Rainy Days

It’s been raining like mad lately, which can be frustrating when I don’t have any gear that is weather and work appropriate. Anyway, I am currently on the look out for a new trench and umbrella. Trench coats are light weight enough for late summer, protect against the rain and pretty much go with any outfit. These are a few of the lovely and budget friendly items I’ve found so far:

Clockwise:
County Kerry Trench from Anthropologie $148.00 USD with Raindrops Apple Umbrella $25.00 CAD.

Charlotte Russe$32.99 USD with Raindrops Christian Aujard Polka Dot Umbrella $35.00 CAD.

Amelie Trench from Top Shop Red 65.00 GBP with Cox the Saddler Black and White Umbrella $15.00 GBP.

Trench with Belt from Top Shop$60.00 GBP with Raindrops Paris umbrella $45.00 CAD.

Clinique

I love Clinique . The products are usually simple and rarely do they irritate my sensitive skin. I go nutty when I know it’s bonus time. LOL. My Clinique staples:

7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula $17.50
Nudges away roughness, flakiness to refine skin. Helps lessen the appearance of fine lines. Clears the way for moisture. Suitable for all skin types.

I love this stuff! I got a sample in a bonus hehe. It’s makes my skin look great and it’s not too rough. I use it every other day.

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion $21.50
The moisture “drink” developed by Clinique’s dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. Softens, smooths, improves.

This is a classic and it always works for my skin. Its light, but it does a great job keeping my skin moist all day.

Perfectly Real Compact Makeup $22.50
Silky, oil-free formula looks like your skin—only better. Optimizes your skin’s varying tones to create a more even, perfected appearance. Coverage lasts for hours, yet feels like nothing at all.

Well, this does exactly what it promises. I use a very light layer (I don’t like using too much makeup.) and it’s just enough to smooth out my complexion.

Gentle Waterproof Mascara $14.00
Mascara with staying power. Reliable for active sports. Removes with ease.

IMO some waterproof mascaras feel like I’m coating my lashes with plastic or something…yuck! I’ve tried many less expensive and even more expensive waterproof mascaras and this is one of my favorites.

Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss $13.50
Lip balm with a colourful twist. Gorgeous colours treat your most undermoisturized skin to helpings of soothing shine. Instantly relieve dryness, protect with antioxidants and more. Dip in.

This stuff is amazing. It’s hydrating and stays on for quite a while. I don’t mind re-applying because it feels so soothing when it goes on. I love all the pretty colors available. I’ve been using the Apricot color this summer, but I can’t wait to choose a new color for autumn.

Clinique Happy $39.50
A hint of citrus. A wealth of flowers. A mix of emotions. Our best-selling women’s fragrance interplays fresh, vibrant notes-ruby red grapefruit, bergamot-with soft, sensual ones-Hawaiian wedding flower, spring mimosa. Wear it and be happy.

I love the Happy and Happy To Be fragrances.

Just a little note.

I can’t update for a bit, so I thought I would at least leave a note and these lovely Zinnias and Cosmos from plant therapy on apartmenttherapy.com. That site is awesome. They have great photos and information. Enjoy.

M.A.C.

I don’t usually buy many cosmetics, but I really want to try two from M.A.C. Both are subtle, so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the color. I also think they are reasonably priced.

Slimshine Lipstick – I want to try Cocoamour, Lovey Dove, or Missy.

This is a new lipstick combining creamy emolliency with a unique sheer color pay-off. Finishes include cream, sparkling pearl and metallic. Provides the shine and moisturizing comfort of a gloss but with a smooth, non-sticky finish. Distinctive on and off. Comes packaged in its own stylish extra-long lipstick case. $14.50 nordstrom.com

M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Honesty seems like it would be perfect for day or for evening (layered).

Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly, blends well. Honesty is a “frost” shadow with an iridescent shine that adds a highlight to any colour. $14.50 nordstrom.com

Bracelets ~ Summer 2008

Well, I’m always on the look out for simple and fun accessories. I found quite a few bracelets on the Avenue website:

Glam Enamel Bangle Set Turquoise and Gold Tone
$8.00

Rhinestone Stripe Enamel Bangle (colors: Purple, Green, or Blue)
$14.00

Forever 21 has pretty bracelets and rings. A few of my favorites are:

Lacquer and Polish Bracelet Set $6.80

Clover Bracelet $5.80

Enamel Flower Ring (colors: Yellow, Red, or Blue) $4.80

Enamel Swirl Ring (I love this one…so feminine) $5.80

Home Pedicure

Having a pedicure at a spa can be time consuming and costly. Giving yourself a home pedicure is an economical and soothing alternative. The Good Housekeeping beauty section lists tips for home pedicures and their benefits.

Positive Pampering
Sure, a pedicure can make you look superb below the ankles — but if you think it’s just a self-indulgent treat, check out these facts from the American Podiatric Medical Association: The 8,000-plus steps you take each day exert up to 127,000 pounds of pressure on your poor tootsies — so they need any help they can get. These quick, do-it-yourself versions of two decadent new spa treatments will give your feet a well-deserved vacation.

OPI always has a great selection of nail colors to top off your pedicure. The INDIA COLLECTION is colorful and perfect for summer. I like:

Charmed by a Snake
A charming, disarming shade of bronze.

Lunch at the Delhi
Now serving a luscious shade of coral.

My favorites from the new FRANCE COLLECTION are:

BASTILLE MY HEART
Make hearts race in this glimmer of rich burgundy.

BAGUETTE ME NOT
You’ll “loaf” this unforgettable swirl of cinnamon.

Another company that has amazing nail care supplies is JESSICA . This stuff really works! I used the Fusion for my weak, peeling fingernails and they’ve never looked better! I’m sure the Zen Spa pedicure supplies are just as good.

Blissful
A light foaming bath that cleanses and deodorizes while it softens. Begin your ZenSpa journey by generously adding to a warm tub of water for the ultimate refreshing foot bath. $14.95

Purify
An intense blend of Papain and AHA Mixed Fruit Complex works together with penetrating conditioners to create a non-abrasive scrub that effectively exfoliates rough, dry skin, calluses and corns while helping to bring new skin to the surface. This aromatic scrub sets the foundation for silky smooth skin. $11.95

Intense
Rejuvenate dry, cracked heels with the restorative powers of Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Shea Butter. This super hydrating formula drenches skin in moisture. Generously apply to heels and any problem area and wake up to smooth and supple skin. $16.95

The ZenSpa Mini-Tote is a great way to try out these products. $39.95

Lavender

Fresh lavender sprigs.

Dried lavender sprigs.

Bowl with assorted lavender buds.

I have recently discovered the usefulness of lavender. A World of Aromatherapy describes it as calming and therapeutic with a floral, sweet, woody, and herbal scent. For me, it’s soothing and powerful. I have to remind myself, a little goes a long way.

I found organic lavender products at Lavender Green. They sell products and gifts, dried lavender flowers and buds and lavender essential oils. The site also includes useful information and articles about lavender flowers and how to use the buds and essential oils. I love the idea of using bowl of lavender bowls to scent my apartment or placing sprigs in a delicate vase.

Kissable Couture

Chris ~ Pure Peach
Chris christened you on the day of the eclipse only to create the ultimate outer body lip-to-lip experience.

David ~ Smoky Topaz
David brought you the feeling that has never been replaced. His memory became your personal memoir.

Dylan ~ Pink Perfection
Dylan told you to never kiss and tell. How could you hold it in, a perfect pairing of sugar & spice. Some rules are just meant to be broken.

Eric ~ Bronzed Coral
Eric, aaah your favorite four letter word. You swore to never ever utter another.

Forest ~ Crimson Tide
Forest was the flirt, the fun, the fire in your life. Oh how he knew how to spark your flame, but never seemed to abandon your innocence.

Johnny ~ Sheer Lavender
Johnny, remember the intense ending, you will never forget your last words…” Johnny be good.” Until we meet again.

Tyler ~ Violet Tease
Tyler, such the romanticist. The first British Boy Wonder to meet, but the last to ever forget.

My other favorites:

Bliss ~ Mauve, Rose Pink

Dream~ Soft Pink, Very Airy, Truly a Hint of Color

This week I’m craving the Kissable Couture lip glosses. The line was created by Keisha Nash Whitaker and celebrity make up artist A J Crimson. Three collections have been released so far. The Kissable Collection, Everything Love Inspires: A Spring Collection, and the latest Bare Your Soul: The Nudes Collection. My favorite, The Kissable Collection, consists of seven shades named after fellas that Keisha and her friends have kissed. The shimmery glosses range in color from peach to burgundy. At $22.00 these long wearing glosses are worth every cent.

Sources: cocoachic.com, flickr.com, and kissablecouture.com

Roger – Gallet

Roger & Gallet Vanilla

Roger & Gallet Blue Lotus

This past autumn, I fell head over heels for Roger & Gallet bath and body supplies. Their slogan: Roger & Gallet delicately perfuming life is adorable and true. The Vanilla soap box and moisturizing body lotion have light scents that lasted all day. I was given free samples of the Blue Lotus refreshing tissues. I didn’t know if I would like them but, I rarely turn down a free sample. I was pleasantly surprised by the Blue Lotus fragrance. I have not found any local suppliers, but there are several fragrance choices available on amazon.com.

There’s a quiz on the Roger & Gallet website to help you decide which fragrance you would enjoy most. According to the quiz, I am sensual, enigmatic and mysterious. My Roger & Gallet fragrances are: Ginger, which transports you to the heart of an Indian garden, Blue Lotus, a fragrance infused with luminous notes, and Vanilla, a sweet, delectable nectar. Oh la la.

Which Roger & Gallet fragrance are you?

Sources: amazon.com and escentual.com