Two loves

An unbelievably perfect skim latte + Britney playing on my new pink iPod nano. loves.

Chanel - Summer 2011 Beauty

Chanel's released their Summer 2011 collection, Les Fleurs d'Ete de Chanel. Most of the items are available now online from Chanel directly or Nordstrom, and if you like any of the Les Vernis (nail polish) you should act quickly, limited editions all around! I'm pretty excited for all three polishes and the Soleil Tan de Chanel in particular...update: I've ordered the Mimosa polish. Yellow is *it* for summer - if you're scared try it on your toes first :) 

Images from: Chanel website + Temptalia

Out Shopping...

I made time for a quick stop in Madewell this past weekend and just love the current collection they've got going! Lots of funky stripes, denim and bright colors for spring.

1. Shadow-stripe scarf + wayward jean shirt ($49.50 + $88) - Madewell offers a crazy-awesome selection of scarves year-round. I love the red detail bordering on this blue and white striped scarf. And if you don't have a jean / chambray shirt yet - what gives?!?
2. Striped drifter shorts ($69.50) - Love these, especially as styled in the photo above with a worn in brown belt.
3. Bright tees and shorts!! - a whole wall of the store was tricked out with reds, corals, and oranges. I love the way they mix these brights with basic whites, greys and soft pinks. Try these online pics in similar shades: silk intermission top in red hibiscus ($88), silk capulet tank in french terracotta (on sale: $69.99), and silk safari shorts in red hibiscus ($88)
4. Super cute pair-able bracelets ($8-12) - not offered online, so go to the B&M store to pick these up. I got a handful while I was there, so affordable!!
5. Grey silk crepe blouse ($88) - not available online but the somerset pocket top in raccoon ($78) is a similar silk crepe fabric. This is a great fabric for spring and summer - and versatile as a layering piece worn from work into the weekend.
6. Le minor® dip-dyed tee ($95) - they carry better colors in-store but I'm fond of the ecru anthracite offered online too!

luxe : less - The Beach Hair Edition

Beach hair is a great low-maintenance style for the warmer months. Bonus is it's also not as hard on your hair as heat-treated styles (as long as you condition regularly to help keep the salty products from drying out your tresses!)

Bumble and bumble offers the best known and most praised beach hair spray, called surf spray. This product is awesome - it smells like the beach and adds instant body. But at $23 for 4 oz I'm wary to make this luxe spray a product staple. 

Luckily, towards the end of last summer I found a fantastic less stand-in that works just as well. It's from Not Your Mother's and is only $6 for 8 oz -  only 13% the cost of b+b's per oz!!! The Beach Babe - texturizing sea salt spray smells eerily similar to Bumble's and works just as well. To use: spray it onto damp hair after a shower, comb through and tousle your hair with your fingers - done!

luxe lust

I'm obsessed with Tom Binns jewels. I'm not the only one, his designs have been worn by an interesting variety of fashionistas...from Cate Blanchett and Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga.


I think his pieces are simply put - stunning. They're works of art and admirable as standalone objects let alone as part of an ensemble. I've been lusting in particular for the top right Hand-painted Swarovski crystal necklace below ($715). It feels more realistically wearable for my everyday life. Though I dream of the days I have the lifestyle, shopping budget and appropriate event to wear his massive bunches of pearls and crystals, or the lower right Ethno Teknik necklace ($2,175).

For now I'm hoping he decides to collaborate with a mid-range brand to provide his beauty to the masses...thoughts on an interesting collaboration partner for Tom?

Tom himself describes his inspiration as follows "...creative inspiration was and remains the early twentieth century Dada movement, amongst whose themes were deliberate irrationality, anarchy, and the rejection of standard beauty and social organisation." Art from the Dada movement is often classified as nonsensical, rule breaking, and whimsical. The images below and the pieces on his website surely embody these characteristics.

Out Shopping...

With the weather getting warmer I have even more reasons to get out and...shop! Below, a few pics of pieces that caught my eye while out this past weekend...

1. The Baker's, The Chemist's and The Refracted Ambiance Jars @ Anthropologie ($18 - 28) - these look great on bathroom shelves stocked with beauty essentials

2. Alice + Olivia Pace Rhinestone Boxy Tee @ Saks ($495) - a picture can't do this 100% silk tee justice. The alternating rows of rhinestones and beads are gorgeous. Lusting after this tee - dreaming of it paired with my jeggings/slim jeans and flats

3. Amplified Stripes Blouse @ Anthropologie ($98) -  a nice blouse alternative vs. the overwhelming availability of striped t-shirts. Pair this with white jeans and sandals

4. Trench Motorcycle Jacket @ J.Crew ($168) - this cotton twill jacket with neon accent zippers is the perfect jacket to throw on with jeans and a tee. It would make any outfit look stylish without effort

5. Leopard Reusable Tote @ J.Crew ($15) - cute, eco-friendly, durable, multi-purpose. Enough said!

6. Society Taper Holders @ Anthropologie ($18-24) - I'm always game for a few crystal home accents - I love these pieces as standalone objects. They'd look great with a pastel colored taper for spring too

Signs of Spring

For the reasons illustrated below, I officially declare it Spring. Boots stored, spring handbags out...

If only...

...I had the money to buy the whole outfit. And more importantly, a place to wear it. Those sequin shorts are at the same time absurd and necessary. Well done J.Crew

luxe : less - The S/S 2011 Sandal Edition

Spring/Summer 2011 runways had a few shoe trends that honestly made me cringe - clogs and the "shoe sandal." But as the warm days draw nearer I've been pleasantly surprised with designers' translation of other runway themes into fresh sandals with closet staying power. The brands I covet turned out the real keepers: Chloe, Reed Krakoff,  and Pour La Victoire. The trends I'm loving: wedges, straps, saddle leather, and neutrals. Find four luxe and less pairings below!

1. Chloé Wooden wedge leather sandals (luxe @ $575) - beautiful wooden wedges that will pair gorgeously with almost any dress. I like how the straps are thinner on this pair

2. Coach Maleena wedge in whiskey veg leather (less @ $198) - very similar silhouette to the Chloé pair, thin and elegant straps here as well

3. Pedro Garcia Thais Vacchetta leather and suede wedge sandals in cigar (luxe @ $430) - another example of the beautiful saddle leather coloring, I love the suede platform here as an alternative to wood, cork, or the traditional espandrille

4. J.Crew Marguerite leather wedges in toffee (less @ $165) - another all-suede wedge with a deep rich brown leather. Pair these or the Pedro Gargia pair with cropped pants or jeans, skirts, and dresses

5. Pour La Victoire Crisscross flat sandals in black (luxe @ $224) - a flat and thick-strapped sandal like this adds a bit of funk to a basic outfit - I'm imaging these with cropped jeggings and a plain tee while walking the city or running errands

6. J.Crew Salina leather sandals in black (less @ $98) - an awesome match to the Pour La Victoire pair, at less than half the price. I actually prefer how this pair lacks the crisscross straps across the top of the foot. These are also beautiful in the toffee color as well

7. Reed Krakoff Leather ballerina flats in toffee (luxe @ $395) - I personally am loving the neutral / nude trend for Spring/Summer. These leather flats would go with anything, and the stitching and toe cap details are gorgeous

8. J.Crew Classic leather ballet flats in tawny sand (less @ $110) - an amazing dupe color-wise, J.Crew flats are super comfortable with soft leather and a padded foot bed

Top 10 Facial Products

Everyone agrees - we'd all prefer a perpetually perfect complexion to a new sweater, pair of shoes, or the latest handbag. Unfortunately, when it comes to our faces we can't always buy what we want. That said, there are a few clutch products that can help keep us glowing and wrinkle-free. Here are my Top 10. And if you don't want to break the bank or try them all, here's the cheat sheet: buy #'s 1, 2, 8 + 9

1. Befine Exfoliating Cleanser ($25) - I was skeptical of the ingredient list at first (brown sugar, sweet almond, oats), but I found this scrub is amazing and gentle enough to use a few times a week or even daily. After using this for a few month's (after trying it for the first time via Birchbox), this has made a serious impact on my skin's texture and clarity
2. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser (~$8-$11, retail outlet depending) - the old standby. Everyone should have this stuff in their shower. It's the trusted cleanser every single dermatologist recommends and it works for all skin types
3. Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System ($149) - totally scary price tag but unmatched results. I waited a long time to jump on the Clarisonic bandwagon, but after reading about the one thousandth celebrity who "swore by my Clarisonic" I bit the bullet and ordered one. I have used it everyday since and will never go back to normal cleaning. It's quick, easy, and has cleared up trouble spots that nothing else seemed to help
4. Ahava Purifying Mud Mask ($30) - another one with ingredients that may scare you away, but don't be frightened! The dead sea mud in this mud mask is the best around. This mask is awesome and works very quickly - you can feel the tingle while you wait the short 2 minutes before washing it off!
5. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($52) - praised as the "at home" version of the famous spa line's facial, this mask is a great pick-me-up for dull skin. Try it mid-week to help get your glow back. You can really feel the "oxygenation" after using this. If you love this, try the facial cream from the same line
6. Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector ($44.50) - amazing for those of you worried about new or old wrinkles. This serum is really effective and has won a great amount of beauty buzz since launch. I think it smells incredibly similar to La Mer's Regenerating Serum (ahem, which goes for $250), makes me think the active ingredients are very similar
7. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($27) - A great eye cream for morning or night, this is thick and won't smudge into your eyes
8. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (~$11 - 16, retail outlet depending. Note the link here is for a pack of two) - a GREAT drugstore product. Find this at your local CVS/Walgreens/Duane Reade/Rite Aid. This is super inexpensive for a Retinol anti-wrinkle product 
9. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($24.50) - a great basic moisturizer for all skin types, no smell and moisturizing without leaving your skin looking shiny
10. La Mer Moisturizing Lotion ($210) - gasp, the price. The problem is, when you buy this lotion you end up wanting to slather yourself with it...and at $210 for 1.7 oz most people don't have that luxury. But, if you can swallow the price tag and pace yourself through the bottle this unquestionably the best moisturizer. Try this lotion through spring and summer, but the famous Crème de la Mer is best for those dealing with winter in dry and cold climates