It's no wonder with my obsession over the color gray this winter, I would be wanting shades of dusty lilac and accents of sunshine yellow to update my wardrobe for spring. Here are some inspiring examples. Its dreary and gray as I write this, with the threat of rain on the way, so do indulge me as I fantasize a bit about Spring!
via www.tarafrey.com
For anyone who's thinking of starting a blog, this book is so inspirational. The author interviews other inspiring bloggers and really nails the beauty of blogging. After reading her book, i've learned photography and design is equally as important as the content. Oh, and check out her blog www.bloggingforbliss.com. It's total eye candy! -j
I am such a huge Sade fan and CANNOT WAIT till next month when her new album comes out. I just wanted to post a picture of the album cover that I think is so beautiful. She looks gorgeous as usual. It looks like her from the back looking over a battlefield landscape. (Actually, are those the Mayan/Aztec ruins?) Now she is a woman that always remains timeless in my eyes. Even her music gets better and better. I literally heard the song on the radio and immediately turned it up not knowing it was her! Feb 8th can't come fast enough. Let's hope for a hot summer night concert tour in California for 2010!
-j
On Jan 1st, I woke up with the realization that 40 is just around the corner. Even though I've been told I look more like 28 instead of 38, I am still paranoid about those old-age wrinkles coming to torture me sometime soon. I had my last SK-II Facial on Dec. 24 where the aesthetician said my skin has improved in "texture" according to their fancy face-evaluating machine. I can tell she's right, and will post pics later for my 6-month mark follow up so you can see. I bought another big bottle of the Essence and I am realizing that it's really the true secret to my super-clear skin. I cannot live without it. I have been alternating it with SK-II's Signs Moisturizer and C Serum. Anyway, here are the other beauty staples I am sticking to this year on a regular basis, which were also all the things I used for my New Years Day morning ritual. That took about 2-hours. I can see this being an every weekend treat!:
Weekly Masks with either SK-II or Korres' Thyme & Honey (my pores literally disappear):
Weekly Treatments with my Tanda light-therapy device. It keeps my skin glowing. I use this right before I apply my SK-II Essence:
Daily use of my Clarisonic so my treatments actually "sink in." Used this first thing before applying ANY product:
A full face and body splash with Shiseido's Eudermine water. It leaves the perfect amount of moisture all over without the thick greasiness of a lotion. It literally goes on like an after-shave splash. It's also scented with the smell of rain-washed Peonies so you can literally skip perfume if you want. It smells so pretty. I love it!
(Garnet Hill Stockings, sold out, boo!)
At this point, if you haven't started your shopping, it's all about stocking stuffers at this point. Quick items you can grab that still looks like you put some thought into it when you add a keepsake stocking. I read somewhere that a stocking stuffed full of little gifts can have as much impact as an actual wrapped gift that took some thought. Here are some ideas that I myself would love to find in my Christmas stocking:
#8 Rollerball Fragrances:
Walking into Sephora and seeing all the Rollerball fragrances in one spot reminds me of being a kid in a candy store. But I have also noticed other retailers like Bath and Body Works is doing them too, which is where I got the one I am loving now, Twilight Woods. This gift is the perfect size for a stocking stuffer, it's affordable (if you buy one), and if you want to splurge, buy a few to make it a really special gift. I love this Stella McCartney one because you get 3 and it's already gift wrapped!
#9 Envirosax Eco-friendly Bags:
I've penned pretty about these before but I cannot get enough of these stylish shopping bags for $8.50 each by Envirosax. They are the nicest I've seen pattern-wise. I especially love that they roll down to a teeny-tiny size that can fit easily in any handbag. This gift is not only something that they'll use forever, it is also your small contribution to saving the environment from a sea of plastic bags that clog our landfills and oceans (makes me sick just thinking about it). If you go to the Envirosax website, they show you how you can use the actual bag as gift-wrapping. Genius!
#10 Kitchen Gadgets You'd Never Think To Buy For Yourself:
Men and women alike, there are so many kitchen gadgets out there that you would never think you'd need, but then you get it and it changes your life. Case in point, our Bodum Milk Frother which we use for our morning coffee. If that thing is missing or moved, we'll know, trust me. We'll turn over the entire kitchen to find it if we have to. It's $20! Go figure! We could easily replace it, but man, our morning is screwed if we can't froth our milk with that thing. LOL. Anyway, I've found the coolest knick-knacks at places like Sur La Table (stainless steel funnels great for travel size beauty packing) or even Anthro - omg - I could spend HOURS in that section. I really loved these "Extra Ingredients Measuring Spoons for only $18 that would look beautiful gift-wrapped in burlap with red yarn for a homemade touch. The measurements are hand drawn on the back. So cute!
-j
This beautiful necklace from Jcrew (now sold out) was what inspired me to add a bib necklace to my jewelry collection. I absolutely love the handmade look to it. In fact it looks so simple that you actually can make it yourself and save some $$$. Case in point, this purple necklace below:
This gorgeous piece is, believe it or not, an actual handmade one you can attempt to make at www.craftstylish.com. I would vary it up with different stone colors, ribbon and actual cloth for the bib, but you can get the basic template at this link.
If you'd prefer to buy a handmade one, then definitely check out Etsy.com where you'll find gorgeous ones like this by Etsy seller Florabond. I love Etsy because the money you spend supports real, home made and unique craft work made by real hands and not machines. I love the chain necklace and lavender rosettes on this one!!
For your co-workers, neighbors, or even the Barista at your local coffee shop, really high-end candy is a nice gift. I love getting it for myself, so I can imagine you would light up anyones day with a big piece of dark chocolate infused with ginger, or some salted caramels. Just kiddie corner from my office is a newsstand that sells the best selection of chocolates. Sure, I can easily spend $10 on 5 small pieces, but I definitely walk away satisfied. Really good chocolate does that - satisfies you with just a few bites - not an entire bar (hello King Size obesity!) Anyway, these are my absolute indulgent faves:
These caramels are the ultimate in salty & sweet. To me, it is the perfect PMS snack :)
Xocolatl de David Bacon Chocolates and Caramels
It sounds weird, but the bacon is really the best part. The combo is out of this world!
Fetch Chocolates, French Bulldogs
First of all, how cute are these? Of course, I am partial to the French Bulldogs myself (an uber chic breed, of course), but if you know anyone with a labrador or golden retriever, yorkshire terrier, dachshund, or a cavalier king charles, they've got those in chocolate too!
-j
