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Happy Halloween!


Happy Halloween Everyone!


Got a cool costume planned?
I'd love to hear about what you're doing.


Hope you have a great one!


Also, you can check out my guest post at Leesh's lovely blog The Blarkness Chronicles and don't forget to enter the Big Tinsel giveaway for your chance to win your choice of beautiful necklace!


Photos via WeHeartIt



 

Review: Honore des Pres' We Love New York Perfumes


I'll admit I'm no expert when it comes to scents and base notes, but I love perfume as much as the next girl, I'm always excited to try a new scent and I know what I like, so I was quite excited when I was sent three just-launched new scents from Honoré des Prés to try. I'm a sucker for a good package and I'm not ashamed to say that the first thing I noticed about the company's new We Love New York line was the packaging (I think artistic designer Christian David did a great job with this and so did Wallpaper, awarding its 2010 Design Award to the line). The Starbucks-esque cups and paper trays speak to the coffee lover in me and I think they're a cute way to package this thankfully non-literal ode to the Big Apple. Tagged as "truly organic, terribly French" the three scents, created by Olivia Giacobetti, are said to be inspired by the fictional Honoré des Prés' trip to New York, but were more likely the product of Giacobetti's own move from Paris to NYC.


From what I've been able to gather, white flowers and tuberose in particular are big in perfumes right now. Vamp à NY features tuberose and rum head notes, a bourbon vanilla heart note and base notes of benjoin, perou balm and tolu balm. It is the sweetest of the three scents to my unpractised nostrils and perhaps the most feminine. Appropriate that this perfume's tag line is "love at first sight." The literature goes on to describe Vamp à NY as "extreme, never lived before, French couture...addictive, sophisticated and futuristic." My husband liked this scent and I did get quite a few compliments while wearing it, but overall I think it's too much of a sweet scent for my personal taste. That said, I'm sure there are tons of floral and tuberose scent lovers out there who will go gaga over this one.


I Love Les Carottes (or I Heart?) was the first scent I smelled when I opened the package sent to me from Honoré des Prés. What does it smell like, you wonder? Well, carrots, of course. Literally. Which was quite interesting to me and had me wondering if wearing it would make other people's mouths water or if it would just make them as hungry as the first sniff made me (I was all, Homer-like, "Mmmm...carrot cake"). I must admit that there was something irresistible about this fragrance to me, although I think I like it better when it settled into a more spicy scent while still managing to be very light. Could I wear it all the time? Only if I wanted to go on a carrot cake binge daily.


From the first spray I fell for the "enigmatic sensuality" of Love Coco, which is described as a "liberated fragrance...it's a greedy duel, just like the stimulating cross between a poison and an antidote." The duel in question is between the scent of pure white coconut milk extract and coriander; one that the latter seems to win over time, leaving you smelling more fresh than sickly sweet (I didn't notice much of the vanilla in this one, thankfully). Fragrance is such a personal thing so I can't promise that anyone else will enjoy Love Coco like I do, but if you love the smell of coconut (I personally love it) then I suggest at least trying this one out.

"Magic is just like a shower of truth." ~ Olivia Giacobetti

So, while I don't really know what carrots or coconuts have to do with New York, I thought the concept and packaging of these fragrances was genius and I think I've found a new scent for yours truly in Love Coco. Have you tried one of the We Love NY fragrances? Let me know what you thought!

The line is now available for purchase in the U.S. (50mL - $98), select stores abroad like Colette and online.




Testers were provided, but I was not compensated for
this review and the opinions state here are strictly my own.



Getaways Guest Blog Series: Kristin from The BonBonRose Girls



After a brief hiatus we're back with another great Getaways Series guest post. This time our intrepid traveller is none other than Kristin of the BonBonRose Girls, who I'm sure requires no introduction. Not only do Kristin and her friend Megan have a site full of great finds, giveaways and lifestyle ideas, but Kristin is just unbelievably sweet (with a super cute kiddo to boot!) Having been myself I totally second her choice of vacation destination and I have to totally agree about the coffee. Here are a few of Kristin's travel faves...


Favorite Vacation Spot

Of all the places I've traveled, most of them having been tropical, Negril has by far been my favorite. If you're looking for serious R&R, Jamaica is your place mon. My bestie/bloggy partner, Megan, got married there almost three years ago and I've longed to go back ever since!


Where to Stay

The Rockhouse, where Megan had her wedding, is a darling boutique hotel that is just perfect for a romantic getaway. You can expect to find a state of the art spa, gorgeous gardens, and breathtaking cliff top ocean views. SWOONSVILLE!


Where to Eat

The restaurant in The Rockhouse, The Rockhouse Restuarant and Bar, boasts tasty local fare like lobster fusilli. Mmmmmmm. Every meal I had was beyond delicious but I really looked forward to breakfast. I still dream about the Jamaican blue mountain coffee, which is the best java I've ever sampled, and Jamaican porridge. I'm seriously drooling just thinking about it!


What to Do

We only ventured outside the resort one day. It really has everything you need. You can get a couples massage, take a yoga class or, my personal favorite, relax by the horizon pool sipping on a tropical cocktail while gazing over the cliff at the beautiful expanse of ocean.



Five Vacation Essentials

I MUST bring these five things on any tropical vacation:



one that can double as a dress if I want to 
go eat straight from the pool or beach


Camera


Packing Tips

I am SO not the person you should be asking for packing tips. I am the absolute worst at packing a suitcase, however, for my trip to New York Fashion Week this year I took my mama's advice and didn't just throw all my clothes into my bag haphazardly. I rolled everything, which resulted in me having SO much more room, and I grouped all my outfits together, so I didn't have to go on a wild goose chase when it was time to get dressed. That made getting ready SO much easier! Why haven't I done this all along? Don't ask me. HA!


What I Bring for the Journey...

My travel tote, currently a large and in charge DVF patent leather pretty, is always packed with oversized sunnies, a scarf/wrap, gum and a few glossies.




Favorite Travelling Companion

That's a tough one. I've had incredible vaycays with my hubs, bestie, sis and mama. Don't make me choose. HA!



The Next Spot I'd Like to Visit...

The hubs and I are eying up Italy for our first European excursion together. He graduates from his MBA program next year and we're looking forward to poppin' open the prosecco and eating our way across the Italian countryside!



Images:
12 / 3 / 4 / 5
10 / 11 / 12 / 13





Giveaway: Win a Gorgeous Necklace from Big Tinsel


GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED


I am totally in thrall when it comes to people who can look at an old item and immediately imagine a new life for it. Maria of Big Tinsel is one of those people (she is also the design mastermind behind another Etsy store Miss Crowland). I was immediately taken with her jewellery only to discover that the majority of it is made from repurposed items from her father's shoe repair shop. How cool, right?


Thanks to Maria's generosity one lucky winner will get to choose between two great Big Tinsel necklaces:


A beauty featuring an amethyst crystal and small turquoise wood beads on an 18 karat gold plated chain.

OR

A comet-inspired necklace featuring recycled beads--one large faceted gunmetal bead and several smaller brass ones--on a vintage brass chain.


How to get your hands on one of these? You know the drill.


How to Enter

Be a follower of Sogni e Sorrisi and let me know what your fave Big Tinsel item is in your comment. Simple!


Extra Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter. If you already do just let me know in your comment!

2. Tweet about this giveaway. To make it easy you can tweet this:
Enter to win your choice of @MissCrowland Big Tinsel necklaces @SogniESorrisi http://bit.ly/aAs2Kw

3. Blog or Facebook about this giveaway.

4. Follow Maria on Twitter.

5. Add Big Tinsel to your Etsy favourites.

6. Follow Maria's blog.

7. Like Big Tinsel on Facebook.

8. Buy something from either of Maria's Etsy shops for an extra 10 entries. Just let me know in your comment and forward proof of purchase.


Giveaway open until November 3, 2010
Winner will be chosen via random.org



Good Luck!








Last Song Syndrome: Just A Dream

Happy Tuesday! :D

I just want to share with you the song that has been stuck in my head for days now.


Just A Dream by Nelly


What's your last song syndrome?

*If you haven't seen my recent post, Essence Mineral Compact Powder, please click the link. Thanks!*

:D

Gossip Girl 'Easy J' Episode and Fashion Recap

Marc by MJ top, Alice + Olivia skirt, LAI Claudia bag

Okay, I have three words: Juliet. Go. Now. Preferably on the same train hauling Jenny Humphrey's eyelined ass out of Manhattan. Pleaseandthankyou. This Juliet storyline is so convoluted and ridiculous, even by Gossip Girl standards, that I can't stand another minute of it. Come to think of it, I don't think I can take one more of Juliet's minidress + blazer combos either, although she did have a nice bag this episode. And now somehow Cab Guy is involved? So he's not hypnotized by S's maneater siren song, but is actually working to bring her down? Puhleeze. The worst part of it all is Juliet's a terrible liar. I mean, Nate's all like, "I'll swing by your prison class later, sweets," and Juliet is all like, "Oh! I know my phone didn't even make a sound, but, look!, I have a text. And my class is cancelled! See you later, gator." As schemers go she should be embarrassed.

More grey blazers...even though this one is an unexpected
Alex Wang paired with a McQueen McQ zipper dress, to-die-for
Ferragamo bag and grey Givenchy Plateau pumps. [via]

To the GG writers I'd just like to say Jenny for one episode only? Bless your little hearts. Because heaven knows I wouldn't have been able to take more of that. And if bringing Jenny back somehow facilitated this Blair-Chuck truce and starts us all on the road to healing then I can't completely hate on her. Oh, and was I the only one who thought Blair was all kinds of awesome this episode? Sure, sometimes her scheming is cringe worthy, but I thought she was pretty fly last night. And she looked great, too.

I wasn't loving this get up on Serena. I think I would
like the pieces better seperately. Embroidered Givenchy
vest and Tibi skirt paired with a zippered Porter Fall
2010 blouse and a Stephen Dweck cuff bracelet.

I'm also pretty glad that Blair is starting to realize that Chuck sleeping with Jenny was not the worst thing he's ever done to her. I mean, yeah, just thinking about anyone sleeping with Little J is pretty gross, but they were broken up at the time and it's not like someone like Chuck Bass would ever be able to do something that wasn't self destructive when he's hurting. Seriously, Blair should know this. I guess it wasn't fair to poor Darota to put all this on her--you just know the woman is going to pay for it later--but maybe Blair starting to see that a series of misadventures rather than deliberate bad behavior on Chuck's part lead to all this will help us all move beyond this point. Because I think that's what we need now, people. Healing. (I'll admit, I got a little misty there at the end). As Jenny mentioned Blair and Chuck together are indestructible, apart and scheming against one another, well, it's just not something I'm all that interested in seeing.


Some More Gossip Girl Episode 4.6 Fashion...

Blair looking flawless in nude Victoria Beckham
with a Tiffany clutch and Missoni peep-toe pumps.




Serena showed up to the party in a decidedly different look...

Boobalicious Serena in a Maxime Simoens and Haute
Hippie pants accessorized with a chevron-pattern Kotur
clutch and swoon worthy Brian Atwood T-Strap pumps.

I like the back of Serena's outfit. And we see another zippered dress this
time on Lily (who was impressive when she played mind ninja on S with all
 that reverse psychology) in Isaac Mizrahi, Devi Kroell wooden clutch and
a Stephen Dweck necklace of large clear beads. A question: Didn't Serena
 raid Lily's jewellery box? Are those studs all she could come up with?

Jenny in a one-shouldered black Pucci Fall 2010,
minidress, DV by Dolce Vita pumps, a Low Luv X
Erin Wasson Gladiator Cuff, Stephen Dweck Lapis
Scarab Ring and a Carlos Falchi envelope clutch. 

What is with Chuck's collar? Holy distracting, Batman.
Thankfully he undid the bow-tie when he went to talk to Blair.



Oh, and yay, on the cameos--Tim, Isaac, Ivanka (I love her
but I thought the fringed Naeem Khan dress was unfortunate).
What did you think of the episode? Fave outfit?



Photos by Giovanni Rufino/The CW ©2010 THE CW NETWORK



Essence Mineral Compact Powder

Hi, everyone! I hope your week is starting out great!

I gotta say that one of the things I miss most about summer is having so much time on my hands. Tons of time = quality blogging time. I wasn't able to blog hop this past weekend as I planned. :( But I hope to do that today. :)

Oh, I just want to share with you guys that I got a perfect score on my Math midterm! At first I was like :O, but now I'm all :D.

Anyway, moving on, I want to share with everyone one of my favorite makeup items from the stash my sister gave me for my 20th birthday (last July).

Essence Mineral Compact Powder


Mineral Compact Powder by Essence is fortified with minerals and has a micro-fine texture for a smooth and matte complexion.
*from http://www.ulta.com/*

They have 3 shades to choose from:

Natural Beige 01, Soft Beige 02, and Perfect Beige 04.

*I have Natural Beige.*

I love this one because, first of all, it's only $2.99 - so affordable! It blends well, doesn't settle into creases, covers up the shiny parts on my face, it is light-weight, and lasts long. :D

When I have a lot of time in the morning to get ready, I put this over my liquid foundation. But most of the time I am in a hurry, so I just use this compact powder without the liquid foundation - and it works great!

I've noticed that these past few weeks, my normal makeup routine has gone like this: moisturizer, concealer, compact powder, blush (those two are interchangeable, haha), lip balm and lip gloss. I've definitely eliminated quite a few steps. But it works out okay, at least I still look presentable. ;)

I really have no complains about this product because it has been working so well for me.

Have you tried using Essence Mineral Compact Powder? What do you think of it?

What's your favorite compact powder?

Another thing I want to show you guys is the pattern on the powder:

I think it's cute. :)

I wish everyone's week is going great!

Are your Halloween costumes ready?
:D

"Life As We Know It" Interiors



How was everyone's weekend? Mine was good, but over way too fast. I did manage to start my Christmas shopping, which is at once depressing (how is it that time of year already?!) and kind of triumphant (I'm Queen of the Procrastinators, I never start this early!) Yesterday I also watched Life As We Know It with Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl. I'll admit that I've had a crush on Josh Duhamel for ages and would watch pretty much anything he's in. This movie was predictable, but I think the charm and chemistry of the stars elevated it to entertaining--for me at least. What's telling about where I am in my life right now is that I spent almost as much time inspecting the movie's decor and interiors as I did gazing at Josh Duhamel.


The home in the movie was a charming Colonial-style in Georgia, although the interiors seem to be sets built with inspiration from the original. While searching for screencaps of the decor I came across Hooked on House's post about the real house (above) going on sale and you can see pictures of the real interior there. The movie's interiors are clearly meant to convey the stereotypical affluent suburban home, and incorporate a lot of trends seen everywhere these days, but I thought the overall look was warm and chic, classic and inviting.


I loved the wood floors. You can't see it here but they were also laid at interesting angles in some parts. For our new house we chose a darker greyish stain, which I was initially hesitant about, but M loved so we went with it. This movie had me seriously rethinking the choice in favour of a more classic chocolate brown.


Loved the red front door.


I wouldn't have gone with the taupe-beige
paint, but the mouldings are lovely.
Some of the accessories seem right out of
a catalogue, maybe not in a good way.


Kind of hard to see here, but that's a quatrefoil
lamp behind Josh. Loved the built-ins, too.



Suzanne Kasler Quatrefoil Floor Lamp



I liked the dining room set--dark wood table,
neutral nailhead chairs and a pretty chandelier.


There are tons of these dining chairs around, too,
that can be found at places like Restoration Hardware.



A similar light fixture to the one in the movie. This one
by Thomas O'Brien and available at Circa Lighting.



The very on-trend white kitchen complete with black
countertops and the requisite Wolf range. If you'd like to
replicate the look of the rattan stools (I have no idea
how comfortable those would really be),
you can try something like this:

Padma's Plantation Monte Cristo Rattan Stool



There are also a ton of industrial pendant lights to be
 found these days. The Edwardian style above from
Circa Lighting is only one example (another). 



The back of the real house. A great place to kick back with a bottle of red.


What do you think?
Liking this style? Have you seen the movie?






Photos via The Movie Insider and Hooked on Houses