L’Occitane en provence!
July 27, 2008
If your staying at any Four Seasons Hotel, your bathroom is stocked with it. If your dining at PF Chang’s in Chicago, they are in the restrooms. If your flying Delta, the flight attendant will give you a sample tube of their hand lotion. If your invited to my home, you will smell them burning through out my house. I’m talking about the scent of rich, earthly scented candles and perfumes by L’Occitane. Based in Provence France, L’Occitane sells their products through numerous retail outlets and has a freestanding boutique at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA. The company started off selling handmade soaps from a batch of lavender and rosemary oils. Next came skin creams, candles, and numerous other skin products. L’Occitane’s scents are inspired by Provence with simple, Old World containers and packaging. I am a huge fan of the candles because they come with tin lids for easy portability and they give my hotel room such an amazing smell. L’Occitane has grown from a one man show to a company operating in over 60 countries worldwide. My favorite scents include the Verbena range, which triggers energy vibes to the brain and Violet Fig to calm and sooth. The Green Tea with Mint perfume is another classic love of mine. Unfortunately Kate Hudson feels the same. She admitted on Good Morning America that it’s her favorite perfume and it sold out before I could buy another bottle. Thanks Kate!
Moi xoxo
Chip, Chip, Cheerio!
July 26, 2008
I bet if you have a child who is around the age of one ~ that he or she loves Cheerios. It’s a favorite, healthy snack for this age, heck I still snack on it! It’s also a clever and inexpensive theme for a kid’s party. Buy brightly colored card stock in your favorite colors, and cut them into Cheerio shapes, make sure to make a hole in the center. Hot glue real Cheerios around the outline of your Cheerio invitation. Write, “Cheerio and Hip, Hip Hooray!” Place all of the party details on the paper Cheerio.
Decorate your home with balloons, streamers and table ware in your favorite colors. Cut out paper Cheerios and place them all over the party room walls. Sprinkle Cheerios across the party table for confetti.
Of course, the most important part of the first birthday party is the cake. Make a round cake, cut out the center, frost, and decorate with your Cheerios!
A great favor would be a sippy cup with the kids’ names written on each one and filled with Cheerios!
If you have older kids attending, plan a few simple activities:
- Make a necklace or a bracelet out of Cheerios.
- Make a piece of art by gluing Cheerios onto construction paper making different pictures.
- Play Hot Cheerio, like Hot Potato. Fill a clear cup with Cheerios and have the kids pass it.
- Play Musical Cheerios, like Musical Chairs. Cut out large Cheerios and place on the floor. The kids hop on the Cheerios while the music plays.
- Hide small boxes of Cheerios and have the kids go on a Treasure Hunt to find them.
This is an easy, budget-friendly party plan for your one-year-old that will take little time to plan, and will be loads of fun for your little one. Certainly, one-year-old kids will understand their favorite treat and will love to see Cheerios everywhere to celebrate. Cheers Cheerio!
Moi xoxo
A Swipe Above the Rest
July 21, 2008
Since I was a little girl the one beauty product that offered complete fascination to me was nail polish. First I painted my dolls and barbie’s, then I tried myself. I used to think that all polishes were created equal. I’ve traditionally bought the inexpensive brands such as Maybelline, Sally Hansen and Revlon, I mean I did have an allowance like every other teenager. In my early 20’s I began noticing that whenever I went to two of my favorite manicurists, the nail polish lasted like twice as long as anywhere else, or as compared to when I do my own nails. The common factor turned out to be Essie nail polish. Essie polish goes on smooth with no streaking or running. Two coats is all it takes for perfect even color with a ten minute dry time. As far as lastibility goes, Essie will last me a full week before it starts to chip… even longer with a good clear top coat. That is amazing! The cheaper polishes are lucky to last 2-3 days. Another factor which brings Essie above the competition is breathability. Some polishes just feel like they are smothering your nails but with Essie you can hardly even feel it is there. The polishes run about $6 each at beauty supply and salons. Moi’s color of choice? For spring and summer it’s Dramatic Drachmas. This is the perfect summery coral. I can’t tell you how many women have looked at my feet and then requested this shade. There is just something abut a happy color on your toes! Nude Bikini is also a favorite. It reminds me of cottton candy in the sunlight but minus the calories!
Moi xoxo
It’s Just Really Good Sushi
July 19, 2008
@TheMakeUpGirl this one’s for you! You can’t land in Los Angeles and not make the trip up to Orange County to try some really really really good looking sushi! I’m talking about Ra Sushi Bar & Restaurant, a stylishly edgy sushi bar and restaurant concept with several locations in the U.S. It just opened its newest RA Sushi location at the District at Tustin Legacy near Moi and what a fabulous place to chill! This unconventional dining concept which is a new trend popping up in the O.C., blends fresh sushi, hip music and contemporary decor all rolled up into one flavorful experience. Moi’s picks: the pineapple wontons and salmon nigiri. They have some GREAT Happy Hour specials including $1 sake shots (it’s wine too, ya know!). Other drink specials include: glasses of wine for $4.25, Cosmos and Apple Martinis for $6 and Kirin beer for $4.50. They also have quite a few sushi and food specials including $2.75 salmon & shrimp nigiri, $3.75 spicy tuna, $4.75 shrimp tempura rolls, $3.50 potstickers, $4 sesame chicken wings, and others.
Moi xoxo
I’m Killing the Ozone One Can At A Time
July 14, 2008
L’Oreal either owns or produces some of the best cutting edge beauty products around spending millions producing high quality and affordable items to keep us looking fabulous! One item that has been going strong for over 40 years is a common household beauty find..a hairspray simply called Ellnet. My hairspray owes its cult following due to a similar characteristic found amoungst say …a Hermes Birkin, it is hard to get! It used to be banned in the United States because of its difficulties getting through customs. I can probably spray a whole can on my head and still run my fingers right through it. It’s flake free and easy brush ability comes with certain ozone depleting compounds which are prohibited in the US. I realize its not Earth friendly, but its hard to part with it as I have to decide between a touchable updo or a cripsy one. If your lucky to be in Europe, this hairspray is found in every drugstore. For us stuck in the US, we need to return home with a suitcase full of the golden can which has not changed its packaging since 1963. Can we talk about the fresh clean scent too? No lingering alcohol fumes at all! If you live near a Nordstrom Rack, that’s where I purchased my last 4 cans @ 35% off the $19 price tag as I was scared that I they would be gone upon my return. If your not within driving distance of The Rack then call your nearest location and have them ship it to you. As Penelope said above, Your Worth It!
Moi xoxo
Safari Fever!
July 11, 2008
Everywhere, it seems that everyone is going on a safari every month. Animal prints are not only in, they are sophisticated and wonderful to work with. The stereotype against animal prints, are that they lack something in the way of professionalism. I embrace them as these prints are very accessible for anyone wanting to add them to their home decor or wardrobe. The fact of the matter is, these terrific prints are really neutrals in disguise! I wouldn’t use them on an entire wall or dress head to toe, but the tones are generally workable with many other colors such as black, white, tan, red, burgundy, and green. Dramatic, yet tasteful. Another striking use of these prints is in a bedroom. Here you can go a bit wilder with duvet covers, and pillows. Lots of tan and black will give this look a feel of exotic places. Since animal designs have been used in almost every culture at some point in time, the look is old, yet new. Traditional decor can use these touches, as well as contemporary, country, ethnic, you name it! Think of how well the tones go with wood, bamboo, brass, gold, and leather. Even floral prints can look well with an animal print if the colors blend. This decor is not for the faint of heart. The flip side of this is that you can EXPRESS your wilder side with a few touches. Maybe you will decide you are not as timid as you thought! This animal stuff grows on you! Try some prints in small doses and get use to the drama!
Moi xoxo
Lolishine Lollipop
July 10, 2008
I am going on my third tube of this lipstick in the same color and with good reason. It’s amazing! Shu Uemura’s Lolishine is the ultimate sheer and shine lipstick! #268 is hands down the perfect shade of pink. Not too light and not too dark, but just right and not packed with *disco ball* glitter! When most women reach for their glosses during the summer, I reach for this lipstick cause its sheer and my long hair doesn’t stick to my lips. I wear it everywhere ..to the pool, beach, shopping, dancing, and it stays on even though it has a high gloss sheen and it blends in with my own natural lip color. Shu Uemura’s secret ingredient is their exclusive thermo-active Shine Amplifier which delivers gloss as it comes into contact with skin temperature. Then the Aqua-Lock system ensures adequate moisture to the lips all day. The packaging is high tech which is something to expect coming from Japan and the clear bullet design of the packaging fits into any clutch or pocket.
I hope that Mr. Shu never discontinues this line of lipsticks, I would literally cry if he did.
Moi xoxo
To - Go Glasses
July 6, 2008
Greetings from Malibu! I thought this would be a perfect idea to blog about the very item that I happen to be drinking from! I keep a set of these goblets in my travel suit case so that I do not forget them. I’m just not a fan of the plastic drinking cups in hotel rooms or using glasses for outdoor entertaining, especially if children are present. So I stock up on these “looks like glass” beauties! As a playful answer to those tacky snap-together wine glasses, these acrylic & affordable goblets from Murval Paris are perfect to toss in a beach bag for picnics or like Moi, lounging on a deck in front of a pool near the Pacific Ocean! Clear glasses are $7 each, Pink Dots $5 each. www.murval.com
Moi xoxo
Q & A with Moi
July 3, 2008
You’ve Always Wanted to Ask a Lesbian, but Never Knew a Lesbian to Ask!
According to my blog and google searches, you want to know everything! What fragrance I wear. What is my favorite restaurant. If I have plans to start a home line. Who my style icons are. How do I entertain. What my house looks like. What skin products do I use. Check out my third page titled *Ask Moi* where you can ask me just that!
Don’t be shy! Ask away & be prepared to come back as I might have a question for you!
Moi xoxo
