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!

CSP Ecume de The $30 off at Luckyscent!

I am one of those annoying people that isn't happy with something unless it's perceived as rare and exotic, which explains why I live half an hour outside of New York City and yet I order most of my fragrances and beauty products from stores in L.A., even when many of them are available at my local mall (the world class Mall at Short Hills).

Part of this is the continued influence of the late, great alt.fashion, which taught us the whole world was our playground (one of my favorite parts of participating was the international swaps for products that weren't locally accessible), and another part is my own personal quirk of needing to be seen as unique. At any rate, this habit has led me to some great stores, like Beautyhabit and Luckyscent (I'm not so crazy about the trend of smushing words together like that, but that's the residual influence of my mother the English teacher). CSP is definitely available at Short Hills, but how much more fun is it to get a package in the mail from L.A., especially one that includes free samples? Besides, Luckyscent has this fragrance that sounds perfect for spring and summer on sale now at $80, marked down from $110:

Ecume de The has notes of bergamot, lemon leaf, hibiscus, lotus, orange pekoe tea, mate, and tea wood. Just reading the description reminds me of a couple of my happiest summers, when I worked at a day camp in the country (wisely choosing an office position there because it was air-conditioned, but I had any number of reasons to go outside and walk around the beautiful grounds several times a day). There was a local deli that had a delicious custom blend of iced tea that I drank every day, and this fragrance transports me back to that time and place like Proust and his madeleines. I can't think of anything I'd rather wear for summer, and the sale price makes it all the more attractive.