Sunday's Outfit

Sunday's outfit:

- Black Silk + Lace Federica
- Purple+ Black Pinstripe Cardigan
- Dark Gray Tights
- 3 -Strap Jeffrey Campbell Mary Jane's

An Education

Today was one of those days that I just did not want to leave the house. It was windy outside and constantly looked like it would storm. I was supposed to go to the doctor for my follow up blood work, but really could not stomach another $300 blood work bill when I am still paying off the last one.

Around 2 I left the house and walked up to Safeway to pick up some chicken for dinner, and on my way home decided that I couldn't sit in the house any longer today - I had watched enough Law & Order and just needed to be in a different environment, so I decided to go down to the Fox Tower and finally see "An Education."

I agree with Moya's review on many points - Peter Sarsgaard's accent being all over the place. and I too LOVED to costumes. I love period pieces like this, makes me long for 1950's/1960's England/Paris. Since the weather is all over the place and sitting in the house makes me depressed and I have stopped drinking (for the moment) I am going t try to see two movies a week. On Thursday or Friday I will check out Pirate Radio - it looks so funny.

Today's outfit:
Pomegranate dress from spring 04
Black kimono style cardigan from spring 05
Sweater leggings
3-Strap Mary Jane's

As Close To New Mayle As I Will Get

Day 15 of my outfit challenge. I paired the black silk and lace Federica from spring 07 with my favorite cardigan from spring 05 (the pink and black stripped one), dark gray tights and my 3-strap Mary Jane's (it rained today). After lounging around the house for most of the morning, we had a quick lunch at home and then drove out to Costco in Beaverton for some bulk items we needed like Special K, Carr's crackers, my favorite French cheese, paper for the wireless printer (Jon finally set up yesterday), the new In Style (which I swear I subscribed to) and a few other things.

I had not been to Costco since the beginning of October when I was surprised that they already had out holiday decorations for Christmas. The store was a cornucopia of holiday stuff from tins of peppermint bark, truffles and cookies, to extra large rolls of wrapping paper, wreaths, Christmas trees and some surprising items like Bliss products in special sets, Marc Jacobs perfume (the large bottle that's normally $80 for $45).

I often cruise the book and magazine section. Today I saw the newly released Peter Mayle book "The Vintage Caper." When I saw it I felt a little twinge. I sort of wanted it - it WAS a Mayle item, just not one that I would treasure and definitely produced the wrong "Mayle." Part of me thought, "this is the closest I will ever get to anything Mayle again, that's new" but I knew I was just being ridiculous.

Lyell

I just received an email this morning about some amazing tweed jackets and shorts at Lyell. Foaming at the mouth with jealousy! Please report back if you have the chance to check these out in person. No where to buy Lyell out here on the left coast sadly...

One More Caudelie Favorite

This set is AMAZING. It's only $32 but when I first bought this back in 2006 the sample products lasted me about a month. The elixir alone is $15 when sold seperately!

VinoGo Weekend Kit ($50 Value)
What it is: Caudalie essentials for your weekend getaway - a complete regimen for beauty from the vine!

What it is formulated to do: Smooth, hydrate, and help defend the skin from the early signs of aging.

Kit includes:
- 1.6 oz Instant Foaming Cleanser
- 1 oz Beauty Elixir
- 0.07 oz Contour Cream Eyes & Lips
- 0.13 oz Energizing Cream
- 0.14 oz Lip Conditioner
- 1 oz Cabernet Shower Gel
- 1 oz Nourishing Body Lotion

More Favorites From Sephora

Lately I have been on a beauty kick and have been obsessed with bath products. Maybe its the sense of escape - being in a great smelling bath with a good book or the latest issue of New York Magazine. With so many products on the market its hard to find something organic (or close to organic). So insead of Mayle, I have been spending my money on lotions and potions...some favorites after the jump.

I am a huge fan of Caudelie products. They are organic, smell good, not super expensive and very good quality. I first started using them when I was pregnant with Max - I had no idea where to turn for something natural - at first I thought Fresh, which I love but the cost of most of their products can be out of reach. I also like that Caudelie offers a variety of sizes for some of their most popular products like the beauty elixir, the foaming face wash and spa in the jar - and depending on the Sephora? They always have a sample of something that you want to try. Before moving to Portland last year I received an invitation to have a complimentary mini facial at the Space NK Apothecary in Bloomingdale's and got to experience a few products that I normally would not have tried. For you New Yorker's they opened a Caudelie Spa in the newly revamped Plaza Hotel. Here are my top picks for Caudelie starter sets at Sephora (I spotted them yesterday when I was at the mall). As soon as I have an influx of cash I am definitely going to buy the starter spa set for $30. Its a pretty good value and I like the packaging.

Spa In A Bag ($46 Value)
What it is: A trio of quintessential body treatments in a reusable bag.

What it is formulated to do:
Achieve serious spa-quality results with this ensemble designed to diminish the appearance of cellulite, firm, and cleanse.

This set contains:
- 6.7 oz Shower Gel
- 5.3 oz Crushed Cabernet Scrub
- 0.5 oz Hand and Nail Cream
- 1.0 oz Nourishing Body Lotion

I have to say I LOVE the Caudelie hand cream. MUCH nicer than Bliss (but I do love the Bliss Blood Orange with White Pepper fragrance).

Korres

For those of you interested in the Korres set that I got at Sephora for 39.50 - more info below and here. Did I mention, these are PERFECT for travel??

Never Too Many Set ($99 US Value)
What it is: A holiday gift collection featuring twelve top-selling Korres body products.

What it is formulated to do:
This blockbuster ensemble includes six energizing and refreshing showergels, and six rich body butters. The natural, nourishing, age-fighting formulas create a luxurious experience and soft, youthful results.

This set contains:
- 6 x 1.69 oz Showergels in Basil Lemon, Jasmine, Guava, Clementine, Melon, and Mint
- 6 x 1.69 oz Body Butters in Basil Lemon, Jasmine, Guava, Clementine, Melon, and Mint

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
Korres Showergels are delightfully foaming, purifying must-haves that are enriched with age-fighting Active Aloe®, wheat proteins, and vitamins for long-lasting hydration and protection. Korres hydrating Body Butters soften, moisturize, and restructure the skin. These formulas are free of PPGs, MEA, DEA, TEA, formaldehyde donors, ethanolomine, mineral oils, silicone, and propylene glycol.