Beauty Talk: The Sweet, Sweet Smell of New Perfume January 4th, 2010 By

woman-spraying-perfume1Like all conscientious shoppers, while I was looking for holiday gifts to bestow on friends and family, I stumbled across new and exciting things I hadn’t even realized I needed.

‘Tis the season!  And a new fragrance is just what I need for the New Year.

Chief among the gifties to give to myself are scents from Versace and D&G. Versace’s perfume, Bright Crystal, suffers from a completely insipid name, but is actually a lovely light floral fragrance with notes of magnolia, yuzu, musk, pomegranate, peony and lotus flowers. Reviewers describe this as “feminine and unique,” “works for ALL seasons,” “refreshing & elegant,” “Subtle, clean & sophisticated” and “very feminine and flowery and when you spray it on, you’ll feel like you’re in a spring garden.” I couldn’t stop smelling my wrist all day. Looking like a weirdo seemed like a small price to pay for how happy this made me. Good thing I can find great deals on Bright Crystal on beso!

My other new favorite – although quite a bit more costly, is D&G 3 L’Imperatrice. According to the literature, Dolce & Gabanna created five fragrances called DG Anthology based on tarot cards. I have no idea what # 3 represents, but it smells incredible and that’s enough for me. With notes of kiwi, rhubarb, watermelon, musk, pink cyclamen, jasmine, red currant and grapefruit wood this is another light and fab fragrance, described as “captivating,” “one of my favorites,” “intoxicating and delicious,” “so seductive and soft,” “I have never gotten so many compliments, especially from guys.” One woman even said that someone actually bit her because of it! The website is weird and creepy, which kinda works with the bite thing, but the perfume is captivating, which also kinda fits the wacky website idea. I know it sounds like a fruit salad (in more ways than one), but it’s probably one of the most engaging perfumes I’ve encountered in a very long time.

Whatever you do – and however you smell – I hope everything in 2010 will be coming up roses! Best wishes to you and yours. Be safe and be happy!


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Top 5: Gifts for the Hostess December 15th, 2009 By

Diptyque Limited Edition Holiday Candles

Diptyque Limited Edition Holiday Candles

This season, you’re sure to attend many holiday parties. Be a gracious guest with these great thank you gifts.

Give your hostess a break by bringing a pretty, modern vase.  Coordinate with another guest who is bringing flowers and save her the trouble of searching for something to put them in.

Someone is sure to bring a bottle of wine and nothing is worse than having a great bottle of wine to drink and realizing you can’t find the corkscrew.  Get her a Houdini corkscrew.  This year, you won’t have to try to pick out the cork with a fork.

Diptyque candles are classic and available in 50 scents.  For the holidays, Diptyque is offering three limited edition scents, Benzoin, Pine and Roasted Chestnuts, in beautifully colored votives.

A picture frame is a great gift since everyone has at least one more photo they’d love to display.  Get her a simple, modern frame unless you know that she prefers more whimsical or ornate items and that they will match her decor.  This modern glass frame from Macy’s can be situated horizontally or vertically while this bargain frame from Target is great for someone who has a more rustic style.  Send her a photo from the event with a thank you card post-party.

A LUSH gift

A LUSH gift

Give her some luxury bath products.  Molton Brown and LUSH are two of our faves.  LUSH’s much-loved Snowcake soap is almond-scented and available only in the winter.  These deliciously scented products are sure to help her to unwind after throwing that fab bash!

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Top 5: Gifts for the Fashionista December 7th, 2009 By

What do you get the girl who has everything?

Here are some ideas:

Nordstrom Leather Gloves

Nordstrom Leather Gloves

Simple chic leather gloves like these from Nordstrom. She has the beautiful dresses.  Help her top off her look with this ultra-feminine accessory.

A luxurious cashmere sweater in her favorite color will put a smile on her face. You can never have too much classic cashmere.

LOFT Ruffled Slippers

LOFT Ruffled Slippers

LOFT slippers. They look like classic ballet flats.  Perfect for the the girl who is always impeccably dressed. Big furry slippers just aren’t her style.

A cute cosmetic case.  Is she always rummaging around her purse for a lipgloss?  Help her get organized with one of these stylish cases. This Jessica Simpson case is perfectly sized for her purse and a steal at just $20 at Zappos.com!  This MARC by Marc Jacobs train case is perfect for the travelling fashionista.

Kate Spade Bow Earrings

Kate Spade Bow Earrings

If she loves to have fun with her jewelry, why not get her a pair of bow earrings? Feminine, flirty and great for wearing with edgy outfits, a pair of bow earrings are a great choice at any price point.  These Kate Spade bow earrings are the perfect holiday accessory and a steal at less than $50! For $220, these sparkly Dior bow earrings are perfect for the girl who loves wearing labels.  These ultrafeminine Betsey Johnson earrings are only $30, a great gift for a little sister or any other fashionista-in-training.

Want to give her something extra?  No fashionista will turn away a gift card to her favorite store.  Paired with a gift you picked just for her, a gift card is not impersonal and generic.  Give her the gift of doing what she does best: shopping!

Don’t forget to introduce her to beso so she can have even more fashionable fun during the post-holiday sale season.

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beso Deals: Nordstrom | Puma | Saks | Banana Republic November 6th, 2009 By

The holiday gift giving season is upon us – get a jump on sales going on across the web. If you want to give lady luch a try, I recommend signing up for our latest sweepstakes to win a $500 shopping spree to your favorite store.

saks.com – Get free shipping on orders of $150 or more with code SHIPFALL9 at checkout. (Expires 11/8)
Visit MEN | WOMEN

Puma – Check out the Friends & Family Sale! Get 30% off full-priced items when you use FANDF0911 at checkout. See site for more details. (Expires 11/8)
Visit  MEN | WOMEN

NordstromFree shipping on orders of $100 or more! Use code HOLIDAY09 at checkout.
Visit  MEN | WOMEN (Don’t forget it’s also their Half-Yearly Sale)

Banana Repbulic – Take 25% off orders of $100 or more.  Use coupon code BRNOV25 at your checkout. (Expires 11/11)
Visit  MEN | WOMEN

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