Monday, May 12, 2008

LOVELY BATH & BODY: L'Occitane


I never can seem to find this L'Occitane Lavender Detangling Conditioner at any of the mall stores near me. I have really fine, wimpy flyaway hair that gets tangled a lot. I'm glad I can pick up some of this online.


I'm curious to try the L'Occitane Aromachologie Revitalizing Shower Gel. Currently I use the Verbena shower gel and I love the scent.


New for summer, L'Occitane Sun Cream SPF 30. I used L'Occitane sun care products all last summer and they worked really well for me. Not too greasy, smelled good but not too fragrant, didn't attract bees, prevented my skin from burning, etc. Hopefully Seattle will see some sun soon so I need this stuff!

LOVELY TV: BBC America Shop


Coming soon at the BBC America shop: Absolutely Everything Absolutely Fabulous Widescreen DVD set; Cranford, starring Judi Dench; Dr. Who: The 5 Doctors 25th Anniversary Set; Robin Hood season 1 and 2; and Hotel Babylon season 2. All sorts of fun British entertainment to look forward to this summer! The Dr. Who DVDs are especially tempting, since my friends and I are all geeks.

My affiliate link: Pre-order Hot Upcoming Releases Now at BBC America Shop!

LOVELY GIFTS: The Flower Bakery


Want to send your mom, sister or female friend a cake she'll never forget? Is your mom on a diet, or your friend diabetic? Instead of sending them a sugary cake as a gift, send them a bouquet from The Flower Bakery. These are some of the most unusual flower arrangements I've seen.


This Lace Flower Cake would be perfect for someone who is recovering from illness, or needs a cheerful, sunny pick-me-up for spring.

LOVELY STATIONERY: Personalized


Ooh! At Fabulous Stationery, you can order customized notecards with their adorable artwork. This one is Gretchen.


I like the Studio line, with its flowers, fruits, and birds. The Esprit line is a bit too funky and modern for my personal tastes.


They offer quite a few stylish shoe and handbag designs.

I'm definitely going to treat myself to some of these soon!

Hermes Silkypop Bag


New from Hermes, the Silkypop bag, which folds up into a leather carrying case. The designs feature horses, tassels, geometric designs, and French women.

LOVELY FURNITURE: Avery Bombe Chest


I'm seriously tempted, since I don't own a dresser, by this Avery Bombe Chest at Crate & Barrel. I love the Tim Burtonesque curvy stylings. It doesn't look like it would hold as much as a larger dresser, but it might be perfect for bras, panties and lingerie.

LOVELY OUTDOORS: West Elm Lounger


I keep gazing dreamily at this picture whenever I click on it in my bookmarks. Is it the lounger itself that intrigues me, or just the fantasy of laying by a swimming pool in the sunshine? My Seattle-addled brain is craving sunlight. I want to put suntan lotion on, sunglasses, and run barefoot into the yard to lay on the lounger and do nothing more important than read a magazine.

LOVELY FOOD: Wild Hibiscus for Cocktails


What a fabulous idea! Drop these wild hibiscus flowers into champagne or sparkling wine and watch them "bloom" open.


At $11 for a jar containing 11 flowers, it's much more affordable than I would have expected. I rarely have more than 10 people at my cocktail parties anyway.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

LOVELY STATIONERY: Paper Source


Paper Source has introduced lovely new wrapping papers for Spring. I like this pink and white design the best.


The Nightshade and Butterflies design is quite unusual.


Papaya Flower Circles would be perfect paper for my grandmother who adores the color orange.


I don't think I'd limit myself to using the new cute Lion & Zebra gift bag just for kids' presents!


Also new at Paper Source, Vera Wang Parasol Notecards. They're delicate, laser-cut eyelet. They also come in blue background with tatting and yellow with daisy eyelet.

LOVELY HOME: Whimsical Chandelier


Wow. If I lived in New Orleans or Las Vegas, I'd totally need this red and fuschia chandelier. I don't quite think I could pull this look off in my Seattle English-country style home. But I wouldn't hang it in my dining room, nosirree. This would have to go straight up into my bedroom.


It also comes in black and amber.

LOVELY FOOD: Vegetarian Haggis


Uh.. What exactly is the point? I guess I could use this vegetarian haggis to prank my meat-eating friends. Put their real Highland beef haggis in a separate bowl, then eat my vegetarian haggis enthusiastically, pretending it's meat, and daring them to outdo me.

Friday, May 09, 2008

LOVELY COSMETICS: Summer Palettes


It isn't even Spring yet here in Seattle, and already Sephora is cruelly tempting me with their delightful Summer palette. Everything you need for your eyes, color and lips, in the signature black Sephora case.


Not to be left behind, Stila came out with a summer eyeshadow palette.

LOVELY DISHES: Beehouse Teapots


These Beehouse teapots are becoming quite popular with the retro crowd.


Who said teapots have to be round?

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Lovely Food: Mother's Day at Godiva


One can always count on Godiva for beautifully boxed chocolate gifts. Their Mother's Day Flower Gift Box features a cheerful hot pink and white flower design. There's also a smaller truffle gift box in the same pattern.


The three-layered Mother's Day Keepsake Box is really over the top! That is a lot of chocolate!


Does your mother prefer something a bit more simple? The Mother's Day Ballotin has just a striped ribbon and pretty pink fabric flower.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

LOVELY FOOD: Vida Sparkling Teas


Sparkling tea? I've never heard of such a thing. VidaTea currently has three sparkling tea flavors: Desert pear green tea, wild berry green tea, and pomegranate green tea. I'm very curious to try these.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

LOVELY GIFTS: Clocky the Annoying Alarm Clock


For the procrastinator in your life, an alarm clock that runs around your room if you don't get up.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

LOVELY FRAGRANCE: Jo Malone


I was excited to hear there's two new Jo Malone fragrances out, but not sure if I will like them. They're inspired by the ancient Japanese incense ceremony of Kohdo. Lotus Blossom & Water Lily are more tempting to me than Dark Amber & Ginger Lily.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

LOVELY ENTERTAINING: Gold Leaf


Throw a gold-and-silver party, and actually serve gold leaf and edible silver to your guests! The website suggests rimming cocktails in silver, and sprinkling gold leaf on desserts. What decadence!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

LOVELY KITCHEN: Neiman Marcus Portable Lunch Equipment


Green isn't my favorite color, but I do like the looks of this 1970s inspired thermal lunch set. It comes with three bowls, chopsticks, and an insulated carrier. But no Thermos?


This is too cool! Your own stylish portable mini-fridge. But wait, it doesn't just keep things cold. If needed, you can switch it over to keeping things hot. I actually think this is TOO portable - it's so cute, I'm afraid someone would steal it out of my car!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

LOVELY FRAGRANCE: Be Delicious Charmingly Delicious


Apple scented perfume by DNKY! I smelled this in the store and decided I need to put this on my belated birthday wishlist.

LOVELY FOOD: Silken Tea Pyramids


I don't know what tea made from these silken tea pyramids tastes like, but the stunning presentation makes me want to purchase this as a gift.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

LOVELY HOME: The Buddha


I'm not Buddhist, but I might need these resin Buddhas in my home. Too beautiful.


The same company sells these colorful Brazilian agate coasters.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Lovely Food: Spring Chocolates


I know it's Spring when chocolate companies start producing beautiful flower-themed chocolates like this chocolate lollipop, which also comes in yellow and brown.


What a clever idea! American Pies chocolates, with flavors like Apple Crumb, Strawberry Rhubarb, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Pumpkin, and Coconut Cream. Such gorgeous packaging, too.


These darling ladybug truffles are by the ever-creative Moonstruck Chocolate.


Oh. My. God. These chocolate teacups are too cute! I'm sending these to every woman I know! Well, I'll send some to both my grandmothers, win the lottery, THEN send them to every woman I know. I can't stop squealing with delight. You might also like their chocolate flowerpots.


Dean & Deluca carry these colorful Christopher Norman butterfly chocolates.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

LOVELY HOME: Butterfly Cabinets


I'm devastasted that these butterfly cabinets don't really go with my home decor, no matter how hard I try to visualize it. They'd be great for a boho or gypsy style decor theme.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

LOVELY STATIONERY


Both of my grandmothers would love these flowery Bloom Pop-up cards. The one with failing eyesight would especially enjoy the tactile feeling of the paper and embellishments in her hands.


I absolutely must have these Cherry Blossom Kate Spade thank-you cards.


I'm currently obsessed with peacocks, so I'm adoring this peacock birthday card.


For the cat lover in your life, the Mirror, Mirror birthday card.