Tuesday, January 24, 2012

WISH LIST: AMOUAGE

My wish fragrance, AMOUAGE! It's a niche luxury fragrance line that I've had my eyes on and my nose fixed to for some time but haven't  had enough courage to purchase! Anytime you see the words Sultanate of Oman , you know it will be an investment.  It's one of those fragrances you treat yourself to only when you've reached a goal or a milestone, or simply want to splurge.  It’s a STATEMENT fragrance. From the Arabic inspired bottle design to the exoticness of the fragrances, you will be transfixed immediately. You will not want to dab more than needed; it will become a treasured commodity to be admired by those who are fortunate to inhale it. It’s distinctive and luxurious and serves as an announcer of sort. It tells of your arrival in sophisticated, sensual, and discerning manner. People will inquire, they may even follow, it may cause a desirable reaction, or it may even create its own memories…it’s pleasantly contagious.  I have sampled it and am waiting for the right opportunity to purchase it but trust me this will elevate my entire collection…the others may get jealous!  My AMOUAGE review  will be my most exciting review to date when I do purchase in the coming months.  Visit Amouage.com for additional information!



Amouage Honour Eau De Parfum
 A niche Luxury fragrance founded over a quater of a century ago
Inspired by the Sultan of Oman

High Hopes for Sara Carner, founder of Carner Barcelona fragrances, at next week's FiFi "Indie" Awards


The Fi Fi is an annual awards event hosted by the Fragrance Foundation in New York City. It recognizes some of the most influential fragrance brands in the industry. It's a big deal and is said to be the Oscars of the fragrance world! However, before the big event in May, the foundation linked up with the premier fragrance tradeshow, Elements Showcase, to distribute the first ever FiFi "Indie" award next Monday in NYC.  Elements was created to provide a platform for reputable and emerging independent perfumers and/or niche beauty/cosmetic brands to present their products to the press, potential buyers, manufactures, and distributers. The “Indie” award is given to an independent brand that has made an impact within the fragrance community using innovation, creativity, and unique artistry.  It’s awesome to see both Elements and the Fragrance Foundation partnering to create such an opportunity.


 
At the Elements Showcase last year, I met Sara Carner founder of Carner Barcelona fragrances.  As you can tell from the picture to the right, she is absolutely stunning and very engaging. She allowed me to ask about her background (MBA from Columbia Univ), how she got started in fragrances, the inspiration behind her fragrance line, some of the challenges she faced (at the time) getting US distribution for her brand and so on! I totally absorbed all she shared. I was enamored by her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion. She reminded me of myself!   Fast forward a few months, I was on the minnewyork.com website just checking it out and I noticed her frangrancs are now carried in their SOHO location!!!!  To top it off, her fragrance, "Cuirs," is a top 5 finalist for the 2012 FiFi "Indie" award!!!! What an outstanding last few months! I'm totally rooting for Sara.  She is definitely a woman who is about creating opportunities for her brand.
I will be attending the 2012 Elements Showcase next week! Look back to see if Sara Carner takes the award home!

Additional information:
Sara Carner-carnerbarcelona.com
Min New York- www.minnewyork.com
Elements Showcase-elements-showcase.com
Fragrance Foundation-www.fragrance.org
FiFi-fifiawards.wordpress.com

 



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Beauty Chronicles: "I'll be DAMNED..."



Ross in Gucci- Pic from STYLE.com

I am a HUGE Tracee Ellis Ross fan! Out of all the girlfriends on the show "GIRLFRIENDS" Joan, aka Tracee, was my favorite. She was smart, intelligent, always put together, chic, beautiful, sophisticated, sexy, and could dress her behind off! Her fashion sense was authentically hers and she owned it! I think the case is the same for Ross when she is not acting. Every time I see her in a magazine or on a television show (she currently stars in and produces BET's Reed Between the Lines) I'm enamoured by her and her versatility. Whether she is rocking her natural curls with a tee shirt, cargo pants, and a pair of Jordans or dressed in a Gucci Dress and a pair of Louboutins attending an awards show no one can deny her ability to make an impressionable fashion/beauty statement.



Wearing NARS, DAMNED on the lips





Speaking of statements... Tracee is known for making BOLD ones with her lip color.  This post is about stepping out of your lip color comfort zone and trying something BOLD just because you can!  A favorite of Tracee is NARS Damned Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. I've purchased many of NARS lip pencils, Cruella and Dragon Girl just to name a couple, but I didn't have this color in my collection so this past weekend I went to pick it up!

DAMNED lip pencil is very matte but it's goes on very creamy and smooth; it works with all skin complexions too. As you can tell, I added a little lip conditioner underneath which creates a light sheen. I do like matte but at times it can be drying but if you like that type of finish then this is the way to go. DAMNED is a deep cranberry or wine-like color. The cool benefit to wearing pencils is that you can line the lip with one color and fill it in with another. Also, it can double as a lipstick too! When you want to veer off of the "Red" lip definitely try this color. It will give you that "pop" in a sultry/edgy kind of way!

 I applied the lip pencil before going to work and it pretty much lasted the entire day. I did, however,  apply my lip conditioner once to the center of the lips and used my hand to spread the remaining pigment around without a full reapplication. Be aware that the top tends to pop off at random moments so after each application make sure that it's pushed firmly down...I wouldn't want the lip color to damage your clothes or the inside of your handbag. 

Go ahead BEAUTIFUL.... BE BOLD and go try NARS DAMNED
Velvet Matte Lip Pencil! You will not be disappointed!











Thursday, January 12, 2012

Love Potions... Scents and Spirits

Love Potions (click link for full article)


Excerpt: Mindy Yang of Min NY in New York City- "Fragrance is quite a part of our existence, isn't it? These invisible, magical molecules create, transcend, and often complete the experience of a beautiful moment for me. They help me recall people, moments, and places. I have quite a love affair with scents. To me, perfumes are necessary accessories, I'm not ever fully dressed without one."

I've had the opportunity to meet Mindy on several occasions. She's a truly impressive woman who is  extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her craft.  Six months ago, maybe longer, I attended an in-store event that paired fragrances with different types of spirits. I recall being intrigued by Mindy's ability to speak so fluidly and confidently to her audience. I said to myself, "Damn she is good. That will be you one day Kim."

Read the article when you have the chance! Some of my favorite scents are pair with unique cocktails that are worth creating on your own!

For more information of Mindy and Min New York please check out the website, http://www.minnewyork.com/!

Monday, January 2, 2012

"Personal style is about making a personal statement"



Great winter coat to accent any outfit!

Never leave home without a great hand bag, shoes, and a perfume to compliment the outfit!


Can't forget the Le Parfum Lalique...subtle scent but big presence!