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Shopping At L'Occitane Freshens Up the Holidays

sheaStepping into a L'Occitane store this time of year is like stepping into Santa's workshop. Instead of toys however, your senses are delighted in every way with L'Occitane's products.

From body skincare to wondrous scents,  L'Occitane has you covered from head to toe.    

Christmas is always a magical time so it’s no wonder L’Occitane chooses this period to spread some cheer and cast a festive spell with its two new fragrant collections.

Crafted by the L’Occitane’s Fragrance Merchant, its limited edition Fleurs Merveilleuses (Marvelous Flowers) and Feuilles Magiques (Magical Leaves) collection incorporates a line of beauty products including fragrance, hand cream, body cream/ milk, shower gel, and shimmering oil. Both collections are formulated to soften, nourish, moisturize while leaving a lovely fragrance. The whimsical packaging, including the faceted perfume bottles, will capture everyone’s heart this Christmas.

Both lines involve mixtures of fruits, flowers and herbs - staying true to L'Occitane's aesthetics.  Marvellous Flowers has more of a feminine touch with notes of pink grapefruit, red berries, roses, peonies, white wood and musk.  Magical Leaves is a unisex line with notes of verbena, hazel, citrus fruits and vanilla. 

Ranging from prices as low as $10 for the hand cream (great stocking stuffers) to $45 for the eau de toilette. The best bets are the $60 - $68 gift sets which includes most of the individual products at a great price and a beautiful gift box. 

In addition to this limited edition line, L'Occitane also has a range of gift sets for those who already are familiar with or for those who need an introduction to L'Occitane's products.

While known primarily for its fair trade organic pure shea butter products, L'Occitane has entire lines dedicated to skincare, bath & body, fragrance and haircare.  The gift sets are like a who's who round-up of their most popular products ranging from the Best of L'Occitane's CollectionUltimate Gift of Youth, and more.  

magic

L'Occitane has even created a special gift set especially for the guys, the L'Occitan Star Gift (no, that's not a typo. L'Occitan is the masculine take on the company name) and the Verdon Adventure set.  

The best part to not only having these great products in one set (takes all the guesswork from selecting individual products), the sets come in a gorgeous gift box that requires no gift wrapping at all.  In fact, most of these boxes are so visually appealing, that once the products are used up, you can reuse these gorgeous boxes. All of these gift sets are now on sale and tend to sell out very quickly.

From inexpensive stocking stuffers to indulgent gift sets, head to one of the L'Occitane stores in Manhattan or in your area -- it has something for everyone.  

Lord & Taylor Stores Offer Up a Sparkling Christmas

swarovskiIt's getting down to crunch time.  You have officially less than three weeks left to buy the perfect gift for Christmas.   Are you getting stress palpitations and seeing not visions of sugarplums but of yourself running up and down the aisles, knocking down people to get THE GIFT?

Well look no further, the Accessories Council (http://www.accessoriescouncil.org) is here to the rescue.

For over 17 years, the Accessories Council has been the to-go-to place to help you find the perfect gift for every occasion. Consider them your personal shopper.

This holiday season, the Accessories Council focuses its attention on the many gifts available at Lord and Taylor (http://www.lordandtaylor.com), everyone's perennial department store. The great thing is that Lord and Taylor is available coast-to-coast and of course, online, so there's no reason not to go.

The Accessories Council has made it even more easier for you by highlighting their favorites gifts.

• Swarovski Studio bracelet: Who doesn't love Swarovski? Even more so when it's in the form of a bracelet crafted from interwoven black calfskin leather and cotton cords.

• Minnie Rose Cashmere Ruana scarf: buttery soft & cozy cashmere in a rainbow of colors. The perfect go-with piece in 15 colors, it's going to be so hard to just pick one.

• Echo Touch gloves: We love our electronic gadgets. With almost everyone having a touchscreen something, Echo Touch gloves are fashionable and functional. With their eLink technology sewn into the gloves' index finger and thumb, you'll never have to fumble or freeze.

photo 2• Chicbuds Retractable Crystal Earbuds: You have the hands covered, now what about the ears? Yes, chicBuds lets you listen to your music in style with Swarovski-adorned retractable earbuds.

• Anne Klein rosegold and crystal watch: Forget platinum and diamonds, it's all about rosegold. This stunning timepiece is set in an oversized rosegold tone case framed with Swarovski crystals.

• Catherine Canino for Sunstone 925 bracelet W: Is there an equestrian lover on your list? How about this leather cord bracelet? Not too fussy yet still a statement piece on its own. The adjustable nubuck leather cord bracelets melds the aesthetics of someone outdoorsy with its silver beads and horseshoe pendant, yet someone who likes to look feminine with the single freshwater pearl.

• Jessica Simpson Panama hat: Who doesn't love a great hat? A great hat can convey and the Panama hat is one of the most versatile hat style. From a peek-a-boo look for the shy type to the insouciant look of the fashionista diva, it's the perfect finishing touch.

 Vince Camuto's Jennah cross-body bag: The co-creater of Nine West definitely knows a thing or two about accessories. His eponymous empire not only covers shoes but has expanded to a lifestyle empire including accessories and fragrances. From casual to dressy, the Jennah cross-body purse is for the woman on the go. Its deceptively small size opens up to a multi-compartmentalized purse that has tons and tons of storage space.

• Zack signature leather woven bracelet: Men are more likely than women to choose one statement piece and wear that for years. Zack designs are made for for the special man in your life especially with this braided leather bracelet and silver finishings. Its subtle yet it's all man.

• Botkier Valentina shoulder bag: Botkier purses are one of the most sought-after gifts. Why not choose the Valentina bag which allows women to go from work to evening in no time? Most purses become a black hole - you put something in there and it's basically lost forever. With the Valentina bag, not only do its gusseted sides expands but also the three interior compartments allow you to store everything in its proper place. Now you can store everything in your purse and know where it is. Even more ingenious, the Valentina comes with with an attached keychain so you'll never have to look for the your keys which have fallen to the bottom of your purse.

photo• South Sea rum: Jamaica is known for being the land of rum. Well, we may have to think again. Just as tropical is this special blend from Australia, the West Australian Distilling Company crafted this special premier blonde rum blend. Perfect for the extra special eggnog, yum....

Lord & Taylor VIP card: As if you needed an extra incentive to shop at Lord & Taylor, the VIP card entitles the bearer to 25% anytime on almost everything in the store AND free standard shipping. How's that for a no-brainer?

Christmas is in the bag, make it a Lord & Taylor bag. All the above items are available at Lord and Taylor except for the South Sea Rum which is available at fine liquor stores.

For more info, store locataions or online access go to: www.lordandtylor.com

NY Fashion Week Heralds Two Budget Grand Openings

image006If the whirlwind of NY Fashion Week didn't take the city's fashionistas by storm, 2 flagship grand openings might.

With the recent shuttering of Filene's Basement and Daffy's, where is a fashionista on a budget supposed to go? Well, look no further.  Those who live and visit NYC, now have two flagship grand openings, both of which are extremely wallet-friendly.

Burlington Coat Factory has now taken over the space of the closed up Filene's Basement in Union Square.  Union Square, once haven to NYU students, is now an agora of sorts with nation-wide retailers taking the area. From Nordstrom Off Rack to Forever 21 to Diesel, Union Square certainly caters to budget-conscious but ever-so fashion-conscious demographics.

The Burlington Coat Factory officially opens its flagship store on Sept. 21, 2012, sharing the same building space as DSW.  Spread out over the 3rd and 4th floor, with the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling view overlooking Union Square Park intact, the Burlington Coat Factory is the more organized version of Century 21. With jaw-dropping prices on designer brands (yes, you will find haute couture lines at amazing prices) without having to sift through the massive heap-pile that is so common to Century 21. 

Tourists make their pilgrimage to the Century 21 tourist-trap, however  those who don't have the time or patience will go the Burlington Coat Factory. Opening specials will include 20% discount and a number of special deals.

C. Wonder is a wonder indeed. Part homage to Lily Pulitzer, Tory Burch, J. Crew and Anthropologie, C. Wonder caters to all but at ever-so-friendly prices.  If you've ever wanted to look like you belong in the Hamptons, but unfortunately not privy to the lucky gene pool, C. Wonder is your stop.  Taking over the space of the former Esprit store (unfortunately whose North American stores closed earlier this year), C. Wonder's flagship store is at the indoor Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle

C. Wonder stores are the antithesis of the typical New Yorker dressed in black. It celebrates color rather than eschew it and is reflected in the decor as well as the clothes.  C. Wonder is the brainchild of Tory Burch's, ex-husband, J. Christopher Burch (they say that couples look alike as they get older. Does this apply to ex-spouses as well?), offering women's apparel, accessories and home decor - all in array of bright, cheery colors. 

C. Wonder officially opens on Sept. 22, 2012 with games and secret gift card prizes.

http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com

http://www.cwonder.com/

Chantelle Lingerie Fall/Winter Collection Sizzles

chantelleWhen we think of lingerie, we automatically think of the French.  Who but the French, from which the word lingerie comes from, can weave intricate and delicate pieces of lace, tulle and silk into works of art?   Since 1876, Chantelle Lingerie, with its expert craftsmanship, attention to detail and luxe sophistication, has been re-creating the refined beauty, timeless elegance and special je ne sais quoi that seem to be innate in French women, for all women.  Chantelle accommodates every figure, every body type from petite to voluptuous, in its collection of bras (band sizes from 30-44, A-H cups), panties, shapewear and a "chic boutique".

Who doesn't love the look and feel of fine lingerie especially when we need a little boost (no pun intended) to heighten our sensual, flirtatious or powerful side?   With fine lingerie as our accoutrement, we automatically feel beautiful, sexy and oh-so-feminine. We want to be that priceless treasure to be admired by someone special, so what could be more apropos than Chantelle's Fall/Winter 2012 collection with a color palette inspired by precious gemstones - Black Pearl, Grey Gold, Amber, and Ruby.

  • Black Pearl (Tahitian Black Pearl): Because of their rarity, Black Pearls is considered a highly valued treasure, while at the same time conjuring up exotic images of the South Pacific.

  • Amber: Is the lightest weight and softest of all gems.  With its glowing dark golden color, it brings warmth and sunshine to the skin. Throughout time, amber served as a symbol for fidelity and everlasting love, good luck and protection.

  • Ruby: Known as "the king of gems" to the ancients.  It also represents romance and devotion and to some, evokes fiery passion

  • Grey Gold: Is a composite of gold with silver, iron, and copper. Gold has always been been a highly-sought after precious metal throughout time. Gold symbolized wealth, luxury, power, strenght, and perfection.  

chantelle twoHosted by iLoveAGood.com, Chantelle unveiled its latest collection in an intimate setting.  With Champagne in hand, guests had personal sessions with an expert Chantelle bra fitter (it's amazing how many of us are wearing the wrong size), while oohing & aahing at the delicate pieces which comes in a variety of styles.  Coordinating and interchangeable bra and panty sets allow women to show a little or a lot based on their mood.

Chantelle Lingerie is available worldwide at finer boutiques and department stores.

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