luxe loves and lusts, Spring 2016

Sometimes you need to treat yourself.  I don't mean going shopping just for the sake of shopping, or spending money solely because you have a few extra coins in your purse.  Rewarding yourself for hard work and achieving goals, whether personally or professionally, fuels future successes and even more celebrations.  Work hard to play hard at it's best.

In America, it seems everyone had "powerball fever" - the lottery jackpot was more than US$1 Billion!  So I present to you a list of dreamlike indulgences, in no particular order, of course.

Lips and Boys.  What else does a fashionista need in her life?  Tom Ford presents the most luxurious collection of lipsticks ever, including 50 shades.  Each one is named after a man he admires—from intimates to collaborators to men he finds inspiring. Each lip color contains rich, specially treated pigments that deliver pure color with just the right balance of luminosity. Presented in an exclusive black lacquered case, this collection makes the perfect gift for yourself or someone dear.

Shades include: Holden, Beau, Collin, Cary, Guillermo, Ian, Flynn, Addison, James, Richard, Julian, Pablo, Xavier, Stavros, Liam, Henry, Alejandro, Luciano, Leonardo, Wes, Patrick, Michael, Justin, Giacomo, Rafael, Ansel, Alex, Rocco, Austin, Kingston, Louis, Jude, Malik, Daniel, Drake, David, Demsey, Jake, Hiro, Eric, Vladimir, Roman, Egon, Eddie, Derek, Roberto, Tony, Joaquin, Theo and Jay.

 Glam girls never kiss and tell.  US$1950 at Tom Ford and Nordstrom.

Goyard.  Everything.  Maison Goyard is highhandedly the most exquisite, exclusive leather goods manufacturer on the planet.  Yes, it's very expensive.  And yes, it's the ultimate luxury.  Especially anything personalized.  Whether monogramming a product already made, or creating something from your dreams, everything Goyard is simply beyond.  If money is no object, or at least in abundance, your first stop should be to a Goyard boutique.  

Dior.  Everything.  Just like Goyard's leather goods, everything Dior is simply sublime.  Every detail is paid an unlimited amount of attention and care.  Each stitch is made with purpose, both for design, function, and fabulosity.  From fine jewelry to furs, coats to clutches, sunglasses to stilettos, Team Dior does proper luxury.  If you are the Powerball winner, independently wealthy, or have an incredible generous benefactor, go for couture.  All.  The. Way.

For the suit jacket above from Dior Homme Spring 2016 collection:

This two-button jacket in black wool serge is brought up to date in a contemporary version with a navy blue and crimson red ribbon detail on the breast pocket for a guaranteed elegant and modern look.

Length of back: 73 cm
Ribbon detail on the breast pocket
Horn buttons
100% Virgin wool, Super 120's
Made in Italy
  

Live the luxe life, even for a few days when you enjoy A Taste of Waldorf Astoria.  There's nothing wrong with theme parks, obligatory visits to the House of Mouse, and shopping centers packed full of eager bargain hunters.  If you love food like I do, Waldorf Astoria Orlando has the most heavenly getaway in store.

To commemorate Waldorf Astoria as the birthplace of iconic culinary inventions such as Eggs Benedict, Red Velvet Cake and the Waldorf Salad, they've teamed up with the illustrious James Beard Foundation for a second year to find the next Taste of Waldorf Astoria.

Five emerging chefs - James Beard Rising Star Semi-Finalists – will be dispatched to five Waldorf Astoria properties around the globe to apprentice with a Waldorf Astoria Master Chef. Drawing on the heritage of the brand as a culinary innovator, the chef duos have been tasked to create the next "iconic" dish.

Bernard Fiemeyer - Educated at College Louis Armand in France and with experience in the kitchens of Japan, Thailand, France and the US, Chef Bernard Fiemeyer brings his passion for international cuisine to his current position as executive chef at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. As Executive Chef since the hotel opened in 2009, he plays a pivotal role in the property's renowned culinary program, earning the Waldorf Astoria Orlando top honors in food and beverage excellence.

Jamilka Borges, James Beard Foundation Chef - Jamilka Borges moved to Pittsburgh from Puerto Rico to attend The Art Institute's Culinary Arts Program, beginning her career with five years at Legume, working with Chef Trevett Hooper. She then joined the Bar Marco team, honing her commitment to local, simple, and honest food. In 2013, the restaurant was named to Bon Appétit's Best New Restaurant list.

HEINZ BECK & DAVID POSEY

Celery Risotto alla Waldorf

CELERY ROOT 'RISOTTO' WITH APPLE, HAZELNUT AND BLACK TRUFFLE

Congratulations to James Beard Foundation Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey and Master Chef Heinz Beck on the Year One winning Taste of Waldorf Astoria dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf. Their modern take on a celery root ‘risotto' with apple, hazelnut and black truffle became part of an illustrious heritage of iconic dishes, featured on restaurant menus at Waldorf Astoria properties worldwide.

Emirates Airlines: the ultimate in luxury and safety in the skies.  Go somewhere fabulous.  Discover something new, something special, something beyond ordinary.  And do so with style + class.



Speaking of adventures, for the ultimate travel experience, go around the world.  Literally.  If you'd prefer to fly, SkyTeam offers a Round the World ticket, allowing for 3-15 destinations in as little as 10 days and as much as one year's timeframe.  Choose your destinations from west-to-east or east-to-west, and enjoy flexibility with more than 1,000 destinations in 177 countries.  Craving sushi in Tokyo?  Start eating. Dreaming of Dubai? Start exploring.  Stargazing in South Africa?  Just a flight away.

Not to be outdone, competitor air group Star Alliance offer a similar ticket.  Join Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners when you build and book your ideal Round the World itinerary – right from your own computer – simply by accessing the Star Alliance Book and Fly tool at  (Please note that the tool is currently only available in English.)  With 27 Star Alliance member airlines operating over 21,000 flights every day, Book and Fly can take you to 1,160 destinations in 181 countries spanning the globe. You can customize your itinerary with your preferred cities, dates, flights, and cabin class of service. Thinking of a long stopover in Lisbon, followed a quick connection in Cape Town on your way to Wellington? The possibilities are endless...

Want even more exclusivity and the expertise of travel professionals at your fingertips, scoot your Manolos to Wings Over the World with Abercrombie & Kent. Wings Over the World is a new series of luxury journeys that feature privately chartered flights that let you get the most from every day of exploration. Whether you are visiting the Great Wall or the Taj Mahal, every minute you save by flying is better spent experiencing your destination alongside an A&K Resident Tour Director^®, relaxing in your incomparable, five-star accommodations or experiencing the incomparable insider access made possible by our 52 local offices. Enjoy nearly hassle-free flight departure and arrivals, flying from one destination to the next with a dedicated flight crew and no more than 16 guests.

Bliss.  If you're treating yourself or the ones you love the most, and you're able to be super generous - give a year of Bliss.  I absolutely love Bliss - their products and spas.  Membership includes a massage or facial each month, exclusive discounts on additional services, upgrades and products. US$99 per month.

Build your own car.  Of course it's exciting to visit a showroom and drive away in the car of your dreams.  But is it exactly what you were driving in your slumber?  Step it up a notch and customize your car, catering to your every hope, desire, and whim.  From Peugeot to Porsche, Ferrari to Fiat, building your own car is like having a couture gown created - everything is tailored to you.  If you can afford the luxury, bring an added dash of style + class to the road.

Splurge.  Find something you love and use constantly.  Upgrade to the best you are able.  Maybe you finally treat yourself to All-Clad's collaboration with chef Thomas Keller and add those incredible pots and pans to your kitchen arsenal.   Or you jazz up your ensemble with a Zenith watch and customized John Lobb shoes. 

What do all of these luxe loves and lusts have in common?  They're all either products you'd use everyday or an adventure to create memories of a lifetime, all on an elevated level.  You don't have to spend thousands to treat yourself.  Find something special, something with meaning, and treat yourself.  Maybe it's a babysitter to watch the kids and a movie date with your best friend, or a late morning cappuccino and that book you've been meaning to read at your local coffee shop.

Stop and smell the roses.  And coffee.  Are you living to work or working to live?

more than a breath of fresh air

Oxygen is vital to life; imagine what it can do for your skin, too!  I've admired Bliss for years - their super hydrating body butters, never-ending streams of soapy suds, effective skincare, and tongue-in-chic take on life are all simply beyond.

Recently, they revamped and recharged their Triple Oxygen collection.  CPR is so much more than a life saving medical technique - it's the recipe for serious skin results.  The new Triple Oxygen energizing serum is perfect for all skin types - formulated with oxygen boosters and advanced Vitamin C to Clarify, Protect, and Revitalize.  Ultimately, the skin's natural defenses to combat environmental stressors and restore that radiant youthfulness are jolted into gear. Work this serum into your regular skincare routine - after cleansing and underneath your moisturizer.

If you're really needing to rescue your skin, or want the ultimate spa experience, visit a Bliss Spa and treat yourself to the Triple Oxygen Facial.  Absolutely beyond.



Save 25% on the Triple Oxygen collection now with promotional code "save25" at checkout. 

I was not compensated or asked to write this review - I simply love the line and wanted to share the bliss. 

luxe loves and lusts

In a consumer marketplace driven by marketing and the creation of strong demand, it can be easily confused what is "luxury" and not so much.  There's nothing "couture" about Juicy Couture.  There's nothing "super" or "premium" about Abercrombie & Fitch.

"Luxury" is defined by a multitude of characteristics.  Quality of materials.  Durability, integrity in construction.  Time and resources required for construction, creation.  Exclusivity and distribution.  Function and convenience. All of the aforementioned characteristics need not be present for something to be considered "luxe". 

Some luxe items I'm loving and lusting, in no particular order:

-- Never run out of juice again, let alone pay for that juice. HYmini is a handheld, universal charger/adapter device that harnesses renewable wind power / solar power and conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all your 5V digital gadgets.  HYmini is a hybrid mini green power station that fits in the palm of your hand. Perfect for the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, or anything else you could charge in the car. 

How it works:

As with a hybrid automobile, more than one power source is used to collect energy.
HYmini stores energy collected from a wall plug, renewable DC input, wind and sun.

The energy stored in its internal battery can be used to recharge your cell phone, MP3 player, iPod®, PDA, digital camera or other 5V devices

• • Choose your power source including Built-in supplemental wind powered generator
    
  • Universal adaptability for mobile devices
  • Wireless charging with wind and sun
  • No need to carry extra power source 1200mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery
  • No additional software required.
  • Lightweight / handheld / compact green portable power bank
  
  
  
  
  -- Secret Supper at Southport Grocery, Chicago.  Lisa Santos, owner/chef of Southport Grocery, loves food.  And she doesn't just love food, she knows food.  Part grocery emporium, part cafe, SoPo Grocery hosts a monthly secret supper, an underground dinner, if you will.  Each month, seasonal selections are dreamed up, served alongside an eclectic mix of food lovers and fun folks, right in the middle of the place.  If you're heading to Chicago, or live in the Windy City, you must share the secret.
  
  -- skin care.  You don't have to spend a fortune to get great skin.  Focus on ingredients that are right for your skin, and you can't go wrong.  Here are some thing I especially love:
  
  
  
  • Origin's A Perfect World
    US$28.50 - 1.4 oz / 40 mL
    UV Face Protector with White Tea
    This lightweight, hydrating protective serum with White Tea plus Maritime Pine and powerful UVA/UVB sunscreens helps perfect and protect skin from environmental damage to delay visible signs of aging.
    •   features powerful silver tipped white tea, Shea butter, Mimosa
    • vitamin and antioxidant packed
    • protects the skin from stress, pollution, and fatigue
    • gives a youthful, healthy, and radiant glow
       
  • Murad's Essential-C Face Cleanser
    US$36 / 6.75 fl oz.
    This featherlight cleanser neutralized environmental aggressors, restores moisture, and prepares skin for repair.  Removes impurities and potential irritants. Binds moisture to skin.
  • Antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E neutralize free radicals and other environmental aggressors while Phospholipids bind moisture to the skin. Essential-C Cleanser establishes a well-hydrated foundation for application of a treatment product.
  • As part of the Murad Environmental Shield® line of anti aging skin care products to combat Environmental Aging, Murad Essential-C Cleanser is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to neutralize free radicals. Don’t just cleanse your skin. Restore radiance by actually giving your skin the nutrients that it needs to combat Environmental Aging.
    
  • bliss fabulous skin-reviving rubberizing mask
    US$38 / 6 pack
    Boost your skincare regimen with this straight-from-our-spa facial treatment, a weekly must for all skin types. The unique rubberizing mask is designed to envelop skin’s surface, allowing its key ingredients to be optimally absorbed by the skin. The brightening, skin-renewing formula is packed with powerful antioxidants and nourishing, detoxifying seaweed. So if you’re looking for a bright and healthy complexion—‘mask’, and you shall receive! Includes 6 individually wrapped mix-it-yourself masks, 6 spatulas and measuring scoop. 
  • features Bilberry + vitamin C to calm skin and fend off free radicals
  • leaves skin looking refreshed and vibrant
  • evens skin's tone and texture 
    

discounted bliss

I love their products, and have written about Bliss several times now. And, through midnight tonight (eastern standard time) - you can save 25% off your purchase with promotional code basics25, and enjoy complimentary shipping when you spend US$50 or more (which is not hard to do).

I really love their blood orange + white pepper collection, the fabulous foaming face wash, and a host of others.

What can be better than discounted bliss?!

Mindful fashion; a mind full of fashion

today is like a potpourri of tidbits:

~ I just watched the movie "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock, country singer Tim McGraw, and many other fabulous actors and actresses. If you haven't seen it - you must.

~ I love that Target carries Caldrea products know. They are fabulous, earth-friendly, and amazingly fragrant products for a whole new concept of fresh and clean.

~ For those who don't know, my Mom was a fabulous gardener. She loved her rose bushes. While she was fighting her terminal cancers, I assumed the gardening duties and began caring for her rose gardens. I've work really hard over the past few years to keep them flourishing in Her memory. And I'm happy to report they're really full and beautiful right now. Even the other plants are lush and lovely. And the Christian Dior roses I planted for her are simply amazing.

~ For women, I'm loving either incredibly simplistic or over-the-top indulgent. Average shoes are just not en vogue this season.

~ For men, I'm loving the attention to detail, but in a minimalistic method. Think Maison Martin Margiela. Or Michael Bastian. Killer khaki. Knock-out Navy. Youthful yellow. Gorgeous green. And wonderful, wonderful whites.

~ For both men and women, having flawless, youthful, radiant skin is the best accessory. Well, that and a dazzling smile. Fresh faces and superstar smiles are the difference between the amateurs and the professionals. Revamp your regimen and prepare now.

~ And speaking of skincare, pay special attention to your lips and hands. Have you ever seen an older person who has a fabulous face, but terribly wrinkled and discoloured hands? Paying attention to just the face, and neglecting the hands, will lead to significant signs of aging later in life. Same for the lips. Remember these steps - exfoliate at least once a week, both the hands and the lips. Cleanse daily with a moisturizing wash. Then moisturize and protect with a natural, sun protecting moisturizer.

~ I still love D&G's La Force fragrance from the astrological collection. It's #11. And I'm still disappointed that I had such awful experiences at Macy's, who apparently have the exclusive right of distribution in America for a while. So I refuse to buy the product until it's available at another retailer.

~ I have a minor obsession with skincare, bath, and body products. Sadly, I'm that consumer that buys products in advance, so I never run out of what I love. And when the product is about 1/8 from being finished, I get excited thinking about what "new" products I'm about to open, so I just might, possibly, sometimes, maybe use a little more product than I should so I can "speed up the process" and move on to the next product. So to prevent this, I've started keeping the "refill/on hand" products in a closet away from my bathroom, so I stop wasting extra product. It's my way of stretching out my mighty dollar and extending the life of my products in this less-than-stellar economy. And I can't wait to be using the Blood Orange + White Pepper soapy suds body washes from Bliss that I've stashed away.

~ I'm still loving when both men and women layer multiple bracelets. Various fabrics, medals, textures, sizes, colours, stones. Make them reflect your personality and style. Make them your own.