Tag Archives: perfume

Spuhriinng!

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It is, without a shadow of a doubt, Spuhrrinng in Santa Barbara!

After the rains, we’re  blessed with longer days, buds bursting forth into delicate tissue paper blossoms, birdsong and the frog’s chorus float through the open windows all day long.

Yay!!

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Our resident songstress

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I even found these orchids, long discarded from an indoor pot, earnestly re-blooming way back in the cheap seats of the garden.

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Meanwhile…I wonder if I’ll ever get everything I need to do, done.

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Probably not.

Dior ring

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china plates from Bodo Sperlein. Bespoke hand painted canvas by Annie Millar. via British House & Garden.

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Detail from a cherry blossom sconce light at Anthropology

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But I’m not going to sacrifice ‘Stop, Look & Listen’ (OK, I know that’s for crossing the road, but it works for the garden too) when there’s so much to take in.

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Jo Malone Cherry Blossom cologne

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It’s like Grand Central around here

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and look what I found outside a bedroom window on Easter Sunday

Let’s face it, everyone’s really busy right now…

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…Here’s to new beginnings!

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~

Eat, Pray, Walk…Skate

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“The Walk of Peace”, Sun Valley, Idaho

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This is the river that runs behind our home in Sun Valley.  Although there’s a direct walk just down the  stairs from our porch, my husband decided a few years ago that it would be nice to create a more circuitous, serpentine path to the river.  He likes to call this “The Walk Of Peace”  Much like a labrynth (OMG- what is wrong with this sp.?! this will do, I’m not going back to spell-check again)   As I was saying, much like a you- know-what,  navigating the winding, rocky path to the river’s edge is meant to evoke a contemplative, peaceful and introspective mood.  And much like Julia Robert’s character in the meditation scene of EAT, PRAY, LOVE, I often find it difficult to reach this state of Oneness with The Universe on The Walk Of Peace. Try as I might, I can’t help fixating on how much it costs to maintain the wild willow encroaching upon the path faster than Bamboo on steroids.  OHMMMMMM.  I can hear it growing as I walk.  OHMMMMMM…… Why do the things you don’t like, grow the fastest? OHMMMM…BTW, who loves Murphy’s Law better than Mother Nature??

But, my powers are strong too.  If ever I doubted them for a moment (which, let’s face it, NOT) they were cemented last night when I actually got 2 of the 3  men in the house to go see a 9:30 showing of EAT, PRAY, LOVE.  If I’m to be completely honest, this may have everything to do with the fact that my 16 year old son is jumping at any chance possible to practice his driving, especially in the dark. OHMMMM.  There were 3 men in the theatre- 2 of them with me.  I couldn’t really get a beat on the third man as he was sitting  too far in front, but I’m pretty damn sure it was Sawyer.  More on that later.

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Here’s the skinny on the film, in my humble opinion;  It’s just OK.  I must admit, I was a tad bored.  Perhaps if we’d gone to an earlier showing, or I hadn’t eaten a shamefully huge spaghetti dinner before hand, the copious pasta close-ups would have held more appeal. Instead, the only emotion the food sequences provoked was guilt.  I could hardly eat my popcorn (butter halfway down, no truffle salt)  Who can sit in a movie theatre without eating popcorn??  I don’t even want to know that person. But I digress…

Julia Roberts is still Julia Roberts, so if you loved her then, you’ll love her now.  If you were never a huge fan, you”ll be totally fixated on her mouth.  I’m not going to say which camp I belong to.  I read the book a long time ago and liked it, even bought it for a few friends.  Then a weird thing started to happen… I began to feel, as is often the case in our culture, it was getting more hype than it deserved. It wasn’t that great. When they announced it was being made into a movie,  a slow resentment started to simmer, reaching a slow rolling boil when I read about the EAT PRAY LOVE cologne (swear) and the E.P.L. section in Cost Plus (double swear!)

And yet… I still went to the movie, opening night, so I don’t know what that says about me.

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Cost Plus’s buyers “travel the world—to the same places that the character visits,” Alvidres said. “The items fit with what Cost Plus is about—affordable, unique, and authentic products. Buyers can now watch the film and then take a part of it home with them.”

“Basically, it’s a chick flick,” said Durazzo, “and as 85 percent of our customers are women … We are getting great buzz.”

* Quotes from an article in The Santa Barbara Independent

Rogue elephant creamer anyone?

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I’ll leave it at this; Isn’t all the over the top marketing and Beanie Baby-esque commercialization of EAT, PRAY, LOVE  sort of the antithesis of the message of the book?

No? OK, my bad.  Pass the Penne shaped Prayer Beads ($3.99) I’ve sinned again…

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Can’t wait to hear what you think!
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The Sawyer update, I think I must save for another  post :)  We are off to see Evan Lysacek performing tonight at the Sun Valley Inn!  We gather our blankets, seat cushions and libations and go to the  Ice Show every year.  Lovely memories that feel a bit like a throw back to simpler times.
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I don’t know about you, but just looking at these photos brings tears to my eyes!
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In closing, Thank you all SO MUCH for the amazing feedback on my 200th post!!  You guys are awesome.  I so appreciate all the positive input and suggestions and I’m outrageously grateful to have such a cool bunch of commenters on my blog.  I will, in the future, include more music, home photos, random chatter and definitely share some of our barn raising experience with you.
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Where I’m writing from
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Namaste
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COCO & IGOR

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Mads Mikkelson & Anna Mouglalis in Coco & Igor

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Just a mini post to tell you that if you love clothes, beautiful set design and Mads Mikkelsen (ding, ding, & DING)  you must go see “Coco & Igor” The look and scenery might not be quite as beautiful as “Coco Avant Chanel” but the costume design and casting in this film about Chanel’s possible dalliance with Igor Stravinsky- deeevine.  Anna Mouglalis is SO beautiful it almost hurts to look at her.  Coco would be twirling in her pearls to have someone this gorgeous portraying her, and don’t even get me started on Mads (remember the James Bond villain  from Casino Royale with the bleeding eye? That’s him)  See this movie for three reasons; 1) you are going to develop a new crush, which is always fun  2) Coco’s clothes…oh, the clothes!!  Better than “Coco Avant Chanel” If you’re anything like me you will be totally inspired to clean out your closets (again)  and 3) Your posture might improve. I think every woman leaving this film is going to try to walk just a little like Anna Mouglalis, at least for the rest of the day (how does she walk like that?? Damn those French women!)

(French with English Sub-titles. And nudie scenes with Mads, which is sort of reason 4 :) )

See link to trailer below;

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The Real Deal

PS. LOVED the kaleidoscope visuals in the opening credits but is anyone else tired of credits that keep popping up 10 to 12 minutes into a movie?? Doesn’t it just hinder your surrender into the film, or is it just me ?

COCO & IGOR Click for the trailer

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Friday Favourites (8)

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AZU

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It’s that Day already! My favourite place to go right now, and every year at this time, is Ojai, CA. to experience all the orange groves in full bloom.  The drive through the mountains from Santa Barbara is spectacular, especially with all the rain we’ve had. The wild flowers are blooming and the lake is high and oh so blue.  It’s best to go late afternoon on a warm day when the scent is heady and lush and the light is divine.  Last week I drove through the fields and stopped several times to take photos and just immerse myself in the smell-it’s so intense it almost makes you giddy.   If you live anywhere close and haven’t been this year, please don’t miss it!  Stop at Azu for delicious food, a nice wine selection, and great home-made gelato  (“Wine-Down Mondays” includes 30% off your wine selection :) )  Or if you’re in the mood for a fabulous (and I do mean fahbulous) burger, go to the pub at The Ojai Valley Inn, where you can also catch whatever sports game is happening.

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photo from WhiteFlowerFarm

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- As you already know, lilacs are one of my favourites but a Syringa that reblooms?!   “Bloomerang” is a new type of lilac that begins to bloom in May and supposedly continues until the frost hits.  It’s a beautiful purple-y pink colour and the shrubs reach 4-5 ft. tall.  Better Homes & Gardens Garden editor chose it as a favourite pick for 2010.  Good enough for me.  It says zones 4-7 but even though I’m in zone 9 I’m going for it!  I choose to live in the Fast Lane.

“Bloomerang“  can be ordered from Readershopping.com ($19.95 for one $55.95 for 3)

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Slim Paley photo……………The Point, Adirondacks

I’m loving this App for iphones called “Shakeitphoto“  You can take any pic from your iphoto library and turn it into an old Polaroid! It even makes the sound of an old Polaroid camera and develops right before your eyes…just like the Olden Days, only a lot faster. Once the photos are “developed” they drop right back into your library. Very cool!

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Slim Paley Photo…………Greece

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All photos taken with my camera and then “shaken up” on the “Shake It Photo” App. (.99 cents- btw- is there a “cents” key on Macs?!)

These roses were from the farmer’s market earlier this Spring (I couldn’t wait for mine) They were a little too perfect so I took a boring glass vase and wrapped it in a scarf to make the arrangement a little more fun.

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This adorable set of six solid perfumes by Fragonard is absolutely ideal for travel, the smallest evening bag or even just your pocket.  They come in tiny plastic pots, less than 1/2″ high and just over an inch in diameter. Available at “Upstairs at Pierre LaFond” in Montecito (website lists other Fragonard locations)   Mother’s Day anyone?



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Lastly, thank you everyone for all your great comments on the “Denim” post- What a fun trip down “Denimory Lane”!

Happy Friday to you all!

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By the road on the way to Ojai

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Friday Favourites (5)

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I’m most happy to report that this little guy has usurped the gigantic spider’s real estate outside the window at my desk.  He is here every day with a partner of equally vibrant plumage, which leads me to wonder if perhaps they are two males? Aren’t the females usually more modestly attired??  I’m not a bird person at all, so if you told me this was a baby peacock I’d believe you.  In fact, I like to believe it is :)

What GORGEOUS weather we’ve enjoyed in Santa Barbara the last couple of days!  It feels like summer full throttle, although perhaps not quite as much as NYC which topped out at an amazing 90 degrees on Wednesday, but I’ll take our high 70′s, thank you very much!

I really cannot believe Friday is here again so soon, but the good news is I’m excited to share with you some fun and, as always, completely random  favourites this week;

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My favourite new Uggs (yes, Uggs! $120) Finally, a pair of sexy summer Uggs- Husbands rejoice!  (alright, so they’re not heels, but it’s a start…)

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Fabriano Mediovalis stationery (single deckled cards 2 1/2 X 3 3/4, 100 pcs)

I’m a paper freak so I love these little cards I found  Upstairs at Pierre LaFond in Montecito, CA.  (There are also several places to buy them online)  They are great for hand-written place cards, gift enclosures, even for miniature water-colours or sketches when traveling.  Keep several in your handbag for note sharing- along with a burnt umber ink calligraphy fountain pen. Your thoughts and directions, heck, even telephone numbers will carry so much more impact…So much chicer than “Bumping” iPhones!  (Not that I know how to bump my iPhone – do you?!  I wish I did!)

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I’m also loving these Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads I picked up at Target.  They are just ever so slightly exfoliating (and I mean ever so slightly) but they are really nice for cleansing without leaving your face feeling super dry.  They are very thick and big!  Too big really. The Thrifty Good Wife side of me is tempted to cut them in half, but the Virgo germophobe side worries that the cut ones would contaminate the rest of the container.  I wonder which side will win out?  Meanwhile, Aveeno, if you’re reading this- WHO has this big of a face?  Please make them smaller and give us more in the jar.  Thank you.

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Oh these are good!  Sweet, but good. Especially the Toasted Coconut flavour.  I found them in at Atkinson’s grocery store in Sun Valley, but they came all the way from Vancouver, BC. from Butter Baked Goods. Idaho can’t be the only place they’re sold in the States so keep an eye out –  It’s always fun to find something a little out of the ordinary to bring when you’re going to someone’s home.

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Calling all Tea Party-ers!  But let’s not talk politics!  How funny are these tea bags from a German company ca

Pret-a-porTEA Tea Bags

Tea Party anyone?llLet’s just promise not to talk politics!  How funny are these?!  They are available online from a German company callede Donkey Products.com. Unfortunately, it appears to be the only place to buy them, at least for the moment, and my German is about as stellar as my Spanish, which means I can’t get past “In den warenkorb” and “Zur Kasse gehen”.   Help? anybody??   I can’t figure out if they are telling me to put the teabags in my shopping cart, or turn myself in. Never been so terrified to click before.  But  look at Audrey- so cute!!  I want one!

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I’d like to take credit for these flowers, but alas, they’re from Dandelion Ranch , my favourite place to have flower arrangements delivered from (in the Los Angeles area)  Dandielion’s flowers are inventive as well as pretty, nothing run of the mill here, even the containers are creative.  Not to mention their staff’s abundance of patience when I’m trying to control every aspect of an arrangement from 90 miles away.  Love that :)

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The carousel in front with over 150 scents

Sorry, I admit it, I’m completely obsessed with perfumes. Look, it could be worse- it could be jewelry.  Have you tried Memoire Liquide yet? They are wonderful- SO many scents that you can mix, create your own concoctions- one could spend hours at their counter.  I first discovered it at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and bought the little set of 3 bottles- fantastic for evening bags and travel as they are very small and have roll on applicators.

From the LA Times:

Memoire Liquide

Sisters Robin Coe-Hutshing and Jennifer Coe-Bakewell started custom blending scents in 1984 at their small fragrance counter in Fred Segal Santa Monica. Today, they own Studio Beauty Mix, the apothecary-style, multi-line beauty product store at Fred Segal, which also houses the Memoire Liquide counter where scents are blended into perfumes, lotions and body washes.

Coe-Hutshing has filled the fragrance bar with more than 150 perfume bases, which are, in turn, composed of multi-note scents that she has named to invoke a memory or capture the notion of the scent. “Sensuel” is one of those multi-note scents and includes red tea, sandalwood and musk, a mix that reminds her of a stay at hotel in Kyoto, Japan, with sandalwood floors and the faint smell of incense in the air. “That was a really good vacation,” said Coe-Hutshing, who also developed all the Stila fragrances and has consulted with various beauty companies including Estée Lauder and Bath & Body Works.

Like “Sensuel,” every multi-note scent can be worn alone or layered with others. Coe-Hutshing said that customers tend to choose three or four blends, but there is no correct number. “There’s no answer to how many scents is too many.”

I haven’t tried the newest collection yet, but I’m loving the descriptions;

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Memoire Liquide is available online, but I would suggest playing at one of their counters first.   Fred Segal, Bloomingdales, and Henri Bendel’s are a few of places you may find it.

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.Lastly, perhaps I’m very late to this party but OMG- my mom bought me a pair of these LaCross eyebrow tweezers with a built in LED light- GENIUS!!  Available all over the place online.

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Wishing you a wonderful Friday!  (Anyone else get shpilcus (SP? My Yiddish is right up there with my German and Spanish) watching Housewives of NY again tonight?  You know I never ever understood those girls in school who wanted to physically “fight” each other…until now.   What did Kelly Bensimmon say this week?  ”Like you have to feel sorry for models- Like they have to be on their own like so much of the time”  What?? Really?? And why is that?   So Hilar.  Sue me, I’m hooked!


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Favourite Friday cartoon from The New Yorker


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Sweet Friday to You!