Love Is Like Life But Longer

This is so beautiful. An absolute must-see.

Love is Like Life but Longer from Poppy de Villeneuve on Vimeo.
Directed by: Poppy de Villeneuve

Love: A Peek Into Wildfox

Um, how gorgeous is the Wildfox showroom? I don't know any girl who wouldn't love to work in this environment every day.

TWITTER + FACEBOOK + BLOGLOVIN'

My Favorite Birchbox Products

If you're not familiar with Birchbox, it's a monthly subscription service that sends 4-5 deluxe beauty samples to your door. I've been a member of Birchbox for four months, and I've been pleased with the quality and selection of product samples I've been sent.  What I love most about Birchbox is that it's allowed me to try out products that were either too expensive for me to buy a full size product, or that I would've never picked for myself. I have a few (okay, more than a few) clear favorites of the product samples, and I thought it would be fun to share with you!

Products shown:

1.  Lash Card Mascara Shields - Disposable, individually-wrapped cards that help you flawlessly apply mascara. The sample included two cards, and I have to say the one I used definitely helped my mascara not to  smudge. 

2.  Laura Gellar Spackle Tinted Under Make-Up Primer in Bronze - I'm not a huge foundation wearer, but this softened my skin, and gave my face a gorgeous glow. 

3.  Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara - When I used this along with my beloved Maybelline Great Lash, it looked like I was wearing falsies! Definitely a plus :)

4.  Earthen InstantPeel Natural Exfoliant - This is a miracle for my oily combination skin. When I applied this to my face in the shower, I couldn't believe how soft my skin was after I peeled of the mask. 

5.  AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream - I'm a bit of a hand cream hoarder, but this one stands out to me because of its pleasant scent, and the fact that it makes my hands feel like butta.

6.  AHAVA Enriched Intensive Foot Cream - Same as the hand cream, makes my feet feel like butta.

7.  Harvey Prince Irresistibly Wicked Perfume in Eau Flirt - The only way to describe this is: SEXY. The fragrance notes of lavender and citrus that make it very feminine, but it's the unexpected cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin pie (yes, pumpkin pie) that make this one-of-a-kind. I'm buying a full-sized bottle when my sample runs out.

TWITTER + FACEBOOK + BLOGLOVIN'

Love: CLEAN Fragrances

The thought of the perfect, fresh out of the dryer laundry scent in a bottle has always appealed to me, but I could never quite get my hands on it. I've been aware of CLEAN fragrances for a while, but I couldn't rationalize spending $69 on a 2.14 oz bottle. On a lazy Saturday morning, I was browsing HSN and saw what has now changed my life. The special value of the day was a set of CLEAN fragrances, with matching body souffles for $66. I quickly did the math and knew I had to grab the set ASAP.

The set includes 1 oz bottles  and small body souffles of the most popular CLEAN scents: Warm Cotton, Shower Fresh, Original CLEAN, Fresh Laundry and Ultimate. They also threw in a sample of the newest scent, Skin.

When I got the set home, I was ecstatic. The Warm Cotton is my absolute favorite, but I like mixing the scents together to create my own personal creation.

The CLEAN set is probably the best purchase I've made all year; I often get stopped and asked what I'm wearing. I definitely recommend any of the CLEAN scents if you love a simple, classic fragrance that's the next best thing to wearing just-washed clothes!

TWITTER + FACEBOOK + BLOGLOVIN'

Love: Wine Bottle Light

If you hate throwing away the beautiful bottle that housed your favorite wine, why not turn the bottle into a fun home decor piece? By drilling a hole in the bottom of the bottle and placing a string of lights inside, you can turn it into a soft lighting piece!

Wine Bottle Light

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Love: Style Says

A few months ago, I posted about a unique social shopping service called Obvilux (check out the interview I did with co- founder Jess Lam here) that allows you to bookmark your fashion finds and share them with friends. With its gaining popularity, the service has morphed into Style Says, with the same concept but with an updated interface and new features. One of the most exciting features is the ability to live chat with your friends while online shopping! It's the next best thing to actually having your friends right next you.

Click to join, and check out my Style Says here!

Love: Crabtree & Evelyn's Pomegranate Argan & Grapeseed

We all know the benefits of Argan oil, and leave it to Crabtree & Evelyn to create a new collection containing Argan, Pomegranate and Grapeseed. I visited C&E last weekend to sample the line, and I'm glad I did! 

As a huge fan of the brand's other hand therapy creams, I knew I had to try the body lotion. Aside from the incredible scent, I loved how ridiculously soft my hands were after application. My skin was hydrated, smooth and not greasy or oily in the least bit. If your skin is especially dry or dull, this is definitely something you should try. I took home the skin quenching body lotion, and the scented soap, and I know I'll be returning for the entire selection!

Love: Currently Obsessed With...

The work of art spotted on Kim K. I need to find something similar!

Love: Links a la Mode

I'm so excited to have made it in this week's round of IFB's Links a la Mode. Check out all the awesome posts below!

Inspired by IFB, FNO & NYFW!

Edited by: Taylor Davies

The week of New York Fashion Week is one of the busiest of the entire year for the industry. It’s also one of the most inspiring for the IFB community. This week’s Links a la Mode features helpful posts about blogging that remind us of topics from our IFB Conference, as well as fun round ups of Fashion’s Night Out, NYFW shows, and designer inspiration.

The IFB Weekly Roundup: LINKS À LA MODE: September 15th

• Boyish Chic: FNO: A Night To Remember
• Cantabrigian: New York Fashion Week: Collections That Caught My Eye
• Cosmolawlitan: Fashion’s Night Out: A Business Review
• Designer Purushu: Inspired from Stella?
• Divergent Musings: On Why I Don’t Want to be a Professional Blogger
• Faery: Paris Diaries - Photographer’s block and Fashion’s Night Out
• Fashezine: Vogue Fashion Night
• Girl Loves Color: Color on the Runway: Peter Som
• I’m Too Fancy: FNO Street Style @ Missoni For Target
• January Sublime: London FNO & United Nude Party
• La Perle: Fashion’s Night Out - Paris!
• Mis Papelicos: Autumn Recap on Building a Better Blog
• Miss Viki: MG Vienna Fashion Week ‘11
• Over50Feeling40: Fashion’s Night Out in SA: Part 2... Visually Appealing
• Style Confessions: How To Afford Real Designer Clothing (On A Non-Designer Budget)
• Style. Love. Repeat.: Style: Blogger’s Night Out
• The Artful Shopper: Master Class with Rachel Zoe
• The Chic Sheet: Parabal Gurung 2012
• The Style Circuit: Ra'mon Lawrence S/S 2012 Presentation
• This Is A Yes: DVF Spring 2012

SPONSOR:
Satchel Bags at Shopbop: Roccatella, See by Chloe, Tory Burch Bags, Jerome Dreyfuss, Motif 56, Tory Burch Wallets, LeSportsac, DVF bags, Alexander Wang, Rachel Zoe, Juicy handbags.



PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Love: Photo of the Day

Joan Smalls

Sharpie Presents: Coffee Cup to Canvas

Boey's story totally inspired me this morning. What will you start?

"The difference between a dream and reality is just doing it"

Love: Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen x TOMS Shoes

To celebrate the collaboration between The Row and TOMS Shoes, Mary-Kate and Ashley travelled to Honduras to give shoes to children in need. Along with TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and several volunteers, the twins visited three different communities in Tegucigalpa, played soccer with the children, and fitted them all with shoes. I've always loved the TOMS cause, so it's amazing to see The Olsens give a little of themselves to benefit these kids.


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Love: Jason Wu's Richelieu Wool Coat

If I had an extra $2,550 to spend, this Jason Wu stunner would be hanging in my closet now.

I can't get enough of the lace and leather details.

A Love Supreme

I'm a little obsessed with Style Me Pretty, not just because of the woman in me that loves to stare at beautiful wedding gowns, floral arrangements and fancy venues. I love reading each couple's 'how-we-met' story, especially when it's accompanied my incredible photography and video. 

Fanta & Ian's story made my heart melt.

Ian & Fanta's Cinematic Trailer from Three Ring Media on Vimeo.

Fanta and Ian met during their sophomore year at Spelman College and Morehouse College, respectively, at a weekly block party on Spelman College’s campus.  Although Fanta was in a relationship at the time, the two took note of one another during that first meeting.  Due to mutual friends, the two of them began to run into one another at various social gatherings and events and a friendship ensued.  During their senior year, when they returned to their campuses after summer break, they realized that they were ready to be more than just friends and soon began a romantic relationship.

After disguising a vacation to Napa Valley as a joint 30th birthday trip, Ian took Fanta on a surprise private tour of several vineyards.  At the last stop on their tour, atop Springer Mountain which overlooked the valley, Ian gave Fanta a gift he made especially for her – a personal rendition of the popular “Five Love Languages” book, which she had been urging him to read.  His book included five separate pages of events, activities and snippets of intimate phrases they had shared throughout their relationship that exemplied each of the five love languages- Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, and Gifts. Fanta read through each page and when she got to the the last love language, “Gifts”, Ian presented her with a wonderful gift- a proposal to spend the rest of their lives together.

When they got back from Napa, they started the planning process and the first item on the list was to pick a venue.  Fanta walked into The Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree and was immediately taken by the chandeliers. She loved that it was an elegant and lofty space, while still remaining understated. The Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree captured perfectly the ambiance of urban sophistication. For the wedding, the venue was beautifully decorated in coral, gold and champagne accents. As a personal touch, there were excerpts from various letters Fanta and Ian wrote one another over the years displayed during the cocktail hour, a subtle nod to the fact that much of their relationship after college had been spent in separate cities.

Love: Chanel x Eyewear Creation by Karl Lagerfeld

I've worn my beloved Chanel eyeglasses for about 3 years now, so it was really interesting to see how meticulous the design process really is.

Love: How It's Made

As a writer, I can't resist.

How It's Made: The Pencil

How It's Made: Books

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Love: Brooklyn's Mast Brothers Chocolate

While browsing The Makers Project, Mast Brothers Chocolate immediately caught my eye. Mainly because - well I'm obsessed with chocolate. Especially handcrafted, not your run-of-the-mill chocolate. Everything from the printed specialty paper that the chocolate is wrapped in, to the Mast brothers' appreciation of family, makes me excited. And how cool is it that they share a staff meal everyday?

The Mast Brothers from The Scout on Vimeo.

I know where my first stop in Brooklyn will be this weekend. 

Love: Art via Society6

I have no clue why my apartment walls are so bare. These prints from Society6 make me rethink that decision.

Love: 29 Ways to Stay Creative

A little morning inspiration, found on Tumblr.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Love: Cover Girl Lip Perfection

I'll confess I've never been a huge lipstick wearer, but I do love my perfect lipsticks (Freckletone & Hug Me) from MAC. I've heard good things about the Lip Perfection line from Cover Girl, and was curious to see if the it was worth the hype. The Lip Perfection line claims to make lips softer in seven days, and at $7.99 each, I was pleasantly surprised! The formula is really creamy, non-drying and has a subtle sheen to it. I also like that the color is buildable - and if you're not a bold lip wearer, a swipe or too gives a nice sheer color comparable to a lip gloss. 

I chose two purple / plum colors in Divine and Entwined, and I'm in love. I also like mixing the two together to create my own shade.  These two shades are ideal for everyday, and will be perfect come Fall.

*P.S. Please excuse my paintbrushes in the background!