My newest beauty obsession, Illamasqua make-up

This line of British makeup has just made its way to America via Sephora stores. What a shame it's still not available here in Paris!! Known for the dramatic and professional quality of its products this line is akin to Make Up For Ever.  What's especially unique about Illamasqua is it's message of acceptance for alternative beauty. This isn't just stuff to make you 'pretty' but to transform and as their tag line notes, bring out your "alter ego". Intense pigments and super high quality products that do what they say therefore there's little need to have 15 foundations (like MAC for example). My theory with beauty products has always been that the quality of the products will speak by the quantity in the line. I prefer the company reformulates and perfects something rather than create more products- but that is is a marketing choice that speaks volumes about the integrity of a makeup line and their reputation. What will earn more dollars- having a constant product turnaround so the market is inundated with products or word-of-mouth where your products speak for themselves and reach cult status? Perhaps a little too philosophical for this review post--but Illamasqua, so far, is headed in the right direction. 

The line boasts crazy color assortments and varieties, some of the best and most matte eyeshadows on the market and products that can multitask (pencils for both eyes and lips, primers that change the finish of their foundations). Intense glosses and lipsticks in colors that are unique and refreshing (I myself love the purple lipstick/gloss combo in 'underworld'/'fierce'), with again lots of matte options. Their nail polish has some of the trendiest, unique options available, not to mention superb wear. The website offers online shopping, various tutorials and looks and tips. Highly interactive and quite fun; www.illamasqua.com

Rihanna Vogue Italia

Photographer Steven Klein did a photoshot with Rihanna for Vogue Italia's September issue. The shoot was entitled "Extreme Couture". These pics are INTENSE! Supposedly this shoot was the reason she did her newest haircut with the shaved sides. She even manages to make pointed nails work, which she's also been wearing regularly. These photos make me wanna get on my war paint and take the city (or more appropriately, "run this town"..ha)! For me, Rihanna has been a fashion inspiration and I would venture to say she's the most stylish celebrity today. Whether you love or hate her fashion sense, she steps out daily with 100% effort.  Definitely a motivation for me to get out of the house and check out Parisian shopping...now if only I had an unlimited budget!! 

רחל נעה אשתרי לרקי

My little girl got her Israeli citizenship today! 2 passports and counting... let the travels begin!

Power Plate my5

I just recently tried this machine even though it's been sitting in my house for almost a year. Obviously it's not pregnancy safe, so there goes 9 months, plus some recovery time and finally a messy room to work through. 

I was so excited of the potential outcome of this equipment, but after trying it I have to admit I'm more than dismayed. Perhaps it was just my lack of finesse with it, but it's extremely awkward to say the least. My husband failed to give me the heads up about standing straight up while it's vibrating and needless to say, I was instantly and simultaneously nauseous, dizzy and panicked. You feel your bones shaking and your teeth chattering like you're a rocket about to take off or explode (whichever comes first!). When you finally get the form down, and put a bend in your knees you are immediately in one of the fundamental poses, the squat. You feel your muscles tense and if your position is correct, an intense burn ensues. The key to this machine is the form of your body. You should really master the chart of poses indicating muscle usage. Otherwise you'll just end up with a new-age massage (which is indeed one of the functions of the machine). This workout is obviously for the already trim, in which case it promises to tone muscles, strengthen your core, enhance flexibility and improve circulation. 

After much cardio time, this could indeed become my new best friend. But as it stands of late, I didn't feel the post-work out fatigue that I'm accustomed to. Only time will tell. But if the theory of the Power Plate is correct, the possibilities are endless and the benefits numerous. Check out www.powerplate.com for more information. 

Marc Jacobs 'Lola'

My new perfume of the moment. With notes of pink peppercorn, pear d'Anjou, ruby grapefruit, vanilla, tonka bean, musk and peony. Yumm. I'm obsessed with the PVC flower topper and the lingering scent. This pick won out over Nina Ricci's 'Ricci Ricci' and YSL's 'Parisienne'. However those are sure to follow. 

450€ orange juice

I just got my new wedding band. A spontaneous visit into Cartier in Place Vendome resulted in my husband buying me this ring. Love it. The tricolored intertwined bands are a cult item that has been newly revisited this year. The rose gold band now bears the Cartier stamp on the outside- the 2009 interpretation of a classic.  The whole experience was unforgettable and surreal. The Rue de la Paix location is the original, oldest Cartier flagship store. The glass ceilings lent light to the mirrors echoing the cases filled with diamonds, sapphires, rubies and more. A grand central staircase led to the second level where salespeople pulled drawers of stock and once taken to the pending customers, was substituted for little tokens. An amusing system for security and customers alike. I suspect the process is itself historic. Once an assistant is beckoned, and the admired pieces are noted, you take your place on the couch and are offered a beverage. My heart was thumping. Were we in over our heads? Can you really call the bluff of being interested in buying Cartier jewelry? Can you back out if you feel queasy? 

Yet the contemplation of rings and purchases was an easy one. The classic trinity ring was a no-brainer and instantly individual. Once the ring was procured, beverages are again offered and the endearing traditions of a Cartier purchase begin: the authenticity booklet is written and wax-sealed, the piece is inspected and placed in the infamous, classic Cartier red box and the deluxe Cartier bag is discreetly placed in a plain white one with a cover. 

My daughter loved the store also, and even at a mere 3 months it's easy to understand why. The reflections of jewels and mirrors was awe-inspiring. Before finally being led to the exit, we were greeted with smiles that evoked our welcome to the Cartier world. Or as my husband put it, "I can't believe I just paid 450€ for an orange juice!"

Sicis mosaics

Amazing Italian mosaic designs for walls, floors, pools, ceilings, mannequins and "carpets". True luxury in the home that creates the fantasy environment of dreams. View the creations and get inspired, www.sicis.com. This is some of the sickest design I've seen!

Balmain Fall/Winter 09-10

Black and silver puntuated with royal blue. The same rock chic from last season full of sequins, short hemlines and exaggerated shoulders. The future meets the 80's. *This blue dress is the current window display at Balmain, 44 rue François 1er, Paris.

Balmain Spring/Summer 2009

this past season was the perfect melange of rips, sequins, and gauzy draping! The dresses and jackets of the S/S 09 collection were nothing short of a frothy rock n' roll fantasy! these creations reached cult status and where seen on many celebrities. the shoes in the Balmain window, were the frequent objects of my affection. 

Gucci Fall/Winter 2009; Gucci does it again.

I am crazy about the new Gucci F/W 09 ready to wear line! In fact there isn't much I don't love about this futuristic bad-ass style, from the leather bombers to the leggings, the metallic python bags and chunky cuff bracelets, the dark glasses and platform boots. Velvets, leather, sequins and pvc, oh my! The colors are dark, black on black. The looks are full of contrasting textures punched with pops of neon, shine or oil-slick! Thankfully the bohemian styles are dead and gone-this is the epitome of my dream season!

I'm especially coveting the quilted biker jacket ($4,390, 226828 XN295 1140). Other perfect pieces include: the 'galaxy' large shoulder bag ($3,500, 228550 EI51X 8365), 'journal' sequin evening bag ($1590, 228832 BFG6R 8488), wool plaid hooded dress ($3190), the 5-pocket black straight leg jeans with studded pockets ($795, 230811 XZ315 1000) and the perfect black straight-top glasses that of course are not available for purchase (why do they always do that with the glasses?!). Check it all out and more at www.gucci.com/us/us-english/us/fall-winter-09/ready-to-wear. The perfect stuff to wear on a motorcycle, walking the streets of Paris or in the action scenes of my mind. This collection further proves why Gucci is my #1 designer: au courant and enviable. 

 

By 30...

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour. 

4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking to forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résume that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. How to take control of your own birthday.

9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30.

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Welcome, Bienvenue.

So here's hoping this is the start of something great. Perhaps just mere motivation or inspiration to pull me out of boredom and to get the good ol' Lissasioux juices flowing again*. 

This blog will follow fashion, architecture, travel, politics, parenting, beauty, inner musings and anything else that happens to tickle my fancy, float my boat or sink my battleship. O.k., excusez-moi for that. But besides the topics, my hope is that this will primarily be an aperture for my thoughts and the writings that have recently eluded me but never failed to leave my mind. Screw the pen, the pad, the journal....vive le blog!!  

*not to mention the ego boost.