Currently Loving...Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne

I wanted to share with you a fragrance that I am currently loving.  It is Jo Malone's Earl Grey & Cucumber cologne.  I know, I know...it does not sound that appealing.  But believe me it is!  It has notes of bergamot, apple, water jasmine, cucumber, vanilla, musk, and cedarwood.  At first, it has the spiciness of its namesake tea, then it dries down to a nice fresh scent.  I can't get enough of this cologne.  It also has outstanding lasting power.  I can still smell it on me after a full day of work! 

As always, I fell in love with a limited edition product.  This was released in her Spring 2011 collection as part of a whole tea themed collection.  And it only came in 1 ounce bottles.  So alas, when this is all gone, it will be no more. 

As you know, Jo Malone fragrances can be mixed to create a "custom" fragrance.  I like to sometimes  pair this with her Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne.  Gives it a nice fruitiness and makes it more sweet.

Jo Malone fragrances are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Jo Malone boutiques.  The 1 ounce (50 ML) bottle retails for $55.

Manicure Mondays-Orchid English Tea Time

Orchid nail lacquer is brand that I am new to.  It is sold exclusively at HEB grocery stores.  After months and months of searching for my perfect nude color, I found it.  English Tea Time is my perfect chic nude.  It makes my hands look awesome!  I love it!  However, I hate the formula.  Can we say Streak City, USA!  It took three very thick coats to get it to look even.  I used CND Stickey base coat and Seche Vite top coat.  It wore for 5 days before chipping.  These retail for $4.99 and are frequently on special.  Have you tried this brand?

Hot Nail Polish Colors For The Fall

I'm sure most you know that I love nail polish.  And while I have enjoyed rocking the brights and pastels for Summer, I am ready for my darker, more muted colors for the Fall.  Here are some of my top picks for the Fall.

Top Row:
Chanel Graphite
Essie Power Clutch
Deborah Lippmann Billionaire

Bottom Row:
Revlon Grey Suede
NARS Purple Rain
OPI French Quarter For Your Thoughts


What are some of your favorite nail polish colors to wear in the Fall?

Outfit Of The Day-Silk Wrap Dress

Dress is by Maeve purchased from Anthropologie

5 Things I'm Looking Forward To For Fall

Comfy Sweaters

Rag Bone knit sweater
shoplesnouvelles.com

Colorful Jackets

Pea coat
anthropologie.com

Boots

Thigh high boots
meetmark.com

Vampy Lips

Dark  Nail Polish

NARS Galion Nail Polish
narscosmetics.com

What are you most looking forward to for the Fall?

Manicure Mondays-Sally Hansen Kook A Mango

I was so impressed with the formula of the last Sally Hansen polish that I used, that I purchased another color.  This one, not so much impressed.  It needed three coats for opacity.  For such of pigmented color, I was disappointed with that.  But never the less, it is a nice color.  Kook a Mango is a orange leaning coral that can sometimes look red in low lights.  It is bright!  I used CND Stickey base coat and Seche Vite top coat.  This polish is touted as a 5 in 1 where you don't have to use a base or a top coat.  I used a base coat to avoid staining and I used a top coat because it took forever to dry last time.  There was no nail staining, however, it did stain my cuticles.  NO BUENO!  It wore for 6 days chip free, although it says it can go 10 days chip free.  Not bad, nonetheless.

Another NARS Blush...

I went ahead and placed a teeny tiny NARS order to take advantage of the 20% off promotion.  I actually got two blushes but will show you just one on this post.  I got the infamous Exhibit A.  I'd read several blogs stating this was a MUST for women of color and I totally agree.  However, I think this is a MUST for all women of ANY color!  It is a beautiful orange based red with a matte finish.  And boy is it pigmented!  A light hand is needed even if you are of the darkest skin tone.

 

I wore it today and it gives the most natural looking flush.  I highly recommend this blush to every woman who wears blush!

Exhibit A is available wherever NARS is sold.  Their blushes retail for $27 but if you hurry, you can get 20% off with code NEWNARS through today with free 2 day shipping!

Chanel Les Jeans de Chanel Collection

Reminiscent of last year's Les Khaki collection, Chanel is releasing another limited edition nail polish collection to coincide with NYC's Fashion's Night Out.  Available in Chanel boutiques and on Chanel.com, this collection consists of three blue hued polishes.  I personally have a weak spot for Chanel polishes and will likely pickup Blue Rebel.  The collection will be available starting September 8.

Source

Manicure Mondays-China Glaze Ahoy

This week I have for you China Glaze Ahoy.  It is a magenta jelly packed with magenta glass fleck, which gives the polish a nice dimension.  It is from the Spring 2011 collection.  Because it is a jelly, I needed 3 coats for opacity.  I used CND Stickey base coat and Seche Vite top coat.  It wore well lasting 5 days before chipping.  I included a close up to show you the beautiful glass fleck.

Makeup Inspiration::Rihanna

I love Rihanna's makeup in this photo!  I love the softness of her bronzed smokey eye, the peachy/bronze cheeks, and the natural looking lips.  This look is still glamorous and soft but not over the top (like how Kim Kardashian's makeup can sometimes be).  I am going to try to recreate this look the next time I go out.  What do you think?  Do you like the look?

A New Shoe Purchase

I wanted to share with you these awesome shoes I just ordered by Sam Edelman.  I can not wait to wear them! 

I already have the dress that I want to pair them with.  Surprisingly, it is a sassy little number from The Gap (who knew The Gap carried sassy numbers).

I love how the studs give the shoe a sophisticated edge.  Hurry up FedEx!!!!

On a totally different subject, NARS is having 20% off their products on their website with code NEWNARS.  Hmmm...to buy or not to buy...that is the question.

Manicure Mondays-OPI Brisbane Bronze

This week I have for you OPI Brisbane Bronze.  It is, for lack of a better description, bronze.  Plain and simple.  I think it is incredibly flattering to my skin tone.  The formula was nice, a little thin, but still nice.  It needed two coats for full opacity.  Underneath I used CND Stickey base coat.  On top, I used Diamond Dry top coat.  It wore well for 5 days before chipping.  OPI has really impressed me lately!

My Current Obsession-YSL Arty Ring

If you know me, then you know I like statement rings.  I've been eyeing the YSL Arty ring for sometime now and I am considering getting one soon.  I just love how big and bold it is.  Such a statement piece.  I just don't know which one to get.  I love how the gold compliments my skin and how the large stone is so dynamic.  

On the other hand, I also like the softer look of the Arty dots ring.  Decisions, decisions...
What do you think?  Which ring do you like best?

The Hunt For Nude Pumps

I have been looking for a pair of nude pumps for months now.  But not just nude, MY nude.  As a woman of color, I find that the mainstream color of nude is not MY nude.  It is more like a beige or a taupe.  I have searched high and low in stores and on the web and can't seem to find a suitable pair.  They are either the wrong color or the shoe style is, shall I say, stripper-ish!  I work in a professional setting and I don't think my company would appreciate a shoe with a 2 inch platform and a 6 inch stiletto!  I would prefer a closed toe shoe but would not be opposed to a peep toe.  So after months of searching, I am turning to my lovely readers.  Do you have any ideas on where I can find this ever allusive nude pump?

Manicure Mondays-Essie Van D'Go

This week I have for you another pastel.  Essie Van D'Go is a peachy pink cream.  When I first tried this, I hated it because the formula sucked!  I kept seeing it on others and wanted to try it again.  After two very carefully applied coats, I fell in love.  You have to be very careful when applying this as it can get very streaky.  It wore well as do all Essie polishes on me, it lasted for 5 days.  I used CND Stickey base coat and Seche Vite top coat.