Penhaligon's: The Anthology Collection.

What's the one thing yours-truly likes more than high-heeled shoes, vintage dresses, AND red lipstick? Yep, perfume! One of my first jobs was as a salesgirl at a perfume shop at the mall. We didn't exactly have a lot of business, so most of my time was spent sitting around spritzing perfume on every area of available skin, mixing scents, and trying to figure out fragrance lingo {head notes, heart notes...I still haven't got it all straight}. These days, I still find it very difficult to walk by a department store perfume counter or pass by Sephora without wanting to try/buy something new. What I wouldn't give to pay a visit to London's lovely Penhaligon's perfumery! Their new re-released line of scents from the Anthology Collection features six scents from 1927 to 1976. I love the idea of wearing something that evokes a bit of nostalgia for a particular period. I also really love the fact that three of scents are from the year I was born {I can't believe I'm giving away my age}: the 1976 Night Scented Stock and the Gardenia sound amazing. Must have been a lush year !

::What are your favorite scents?? Have you tried anything from Penhaligon's?

Spring Wishlist 2010: Better in the Nude

{click image for full details}.

I'm tired of denying it: spring is totally on my mind! I'm completely smitten with all variations of nude right now: pinky, peachy, beige-ish nudes. Here are a few items I wouldn't mind calling my own...

1. A fresh floral perfume-- the new Chloe fragrance is gorgeous!

2. A flowy dress that feels more like a nightgown.

3. A gorgeous nude leather satchel.

4. A wear-everywhere sandal -- soft, suede and strappy.

5. The perfect combination: black sequins and light pink chiffon.

6. A moody floral in a sexy tight pant.

7. A bright pinkish coral to make my lips pop.

8. A classic wedge with great buckle details.

9. The wear-everywhere tee: soft and slouchy.

What are your wishlist items for spring??

Holiday Wishes and Red Velvet Dreams...

To be fair, I know Santa is already bringing me a few of the items on my wish list...but no one has claimed the velvet dress or the satin PJ's yet!

• Amazon Kindle: I was uber-skeptical about the electronic book idea for a while, but when I realized I could download a ton of classic literature for next to nothing {and save room on my bookshelves}, I was sold.


• Betsey Johnson Satin PJ's: Winter has a tendency to make you feel a little less than seductive {due to erratic shaving habits and more layers of clothing}, but I think satin nighties might help.


• J Crew Annalise Ruffle Cami: the color and the face-framing ruffles just make me smile, and this would work well layered or worn alone in the warmer months.


• Toast Silk and Velvet Dress: A perfect party dress for fall and winter...plus, I cannot stop obsessing about velvet.


• Cuisinart Coffee Maker: This is a sign I'm officially a grown-up. No sir, no more $20 appliances for me!


• Marc Jacobs Lola eau de parfum: such a gorgeous scent...and an equally pretty bottle.

::What is on your wish list this year????

Current Obsession: Lipstick Queen

Not only is Poppy King the creator and founder of the new line of luxury lip products, Lipstick Queen, but she is also a writer, an entrepreneur, and an inspiration to women {and men} everywhere. With no experience or training, Poppy started her own successful line of cosmetics in Australia at age 18. Following her success down under, she worked in New York for a large cosmetics corporation for several years. She recently started her own cosmetics company in NYC.

Inspired by glamorous lips across the decades -- from seductive medieval lip stains to 70's disco shine -- Lipstick Queen features "unusual lipsticks infused with all the glamour, the fun, the style and the cheekiness that is inherent in being female."

Need I even mention the drop-dead-gorgeous art nouveau packaging? Poppy has said one of her inspirations is the decadent artist Aubrey Beardsley {one of my favorites as well}. I'm pretty sure Poppy is my new girl-crush...and Lipstick Queen is my new obsession.

::Check out Poppy's story here; get your hands on her book here, and load up on her beautiful lipstick at Barney's New York.

Holiday Giveaway and Perricone Coupons!

When the folks at Perricone offered to do a giveaway on my blog, I couldn't pass it up. First of all, I'm a total skincare and anti-aging product junkie. Second, I have heard AMAZING things about Perricone products!

The winner of this giveaway will receive a jar of their Cold Plasma {normally $150 retail!}: "Cold Plasma is a universal skin care product; suited for anyone, no matter how old your skin is, what your skin type is, or whether you’re male or female. It works through a patented ionic (i.e. charged particles) suspension carrier system which allows for your skin to extract from Cold Plasma’s formula according to your individual, unique needs." Sounds pretty intriguing, no?

Money is tight for everyone right now, so this is a wonderful opportunity to try something you might not otherwise be able to splurge on [or give it as a gift!]. Be sure to check their site for a Perricone Coupons, too.

Here are the contest rules:

::The contest will last for 10 days starting from the time it is posted [Friday Dec. 11 at around 6 p.m.].

::Leave a comment on this post, including your e-mail address. The winner will be chosen at random.

::Unfortunately, this giveaway is only available for U.S. residents.

**Good luck, my pretty peaches!!

P.S. The winner for my calendar giveaway was Maggie! Her holiday tradition of the Christmas bat was just too cute...anything that combines a bit of Halloween with Christmas is a winner in my book...

The List: 10 Beauty Products I Can Always Count On

They say French women never give away their beauty secrets. Let's face it folks, no matter how much I might want to be, I am clearly not French! I love it when ladies divulge their beauty secrets, so I thought it was time to return the favor. It's all about give and take, right? I've tried A LOT of products {and been disappointed many times}, but these are the 10 skin, hair, and beauty products I keep going back to, because they actually work! What are the products you love, love, love?

1. Chanel Red #14 Lipstick: this has an absolutely gorgeous texture and is the perfect red shade for my pale-pinkish skin tone.
2. Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream -- I use this every night on my face and neck and always wake up dewey and uber-mousturized.
3. Clinique Mild Liquid Facial Soap -- cleans without stripping or overdrying.
4. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara -- I apply about a million coats of this, but it never looks clumpy, and it never rubs off during the day.
5. Origins Modern Friction Natural Microdermabrasion -- I love that this is made with natural ingredients, but even more, I love that it works like magic. It makes my skin insanely soft and smooth!
6. Bare Minerals Foundation -- this is the only foundation I have found that keeps my oily skin under control, evens out my blotches, and looks truly natural.
7. Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser -- smells lovely and helps extend the days between shampoos.
8. Brite Smile Whitening Pens -- I hate whitening strips, so these are a revelation! They are easy and quick to use and actually taste good.
9. Smashbox Photo Finish Face Primer -- I never understood the purpose of primer until I used this: my makeup goes on smoother, my skin stays fresh all day, and my pores are minimized.
10. Frederic Fekkai Anti-Breakage Hair Mask -- since I've been using this {about 3 times a week}, my hair has been softer, more manageable, and less tangly.

::Do you have any beauty secrets you'd like to share?

Creepy Beautiful.

Who says creepy can't be beautiful!? I'm loving these Halloween-inspired beauty products...Let's turn our bath into a witch's brew!

{From the top} :: Black Angel Wing Soap by Soapy Chica ::Halloween Shea Butter Soap by Sweet Petula ::The Blood Countess Essential Oil Perfume by Starborn Alchemy :: Witches Magick Bath Set by White Magic ::Pure Temptation Body Buff by Ophelia's Apothecary ::Halloween Spider Treats All Natural Shea Butter Moisturizing Lip Balm by Ophelia's Apothecary ::Black Cat Perfume by Wylde Ivy.

Current Obsession: Green Polish

What can I say? The embarrassment of showing my feet to the world pales in comparison to my desire to show off this new Sally Hansen Emerald City green polish! My toes are off to see the wizard...

::Check out some other great green options here, here, and here!

Current Obsession: Chanel Collection Noirs Obscurs

In accordance with my lifelong love of all things dark and vampiric, I am crazy-excited about Chanel's new Noirs Obscurs collection. There is, of course, the essential black nail polish and dark-as-night shadow. But what I'm most curious about is the killer dark purple lipstick named "Vendetta."

I think these shades would also work really well for experimenting with the Dior gothic-flapper look from Paris runways earlier this year...perhaps there is a Halloween costume idea in here somewhere...!?

How to Smell Like Brigitte Bardot

I've mentioned before that I can be a bit of a perfume-floozy. When the seasons change, I become restless and I want a new fragrance.

Last fall I was obsessed with Annick Goutal's Mandragore {made from the "magical" mandrake root}. But, since the bottle is almost empty, I have been on the prowl for a new perfume. I was leaning toward Patyka Ambre or Marc Jacobs Lola {both of which smell amazing}, but I wasn't completely ready to make the commitment...and then I discovered Tocca Brigitte.

Thank-goodness for Sephora free samples!!! I probably would never have found this perfect scent otherwise! The fragrance is inspired by Brigitte Bardot, and is a blend of rose and sandalwood -- just gorgeous. I believe finding a perfume that suits you is a little like buying a new house or car -- you just know when you see it...or smell it, in this case!

What about you?? Do you stick to one fragrance year-after-year, or do you switch it up? How do you know when a scent is right for you?

Weekend Links

{via Belle Maison}

I hope you had a lovely week, m'dears! My little sis arrived yesterday, and I'm excited to catch up with her this week. What weekend adventures do you have planned? Aside from the Labor Day lake activities we have in store, I'm probably most excited to do a bit of vintage shopping with my sister and pop open the fancy bottle of champagne I bought for our belated birthday toast to each other. I'm also thrilled to have a "5 Things Friday" guest post today on one of my favorite blogs, Oh, Mishka! Check it out if you have a chance!

**And here are some links for you to get lost in...

::Practice you flapper slang at Behind the Curtain.

::Amazing photos of A Week of Food from around the world on Heart and Design.

::Tiny Showcase is a great place for affordable art and original prints.

::Picasso's famous war-protest painting Guernica is re-imagined in 3-D.

::Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab specializes in dark, moody,Victorian-inspired scents.

::Dream bathrooms to drool over on Belle Maison.

And three much-anticipated films coming out soon {all set in the Victorian period!}: Check out the Dorian Gray trailor here, the Sherlock Holmes trailor here, and The Wolfman trailer here!

xoxo,
Tara

Things You Never Knew You Needed Until Now...

Obviously I'm feeling a bit girly -- and a little French -- this week:

::"Cat" original painting by artist Jennifer Davis

::Milky Flowers in Sunrise Clutch by Eight Seasons

::Ceramic Doll's Face Ring by Mixco

::Bonne Nuit Lavendar Scented Dream Doll by La Pomme

::Porcelain Wall Pillow by Stepanka Ceramics

::French Laundry Scented Body Cream by Portland General Store

::Knotted Gold Bow Necklace by Sea Unicorn

::Thomas Paul Ludite pouch at Velocity

::Personalized Handmade Silk Passport Holder by Bridget Davies


::The Dopo Puccini Cotton and Silk Sleep Mask by Del Guidice Studio

Fall Fashion: Pre-Season Wish List

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot
Sad but true, it's hot and humid outside, and I'm officially composing my Fall fashion shopping list. I am cleaning my closet out [again], and making room for the new!

[Click on the image for further details...]

An Autumn-inspired collage of some of my favorite things for the new season:

::A luxe-boho floppy hat.
::A loose, flowy dress in a dark pattern.

::Gold-flecked eyeshadow.
::Dark plum polish or lipstick.
::A large, worn leather carry-all.
::Suede, jewel-tone platform pumps.
::A pair of tall lace-up boots.
::A cozy, vanilla-based perfume.
::A jangly gold charm bracelet.
::What is on your Autumn/Fall wish-list??

Back to School Wish List: Back to [Not-So] Basics

Two more weeks and many of us go back to school. Hey, the upside to the end of summer fun is shopping for new school supplies, right?? And even if you're not in school, the end of a season brings subtle, exciting changes. What are you daydreaming about now that the season is winding down? Here are a few items on my back-to-school wish list:

::Reading Glasses Necklace by the MIX
::Grey Boyfriend Blazer at Fred flare

::Cath Kidson mini agenda at Fred Flare
::TokyoMilk scented bubble bath at Fred Flare

::The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior at Anthropologie
::Preening Peacock Pen at Anthropologie

::Crosley table alarm clock and speaker at Urban Outfitters
::BDG leather saddle shoe at Urban Outfitters



::Plan B Flask at Urban Outfitters
::Plaid Reading Glasses at Urban Outfitters



::Vintage-inspired compact mirror at Urban Outfitters
::Deena and Ozzy Quilted laptop bag at Urban Outfitters

Things You Never Knew You Needed until Now...

Poppy Tea Pot and Mugs by Dalhaus

Pale Ale Handmade Cold-process Beer and Cedarwood Soap from Krug's Eco-logic
Origami Floral Mobile made from recycled magazines by FashionFinds

Euphrasie Multi-chain necklace by White Owl

Bow Print Black and White Tee by Pretty Racoon


Let the Beauty You Love Be What You Do plaque by Rae Dunn


Six Poets Library Prints by Aurora Lee Hales

Red Seal Pendant by Ritzy Misfit

Cole & Son wallpaper from Rose & Radish

Conversation Cushion by Barnaby Barford