Mango Spring/Summer 2009: Barcelona

The Spanish brand Mango presented its Spring/Summer 2009 Collection in Barcelona named “An Enchanted Garden.” The collection was inspired by “nature and modern landscape” as well as influenced by a strong Japanese touch on the shapes and prints of the garments. Brazilian model Camila Alves came down the runway, and it was her first appearance after the birth of her cute son from boyfriend Matthew McConaughey. The Enchanted Garden featured bright colors and prints, silk and chiffon softness, large flower accessories and exotic oriental flare. Watch out for these pieces to come out in stores next year and prepare for a bright, hot summer!

Louis Vuitton’s Diamond Flower Collection

Louis Vuitton have launched two patented diamond cuts based on their infamous monogram flowers; the round cut flower diamond and the pointed cut flower diamond. These stunning cuts took over three years to develop and have between 61 and 77 facets, which is absolutely amazing as a typical diamond has about 58 facets! The diamond beauties were mixed to create the collection Les Ardentes, which means “the blazing.” The sparkling collection features a bracelet, two brooches, a pair of earrings, a necklace and a ring. The collection is really beautiful and I especially love the bracelet which combines a diamond ribbon as well for the ultimate French romantic elegance.

Lagerfeld Decorates Chanel’s Holiday Window with Coco Dolls

Karl Lagerfeld has decorated Chanel’s holiday window for Paris department store Printemps with puppet dolls named Coco. The dolls are fashionably dressed as of course and are in a garden of golden flowers. Gold has been a great inspiration for the Chanel Holiday Make Up collection.

Limited Edition Heidi Klum Collection at Victoria’s Secret

One of Victoria’s Secret favorite angles, supermodel Heidi Klum has released a limited edition beauty line exclusively at the lingerie brand. The Very Sexy beauty make-up collection features five products and it is available at their website. Heidi paired up with Victoria’s Secret make-up artist Linda Hay to create the beauty line. The Heidi Klum Collection Blush ($22) offers a combination of three sparkly colors to deliver a pearl luminous appeal on your cheeks. The Silky Eye Shadow Quad ($20) features four silky powder eye shadows for a long lasting and crease-proof look. The Glitter Liquid Liner ($10) is my favorite as it is the perfect way to add some emerald and gold sparkle to your eyes. The Perfect Lipstick ($10) helps to hydrate and condition your lips with Vitamin E, Coconut Oil, and Tiare Flower and the Lip Gloss ($10) provides the desired shine whether you wear it alone or on top on your lipstick. The products are beautifully presented with Heidi’s signature and a little heart in pink and come in very soft colors for a romantic and natural feel.

Armani’s Oriental Trio Scent “Onde”

Giorgio Armani is introducing a fragrance names “Onde” which is a trio of Oriental scents. Each fragrance was inspired by either the Middle East, India or Japan. “With Onde, the idea is to play on sensuality and refinement,” says Jean-Pierre Charriton, general manager of Giorgio Armani Parfums. The Indian-Kamasutra, “Vertige” is presented in a pink-nectarine bottle complemented by scents of black liquorice, jasmine and patchouli with carnal frangipani flower. The Japan-Geisha, “Extase” comes in a green bottle with scents of sandalwood and cedar combined with heavy florals like narcissus. The Middle East-Harem, “Mystere” is crafted in a purple bottle offering a combination of musk and amber with Moroccan rose and vanilla.

Cleopatra’s Soft Secret: Milk Baths

Throughout history, it has been widely written that Cleopatra bathed herself in milk baths almost every day. The Queen of Nile had the most radiant, soft and young skin and for this, she was known worldwide for her beauty. Today, Cleopatra is still the glowing icon that many women look up to for beauty tips. Even if it means digging in Egyptian BC history. Milk baths however haven’t just been used by Cleopatra. Elizabeth I of England and Elisabeth of Bavaria both have acclaimed the beautifying secret of bathing in milk.

Milk baths utilize lactic acid which dissolves the proteins holding together the dead skin cells and thus, exfoliates the skin. The rejuvenating baths help to exfoliate, soften and smooth the skin, accelerate the skin cell renewal and moisturize and relieve stress. What is crucial though is the use of fresh milk!

Making a milk bath at home is not a hard task and most importantly, it is a misconception that one needs to fill up the entire bathtub with fresh milk. You only need to pour a couple of cups of fresh milk into the tub as the warm water is filling. In general, two to three cups of milk is enough but you may use as much as you want. You may also use milk powder if you would like. For the honey, you may add one or two teaspoons to add fragrance and nutrients to the water. You can also add sea salts, which I love to do, and any other oils you like. You can also add petals and flowers in the tub for that extra sensual luxury and romantic appeal. Definitely worthy of a Queen!

Some people say that the milk baths leave their skin way too oily. You can use fat free milk instead. The oily skin just means that your skin got very moisturized which is a great thing because it cleansed better and you do not need to apply additional moisturizer after your bath.

As an alternative, you can always buy milk powder or milk bath products from beauty stores. Just make sure it is organic and fresh! You may find milk baths in many delicious flavours such as strawberries, vanilla, lavender and the yummy chocolate. I should also note that cleaning your bathtub is a bit inconvenient after your milk bath, but your baby soft skin is certainly worth it!

Disney Sparkles in Swarovski Crystal Again!

The new Disney Swarovski Collection for 2008 has arrived! This time cute little Bambi and his friends join the magic of the sparkling Walt Disney crystals. Bambi is made of faceted clear crystal body and unfaceted legs, and there is a fairy butterfly in Aurora Borealis Rosaline crystal on his petite shiny tail. His friends including the irritable Owl, the bashful skunk Flower, and the rabbit Thumper with his shiny Rose crystal nose, all have clear crystal bodies with Jet Black crystal nose and eyes completing the delicate collection inspired by one of Disney’s most cherished films of all time. The figurines are truly adorable and precious! And for all mobile accessory lovers, the Bambi characters come as charms for your favorites phones! The prices for the figurines range from CAD $180 to CAD $290 for Bambi who is the most expensive and the mobile phone accessories are priced at CAD $95. They are all ready for purchase on the brand’s website.

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