fête à fête

I try not to be a stressball, but due to the nature of my job I usually end up with 10 million knots on my back at the end of the day. As a worrywart, sometimes I have trouble sleeping too.

Luckily for me (and you!), Nectar Essences flower sprays are one of the ways I combat my anxiety. Founder Jenny Pao used her background in holistic healing and flower essence therapy to formulate her unique product line. Each spray is 100% natural natural including wildcrafted, organic and biodynamically farmed ingredients. They're safe for kids too.

Not only are they incredibly powerful, these are also effective natural remedies that will heal your body, soul, and mind. I LOVE the De Stress formula. It has 15 flower essences (including Rescue Remedy) and is scented with ylang ylang, jasmine and palo santo oils. I had a personal trauma happen and using the spray calmed me down enough to carry on with my daily life. I also used it on a couple friends and they just ate it up. The Sleep and Awake sprays will assist with your sleeping and waking patterns.

To see the magical effects yourself, we're doing a special giveaway of the De Stress spray to one lucky reader!

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Nectar Essences giveaway http://tinyurl.com/kwedq5 ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below this post on which formula you'd like to try (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great').

Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. Be sure to enter 'Nectar Giveaway' in the subject line and your unlocked Twitter link in the body. DO NOT forget to email your name & address after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically!

One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Thursday, July 9, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Tagged as: fragrance, giveaway, health, holistic, Lifestyle, natural ingredients, organic, organic ingredients, San Francisco, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am addicted to the Honey & Hibiscus Hair Reconstructing Shampoo from John Masters Organics. The ultra-moisturizing formula makes my shampooing into such a luxurious ritual. Packed with flax seed, jojoba, borage oils, and sunflower seed oils, this shampoo is aimed at repairing damaged hair. It doesn't contain any sodium lauryl sulfate, so it won't dry the scalp and hair shaft. The ylang ylang and bergamot oils will make you feel relaxed and more calm.

I also tried the Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner. It gets two thumbs up from me. On top of the wonderful lavender scent, you can practically feel the avocado oil working its magic on my hair. This is also great for color-treated hair.

If you need something to keep your hair shiny and soft, the new Shine On is a leave-in treatment that uses organic kelp as a silicone replacement. Carrot seed oil, olive oil, chamomile, and calendula also help amp up the moisture factor.

If you buy from their USDA collection, you get 20% off the entire month of July.

www.johnmasters.com

Tagged as: beauty, hair care, hair product, organic ingredients, shampoo, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

We all know Shu Uemura has a world-class cosmetics line (heck, Madonna uses the cleansing oil), but did you know their hair care line is just as divine? For a chance to try their luxurious hair care products, Shu Uemura Art of Hair is having a spectacular sweepstakes that they're hosting through June 30.

Only one randonly-selected Grand Prize winner will win one year’s worth of Shu Uemura Art of Hair products (retail value approximately $1680.00!). Wow. So my beauties, you only have about five days left to enter! To enter, go to www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com to fill out a profile.

Other fine print: U.S. residents only. This sweepstakes ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on June 30th, 2009. Existing Shu Uemura Art of Hair registrants and Salon Professionals are not eligible. Consumer non–registrants must register by completing their online profile, providing their complete name, birth date, zip code and a valid e-mail address to be entered. Limit one entry per person/e-mail address.

Tagged as: beauty, contest, giveaway, hair care, Luxury, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Known for her soulful alchemy, Yosh Han's latest Time Travel fragrances conjure up sensations from the past, present and future. Created exclusively for the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, the ten fragrances have delightful names such as Caveman, Gold Rush and Victorian Violets.

Studio 54 has white pearl, juniper, coriander, lime, champagne. It even has sparkly glitter in the bottle. I can definitely pick up the lime. On my skin it gave off a powdery finish after wearing it for a while. Utopia has notes of French vanilla, nectarine blossom, cassis and green tea. This one gives off a sensual longing of an old romance.
My favorite is Aztec. This one has warm and spicy notes of chocolate, rose, nutmeg, pink pepper, and cardamom.

All proceeds benefit 826LA, a youth writing center in LA. Get your fragrance at www.826la.org.

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, perfume, scents, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite the occasional foggy 'June Gloom' we have here in SF, it's still summer season and we need to remind ourselves to slap on the SPF. Sun care can be a boring thing to remember, but with a few items from Juice Beauty's, it should make your sunscreen application a little bit more fun.

The non-greasy Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturizer is a nice everyday full-spectrum sunscreen. This chemical-free moisturizer also has a brightening hydroxy-acid complex (made with certified organic fruit juices) and age-defying peptides to refresh the sun-worn skin. For the body, the Green Apple SPF 20 Antioxidant Body Moisturizer soaks right into the skin. And yes, your face and body will smell delicious, just like apple pie!

The SPF 8 Lip Moisturizers have natural mineral sun protection and also contain certified organic emollient plant oils, mango and passionfruit juices, beeswax, and honey. This trio has a clear lip color and two very sheer mineral tints. Like the products above, they also smell delish. I totally dug the non-waxy feel.

www.juicebeauty.com

Tagged as: beauty, organic ingredients, shopping, skin care, SPF, sunscreen

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

shu uemura had their 26th Tokyo boutique anniversary party here in SF last night and luckily I got to join in on the fun. As we noshed on sushi and bopped to groovy tunes, we got to check out the new 2009 Tokyo Lash Bar collection. What fun and dramatic styles! I just want to wear all of them...

Alana is rocking out the Marine Tide lashes. Gorgeous.

Fleur-ever lashes

Fermina wearing Goldglam Leaf lashes. You can wear them on the upper or lower lash line.

Nicole sporting the Snow Twist lashes for that ice princess look.

www.shuuemura-usa.com

Tagged as: beauty, fashion, lash, Lifestyle, San Francisco, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Father's Day is less than a week away - are you all ready to shower Dad with pampering gifts? Here are some lovely ideas for you to consider...

Givenchy's highly concentrated GIVENCHYMAN skin care line includes a Powerful Renovating Skin Peel to exfoliate dead skin cells. Follow up with the effective Intensive Age-Fighting Force to boost elasticity and fill in wrinkles or the Pro-Energizing Massive Moisturizer to deeply hydrate the skin.

Banana Republic has cute mini sizes of each of their men's fragrances fom the Discover collection. You can get one for $10, or 2 or more for $7.50 each. The Cordovan is a nice woody melange of green fig, leather and spices.

Clarins recently introduced their new ClarinsMen anti-aging collection, and the Line-Control Eye Balm is a non-greasy, moisturizing treatment that gives complete nourishment for the entire eye area. Paracress, Maritime Pine extract, Shea Butter, and Purslane extract help reduce crow’s feet and puffiness.

C.O. Bigelow's Elixir Blue Shower & Shave Gift Set ($14.50) is another great option if your Dad needs a new shaving routine. This includes a Barber Hair & Body Wash in Elixir Blue™ fragrance, a black body sponge and a trial-size Premium Shave Cream.

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, gifts, holiday, Lifestyle, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm pretty excited about Freedom of Choice's new e-commerce site. I can now shop for my fave styles online!

What's even better is that I got to try the new Marie bootcut jean in Cobalt wash, and it is a fantastic fit. The slimming silhouette made it look like I shrunk a size without spending torturous days at the gym. Slipping into these 2% stretch jeans was totally comfy as well.

The tulip-shaped stitching is so cute! Very feminine. I like the gradiated thread colors of this design.

If you're going for the punk biker look, the Triumph skinny ankle length jean has an edgy zipper closure on the front pocket, knee patches, and knee darts. A total sexy fit channeling Joan Jett. Whiskering and distressing completes the "Speed" wash.

For all other new styles, including some cool sale items, go to focjeans.com

Tagged as: clothing, denim, fashion, fashion designer, jeans, pants, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Givenchy's 2009 summer Collection S is truly a sexy greeting from paradise. Inspired by warm sand and the sun's pure drops of light, Artistic Director Nicolas Degennes does it again with this spectacular collection.

Presented in two color quartets, The PRISME AGAIN ! VISAGE is a limited edition powder compact that provides a natural and radiant finish. The #13 Sun Mango is perfect for lighter complexions, and the #14 Sun Cinnamon is ideal for darker tones. I love the Sun Mango - the shades just melt onto my skin. The light Radiant Blossom fragrance reminds one of walking through a lush, tropical garden on a sultry summer evening.

For sparkling kisses, the new POP GLOSS CRYSTAL delivers with 446 Sun Rose, a coral pink with white shimmer, and 447 Sun Coral, a glam orange with white and red shimmer.

The PRISMISSIME MAT & GLOW Face Powder has 9 colors to sculpt out the sun queen in you. The matte shades help even out the skin for a natural visage, while the glowing ones highlight the contours for a luminous look. These customizable shades also work real well as an eyeshadow! To use, just mix all 9 shades together with a circular movement, then apply over the face, shoulders and décolletage.

To celebrate the collection's launch, we're giving away one Prismissime Mat & Glow in the new Sun Caramel shade to a lucky reader. This gorgeous 9-color face powder (retail $53) will keep you looking like a sun goddess all summer.

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Givenchy summer beauty & Prismissime Mat & Glow giveaway http://tinyurl.com/kmt9jv ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below this post on why you like this brand, or what you'd like to try from this line (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great').

Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. Be sure to enter 'Givenchy Giveaway' in the subject line and your unlocked Twitter link in the body. DO NOT forget to email your name & address after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically!

One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Sunday, June 14, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

www.parfumsgivenchy.com

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, giveaway, limited edition, Luxury, makeup, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Ozone Design has lots of cute, feminine, and funky legwear designs to show off your toesies and legs. I can't wait until the A Rose is a Rose knee-high style is available later this Fall. I just love the turquoise and violet colors. Very sexy yet sweet.

Wearing the Walking on Roses socks made me feel like an English schoolgirl hiding in a secret garden. These would be so neat with maryjanes.

The Asia (in Brown) knee-highs are perfect for flattering your gams...wear with some pumps and you're on your way to becoming a Lolita.

www.ozonesocks.com

Tagged as: fashion, legwear, shopping, Style, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out the new Magnifique parfum commercial featuring Lancôme ambassador Anne Hathaway. Filmed at New York’s The Box, Anne is working the sexy and confident persona of the Magnifique woman.

To see Anne in the new commercial and to get her Magnifique makeup look: www.lancome-usa.com/fragrance/magnifique.aspx

In celebration of the new commercial, we're giving away one bottle of Magnifique Eau de Toilette to a lucky reader. This spicy, floral, woody fragrance is an intoxicating scent perfect for a summer’s night out.

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Lancome Magnifique EDT giveaway http://tinyurl.com/ommafj ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below on why you like this brand, or what you'd like to try from this line (don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great!').

Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. DO NOT forget to send your name and address to this email after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically.

One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Friday, May 15, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

Tagged as: beauty, celebrity, fragrance, giveaway, makeup, perfume, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBacks (0)

Now's the prime time for weddings, hot summer soirees, and other special events. As you pull out that sexy backless number to show off your figure, you might wonder how to deal with the tricky wardrobe situation. To bra or not to bra? Go bare or cover up?

If you want to cover up, Fashion Forms might have the answer. Their new Seamless Backless Strapless Bra will hold up for 4-6 hours if you want some type of support. Thanks to the silicone adhesive, you can wear it up to 25 times. This is a good option for those sporting risque halters or complicated frocks. Just peel off the protective backing, press on the bra to the skin, and you're ready to go.

If you're not comfy with adhesive on your skin, another good choice might be the Infinite Options Bra. You can go nuts on all the strap combos you can pull off. You can even do one-shoulder looks. That one also has removable gel push up pads for those who want to enhance their bust line.

www.fashionforms.com

Tagged as: Accessories, bra, fashion, lingerie, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May is Asian Heritage Month, and to celebrate this, we're doing a special and fun book giveaway with Hachette Book Group! We're giving away 3 sets of books of the following great titles:

Free Food for Millionaires By Min Jin Lee
Trail of Crumbs By Kim Sunée
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles By Jennifer Lee
Transparency By Frances Hwang
Strangers from a Different Shore By Ronald Takaki

Each winner will receive the entire set of books (five books per set). What a deal, huh?

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete: Win a set of books! Asian Heritage Month Giveaway w/ Hachette! Enter at http://tinyurl.com/pqg2gb ). IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below on which title you'd like to read (please no generic ones like 'this sounds great!').

Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. DO NOT forget to send your name and address to this email after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically.

Three winners will be chosen at random. Deadline is May 31, at 11:59pm EST.
U.S. and Canadian residents only. No PO Boxes please. Good luck!

www.hachettebookgroup.com

Tagged as: Books, giveaway, Lifestyle, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out the following makeup used by Lancome for the Metropolitan Museum of Art for Vogue's Costume Institute gala. The star-studded evening included hosts Marc Jacobs, Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake, and many luminous beauties from the fashion and film realm.

Celebrity makeup artist Leslie Lopez gave Anne Hathaway her ultra-dramatic look with smokey eyes as the focal point. Leslie swept Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Statuesque over the entire eyelid, then dabbed Color Design Eyeshadow in Daylight on the brow bone.

She finished with several coats of Lancôme L'Extreme Mascara in Black. Anne’s sheer, neutral colored lipstick--Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Couture Suede—was the finishing touch.

Supermodel Du Juan's look:
Lancôme makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor created Du Juan’s radiance by using Lancôme Artliner in Brown on the upper lash line. He then added a few coats of Lancôme Virtuôse Black Carat Mascara, giving her lashes a boost of volume and length.

Andrew added just a touch of color to the eyes with Shu Uemura Eyeshadow in ME Brown 860 and ME Pink 100. He lined the lips with Lancôme Le Lipstique in Natural Mauve and topped it with La Laque Fever gloss in Pink Dimension, resulting in a pretty pink pout. A dusting of Star Bronzer in Bronze Dore gave Du Juan a sun-kissed complexion.

(Image credit: Style.com)

Tagged as: beauty, celebrity, eyeliner, fashion, lipstick, makeup, mascara, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A few items from Guerlain's summer 2009 Terracotta collection is making me swoon. I just LOVE the smooth, moisturizing Gloss Cashmere Velvet Matte Gloss. It has the perfectly matte lipstick look, yet it just glides on so thinly like the lightest lip gloss. It's liquified lipstick that defies definition.

It's so smooth and soft (no wonder they named it Gloss Cashmere), and it's not drying at all. You can also play around with it and mix it with a gloss for another look altogether. The Rose Pondichery is a sweetly neutral shade while Rouge Sultan is the classic sexy red.

J'adore the Fard Indien Mineral Eyeshadow. The silky and even texture is great for blending into a smoky eye. The Jungle Dust is a gorgeous mysterious forest green that will go well on many skin tones. Blend it with a light gold shadow and you're done!

The new Rouge G de Guerlain lipstick is a killer product in terms of luxury design. Jewelry designer Lorenz Bäumer came up with this seductive spygirl accessory, making you feel like a star of your own Bond flick. The white-gold coated case flicks open to reveal a mirror (I was wondering if it's got a secret camera-pistol too) that also lets you pull out a highly pigmented lipstick.

Ground Ruby crystal powder (lab-synthesized) and liquid mother-of-pearl help provide unprecedented radiance and light refraction. Gugul resin acts as a natural wrinkle-filler while wild mango butter keeps your lips super soft.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, makeup, summer, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

shu uemura is having a 20% discount on all purchases (and FREE standard shipping) with any purchase over $50 between today through May 7. If you need to stock up on your favorite lashes, eyeshadows or cleansing oils, here's your chance to do it with a nice discount. Just enter the special promo code: NEWSITEBLOG upon checkout.

They also just launched a new site design, with a brand-new custom makeup palette feature. If you register as a shopping site member you can select a free deluxe sample. Whoo hoo!

www.shuuemura-usa.com

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, discount, eyeshadow, Luxury, makeup, promotion, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ok, I know y'all are nice kids but if you haven't gotten Mom her prezzie yet (6 days away!), here are a few last minute ideas:

Vosges' new Les Fleur Heart Box collection is sublime. Featuring the pretty Les Fleurs du Chocolat collection, these truffles are topped with organic flower petals (rose, nasturtium, orchid, and marigold). The Siam Cirtron truffle is so delicate and lovely (hints of jasmine tea, lemongrass, and coconut enrobed in white chocolate). Platanos y Orchidus has a burst of caramelized bananas and Jamaican rum.

If your budget is lower, get some yummy Bombalinas. The Barcelona Almonds are brilliant - smoked hickory almonds mingled with Maldon sea salt and 45% deep milk chocolate.

Kiehl's has perennial faves and bestseller skin care products, and the folks there can tailor to any budget. If mom is a floral lover, get the new Gardenia lotion & cleanser set for her.

Spoon NYC has a great Breakfast in Bed Gift Basket. Serve her breakfast in style with the Perfect Buttermilk Pancake Mix, Vermont Blueberry Maple Syrup, Small Batch Strawberry Jam, Stumptown Organic Coffee, and The Best Ever Granola.

If Mom likes to eat her arrangements, get her the edible Hearts and Berries 'floral' arrangement of pineapple hearts and chocolate-dipped strawberries. If she's a gardener, she will re-use the keepsake watering can.

Tagged as: beauty, chocolate, flowers, food, gifts, gourmet, holiday, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A celeb fave, Margo Morrison New York offers exquisite semi-precious and pearl jewelry that's handmade in NY. Designer and founder Margo believes jewelry should complement a woman’s natural beauty, not hide it. Resonating with women of all ages, these timeless pieces could fit anyone ages 18-90. She draws inspiration from her travels around the world, and finishes each piece with toggles that are cast from grass, twigs, and berries.

I love this four-strand Faceted Labradorite bracelet.

Blake Lively, Julianne Moore, Julia Roberts, and Gwyneth Paltrow are among a large group of fashionable stars that adore Margo's work. Japan’s top fashion mag Madame Figaro recently voted her as "one of the top 15 most exciting jewelry designers in the world." You can't get better props than that.

Margo Morrison (Photo credit: Dana Hargitay L.A.)

The lovely Margo is extremely kind enough to do a special giveaway with us! We're giving away one pair of White Freshwater Coin Pearl (with Swarovski crystal) earrings (a $75 value) to one very lucky reader!

To Enter:

Step 1: Tweet this post on Twitter (RT @feteafete Margo Morrison giveaway http://tinyurl.com/c6poco). Feel free to follow me too. IF you don't have a Twitter account, please leave an interesting comment below on why you might like this brand, or what you'd like to try from this designer (please don't send generic ones like 'this sounds great!').

Step 2: Email your full name & mailing address to feteafeteswag@gmail.com. DO NOT forget to send your name and address to this email after you comment or tweet, or you'll be disqualified automatically.

One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is May 7, at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Good luck!

www.margomorrison.com

Tagged as: Accessories, fashion, giveaway, jewelry, shopping, Style, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Tagged as: beauty, body care, shopping, soap

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of my favorite shopping sites Via Maris is now selling the popular Tintamar VIP Very Important Pocket. This liner bag accessory lets you put all your purse essentials - makeup, pens, phone, iPod, keys, sunglasses, wallet, and whatever else into one central location, so you can transfer it at anytime to any purse.

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!

www.viamarisnyc.com

Tagged as: Accessories, fashion, Handbags, Lifestyle, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kiehl’s is celebrating Earth Day by introducing a Limited Edition set of their Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion. 100% of net proceeds will benefit WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE. Adrian Grenier, Erykah Badu, Kelly Slater, and Parsons The New School For Design have teamed up with Kiehl’s to create four Limited Edition labels to represent their commitment to sustainabilty.

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 www.kiehlsgivesback.com for those who want to get more involved. There will be a 3-day auction starting on Earth Day. Auction items include an Adrian Grenier autographed Season 4 of Entourage DVD Set, and an autographed autobiography by Kelly Slater.

kiehls.com

Tagged as: auction, beauty, fair trade, green, lotion, organic ingredients, shopping, skin care, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Giorgio Armani's new Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20 is a great alternative to thick TV or photography makeup (ideal for bridal pics!). The pump dispenser bottle is so well made. Just squirt out one nickel-sized dollop into your palm and spread across your face. The feel is light and smooth, and is an all-purpose formula. You get sunscreen and medium coverage for both special days or for everyday wear. This is a new water-based formula that lasts 14-hours.

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 www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com.

Tagged as: beauty, bronzer, foundation, Luxury, makeup, shopping, skin care, Style, summer

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's another spring color product to brighten that pout. Lorac's new Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick is a non-sticky lip color collection that has the best of both lippie and gloss worlds.

Available in 7 sheer and opaque shades, this paraben free formula promises soft lips and long-lasting lip color. Light-reflecting Mother of Pearl helps lips stay smooth, while hyaluronic acid helps hydrate and fill in fine lines.

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.

www.loraccosmetics.com

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, lip gloss, makeup, shopping, spring

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Being a letterpress lover, I am a new fan of Snow & Graham, a Chicago-based paper company. Each item begs to be bought and used for your office, your friend's birthday, or as gift wrap. The purple blossons on the Morning Glory wrapping paper is so bright and cheery I just get a smile looking at it.

The sticky notes (noteBLOCKS) come in 700-sheet blocks, making your office list making a lot more fun. I love the pretty Dogwood noteBOOK, as well as the sunny Cherry Blosson thank you noteset. The coaster greetings are fabulous for any occasion. It doubles up as a giant drink coaster and greeting card in one. Cute!

To find national retailers, go to www.snowandgraham.com.

Tagged as: gifts, shopping, stationery

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Pacifica's new spring scents for this year are a breath of fresh air. The new Lotus Garden is very lovely with green notes, citrus, lotus, and olibanum. Classics Tunisian Jasmine and Egyptian Bergamot Rose are now available in spray and solid perfumes, as well as body butters. So much fun layering everything together! As always, the sprays are made with natural, pure grain alcohol (corn-sourced and gluten-free).

I really liked the Thai Lemongrass...quite playful. The ginger and lemongrass are well balanced so that it doesn't smell too citrusy or strong. The Vanilla Vera Cruz is now also in a solid perfume form, so it makes for a great scent to tuck into tiny purses. The warm clove, sweet orange, and black pepper in Madagasgar Spice makes me wanna tuck into bed on a cold day.

Their new 3-piece gift sets in Waikiki Pikake and Lotus Garden are real fun too. Celebrate Mother's Day, Earth Day, or everyday with these cute presents. Each set includes a travel sized candle, matches, solid perfume, and a body butter.

Buy it at: pacificaperfume.com

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, gifts, natural ingredients, perfume, shopping, spring, Summer

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oh, happy day for sensitive eyes - Kiehl's new Marvelous Mineral Mascara does not irritate, clump, or smear. This gentle product stays on amazingly well. Great for daytime use, this is a good lengthening mascara for thinner lashes, and adds natural volume (don't expect megawatt thickness). And, it removes easily.

The first of its kind, the mineral pigment formula is paraben-free and fragrance-free. Lashes are left glossy and enriched with Acacia Senegal, Jojoba Oil, and Aloe Vera. This is a candidate for low maintenance beauty.

Available at Kiehl’s stores, 1-800-KIEHLS-1 and www.kiehls.com.

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, makeup, mascara, natural ingredients, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Givenchy's new Peel Me Perfectly is a neat triple action scrub. It acts like a cleanser, exfoliator, and mask, all at the same time. Oarweed extract and glycolic acid aid in skin renewal, and a clay extract helps purify the pores. This is a fun scrub to use. Apply a generous amount and massage over the face with gentle circular movements.

I also tried the Radically No Surgetics Complete Age-Defying Care day cream. The texture is so light and fluffy, not heavy at all. I usually opt for a fluid emulsion texture for daytime, but this one is going straight to my bathroom shelf for daily use now!

This treatment cream is especially formulated for multiple signs of aging (wrinkles, slackening, dullness, etc.). It's packaged in such a pretty eye-catching metallic violet container. The night cream version is supposed to reduce dark spots after two months of usage. So start dreaming those icky spots away...

www.parfumsgivenchy.com

Tagged as: beauty, Cleanser, Luxury, moisturizer, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

April 22 is Earth Day, so get your natural beauty on with the Mother Earth Palette ($45) from Smashbox. This palette has four wearable eye shadows and a blush (all made from certified organic ingredients). Packaged in a recyclable compact, the carton is also made from sustainable materials and printed with eco-friendly ink. Like all Smashbox products, the formulas are paraben and fragrance free.

With each purchase, a tree will be planted by Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable global environments through reforestation.

* Smashbox is honoring Earth Day by pitching in at The Surfrider Foundation’s Santa Monica Beach Cleanup. Join them on Wednesday, April 22nd from 9-11am. To learn more about the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org/default.aspx

Be sure to recycle the palette when you’re through!

Exclusively at Sephora this month.

Tagged as: beauty, blush, cosmetics, eyeshadow, green, makeup, shopping, spring

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sleek with its new packaging and logo design, Valrhona's new retail line proves once again they're on top of the chocolate game. The new square tile-shaped bars are scored with asymmetric lines to encourage an organic tasting and sharing experience.

Each of the eight Grand Crus bars bears an enlarged version of their signature cocoa flower, and each color corresponds to specific Grands Crus. It's hard to choose favorites but both malty Jivara Lait (40% cacao) and the caramelized Tanariva (33%) were great as milk bars.

As for the darks, I loved the Caraibe (66%) and the Alpaco (66%). The Ecuadorian beans in the Alpaco had such a nice oakiness. If you like fruity notes, the Tainori (64%) and the Manjari (64%) will be perfect. The Albinao (85%) is very smooth, not intense at all. Ditto for the Guanaja (70%).

There are four Grands Crus 100 gram Bars with Ingredients. I gobbled up the Jivara with Caramelized Pecans in no time (yes it was that good), and I loved the Manjari with Orange. Such intense citrus flavor! The Caraïbe with Roasted Hazelnuts is a winner, and the Guanaja with Roasted Cocoa Nibs packed a delicate punch.

Available at the Valrhona Boutique (inside the Food Emporium Fine Chocolates Shop) at NYC's Trump Palace, www.Chocosphere.com, and gourmet shops across the U.S. In San Francisco, Fog City News carries several bars from the new line.

Valrhona.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolatier, food, gourmet, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Oakland-based artist Kat Geiger has some unique terrariums for elegant and green home decor. These mini-wonderlands are created with recycled materials such as vintage light fixtures and old whiskey bottles. They are so cute! I gotta thank Kasey of Bay Area Style File for the heads up.

These beautiful living works of art are so low maintenance. Just mist with a spray bottle every week and you're set.

Kat is having a trunk show at Urban Indigo this month, so don't miss this fun event. There will be refreshments and live music, so definitely check it out!

Saturday, April 18, 2009
2pm- 5pm
Urban Indigo
3339 Lakeshore Avenue
Oakland, CA
510.419.0451

And, while you're there, check out the cute goodies in this lovely store. How darling is this button bowl? I also want that hand-made jade glass cake platter...

www.urbanindigo.com

Tagged as: bay area, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

My skin is considered to be normal, but when I'm having an off day (no sleep or sun damage) it can change my skin chemistry for a while. Once irritated, the daily regimen products I use might be too much to handle and I'm left wondering what I should use to remedy my crabby skin.

So imagine my delight when I learned about the new Eminence Organics Biodynamic Collection. The products are lighter in scent and color compared to their regular line, but I'm a big fan of this collection. Originally formulated for medi spas, the sensitive skin friendly line from the venerable Hungarian company works for all skin types. The line is hypoallergenic and clinically tested, and the potency of these ultra gentle products are not to be underestimated.

Each product in this collection contains a minimum of 95% organic ingredients and up to 88% Biodynamic nutrients. Biodynamic farming practices a holistic view of the universe, producing highly nutrient-rich ingredients. That translate to powerful and results-driven skin care.

The Lemon Grass Cleanser is a mild, creamy, and hydrating balm on irritated skin. This is great for post-peel treatments or if you've been dehydrated from baking in the sun. My skin must have been quite thirsty, as the Apricot Calendula Nourishing Cream soaked right in. My face literally drank up the active nutrients in no time. For oily skin, the Echinacea Recovery Cream has a nice light fluid texture that will absorb easily.

The Primrose & Melon Balancing Masque smells like a freshly baked fruit tart - very calming (thanks to Marigold and Primrose) and a good skin toner. The Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque is great for rosacea skin. I liked the Radish Seed Refining Peel. The AHA/BHA gently renews the skin while Lemon Balm helped detox the skin cells.

The Bearberry Eye Repair cream nourishes with brightening properties from the Bearberry extract. Unlike most rich eye creams, this is not heavy at all. For body care, the bioactive Alfalfa, Yarrow, and Sunchoke in the Quince Nourishing Body Lotion is great for eczema skin prone types.

www.eminenceorganics.com

Tagged as: beauty, biodynamic, green, Luxury, organic, organic ingredients, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Get your shopping digits ready. Neiman Marcus is hosting an online trunk show of Guerlain’s Exclusive Fragrance collection. For 2 weeks only, you can now get these rare perfumes online. Normally you can only buy these in the seven U.S. Guerlain boutiques, so this is such a convenient way to stock up on your favorite fragrances, or try a new one without leaving your home. This is great for those are who far away from the retail stores.

Available collections include L’Art et la Matiere (Cuir Beluga, Angélique Noire, etc.), Les Elixirs Charnels, the gorgeous 180th Year Collector’s Case, and La Petite Robe Noire, which debuted last month.

The Chypre Fatal and Gourmand Coquin sound so good. I'm very tempted to check this out...

Check out the trunk show here: www.neimanmarcus.com

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, Luxury, perfume, scents, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

French chocolatier Michel Cluizel is offering très mignon Fruity Macarolats for the Spring/Summer, and I can't wait to get my hands on more of them. These 'macarons' are milk chocolate shells filled with praline, and raspberry, lime, and passionfruit ganaches. Aren't these adorable?

Check out the assorted truffles in praline, gianduja, and other ganache flavors. They're so delicious you'll inhale them in minutes. I also love his Mangaro and Maralumi milk bars.

Available at gourmet retail stores, www.chocosphere.com, and www.worldwidechocolate.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate truffles, chocolatier, confection, food, french, gourmet, shopping, spring

Posted by Tami Yu at 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SF scent divas, you are in luck. The super talented and lovely parfumeur Yosh Han is offering a Vibrational Perfumery workshop this Spring. This workshop isn't like any other perfume workshop, as it's based on intuition and chakra energy work. It will be quite the treat, I promise.

Yosh will do a basic history of perfume, then a run down on the technical info (on top notes, middle notes and base notes, fragrance families). You will also smell 100+ materials and learn about Perfume Design. Her special "reverse birthday candle" technique is not to be missed. Each participant will create their own Aromatic Attunement in an 8 ml French flacon bottle.

Saturday, April 25th OR Sunday, May 3rd
9:30 AM: Meet and Greet, Tea
10:00 AM - 1 PM Workshop
End or Lunch break
2 - 3:30 PM Optional shopping
Create your own Perfumer's Kit

Please RSVP - Limited to 6 people only!
Sign-up at 415.626.5385 or Yosh@eaudeyosh.com
Workshop Fee: $250.00 ($50 deposit)

www.eaudeyosh.com

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, Lifestyle, Luxury, perfume, San Francisco, scents, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Edgy shu uemura never fails to impress me. The new Pink Collection is yet another fine example. I'm not a pink kinda gal, yet the Gloss Unlimited in PK 378S (Hot Pink Sparkle) charmed my socks off. This collection uses patented Pink Hybrid Pigment technology, ensuring the pure, authentic pink hues.

Ditto for the Rouge Unlimited in PK359 Sheer Electric Pink. These colors are really beautiful. Conventional pinks were traditionally created mixing red and white shades, but the shu uemura team came up with a matrix of a mineral core and organic shell. This means the colors are brighter, providing high color fidelity. You just have to try it to see the difference. They are not garish and will work on all skin tones.

I paired both of these lip colors with the new Cream Eye Shadow in P Light Green. It was the perfect and easy Spring look for me. These cream shadows come in 9 non-creasing/non-fading and buildable shades (matte and pearl), and they're waterproof for summer! Yay. You can wear alone or layer with their pressed eye shadows.

In their skin care department, the new White Recovery EX Instant Spot Brightener does double duty as both makeup highlighter and well, spot brightener. You can get instant dewy skin by dabbing a bit on the nose bridge and cheekbones. Use it alone or over makeup (blend gently). Reducing melanin content by 56% (thank you Sakura Leaf and Prune extracts), this has optical brightening effects and will minimize the appearance of brown spots and acne scars immediately and over time. The convenient brush applicator makes it easy to dab it right you need it. This can last 2-3 months, as a little goes a long way. You can even use it for dark circles!

SF readers: you can call the SF boutique for more info: 1971 Fillmore Street, (415) 395-0953 or buy online: www.shuuemura-usa.com

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, Lifestyle, Luxury, makeup, makeup tips, San Francisco, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For those who liked Emilio Pucci's original Vivara perfume, the new Vivara Variazioni collection should be a nice addition with some twists. An ode to the Vivara Island, the trio starts off with Sabbia 167, a powdery floral. Tangerine, lemon, Florentine iris, and sandalwood characterize this one. Acqua 330 resembles the coolness of water. Violet lead, jasmine, frangipani, and musk evoke a freshn voyage to the heart of the Mediterranean.

I liked the Sole 149. An aromatic floral, it aims to recreate the elements of a sun-dappled island. The galbanum channels the original Vivara; this one has notes of tomato leaf, sambac-jasmine, vetiver, and patchouli. I like how vetiver and patchouli warms up the florals.

Available at Sephora.com

Tagged as: beauty, fashion designer, fragrance, Luxury, perfume, scents, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sense and Sensibility

It's all about sensibility here. How do you thrift successfully? Style Symmetry will let you know. How do you dress for an fashion job interview? 39thandbroadway will show you the way (no pantsuits!). reLYME investigates feminine studs, and The Coveted talks to elegant punks. Dramatis Personae keeps it all in (corsets). The full version of Links á la Mode is here in the IFB forums.

39thandbroadway.com - What do you wear if you're interviewing for a fashion job?
A Few Goody GumDrops - An interview with handbag designer Be and D on the re-launch of the Garbo bag!
Breakfast at Saks - A little slice of heaven: Erin Wasson's Venice Beach Tree House
Consume or Consumed - Soleful Shopping: Negotiating Men's Footwear (Guest Men's Fashion Entry)
Dogmom's Dish - Norma Kamali NK: Spring Blossoms In Unexpected Places
dramatis personae - Curious About Corsetry {part 1}: Answers to Your Most Basic Question
Fasshonaburu - How to rock multiple brights this spring
fete a fete - DL1961’s 4-way stretch denim slims and shapes

Independent Fashion Bloggers - How essential is twitter to your blog?
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Fashion - Virtual Shopping Cart: Urban Outfitters
misslikey - misslikey is still zipping
Munique Fashions - Twinset and pearls with a modern twist
Or False Glitter - fall/winter 09 inspired hair style tried at home!
reLYME - Studs were all over the runway this season'a few cheaper and more girly alternatives.
Retro Chick - Ethical Design Spotlight - Tammam
Solo Lisa - Tips to take with you when shopping for clutches
Star Fashion Addict - Summer Trend Jumpsuits and Rompers
Style Eyes Fashion Blog - Cheer yourself up with a little lipstick therapy
Style Symmetry - The Best Thrifting Tip
THE COVETED - The Elegant Punks an interview with Felder Felder
Thrift Eye - Making a circle scarf, then turning it into a circle dress!

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Attention vintage lovers! Marion Mercer, a new online vintage shop, has some really cool frocks from the 50s to 80s. Think Dior, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, and Givenchy...ooh la la.

1960s Babydoll Dress from Chanel ($425)

An ex-model herself, founder Sarah Buxton knows her fashion. The fashion dolls in NYC were always mixing vintage with modern pieces, so Buxton was inspired to offers a well-curated selection of treasures collected from her travels to NYC, Miami, LA, London, Paris and throughout Europe. The site is updated daily for your shopping fixes!

I'm in love with this 1950s tulle dress from Beaumelle:

These value finds are priced competitively too, even in today's economy. They also offer free domestic shipping. So get shopping already!

www.marionmercer.com

Tagged as: Accessories, couture, fashion, fashion design, Luxury, shopping, vintage

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SF weather can be super cold and windy even in the Spring and Summer seasons, so imagine my delight to come upon the new Lutz & Patmos Spring 2009 collection. Teaming up with style icon and guest designer Jane Birkin, they created two ultra soft and flattering basic tops (made with 100% organic Scottish cashmere).

Jane Birkin for Lutz & Patmos - wearing her V-Neck sweater and Tank.

Layer the Jane Birkin Tank with the V-Neck sweater for that casual, sexy look. The deep V-Neck is raw edged with a slouchy fit and 3/4 sleeves, while the tank scoopneck has a delicate hand crochet finish at the neckline and armhole. Both styles come in black, grey heather, and mocha heather. The company will also continue collaborating with Birkin for Fall 2009.

I also want the Organic Flounced Dress - so elegant! It looks deceptively simple but I know it will be very flattering for most body types. It's the perfect black dress with a green agenda.

Get it online at www.lutzandpatmos.com (FREE shipping through March 31!).

Tagged as: celebrity, fashion, green, Lifestyle, Luxury, organic, organic ingredients, shopping, spring, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, springtime...even if you're not religious it's time for you to indulge in Easter treats. Recchiuti Confections has some awesome stuff this season (classic and new) so do treat yourselves to some high octane chocolate goodness.

Those who've tried the Peanut Butter Pucks will be thrilled to see the Peanut Butter Easter Egg incarnation of this to-die-for confection. Dark milk chocolate Easter Egg-shaped shell halves are filled with creamy organic peanut butter, fleur de sel, and chocolate. The tiny bits of salt jumped out ever so slightly, making the peanut butter pop nicely. YUM. These disappeared so fast...and it's not even Easter yet. Oops.

If you're lucky enough to be in the SF Bay Area, I'm begging you to try their new Pastel Hazelnuts. They are so addictive it's insane. Perfectly roasted hazelnuts are panned in burnt caramel, then surrounded by milk chocolate and wrapped in a colorful pastel candy shell. The crunchy exterior texture melded so well with the rich nuts and chocolate. It's not available online so better run down to their store before they sell out!

www.recchiuti.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, confection, easter, food, gourmet, San Francisco, shopping, spring

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am diggin' the lightweight gel texture of Kiehl's new “Weightless” Curl-Defining Spray. Whether you have natural or permed curls, this one is worthy of a try. It gives you the shine, body, and moisture you're craving for.

With this non-greasy styling aid (yay for non-sticky hands!), curl definition is enhanced and frizz is under control. The long-lasting formula ( Sesame Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soybean Oil, Silk Powders, Vitamin E) will strengthen and fortify the hair follicle. It isn't brittle, leaving your mane soft as silk.

Another beauty item I'm keeping an eye out for is their new Marvelous Mineral Mascara. Paraben-free and made with minerals, this is supposed to be great for or sensitive eyes! This I gotta check out...

www.kiehls.com

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, hair, hair products, hair styling, makeup, mascara

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm SO happy it's officially Spring season! Easter is about 3 weeks away, and I'm itchin' to bake up a batch of bunny-shaped cookies and other treats. I'm looking at these fun toys from Williams-Sonoma...I want them so I can have a proper girly tea afternoon with my friends.

Aren't these Springtime Nest Bell Jars darling? I want them all. So country chic.

I'm in such a cupcake baking mood lately. I might just have to buy this Daisy Crown Cupcake Pan to make some. At this rate I might be stuck in the kitchen all day...not that I'm complaining.

www.williams-sonoma.com

Tagged as: baking, cooking, easter, entertaining, food, gourmet, holiday, Lifestyle, San Francisco, seasonal, shopping, Spring

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Spring Fever: Are harem pants a passing phase? Check out what reLYME has to say...Practice your smokey eye as The Coveted gets tips from Benefit Cosmetics! Also, it might be a good time to spring clean your make up kit with What the Pros Do; If you're short on cash, Retro Chick give 5 tips to have fun anyway, and if you Do have cash, Consume or Consumed delves into her habits.

The full version of Links à la Mode is here in the forums - lots of great posts there too.

A Few Goody GumDrop If you are coming apart at the seems then enter to win torn leggings from LnA!
Breakfast at Saks - Still sifting through Paris Fashion Week shows? Be sure to make time for Ann Demeulemeester F/W 09.10
Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - Check, Please!
Consume or Consumed - Consume or Consumed Sees Double and Triple: On Buying Multiples
Couture Cult - CoutureCult.com: Alison Lewis (formerly of Mooka Kinney), Spring/Summer 09
Debutante Clothing - Missoni is Inspired By Vintage Modernist Necklaces
Dogmom's Dish - Desperately Seeking Orla
Fashion Daydream - What your didn’t see at Fashion Week: A behind the scenes look into fashion week, fashionistas en route to the shows and models being made up.
Fashion Pulse Daily - reports on the latest colors for fall 2009
Felicia Sullivan - beauty & styling products that work for curly, coarse hair, really work. part 1: frederic fekkai
fete a fete - Larkspur & Hawk's GORGEOUS antique and vintage inspired

Independent Fashion Bloggers - Burnout Aversion Tips From Bloggers
reLYME - An analysis of the Persian-inspired trend that's hitting the runway
Retro Chick - Top 5 Ways to have fun with no money
Shopping and Info - Gossip Girl scarves bags and jewelry oh my! Solo Lisa - Sunny fashion picks inspired by Freida Pinto's character in Slumdog
Studio Purpura Fashion Blog - Shopping Hops in the Far & South East Asia!
Style Symmetry - Interview with Jennine of The Coveted!
Style With Anna - Fashion for Guys: How to Dress Like David Beckham
THE COVETED - Exclusive Video Preview & Tutorial: Benefit Smokin'; Eyes
the musings of ondo lady - Get ready for a retro prequel of Gossip Girl which is about the trials and tribulations of a teenage Lily van der Woodsen
what the pros do - Spring Clean Your Makeup Kit!

Tagged as: Accessories, beauty, fashion, fashion design, makeup, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

DL1961 is now one of my favorite stretch denim companies. The first in using the incredible XFit Lycra technology, your jeans won't sag, stretch out, or get baggy. The fabric has 90% less pressure strain at stress points (knees, inseam, and back rise areas), meaning it won't get worn down as easily. The denim moves 360 degrees for maximum shape, style despite multiple wears.

Milano 1093 Bootcut

Hugging your curves comfortably, these sexy jeans will also shape up the derriere and legs. The four-way stretch fabric in the Milano Bootcut made me look like I've lost a couple pounds, or gotten a mini butt lift. It's that flattering. The slimming effects are evident upon wearing it. So ladies, if you were too afraid to try the skinny or straight cut, this will give you hope. The men will notice the difference, I kid you not.

Tory 1098 Straight Leg

The 27% lycra content makes this line super comfy, it's almost like wearing yoga pants. I don't recommend working out in these but it's thin and soft enough to lounge around in if you want. I might have to try it out on the dance floor for the ultimate stretch test. And, they use an enzyme wash (using a protein that softens the fabric) for that worn in look. I wonder if the traditional stone wash beats up the fabric too much in the process?

They will launch an organic line next month, so stay tuned. I'll update you on the new styles and washes.

I totally heart these guys. Keep up the fabulous work!

www.dl1961.com

Tagged as: denim, fashion, fashion design, jeans, Lifestyle, Luxury, organic, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Lancôme's new beauty blog is launched! Headed by Kerry Diamond (former beauty editor, author, and VP of PR for the brand), she will be keeping us up to date with the latest on new products, spokespeople celebs (Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Clive Owen), makeup artists, and models.

They're also gonna do lots of great giveaways.The first one is a giveaway on the new Génifique skincare product that is launching this month. They're giving away 10 bottles, so comment on their post and 10 readers will be chosen at random.

Check the blog (and the new skin care and giveaway) out at: www.thelancomeblog.blogspot.com

Tagged as: beauty, celebrity, giveaway, makeup, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It seems like my list of things to covet is never-ending. Now I have to add Larkspur & Hawk's Small Anne Day/Night Earrings to the list. Inspired by a Queen Anne earring design, these gorgeous earrings are made of faceted white topaz stones, then backed with leaf foil in a 14k gold setting. The drops are removable for a day look, and you can wear them for an evening look. (Also available in white topaz with indigo foil; citrine with fuchsia foil; white topaz with scarlet foil)

And how fantastic is this antique Chrysolite Cluster Ring (circa 1780)?? Wow. I so am drooling over this. Très élégante. Chrysolite was mined in Brazil in the 18th century and the popular stones are still sought after in modern times. I dunno about you, but I'd take this over any regular diamond ring. I just love color that dazzles the eye.

The Grace Earrings are another favorite of mine...simply stunning. You can get this in rose quartz with indigo foil or green amethyst and leaf foil.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (Hmmm, perhaps that's why I subconsciously chose so many green colored jewelry to feature...)

Tagged as: Accessories, earrings, fashion, jewelry, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a great recessionista beauty find! LaLicious Body Oil is a great time save as an all-in-one product. It can act as a body moisturizer, cuticle creme, bath oil, shave cream, eye makeup remover, hair conditioner, fragrance, and massage oil. I like the Passionfruit Lime - it makes me smell like a fruity tropical drink.

It's made with a combo of several nourishing oils (coconut, almond, macadamia, etc.). You can also get this in other scents: Tahitian Flower, Coconut Cream, Peppermint, Island Guava, Lily Mango, and Vanilla.

www.lalicious.com

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, body care, natural ingredients, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

As Paris fashion week wraps up, we're still sifting though the fashion week madness. A Balmaniac wonders why mess with perfection on Breakfast at Saks; Dogmom's Dish review McQueen for Target; Fashion Pulse Daily hits on Christian Soriano's shoes; Style Amor contemplates the dying magazine industry; 39th and Broadway talks about the plus size industry; and Retro Chick delves into the Primark Effect. Lastly, The Coveted reviews the Vivienne Tam HP Mini after a month of travelling and blogging.

The full version of Links á la Mode is in the forums; there's a lot of great posts there too.

39thandbroadway - Fashion’s Plus Size Dilemma; A different perspective on the plus size apparel industry.
Breakfast at Saks - Biased Reporting on the Balmain show from a Balmain-iac
Clutch 22 - Exploring Etsy - Three unique talents to watch
Consume or Consumed - Stylish film looks channeled toward a more stylish life
Debutante Clothing - Special Report: YSL Vintage Clothing Auction in Paris
Dogmom's Dish - Alexander McQueen for Target: Post-Modern Punk Princess
ericdwills.com - Kanye West x Louis Vuitton sneakers called the 'Don' and 'Hi Top'
Fashion Pulse Daily - Fashion Week reviews, Christian Siriano's shoes, and much more!
fete a fete - elegant FIEL flip flops, made with love from Brazil!
Independent Fashion Bloggers - Privacy Tips for Bloggers

Mademoiselle Robot - A love letter to Jeffrey Campbell
Nico Assatly - New Spring Polish that will knock your socks off !
Retro Chick - The Primark Effect - Can cheap fashion be ethical fashion?
Shopping and Info - Win a Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent Sweater from the Shopping and Info Spring Giveaway.
Solo Lisa - Less expensive but equally charming alternatives to the new Tiffany key necklaces
Studio Purpura - Milan Fashion Week Fall 2009 presents creative color schemes and designs to tickle your fancy!!
Style Amor - THE DYING MAGAZINE: March U.S. Magazine Reviews
Style Bite - Geared up for Etten Eller's Newest Collection
Style Symmetry - Eyeliah loves to layer tights!
Style With Anna - How to Dress Bohemian
THE COVETED - A real life review of the Vivienne Tam HP Mini

Original post at: http://independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/03/12/links-a-la-mode-ifb-weekly-roundup-11/

Tagged as: Accessories, fashion, fashion design, giveaway, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At last, TCHO has introduced their version of drinking chocolate. Fans of this hip chocolate line will enjoy the strong blend of three of TCHO's chocolates: “Chocolatey” from Ghana, “Citrus” from Madagascar, and “Nutty” from Peru. There are no added ingredients so it's pure liquid chocolate.

Used for hot and cold drinks, you can make a TCHOspresso (add to hot water in a demitasse), an IcedTCHO, or a TCHOlatte.

Or...if you're very impatient like me (and in dire need of a choco fix right this instant), you can also eat it straight from the tin with a spoon. It's that yummy.

I need a TCHOspresso now.

tcho.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolatier, drink, food, gourmet, San Francisco, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If lip plumpers are not your thing, you can still get full, beautiful lips without the sting! Poppy King, the glorious dame behind Lipstick Queen, just launched her new Big Bang Theory - Illusion Gloss collection. She came up with the perfect formula of shimmer and shine to make your lips really dazzle. The 11 gram container is one of the larger glosses I've seen, so it really is a whole lotta big plumpin' bang for your buck. The colors are highly pigmented so it will go a super long way.

This is a very pretty line and it's available in eight shades. I loved Energy a lot (shimmery bright cherry red). Those who want a more dramatic lip will love Black Hole (deep wine). I only needed a couple teensy dabs as it was so pigmented. If you are into lighter shades, Time is a nice shimmery golden nude. Creation (rose) and Cosmos (ruby) look so darn pretty. And, if your color bleeds no matter what you do, I recommend the Invisible Liner. The self sharpening mechanical pencil is so convenient.

I also liked the Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Honest Politician. As a 2-in-1, it goes on nicely as a creme blush and lip gloss. The brown-pink matte tone was very neutral looking on my lips, and I needed only a tiny dab for my cheeks. Very high mileage in this product. The recessionista in me approves.

The stylish Ms. Poppy was darling enough to share her revered lipstick advice in a recent interview. Read on for her expert tips on choosing the best lip color for your skin tone, how to prevent bleeding, and more:

What's the easiest way to prevent lipstick bleeding? Dark colors, especially red, can be tricky to maintain throughout the day for busy career gals.

Poppy King: Wear a lip liner that matches the lip color exactly so that the line is seamless.....or, if you don't like lip liner you can use concealer around the line of the lip to stop bleeding. Lipstick Queen Invisible Liner stops lipstick bleeding without being seen.

What red shades do you recommend for women of color? With so many brands out there, it can be overwhelming.

PK: The bluer based/pinkish reds tend to look best on deep skins such as Latin and African American....the more orange reds look tend to look best on Asian women.

On top of the new Illusion Gloss, what else is coming up for the brand that we can look forward to?

PK: I am having a glossy year with new and unusual forms, textures and concepts in gloss. Expect the unexpected....even a gloss you can sharpen!

Any tips on how to maintain soft lips (to maximize lipstick application)? Does exfoliation help?

PK: Exfoliation and Chapstick are the best to maintain lips without getting greasy. I use a spare toothbrush to exfoliate lips.

Red is your signature color. Do you have other favorite colors you wear on 'off days' or at home lounging around?

PK: Red is my boring look in that I wear it all the time.....I feel radical when I wear other shades. I love wearing Coral and Rose from my line in both the Saint and Sinner formulas. I love romantic shades for my time off red.

Who was your biggest influence on your personal style? Why?

PK: My godmother, who owns an amazing fashion boutique in Melbourne (where I am from). She introduced me to leopard print and I have pretty much worn it since I can remember. I love glamour.

Do you ever recommend the nude lip on certain women? Or just red all the way?

PK: I recommend colors I truly think would suit someone's style and personality. I believe the two are intrinsic to each other and I read someone's whole "aura" when I recommend lips shades. A long way of saying yes.....I recommend nude all the time when I think it suits someone's being.

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, cosmetics, fashion, lip color, lip gloss, lipstick, makeup, makeup primer, makeup tips, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Think you can have Angelina Jolie lips and a svelte physique at the same time? The new Huge Lips Skinny Hips lip glosses might help you reach your goals. Created by beauty insider Karen Robinovitz, this line a multi-tasking girl's best friend. They're supposed to help reduce your appetite (contains Hoodia Gordoni extract) and give you plumper lips (thanks to Vitamin B3).

Named after Christian Louboutin, I liked the shade Red Sole a lot. For a lip gloss this had strong color payoff and didn't dry my lips. I'm happy to find that this lip plumper works and it doesn't sting (has soothing Lemon Peel oil). I even wiped the gloss off to see what would happen and my lips stayed plump for a while. Neat-o! This will be a staple for my cosmetics bag whenever I need that sultry look.

As for the appetite suppressant part, I'd need to check the scale in a couple weeks to see if my derriere shrunk a bit in my tight jeans...

www.purplelabnyc.com

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, lip color, lip gloss, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Today is International Women's Day, and it reminds us all that we have a long road ahead in ending sexual slavery across the world. To do our part, the New York Chapter of The Somaly Mam Foundation is partnering with eBay Giving Works to raise enough money to rescue and rehabilitate more victims of human trafficking.

The eBay auction features favorite luxury beauty and fashion items at 50-75% off retail.

Givenchy Spring 2009 makeup collection featured for auction

Highlights include:

Cut & color with celebrity stylist David Evangelista
Tickets to the Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2010 Runway show in September 2009
Over $1000 in Givenchy Le Makeup, Skincare, and Fragrance
The new Dior L'Or de Vie Skincare Collection
Autographed Anya Hindmarch handbag

...and much more beauty from brands including Fresh, Guerlain. Dior, Sephora, and Frederic Fekkai!

Dior's new L'Or de Vie skincare collection, one of the many auction items featured

Somaly Mam, a survivor of human trafficking, was sold into a life of sexual slavery at a very young age. She finally escaped this dangerous world and became a spokeswoman for women and children tortured in the brothels of Cambodia. In 2006, Somaly was honored as Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year for her courageous work in fighting sexual slavery, and she has been profiled as a CNN Hero in recognition of her brave fight to save so many young, innocent victims from this horrible and silent crime.

All proceeds will go to The Somaly Mam Foundation in Cambodia (www.somaly.org). The auction site is
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/thesomalymamfoundation.

Tagged as: Accessories, auction, beauty, beauty product, fashion, international, Lifestyle, sale, shopping, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I can't get enough of FIEL. These comfy and elegant flip flops are made for traipsing around white sandy beaches. So dainty and feminine, I can see myself getting a bunch of these for trips to Koh Samui or to Rio.

Palawan in gold

Made in Brazil, these flip flops come in three styles. The Palawan is adorned with a gorgeous leather flower (in black, gold, and pewter). You can adjust the flexible petals (with wire backing) to your liking. Each flip flop also contains a real lab-grown sapphire! This is taking eco-glam to the next level.

Sula in purple

I also love the Sula style. Bring out your inner Roman goddess with the long straps, or transform yourself into a ballerina. The memory foam insole will add more comfort as you spend all day playing outside.

www.fielshoes.com

Tagged as: Accessories, fashion, shoes, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

New on Independent Fashion Bloggers - This week it's all about the real thing. Fashion Reality TV overload on Fashion Pulse Daily, Running in High Heels on Ondo Lady, Style Symmetry finds real life thrifters in the 100% Thrifted Pool, Reality hair on Life and Liberty, and Vivienne Tam hearts real bloggers on The Coveted. Style Bite finds cute bags made of real paper! And visit 39th and Broadway's real perks for working in the fashion industry.

There's a full version of Links à la Mode here in the forums; there's a lot of great posts there too.

Tagged as: Accessories, clothing, fashion, fashion designer, green, shoes, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm madly in love with Vouelle, the new French luxury shoe label. The brand recently launched their bridal collection last Fall in Paris (too lovely for words), and the Spring 2009 women's cocktail collection will take the fashion world by storm. Adorned with exotic feathers, Swarovski crystals, and silk satin, these sexy and elegant shoes make me want to hop on the next plane to Paris and raid their showroom. One look at the flirty and feminine Andy shoe (silk satin with handmade satin flower) and you'll know what I mean.

Vouelle's Andy cocktail sandal

Co-founder Melissa Regan de Vogele was having a tough time finding her dream bridal slippers, so she tapped her friend and Creative Director Michelle Boor to come up with some ideas. Soon enough, Vouelle was born. It also helped that Boor earned her design chops from Guy Laroche and Theory.

Grace pump in handmade black silk lace

I also love the darling Carla with a sculptural black organza loop and beige feathers (named after Carla Bruni perhaps?). So very vintage inspired, so very sexy...this is so perfect for any vintage Dior suit or YSL dress.

Carla sandal

The seductive Dana is very come-hither with its feathers fanning out the pump’s side seam. The Eva, however, is the showstopper must-have for any femme fatale's collection.

Eva with black ostrich feathers and yellow collet de coq feathers

If you're in Paris, lucky you. The bridal collection can be found at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps. For those who live outside France, not to worry. You can order the Spring 2009 Cocktail Collection directly with their Paris showroom (they do ship and accept all major credit cards). They plan to retail their Fall 2009 collection in the U.S. soon, so stay tuned!

167 Boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris, France
+33 (0)9 54 89 07 21

www.vouelle.com

Tagged as: couture, fashion, fashion designer, France, international, Lifestyle, Luxury, shoes, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

As the lovely IFB bloggers wrapped up New York Fashion Week and headed to London, we've got lots of great fashion week coverage below. Also check out our own London Soiree which happened this week!

independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/02/26/links-a-la-mode-ifb-weekly-roundup-9/

Tagged as: Accessories, celebrity, clothing, entertainment, fashion, fashion design, fashion show, jewelry, Lifestyle, shoes, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the Brian Reyes Fall 2009 show at NY Fashion Week, Givenchy Le Makeup creator Nicolas Degennes provided the perfect makeup to reflect the modern sophistication behind the fashion line. The focus is on the gorgeous peepers.

Runway makeup doesn't mean it has to be hard. Check out the beauty tips below so you can replicate the fresh look! I love the emphasis on the lower eye line. So very French!

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, fashion, fashion design, fashion show, Lifestyle, makeup, NYC, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

ALICE Chocolate could be the new Louboutins of the cacao market. The beautiful sliding case packaging certainly made me learn to eat my chocolate in a more refined and dainty manner. It's akin to an epicurean ritual, like afternoon tea at the Ritz. The next time I do have tea there, I might bring these chocolates with me.

Timothy Hogan

With delicate citrus notes, the chewing gum sized pieces are 68% cacao and is sourced from manually-harvested Wild Amazonian Criollo (fair trade and sustainable, bien sur). Inspired by all the famous Alices in the world, one might think of Alice in Wonderland, Alice B. Toklas, Alice Prin, or our very own Alice Waters!

Available exclusively at the chocolate salon in Bergdorf Goodman.

www.alicechocolate.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolatier, fair trade, food, food & drink, gourmet, green, Lifestyle, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After munching on so much chocolate, I am in dire need of a few workouts. Since I can't afford to hire a drill sargent to bark at me during the wee hours of dawn, getting geared up in IVEE workout clothes will be the next best thing to motivate me on my self-imposed exercise regimen.


Sophia top in pink with white Vivian pants

The new online site now lets you pick from the cute collection that's usually sold at the likes of Sports Club/LA. Mix and match according to your exercise alter ego. Yoga divas can try the Trinity Bamboo Terry Hoodie, a luxuriously soft outerwear that's so comfy you wanna bum around all day in it. The sustainable bamboo material also anti-microbial, for those who hate to deal with sweat and germies.

The Ava top is adorable and a flattering fit for most body types. I liked the Vivian pants a lot - it's quite slimming for those who think they need the thinning effect.

Orders over $150 get free shipping.

www.iveestyle.com

Tagged as: clothing, fashion, green, natural ingredients, pants, shopping, sportswear, tops, workout

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

NY NY! - The major Fashion Weeks have begun - here in New York we have some great coverage, New York favorites on Studio Purpura, threeASFOUR on The Coveted, and some Barbie thoughts on Fashion in My Eyes. Couture Allure dresses the stars in vintage, and if the recession is making you nervous Style Amour talks about what you should do if you get fired from the fashion industry.

For more, go to: independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/02/19/links-a-la-mode-ifb-weekly-roundup-8/

Tagged as: beauty, fashion, fashion designer, fashion show, Lifestyle, makeup tips, NYC, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Between the drying heaters and winter cold, my skin is rather knocked up lately. Luckily I don't need to deal with crocodile skin, thanks to the new Biotherm products. The Aquasource Super Hydrating Fluid came to the rescue with its concentrated hydration from thermal spring water and 70 mineral salts. I imagine it'd be perfect for long-distance flights. It's supposed to provide 24 hours of non-stop moisturizing.

Another choice would be the new Multi-Recharge Super Hydrator for exhausted skin. Ginseng is the main energizing ingredient, sending a boost to tired skin.

Check it all out at www.biotherm-usa.com.

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, moisturizer, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NYC catering company spoon is offering a 10% discount in honor of Valentine's Day. Locals can order the cute and homey Chocolate Love Cake, or send a loved one a Valentine's Day gift tower. I dug the Apple Butter - it's sourced from local farmers and can make a great apple pie filling.

Just enter the code SPOONLOVE (in capital letters) to receive the discount online, bring in the blog post, or mention the code SPOONLOVE in the New York store, located at 17 West 20th Street. The offer runs through Feb 28, 2009.

www.spoonnyc.com

Tagged as: discount, entertaining, food, fruit, gifts, gourmet, Lifestyle, promotion, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To all my V-day procrastinators - the big day is coming up this weekend, so here's some last-minute Valentine ideas...

MarieBelle has gorgeous Valentine boxes that come in 36, 25, 16, 9 pieces of their signature truffles with cute retro graphic designs. Some truffles I liked were the Passionfruit, Spices, Gianduja, and Cardamom flavors. The deep red glamorous snakeskin-textured box is so sturdy you can reuse it as a jewelry or crafting box. Another good choice is their yummy Tropical Fruit Caramels assortment. Made from a family recipe, the handmade confections are packaged with vintage images and hand-decorated with glittery accents. Flavors include: Condensed Milk, Kiwi, Piña Colada, Guava, Strawberry, and Mango.

Guilt-free flowers: Whole Foods is offering Whole Trade Roses from Ecuador for $19.99 per dozen. Producers of these flowers ensure fair wages, safe work conditions, and environmentally friendly business practices. Available at all Whole Foods Market locations in Northern California and Reno.

For the boys, Burberry's recently launched The Beat men's fragrance is a good option. It's quite the woody cologne (notes of leatherwood, vetiver bourbon, cedrat, black pepper, and violet leaves). It's a very strong masculine scent, different from typical men's colognes. I like it enough to wear it myself.

For those with no budget whatsoever, do it the old-school way. Letterpress designer Sarah Drake has a free printable black and white Valentine card graphic for super last-minute greetings. Just print some out and use some colored pencils to personalize! Get it at:www.sarahdrakedesign.com/shop/index.php?act=viewShop&productId=34

Tagged as: chocolate, flowers, fragrance, gifts, greeting cards, holiday, seasonal, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

TCHO has some nifty Valentine's gifts for chocolate fiends. Their Love Quote gift tins come with 12 "Chocolatey" hearts that feature great lines from Mark Twain, Robert Mitchum, e.e. cummings, Elizabeth Browning, Pearl Bailey, and Shakespeare ($25 per tin).

These hearts are made from molds that TCHO purchased from a castle-factory in Dresden, Germany. Many chocolate hearts were made during and after the Cold War from these molds. So when you give these away, you are also giving a piece of history. Super neat-o.

Alternatively you can also get your loved ones a Cube with 5 Hearts for $9. It includes a heart card for you to write a love note.

*Don't forget to submit a picture of you and your sweetie in a smooch to their "TCHO Your Love" gallery on their home page!

Available at www.tcho.com/store/valentine or at the TCHO Beta Store on Pier 17 in San Francisco .

Tagged as: chocolate, food, gifts, gourmet, Lifestyle, San Francisco, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Allrighty, ladies and gents...this week's Independent Fashion Bloggers' Links à la Mode is served. Enjoy!

This week we have lots of lovely things: John Waters Inspiration from Mademoiselle Robot, Menswear inspiration from Solo Lisa; 39thandbroadway contemplates equality in the fashion industry; Or False Glitter talks about negative male perceptions on style; Fete a Fete dishes out new Givenchy Spring colors, and reLYME dishes new Smashbox beauty.

Tagged as: beauty, entertainment, fashion, fashion design, giveaway, Lifestyle, music, shopping, Style, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Armani's new Onde fragrance collection is nothing short of dazzling. Inspired by the exotic journeys to the East, each of the three perfumes (Vertige, Mystere, and Extase) are encased in beautiful vintage-inspired bottles and colored silk tassels. They're so pretty you want to collect them all.

Vertige has a very floral feel. It consists of the lush frangipani flower, with splashes of jasmine. Black liquorice and patchouli help round it out, sending us on a whirlwind tour of the Kama Sutra. The bottle is designed after the temples of India.

Representing Japan, Extase is all about the powdery mimosa, Egyptian jasmine, and narcissus. This is the sweetest fragrance out of the group, but it's very likable. Really flowery scents usually aren't my thing, but the pink pepper, Sicilian Bergamot, and cedar balanced it out.

Mystere is my favorite of the trio. Starting out spicy and rather bold, the incense and amber go surprisingly soft towards the end of the first sniff. Moroccan Rose and vanilla takes the edge off this sumptuous scent. This one takes us through a sensual trip to the Middle East. I really like this- it will definitely seduce the boys.

The ONDE Collection is available beginning in February exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and online at www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

Tagged as: beauty, fashion designer, fragrance, gifts, holiday, perfume, scents, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Harvard Sweet Boutique knows how to pack a punch for sweet tooth gals like me. Founder Sue George makes a mean fudge brownie, that's for sure. Their cute packaging is also very enticing, with green-and-white polka dotted and checkerboard boxes (reusable too - how green!). Your taste buds can tell that everything is made from scratch.

I practically inhaled the Chocolate-Glazed Macadamia Caramel Shortbread Bar. Talk about a quadruple threat. Choco, nuts, and sticky caramel on top of a buttery shortbread layer. The Buttercrunch cookies and Chocolate Toffee cookies are addictive too. Ditto for the Milk Chocolate Almond Tofffee.

For your sweetheart, you can send the Valentine Tower. Filled with decadent Raspberry Chocolate Brownies, Sweetheart Shortbread Cookies, and truffles galore, it will be a hit for your darling.

www.harvardsweetboutique.com

Tagged as: brownie, chocolate, cookies, dessert, food, gifts, pastries, shopping, snack, toffee, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lately I've been on a huge fascinator hat kick. Already a fan of vintage clothing, I longed for the days when I could dress up in glam outfits like my grandmother did when she was swinging out on the dance floor. When I saw fascinators being in vogue again, I've been on a mad mission to collect these beautiful pieces.

This Milly fascinator from HairFascinators.com is so cool! I can't carry this color off, but maybe one in red...or just classic black.

This Nicole fascinator from the Hems and Bustles shop on Etsy is great for brides, but I'm tempted to get it for myself! It will be so cute for tango dancing. You can use it with a headband or birdcage veil.

Nicole bridal fascinator from Hems and Bustles

JoomiNYC has some neat 4-inch ones dotted with Swarovski Crystals, silk flowers, feathers, and jeweled ribbons.

Tagged as: Accessories, bridal, fashion, fashion design, hats, Lifestyle, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Kiehl's just introduced four new neutral shades of their Simply Mahvelous lip gloss collection:

· East Village Vibe - Rich, creamy milk chocolate tone
· Lights on Broadway - Earthy rose tone with light shimmer
· Mahvelous Mauve - Creamy medium soft plum tone
· New York Nude - Medium sand dune tone

The Lights on Broadway is so light it basically amplified my natural lip color with a nice sheen. I dug the rich moisture factor from the the mango seed, grape seed, and apricot kernel. They help make it smell so nice and tropical!

They also have a special Valentine's gift lip gloss trio.

Buy it at www.kiehls.com.

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, gifts, holiday, Lifestyle, lip color, lip gloss, makeup, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Someone Spoil Me, the social gifting site, has a pretty decent selection of valentine gifts in all price ranges. You can get your BFF a gag frog-to-prince for $10 or go all out with a Tory Burch canvas tote.

I'm hankering after the Cupid Apron & matching gloves and the red shopper bag from Carla Mancini. So adorable!

For exclusive deals (discounts, free wrapping, free shipping, etc), just enter the code SPOILME at checkout. You can also create a wish list to send to your BF as a hint. How convenient!

Tagged as: Accessories, gifts, Handbags, holiday, Lifestyle, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow, not only are celebs setting the hairstyle trends, but their kids are too. Stylish moms can use the So Cozy hair care line to nail that Maddox Jolie-Pitt faux-hawk (their alcohol-free styling gel has a nice hold for delicate hair) or the Kingston Rosdale 'do. Apparently Natasha Richardson buys the products for her kids.

Busy mamas can use the 2-in-1 Conditioning Shampoo to save time, or use it on themselves. It's great for adult hair too - for really fine or frizzy hair, the Sweet Strawberry Conditioner doesn't weigh it down. Everything is also paraben-free, and the packaging is eco-friendly.

To shop, click here: http://cozyscutsforkids.com

Tagged as: beauty product, conditioner, eco-friendly, Gel, hair care, hair products, shampoo, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Love it or hate it, we all like to have some gourmet chocolate on Valentine's Day. Recchiuti Confections has lots of gift ideas in all budget ranges, such as the Extra-Bitter Chocolate Sundae Kit. It includes one jar of the popular Extra-bitter Chocolate Sauce, along with three awesome Fudge Brownies. It's pretty hard to resist this package. I was planning to make a sundae, but ended up noshing on the decadent brownies instead. Oops. Then I just spooned the chocolate sauce straight from the jar. I so need to jog.

Available only once a year, the classic Champagne Truffles are always a fave. With the timeless combo of Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs bubbly and intense dark chocolate, it's the most sophisticated way to say 'I love you.' These truffles have the best champagne flavor, not to mention the smoothest that I've had in a long time.

If you're looking to go all out, the Platinum Collection will do the trick. With 88 pieces of gourmet goodness, it's also 88 ways to show him or her how much you adore them. Some great flavors include: Honeycomb Malt, Cardamom Nougat, Cassis Strata, Burnt Caramel, Lavender Vanilla, Spring Jasmine Tea, Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn, Ginger Heart, Sesame Nougat, Rose Caramel, Bergamot Tea, and Piedmont Hazelnut.

Check out a cool video of them in action: www.recchiuti.com/about.html?id=THi6uAid

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate truffles, entertaining, food, gifts, gourmet, holiday, Lifestyle, San Francisco, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In this week's IFB Links à la Mode, we have an lots of lovely things, such as funny fashion facts from Fashion in My Eyes, Luxury Fatigue from 39thandbroadway, Good Goody Gumdrops reveals Nars’ spring colors, and Retro Chick finds ethical silk...

Original URL: independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/01/29/links-a-la-mode-ifb-weekly-roundup-5/

Tagged as: beauty, entertainment, fashion, fashion designers, giveaway, Lifestyle, sale, shopping, Style, Trends, vintage

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You never need an excuse to indulge in Vosges Haut Chocolat, but for the Valentine gifting folks out there, there's the new Organic Exotic Candy Bar Library to try. The box includes a Dominica Noir (74% -one of the darkest I've tried from them), a Dominica Lait (using Criollo beans!), an Enchanted Mushroom & one Peanut Butter Bonbon Bar.

I love the peanut butter bar...the mushroom bar is made with Reishi mushrooms, a superfood used in Chinese medicine. I feel healthier already, hehe. I also liked the salty-sweet crunch of the milk Habana bar (w/Ecuadorian plantain chips). It will be a crucial tool for that certain time of the month, that's for sure.

For a slightly fancier gift idea, the Exotic Truffle Collection Heart Box is a good one. It contains their signature truffle collection, which will make anyone happy.

www.vosgeschocolate.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolate truffles, food, gifts, gourmet, holiday, Lifestyle, organic ingredients, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kiehl's just launched a portable roll-on version of their popular Essence Oils, and they are so convenient to tuck into your jean pocket or mini purse. The unisex scents are highly concentrated so you just need a swipe to wear alone or to layer with other scents. Great for travel too.

The first four signature oils are featured (Musk 1921, Coriander 1946, Vanilla 1968, and Grapefruit 1976), with six more to come in the near future. The Musk was supposedly formulated in the early 1920s by a relative of Kiehl’s founding family, who was an actual Russian prince!

Available at: www.kiehls.com

Tagged as: beauty, fragrance, gifts, holiday, scents, shopping, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

For all you passionate fans of the super hottie Jonathan Rhys Meyers, here's your chance to catch him in person this week (Fri, Jan. 30). The face of the new Hugo Element, he will be at Macy’s Herald Square (NYC) to promote the launch of their latest men's fragrance.

The modern fragrance defines the urban traveler who draws his life source from the city. Notes include calone, ginger, coriander leaf, and cedarwood. The packaging is meant to represent the oxygen bottle, representing the air element.

Guests who make a $65 purchase of HUGO ELEMENT will get to meet the Tudors star in the flesh (swoon!), and an opportunity to get an autographed fragrance bottle. A great idea for Valentine's Day prezzies for the bf.

Sigh. If only I can jet to NYC in a snap...

WHAT: Jonathan Rhys Myers for HUGO ELEMENT
WHEN: Friday, January 30th @ 5:00pm
WHERE: Macy’s Herald Square
151 West 34th Street, New York City
HUGO Fragrance Counter, Main Floor
212-695-4400

Tagged as: beauty, celebrity, entertainment, Film Stars, fragrance, gifts, holiday, Lifestyle, shopping, special events, valentine

Posted by Tami Yu at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Round Pond's hand-harvested olive oils are so rich in flavor. The award-winning family mill offers four fantastic varietals, and each one is unique. The Italian varietal is a robust blend of five Italian varietals (Leccino, Pendolino, Maurino, Frantoio and Coratina). Its bright green notes of green tomatoes, grass, and black pepper makes it ideal for cooking, dipping and salads. Harvested from 100-year-old Spanish trees, the slightly lighter Spanish Varietal is ideal for baking and sautéing.

Buttery and spicy, the popular (sold out each year) and aromatic Blood Orange Olive Oil is made from the sweet juice and rind oils of fresh blood oranges. You can use it in sauces and marinades, but it's so beautiful I just like to dip with it to enjoy the pure flavor. The Meyer Lemon oil is just as nice, blending organic Meyer lemons with the finest Frantoio and Coratina olives. Highly fragrant, it leaves a velvety finish and crisp taste. These are all outstanding oils, but the Meyer Lemon is my fave.

Using estate-grown grapes, their two red-wine vinegars are made from the 200-year-old Orleans technique. I haven't had such robust vinegars in a while, and they match their oils nicely. They're aged ten months in French oak barrels, and bottled in individual lots. The Sangiovese, Nebbiolo & Petit Verdot blend packs a punch, while the nuanced Cabernet & Merlot has a dry, dark fruit finish.

If you're in the area, try to catch their Saturday tasting tours and lunch, then head over to their winery for some more tasting!

www.roundpond.com

Tagged as: artisan, condiments, cooking, cooking techniques, food, food & drink, gourmet, olive oil, travel, vinegar, wine, wine country

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Giorgio Armani Spring 2009 Pink Light collection has a limited edition eye shadow palette that will create luminous and fresh eyes. Embossed with Mr. Armani’s signature, the palette includes a shimmering silver, light lilac, light rose, and light beige for that rosy look.

The new Light Master Make-up Primer does wonders for highlighting the skin. Optical effects are created from Micro-fil™ pearl, which changes skin tone (depending on light reflection). This will illuminate and shape cheekbones and contours of the face while toning down uneven zones. It's very light (like their face fabrics) and I sure glowed like a radiant flower after a light application. You don't need a lot at all, just a light pump will do. If you already have great skin, you might not need foundation.

The collection also includes a Pink Light Powder, a rose shimmering loose powder for a soft pink veil of color. Two new compacts of the Blending Blush Duo (n°3 and n°4) come in coral/mocha or rosewood/raspberry. They've also introduced the new Sheer and Shine lipstick in the Shine 47 – nude taupe, Shine 49 - fig, and Sheer 33, a rose coral.

To get the look, go here: www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/_us/_en/advisor/spring_2009_overview.aspx?

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, cosmetics, eye cream, eye shadow, makeup, makeup tips, shopping, skin care, spring, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's quite amazing how the luxury sex toy market is booming in these times. Even so, it doesn't hurt if you can land one for free! Jimmyjane is having a special giveaway. Now through February 11, you could win a FORM 6 generation 2 vibrator (in a new pink color) for Valentine’s Day.

Just head over to the Jimmyjane Facebook page, become a fan, and leave a comment about one of their favorite products (or your dream product). Good luck!

jimmyjane.com

Tagged as: giveaway, holiday, Lifestyle, Luxury, San Francisco, shopping, valentine, vibrators

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Greek skin company Korres has a long history (based on first homeopathic pharmacy in Athens), and I've been meaning to try something from this line forever. The Basil Lemon Showergel is so invigorating! Makes showering more fun. It definitely stimulates the senses, but not too much. I like the green note of basil playing with the zesty lemon. Not to worry - it's devoid of silicone, mineral oil, propylene glycol, and parabens.

The Guava Body Butter is a good one for those who like the tropical mood. The tangy scent cheered me up on a blah rainy day, and it works great on dry skin. It's not greasy either, which is always a plus...

www.korres.com

Tagged as: beauty, body care, body wash, lotion, natural ingredients, shopping, skin care product

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's this week's installment of IFB's Links à la Mode...lots of vintage inspiration from Iwanttowearit as she delves into Depression-era color photography; Mademoiselle Robot found darling vintage pics; Couture Allure revisits Jackie Kennedy’s inaugural attire; Debutante Clothing highlights Mad Men at the Golden Globes; Solo Lisa and Retro Chick give tips on adding color to a dull winter wardrobe. Have fun!

* A Few Goody GumDrops tells you how to own a Rockstar!
* Aysha’s Rabbit Hole - Her latest crafting creation
* Capitola Girl Jewelry Blog - brick house reds
* Couture Allure takes a three day look at the inaugural fashions worn by Jacqueline Kennedy.
* Debutante Clothing - Mad for Vintage at the Golden Globes
* Dogmom’s Dish - Hayden Harnett for Target: The Good, The Bad, The So So
* dramatis personae launches her Etsy Mischief, My Dear Shop & Giveaway!
* fashion in my eyes - Blake Lively in Vogue
* fête à fête - Spring denim by Freedom of Choice & interview with founder Nathan Menashe

* Independent Fashion Bloggers - Swag Etiquette: How to approach the ‘freebies’ in blogging.
* Iwanttowearit shows Flickr’s Commons for fashion-related history lessons. Take a trip to Pie Town at the tail end of the Depression.
* Mademoiselle Robot - Vintage inspiration for Spring fashion
* Nico Assatly - Old School Spring Favorite: American Eagle!
* Retro Chick - Brighten up the dull winter days
* Shopping and Info found some great deals on Graydn leather motorcycle jackets, Ella Moss, and Lily Mcneal cashmere this week.
* Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - Affordable essentials for incorporating colour into a colour-phobic wardrobe
* Studio Purpura - Vicente Villarin: A Fashion Newcomer that Dares to Dream!
* Style Symmetry - Eyeliah loves props in outfit photos, do you?
* THE COVETED - Become Red Lip Royalty: Interview with Lipstick Queen founder Poppy King
* the musings of ondo lady - Meet Stephanie Savage, the queen of teen dramas such as The OC and Gossip.
* two months rent - i’ll take (or make) one of those a diy braided chain necklace

independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/01/22/links-a-la-mode-ifb-weekly-roundup-4/

Tagged as: Accessories, beauty, celebrity, entertainment, fashion, fashion design, jacket, jewelry, Lifestyle, makeup, shopping, Style, vintage

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I spent this past week noshing on cheese, sausages, and chocolate at the annual Fancy Food Show in SF, and man was I frazzled. Over 1,500 companies from 35 countries were there to showcase their latest and greatest gourmet items, and I could barely keep my head straight. Here's a quick highlight roundup, of both old and new brands...

I think my top fave was Robert Lambert's new stuff. His Dark Chocolate Cognac Sauce was sublime. His Spiced Crab Apples are from his grandmother's recipe, so you know it's gotta be superb. The Membrillo (quince paste) rivals the Spanish brands, and for the vegans, he has a Coconut Chocolate Sauce that's incredible. The Yuzu syrup was just amazing.

The lavender Agave Dream ice cream was lovely. It almost made me feel less guilty about eating ice cream. Made with agave, this brand is free of GMOs, gluten, preservatives, and corn syrup. Did I also mention that this is truly yummy?

Thankfully, Norwegian flavored water from ganicWater kept me going as I ran around tasting more goodies. I dug their Citric Lemongrass (naturally flavored, of course).

The guys over at FatCat Scones had the fluffiest Peach Passionfruit scones ever! Based in NorCal, they've just launched some new cakes (passionfruit coffee cake), so watch out for their retail launch. I discovered them 5 years ago, and have been a fan since.

As far as teas go, ITO EN had the new and refreshing Oolong Shot, a blue tea that is packed with 171 mg of tea polyphenols. Dilmah offered 100% single estate tea from Ceylon. This fair-trade tea company from Sri Lanka had a cool program that gives back to the local community and environment.

Tagged as: chocolate, drink, food, food & drink, gourmet, green, honey, ice cream, organic, pastries, San Francisco, tea

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Inspired by 1970’s pastels, pinks, and berry shades, NARS has a bold eyeshadow for their Spring '09 collection. The Grenadines shade, a matte garnet, is worn by Guinevere van Seenus for their ad campaign.

To get her look: NARS makeup artist Ayako layered Hungry Heart Blush Duo, swept across the apple of cheeks, over the Multiple in Orgasm, and used a combination of shadows for the eye— Single Eyeshadow in Grenadines, over the entire lid and up to the inner corner of the brow then smudged under the lower lash line, and Single Eyeshadow in Egea in the crease. Finally she filled in her pout with Lipstick in Shrinagar, and dabbed some Lip Gloss in Sweet Revenge to the middle of the lip for added shine.

They've also launched two new must-haves - the Blush Duo and Duo Concealer. The blush compact has a highlighting and one sculpting shade (Hungry Heart - Iridescent gold ivory & pink sand). The crease-resistant concealer duo comes in Custard/Ginger (for light to medium complexions) and Praline/Toffee (for medium to dark).

Here's a face chart by lead artist Ayako for the new colors:

Face:
• Apply NARS Firming Foundation to entire face
• With NARS Flat Concealer Brush apply NARS Concealer to cover any imperfections
• Apply the peachy pink Orgasm side of NARS Multiple Duo in Orgasm/South Beach to apple of cheek and blend into foundation with fingers
• Apply NARS Loose Powder with NARS Loose Powder Brush to set foundation
• Over The Multiple Duo, blend both sides of NARS Blush Duo in Hungry Heart and sweep across apple of cheek

Eyes:
• Apply NARS The Multiple Duo in Orgasm/South Beach (peachy pink Orgasm side) over entire eyelid
• Apply NARS Single Eyeshadow in Grenadines with NARS Large Domed Eye Brush over entire lid, blending up to inner corner of brow, and under lower lash line
• Smudge Grenadines with NARS Smudge Brush in between lashes to deepen color
• With NARS Angled Eye Shader, apply NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Egea (smoky lilac side) into crease
• Coat top and bottom lashes with NARS Mascara in Black Orchid

Lips:
• Apply NARS Lipliner Pencil in Amazon
• Fill entire lip with NARS Lipstick in Shrinagar
• Add NARS Lip Gloss in Sweet Revenge to middle of lip for subtle shine

www.narscosmetics.com

Tagged as: beauty, blush, cosmetics, eye shadow, eyeshadow, Lifestyle, makeup, Makeup Artists, makeup tips, shopping, spring, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sick of the drying shaving creams from the local drugstore? I recently tried the Whish Shave Crave shaving cream in Lemongrass, and I'm a convert. It's really thick and creamy, resulting a nice close shave. It smells great too. What's really appealing for me is that the company uses more organic ingredients, such as organic jojoba seed oil, green tea, coconut oil, shea butter, and lemongrass.

It might be one of the best 'natural' shaving creams out there. It's also tested on humans, not the cute furry animals. No parabens, sulfates, DEA, TEA, and petrochemicals.

Get it at: www.whishbody.com

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, natural ingredients, organic ingredients, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Guerlain's Spring 2009 Exotic Paradise is filled with lush, exotic color. Welcoming the triumph of springtime bliss, the palette is lively and charming. It is nice to see this visage of renewal.

The Ombre Eclat Four Shade Eyeshadow compact has a lovely etching of delicate plants and a slender bird of paradise. Opening it will reveal a burst of joyful color in four shades: pink, orange, green, and brown. The KissKiss Gloss in Pomme du Desir #806 is a gorgeous lime green sparkler. Use it alone or with a neutral lip pencil to bring out your lip shape. With luck, you might be able to pull of Angelina Jolie lips!

The Ombre Eclat single eye shadows are packaged in a luxurious compact. With 3.6 grams of product, this is the largest single-eyeshadow on the market. It comes in 10 shades with velvet, sparkly, and pearly textures. I really like the 181 L’Instant Emeraude, a deep forest green. It's perfect for a subtle smoky lid.

Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales.
www.guerlain.com

Tagged as: beauty, cosmetics, eye shadow, eyeshadow, french, lip color, lip gloss, makeup, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

To gear up for Springtime, Eminence Organics just launched their new Ahhhpricot collection. And boy, does it smell luscious. Used for centuries, the apricot kernel, fruit, and oil have been revered for their healing properties.

The Apricot Body Oil is To-Die-For. I rubbed some over my legs after a shower and maaaan, do I smell like a delicious piece of juicy fruit. It just smells so good - guaranteed to make you smile a lot. It also contains jojoba (biodynamic) and grapeseed oils to amp up the moisturizng factor.

The Apricot Masque does the trick for dry skin. Calming and hydrating, it's great for folks with eczema and other itchy irritations. It has a high mineral content (calcium, iron, phosphorus) to ensure maximum glow. It also smells like fruity gummy bears, and my mouth watered as I applied the masque. Yum...

If you've tried their other sugar scrubs, then you know you're in for a treat with the Apricot Sugar Scrub. Apricot juice and pulp are combined with raw sugar for the healthiest body treatment ever. It's packed with other goodies to make your skin super soft (blueberry leaf, echinacea, calendula, Atlantic kelp, etc.).

www.eminenceorganics.com

Tagged as: beauty, healthy, mask, moisturizer, natural ingredients, organic, organic ingredients, shopping, skin care, skin care product

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's an insider peek at the Spring/Summer '09 Freedom of Choice denim collection. The jeans are bright and funky with distressed markings and a colorful palette. Here are some styles to look for:

The Precious wide leg style can be either casual or classy, depending on how you pull it off. Throw on a thin tank for a coffee rendez-vous, or a slinky sequin number for a nighttime look.

Precious Wide Leg (with Afterglow treatment)

The Babeth and Spirit skinnies are too adventurous for me, but I'm sure that won't stop you fashion slaves from squeezing into these...

Spirit skinny leg in Bazooka

The organic Earth Friendly bootcut in Cascade wash is very comfy with 2% lycra. It's now my everyday jean. I wear it all the time and got quite a few compliments. The boys noticed it too!

We're also very lucky to have FOC founder Nathan Menashe chat with us in this mini fashion interview:

1. What are your hot denim style predictions for S/S 2009?
Nathan: Bold treatments such as dramatic colors, distressing, and prints. In terms of fit, flared legs make a comeback and the boyfriend jean are to set the tone for a more laid back look. Skinny jeans will still be a wardrobe staple.

2. Any plans to expand your organic jean collection?
NM: We are going to continue producing organic styles since the demand has been growing each season. The variety of organic styles is going to be broader within the line.

Sandra flare in Lavish treatment

3. Any new fabric technology you're working on?
NM: We're always working on new treatments and fabric content. Our essential goal is to treat our fabrics and bring it to its softest point where it's the most comfortable pair of jeans a woman has tried on.

4. Your favorite jean style out of your entire line?
NM: We love all our styles - each jean has a different personality that can be worn in different occasions. We put love into each one.

Babeth skinny jeans in Prince wash

5. As women come in so many shapes and sizes, what should we look for to guarantee a good fitting jean? How does one look for the right cut?
NM: A great slimming bootcut like our Earth Friendly jean guarantees a flattering fit to every body type. Its fit is universal so it suits the widest range of shapes. The bootcut has a fine balance in its design so that it can be worn with any outfit, from high heels to sneakers.

And there you have it! Wise words from the denim master himself. Check out his craft at: www.freedomofchoicejeans.com

Precious wide leg

Tagged as: clothing, denim, eco-friendly, fashion, fashion design, green, jeans, organic, organic ingredients, pants, shopping, spring, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fresh from the fashion and style blogosphere - here's this week's Independent Fashion Bloggers weekly Links à la Mode roundup! Enjoy...

* 39thandbroadway.com - Why our obsession for fast fashion is causing designers to burn-out and result in less innovative wardrobe choices for you!
* Breakfast at Saks - Style vs. Comfort: What to wear when you’re traveling
* dramatis personae - Mischief-Managed Media: My So-Called Life…
* fashion forestry - Dressing like San Francisco architecture
* fashion in my eyes - For the love of shoes
* fête à fête - Lia Lintern custom fitted luxe coats!
* Hello, Lover… Shoe Daydreams - The famous SATC: The Movie “Something Blue” shoe is now not blue?
* Hollow Star - Spring fashion trends I’m most excited about
* Independent Fashion Bloggers - In the Name of the Blog
* Iwanttowearit - Kids who dress themselves will make you smile. I promise.

* Mademoiselle Robot - Getting summer wardrobe inspiration from Robert Mulligan’s The Man in the Moon.
* Nico Assatly - Accessories Junkie
* Retro Chick - Warm Chunky Knits for Work, Rest & Play
* Shopping and Info - Shopping and Info loves Nicole Richie’s Balenciaga platform black boots.
* Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - How to shop for a purse you’ll love
* Studio Purpura - Weekly Editor’s Picks - Resolution to Ladies Pesky Fashion Issues!
* Style Symmetry - Eyeliah calls skirts over dresses a trend to watch!
* Style Tabloid - Staring off the New Year with work-out resolutions? Stick to your plans with the help of some cute work-out outfits inspired by your favorite celebrities!
* Style With Anna - 20 Weird and Wacky Handbags
* THE COVETED - How to Dress for Cold Weather
* the musings of ondo lady - Ok so we had The Real OC and The Real Housewives of Orange County so make way for The Real Gossip Girls.

independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/01/15/lam-10/

Tagged as: Accessories, bag, clothing, coats, fashion, fashion design, shoes, shopping, Style

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Lia Lintern has the most darling custom outerwear. A former aerospace engineer, designer Julia Lintern applies her structural sensibility to her luxurious coats. Instead of sizes S, M, and L, you can enter your bust, waist, and hip measurements for the most flattering fit.

Anna K. coat

I just LOVE the Yuliya coat. It's so retro in design theory, but modern in its cut. This cashmere corset coat is so feminine in the silhouette, but has a fresh twist in the stretch leather sleeves and side belt closure. It's also lined in silk for that extra divine accent.

Yuliya coat

lialintern.com

Tagged as: clothing, coats, fashion, fashion design, jacket, Luxury, outerwear, shopping, Winter

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm totally luvin' the Bitter:Sweet Drama album. It's now one of my fave music duos - their "The Mating Game" debut was such a hit. Their sophomoric release is built upon the same snazzy flair with super flirty vocals, dramatic strings, and pure poppy bliss.

It's a James Bond meets Catwoman kinda feel, with dashes of Bjork, Portishead, and Goldfrapp. Put it on your iPod when you feel like channeling Ms. Cheeky Sexy Spywoman. On top of the hits "Trouble" and "The Bomb", I love the songs "Drink You Sober" and "Sugar Mama."

Their music is so popular it's been featured in shows like 'Dirty Sexy Money,' 'The Hills,' and 'Desperate Housewives.'
Listen to a track here: www.quango.com/promo/hills/ or here: www.bittersweetmusic.com

Tagged as: entertainment, music, music review, shopping, TV show

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The economy woes have brought out the recessionista in all of us. For those who need to watch their budgets, Avon has some thrifty beauty products to maintain your pretty selves without breaking the piggy banks.

Their SKIN SO SOFT Fusions Dual Softening Body Wash ($6.50) does the job and beyond. It exfoliates, cleanses, and locks in moisture for 24 hours. They have a sale promotion going on, so you can buy two body washes for $7.99.

For dry and frizzy hair, the ADVANCE TECHNIQUES Anti-Frizz Capsules ($4.99) should tame the frizzies. Great for straight or curly hair.

Check it out at www.shop.avon.com.

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, body wash, budget, hair care, Lifestyle, sale, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm proud to be a part of the Independent Fashion Bloggers community, and we have a Links à la Mode weekly roundup that I'll be contributing to occasionally. It's a pretty long read, so hang tight and make some hot cocoa to go with the fashion fun!

* 39thandbroadway.com - How can a half-naked Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton win you a free gift?
* A Few Goody GumDrops - A Few Goody Gumdrops found something for the girl who has everything!
* a sense sublime - Hair Today. The dilemma of a new hairstyle for a new year.
* All Chic - Loving Scotland - from “The Three Lives of Thomasina” to “Thistle and Broom”
* Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy - Time to get some lovin with Longchamp…
* Breakfast at Saks - Bleached-Out Jeans: a trend you can afford to buy into
* Consume or Consumed - Don’t we all remember events by outfits, these days? Her year in outfit memories
* Couture Allure - Staying stylish in cold weather
* Debutante Clothing - Debutante Clothing bids Aloha to the late Alfred Shaheen

* Dirty Laundry - Recreating the style of Agyness Deyn posing with The Paddingtons
* Dogmom’s Dish - Thakoon for Target (part two): The Dark Side
* dramatis personae - Dramatis Personae: Etsy Designers– Friends of Plus-Sized Gal!
* eye4style - Designer Ronit Genik talks about her favorite pieces from the Reverie Spring 2009 collection.
* Fashion Birdcage - Liria Pristine, Rebel With A Cause
* fashion fille - Fashion Fille analyzes boyfriend blazers, from who to how!
* fashion in my eyes - Clothes that charm
* Fashion Pulse Daily - cheaper mineral makeup — are they just as good as the fancy brands?
* fête à fête - indiDenim custom jeans beta Intellifit Design Studio program

(courtesy of fashion in my eyes, from Vogue Italia)

* In Life and In Fashion - Seven Style Resolutions: What are yours?
* Independent Fashion Bloggers - Design Usability tips your readers will love
* Iole in fashion - Mix ‘n Match
* Iwanttowearit - Fun With Etsy! Take a tour of Etsy to scope out the emerging, home-grown modeling talent.
* Jewelry Gal - Five Style Tips For Dressing Well On A Budget
* lace & leather - playlist 1.0 fashion inspired music!
* Little Black Book - Aspiring Designer: I’m Your Present and her designs from the new “eBay” known as Etsy
* Mademoiselle Robot - An interview with Mister Dreamboat aka Matthew Gray Gubler.
* Market Publique - The Intrigue is Over! Find out when Market Publique is all about, and when it will launch!
* noiretro - Make your own DIY studded hat!
* Or False Glitter - Made up to look like a Dame- MAC’s latest collaboration with OAP drag Dame Edna
* Parkas & Petticoats - A glance at the new Spring line from Rogues Gallery!
* Retro Chick - 5 ways to shake off those New Year Blues
* Shopping and Info - Amazing boots by Robert Clergerie and Loeffler Randall on sale for 70% off.
* Solo Lisa y Nada Mas - A night of drunken mischief leads to an infatuation with Goorin Bros. men’s fedoras.
* Studio Purpura - Key Fashion Trends for Spring Summer 2009 that you shouldn’t miss!

(from Your source for all things wicked and awesome; Patrizio di Renzo for jeweller Majo Fruithof)

* Style Amor - Like Fairies, Unicorns and Pre-Scientology Tom Cruise?
* Style Discovery - Stylish vs Trashy. How would you compare old stars with modern day celebs?
* Style Symmetry - Eyeliah goes GODDESS for The Year of The Rockstar!
* Style With Anna - Permanent Makeup MUST KNOWS
* Stylish Thoughts - What Shopping your closet truly means
* Summershoes - Milk and Sugar Peeling for Baby Smooth Skin
* Swell Vintage - New jewellery from Swell Vintage and hopes for the year ahead!
* Technology Starlet - Fashionably Smart Clothing
* The Bare Skinny - Take a Walk on the Wild Side
* THE COVETED - Relaxing bath tips that will make you beautiful.
* The Life and Times of a Problem Child - Male fashion that challenges the ideals of masculinity by Walter Van Beirendonck
* the musings of ondo lady - Whitney Port made her debut in The City last week, read my review on it.
* THE STYLE HOUSE CHRONICLES - SASSY VS.CLASSY
* The Style PA - Find out what is on The Style PA’s bookshelf.
* Trendology - Unexpected Inspiration: Young Hercules starring a young Ryan Gosling.
* Your source for all things wicked and awesome - Majo Fruithof’s latest jewelery line has one very stylish campaign

www.independentfashionbloggers.org/2009/01/08/lam-9/

Tagged as: Accessories, beauty, clothing, fashion, fashion design, jewelry, Lifestyle, makeup, shopping, Style, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It seems like everyone is super crazy for platinum these days. From skin care (La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare anyone?) to jewelry, this precious metal has been the favorite of royal dignitaries and celebs alike.

Thirty times more rare than gold, the metal won't tarnish. With its mega lasting power (95% pure), it's no wonder it's making a huge comeback with blushing brides everywhere.

For more info on the history, care, and buying of platinum: www.preciousplatinum.com

Tagged as: Accessories, bridal, celebrity, fashion, jewelry, Lifestyle, Luxury, shopping, Style, Trends

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Local beauty entrepreneur Caroline Chu has created luxury skin care that's effective on fighting winter skin. The Enzyme Peel Concentrate helped exfoliate off the yucky dead skin cells. I have sensitive skin, and it didn't tingle much on my skin, so I assume it's gentle for most types of skin. If you want a less intense treatment, try the AHA Renewal Mask.

The non-greasy Day & Night Hydrating Cream contains pentapeptides to boost collagen levels and live yeast extract for oxygenating properties. It absorbs quickly, and I appreciate the fact you can use it for both daytime and evening. I also like her lightly scented Shower Gel and Moisturizing Body Lotion.

We're also having a special giveaway with Caroline Chu! One lucky winner will receive the Enzyme Peel Concentrate.

Entry rules are easy. Simply leave a comment for this post, then email me your full name & mailing address at feteafeteswag@gmail.com. One winner will be chosen at random. Deadline is Friday, January 9, 11:59pm PST. U.S. residents only.

(For a limited time, when you buy $50 or more in product, you will get a free Enzyme Peel plus free shipping.)

www.carolinechu.com

Tagged as: beauty, body care, body wash, Cleanser, giveaway, lotion, moisturizer, peel, promotion, sale, shopping, skin care

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Tech-inspired TCHO has been making waves in the chocolate world. I'm especially proud of the fact that it's based in SF. Chief Chocolate Officer Timothy Childs has set out to make artisan chocolate, and he's done a fine job. Organic, fair-trade cacao beans are transformed into some serious dark chocolate.

So far they've come out with four flavors: Chocolatey, Fruity, Nutty, and Citrus (Earthy and Floral on the way). My favorite flavor by far is Chocolatey (70%, Ghana) - I like the intensity a lot. It had a strong, earthy, almost mushroom-y flavor. The Fruity (68%, Peru) had a very bright berry zing. The Citrus is not as strong in fruit aromas as the Fruity, and the Nutty is way mellower than the Chocolatey. I can't wait for the factory to open in 2009.

tcho.com

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolatier, food & drink, gourmet, organic ingredients, San Francisco, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're still having trouble finding the perfect pair of jeans, indiDenim might solve your denim woes. They're looking for SF Bay Area folks to participate in their beta Intellifit Design Studio program. Simply head on over to their Emeryville office to get fitted for a pair of jeans via their Intellifit Virtual Fitting Room.

(Women's SoMa Jeans)

The Virtual Fitting Room does a full body scan (using harmless radio waves) to get your exact measurements. It's pretty easy - you just step into their booth fully clothed, and it takes only a few minutes to perform the entire scan.

As a bonus, being part of this beta program will get you a 30% discount. You'll also get one-on-one fitting advice from an indiDenim's fit consultant. Talk about über customer service! I just got fitted and ordered my first pair, so I'm looking forward to wearing it in 4 weeks.

(Men's Potrero Classic Jeans)

Check it out at: www.indidenim.com/oo/navigation/design-studio-landing

For those who can't make it to the SF Bay Area, make your custom jeans online here:
www.indidenim.com

For the boys, they also do custom men's shirts - choose your