Recent Beauty Loves

I love Sephora and sometimes am alarmed by the warm, fuzzy feeling I get when I walk through those black and white striped columns. Is that normal? What is it about beauty products that so easily elevates my mood? A glamorous lipstick, a compact little pot of rouge and my heart starts to flutter... But anyway, that is neither here nor there. I purchased four little gems and want to share them with you…

1. YSL Rouge Pure Shine lipstick in Natural Pink 24. Mon Dieu. This is the Holy Grail of nude lip color for my skin tone. I have been searching for it forever- years maybe! I took a gamble by purchasing it without trying it on (as I refuse to try any sample in Sephora for fear of catching a disease) but this color is silky, neutral and brilliant. If you have a medium/ tan skin tone this might look divine on you!

2. Lorac Blush in Soul. I really love Lorac’s blushes. I have used the shade Plum for years now (and was contemplating just sticking with it- I love it so much) but decided to branch out and chose Soul- which is a dusty rose with a very subtle shimmer. I really love this color- it’s great for winter and adds just the right hint of drama to the cheeks.

3. DiorShow Mascara Backstage Makeup in Black. This was recommended by The Coastal Chicster who has impeccable taste, so I thought I’d give it a try. I really love the drama it creates with my lashes- it's a sophisticated mascara and I'm really enjoying it.

4. And lastly, we all knew it was coming, YSL Parisienne. You read my raving review for this glamorous perfume here. I love this scent- it is my new favorite and smelling it on my wrist brings me joy throughout the day.

I would love to know what your beauty loves are this month…


All of the above products can be purchased at www.sephora.com

Thank You

When someone in your family’s health is jeopardized it seems like nothing else matters. This is the situation I found myself in this week and I am so happy to report that after many doctor’s visits the scare is over and everything seems to be okay.

Thank you so much for all of your kind words and support over the past few days- I can’t help but think they had something to do with the happy ending to my family’s situation.

I have made the decision to stay in California for Christmas and will probably move my England trip to sometime in the Spring. Thankfully being married to an Englishman, this wasn’t my last chance to experience Christmas in England- there's always next year...

I am, of course, sad to not be going on my trip (after all I have been blogging, twittering and yammering on about it for the past few weeks)- and my well-packed suitcases are still at the foot of my bed longing to see London again, but things in life can’t always be planned and I think it’s important to be able to adapt to any situation with a positive attitude.

This week has put things in perspective for me and I am so grateful for my family, friends and blogging community- life is so much more wonderful with you in it.

Thank you...

xxx

Update

Dear Readers,

I have had to postpone my trip to England due to a family emergency. My husband is flying back to join me at home (he has been in London the past two weeks for business).

Thank you for your understanding during this time. I will return to The Daily Connoisseur as soon as I can.

Love,

Jennifer xx

The Art of Packing- London, Winter 2009

I am leaving shortly for my month long trip to England and I am so excited! (Even though I just checked the weather report and there is no end in sight to the rain… oh well…)

In the past when I have traveled I’ve explored the art of packing and this trip is no different. Being away for an entire month in a very wintry climate poses some challenges to someone who likes to pack in a streamlined and minimalistic fashion (sweaters, boots and outerwear can be so bulky!)- But I think I managed to accomplish this task and packed the right items.

I actually started to pack my suitcase last week. I like to do this when I'm going on a long trip so that I have an entire week to evaluate what can go and what can stay. So, for one month I have packed…

1 black wool trench coat
1 black velvet blazer
4 cashmere sweaters (one v-neck, two crewnecks and one cardigan)
2 cashmere t-shirts
2 pairs of jeans (one black, one dark denim)
1 pair of black slacks
10 lightweight t-shirts and tank tops in neutral colors for layering
1 black wool skirt
2 dresses
4 silk blouses (to pair with skirt or slacks for dressier occasions)
1 scarf
1 pair black knee high flat boots
1 pair black suede high-heeled ankle boots
2 pairs ballet flats (both in patent leather)
1 pair heels

I am not including dresses for Christmas and New Years Eve as I think I'll have more fun purchasing those abroad...

Above I've pictured the smaller of my two bags. This one will be full of Christmas presents for everyone in England (and will come in handy as an extra empty case on the way back)...

If you find yourself traveling this holiday season... may your luggage be merry and light! xx

My Top Ten Films of the Decade- #5 Y Tu Mamá También

My fifth favorite movie of the decade is 2001's Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too) directed by Alfonso Cuarón. It takes place in Mexico in the year 1999 and explores the coming of age of two teenage boys: Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna).

The boys find themselves bored one summer after their girlfriends leave for an Italian vacation and decide to go on a road trip with Luisa (Maribel Verdú), a mysterious older woman that they meet at a wedding. The three go in search of a secluded beach called la boca del cielo (heaven’s mouth). Class issues, sexuality, mortality and loyalty are the themes explored in this explosive (and I'm talking explosive), seductive tale that ultimately is a celebration of life and all of the passion that goes along with it.

This film will have you measuring your mortality and sizing up the amount of passion in your life... two things that are probably good to do every now and then don't you think?

I hope you'll stay tuned for my #4 pick...

YSL Parisienne- A Perfume Review

It has been a while since I have fallen in love with a scent. As some of you know the two scents I wear the most are Stella and Narciso Rodriguez For Her. This past summer I purchased Stella Sheer- the limited edition summer version of the original Stella and fell in love with that (and almost cried when I couldn’t get another bottle… it’s long gone- I should have bought two!).

So I am over the moon that Yves Saint Laurent’s new fragrance, Parisienne has hit the shelves because I have sampled it twice now and have literally fallen in love with it! Parisienne is a very feminine scent- and a mysterious one at that. Its main notes are composed of blackberry, damask rose and sandalwood.

At first spray Parisienne is delightful with a heavy sandalwood note but the dry down is where it holds all of its mystery. The blackberry note is much stronger in the dry down and I think I detected notes of… dare I say… Dr. Pepper? I know, I have probably lost the plot but there you have it. I detect Dr. Pepper in the dry down and I am not ashamed to admit that I love it! (It’s a sensual Dr. Pepper... if there can be such a thing).

The commercial for the scent stars Kate Moss writhing in a bed of silk sheets and damask roses with the Eifel tower in the background- and yes that pretty much sums it up. YSL’s Parisienne is a sensual, naughty fragrance. One that I am delighted to have found. I plan on purchasing my very own bottle next week at duty free!

I would love to know what perfume or cologne you’ve fallen in love with recently…

Neighbors- Comme les Français

So I can’t believe I haven’t written about this yet but a French family has recently moved in next door to me in my Santa Monica town home! Our neighbors have rented out their home for one year and in moved a family from France.

You can imagine my delight upon learning this news as I have been able to observe how true French people live Comme les Français in Santa Monica! I shall call this family Famille Sportif as they are the most active family I have ever witnessed in my entire life. And by saying that, I am not exaggerating.

Famille Sportif is composed of a mother, father and two young sons. They are constantly lugging surf boards and skate boards, boogie boards and bikes out of their house (I see and hear everything) They seem to really like Santa Monica- its close proximity to the beach, the beautiful weather, the plethora of outdoor activities to take part in…

Observing Famille Sportif is great fun but the downside to it all is their sportiness makes me feel incredibly lazy. I can’t remember the last time I went to the beach! (Actually, I can. It was on my birthday in July and before that I hadn’t been in over a year). And yet every weekend I see the entire family of four coming back, suntanned and sanded- looking completely content.

I suppose it is a very French thing to take advantage of one’s environment and all of the pleasures it has to offer. There is an expression in French- profiter de la vie- which means simply to enjoy life or to ‘profit’ from it. I do realize that I live in a beautiful city- an active person’s dream, really. Famille Sportif has gently reminded me of this in their own very French way.

I think I’m going to start riding my bike more…