Reboot, Refreshed.

Bonjour blogsphere!

Ah. Change is in the air for this chickie. :-) I've just come back from a fabulous visit to the northeast of the US, and feel refreshed and ready for a reboot! Today marks a turning point for me- I have a new job (within the same tech company, but with an entirely new team) which has the benefits of being A) European (meaning no more conference calls at 11 pm and crazy working hours), B) Strategy/Consulting related (meaning no more battling with various data systems or working with massive amounts of data), and C) Part of Sales/Business Development (an area which my company is expanding and investing in, which gives me much more job security). Possibly the best part of my new job is that with normal working hours, I can get myself onto a regular schedule and start on a work-out routine which will enable me to shed all of this excess weight I've gained over the past 8 years. It's also a relief to be going back to the kind of work I've previously enjoyed in my first position within my company (as opposed to the data-driven reporting I've been doing the last year and a half thanks to a company reorg). Part of this reboot will hopefully see me blogging more regularly as well, as I also want to develop a better work-life balance, and that means disconnecting from my job and doing other things!

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Summer Scrubbers by Lapin a la Mode on Polyvore.com

With the sun's rays beaming down on us and regardless of the unending skin cancer warnings, most of us girls will probably work on achieving a healthy bronze glow. A little known fact- just like when self-tanning, you will develop color more quickly and evenly when you have exfoliated before sunbathing. My personal favorite body exfoliators are the Sephora line of Gommage Corps (Coconut is my summer choice as it is absolutely delicious in smell) or Clinique's Sparkle Skin. I also like the Fat Girl Scrub from Bliss, because it helps to promote circulation in the massage process, which helps to reduce the appearance of the dreaded cellulite. After exfoliating, don't forget your sunblock- the worst sun damage to our skin is a result of sunburns and new skin is more susceptible to burning!

Click of French Culture

For those of you who know me well, you know that I do not drink "flat" water. I just have never liked it, unless it has a plethora of ice cubes and from the town I grew up in. (It is also a fact that the water from my hometown is apparently some of the best tasting water in the US. Maybe this has mentally blocked my ability to drink tap water from anywhere else?) My beverage of choice, however, is sparkling water, which most Europeans adore! (They even had free sparkling water on tap in the German offices of my company) France's most iconic sparkling water is of course Perrier. The water itself is naturally carbonated and comes from a spring in Vergeze. The spring has been used as a spa since Roman times (legend has it that Hannibal and his army found the drinking water to be quite refreshing), but it was an Englishman who bought the spring around 1900. In order to get a return on his investment, he first started selling the sparkling water to the British army in India. Once the British Colonies became big patrons, he then went on to conquer the English market at a time when anything French was considered super chic. So, ironically, it was the English who first became addicted to the bubbly beverage in the pretty green bottles. Today, Perrier is now owned by Nestle and has a few different varieties. The normal Perrier still contains the same level of carbonation of the original water in Vergeze, while Eau de Perrier is lighter with less carbonation. For more on the story of Perrier (and some of the other flavors), click here.

All right, it is the birthday of my lovely husband (and most devoted reader), so I must run! Enjoy the sunshine!

A bientot!

Liz Anne

The Scent of Spring and Sunday Brunch

Bonjour blogsphere!

So, I started the treatment for my adrenal insuffiency on Friday, and I have to tell you, it was like a miracle cure. I feel like I've come out of a very deep slumber and all the cobwebs have been dusted off my brain. I have energy. I want to go running. It's bizarre, but I'm loving every minute of it! Let's hope it continues (and continues to inspire my gym trips!)... I had so much energy, that Thomas and I actually woke up in time to brunch! More on that later... :-)

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour

Scent of Spring by Lapin a la Mode on Polyvore.com

I have always been a fan of matching my fragrance to the current season. The picture above features some of my favorite scents to wear in spring. All of the scents are light and airy with a soft kiss of flowers. I have never been a fan of any overbearing floral scents, especially anything heavy on gardenia. I tend to go for clean florals featuring iris (Narcisso Roderiguez) or orange blossom (Escale a Portofino). I also like my spring fragrances to have a bit of an earthy smell to them, which is probably why I am obsessed this year with Philosykos. It is also probably the main reason that for the last 8 years, I have worn Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey- it has a bit of a woody undertone to it, but it is a gorgeous scent and has amazing staying power.

Click of French Culture
Most vistors to Paris flock in droves to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, but Paris is overflowing with many great smaller museums that not only allow you to avoid long lines but also have some great offerings. Today Thomas and I visited the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, which is just a few minutes walk from chez nous. (We see it every single time we drive to and from our apartment, and we've been saying for nearly two years we should go visit. Well worth it!) This museum was a gift of its former owners to the city of Paris. At the end of the 19th century, the area where I currently live (oringally called Monceau) was encorporated into Paris. All the buildings were torn down and big avenues were created and new houses were built (named after their architect, Hausmann). Many of the upper middle class and the rich flocked to this area and built townhouses as well. The original owners were art collectors, so there are a lot of beautiful pieces on display (including some gorgeous sculpures), but what is most notable is the architecture and the furniture, etc. in the house itself. The house is pretty much in its original state- so you get a great feel for what it is what like to live there. The most impressive part is the double helix stairway in the light and airy winter garden (complete with full skylight and tons of mirrors).

If you go, I recommend going for Sunday Brunch. The museum converted one of the rooms into a fabulous cafe so you get dine surrounded by sumptuous decor. In summer, they open up tables on the terrace as well, with a view of the small French garden and courtyard. The food is limited- there's mainly salads, pastries, and on Sunday a special brunch, but it is excellent. For more on the cafe, click here. For any of you who are lemon merengue pie fans, theirs is not to be missed!

Alright, the apartment is still not 100% clean and I can hear Thomas's stomach rumbling from here! Oy!

A bientot!
Liz Anne

Walking in a Winter Wonderland.....

Bonjour blogsphere!

Well, another year is upon us, and I have decided to resurrect my blog. Part of this inspiration comes from the influence of my friend Fashion Devotion - check out her blog- and part of it is my new year's resolution to get back involved in the world of fashion I miss so much. I even found myself waxing nostaligic on working the cosmetics sales floor during the holiday season.

But anyway, I'm baaaaaaa-aaaack! And ready to blog for 2010! So with that...

Lapin a la Mode Picks du Jour:

• Invest in a Burberry coat for winter. You won't regret it. I have two, and not only are they incredibly warm, but I have one that has weathered three winters and still looks brand new. The best way to score a good deal on a Burberry coat is to either pick one up at the end of season sales, or to visit one of their many outlet stores. You can find many a classic Burberry trench coat at the outlet stores as well. Coats like these are classic pieces that never go out of style.
• Keep your lips well hydrated- winter is definitely chapped lips season! My personal favorite products are Lancome's Primordiale Lip (which also has anti-aging properties) and Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Lip Tints.
• Jean leggings are awesome. I have been searching for years to find the perfect pair of skinny jeans, however most of them do not conform properly to my figure. I discovered a pair of denim leggings at Uniqlo. Not only do they have an amazing fit for practically everyone, they look and feel like jeans when you are wearing them, and they only cost me about 20 euros, making them by far my cheapest denim purchase EVER.
• If you want to add a little sparkle to your eyes, Lancome released a limited edition of their Oscillation mascara in both gold and silver sparkle. This mascara goes on like a top coat, and adds a subtle glitter to your lashes. It was a hit for me at all of the holiday parties I attended.
• Want to indulge yourself without breaking your New Year's resolution of weight loss? Try any of the delicious Philosophy foaming shower gels. They are delightfully decadent (with flavors such as Red Velvet Cake, Belgian Waffles, Coconut Frosting, and Double Rich Hot Cocoa) without any caloric intake!
  
• As always, click the photo for more information on the products. :-)

Click of French Culture:
In a previous post, I mentioned Benabar and the French style of storytelling through song. I now have another of these songs stuck in my head by the new artist Charlotte Marin. Even if you do not speak a lick of French, you will probably be able to relate to Charlotte's Boire ou Bien se Conduire (which translates to "To drink or to behave").

And with that, me and my cute new Dior moon boots (best early christmas present ever!) are going to walk on down to check out the soldes in my neighborhood. Deuxieme demarque should hit Thursday! Woo!

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Routine Quotidienne

Bonjour Blogsphere!

Thanks to the Lancome blog, I have discovered a wonderful website called Polyvore which is awesome. It allows you to create your own fashion layouts like you would find in a magazine (such as Vogue) using real products from a plethora of different brands. Whether you're an aspiring Beauty Editor, fashionista, or just a creative person with lots of time on your hands; you will have loads of fun designing your own fashion layout! The finished version can be shared with friends and user groups, plus there are links on each of the products that give you product information and price as well as a links to buy the products! So without further adieu, I present my first Polyvore layout!

Here is the collection of products which make up my daily routine, inspired by a friend asking what I actually use on a daily basis. If you notice, they are all Lancome. As many of you may know, I spent four years working as a make-up artist for a plethora of different lines. I got addicted to Lancome while working as a counter manager, and am in love with their skincare for three reasons. First, Lancome dedicates a huge chunk of change towards research and development, leading the industry on product innovation. There's a lot of technology in their products, and you can see the results on your skin. Second, out of all the "lifers"- women who have spent their entire careers in cosmetics- the lovely ladies of Lancome have hands down the best skin. If that is not the best testiment to their products, I don't know what is. Third, I love how the products smell and feel on my skin. Skincare with Lancome is an experience, not just a necessity.

So, onto my day-to-day habits. Keep in mind that these products are geared toward my skin's needs- there may be products are a better fit for you.

1. CLEANSE: A cleanser is an important part of any girl's daily routine as it breaks up make-up, dead skin, and the dirt of the day to keep your skin looking fresher and acne-free. The Lancome cleanser I use has a rich foam texture and feels absolutely decadent when I'm using it. Plus, all you need is one pump, so the product really lasts for quite some time.

2. TONE: Toners provide light exfoliation and get your skin to return to a normal Ph balance after cleansing. They are particularly helpful with you have dull skin. In my case, I use Lancome's formulation for dry skin because my skin is often on the parched side. If you REALLY can't be bothered to use a toner, I recommend choosing a gentle exfoliator in place of a cleanser. This way you get the added exfoliation of the cleanser. My favorite is of course Lancome's Exfoliance Clarite, which has two sizes of beads for both purifying and deep cleansing. Plus, it has pineapple and papaya extracts, which makes it smell yummy.

3. TREAT: For the serious skincare person, serums are great targeted treatments which can help with a specific skincare need. They should be slipped on underneath your moisturizer, and can be used day and night. In my case, I have been using Genefique during the day (for fresher, younger, and more renewed skin) and Primordiale at night (which attacks the first signs of aging).

4. EYES: Eyes are the first place we see aging, and the eye area has different problems than the rest of the face (ie puffiness and dark circles). Most eye creams contain caffeine, which helps reduce puffiness. When applying eye creams, you should always use your ring finger and pat (not rub) the cream in on the orbital bone. Otherwise, you can tear the eye area and make the problems worse!

5. MOISTURIZE: I prefer a moisturizer which also acts as a treatment product so that you can have added benefits. Day creams tend to protect the skin from aging (especially those with an SPF), while night creams are more repairative in nature. While your skin is at rest (during the night), your body is able to do more restoration. If your budget only allows for a day cream or a night cream, I highly recommend going with a day cream for two reasons. One, night creams do not contain SPF, so you will need to add a sunscreen to your regime as the sun is what ages our skin the most. Two, the saying "A stitch in time saves nine" is true of our skin- preventive measures are much more effective than reparative.

6: LIPS: As a cosmetic junkie, I started using Primordiale lip cream a few years to soften my lips and prevent aging. For someone who has problems with their lipstick feathering into their lines, it is a great product.

7: BODY: Moisturizing the body is just as important as moisturizing the face! Remember that in 20 years, we won't just see your neck! My personal choice is Lancome's Glow Sensuale because it has a light self-tanner (which you can't screw up) and a very light scent which will not overpower your perfume.

So that, dear readers, is what I currently use on a daily basis from the plethora of products which are in my vanity. If you are interested in any of the products, click on the image and it will take you directly to the Polyvore layout and individual product purchasing links.

Click of French Culture
If you are going to be shopping in Paris, something you may want to consider is vintage shopping. The French themselves do not frequent many of these stores, and you can find absolute steals. Les Puces is an amazing flea market (and potentially the original flea market as well!) and there are some true bargains to be found. With this economy, who DOESN'T want a bargain? There are also a lot of great vintage shops including Reciproque (the largest in Paris with an entire rack dedicated to Chanel suits) and Didier Ludot (focused on haute couture, with one of the stores focused entirely on little black dresses).

A bientot readers!
-Liz Anne

My Heart is Yearning, as Paris is Burning...

Bonjour Blogsphere!

Paris is still broiling, and by the end of yesterday evening I was completely missing the hardcore standard air-conditioning all Floridian buildings are outfitted with. Luckily, the professional photos from my wedding arrived, so I had something to distract me! :-) I'm working on a massive wedding album, and promise to post once it's finished!

I must admit, we truly had a magical wedding, thanks to the best bridesmaid ever (Katie) and my very own French Prince Charming! For any of you interested in doing a destination wedding, I highly recommend La Tranche sur Mer, on the French Atlantic Coast!

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour:
The Lancome Blog, which I adore, posted a great article from Vogue about the importance of sunscreen, with a few product recommendations. The best way to prevent aging/sun damage/etc. is to wear the sunscreen. One of the easiest ways to make sure your face (and neck) are protected is to make sure your daytime moisturizer has an SPF in it- you are exposed to the sun even when you do not realize it (especially driving!). No matter which one you choose, just make sure you're covered!

Click of French Culture:

France is peppered with many adorable little chateaus. In addition to making excellent wedding reception venues (we had ours at the chateau in the picture), many chateaus also double as hotels/bed and breakfasts. Quite often, they are less expensive than hotels and have ten times the charm! Besides, which girl does not dream of being a princess? While the Loire Valley is the most famous region for chateaus (there are over 300 there!), you can find them throughout France. I recommend this site or this site for if you're interested in booking a romantic getaway!

Well, my husband needs some attention, so I must be off! (Maybe I can persuade him to buy us a fan tomorrow... ;-)

A bientot readers!
-Liz Anne