Hollywood's Tragic Blonde

Playboy model and actress Anna Nicole Smith is shown in this Dec. 1994 photo. On February 8, 2007, Smith was found unresponsive in room 607 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. On March 31, 2007, TMZ.com reported that FOX News anchor Greta Van Susteren acquired paperwork from Dr. Joshua Perper's office that indicated 8 of the 11 drugs in Anna Nicole Smith's system, including the chloral hydrate, were prescribed to Howard K. Stern, not Anna Nicole.




In this undated photo released by Playboy, Anna Nicole Smith poses as she is photographed for Playboy Magazine. Hugh Hefner's Playboy will offer three upcoming Smith tributes: a 10-page pictorial in the magazine's May issue, an hour long retrospective onthe Playboy Channel and an online memorial on Playboy.com.



In this undated photo released by Playboy, Anna Nicole Smith poses as she is photographed for Playboy Magazine. Hugh Hefner's Playboy will offer three upcoming Smith tributes: a 10-page pictorial in the magazine's May issue, an hour long retrospective onthe Playboy Channel and an online memorial on Playboy.com.

Hollywood Top Models in Movies

Tyra Banks- Big Break: The reality TV diva landed her first major film role in '95's 'Higher Learning.' Body of Work: Scorned aspiring models from her show will be disappointed to hear Banks' death scene in 'Halloween: Resurrection' was left on the cutting room floor. She also starred in 'Coyote Ugly' and 'Love & Basketball.'



Cameron Diaz- Big Break: The California girl had us at "Smokin'!" as Jim Carrey's crush in her first film, '94's 'The Mask.' Body of Work: Cam has proved that hot-bodied babes can be funny too -- in 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and 'There's Something AboutMary' -- and we even loved her homely, as she was in 'Being John Malkovich.'



Famke Janssen- Big Break: She was Xenia Onatopp, the Bond girl with deadly thighs in 'GoldenEye.' Body of Work: Next to her star-making turn as Jean Grey in the 'X-Men' series, most of her film work pales by comparison ('Hide and Seek,' 'I Spy'). But thePhoenix is about to rise again: She'll soon star in a cop drama for NBC.



Maggie Q- Big Break: That'd be 'M:i:III,' in which she looked drop-dead gorgeous in a gown AND made bad guys drop dead. Body of Work: A martial-arts star in China despite being Vietnamese-American, Maggie's finally getting some Hollywood action: This past summer she co-starred with Bruce Willis in 'Live Free or Die Hard.'



Heidi Klum- Big Break: The woman known as "The Body" had her first meaty role as a hairdresser in the 2001 Josh Hartnett flick 'Blow Dry.' Body of Work: She played a giantess named Brunhilda in '04's 'Ella Enchanted' and Toothless Hockey Player No. 1 on an episode of 'Malcolm in the Middle.' She's currently busy popping out baby Seals.



Bridget Moynahan- Big Break: After small roles (she was Big's fiancee on 'Sex and the City'), Bridget finally flexed her acting chops with heavyweights Colin Farrell and Al Pacino in the '03 thriller 'The Recruit.' Body of Work: Her current big production? A baby, fathered by ex Tom Brady (who now dates supermodel Gisele Bundchen



Milla Jovovich- Big Break: The Russian beauty shot to moviegoers' attention with '97's 'The Fifth Element,' directed by then-lover Luc Besson. Body of Work: Her career highlights are the 'Resident Evil' movies she's led (the third, 'Extinction,' opens this week). Hmm ... model in tight leather -- who'da thunk that would work?



Famke Janssen- Big Break: She was Xenia Onatopp, the Bond girl with deadly thighs in 'GoldenEye.' Body of Work: Next to her star-making turn as Jean Grey in the 'X-Men' series, most of her film work pales by comparison ('Hide and Seek,' 'I Spy'). But thePhoenix is about to rise again: She'll soon star in a cop drama for NBC.



Elle MacPherson- Big Break: She packed on 30 pounds and delivered a stellar (if mostly nude) performance opposite Hugh Grant in '94's 'Sirens.' Body of Work: She's showed impressive range, tackling roles in comedy ('Jane Eyre,' 'If Lucy Fell,' 'Friends'), drama ('The Edge') and the awfully unclassifiable ('Batman and Robin').



Ali Larter- Big Break: She walked into our hearts as whipped-cream-bikini-sporting cheerleader in '99's 'Varsity Blues.' Body of Work: She's starred in teen hits like 'Drive Me Crazy' and 'Final Destination.' But her role on NBC's hit show 'Heroes' is the cherry on top of the whipped cream bikini that is her career.

Hollywood's shortest celebrity marriages

Carmen and Dennis Rodman

Actress Carmen and NBA star Dennis Rodman got hitched in Las Vegas in November 1998. Just nine days later, like Cher and Allman before them, Rodman announced he was seeking an annulment and Electra filed for divorce in April. The odd couple soon reunitedand couldn't seem to leave love alone until a judge ordered them to stay 500 feet away from each other after a nasty lovers' quarrel in their hotel room in November 1999 that left Electra with a swollen lip and Rodman with torn clothes.

Colin Farrell and Amelia Warner

Colin Farrell married English actress Amelia Warner on a Tahitian island in July 2001 and divorced her four months later. He tattooed her nickname "Millie" on his ring finger, according to USA Today. "I was madly in love. Jesus, it was a whole thing. I asked her to marry me. I had a ring," Farrell told GQ years after the couple split. "There was a time I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with this girl. That time didn't last that long, and that was that." "That" lasted four months.

Shannen Doherty and Ashley Hamilton

American actress and TV director Shannen Doherty (of 'Beverly Hills, 90210' fame) married Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton, in September 1993 after a two-week romance. The couple split after six months. In February 2002, the 'Charmed' actress married Paris Hilton's former sex-tape co-star Richard Salomon, but that union also fizzled out in nine months.

Jeremy Thomas and Drew Barrymore

Actress Drew Barrymore was head over heels in love with bar owner Jeremy Thomas when they married in March 1994 after a six-week romance. She filed for divorce in April. In July 2001, she wed funnyman comedian Tom Green (pictured). He filed for divorce in December, citing "irreconcilable differences," which happens to be the title of a 1984 Barrymore movie.

Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley

Actor and Elvis fan Nicolas Cage tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Hawaii with the King's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, on Aug. 10, 2002, after a year long courtship,But the 'Gone in 60 Seconds' star was gone in under four months, citing irreconcilable differences in divorce papers filed in November. "I'm sad about this," Presley said in a statement, "but we shouldn't have been married in the first place. It was a big mistake."

Cris Judd and Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez met dancer Cris Judd while filming the music video for her single "Love Don't Cost a Thing". The two were married on September 29, 2001, at a home in a Los Angeles suburb. Their marriage ended in August 2002.

Marcus Schenkenberg and Pamela Anderson


Since her divorce from Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson had become engaged to both the model Marcus Schenkenberg and the singer Kid Rock.
She finally wed Rock on July 29, 2006 on a yacht near St. Tropez, France.They married three times in France, Beverly Hills and Tennessee. By Thanksgiving, the couple had called it quits after less than four months of wedded bliss.

celeb's skins and bones

Beauty: MAC's Royal Assets Eye Palettes

While I was out shopping this past weekend I found the most gorgeous selection of eye palettes. MAC's Royal Assets Eye Palettes.

There are 4 different palettes. One in a warm collection, one in a cool collection, a metallic palette and a smokey eye palette. The palettes are enclosed in either a gold or silver antique-inspired compact with a cream porcelain plaque and a royal crown motif.  Each palette contains 6 eye shadows for $36 each. 

I purchased the metallic eyes palette (see image).  Shades are:

• Honeylust, a bronze dipped peach (lustre)
  
• Silver Fog, an intense frosted silver with silver pearl (frost)
  
• Stately Black, a rich blue with silver sparkle (lustre)
  
• Velvet Lady, a deep black with gold sparkle (velvet)
  
• Creme Royale, a yellow wheat gold (veluxe pearl)
  
• Manor, a warm brown with green pearl (frost)
  

The collection includes and eye brush with a gold handle. But, like any eye shadow collection, use your highest quality professional brushes for the best results.

"andrea nicole baker"

Fashion: What's in your closet?

Here are 3 cute outfits. Two are new and one is a long time favorite.

ALFANI

This two piece outfit is both classy and feminine. The top is 100% shimmery silk.  It wears and feels as good, if not better, than it looks. 

The skirt has a soft pleat. It is multi-colored (black, turquoise and blue ) with bands of blue and black stripes at the hem.  The skirt is mid-calf length. It's a  perfect complement to the dark blue top.  

Note the lovely turquoise necklace with the large stone above the scoop neckline.

The heels are Franco Sarto with 2" chunky heels. You can see the nickel buckle on the front of the shoes. They help make the outfit a classy fashion statement.

SUNNY LEIGH

This is my first purple outfit. I never thought purple would look so good on me. Sunny Leigh is a new fashion line I discovered earlier last year. Check my fashion blog on glam.com to see a couple other gorgeous Sunny Leigh outfits.

The top is silk with jewels adorning the scoop neckline.  The eyes are drawn to the jewels first, then to the bustline and then the cute, puffy short sleeves.

Note the embroidery work on the skirt.  The purple just stands out so well against the silk top. I'm wearing the same Franco Sarto heels as in the outfit above.  Completing the outfit is a delicate thin silver necklace with a small purple stone.

INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS

INC is one of my favorite fashion lines. It is primarily sold at Macys and Bloomingdales.

This outfit is a pink suede skirt suit.  I'm wearing a multi-colored top (red, pink, black, white) which makes the pink suede look even more classy and feminine.  The skirt is pleated.  It also has a 2" wide suede belt which sets off the top from the skirt so nicely.

Check out the sexy 3" open toed pumps. They are Paolo from Nordstrom.

The stockings are sheer with just a hint of pink.  Of course my eye shadow and lipstick are pink also. 

The outfit is completed with a pretty pink leather handbag.

I do love pink!

"andrea nicole baker"

Beauty: Mascara

The search for the perfect mascara that lengthens, curls and adds gorgeous volume seems to be endless. 

Basically there are 3 types of mascaras:

Lengthening mascaras have dense bristles that allow you to get more mascara on your lashes & especially on the tips of your lashes.  Lancome Definicil is one.

Thickening mascara is when you want to add bulk to your lashes. These products contain a thicker formula of waxes and silicones polymers that coat lashes and make them appear bulkier. Christian Dior Diorshow is one.

Waterproof mascaras contain special synthetic formulas meant to repel moisture. These can be harsh on your lashes. Maybelline Lash Discovery is one.

These are the most popular mascaras as per elle.com:

1. Dior Show - Gives each lash just the right amount of volume and separation
   
2. Maybelline Great Lash - Glides on easily and never clumps for beautiful lashes that don't seem fake
   
3. Benefit Bad Gal Lash - The enormous wand covers each lash with just one swipe creating an instant false eyelash look
   
4. Lancome Definicil -  Mascara goes on flake-free and defines and extends for a clean natural look.
   
5. Loreal Paris Volume Shocking - Dual sides mascara lengthens and the other side thickens and darkens which makes the shortest lashes gorgeous. (Click on this link! You will love what you see!)
   

I have tried all of them and have liked the results. It's obviously a matter of personal taste. My personal favorite is Benefit Bad Gal Lash.  I recently purchased Courbe Virtuose - Divine lasting curves Mascara from Lancome. I will let you know how I like it.

Check out  15 mascara tips and tricks at beauty.com.

"andrea nicole baker"

Fashion: Dresses and Gowns

I am constantly asked about the classic styles of dresses and gowns. So here are the classic styles with pictures.

The red gown on the left was one of my first formals. It is an A-Line gown with a chiffon skirt and puff chiffon sleeves. The bodice is covered with gorgeous red sequins. Now that takes some getting used to.
Also, check out the "formal gowns" links for great places to buy your dresses and gowns.







An EMPIRE CUT dress has a high waistline (generally beginning just beneath the bust) and a long, full skirt that flows straight from this waistline. The empire style camouflages a pear shape or thick waist and creates an illusion of height for short or petite figures.



A SHEATH is a slim dress with little fabric detail that hugs curves and outlines the silhouette of your body. The sheath is perfect for sleeveless styles and tends to show off a well-toned body. Sheath dresses are especially beautiful and graceful on tall, thin figures.



An A-LINE gown has a form-fitted bodice that flares out from the natural waist to a full skirt. This type of gown features a seamless waist and may also be called a princess-cut gown. The gently flared style flatters most figure types and is especially useful for disguising large hips and thighs.


A TEA LENGTH dress is a gown that is hemmed to end just at the shin. It has a fun, flirty appearance that is perfect for a slightly casual or more relaxed appearance at the prom. This dress style is ideal if your calves are your best feature or you have a tall, thin figure.


A HIGH-LOW GOWN is hemmed long in the back (at the ankles or to the floor) and just above the knees in the front. This trendy, new style creates a unique, sexy prom dress appearance. It is perfect for showing off long legs and an hourglass figure.



A BOUFFANT GOWN is characterized by a sheer, puffed-out skirt often made from stiffened rayon or silk. The skirt of this type of gown is similar in fabric construction (but not necessarily in length) to a ballerina tutu. The flared skirt is perfect for disguising a bottom-heavy figure.


A BALL GOWN is characterized by a very full skirt that begins at the natural waist and proceeds to floor length. The waist is seamed and may be styled in various shapes and designs. The ball gown style visually cuts the body in half and is ideal on average to tall figures.

Whether you need a gown for the prom, a party, a wedding or any special event there are many styles and colors to choose from.

"andrea nicole baker"

Fashion and Beauty Subscriptions

With the advent of the internet it is so easy to get information pushed to you instead of trying to search for what you are looking for. 

These are the fashion and beauty emails that I subscribe to. Some are daily but most are weekly. I click on what interests me. I then do some browsing and move on to the next email. Nice and easy to keep updated about trends and the latest products.

• SheSheMe
• Glam.com
• SheFinds
• PrettyCity
• Style
• About: Women's Fashions
• About: Beauty Guide
• IVillage beauty Guide
• Fashion.Net
• Fashion-411
• Sephora

There are so many others but this selection fills up my inbox with great fashions, style, makeup and glamour!

"Andrea Nicole Baker"

Fashion: The Little Black Book of Style

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF STYLE by Nina Garcia

I just loved the book. It's a quick and informative read. It made me wishing for much more. The book is lavishly illustrated which makes it even more readable. It had me thinking about my perceptions of style and fashion.

Nina Garcia is the Fashion Director at ELLE magazine, as well as a judge on the Bravo reality television program Project Runway. As the Fashion Director of ELLE, Garcia works with a staff of about 20 editors and assistants to develop articles and layouts featuring new trends in fashion.

The book starts with the basics, many of which we seem to lose sight of with all the choices that we have. My favorite parts are "The utmost importance of shoes" where she says a girl can never have enough high heels. Then its on to "The Power of Accessories" with advice about making them personal and tasteful.


Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice—the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion.


"Insider Tips and Tricks" is my favorite part of the book. All our favorite fashion icons (Oscar de la Renta; Donatella Versace, Vera Wang and many more) chat about styles from their personal perspectives and experience.

The last section is "Fashion Cliff Notes decade by decade". Not to be missed! I read this part 5 times during my first browse through of the book.

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize" Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias.



"Andrea Nicole Baker"