Kings & Queens Royal Soaps
April 27, 2009 Kings & Queens came up with a trio of luxurious yet affordable soaps that's ideal for any beauty queen on a budget. At $6, these generously sized bars will last through any royal empire.
The spicy King of Sumatra Pepper Bergamot is inspired by black pepper, the most sought-after spice from ancient times. Nefertiti Honey is a tribute to Egypt's most famous queen. Queen Nefertiti used honey as part of her skin regimen, and her name literally means, “The beautiful one has arrived.” The Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange is a nod to Isabella's insatiable love for the sweetly expensive cinnamon.
As with the rest of the Kings & Queens line, these are free of mineral oil and parabens. The soaps contain “The Royal Mix,” a blend of Pomegranate, Blue Egyptian Lotus, and Malachite extracts. The Blue Lotus was an ancient Egyptian symbol of glory and eternal life, while Malachite was used by Russian Tsars.
Availalable at Beauty.com, Fred Segal and Skinstore.com.
Guillaume Depardieu and Max Baissette de Malglaive in Versailles
35 Shots of Rum (France) - Claire Denis's finely wrought narrative of a small circle of Parisian friends is a thoughtful mediation on the many different forms of love. This tight 'family' of friends and relatives center around Lionel (Alex Descas), a train engineer, who lives with his daughter Jo (Mati Diop). A taxi driver (Nicole Dogué) lives in the same building, along with Noe, a brooding young man. It's not obvious in the beginning, but we get to piece each relationship together as the film goes along. I love how the small moments (Descas's strong, silent gazes are so elegant and deliver such power) create such an emotional impact on the overall feel of the film. Agnés Godard’s delicate cinematography is meant to enjoyed slowly and thoroughly.
Mati Diop and Alex Descas in 35 Shots of Rum
Artemisia (Taiwan) - First-time director Chiang Hsiu Chiung worked with New Wave master Hou Hsiao-hsien, and her gentle and leisurely paced film is centered around a conservative widow coming to terms with her son's homosexuality and her daughter's out-of-wedlock child. Actress Pan Li Li's performance is a solid portrayal of an older generation trying to understand the modern realities of their children.
Pan Li Li and Mo Tzu-Yi in Artemisia
French Girl (France/Morocco) - National and self identities are deeply questioned for young French-born Sofia in Souad El-Bouhati’s wonderful first feature. After her father loses his job, the entire family relocates back to their homeland of Morocco. Trying to retain her proud Gallic origins, Sofia toils away in her university studies while her traditional parents try to reign in her headstrong personality. Longing to return to her beloved France, she declares “If I stay here, I’ll die.” César Award–winning actress Hafsia Herzi lends the character of Sofia a passionate and maturity to the character, making this film thoroughly enjoyable.
Hafsia Herzi in French Girl
The SFIFF runs April 23 to May 7. Tickets are on sale at: 
Très convenient and cool. No more rummaging around, and no more wondering if you brought all your stuff with you in your new hot purse. It's a time saver too. As busy fashion queens, we all like that! Via Maris is selling it in five colors (black, moka brown, army green, mastic white, and kaki). It also washes easily, ideal for travel.
*For this item only, enter the code FREESHIP at checkout and get free shipping!
Cupcakes
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
Large pinch of salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1/4 cup 100 percent agave tequila
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Coconut Cream Frosting
1/2 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk, or more as needed
2 tablespoons 100 percent agave tequila
2 teaspoons coconut extract
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted, or more as needed
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 12-cup cupcake pans or line with paper liners.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl and mixing well after each addition. Add the coconut milk, ginger, and coconut extract and beat for 1 minute at high speed until well blended. In a measuring pitcher, stir together the tequila and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients in 3 batches to the egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture in 2 batches, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing well after each addition. Fold in the shredded coconut.
Fill each cupcake well about three-fourths full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a rack and let cool completely before frosting.
Meanwhile, to make the frosting, using the electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on high speed until smooth. With the mixer on high speed, slowly add the coconut milk, tequila, and coconut extract. Continue beating until thoroughly combined and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and continue beating on high speed, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl. The frosting should be smooth and spreadable. Adjust with more coconut milk if the consistency is too thick, or more confectioners’ sugar if it is too runny.
To assemble, spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with the shredded coconut.
Recipe from TEQUILA: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites by Joanne Weir. Photo credit: Lara Hata. Copyright © 2009. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA.
The lotion is made with fairly-traded, organic, Moroccan Argan Oil and Argan Leaf Extract, and the bottles are made from 100% Post Consumer Recycled packaging. This is a lightweight lotion that absorbs easily, smells fresh, and will help restore resilience to the skin.
In conjunction with the limited edition lotion launch, Kiehl’s has also launched 
I'm impressed with the Tarragon vodka. They infuse with fresh organic tarragon leaves and mint...yum. The taste is both subtle and definite, very gentle on the tongue. I think I might try to use this in cooking too.
Here's a drink recipe for you to try. It has a great floral/acid balance:
Lemon Blossom
1 1/2 oz Sub Rosa Tarragon vodka
1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. Limoncello
Shaken in mixer, half filled with ice, strained into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
The Crema Nera Eye Compact has the Obsidian Mineral Complex (key ingredients silicium, sodium, iron and potassium) that is crucial to cell regeneration. The concentrated cream absorbs so nicely into the delicate eye area. I didn't even have to dab at it too much before it disappeared into the skin. Fine lines are plumped up, and you get an instant radiant glow. I even use it on my lips to freshen up before meetings. It also has a built-in mirror that swings out for on-the-go touch ups! The matching Crema Nera Obsidian Mineral Restoring Serum is used for fighting deep wrinkles and severely dry skin. I like the clean scent - not too heavily perfumed. The length and depth of wrinkles are reduced while providing plenty of nourishing moisture.
For that golden goddess look, the Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette evokes vivid earth shades (deep reddish brown, golden flecks, and choco brown) of the sienna landscape. The ultra smooth Microfil texture completes this sunny tapestry of summer colors. This can be used as either an all-over bronzing blush or a sculpting highlighter.
Buy at 
For me, the shade Sheer Luxe was already highly pigmented, so dab on a bit and see how it goes for you. It's a really nice buildable brick red. The Glam is a great iridescent coral tone, sure to be great for many skin tones.