2010 Archives
Leigh & Luca Totes: Love at First Sight & My Go-To Type of Bag
I fell in love instantly with Leigh & Luca’s canvas totes. I first saw them offered on Gilt. I opted for the pretty dragonfly one. I was so happy when it finally arrived and couldn’t wait to carry it straightaway. They are great everyday bags and my go-to type of bag for traveling (that and their awesome scarves)! Smartly styled and generous space for all your stuff. I also love the chain detailing. If you have not checked them out already; you MUST take a look!!! I couldn’t imagine going anywhere without them now (they somehow remind me of the comforts of home, I know kinda crazy to say eh?)! I think it’s because the materials they are made from are so soft. Guess what I’m especially bringing on my next trip =)?
*Photocredit: Gilt & Leigh & Luca
Coach Poppy Embossed Exotic XL Spotlight Tote
My first Coach love was a brown and tan woven wool signature logo mini tote (shown in an advertisement with the matching kitty heels). Unforgettable in my mind… I never found the kitty heels but I was fortunate enough to find the mini tote. I guess from 2001 to 2006, I was pretty much obsessed with Coach, making almost monthly visits to their Soho store, if not more frequent… Afterwards I was nuts over their denim logo line, particularly with their flap bags. I have never forgotten about that collection and still think of it even today. I’m still beating myself up for not snagging one of their denim bags sooner (I went back after some deliberation and the bag was snatched up by another buyer). So today, while I was procrastinating over more important obligations, I decided to take a gander at the Coach website… and I found the TDF Poppy Embossed Exotic XL Spotlight Tote. The price tag was a bit of a shocker but it’s definitely lust! Here is Coach’s take on their lovely Poppy:
“An exceptional Poppy bag in delicately textured, lightweight leather with golden metallic accents, intricate strap detailing and fun hangtags.
- Soft calfskin leather with glazed metallic accents
- Premium embossing with the look and feel of python
- Cellphone and multifunction pockets
- Zip top closure, fabric lining
- Handles with 5” drop
- Detachable crossbody strap with 9” drop
- 13 1/2 (L) x 15 (H) x 5 1/4 (W)”
TokyoMilk
I recently saw this brand carried by TracyPorter.com and the New York Botanical Garden gift shop. If it wasn’t for my desire to downsize my makeup collection or use up previous cosmetics I bought within these past few months (be on better behavior hehe), I would have purchased a few of these lovely little items. Just look at the packaging; isn’t it sweet?! So pretty! I’m a sucker for thoughtful pretty packaging. The NYBG shop had a few testers available. Everything smelled so yummy. So if you are not currently Project 10 panning like me, treat yourself to a kissing kit or lip balm or two…
*Photocredit: TokyoMilk
Lush Review: Ibiza Party Shampoo
Ibiza Party Shampoo is another great mild shampoo from Lush. I’m glad I finally got to try it. I’m not sure if I like it more than Trichomania Solid Shampoo but I definitely do like it at least just as much. It smells like a coconut citrus mixture to me (dare I say dessert-like) and is a great compliment to Coolaulin Conditioner.
- Oat milk
- Rose water
- Jojoba oil
- Lemon oil
- Pimento berry oil
- Grapefruit oil
- Carnation absolute
*Photocredit: Lush Cosmetics
Lush Review: Miranda & Summer Pudding Soaps
These two soaps are very similar in scent and appearance (the pic of the Miranda below is a little different from mine in that my soap has contrast colored imbedded chunks as well). Both bring back memories of lollipops that you would receive at the end of a doctor’s visit when you were a little kid; you know the ones I’m referring to (individually wrapped, the size of a half-dollar, typically green or red or orange) that were offered to you while your tears were drying. Bad memories of being at the pediatrician won’t stop me from recommending both these lovely soaps, especially if you are a Lushie who adores mild candy scents. Please note that Summer Pudding is better for exfoliation; it is non-abrasive and not messy to work with but will shred a bit when wet.
Miranda Soap:
- Rapeseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
- Fresh kiwi fruit
- Ylang ylang petal oil
- Myrrh resinoid
- Juniperberry oil
- Bergamot oil
- Gardenia extract
Summer Pudding Soap:
- Rapeseed oil
- Coconut oil
- Ground almonds
- Glace cherries
- Almond oil
- Buchu oil
- Juniperberry oil
- Lemon oil
- Gardenia Extract
*Photocredit: Lush Cosmetics
Lush Review: B-Electro, Sunny Citrus, Heavenly Bodies, After 8:30
B-Electro Shower Gel Sample: Reminds me of a Yankee Candles tart I used to love called Key Lime Pie. Both are now discontinued unfortunately =(.
- Rapseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
- Fennel oil
- Grapefruit Oil
- Jasmine Absolute
- Rose Absolute
Sunny Citrus Soap: Very mildly sweetly scented. The only ingredient I thought I sensed more strongly than the others was lemon. If you don’t like strong scents and love all things citrusy than this may be for you =).
- Rapeseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
- Fresh lime juice
- Orange oil
- Tangerine oil
- Mandarin oil
- Neroli oil
- Bergamot oil
- Gardenia extract
Heavenly Bodies Buttercream: Reminds me of hot chocolate powder with a discernable nuttiness to it. Leaves one’s skin silky soft. I really love it. It’s not as messy as You Snap The Whip thank goodness. Mine arrived slightly melted during the July heat but nothing was wasted. I placed it somewhere cooler and it solidified.
- Orange Blossom Infusion
- Rapeseed Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Fresh Orange Juice
- Rhassoul Mud
- Tangerine Oil
- Sweet Orange Oil
- Vanilla Absolute
- Cocoa Absolute
- Flaked Chocolate
After 8:30: Reminds me of After Eight Dinner Mints but I smell mainly vanilla and chocolate (sweet scent obviously). It’s really a great Lush massage bar, especially if you love Coeur. My only reservation about it is the chocolate side leaves a brown film on your skin but it goes away after you massage it into the skin. It’s not a big deal to me; I haven’t had anything stained yet from using it.
*Photocredit: Lush Cosmetics
More Makeup Storage Solutions for You
Recently I’ve been obsessing on this subject since I yet again had to do an update. I settled for the typical white Sterilites, being that it was one of the best solutions for my current situation. I transferred everything I had from my Target Castelas to those tiered plastic towers. The Castelas are now housing smaller items e.g. layering camisoles, scarves, stockings, nailpolish etc. I also thought of all of you who have been wrestling with how to organize all your things. You really can get many great ideas off of You Tube, so as an avid YT viewer, I’ve collected a multitude of good and creative ideas (wood, plastic, acrylic, metal) I’ve seen from various gurus, cosmetic princesses and queens alike.
*Photocredit or Sources: Amazon, Staples, Organize.com, The Container Store, Target, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Teen, Lion Star, Walmart, Michaels Craft Store, Rubbermaid, IKEA, Marshalls, USP Home.com, Office Depot (Realspace), TheClearCube.com, etc.
H2Pro 300 Heat Styling
I love my new H2Pro heat styler! Scored this one recently at a great price on sample sale. I’ve been using it in conjunction with my Victoria’s Secret Smooth Straight & Silky Styling Mist but there are many other great heat protectants out there e.g. Tresemme Heat Tamer. Does not cause damage to hair (just have to be careful handling this styler since it can get pretty hot; follow the instructions), my hair remains well-styled and stick straight for hours in any type of weather, can also do a cute flippy hairdo, makes my hair silky soft and shiny. Obviously with all these great attributes, I’m pretty happy with it =)
References:
H2Pro Beauty Life, not sure if this site is still undergoing construction? but I wanted to include it anyway.
*Photocredit: Misikko, Victoria’s Secret, Amazon
EOS: Evolution of Smooth
It’s never too early to moisturize your lips (though winter is still being held back by the hot days of summer). It’s a ritual of mine to apply a lip treatment before going to bed. EOS has rapidly become a favorite lip treatment of mine, besides Lush lip scrubs and SoftLips. I just bought a yummy flavored summer fruit lip balm sphere from Rite Aid and I’m dazzled by the non-sticky texture. Almost feels like your lips are still naked. EOS doesn’t disappoint.
*Photocredit: EOS
Lush Review: Candy Fluff Bath Cocktail
I wasn’t expecting to take another Lush bath so soon but since my pink Easter egg didn’t survive the shipping journey so well and was looking a bit sad, I thought it was a good time to draw another pink themed bath…
1/3 Easter Egg (Pink) Bath Bomb: Sweet Candy Fluff scent reminding me of pink Peeps marshmallows.
1 Creamy Candy Bubble Bar: Smells really candy yummy =)
- Almond oil
- Vanilla absolute
- Candy flowers
1/2 MMM Melting Marshmallow Moment: Sweet floral scent. Creates white froth (though Lush says pink). Easily crumbled under running water. Slow dissolve on its own.
- almond oil
- chamomile powder
- marigold powder
- synthetic musk
Rock Star Soap: Has a pink/cherry taffy scent which has really grown on me. As an aside, it evokes for me happy memories of beach town summertime fun since taffy is a popularly sold candy in these places e.g. Wildwood NJ, Seaside Heights NJ- to name a couple.
- Rapeseed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla absolute
*Photocredit: Lush Cosmetics
