Jo Malone: Addicted

Hello Divas!

God's grace is always sufficient regardless of whatever you are going through.

As I write this post, it is snowing HARD in Atlanta.  I really can't believe it.  Luxe son is about to jump out of skin he is so excited.  I remember that same feeling when I was 10 years old.  It was our first major snowstorm in Atlanta and it was beyond magical.

Well over the Christmas Holiday, I was able to buy myself a nice little gift.  I purchased this Jo Malone Limited Edition eau de parfum set.  All I can say is I am in love!  I discovered Jo Malone via my hair stylist.  She lives in Saks and was telling me about it one day.  Since I am a Chanel parfum gal with a mix of other parfums scattered in, I never ventured to the Jo Malone counter.  Well over the break some friends and I did and were instantly addicted.

Jo Malone's philosophy is Fragrance Combining™, which is essentially using a mixture of fragrances to create your own unique fragrance.  Jo Malone scents are all combinations of unique and fresh scents.  Scent combinations like Lime, Basil and Mandarin and Vanilla& Anise are her staples and best sellers.  But the beauty of Jo Malone is that it is sold and packaged so the consumer can still mix and layer the different scent combinations to create their own truly unique and beautiful fragrance.

Story of Jo Malone

Jo Malone was a florist and facialist and she created her own unique scent combinations on the side.  As a thank you gift to clients, she created her Amber and Ginger oil and the clients love it so much, orders begin to pour in for the fragrance. After that, a star was born.

This limited edition gift set includes some of Jo Malone's top sellers such as:

Lime Basil and Mandarin

Grapefruit

Red Roses

Orange Blossom

Promegranate Noir

Vanilla & anise

If you visit the Jo Malone website, it has a Fragrance Combining Menu that suggests fragrance combinations to create a unique scent.  Genius.  Because I am a sucker for citrus scents, I love mixing Lime Basil and Mandarin with Grapefruit.  But lately I have been wearing a mixture of Red Roses with Vanilla & Anise. It is just so soft and lovely.

This set sold out worldwide as it was a limited edition.  I have 6 .3 fluid ounce bottles of cologne and it retailed for $95 dollars.  A great deal.  But you can purchase a duo of 30 ml bottles of cologne for $110. So you can get two scents for the price of one 100ml bottle.  A 100ml bottle of the fragrance retails for $105.

Jo Malone is sold exclusively at Saks and Neiman Marcus.  However you can also purchase Jo Malone online.  All shipping is free!

Toodles!

Day 5: Oxford Wedges

We already discussed the oxford bootie, so I am going to introduce you to its cousin, the oxford wedge. Trust this to be a long-lasting trend because wedges are more comfortable than other heels, gradually lifting the arch rather than forcing it upward as does a stiletto. I am so sad, I just gave to Goodwill this year a pair of brown and yellow wedges. What was I thinking?  

 

A friend who recently moved to New York asked if I could assist in reinventing her wardrobe which required that it be professional yet made for comfort.  She is stomping the city streets of New York and putting excessive amounts of stress onto her feet, (even with her petite size zero 5 foot frame.) I told her the best way to update her wardrobe is with accessories, and because she is walking everywhere, to make sure her shoes were comfortable.

 

I found a wide variety of colors and prices of oxford wedges that are suited for a professional atmosphere and provide comfort:

 

The first is a gray peep-toe wedge by Seychelles. Seychelles has a wide range of funky and unique fashion forward shoes.   With a four inch wedge heel and one and one -fifth inch platform the shoe helps you put your best foot forward or at least look tall doing so.  The Hawk is 100 percent leather with a synthetic lining. Originally $120.00, the Hawk may be purchased at Piperlime for $ 99.99.

 

I love the inky blue of this Lace-up Wedge by Opening Ceremony. A little more pricey than the Seychelles Hawk, the Opening Ceremony is equally sophisticated but also closed toe. The suede booties come in green, gray and black, and only has three eyelets to lace (timesaver!). The heel is four and one-eighth inches. The Opening Ceremony Lace-Up Wedge may be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman for $ 550.00.

  

After seeing the Vince Camuto Fantasa military inspired mid calf boot, I am all about some Vince Camuto. The Vince Camuto Miller Lace-up may not appear as chic as the others listed here, but that is exactly what I like about this shoe. It is slightly rugged. It is not the attention seeker but rather the compliment to an outfit. Its brown color and distressed leather make it comfortable and good for pairing with your with jeans.  The Miller comes in black suede and chestnut and has a three and one half inch heel. The Miller Lace-up may be purchased for  $118.00 from Endless.com.

 

The Michael Kors Channing is much like the Opening Ceremony, with a slightly higher boot shaft but at a more affordable price. Both the Channing and Opening Ceremony are chic suede numbers that can be dressed up or dressed down. The Channing's  four  inch heel is hard to resist. I can imagine wearing this with a Fair Isle knit cardigan, chambray shirt and skinnies while doing weekend Christmas shopping. The Michael Kors Channing comes in black, camel or green and may be purchased at Neiman Marcus for  $ 295.00.

 

Until tomorrow,

 

Chamele

Shopping with Charlestongirl - Part 2

Even before we've had a Thanksgiving dinner, some of us are planning our weekend shopping. Hey - a shopper has to plan, particularly for Black Friday when aimless shopping can place you in a frenzied crowd. Nothing wrong with that - if you like frenzied crowds and don't fear being crushed or bruised - but I prefer fast, efficient, focused, and jostle-free shopping.

After a quick, very early foray to Leesburg Corner, I'll be headed to Neiman Marcus - two of them! I'll be starting at Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie for Black Friday Breakfast. Mazza really knows how to host a party!

Here is your invitation (from my friends at Mazza and me) in case you'll be within 100 miles of DC. If not, read on for other opportunities below.

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARK!

JOIN NEIMAN MARCUS MAZZA FOR A LUXE MORNING OF SHOPPING AND SIPPING AND RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CARD WITH A $100 OR GREATER PURCHASE!

Enjoy breakfast bites, gourmet coffee, and mimosas to invigorate you for shopping, starting at 9:00 am! Mimosas? Did they anticipate the key to my heart? The champagne flows at Mazza - oh, and the nibbles are great too!

The first 50 people (to purchase, I assume) are eligible to win our "Black Friday Beauty Basket Valued" at $500, It contains new fragrances, beauty palettes, and relaxing body products, just in time to pamper yourself for the holidays! I can never enter the Best Things in Beauty drawings (for obvious reasons), but I can enter this! I'm there! Mazza puts together heavenly gift baskets.

To be eligible for the $50 gift card, you have to spend $100 or more between 9:00 and 2:00 on Friday only. Just think, spend only $100, and you get what amounts to a 50% discount (to be used later - anytime up to December 5). Is that a deal or what? You get a nice gift card, and the store gets you back for a little more gift shopping or retail therapy.

When I leave Mazza, I will be going straight to Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. Yep, two Neiman Marcus forays in one day! At Tysons, Kathy Shoreman, SA extraordinaire, will be ringing my pre-selected purchases. No matter where you live, you should be offered the same $50 gift card opportunity at "your Neiman Marcus." It will be a great morning to go!

When I finish my Neiman Marcus shopping, I'll be headed home to shop online. I have so many offers to share with you, I'll do it later this morning. Right now, I have to run out (yes at 6:00 am) to buy some orange juice. It was poor planning on my part to be without one of the staples of life on a holiday weekend.

Photo courtesy of wikimedia

Summer Scent Tip: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Body Lotion

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a Fantabulous Day!

This humid 100 degree heat makes me think of creative ways to smell fabulous despite the sweat. I sweat a lot and I can't stand it. But I digress.  After a few days battling the heat, I realized my regular Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de parfum was not holding up.  So instead of using the parfum, I decided to only use the body lotion of the scent.  The best move I have made in a long time.  The body lotion is a very intense version of the Ea de parfum and it lasts all day long.  It is also a great moisturizing lotion.  My skin stays hydrated and I smell like a high end french parfum shop.  I get so many compliments when I wear the body lotion.  The scent lingers and is not too overpowering.  So while I am sweating away in this unbelievable heat, my body is sweating Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle and I smell delicious!  LOL!

Do you wear your favorite scent's body lotion instead of the parfum?  What body lotion scent do you love the most?

Toodles!

Christian Dior's Addict Lipcolor in Mauve Opulent

Hello Divas!

I hope you had a truly fabulous Labor Day Weekend!

I have a new lipstick that I absolutely love! Christian Dior Addict Lipcolor in Mauve Opulent. I recently had lunch and a makeover at Neiman Marcus and I chose to receive a makeover from Christian Dior. Besides their DiorShow Mascara, I had not really tried any of their other products. Chi Chi, the Dior makeup artist, did a fantastic job on my face and she used this color on my lips. Talk about love at first sight! This color is a dark pink and it looks absolutely fantastic with my Chesnut Mac lip pencil! Such a hot color for fall! Plus can you really get over the packaging???? I mean Christian Dior does it big! The packaging is so creative! Love! Plus the lipstick feels great on your lips. It is moisturizing and light weight! Dior Addict Lipcolor comes in 20 beautiful shades and retails for $26. You can purchase it online or at any Sephora!

Toodles!

Gucci Fall Winter 2009 Collection

The Fall and Winter Collection for Gucci is available at Neiman Marcus now. Check it out! Isn't this bag gorgeous? :)


Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com

Recap of Neiman Marcus Fashion Show

Hello Divas!

I hope life is just beautiful in your world! Last Friday I attended the Neiman Marcus Fashion at Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta, GA. The people were fabulous, the models gorgeous, and the clothes from Neiman Marcus beautiful. Of course it did not hurt that they served champagne. Lol! Check out some pics from the show!

1. Me striking a pose


2. Dapper and fashionable Neiman Marcus employee!

3. Turquoise was the color of the evening! So Island Chic!


4. Killer Platforms!

5. There was also Mens' Fashions.


6. Black Latex. Although I think Latex pants are played out, this outfit was really street chic!


This event was so much fun! Plus they gave out awesome goody bags. The bags included a silk Nicole Miller scarf, satin sleep mask (every Diva should have one), Croc hat and wristbands (these items went to luxe hubby and luxe son), and tons of coupons!

I am really looking forward to attending the next Neiman Marcus fashion show!

Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Fashions Shows and Sales

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is awesome! Today is Friday. The last official day of Spring Break. It has been fun, but Monday it is back to the grind! lol!

If you live in the Atlanta area, Lenox Square Mall is having FREE runway fashion shows on April 24 and 25. The shows takes place at 7:30 pm on April 24 and 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4pm, and 5 pm on April 25. The show on Friday will feature new spring fashions from Neiman Marcus. The Saturday shows will feature spring and summer fashions from Bloomingdales, Macy's, Betsey Johnson, Club Monaco, Ann Taylor Loft, Guess, Banana Republic, Steve Madden and more!

Also for you beauty junkies, Kiehls, Aveda, The Body Shop, and the maker of my favorite hand cream, L'Occitane, will host Style Shops where shoppers can get an up close and personal look at new spring and summer beauty products! You know I will be at these shops! The fashion shows sound like a lot of fun and I hope to see you Divas there!

CVS is having a sale on ALL Revlon products! Buy one get one free! This is the perfect time to try out the A Floral Affair Blush I talked about yesterday!

And remember to please vote for me in the Best of Beauty Category for the Glam Awards! This is my first time participating in such an Award! So give a newbie some love!





Toodles!

Free Beauty Products from Lancome, Christian Dior, Chanel and More!!!!

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having an awesome day! If you live on the East Coast all I can say is Brrr! I know some of you have heard that major department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macy's will give away 1 free cosmetic item at select counters on January 20th. Why are they doing this? Well these retailers were defendants in a class action suit that alleged that the retailers had engaged in a price fixing scheme on beauty products. As part of the settlement, these stores will give away one product per customer to anyone who has purchased cosmetics between May 1994 and July 2003. I am sure that includes ALL of us! Woot!

Visit cosmeticssettlement.com for a complete list of beauty brands and products available on January 20th. I will see you in line!

Toodles!

I Heart Make-Up Bags

Hello Divas!

I am glad today is Friday. How about you? What a week! Well I was cleaning and organizing my beauty closet...which is actually all the space underneath my bathroom sink, (lol!) and I realized that I had a stash of make up bags. Now if you are a make up junkie like me, you know that carrying a make up bag is ESSENTIAL. I have make up bags in different sizes, textures, and colors. Basically, I have a make up bag to suit every occassion and fancy!
Right now I am rocking my small and compact leather Helena Rubinstein make-up bag I received as a gift with purchase in 2000! Obviously well made and just too fab! I use this make up bag when I do not want my make up bag to take up too much space in my purse. I also have a red suede Chanel make up bag I received as a gift when purchasing my Chanel No. 5 perfume collection. I just love the texture and the bright red color is so fashionable. I carry this make-up bag when I am rocking my hobo shoulder bag. I also received this too fabulous make up bag/clutch from Mac when purchasing a set of make up brushes. I actually pair this clutch with a cool short summer frock when going out on the town. Too cute! And ladies in tribute to the make-up bag, I have included several bags in different price ranges and styles for your viewing pleasure.

Toodles!

1. Soho Leopard Dome Purse Kit. This bag is only 6.99. This make-up bag features a removable furry button, so you can keep this in your purse as a make up bag or add the button and use as a small purse! You can purchase this bag here.


2. Sonia Kashuk Double-Zip Foldover Make-up Bag. Only 9.99 at Target! I just love the colors. Purchase it here or at Target.


3. Jemma Kidd Must Have Cosmetic Bag. Check out this HOT pink make-up bag! It retails for $30.00. You can purchase this bag at Neiman Marcus or online here.