BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Perfect Present: Kate Spade Bow Ornament

November 15, 2015 by jessica 1 Comment

Today, you can snag Kate Spade’s “Tacky Bow” ornament in silver or gold on sale for $18.75. Even if your recipient isn’t as ornament-crazed as I am, she’ll appreciate adorning her tree with this whimsical take on a classic gift topper. I couldn’t resist ordering the gold version for myself this morning! It’s also a great item to stash away for the unexpected gift exchange that always seems to pop up at this time of the year.

On a marginally related note, have you seen Sugar Paper’s holiday collection with Target? I purchased three rolls of the cheerful gift wrap yesterday: mint and gold polka dot, gold stars, and knit hats.

Beauty Reviews

November 13, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

If you’re a Sephora VIB member, it’s the day you’ve been waiting for: 20% the entire site with code VIB20! I’m using this as an excuse to stock up on the lip color, face wash, and skincare essentials I’ll eventually use next year. Unfortunately, though, I had placed a sizable order at the beauty retailer before knowing of the sale. So, I thought I’d share a few reviews:

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip: I’m now on my third tube of this pink-tinted lip balm. It adds a subtle hint of color while moisturizing your lips and giving you sun protection with SPF 15. Basically, it’s better than ChapStick. I use this on days my lips are chapped from my drying, long-wear lipstick options.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bella: If you’re looking for a long-wear lipstick that will withstand the food and drink of this winter’s holiday soirees, you can’t go wrong with Stila’s liquid lipstick. It lives up to its claims and really does stay on all day. I wore the “Fiore” shade almost exclusively last year, but opted for “Bella” this time around. The pink shade is just a tad brighter. One word of warning: it’s very drying. I always slather on Vaseline at night to counteract it and wear the aforementioned Fresh lip balm the following day if it’s really bad. Normally, though, I can wear this each day to work without experiencing much chapping.

Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Betsey: This has the same vibrant, long-lasting color as the all-day liquid lipstick without the severe dryness. There’s even a mirror on the top of the tube to make easy to reapply on the go. The “Bestsey” version is a delightful Barbie-esque pink.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Peony: To say I was excited about this deluxe sample would be a bit of an understatement. I’ve been itching to try the Melted product for a long time, but never pulled the trigger because I love my Stila products so much and didn’t want to waste money on another lip color I barely used. The name also makes it sound sticky. (I’m not the only one with memories of long hair getting stuck to sticky gloss, right?) Well, it’s not sticky. The formula is actually quite smooth and long-lasting. The peony color doesn’t work well on me. I’m too fair-skinned, but I bet it’s gorgeous on someone with a darker complexion. The only drawback is that the fragrance is a little strong. I’d prefer if my lips didn’t smell like candy.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance: Skip it. This is the first beauty product in a long time that I regret purchasing. I bought it on a whim, hoping to find a cheaper alternative to the Smashbox primer I usually buy. It goes on a little stickier than the Smashbox version and doesn’t offer as smooth of a foundation base. While it sort of delivers on the promise of a radiant glow, the Benefit Watt’s Up highlighter is so much better. Unfortunately, I bought the large 1.7 ounce size and I have a lot of product left to get through.

Origins Starting Over Age-Erasing Moisturizer with Mimosa: I’ve only been using this for a couple of weeks, so I’m not sure if it’s actually doing anything. Like all Origins products I’ve tried, it doesn’t aggravate my sensitive skin. It also smells fresh and citrusy. Let’s put a pin in this review for another time.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask: I love, love, love this overnight mask. In addition to having sensitive skin, my face becomes awfully dry in the fall and winter. I’ve used this twice a week to keep my skin soft and supple. It goes on a bit thick, but absorbs into your skin overnight and doesn’t cause breakouts. I’ll definitely be repurchasing this.

The Weekend Guide

November 13, 2015 by jessica 2 Comments

ORDER
Cards Against Humanity’s holiday promotion is a far cry from last year’s bullshit stunt. Order “Eight Sensible Gifts For Hanukkah” now.

BUY
Now through Monday, you can save 20% on your order at Sephora if you’re one of their VIB members. It’s a great time to stock up on skincare items (I swear by this), your go-to lipstick (mine), and gifts for the beauty buffs on your list (love this). Use code VIB20. I placed a larger order a couple of weeks ago before knowing of the sale. I’ll share reviews of those items later today.

BAKE
How cute are these mini pecan tarts?! I have to bring an appetizer to a family gathering in a couple of weeks. Would it be wrong to bring dessert as a starter?

SIP
My office has year-round half-day Fridays, which basically means my 40 hours are in by the time 12:45 p.m. rolls around. I’d like to start greeting Dave with a cocktail when he comes home from work in the evening with “Cocktail Fridays.” (How ’50s housewife of me, right?) It’s basically an excuse to try all of the amazing drink recipes I come across on Pinterest like this coconut pineapple concoction! (It also gives me more of a reason to push for a bar cart in 2016.)

LISTEN
Alanis Morissette updated the lyrics to her not-so-ironic hit.

ENTER
Have you entered to win a custom sterling silver map necklace by A.Jaffe yet? No? Here’s the link.

FIVE UNDER $55

EARLIER THIS WEEK
I chatted with Julie Vos about the inspiration behind her latest collection.
Two gift guides are up! Browse ideas for the jewelry obsessed and the frequent flyer.
I’m giving you a chance to win a personalized map necklace.
A local antique store was in the holiday spirit.
I looked forward to an evening cocktail.
I borrowed amazingly glam Miu Miu sunglasses. (Details on how to try them yourself in the caption.)

Holiday Gift Guide for the Frequent Flyer

November 12, 2015 by jessica 8 Comments

Today’s gift guide is one of my favorites: presents for the person who would rather be anywhere but home! Opt for luxe, practical gifts the recipient can use on the road, like an in-flight organizer, travel flats, or a leather duffle bag. (I actually gave a Floto Imports leather weekender bag to Dave our first year together and loved it so much that I bought one for myself. It has held up beautifully over the years.) But, chances are your loved one can’t be on the road all the time and likely has a 9-to-5 to afford it, In that case, surprise her with trinkets to remind her of a special trip. I’m crazy about this book, a coffee table collection of vintage hotel labels amassed by Gaston-Louis Vuitton. There are also mugs with designs inspired by National Park stickers given to visitors in the ’20s for the outdoorsy traveler. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention these incredible cityscape rings by Ola Shekhtman.

Julie Vos’ Botticelli Collection

November 11, 2015 by jessica 5 Comments

Whenever I wear Julie Vos’ work, I feel like I’ve just returned from vacation bedecked in treasures I purchased abroad — and her Botticelli collection is no different with rich carvings, substantial gemstones, and luminous pearls. As you might expect, the collection gets its name from the renowned Italian painter, but the artist didn’t actually serve as inspiration at the onset of Julie’s design process. Read below for insight into the jewelry maestro’s latest work.

What inspired you to create the Botticelli collection?
“The idea was to create a pearl collection, something I’d never done before or even thought to do. I wanted it to be a sumptuous and feminine and luxurious collection — to look and feel expensive and dressy. The time to introduce it was the fall, when people have parties and holiday events to attend and are looking for a dressier piece to wear.

“I didn’t want the pearls to be just an accent, I wanted the collection to be about pearls. And that made me think about where pearls come from. Shells, of course, and what a beautiful substance a pearl is! The iridescent luster of the nacre gives it a wonderful depth. We added rich gold details and carvings. When the samples were finished, they made me think of the Botticelli painting, The Birth of Venus, and how this absolutely beautiful woman emerges from a shell, like a pearl.

“When I was in Florence, Italy, I went straight to the Uffizi to see Botticelli’s Venus which I had only ever seen in reproductions. It’s enormous! It’s so big I couldn’t fit it into a picture frame and had to take a video!”

How does your inspiration translate to the pieces?
“The pieces are luxurious and rich, large pearls with loads of gold. We put a massive pearl in the long pendant. In the portraits in the Uffizi, the ladies have lavish pearl drops dangling from their fine jewelry. I took that concept but made it modern, so that it speaks to how we dress now.”

What are the unique features of the collection?
“Voluptuous pearls in different shapes and sizes — dangling, flat, large, small, dressy. The challenge was how many ways I could showcase a pearl. I ended up using both shell pearl and mother of pearl.”

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Thanks to Julie Vos for partnering on this post!