I was thrilled when Skin&Co Roma approached me about reviewing some samples of their truffle therapy products, but also completely apprehensive about changing up a skincare regimen that had just recently repaired my skin and seemed pretty nailed down. But when an Italian skincare company making products with truffle oil offers you samples, you don’t say no!
Tag: Henri Bendel
Les Cinq Petites Choses #4
categories: 5 Little Things, Discovery, Fashion, Fragrance, Jewelry, Les Cinq Petites Choses, Life, Music, Shopping, Style, Television
I decided that instead of talking about all the things that I want, I would talk about the things that I have or that I don’t have but am just appreciating.
Alors, voici, les cinq petites choses que je suis amoureuse en ce moment (is that right?). The 5 little things I’m loving right now.
#1 – You’ll notice that I threw in some French again, and that’s heavily influenced by two of the things on the list today.
I was talking to my friend Darren in Montreal, and he recommended some music artists to me who sing in French. (As we know, I like them.) I promptly went and looked them up, and super glad I did. I’m pretty crap discussing music (despite how much I love listening to it), so I’ll paraphrase Darren.
Alex Nevsky – Himalaya Mon Amour He’s kind of chamber pop/rock with some 60s influences. Apparently, “On leur a fait croire” became an actual radio hit up there, despite the fact that though it sounds so fun, the lyrics are terribly sarcastic and dark.
Le Couleur – Voyage Love EP (Yes, “Le,” not “La,” the error is apparently intentional.) It has a very disco synth sound, but it’s undeniably modern. I even like it despite the synth. 😉 “Vacances de 87” and “Voyage amoureux” are great to dance to.
Peter Peter – Une version améliorée de la tristesse He’s apparently the indie darling up in Montreal. He used to make more folk rock music, but discovered the synthesizer for this album, so it’s kind of experimental synth pop. And good.
(Okay, so technically this was 3 things. A bonus. 😉 )
Making a statement
I think it’s pretty obvious that I’m a fan of statement necklaces. (See exhibits A, B, C, D, and E.) They really are one of my main style cheats.
Because even if you’re just wearing jeans and a t-shirt, throwing on a WOW necklace pulls the whole look together and elevates it from “You didn’t try at all” to “THAT is an amazing necklace!” 😉
No earrings or small, simple earrings, and it’s just an easy, stylish look.
I actually tried on one of the necklaces in the collage above at Bendel’s this weekend, and it killed me to have to leave it there. It looked perfect with my Isabel Marant for H&M dress!
Are you a fan of statement necklaces, or do you prefer to keep it simpler?
On another note, this all leads me to details of the surprise my friend Rasha and I are cooking up for you. Among other things, Chloe & Isabel has the most amazing statement necklaces.
Two of my favorite pieces are:
MULTI-STRAND SIGNATURE TORSADE NECKLACE
ART DECO CHAIN SWAG STATEMENT NECKLACE
One thing I especially love about their jewelry is that it has a really vintage feel. It also evokes Paris in its gilded and Art Deco glory. And we know how I feel about Paris. 🙂
I’m really pleased to be able to offer you the chance to purchase these gorgeous specimens, plus many more, right here on my blog! I’ll be hosting a special Chloe & Isabel popup shop all this weekend, starting at 12 am Friday and running through till midnight Sunday.
Anyone making a purchase from the sale will be entered in a raffle to win $25 off an order of $75 or more!
And, as an extra serendipitous bonus, the Chloe & Isabel Friends and Family sale is running through December 11, so you’ll be able to get everything for less!
See you back here tomorrow for the sale!
While the cats are away…
There is nothing nicer than going into Manhattan on a holiday weekend when everyone else has gone home to see their families. (Sorry, transplants, but it’s true. :p )
We didn’t even have this in mind, when Rose and I decided to hit all the high-end department stores for some window shopping. (Yes, I like to torture myself, okay?)
We started with Henri Bendel (“Bendel’s”), since it opened earliest. The early bird gets the empty store, apparently!
Next we meandered up 5th Avenue to Bergdorf Goodman.
And I said, well that’s the one thing we’ve got…
Where else do you find huge snowlakes in the sky, other than Fifth Avenue?
Central Park in the distance…
The Plaza. Only Trump would get construction tarp that matches the facade!
And, of course, there were the Bergdorf windows.
We headed downstairs to bask in the glory of their beauty basement. Rose was color matched for the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer (sadly, she’s a mix of 2 shades, which is not wallet friendly at all!) and I fell in love with, and quickly walked away from, a Killian scent.
Also, as an afterthought, we passed by the Creed counter, and I sprayed a tester card with Acqua Fiorentina, at Rose’s urging. Stuck it in my pocket and forgot about it. I pulled it out a few hours later and OH MY GOD, THIS NEEDS TO BE MINE. (See? I just can’t stick to one scent.)
Next up was Barneys, where I expertly avoided the Serge Lutens counter for fear of temptation, completely ignored the Surratt counter out of self-defense, and stopped to drool at the MAKE counter. They have the prettiest shades of bright, colorful eyeshadow!
I went to be color matched at the Sunday Riley counter for their Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer, which was mentioned in this tutorial. For future reference. And was sat down and completely made over. By a woman with the most beautiful skin I have ever seen. (If she is using Sunday Riley products, then I should be, too. Which of course means I’m in big trouble, because those things are expensive.)
The primer is often just used as a foundation, and I do confess my skin looked great with just that. And despite it not being matte and despite her adding some Juno Transformative Lipid Serum (dry) oil on top, my skin was not an oily mess by the end of the day. Not as matte as I’m used to, but definitely an acceptable alternative.
Then we were on our way.
Roosevelt Island Tram in the distance.
I haven’t seen a street vendor selling roasted chestnuts since I was little!!
Some beverages followed, in turn followed by my second viewing of the weekend of Hunger Games: Catching Fire. I hated the first movie. Hated it. But despite certain gripes* about this one, I really loved it. Have you seen it? What did you think?
Times Square. Pretty to look at, terrible to walk through!
Do you?
Peek-a-boo!
Then I hit up Sephora for some samples, because a day in the city is nothing without my samples. Two locations provided a motherlode of goodness. Which is good, since my skin is still recovering from the Liz Earle debacle.
I was thinking of doing a write-up of the samples I’ve been trying and my verdicts. Any interest?
Have you tried any of those brands? Any favorite products?
What did you do this weekend?
I’m going to cut my Catching Fire thoughts for any possible spoilers. 😉