Western Dream

Bonjour Blogsphere!

It's another lazy Sunday here in grey Paris, and it is the perfect kind of day to curl up with a good book or snuggle under the covers and watch a movie. Speaking of which, yesterday my lovely husband took me out to see "From Paris with Love". While the movie did not have much of a plot and required little to no thought, we enjoyed it. Not only was it fun to see a movie that takes place in our city (especially when Thomas nudges me and goes, "Look! it's the street near Chatelet I got horribly lost on!" or when we see the 93, Paris's version of Compton, and flash back to the time we accidentally ended up there after dark when we forgot to change RERs and had to walk for more than 20 minutes to another metro station because all taxis refused to attempt to pick us up there....), we also enjoyed the references to Pulp Fiction. John Travolta really seemed to enjoy playing an insanely crazy dude as well.

But now it is Sunday evening, and we've come to the part of Sundays which I always hate- reality has started setting in that tomorrow, I have to actually work again. Bleh. Bleh bleh bleh.

Lapin a la Mode Tips du Jour


Ruffled 'Round the Edges by Lapin a la Mode featuring Faith boots

Ever since vintage shopping last week, I've started salavating over cowboy boots. I don't know why I suddenly want to own a pair, but I do. They can add a bit of dirt to a girlie outfit, or they can countrify an ensemble. My tip for purchasing a pair is to check vintage and consignment stores. I saw a huge selection of cowboy boots at Fripes Star for 30€. Not only are they cheaper, but having a pair of worn cowboy boots (as opposed to brand spankin' new) add a bit more authenticity to the whole look.

See that cute pink powder puff on the bottom left? That is one of my favorite Benefit products- it contains a soft glitter powder with a very light scent. It can give you a sparkle without dealing with messy powders, and is a lot more subtle than what the 13 year olds down the street are dusting all over themselves for the school dance.

Click of French Culture
My sweet husband has suggested that today's click of French culture revolve around what has him fixated on his iPhone screen- the Paris/Marseille match. The French, like many other Europeans, absolutely worship the original football- SOCCER. The biggest rivalry in French soccer is Paris Saint Germain vs. Marseille. Paris is by far the biggest city in France, but much of the rest of the French find the Parisians to be slightly snobby. Marseille, on the other hand, is mainly a blue collar city, focused on shipping routes in the Med. It is full of crime (heard of the original French Connection? This is the city.) but historically is the best team in the south of France. So, the Paris SG vs. Marseille match is a symbolic match between the proud Parisians and the rest of the country. To read more, click here. My husband, born and raised in the Paris Banlieue (suburbs) is a diehard Paris SG fan, so I will be chanting, "Paris SG c'est Magique!" tonight!

A bientot!
Liz Anne

Flowers and Philosykos

Bonjour blogsphere!

As I sit through another marathon session of conference calls, I can't help but daydream about the sunny days coming with springtime in Paris. I can't wait for the leaves to turn green and the many parks of Paris to be brimming with flowers... The legends really are true- Paris is magical in the spring! For now, I'll just be thankful to be in a country that is not getting absolutely pounded with snow, and possibly pick up some pretty flowers to break up the grey.

Lapin a la Mode Tips du Jour

Flowers and Philosykos by Lapin a la Mode featuring Proenza Schouler bags

I've been obsessed with the Philosykos fragrance line from Diptyque since September of last year, and I finally broke down and bought both the perfume and the body lotion last week (it is hard to justify any perfume purchases when you have accumulated over a hundred different scents over four years of working in cosmetics.... boy do I miss all the gratis from those days!). Let me just say, I am so glad I finally got it. The scent is just delicious and perfect for spring. The main note of the fragrance is fig, but it also has an earthy tone to it that reminds me of soil after a spring rain. It is very unique.

A second item in the collection that deserves to be written about are the Guerlain Meteorites. Before bare minerals was even dreamed up, these babies were created to even out skin tone and texture as well as provide your complexion with a soft luminescence. It is the perfect product for people who don't wear makeup, or the perfect finishing powder for those who do. An additional plus, the box containing the product is said to be a replica of Marie Antoinette's jewelry box!

Click of French Culture

One of the most previously popular haunts during fashion week (and now more of a tourist attraction) is the Hotel Costes, located on rue St. Honore. While the bar and courtyard cafe are known as a place to see and be seen, one of the original draws to this locale is the music itself. The DJs play this fabulous lounge music which fits perfectly with the dark, plush decor, and just has a way of seeping into your consciousness without being too loud and distracting. For those of you who don't want to pay the 17 euro cocktail prices, you can still enjoy the music at home through their collection of cd's. Not only are they perfect for a classy soiree background, but they are a great way to discover some lesser known artists. (My husband's and my favorite discovery was a band called Slow Train.)

Eeeek. Outlook Reminders popping up! Looks like I need to jump on yet another conference call. Have a fabulous day everyone!

A bientot,
Liz Anne

Nibbles and Nail Polish

Bonjour blogsphere,

The weather is getting warmer, but the sky is grey and rainy so I'm perking myself up with a nice warm cup of my Dammann Freres tea. Ever since we received a basket of their teas last Christmas, I've been a fan, but after finally taking the time to check out the shop two weeks ago and discovering the Cerisier de Chine flavor (green tea with cherry), I'm completely addicted! It's definitely a great defense against the end of winter blues.

Lapin a la Mode Picks du Jour


Fishy Feet by Lapin a la Mode featuring Bliss socks

So, while on my honeymoon to Thailand, I dicovered a phenomenal, ilbeit bizarre foot polishing method- FISH SPA! For those of you who are Ugly Betty fans, you may remember Vanessa Williams dipping her feet into a bucket of fishies for the perfect pedicure. It's a real treatment, where the fishies eat off only the dead skin, exposing healthy, soft skin. No, dear readers, it does not hurt, just tickle slightly. And afterwards (especially if the fishies are snacking for at least a half hour) I tend to feel the circulation in my feet improve. I've just discovered that a new Fish Spa has opened in Paris and am absolutely psyched to try it out, even if it is much more costly than the Thai prices. For more on the fishies themselves, click here.

To maintain soft, smooth feet at home, I love using the Spa Socks and Sock Salve from Bliss (available at Sephora). I am also a big fan of Sephora's nail polish stickers- it's like french manicures for dummies that have a seriously long lasting power!

Finally, if you are looking for some summery shoes and want classic, investment pieces, check out Jimmy Choo's new 24:7 line. The house has rereleased some of the most popular shoes of the brand in this capsule collection (including the red shoes pictured).

Click of French Culture
If you're ever jonesing for some asian cuisine while you are in Paris, the location "moins cher" is the 13th arrondisement. This area is known as the Chinatown of Paris, and is chock full of restaurants catering to many Asian tastes including Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Szechuan, Cantonese, and Vietnamese. Usually my lovely husband and myself can gorge ourselves silly while spending half of what we would at restaurants in other areas. Also, the asian grocery store chain (HQ'ed of course in the 13th), Freres Tang, hosts every ingredient you could possibly need for cooking any type of Asian cuisine and some of the cheapest (and freshest) produce in Paris.

On that note, I'm starving- I think it's time to rustle up some dinner for my hungry husband!

A bientot!
-Liz Anne

Printemps and Perfumistas

Bonjour blogsphere!

The days are finally getting tangibly longer and today it was nearly warm enough to traipse around the 8th without a coat. I can feel myself coming out of a long hibernation which the grey days of winter always traps me in. While this weekend weather may be only a preview of spring- it would be amazing if my compatriot Punxsutawney Phil is actually wrong about his weather prognastication of 6 more weeks of winter! (Yes, dear readers, this blogger grew up in the wilds of Western PA, in a town next to that of Groundhog's Day fame.) I am absolutely ready to don my favorite Chanel wedges and throw on one of my many floaty spring dresses and pack my collection of boots up for another year!

Lapin a la Mode Tip du Jour
Lately, I have been spending some time with fellow blogger Tasha (www.fashiondevotion.com), whose awesome blog focuses on her journey of replenishing her wardrobe on budget and her acclimation to life in France. (We are both foreign girls who have fallen hopelessly for our Frenchmen) Keeping in that vein, today's tip is for those of you feeling a strain on your pocketbook and can't rationalize doling out the money on your usual skincare. The single most important part of any woman's regime is her moisturizer- sacrifice everything else first. My personal drugstore brand of choice has always been L'Oreal; not only do they own some great high end brands like Lancome and Kiehls, but they spend the most on research and development of any cosmetic company.

Click of French Culture
As many of you know, France is famous for its perfumes, but did you know that one of the ancient royal parfumeries is still alive and kicking? Many of you know Guerlain from the mass marketed Insolence and Shalimar (of classic renown), but did you know that the house of Guerlain was given the title of His Magesty's Official Perfumer and created fragrances for the likes of Queen Victoria and Queen Isabella of Spain? Guerlain's perfume Jicky (created in 1889) is considered to be the first modern fragrance, and the first to incorporate synthetic scents. Shalimar (created by accident in 1925 when another bottle spilled into a bottle of Jicky) is one of the top fragrances of all time, but the house has many fabulous lesser known perfumes available only at the Guerlain stores or some high end department stores. These fragrances are much more complex and sophisticated than most of what is available on the mass market, giving Guerlain a real cult following amongst perfumistas... My personal favorites are Cuir Beluga, Iris Ganache, La Petite Robe Noir, and Spiritueuse Double Vanilla. If you are in Paris, be sure to check out one of the Guerlain shops and take a whiff of some of these unique scents.

Speaking of shopping- I need to go grab some grub for dinner! Have a great weekend all!

-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

Fire Up Your Little Black Dress

Bonjour Blogsphere!

Summer is winding down here in Paris. The days are getting shorter, and the Parisians are trickling back into town. The weather is still warm, but not quite as broiling as earlier in the month. Fall preview has hit the golden triangle, and fashion week is quickly approaching!

Lapin a la Mode Look du Jour: Fiery Little Black Dress

When Coco Chanel created the little black dress, she had a singular goal, to create a dress which could be worn at all times for all ocassions, while remaining timeless and elegant. American Vogue called it the Ford for women, such was its revolutionary impact. Today, the little black dress continues to flourish in myriads of designer collections as well as in the closets of women everywhere. What makes the little black dress so versatile is that there are the limitless accessorizing possibilities, each giving a totally new feel and style to the wearer.

For me, there is nothing classier than a LBD, stilettos, pearls, and red lipstick. With that in mind I created this lookbook collection. (Note: I was also inspired by my new cherry red Jimmy Choo pumps which I'm just aching to wear.) For deliciously decadent red lips, my favorite lipstick is Lancome's - Le Rouge Absolu in Red Light, topped with Yves Saint Laurent - Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss in #04 Gold Fuschia. The YSL lipgloss is always my failsafe for cocktail parties- it gives enough color by itself, never bleeds, and can be applied flawlessly without a mirror.When fiery lips are the focus of a look, I'm partial to a soft golden glow for the eyes . My favorite choice is Chanel's D'Eau Ombre Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow in Beach #82. Because it is a liquid eyeshadow, it gives more of a natural glow to the eyelids than powders alone, and has incredible staying power. To make the eyes pop, try Benefit's BADgal waterproof eyeliner (always best to be prepared- you never know when rain/allergies/emotions may strike). For the finishing flourish, liberally apply Lancome's latest mascara- Oscillation! I've fallen in love with this mascara and its vibrating wand- it's amazing how much mascara you can get onto your lashes without double dipping!

Click of French Culture:
One of my favorite places to grab lunch is in on Rue Saint Anne. This quarter which is located in the second arrondisement (near the Louvre) harbors a plethora of Japanese restaurants and is home to the yummiest sushi in Paris! The key to knowing which restaurant to choose is checking out the lines- because many of these restaurants are tiny and do not take reservations, if a restaurant is popular, you will probably have to wait a bit. The best part about the restaurants in this quarter is that the price is budget friendly- quite often you can get a full menu for 10-15 euros.

If you are up for trying something different, check out the bubble tea at Zenzoo. Bubble tea originated in Singapore in the 1980s and is a drink which contains large tapioca "bubbles" so you have the sensation of eating and drinking at the same time. There are plenty of beverage flavors, from mango and lychee, to almond and sesame. Plus the food there is fabulous, especially the Saturday special!

With that, I am starving! A bientot readers!

-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