupil of your eyes:That's Magic!!. I am a fan of the « YSL Rouge Volupté », because of his nutri-protective vegetal complex, his delightful texture saturated of pigments, his golden metallic packaging and his YSL logo. The « Red Muse » color is out of stock? No probleme, the new trend color is the N°27« Rose Paris », just the perfect hue!! A super fresh coral, elegante and young, the same color as the cabochon of the perfume “Paris”, a fabulous fragrance of Yves Saint Laurent that was presented at the Autumn-Winter’s 1983 Fashion shows.

Color is always the way to express how we feel at any moment.... For me, Coral Lipstick is sublime, strawberries macaroon from "Ladurée" inspires me as well… but the real questions goes out to you.. What is the right color for you ? « With what color do you feel is your best? What is your favorite flower ? Do you really love that spécific « Paris » pink or are you an « Unconditional Red »?

Just be all of you ...or nothing at all!!!

Valerie is the Beauty Editor of Paris' Femina Magazine and has spent her years in the fashion/beauty industry. She was an assistant at French Elle Magazine for Carine Roitfeld (who is now French Vogue's Editor in Chief) and wrote the book, Pour Etre Belle.

Guerlain Terracotta Tan Booster $57 - Neiman Marcus

VS Makeup Eye Liner $8 - Victoria's Secret

NARS Lip Stain Gloss $24 - Sephora

Basilio Cardigan in Gray $298 - Diane von Furstenberg

Giorgio Armani 'Eyes to Kill' Palette $58 - Nordstrom

There are many ways to wow people and it doesn't always mean that you're make up has to have that dramatic look. There is something to be said for having a great look that's clean, fresh and focused. As you know, we're looking at great makeup looks that are paired with various outfits. This idea came to me late last year when I thought about how I decide what I will do in terms o makeup. Thus, when we hit 2010, I wanted to roll this out! Diane Von Furstenberg is one of my favorite designers and I love the cool neutral tones of this outfit that has a pop of color via the scarf.

I'm not going to lie this look in terms of the makeup came together after receiving an awesome package from a new friend! Earlier last week you may have read my tweets about being included within a post on Femina Magazine's Blog! This magazine is huge in Paris and its Beauty Editor, Rivka Valerie Nahimas has quickly become an amazing friend of mine who was introduced to me via Franco Lacosta (who took my picture for the Blogger X DVF photoshoot) a few years ago. Since we connected, we have been emailing back and forth and as I love her focus on beauty, you'll see her posts on this site as well! I had the pleasure of receiving a book that she wrote Pour Etre Belle and she included two goodies!

One of the goodies was Giorgio Armani's "Eyes to Kill" palette. Once I saw this I knew that this would be the perfect look to have with this outfit. I love playing up my eyes and with the various hues, you can create a great smoky eye and accentuate it with VS Makeup Eyeliner! To enhance the goddess look, NARS has a fab lip stain gloss that I'm a fan of and why not add a little bronze hue with Guerlain Terracotta Tan Booster. Together this is a great way to to go out to brunch in the city or to do a little shopping in South Beach. Either way it's a nice look that has the wow factor without going to that dramatic level!

Life is interesting! Back in early 2008, I had the opportunity to be a part of the DVF x Bloggers photoshoot. This basically brought NYC's fashion blogggers together for am evening of special attention by the staff of DVF. What an amazing opportunity to have the Meat Packing District store/headquarters shut down as they styled us. Not only were their stylists there but various people from the corporate office as well. We nibbled, sipped and had our pictures taken. To this day, I am in love with this dress! I was one of the first people to get my picture taken and the sweetest photographer worked with me. I didn't know his name but thought he was nice.

Fast forward to yesterday when I received an email from Franco Lacosta (yes the famed photographer who has worked with DVF and various campaigns) the photographer who took my picture! So random and so welcomed! He wanted to let me know that he shot a series of calendars of Q Models and that this was the first modeling agency to have a calendar app! You too can have a Q Calendar in Womens, Mens and as a Couple! Above are some images and I suggest getting the app to get the full experience!