Ten Pretty Girls Get Facelifts

Well, that's not exactly true. It's the blog that's getting a facelift, thanks to the talented team of Michael and Heather Grenier, who custom designed a logo for us that perfectly fits our feel of retro elegance mixed with modern moxie. (If you're interested in their services, leave a comment and I'll forward it to them.)

Okay, we also offer heaping spoonfuls of sarcasm but I'm afraid that a sarcastic logo might get us confused with the Onion, which might not necessarily be a bad thing but would definitely alienate my most loyal readership. (Hi Mom!)

I love the pink and brown color scheme because it reminds me of Bendel's, a beautiful vision to illuminate these long dark teatimes of the soul. I'm having a bit of trouble finding background and text colors that show it off, though. Hieu can solve this problem for me, but right this second he's on a job interview (I won't say where but after last week's Screamer of the Week you can be 100% sure it isn't Kmart!), so while we're waiting for him, let's enjoy a little treat that also rocks the retro/modern contrast: an Henri Bendel candle in Black Fig, with notes of absinthe, Persian lime, cashmere, wood and jasmine. This candle is an indulgence at $26 but it will burn for over 50 hours and candlelight is said to mimic the effects of a face lift, after all!

Smitten Fragrance from A Beautiful Life

A Beautiful Life is an outpost of urban chic in New Hope, Pennsylvania. New Hope is fun to walk and browse, but it's got much more of a hippy vibe, except for this one little store where they carry Bond No. 9, Mario Badescu and T. Leclerc, among other fashionista favorites. They also have one amazing bargain product under their own label: Smitten Huile de Parfum by A Beautiful Life.

If you can't make it to New Hope, Smitten pure perfume oil is available on the website www.abeautifullife.com for $38.00 for a 5 ml bottle. That may not sound like a lot, but perfume oil is much more concentrated compared to alcohol-based fragrances, meaning it should last through the summer. Smitten has top notes of tangerine and white pepper, heart notes of creamy white florals, and base notes of wood and patchouli. I can't think of a better fragrance to wear in the soft summer breeze.