holiday gift idea: Harajuku Lovers Jingle G

looking for the cutest gift or stocking stuffer? i'm in love with Jingle G, the latest, adorable fragrance from the Harajuku Lovers range.

all dressed up in a super cute and sparkly santa suit, Jingle G features a built-in hook, making her the perfect holiday ornament for years to come. the scent itself is oh-so fab ~ fruity notes like tangerine and white star, along with floral accents of jasmine, honeysuckle and gardenia, finished with the perfect touch of yummy vanilla and cedarwood, make this fragrance unique and fun. :)

visit your local Sephora or sephora.com for more info about this limited-edition gem!

product sent to me for review/feature consideration; pic taken by me :)

mark holiday 2011 beauty collection

hello beauties and happy december! as if you didn't already know, it's time to start shopping for holiday gifts! while most of my shopping is almost done {i have my fabulous, non-procrastinating hubby to thank for that}, i still have gorgeous finds to share.

these beautiful, wallet-friendly goodies from mark will definitely bring delight to your favorite beauty-loving recipient. the holiday collection is glitzy, glam and feature products that are perfect for gifting alone, stuffing stockings or for yourself, to take along while traveling.

take a look...

Showcase Color & Clutch To Go is not only a great grouping of shadows, all-over face powder, blushes and glosses, but the inserts can be removed, transforming it into a clutch.


Earn Your Metal Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Silverado or Liquid Gold {pictured} is oh-so-fab! the long-lasting wear formula is an easy way to dress up eyes, even for day!


Glitz & Gloss Mini Purse & Go features a shimmering change purse with attached key chain that connects to any one of four best-selling glow baby glow and glow baby glow luxe lip gloss shades (lotus luxe, girly girl, sweet talk and sun luxe).


Bling On The Brushes Mini Brush Kit is purse-friendly and perfect for the gal on the go...


On The Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact features gorgeous must-have shadows in metallic, shimmering neutrals and Main Squeeze Lip Gloss{Cherry Squeeze, Papaya Squeeze {pictured} and Honey Squeeze} will keep lips feeling nourished and looking gorgeously glossed.


Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquers set includes a shimmery berry, called Sure Fire, and Meltdown, a metallic taupe, that are perfect for giving your tips a bold mani for all your holiday events.

the collection also includes sensational smelling products: Instant Vacation Fragrance Trio Collection {Original, Costa Rica, Ibiza Sol}, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Get Misty Body Mist, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Three’s A Charm 3-in-1 Cleanser and Body Luxe Pear Blossom Whipped Up Body Butter


for more info, to see the rest of the collection {which includes handbags, accessories, fragrance, bath & body and more makeup!} or to order products, visit meetmark.com

products featured sent to me by PR of the brand; pics taken by me :)

currently loving...

it seems my days are going by so much faster these days. i wake up, and before i know it, the day is coming to an end and it's time to sleep! it's kind of nutty when i think about it, but i definitely many things to be thankful for-- my family, my friends, my health and the fact that you are here reading this! :)

sprinkled on top of my thankfulness are some delightful things i'm currently loving in this moment...


There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder....a fun chick-lit read {be warned, it is a bit rated-r, due to all the f-bombs dropped}, but the story is funny and engaging. i'm about 70% through it and can't wait to see how the story of three friends, their lives and hope for the future will end up!


fresh, roasted red peppers with my egg whites at breakfast {and sometimes lunch and dinner, too, lol!}...



this image of a small laundry room space is inspiring the redecoration of my own slightly larger laundry space...


NYX Natural Look Nude on Nude Kit is the perfect little gem for travel and everyday use. every shade is wearable, giving my eyes added day-friendly glam, but i also love that the neutral tones help to enhance the shade of a bright-colored eye liner!


philosophy Falling in Love...i picked this up on a Sephora run when they were out of favorite Unconditional Love {j'adore!}; i figured, "why not try it?"...and now, well... :)

Madagascar Orchid Fragrance Oil from Lisa Hoffman Beauty on HSN

tomorrow, august 27, 2010, Kym Douglas will be on QVC to present a fabulous treat from Lisa Hoffman Beauty: the best-selling Madagascar Orchid Fragrance Oil.

you'll be happy to know that with your purchase, 20% of proceeds from each sale of Madagascar Orchid Fragrance Oil will be donated to the Rainforest Foundation that was founded by Trudie Styler and Sting (yes, that Sting). voted "Customer Choice Nominee for Best Fragrance", this is definitely one to check out.

not sure how you would use a perfume oil? Lisa Hoffman shares that you can "...use a touch of the perfume oil in your hair-- it absorbs in nicely because it is an oil. apply just a little to the palm of your hand, then rub in. its leave a subtle hint of the fragrance."

Lisa loves the benefits of using a roll-on fragrance because "...you can control the application; it doesn't get on your clothes or on other people around you and doesn't waste any of the product. they are great because they are portable and you can carry them with you to discreetly reapply throughout the day or evening. oils penetrate into the skin and with the warmth of the body diffuse the fragrance."

find out more about this scent by visiting lisahoffmanbeauty.com and tune in (or setting your dvr) to HSN tomorrow!

xo

Summer Scents: Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties

the Harajuku Lovers line of fragrances already feature great scents, but just for summer the little ladies have been decked out in their swimsuits and have fresh new scents (aren't they adorable?).



Love is the romantic scent; for summer her scent has a fruity-floral twist featuring notes of nectarine, passion fruit, lemon blossom, plumeria, osmanthus, rose petals, vanilla orchid, coconut water, sensual musk and sandalwood. Love is one of my faves in this collection.

Lil' Angel is the sassy rebel with a sweet side. for summer she's boasting a citrus-gourmand twist on her original scent. the combination of citrus and vanilla notes makes me thing of creamsicles-- meyer lemon, mandarin, touch of blackberry, pink rose, vanilla orchid, tropical sampaquita blossom, sugared patchouli, vanilla bean, skin musk and golden amber.




Music is typically a charismatic fruity-floral, so for summer she gets to show off a more sensuous side without being overpowering. notes include juicy pear, granny smith apple, dewy freesia, tiger Orchid, jasmine petals, honeysuckle, cashmere woods, creamy musk, and precious woods.

Baby maintains being her sweet, soft self but without the powdery notes for summer. a dewy-floral twist makes her another one of my faves from the collection-- crisp mandarin, wet neroli, bright sunflower, white poppy, living valencia, orange flower, jasmine absolute, soft musk, rich vetiver, and creamy birch woods.




G is as fab as ever and has a fun, creamy-musk twist for summer. coconut water, mandarin, bergamot, white peach, heliotrope, exotic tiare flower, orange flower, vanilla bean, tonka, skin musk, and creamy sandalwood maintains G's tropical vibe, but i prefer wearing this one in the evening.

Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties are limited edition, so when summer is gone, so are they. find the collection at Macy's, Sephora and HLFragrance.com for more info.

xo
products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all pics taken by me :)

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

Beyonce to 'Heat' Up NYC

if you're a fan of Beyonce and you're going to be in the nyc area, you need to pay attention to this!

the multi-talented artist herself will be in union square and herald square next week to promote her new fragrance, Beyonce Heat. described as a captivating scent that exudes passion and unleashes a spirited fire within; embodies the trendsetting vision and effortless chic of pop culture's most emulated icon.

so, if you can make it, be at union square tuesday february 2nd from 6pm till midnight or Macy's herald square on february 3rd to celebrate the launch of this debut fragrance.




as far as the scent itself, i think it sounds great, but it's always best to let your nose be the decision maker: feminine and irresistible, the floral, fruity, woody scent features rare, sensual flowers. Beyonce Heat opens with a radiant floral bouquet of magnolia, neroli and red vanilla orchid balanced with a kiss of luscious blush peach. at its heart, almond macaroon, sweet honeysuckle nectar and creme de musk combine to create an exquisitely sensual experience. finally, warm and sexy notes of giant sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber linger to seduce the senses.


if you attend this event, have fun! also, if you smell the fragrance before i post my review, leave a comment here and let me know what you think.

xo

Reese Witherspoon Introduces In Bloom

now available is Reese Witherspoon's new fragrance, In Bloom. it's an oriental-floral that wants to keep the spring season present year-round. i think it sounds fabulous...

described as a sweet southern scent, Reese created In Bloom exclusively for Avon. the notes combine delicate femininity with seductive allure and mysterious beauty.




top notes: georgia peach tea leaves, crisp greens

heart notes: star gardenia, magical magnolia, night blossoming jasmine

base notes: cashmere woods, hypnotic florals, amber wood crystals

the collection includes:

• Eau de Parfum
  
• Limited Edition Parfum
  
• Body Mist
  
• Body Lotion
  
• Shower Gel

watch Reese talk about In Bloom:



In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon is available now through an Avon representative. to find the representative closest to you, be sure to visit avon.com

xo

Demi Moore Celebrates Helena Rubinstein's New Fragrance, All You’ve Ever WANTED

on thursday night, Vanity Fair, L'Oreal and Demi Moore celebrated Helena Rubinstein's launch of the century--All You've Ever WANTED, the new fragrance inspired by Demi.

Demi was joined by Ashton Kutcher (of course), Zac Posen and an elite group of very important people to toast the debut of the fragrance at Monkey Bar in nyc.



All You've Ever WANTED reflects Demi's modern love story and captivating allure and is also a contemporary expression of her daring appeal. the intoxicating fragrance blends an enveloping sensuality of magnolia with iris-cream, magnified by a charismatic touch of cedar extract for an irresistibly feminine and intense potion.

this new scent will be available exclusively at Macy's starting november 5th.

are you looking forward to smelling this new fragrance?

xo
info courtesy of Tractenberg & Co.

The Body Shop Introduces Love Etc...

Love Etc..., a new fragrance collection from The Body Shop features, get this, the first eau de parfum to feature an alcohol perfume base created from an ingredient which is fairly-traded and organic. how cool is that? in any case, this scent, to me, is everything one is likely to expect because of its name alone-- romantic, sweet, alluring and delightful, with a slight hint of luxuriousness.



Love Etc... Eau de Parfum***

described by The Body Shop as a floriental, the top notes consist of pear, neroli and bergamot; middle notes include jasmine, heliotrope and lily of the valley; base notes are warm vanilla, sandalwood and musk cream.


Love Etc... Body Wash***

when i first smelled this, i instantly liked it. it's soft, romantic-- you know, girly. it's young and vibrant, but not over-the-top. it will appeal to the masses, something that, i'm sure, was done on purpose. because really, what perfume doesn't want to be liked by everyone?



Love Etc... Body Wash***

i really love wearing this scent-- the Body Wash and Lotion are perfect to use on their own or to layer under the perfume, leaving skin with a fragrance that lasts all day. while i prefer to wear this during the day, it could work for night, too-- the bright quality will keep you in a love-is-in-the-air mood.

Love Etc... is now available at The Body Shop and online, thebodyshop-usa.com

xo
pics taken by me :)
***products sent to me for the purpose of review

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

fragrance review: YSL Parisienne

new scents are always intriguing. YSL's Parisienne was no exception. to tell you the truth, i was working on a post sharing my desire to smell this new fragrance, and then it showed up in my mailbox!* you can only imagine my excitement.

with notes of blackberry, damask rose and sandalwood, i expected Parisienne to be sexy and soft, playful and yet mysterious.

so what do i think now?

i really like it! and while i know fragrance is completely personal (you just might hate it upon first whiff), i have to say this one isn't like anything i own, and yet it fits right in with my preference for floral/fruit scents. i also find it to be a bit more glamorous and grown up, not syrup-y sweet or too musky and the bottle is gorgeous!



other notes you'll find in Parisienne are violet, peony, cranberry, patchouli, vetiver and musk with bold, edgy hints of vinyl and lacquer. i like to think that wearing this scent is like wearing a leather jacket over an evening gown-- fun, sexy and ultra cool.

visit yslbeautyus.com for more info on the scent and visit your local YSL counter to smell for yourself, if you haven't already!

xo
*this product was sent to me from YSL for review via Total Beauty
first image courtesy of YSL
second pic taken by me :)

WWD: Kim Kardashian Discusses Her First Scent

in an interview in friday's issue of Women's Wear Daily, Kim Kardashian shared that her first fragrance, due out february 2010, has been a long time coming.

she tells the mag: "when i was little, my sister Kourtney and i tried to make our own perfume by picking flowers and putting them in the blender, because that's how we thought fragrances were made. our parents thought we were crazy— and it smelled totally gross!"

she's (obviously) come a long way since then and has been a very involved creator. "i wanted to make sure i liked it in every single stage. it's really cool to know that's what is in this bottle is exactly how i want to smell," she said.



described as bold and sultry, the fragrance has crisp top notes, a heart of jasmine, tuberose and gardenia, and a drydown of tonka bean, jacaranda wood and sandalwood.

Kim's eponymous scent will have a three-month exclusive with Sephora, then will be released to department store doors around mother's day.

read the entire article on wwd.com

tell me: are you looking forward to smelling Kim K's new scent?

xo

Stella McCartney STELLANUDE Linen Scented Mist

when i received Stella McCartney's new STELLANUDE Linen Scented Mist, i actually thought it was perfume for my skin...

oops!

though i found out moments later (reading the box helps, LOL!), i still was thrilled to have this to add to my fragrance collection. after all, i do like to spray my pillow and sheets with a scent every now and again, and having a feminine and luxurious scent to spray on my lingerie is such a fabulous idea.

this new fragrance (it also comes in eau de toilette form) was developed to translate the delicacy and femininity of Stella's lingerie collection into a scent that would be like the most intimate accessory. notes of moraccan rose, hints of grapefruit and pink pepper as well as vanilla and grey amber blend together so beautifully; the scent is uber-feminine, sexy and striking, yet light. i think it's perfect for evening and works gorgeously for day.

Stella says: "i love the idea of walking through a scented mist in your lingerie. it's quite a cheeky, intimate way to start the day, and it's refreshing not spraying a scent directly on your skin."

in addition to loving the scent, the bottle is fabulous itself, don't you think?

find the Stella McCartney STELLANUDE fragrance collection exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com until december 31, 2009. it will become available at other select department stores beginning january 1, 2010.

xo
pic taken by me :)

Miss Dior Cherie L'eau

my favorite scent, Miss Dior Cherie has a new, sparkling sidekick: Miss Dior Cherie L'eau. this new fragrance brings a facet of light-but-still-memorable freshness to the Miss Dior Cherie palette.

featuring top notes of orange essence, middle notes of gardenia accord and a base of white musks, this scent captures the playful, independent spirit of Miss Dior Cherie. it isn't complicated, just clean. this is also exemplified in the new ad campaign directed by Sophia Coppola.

available at Dior beauty counters nationwide and at sephora.com

xo

Michael Kors Introduces Very Hollywood

Very Hollywood, Michael Kors' newest fragrance, was created to be the ultimate in hollywood glamour. captivating, luxurious and stunning, the scent makes a stunning entrance in jewels of shimmering mandarin and glistening bergamot. with captivating performances by jasmine, ylang ylang, raspberry and star-quality gardenia, this scent also features appearances from a supporting cast of italian orris, creamy amber, soft white moss and vetiver for the perfect hollywood ending.



Very Hollywood is available at Macy's and Nordstrom, and online at VeryHollywood.com

xo

fragrance preview: Mariah Carey Forever

Mariah Carey takes her happiness seriously. because of this happiness, her new scent (due out in september) is named "Forever", reports Women's Wear Daily. "i am in a wonderful place right now, surrounded by all the things i love, and Forever captures this moment in time," said the entertainer. her latest fragrance has top notes of neroli, lotus blossom and dewy green apple and will be available in about 2,000 department and specialty store doors, including Macy's, Dillard's and Belk's.

print advertising, shot by Michael Thompson and featuring Carey, will break in october fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines, including Elle, Vogue, Glamour and In Style. a TV campaign, which also features Carey, is slated for the holiday season.

sounds like it will smell gorgeous, don't you think?

read the full article: wwd.com

xo