holiday 2014: fragrant gift ideas

if you're looking to gift your loved one with scent this holiday season, consider these individual fragrances and sets featuring scents i happen to love {and know already have many fans}. of course, remember: fragrance is personal, so don't forget to include a gift receipt. :)

Guilty by Gucci 3 Pc. Gift Set for women features the daring, oriental floral fragrance that combines notes of mandarin, pink pepper, lilac and amber for an edge of sexiness and sensuality. set includes eau de toilette, body lotion and portable fragrance spray.

La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme is made with the most precious natural ingredients, boasting a modern interpretation of an oriental fragrance. a perfect choice for cooler temps, elegant iris with the strength of patchouli and the sweetness of gourmand blend together, creating a gorgeously feminine fragrance.

Lancôme's most beautifully classic scent {and one of the first "grownup" scents i ever bought for myself when i was in my early 20s}, Trésor, is for a woman who understands that time is precious and each moment is meant to be treasured. elegant rose and lilac notes will make her feel as radiant and precious as this fragrance is.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set features the very popular, sophisticated, whimsical scent; always elegant, always enchanting ~ but not too serious ~ Daisy is a sparkling floral bouquet, spirited and fresh, wrapped in comfort and warmth. the set comes with a black keepsake box, which is covered in sleek fabric and encloses a mirror in the lid.

Clinique A Little Happiness gift set is a fabulous option when you have multiples gifts to give but or on a budget, or as one fabulous gift for the happiest gal in your life. includes bright floral Clinique Happy, rich floral Happy Heart, limited-edition Happy In Bloom, Wealth of Flowers, and Clinique Hint of Citrus perfume sprays. 

for the on-trend young woman, Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy Nail Duo Kit includes two chic, classic, on-the-go, travel-friendly sized fragrances {Viva la Juicy Eau de Parfum and Viva la Juicy Gold Couture Eau de Parfum}, plus a travel nail set {a nail color duo and statement nail decals} in a pink and gold envelope-style cosmetics bag.

Killer Queen by Katy Perry includes an eau de parfum spray, a purse-friendly rollerball and body lotion in the fun, daring floral fragrance. notes include plum, red velvet flower, jasmine sambac and rainbow plumeria.

these are just a few suggestions, beauties! what scents would you recommend for gift-giving?

images and info courtesy of pr for featured brands

fragrance gift ideas for holiday 2012

if you're looking for fabulous fragrance gifts for your beloved friends, sisters, moms and/or daughters, Coty has some gorgeous scents to choose from. ranging from light and playful to warm and sophisticated, the following picks are definitely worth considering...

Chloé Bianca Signature Solid Perfume Necklace

housed in a delicate engraved locket, the Chloé signature scent is a beautiful blend of rose and peony as top notes, lily of the valley and magnolia as mid-notes, and amber and cedarwood at the base. this would be perfect for the accessory lover on your list!

Bottega Veneta Deluxe Collection

Bottega Veneta, the eau de parfum, evokes the suppleness and sensuality of the house’s renowned leather goods. the signature scent {bergamot at top; jasmine and pink peppercorn in the mid-notes; and a base of patchouli} will be available in a collection that includes a refillable eau de parfum bottle with an elegant poire atomizer, a 100 ml refill, as well as a solid perfume compact {also refillable} and a scented candle.

Marc Jacobs DOT
Dot {on my personal wishlist!} is a lush, juicy floral; happy and vivacious. this scent is a personal signature for Jacobs, inspired by his love of polka dots. the oversized butterfly-inspired cap flaunts a chic play of proportions. top notes: red berries, dragronfruit, honeysuckle; mid-notes: jasmine, coconut water, orange blossom; base: vanilla, driftwood, musk.

Balenciaga Florabotanica
an experimental rose fragrance whose story takes place in a strange and wonderful garden in which you don't know whether the flowers are innocent or poisonous. the bottle's graphic black and white stripes echo a signature dear to Cristóbal Balenciaga. top notes: carnation, mint; mid-notes: turkish rose, hemp leaves; base notes: vetiver roots, white amber


will you be giving someone a fragrance gift this year? is there a particular scent on your holiday wishlist? which one? share with me in the comments!

info and images courtesy of Coty

currently loving...

happy saturday, beauties! hope you're enjoying your summer. it's been a fabulous mix of busyness and relaxing in my life these days...

because my kids home for summer break, there's obviously more to do {more meals to cook, laundry and dishes to wash, messes to clean up}. so i'm never without something to do in that respect. thankfully, they help out with those chores and the like, but can keep themselves occupied doing the things they enjoy when we hang at home for the day and it's just too hot to play outside.

with regard to relaxing, i'm still an early riser {i prefer to do my daily workouts before the fam wakes up and there's nothing more fabulous than watching the sky wake up while out on a run}, but i've grown to appreciate the slower-paced mornings {no school!}. i've been watching lots of movies and tv shows {many thanks to Netflix streaming service, the library and my cable's VOD}, reading, and of course, cooling off in the pool.

this past week i've relished cooler temps {though still hot, don't get me wrong!}, discovering new music via NPR's podcast and website, All Songs Considered, and using some fabulous beauty products...

Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Overnight Treatment Crème* makes split ends virtually disappear, allowing me to extend time between salon trims. this has definitely saved me some moolah! in addition to giving beautiful overnight results {no residue or stickiness} over the past few months of using it {about twice a week}, my hair has benefited from its rich, conditioning formula.

since i can't always avoid spending time outside mark No Place to Run Longwear Eyeliner* is perfect. during hot summer days when makeup can literally melt off {not pretty!}, this eye-defining gem lines smoothly and blends well, but when it sets, it stays there all day.

in the fragrance department i've been wearing an old favorite: Mark Jacobs Daisy. i wore it a lot last summer, too. it's bright, cheery and feminine; just the sort of scent to put a smile on any face. i prefer it in rollerball form-- easy to apply where i want it and travels well.

do tell! what beauty goodies are you currently loving?

*products sent to me for review consideration; pics taken my me :)

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign Featuring Christy Turlington, Karen Elson & Natalia Vodianova

i admit, i'm a sucker for a fabulous ad campaign. so when the new Louis Vuitton pics were released last week, i had to share!



last spring in paris, for the fall 2010 Louis Vuitton runway show, Marc Jacobs, LV creative director, tapped several of the world’s most famously curvaceous supermodels-- including Adriana Lima, Bar Refaeli, Laetitia Casta and Elle Macpherson-- to wear the collection.



for the ad campaign, he's booked three more supermodels.



"this season was a manifesto for beautiful, ladylike clothes," says Marc.



thus, the ads feature the gorgeous Natalia Vodianova, Karen Elson and supermodel legend Christy Turlington (love her!) dressed up in a vintage-inspired movie star dressing room. with hairstyles created by master stylist Guido and makeup done by the amazing, world-renowned Pat McGrath, the ladies looked chic wearing bustiers, 50s-inspired knits and full skirts.



check out this behind-the-scenes video:




as you can see, the iconic Speedy handbag is as desirable as ever, with new materials like alligator, waxed calf leather and flocked and sequined monogram canvas.

what do you think of thie new campaign?

xo
source: Louis Vuitton via InStyle Magazine

Fragrance Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

mother's day is literally days away. if you are thinkning of an aromatic gift, here are some ideas for the mom in your life:




the fashionista mom:
if she's a fashion-forward mom, you may want to consider Balenciaga Paris Eau De Parfum. this delicate floral embodies french mystery, balancing style and luxury.




the garden-loving mom:
don't waste your money on flowers-- they'll only wilt and die. instead, give her a bouquet of Chloe Eau De Fleurs. the trio of scents pays homage to the essences of lavender, nasturtium and neroli.






the gourmand mom:
give her a Parisian retreat that includes a "taste" of Marc Jacobs Patisserie Splash Collection. the scents are available in Apple, Pomegranate, and Biscotto; each limited-edition scent will leave taste buds craving more.




the classic mom:
if your mom, or the mom in your life, is the epitome of elegance, Chloe Eau De Toilette is a fabulous choice. the timeless scent boasts notes of crisp mandarin orange zest and fresh freesia.


xo

Arlenis Sosa's Beauty Must-Haves

at only 20 years old, model Arlenis Sosa is a top model and Lancome spokesperson. she has taken the world by storm, captured the attention of the most important people in fashion, and i'm definitely a fan! so, what beauty products does Arlenis keep in her beauty arsenal?


to name just a few...




Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Lotion
this moisturizer just really works on my skin. my skin is so dry, and this makes it look and feel more hydrated. plus, i love that it has UV protection. it's all i need.




Kerastase Bain Oleo-Curl
my hair is very curly, especially around the hairline. there are so many products that just don't work on it, but these do. they really smooth the curl and keep it that way.




Marc Jacobs Daisy
it's soft and almost juvenile. i don't like scents that are too overpowering. and everyone likes it on me!


to see the full list of Arlenis' beauty must-haves, visit style.com

xo
source: style.com

on my must-buy list: Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring

i'm going to be honest-- i have only smelled Marc Jacobs' latest fragrance Lola in a magazine, but what i smelled was divine, amazing, practically made for me!

ok, that was a little over the top, but i liked it that much. :)

then, last week i found out it came in an adorable, limited-edition solid perfume ring-- hello?! the flower matches the one found on the perfume bottle-- too cute, right? i had to add it to my "must-buy" list.



i know, it may sound a bit nutty to want to buy this without having actually worn the scent, but i figure since i liked it on paper, and the notes are some of my personal preferences, i don't think it will be a disappointment (at least, i hope not, ha!). also, i think solid perfumes are great because they are portable, easy to apply and this one comes in something i can wear without wearing the perfume, making it that much more appealing.

in addition to being limited-edition, there is one catch to being able to purchase this ring: you must be a Sephora Beauty Insider. if you aren't already, 1) why not?, and 2) it's very simple to do! just go to sephora.com, click on the "sign up for Sephora" link and fill in the info. you can also sign up in Sephora if you have one locally. and that's it!

so, what do you think of the ring? have you smelled Lola? if so, do you love it? hate it? tell me your thoughts in the comments!

xo

Francois Nars' Return to Fashion Week at Marc Jacobs

after a 10 year hiatus (wow), Francois Nars made his return to the fashion runway in a larger-than-life way by leading the makeup direction for Marc Jacobs’ autumn/winter 2009 show. this included working with 65 models, and creating 65 different makeup looks!



Nars’ unexpected return to fashion week can be attributed solely to Marc Jacobs. "we've known each other since the beginning, so it was really fun to work with Marc again. i really love what he does," said Nars.



the inspiration for the look came form the Marc Jacobs fall 2009 collection that paid homage to the new york night club scene of the 1970s and '80s. drawing inspiration from these decades (and the works of Sprouse, St. Laurent, and Halston), Francois Nars took into consideration each model's individual beauty before creating a separate edgy look, reminiscent of the past but still very modern.



overall, it was important that each girl look beautiful, even with strong theatrical looks. much like the fashion, Nars emphasized having fun with makeup for the coming year, despite the times we live in-- "it's a good antidote."



get the look: the focus was on an edgy, night clubbing look; strong eyes and bold color were a major theme. black shadow was foundation for creating the dramatic eye, to which each artist added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter.



"there is a wide variety of color," said Nars, "it's whatever looks good on the girl." for many of the models, porcelain skin was a key component, allowing the black eyes and bright colors to pop. "you want to play with makeup," says Nars, "makeup is a great accessory-- that is the message."



xo

a simple way to add color to your fall wardrobe

with all the gray and navy going on for fall, a girl needs a punch of color to spice things up! i have always been a fan of the color pink (it makes me happy), so when i came across this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, i had to share!

this Faridah shoulder bag not only gives the punch of color i so desire, but really has the shape of a great everyday bag. the fuchsia grained leather with gold hardware has a single shoulder strap, two turn lock fastening pockets, a zip fastening pocket across front, a concealed magnetic fastening and monogrammed cotton lining.

love...


xo

gifts for mom

mother's day is may 11th! it is the one day a year that mothers are celebrated for their efforts, the love they show and sacrifices they make. if you have a mom or are a mom yourself, it is the day that you can pamper and/or be pampered.

Sephora (who else?) has great ideas for the big day! they have categorized the "types" of moms, so finding the perfect gift should be a no-brainer. the sophisticate, the earth mother, the rock star and the glam mom are all profiled, and i will share the ideas and looks with you.

first up, the sophisticate:










she's cultured. she's wise. she knows exactly what she wants, when she wants it—and believe us, she gets it. a connoisseur of all things pretty, she can wax poetic about the best lotions and potions—starting with these beauties, each worthy of her super-seasoned standards.


for the sophisticated mom, it's important to focus on details. simple, fresh and oh-so-classy.

check our this video to see the look, then scroll down for fabulous gift ideas:









Marc Jacobs Perfume to Go
this scent is classic, luxurious, and comfortingly feminine. it is both sensuous and uncomplicated, complementing the wearer without overwhelming her, and comes in a take anywhere size.








Hourglass Color Link Palette
this Color Link Palette offer six eye shadows and two blushes in rich, luxurious colors and textures- providing all the tools necessary to create a number of beautiful looks.







Laura Mercier French Vanilla Bath & Body Collection
this collection emanates pure tahitian and bourbon vanilla aromas. velvety caramel notes and luscious kadota fig blend perfectly with creamy sandalwood and smooth amber for an enchanting and alluring experience, leaving skin soft and feeling fresh.








Shu Uemura False Eylashes
an indulgence for the lashes! momentarily transforms your lashes to stimulate your creativity and dramatize your look.





here's to fabulous, sophisticated moms!


xo

source: sephora